Monday, November 17, 2014

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Shh... Sustainability Happy Hour at PloughShare Brewing!

November 19. Lincoln. Lets talk local! Join us for the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society's Sustainability Happy Hour, as we tour Ploughshare Brewing Company in Lincoln. We will enjoy a tour of the brewery with brewmaster & Cicerone Matt and good conversation. We'll learn about Nebraska's newest brewery and their goals to be a sustainable brewery & restaurant. 
Shh.... is an event in the Nebraska area, centered around sustainability, local foods, local flavors and great conversation! We will have several Shh... events throughout the fall and winter, and we hope you will join us! Details and to rsvp here, 
shh.nsas@gmail.com 

Public Webinar: Pollinator Strategy Listening Sessions

November 17, 12pm – 2pm. Online. Sponsored by EPA and USDA. The EPA and the U. S. Department of Agriculture will hold two public listening sessions to solicit stakeholder input on the Pollinator Health Task Force’s development of a federal strategy. Feedback from the listening sessions will play an important role in the Task Force efforts to develop a federal strategy to reverse pollinator losses and help restore pollinator populations to healthy levels. Additional information is available online:http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/public-listening-sessions-pollinator-health-task-force

Structural Racism and Food Inequity

Monday, November 17 at 2:00 pm. This webinar will discuss the past, current and future work at NC A&T State University as a part of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) to address food systems inequities. The discussion will cover our history of youth work and community engagement in eastern North Carolina as well as statewide efforts and national engagement with organizations like the Inter-Institutional Network for Food and Agricultural Sustainability (INFAS) and the Center for Social Inclusion (CSI) as well as the WK Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) to build shared language, a shared analysis and frame for food equity using race as a lens. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/diversity

Leading the Way – How Women are Changing Board Rooms and Rural Landscapes

Tuesday, November 18 at 11:00 am. Krysta Harden, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will discuss women's leadership roles in agriculture. As a daughter of farmers, Harden understands the changing face of agriculture and the need to create and expand opportunities in rural America. Harden's highest priority is to ensure that beginning farmers and the growing ranks of agriculture - women, young people, immigrants, socially disadvantaged producers, returning veterans and retirees - have access to the programs and support they need. As USDA’s third female Deputy Secretary, Harden is interested in building a strong and diverse future for women in agriculture. Deputy Secretary Harden will be joined on the webinar by Dr. Jewel Hairston, Dean at the Virginia State University College of Agriculture, and Kate Danner, a young farmer from Illinois. More than ever before, we see women manage farms and ranches, lead agricultural policy, and work at the helm of agribusinesses. The number of farms and ranches owned and operated by women has been steadily increasing over the past several years. We invite you to join for this webinar to discuss the future of the U.S. agriculture system and the importance of transferring knowledge, retaining talent, and supporting the women leaders of tomorrow.https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag 

Dehulling Ancient Grains Webinar

November 18. Online. Join eOrganic for a webinar on dehulling ancient grains, presented by members of the NIFA OREI project: Value-added Grains for Local and Regional Food Systems. This webinar will provide an overview of the methods used to dehull grain and the components needed in a dehulling system. One focus will be on the current dehulling options for both larger-scale and small-scale growers, including custom dehulling, new and used dehullers, modification of milling/cleaning equipment to dehull, and building one’s own dehuller. The webinar will also focus on the economics of dehulling, including consideration of ancient grain yield, dehulling efficiency and costs, and prices for hulled and dehulled grain. The webinar is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. http://www.extension.org/pages/71272/

Webinar: Managing Outdoor Pests of Schools Using IPM

November 18, 1pm – 3pm. A part of the School IPM Webinar Series for school facility managers, IPM Coordinators, building and grounds supervisors, nurses, administrators, or pest management professionals.  See archived and future webinars in this series at this EPA web site. http://www.epa.gov/pestwise/events/sipm-webinars.html

Effective Use of Electric Fencing to Improve Grazing Management and Enhance Soil Health

November 19. This webinar is part of a series offered by the NRCS East National Technology Support Center. This webinar will focus on how to make effective use of temporary electric fencing for a variety of livestock species. Basic management and troubleshooting of electric fences will be covered as well as species-specific temporary fencing techniques. The discussion will include effective management of electric fences for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry. http://conservationwebinars.net/

"Why can't we stop Eating?"

November 19.  12:00 pm–1:00 pm. UNL's East Campus Union in Lincoln. More information. Jolene Walker, 402.472.3862,jwalker5@unl.edu. Dr. Allen Levine from the University of Minnesota Department of Food Science and Nutrition will present a talk, “Why can’t we stop eating?” as part of the Nebraska Gateway to Nutrigenomics seminar series. This is a brown bag lunch with coffee and dessert provided.

Foraging for Food - Session I and II

November 19th. Online. A hunter-gatherer or forager society is a nomadic society in which most or all food is obtained from wild plants and animals, in contrast to agricultural societies, which rely mainly on domesticated species. Anthropologists have remarked that the term foraging is a more appropriate description of the predominant food source for most non-agricultural groups: Gathering is a far more important source of food than is hunting for the majority of non-agricultural societies, according to Richard Borshay Lee. Join Rachel Brazil and special guests to learn how modern day foraging supplies fruits and other native species to supplement your food supply. https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/8726488799175434242

Plants that eat plants: Evolutionary and functional genomics of parasitic plants

November 19.  4:00 pm–5:00 pm. UNL's City Campus at the Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street. Contact, Lisa Vonfeldt, 402-472-2635,BiotechPSIOffice@unl.edu. “Plants that eat plants: Evolutionary and functional genomics of parasitic plants” will be presented by Dr. Claude dePamphilis, Penn State University. A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Iowa GAP Level 1 and 2

November 19 and 25. Sioux City, Iowa. The Iowa State University On Farm Food Safety Team will be hosting full-day GAPs workshops across Iowa during fall and spring. Levels 1 and 2 are each one-day workshops. http://bit.ly/12sLsxE

Organic Working Group Training and Outreach Webinar

November 20. From 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time, the USDA Organic Working Group (OWG) will host a webinar on organic training and outreach resources. The OWG is currently updating its Organic Literacy Initiative package, which includes the Organic 101 and 201 training modules, the "Is Organic an Option for Me?" brochure, and the USDA Organic Resource Guide. The OWG will open with a short presentation, and then ask for comments and discussion from participants. The OWG seeks feedback on how the current organic training materials are used, what information is most helpful, and what additional tools are needed. Pre-registration is not required for this webinar session. To participate: Step 1--Dial In by Phone: 866-740-1260. Access Code: 7202000. Step 2--Also Access the Web: http://www.readytalk.com. On the left side of the screen, enter Participant Access Code: 7202000

Crop Selection and Insect Management in High Tunnels Webinar

November 20. Online. Purdue Extension is offering a series of free webinars and workshops providing essential how-to and background information on topics related to year-round growing. This webinar will be led by Liz Maynard, Purdue Extension commercial floral and vegetable crops specialist. No registration is required. http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=770&yr=2014

Organic Inputs: Options and Opportunities for Improving Crop Health and Productivity Webinar

November 20. Online. OEFFA and the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy have partnered to offer this webinar and other educational opportunities designed to address the business and production aspects of managing successful specialty crop operations. This webinar will review key concepts and principles involved in choosing organically acceptable inputs. Details that will help growers make sound and profitable choices for their operations will be provided. This webinar will be presented by Brian McSpadden Gardener, Ph.D. He is a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the Ohio State University. http://www.oeffa.org/events.php

Poultry Operations: Broiler and Layer Energy Conservation Opportunities

November 20. Online. This webinar is part of a series of free webinars on energy, presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center and the National Energy Technology Development Team located at the West National Technology Support Center. Participants in this webinar will learn about the most important energy-using systems involved in broiler and breeder operations and the most effective energy improvement options. The webinar will address key differences between lighting systems (including CFL and LED) and electrical issues to consider when implementing upgrades. Viewers will learn about building envelope issues, such as the benefits and drawbacks with different types of insulation and options for curtain wall retrofits. The speaker will discuss heating and ventilation of poultry houses including performance differences between radiant and convective heating systems.http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

Considerations for Out-Wintering the Organic Dairy Herd Webinar

November 20. Online. Join eOrganic for a webinar on considerations for out-wintering the organic dairy herd by Dr. Brad Heins. In this webinar, Dr. Brad Heins will describe a study that evaluated the effect of two winter housing systems on organic dairy production, somatic cell counts (SCC), body weight, body condition scores (BCS), and dry matter intake (DMI). The webinar is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. http://www.extension.org/pages/71817/

Food Safety for the Holiday Season

Thursday, November 20 at 1:00 pm. Holiday season is approaching. Cooking holiday meals is very challenging since you need to cook so many different foods at the same time and you could easily forget about food safety. This seminar will discuss food safety practices for cooking holiday meals (from shopping to leftover) and provide food safety tips during winter storm and/or power outage. Please register for this FREE webinar. Go to http://eden.lsu.edu/Conferences/SCAP/Registration/Registration, choose "Food Safety for the Holiday Season" from the drop down list, and complete the online form. 

Department of Agricultural Economics Seminar Series
 
November 21.  3:00 pm. Lincoln. Contact, Jane Witte, 472-1913, janewitte@unl.edu. Presented by Jim Vercammen, University of British Columbia. “A Welfare Analysis of Conservation Easement Tax Credits” http://agecon.unl.edu/seminar

Soil Health Webinar

November 21. Online. Registration is now open for a free Sustainable Farming Association Keep Cattle in Minnesota webinar featuring soil health experts Michael Lehman and Wendy Taheri of the USDA North Central Agricultural Research Lab in Brookings, South Dakota. The webinar is set for 1-2:30 p.m. In the first presentation, Cover Cropping: A Great Tool for Building Soils That Work, Lehman will consider the invisible world of soil microorganisms, how what they do that is helpful to producers, and how cover cropping is one management tool that promotes soil microorganisms and their beneficial activities. Taheri's presentation, Understanding the Importance of Diversity in Cropping Systems, will help farmers understand the importance of diversity in their cropping systems and the role cover crops play in creating and maintaining diversity. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/696479405526232577

Alternatives for Fire Blight Control Webinar

November 21. Online. This workshop is ideal for growers of organic apples and pears who need to prepare for or deal with a current fire blight infection in their orchards. Join CCOF for this timely webinar workshop on several viable and important alternatives to antibiotic fire blight treatment. http://www.ccof.org/alternatives-fire-blight-control-webinar





Opportunity

Non GMO Yellow Corn

I have approximately 900 bushels of non-gmo yellow corn available now. It was grown in a field transitioning to organic and it was the control against a field of red corn. It has been tested and is 99.4% non-gmo. This is some really good non-gmo corn. It is still standing in the field since I don't have anymore storage available. Located at Utica (between Seward and York). Please call me at 402-617-1718 if you are interested. 

Vegetable Operations Manager Position near Omaha

Vegetable/small fruit farm and nursery in Papillion has a full-time permanent vegetable operations manager position available. Tasks may include crop selection/scheduling, prep/planting, greenhouse management, construction/maintenance, and sales. Vegetable production experience helpful. The land has been farmed with organic practices for 30 years. Currently selling at local markets and planning to expand. On-farm housing may be negotiable. Also hiring full/part-time general laborer; farm or construction experience helpful. Send resume and cover letter to Lucena@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com or call Tom at 402-306-4500.

Growing Farmers, Growing Food

The Community Crops Growing Farmers workshops will help you learn the planning and production skills you need to start a market farm business. Learn from experienced growers, Extension Educators and business experts about sustainable vegetable production. Workshop topics will include: Seed Starting and Crop Planning, Functional Business Planning, Different Market Opportunities including farmers' markets, Marketing 101, Planning for Profit and Managing Your Risks, Field Management, 
GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) and Food Safety. More details, Register here:  http://www.communitycrops.org/growingfarmers

Vegetable Transplant Supplier Needed

The Community Crops plant sale sells plant starts and perennials to many Lincoln gardeners, and we also supply plants to our community gardeners.  We have outgrown the amount of plants our current supplier can produce and would like to find additional suppliers for 2015 to grow a variety of herb and vegetable transplants on contract.  All plants need to be grown using organic methods, using 32s and delivered in early May.  Please contact me to discuss details at ingrid@communitycrops.org or 402-474-9802.
Thanks! Ingrid

FarmTable Delivery is hiring

We really need a driver ASAP. Qualifications include: - Experience driving an 18ft vehicle - Experience driving a diesel vehicle - Good driving record - Familiar with driving in Omaha, Des Moines, Lincoln a plus! - Detailed orientated - good time management skills - a people person. Right now, 10-15 hours a week. Will increase as company grows. Will Train! SEND RESUMES with REFERENCES to farmtabledelivery@gmail.com 

Farm for Sale in Western Nebraska

We have operated a pastured poultry (including processing) operation and a direct beef operation.  This would be an excellent opportunity for someone who would like to start a small scale sustainable agricultural business. We are having an auction on October 21st which will have all of our equipment for the pastured poultry operation (including processing equipment) and livestock equipment. The link for the auction is: http://www.helbergnussauction.com/selected_auction.php?Auction_ID=18
(check back often as we are still adding items). We also have our cattle herd for sale.  We will only sell them all to one buyer to keep the herd together.  The herd consists of approximately 40 cows and 3 bulls.  The herd is comprised of Angus and Angus/Lowline cross. If you have any questions, please call or email myself or my husband Dan. Dan's cell phone is 308-631-6849. Email iskathi@openabar2ranch.com 

BarnRaiser at Darby Springs Farm

As you may know, we have been slowly growing our farm, Darby Springs, over the past several years. We have launched a crowdfunding campaign with Barnraiser and are asking you to join us in building a creamery barn to create farmstead ice cream, featuring local flavors, and space to learn and grow as a food community. Click here to skip the rest and get right to it: https://www.barnraiser.us/projects/building-the-barn-at-darby-springs-farm. We already sell pastured meat, milk, and eggs, but want to grow to bring you farmstead ice cream and opportunities to experience all our farm has to offer. To do this the Barn will have: The Loft: event and classroom space; Community Kitchen: a certified kitchen for use by all; Farm Store: featuring our ice cream and homemade baked goods as well as other area farmers & artists; Creamery: where the wonderful desserts are made; Milking parlor. Click here to check out our video, get full project details and support our project if you can, or spread the word to your friends: https://www.barnraiser.us/projects/building-the-barn-at-darby-springs-farm



News

Local Food Movement Growing Nationwide

When you turn on the TV and see a commercial for a national big-box store bragging about its food being fresh from the farm, you know the local food movement is bearing fruit.

That was among the messages Nebraska beef and dairy farmer Bob Bernt brought to an audience of more than 100 people Wednesday afternoon. Bernt was one of five Nebraska experts on local food production who were brought together for a panel discussion as part of the Paul A. Olson Seminars in Great Plains Studies at the Great Plains Art Museum in downtown Lincoln.

Read the rest!

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