Monday, November 30, 2015

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!


Revisiting Organic Agriculture Webinar Series: Nutrient Management


December 1. Online. American Society of Agronomy concludes its monthly series, Revisiting Organic Agriculture, with this webinar featuring organic farmer Carmen Fernholz and soil scientist Julie Grossman. This session will present basic concepts to help you work with organic producers and improve soil nutrient status. It will place special emphasis on nitrogen management and tools organic growers use to manage this critical nutrient cycle. It will also provide resources that you can use to learn about organic nutrient management. http://agronomy.peachnewmedia.com/store/subscription/subscription-detail.php?subid=769


Webinar "Mitigating Pollinator Decline in Landscapes"

Tuesday, December 1 at 11:30 am CST. Ms. Heather Holm, Author and Restoration Specialist, How to identify 5 families of native bees in landscapes, provide identification and life history information, nest site descriptions, especially in spring and fall. crops: apples, squash, blue berries, tomatoes. Dr. Karl Foord, Extension Educator Entomology, UMinnesota. How to conserve bees in the landscape. Favorite nectar and pollen hosts, what crops that they pollinate, time of activity, any other information on pollination services, and how to properly use insecticides. crops: apples, squash, blue berries, tomatoes. Dr. Dan Cariveau, Assistant Professor Ecology Bees, UMinnesota. In general what do we know about bee communities, how they coexist, are they in decline. Dr. Vera Krischik, Associate Professor, Extension Specialist Entomology, UMinnesota, Moderator and Dr. Mary Meyer, Professor, Extension Specialist Horticulture, UMinnesota. https://umn.webex.com/umn/onstage/g.php?MTID=eef7ff8f7ecab2f195a9a44d07871dbbf

Entomology Seminar on Essential Oils in Insect Control

December 1.  4:00 pm–5:00 pm. UNL's  Nebraska East Union. Contact, Jeri Cunningham, 402-472-8678jcunningham1@unl.edu. “Essential Oils in Insect Control” presented by Aaron Gilman, a graduate student in the Department of Entomology.


Regional Climate Impacts: Great Plains

Thursday, December 3 at 2:00 pm CST. Experts will provide findings from the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), energy job strategies, and the National Climate Impact Assessment. As part of the QER discussion, we plan to share climate-based findings related to national security, resilience, the grid of the future, environment, grid siting, and shared transport. This discussion will outline federal energy policy objectives, proposals, and actions, particularly as they relate to climate change and resilience for underserved communities. For more information on the QER, please visit http://energy.gov/epsa/quadrennial-energy-review-qer. Register, https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2333084875447928066


Webinar "Managing invasive species in landscapes"

Thursday, December 3 at 11:30 am CST. Dr. Cristelle Guédot, Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist Entomology, UWisconsin. How to identify and manage spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). Dr. Paul Botch, Extension Specialist Entomology, Michigan State U. How to identify and manage brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). Dr. Jonathan Larson, Extension Specialist Entomology, UNebraska. How to identify and manage Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). Dr. Angela Orshinsky, Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist Plant Pathology, UMinnesota. How to identify and manage downy mildew (Impatiens walleriana). Dr. Vera Krischik, Associate Professor, Extension Specialist Entomology, UMinnesota, Moderator and Dr. Mary Meyer, Professor, Extension Specialist Horticulture, UMinnesota. https://umn.webex.com/umn/onstage/g.php?MTID=e7f627b175dee5471bfa92d6645a1c0c5


2015 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Wildlife in the Backyard - a Double-edged Sword

Friday, December 4 at 1:00 pm CST. It is wonderful to have wildlife in your backyard until that wildlife damages your plants, disfigures your lawn, or invades your house.  In this webinar Dr. Scott Hygnstrom from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point will explain how to minimize problems from small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, moles, voles, rats, and mice.  Moderated by Mike McQueen and Danielle Carroll, Regional Extension Agents, Alabama Cooperative Extension System.  Click here to login as a guest and participate in the live event.   Note: on December 4, the link to the live webinar opens about 15 minutes before the webinar.  If you try to log in earlier, you will get an error message.  http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/fireant

Agronomy & Horticulture Seminar – Amit Jhala

Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Nebraska: Research & Extension.  December 4. 3:30 pm–4:30 pm. UNL's East Campus @  Keim Hall. Amit Jhala, assistant professor, Extension Weed Management Specialist, UNL Agronomy and Horticulture, will talk about how repeated and intensive use of herbicide(s) with the same mode of action can rapidly select for shifts to tolerant, difficult-to-control weeds, and the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds. Join us in person or online at https://connect.unl.edu/fridayseminarseries. Refreshments served at 3 pm.

Midwest CSA Conference

December 3-4. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. With the continued growth of the CSA movement in the Midwest comes opportunities and complexities. The conference will provide a forum for CSA farmers and advocates to come together for deliberative discussion and peer-to-peer learning. Full-group sessions, including a keynote by Steven McFadden, author of the newly released Awakening Community Intelligence: CSA Farms as 21st Century Cornerstones, will discuss shared values of the movement and strategies for promoting cooperation and shared risk among farms and communities.  http://www.midwestcsa.com/

Western Sustainable Ag Crops and Livestock Conference

December 5th. Ogallala. This is an excellent conference with a lot of good information presented from farmers and ranchers and researchers about sustainable crop and livestock systems, particularly for those living in western Nebraska.  This conference has been held for several years and we continue to have good programs each year for this conference.  If you are interested, please register for the conference and pass this along to people that you think may be interested, especially those that live in western Nebraska. To download a brochure and registration form, go to http://ckb.unl.edu.





GivingTuesday


About


Tuesday, December 1st, All Day. Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources. We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

NSAS

This year NSAS is once again participating in Giving Tuesday. 2014's GivingTuesday donations allowed us to provide 8 scholarships for youth and beginning farmers for the Healthy Farms Conference.  Consider supporting the works of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. You can join and/or donate online at, http://www.nebsusag.org/join.shtml. Or by contacting NSAS Board Treasuer Jo Lowe at jo@4jl.net or 402-780-5139 for offline options.




Opportunities



Growing Farmers Training Program



January to April 2016. If you want to start your own small farm, the Community Crops Growing Farmers Winter Workshops are just for you! This series of twelve workshops is designed to give you a solid foundation from which you can build your own successful small farm business. In addition, graduates who need land are eligible to farm at the Prairie Pines Incubator Farm. For more information: http://www.communitycrops.org/growingfarmers


Big Garden is hiring

Big Garden in Omaha is currently seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Programming Coordinator. This position will involve volunteer coordination, attending community events, engaging with gardeners and diverse community members, organic gardening, and some administrative duties. This is a perfect position for a person who enjoys being out in the field, communicating regularly with people, and has experience and interest in sustainable agriculture. Please visit www.biggarden.org for application instructions or contact Executive Director Nathan Morgan nmorgan@biggarden.org 


Farm and Ranch Project Staff Attorney Job Opening: Legal Aid of Nebraska

In case someone here has interest or knows someone who has an interest, Legal Aid of Nebraska is seeking a Staff Attorney in its Farm & Ranch Project. Listing is here: 



Cropland


I have 150 irrigated acres in Western Douglas County that I will be available for cash rent spring of 2016. Jeaniffr Snide, G&J Snide Farms LLC,  Jeaniffr5@aol.com



Farming Opportunity


I have an opportunity to rent some ground just east of Beatrice but I need to farm it Organically. I live too far away and don't have the time right now to rotary hoe and/or cultivate in a timely fashion. Is there anyone that lives in the area that has experience (and preferably equipment) and would be interested in doing some custom farming? Thank you, Jon Yoachim, 402-309-4088


Survey seeks opinions of women livestock farmers


USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant to study the tool- and equipment-related needs of women livestock farmers. To assist Green Heron in designing better tools and equipment, women who raise or care for livestock of any kind are invited to complete a brief survey.   The survey will be open through September, and respondents who complete it will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Green Heron Tools gift certificate. Begun by two small-scale farmers with backgrounds in nursing and public health, Green Heron is the first company in the world to focus on scientifically designing agricultural tools and equipment that work well for women. For more information please visit www.greenherontools.com. Complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenherontools_women_livestock_farmers.


Farm Family Placement Opportunity


'We are a family of four (with two kids), we are looking for any possibility that can lead us to live in the country (no more than one hour and a half driving from the farm to the city of Lincoln). We are specially looking for a farm/ house with a piece of land that is organic oriented .  Please do not hesitate to contact us for any queries (Cell phone; 402-4059195). rllasaca@gmail.com. Thanks. Troy Van Horn".


Looking for Mentorship in Shelton/Grand Island/Kearney Area.

My family and I are returning to Shelton, NE in order to re-establish her family's farm. It is 160 acres but hasn't been used in nearly 30 years. We are going to be establishing a Joel Salatin Polyface Farm type farm. Where we will raise a multi specie critical and threatened heritage breed livestock as determined by the Livestock Conservancy Organization. All livestock will be pastured raised. We are also going to establish seasonal vegetable gardens. Looking for mentorship opportunities in the Shelton/Grand Island/Kearney area that would be willing to help us learn the does and don'ts of pasture based all natural farming. Michael Peña, autumnsonrise@yahoo.com


Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Survey 


The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is working with the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI) to better understand experiences with crop insurance and with a new crop insurance product called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection is a pilot crop insurance policy available for the 2015 crop insurance year. The policy provides crop insurance coverage based on a farm’s 5-year revenue history, and it enables a farm to insure more than one crop with one policy. The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rafiwfrpsurveyQuestions about this survey can be directed to James Robinson at 919-542-1396 ext. 209 or james@rafiusa.org.



Upcoming


National Vegetable Grafting Symposium


December 7. Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 4th National Vegetable Grafting Symposium focuses on "Growing New Roots for the Vegetable Industry in the United States." Sessions include an overview of vegetable grafting today, propagation for grafting, and grafting production systems. There will also be poster presentations during the meeting. http://www.vegetablegrafting.org/2015/08/save-date-4th-national-vegetable-grafting-symposium/

Acres USA Conference and Eco-Ag U

December 8-11. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Eco-Ag U offers optional, intensive courses by eco-farming's top consultants, practitioners, and thinkers for advanced learning. The conference features presentations by some of the world's leading authorities and practitioners of ecological agriculture, including successful large-scale farmers, leading consultants, and cutting-edge scientists. Special rooms are dedicated to eco-consultants and staffed throughout the day by some of the leading advisors in eco-agriculture. For more than 40 years this annual conference has changed lives, improved farming practices, and served up a lot of fun.http://www.acresusa.com/events

Land Matters: Making New Solutions Possible Through Technology

Wednesday, December 9 at 9:00 am CST. Speakers: Christopher Barlow,Thomson Reuters, Trevor Davies, KPMG, Mercedes Stickler, USAID. Join an online discussion about how land tenure, rights and security affect the world's poorest. Land is a difficult resource to manage, especially in countries without stable systems in place. But finding ways to effectively and sustainably administer it is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. While land rights, tenure and security are already priorities for the public sector and the world's largest development donors, the private sector too has an important role to play in ensuring effective land and property management. Register at https://pages.devex.com/land-matters-making-new-solutions-webinar-registration.html

Market Research Webinar

Wednesday, December 9 at 11:00 am CST. Market research is an important part of a marketing and business plan.  This webinar will review  the basics of marketing research, identifying a customer and market research tools. For more information:http://www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag/webinars. To register: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wednesday-webinars-registration-11452674257

An Integrated Approach to Managing Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle in Crucifer Crops

December 9. Online. Join eOrganic at 2 pm Eastern Time for a free, one-hour webinar on an integrated approach to managing Yellomargined Leaf Beetle (YMLB) in Crucifer Crops on organic farms. This webinar will provide advanced IPM information related to trap crops, attractants, and biorational insecticides. It will conclude with a detailed discussion of organic integrated pest management strategies suitable for multiple pest problems in organic and conventional crucifer production systems. http://www.extension.org/pages/73225/an-integrated-approach-to-managing-yellowmargined-leaf-beetle-ymlb-in-crucifer-crops

Basics of avian influenza

Thursday, December 10 at 2:00 pm CST. There is a lot of information available on avian influenza but it can be bit confusing. This webinar will discusses the basics of what avian influenza is and what small and backyard flock owners need to know to keep their chickens healthy. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

Livestock and Wildlife Interactions—Using targeted grazing to develop wildlife habitat

December 10. Online. This free webinar is part of the Targeted Grazing On-The-Ground series presented by the Targeted Grazing Committee of the Society for Range Management. This session is presented by Dr. John Hendrickson, ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory. https://targetedgrazing.wordpress.com/training/

National Conference on Grazing Lands

December 13-16. Grapevine, Texas. National Grazing Lands Coalition will host a 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands, including a special Grazing Land Soil Health tour of Texas. Sessions during the three-day event will address cover crops, soil health, grazing and forage management, business management, grazing weeds, water quality, and more. http://www.grazinglands.org/grazing-conference/

Monday, November 16, 2015

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Demystifying Organic Certification for Processors Webinar

November 16. Online. Join CCOF for a webinar that reviews the steps of organic certification for processors and covers basic principles of organic processing in the United States. Participants will also learn simple techniques to keep their organic certification up-to-date. The webinar will cover topics specific to maintaining an Organic System Plan, including recordkeeping, labeling, and using the National List to identify ingredients allowed in organic processing. This webinar is ideal for businesses looking to get into organic processing, as well as current organic processors who wish to improve their knowledge of the organic certification process. http://www.ccof.org/demystifying-organic-certification-processors-webinar

Webinar Series: Farm Financial Tips and Management Information

November 16th. Online. 10;30am. To help farmers, producers and farm business owners who want to gain insight into improving financial management, Ohio State University Extension is offering a free, four-part webinar series on managing risk and financial management. The series, called “Ready, Set, Go: Preparing Farms to Successfully Manage Risk,” can help participants better understand their financial situation by focusing on financial statements and using them to their advantage, said Chris Bruynis, an OSU Extension educator. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of the college.http://go.osu.edu/farmwebsurvey

Extension Programming Approaches for Farmers Under the Affordable Care Act

Monday, November 16 at 9:00 am CST. Location: http://ncrcrd.adobeconnect.com/ncrcrd. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed how Farmers and Ranchers might insure themselves, their families, and their workers. What are the new options under the act? How do operators decide whether it makes sense to participate? How can they make informed decisions about their options? This webinar will feature innovative approaches from three Extension professionals actively delivering ACA-related programming for farmers and ranchers, and engage participants about perspectives from their stakeholders. Participants will obtain a road map of existing resources for Extension professionals to use in their programming.

Design Your Succession Plan: Opening the Lines of Communication

Tuesday, November 17 at 11:00 am CST. Location: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag. Please join us for our November Women in Ag webinar on farm succession planning. Our presenter will be Lori Scharmer, Family Economic Specialist for North Dakota State University Extension Service. Scharmer received both her BS and MS degrees from North Dakota State University. Good communication is key to a successful farm or ranch succession plan. During this webinar we will explore the value of opening the lines of communication and the role women play in bringing the family together and getting the conversations started. We will discuss strategies for discussing sensitive issues that may create conflict. We will look at the differences in styles of communication by personalities, gender and between the generations. A family with good communication can accomplish the seemingly unachievable, while a family with poor communication will find any challenge impossible to overcome.

Extreme Weather: Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Farming Systems in the Midwest Region

November 17. Online. Join eOrganic for a free, one-hour webinar on Extreme Weather: Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Farming Systems in the Midwest Region, by Joel Gruver of Western Illinois University. The webinar begins at 2 pm Eastern Time, and preregistration is required. This webinar will discuss the impacts of extreme weather on organic farming systems in the Midwest region and explore opportunities for increased weather resiliency with an emphasis on soil management. http://www.extension.org/pages/73260/extreme-weather:-challenges-and-opportunities-for-organic-farming-systems-in-the-midwest-region#.VjbJmG7CrLI

Grazing System Designs for Non-traditional Livestock

November 17. Online. This free webinar is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology at 2:00 pm Eastern. Unconventional grazing systems typically involve an unusual management effort, an unusual kind or class of livestock, multi-species grazing, and more often a combination of these three. Join the webinar to learn about the what, where, and why options, with conservation benefits only one of the reasons to participate. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/grazing-system-designs-for-non-traditional-livestock


SNR Fall Research Seminar; The Impact of Climate & Irrigation on Crop Yields

November 18th. 3:30 pm. UNL's East Campus Hardin Hall. Tara Troy, assistant professor of water resources engineering at Lehigh University, presents this free and public seminar. Troy’s research lies at the intersection of climate, water, and food, with a particular interest in understanding the role of climate variability on water supply and demand across a variety of scales. She joined Lehigh’s faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2013. Prior to Lehigh, Troy was an associate research scientist for the Columbia Water Center at Columbia University, with projects about flood risk and water sustainability. She received her Ph.D. in 2010 from Princeton University, with her dissertation focused on quantifying the drivers and impacts of climate change on land surface hydrology over northern Eurasia during the past century.

Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network Webinar: Finger Lakes Meat Project

November 18. Online. The Finger Lakes Meat Project is a regional initiative in New York State to grow the freezer trade (sales of meat in bulk quantities such as whole, half and quarter animals) to benefit livestock farmers and consumers. The Project consists of educational efforts, an online directory of farms called The Meat Suite and two community freezers in Central NY called The Meat Locker. Learn more about this project, how it got started and its value to local farms on this free, Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar at 1 pm Eastern. http://www.extension.org/pages/33477/nmpan-webinars#.VkCZT7erTIU

Matching Appropriate Seed to Conservation Practices

November 18. Online. Participate in this training to learn ways to improve the long term success of conservation plantings. The webinar will highlight ecological restoration tools aimed at restoring native plant communities; examine broad benefits of plant community restoration; and illustrate how seed choices can improve (or harm) plantings. This webinar is aimed at NRCS conservation planners and partners, particularly those less familiar with ecologically based planning. This free, one-hour webinar is presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/matching-appropriate-seed-to-conservation-practices

NGFN Webinar: National Food Hub Survey 2015

November 19. Online. Join the National Good Food Network to learn the latest we know from an in-depth survey of a significant number of U.S. food hubs. Designed, run and analyzed by Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems in cooperation with the NGFN Food Hub Collaboration, this is truly the definitive word on food hubs in the United States. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5676318206879324418


Livestock and Endangered Species--What do targeted grazers need to know about endangered species?

November 19. Online. This free webinar is part of the Targeted Grazing On-The-Ground series presented by the Targeted Grazing Committee of the Society for Range Management. This session will be facilitated by Dr. Rachel Frost, Missouri River Conservation Districts and Council, and Dr. Marc Horney, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. https://targetedgrazing.wordpress.com/training/

Women, Land and Legacy Soil Health Fertility Learning Sessions

November 19. Storm Lake, Iowa. The Women, Land and Legacy Chapters of Buena Vista and Pocahontas Counties are hosting a free learning session on soil fertility. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/news/ia/newsroom/releases/?pname=2386#events

Sustaining Our Iowa Land (SOIL)

November 19-20. Des Moines, Iowa. Drake University Agricultural Law Center, in cooperation with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will host a two-day conference Sustaining Our Iowa Land (SOIL): Past, Present and Future Soil and Water Conservation Policy. The conference will bring together a wide range of individuals and organizations working to protect Iowa's soil and water resources to consider the roles that policy and law play in shaping our stewardship efforts. http://drakeaglaw.org/soil-water-conservation-policy-conference/

Advocating for Humanely and Sustainably-Raised Food


November 21st. Omaha.  12:30PM Doors open. With presentations by Joe Maxwell, “How and Why HSUS is supporting local farmers and promoting humanely-raised food and why local advocacy is imperative to success”. And a keynote by Bernie Rollins, “Mandates for more humane conditions for agricultural animals and why societal influence is leading to corporate change in the production of our food”. There'll be presentations from several local folks as well. Venue Parking, on street parking is available, but parking in metered spots is no longer free on Saturdays, so bring your quarters if that is your choice! Alternatively, there is a parking garage located at 1313 Harney, which is just one block north of the venue. Questions to Jocelyn, jnickerson@humanesociety.org, 402.541.7077



Opportunities


Holiday Harvest Market

November 22nd. Lincoln. The Holiday Harvest Farmers Markets offer an abundance of local food and late-season produce for winter, now with two indoor markets at a NEW, larger location at Park Centers Banquet Hall. 10am - 2pm. Park Centers Banquet Hall, 2608 Park Blvd, Lincoln. Park Centers is right off the Jamaica North Bike Trail, with ample parking and much more room, which means more local producers and more great food. http://www.holidayharvestfarmersmarket.com/vendor-list.html


Farm Transportation Needed

Is anyone going to be going through Kansas in the next few days and coming back towards Nebraska who could pick up two female Saanen goats for a fee? Figured it doesn't hurt to ask! I am not able to drive 10 hours round trip any day this week, and the seller will be taking them to market by Friday if I cant get them. I would be able to meet wherever in Nebraska near Omaha and surrounding areas. I also have a dog to pickup near Pilot Mound Iowa this week, so if anyone is traveling that way, please let me know, same scenario, pick up for a fee. Thanks!!!! Serena Bourne, serenasaurus09@yahoo.com


Big Garden is hiring

Big Garden in Omaha is currently seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Programming Coordinator. This position will involve volunteer coordination, attending community events, engaging with gardeners and diverse community members, organic gardening, and some administrative duties. This is a perfect position for a person who enjoys being out in the field, communicating regularly with people, and has experience and interest in sustainable agriculture. Please visit www.biggarden.org for application instructions or contact Executive Director Nathan Morgan nmorgan@biggarden.org 


Farm and Ranch Project Staff Attorney Job Opening: Legal Aid of Nebraska

In case someone here has interest or knows someone who has an interest, Legal Aid of Nebraska is seeking a Staff Attorney in its Farm & Ranch Project. Listing is here: 


Greenhouse Trays & Pots for Sale

I have scads of used greenhouse trays that I will sell really cheap. "32 trays" - 10x20 trays for 32s (2.5x2.5x3.5" tall pots), "18 trays" - 10x20 trays for 18s (3.5x3.5x4" tall pots), Landscaper pots in all sizes from 1-4 gal. Bring your van or pick up and load 'em up. but call or text first: 402-310-6670. Questions? Email me at gene@heartlandorganics.net




Cropland

I have 150 irrigated acres in Western Douglas County that I will be available for cash rent spring of 2016. Jeaniffr Snide, G&J Snide Farms LLC,  Jeaniffr5@aol.com



Billy Available


Hey everybody, we have tried to sell our male Saanen goat born in February. They must be the weed of barnyard animals because no one seems to want him. I am hoping someone would want him for free. If you or anyone you know wants him, please contact me asap at 402-380-7233 to arrange a pickup. Thank you, Serena Bourne


Farming Opportunity


I have an opportunity to rent some ground just east of Beatrice but I need to farm it Organically. I live too far away and don't have the time right now to rotary hoe and/or cultivate in a timely fashion. Is there anyone that lives in the area that has experience (and preferably equipment) and would be interested in doing some custom farming? Thank you, Jon Yoachim, 402-309-4088


Survey seeks opinions of women livestock farmers


USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant to study the tool- and equipment-related needs of women livestock farmers. To assist Green Heron in designing better tools and equipment, women who raise or care for livestock of any kind are invited to complete a brief survey.   The survey will be open through September, and respondents who complete it will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Green Heron Tools gift certificate. Begun by two small-scale farmers with backgrounds in nursing and public health, Green Heron is the first company in the world to focus on scientifically designing agricultural tools and equipment that work well for women. For more information please visit www.greenherontools.com. Complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenherontools_women_livestock_farmers.


Farm Family Placement Opportunity


'We are a family of four (with two kids), we are looking for any possibility that can lead us to live in the country (no more than one hour and a half driving from the farm to the city of Lincoln). We are specially looking for a farm/ house with a piece of land that is organic oriented .  Please do not hesitate to contact us for any queries (Cell phone; 402-4059195). rllasaca@gmail.com. Thanks. Troy Van Horn".


Looking for Mentorship in Shelton/Grand Island/Kearney Area.

My family and I are returning to Shelton, NE in order to re-establish her family's farm. It is 160 acres but hasn't been used in nearly 30 years. We are going to be establishing a Joel Salatin Polyface Farm type farm. Where we will raise a multi specie critical and threatened heritage breed livestock as determined by the Livestock Conservancy Organization. All livestock will be pastured raised. We are also going to establish seasonal vegetable gardens. Looking for mentorship opportunities in the Shelton/Grand Island/Kearney area that would be willing to help us learn the does and don'ts of pasture based all natural farming. Michael Peña, autumnsonrise@yahoo.com


Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Survey 


The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is working with the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI) to better understand experiences with crop insurance and with a new crop insurance product called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection is a pilot crop insurance policy available for the 2015 crop insurance year. The policy provides crop insurance coverage based on a farm’s 5-year revenue history, and it enables a farm to insure more than one crop with one policy. The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rafiwfrpsurveyQuestions about this survey can be directed to James Robinson at 919-542-1396 ext. 209 or james@rafiusa.org.



Upcoming


Webinar Series: Farm Financial Tips and Management Information

November 23rd. Online. 10;30am. To help farmers, producers and farm business owners who want to gain insight into improving financial management, Ohio State University Extension is offering a free, four-part webinar series on managing risk and financial management. The series, called “Ready, Set, Go: Preparing Farms to Successfully Manage Risk,” can help participants better understand their financial situation by focusing on financial statements and using them to their advantage, said Chris Bruynis, an OSU Extension educator. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of the college.http://go.osu.edu/farmwebsurvey

Making on the Farm: Re-use, Innovation and Tradition Webinar

November 24. Online. The current reinvigoration of small scale agriculture, including urban farming, has paralleled the growth of the maker movement. This webinar with Paul Treadwell will look at the impact of making on the farm as the continuation of a longstanding tradition. http://events.cornell.edu/event/making_on_the_farm_re-use_innovation_and_tradition_webinar