Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Sustainable Farming & Foods
Weekly Events & Opportunities
Nebraska Young Farmer Night
August 26th. 5:30pm. Branched Oak Farm There will be a Young Farmer night at the Branched Oak Farm intern program near Raymond on Monday, August 26th from 5:30 to 8pm. The interns are: Margaret Milligan, Erin Frank, Jenn Anderson, and myself Drew Nelson. The farm situation is set up as a work trade, where we all put in 10 hours of work on the dairy or in cheese making each week in exchange for rent and land usage for our own projects. Margaret and Erin run a 40 share CSA on the land as well as chickens, I am raising hogs and ducks - and am primarily making cheese, and will be developing my own line of cheese soon, and Jenn and I are planning a small barley malting operation next year. Jenn also is also on the cheese side of things. More details at,http://www.darlinreds.com/about-usins.html There will be a potluck beginning around 5:30 pm followed by pasture walks, tours and games. As with every NSAS event, we strongly encourage families to attend! For complete details and to rsvp please visit, https://www.facebook. com/events/624236637617004/? context=create#
Budding and Grafting Fruit Varieties for Organic Production - Webinar
Small-scale Micro-irrigation Design and Components Webinar
August 29. Presenter, NCAT Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames. Regionally and locally adapted fruit crops aren’t just a treat for the palate. Developing them can fill a number of needs – from providing a boon to organic fruit growers to helping detail-oriented farmers and nurserymen make a decent on-farm income. As a horticulture specialist at NCAT, Guy provides farmers, especially fruit growers, with the best information available to empower them to be the most environmentally sound growers they can be while maintaining a sustainable income. Click here for more information. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/ 339521898?__hstc=220621255. f32ff00f64196b2d145def835d13ca a6.1375092686942. 1376302862228.1377512578561.4& __hssc=220621255.1. 1377512578561
August 28. This free, one-hour webinar features Hamid Farahani, Ph.D., Water Management Engineer at the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center. Webinar participants will be introduced to the basics of micro-irrigation and its components, and they will learn about the critical design factors for a system, within the context of NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 441. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/ webinars/small-scale-micro- irrigation-design-and- components
Free Workshop on Alternative Market Certification Options
Join us on Tuesday, August 27th 10:00AM—3:00PM. Isles Reception Hall, 6232 Havelock Ave in Lincoln, NE. Learn how to add value to your product! The presentation schedule includes: 10:30AM: American Grassfed Association, 11:15AM: Certified Humane®, 12:00PM: Lunch is served, 12:30PM: Global Animal Partnership 5-Step Program, 1:15PM: USDA Organic, RSVP Required to Jocelyn at jnickerson@humanesociety.org or (402) 541-7077
Considerations for Raising Chickens in the Mountains
Ethanol Use in Antique Tractors and Other Legacy Engines
August 28th. 12pm Mountain. Learn about some of the major considerations when raising chickens in the mountains. Eric McPhail, Colorado State University Extension Director in Gunnison County, will discuss food, shelter, water, and predator protection as well as how to manage egg and meat production. To register go to:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ 1heyJqfEG16NwfKQjR09g34I6sFaqc Oao0y_CZoTDjaQ/viewform
August 30th. 10am. Presented by Ed Brokesh, Kansas State University This webinar will look at the interaction of ethanol with different materials found in older engines. It will also consider the combustion process and what that may mean for the operation an older engine. Participants should come away with a better understanding of the care and maintenance of an engine using ethanol containing fuels. At the meeting time, copy and paste this URL into your browser to enter the meeting:https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ agenergy/
Legal and Financial Clinic
Wednesday, August 28th. Kearney. Thursday, August 29th. Valentine. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.
Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil and Water
August 28. August clinic topics include: Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil and Water….The Cornerstone of the Human Race; Cover Crops for Improving the Soil; Infiltration Test and Organic Matter; Soil Temp., Electrical Conductivity, pH, N and P tests; Irrigation and Soil Water; Using Solvita Respiration Tests and N Flush; Soil Profile and Positioning of Landscape; and Management Considerations to Improve the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil. For more information or to register, contact the ARDC CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call (800) 529-8030, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mailcdunbar2@unl.edu or visit the Web at http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.
Preventing or Mitigating Potential Negative Impacts of Pesticides on Pollinators
August 29. 1:00 pm. Giulio Ferruzzi, Ph.D., Conservation Agronomist, USDA NRCS West National Technology Support Center, Portland, OR. Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Program Director, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and Joint Pollinator Coordinator, USDA NRCS West National Technology Support Center, Portland, OR. Participants will learn to use the NRCS conservation planning process to prevent and/or mitigate pest management risks to pollinators and pollinator habitat. Pollinators are a diverse component of on-farm wildlife, and they are critical for plant reproduction. More than 80 percent of plants either require or benefit from pollinators to produce seeds or fruit. This webinar is designed to help conservation planners use the NRCS conservation planning process to prevent and/or mitigate pest management risks to pollinators and pollinator habitat. The presenters will lead you through the steps to determine whether pesticide use on a farm or ranch poses potential hazards to pollinators, and then help you develop conservation and/or Integrated Pest Management plans that prevent or mitigate these hazards. This webinar is sponsored by the USDA NRCS National Wildlife Team located at theCentral National Technology Support Center. Contact William L. Hohman, Ph.D., Wildlife Biologist, for more information about our webinars. Contact Giulio Ferruzi, Ph.D., Conservation Agronomist, West National Technology Support Center, for assistance with Integrated Pest Management. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/ webinars/preventing-or- mitigating-potential-negative- impacts-of-pesticides-on- pollinators
Have an event to add? Get it to healthyfarms@gmail.com by the Sunday prior and we'll be sure to include it!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
COMET-Farm™: Conservation Calculation
Healthy soil captures and stores carbon. Photo by Ron Nichols, NRCS
USDA’s new online carbon-capture calculator, COMET-Farm™, has nothing to do with comets. This tool is all about farms and their potential to help planet Earth. Since its recent release more than 4,200 visitors have already explored the new online COMET-Farm™ tool to learn how they can become part of the climate change solution.
Record-breaking concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are accelerating climate change. Agriculture has the unique opportunity to help contribute to a solution, as demonstrated by COMET-Farm™.
“When farmers use conservation practices, they improve soil health,” NRCS air quality scientist Dr. Adam Chambers says. “Healthy soil captures and stores carbon, effectively removing it from the atmosphere.”
Chambers, a lead developer of COMET-Farm™, has spent the past three years improving this tool, which calculates the environmental benefits of conservation.
Here’s how it works: producers enter information about their land and management—including location, soil characteristics, land uses, tillage practices and nutrient use—into the online tool. The tool then estimates the environmental benefits associated with conservation practices for cropland, pasture, rangeland, livestock operations and energy.
NRCS scientists released the first version of CarbOn Management & Emissions Tool (COMET) in 2005. Developed in partnership with Colorado State University, the first version calculated only how much carbon soil could capture. Later versions expanded the scope of the tool to include agroforestry components, energy and livestock.
“As scientists, our greatest challenge in developing COMET-Farm has been knowing when good is good enough,” says Chambers. “We wanted the tool to be as accurate as possible, but we had to find that balance between scientific accuracy and simplicity.”
With environmental markets emerging around the country, COMET-Farm™ will help producers estimate the value of carbon credits they could earn from various conservation practices. Conservation will not only pay indirectly through improved yields, lower energy costs, soil resiliency and other production-related benefits,– but could also be profitable in the environmental marketplace.
COMET-Farm™ is applicable to all agricultural lands in the lower 48 states. The tool is available for use at www.comet-farm.com. Future model releases are planned by NRCS as new methods for calculating greenhouse gas emissions become available.
Since its inception in 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and agricultural producers delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Alternative Market Certification Options
Free Workshop on Alternative Market Certification Options
Join us on Tuesday, August 27th
10:00AM—3:00PM
Isles Reception Hall, 6232 Havelock Ave in Lincoln, NE
Learn how to add value to your product!
The presentation schedule includes:
10:30AM: American Grassfed Association
11:15AM: Certified Humane®
12:00PM: Lunch is served
12:30PM: Global Animal Partnership 5-Step Program
1:15PM: USDA Organic
Monday, August 19, 2013
Cabbage Rehabilitated
The
humble and much-maligned cabbage has a lot to live down. William Connor
summed up its horrors in 1950, decade of the overcooked vegetable:
"Boiled cabbage a l'Anglaise is something compared with which
steamed coarse newsprint bought from bankrupt Finnish salvage dealers
and heated over smoky oil stoves is an exquisite delicacy."Poor Mr. Connor! He was obviously not buying fresh cabbage from his local farmer. If he had been, he would have been singing a different tune; noting how sweet, crisp, and clean-tasting cabbage is, and how irresistible in a simple salad, slaw, or stir-fry.
A Vegetable of the Gods
Unlike Mr. Connor, the ancient Greeks adored cabbage, and invoked Zeus, king of the gods, to describe its origin. One story goes that Zeus was struggling to explain two oracles that contradicted each other, began to sweat from the effort, and from a drop of his divine perspiration, a cabbage miraculously sprang up.Since that first cabbage, hundreds of other varieties have sprung up. At farmers markets you'll see cabbages in many shades of red and green, and in many shapes and sizes, from pointy-headed mini-cabbages, to flattened orbs, to crinkly-leaved Savoy, Chinese, and Napa cabbages.
Divinely Healthy
Nutritionally speaking, cabbage is indeed a divine vegetable-low in calories and high in fiber, minerals (calcium, manganese, and potassium), and vitamins. In fact a serving of cabbage has as much vitamin C as an orange, but far fewer calories. Cabbage is also high in Vitamins A, E, K, and B6, and in the cancer-fighting antioxidants beta carotene and sulforaphane. Like all vegetables, cabbage begins to lose its valuable nutrients as soon as it is harvested, so it's best from your own backyard garden, or from your local farmer.Sweet and Tangy Herbed Cabbage Salad
There are as many variations of coleslaw as there are cooks, so feel free to adapt this recipe according to your tastes, and what's in your refrigerator. Start with sliced or grated cabbage, then add a spicy salad green such as arugula or mizuna, an herb (dill, parsley, cilantro, or mint), and some chopped vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, onions, peppers-sweet or hot). If you want to go all out, add some fruit (apples, oranges, mango, grapes), toasted nuts (peanuts, cashews), and meat (grilled chicken or shrimp)-and you'll have a healthy, delicious meal-in-a-bowl.Ingredients
4 cups thinly sliced cabbage (green, red, savoy, and/or Napa)1 cup loosely packed herb, such as parsley, cilantro, or dill
Other thinly sliced vegetables, fruits, or nuts of your choice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 Tablespoons honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thinly slice the cabbage, and any other vegetable such as carrots or peppers that you have on hand. Chop the herbs. Toss all together in a large bowl.
- For the dressing, combine the oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Whisk in a bowl, or put in a screw-top jar and shake well.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate. Toss again before serving.
Seasonal Cook's Notes:
Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish.Sustainable Farming & Foods
Weekly Events & Opportunities
Flame Weeding - Workshop
August 21. University of Nebraksa. Concord. Propane fueled Flame Weeding is an acceptable method of weed (pest) control in organic farming, which is also gaining interest among conventional producers due to increase in weed resistance and costs of GMO crop seeds. We will present results from the 6-years of research conducted by the Teams of Dr. Stevan Knezevic (Weed Science) and Dr. George Gogos (Mechanical Engineering). This work is also documented in about 20 scientific publications, 100 abstracts presented at many Regional, National and International meetings, and a patent for flaming equipment. Click here to download more information. http://mosesorganic.org/attachments/ events/8.21flameweeding.pdf
RestorationAg 101: Keyline Farm Design - Perennial Food and Forage
August 23-25. Iowa City, IA. Restoration Ag 101 will be guided over its journey by Mark Shepard, a farmer and designer of world-class reputation and author of Restoration Agriculture. Hosted at VersaLand Farm near Iowa City, you’ll be on-site of a developing perennial farmstead, implementing Keyline design, multi-species grazing, fruit and nut crops, vegetable alleycropping, and using
USDA NOP Organic Crop Standards
August
22 and 29. Online. This IOIA webinar will be given in two sessions, on
two dates, each three hours long. This webinar is a 100-level course
will prepare participants to verify compliance with the NOP Crop
Standards. This webinar training course will focus on topics including
the National List of allowed synthetic and prohibited natural inputs for
crop production. Participants will also gain skill in understanding and
navigating the NOP regulations. This course is geared to prepare those
who intend to take further
training to become organic inspectors or file reviewers. It is also
highly recommended for organic producers, consultants, educators,
extension, and certification agency staff. http://www.ioia.net/schedule_
Predator Management with Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks Webinar
August
22. In this one-hour, evening Extension webinar, Dr. Thomas Barnes will
discuss predator identification and means to minimize their impact. Dr.
Barnes is the Kentucky state extension wildlife specialist and a full
professor in the Department of Forestry at the University of Kentucky. https://learn.extension.org/
Shipping Hay Outside the Fire Ant Quarantine area
August
19th. 6pm. Hay producers from fire ant infested counties may find
themselves trying to ship hay outside the imported fire ant quarantine
area. People on the receiving end of hay shipments may not know what to
do make sure they don't get fire ants along with the hay. Join us on
August 19, 2013 from 6-7 PM central time for this
free webinar, which will explain the rules and regulations and talk
about. best management practices. See more information at: http://www.extension.org/
Assessing Pesticide Exposure to Honey Bees
August
20th. 7pm. The first of a five-part webinar series of presentations by
the Environmental Protection Agency on pesticides effect to honey bees.
This webinar will focus on routes of possible exposure for bees proposed
in risk assessment and how they are estimated using mathematical models
and/or measured residues from monitoring data. Participants will have
an opportunity to learn how different methods of application influence
residues levels and how evaluations of pure chemicals may differ from
evaluations of formulated products. Preregistration is required: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/
Why Eat Grass-Fed Dairy and Meat?
Thursday, August 22nd. 6:30 pm. Gratitude Cafe & Bakery, Lincoln. Saturday, August 24th. 1:00pm. Tomato Tomato, Omaha.Buy
Fresh Buy Local Nebraska education and outreach program welcomes you to
attend “Why Eat Grass-Fed Dairy and Meat?” presented by Robert Bernt of
Clear Creek Organic Farms, a diversified livestock, vegetable and
family dairy farm. His talk will be about the many attributes of grass
fed for you and the animals and why so many of our Buy Fresh Buy Local
farm and ranch members are pursuing this type of production. Join us for
a taste of pasture raised, organic meat, cheese, butter and organic ice
cream the Bernt family produces on farm. Contact: Billene Nemec,
402-472-5273, bnemec2@unl.edu
Steamboat Trail Walk
August 24th. Save Saturday August 24 for a outing at the Steamboat trail south of Nebraska City. The trail run along the east facing slope. We will be walking through and heavenly wood area on the west that used to be oak savanna and to the east Missouri river flood plain.The trail has been home to a Kudzu pueraria lobata. We will see if the plant has been successfully eliminated.On August 25 Sunday the Omaha Audubon Society will have their annual Prairie festival 12:00 to 4:30 PM. The prairie is located on 6720 Bennington road.http://www.
Cover Crops - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly or Beautiful
Tuesday, August 20th. Webinar - Free to ASA and CCA members; $25 for others. See http://bit.ly/11N0JXa for more info.
Field Day: Farming In Extreme Weather - Adapting Farm Practices
Tuesday,
August 20. Near Grant. Sponsored by No Till on the
Plains. Registration is $45 for each site through August 16. For more
info and to register online, go to www.highplainsnotill.com.
Low Stress Cattle Presentations
Tuesday,
August 20, West Point & Lexington. Thursday, August 22, Bridgeport.
All producers are invited to attend this free educational event. There
will also be a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training at each location.
The BQA training begins at 4:00 p.m. with the meal and live cattle
presentation to follow. It is only $20 if you wish to become BQA
certified, which is good for a two year time period. For more
information contact Bonita Lederer, Nebraska Cattlemen Director of
Producer Education at 402.450.0223 or blederer@necattlemen.org.
Panhandle No-till Partnership Field Day
Wednesday,
August 21. Bridgeport & Dalton. Thursday, August 22. Clinton &
Alliance. Contact Mark Watson, 308-760-5259 or see http://bit.ly/14JmZ8l for more info.
Legal and Financial Clinic
Thursday, August 22, Lexington. August 23rd. Fairbury. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.
Opportunities
Edible Omaha OpportunityNSAS is offering farmers and business an opportunity to collaborate and show their support for local foods and sustainable agriculture.The Sustainable Agriculture Page will begin appearing this Fall in the Edible Omaha's Fall issue. Edible Omaha's distribution is over 100,000 magazines per issue. The Sustainable Agriculture Page will be highlighted on the back page cover of issues beginning this Fall through the Fall of 2014. NSAS will be coordinating the farmers & businesses and their ads for the page. To be able to do this page there will need to be 40 farmers & businesses commit to a full year of advertising. Farms, individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to participateAd size: 1/2 inch by 1/2 inchRates:NSAS Members, $65/issue for a total of $260 of advertising in Edible Omaha for the yearNon-NSAS Members, $75/issue for a total of $300 of advertising in Edible Omaha for the yearFarmers & Businesses interested in this project should contact jessica.jones@unl.edu . Still time to register!
Young Suffolk Breeding Ewes
Refrigerated TrailerMy barn was destroyed in Tuesdays storm and I need to disperse most of my flock. I have 5 ewes between 1 and 4 years old that are very nice and usually produce twins or triplets. I need to get them sold soon as I cannot get the barn taken down and replaced until they are gone. I am offering them for $75 each to avoid taking them to the sale barn. Myrna Brown 402-426-5349 or 402-620-8999.
I need to purchase a small refrigerated trailer. Any suggestions on where to get one? Something small enough a small pickup/SUV could pull it without a problem. jkyoachim@gmail.com
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Eat Your Green: Any Green!
If you stroll through just about any farmers market, you'll
see signs announcing leafy greens you've probably never heard of: Tuscan black
kale, mizuna, komatsuna, mustard greens, turnip greens, even wrinkled, crinkled,
crumpled cress. The odd names and odd look of these greens put some people off,
but don't let them deter you!Greens come in just about every flavor, from sweet and mild (choy, chard, lettuce) to earthy and peppery (arugula, mizuna, cress), but all are amazingly delicious and nutritious. If you need more reasons to give them a try, here are my top five:
Top Five Reasons to Eat Your Greens
5 – Nutrition Powerhouse. Greens are rich in essential vitamins, vital minerals, cancer-fighting phyto-chemicals, and overall food value. The highest nutrition bang for your buck are greens in the Brassica family, such as kale, cabbage, collards, arugula, mustard greens, turnip greens, and all the chois.4 – Calcium. Greens are high in calcium, which helps maintain healthy bones and teeth, and prevents osteoporosis. One serving of turnip greens has three times as much calcium as a glass of milk, so if you're going vegan or dairy-free, go green!
3 – Fat-free and Guilt-free. Greens are fat-free and naturally low in calories. Unlike manufactured no-cal or low-cal drinks or foods, they leave you satisfied because of all the nutrients and fiber they provide. But because many of the vitamins greens contain are fat-soluble, you should cook them in butter or olive oil to absorb all their goodness.
2 – In-season all season. Greens of one sort or another are are in-season from April through November – and all winter, too, if your local farmer grows them in a hoophouse.
1 – Greens are delicious! Considering the huge variety of greens that local farmers are now growing, you're sure to find ones that suit your taste buds.
Quick and Easy Sauteed Any Green
When someone asks me what to do with an unusual leafy green, I invariably answer, "Sautee with a little garlic or onion." It really is that simple-and delicious. And it works for any kind of green-from spinach to collards to wrinkled, crinkled, crumpled cress.Sauteed Greens
Be sure to use the stems from your greens as well as the leaves-if they're from a local farmer they will almost always be as tender as the greens. If not, add them to the pan first and cook for a few minutes before adding the leaves.Ingredients
1 bunch of any green (about a pound)
2 garlic cloves or 1 small onion or shallot
2 Tb olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the greens and chop them roughly.
- Peel and chop the garlic, onion, or shallot.
- Put the olive oil in a large sautee pan over medium heat, add the onion or garlic, and cook until just soft, not browned.
- Add the greens and salt and pepper, cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn bright green and begin to soften. This will take from about 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the green, so keep watching and tasting.
- When done, transfer your greens to a serving plate or bowl. If you want to get fancy, dress up your greens by tossing with pine nuts or raisins, adding a few drops of hot sauce, or grating some cheese on top before serving. You can also garnish with the flowers of your late season greens!
Seasonal Cook's Notes:
Serves 4 as a side dish, or 2 as a main course.
Working With Nature
Sandhills Rancher Profits From Holistic Management
Gail Nason is a rarity in the Nebraska Sandhills: she’s managed her family’s ranch for the past 10 years. In the male-dominated ranching culture, Gail stands out, not only because of her gender but because she is an innovator.
Gail uses Holistic Management principles (formerly Holistic Resource Management or HRM) to manage her pastures and has switched from winter to summer calving.
In only 3 years of applying Holistic Management principles
such as cross-fencing pastures, she has seen a huge improvement in pasture
quality. She has also been able to almost double grazing capacity on her 5,000
acres, from 350 to 600 head of cows and their yearlings.
Gail thinks that Holistic Management can help people in the ranching business deal better with the ups and downs in the market. "We tend to dwell on these low prices," she said, "but we need to do what we can, learn how to be economical, and work with nature."
Holistic Management shares the ideals of sustainable agriculture. According to information on its website, Holistic Management "is a process that allows people to make decisions, based on their deeper values, that will be economically, socially and environmentally sound."
In practice, Holistic Management involves management practices like intensive grazing that increase production and profits while improving the land. Cross-fencing pastures is an important technique in managing pasture to optimize grass growth, though as Gail points out, "Most people think of Holistic Management as fencing. It’s more than fencing—it’s managing your resources."
In a ranch setting, Holistic Management involves monitoring pastures and observing cattle behavior to learn as much as possible about the resources. Gail uses a transect method to monitor pastures. This involves putting a permanent marker in place, laying a tape down from the marker, and randomly choosing a distance to observe up and down the tape.
Gail uses a 2’x4' rectangle at each point and counts the number of plant species, insects, and pieces of manure in the area. Additionally, Gail uses all her senses at each spot to take account of what is happening in the area that could affect grass growth. By going back to the exact spot year after year, progress can be measured.
This year, Gail reports a difference between her ranch and other ranches in the area. "Even though this was a good grass year, I could see a big difference," she said. "The main difference is in the quality and quantity of grass in the pastures. The prairie sand reed was as tall as I can reach," which she estimates to be at least 6’4".
A vital part of Holistic Management involves setting a three-part goal based
on available resources and continually assessing progress toward that goal. A
three-part goal includes the quality of life sought by the people involved in an
operation, what they must produce to sustain that quality of life, and a
description of the future resource base as it must be to sustain what is
produced.Holistic Management recognizes the importance of involving all stakeholders in setting this goal and acknowledges the importance of quality of life issues. In this way, Holistic Management brings the entire family together in determining the goal of the ranch and deciding how to achieve it. Gail admits that she hasn’t yet put the goal-setting part of Holistic Management entirely into practice but is working with a consulting firm to set goals and make long-term management plans.
Holistic Management led Gail to move from winter to summer calving because, "They teach you to get your cows closest to the natural cycles. Deer and antelope drop their young in June. They also talk about managing your whole, which is the resources of your people. We figured it was a quality of life thing."
The reason Gail gives for switching from winter to summer calving is, "I hate the cold weather and I hate missing my sleep," but the deeper reason is that she felt things had to change if she was going to be able to stay in the cattle business. She changed the entire operation over at once and is amazed at how easy the change has been.
Most people wonder about marketing calves at a different time of year. Gail says, "You can worry about the marketing end, but worrying doesn’t change anything." The calves are weaned November through December and backgrounded over the winter, then marketed in August through September as short yearlings. Although they calve two months later than winter calvers, their yearlings are only 40 pounds lighter. She’s producing 750 lb. steers and 725 lb. heifers. This year, Gail marketed her first set of summer-calved yearlings and was pleased with the results.
Another advantage to summer calving for Gail is that her son Brett is now involved with calving when he’s home for the summer, rather than with the artificial breeding that was formerly done in the summer. He is seeing a different side of the ranching operation and discovering the joys of calving. Gail said that he has never been fond of haying but does enjoy working with the animals.
From the NSAS Vaults, 1998 by Jane Sooby
http://nebsusag.org/newsletters.shtml
Monday, August 12, 2013
Sustainable Farming & Foods
Weekly Events & Opportunities
Nebraska Young Farmer Night
August 13th. Hastings. Join Hannah and Will, 2nd Year Beginner Farmers in Hastings, Nebraska, for a Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society sponsored evening of farming! We'll have a potluck meal at the farm, tour around our 1.5 acre farm, and talk about the rewards and struggles of being a beginner farmer and the 2013 growing season thus far. Our farm supplies a 50-family CSA share program, as well as a weekly attendance at our local farmer's market in Hastings, Nebraska at the Highland Park Farmers' Market. We are located in a town of only 25,000, but we aim to prove that even in relatively rural communities, people are dedicated to supporting the growth of local food systems. We welcome anyone that would like to come out! For more details and to rsvp Learn more about 26th Street Farm
Friday, August 16. Broken Bow. For more tour details and to register, please visit: www.NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8409
Friday, August 16. Lincoln. This one-day seminar is the first step in developing a food business. See http://bit.ly/Vk0mPG for more info.
Cover Crop, Organic Farm Tour
August 17. Bruno. Interested in adding a cover crop to your crop rotation? Reducing your cost on inputs? Learn more about adding cover crops into your cropping system. Find out what cover crops grow in eastern Nebraska. When to plant them and find out how they are used for weed management, increase soil moisture and fertility and extend livestock feed reducing your need to buy hay. University of Nebraska (UNL) on-farm research projects: use of a roller crimper and weed flamer to manage weeds and a three year Nutrient Management Study that evaluated his system of green manure/cover crop and animal manure use. Families are welcomed; the meal is free. Call Wendy @ 402- 584-3837 to reserve your meal.
WEI's 2013 Organic Farm School - "The Future of the Good Food Revolution"
Livestock and Pig Yurt Project Field Day
August 12. Minneapolis, MN. Will Allen (CEO and Founder of Growing Power Milwaukee). Learn more at on-site workshops, field days, and urban farming projects. Join the new farm-for-food synergy. Click here for more information. http://www.w-e-i.org/2013-organic-farm-school?__hstc= 220621255. f32ff00f64196b2d145def835d13ca a6.1375092686942. 1375698938824.1376302862228.3& __hssc=220621255.1. 1376302862228
August 15. ISU Allee Research and Demonstration Farm. Newell, IA. Researchers have custom-fitted a large round tent, also called a yurt, to farrow sows and their newborn pigs at the ISU Allee Research and Demonstration Farm near Newell in northwest Iowa. The farm is hosting a field day to share first-year results from the yurt project, funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and other work that explores livestock production for niche markets.Click here for more information. http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/07- 22-2013/livestock-field-day- features-niche-markets-and- yurt?__hstc=220621255. f32ff00f64196b2d145def835d13ca a6.1375092686942. 1375698938824.1376302862228.3& __hssc=220621255.1. 1376302862228
International Quinoa Research Symposium 2013
America's Grasslands: The Future of Grasslands in a Changing Landscape
August 12-14. Pullman, Washington and online. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with Washington State University, has announced the upcoming International Quinoa Research Symposium. Researchers from around the world will be hosted by Washington State University. The symposium will include hands-on demonstrations at area field trials, current research, and will coincide with the United Nations, International Year of the Quinoa (IYQ). eOrganic will be on site at the symposium, airing selected presentations from the program online live as they happen. Register for the live broadcast and find out more information about the presentations http://www.extension.org/pages/68467
Why and What You Need to Know About the Food Safety Modernization ActAugust 12-14. Manhattan, Kansas. National Wildlife Federation and Kansas State University are sponsoring a conference that will bring together researchers, natural resource professionals, farmers and ranchers, policy experts, and conservationists to discuss the conservation of North America's grasslands and the opportunities and outlook for these vital ecosystems in a changing landscape. The conference begins with a day of optional field trips to Kansas grasslands. http://grownative.org/events/2nd-americas- grasslands-conference/
Food Hub Benchmarking Study Webinar
August 13. Online. American Farmland Trust invites you to join them for a discussion about two rules that have recently been released by the Food and Drug Administration: the Produce Rule, which governs farm practices, and the Preventative Control Rule, which addresses how food is handled once it leaves the farm. Learn how these rules may affect your farm, your business, your food purchasing decisions or the region's farm economy and environment—and how you can take action to be sure your voice is heard. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/ 308684314
August 15. The National Good Food Network Food Hub Collaboration, including Farm Credit Council, Farm Credit East, Morse Marketing Connections, and the Wallace Center have performed the first-ever food hub benchmarking study, looking at key financial metrics to understand the health of food hubs across the US. This webinar presents the results and interpretations of this study. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/354071410
Aquaponics: Paradigm Shift with Airlift Pumps Part 2
Management of Tree Squirrels
August 12th. 10am HST. In an attempt to promote and improve the economics, safety and security of our aquaponic systems we started developing efficient airlift-pumping technology that will replace both water pumps and air pumps that were dedicated only to air stones. In the “Aquaponics: New Paradigm Shift with Airlift” webinars hosts by the eXtension community, we wish to present a variety of airlift pumping systems that can be used for aquaponics, backyard and commercial farming. During our presentation on August 12, 2013 we will go through the various airlift pump systems that were developed by Glenn Martinez of Olomana Garden and we’ll concentrate then on the “How To” of one particular system. Tetsuzan Benny Ron,PhD, is from the University of Hawai’i. The May 30 Introduction to Aquaponics: Paradigm Shift with Airlift recording is available online,http://www.extension.org/68223. https://connect.extension. iastate.edu/freshwater
High Plains Advanced Cropping School - Sugarbeets
August 16th. 11am. This webinar will review the biology, damage and its identification, and control methods for handling conflicts with gray, fox, flying, and red squirrels. Learn about habitat modification, exclusion, repellents, frightening devices, shooting, and trapping. Stephen Vantassel is the project coordinator of Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ wildlifedmg
Nebraska Grazing ConferenceThursday, August 15th. Friday, August 16th. The school is an in-depth, field-oriented, hands-on workshop designed to teach the management of sugarbeet production, including the diagnosis of production problems in the western Great Plains and regions of the Rocky Mountains. Special emphasis will be placed on stress-related problems that can cause yield reduction. Both days' sessions begin and end at the Hampton Inn in Scottsbluff. Participants will be transported by bus to field sessions at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center. Register on-line at: http://go.unl.edu/croppingschool
Legal and Financial Clinic
August 13 – 14. Kearney. See grassland.unl.edu for more information.
Landowner Habitat Tour
Wednesday, August 14. Mead. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.
Thursday, August 15. O'Neill. Landowner Habitat Tour: Upgrading & Managing CRP for Grassland Birds, Pollinator Habitat & Plant ID Tour. For more tour details and to register, please visit: www.NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8408
Opportunities
Edible Omaha Opportunity
NSAS is offering farmers and business an opportunity to collaborate and show their support for local foods and sustainable agriculture.The Sustainable Agriculture Page will begin appearing this Fall in the Edible Omaha's Fall issue. Edible Omaha's distribution is over 100,000 magazines per issue. The Sustainable Agriculture Page will be highlighted on the back page cover of issues beginning this Fall through the Fall of 2014. NSAS will be coordinating the farmers & businesses and their ads for the page. To be able to do this page there will need to be 40 farmers & businesses commit to a full year of advertising. Farms, individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to participateAd size: 1/2 inch by 1/2 inchRates:NSAS Members, $65/issue for a total of $260 of advertising in Edible Omaha for the yearNon-NSAS Members, $75/issue for a total of $300 of advertising in Edible Omaha for the yearFarmers & Businesses interested in this project should contact jessica.jones@unl.eduby August 15th.
Young Suffolk Breeding Ewes
Refrigerated TrailerMy barn was destroyed in Tuesdays storm and I need to disperse most of my flock. I have 5 ewes between 1 and 4 years old that are very nice and usually produce twins or triplets. I need to get them sold soon as I cannot get the barn taken down and replaced until they are gone. I am offering them for $75 each to avoid taking them to the sale barn. Myrna Brown 402-426-5349 or 402-620-8999.
I need to purchase a small refrigerated trailer. Any suggestions on where to get one? Something small enough a small pickup/SUV could pull it without a problem. jkyoachim@gmail.com
Upcoming
August 21. University of Nebraksa. Concord. Propane fueled Flame Weeding is an acceptable method of weed (pest) control in organic farming, which is also gaining interest among conventional producers due to increase in weed resistance and costs of GMO crop seeds. We will present results from the 6-years of research conducted by the Teams of Dr. Stevan Knezevic (Weed Science) and Dr. George Gogos (Mechanical Engineering). This work is also documented in about 20 scientific publications, 100 abstracts presented at many Regional, National and International meetings, and a patent for flaming equipment. Click here to download more information. http://mosesorganic.org/attachments/ events/8.21flameweeding.pdf
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Students Start Organic Farm at UNL
LINCOLN, Neb. — Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have found out that there is a lot to learn from carrots, tomatoes and chard.
Environmental studies majors at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln want to help bring organic farming experience to students. Using donations from the public and land from UNL's agronomy and horticulture department, they have started a small farm located on UNL's East Campus east of the Law College.
"This is a really hands-on way that students can learn to grow their own food," said senior environmental studies major Neil Tabor of Omaha, Neb., a founding member of the farm. "It brings a whole new angle of what we view as agriculture and horticulture."
Chuck Francis, a professor in the university's agronomy and horticulture department, supported the students with their endeavors.
"He was a big help," Tabor said.
The university provided half an acre of land to the students, previously an asparagus patch. The students have replaced the asparagus with a cover crop designed to put nutrients back into the soil so that it can be used in the future to grow produce. Also on the land is a hoop house, one of six used for research by the department.
"The hoop house is designed to capture the solar energy and store it," Tabor said. This extends the growing season, allowing the students to plant crops that otherwise would not be able to survive outdoors.
Students were invited to use the hoop house by Laurie Hodges, UNL Extension commercial vegetable specialist. It needed repairs, so recent environmental studies graduate Jenn Simons of Albion, Neb. helped start a campaign on indiegogo.com to raise funds.
"That's really what set things off," Simons said. "We set up that campaign and people realized that we were serious."
Over $3,000 was raised, allowing the students to begin fixing the hoop house and buy needed equipment and seed.
Simons said she enjoyed the unique opportunity that starting the organic farm gave her.
"It was a chance to actually try doing some sort of agriculture experience on my own," Simons said. "I've lived in apartments and houses where I couldn't have a garden."
The students want the farm to eventually be integrated into classes.
"Basically any soils, agronomy and horticulture classes would be free to use it," Tabor said.
The students hope to continue harvesting fresh, healthy vegetables next year.
"I think it is a very solid start," said senior environmental studies major Heather Hansen of Sioux Falls, S.D. "It is pretty promising for this year and the next."
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8/8/13-HH Source: Chuck Francis, Ph.D., professor, agronomy and horticulture, 402-472-1581, cfrancis2@unl.edu
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