Friday, January 31, 2014

Wayne Pacelle, 2014 Healthy Farms Conference Keynote

The Key Ingredients for Animal Agriculture: More Farmers, More Attention to Animals

When: Friday, February 14th, 2014. Beginning at 8:30am
Where: Younes Conference Center, Kearney, Nebraska.

Wayne Pacelle is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Humane Society of the UnitedStates.


Pacelle took office June 1, 2004 after serving for nearly 10 years as the organization's chief lobbyist and spokesperson. As president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle leads the nation’s largest animal protection organization – one of the 100 largest charities in the United States, according to Forbes Magazine. During his tenure, Pacelle has more than doubled the size of the organization, and its impact is felt throughout the United States and increasingly throughout the world. 

The HSUS is the largest provider of direct care services to animals, and it works to shape public and corporate policies in the realm of companion animals, farm animals, horses, wildlife, and animals used in testing and research. In the last 9 years, he and HSUS have helped to pass more than 725 new state laws for animals and worked with dozens of major food retailers to provide markets for more humanely produced animal products. Pacelle is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them. His work on animal issues has been featured in thousands of newspapers and magazines across the country. He received his B.A. in history and studies in the environment from Yale University in 1987.



************
The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them


A fascinating exploration of humanity's eternal bond with animals, and an urgent call to answer the needs of millions of at-risk creatures. 

A landmark work, The Bond is the passionate, insightful, and comprehensive examination of our special connection to all creatures, written by one of America's most important champions of animal welfare. Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Humane Society of the United States, unveils the deep links of the human-animal bond, as well as the conflicting impulses that have led us to betray this bond through widespread and systemic cruelty to animals.

“If the animals knew about this book they would, without doubt, confer on Wayne Pacelle, their highest honor.”
—Jane Goodall

The Bond is the best overall book on animals I have ever read. Brilliant and moving.”
—John Mackey, CEO and Co-founder of Whole Foods Market



***************
2014 Healthy Farms Conference Keynote

Pacelle will discuss why it’s critical that family farmers and animal advocates unite to take back our food system from people who have little regard for animals, family farmers, and rural communities.  American consumers and corporate farmers have become too disassociated from the way animals are treated, resulting in a wide array of abuses and a dissolution in American family agriculture.  


Consumers increasingly want options.  They want to know their farmers, they want to know how animals are treated, and they want more transparency in the process.  With more farmers on the land, we can help put an end to the disastrous 50-year experiment with factory farming and restore a conscious awareness of humane, responsible, and sustainable food production in the United States.

Please join hundreds of other sustainable farmers and sustainable agriculture advocates in hearing Mr. Pacelle in Kearney, https://healthyfarmsconference2014.eventbrite.com


Thursday, January 30, 2014

2014 Healthy Farms Conference Breakout Sessions I


Breakout Sessions
Friday February 14th. 2014 10:30am


Holistic Financial Planning; Planning toward a profitable future. 
Ralph Tate

Profit, as well as success, is not something we typically just “stumble into”. There are far more ways to lose money than make it. Holistic Management has been successful in helping people focus on their aspirations and in reaching their goals profitably. This workshop introduces you to some of the key aspects of Holistic Management Financial Planning. Planning is a skill that is honed with practice. Come join us and see where your financial planning skills need to be honed!

About Ralph Tate: 
Ralph is an engineer, served a career in the Air Force and worked in the aerospace industry for over 12 years. Ralph became interested in sustainable agriculture after a friend shared Joel Salatin’s book, You Can Farm. Since then, Ralph has read extensively on sustainable agriculture, health and nutrition, and the importance of nutrient dense foods, such as grassfed beef. Ralph and his wife, Carolyn, are graduates of the first Nebraska Farm Beginnings class in 2006. He became a Holistic Management Certified Educator in 2010. During his CE training, he developed grazing planning software following Allan Savory’s approach to planned grazing. This software is now offered through Holistic Management International and has been purchased around the world. Ralph is currently a member of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and a beekeeper. Carolyn comes from a family who has farmed in Jefferson County for over three generations. Ralph and Carolyn bought part of her family’s farm, had it certified organic in 2008, and use it to custom graze cattle. They have four children and four grandsons.


The Nuts and Bolts of Using Cover Crops. 
Dale Strickler

Cover crops can be used to manage soil moisture, fix nitrogen, provide forage, and increase soil organic matter.   We will discuss which cover crops and management systems work best in semiarid areas.  The most successful agriculture systems are those that mimic and improve upon the natural ecosystems of an area. Unfortunately, the predominate agriculture systems in much of the country are far removed from natural systems, and thus require large amounts of inputs in order to be successful. Looking to the Short Grass prairie for inspiration, we can design agriculture systems that improve upon our current farming practices.

About Dale:
Currently employed in sales as an agronomist for Star Seed in Osborne KS. Dale has worked with farmers and ranchers in the Great Plains from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border on forage systems and cover cropping.  Currently he works with 100 agriculture retailers and the customers.  He started cover cropping on rented ground in 1988 and bought his first farm in 2000 and converted it from a furrow irrigated corn farm to a subsurface drip irrigated, management intensive grazing operation.  His farm carries roughly 100 cow calf pairs on 136 acres.  Cover cropping has become an integral part of his own operation, and that of many of the farmers he works with.  He often hears farmers say their biggest cover crop regret is that they did not start sooner!


Adaptive Management for Whooping Cranes, Least Terns, & Piping Plovers on the Central Platte River. 
Jason Farnsworth

This presentation will focus on the process of adaptive management on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program’s 10,000 acres of habitat in central Nebraska. The Program invests in annual research and monitoring that provide critical information about the habitats these endangered species use and how well they fare while they are here. In turn, we use that data along with physical process monitoring and monitoring to design, implement, and adjust habitat creation and management experiments. When it works, this iterative process of learning by doing is a great way to make progress in the face of uncertainty. However, effectively incorporating science learning into resource decision-making is tricky business and will factor heavily into the ultimate success or failure of the Program.

About Jason:
Jason is a Nebraska native who grew up splitting his time between the Nebraska panhandle and the family ranch in northeast Colorado. He began his professional career at an engineering consulting firm and specialized in working with landowners to improve water quality and fishery habitat in public reservoirs. In his current role as Director of Technical Services for the Platte River Program, he oversees agricultural operations, habitat restoration, and endangered species research projects on 10,000 Sacres of Program lands along the Platte River between Grand Island and Lexington.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods


Mob Grazing Workshop 

Monday, January 27th.  1:00 pm-5:00 pm. This free workshop will discuss ultra-high stocking-density grazing with rancher and mob grazing practitioner Chad Peterson.  Peterson mob grazes Sandhills meadows near Newport, Neb. and is a collaborating rancher of the Demonstrating Mob Grazing Impacts project. Workshop topics include "Mob Grazing in Nebraska: Ranch History, Goals, and Management" with Chad Peterson; "Mob Grazing at Barta Brothers’ Ranch" with Ben Beckman and Miles Redden; and "Soil Organic Matter" with Ana Wingeyer. Keim Hall on UNL's East Campus in Lincoln, room 150. 

Getting Started With Selling To Restaurants

January 27. Online. This evening webinar is part of the ongoing 2014 Beginning Farmer Webinar Series from Michigan State University Extension. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/dependable_information_for_beginning_farmers_where_can_it_be_found

Agricultural Working Lands and Wildlife: Grassland Bird Conservation in Northeastern Haylands and Pasturelands

This webinar is scheduled for January 28, 2014 2:00 pm US/Eastern. Participants will learn about opportunities to manage haylands and pasturelands in the Northeast for nesting grassland birds. http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinars/grassland-bird-conservation-in-northeastern-haylands-and-pasturelands

Webinar: Workers and Employees

January 28. 6 p.m. Farming is a lot of work, and help is often needed. Should a farm work with volunteers, trade labor for food, or hire employees? This webinar will explore the options and guide farmers through the legal considerations. Checklists, flowcharts, and model documents will help attendees move forward after they’ve decided on the best approach for their farm. Register and learn more here. http://www.farmcommons.org/webinars

Lawn and Landscape School


2014 - Third Annual. T
 
uesday, January 28th. 
8:00 am-Thursday, January 30th 5:00 pm. 
The Lawn & Landscape School utilizes a systems approach for the management of lawns and landscapes. 
 
West Central Research & Extension Center, 
402 W State Farm Rd, 
 North Platte NE 69101-7751

Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Workshop

January 28, 2pm – 4pm. 
Council Bluffs. 

Dickinson & Clark CPAs, PC will be hosting a Beginning Farmer Tax Credit workshop in its Council Bluffs offices on Jan. 28 from 2-4 p.m. 
 
Reservations are requested. You can get more details or register athttps://beginningfarmertaxcredit.eventbrite.com

IOIA Webinar: Livestock Feed Audits

January 28 and 30. Online. This International Organic Inspectors Association webinar is presented by Sarah Flack. Two sessions of two hours each focus on livestock feed audits for the grazing and non-grazing seasons.http://www.ioia.net/schedule_list.html

Putting a Handle on the Tomato: Reinventing the Product

Bob Buccieri, former President of the Farmers Market Federation of NY January 28, 10:00am – 11:30am January 29, 6:30pm – 8:00pm - See more at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/778777714 and at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/877650602

Mitigating Drought: Optimizing pasture and supplemental feed and managing risk

January 29. Browns Valley, California and Online. With the worsening drought conditions the University of California has organized a meeting to provide ranchers with information to assist them managing their herd during periods of low feed supply. The meeting will be held at the UC Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center in Browns Valley. For those who cannot attend in person, the program will be broadcast on the Web. http://ucanr.edu/sites/sfrec/Extension_and_Outreach_Programs_and_Materials/Drought_Workshop/

Addressing Resource Concerns: Evaluating, Documenting, and Reporting Progress using NRCS' New Land Use Planning Criteria

This webinar is scheduled for January 29, 2014 2:00 pm US/Eastern. Participants will learn about the new USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service land use designations and how they will be implemented in Customer Service Toolkit and the Progress Reporting System. http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinars/nrcs-landuse-planning-criteria

Spring 2014 Biotechnology/Life Sciences Seminar Series

Open Algae Pond Ecology. Wednesday, January 29th. 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. Presented by Dr. Robert McBride, Sapphire Energy. A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. The event is open to the public. http://biotech.unl.edu/

An Introduction to Worker Cooperatives for Farmers and Start-ups. 

Please join the National Young Farmers Coalition and the Democracy at Work Institute for a webinar on how cooperative businesses are helping to build local food economies and support young farmers in creating new markets, reaching new customers and building sustainable, rewarding farm-based enterprises. On January 30th presenters from the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, The Greenhorns, The National Young Farmers Coalition and cooperative farm practitioners will discuss: Examples of how the worker cooperative model is being used to share land and other resources to enable farmers to overcome barriers to entry and share land and labor; The basics of worker cooperative start-ups; Your questions on worker cooperative farm structure, operations, management and governance. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/906283809815124226

Soil Borne Diseases of Dry Bean

January 30th. 11am. Martin Chilvers will describe the identification of soil borne diseases of dry bean.  Please register in advance, https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/282381377

Approaches to Small Scale Farm Composting Webinar

January 30. Online. The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community, providing practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. Webinars are held from 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Thursdays and are free. This webinar is presented by Ellen Phillips, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator. https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=8854

Basic Prescribed Burn Workshop

Thursday, January 30.  Sidney. Guidance and instructions for people with or without prescribed burning experience.  See www.NebraskaPF.com for more info.

7th Annual Organic Seed Growers Conference

January 30-Febuary 1. Oregon State University. Corvallis, Oregon. The biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference brings together hundreds of farmers, plant breeders, researchers, university extension, certifiers, food companies, seed production and distribution companies, and other organic stakeholders in two days of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. There are also farm visits and short courses prior to the two-day conference. Click here to learn more and to register. http://seedalliance.org/events/organic_seed_growers_conference

North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association Convention: Makin’ Hey in the Heartland

January 31 - February 5. Kansas City, Missouri. This is the premier farm direct marketing convention in North America, with innovative speakers and focused bus tours. The off-site bus tour is now alternated with the in-house program days, to provide a total of three days of bus tours and two days of sessions, speakers, workshops, and trade show. http://www.farmersinspired.com/MW2014/

Totally Tomatoes

February 1. Mason City, Iowa. This event is part of the Healthy Harvest of North Iowa Winter Workshop series focused on introducing financial management and refined production skills for North Central Iowa specialty crop producers. This crop-intensive workshop on tomatoes will be led by an experienced producer with opportunity for all participants to share their tips. Presenter Rick Hartmann will provide an overview of his tomato production practices, including which variety to choose and why, planting techniques & equipment, harvesting & post-harvest handling practices.http://www.northiowafood.org/sites/northiowafood.org/files/workshop_descriptions_registration.pdf

Lincoln Farmers’ Market Vendor Workshop

Saturday, February 1. Lincoln. Includes required food safety training for Lincoln Farmers’ Market Vendor Placard to sell home prepared/processed foods.  See 
http://1.usa.gov/1gBeQoh for the agenda.



Opportunities



Sourcing items for the NSAS conference menu


Hello NSAS Farmer Friends, Hopefully this finds you all well.  We are getting close to the annual conference again!!  It's always such a nice time to catch up with old friends, learn something new, and enjoy some food that is sourced from our local food growers.   We are working to finalize the menu for the conference and would request that you check your stores and see what you could contribute (sell, discount or donate) for the three meals we put on.  Consider:  root crops, other veg you may have stored, apples, nuts, cheese, meat, eggs, flour, ??? No Item may be to small to be considered.  Garnishes, break items... Please see what you could offer and reply to  jgarvey4@mccneb.edu by Wednesday, January 29th.   Our conference meals are always the best of any conference!  Help make it happen again!!



Feeder Pigs Available

Hello All! --Due to a recent accident, Alex will not be working on the farm this summer and we are temporarily downsizing many of our operations. We have 8 feeder pigs available for sale.  They came to us in November from Larry and Lanette Stec at Erstwhile Farm, and we estimate their average current weight at 140 lbs. They have been fed with feed ground by Mike Ostry and Family at Wagon Wheel Farm in Bruno, NE that is based on their certified organic corn, peas, wheat, barley and oats. We are asking $250 each, but are open to other offers. Thanks! Alex & Chloe, Robinette Farms, 17675 SW 14th, Martell, NE  68404, 402.794.4025robinettefarms.comfacebook.com/robinettefarms



Seeking Land for Veggie Production

Hello everyone. I am sending this out to begin the search for land for our farm, Cook Grow Sew, to continue our Vegetable production and possibly begin the expansion into raising animals. We have been renting a small plot of land (1 acre) for the last 2 years in Northeast Lincoln from Sunwest farms, and this year might be our last. We currently live in that part of Lincoln so it has been an ideal situation when it comes to managing the daily commute, but we are open to options. Ideally we would like to find a place we can be on for a longer period of time, as building soil is a time consuming and dedicated process. I have talked to a couple of folks and gotten some leads, but so far nothing has panned out.  We really appreciate any information that could help us to continue to grow local food for our community. Thanks, Jeremiah Picard, Cookgrowsew.com, 402.570.3746

Custom Grazing/Finishing Available

Hope this finds everyone well. We've been blessed with the opportunity to lease some additional ground and are looking to take in some cattle in 2014. We can take them in at anytime. We have  turnips, organic cornstalks, creek/timber ground and hay that are available now until the growing season. From there, we will have warm season pastures and annual forages for grazing/finishing. Depending on timing and a few other factors, we can take in, up to, an additional 30-60 AU's. Since we are building our herd, we will consider cash or cows as payment. Please feel free to call me on my cell if you'd like to discuss further, 402-309-4088. Thank You, Jon

Veggie Farm for Rent

Small house, shed, garage, 2.5? acres. West Burnham Street. Near Pioneers Park. Recently renovated house.  Perfect for starter veg farm. Call Jeff at 402-429-9507.


Looking for Equipment

Anyone have a single row transplanter for sale or rent, suitable for bare rooted raspberrries? Mike @ mdl1356@gmail.com



Upcoming

2014 Healthy Farms Conference

February 14th & 15th. Kearney.  Deadline to reserve lodging is quickly approaching. $89.95/night good for single/ double/ triple/quadruple occupancy. To reserve a room call, 308.237.4400 and reserve a room under The Healthy Farms Conference reservations.  We have numerous opportunities to participate including young and beginning farmer rates, family packages, and member discounts. To register for the conference please visit,  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-healthy-farms-conference-tickets-8213056473  

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

"Meeting Global Food and Fiber Demand Through Innovations in Agriculture: How do Entomologists in the Ag Biotech Industry Contribute to This Process?

Entomology Lecture. 
 Tuesday, January 21st. 
4:00 pm-5:00 pm. 
Contact: J
eri Cunningham, 

Basic Prescribed Burn Workshop

Tuesday, January 21st, 
 Chadron. Wednesday, January 22nd, Grand Island. Thursday, January 23rd, Lincoln & North Platte. 
Guidance and instructions for people with or without prescribed burning experience. See www.NebraskaPF.com for more info.

Estate and Transition Workshops

Tuesday, January 21. Norfolk. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.



Using Contans for White Mold Management on Organic Farms Webinar

January 21. Join eOrganic for a webinar on Using Contans (Coniothyrium minitans) for White Mold Management on Organic Farms, by Alex Stone of Oregon State University. She will discuss the life cycles of the biocontrol agent Contans and the white mold pathogen (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Farmers will learn how to incorporate Contans into an integrated white mold management program. http://www.extension.org/pages/69132

WEBINAR—AGRICULTURE & FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE (AFRI) AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS & RURAL COMMUNITIES (AERC) FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM AREA

National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. January 22. 1:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern. Highlights of the AERC program area, eligibility requirements, and other aspects of the following five programs will be discussed along with questions and answers. http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/afri-aerc/

Online Invasive Plant Short Course

January 22 – 23. Online Invasive Plant Short Course, will provide in-depth learning about the topics you’d expect in a traditional invasive plants field course.  These include the principles of integrated weed management herbicide modes of action, mapping and spatial distribution analysis of invasive plant species population, restoration, and much more. Visit http://ipscourse.unl.edu/ for more course and registration information.

Water Seminar Series

Williams Lecture: Rural Private Wells: Concerns and Well Owner Responsibilities. Wednesday, January 22nd. 3:30 pm-4:30 pm. Eight public lectures on a varied slate of state and regional water issues will form the University of Nebraska's spring semester water seminar series that begins Jan. 15 and runs through April. The seminars are free and open to the public. Hardin Hall in Lincoln. Contact: Steven Ress, 402-472-9549sress@nebraska.edu

Dr. Marion Ellis Retirement Reception

Thursday, January 23rd. All day. A retirement reception for Dr. Marion Ellis will be held from 3:00–5:00 p.m. with remarks at 3:30 p.m. Nebraska East Union

Webinar: New USDA Cover Crop Termination Policy

January 23. 2 p.m. More than ever before, farmers are planting cover crops because they retain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and maximize profitability.  Given these, and other, recognized conservation benefits of cover crops, USDA directed an interagency task force to put together cover crop termination guidelines so farmers who adopt this practice do not lose their crop insurance coverage.   This webinar will feature short presentations by experts in cover crops and crop insurance policy.  They will explain the new cover crop termination guidelines and then answer any questions from webinar participants about how these new guidelines will affect farmers on the ground. Learn more information and register here. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/789127970

Introduction to Holistic Management Course

January 23-24. Ames, Iowa. A series of Holistic Management short courses will be held in the Iowa-southern Minnesota region during 2014. The workshops, which are being co-sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project and Practical Farmers of Iowa, will cover financial planning, planned grazing, and biological monitoring, among other things. http://landstewardshipproject.org/posts/542

Pumpkins and Gourds

January 23. Online. The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community, providing practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. Webinars are held from 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Thursdays and are free. This webinar is presented by Nathan Johanning, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator. https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=8854

Legal and Financial Clinic

Friday, January 24. 
 Norfolk. 
Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Climate Change: The Latest Findings and What We Must Do

Winter Lecture Series. Sunday, January 26th. 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Climate change is the focus of the 2014 Winter Lecture Series that will take place on several Sunday evenings at Hardin Hall auditorium. The lectures are free and open to the public. Room: 107 (auditorium), Hardin Hall in Lincoln. 


Opportunities



Feeder Pigs Available

Hello All! --Due to a recent accident, Alex will not be working on the farm this summer and we are temporarily downsizing many of our operations. We have 8 feeder pigs available for sale.  They came to us in November from Larry and Lanette Stec at Erstwhile Farm, and we estimate their average current weight at 140 lbs. They have been fed with feed ground by Mike Ostry and Family at Wagon Wheel Farm in Bruno, NE that is based on their certified organic corn, peas, wheat, barley and oats. We are asking $250 each, but are open to other offers. Thanks! Alex & Chloe, Robinette Farms, 17675 SW 14th, Martell, NE  68404,402.794.4025robinettefarms.comfacebook.com/robinettefarms




Seeking Land for Veggie Production

Hello everyone. I am sending this out to begin the search for land for our farm, Cook Grow Sew, to continue our Vegetable production and possibly begin the expansion into raising animals. We have been renting a small plot of land (1 acre) for the last 2 years in Northeast Lincoln from Sunwest farms, and this year might be our last. We currently live in that part of Lincoln so it has been an ideal situation when it comes to managing the daily commute, but we are open to options. Ideally we would like to find a place we can be on for a longer period of time, as building soil is a time consuming and dedicated process. I have talked to a couple of folks and gotten some leads, but so far nothing has panned out.  We really appreciate any information that could help us to continue to grow local food for our community. Thanks, Jeremiah Picard, Cookgrowsew.com, 402.570.3746

Custom Grazing/Finishing Available

Hope this finds everyone well. We've been blessed with the opportunity to lease some additional ground and are looking to take in some cattle in 2014. We can take them in at anytime. We have  turnips, organic cornstalks, creek/timber ground and hay that are available now until the growing season. From there, we will have warm season pastures and annual forages for grazing/finishing. Depending on timing and a few other factors, we can take in, up to, an additional 30-60 AU's. Since we are building our herd, we will consider cash or cows as payment. Please feel free to call me on my cell if you'd like to discuss further, 402-309-4088. Thank You, Jon

Veggie Farm for Rent

Small house, shed, garage, 2.5? acres. West Burnham Street. Near Pioneers Park. Recently renovated house.  Perfect for starter veg farm. Call Jeff at 402-429-9507.

Looking for Equipment

Anyone have a single row transplanter for sale or rent, suitable for bare rooted raspberrries? Mike @ mdl1356@gmail.com

Naturalist Position Available

The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission is now hiring for a naturalist to plan, coordinate and present a wide variety of environmental education and outdoor skills programs to a range of audiences. Programs may include: outdoor skills (fishing, etc.), natural history (bird watching, insects, mammals, etc.), other sciences (amateur astronomy, geology, paleontology), guide hikes, night programs and others. The position will be located in the Nebraska Panhandle and cover Fort Robinson State Park, Chadron State Park and Wildcat Hill State Recreation area. Closing date: February 7, 2014. For more information, please visit http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/admin/jobs for the official job announcement. To apply, please visit www.statejobs.nebraska.gov


Upcoming

2014 Healthy Farms Conference

February 14th & 15th. Kearney.  Deadline to reserve lodging is quickly approaching. $89.95/night good for single/ double/ triple/quadruple occupancy. To reserve a room call, 308.237.4400 and reserve a room under The Healthy Farms Conference reservations.  We have numerous opportunities to participate including young and beginning farmer rates, family packages, and member discounts. To register for the conference please visit, http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-healthy-farms-conference-tickets-8213056473  

Monday, January 13, 2014

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods





Basic Vaccinology: Why Vaccines Work or Don't Work

January 13th. 12pm. Vaccines are a vital part of maintaining the health and well-being of a dairy herd, but have you ever wondered about what makes them work? Dr. Dan Grooms will cover some of the basics of vaccinology, including basic immunology and how vaccines work, as well as the different types of vaccines and important considerations for designing and implementing a vaccine program for your farm.  https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/dairexnetwebinar/

Ranching for Profitability


January 13th, Broken Bow & Overton. January 14th, Stapleton & Kimball. 
 UNL specialists and educators will provide useful, research-backed information for producers who are still experiencing drought or wonder what to do in the next drought.  See more at http://bit.ly/JFXFq2 or call 308-872-6831.

Webinar: Hosting On-Farm Events

January 13. 6 p.m. On-farm events are a great way to build support in the community. And, they’re a lot of fun! But as the saying goes, it’s always fun until someone loses an eye. Make sure your farm isn’t left with the short end of the stick after a good-intentioned event goes bad. From zoning compliance to guest injuries and serving prepared food, we’ll work through a checklist of things a farm should address before hosting an event. Register and learn more here. http://farmcommons.org/webinars/

Tree Care Workshop


Tuesday, January 14. McCook. Wednesday January 15th, North Platte.  For public works employees, landscape managers, tree board volunteers, arborists, nursery and green industry professionals and landscape enthusiasts, these full-day workshops cover emerging issues in tree and landscape care.  See http://bit.ly/13pjC46 for more info.

Heuermann Lecture; Regaining the U.S. Lead in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education

Tuesday, January 14th. 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Speaker/panelists Dan Glickman, former USDA Secretary of Agriculture; Philip G. Pardey, University of Minnesota Department of Applied Economics and director of UNM International Science and Technology Practice and Policy Center; and Catherine Woteki, USDA under secretary for research, education and economics. Moderator is Ronnie Green, NU vice president and Harlan vice chancellor, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. heuermannlectures.unl.edu

Webinar: Late Blight of Tomato and Potato: Recent Occurrences and Management Experiences

January 14. 1 p.m. This devastating disease has been occurring more often in the USA recently, especially on tomatoes. Beginning and experienced growers need to understand changes in the pathogen that account for this change and other facts about recent occurrences in order to manage late blight effectively. Another objective is to share information among researchers and growers about managing late blight with copper, biofungicides, and resistant varieties, and utility of the USABlight monitoring program and the Decision Support System. Learn more and register here. http://www.extension.org/pages/70122/late-blight-of-tomato-and-potato:-recent-occurrences-and-management-experiences-webinar#.UtNtTdJDtgh

Estate & Transition Workshops


Tuesday, January 14.  Ogallala. January 15th, Sidney. January 17th, Oshkosh. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

“Planning Your Diverse Crop and Livestock Farm Business” 


January 14th. Erin Wilson and Al Brudelie.  Hear farmers share their experiences creating and using the essential farm business plan, and learn to use FINPACK, software that can help crunch the numbers. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/farminar

School for Organic Processing Entrepreneurs

January 14-April 22. Every Tuesday. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Building an organic food company? Get an advantage by getting informed at the early stages. These interactive classes will focus on business and operational issues, organic requirements and networking with professionals and other food entrepreneurs. The classes are hosted in Madison, Wis., but you can also participate online via interactive ‘real time’ streaming video. Take the entire short course or choose specific sessions. For more information and to register, click here. http://www.organicprocessinginstitute.org/about/school-for-organic-processing-entrepreneurs/

2014 Western Tree Care Workshops

Tree Care Workshops for Western Nebraska - Winter 2014. Wednesday, January 15th. 8:30 am-5:30 pm. Developed specifically for public works employees, green industry professionals, and landscape enthusiasts, these full-day workshops cover emerging issues in tree and landscape care. West Central Research & Extension Center, 402 W State Farm Rd, North Platte NE 69101-7751

Water Seminar Series;  "Groundwater Quality in Nebraska"

Wednesday, January 15th. 3:30 pm-4:30 pm. Eight public lectures on a varied slate of state and regional water issues will form the University of Nebraska's spring semester water seminar series that begins Jan. 15 and runs through April. The seminars are free and open to the public. Location, Hardin Hall in Lincoln on UNL's East Campus. Contact: Steven Ress, 402-472-9549sress@nebraska.edu

"Green Fire" Film Screening

W ednesday, January 15th. 7:00 pm-9:00 pm. Join the UNL Wildlife Club for a screening of the award-winning film "Green Fire." A discussion of the film will take place with Dr. Scott Hygnstrom, professor and extension wildlife specialist at UNL's School of Natural Resources. The event is free and open to the public.  "Green Fire" is the first full-length documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. The film highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. Location: Hardin Hall in Lincoln. Contact: Scott Hygnstrom, 402-472-6822,  shygnstrom1@unl.edu

Webinar: NRCS EQIP Organic Initiative and Organic Dairy Farms

January 16 . Through the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP) Program’s Organic Initiative, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical assistance to certified organic, transitioning to organic, and exempt from certification producers. The Initiative also provides financial assistance for organic producers to address natural resource concerns related to organic production. This can include support developing a grazing plan, assistance with pollinator habitat and buffers, and manure management assistance. This webinar will provide information on the Organic Initiative and how organic dairy farmers can use this program on their operations. Learn more and register here. http://www.extension.org/pages/69087/nrcs-eqip-organic-initiative-and-organic-dairy-farms-webinar-by-eorganic#.UtNt39JDtgh

Farm & Ranch Succession Series

Thursday, January 16. Gering. Workshop on Estate and Transition Planning, and use of the Limited Liability Company.  Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

An Experimental Case Study for Soil Health Webinar

January 16. The NRCS East National Technology Support Center launches its 2014 series of webinars on soil health with this free webinar. Join the webinar to learn about an experimental case study growing potatoes in Maine where improving soil health increased crop yield as much as supplemental irrigation. Status Quo, Soil Conserving, Soil Improving, and Disease Suppressive cropping systems were established and evaluated under both rainfed and irrigated management for their impacts on plant growth and yield, soil chemical-physical-biological properties, tuber diseases, soilborne diseases, foliar diseases, economics, and their interactions. Learn about the effects of the cropping systems on soil properties, how plant growth and yield responded to changes in soil health, and how management systems that improve soil health can reduce supplemental water needs. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/documents/planned-conservation-webinars

An Overview of the Philosophy and History of Organic Agriculture

January 16. The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community, providing practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. Webinars are held from 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Thursdays and are free. This webinar is presented by Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator.https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=8854

Legal and Financial Clinic


Thursday, January 16. Lexington. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.


Great Plains Winter Conference

January 16 – 17. Lincoln. Sponsored by the Nebraska Nursery & Landscape Association and the Nebraska Arborists Association.  Seehttp://www.nnla.org/ for more info.


Capturing Valuable Nutrients from Manure: Part 3

January 17th. 1:30pm. The next webcast is the last in a series of 3 webcasts that will focus on nutrient recovery from manure and will be held on January 17. The focus of part three will be on experiences with nutrient capture in New York, capture of nutrients from swine manure, and ammonia stripping. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

Small Acreage Conference 

Saturday January 18. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  9:00 AM.  Fort Calhoun. “Acreage Survival Skills”  This is the theme of the conference which will include  concurrent talks by local alternative agriculture entrepreneurs,  Cooperative Extension Specialists and state wide sustainable  Paul Rohrbaugh, former Executive Secretary of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and a renowned sustainable agriculture farmer in Nebraska will serve as the keynote speaker  Informational and vendor booths will also be a part of the Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.  For information contact Sandy & Jerry Grove,  wildflower@abbnebraska.com




Opportunities  

Farmer hosts needed for Producers Choice Chef Award Dinner

We are looking for a few more farmers to host tables at the Producers Choice Chef Award Dinner January 19th.  Please read the following invite and respond to chefaward@gmail.comApplications will be accepted on a first come / first serve basis.  If your application is accepted, you will receive a second email with payment instructions. Complete details about the event including purchasing tickets can be found at, http://nebsusag.org/chef.html 
Thanks for all that you do!! Krista

FACT's Fund-a-Farmer Project - Call for Applications

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is now accepting grant applications from livestock farmers for its Fund-a-Farmer Project!   The Fund-a-Farmer Project provides grants to qualifying humane farmers who need assistance in improving the welfare of their farm animals. Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded for projects that (1) help farms transition to pasture-based systems, (2) improve the marketing of their humane products, or (3) more generally enrich the conditions in which farm animals are raised. Working, independent family farmers that raise pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, dairy cows and/or beef cattle are eligible to apply for any of the three types of grants.  Projects involving goats and sheep are only eligible for marketing grants.  Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by May 1, 2014 for awards made in August 2014. View guidelines and apply online at www.fundafarmer.org. Contact Lisa at grants@foodanimalconcerns.org or 773-525-4952 with questions.  FACT will offer two online information sessions on the Fund-a-Farmer grant application process in February. Interested farmers can join us on February 11 @ 1pm CST/ 2pm EST or February 12 @ 6pm CST/ 7pm EST. Farmers can register online for either of these free sessions.

NRDC Growing Green Awards Requests Nominations

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Berkeley Food Institute have announced the 2014 Growing Green Awards to recognize leadership in the field of sustainable food systems. The 2014 national award categories are Sustainable Food and Farm Educator, Sustainable Livestock Producer, Pollinator Protector, and Regional Food Leader. Online applications accepted until January 31.  http://www.nrdc.org/health/growinggreen.asp

Custom Grazing/Finishing Available

Hope this finds everyone well. We've been blessed with the opportunity to lease some additional ground and are looking to take in some cattle in 2014. We can take them in at anytime. We have  turnips, organic cornstalks, creek/timber ground and hay that are available now until the growing season. From there, we will have warm season pastures and annual forages for grazing/finishing. Depending on timing and a few other factors, we can take in, up to, an additional 30-60 AU's. Since we are building our herd, we will consider cash or cows as payment. Please feel free to call me on my cell if you'd like to discuss further, 402-309-4088. Thank You, Jon

Veggie Farm for Rent

Small house, shed, garage, 2.5? acres. West Burnham Street. Near Pioneers Park. Recently renovated house.  Perfect for starter veg farm. Call Jeff at 402-429-9507.


Looking for Equipment

Anyone have a single row transplanter for sale or rent, suitable for bare rooted raspberrries? Mike @ mdl1356@gmail.com



Upcoming

2014 Healthy Farms Conference

February 14th & 15th. Kearney.  Deadline to reserve lodging is quickly approaching. $89.95/night good for single/ double/ triple/quadruple occupancy. To reserve a room call, 308.237.4400 and reserve a room under The Healthy Farms Conference reservations.    Reserve by January 14th.