Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Nebraska Young Farmer Night @ Prairie Plate!

Prairie Plate Restaurant and the co-located Lakehouse Farm are hosting a Nebraska Young Farmer Night Monday, 30 June, from 6:00-8:00pm. Join us for a potluck dinner, as well as farm and restaurant/kitchen tour. Bring a dish to share and a chair. We plan on dining lakeside, but if weather doesn't cooperate we will move into the restaurant. Gather and restaurant tour at 6 followed by the pot-luck. Farm tour at about 7. Lakehouse Farm is a certified organic diversified produce farm. We predominantly use a soil block transplant system and season extension with two high tunnels. Prairie Plate Restaurant is a farm-to-table restaurant on the farm. The menu is inspired by the area's farmers and artisan food producers and changes weekly. Details and to rsvp, https://www.facebook.com/events/411488982324264/

Peppers are the Most Important Part of Salsa

Monday, June 30 at 12:00 pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of peppers. Presented by Dr. Kevin Crosby, Texas A&M.  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/778576041

Webinar: Soil Respiration and Nutrient Cycling

Tuesday, July 1. Webinar: Soil Respiration and Nutrient Cycling, one of a six-part webinar series on Soil Health. See http://bit.ly/1kAP5s9for more information.  Contact Charles Shapiro at 402 584 3803 for information on cost-share scholarships available for qualified Nebraska farmers.

Opportunity

Helper/Apprentice Sought

My awesome apprentice Jenn has given me notice that she intends to flee our fair state for the ski slopes and sugar maple forests of Vermont in a few short weeks.  Accordingly, I will have an opening for a part time helper in the near future. General veg and herb production, harvesting and prepping produce for a CSA and for restaurant accounts. Special opportunity to gain experience growing greens in a shade house, and - as far as I know - the only place in Nebraska where this person can get experience in commercial herb production and organic greenhouse production. 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln. Please email simple resume and contact information to:  gene@heartlandorganics.net.

Ducks for Sale

I have 6 khaki campbell hens that are about a year old that are laying consistently and 6 welsh harlequin hens and 1 drake from this year's hatch.  $12 ea, 4 or more $10 ea.  I will be coming to Lincoln Friday late afternoon and could bring them with me. Thanks, Robert. lnkrob@gmail.com

Poultry Range Feeders and Transport Cages Needed

I'm looking to buy range feeders for my flock, and am also in the market for stackable transport cages so that I can have the ability to take them to a processor. Dan Hromas, 402-217-2797

Farm Help Needed

We are looking for part-time or occasional help on our organic farm near Omaha. Mowing weeds and general maintenance that requires some muscle. Also someone to help with vegetable planting, weeding, harvest. Experience preferred. We are located at the east edge of Papillion. Meristem Farm and Nursery, LLC. Tom Lundahl (402) 306-4500. Lucena Morse (402) 297-2324. Tom@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com, Lucena@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com. www.MeristemFarmAndNursery.com

Heritage Chickens

I am looking for heritage chicken producers in Nebraska that might be willing to sell me live birds that I can butcher myself.  I am looking to buy young heritage birds but would be most interested in buying a mix of young and old birds. I live in Kearney and am either looking to process in Grand Island or near North Platte so if I can find a farmer in central Nebraska that would be optimal. Jed, yadidyamg@gmail.com

Upcoming

Farm Planning, Marketing and Management Online

July 7. Online. This online course from the University of Massachusetts is designed for students who foresee starting a farming operation in the future or who currently own/manage/work on one. The complexity of whole farm planning is covered in the course through agricultural business planning, organizational design, decision making, leadership and management (employees, systems and record keeping).http://sustfoodfarm.org/online-classes/farm-planning/

Managing for Soil Health when Raising Potatoes

July 8. Online. This free webinar is part of the Soil Health Webinar Series presented by NRCS. It will present a farmer's perspective on managing soil health. Colorado farmer Brendon Rockey will discuss how using a systems approach has improved soil health and biological activity of his soils. Raising 30 varieties of potatoes, his farming system includes the use of green manures, multi-species cover crops, and compost balanced with inorganic materials. This webinar will provide participants an opportunity to hear how soil health can be improved and soil functions enhanced even when raising crops that require a lot of soil disturbance for harvest. http://conservationwebinars.net/

Grain Place Tour

July 12. 8 a.m. Marquette. This seminar is for anyone interested in organic farming, the organic food industry, and sustainable agriculture in general. Participants are guided by  farm manager Mike Herman on a tour of the farm, learning and sharing ideas about various organic growing practices. Grain Place Foods President Dave Vetter leads the tour through the plant, showing how all the various certified organic grains and seeds are processed and packaged. http://grainplacefoods.com/in-the-news/grain-place-news/latest-news/2014-farm-tour-summer-seminar/

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Sustainable Benson

Friday, June 27th. Beginning at 4pm. Join foodies, farmers, gardeners and more as the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society hosts Sustainable Benson! We'll begin with a Nebraska Young Farmer Night at Benson Plant Rescue. Growing Community, Not Just Plants!! We'll get an in depth insight into how Benson Plant Rescue is building community and revitalizing culture, one seed, one plant and one gardener at a time! At 6pm we'll walk to Benson Brewery for an extended NYFN! And we'll combine it with a Sustainability Happy Hour! We'll get a short tour from the brewmaster and will sample and dine on lively, locally sourced foods and brews! For more details and to rsvp please visit, https://www.facebook.com/events/1433731900225528/

Panhandle Dryland No-Till Field Day

Monday, June 23rd. Chadron. Dawes County, south of Chadron. Questions to Mark Watson at 308.760.5259.

On-Farm Health Audit Webinar

 

June 23. Led by OSU Extension veterinarian Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann, this webinar, "CSI for Dairy: On-Farm Audits to Assess Risk," will cover information on transition cow management with an emphasis on prevention of calving-related diseases and on-farm risk assessment. This webinar is conducted as part of a partnership between OEFFA, Ohio State University's Department of Preventative Veterinary Medicine, and the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA), funded by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) professional development grant. http://www.oeffa.org/events.php

Field Day: Developing the Right Pasture Lease

Tuesday, June 24. Whitman. See bit.ly/SohoyK for more information

Webinar: Soil Fauna: Animals of the Soil and the Role They Play in Soil Health

Tuesday, June 24. Webinar: Soil Fauna: Animals of the Soil and the Role They Play in Soil Health, one of a six-part webinar series on Soil Health. See http://bit.ly/1kAP5s9 for more information.  Contact Charles Shapiro at 402 584 3803 for information on cost-share scholarships available for qualified Nebraska farmers.

Community Gardens

Wednesday, June 25 at 11:30 am. Gardening with Benefits: How Belonging to a Garden Network Can Help Your Own Garden Thrive. Susan Sides, Diana McCall, Adam Bigelow, The Western NC Alliance for Gardens that Give. The more diversity something has, the more stability, strength, resiliency and beauty it possesses. That’s true of such things as microorganisms, flowers, herbs, insects, and birds and it’s also true for gardens that are connected to their broader community. In Western North Carolina, gardens that grow food and give it away have come together to form a network that gives each garden the stability, strength, resiliency and beauty that would be impossible had they remained disconnected. This webinar will cover topics such as management of a garden network, how much time is involved, and keeping group momentum as well as benefits of and planning for garden tours. Anyone who is thinking about starting a garden network (big or small!), who is already part of a garden network or who wants to be inspired by what can happen when people come together to grow good food will benefit from this conversation! http://goo.gl/fQKN7

Panhandle Dryland and Irrigated No-Till Field Day

Wednesday, June 25. Alliance. Box Butte County, near Alliance. RSVP to Mark Watson at 308.760.5259.

NMPAN Webinar: The Business of Dry Curing

June 25. This webinar from the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network will cover the Business of Dry Curing: the growth of artisan cured meats, the basics of the business, and talking to two charcuterie processors about how they got started, their day-to-day operations and the costs and revenue for dry curing. This webinar will focus specifically on the business side of adding dry-cured processing to your operation: the economics of charcuterie. To attend this one-hour webinar, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/nichemeat 5-10 minutes before start time 1pm Eastern (12 Central, 11am Mountain, 10am Pacific) and log in as a guest.

Using Diverse Cover Crop Mixes to Improve Soil Health and Livestock Nutrition on Grazing Lands

June 25. This webinar is part of an ongoing series of webinars presented by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service East National Technology Support Center. As a leader in livestock extension and a practitioner on his own farm, Matt Poore, Ph.D. will discuss early findings from using cover crop mixes planted and grazed on his and others' farms. Participate in this free one-hour webinar to learn the reasons behind choosing different cover crop mixes for soil health and livestock nutrition and the short term effects of these mixes on soil, plants, and livestock. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

The Soil that Feeds Us – Cultivating healthier food and a healthier environment on the farm

Join Healthy Food Action and the Izaak Walton League of America on Thursday, June 26 at 11am for a free webinar! "The Soil that Feeds Us – Cultivating healthier food and a healthier environment on the farm" will bring together emerging perspectives from farming, soil science and public health to talk about steps farmers take to improve soil health and resiliency, and the ways in which healthier soil produces healthier food. Webinar presenters will also discuss how a broad constituency from farming, public health and the food movement can influence federal conservation programs. Register here:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6085491554063313921

Landowner Habitat Tour

Thursday, June 26. Curtis. Benefits of Prescribed Fire. See NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8395

Panhandle No-Till Field Day

Thursday, June 26. Kimball. Banner County, North of Kimball. RSVP to Mark Watson at 308.760.5259.

Landowner Habitat Tour

Thursday, June 26. Lexington. Pollinator Habitat Past & Present. See NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8395

Climate Change, Air Emissions, and Energy Use

June 26. 1 p.m. Sustainable Food Trade Association presents leaders from Annie’s and GloryBee. More Information, http://www.sustainablefoodtrade.org/webinars/

Monthly Marketing Webinar: Farmers Markets

June 26. This webinar is part of a series of free monthly webinars offered by food and agriculture marketing experts from Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. This webinar on farmers markets is presented by hristie Welch, a farmers market specialist at Ohio State University South Centers at Piketon. http://www.oardc.osu.edu/7396/Monthly-Webinars-to-Help-Growers-and-Producers-Enhance-Marketing-Improve-and-Expand-Sales.htm

Pasture Conversion and Renovation

June 28. Red Oak, Iowa. This Practical Farmers of Iowa field day visits David and Leslie Carbaugh at Noble Pastures. The day will start with field walks and evaluating two of the Carbaugh’s pastures – one an older pasture they are renovating, and the other a piece of crop ground being converted to pasture. Along with experienced graziers Ron Dunphy and Paul Ackley, the group will evaluate the pastures and discuss other possible forage options, fencing ideas and general management. http://practicalfarmers.org/news-events/events/

Scaling Up: Machines, Markets and Moths

June 29. Crescent, Iowa. Join Terry Troxel at this Practical Farmers of Iowa field day for a discussion of Iowana Farm's machinery, marketing strategies and pest management trials. Chuck Troxel and neighbor Merle Osborn will showcase vegetable-specific adaptations to farm machinery. Terry will share her strategies for building alternative markets around her CSA, including pricing for wholesale. Terry and Chuck will also lead a tour of the farm and discuss pest management strategies for cabbage moths on brassicas. http://practicalfarmers.org/news-events/events/

Opportunity

Poultry Range Feeders and Transport Cages Needed

I'm looking to buy range feeders for my flock, and am also in the market for stackable transport cages so that I can have the ability to take them to a processor. Dan Hromas, 402-217-2797

Farm Help Needed

We are looking for part-time or occasional help on our organic farm near Omaha. Mowing weeds and general maintenance that requires some muscle. Also someone to help with vegetable planting, weeding, harvest. Experience preferred. We are located at the east edge of Papillion. Meristem Farm and Nursery, LLC. Tom Lundahl (402) 306-4500. Lucena Morse (402) 297-2324. Tom@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com, Lucena@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com. www.MeristemFarmAndNursery.com

Heritage Chickens

I am looking for heritage chicken producers in Nebraska that might be willing to sell me live birds that I can butcher myself.  I am looking to buy young heritage birds but would be most interested in buying a mix of young and old birds. I live in Kearney and am either looking to process in Grand Island or near North Platte so if I can find a farmer in central Nebraska that would be optimal. Jed, yadidyamg@gmail.com

Upcoming

Farm Planning, Marketing and Management Online

July 7. Online. This online course from the University of Massachusetts is designed for students who foresee starting a farming operation in the future or who currently own/manage/work on one. The complexity of whole farm planning is covered in the course through agricultural business planning, organizational design, decision making, leadership and management (employees, systems and record keeping).http://sustfoodfarm.org/online-classes/farm-planning/

Managing for Soil Health when Raising Potatoes

July 8. Online. This free webinar is part of the Soil Health Webinar Series presented by NRCS. It will present a farmer's perspective on managing soil health. Colorado farmer Brendon Rockey will discuss how using a systems approach has improved soil health and biological activity of his soils. Raising 30 varieties of potatoes, his farming system includes the use of green manures, multi-species cover crops, and compost balanced with inorganic materials. This webinar will provide participants an opportunity to hear how soil health can be improved and soil functions enhanced even when raising crops that require a lot of soil disturbance for harvest. http://conservationwebinars.net/

Grain Place Tour

July 12. 8 a.m. Marquette. This seminar is for anyone interested in organic farming, the organic food industry, and sustainable agriculture in general. Participants are guided by  farm manager Mike Herman on a tour of the farm, learning and sharing ideas about various organic growing practices. Grain Place Foods President Dave Vetter leads the tour through the plant, showing how all the various certified organic grains and seeds are processed and packaged. http://grainplacefoods.com/in-the-news/grain-place-news/latest-news/2014-farm-tour-summer-seminar/

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture

True Cost of Food

June 16th. 6pm. Omaha. Watch and discuss a great animated video. Hear from local farmers and food advocates. Learn about alternatives to industrial agriculture. Sample local foods and find out how to purchase them. FREE. Coffee and snack provided. RSVPjnickerson@humanesociety.org. https://www.facebook.com/events/1482867758613221/?ref=25

Nebraska Young Farmer Night @ Common Good Farm

Join us for touring & conversation & potluck! Common Good Farm will host a Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society Nebraska Young Farmer Night on June 17, 2014 from 5:30p m - 7:30 pm at Common Good Farm. As we tour, we'll share a broader over-view of our farm: our long-running CSA, organic eggs from pasture-based flocks, spring plant sale, farmer's market, pastured pork, grass-fed beef, on-farm activities like workshops & tours, and wholesale. As we continue with a potluck meal, we'll talk about the broad range of outlets & tasks on& for a diversified family farm & open the conversation up about the sustainability of the farmer's life & do our best to share in light of some of the practical, driving questions that many new farmers growing diversified crops want to ask or talk about. We can also share about resources, soil, cover crops, pest management...as the group has a need. https://www.facebook.com/events/1428691970727742/

Free Lake/Farm Pond Management Workshop  (link)

Monday, June 16th. 6:00 pm. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will present a lake/pond management introductory workshop. This workshop is free and open to everyone who makes decisions for and about lakes and ponds, and for anyone who wants to learn more about protecting them. Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road, Omaha. To register email kpekarek2@unl.edu or call 402.444.7804.

Dry Bean Breeding isn't a Dry Topic

Tuesday, June 17 at 12:00 pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of dry beans. Presented by Dr. James Kelly, Michigan State University. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/942418833

Grafting Vegetable Crops Webinar

June 19. Webinars featuring the state's leading authorities, and including a live question and answer session. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/smallacreage/webinars/

Targeted Grazing Online Workshop: Diet Selection Basics

June 19. This online workshop is part of an ongoing monthly series featuring experts in the topic of targeted grazing and made possible by the Targeted Grazing Committee of the Society for Range Management. This presentation is by Dr. Karen Launchbaugh, University of Idaho. The workshops are free. http://www.rangelands.org/targetedgrazing/index.shtml

Legal and Financial Clinic

Thursday, June 19. Norfolk. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Landowner Habitat Tour

Thursday, June 19. Rosemont, Gering, Imperial. CRP Upgrades with High Diversity Seed Mixes, SAFEs and Pollinator Habitat. What is it supposed to look like? See NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8395

Community-Based Food Business Financing Webinar

June 19. This National Good Food Network webinar will start with the basics of what a co-op is, how it works, and then will discuss accessing community-based capital through what is called a Member Investor Share Offering (MISO). Organizers of community-based food businesses will share what they believe to be the secrets to their success, and some suggestions on how you might consider financing your planned operation in this way. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/392019946

Legal and Financial Clinic

Friday, June 20. Valentine. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

EPA’s Proposed Waters of the U.S. Regulations

Friday, June 20 at 1:30 pm CDT. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) released a proposed rule in March to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources. In this webcast, Donna Downing of EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, and Ken Kopocis, senior advisor in the EPA’s Office of Water, will explain the proposed rule and discuss what the proposal would mean to the agriculture sector. The proposed definitions of waters do not protect any new types of waters that have not historically been covered under the Clean Water Act and are consistent with the Supreme Court’s reading of Clean Water Act jurisdiction. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

Holistic Biological Monitoring: Boots on the Ground:

June 20. 1-day workshop, 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Location : To be determined.  All workshop fees include lunch and refreshments. For further information about the workshops contact Bob Shields at 308-379-1361 or Bob.Shields01@gmail.com

Organic Farm Demonstration

June 21st. 1:30pm. Organic Crop Improvement Association invites the public to Prairie Edge Organics : Dennis Wacker,  86288 540 Ave., Osmond, Nebraska.  Come and learn what certified organic production is about. They are a non-profit mentoring farm group who promotes and educates people about  organic agricultural production. There will be several demonstrations, including crop cultivation. There is no charge for the tour.  For more information on the tour and organic production/certification contact Kim @ 402-620-2701 orociane1@yahoo.com

Bee Fun Day, Sponsored by the Nebraska Beekeepers Association

Sunday, June 22. Seward. Topics to include marketing, commercial beekeeping, beekeeping in Afghanistan, top bar hives, laying workers, beekeeping at the prison, honey bee lotions, skin care products, farmer markets, and disease recognition/prevention.  Seebit.ly/1u8ppWn for more information.

Opportunity

CSA Inquiries

I ‘m hearing from some CSA farmers on the east coast who, thanks to generous spring rains, are overwhelmed with weeds. They could use some hands helping to pull the invaders, and wonder where should they turn – on the internet or elsewhere – to put the word out and located some people who are willing to work some hours for a share?  Any CSA operators have creative suggestions they can pass on to the list? chiron@chiron-communications.com

FOR SALE

Gothic Style High Tunnel, 20’ X 11’ -5/8 X 48’, erected in 2008 on leased land located at 4000 W ”F” Street in Lincoln, NE.  Perfect for market farmer interested in extending the growing season to increase production. Price and terms negotiable; special consideration given to “Beginning Farmers.” Jim Caruso, Caruso-Rozzano Farms, 402.429.1141

Farm Help Needed

We are looking for part-time or occasional help on our organic farm near Omaha. Mowing weeds and general maintenance that requires some muscle. Also someone to help with vegetable planting, weeding, harvest. Experience preferred. We are located at the east edge of Papillion. Meristem Farm and Nursery, LLC. Tom Lundahl (402) 306-4500. Lucena Morse (402) 297-2324. Tom@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com, Lucena@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com. www.MeristemFarmAndNursery.com

Heritage Chickens

I am looking for heritage chicken producers in Nebraska that might be willing to sell me live birds that I can butcher myself.  I am looking to buy young heritage birds but would be most interested in buying a mix of young and old birds. I live in Kearney and am either looking to process in Grand Island or near North Platte so if I can find a farmer in central Nebraska that would be optimal. Jed, yadidyamg@gmail.com

Upcoming

On-Farm Health Audit Webinar

 

June 23. Led by OSU Extension veterinarian Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann, this webinar, "CSI for Dairy: On-Farm Audits to Assess Risk," will cover information on transition cow management with an emphasis on prevention of calving-related diseases and on-farm risk assessment. This webinar is conducted as part of a partnership between OEFFA, Ohio State University's Department of Preventative Veterinary Medicine, and the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA), funded by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) professional development grant. http://www.oeffa.org/events.php

NMPAN Webinar: The Business of Dry Curing

June 25. This webinar from the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network will cover the Business of Dry Curing: the growth of artisan cured meats, the basics of the business, and talking to two charcuterie processors about how they got started, their day-to-day operations and the costs and revenue for dry curing. This webinar will focus specifically on the business side of adding dry-cured processing to your operation: the economics of charcuterie. To attend this one-hour webinar, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/nichemeat 5-10 minutes before start time 1pm Eastern (12 Central, 11am Mountain, 10am Pacific) and log in as a guest.

Using Diverse Cover Crop Mixes to Improve Soil Health and Livestock Nutrition on Grazing Lands

June 25. This webinar is part of an ongoing series of webinars presented by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service East National Technology Support Center. As a leader in livestock extension and a practitioner on his own farm, Matt Poore, Ph.D. will discuss early findings from using cover crop mixes planted and grazed on his and others' farms. Participate in this free one-hour webinar to learn the reasons behind choosing different cover crop mixes for soil health and livestock nutrition and the short term effects of these mixes on soil, plants, and livestock. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

Farm Service Agency Phone Scam

In light of recent storms impacting our state, I want to alert you to a phone scam being perpetrated on Farm Service Agency (FSA) customers. In this scam, a caller claims to be a Farm Loan Services representative and and states that FSA owes you disaster assistance funds. The caller then proceeds to request checking account information or credit card numbers, alleging that funds will be credited to these accounts.

 

If you receive a similar call, under no circumstances should you provide personal or financial information to the caller. Please warn your family, friends and neighbors about this scam.

 

To report the scam or get more information click here, http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?service=page/CountyMap&state=NE&stateName=Nebraska&stateCode=31

This is a link to find your local office in Nebraska.  If you need the directory for another state please click here, http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture

Young Farmer Night w/ Prairie Pride Poultry

Join Prairie Pride Poultry Tuesday evening, June 10th, to share in a potluck dinner on the farm and to discuss the importance of locally sourced food and what it means to the community. Get a chance to meet the flock and talk with Dan Hromas about how he got started. We'll begin at 6pm with a potluck, so please bring a food dish to share! Details and to rsvp, https://www.facebook.com/events/667160040020429/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

RESCHEDULED Young Farmer Night @ Big Muddy Urban Farm

June 12th. NYFN at Big Muddy will start as a potluck-style meal, hosted at our farm plot on 33rd and California Street. We will then do a walking tour between our other farm plots in the Gifford Park Neighborhood! Bring a dish to pass, and some walking shoes, and get ready to visit the farm! We'll also have on hand representatives from the National Young Farmers Coalition as we kickoff a Nebraska Chapter of the coalition. At 6pm we'll begin with a potluck so please bring a food dish to share. Details and to rsvp, https://www.facebook.com/events/453272314819612/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Sustainability Happy Hour

Saturday June 14th at 1:30pm we will hold our first Sustainability Happy Hour of 2014 at Blue Blood Brewing Company.  Blue Blood is located at 500 West South Street in Lincoln.  Blue Blood Brewing Company was founded on the premise of a great friendship and love of great beer. Its founders work hard, and that hard work is translated into the beer that they brew. Although the road to the Brewery opening had some detours, this Lincoln, Nebraska Brewery has proudly been producing beers since December 2011.  Founding brewer Brian will give us a tour at 2:00pm.  So we have a head count please rsvp to shh.nsas@gmail.com.  The Sustainability Happy Hours are open to all, and are family friendly. We'll also hear from Monk Bob of Modern Monks brewing who partners with Blue Blood and their canning facility. Look for an event page on the NSAS Facebook page soon!

Lighting for small and backyard layer flocks

Monday, June 9 at 5:00 pm. To keep hens laying through the winter, light control is essential. Dr. Michael Darre of the University of Connecticut will be discussing on the role of light and how to manage it in small and backyard layer flocks. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

Making Appealing Apples

Tuesday, June 10 at 12:00 pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of apples. Dr. Kate Evans from Washington State University will present a webinar on the breeding of apples describing apple breeding techniques new and old and also current practice in her program at WSU. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/165997833

Webinar: Introduction to Soil Health and the Soil Food Web featuring Elaine Ingham of Rodale

Tuesday, June 10. 7pm. See See http://bit.ly/1kAP5s9 for more information.  Contact Charles Shapiro at 402 584 3803 for information on cost-share scholarships available for qualified Nebraska farmers.

Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Network Webinar Series, No 3: The Sea Grant Network Responds to Tourism Opportunities in Fishing and Aquaculture

Tuesday, June 10 at 12:00 pm. Tourism can provide financial return for those in commercial fishing and aquaculture, and can also play a role in connecting seafood consumers with seafood producers.  The result can be an economic engine that also pays benefits in educating our citizens about the many important issues in seafood production, processing, transport and marketing.  The Sea Grant network of seafood extension professionals has been engaged in this issue for many years, with programs tailored to the local assets, constraints and needs.  This webinar will highlight some of these activities from around the network, and will serve to connect extension agents and others together, so that we can learn from one another and facilitate connections for future collaborations. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/marine/

Managing for Soil Health in the Piedmont Area of the Southeast – A Farmer’s Perspective

June 10. Online. This webinar is part of an ongoing series of soil health webinars presented by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Curtis Furr, a farmer and Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor in Stanly County, North Carolina, has been battling the impacts of "tillage addiction" for the past 20 years. Curtis has experimented with different seeding methods, including aerial, broadcast, and drilling, along with the use of a culti-packer in the spring to roll the cover crop down as he's spraying. In this webinar, Curtis will share these experiences along with challenges he's overcome when planting corn and cotton into cover crop mixes with over five tons of biomass.http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

Green Cover Field Day

The first meeting is being sponsored and hosted by Scott Gonnerman at his farm near Waco, NE (6 miles North, 1 mile East of Waco, NE) on June 11th from 9am-4:30pm. More information can be found here, 

Landowner Habitat Tour

Wednesday, June 11. Alexandria. Bobwhite Quail habitat needs workshop & habitat management. See NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8395

Nebraska Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Annual Meeting

June 12 – 14. Gothenburg. See http://incolor.inetnebr.com/dougg/swcs/ for more info.

Legal and Financial Clinic

Thursday, June 12. North Platte. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Pollinator Habitat Workshop

June 13. Lecompton, Kansas. If you are interested in pollinator habitat and conservation in a rural setting, please plan to attend the Kansas Rural Center's Pollinator Habitat Workshop. Jennifer Hopwood, Midwest Pollinator Conservation Specialist from The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, will lead the program. The afternoon portion of the workshop will include a tour of pollinator habitat plots installed by Jim Weaver, Douglas County Conservation District, on his property in northwestern Douglas County. The workshop is free and open to the public. http://kansasruralcenter.org/registration-open-for-kansas-rural-center-pollinator-habitat-workshop/

Legal and Financial Clinic

Friday, June 13. Fairbury. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Opportunity

NSAS Elections

It is election time! Please follow this link to a survey with candidates for the NSAS Board of Directors. With each candidate there is a short bio. NSAS Members please vote for the one candidate you feel would best serve NSAS, its members and supporters and sustainable agriculture as a whole. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6W89KSG   Voting will close on June 13th. 

FOR SALE

Gothic Style High Tunnel, 20’ X 11’ -5/8 X 48’, erected in 2008 on leased land located at 4000 W ”F” Street in Lincoln, NE.  Perfect for market farmer interested in extending the growing season to increase production. Price and terms negotiable; special consideration given to “Beginning Farmers.” Jim Caruso, Caruso-Rozzano Farms, 402.429.1141

Farm Help Needed

We are looking for part-time or occasional help on our organic farm near Omaha. Mowing weeds and general maintenance that requires some muscle. Also someone to help with vegetable planting, weeding, harvest. Experience preferred. We are located at the east edge of Papillion. Meristem Farm and Nursery, LLC. Tom Lundahl (402) 306-4500. Lucena Morse (402) 297-2324. Tom@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com, Lucena@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com. www.MeristemFarmAndNursery.com

Heritage Chickens

I am looking for heritage chicken producers in Nebraska that might be willing to sell me live birds that I can butcher myself.  I am looking to buy young heritage birds but would be most interested in buying a mix of young and old birds. I live in Kearney and am either looking to process in Grand Island or near North Platte so if I can find a farmer in central Nebraska that would be optimal. Jed, yadidyamg@gmail.com

Upcoming

Dry Bean Breeding isn't a Dry Topic

Tuesday, June 17 at 12:00 pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of dry beans. Presented by Dr. James Kelly, Michigan State University. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/942418833

Holistic Biological Monitoring: Boots on the Ground:

June 20. 1-day workshop, 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Location : To be determined.  All workshop fees include lunch and refreshments. For further information about the workshops contact Bob Shields at 308-379-1361 or Bob.Shields01@gmail.com