Healthy Farms: May 2015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

2015 Wildflower Week!

Lincoln, Neb. — Wildflowers are an important part of any region's identity. Nebraska Wildflower Week celebrates this sense of place through wildflower-related events and activities the first week in June, when many of Nebraska's prairies and gardens are at their prime.

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum coordinates Wildflower Week activities, bringing together organizations and individuals across the state that recognize the value of wildflowers -- not only for their beauty, but also for what they symbolize.

"Where wildflowers are thriving, it is a sign that the environment is healthy," said Bob Henrickson, whose nursery production work with the arboretum focuses on native and regionally appropriate plants. Opportunities for wildflower enthusiasts across the state include guided tours, presentations on wildflower plantings, exhibits, prairie runs and more.

Events and photos will be updated at http://arboretum.unl.edu/wildflower-week.

WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENTS IN EASTERN NEBRASKA

May 29-June 5 in Lincoln: A wildflower scavenger hunt will take place at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. Tour the museum and gardens in search of wildflowers. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. 402-472-6549, info@quiltstudy.org, http://www.quiltstudy.org.
May 29-June 5 in Beatrice: Beatrice Public Library Arboretum will have a display of books and information on wildflowers plus wildflower seedlings and small packets of assorted wildflower seeds and ornamental grasses to give away. 402-223-3584, http://www.beatrice.ne.gov/library.
May 29-31 in and near Onawa, Iowa: The Annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar will take place with indoor programs in Onawa and outdoor sessions starting from Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area. Presentations will be given on prairies, woodlands, wildflowers and native plants for home landscapes. The event is free unless participants want to order meals in advance. 712-222-6083, pkistner@nwaea.org, http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/en/educators/loess_hills_prairie_seminar.
May 30 in Omaha: Celebrate Wildflower Week with an exploration of the amazing world of pollination at Lauritzen Gardens at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will discover a variety of pollination stories on this guided walking tour through the gardens led by director of conservation Jim Locklear. The event is free to members or with garden admission ($10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12). To register, call 402-346-4002, extension 263, or email h.saalfeld@omahabotancalgardens.org.
May 30 near Ceresco: Walk through the saline wetlands of Saunders County starting at 8 a.m. at Darby Springs Farm, three miles east of Ceresco off County Road A. Learn about native pollinators, dung beetles and salt creek tiger beetles and see the benefits of grazing, multi-species pasture staking and more. This free event is sponsored by the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. Families are welcome. 402-525-7794, http://facebook.com/nebraskasustainableagriculturesociety, healthyfarms@gmail.com.
June 2 in Lincoln: In conjunction with Jazz in June, Mark Canney, park planner with Lincoln Parks and Recreation, will discuss the design relationships between the plants, trees, shrubs and buildings along the 12th Street mall leading to Memorial Stadium. 402-472-1229, susan.budler@unl.edu, http://www.jazzinjune.com.
June 3 in Wayne: "Native Plants in the Landscape through the Seasons" is a leisurely stroll through the Wayne State College campus at 6:30 p.m. to explore the use of native plants in the landscapes in different seasons. The event includes a raffle for free plants. Meet in parking lot 6. More dates are available at http://www.wsc.edu. 402-375-7384, kischra1@wsc.edu.
June 4 in Lincoln: A brown-bag lunch on "Environmentally Adapted Trees" by Heather Byers of Great Plains Nursery will be at noon in Keim Hall, Room 150, on UNL's East Campus. http://arboretum@unl.edu, http://arboretum.unl.edu/brown-bags.
June 5 in Red Cloud: As part of the Willa Cather Spring Conference, a wildflower walk will take place at 8 p.m. 402-746-2653, www.willacather.org.
June 6 near Marquette: The Griffith Prairie Fun Run will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The course is a mowed trail through hills and prairie for walkers and runners (5K or 10K). Take Nebraska Highway 14 to Marquette corner, head four miles west on 22 Road and then a half-mile north on M Road. To register, go to http://prairieplains.org/events.htm or email contactppri@hamilton.net.
June 6 near Wood River: Help with and learn about seed harvesting, native plant nursery work, invasive species control and other efforts to restore and maintain healthy grasslands during a Platte Prairies Work Days event with the Nature Conservancy from 9 a.m. to noon. More dates are available at http://nature.org/nebraska. 402-694-4191.
June 6 near Gretna: A "We Teach" tour and gardening presentation will be given at 10 a.m. by Douglas-Sarpy County Nebraska Extension master gardeners at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center Arboretum starting and ending at the lodge. To sign up for the $5 lunch at 12:30 p.m., please email your name, email and phone number to kdjeffers@aol.com.
June 7 in Lincoln: The "Walk Among Wildflowers" will take place at the Pioneers Park Nature Center Prairie Building from 1 to 2 p.m. Learn about the resilient and beautiful flora of Nebraska. Register for the $3 tour by June 4. 402-441-8708, JKelley@lincoln.ne.gov.
June 13 in Brownville: Activities and tours of Furnas Arboretum and village sites will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Justin Evertson will give a talk and answer questions about native vs. non-native plants and biodiversity. The Auburn Garden Club will participate. johnlauber@windstream.net.
June 27 near Pierce: The "WOW: Wings on Wildflower" tour will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about native wildflowers, their importance to pollinators and the need for diversity, try some edible wildflowers, learn about hand-harvesting natives and get tips to start your own plot. The cost of $40 includes transportation, lunch, free stuff and talks. The event is sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development Council. 402-582-4866, northeastrcd@plvwtelco.net.

WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENTS IN WESTERN NEBRASKA

May 29 through August near Harrison: Plant signage and a herbarium will help visitors identify and enjoy wildflowers at the Agate Fossil Beds Visitor Center. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and trails are open from dawn until dusk. The center is 22 miles south of Harrison on Highway 29, then east three miles on River Road. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, http://www.nps.gov/agfo.
May 31 near Harrison: A "Wildflower Talk and Walk with a Ranger" will take place at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument at 2 p.m, starting at the visitor center and moving outdoors. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, http://www.nps.gov/agfo.
June 4 in Scottsbluff: A wildflower celebration and presentations will take place at the Legacy of the Plains Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. 308-630-8011, stormwater@scottsbluff.org, http://www.NebraskaH2O.org.
June 5 in Scottsbluff: A dedication of downtown gardens and talks will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Emporium Coffeehouse, followed by a downtown walking garden tour at 11 a.m.; a planting demonstration at Legacy of the Plains Museum from 1:30 to 4 p.m.; and a wildflower hike at Scottsbluff National Monument, leaving from the amphitheater at 6 p.m. 308-630-8011, stormwater@scottsbluff.org,http://www.NebraskaH2O.org.
June 5 near Crawford: An Agate Fossil Beds ranger will present a wildflower talk at Fort Robinson State Park, three miles west of Crawford, at 7 p.m. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, http://www.nps.gov/agfo.
June 6 in Scottsbluff: A plant sale will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Aulick's TLC with presentations at 10 and 11 a.m. 308-630-8011, stormwater@scottsbluff.org, http://www.NebraskaH2O.org.
June 7 near Harrison: A "Wildflower Talk and Walk with a Ranger" will take place at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument at 2 p.m., starting from the visitor center and moving outdoors. The monument is 22 miles south of Harrison on Highway 29, then east three miles on River Road. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, www.nps.gov/agfo.

Karma Larsen
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
402-472-7923
klarsen1@unl.edu

- See more at: http://ianrnews.unl.edu/wildflower-week-will-feature-tours-speakers-more#sthash.SQrG1E3z.dpuf

Monday, May 18, 2015

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

National Heritage Breeds Week

May 17-23. National. The first annual National Heritage Breeds Week sponsored by The Livestock Conservancy will be held May 17-23, 2015 across the United States to raise awareness about nearly 200 endangered heritage breeds of livestock and poultry. Heritage breed farmers, enthusiasts, and the public are encouraged to spread the word throughout their networks. The week of awareness will culminate on Saturday, May 23 with National Heritage Breeds Day where many farms and ranches will choose to hold local events such as farm tours, workshops, or lectures to raise awareness in their communities. http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/what/internal/national-heritage-breeds-week

National Value Added Agriculture Conference

May 18-20. Austin, Texas. This conference addresses food security, rural development, and value added agriculture. The theme is “The Future of the U.S. Food System: Providing Nutritious, Sustainable, and Healthy Food for All Americans.” The conference will include breakout sessions and tours and will feature innovative businesses. The recent farm bill, food waste, labor issues, functional foods, technology and big data, the adaptability and resilience of the food and agricultural system in the new century are among the topics to be discussed toward the goal of designing and building a sustainable regional food network and agricultural systems. http://www.agmrc.org/national-value-added-agriculture-conference/

Ag Safety for Women

Tuesday, May 19 at 11:00 am. Join us for a webinar on agricultural safety and its impact on women in agriculture. Farm Safety For Just Kids Education Director Shari Burgus will share some ideas on promoting a safe environment for farm families. Starting with the organization in 1991, Shari initiated the first chapter system. She now develops educational material and programs that include brochures, fact sheets, demonstrations, displays, curriculum, activity ideas, lesson plans, and more. Shari has past teaching experience in both middle and high schools in rural and urban settings. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag

Automated Calf Feeders on US farms: How do They Work?

Tuesday, May 19 at 12:00 pm. Presenter: Dr. Marcia Endres, University of Minnesota. During this webinar Dr. Endres will summarize some results of a field study with 38 farms that use automated calf feeders. She will also address some key housing and management practices used on these farms and how they might influence calf health and welfare. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/dairexnetwebinar/

Virtual Reality, A New Kind of Experiential Learning for Ag Safety

Tuesday, May 19 at 1:00. A powerful teaching tool is on the horizon, and the SAY project is shaping how to use it for farm safety training that sticks. We’re talking about virtual reality. Advances in technology will bring immersive 360-degree experiences out of the laboratory and into the hands of consumers in 2015. These virtual reality headsets, such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, are initially focused on gaming and entertainment, but also afford a new kind of experiential learning for students in many disciplines. Simulations in 3D can model both good and bad practices in production agriculture, and in particular, things not possible in real life. Through risk-taking in a safe virtual environment, learners can experience for themselves the consequences of unsafe actions. Get a glimpse into the future of immersive learning, and the science and pedagogy that supports it. Find out how you can contribute to bringing farm safety into 3D through the SAY project. If you need assistance, please contact Linda Fetzer at lmf8@psu.edu. https://meeting.psu.edu/fresh/

AgroForestry Workshop

May 20-21. Topeka. This workshop will provide farmers, ranchers, landowners and natural resource professionals the opportunity to learn science-based information regarding the design, function, management, and benefits of a variety of agroforestry practices. Examples include silvopasture, alley cropping, windbreaks, riparian buffers, and forest farming. For more information: http://www.kansasfarmersunion/events/amazing-grazing-events/ also http://www.kansasfarmersunion.com/agroforestry-comes-to-kansas/ A workshop brochure is also

available on line at www.kansasforests.org by clicking on News and Events.

Breeding Peanuts: The Story of a Lowly Groundnut

Wednesday, May 20 at 1:00 pm. Join the National Association of Plant Breeding and the Plant Breeding and Genomics Community of Practice for a webinar on peanut breeding by Barry Tillman of the University of Florida. The webinar takes place on Wednesday, May 20 2015 at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time). The webinar is free and advanced registration is required. Register now at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6644867001864150785

Tools for Transitioning to Organic Dairy Webinar

May 19. Online. The New York Organic Dairy Initiative will offer this webinar featuring presenters with the Northeast Organic Farming Association, USDA Farm Services Agency, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service covering the requirements for organic certification, tools to adjust conventional farming practices to meet those requirements, and the types of federal loans and Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative resources that can help with transition costs. How to develop an Organic System Plan, spreadsheets and other tools for transitioning into organic dairy crops production, and return on investment data will be covered in the webinar session. http://blogs.cornell.edu/organicdairyinitiative/

Regulations and Best Practices for Small Livestock

May 20th. Lincoln. 5:30pm. All classes will be held Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm at Community Action (210 "O" St. Lincoln, NE). Individual classes are $20 each, please click the link next to the class to register for that particular class. For more information, contact Kirstin Bailey, kirstin@communitycrops.orgor call 402.474.9802. Register here, https://communitycrops.z2systems.com/np/clients/communitycrops/eventRegistration.jsp?event=210&

Environmental Benefits of Organic Agriculture: Energy and Climate Change

May 21. Online. This free, one-hour webinar is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. It is the first in a four-part series exploring the environmental benefits of organic agriculture. This session will present scientific research examining the energy and climate change benefits of organic farming practices. Presenters are Erin Silva and Betsy Rakola. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/environmental-benefits-of-organic-agriculture-energy-and-climate-change

Field Day: Reduce Tillage - Drilling Soybean into Triticale

Thursday, May 21, 5:00pm – 7:30pm. Abie. UNL Field Day. The field tour will start at 5:00 p.m. at the Stanislav farm two miles north of Abie, Neb. Farmers interested in using a mulch crop to avoid soil crusting and erosion in soybeans should attend. Participants will learn how to use a winter triticale mulch as an alternative to herbicides, followed with a cash crop of drilled soybean. Participants will evaluate 30 UNL experimental lines of early-maturing triticale for weed suppression and plant residue. Triticale was planted the previous fall at two dates a month apart.

The Benefits of Diversity: Another Look at Whole Farm Revenue Protection

May 21. Online. This National Center for Appropriate Technology webinar focuses on how the new Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) crop insurance may improve coverage and lower insurance costs for diverse field-crop farms or farms that are contemplating adding greater diversity to their cropping systems -- or even considering new livestock production. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7472040595195047169

Targeted Grazing Online Workshops: Monitoring for Success

May 21. Online. This is the final event in a series of online presentations led by experts on the topic of targeted grazing and made possible by the Targeted Grazing Committee of the Society for Range Management. The free, one-hour presentation is by Dr. Marc Horney, California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. https://targetedgrazing.wordpress.com/training/

Micro Manure Management

Friday, May 22 at 1:30 pm. When discussing manure management and land application, we often focus on the big picture – tons, nutrient calculations, odors, and size of storage. This webcast will take a look at the smallest manure managers, microbes and soil mesofauna, and how the work they do can drive our farming systems. Link: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

News

Family adjusts to 'new normal' at Robinette Farms after traumatic accident

MARTELL -- Alex McKiernan walks with his 5-year-old daughter at his side and she asks: "Papa, can I be your cane?" McKiernan, who uses two canes to steady himself, pauses and shifts one to his left hand. Then he puts his right palm gently on Nina's brown-haired head -- she's about as tall as a cane -- and they walk together to the house.

It's a simple, loving gesture, and it epitomizes McKiernan's life since he suffered a spinal cord injury in a traffic accident on Jan 7, 2014. He relies on family, friends and others every day, and he is very grateful for the help. "The support we had from the community allowed me to focus on therapy," he says, sitting at a picnic table on the 113-acre farm near Martell where the family grows chemical-free vegetables. After the accident, friends, neighbors, fellow firefighters, area farmers and strangers signed up through a website to help. They cared for livestock, did the chores, delivered meals, watched Nina and her sisters Roisin and Fiona, 2, and raised "tens of thousands of dollars."

Read the rest about NSAS members Chloe and Alex, http://journalstar.com/news/local/family-adjusts-to-new-normal-at-robinette-farms-after-traumatic/article_d144af5c-9b7d-508b-9a79-fed19d5cd81d.html

Opportunities

Piglets for Sale

We have 5 dirt raised piglets born Easter morning for sale. There are 3 boys and 2 females left. No shots, antibiotics, medications or hormones of any kind have ever been given to them or their parents. We do not spray chemicals or pesticides on our farm, and we have been feeding them as much fresh green grass as they can shovel in. These are very people friendly, as we play with them several times a day. They are a Duroc mix. Price is $50 per pig. Pickup is near Lyons. Thanks and happy bacon to you all. Serena Bourne, serenasaurus09@yahoo.com

Farmer/Apprentice/Intern Wanted

I am looking for a late May - October veg farm helper/intern/apprentice. Will participate in every aspect of planting, raising, harvesting, marketing and delivering fresh, naturally grown veg, herbs and fruit to Lincoln and Omaha restaurants. 24-32 hrs per week. Hrs somewhat flexible. F/T for the right person. I can also make land available at no cost for the employee to grow and sell his/her own stuff. Please send one-page resume and contact info togene@heartlandorganics.net. ggg

For Sale by Owner

Tekamah. (40+/- Acre farm with house & buildings).

We have decided that we must downsize and are going to sell the farm. Please share with anyone you may know who is

interested. Northwest of Tekamah, Nebraska. Includes 5

bedroom/3.5 bath raised ranch with walk-out basement house, Has two kitchens, oversized shower and whirlpool tub in

master bath, plus walk-in closet. Property has been farmed organically for over 9 years, includes Morton machine shed,

Butler livestock building and other small buildings. This farm has been ran to be self sufficient for several years. Farm

does have underground wiring and a battery shed for solar power, solar panels do not go with farm, but all the

underground wiring and permanent solar infrastructure stays.

Call Rebecka Fleischman at 402-687-4149 for more information.

More pictures available upon request. Schedule your tour today.

Egg Cartons for sale

I have 20 bundles of generic, never used, still in plastic wrapping, recyclable pulp egg cartons available - 120 [dozen] cartons each bundle - at 25 cents per carton. I have switched packaging and don't need these anymore.

Dan Hromas,

Prairie Pride Poultry,

4022172797

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

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

2014 Farm Bill - Conservation Compliance Changes | NRCS

The 2014 Farm Bill re-established the applicability of the Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation provisions to crop insurance subsidies, but the Farm Bill did not change how these were implemented in conservation programs. USDA is seeking comments on an Interim Final Rule, which would make official this change to conservation compliance provisions. Submit comments on regulations.gov.

Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions aim to reduce soil loss on erosion-prone lands and to protect wetlands for the multiple benefits they provide. HELC and WC provisions apply to all land that is considered highly erodible or a wetland, and that is owned or farmed by persons voluntarily participating in USDA programs, unless USDA determines an exemption applies.
Producers, and any affiliated individuals or entities who participate in most programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Risk Management Agency (RMA) are required to comply with these provisions. Farmers seeking federal crop insurance premium subsidies for the 2016 reinsurance year must comply by June 1 by filing form AD-1026. The 2016 reinsurance year runs from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1257899

Farm Family Placement Opportunity

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

OneCert Hiring

Administrative Specialists. This is a full-time position in our Lincoln office. For more details, Sam Welsch, President, OneCert, Inc., 2219 C Street, Lincoln, NE 68502, 402-420-6080. www.onecert.com

Veg Farmland for Rent

Close in farmland for rent. About 1 acre 200 yards outside city limits in SW Corner of Lincoln. Organically maintained for at least 30 years. Bearing aronia bushes on part of the land. I know the owner and the land, as does Justin G Jones, and I think Ingrid Kirst at CROPS knows it too. If interested, call Jeff at 402-429-9507. In my opinion, it would make a good "training plot" for a couple of young veg farmers. I tried to buy the property myself 15-16 years ago but I have no financial interest in the property or a possible rental; just doing an old friend a favor.

Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Survey

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

Upcoming

Advances in Hi- and Lo-Tech Irrigation Systems

May 26. Online. This free, one-hour webinar beginning at 2:00 pm EDT is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. Participants will be provided with a summary of the major irrigation systems including recent advances and their utility. Some recent technological advancements in these systems have been introduced to enhance performance, ease management, and reduce energy use, or meet other specific needs. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/advances-in-hi-and-lo-tech-irrigation-systems

Make the "Best of Fresh" with Farm to School

Wednesday, May 27 at 2:00 pm. Presented by Carol Chong, National Nutrition Advisor, Alliance for a Healthier Generation Healthy Schools Program and Christina Conell, Program Analyst USDA. Learning Objectives: Defining local and where to find local foods, Procurement principles and regulations, Local can span the school meal tray. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/healthyschools

Introduction to Agroforestry Systems

May 27. Online. This webinar is presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center. Participants will learn about the five recognized agroforestry practices: Windbreaks, Alleycropping, Silvopasture, Forest Farming and Riparian Forest Buffers. The presenter is Rich Straight, US Forest Service Lead Agroforester, USDA National Agroforestry Center. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/introduction-to-agroforestry-systems

Profiles in Small-Scale Processing: Blue Ridge Meats

May 28. Online. This is a free webinar presented by the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network. On this webinar, participants will get a "behind the scenes" peek at Blue Ridge Meats, a small, USDA-inspected slaughter and processing facility in Front Royal, Virginia. Lois Aylestock, VP, will describe how they manage day to day operations, getting and keeping customers, bookkeeping, employee management, and more. She will tell us about systems they've developed, what has worked, and what she wishes she had known before they got started. http://www.extension.org/pages/72927/profiles-in-small-scale-processing:-blue-ridge-meats#.VVnT0PlViko

Animal Fiber Production Opportunities

May 30. Phillipsburg, Kansas. In this day-long Amazing Grazing event, Sally Brandon, Shepherd’s Mill, and Rachael Boyle, K-State Research and Extension Livestock Agent, will guide you through the world of animal fiber production, from determining which animals are right for you and your farm to selecting a mill and marketing your fiber. http://www.kansasfarmersunion.com/events/amazing-grazing-events/

Monday, May 11, 2015

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Managing natural resources with the challenge of climate change

Monday, May 11 at 12:00 pm. This talk will introduce the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) and share experiences assisting land managers to develop and implement conservation and management actions to help ecosystems respond to climate change. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/woodlands

Perennial Fruits and Vegetables Perennial Crops; Fruit and Vegetables

May 13th. Vaughn Hammond will present on area perennial fruits and vegetables. Register for this class here. https://communitycrops.z2systems.com/eventReg.jsp?event=225&

Creating a Social Media Plan for Your Business

Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 am. Webinar. Social Media is not a miracle worker. It is just one layer of communication, one tool to let the public know what your business is about. To do it right takes planning. What should you be doing? How to strategize your content, develop a plan, and study who’s doing it right. Designed for existing businesses. Not for personal social media. For more information: To register: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wednesday-webinars-registration-11452674257

Getting Oily With Soybeans: Plant Breeding Webinar

Wednesday, May 13 at 1:00 pm. Join the National Association of Plant Breeding and the Plant Breeding and Genomics Community of Practice for a webinar on soybean breeding by Istvan Rajcan of the University of Guelph. The webinar takes place on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time). The webinar is free and advanced registration is required. Register now at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5309813595139364353

Using Case Studies to Facilitate Farmer Conservation Decisions

May 14. Online. This webinar is presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center. Participants in this webinar will learn how to use case studies of producer experiences to facilitate conservation decision-making. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/using-case-studies-to-facilitate-farmer-conservation-decisions

Crop Insurance for Small Farms: A Crash Course

May 14. Online. This National Good Food Network webinar offers an opportunity to learn about crop insurance options, find out about what it means to be in an insurance contract, and learn how to think about the best options for your farm or the farms that you advise and work with. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4533098789914804226

2-Day Intensive Regenerative Land and Plant Propagation Course

May 15th and 16th. Papillion. In this course you will learn how to read landscapes, identify patterns, and harness the land for profitable gain while investing in the long-term fertility and health of the soil at the same time. You will also be given the knowledge, basic skills and tools necessary to create your own profitable plant propagation property, lifestyle and/or business. The Regenerative Land and Plant Course will give you the inspiration, information and hands-on skills you need to create a business or just feed your family and friends. http://www.keipos.org/classes-workshops.html

IOIA Webinar: On-Farm Food Safety Training

May 15. Online. The Independent Organic Inspectors Association offers this on-farm food safety training online in two 3.5-hour sessions. http://www.ioia.net/schedule_list.html

Solar Energy Day!

May 16th. Between 9am and 5pm, anytime. Fullerton at Jim Knopiks FarmSee a working 15 KW solar panel system. This will be a one on one informational day about solar panels, net metering, estimated costs, incentive grants and tax credits. Martin Kleinschmit, who helped us design several units and understands the incentives and hookups to the grid will be on hand to answer questions. Jim Knopik (308-550-0288), Nick Cook (308-550-0845), Martin Kleinschmit ( 402-254-7310)

Composting Demonstration

May. 16. 10:00 am. Pioneers Park Nature Center’s backyard composting demonstration area. Contact, Sarah Browning, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 402-441-7180, sbrowning2@unl.edu. http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/

Sunday with a Scientist; Soil

May 17th. NRCS. Lincoln. The University of Nebraska State Museum’s May Sunday with a Scientist program for children and families will celebrate the "International Year of Soils". The program will take place on May 17 from 1:30-4:30pm at Morrill Hall. Soil scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will help visitors explore the world of soils. Children and families will learn how soils clean and capture water, support buildings, sustain life, plus more through hands-on activities. http://museum.unl.edu/sundaywithascientist/may2015.html