Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Farmers Night Out! Visits Big Muddy Urban Farm

July 30th. Big Muddy Urban Farm, Omaha.  We are a collectively-run urban farm providing local & diverse fruits, vegetables & herbs as well as sharing skills & resources with our community. Join us in discussion as we talk about urban agriculture, the many dimensions of growing in the city and having a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A growing trend across the country, urban agriculture is taking roots in many cities, including Omaha. While food grown in the city may never be able to feed its population, it has great potential to share skills and ideas of self-sufficiency and community resilience, while expanding the dialogue around food. In Omaha, there are many new and existing organizations, from grass-roots to governmental, that are joining the conversation.   @BigMuddyFarm. https://www.facebook.com/events/863436153740218/ 

Silviculture for Non-foresters: Managing a forest for multiple objectives

July 28. Online. This free, one-hour webinar beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. The webinar will examine the growth and development of trees and forests and how to manipulate these characteristics to maximize multiple benefits, including forest products, forest health, wildlife habitat, and visual quality. The presenter is Karen P. Bennett, Extension Forestry Professor and Specialist with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/silviculture-for-non-foresters

North Central ROTFY: The Beckers

Join us July 28th at 2pm ET to hear Merlin and Georgie Becker, our North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, talk about their incredible Tree Farm! The Becker Woodland goes back four generations in the family.  The land has changed over the last century, but one thing that has not changed is the hard work and sweat equity the Beckers have poured into their land.  Hard work teamed with stewardship programs and professional forestry advice has made this property a forest management showcase.https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=ma82ro8jafbq

Dundee Community Garden Event

Native Prairie Pollinator Wildflowers, Tuesday July 28, 7 p.m. with Tom Lundahl of Meristem Farm and Nursery.  Tom will show us native prairie perennials and talk about what he’s learned about these plants in his years on the farm. This free event takes place at the Dundee Community Garden, 4902 Underwood Ave. Omaha.

Climate Change Solutions in the Midwest

July 30th. Learn about the impacts of climate change in Nebraska and the Midwest, and how it is already impacting people and places around the world. We will highlight the working solutions that are already taking a strong hold, starting the shift from a dirty fossil fuel economy to a clean, sustainable and renewable economy. Ilonka Zlatar holds a Master's degree in Natural Resources Science from UNL, and recently received the Climate Reality Leadership Training in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was born in Chile and immigrated to the US at the age of 11. She's a long time advocate of sustainability, waste reduction, and the local slow food movement, and currently works at WasteCap Nebraska. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1983435780674886146

Introduction to Straw Bale Building

July 31st. Keipos, Inc. will be hosting Jim Schalles at New Earth Farm & Goods for a hands on 3 day workshop covering foundations, straw bale wall systems, cob mixing, passive solar design, roofing systems and earthen plasters as we erect a straw bale chicken coop. Use the techniques you learn from this workshop for erecting your own chicken coop or apply your skills to build a shed, a tiny home, or pair with our rocket stove workshop and plan your sustainable straw bale sauna! Onsite camping is available and organic meals are provided. Tuition price is set at $150 although some scholarships may be available. Class size is limited to 12 students so sign up today! https://www.facebook.com/events/438960179562438/

Livestock First Aid and Safety

Friday, July 31 at 1:00 pm CDT. Injured animals and animals under stress react differently than they do in normal circumstances. If you don't work with livestock often, you may not completely understand how to keep yourself and animals safe in stressful situations, or how to provide first aid to injured animals. Learn what to do from Scott Cotton, Wyoming Extension ANR Area Educator, during this 60-minute session. Andrea Higdon, Emergency Management System Director for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky, will moderate. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/eden

Opportunities

Freezer Equipment for Sale

Some items may already have been sold. Please check with Jim. North Star Neighbors has discontinued its business and has numerous items for sale:

12' by 20' Knockdown Walkin Freezer, 36 inch door, aluminium flooring, with 27,000 BTU compressor unit. Single phase. Runs great. Full of Stainless steel shelving.

53 ft refrigerated 1997 UTILITY Trailer. This trailer has been modified with a 4 Ton capacity compressor unit(used less than one year), single phase. A wall was placed for capacity at 30 feet from front. It is a portable unit that can be plugged into a 220 volt outlet. It served us as a extra walkin freezer. Works great. It has the potential to become a great portable poultry processing system. Has some poor temporary shelving that can go with or without. Possible delivery. 

Three door cooler made by TRUE, excellent condition. 2 Amana 21 cubic ft chest freezers. Hobart meat slicer, only used once by former owner. Blue Bunny Display freezer.

And more. Contact Jim @ Jim Knopik, 308-550-0288  cell. 308-536-2023  home, jknopik@hamilton.net

Organic Prairie Hay

We currently have 75 tons in big round bales and should have another 75 tons ready next week. With an additional 50 tons ready in the next 45 days. They are located near Fairbury and the price is $115/ton.  We might get a second cutting on some of that. If you buy the first cutting, you'll get first shot at the second cutting. I'd like to market nationally as well. If you know of someone who can help me, please let me know. 402-309-4088. Thank you, Jon. 402-309-4088, 

jkyoachim@gmail.com

Natural Fertilizers

Does anyone have any extra fish hydrolysate or emulsion they would be willing to sell? Also looking for sources of organic chicken or horse manure (doesn't have to be certified). Gary Fehr, Lincoln Neighbors Urban Farm, facebook.com/lnufarm, lnufarm.wordpress.com. fehrgary@gmail.com

Feast on the Farm

August 1st. Prairie Pines Training Farm, Lincoln. A deliciously local feast from all your favorite chefs, surrounded by fields of vegetables. https://www.facebook.com/events/103850326625593/

Adjustable Hay Straw Bale Stacker

I have an adjustable hay/straw stacker, good for square bales or loose straw; available to the first respectable offer.  Slider works and the fourteen spears are intact.  Must be able to pick up.  Feel free to contact me with any questions; pictures available upon request.  Thanks! Dan Hromas, 4022172797

Farm Hand Position Available

I am writing to announce an open position for a part time farm hand. This position involves approximately 30 hours a week in exchange for room and board. Additional paid work is available now and then. This individual would have their own living quarters separate from the main house. This position would be great for a single person, maybe a recent retiree who still has plenty of gusto for farm chores and gardening help. This position will be physically demanding and involve outdoor work in all weather conditions, so please keep that in mind. We will require a background check and references. This position will require some fixit know how. If you know anyone who may be interested in this position, please have them contact me at:  serenasaurus09@yahoo.com. Serena Bourne

Dual Purpose, Grass-fed Shorthorn/Devon Herd for sale

We're looking to sell some/all of our wonderful Shorthorn/Devon herd. They have not been given any antibiotics, hormones, vaccinations or grain in the 4+ years we have owned them. We do not baby these cows and they do very well. They are dual purpose. Which means they work very well in our grass-fed beef operation but they also produce a lot of milk. I was told that the older cows had been milked at least once by the previous owners but we haven't actually milked any. We're more interested in developing our beef herd so some of the younger ones will have more of a beef influence.  We have 15 cows/heifers total that are available. Two of those have a strong Longhorn influence, though. About half are going to be in the 7-9 year old range. From there it goes to 5 year-olds and on down. We've been culling about 2-3 cows a year and adding 2-3 replacement heifers. We can be flexible on the timing. They are almost done calving so you can buy them as pairs or we can wait until the calves can be weaned and the cows are re-bred. My intent is to base the pricing on the Huss Livestock Market in Kearney. Ultimately, the pricing will depend on how many you want and how/when you want them (bred cows or pairs). The cattle are located in south-central/eastern Nebraska, in Thayer County, near Reynolds. Delivery is possible. Jon Yoachim, 402-309-4088, jkyoachim@gmail.com

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".

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.

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

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

HMI Open Gate Learning Day: Stigge & Sons Ag Day

August 5. Washington, Kansas. The Open Gate Learning Series from Holistic Management International consists of farm/ranch days held on the land and hosted by an experienced Holistic Management practitioner. Attendees have the opportunity to identify common challenges and discuss creative solutions in a friendly atmosphere. The goal of the day is to create a forum for sharing practices, ideas, advice, and solutions. This event focuses on Integrating Livestock & Cover Cropping for Profit. http://holisticmanagement.org/training-programs/open-gate-on-farm-learning-series/

 Manure as a Solid Waste and Clean Air Issues in Animal Agriculture Webinar

August 6. Online. Dr. Shannon Ferrell, associate professor of agricultural economics, Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University, will discuss the implications of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Clean Air Act (CAA) on animal agriculture, recent litigation, and other legal issues. This webinar is open to livestock producers, Extension educators, agricultural service professionals, and anyone else interested in learning more about the potential impacts of RCRA and the CAA on livestock operations. The one-hour webinar is free to attend and begins at noon Eastern Time. http://extension.umd.edu/news/events/thu-2015-08-06-1200-manure-solid-waste-and-clean-air-issues-animal-agriculture-webinar

2015 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Management of Japanese Beetles and Other White Grubs

Friday, August 7 at 1:00 pm CDT. Japanese beetles and other white grubs attack the roots of lawns and other turf grass areas.  Then, as adults, they can eat your favorite plants in the garden and landscape. This webinar presented by Dr. J. C. Chong from Clemson University will provide the information you need to understand and control these pests.   Moderated by Bethany O'Rear and Ken Creel, Regional Extension Agents, Alabama Cooperative Extension System. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/fireant