Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Farmers Night Out! Visits New Earth Farm & Goods

August 13th. New Earth Farm & Goods. Papillion. The farm is the main training center of Keipos, Inc, a non-profit focused on resiliency education and resource training.  New Earth Farm & Goods is a permaculture demonstration site focused on providing food, fuels, fibers, and medicines, which includes 3/4 acre of annual gardens, 1 1/2 acre linear food forest with mob grazing techniques with sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, as well as guinea pigs and rabbits. We are also in the business of propagating and preserving mushrooms, herbs, and other value add products. https://www.facebook.com/events/805705272883658/

#AgChat topic: Ag Extension & Other Public Ag Programs

Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 pm CDT. #AgChat is a weekly chat on Twitter on food and agriculture topics. The chat topic will be on Ag Extension & Other Public Ag Programs. The chat will be moderated by John Blue (@TruffleMedia ). He is looking for resources and links to share in advance of the chat. Also, he is looking for questions for conversation starters during the chat. If you have some questions, Direct Message them to @AgChat or @TruffleMedia on Twitter, or email them to jlblue@TruffleMedia.com. Chats on Twitter are public for all to see and participate in. The hashtag to follow the chat is #AgChat.

New Legal Resources to Assist Farmers in Direct Marketing

Wednesday, August 12 at 12:00 pm CDT. Farmers face a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges when marketing directly to the end consumer. The purpose of this webinar and the Legal Issues in Direct Marketing guides (a new resource) is to educate farmers about the potential scope of their legal duties and to assist them in spotting and addressing issues before they become a problem.   https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/clrfs

Basics of the Endangered Species Act

Wednesday, August 12 at 11:00 am CDT. The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) protects species identified as endangered or threatened with extinction and attempts to protect the habitat on which they depend.  It does so by preventing the “take” of listed species, as well as the ensuring that the species’ critical habitat is protected from modification or degradation. Because there are no specific agricultural exemptions to the law, and because agriculture is such a land-dependent occupation, the ESA can have significant impacts on producers.  This webinar will provide a basic overview of the ESA, outline the species listing and critical habitat designations, and discuss its effect on both public and private land. https://uaag.adobeconnect.com/esa/

Edge-of-Field Monitoring Experience: Perspectives and Lessons Learned

August 12th. Online. This webinar is presented by the USDA NRCS Central National Technology Support Center. Participants will learn how field conditions and the timing of field-management activities affect the quantity and quality of runoff from agricultural fields. The presenters will share their experiences from more than a decade of small-scale field-edge monitoring in Wisconsin and neighboring states. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/wisconsin-edge-of-field-monitoring-experience

Local Foods for Local Tables

August 14. Omaha. The USDA Nebraska Food and Agriculture Council, in cooperation with U.S. Congressman Brad Ashford, invites the public to attend Local Foods for Local Tables. The purpose of the conference is to highlight Local/Urban Foods Initiatives in the Greater Omaha Area with a focus on technical, financial and educational support services available through USDA agencies and partners. Keynote speakers will be Anne L. Alonzo, USDA administrator for Agricultural Marketing Service, and Brian O'Malley, chef instructor and interim executive director at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metro Community College. Both media and the public may pre-register by contacting the USDA Farm Service Agency by phone at 402-437-5581 or contacting Gina Germer atgina.germer@ne.usda.gov or Sarah Heidzig-Kraeger at sarah.kraeger@ne.usda.gov

Opportunities

Bull for Sale

Summary info and pics here on Craigslist link:  http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/5132152665.html. Happy to provide additional information – call or email offline. Bloodlines are known: Dam:  Radiance Dairy (Francis Thicke), Fairfield IA. Sire: Holt Creek Jerseys (Ben Gotschall). Randy Wattermann, Wattermann Family Enterprises, Inc. wattermann@skyww.net, 402-372-5005

Pastured Feeder Pigs for Sale

Eleven pastured feeder pigs. 5 male, 6 Female. Unaltered. These pigs are two-three months old and between 40-50 lbs. They have been born and raised on pasture. They are weaned. We supplement the pasture with brewers grains from two local breweries and with expired produce from Whole Foods. Pigs located in Fort Calhoun. bgodfrey@oppd.com.  See more at: http://www.bestfarmbuys.com/classifieds/detail.php?classified_id=190339&category=Hogs#sthash.2Thc4BcL.dpufhttp://www.bestfarmbuys.com/classifieds/detail.php?classified_id=190339&category=Hogs#sthash.2Thc4BcL.dpuf

OneCert Inc is hiring

OneCert Inc.is an Accredited Organic Certification Agency based in Lincoln, Nebraska. We have an open position for a full-time Administrative Specialist. Inquiries can be sent to jobs@onecert.com. Thanks! Margaret Milligan, Certification Specialist, OneCert Inc. (402) 420-6080, Email: margaret@onecert.com

Soybeans

I'm looking to buy conventional soybeans with out Herbicides pesticides spray.   Rich, richvernon7@yahoo.com

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

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

Beehives

I would like to invite bee keepers near Grand Island to visit my farm, and consider it as a possible location for some bee hives.  I can be reached via email or phone 4022172797. Dan Hromas, Prairie Pride Poultry

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

“Feeding Our Feathered Friends” Webinar - Citizen Science intro

Wednesday, August 19 at 12:00 pm CDT. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a chance to learn about bird watching and an intro to their citizen science projects. Feeding birds can spark kids’ curiosity, interest in the outdoors and engagement with science! In this webinar, you’ll find out how you  and the youth you work with can: Make your own feeders and create a bird garden; Decide where and when to hang your feeders in order to attract a variety of birds; Learn to identify birds and participate in our citizen science projects. http://www.birdsleuth.org/events/category/webinar/

Ask Me Anything Session – Social Media

Thursday, August 20 at 3:00 pm CDT. Join Victor Villegas (aka DroneSinger) for an AMA session on social media. This will not be a presentation but rather an open forum to ask questions about anything social media - strategy, tactics, tips... if you have a question, Victor will try to answer it. Victor is the Technology & Media Support Coordinator for Oregon State University Extension, chairs the ACE IT SIG and enjoys helping people learn how to use technology to improve their work and lives. Victor's social media claim to fame is via his online persona - DroneSinger, the world's #1 creator of drone songs. He creates funny parody songs to educate and bring attention to drone issues and culture while encouraging safe and responsible flying. http://oregonstate.adobeconnect.com/ace/

NGFN Webinar: One-Page Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool

August 20. Online. The National Good Food Network offers an opportunity to learn about the One-Page Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool in this webinar. Recently created by Farm Credit, this tool is designed to make your difficult purchasing (or other financial) decisions a little easier. Join this one-hour webinar at 1:30 PM MDT to learn how this powerfully simple tool can help your business today, or how you can use this tool to assist the farms and other business owners you work with. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7547274677638746369

Agronomic and Environmental Uses of Biochar - Part 2

Friday, August 21 at 1:30 pm CDT. Biochar is a charcoal-like material generated during the pyrolysis of biomass. The high carbon (C) content of biochar and its recalcitrant nature has led to much interest in using biochar to sequester C from the atmosphere by incorporating it into soils. Additional benefits to incorporating biochar into soils include reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases; improving soil physical and chemical properties; increased water retention; increased crop yields; and increased soil retention of nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial pathogens. In this 2-part webcast, we will provide a general overview of the history of biochar use, how biochar is produced, and give examples of how biochar is being used for agronomic and environmental purposes.http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

Farm Tour: Crimping, Flaming and Integrating Livestock in Sustainable Cropping Systems

August 22. The farm tour will start at 1:30 p.m. at Larry Stanislav's farm two miles north of Abie. Farmers will learn about increasing soil health by incorporating cultural practices using a crimper and flamer to manage weeds and reduce tillage. At 3 pm Liz Sarno will talk about her grass­finish Devon Beef cattle operation and review pasture management, intetgrating cattle into the cropping system, solar­electric fencing and the Nebraska made “Safety Zone Calf Catcher”; which allows one person to process calves safely. Final stop at 4 pm participants will tour Randy Fendrich's farm. Fendrich has demonstration plots of organic corn varieties that he is evaluating for yield. At 6 pm a free evening meal will be served by Fendrich family; call Wendy 402­584­3837 to reserve your meal and allow the family to plan enough food for the evening. This is a great opportunity for farmers to discuss sustainable farming practices, cover crops, reduction of tillage and manage weeds with a roller crimper and flamer and integrating cattle into your cropping system. For more information contact Liz @ organicu2@windstream.net.