Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Social Media Webinars for Business

September 14, 8am – 9am. Online. Using Social Media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube can help small businesses reach the right audience and affirm their brand through cost-effective, user-friendly forms of direct communication.  Through a series of online classes, social media consultant Shuva Rahim will share ways to help you take advantage of the technology available to small businesses. To register, book online through University of Illinois Extension –https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=12784  or call Extension at (309) 756-9978.  

Women's Role in Water Quality in the Midwest

 Tuesday, September 15 at 11:00 am CDT.  Jamie Benning, Water Quality Program Manager with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will present current water quality issues and challenges in Iowa and the Midwest and roles for women landowners, farmers, and professionals. Farmer Kellie Blair will share her perspective on water quality in Iowa and describe experiences with using conservation practices to improve water and soil quality on her grain and livestock farm in North Central Iowa.https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag

What "Newbees" Need to Know

September 16th. 8am.  Alex Zomchek, Master Beekeeping Instructor. Research and outreach related to honey bees, wild bees and other pollinators Join us for our free, monthly webinar series. All webinars are recorded and archived on the Bee Lab website:http://u.osu.edu/beelab/

Helping our Returning Heroes Find Opportunities in Agriculture: Join us for a Google+ Hangout!

September 17, 10am – 11am. Online. On Thursday, September 17, at 11 a.m. Eastern, Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will sit down with a panel of veteran farmers and veteran training organizations for a live Google+ Hangout to discuss opportunities available through USDA for returning service members who are looking for long-term careers in farming, ranching and agriculture. Use the USDA Google+ page or www.usda.gov/live to join us. 

Webinar: Nature-based Forestry: The Pro Silva Movement in Europe

Thursday, September 17, 11am – 12pm. The webinar will feature University of Maryland Extension Forest Stewardship Educator Lyle Almond. His presentation, “Nature-based Forestry: The Pro Silva Movement in Europe” will provide an overview of the movement that is sweeping across the European continent. The Pro Silva movement promotes continuous cover forestry, which mimics natural forest stand development for optimizing social, ecological, and economic benefits. The webinar will include Almond’s first-hand experience through his work in the European nation of Slovenia. The webinar will be conducted through Adobe Connect and will be free of charge.www.eventbrite.com/e/nature-based-forestry-the-pro-silva-movement-in-europe-tickets-17794387492

Overview of chicken anatomy

Thursday, September 17 at 2:00 pm CDT. There is a lot of interest in the general anatomy of chickens. This webinar will give this overview concentrating primarily on the reproductive and digestive systems but will also cover skeletal, muscular, excretory and respiratory systems. Dr. Jacquie Jacob from the University of Kentucky will be presenting. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

Applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Agriculture

Thursday, September 17 at 2:00 pm CDT. This is the second in a year-long series of webinars; the topic of this hour-long webinar is ‘Applications of UAS in Agriculture’. The webinar will provide details on inventory management related applications of UAS acquired images. The discussion will also involve workflow for software needed to process UAS images. A third presentation will highlight a safety program in Colorado with emphasis on aerial applicators and UAS. A review of current topics of interest to UAS community in agriculture will also be part of the webinar. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/learnuasag

Thermal Manure-to-Energy Systems for Farms: Technical and Environmental Feasibility

Friday, September 18 at 1:30 pm CDT. The Farm Manure-to-Energy Initiative is regional, collaborative effort focused on demonstrating and evaluating the performance of thermal, poultry litter-fueled technologies capable of producing energy and facilitating the transport of excess nutrients out of high-density animal production areas. Results of performance evaluations, including technical and environmental feasibility will be presented, along with results from field trials where ash and biochars were compared side-by-side in row crop and vegetable production with commercial fertilizer and untreated poultry litter. Presenters will discuss challenges and opportunities associated with using thermal poultry litter-fueled technologies at the farm-scale. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

E3A - Understanding incentives: A key to a viable renewable energy project

September 17th. 3pm. As part of the Exploring Energy Efficiency and Alternatives (E3A) curriculum, the 15 minute presentation and follow-up conversation will address federal tax credits and grants and offer a quick overview of net metering.  References for finding and harnessing state and local will also be discussed.  www.e3a4u.info

Agronomy & Horticulture Seminar

September 18th. 3:30pm. Dryland Crop Production in the Panhandle.  UNL's East Campus, Keim.  Cody Creech, assistant professor, Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist, UNL Agronomy and Horticulture, will discuss how dryland crop production in the Nebraska panhandle has changed drastically over the last 50 years. The traditional wheat-fallow rotation has given way to complex rotations with diverse crops. The current status of dryland crop production and research will be shared. Future research ideas and opportunities will also be discussed. Join us in person or online at https://connect.unl.edu/fridayseminarseries

Grazing Tour

A grazing tour will be held Saturday morning, September 19 at the farm of Dave and Deb Welsch.  The tour will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 11.  This will be a walking tour so bring boots in case of wet weather. The tour will include looking at the cow/calf herd which is moved once or twice a day in a high density grazing program.  Many native grasses have shown up in some of the pastures which have been grazed under high density for 5 years.  We’ll look at some new hi-tensile fencing and see a demonstration of how to tie hi-tensile wire without using tools other than a wire cutter. The tour is at West Blue Farm, 146 County Road 1900, Milford, NE.  It is 6.5 miles south of Southeast Community College in Milford.  Or from Crete go 3 miles west to Co. Rd. 1900 and then 4.5 miles north.  For more information call Dave or Deb at 402-826-5361.

Composting Demonstration

 September 19.  10:00 am. Lincoln.  Pioneers Park Nature Center’s backyard composting demonstration area. Sarah Browning, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 402-441-7180, sbrowning2@unl.edu

Farm Aid 30

September 19. Chicago, Illinois. Farm Aid 30, an all-day music and food festival, will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews — with Tim Reynolds — as well as Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Mavis Staples, Old Crow Medicine Show, Holly Williams, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Insects vs Robots, and Blackwood Quartet. In addition to a diverse lineup of music, Farm Aid 30 festivalgoers will be able to experience family farm agriculture firsthand. In the HOMEGROWN Village, attendees will have the chance to meet farmers from Illinois and across the country. The HOMEGROWN Village also features hands-on activities by local, regional and national farm and food organizations that engage festivalgoers in the ways family farmers are enriching our soil, protecting our water and growing our economy, in addition to bringing us good food for good health. https://www.farmaid.org/concert/

Opportunity!

NSAS Membership Month!

During the month of September NSAS will be celebrating membership month! Look for testimonials from board, staff and members throughout the month highlighting the vibrancy of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. To maintain the financial sustainability of our organization, I invite you to renew your memberships or if you aren't a member to join!!  In just a few easy clicks, you can show support for the sustainable agriculture movement right here in Nebraska!! 

Here are a few dates to keep in mind of upcoming activities NSAS has is store for you:

November 1st:  NSAS is partnering with No More Empty Pots this year to host the third Producers Choice Chef Award fundraising dinner.  This will again be in Omaha at Metro's Institute for Culinary Arts and this year's theme is collaboration.  We have five great chefs from the Omaha, Lincoln and Waverly area who will be putting on a great meal for us!

January 28-30:  NSAS will be celebrating 35 years!!  Plan to join us for our conference in Nebraska City at the Lied Lodge.  The "Back to the Roots" theme will be the backbone for great breakout sessions and as always the conference is a great way to catch up with your friends.

Opportunities

Solar Fencer for Sale

I have a Gallagher B100 fencer for sale.  Purchase 3.5 years ago, used 2 of the last 3.5 years. http://gallagherelectricfencing.com/collections/solar-powered-energizers/products/new-gallagher-b100-solar-powered-fence-charger-fencer-energizer-60acres-7miles.   Regards, Robert White, lnkrob@gmail.com

Survey seeks opinions of women livestock farmers

USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant to study the tool- and equipment-related needs of women livestock farmers. To assist Green Heron in designing better tools and equipment, women who raise or care for livestock of any kind are invited to complete a brief survey.   The survey will be open through September, and respondents who complete it will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Green Heron Tools gift certificate. Begun by two small-scale farmers with backgrounds in nursing and public health, Green Heron is the first company in the world to focus on scientifically designing agricultural tools and equipment that work well for women. For more information please visit www.greenherontools.com. Complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenherontools_women_livestock_farmers.

Soybeans

I'm looking to buy conventional soybeans with out Herbicides pesticides spray. In need of 10 Bushel   Rich, richvernon7@yahoo.com, 402-443-6762

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

Farm Advocacy Webinar

September 21. Online. In this free webinar, OEFFA Policy Program Coordinator Amalie Lipstreu will explain what advocacy is and why it's important for farmers and citizens to be engaged in the policy process. Also learn how you can be an effective voice for change and make a difference on the food and farm issues you care about—even if you don't have a lot of time. Learn techniques for successfully communicating with legislators and find out about resources and opportunities to help you get involved. http://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1430411120105992449

Environmental Benefits of Organic Agriculture: Water Quality

September 23. Online. This free, one-hour webinar is the fourth in a four-part series exploring the environmental benefits of organic agriculture, presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology and Oregon Tilth. This session will present scientific research examining the water quality benefits of organic farming practices. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/environmental-benefits-of-organic-agriculture-water-quality

Agvocacy Webinar

Wednesday, September 23 at 11:00 am CDT. We need positive voices to tell our story. Learn how to effectively communicate and “agvocate”in this arena. To register: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wednesday-webinars-registration-11452674257

Getting Started in Grazing

September 23. Salina, Kansas. If you're ready to change your operation from letting cows manage your business to you being in charge, this Beginner’s Grazing School taught by Jim Gerrish is just for you. Topics include understanding stock rate, carrying capacity and stock density, and grazing management based on four ecosystem processes 1) capturing more solar energy on every acre 2) creating a more effective water cycle 3) building more dynamic mineral cycles 4) why biodiversity matters and planning for year-around grazing. http://www.kansasfarmersunion.com/jim-gerrish-returns-to-kansas-for-three-workshops-six-days-september-21-26/

Practical Livestock Evacuation

Friday, September 25 at 1:00 pm CDT. Are you prepared to evacuate your livestock in the event of a disaster? Discover practical steps to a safe and successful livestock evaluation. Scott Cotton, Wyoming Extension ANR Area Educator, will be our presenter and Andrea Higdon, Emergency Management System Director for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, will moderate the session. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/eden

Perennial Grass Decision Tool (Web Seminar)

Friday, September 25 at 10:00 am CDT. Perennial warm season grasses for use as bioenergy crops is still a future possibility, yet current opportunities exist to use perennial warm season grasses for erosion control, grazing, or forages.  The CenUSA bioenergy project funded by USDA NIFA has completed extensive analysis on Switchgrass and other perennials to help foster their utility in the corn belt as bioenergy crops on marginal land.  The enonomic and agronomic analysis has led to the creation of an online tool farmers can use to quantify the costs and benefits of growing switchgrass or other perennial warm season grasses.https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/nebraska