Producers Choice Chef Award Recipient Darrell Auld, Chef Owner of Twisted Cork Bistro!

Auld nominated for his passion for local foods!

Omaha chef & owner of Twisted Cork Bistro, Darrell Auld, @TCBistroOmaha, has been selected for the Producers Choice Chef Award. The PCCA recognizes chefs nominated & voted on by NSAS farmers throughout Nebraska for their dedication to local & sustainable foods and farms. Enjoy a 5 course meal prepared by local chefs made with ingredients from local farmers. Chefs will be paired with local sustainable farmers. Chef Darrell will be paired with Prairieland Dairy. #5LocalChefs

About Darrell; 

Darrell is a Graduate of the Univeristy of Washington with a degree in Business. Auld has been in restaurants since his first job as a dishwasher. He has been in the kitchen, the front, the bar or as manager in some capacity since.  Auld has opened numerous restaurants,  and created menus along with executive chefs. He has a history of revitalizing restaurants from raising sales in slow restaurants to making unprofitable restaurants profitable. 

Darrell has sat on many tasting panels including food, wine & liquor panels to help develop tastes and experiences. In 2007 Darrell and his family moved from Seattle. He leased the space that is now Twisted Cork Bistro on Pacific Street and with his father-in-law built out the bistro. Darrell created his own menu with great details to sourcing local all natural products. Like Ying & Yang, hot salmon & cold salad. Darrell values guest feedback as well as trends, and would add items as he felt they would sell. 

About Prairieland Dairy;

Firth Nebraska's Prairieland Dairy located just 15 miles south of Lincoln, was created when the Eickhoff, Goossen, Obbink and Rice family farms joined together as one.Our mission was to create a new kind of dairy: one that was sustainable, open and transparent; one that served people, cows and the planet.

When you buy Prairieland Dairy products,you join us in this effort to better our environment, economy and community. Not only do you get great-tasting, all natural dairy at a fair price, you get a little taste of“the good ol’ days,” when food was simpler and grown by people you knew and trusted.On behalf of Al, Harvey, Bill, Mike, Andy,Cliff, Dave and myself, we hope you enjoy our milk and dairy foods. Come see us at the farm—we’re happy to show you exactly where your milk comes from, and why that makes a world of difference.

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Join us on November 1, 2015 as we celebrate the Fabric of Local Foods. Enjoy a five course meal prepared by local chefs made with ingredients from local producers. Our keynote speaker, Robert Egger, will share challenges and solutions to eliminate intergenerational hunger. Egger is Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen, which recovers fresh fruits and vegetables to fuel a culinary arts job training program.

Check us out online:

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

  
Engage in a unique farm to table dining experience for one night only. Reserve your seat at the table! Sponsorships and tickets are available.

All proceeds will support programs of Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and the food hub for No More Empty Pots.

For more information:

Call: 402.502.1642 and ask for Susan

Email: chefawards@gmail.com  

 

Celebrating the Fabric of Local Foods with Robert Egger!

Producers Choice Chef Award event to feature Robert Egger!

Tickets for the upcoming Producers Choice Chef Award are still available, and folks have about 2 days to secure there spot at thee one awesome celebration of local foods.  This year among the chefs, farmers & foods, we'll be featuring Robert Egger from L.A. Kitchen "Revealing the Power of Food." Folks will get to enjoy awesome foods and libations, as well as hear from Egger on food justice issues and his works in Los Angelas with the L.A. Kitchen. 







About Mr. Egger, @robertegger

Robert Egger pioneered the model of L.A. Kitchen during his 24-year tenure as the President of the DC Central Kitchen, the country’s first “community kitchen”, where food donated by hospitality businesses and farms is used to fuel a nationally recognized culinary job training program. DC Central Kitchen operates its own revenue generating business, Fresh Start Catering, as well as the Campus Kitchens Project, which coordinates programs in 33 university and high school cafeterias nationwide.

In addition, Robert is the Founder and President of CForward, an advocacy organization that rallies nonprofit employees to educate candidates about the economic role that nonprofits play in every community. Robert has received numerous awards for his leadership in the nonprofit sector, and his book, Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding For All, received the 2005 McAdam Book Award for “Best Nonprofit Management Book” by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management.

We are excited to have Mr. Egger participate in the Producers Choice Chef Award and look forward to his presentation!



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Join us on November 1, 2015 as we celebrate the Fabric of Local Foods. Enjoy a five course meal prepared by local chefs made with ingredients from local producers. Our keynote speaker, Robert Egger, will share challenges and solutions to eliminate intergenerational hunger. Egger is Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen, which recovers fresh fruits and vegetables to fuel a culinary arts job training program.

Check us out online:

Facebook

Instagram 

Twitter

YouTube

Engage in a unique farm to table dining experience for one night only. Reserve your seat at the table! Sponsorships and tickets are available.

All proceeds will support programs of Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and the food hub for No More Empty Pots.

For more information:

Call: 402.502.1642 and ask for Susan

Email: chefawards@gmail.com 

Artisanally Crafted. Locally sourced. Nebraska Libations!

Glacial Till Vineyards & Ploughshare Brewing to pour at PCCA Event!

Celebrating the Fabric Local Foods

Got Beer? Got Wine?  #5LocalChefs will at this Sundays annual Producer Choice Chef Awards! Not only will attendees enjoy awesome local foods, but they'll enjoy awesome local libations! Nebraska vinters Glacial Till and Nebraska Craft Brewery Ploughshare will provide their latest locally crafted beverages.  

With their dedication to local agriculture and local foods, we are excited and honored to have Glacial Till and Ploughshare Brewing be a part of the annual Celebration the Fabric of Local Foods Events!

About Glacial Till Vineyards, @GlacialTill 

In the spring of 2003, we planted the first vines on our property located southeast of Lincoln, Nebraska, in Otoe County, near the township of Palmyra. The vines took root in our terrior, known as glacial till and have been growing strong ever since. Glacial till is a fertile, rocky soil that was deposited thousands of years ago when the glaciers that covered North America receded. Terrior not only describes the soil, it is also reflected in the orientation of the land, micro climate, viticulture practices and wine making process.  

          

Our vineyard and winery, Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery, takes its name from our soil. Additionally, our terrior can further be defined as a north sloping hillside, providing a cooling effect on the grapes during the hot dry summer; and both water and cold air draining to creeks and ponds located nearby at lower elevations. All of these factors add up to what we call the terrior of Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery, as well as our mission, “crafting unique and quality wines from the ground up.” Glacial Till Vineyards!

About Ploughshare Brewing Co, @ploughsharebrew

Ploughshare Brewing Co. offers a rotation of our beers, handcrafted on site. We have seven year-round brews and four special seasonal beers released quarterly.  The brewery uses traditional brewing methods and styles, and sources only the highest quality ingredients for its beer.  In addition to our own beer, we will always highlight some of our personal favorites from our friends in other breweries.  The brewery also offers wine, gluten-free beer, and non-alcoholic beverages, including fresh French-pressed coffee, sparkling water, and nostalgic sodas. 

To increase your enjoyment of our amazing beer, Ploughshare Brewing Co. offers a delicious seasonal menu of our famous house-made soft pretzels, Ploughman's Platters, our Tailgate Red bratwursts, and daily dessert specials. Our menu offerings are crafted to pair harmoniously with Ploughshare beers. Ingredients are sourced from Nebraska-based producers and farmers, with a focus on sustainable resources and an emphasis on organic ingredients. Everything is made in house from scratch. 

Join us on November 1, 2015 as we celebrate the Fabric of Local Foods. Enjoy a five course meal prepared by local chefs made with ingredients from local producers. Our keynote speaker, Robert Egger, will share challenges and solutions to eliminate intergenerational hunger. Egger is Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen, which recovers fresh fruits and vegetables to fuel a culinary arts job training program.

Check us out online:

Facebook

Instagram 

Twitter

YouTube

Engage in a unique farm to table dining experience for one night only. Reserve your seat at the table! Sponsorships and tickets are available.

All proceeds will support programs of Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and the food hub for No More Empty Pots.

For more information:

Call: 402.502.1642 and ask for Susan

Email: chefawards@gmail.com 

Producers Choice Chef Award Recipient Renee Cornett, Chef Owner of Prairie Plate Restaurant!

Waverly Chef Nominated for dedication to local foods!

Waverly chef & owner of Prairie Plate Restaurant, Renee Cornett, has been selected for the Producers Choice Chef Award. The PCCA recognizes chefs nominated & voted on by NSAS farmers throughout Nebraska for their dedication to local & sustainable foods and farms. Enjoy a 5 course meal prepared by local chefs made with ingredients from local farmers. Chefs will be paired with local sustainable farmers. Chef Renee will be paired with Lakehouse Farm! #5LocalChefs

About Renee:

Renee Cornett, Chef/Owner grew up in Maryland and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy in 1990 upon graduation from the US Naval Academy with a BS in Mathematics.  She completed flight training in 1993 earning her designation as a Naval Aviator.  She flew the H-46 helicopter in HC-5 based in Guam and deployed to numerous locations in the Pacific.  She served in various squadron and staff positions through her 11+ years of service concluding with an honorable discharge in 2001.  

After several tours as a military spouse, she graduated with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts with Honors from Metropolitan Community College, Omaha NE in May 2008. Most recently the family was stationed at the US Embassy in Tirana, Albania. 

The many travel experiences throughout the world allowed her to experience flavors and ingredients in their native environment – from fresh mangoes in the groves of Indonesia to Ono grilled and served pier-side in Guam, and young wines out of the cask in Tuscany.  These opportunities reinforced her appreciation for the ‘terroir’ of ingredients and culminated in a month-long ‘stage’ at a restaurant in northern Italy.

About Lakehouse Farm:

Lakehouse Farm is a family owned produce farm northwest of Waverly, Nebraska. We strive to provide a market basket of high quality certified organic produce to our customers while managing the land sustainably.

Lakehouse Farm started growing certified organic fruits and vegetables in 2012 and provides most of the produce for Prairie Plate Restaurant, as well as selling at several local Farmer’s Markets in the Lincoln and Omaha area. 

Lakehouse Farm provided a 20 week CSA in 2015. They are members of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society

Join us on November 1, 2015 as we celebrate the Fabric of Local Foods. Enjoy a five course meal prepared by local chefs made with ingredients from local producers. Our keynote speaker, Robert Egger, will share challenges and solutions to eliminate intergenerational hunger. Egger is Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen, which recovers fresh fruits and vegetables to fuel a culinary arts job training program.

Check us out online:

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Engage in a unique farm to table dining experience for one night only. Reserve your seat at the table! Sponsorships and tickets are available.

All proceeds will support programs of Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and the food hub for No More Empty Pots.

For more information:

Call: 402.502.1642 and ask for Susan

Email: chefawards@gmail.com 

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Celebrating the Fabric of Local Foods!

November 1st! Hello NSAS Friends!! The time is getting close!!  The 3rd Producers Choice Chef Award Fundraising Dinner is November 1st!  Doors open at 4:30pm and first course is at 5pm! Tickets are $75 each and are available at www.fabricoflocalfoods.org. We have 5 great chefs from Lincoln, Waverly and Omaha who have collaborated on a meal and will be putting on a bit of a show.  Matt Roush from Bread & Cup, Brandon Harpster from Single Barrel, Renee Cornett from Prairie Plate, Darrell Auld from Twisted Cork Bistro and Jessica & Paul Urban from Block 16 will be there to show off their stuff! This year NSAS is also collaborating with No More Empty Pots, who has invited guest speaker Robert Eggers to speak about solving inter-generational hunger. 

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT NSAS AND NMEP, THE GREAT CHEFS YOU WORK WITH, AND HAVE A LOAD OF FUN!!!!

#5LocalChefs

See you there! Eat well, be well, Krista

National Organic Standards Board Meeting

October 26-29. Stowe, Vermont. The board meeting provides a public forum for the organic community to weigh in on issues concerning organic production and processing. During the meeting, the board will address several petitions pertaining to changes to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, including substances due to sunset in 2017 and 2018. While the meeting is open to the public, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) invites those interested in speaking at the meeting to register.http://www.ams.usda.gov/press-release/usda-announces-meeting-national-organic-standards-board-invites-public-comments-0

Entomology Seminar on RNAi for urban pest control

 October 27. 4:00 pm–5:00 pm. Nebraska East Union. Contact,  Jeri Cunningham, 402-472-8678, jcunningham1@unl.edu. “RNAi for urban pest control: Recent progress and future challenges” presented by Sanjay Basnet, a graduate student in the Department of Entomology.

Webinar: Use of Solid-Liquid Separation Alternatives for Manure Handling and Treatment

October 27, 1pm – 2pm.  Livestock production has become more complex. As operations have expanded and concentrated in various parts of the country, more issues and concerns have to be addressed. Animal manures that were once considered a waste are now viewed as a valuable resource. Balancing manure production, land application, and crop nutrient requirements adds to the complexity of livestock operations. One possible way of addressing this is by applying solid-liquid separation technologies. Several separation technologies and approaches exist. A livestock producer must evaluate their operation to determine which separation technology will perform most effectively. This presentation will outline several solid-liquid separation technologies for manure handling and treatment, and selection guidance will be provided.

CEUs, Instructions,  More http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/use-of-solid-liquid-separation-alternatives-for-manure-handling-and-treatment

Farmers and Ranchers: Reach a New Market with Sales to Schools

Tuesday, October 27.  2-3pm. Description: This webinar, designed for Nebraska food producers, will discuss key points for farmers and ranchers to consider when you work with schools as a market opportunity. Walk in a food service director’s shoes with Donna Handley, School Lunch Program Specialist with the Nebraska Department of Ed. What requirements and needs do school food service staff face when serving school meals? Sarah Browning of University of Nebraska Extension will discuss the farm food safety procedures farmers and ranchers should consider, as well as helpful training resources that are available to address farm food safety topics. Finally, from experienced farmer Ryan Pekarek, how and when do you approach schools, and how do you go about planning your growing season? This webinar will introduce food producers to the opportunities available when selling to schools, as well as considerations to take when planning for success.

Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7712219018482772737 

Warm Season Native Grasses for Restoration

October 28. Online. This webinar is presented by the NRCS East National Technology Support Center. Participants will be introduced to how, when and why one might use native warm season grasses. Presenter Ramona Garner, Ph.D., Plant Materials Specialist with the East National Technology Support Center of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will discuss techniques that may provide the user with a more productive and beneficial native-grass planting.

Webinar: The Power of Automation: Using Systems to Slash Food Waste

October 28, 12pm – 1pm. This webinar will explore the power of automated food waste tracking systems as a long-term, sustainable solution for food waste management. Attendees will explore how automated systems save time and money, raise staff awareness, and keep food waste minimization a central focus of your daily operations.What you will learn: •  How real-time data and intervention inspires actions to reduce waste •  The behavioral impact of displaying the value of food waste •  Results from real organizations that switched from paper to automated systems http://info.leanpath.com/webinars/102015-power-of-automation-registration

Paving the Way for an Organic Planet: Growing with Healthy Soil Biology

October 29-30. Denver, Colorado. This Rodale Institute course is hosted in Colorado by Chipotle Mexican Grill. The goals of this workshop are as follows: 1. Provide participants with the knowledge about why soil health is important. 2. Describe how soil biota produce healthy soil. 3. Define the roles of management practices and their impacts on soil health. 4. Define a set of measurement matrices for healthy soil. 5. Provide tools for monitoring and assessing soil health against the matrix. This class is conducted by Rodale Institute's Chief Scientist Dr. Kris Nichols and Farm Director Jeff Moyer. It is recommended for farmers, gardeners, landscape professionals, and environmental-education professionals. A few scholarships are available for small farmers who would like to attend this class. http://rodaleinstitute.org/event-registration/?ee=161

Webinar: Farm to School at USDA: Looking Back and Looking Forward

October 29, 1pm – 2pm.  Join Deborah Kane, Director of FNS’s Office of Community Food Systems, for a review of the USDA Farm to School Program’s accomplishments and discussion of what what lies ahead as the Farm to School Program settles into its new home in the Food and Nutrition Service’s Office of Community Food Systems. Topics will include a review of new farm to school resources, preliminary results and plans for the second USDA Farm to School Census, and new areas of emphasis, including farm to summer and farm to preschool. No registration required. To join, visit https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/join?id=95MS3D&role=attend 

Agronomy & Horticulture Seminar – Rhae Drijber

October 30.  3:30 pm–4:30 pm. UNL's East Campus, Keim Hall Room: 150. Rhae Drijber, professor, Soil Microbial Ecology, UNL Agronomy and Horticulture, will talk about why arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important to plant nutrient acquisition under low input agriculture or from soils of low fertility. Most of our major agronomic crops have well-developed symbioses with AMF, particularly wheat, maize and soybean, that have adapted to modern breeding and agriculture management practices with varying impacts on AMF diversity and function. This seminar will highlight the research on AMF in maize cropping systems, particularly P uptake under high yielding conditions and the impact of N fertilization on AMF biomass and diversity.  Join us in person or online at:https://connect.unl.edu/fridayseminarseries

Webinar: : Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, Know Your Cooperative

October 30, 9:00am – 10:30am. This session, hosted by Rural Development’s Jim Barham and fellow co-op specialists, will address the growing intersection between local food systems and cooperatives. Cooperative leaders from across the local food supply chain will discuss the advantages of the cooperative business model, how they are engaged in building robust local food systems, and supply-side, distribution, market-side and consumer issues. These co-op leaders include: Online and Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/j3fipy115vqe&eom. Dial: (866) 525-2577, Conference ID 50573752. 

Long-term soil productivity and sustainability of forest harvest residue harvesting

Friday, October 30 at 12:00 pm CDT. Presenters: Jeff Hatten, Assistant Professor, Oregon State University; Scott Holub, Silviculture Research Scientist, Weyerhaeuser NR Company. Forest harvesting intrinsically removes organic matter and associated nutrients; these exports may impact soil productivity of managed forests. We will examine the effects of removing forest floor and harvest residues on soils and sustainable production in intensively managed Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest. We will discuss the amount and types of biomass being removed and how biomass harvesting impacts various nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium). Nutrient removals may impact long-term production or growth in these forests, and we will use simple thresholds and nutrient budgets to examine this trend. Finally, we will discuss the limitations of this approach and opportunities for further research. Webinar attendees will come away with an understanding of the issues surrounding long-term sustainability in forest residue harvesting scenarios and the limitations of our knowledge on these issues. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3399378061156075522

Opportunities

Feeder Pigs

We have another set of feeder pigs coming up ready for adoption to a new farm-home.  We have 20 piggies in the 25-30 lb range.   All are pasture raised and were weaned at 7-8 weeks.  They are being trained to hot wire. 

Ben Godfrey, 

Billy Available

Hey everybody, we have tried to sell our male Saanen goat born in February. They must be the weed of barnyard animals because no one seems to want him. I am hoping someone would want him for free. If you or anyone you know wants him, please contact me asap at 402-380-7233 to arrange a pickup. Thank you, Serena Bourne

Farming Opportunity

I have an opportunity to rent some ground just east of Beatrice but I need to farm it Organically. I live too far away and don't have the time right now to rotary hoe and/or cultivate in a timely fashion. Is there anyone that lives in the area that has experience (and preferably equipment) and would be interested in doing some custom farming? Thank you, Jon Yoachim, 402-309-4088, 

jkyoachim@gmail.com

Trailer for Sale

I have a 2011 12' x 6' Dura-line Bumper Stock [livestock] Trailer for sale, like new, I can provide pictures upon request and am willing to deliver. Dan Hromas, Grand Island, 

4022172797

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.

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".

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

Turkey care and management

Monday, November 2nd. As you are thinking about Thanksgiving, have you thought about raising your own turkeys, or perhaps raising turkeys for sale? Dr. David Frame from Utah State University will be discussing the care and management of turkey flocks. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry. 

Green Lands Blue Waters Conference

November 3-4. Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 2015 Green Lands Blue Waters conference, "Bridges and Buffers, Farms and Cities: Continuous Living Cover Farming Systems," brings solution-oriented approaches to some of the hot topics in Midwest agriculture today. The new Minnesota law requiring buffers of perennial vegetation along waterways, the lawsuit by the Des Moines Water Works against three counties upstream; state Nutrient Reduction Strategies; and the Mississippi River Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force brought national attention to agricultural water issues. The declining pollinator insects and a rising interest in soil health are also gaining attention on the farm and for policy-makers and the general public. http://greenlandsbluewaters.net/

Revisiting Organic Agriculture -- Pest Management Webinar

November 3. Online. This webinar is part of a monthly series being offered by the American Society of Agronomy. http://agronomy.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=43914

Making and Using Compost Teas

November 4. Online. Join eOrganic for a free webinar on making and using compost tea, by Lynne Carpenter-Boggs and CeCe Crosby of Washington State University. This webinar is aimed at a general audience, gardeners, farmers, and ag professionals. Viewers will learn how to make consistent and safe compost teas for gardening and agricultural use. Presenters will discuss how compost teas are viewed and regulated by the National Organic Program and Environmental Protection Agency. Viewers will leave with an improved understanding of compost teas and how they can be beneficially used. http://www.extension.org/pages/73211/making-and-using-compost-teas#.Vi4R67erTIU

Legal Issues in Animal Agriculture: Understanding the Recent Idaho Ag Gag Law Ruling

Thursday, November 5 at 12:00 pm CST. Location: go.umd.edu/AgGagWebinar. A recent federal court ruling in Idaho has brought the debate over so-called “ag gag” laws to a head in many areas of the country. But what does it mean for attorneys, agricultural service professionals, educators and producers? 

Dairy Sheep Association of North America Symposium

November 5-7. Madison, Wisconsin. This 21st annual program brings together dairy sheep producers, artisanal cheese makers, and industry affiliates from throughout North America. The agenda includes presentations, a trade show, cheese tasting, and networking opportunities. http://www.dsana.org/

The Importance of Animal Handling for Dairy Cattle

Thursday, November 5 at 12:00 pm CST. Dr. Kathryn Proudfoot, Thee Ohio State University. In this webinar, Dr. Proudfoot will discuss why using appropriate animal handling practices is so important for dairies! She will touch on cow memory and how that can influence fear responses to handlers. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/dairexnetwebinar/

The Livestock Conservancy National Conference

November 5-7. Santa Rosa, California. The conference theme is "The Age of Flavor." Explore forgotten uses and flavors that will bring value added income to farms. Learn about utilizing products and services from animals at various ages including older and younger animals. Clinics and workshops will cover poultry selection and processing, carcass fabrication and cooking, sheep husbandry and selection, goat selection, rabbit keeping, marketing, and more. http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/what/internal/conference

Women, Food & Ag Network Annual Conference

November 6-7. Davenport, Iowa. The conference theme is "Women Protecting Pollinators, Protecting Food." The keynote speaker will be Dr. Robin Kimmerer. Other sessions will focus on creating and protecting habitat for native pollinators, as well as building robust local food systems in our communities and supporting women farmers and landowners. Field tours will visit the nearby Quad Cities Food Hub, Quad City Food Forest and Edible Landscape projects, and women-owned farms in Illinois and Iowa. Workshops will feature in-depth information on pollinator habitat creation, farmland access, pesticide drift, beginning farmer resources, eco-feminist activism, and more. http://www.wfan.org/conference/