Organic Farming Roundtables
February 27. 6:00 pm–9:00 pm. UNL's East Campus in the Plant Sciences Hall Room: 280 – Goodding Learning Center. Contact, Chuck Francis,402-472-1581, cfrancis2@unl.edu. The public is invited to attend and participate in this 14-week series led by Chuck Francis, professor of agronomy and horticulture. The series runs every Monday, Jan. 9 to April 24.
Where has all the farmland gone?
February 28. 6:00 pm–9:00 pm. UNL's East Campus in the Plant Sciences Hall Room: 280 – Goodding Learning Center. Contact, Chuck Francis,402-472-1581, cfrancis2@unl.edu. How to deal with the urbanization and conversion of productive farmland will be the topic of discussion in a 15-week series of courses taking place on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. The series will be led by Chuck Francis, professor of agronomy and horticulture, and Amy Swoboda, farm and ranch staff attorney at Legal Aid of Nebraska.
Soybean SDS & Wheat Stripe Rust Management
Monday, February 27 at 6:00 pm. Growers, consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to participate in a series of seven online programs addressing field crop production and pest management in 2017. Participants will learn how to enhance their corn, soybean, small grain, forage and potato production systems in the coming season, and have an opportunity to ask questions of MSU agriculture experts. These live webinar programs can be viewed independently online. Location: events.anr.msu.edu/FieldCropsWebinarSerie s2017
Getting started with maple syrup
Monday, February 27 at 6:00 pm CST. For those interested in entering the maple syrup business, this webinar will provide an overview of what it takes to produce and market quality maple products. Bob is an Michigan State University Extension field crops educator and operates Battel’s Sugar Bush with wife Sue and other family members as a private enterprise. Location: https://events.anr.msu.edu/BegFrmWeb20 17/
Tree Care Workshop – Alliance
February 28. All Day. Knight Museum - Alliance. Contact, Amy Seiler, aseiler2@unl.edu. Developed specifically for public works employees, landscape managers, tree board volunteers, arborists, nursery and green industry professionals and landscape enthusiasts, these workshops cover emerging issues in tree and landscape care. http://www.nfs.unl.edu/tree-care-workshops
Sprinkler Irrigation - History and Basics
February 28. Online. This free, one-hour webinar is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. Throughout the years, many technological advancements in irrigation systems have been introduced to enhance performance, ease management, and reduce energy use, or to meet other specific needs. Recent advances include enhanced system operation and management made possible via readily available GPS and affordable remote communications and real-time data availability. Participate to become familiar with a brief history of irrigation, focusing on a historical presentation of sprinkler irrigation systems dating back to the late 1800s to present-day era center pivot systems. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/ sprinkler-irrigation-history- and-basics
Entomology Seminar on the effects of plant viruses on vector-plant interactions
February 28. 4:00 pm–5:00 pm. Lincoln. Nebraska East Union. Contact, Jeri Cunningham, 402-472-2123, jcunningham1@unl.edu. Elliot Knoell, a graduate student in the Entomology Department, will present the seminar, “The Effects of Plant Viruses on Vector-Plant Interactions”.
On-farm pollinator habitat benefits for watermelon pollination
Tuesday, February 28 at 1:00 pm. This webinar will provide an overview of strategies to promote pollinators within annual rotational croplands in California. The focus will be on recent advances to establish native wildflower plantings and how these can positively contribute to promoting bees and crop pollination. Although examples will primarily be for watermelon many aspects are likely to apply to row crops more generally. The webinar will include a discussion of pollination benefits and also consider potential benefits and risks associated with pest management. https://extension.zoom.us/j/619691844
Holistic Management
February 28th, March 1st, March 2nd. Central Community College, Hastings. Contact, Bob Shields—(308) 379-1361
Connecting with Institutional Markets: Strategies and Programs for MT Producers
March 2. Online. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will host a webinar for farmers and ranchers about selling to schools, hospitals, and other institutions. We want to open our toolkit for successful relationships with institutional buyers to all those that attend this webinar. The subjects of importance that will be covered include developing partnerships, direct marketing, wholesaling, forward contracting, utilizing MOU’s, and briefly, food safety. Join us for this hour-long webinar and hear from other producers who have developed successful relationships with institutional buyers. https://www.ncat.org/institutional-markets
No-till Organic May Be Possible With a Systems Approach
https://nebraskaextension.zoom.us/j/722372312 . We will also record this presentation. I believe for a Zoom Meeting like this we have a capacity of 50 connections, but it will be recorded.
Entomology Seminar: “Corn, Entomology, Monsanto, and Me”
March 2. 4:00 pm–5:00 pm. Lincoln, Nebraska East Union. Contact, Jeri Cunningham, 402-472-8678, jcunningham1@unl.edu. Dr. Doug Jones of Monsanto, Inc., in Lincoln, NE, will present the seminar, “Corn, Entomology, Monsanto, and Me.”
Natural Resources Documentary Night to Examine Climate Change
March 2. 7:00 pm. Hardin Hall, Lincoln. Contact, Elyse Watson, elyse.watson@unl.edu. The School of Natural Resources is hosting its second documentary movie night featuring the film “Disruption,” a 2014 advocacy documentary, that examines climate change and the rising movement to combat it. It presents commentary from well-known climate, political and societal experts. It also features behind-the-scenes footage of efforts to organize The People’s Climate March, the largest climate rally in history that was held in conjunction with the UN world climate summit in 2014. “We’re the first generation to feel the impacts of climate disruption, and the last generation that can do something about it.” The free event is open to the public. For more information on the film, click here: http://watchdisruption.com
Growing Your Hobby Farm into a Business
March 2. Online. University of Illinois Extension's Small Farms Winter Webinar Series features practical, lunch-hour presentations on small farm enterprises and strategies. Log in every Thursday at noon for the free, one-hour webinars. The series runs through March 30. This session features Andy Larson, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator. http://news.aces.illinois.edu/news/learn-small-far ming-skills-your-desk-winter
Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar
March 3. 3:30 pm. UNL's Keim Hall. Contact, Judy Fredrick, 402-472-5138, jfredrick3@unl.edu. Marty Schmer, research agronomist, USDA-ARS, will present “Corn residue utilization effects on yield, crop water use, and the soil resource.”
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Stout Lecture
March 3. 3:30 pm. UNL's Bessey Hall. Contact, Tina Schinstock, 402-472-2663, tgray2@unl.edu. Renee Clary, Mississippi State University, will present “Lessons from Controversies in the History of Geology: Can Agassiz’s Glacial Theory Inform Geoscience Education and Public Reception of Climate Change?”
First Friday at the Great Plains Art Museum
March 3. 5:00 pm–7:00 pm. Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St. Lincoln. Contact, Katie Nieland, 402-472-3965, knieland2@unl.edu. Join us for great art, food, and fun at Lincoln’s First Friday Art Walk at the Great Plains Art Museum. Admission is always free. This event is the opening reception for “Rising: Elizabeth Rubendall Artist in Residence Lari R. Gibbons” (lower-level Lentz Gallery). A UNL alumna, Gibbons explores ideas from ecology, environmental philosophy and natural history in her work.
Protect Your Veggie Harvest From Hungry Insects!
Friday, March 3 at 1:00 pm. Many vegetables never make it to the table because hungry insects reach them first. Understanding the different types of insect pest management is key to bringing their populations under control. In this webinar, Zack Snipes, Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson Cooperative Extension will teach Integrated Pest Management skills for all levels of growers. Moderated by Dani Carroll and Mallory Kelley, Regional Extension Agents, Alabama Extension. Click here to login as a guest and participate in the live event. Note: on March 3, the link to the live webinar opens about 15 minutes before the webinar. Location: https://extension.zoom.us/j/332261879
Opportunities
Employment Opportunity
The Big Garden in Omaha is currently hiring for our New Roots Internship! The New Roots internship is a paid, hands-on learning experience for anyone interested in urban agriculture. Please contact Cait Caughey -- Education Director at ccaughey@biggarden.org for an application.
Health Insurance in Agriculture Survey
How does health insurance affect farmers and ranchers? Help influence rural health policy in upcoming survey. Farmers and ranchers: How does health insurance affect you? Help influence rural health policy by participating in an upcoming USDA funded survey. Your responses will help researchers understand how health-insurance policy affects farmers’ and ranchers’ decisions to invest, expand, and grow their enterprises. Selected participants received a letter about the survey in February. If you would like to participate follow this link: https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/132344?lang=en
Job Opportunity
Organic Certification Specialist - Processing & HandlingOneCert Inc.is an Accredited Organic Certification Agency based in Lincoln, Nebraska. We have an open position for a full-time Organic Certification Specialist - Processing & Handling. Individuals interested in organic food and food systems encouraged to apply! Inquiries can be sent tojobs@onecert.com. Thanks! Skylar Falter, Certification Specialist, OneCert Inc. (402) 420-6080, Email: skylar@onecert.com
Job Opportunity
Organic Certification Intern - CropsOneCert Inc.is an Accredited Organic Certification Agency based in Lincoln, Nebraska. We have an open position for an Organic Certification Intern - Crops. Individuals interested in organic food & farming, encouraged to apply! Inquiries can be sent to jobs@onecert.com. Thanks! Skylar Falter, Certification Specialist, OneCert Inc. (402) 420-6080, Email: skylar@onecert.com
Opportunity in Certified Organic Vegetable Production
Meristem Farm & Nursery is offering a unique opportunity to head up our certified organic vegetable operation. Depending on experience and commitment, this could lead to a long-term contractual arrangement. Our 1900’s era farm (5 acres total) adjoins Papillion, Nebraska. The Aksarben Farmers Market in Omaha is just 8 miles away. For the right person, we can offer housing in the upstairs of our farmhouse, with separate entrance, kitchen, and bath. Our soil is ideal for vegetables, including ¾ acre protected by fencing. The nursery and vegetable operations share 2 greenhouses: a large gutter-connect with solar-heated benches for propagating aronia berry cuttings (our primary business) and in-ground beds for vegetables; and a passive solar house for succulents and bedding plants. Tom Lundahl, (402) 306-4500, Tom@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com
Resource Available
Rural Food Business Toolkit - this resource was designed by the Center for Rural Affairs alongside a USDA Rural Development project in northeast Nebraska which provided in person instruction and support. The toolkit provides resources to growers, processors and food business owners to help them succeed. It can be found and downloaded here: http://www.cfra.org/rural-food-business-toolkit.
Young Farmers in Nebraska Needed for Survey!
Take the National Young Farmer Survey today and tell Congress and the nation that #FarmersCount! The survey is conducted every five years by the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) in order to understand and elevate the issues that matter most to young, beginning, and aspiring farmers. National Young Farmer Survey
New Farm Storage Facility Loan
The Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Program administered by the FSA has expanded to include some new eligible commodities. The new commodities eligible for facility loans include floriculture, hops, rye, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, meat and poultry (unprocessed), eggs, and aquaculture (excluding systems that maintain live animals through uptake and discharge of water). Commodities already eligible for the loans include corn, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, oats, peanuts, wheat, barley, minor oilseeds harvested as whole grain, pulse crops (lentils, chickpeas and dry peas), hay, honey, renewable biomass, and fruits, nuts and vegetables for cold storage facilities. FSA has expanded the FSFL program to include portable equipment and storage and handling trucks. These items can be new or used. Along with these changes in equipment eligibility, the FSFL program now has a Microloan option for producers that have $50,000 or less in FSFL loans. The FSFL Microloan reduces the down payment requirement from 15% to 5% and offers an abbreviated application by allowing the producer to self-certify their storage need. Loan applications should be filed in the administrative FSA office that maintains the farm’s records. For more information about Farm Storage Facility Loans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport, or contact your local FSA office. To find your local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.
Upcoming
Selecting Wheat Inputs Wisely
Monday, March 6 at 6:00 pm CST. Location: events.anr.msu.edu/FieldCropsWebinarSeries2017. P resenter: Dennis Pennington, MSU Wheat Specialist. Growers, consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to participate in a series of seven online programs addressing field crop production and pest management in 2017. Participants will learn how to enhance their corn, soybean, small grain, forage and potato production systems in the coming season, and have an opportunity to ask questions of agriculture experts
Tomato Varietal Improvement
March 7. Online. Join eOrganic for a free, one-hour webinar about organic tomato breeding and variety improvement by some of the leading experts in this field. Specific topics will include: identifying key traits, choosing appropriate parents and a selection approach, making crosses, selecting from segregating populations for desirable traits, using genetic markers to aid in selection for key traits, and saving seed. Advance registration is required. http://articles.extension.org/pages/74055/ tomato-varietal-improvement
Introduction to Instagram Webinar- Presented by MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture
Wednesday, March 8 at 11:00 am CST.Instagram is a fun mobile photo sharing platform that is also excellent for advocating for agriculture or promoting your business. A short PowerPoint followed by a live demonstration will be part of this webinar.For more information and to register:http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wednesday-webinars- registration-11452674257
Manure and Cover Crops Roundtable
Thursday, March 9 at 11:00 am CST.Location: https://msu.zoom.us/meeting/register/ 9c24c1a9389f9f9034538d7d4481ef 37. In the Manure and Cover Crops roundtable, we hope to discover whether manure and cover crops have complementary benefits related to soil quality. We’ll discuss if certain fields will produce more complementary benefits than others and whether timing of application and sampling affects these benefits. Finally, we’ll debate whether we can derive an economic value for manure beyond its nutrient value. We’ll also talk about field experiences and observations related to the value of manure as well as what farmers still need related to soil building with manure. This roundtable is the third in a four part series discussing the current state of our knowledge relative to manure’s impact on soil health.
Do Your Bees Have Parasitic Mite Syndrome
March 9.Online.University of Illinois Extension's Small Farms Winter Webinar Series features practical, lunch-hour presentations on small farm enterprises and strategies. Log in every Thursday at noon for the free, one-hour webinars. The series runs through March 30. This session features Doug Gucker, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator.
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