Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods!

Webinar on NOP Organic Integrity Database

August 4. Online. AMS National Organic Program and Information Technology Service will host an interactive webinar updating the organic community about the development of the Organic Integrity Database. The webinar will include an overview of the capabilities planned for the first release of the database, review of categories, and discussion of how stakeholder feedback and the certifier user group has informed this first release. The webinar begins at 2 pm Eastern. http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs127/1103777415326/archive/1121797912494.html

Opportunities for Conservation in Organic Livestock Systems

August 4. Online. Join this webinar to learn about the wide range of opportunities for NRCS support in organically-managed livestock operations. The presenters will discuss opportunities for conservation in organic livestock systems from both the NRCS and producer perspectives. They will present common organic management practices and National Organic Program (NOP) regulations relevant to livestock, including pasture and outdoor access, feed management, and pasture management. The presentation will highlight NRCS practices that can fit well in organic systems, such as rotational grazing, fencing, and pasture management. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/opportunities-for-conservation-in-organic-livestock-systems

Revisiting Organic Agriculture Webinar Series: Nutrient Sources

August 4. Online. American Society of Agronomy is offering a monthly series of webinars that will examine several issues associated with organic production and management. Cost for each individual webinar is $25 for members and certified professionals and $40 for non-members. Cost for the series is $113 for members and certified professionals and $180 for non-members. https://www.agronomy.org/education/online-courses

HMI Open Gate Learning Day: Stigge & Sons Ag Day

August 5th. 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/

“Biofuels, the Renewable Fuels Standard, and Invasive Plants: What's All the Fuss About?”

Wednesday, August 5 at 11:00 am CDT. In June 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a supple­mental final rule associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. This rule contains a lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis for renewable fuels made from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), and a regulatory determi­nation that such fuels qualify as cellulosic renewable fuel under the RFS program. As Arundo donax is a notorious invasive weed in several states, EPA’s decision has raised concerns that the biofuel industry will become a new pathway for the introduction of invasive species. This webinar will provide an overview of the invasive species concerns associated with the biofuels industry and discuss the legislative and regulatory efforts of state and federal regulators to address these concerns. https://uaag.adobeconnect.com/r3iy5jr1ecf/

Brown-bag on a Kids’ Eye View of the Landscape

 August 6.  12:00 pm–1:00 pm. UNL's East Campus,  Keim Hall. Contact, Karma Larsen, 402-472-7923, klarsen1@unl.edu. Christina Hoyt will talk about ways to involve kids in gardening and talk about plants and landscape ideas that encourage interest and activity. Anyone wishing to listen in can take part online at: connect.unl.edu/brownbag. The presentations are also available afterwards at arboretum.unl.edu/brown-bags. This is part of a brown-bag series on “all things green” sponsored by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL Garden Friends and Friends of Maxwell Arboretum. 

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

Clear Creeks Organic Farm Tour/Appreciation Supper & Dance

We would like to invite everyone to our farm tour on Aug 8th starting at 4 pm. We will tour the dairy facility including the cheese, butter and ice cream plant.  You will also see the future meat processing plant and kitchen along with the beef, goat, pork and the poultry.  We will also take a look at the crops and the garden.  We will eat supper around 6:30 and then dance to the Lonesome Walker Band.  Check it out on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/1644020605815959/ . We know this is a busy time but we hope to see some of you then! Robert Bernt and family

News

Biodynamics encourages plant health

On a bright sunny day early this spring Evrett Lunquist and Ruth Chantry were busy moving flats full of vegetable plants from their greenhouse to outdoor gardens for transplanting. 

Common Good Farm, Lincoln, Nebraska, grows over 45 different vegetables and herbs for their Community Supported Agriculture customers. How they grow them is what really makes them special. Lunquist and Chantry follow biodynamic principles in growing their wide variety of crops.

Before moving to Nebraska 19 years ago to start his own CSA, Lunquist did a comparison of a conventional farm and a CSA farm that was practicing some biodynamic principles. “At first I thought there was no difference, that the biodynamic folks were just speaking a different language to explain the same things,” Lunquist said. “Then it occurred to me that it was a completely different perspective in an effort to work with the life of the plant.”

Read the rest here!

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

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

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

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

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

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Farmers Night Out!

June 18th. Lincoln Neighbors Urban Farm, Lincoln. LNUF was formed in 2014 to produce food on underutilized urban space.  We hope to explore this approach to farming from an economic perspective.  We want to learn if sustainable agriculture can be successfully practiced in an urban setting & allow people to secure their livelihood from this model. https://www.facebook.com/lnufarm?pnref=lhc

Managing Herbicide Resistance- Needs for Concepts that Border Science Fiction

 June 15.  3:30 pm. UNL's East Campus,  Keim Hall Room: 150. Jonathan Gressel is now an emeritus professor at Weizmann Institute of Science. His interests are to see how plant sciences can contribute to world food and fuel securities, with collaborations throughout the developing world. He studied metabolic controls, especially by anti-metabolites and pesticides, and the evolution of resistance. He conceived and helped develop a system to control parasitic Striga (witchweed) using herbicide-treated crop seeds, which is commercialized throughout Africa. 

Multiple Benefits from Wetlands, Prairies and Cover Crops

June 15. Winterset, Iowa. Frederick Martens will share his experience with cover crops and grid-sampling for variable-rate planting and fertilizer application. He will also lead a tour of his nitrate removal wetland and adjacent prairie currently being established. Anna MacDonald will discuss efforts to improve water quality in the Badger Creek Lake watershed. Matt Helmers of Iowa State University will talk about the role of conservation practices in reducing nitrate losses. Jessie Lowry, with the Blank Park Zoo, will speak about the zoo's Plant.Grow.Fly. initiative to increase the amount of pollinator habitat.

Social Media & Email Marketing Tips to Increase Farm Market Sales

In this webinar, Pam Knights, branding strategist and marketing communications specialist, talks about how to step up your game in social media and email outreach to more effectively promote direct sales at your farmstand and/or farmers markets. The five points she will address are: Consistent branding of your communications tools, to focus on Facebook and email marketing, as well as online forums; the development of a posting strategy, implemented consistently across all platforms; the importance of using photography to illustrate your messaging; ways to build community through social media; and ideas and resources for sources of information to round out your farm related posts. 

Pumps and Waste Transfer and Evaluating System Pressures

June 16. 1pm. Participate to understand the principles of evaluating and sizing pumps for animal waste application. Participate in this training to learn how to determine pump output requirements, assess pump and driver efficiencies, input horsepower requirements, and understand energy use. You will learn about appropriate pump types for different applications. Understand and learn to assess pump performance requirements using two examples - irrigation and animal waste. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/pumps-and-waste-transfer-and-evaluating-system-pressures

Environmental Benefits of Organic Agriculture: Biodiversity

June 17. Online. This free, one-hour webinar is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. It is the second in a four-part series exploring the environmental benefits of organic agriculture. This session will present scientific research examining the biodiversity benefits of organic farming practices in temperate and tropical farm systems. The presenters are John Quinn and Betsy Rakola. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/environmental-benefits-of-organic-agriculture-biodiversity

Humane Handling at the Processing Plant

June 17. Online. This Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar is presented in collaboration with Animal Welfare Approved. Learn about humane handling practices at the processing plant. Presenters will discuss steps producers and processors can take to ensure humane treatment and how animal handling impacts meat quality. Humane handling experts Anna Bassett and Tim Holmes will speak about the research that backs AWA's technical info and slaughter standards as well as their Animal Welfare Officer and Poultry Welfare Officer courses. All NMPAN webinars are free and open to the public. The one-hour webinar begins at 10 am PDT.http://www.extension.org/pages/72961/humane-handling-at-the-processing-plant 

How to Pay for it: Grant, Loan and Cost Share Options for Farms

June 17. Online. Join ASAP, along with the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the second in a series of online workshops designed to help you manage risk for your farm. This workshop will offer an overview of options for accessing capital. Hear about services and resources available through your local FSA chapter, what records you need to be eligible for loans, and how to stay connected with grant or cost share opportunities for farms in the region. http://asapconnections.org/events/workshops-trainings/ 

Midwest Farm Energy Conference

June 17-19. Morris, Minnesota. The conference will be held at the University of Minnesota's West Central Research and Outreach Center. The event will address energy-optimized systems for dairy production and energy conservation and generation in swine facilities. It will provide practical information for agricultural producers, as well as an opportunity to network with energy experts and professionals. Renewable energy bus tours are also offered. http://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/events-education/midwest-farm-energy-conference

“Bring Back the Pollinators”

Thursday, June 18. 7pm. Jennifer Hopwood of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will discuss the importance of insect pollinators, introduce the insects that provide pollination services in Nebraska, the native plants they rely on, and present straightforward actions that each and every one of us can take to protect and provide habitat for pollinators. Jennifer Hopwood is a Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She is based in Nebraska, and provides resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management, creation, and restoration to agricultural professionals and land managers across the Great Plains and Midwest. Jennifer is an author of a number of publications and articles, and is a co-author of the book Farming with Native Beneficial Insects. Jennifer has degrees in ecology and entomology from the University of Kansas, and is a Visiting Scholar with Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station.Cost of the lecture is $10 for members and $14 for non-members. Space is limited. Please call (402) 346-4002, ext. 201 or email m.sears@omahabotanicalgardens.org to register and make payment by June 16.

Creative Financing for Food

June 18. Online. This National Good Food Network webinar is free, and takes place 1:30 - 2:45 pm MDT. Whether you run a farm, food hub, processing facility, retail store, co-op or shared kitchen this webinar will introduce you to new and creative sources of capital. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5986002251056027394

Horse Manure Composting: Specific Steps to Start or Improve the Process

Friday, June 19 at 1:30 pm CDT. Horses can be significant contributors to water quality impairment with the 50 pounds of manure they produce every day. Horse manure composting is one way to reduce this impairment. This webcast will discuss various aspects of composting horse manure. Bedding options and how they impact the composting process as well as basic design considerations in large and small operations will be discussed. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

Composting Demonstration - Lincoln, NE

June 20. 10:00 am.  Pioneers Park Nature Center’s backyard composting demonstration area.  Sarah Browning, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 402-441-7180, sbrowning2@unl.edu

Opportunities

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".

Piglets for Sale

We have 5 dirt raised piglets born Easter morning for sale. There are 3 boys and 2 females left. No shots, antibiotics, medications or hormones of any kind have ever been given to them or their parents. We do not spray chemicals or pesticides on our farm, and we have been feeding them as much fresh green grass as they can shovel in. These are very people friendly, as we play with them several times a day. They are  a Duroc mix. Price is $50 per pig. Pickup is near Lyons. Thanks and happy bacon to you all. Serena Bourne, serenasaurus09@yahoo.com

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

2014 Farm Bill - Conservation Compliance Changes | NRCS

The 2014 Farm Bill re-established the applicability of the Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation provisions to crop insurance subsidies, but the Farm Bill did not change how these were implemented in conservation programs. USDA is seeking comments on an Interim Final Rule, which would make official this change to conservation compliance provisions. Submit comments on regulations.gov.

Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions aim to reduce soil loss on erosion-prone lands and to protect wetlands for the multiple benefits they provide. HELC and WC provisions apply to all land that is considered highly erodible or a wetland, and that is owned or farmed by persons voluntarily participating in USDA programs, unless USDA determines an exemption applies. 

Producers, and any affiliated individuals or entities who participate in most programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Risk Management Agency (RMA) are required to comply with these provisions. Farmers seeking federal crop insurance premium subsidies for the 2016 reinsurance year must comply by June 1 by filing form AD-1026. The 2016 reinsurance year runs from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1257899

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

Conservation, Soil Health and On-Farm Energy

June 22. Emerson, Iowa. Learn about the numerous conservation measures McGrew Brothers Farm has implemented in southwest Iowa, ranging from diverse cover crops to nutrient management. Attendees will also get to view a soil pit and discuss soil health issues. Steve McGrew will talk about the wind turbine they installed three years ago as a source of on-farm energy production.

NRCS and Wildlife Habitat in Urban Environments: Linking Farm, School, and Community Agriculture

June 23. Online. In this webinar, join Nancy Adamson to learn how NRCS staff and partners are working in urban areas to conserve and create wildlife habitat, while at the same time protecting watersheds and supporting agricultural production. The one-hour webinar begins at 2:00 pm Eastern. http://www.xerces.org/2015/04/15/nrcs-and-wildlife-habitat-in-urban-environments-linking-farm-school-and-community-agriculture-webinar/

Practical Talk on Pasture and Row Crop Farming

June 24. Coon Rapids, Iowa. Whiterock Conservancy staff will lead a conversation on past and present grazing systems. For several decades, the pasture program had been based around rotational grazing, but last summer introduced high-density grazing. Whiterock staff will outline future plans to expand this grazing program. The conservancy also has an active row-crop program and, in recent years, has partnered with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) on a microwatershed study looking at how planting perennials in waterways can improve water quality runoff – both tile and surface flow – in a no-till, contour farming corn-soybean rotation. ISA staff will discuss their findings, and Whiterock staff will outline their experiences with how to add prairie strips to a farm program. A representative from ISU's Science-Based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips (STRIPS) project will also be present to discuss the long-running project and its findings.

How to Implement Rotational Grazing in Equine Facilities

June 24. Online. This one-hour webinar is presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center. Participants will learn about equine behavior and how management needs to be adjusted to have successful pastures on limited acres. The discussion will focus on pasture management and heavy use areas (sacrifice areas) and why they are important for a successful pasture. Conservation planners and others will learn how they can help horse owners develop and implement conservation practices on these acres. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/documents/planned-conservation-webinars

Sell What You Grow: Diversifying Your Market Opportunities

June 24. Online. Join ASAP, along with the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and Farm Service Agency (FSA) for a series of online workshops designed to help you manage risk for your farm. Join this webinar to learn more about the pros and cons of selling to a variety of local markets and how to determine if they are a good match for your operation. Find out more about strategies and tools for connecting with buyers and promoting your products.http://asapconnections.org/events/workshops-trainings/

Marlowe Family Farms, Farmers Night Out!

June 25th. Marlowe Family Farms. On Thursday June 25 2015 starting around 6 pm we will be hosting a Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society "Farmer's Night Out" here on the farm. Farmers, ranchers and consumers are all welcome.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1596631777281616/

W.O.W. – Wings on Wildflowers

Saturday, June 27th. 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Plainview. Topics of the day: Native wildflowers & their importance to pollinators, Understanding the need for plant diversity in the environment,  Hand-harvesting native, wildflowers & tips on starting a plot. $40/person includes transportation, lunch, knowledgeable speakers & free stuff! Register by June 18th to: 402-582-4866 or emailnortheastrcd@plvwtelco.net

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Getting started with USDA organic certification

Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm. Vicki Morrone, Organic farming specialist, Center for Regional food Systems at MSU. In this session, you will learn what is required for USDA National Organic Program organic certification for crop production and animal and animal product (eggs, milk) production. A guide will be offered to help you decide if you want to certify organic or just practice organic and understand the differences in practices and market opportunities. The organic certification paper work and organic farm practices will be reviewed, offering a case example for each; field crops, mixed vegetables, poultry eggs and lamb.  Handouts with check lists and an organic farm plan will be offered with example answers to serve as a guide as you complete the paper work. Q & A will follow the session and can be continued via email after the program. http://events.anr.msu.edu/beginningfarmerwebinars/

Heuermann Lecture: Climate Change in the American Mind

March 10.  3:30 pm. UNL's East Campus,  Hardin Hall, 33rd and Holdrege. Working to Meet the World’s Growing Food Needs. Anthony Leiserowitz from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies will will report on recent trends in Americans’ climate change knowledge, attitudes, policy support, and behavior and discuss strategies for more effective public engagement.

Promoting Native Bee Pollinators in Organic Farming Systems Webinar

March 10. Join eOrganic for a webinar on promoting native bee pollinators in organic farming systems by David Crowder and Elias Bloom of Washington State University. The webinar will cover the importance of native bee pollinators in organic farming systems, particularly diversified systems that produce many crops per year. The webinar will be geared to farmers and researchers, but primarily for farmers or individuals interested in biodiversity conservation. The webinar is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. http://www.extension.org/pages/71374/promoting-native-bee-pollinators-in-organic-farming-systems-webinar#.VPRayfnF8_s

Understanding the Carbon Cycle in Agricultural Fields: A Case Study with Hayland

March 10. Online. Participate in this webinar presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology for a discussion of the carbon cycle in agricultural fields, the role of a healthy soil food web, and the impact that various agricultural systems have on carbon levels in soil. The presenter is Jay Fuhrer, District Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bismarck, North Dakota. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/understanding-the-carbon-cycle-in-agricultural-fields-a-case-study-with-hayland

High Tunnel Webinar Series: Crop and Equipment Options and Nutrient and Irrigation Management in High Tunnels

March 10. This is the fourth webinar in a weekly series of high tunnel webinars from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Center for Crop Diversification. It covers what and when to plant and crop options for continued high tunnel production in Kentucky climates. Other topics include types of equipment for high tunnel production, and nutrient and irrigation management in high tunnel production systems. http://news.ca.uky.edu/article/high-tunnel-webinar-series-convenient-option-growers

Meat Pricing Webinar

March 10th. 7pm. Are you a livestock farmer who has struggled with the best way to price your meat so it’s fair to you and your customers? This farminar is for you: Tune in and learn how to fairly price your meat cuts for direct or wholesale markets. Bobbie Gustafson,of Story City Locker, will share the factors she considers when making pricing decisions. Then hear experienced livestock farmer Tom Cory share his insights and perspective as a producer. http://www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar

Advanced Marketing Techniques and Advanced Markets

March 11th. All classes will be held Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm at Community Action (210 "O" St. Lincoln, NE). Cost for the series is $150, scholarships are available. Individual classes are $20 each, please contact Kirstin to register for individual classes. For more information, contact Kirstin Bailey, kirstin@communitycrops.org or call 402.474.9802. http://www.communitycrops.org/wholefarm

O'neill Sustainable Ag Meeting

On Wednesday March 11 at 7p we will be having a Sustainable Ag meeting in O'neill at the library.  This will primarily be an introductory and organizational meeting with the purpose of planning some sort of regular schedule of meetings, speakers, pasture walks and farm tours.  I would like to see at least one regular meeting a month. Even if it's just to share fellowship with one another. Potential future topics include: Grazing, multi-species grazing, hoop houses, truck crops - vegetable and fruit farming, direct marketing, etc.  Suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. All are welcome, near or far. Organic producer, conventional producers, in between producers, consumers, and other interested parties. Chris Marlowe, Butte, Nebraska. 402 775 5000 Home

What is Gametophytic Incompatibility?

March 11. What is Gametophytic Incompatibility? It has a funny name, but this natural trait in corn can prevent unwanted outcrossing with transgenic varieties or other market classes of corn. Find out about the breeding that is going on with this trait and how to breed your own organic corn from Frank Kutka, a corn breeder. https://attendee.gototraining.com/rt/7481891117344979713

Managing egg laying flocks

Wednesday, March 11 at 10:00 am. The last in the five-part egg production webinar series gives an overview of the management of small, commercial, egg laying flocks. Topics to be covered including lighting, ventilation, getting the hens to the nest, culling and general care of pullets and hens. The discussion will be lead by Dr. Michael Darre at the University of Connecticut, with input from Drs. Ken Anderson at North Carolina State University, Paul Patterson at Penn State University, and Jacquie Jacob at the University of Kentucky. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

Water Seminar Series; Kremer Memorial Lecture, the Value of Groundwater

March 11,  3:30 pm.  UNL's East Campus, Hardin Hall Room. Michael Schneiders, president of Water Systems Engineering, Inc., will present this free and public seminar.

Precision Technology in Pasture Dairy

March 11. Online. This webinar is part of the series "Grazing Guides for Dairy Systems," from Penn State Extension. This webinar will discuss management and the adaptation of current and future technologies that may offer opportunities for precision feeding in pasture dairy systems. http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/events/precision-technology-in-pasture-dairy

Getting started with hop production

Wednesday, March 11 at 6:00 pm. This program is part of a 20-webinar Michigan State University Extension 2015 Beginning Farmer Webinar Series.  A descriptive flyer and on-line registration and payment for any or all of the webinars is available athttp://events.anr.msu.edu/beginningfarmerwebinars/  A registration fee of $10 per webinar, or $100 for all 20 webinars is required. Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension. http://events.anr.msu.edu/beginningfarmerwebinars/

Procrastinator's Farm Bill

March 11th. Have you waited until the last minute to make your farm bill decisions?  This webinar will give a quick overview of the decisions producers must make by Mar. 27th for the new Farm Bill programs. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wednesday-webinars-registration-11452674257

Tree Care Workshop on “Disaster-ready Communities” - Norfolk

March 12.  9:00 am–3:00 pm.  Norfolk Room: Lifelong Learning Center, 801 E. Benjamin Ave. Topics include detection and treatment plans for pests and diseases; recommendations for structural pruning techniques that can be done in advance to minimize storm damage; and safety considerations for people working in and around trees after a disaster. Contact Amy Seiler or register online at http://go.unl.edu/dwkw

2015 Pond/Lake Management Workshop

March 12.  6:00 pm–8:00 pm. Grand Island. Have you ever experienced an algae bloom? Fish kill? Murky water? Or do you just want to know what’s going on in a lake or pond?

Workshop topics include: How lakes function in Southeast Nebraska: characteristics and challenges; Managing for fisheries; Project funding and regulations; Lake management planning; Resolving Common Maintenance Problems (Algae, leaks, undesirable fish, fish kills, clarity, erosion, nuisance animals); Develop an individualized maintenance plan for your pond; Additional Public Info: Register here: water.unl.edu/pond/lake-workshops

Small Farm Webinar Series: Effective Farmers Market Displays

March 12. Online. The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community, providing practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. Webinars will be held from 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Thursdays and are free. In this session, learn more about trends and tips to create displays that really sell your products, including how to create a customer-friendly space, the importance of labeling, and how to make your display stand out at the market.

Agronomy & Horticulture Seminar - Bethany Johnston

Grassnap - An App to make monitoring easier.  March 13. 3:30 pm–4:30 pm. Bethany Johnston, Associate Extension Educator in the Central Sandhills Area, UNL Panhandle Research & Extension Center, will discuss the need for easy data collection methods, the basics of monitoring in a grazing system, and how to use GrassSnap to collect photo-monitoring data. A newer version of GrassSnap will be discussed for grasslands outside of Nebraska and for researchers collecting photo data in the field. Join us in person or online at https://connect.unl.edu/fridayseminarseries/.

Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers

March 13-15. Madison, Wisconsin. This intensive three-day course demonstrates what it takes to set up and run a successful orchard business. Topics include soil fertility, pest management, business planning, risk management, recordkeeping, marketing and economics. Grower-instructors primarily teach the course, with featured presentations and hands-on labs by UW faculty and other specialists. http://www.cias.wisc.edu/midwest-school-for-beginning-apple-growers/

Women in Farming Risk Management Education Workshop

March 14. Lawrence, Kansas. Kansas Rural Center will host its first Women in Farming workshop, focusing on specialty crop production with a particular emphasis on the unique opportunities and challenges for women farmers. The morning portion of the workshop will address food safety and services that agencies provide. The afternoon portion of the workshop will take place at The Red Tractor Farm, featuring a farm tour. http://kansasruralcenter.org/register-women-in-farming-workshop-lawrence/

Opportunities

NSAS Consignment Suggestions

I've been tossing around the idea of an annual farm consignment auction (or two or three) that has a portion of the proceeds donated to the NSAS. I was thinking a relatively small percentage would go to NSAS, to encourage anyone from the public to bring items. Thoughts?  I'm deferring to the collective knowledge of the group here. Any feedback as to why this would work or wouldn't? Tips or tricks to ensure success? Location suggestions? Any existing sales that we could piggyback on? We can put our stamp on it a number of different ways. For example, we could use products from NSAS members to cater the event. Or have a sale focused on smaller/older equipment. Or ...Shoot me an email directly, if you have ideas. Thank you, Jon. jkyoachim@gmail.com

IPM Fly Control Project Seeking Farmers

Looking for Livestock Farmers interested in developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system for Fly Control on their farm/ranch. Meeting will be next Wednesday, March 11th on the UNL East Campus from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Entomology Hall:http://maps.unl.edu/ENTO . If you would like to attend or need more details please call Liz at 402-309-0944 or email atorganicu2@windstream.net .

Donahue Trailer needed

Does any one have a donahue trailer for rent for a half of a day close to Lincoln? Rich Vernon, richvernon7@yahoo.com

NASS Organic Producer Survey

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service has an Organic Survey underway to gather detailed data on U.S. organic agriculture production. The survey is a complete inventory of all known organic producers that are certified, exempt from certification, and transitioning to certified organic production. Farmers and ranchers can fill out the survey online at www.agcensus.usda.gov until April 3, 2015.  

Mother Earth News Survey

Later this year, Mother Earth News will publish an article about the growing evidence of the vital importance of getting the right balance of fatty acids in our diet. Some researchers now believe that the shift away from beneficial fatty acids in modern diets is leading to health consequences that are as serious as the problems we face with climate change. As you probably know, grass-fed products are better sources of fatty acids than industrial products. We plan to help raise public awareness of this fact by conducting a large-scale survey to measure the fatty acid profiles of samples of grass-fed meat, eggs and dairy products from across the continent. We will publish the results of the survey in conjunction with our article. We are recruiting producers to join in this nutrient-testing project and hope that you will choose to participate. In order to be included, we need to hear back from you by March 15. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K5ZHWTB?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=HE%20eNews&utm_campaign=2.23.15%20MEN%20HE%20eNews

Upcoming

Getting started with season extension

Monday, March 16 at 6pm. This program is part of a 20-webinar Michigan State University Extension 2015 Beginning Farmer Webinar Series.  A descriptive flyer and on-line registration and payment for any or all of the webinars is available athttp://events.anr.msu.edu/beginningfarmerwebinars/  A registration fee of $10 per webinar, or $100 for all 20 webinars is required. Collin Thompson, MSU Extension program instructor/farm manager, MSU North Farm at the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center. http://events.anr.msu.edu/beginningfarmerwebinars/

Plant Propagation and Production Planning

March 16. Kansas City, Kansas. This event launches the 2015 Growing Growers workshop series, offering learning opportunities in sustainable farming in the Kansas City area. Growing Growers works to increase the production of local food by helping new and existing producers grow their businesses. http://www.growinggrowers.org/workshops.html

Insect, Weed and Disease Control in High Tunnels

March 17. Online. This is the fourth in a series of six weekly high-tunnel webinars from The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Center for Crop Diversification. During this webinar, specialists will teach how to manage pest pressures with cultural and biological controls, and cover available pesticide and fungicides approved for use in high tunnels in Kentucky. http://news.ca.uky.edu/article/high-tunnel-webinar-series-convenient-option-growers

Advancing the Agriculture Economy through Innovation

March 18-20. Fort Collins, Colorado. Colorado State University's summit on Advancing the Agriculture Economy through Innovation will pave the way for understanding what agriculture will look like in the next 10, 20, or even 50 years. Innovators in an Agriculture-Water-Food-Beverage-Bioenergy innovation ecosystem are gathering and growing along Colorado’s Front Range, creating next-generation technologies and business models to nourish, refresh, and energize the world. Featured speakers and panelists will delve into the most pressing issues driving and shaping innovation. http://csuaginnovationsummit.com/

Sustainable Small Farm Online Summit

March 18-21. Online. The free online Sustainable Small Farm Summit is an exciting gathering of 18 farmers and activists who are coming together to share valuable insights into the often-neglected business side of farming. The goal is to support new farmers and people transitioning into farming to become even more effective at creating financially viable plans. http://www.smallfarmsummit.org/

Small Farm Webinar Series: Veggie Compass Record-Keeping Software

March 19. The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community, providing practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. This series of online events is aimed at providing small farm producers with a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability. Veggie Compass is a farm management tool designed to help fresh market vegetable growers analyze farm records. This webinar will familiarize you with Veggie Compass, so you can begin to use this tool to locate efficiencies, set prices based on actual costs of production, and increase farm profits. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=10817

Targeted Grazing Online Workshops: Plant Ecology & Response to Grazing

March 19. Online. This workshop is part of a series of online presentations and discussions led by experts on the topic of targeted grazing and made possible by the Targeted Grazing Committee of the Society for Range Management. https://targetedgrazing.wordpress.com/training/

Grazing Workshop

March 26th. Auburn. The Southeast Nebraska Grassland Ass’n would like to invite all NSAS folks to join us in our 19th annual grazing workshop.  This year we are featuring Doug Peterson, long time rancher and Missouri Soil Health Conservationist.  Doug has decreased inputs and increased profits with grazing practices that significantly improve soil health.  Obviously, Doug will be coming at this from a grazing standpoint but will address many other factors that improve soil health with minimum inputs.  The workshop will be held on March 26th and the 4-H building in Auburn.  Lunch will be served and there will be lots of opportunity for questions, answers, and networking.  If you are interested, e-mail me at paulrohrbaugh@windstream.net and I will forward an electronic version of the brochure.