Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Nebraska Young Farmer Night at CROPS

Final YFN of July! July 29th. 6pm. Calling all Young Farmers or the young at heart, or those interested in farming! We are having a young farmers' night, part of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society Series, at the Community Crops training farm. How to get to Prairie Pines (3130 N 112th St) : Take Adams St. east to 112th. Turn left at 112th St. Turn right into the driveway marked 3130. At the white barn you will turn left. Park in the gravel parking lot. Let us know if you have any questions! More details, https://www.facebook.com/events/300005086845519/

True Cost of Food

July 28th. 6pm. Omaha. Watch and discuss a great animated video. Hear from local farmers and food advocates. Learn about alternatives to industrial agriculture. Sample local foods and find out how to purchase them. FREE . Coffee and snack provided. RSVPjnickerson@humanesociety.org or @ https://www.facebook.com/events/293194364192967/

Legal and Financial Clinic

Monday, July 28. Norfolk. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up

Manure Demonstration Day

Tuesday, July 29. Lexington. Participants can view vendors, demonstrations and will have opportunities to learn more about manure management and handling.  See http://water.unl.edu/manure/nebraskamanuredemo for more info

Grassfed Rising: Polishing the Soil-Grass-Consumer Connection

July 30 - August 1. Columbia, Missouri. The Grassfed Exchange presents this event to help producers grow in knowledge of the grassfed industry and in finishing cattle specifically. The conference includes one day of pasture walk tours at the ranches of Greg Judy and Luke Linnenbringer and two days full of presentations to help attendees improve their skills and operations. Speakers include Don Huber, Fred Provenza, Paul Brown, and others. http://www.grassfedexchange.com/

Food Hubs

July 31. Online. This webinar is part of a series of free monthly webinars offered by food and agriculture marketing experts from Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. This session is presented by Tom Snyder, manager of OSU South Center's Ohio Cooperative Development Center. http://www.oardc.osu.edu/7396/Monthly-Webinars-to-Help-Growers-and-Producers-Enhance-Marketing-Improve-and-Expand-Sales.htm

From Recipe to Reality

Friday, August 1. Lincoln. For anyone interested in exploring the idea of starting a food manufacturing business.  Lincoln.  Seebit.ly/Vk0mPG for more info.

Earthen Oven Workshop

August 1st. Come spend the weekend playing in the mud and learning to use the earth from under your feet to create art and architecture. This will be an introduction to cob and it's many uses. Topics covered will include stone stacking foundations, earthen structural mixes, clay plasters and the principles of wood firing. Complete details, 

https://www.facebook.com/events/549129431863343/

Keep Your Garden Producing All Fall

Saturday, August 2, 10 am - 12pm. Extend your growing season and enjoy the benefits of garden-fresh greens, root crops, and other vegetables well into the fall and even winter. 

This class will be hosted through SCC's continuing education program for a $10 fee, to register click here, https://www.southeast.edu/Continuing/ Keyword:Garden. Class will be held at Antelope Church of the Brethren 3645 Sumner Street, Lincoln

Opportunity

Bean Walkers

I am trying to find bean walkers to weed about 100 acres of transitioning soy bean fields. It will be 2 or 3 weeks before I need them because the beans were replanted on about June 24th after 2 hails.The fields are just south of Utica. I can be emailed or called at 402-617-1718,cherylrrichter@gmail.com .  Thanks, Cheryl Richter

2014 Organic Farmer Seed Survey

The purpose of this survey is to better assess certified organic crop producers’ attitudes and perceptions regarding organic seed. The purpose is also to understand producers’ current use of organic seed and any obstacles that restrict organic seed sourcing. Producers should be prepared to offer best estimates on their organic seed usage or have their seed records on hand. The survey also asks which crops and traits should be prioritized through organic plant breeding programs. If you are a certified organic crop producer, please take ten minutes to respond to this survey. Your responses are voluntary and will be held confidential. Your responses will not be identified by individual or farm. All responses will be compiled and analyzed as a group. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QQ73TMW

Sweet Corn Opportunity

An Omaha bakery is looking to bake a bread using sweet corn as an ingredient.  For more information please contact Erik @johnsonhillfarm@yahoo.com

Seedlings Needed

We recently lost about 150 (total) cabbage and cauliflower seedlings that were planted for fall harvest. User error I am sure. I am asking around to see if anyone has some extra cauliflower, cabbage or even broccoli seedlings they are interested in getting rid of at a fair price. We have broccoli, kale and kohlrabi in already. If you have any other ideas, I would welcome suggestions. We grow in Waverly and Omaha, so anything in either vicinity would be helpful. Alton, altonemitchell@gmail.com

Human Resource Needs of Small Farms

Fellow NSAS Members, I am working with a couple other Extension Educators on developing educational materials/programs to help small to medium sized farmers/ranchers manage their human resource risks. We are seeking to better understand the human resource education needs of Nebraska’s growing small and medium scale agricultural businesses in order to develop programming and materials to meet these needs. To do this we are conducting an online survey to determine what human resource topics are important to Nebraska’s farmers/ranchers and to learn what delivery methods (in person, online, etc.) are preferred. We would greatly appreciate it if you took a few minutes to complete the online survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AgHRMangSurvey.  The survey should take approximately 10 – 15 minutes to complete, you must be at least 19 years old to participate, and participation is entirely voluntary. If you have any questions regarding this questionnaire please feel free to contact me Jessica, (jjones12@unl.edu or 402-335-3669).

Exchange student interested in sustainability

My name is Andrea Lundberg, and I work with a  non-profit called the Aspect Foundation. As part of the State Department’s public diplomacy mission, we place exchange students with host families. I’m the local coordinator for the Lincoln/Omaha area. I was hoping you might know of a family who might be interested in hosting a young lady from Belgium, Nora. Nora is very active with an organization called Projet Comenius, which works on fair trade and sustainability initiatives. Hosts provide three meals a day and transportation to the local high school. Please feel free to call me at 402-499-9031 or email me with any questions! Below is a lInk to Nora’s profile:

http://services.aspectfoundation.org/st/index.php/st_search/profile/UY4-BEL-507-F

Heritage Chickens

I am looking for heritage chicken producers in Nebraska that might be willing to sell me live birds that I can butcher myself.  I am looking to buy young heritage birds but would be most interested in buying a mix of young and old birds. I live in Kearney and am either looking to process in Grand Island or near North Platte so if I can find a farmer in central Nebraska that would be optimal. Jed, yadidyamg@gmail.com

Upcoming

Exploring Possibilities with a Moveable High Tunnel

August 3. Atlantic, Iowa. Practical Farmers of Iowa presents this afternoon field day at Rolling Acres Farm. Explore the possibilities that a movable high tunnel can provide for extended season production. The field day will also discuss on-going research trials, including methods for weed control in asparagus and improving soil fertility using worm castings. http://practicalfarmers.org/news-events/events/

USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small Producers Webinar

August 5. Online. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a webinar about the USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small Producers. The webinar will provide an overview of the USDA Grass Fed program, website, and detailed information about the application (including how to apply), and evaluation process for gaining approval for the livestock to the Grass Fed Standard. The presentation will be followed by a Question and Answer period. This is a one-hour, listen-only webinar. The webinar will be recorded, and a link will be posted online for those who would like to listen in at a later date. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5108408

Feast on the Farm

Saturday, August 9, 2014, 5:00-8:30pm. Prairie Pines, 112th and Adams. Must be 21 or older to attend. Enjoy an evening on a beautiful, sustainable farm, and help Community Crops grow! For details and tickets visit, http://www.communitycrops.org/farmdinner

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture

Get the Dirt on Potato Breeding

May 20th. 12pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of potato. Presented by Dr. Walter De Jong, Cornell University. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/417130497

Landowner Habitat Tour

Tuesday, May 20. Fairbury. Habitat Management for Birds through CRP and Bird ID. See NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8395

Selling Through a Distributor

May 20. Online. This half-day Local Food Business Seminar from the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program offers a discussion from local food producers that sell to distributors as well as a local food hub/aggregator. Find out which model would work best for you and your business.http://datcp.wi.gov/Business/Buy_Local_Buy_Wisconsin/BLBW_Workshops/

Legal and Financial Clinic

Wednesday, May 21. Valentine. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Farm Bill Public Webinar

May 21, 10am – 12pm. The 2014 Farm Bill provides agricultural producers with a variety of different programs and opportunities to participate; however, the decisions facing them have never been more complex. This bill is designed to offer more of a risk management approach to the federal farm safety net as opposed to the more traditional price and yield support. It is important participants understand how the 2014 Farm Bill works and how these programs may affect their operations. Nebraska offers some unique challenges relative to variability in the type of commodities and the practices in which they grown. In the Spring and Summer of 2014, agricultural producers will be offered an opportunity to update their base acres and program yields. It is important that they understand how these decisions work, to make a well-informed decision. UNL Extension will be hosting a public webinar open to any interested party, to assist the producer with these decisions.  URL: https://connect.unl.edu/publicfarmbill/

Community Gardens Webinar

Wednesday, May 21 at 11:30 am. http://goo.gl/fQKN7. 

 

Friendship Gardens, Plots to Thicken Community. Learn how a network of school, faith, therapy, & community gardens work together to grow food for meals on wheels.

Silvopasture Development: Trees into Pasture

May 21. Online. Silvopasture is an agroforestry practice that sustainably produces timber, livestock, and forage on the same land. This one-hour webinar (held twice in a single day) will discuss considerations of site quality, species selection, establishment, and subsequent management of trees. http://silvopasture.ning.com/profiles/blogs/silvopasture-development-trees-into-pasture

Legal and Financial Clinics

Thursday, May 22. Norfolk. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Small Fruits Beyond Raspberries and Strawberries.

May 22nd. Vaughn Hammond, Extension Educator at the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City will present the webinar.  Vaughn's focus as an Extension Educator is Specialty Crops.  Vaughn spent almost a year in Afghanistan as an advisor teaching government agriculture advisors and farmers about growing fruit.  Vaughn brings a wealth of practical experience in growing fruits and vegetables, as he and his wife Beth currently grow produce in Nebraska City for the local market.  Vaughn also is an integral part of the local food industry in Nebraska as he is involved in assisting and advising growers and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Buy Fresh Buy Local organization.  Vaughn also serves on the Nebraska SARE Advisory Committee. Vaughn will discuss production of some of the not so common small fruits grown in Nebraska. https://connect.unl.edu/r5rpwrxz55f/

USDA Fresh Produce Inspection 101

May 22. Online. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will present this free interactive webinar. Harry Fisher, Agricultural Marketing Specialist Supervisor of the Specialty Crops Inspection Division, will introduce topics that range from requesting an inspection to interpreting the inspection certificate. He will also illustrate the value of an inspection and its role with PACA claims, as well as outlining some of the ways the inspection service is keeping up with changing industry needs. This informative webinar is designed for growers, packers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and others along the produce supply chain, domestically and worldwide.  http://bit.ly/1kUdwi2

Rangeland Drought Impact Webinar

Thursday, May 22. Learn about the importance of monitoring rangelands during and after drought, using photo points, and submitting drought impacts to the NDMC’s Drought Impact Reporter. Webinars will be recorded and may be viewed after the original broadcast. For more info and to register, see http://bit.ly/1nsgig7

Tractor Safety Certification Course

Thursday, May 22nd. 8:00 am-Friday, May 23rd 12:00 pm. Certification class targeted for 14-15-year-old youth in order to be employed in agriculture by someone other than their parents. Open to all ages. Registration Required. Contact Kerry Elsen, 308-236-1235 for registration materials. Buffalo County Extension Office, Kearney. 

Lighting Systems: Analysis, Performance, and Energy Conservation Opportunities

May 22. Online. Join the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for this free Science and Technology conservation webinar. This webinar is part of the energy series. Participate in this webinar to learn about lighting equipment and systems used in agricultural operations with a focus on: 1) system design; 2) effects on humans, plants, and animals; and 3) energy conservation opportunities. Participants will gain skills to work within the mix of NRCS staff, energy analysts, lighting designers, and landowners to more effectively identify and implement energy conservation opportunities. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

Opportunity

Layers for Sale

I have 7 khaki Campbell laying hens from a late summer hatch from last year that I would like to sell. They are consistent layers. $12 per bird. Bob, lnkrob@gmail.com

Compost for Community Gardens

My name is Jordan Hasselbalch and I am an AmeriCorps Member working for Community CROPS. Part of my role at CROPS is to source materials for the 11 community gardens that we manage. Last month we had our gardener orientations in preparation for the coming season. I introduced myself to the 270 some odd gardeners as the guy that would make available their requests for wood mulch, pallets, t-posts, city-compost, etc. The gardeners have made it clear to me what they would most like me to deliver, composted manure. I am happy to oblige them but I am going to need the help of some folks around the Lincoln area that have livestock and preferably equipment to help us load. Some of you have helped us in the past in this capacity and we thank you. Not wanting to be presumptuous of overwhelm any one operation I make this ask to all of you good people of the NSAS community. jordan@communitycrops.org

Seeking Manure

The Clyde Malone Community Center, located in Lincoln, Nebraska is seeking a donation of livestock manure, preferably older than a year and fed non-GMO.  The Malone Center is an African-American Community Center that provides educational, cultural, and advocacy programs. The center hosts a Day-Care Program for low-income families in the community during the summer, and the children have voiced their desire to get dirty and learn in the garden!  We would like to fill one pick up truck bed full of manure for the garden project. We are willing to load and transport. The closer to Lincoln, the better.  You may reach me by e-mail: danny.martin303@gmail.com or by phone/text: (402)512-0066.  Thanks, Danny Martin

Solar Power for Habitat for Humanity Families

Nebraskans for Solar & Habitat for Humanity of Omaha are crowdfunding on Indiegogo to install solar hot water systems on five new or rehabilitated houses: www.tinyurl.com/Omahasolar. If we reach our goal, five Omaha families will be able to reduce their monthly energy costs by harnessing power from the sun for the next 20 to 25 years! The money they save can be spent on food, healthcare, education, and other needs, benefiting their families and communities for a very long time.

Upcoming

Pasture egg production: Ameraucanas versus Delawares

Thursday, May 29 7pm. Trying to decide between which breed to raise for egg production on your farm can be difficult if there is not much information about the productivity of each breed.  This also becomes a problem if you are attempting to create a business plan.  Information about the productivity of Delaware hens and Ameraucana hens in a pastured management system will be discussed.  The length of time it takes to reach egg-laying maturity, feed consumed, body weights, egg sizes and numbers, as well as cost of egg production will be discussed for chickens raised on pasture in the Mid-Atlantic. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

Aquaponics Production and Marketing Webinar

May 29. This event is part of a series of free monthly webinars offered by food and agriculture marketing experts from Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The webinars are designed to teach participants how to effectively use direct marketing as a way to improve their businesses' financial bottom line. http://www.oardc.osu.edu/7396/Monthly-Webinars-to-Help-Growers-and-Producers-Enhance-Marketing-Improve-and-Expand-Sales.htm

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

On-Farm Food Safety and Conservation Webinar

May 14. Online. This webinar is part of the Organic series of webinars presented by USDA NRCS East and West National Technology Support Centers in partnership with Oregon Tilth. The presenter is Jo Ann Baumgartner, Director of Wild Farm Alliance. This webinar will cover how pathogens get on the farm, the prevalence in animals, and environmental factors that influence pathogen reduction. A multi-barrier approach will be discussed where conservation practices and food safety Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are used to minimize food safety concerns. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/documents/planned-conservation-webinars

Cuckoo for Cucurbit Vine Crop Breeding

May 13. 12pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of cucurbit vine crops. Presented by Dr. Michael Mazourek, Cornell University.  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/229661944

National Value Added Agriculture Conference

May 13-15. Baltimore, Maryland. Held in conjunction with the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development's What Works Conference Series, the conference theme is "Enhancing Food Security and Rural Viability through Innovative Food System Practices and Opportunities." The event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the MarketMaker program, and it offers a unique opportunity to discuss timely subjects in rural development and food security. http://www.agmrc.org/national-value-added-agriculture-conference/

Humane Trapping: A Balancing Act

May 15. 12pm. Humane Trapping: A Balancing Act will discuss various aspects of humane trapping including: Definitions: Live trap vs cage/box trap, Euthanasia vs humane-killing, Equipment vs technique, Snares vs cable-restraints, Proper use of cage/box traps, Proper use of lethal traps. Stephen M. Vantassel is Program Coordinator of wildlife damage management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a Master NWCOA Instructor, Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP), and runs the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM.org). He founded and operated Wildlife Removal Service, Inc. before coming to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has written dozens of articles and several books on wildlife control and animal welfare topics.  This webinar is open to the public. Everyone is welcome. No registration is required. Just show up at the link below. If you can't make it, the webinar will be recorded with a link to the video posted here when it is available (typically 2 to 3 days after the event).  https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/wildlifedmg

Targeted Grazing Online Workshop: Plant Ecology & Response to Grazing

May 15. Online. This event is part of the "Grazing with a Goal" series of online targeted grazing workshops presented monthly by the Targeted Grazing Committee of the Society for Range Management. This session is presented by Dr. John Hendrickson, ARS, Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory. http://www.rangelands.org/targetedgrazing/index.shtml

Legal and Financial Clinic

Thursday, May 15. Lexington. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Composting for poultry 

May 15th. 7:30pm. Whether large or small in size, poultry flocks can benefit from the use of composting as a tool to create a great soil amendment from a by-product of poultry keeping.  The discussion will cover the topics of composting litter, mortality, and butcher wastes, along with monitoring the process.  Proper compost pile building and pile diagnosis will also be discussed.  https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

Rangeland Drought Impact Webinar

Thursday, May 15. Learn about the importance of monitoring rangelands during and after drought, using photo points, and submitting drought impacts to the NDMC’s Drought Impact Reporter. Webinars will be recorded and may be viewed after the original broadcast. For more info and to register, see http://bit.ly/1nsgig7

Birdsfoot Trefoil as a Forage on Organic Dairy Farms Webinar

May 15. Join eOrganic for a free webinar on Birdsfoot Trefoil as a forage on organic dairy farms with Dr. Jennifer MacAdam, Utah State University. In this webinar, Dr. MacAdam will describe a multiple-year research project, funded by the USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), that is partnering with established organic dairy producers in the Mountain West to determine the impact of supplementing and/or replacing grass pasture with birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) on milk production and milk quality. Advance registration is required. http://www.extension.org/pages/70506/birdsfoot-trefoil-as-a-forage-on-organic-dairy-farms-webinar-by-eorganic#.U20PM3ahy24

From Recipe to Reality

Friday, May 16. Lincoln. A one-day seminar for all individuals interested in exploring the idea of starting a food manufacturing business. Seehttp://fpc.unl.edu/small_business for more info.

Sarah Wagner: YARD/ZONE

Sunday, May 18th. 2:30 pm-4:30 pm. The opening reception for Yard/Zone, an exhibition of stitched sculptural forms by Sarah Wagner of Detroit, will be Sunday, May 18. The exhibit will run from May 19-September 5, 2014 at the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery. The artist will speak about her work at 2:30 pm in room 11 of the Home Economics Building and will be present at a reception in her honor following her talk hosed by the Friends of the Textiles Gallery. Sarah Wagner is a sculptor and installation artist whose work concentrates attention on the dynamic relationships between the built and the increasingly unnatural world. The invisible forces at play in our world, such as radiation, and her love of ecology have inspired her to explore exhibition venues as unnatural environments within which to create models for parallel worlds. She is represented by the Patricia Sweetow Gallery in San Francisco. BFA, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Resident, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture; MFA, California College of the Arts.  For more information, call (402) 472-2911 or visit http://textilegallery.unl.edu. Additional Public Info: Free and open to the public.

Opportunity

Compost for Community Gardens

My name is Jordan Hasselbalch and I am an AmeriCorps Member working for Community CROPS. Part of my role at CROPS is to source materials for the 11 community gardens that we manage. Last month we had our gardener orientations in preparation for the coming season. I introduced myself to the 270 some odd gardeners as the guy that would make available their requests for wood mulch, pallets, t-posts, city-compost, etc. The gardeners have made it clear to me what they would most like me to deliver, composted manure. I am happy to oblige them but I am going to need the help of some folks around the Lincoln area that have livestock and preferably equipment to help us load. Some of you have helped us in the past in this capacity and we thank you. Not wanting to be presumptuous of overwhelm any one operation I make this ask to all of you good people of the NSAS community. jordan@communitycrops.org

Ostry Organic Family Farm Work Week: 2nd Week in May

Just a reminder that their farm work week has started and will continue thru next week. As of today Mike's recovery has left him not seeing well enough to do his work.

His doctor & family are optimistic that he will see well enough, hopefully in 6 months to a year. Please contact the Ostry's @ 402-543-2110with your offer of help.

They appreciate your support and can tell you what needs to be done when you call about the work week.

Seeking Manure

The Clyde Malone Community Center, located in Lincoln, Nebraska is seeking a donation of livestock manure, preferably older than a year and fed non-GMO.  The Malone Center is an African-American Community Center that provides educational, cultural, and advocacy programs. The center hosts a Day-Care Program for low-income families in the community during the summer, and the children have voiced their desire to get dirty and learn in the garden!  We would like to fill one pick up truck bed full of manure for the garden project. We are willing to load and transport. The closer to Lincoln, the better.  You may reach me by e-mail: danny.martin303@gmail.com or by phone/text: (402)512-0066.  Thanks, Danny Martin

Solar Power for Habitat for Humanity Families

Nebraskans for Solar & Habitat for Humanity of Omaha are crowdfunding on Indiegogo to install solar hot water systems on five new or rehabilitated houses: www.tinyurl.com/Omahasolar. If we reach our goal, five Omaha families will be able to reduce their monthly energy costs by harnessing power from the sun for the next 20 to 25 years! The money they save can be spent on food, healthcare, education, and other needs, benefiting their families and communities for a very long time.

Upcoming

Get the Dirt on Potato Breeding

May 20th. 12pm. This presentation is part of the "How to Breed New Plant Varieties: Imagining and Engineering Crops" series and describes the breeding of potato. Presented by Dr. Walter De Jong, Cornell University. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/417130497

Silvopasture Development: Trees into Pasture

May 21. Online. Silvopasture is an agroforestry practice that sustainably produces timber, livestock, and forage on the same land. This one-hour webinar (held twice in a single day) will discuss considerations of site quality, species selection, establishment, and subsequent management of trees. http://silvopasture.ning.com/profiles/blogs/silvopasture-development-trees-into-pasture

Nebraska Young Farmer Nights

Young Farmer Nights to kickoff in May

We will once again be holding the highly successful Nebraska Young Farmer Nights this growing season.  We will kickoff the season with our first young farmer nights in the middle of May.  The Nebraska Young Farmer Nights are held at farms (urban & rural) throughout Nebraska and typically involve a farm tour/pasture walk, a potluck meal, and a time for building community and connecting.  The Nebraska Young Farmer Nights are hosted by NSAS, and we offer a modest honorarium for farms hosting a YFN.

The idea behind the Young Farmer Nights (YFN) is to build a community of young farmers, farm interns, and folks interested in food/farming in Nebraska. We see each other at conferences and events, but rarely spend time together or see the amazing work we are all doing. YFN are a way for us all to get to see and learn from one another and get off our own farms for an evening. The model for each event (which moves around to different farms in Nebraska) is: to eat dinner together (usually potluck style), have a farm related activity (e.g.tour the fields or give a presentation on something that works well on your farm), and hang out (e.g. bonfire or play cards). The YFNs are meant to be a jumping off place for us to form a community. Last year at the Healthy Farms Conference, Sustainability Happy Hour & FSG events, the connections and friends made led to collaboration such as: tool borrowing/trading, brainstorming on pest management, fed cooperatives, shared practices, etc. Our first YFN is scheduled for the middle of May.

If you would like to host, please contact William at healthyfarms@gmail.com.

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture

On-Farm Food Safety and Conservation Webinar

April 15. Online. This webinar is part of the Organic series of webinars presented by USDA NRCS East and West National Technology Support Centers in partnership with Oregon Tilth. The presenter is Jo Ann Baumgartner, Director of Wild Farm Alliance. This webinar will cover how pathogens get on the farm, the prevalence in animals, and environmental factors that influence pathogen reduction. A multi-barrier approach will be discussed where conservation practices and food safety Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are used to minimize food safety concerns.  http://www.conservationwebinars.net/documents/planned-conservation-webinars

"Clonal Reproduction in Plants -- Genetic Component with Utility for Apomixis and Haploid Induction"

Tuesday, April 15th. 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. Lincoln. Presented by Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins, professor, Department of Horticulture, The University of Georgia Tifton Campus. Apomixis, asexual reproduction through seeds that harnesses apomeiosis and parthenogenesis to yield clonal progeny, is a genetically controlled trait found in wild relatives of come crop species, but rarely in crops themselves. Clonal reproduction through seeds in crops would enable the development of self-reproducing hybrids, impacting the production of hybrid cultivars and expanding access to hybrids in the developing world. Identifying genetic components for apomeiosis and parthenogenesis that could be used to install apomixis in sexually reproducing crops has benefitted from the study of female reproduction in natural apomicts and mutants of sexual plants. Our research on apomicts in the genus Pennisetum has yielded the discovery of a gene that induces parthenogenesis in sexual pearl millet and could have utility for both apomixis and haploid induction. All Biochemistry/Redox Biology Center Seminars are free and open to the public. Website: http://www.hort.uga.edu/personnel/faculty/profile/FacPOA.html

Composting Workshop - Lincoln, NE (link)

April 15th. 6:00 pm. Learn how to be successful with composting by attending a composting workshop sponsored by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County and the City of Lincoln Recycling Office. At each composting program, two lucky participants will win either a composting thermometer or a composting bin. Website: http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/ Location: Loren Corey Eiseley Library, 1530 Superior St. Lincoln

Community Gardens

April 16. 11:30. Lunch ‘n Learn Webinars. Using Participatory Design to Build & Enhance Community Gardens. Abbey Piner, MHS, Participatory designer + Permaculture designer. http://goo.gl/fQKN7

Modeling Short Rotation Hybrid Poplar Plant Growth and Yield

April 16. 12pm Central. 

 Hybrid poplar is one of the potential sustainable sources of bioenergy that could play a key role in sustainably meeting the long term energy needs in Pacific Northwest.  A viable poplar-based bioenergy industry will require a system to supply biomass to the refinery consistently and cost effectively. This system will depend primarily on the biomass production potential in the region. As such, the ability to predict poplar biomass under different climate and management regimes will help in developing management strategies to facilitate the best use of available water, land, and other input resources (e.g., fertilizers) and to maximize the regional biomass yields. In addition, economic and optimization models require regional biomass estimates in order to configure the efficient biomass supply chain and develop sustainable bioenergy systems.  

 

In this webinar, we present the features and application of the 3PG-AHB poplar growth and yield model, its application, and the GIS-based web interface. 

 

Please register for this webinar at http://breeze.wsu.edu/e3pzmwr3phy/event/registration.html

Dr. Vandana Shiva

April 17th & 18th. Dr. Vandana Shiva’s talk will cover the value of diversity in nature and in society, as well how the monoculture of the mind can destroy that diversity at every level. She will share what is happening to seed and food, and how “Gardens Of Hope” protect Seed Freedom and Food Democracy.  http://www.cultivatekc.org/events/vandanashiva/

dirt! The Movie

Thursday, April 17th. 7:00 pm. Free for students. $4 for non-students. Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Lincoln

Enhancing Native Pollinator Populations on Farms

April 17. Online. In this hour-long Vermont New Farmer Project webinar, John Hayden from The Farm Between in Jeffersonville, Vermont, will present on who the native pollinators are, why they are in trouble, and how we can bring back populations with ecologically sound farming practices, pollinator friendly plantings, and by providing nesting and overwintering habitat. http://www.uvm.edu/newfarmer/?Page=webinars/upcoming_webinars.php&SM=webinars/sub-menu.html

Legal and Financial Clinic

Thursday, April 17. Lexington. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

“Fire intensity and mortality thresholds – what is needed to achieve restoration objectives?”

April 17. Webinar: “Fire intensity and mortality thresholds – what is needed to achieve restoration objectives?”, sponsored by the North American Invasive Plant Short Course.  More info at http://ipscourse.unl.edu/.

Sustainable Farm Energy Virtual Tours

April 18. Online. In this four-part webinar series sponsored by NE SARE (Northeast Sustainable Ag Research and Education) and the Cornell Small Farms Program, you'll meet an organic vegetable farmer, grape grower & winemaker, sunflower & biodiesel producer, and pastured livestock farmer who will lead you through a virtual tour of their sustainable farm energy systems and ecological production techniques. This lunchtime webinar series will run from noon-1:00pm every Friday in April. All of the webinars are free and open to the public. Registration is required. http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2014/04/01/sustainable-farm-energy-2014-virtual-tours/

Beginning Beekeeping Workshop 

Saturday, April 19th. 10:00 am. ARDC near Mead. Details, http://entomology.unl.edu/beekeepingworkshops14.pdf

Opportunity

For Sale

Bobcat 440B Skid Loader. 43" bucket, 18hp Kohler gas engine, 700 hours, new tires, nice machine for smaller jobs. $3,500. Steven Bley(402) 802-5092

Fencing Equipment Available & Poultry Options

I just wanted to let folks know that we will have some premium hedge corner posts and line posts this spring.  They are a minimum 8 foot long with minimum 6” tops but can cut to your specs.  These are all Osage Orange posts that are guaranteed to outlast the hole that you put them in.  Over the years we have gotten lots of referrals for broilers and turkeys.  Unfortunately many requests came in too late to accommodate.  This year we have the help to ramp up our production enough to accommodate some of these requests.  The only requirement, on this end, is that we need to have the chicks and turkey poults ordered by July 1st.  So if you want to add broilers or turkeys to your CSA or your product line, just let us know and we will do our best to provide. Paul Rohrbaugh, Pawnee Pride Meats, Steinauer. pawneepridemeats@windstream.net

Organic Seed Production

Blue River Hybrids, an organic, non-GMO seed company located south of Ames, Iowa, needs to expand its production capabilities. We are currently looking for grain drying facilities near organic farms with irrigation in Nebraska. Would you be aware of any locations with grain drying capabilities? Cheri Johnson, cheri@blueriverorgseed.com

Earth Day Farmers Market

Saturday April 19. 9:00am – 3:00pm. Set up by 8:30am. Parking lot on west side of Elmwood Park, along Elmwood Park Road. Seeking local producers of any kind - produce, meats, eggs, honey, bedding plants or locally produced food product. No Arts & Crafts. One 10’ x 10’ space = $25. Application here: http://earthdayomaha.com/vendor-and-exhibitor-registration.php (Note some details on this site are pending and will change.)

Upcoming

Responding to an S.O.S. from the Commercial Beekeeping Industry

April 22. 12pm Central. Presented by: Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota. Given the chronic health problems facing honey bees and the increasing demand for pollination services from almond, blueberry, cranberry, apple, vine crops and many other growers, commercial beekeepers and breeders have requested assistance in maintaining healthy colonies. To this end, we began a novel “Bee Tech Transfer Team” program through the Bee Informed Partnership, a 5-year grant funded by USDA-NIFA. These teams consist of independent beekeepers that provide on-the-ground services to commercial beekeepers to assess and record colony health information; survey beekeepers about management; test for bee diseases and parasites; and assist in breeding bees that are more resistant to diseases and parasites. There is demand for this program nationwide and we are exploring ways to ensure that the Tech Team services are economically sustainable after the funding ends in 2016. As bees are directly or indirectly responsible for 35% of our diet through their pollination services, it is critical to increase effort to keep bees healthy and to provide hands-on assistance to the beleaguered beekeeping industry throughout the U.S. To register for the webinar go to: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development

Building Rural Resiliency: Who Should Help? What Should They Do?

April 25th. 1pm. Despite the importance of rural and agricultural resiliency, few local emergency planning committees include agricultural expertise and organizations. Rural and agricultural resources and capabilities should be cataloged to assist in planning, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from disasters. Thus, a research study was conducted to describe the perceptions of two groups of professionals, one agriculture-focused and the other disaster-focused, regarding organizations that should be involved in the phases of disasters impacting rural areas and agricultural businesses. The number and range of organizations identified by the experts demonstrates a wealth of potential social capital within communities. The list of organizations and roles that resulted from this study provides a foundation for decision-makers to examine the organizations involved in their communities, with the goal of strengthening the networks that support disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery activities. Stronger networks during each disaster phase will in turn lead to increased community resiliency. Dr. Amy Dronberger, Oklahoma State University will discuss her findings during this 60-minute session. It is open to anyone, and may be of special interest to local governments and agencies involved in emergency operations planning, and to EDEN members. Please register for this free webinar at http://eden.lsu.edu/Conferences/SCAP/Registration/Registration.aspx Choose "Building Rural Resiliency: Who Should Help? What Should They Do?" from the drop down menu.