This organization continues to help and support beginning farmers!

Hello friends,

This message is to discuss an issue I have been thinking about as well as a call to support NSAS by signing up to be a member here.

The farmers of Big Muddy Urban Farm are placed in the 25-34 age group in the ag census, considering us to be young farmers (although I think it is not time that defines youth, more as to action). Sometimes I feel like a better descriptor of where my number should be placed in the statistical data would be in a made up category called the 'mad' young farmer. A primary issue that gets my madness stirring and the reason I support NSAS - when looking out at a landscape that is vastly agricultural there is a sufficient lack of opportunities in sustainable agriculture education. To communicate this in numbers, 91% of Nebraskan land is reported as agricultural and for all this agricultural land, there are only two Nebraskan sources listed in a pretty out-dated directory of sustainable agriculture education and training.

Surveying the scene currently, there are a number of organizations in Nebraska that promote sustainable agriculture, and should not be dismissed. SARE is doing quite a lot in these efforts and there are opportunities active at Community Crops, UNL and the extensions. The number of these organizations are not many compared to the agricultural passion of our state. The number may be counted on the fingers of two hands (maybe less, but I want to be optimistic) and this does not set-up a good space for many young people, who are presently in the middle of experiences, having accumulated a couple of chapters of past experiences to pull from and having much more that they envision for in their future experiences. This demographic may not think of sustainable agriculture as a good situation in Nebraska and may send their passions elsewhere.

It is not all dark in Nebraska, the door to sustainable agriculture is not closed and thankfully I have a way of mellowing out my madness. From my point of view, I can say Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society has and is very important to Big Muddy as it has helped to provide a great deal of knowledge and resources when we were first starting up from Common Good Farm's presentation of their CSA model at the annual conference charging us with a guiding energy and the sharing activity from its members, like when Billene and Richard Nemec responded to our need of garlic seed. This organization continues to help and support beginning farmers entering into this way of life and thank goodness for it!

The support Big Muddy has received comes from the members of NSAS and not one sole person in the organization, this is because NSAS is a membership organization. If you find NSAS to be important, I ask you to please consider becoming a member or renewing your membership, because after all NSAS is stronger with you than without you. If you would like to join the membership please follow the link here.

Thank you!

Brent Lubbert

NSAS Secretary

Healthy Farms Conference Breakout Sessions V

Let’s Grow Aquaponics.

Using Aquaponics in the classroom to engage children, teach S.T.E.M. and Agriculture principles and expose students to healthy food options.

About: Gregory Fripp is the Founder and Executive Director of Whispering Roots, Inc. A former “top ranked” Naval Officer and Corporate Executive, he followed his passion for growing healthy food and educating children by creating innovative, “hand on” experiential learning opportunities for students and the general public. His award winning Aquaponics and S.T.E.M. programs are changing the way people think about growing food and growing young minds.

Starting a Slow Money Investment Club

Slow Money is a movement to organize investors and donors to steer new sources of capital to small food enterprises, organic farms, and local food systems.  Slow Money takes its name from the Slow Food movement and aims to develop the relationship between capital markets and place, including social capital and soil fertility.  We've started a Slow Money Investment Club in Omaha called "LET'S EAT INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC."  As of January 2015, we have 12 members and have raised $60,000.  We'll share what we have learned so far and learn from any comments or suggestions the audience cares to contribute.

About: Jack Round - Jack has a finance and accounting background & is interested in re-localizing our economy as much as possible.  He is a member of Transition Omaha, the Omaha Time Exchange, & the LET'S EAT INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC (inspired by Slow Money).  Let’s Eat Investment Group, Founder, Round@Cox.net

Top Bar Bee Hives II

A second level breakout session on Top Bar Bee Hives. A top-bar hive is a single-storey frameless beehive in which the comb hangs from removable bars. Hives that have frames or that use honey chambers in summer but which use similar management principles as regular top-bar hives are sometimes also referred to as top-bar hives. Top-bar hives are rectangular in shape and are typically more than twice as wide as multi-story framed hives commonly found in English speaking countries. Top-bar hives are usually not portable, and allow for beekeeping methods that interfere very little with the colony.

Farmer/Chef Speed Dating

The Humane Society of the United States and Lone Tree Foods present this unique opportunity for farmers and chefs to meet, exchange business cards and price or request lists.  Farmers will be seated at tables and chefs will sit down with each one for 5 minutes with a bell moving things along. Register today and bring your information and even samples to share!"   

Register today and save!

http://2015healthyfarmsconference.eventbrite.com/

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Shh... Sustainability Happy Hour at PloughShare Brewing!

November 19. Lincoln. Lets talk local! Join us for the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society's Sustainability Happy Hour, as we tour Ploughshare Brewing Company in Lincoln. We will enjoy a tour of the brewery with brewmaster & Cicerone Matt and good conversation. We'll learn about Nebraska's newest brewery and their goals to be a sustainable brewery & restaurant. 

Shh.... is an event in the Nebraska area, centered around sustainability, local foods, local flavors and great conversation! We will have several Shh... events throughout the fall and winter, and we hope you will join us! Details and to rsvp here, 

shh.nsas@gmail.com 

Public Webinar: Pollinator Strategy Listening Sessions

November 17, 12pm – 2pm. Online. Sponsored by EPA and USDA. The EPA and the U. S. Department of Agriculture will hold two public listening sessions to solicit stakeholder input on the Pollinator Health Task Force’s development of a federal strategy. Feedback from the listening sessions will play an important role in the Task Force efforts to develop a federal strategy to reverse pollinator losses and help restore pollinator populations to healthy levels. Additional information is available online:http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/public-listening-sessions-pollinator-health-task-force

Structural Racism and Food Inequity

Monday, November 17 at 2:00 pm. This webinar will discuss the past, current and future work at NC A&T State University as a part of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) to address food systems inequities. The discussion will cover our history of youth work and community engagement in eastern North Carolina as well as statewide efforts and national engagement with organizations like the Inter-Institutional Network for Food and Agricultural Sustainability (INFAS) and the Center for Social Inclusion (CSI) as well as the WK Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) to build shared language, a shared analysis and frame for food equity using race as a lens. http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/diversity

Leading the Way – How Women are Changing Board Rooms and Rural Landscapes

Tuesday, November 18 at 11:00 am. Krysta Harden, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will discuss women's leadership roles in agriculture. As a daughter of farmers, Harden understands the changing face of agriculture and the need to create and expand opportunities in rural America. Harden's highest priority is to ensure that beginning farmers and the growing ranks of agriculture - women, young people, immigrants, socially disadvantaged producers, returning veterans and retirees - have access to the programs and support they need. As USDA’s third female Deputy Secretary, Harden is interested in building a strong and diverse future for women in agriculture. Deputy Secretary Harden will be joined on the webinar by Dr. Jewel Hairston, Dean at the Virginia State University College of Agriculture, and Kate Danner, a young farmer from Illinois. More than ever before, we see women manage farms and ranches, lead agricultural policy, and work at the helm of agribusinesses. The number of farms and ranches owned and operated by women has been steadily increasing over the past several years. We invite you to join for this webinar to discuss the future of the U.S. agriculture system and the importance of transferring knowledge, retaining talent, and supporting the women leaders of tomorrow.https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag 

Dehulling Ancient Grains Webinar

November 18. Online. Join eOrganic for a webinar on dehulling ancient grains, presented by members of the NIFA OREI project: Value-added Grains for Local and Regional Food Systems. This webinar will provide an overview of the methods used to dehull grain and the components needed in a dehulling system. One focus will be on the current dehulling options for both larger-scale and small-scale growers, including custom dehulling, new and used dehullers, modification of milling/cleaning equipment to dehull, and building one’s own dehuller. The webinar will also focus on the economics of dehulling, including consideration of ancient grain yield, dehulling efficiency and costs, and prices for hulled and dehulled grain. The webinar is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. http://www.extension.org/pages/71272/

Webinar: Managing Outdoor Pests of Schools Using IPM

November 18, 1pm – 3pm. A part of the School IPM Webinar Series for school facility managers, IPM Coordinators, building and grounds supervisors, nurses, administrators, or pest management professionals.  See archived and future webinars in this series at this EPA web site. http://www.epa.gov/pestwise/events/sipm-webinars.html

Effective Use of Electric Fencing to Improve Grazing Management and Enhance Soil Health

November 19. This webinar is part of a series offered by the NRCS East National Technology Support Center. This webinar will focus on how to make effective use of temporary electric fencing for a variety of livestock species. Basic management and troubleshooting of electric fences will be covered as well as species-specific temporary fencing techniques. The discussion will include effective management of electric fences for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry. http://conservationwebinars.net/

"Why can't we stop Eating?"

November 19.  12:00 pm–1:00 pm. UNL's East Campus Union in Lincoln. More information. Jolene Walker, 402.472.3862,jwalker5@unl.edu. Dr. Allen Levine from the University of Minnesota Department of Food Science and Nutrition will present a talk, “Why can’t we stop eating?” as part of the Nebraska Gateway to Nutrigenomics seminar series. This is a brown bag lunch with coffee and dessert provided.

Foraging for Food - Session I and II

November 19th. Online. A hunter-gatherer or forager society is a nomadic society in which most or all food is obtained from wild plants and animals, in contrast to agricultural societies, which rely mainly on domesticated species. Anthropologists have remarked that the term foraging is a more appropriate description of the predominant food source for most non-agricultural groups: Gathering is a far more important source of food than is hunting for the majority of non-agricultural societies, according to Richard Borshay Lee. Join Rachel Brazil and special guests to learn how modern day foraging supplies fruits and other native species to supplement your food supply. https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/8726488799175434242

Plants that eat plants: Evolutionary and functional genomics of parasitic plants

November 19.  4:00 pm–5:00 pm. UNL's City Campus at the Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street. Contact, Lisa Vonfeldt, 402-472-2635,BiotechPSIOffice@unl.edu. “Plants that eat plants: Evolutionary and functional genomics of parasitic plants” will be presented by Dr. Claude dePamphilis, Penn State University. A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Iowa GAP Level 1 and 2

November 19 and 25. Sioux City, Iowa. The Iowa State University On Farm Food Safety Team will be hosting full-day GAPs workshops across Iowa during fall and spring. Levels 1 and 2 are each one-day workshops. http://bit.ly/12sLsxE

Organic Working Group Training and Outreach Webinar

November 20. From 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time, the USDA Organic Working Group (OWG) will host a webinar on organic training and outreach resources. The OWG is currently updating its Organic Literacy Initiative package, which includes the Organic 101 and 201 training modules, the "Is Organic an Option for Me?" brochure, and the USDA Organic Resource Guide. The OWG will open with a short presentation, and then ask for comments and discussion from participants. The OWG seeks feedback on how the current organic training materials are used, what information is most helpful, and what additional tools are needed. Pre-registration is not required for this webinar session. To participate: Step 1--Dial In by Phone: 866-740-1260. Access Code: 7202000. Step 2--Also Access the Web: http://www.readytalk.com. On the left side of the screen, enter Participant Access Code: 7202000

Crop Selection and Insect Management in High Tunnels Webinar

November 20. Online. Purdue Extension is offering a series of free webinars and workshops providing essential how-to and background information on topics related to year-round growing. This webinar will be led by Liz Maynard, Purdue Extension commercial floral and vegetable crops specialist. No registration is required. http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=770&yr=2014

Organic Inputs: Options and Opportunities for Improving Crop Health and Productivity Webinar

November 20. Online. OEFFA and the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy have partnered to offer this webinar and other educational opportunities designed to address the business and production aspects of managing successful specialty crop operations. This webinar will review key concepts and principles involved in choosing organically acceptable inputs. Details that will help growers make sound and profitable choices for their operations will be provided. This webinar will be presented by Brian McSpadden Gardener, Ph.D. He is a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the Ohio State University. http://www.oeffa.org/events.php

Poultry Operations: Broiler and Layer Energy Conservation Opportunities

November 20. Online. This webinar is part of a series of free webinars on energy, presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center and the National Energy Technology Development Team located at the West National Technology Support Center. Participants in this webinar will learn about the most important energy-using systems involved in broiler and breeder operations and the most effective energy improvement options. The webinar will address key differences between lighting systems (including CFL and LED) and electrical issues to consider when implementing upgrades. Viewers will learn about building envelope issues, such as the benefits and drawbacks with different types of insulation and options for curtain wall retrofits. The speaker will discuss heating and ventilation of poultry houses including performance differences between radiant and convective heating systems.http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

Considerations for Out-Wintering the Organic Dairy Herd Webinar

November 20. Online. Join eOrganic for a webinar on considerations for out-wintering the organic dairy herd by Dr. Brad Heins. In this webinar, Dr. Brad Heins will describe a study that evaluated the effect of two winter housing systems on organic dairy production, somatic cell counts (SCC), body weight, body condition scores (BCS), and dry matter intake (DMI). The webinar is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. http://www.extension.org/pages/71817/

Food Safety for the Holiday Season

Thursday, November 20 at 1:00 pm. Holiday season is approaching. Cooking holiday meals is very challenging since you need to cook so many different foods at the same time and you could easily forget about food safety. This seminar will discuss food safety practices for cooking holiday meals (from shopping to leftover) and provide food safety tips during winter storm and/or power outage. Please register for this FREE webinar. Go to http://eden.lsu.edu/Conferences/SCAP/Registration/Registration, choose "Food Safety for the Holiday Season" from the drop down list, and complete the online form. 

Department of Agricultural Economics Seminar Series

 

November 21.  3:00 pm. Lincoln. Contact, Jane Witte, 472-1913, janewitte@unl.edu. Presented by Jim Vercammen, University of British Columbia. “A Welfare Analysis of Conservation Easement Tax Credits” http://agecon.unl.edu/seminar

Soil Health Webinar

November 21. Online. Registration is now open for a free Sustainable Farming Association Keep Cattle in Minnesota webinar featuring soil health experts Michael Lehman and Wendy Taheri of the USDA North Central Agricultural Research Lab in Brookings, South Dakota. The webinar is set for 1-2:30 p.m. In the first presentation, Cover Cropping: A Great Tool for Building Soils That Work, Lehman will consider the invisible world of soil microorganisms, how what they do that is helpful to producers, and how cover cropping is one management tool that promotes soil microorganisms and their beneficial activities. Taheri's presentation, Understanding the Importance of Diversity in Cropping Systems, will help farmers understand the importance of diversity in their cropping systems and the role cover crops play in creating and maintaining diversity. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/696479405526232577

Alternatives for Fire Blight Control Webinar

November 21. Online. This workshop is ideal for growers of organic apples and pears who need to prepare for or deal with a current fire blight infection in their orchards. Join CCOF for this timely webinar workshop on several viable and important alternatives to antibiotic fire blight treatment. http://www.ccof.org/alternatives-fire-blight-control-webinar

Opportunity

Non GMO Yellow Corn

I have approximately 900 bushels of non-gmo yellow corn available now. It was grown in a field transitioning to organic and it was the control against a field of red corn. It has been tested and is 99.4% non-gmo. This is some really good non-gmo corn. It is still standing in the field since I don't have anymore storage available. Located at Utica (between Seward and York). Please call me at 402-617-1718 if you are interested. 

Vegetable Operations Manager Position near Omaha

Vegetable/small fruit farm and nursery in Papillion has a full-time permanent vegetable operations manager position available. Tasks may include crop selection/scheduling, prep/planting, greenhouse management, construction/maintenance, and sales. Vegetable production experience helpful. The land has been farmed with organic practices for 30 years. Currently selling at local markets and planning to expand. On-farm housing may be negotiable. Also hiring full/part-time general laborer; farm or construction experience helpful. Send resume and cover letter to Lucena@MeristemFarmAndNursery.com or call Tom at 402-306-4500.

Growing Farmers, Growing Food

The Community Crops Growing Farmers workshops will help you learn the planning and production skills you need to start a market farm business. Learn from experienced growers, Extension Educators and business experts about sustainable vegetable production. Workshop topics will include: Seed Starting and Crop Planning, Functional Business Planning, Different Market Opportunities including farmers' markets, Marketing 101, Planning for Profit and Managing Your Risks, Field Management, 

GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) and Food Safety. More details, Register here:  http://www.communitycrops.org/growingfarmers

Vegetable Transplant Supplier Needed

The Community Crops plant sale sells plant starts and perennials to many Lincoln gardeners, and we also supply plants to our community gardeners.  We have outgrown the amount of plants our current supplier can produce and would like to find additional suppliers for 2015 to grow a variety of herb and vegetable transplants on contract.  All plants need to be grown using organic methods, using 32s and delivered in early May.  Please contact me to discuss details at ingrid@communitycrops.org or 402-474-9802.

Thanks! Ingrid

FarmTable Delivery is hiring

We really need a driver ASAP. Qualifications include: - Experience driving an 18ft vehicle - Experience driving a diesel vehicle - Good driving record - Familiar with driving in Omaha, Des Moines, Lincoln a plus! - Detailed orientated - good time management skills - a people person. Right now, 10-15 hours a week. Will increase as company grows. Will Train! SEND RESUMES with REFERENCES to farmtabledelivery@gmail.com 

Farm for Sale in Western Nebraska

We have operated a pastured poultry (including processing) operation and a direct beef operation.  This would be an excellent opportunity for someone who would like to start a small scale sustainable agricultural business. We are having an auction on October 21st which will have all of our equipment for the pastured poultry operation (including processing equipment) and livestock equipment. The link for the auction is: http://www.helbergnussauction.com/selected_auction.php?Auction_ID=18

(check back often as we are still adding items). We also have our cattle herd for sale.  We will only sell them all to one buyer to keep the herd together.  The herd consists of approximately 40 cows and 3 bulls.  The herd is comprised of Angus and Angus/Lowline cross. If you have any questions, please call or email myself or my husband Dan. Dan's cell phone is 308-631-6849. Email iskathi@openabar2ranch.com 

BarnRaiser at Darby Springs Farm

As you may know, we have been slowly growing our farm, Darby Springs, over the past several years. We have launched a crowdfunding campaign with Barnraiser and are asking you to join us in building a creamery barn to create farmstead ice cream, featuring local flavors, and space to learn and grow as a food community. Click here to skip the rest and get right to it: https://www.barnraiser.us/projects/building-the-barn-at-darby-springs-farm. We already sell pastured meat, milk, and eggs, but want to grow to bring you farmstead ice cream and opportunities to experience all our farm has to offer. To do this the Barn will have: The Loft: event and classroom space; Community Kitchen: a certified kitchen for use by all; Farm Store: featuring our ice cream and homemade baked goods as well as other area farmers & artists; Creamery: where the wonderful desserts are made; Milking parlor. Click here to check out our video, get full project details and support our project if you can, or spread the word to your friends: https://www.barnraiser.us/projects/building-the-barn-at-darby-springs-farm

News

Local Food Movement Growing Nationwide

When you turn on the TV and see a commercial for a national big-box store bragging about its food being fresh from the farm, you know the local food movement is bearing fruit.

That was among the messages Nebraska beef and dairy farmer Bob Bernt brought to an audience of more than 100 people Wednesday afternoon. Bernt was one of five Nebraska experts on local food production who were brought together for a panel discussion as part of the Paul A. Olson Seminars in Great Plains Studies at the Great Plains Art Museum in downtown Lincoln.

Read the rest!

Local Foods Job Opportunity!

FarmTable Delivery, a new local food distribution business based in West Central Iowa is HIRING! 

We really need a driver ASAP
Qualifications include:
- Experience driving an 18ft vehicle
- Experience driving a diesel vehicle
- Good driving record
- Familiar with driving in Omaha, Des Moines, Lincoln a plus! 
- Detailed orientated
- good time management skills
- a people person 

Right now, 10-15 hours a week. Will increase as company grows. Will Train! Pay based on Experience. 

SEND RESUMES with REFERENCES TO farmtabledelivery@gmail.com 

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD

---

Ellen Walsh-Rosmann

 

Pin Oak Place at Rosmann Family Farms, Fresh, Local, Organic

Phone- 712-579-1933 

website www.pinoakplace.com/

 

Farm Table Delivery & Procurement, Local Food Sourcing and Distribution

http://www.facebook.com/farmtableprocurement

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Considerations for designing supplemental programs for forage-fed growing cattle

Grassland Studies 2014 Fall Seminar Series. September 29. 3:00 pm–4:00 pm. UNL's East Campus Union. Presented by Mary Drewnoski, Dept. of Animal Science, UNL, “Considerations for designing supplemental programs for forage-fed growing cattle.” Free and open to the public. Ctr for Grassland Studies, 402-472-4101, grassland@unl.edu. http://grassland.unl.edu/upcoming-seminars

Legal and Financial Clinic

Tuesday, September 30. Fairbury. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

NaturePalooza 2014

September 30. 3:00 pm–8:00 pm. Lincoln. Lisa Pennisi, 402-472-5875, lpennisi2@unl.edu. See wildlife up close, browse the exhibits, cast for bass, call for turkeys, sing and dance with the String Beans, dare to venture down to the snake pit and bone yard, learn to make your yard a wildlife habitat, and sample Lincoln’s hottest food trend: food truck cuisine. Free prizes and gifts.http://snr.unl.edu/event/naturepalooza2014/

Long-term Agro-ecosystem Research - Sustainably Intensifying Production to Meet Future Demands for Agricultural Products

SNR Fall Research Seminar. October 1. 3:30 pm. Lincoln, UNL's East Campus in Hardin Hall. Mark Walbridge, National Program Leader of the Water Availability and Watershed Management Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems at the Office of National Programs (USDA/ARS), will present “Long-term Agro-ecosystem Research - Sustainably Intensifying Production to Meet Future Demands for Agricultural Products.” The seminar is free and open to the public.

Livestock Inputs Webinar

October 1. This webinar presented by IOIA and the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) will introduce commonly used organic materials, what organic inspectors look for during an inspection, and how OMRI evaluates livestock inputs. It will include pre-course self-study; in-class discussion, examples, exercises, and the opportunity for questions and answers; and a post-course evaluation. Participants who meet minimum requirements will receive a joint IOIA/OMRI NOP Livestock Input Materials Certificate of Completion. This webinar is conducted as part of a partnership between OEFFA, Ohio State University's Department of Preventative Veterinary Medicine, and the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) funded by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) professional development grant. The project is designed to provide educational programming for veterinarians, Extension educators, and other professionals who routinely work with organic livestock herds and flocks.http://www.oeffa.org/events.php

Legal and Financial Clinic

Thursday, October 2. Grand Island. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

Showy Plants for the Late Season Garden

 

October 2.  12:00 pm. Karma Larsen, 402-472-7923, klarsen1@unl.edu. Community Forestry Specialist Graham Herbst and UNL Extension Horticulturist Kathleen Cue will talk about perennials that bloom far into fall, native plants that offer winter food source as well as color and woody plants like paperbark maple, goldenraintree and hickory for late season interest. This presentation is part of a brown-bag series on “all things green” sponsored by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, UNL Department of Agronomy/Horticulture, UNL Garden Friends and Friends of Maxwell Arboretum. Event sponsors hope to bring together a community of on- and off-campus people who care about the environment. There will be time for discussion at each session and, when weather permits, time to walk through the campus landscape. For more information about the brown-bag series, call the Arboretum at 402-472-2971, emailarboretum@unl.edu or visit arboretum.unl.edu/brown-bag-series.

Studying the Role of Geography in shaping genetic diversity

School of Biological Sciences Seminar - Graham Coop, University of California-Davis. October 2. 3:30 pm–4:30 pm. Lincoln. Contact,402-472-2720, biology@unl.edu. All seminars are free and open to the public. 

http://biosci.unl.edu/seminar-series

Tunnel to Table Workshop

October 5. Clay Center, Kansas. The Kansas Rural Center's "Tunnel to Table" workshops will offer experienced and beginning vegetable and fruit growers critical information on applying polytunnels--such as high tunnels and low tunnels--as strategic tools for Kansas farms. Topics of each workshop's presentations and round-table discussions featuring area growers will include Kansas-specific polytunnel structure considerations, production and marketing strategies, economics of tunnel production, and solutions to common region-specific challenges. http://kansasruralcenter.org/low-tunnel-giveaway-and-registration-open-for-krc-high-tunnel-workshops/

Raise the Roots

October 5th. Omaha. Harvesting the desire for a vibrant local food system and a bright green Omaha, Raise the Roots combines live music, local bites and multi-media experiences to create sustainable community. Following in the footsteps of predecessor event “Hootenanny” (founded by Lori Tatreau), Raise the Roots will launch its inaugural happening on October 5th from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Waiting Room, 6212 Maple Street in Benson. https://www.facebook.com/events/1476858159265622/

Opportunity

FarmTable Delivery is hiring

We really need a driver ASAP. Qualifications include: - Experience driving an 18ft vehicle - Experience driving a diesel vehicle - Good driving record - Familiar with driving in Omaha, Des Moines, Lincoln a plus! - Detailed orientated - good time management skills - a people person. Right now, 10-15 hours a week. Will increase as company grows. Will Train! SEND RESUMES with REFERENCES TO farmtabledelivery@gmail.com 

Spent Brewing Grains Available, Omaha

There is a new brewery opening up in Omaha that has an immediate need to get rid of spent brewing grains. They would much rather get them to a farmer or into a composting program, or both. John Fahrer , jrfahrer@gmail.com,  402-321-0416

Carbon Sequestration

I am trying to find out how much carbon is sequestered each year under ground on a tallgrass prairie that has not reached its peak storage capacity.   Looking for the amount sequestered per acre , ha per year. I am also looking for graph of the capacity of carbon storage over time in a recreated tall grass prairie.  I attend a lecture were the presenter had a graph that showed that a tallgrass praire reached its peak of storage at 100 years. I can not find or remember the name of the presenter other than that it was a young women not from Iowa or Nebraska.  Thanks Glenn, pollockg@cox.net, home 4025716230.

Looking for Grazing Goats

I am looking for someone who has a herd of goats that would be interested in grazing them in Jefferson County for a while.  I have a number of young mulberry, red cedar, and Chinese elm trees in need of “management”.  The pasture is contained with high-tensile electric wire. Ralph & Carolyn Tate, All Things Natural, 

(402) 932-3405

Job Opportunity

OneCert is expanding our staff. We are looking for two Certification Specialists: one will primarily focus on crops (and livestock) and the other will primarily work with handling operations. Contact Sam Welsch for more information, 402-420-6080. 

www.onecert.com

Yeoman Keyline Shank For Sale

If you are into restorative farmscale agriculture, this is a necessary tool.  I will show you how to build an implement for way under the cost of what you can buy commercially and I will even teach you how to use it.  You can use this tool for regenerating pasture, implementing keyline systems, planting trees, root pruning and making mini swales. I live in Papillion just outside of Omaha.  Call if you are interested at the number below. Jonathan Dodd, Keipos, Inc. & New Earth Farm & Goods, 321.544.2851

Upcoming

Effective Management of Farm Employees

Monday, October 6 at 12:00 pm CDT.  Durst and Moore will discuss the results of phone interviews with 158 employees from 11 dairy farms, including: Employee turnover rate and employee engagement, Management makes a difference, Focus employees on achieving performance standards, Providing opportunities to learn and develop, Language and cultural barriers. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/dairexnetwebinar/

Organic Farming and Soil Health Webinar

October 7. In partnership with Oregon Tilth, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's East and West National Technology Support Centers are pleased to present "Understanding Organic and Sustainable Agriculture" webinars in 2014. This discussion with Kris Nichols will feature new research on soil health from the Rodale Institute, a leader in organic agriculture which hosts the longest-running side-by-side U.S. study comparing conventional chemical agriculture with organic methods. http://conservationwebinars.net/

Natural Legacy Conference

October 8 – 9. Gering. For natural resource professionals and conservationists to gather to learn about important actions taking place in the state for wildlife habitat and at-risk species.  A conference flyer is available here, and free registration can be completed here. http://shopoutdoornebraska.ne.gov/Events/

Life Cycle Assessment of Foods Conference

October 8-10. San Francisco, California. The American Center for Life Cycle Assessment will host the ninth international conference, LCA Foods 2014, which unites the scientific community with food industry professionals, researchers, academics, and policymakers. This will be the first time the conference is held outside Europe and it is an opportunity to enhance U.S. agriculture through sustainability. The event combines a scientific academic focus with a food expo to demonstrate that sustainability is measurable and therefore doable. http://lcafood2014.org/

Insect Management in High Tunnels

October 9. Online. Purdue Extension is offering a series of free webinars and workshops providing essential how-to and background information on topics related to year-round growing. For this one-hour webinar, the presenter will be Rick Foster, Purdue professor of pest management, vegetable and fruit crops, and Extension coordinator. http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=770&yr=2014

Organic Inputs: Options and Opportunities for Improving Crop Health and Productivity Webinar

October 9. OEFFA and the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy have partnered to offer this webinar and other educational opportunities designed to address the business and production aspects of managing successful specialty crop operations. This webinar will review key concepts and principles involved in choosing organically acceptable inputs. Details that will help growers make sound and profitable choices for their operations will be provided. This webinar will be presented by Brian McSpadden Gardener, Ph.D. He is a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the Ohio State University. http://www.oeffa.org/events.php

Manage Your Forest for Pine Straw and Rake in the Profits

October 9. Online. This event is part of an eight-session series of webinars on non-timber forest products during fall 2014. In this free, hour-long session, Becky Barlow, Alabama Cooperative Extension Forestry Specialist, will present on harvesting pine straw and will cover other decorative non-timber forest products. https://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Webinar%20Line%20Up%20.pdf

Weekly Events & Opportunities in Sustainable Farming & Foods

Sustainable Small Farms & Backyards Online Course

September 15 - October 31, 2014. Online. Clemson Extension's Livestock & Forages team and the Home & Garden Information Center will offer six classes online from September 15 to October 31, 2014. The course is geared toward teaching people with very small farms (under 10 acres) the basics on how to care for livestock and honeybees and how to grow your own fruits and vegetables. County/Area Extension Agents and State Extension Specialist deliver information on beekeeping basics, livestock (goats, pigs and chickens), forages, small fruit and vegetable gardening, and state guidelines for selling direct to consumers. http://calendar.clemson.edu/event/sustainable_small_farms_backyards_online_course

Ramping Up to Forest Farm Culinary Delights

September 16. Online. This one-hour webinar is the second in a series of eight on non-timber forest products. It will be presented by Jim Chamberlain, Research Forest Products Technologist with the USDA Forest Service, who will focus on forest farming wild onions, also known as ramps. https://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Webinar%20Line%20Up%20.pdf

Preventing Storm Damage to Trees

September 16th. PA Urban & Community Forestry Webinar: Preventing Storm Damage to Trees. https://meeting.psu.edu/pacommunityforestry

Direct Marketing Meats

September 16. Online. During this webinar, brought to you by the Women in Ag Learning Network, presented in collaboration with the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network, participants will hear from a meat processor and a farmer about how to increase profitability from your direct market meat sales. Presenters will talk about how to fill out a cut sheet, marketing tips for selling the whole animal and what works (and what doesn't!) in direct marketing meats. https://learn.extension.org/events/1694

DIY Kimchi

Tuesday, September 16, 6pm-8pm. Did you know that Kimchi can be eaten fresh or fermented? Learn how to create a tasty Kimchi from great produce. This traditional Korean dish will present you with endless possibilites in the kitchen! https://communitycrops.z2systems.com/np/clients/communitycrops/event.jsp?event=71&

Alternate Market Opportunities for Bioenergy Feedstock

September 16. Northeast Woody/Warm-Season Biomass Consortium Webinar. https://meeting.psu.edu/bioenergy

Giving Your Horse the Best Chance During Disasters

Tuesday, September 16. 6pm Central. Participants in this webcast will learn practical things a horse owner should know, and can do, that will reduce risks to horses during fires, floods and storms. This webcast is presented by My Horse University, Michigan State University Extension and the Extension Disaster Education Network. You must register for this FREE webinar to access the session URL. http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=MHUWebcast

Insecticide Resistance Management

Entomology Seminar. September 16.  4:00 pm–5:00 pm. UNL's East Campus Union. Jeri Cunningham, 402-472-8678,jcunningham1@unl.edu. “Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM): Negative Cross-Resistance in Focus” presented by Matheus Ribeiro, Entomology Graduate Student

Cover Crop Field Day

September 16, 5pm – 8pm. Bladen. Free Cover Crop Field Day, with meal to follow.  We will be looking at double cropped sunflowers planted with a high diversity companion covers, planted in mid-July after a triticale crop.  We also will be looking at covers flown-on to hailed corn as well as other summer planted cover crop plots.  No RSVP required but let us know ahead of time if you want to pickup any seed.  More information at https://greencoverseed.com/ or call 402-469-6784.

NOP Livestock Standards Webinar

September 16 and 19. Online. This IOIA webinar will be given in two sessions, on two dates, each three hours long. This webinar is a 100-level course will prepare participants to verify compliance with the NOP Livestock Standards. This webinar training course will focus on topics including the National List of allowed synthetic and prohibited natural inputs for livestock production. Participants will also gain skill in understanding and navigating the NOP regulations. This course is geared to prepare those who intend to take further training to become organic inspectors or file reviewers. This course is comprised of four components: pre-course self-study, mid-course exercises, the webinar, and post-webinar evaluation. http://www.ioia.net/schedule_web.html#sept16

Evaluating Investments and Operational Changes

September 16. Online. MOSES is offering free webinars help you manage your farm's finances. Presenters are two of the co-authors of the book Fearless Farm Finances. This free webinar with Chris Blanchard will show you the tools you need to evaluate your options. You'll get a down-to-earth approach to help you better understand the economic and other impacts of investments and operational changes. http://mosesorganic.org/events/webinars/

Pressure Canning :: Tomatoes

Wednesday, September 17th at 6pm. All workshops are hosted at City Sprouts, 4002 Seward Street. There is a  $5 participation fee. 

To RSVP, e-mail gardenmanager@omahasprouts.org

Oiling with Miranda Bitz

September 17th. Curious about the latest “oiling” craze. Learn about the potential of oils from seed to seal with Miranda Bitz and Tanya Schoessow. https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/9092833978906219266

Farmer Veteran Coalition Presents: 

A Celebration of our American Heroes

We are having a huge celebration to honor everyone who has served our nation. We want to connect with veterans who are already involved in agriculture and those who have the dream to do so.  Thursday, September 18. 6:30 PM-10:30 PM.  Music Begins 7:30 PM Seward Ag Pavilion, Seward. Doors open 6 PM. Dinner by Chances R 6:30 PM.  Featuring a Special Live Performance by Jason Earl Band www.jasonearlmusic.com. www.farmvetco.org. For more information contact: Chet Bennetts- Director of Farm Business, Development/Farmer Veteran Coalition, (402) 890-0797 or chet@farmvetco.org

Legal and Financial Clinic

Thursday, September 18. Valentine or Lexington. Call the Farm Hotline at 800-464-0258 to sign up.

How the Wind did Human Work on the Farm

September 18th. Paul A. Olson Seminar in Great Plains Studies. 3:30 pm. Center For Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St. Lincoln. Presented by T. Lindsay Baker, director, W.K. Gordon Center for the Industrial History of Texas and professor at Tarleton State University. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Energy Upgrades: Steps to Implement Energy Conservation Opportunities

September 18. Online. This webinar is part of a series of agricultural energy webinars presented by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. http://www.conservationwebinars.net/

Webinar: Composting 101 and Five Strategies for Success n Nebraska

September 18, 12:00pm – 1:30pm. Composting has great potential to stimulate rural economies, protect our food supply, conserve water and reduce waste. And news keeps getting better: Nebraska is well-positioned to reap these myriad benefits with an existing network of local composting facilities.  National composting expert Brenda Platt will start us off with a primer on what is composting, why it matters, an overview of the infrastructure needs, and a look at where things stand in the U.S.  To register:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5286878877248346370

Agroforestry Workshop

September 19. Emmetsburg, Iowa. This workshop hosted by Trees Forever will introduce property owners and natural resource professionals to the benefits of agroforestry practices, including perennial crops and more. Topics include alley cropping, or growing annuals and other crops between rows of trees; silvopasture, which involves grazing animals in forested areas or orchards; and riparian forest buffers — trees and shrubs planted next to streams and rivers — and other agroforestry practices.http://www.treesforever.org/Events

Landowner Habitat Tour

Friday, September 19. Nebraska City. The Critical Role of Pollinators. See NebraskaPF.com or call 308-850-8395

World Food Prize Nebraska Youth Institute

 

September 19.  9:00 am–3:00 pm. UNL's East Campus Union. Jennifer Greenlee, 472-2807, jgreenlee2@unl.edu. World Food Prize Nebraska Youth Institute—ALEC/CASNR

Chicory - A new crop for Nebraska

September 19. 3:30 pm–5:00 pm. Keim Hall on UNL's East Campus. Dept. of Agronomy & Horticulture, 402-472-2811,agrohort@unl.edu. Presented by Robert Wilson, UNL Professor & Extension Weed Specialist, Panhandle Research & Extension Center. In 1995 Dr. Wilson began exploring the possibilities of showing farmers how to successfully grow industrial chicory. This seminar will give the background and what has been accomplished with chicory in the past 20 years.

Livestock Mortality Composting – Beyond the Basics Part 2

Friday, September 19 at 1:30 pm CDT. As the popularity of composting as an option for managing livestock mortalities increases, innovative research has recently emerged regarding drug and prion persistence in mortality compost piles. A related issue is the consideration of worker safety during composting. This webcast will feature presentations by national experts who participated in Langston University’s Livestock Mortality Composting – Beyond the Basics Conference held earlier this year.   Topics for this webcast include: fate of euthanasia drugs during composting; can composting destroy prions; and mortality composting worker safety considerations. New mortality composting resources will also be covered.  https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/lpelc

The Farmers Daughter: A Women in Agriculture Series

September 19. Olathe, Kansas. The "Farmers Daughter" educational series is designed to provide information and training on a wide variety of farm management topics that will be catered directly to farm women. Women with any level of experience in farm management or with any degree of farm involvement are invited to attend. The first hour-and-a-half-long program will focus on a recap of the current wheat harvest, a look at farm income levels over the past year and finish up with some brainstorming for future meeting dates, topics and times. This free program is made possible with support from Johnson County Farm Bureau, K-State Research and Extension, and Frontier Farm Credit. http://www.johnson.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=1494

Grow Local! Workshop for Local Food Growers & Producers

September 20. Council Bluffs, Iowa. Golden Hills RC&D - Southwest Iowa Food & Farm Initiative presents this workshop for people in the business of locally grown food. Hear stories and get advice from successful local growers and specialty crop producers, learn how to market your agri-business, find funds to launch your speciality crop, and leave with resources and information to help your business grow. http://bit.ly/XxElCE

Opportunity

Job Opportunity

OneCert is expanding our staff. We are looking for two Certification Specialists: one will primarily focus on crops (and livestock) and the other will primarily work with handling operations. Contact Sam Welsch for more information, 402-420-6080. 

www.onecert.com

Yeoman Keyline Shank For Sale

If you are into restorative farmscale agriculture, this is a necessary tool.  I will show you how to build an implement for way under the cost of what you can buy commercially and I will even teach you how to use it.  You can use this tool for regenerating pasture, implementing keyline systems, planting trees, root pruning and making mini swales. I live in Papillion just outside of Omaha.  Call if you are interested at the number below. Jonathan Dodd, Keipos, Inc. & New Earth Farm & Goods, 321.544.2851

Ram lambs, yearling ewes for sale

Hello, folks. For sale, 2 Romney ram lambs, 6 months old, white wool but carry natural color gene. Tested RR for scrapie resistance. Also 4 yearling ewes, Romney cross, black wool. Romney is medium-size, dual purpose wool & meat breed, this flock is used for handspinning wool. All these are totally grass raised in northeast Nebraska, an hour north of Norfolk. Call Jeanie at 402 283-4802, or email to fraas@nntc.net.

Organic Hens for Adoption!

We are replacing some of our flock and need to find home for our older hens (1.5years old). You are welcome to buy as many as you can care for. We are asking that you pay $4 for each hen. Our hens enjoy vegetable scraps, grit, oyster shell, bugs, fresh water and organic feed. They are locked up every night to keep them safe from critters. We recommend that you bring a large box or a pet carrier to bring your hens home. Our farm is located at 1240 Ironwood Road, Harlan, Iowa. Please let us know if you need directions. We are offering pick up times this week. Please let us know what day and time will work for your pick up this week. We need to find homes for these ladies ASAP. Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, 712-579-1933,www.pinoakplace.com/

For Sale

We have a few things for sale.  John Deere 24 T  twine Baler $1000. New Holland 116 windrower, needs hydraulic pump, otherwise works great $3500.  King Kutter Shredder  6ft.  $500. Give us a call if you are interested 402-780-5287. Melissa

Upcoming

Scaling Up Your Business and Packaging & Grading Produce

September 22. Lawrence, Kansas. This workshop is part of the Growing Growers workshop series. The classes address skills required to run a local farm. Workshops are geared toward beginner farmers, but all the classes offer great information and skill development for more experienced farmers as well. http://www.growinggrowers.org/workshops.html

National Bioenergy and Environment Summit

September 23-25. Ames, Iowa. The 2014 National Bioenergy and Environment Summit will provide a forum for the exchange of biorenewables and sustainability research findings and educational ideas, methods, and techniques for Extension Educators, NGO’s and outreach and policy professionals with agriculture, energy, and natural resource interests and/or appointments.http://www.2014e3.org/

Climate Change Implications for Nebraska: Managing Resources in a Changing Climate

September 25, 3:30pm – 5:00pm. Lincoln. Live Webcast: http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu\ (high-speed internet access required – dialup will NOT work). Web Rebroadcast: 7:00 p.m. at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu\ (high-speed internet access required) 

Winter care of backyard poultry flocks

Thursday, September 25. Fall is the time to prepare your flocks and coops for the toils of winter. Dr. Brigid McCrea from Delaware State University will cover the activities that are recommended for such preparations.  Whether this is your first  or fortieth flock, take the time to learn about changes to your management and biosecurity routines so that your flock stays happy and healthy all winter long. https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry

NGFN Webinar: Food Hub Benchmarking Study

September 25. The NGFN Food Hub Collaboration, with partners at Farm Credit East, Farm Credit Council, and Morse Marketing Connections, has collected and analyzed financial and operational data from dozens of hubs across the country, creating the second food hub benchmarking study. This webinar describes the lessons learned from the recent benchmarking study of food hub financial and operational characteristics. The presentation highlights how successful food hubs across the nation have achieved their mission and goals through financial and business metrics. Farmers who attend the webinar will gain a better understanding of their ability to access new markets through food hubs, and researchers and local food advocacy organizations will benefit from this webinar's business-based analysis of food hub functions and operational issues. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/388854594