2016 Healthy Farms Conference Youth Program!

This year, parents, plan on bringing lots of warm clothing: gloves, hats and boots for your child to participate in outdoor activities with the Arbor Day Tree Adventure!  From COLD to HOT children will also want to have their swimsuits to enjoy the kiddy wading or Olympic-sized indoor pool. Thanks to a generous sponsor, youth under 10 are free to attend the conference. Email William @ healthyfarms@gmail.com for details.  

Friday, January 29^th. 10:00 – 2:00pm.

□ Art in the Garden. Ali Clark, Big Muddy Urban Farm & Omaha City Sprouts. Create garden decorations for your home garden, using natural and recycled materials! Some of the projects will include: pinecone bird feeders, water bottle flowers and more     

          

□ Wacky Container Gardening. Ali Clark. Create a fun & unique indoor garden planter using wacky containers! We’ll provide materials for creating your wacky container, & invite you to bring your own. Ideas include: recycled food containers, used shoes, dishes, etc.       

□ Growing fruits and veggies in your orchard. Vaughn Hammond from Union Orchard.

Friday, January 29^th. 2 pm - 4 pm

Tree Adventure Tour & Gnome Hunt!

We'll meet our guide in the Upper Lobby of the Lied Lodge. We'll begin with a walk to the Tree Adventure. Once there we'll get tour of the greenhouse, the Hero Gallery and the Education Pavilion. About the Hero Gallery: "The Trees for America^® program embodies the Arbor Day Foundation’s belief that each of us has a responsibility for wise environmental stewardship." 

Next we'll split into teams and begin the Gnone Hunt which will include a scavenger like hunt with clues & activities as we search for the Arbor Day Gnome! If time & weather allows, we'll continue to explore the Arbor Day Lodge Trails!

Saturday, January 30^th. 9:00 – 1:30pm.

□ Lil’ Chefs Cooking with Local Foods. JoAnne Garvey Chef Instructor, Institute for the Culinary Arts, Metropolitan Community College. Students will make pizzas from scratch using local ingredients. 

□ Identifying Beneficial Insects. We will look at the beneficial insects most commonly found in Nebraska farms, and identify them at all of their various life stages.  Natalia Bjorklund UNL Extension Educator..

□ Creating Farmers Market Stands. Cait Caughey from Botna Burrow & the Big Garden. In this session we will explore what goes into setting up a farmer's market stand. We will design our own products, create samples and signage, set prices, learning about making change and customer service. Great for all ages -- lots of creative play!  

□ Herbal Plant Medicine Making.  Cait Caughey. In this session we will touch, taste, and smell different plants that have qualities that can heal us like lavender, mint, lemon balm, echinacea, yarrow, and calendula! We will learn how these plants grow. Then, we will process them to make lip balm, tea, and an herbal chest rub great for colds! Homemade health care is amazing! Great for all ages but little ones are suggested to have their parent along to help. 

Saturday, January 30^th, 1:30 – 3:30pm.

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Ground Hog Day Hike, Movie and Craft!

We'll begin by hiking to the Tree Adventure. Once there we'll begin the Ground Hog Day Hike. Followed by Trees in Movies and crafts.  This enjoyable 15–20 minute compilation of 90 scenes from 66 classic movies in which trees have starring roles. And just outside the theatre, interactive tree-themed kiosks provide a fun and educational experience for all age. The Tree Adventure will also be included!

Bios:

Ali Clark serves as the garden manager at City Sprouts Community Garden and farmer at Big Muddy Urban Farm. She grew up gardening and loves to be creative with natural materials, plants and garden spaces. When she isn't farming, Ali enjoys cooking, knitting and candy-making.

Cait Caughey operates a family-farm in Southwest Iowa (Botna Burrow) and is the Education Coordinator at Big Garden in Omaha. She teaches organic gardening skills, farm to school, and entrepreneurship curricula in Omaha and SW Iowa to children and youth ages 2-18. She loves building soil, building connections to healthy food, and building relationships. You can contact her at ccaughey@bigmuddyumc.org 

JoAnn Garvey, Full-time faculty instructor teaching Introduction to Culinary Arts, and proteins fabrication. With over 30 years of experience in food service. Students will make pizza from scratch using local ingredients. Chef Garvey brings her expertise to healthy farms conference and, is a a board member of City Sprouts, and NSAS.

Register online @ www.NebSusAg.org/conference.shtml

Healthy Farms Conference Youth Program!

Friday – February 6, 2015

8:30 a.m.  Develop a Vision Board for Your Farm – Liz Sarno, Organic Farmer

Liz will help the kids to develop their own vision for their farm and family for 2015. 

10:00 a.m. How to Market Your Products at Farmers Market– Rebecca Bloom, Bloomsorganic

Rebecca will go over how to present your products at farmers markets.  The things to do to sell your products and definite things not to do.   She will discuss how to price products, licenses and how to make your market stand attractive.  

Bloomsorganic is a family business located just outside Crescent, Iowa, farmed by Rebecca Bloom, with help from her husband, Brent, and sons, Alex and Eli.  They are USDA Certified Organic with Iowa Department of Agriculture. The farm produces  berry fruits, culinary herbs, and a large variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, greens, and root crops.   They like to grow heritage and heirloom varieties whenever possible. Bloomsorganic also grows flowers and food garden plants.  They market their products through various local markets, restaurants, and community supported agriculture.

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Tai Chi break 

2:00 p.m. How to make and find recipes for your products – Create your own cookbook- JoAnne Garvey

JoAnne will help you to find recipes for your products and then create recipe handouts and a cookbook. 

Some of JoAnne earliest childhood memories are of her grandmother’s kitchen where she learned the art of cooking rice, beans, tortillas from scratch, and other traditional Mexican dishes. It is easy to assume that her grandmother introduced her to cooking, but the truth is she claims to be born with the desire to cook; her grandmother simply added to an already intrinsic love.  JoAnne has over thirty years in the Hospitality Industry, and experience as a business owner, manager, and college chef instructor.

BA in Organizational Management from St. Joseph College, Whiting, IN,

AAS degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, IN. Current Food Handler Certification for Serv Safe, and Proctor for this national exam, Certified Executive Chef Certification from the American Culinary Federation.

Jo Anne Garvey CEC, Chef Instructor, Institute for the Culinary Arts, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Ne

Saturday – February 7, 2015

8:30 a.m.  Yoga break

9:30 a.m. No More Empty Pots - Nancy Williams, CIO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

Nancy Williams will talk about youth programs and volunteer opportunities for kids.

Nancy began the practice of agriculture at an early age; first as a 4-H member in elementary school then as an FFA member in high school. Her family raised most of the produce they consumed; at one time maintaining as many as six gardens to feed themselves and share with neighbors. In addition to achieving success with FFA competition teams, Nancy earned scholarships to study Horticulture. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Louisiana State University then studied for a master of science in Weed Science with a minor in Plant Pathology at Cornell University. Nancy has diverse experiences in agriculture, from corporations, serving as an agronomist for local farmers and entrepreneurs to grassroots organizing and management for nonprofit community organizations. For the past 10 years, she has served as an information technology director for a nonprofit organization; where she has led award winning programs, increased technology integration and supported improved organizational outcomes.

Nancy Williams, No More Empty Pots

10:30 a.m. Making Pizza – JoAnne Garvey.  JoAnne will show how versatile pizza dough is for adding your fresh local products. 

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Bee Keeping – Fun with Bees – Lynn Danzer,

Bee-keeper from Council Bluffs, Iowa and Vice President of Education and Mentoring for the Omaha Bee Club: http://www.omahabeeclub.org/home .  Lynn has kept bees for 45years; ever since his Dad bought him, his first bees at a farm sale when he was 14 years old. 

Lynn will cover the types of honey bees, bee-keeping equipment, pollination, what effect pollination has on the plants and what plants attract bees. Lynn, teaches classes on bee-keeping at the South Omaha Library on 28th & Q St: http://www.omahabeeclub.org/beekeeping-classes. 

  

3:00 p.m. Finalize Your Vision Board

The Healthy Farms Conference Youth Program is a part of the Healthy Farms Healthy Kids Nebraska program of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society.

We have youth rates available, for information please email William @ healthyfarms@gmail.com

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

Beginning Farmer Individual Development Account Program

Center for Rural Affairs Beginning Farmer Individual Development Account Program Reminder

We can help!

The Center for Rural Affairs is looking to help you! We are able to offer assistance to selected beginning farmers and ranchers in our new Individual Development Account Program.

How does it work?

You will:

· Contribute a regular monthly savings deposit ($500 by August 31, 2014)

· Develop a business plan for your farm/ranch

· Meet with a mentor to discuss your plans

· Plan to purchase land, farm assets, or education with your savings

CFRA will:

· Select applicants for the program

· Match your savings, up to $500 - that is $1,000 towards your dream!

· Review your progress with you

If you are:

Have farmed/ranched no more than 10 years AND

A Nebraska resident AND

Own less than 30% of the average size farm for your county (we will help you figure that out)

YOU are ready to apply!!

Opportunities for this program are limited. Please see the attached application and brochure.

Completed applications MUST be returned to prior to MAY 30, 2014:

Kathie Starkweather

Center for Rural Affairs

PO Box 136

Lyons NE 68038

OR by email

kathies@cfra.org

Any questions?

Kathie Starkweather (402) 617-7946

Calling all Middle School Students…Enter the Climate Change In Focus Video Challenge!

The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Environmental Education Foundation have just announced a new video contest asks middle school students to produce a short video about climate change, why they care, and what they are doing about it.   Winning videos will be highlighted on the EPA website and the winners will receive cool prizes like a solar charging backpack.  The first 100 contestants to enter will also receive a year’s subscription to National Geographic Kids Magazine. The deadline for submissions is March 18.   Visit the website for details on how to enter.

Tweets

Middle school #teachers: crank up your students’ creativity about #climatechange with our #videocontest http://go.usa.gov/WtWV

#Parents: get your middle school scientist to focus on #climatechange by entering our #videocontest: http://go.usa.gov/WtWV

Calling middle school #youngartists: learn, create, and win in the Climate Change in Focus #videocontest.  http://go.usa.gov/WtWV

Hey, middle school #youngscientists! Learn, create, and win in our #climatechange #videocontest .  http://go.usa.gov/WtWV

Facebook Posts

Middle-schoolers, are you part of your school’s environmental club? Create a video to show what you are doing to act on climate change! Learn, create, win prizes, and be heard:  www.epa.gov/climatestudents

Middle school teachers: are you looking for a fun project for your science class? Have your students enter the Climate Change in Focus video contest! The winning videos will receive special prizes and recognition on EPA’s website. www.epa.gov/climatestudents

Calling young artists! If you’re in middle school, enter Climate Change in Focus video contest to learn about science, create your video masterpiece, and speak out on climate change.  Start now: www.epa.gov/climatestudents

Parents: Looking to encourage your budding scientist or aspiring filmmaker?  Have your middle-schooler enter the Climate Change in Focus video contest: www.epa.gov/climatestudents