Breaking News

There is a new online marketing tool for sheep and goat producers. Hooftrader is designed to be an economical avenue for small ruminant producers to market their livestock and get the most bang for their buck (or doe, or ewe…). The goal is a direct marketing tool that can connect and serve small ruminant producers and their customers throughout the Southeastern US.

"Organic Farming: The Ecological System" takes a current look at what we know about organic farming practices and systems, primarily from the U.S. and Canadian perspectives. It covers topics such as history and certification, ecological knowledge as the basis of sustainability, biodiversity, crop–animal systems, forages, grain, oil seed, specialty crops, soil nutrient needs, vegetation and pest management, marketing, food security, education and research, and the future outlook.

This survey is part of a research project that the Northeast Organic Farming Association Massachusetts Chapter is undertaking to review organic management strategies that tomato growers – both farmers and gardeners – in the Northeast used in 2009 to mitigate the late blight. We are seeking response from growers who got good tomato crops despite the saturation of the late blight innoculum throughout the region and from those who suffered damage from the disease. Responses from growers in MA, VT, CT, RI, NY, NJ, ME, NH, and PA are needed. The insights we collect will be presented at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference on January 16, 2010, in the Spring 2010 edition of The Natural Farmer, and on the NOFA/Mass website.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the nation's per capita water use is down by nearly 30 percent since 1975. In this radio interview, Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, tells Renee Montagne the report is "remarkably good news." He says it means the U.S. can grow its economy, and have a growing population, and not necessarily put more and more demand on water resources.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), in conjunction with Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy (CVCC), announce the next round of long-term lease offerings under the Countryside Initiative program. The Countryside Initiative invites farmers to live and farm in the park using sustainable methods appropriate for a national park, while promoting farming that will produce high quality specialty products for direct, local, and retail sale. Completed proposals are due at park headquarters by 12 noon on January 15, 2010.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found that using alternative types of fertilizers can cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, at least in one part of the country. Researchers compared nitrous oxide emissions from corn fields treated with either a conventional nitrogen fertilizer (urea) or either of two specially formulated urea fertilizers—one with "controlled release" polymer-coated pellets, and the other with inhibitors added to "stabilize" the urea to keep more of it in the soil as ammonium for a longer period. They found that the controlled-release fertilizer cut nitrous oxide emissions by a third, and that the stabilized fertilizer cut them almost in half.

Michigan residents can register for the chance to win one of three grand prizes of "Free Groceries for a Year!" courtesy of Michigan's farmers at www.FarmersFeedUS.org. Upon visiting the site, consumers will be able to meet each of 10 Michigan farmers and learn how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. The site features apple, cattle, corn, dairy, egg, hog, vegetable, sheep, and soybean farmers from across the state, each sharing information about his or her farm and family. In addition to guiding visitors through their registration for free groceries for a year, each farmer also offers a brief online tour of his or her farm.

Organic Seed Alliance would also like input from growers in a brief questionnaire that will help better assess certified organic growers' attitudes and perceptions regarding organic seed and categorize obstacles that restrict their usage of organic seed. Organic Seed Alliance is a nonprofit working with organic farmers, processors, seed companies, advocacy groups and others to create a "State of Organic Seed Report" that captures a snapshot of the successes, obstacles, opportunities, and risks in organic seed systems. This report will be public, and used as a discussion document, to create an organic seed action plan Feb. 25, 2010, at the State of Organic Seed Symposium in La Crosse, Wis.

Since early 2007, grazing-only dairies added 6,000 cows to Georgia’s herd. Another 8,000 cows will be added by the end of 2010. While the grazing dairy industry has expanded, the conventional dairy industry has shrunk. Pasture-based dairies saw first-quarter profits between $2.70 and $3.25 per 100 pounds of milk. Most maintained this profitability during the summer. Remaining profitable during severe market downturns makes grazing an appealing option for Georgia dairies. When milk prices rebound, pasture-based dairies stand to earn even more compared to conventional dairies.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is partnering with the Agriculture Department’s National Agricultural Library to create the National Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. The new information-sharing program will help those who have decided to pursue a career in agriculture and will help support Farm Bureau’s commitment to rural development. The clearinghouse is a component of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, a competitive grant initiative that is part of the 2008 farm bill. The clearinghouse will be supported by a five-year, $1.5 million grant from USDA.

The University of Missouri has established an experimental winery to test grape varieties and growing practices in Missouri. "Our goal is to provide information on varieties to grow and cultural practices that will enhance efficiency and profitability for the industry," said Keith Striegler, director of the Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology.

In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that there are nearly 80,000 American Indian operators on 61,472 farms and ranches across the United States. This represents an 88-percent increase over the number of American Indian farmers USDA counted in 2002. "The 2007 Census of Agriculture marked the first time USDA attempted to collect a Census report from every farmer on American Indian reservations in all states," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Growers of organic crops in North Carolina and across the Southeast will get some much needed help as plant breeders at North Carolina State University launch an effort to develop corn, peanut, soybean and wheat varieties adapted to being grown organically. A $1.2 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will be used to develop corn, soybean, peanut and wheat varieties with traits identified by farmers as necessary for organic production.

Using sheep to control leafy spurge works best if it's done in the spring every year, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. After a few years of sheep grazing during spring, desirable forage grasses gain the upper hand as leafy spurge declines. Compared to applying herbicides and replanting pastures, prescribed grazing with sheep is inexpensive, according to researchers at the ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, Mont., and cooperators. Rangeland ecologist Matt Rinella at Fort Keogh, along with graduate student Ben Hileman from Montana State University, found that even a little grazing in the spring for a few years can trigger positive plant community changes in leafy spurge-infested areas.

To get expert information about the basic of biodiesel production and learn about how to incorporate the fuel on your farm or ranch, watch Getting Started in Farm-Scale Biodiesel Production, a 60-minute webinar from ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. This webinar covers topics including:

* The advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel
* The chemistry of biodiesel and step-by-step instructions to make your own fuel
* Types, prices and tradeoffs of biodiesel processors and equipment
* Oilseed production and processing
* Examples of farmers and ranchers making their own fuel.

We are pleased to announce that a long awaited updated publication, "Building Sustainable Places," is now available on the ATTRA website! This guide is an updated version of a previous publication called "Building Better Rural Places" and is written for anyone seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. The guides can also be ordered by calling ATTRA at 1-800-346-9140.

In addition to the White House garden, there's a White House beehive (the first in history). This audio slideshow follows Charlie Brandt, who has the title of First Beekeeper, or The Honeymaker of the United States.

How much energy are Iowa's agricultural producers using? A new Iowa State University Extension publication answers that question. "Farm Energy: How Much Energy Is Being Used on Your Farm?" offers initial steps that help farmers analyze their farm energy use. This publication is part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the Farm Energy Conservation and Efficiency educational initiative.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension webinar that addressed the challenges that Wisconsin corn and soybean growers have been facing with the late harvest is now available online. Topics in the webinar include Soybeans-Dealing with Wet Grain and Delayed Harvest; Combine Considerations for a Wet Corn Harvest; Corn Ear Molds and Mycotoxins in the Field; and Dairy Cattle Feeding-Related Issues With the 2009 Corn Crop.

A first-of-its-kind Ohio State University analysis is helping planners in Knox County strengthen the area's local food system. The project report, "Planting the Seeds of Sustainable Economic Development: Knox County's Local Food System," (PDF/1.3MB) provides a detailed assessment of Knox County's food and farming system, focusing on the impacts of increased production of food to be sold and consumed locally. The report concluded that the local food system could be strengthened in three ways: helping farmers adopt to practices to extend the growing season to allow them to supply fresh product for a longer period of the year; developing proper storage facilities in the area to increase the period that seasonal products could be sold; and/or developing a stronger marketing program to sell Knox County-grown goods in nearby, larger markets of Newark, Mansfield and Columbus.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with the Minnesota Farm Network (MFN) to highlight the creativity and ingenuity of Minnesota farmers by bringing back a popular radio series called Ag Opportunities on the Air. The series of minute-long broadcasts featuring Minnesota farmers telling stories about their own innovative enterprises will air on all MFN stations. Topics will include alternative crops and livestock breeds, marketing strategies and on-farm value added processing enterprises such as making biodiesel.

University of California Cooperative Extension has launched a new Web site to help new and established small- to medium-scale farmers of fresh products with the business and marketing aspects of their operations. The Web site is designed for people who are considering farming, and those who have been in the business for quite a while and wish to refresh or enhance their skills. It was designed with Central Coast farmers in mind, but is applicable in most parts of the state. The site aggregates information from the University of California and other universities and agricultural affiliates from around the nation.

The Center for Integrated Agricultural Solutions (CIAS) has released two case studies that feature successful cooperatives. These mid-scale food value chains case studies feature Organic Valley and Country Natural Beef.

Most Americans have never heard of the term “sustainable food.” Typically, job listings are
dispersed among environmental conservation and individual non-profit websites. But what if job seekers new to this and aren’t familiar with all of the non-profits that specialize in sustainable food? That is where this website comes in! It will provide job seekers with the most up-to-date job opportunities available in the domestic sustainable food sector.

Thanks to the EcoFarm GenNext partnership with California FarmLink, funded by the USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program, we are pleased to offer 7 beginning farmer scholarships worth $250/each for EcoFarm 2010. Awardees may use the funds for any combination of conference attendance, lodging, or bus tours. For the purposes of this program, you are considered a beginning farmer if you are currently farming and have been farming for 10 years or less. Applications are due by November 30, 2009.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has collaborated with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to promote the Virginia Farm-to-School program during the week of November 9-13, 2009. The Farm-to-School program is an initiative seeking to bring nutritious fresh food from local farms to schools. Virginia schools currently spend more than $6 million annually on fresh produce. In Virginia, Farm-to-School will open the door for more of those dollars to stay within the state and support Virginia farmers by promoting opportunities for schools, distributors, and growers to work together to increase the volume of locally grown products served in school cafeterias.

The Permaculture Research Institute Cold Climate (PRI) is asking applicants to design and build a modular growing system for melons and other vine crops. The design of this system should be low cost to construct, durable, and easy to assemble. The winning design will help urban gardeners increase food production. If interested in submitting a design, you must register by December 31, 2009.

The Community Food Security Coalition has released "Whole Measures for Community Food Systems: Values-Based Planning and Evaluation" (PDF/909KB). This new planning and evaluation tool provides a lens for community food projects to dialogue about how their work affects whole communities. It includes a set of six core fields of value-based practices against which projects can measure the impact of their work.

The Center for Farm Financial Management has created an online video workshop series to help ag producers (and anyone who works with them) understand and use the 4 major financial statements and the 21 financial measures recommended by the Farm Financial Standards Council. IFSaM is a series of online videos that producers can work through at their own pace. Each session provides benchmarks, based on actual farms, that producers can use to evaluate their own financial position and their financial performance.