Entries by Cathy Svejkovsky

NCAT Programs Help Service Members Succeed in Agriculture

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Do you know what 11% of U.S. producers have in common? It’s not that they grow tomatoes or sell at farmers markets—it’s that they have served or are serving in the military. And do you know who offers training and networking opportunities specifically for military veterans interested in sustainable farming operations? NCAT does!
By Margo Hale, Southeast Regional Director and Livestock Specialist

3 Reasons Your Legume Cover Crop Nodulation May Have Failed

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Legumes make for great cover crops thanks to an important partnership between the plant roots and bacteria. When this biological partnership is thriving, nitrogen is being pumped back into the soil for future crops to benefit from. It can sometimes appear like your cover crop is thriving above ground, but if bright pink nodules on the roots below ground aren’t visible around 30 days after germinating, there might be a problem.
By Emilie Ritter Saunders, Communications Director

Demystifying Regenerative Grazing at BDA Farm

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Visiting other farms is always a joy and an education for me. I recently had the pleasure of visiting BDA Farm in Uniontown, Alabama, for a day-long workshop where we toured the farm and learned about its regenerative practices that build soil health and increase productivity and profitability of the farm.
By Linda Coffey, Livestock Specialist

New Digital Home for NCAT’s Armed to Farm

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The National Center for Appropriate Technology has launched a new website for its farmer veteran training program, Armed to Farm. The site, ARMEDTOFARM.ORG, features program news, promotes upcoming training opportunities, and connects alumni with sustainable agriculture resources and other farmer veterans. 
By Robyn Metzger, Armed to Farm Coordinator

Vineyard Agroforestry: Growing Grapes in the Era of Climate Change

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I had the privilege of undergoing my graduate school research in one of the best places on earth: Mendoza, Argentina. Mendoza, like many parts of California, is an arid region with very little rainfall, similar soils, and similar weather patterns. And, like California, it grows great wine. Unlike California, though, Mendoza still has many vineyards that are intercropped with trees in vineyard agroforestry systems. That’s why, when I decided to study arid vineyard agroforestry systems for my master’s research, Mendoza is where I journeyed to. 
by Katherine Favor, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Combcutting: An Innovative Approach for Reducing Broadleaf Weeds in Small Grains

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When a small grain crop like wheat, oat, barley, or rye is in the vegetative growth stage and prior to stem development, the crop’s leaves are very flexible. Broadleaf weeds like Canada Thistle growing within the vegetative cash crop generally have a stem, which continues to get thicker and stiffer as the weed matures. Combcutting technology uses a series of stationary knives that are set at a specific angle and distance from each other.
By Justin Morris, Regenerative Livestock Specialist

Novel Nutrient Management Method: Applying Poultry Litter in Subsurface Bands

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Getting nutrients right in farming is a balancing act. When planning to apply fertilizers and soil amendments, farmers must consider their soil type, climate, the time of year, the crops they are raising, water availability, soil health, water quality concerns, and the nuances of the many different macro- and micronutrients that plants require. The way nutrients are applied is also an important consideration.
By Nina Prater, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

For a Safe Lambing Season, Make a ‘Lambulance’

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During lambing, sometimes even healthy and productive ewes can create a challenge for shepherds determined to get everyone to safety. That’s why National Center for Appropriate Technology Regenerative Grazing Specialist Linda Poole recommends making your own lamb ambulance or ‘lambulance’ before lambing.
By Emilie Saunders, NCAT Communications Director

National Farmers Market Week 2021 Demonstrates that Farmers Markets are Essential

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National Farmers Market Week happens annually during the first week of August. This year, as we celebrate farmers markets, I found myself reflecting on the adaptability and flexibility that our farmers markets have provided for small to mid-scale farmers and consumers throughout the country. Here in Montana, our farmers market managers worked tirelessly to keep people safe while providing a crucial marketing channel for farmers, ranchers, and artisans in 2020.
By Tammy Howard, Horticulture Specialist

Soil Health and Adaptive Grazing with Dr. Allen Williams

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Adaptive grazing is a regenerative livestock production system that uses multiple paddocks, frequent moving of livestock with short grazing intervals, and long rest periods to provide full pasture plant recovery. It is a proven method of increasing the resiliency of pastures by building soil organic matter, increasing soil water infiltration, promoting water conservation, adding diversity, and decreasing surface runoff.
By Nina Prater, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist