Entries by Tracy Mumma

Online Tool Helps Connect Consumers with Ethical Meat Producers

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The Good Meat Project debuted a new online tool, the Good Meat Finder, that is designed to help connect consumers with producers who raise livestock and sell products that align with the Good Meat values of ethical, responsible, and transparent production. The finder is a searchable national database that includes farms, butcher shops, restaurants, and […]

Study Shows Cattle Grazing Cheatgrass Not Spreading Viable Seed

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A study led by the University of Nevada, Reno, and published in the journal Rangelands found that cattle grazing on cheatgrass do not spread the invasive grass species through their manure. Researchers found that after being digested in the rumen and abomasum, cheatgrass seeds had nearly complete inhibition of germination. This study helps reinforce the […]

Norwegian Research Explores Biorefining Grass to Create Feed for Non-Ruminants

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Researchers with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research are exploring green biorefining of grass and seaweed to provide a protein feed for non-ruminant livestock including pigs, chickens, and fish. In the biorefining process, the plant material is run through a screw press, releasing nutrients from the plant cells together with the liquid fraction. The product […]

Taos County Regenerative Ranching Mentorship Program Accepting Applications

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Taos County Economic Development Corporation began accepting applications November 1, 2024, for its Regenerative Ranching Mentorship Program. This program offers an opportunity for beginning and experienced rancher in Taos to grow their community, knowledge, and business. The program runs March through July 2025 and includes a $550 stipend, a $600 gas card, and 10 hours […]

Phosphorus-Binding Biochar Helps Prevent Nutrient Pollution

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Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign created a custom form of biochar designed to capture phosphorus from farm runoff to prevent waterway pollution. They created “designer” biochar with significantly higher phosphorus-binding capacity than regular biochar by slowly burning pellets made from waste sawdust and lime sludge, a byproduct of drinking water treatment. The pellets […]

Idaho Business Builder Grants

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The application deadline is January 15, 2025. The Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Centers are accepting applications from Idaho-based farms, ranches, or value-added food businesses for Business Builder Grants between $3,000 and $15,000. This program is designed to support small to mid-scale Idaho food and farm businesses, and to get locally produced food […]

Colorado Business Builder: Small Grants

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The application deadline is January 10, 2025. The Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Centers are accepting applications for Small Grants up to $10,000 to support small to mid-scale Colorado food and farm businesses. This Small Grants program is one of two Colorado Business Builder grant programs that will award a total of $500,000 […]

New York SNAP-Ed Food Box Grant Program

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Proposals are due December 6, 2024. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invites eligible applicants to apply for funding through the SNAP-Ed Food Box Grant Program. This funding aims to make local produce more available and accessible to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible communities while sourcing local produce and providing nutrition […]

Minnesota Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant

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Applications are due by December 12, 2024. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant funds to support innovative sustainability-focused research or demonstration projects on Minnesota farms. These funds support projects that explore the energy efficiency, environmental benefit, and profitability of sustainable ag […]

Researchers Explore Organic Hybrid Rye as Pig Feed

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The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center has been experimenting with organic pig production since 2017. A current research project involves making use of organic hybrid rye cover crops as feed. Researchers are working to identify the price points when it makes sense for producers to switch from organic corn to a […]