Entries by Tracy Mumma

Short Video on Agroforestry Explains Why Farmers are Incorporating Trees

/in

A 5-minute video from the Savanna Institute explores why farmers are incorporating trees and woody shrubs into their farms. Farmers explain their reasons for practicing agroforestry, including additional income, higher yields, healthier livestock, more abundant wildlife, reduced labor, improved quality of life, and opportunities for leaving a legacy. Related ATTRA publication: Quick Tips for Agroforestry

Study Warns of Elevated Extinction Risk for One-Fifth of Native Pollinators

/in

A study led by NatureServe and published in the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America) revealed that more than 22% of native pollinators in North America are at an elevated risk of extinction. The wide-ranging study evaluated nearly 1,600 pollinator species, including bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flower […]

Survey of Virginia Farmers Reveals Views on Solar Development

/in

American Farmland Trust (AFT) released findings of a survey of Virginia farmers and ranchers that explored their views on solar energy development. AFT has a focus on ensuring that solar development does not compound development pressure on agricultural land and instead supports both agriculture and renewable energy goals. The survey revealed that while farmers generally […]

Alachua County Small Farmer Grant

/in

Applications are due by June 6, 2025. Alachua County, Florida, is offering a Small Farmer Grant for county-based farms and ranches that earn between $1,000 and $250,000 annually. Mini-grants up to $5,000 are available for capital and equipment expenditures that will positively impact an operation’s income. The total funding available for this program is approximately […]

North Central Region SARE Graduate Student Grant Program

/in

The application deadline is May 29, 2025. The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Graduate Student Grant Program supports projects by graduate students that address sustainable agriculture issues and are part of the student’s degree program. Projects must benefit agriculture in the 12-state North Central Region. Awards up to $20,000 are available […]

USDA Announces Repriorization of Funding to Farmers

/in

USDA has announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative and its reformulation into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. USDA explained that “select projects may continue if it is demonstrated that a significant amount of the federal funds awarded will go to farmers.” USDA intends to review existing grant agreements based […]

Small Farm Innovation Challenge Competition Announces Winners

/in

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) announced the winners of the 5th Annual Small Farm Innovation Challenge, which recognizes groundbreaking solutions aimed at making small farms more viable and sustainable in an increasingly AgTech-driven world. The competition recognizes excellence in four categories: Best DIY Innovation, Best Commercial Idea, Best Farm Hack, and a Lifetime Achievement […]

Utah Invasive Species Mitigation Weed Control Grant

/in

Applications are due by May 2, 2025. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is accepting applications for Invasive Species Mitigation Weed Control Grants up to $75,000. UDAF is looking for projects that target high-priority species and will reduce the number of outlier populations. Eligible applicants include universities, cooperative weed management areas, county weed […]

Solar Grazing with Sheep Gaining Popularity

/in

Grazing sheep underneath the panels at solar installations, one form of agrivoltaics, is gaining popularity, according to a feature in Western Farm Press. The practice controls vegetation for the energy production company, preserves agricultural use of the land for the landowner, and can provide a profitable revenue stream for the livestock producer. The solar panels […]

Cover Crops Help Reduce Soil Carbon Loss to Erosion

/in

A study by Iowa State University ecologist Wenjuan Huang found that cover crops planted in fields between cash crops are an effective way to reduce soil carbon loss to erosion. The research was published in Global Change Biology. Huang explains that previous cover crop research has looked only at the role cover crops play in […]