Entries by Tracy Mumma

Farmers Needed for Financial and Mental Well-Being Interviews

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Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) research project teams are leading an innovative research project to better understand farmers’ mental health. Researchers are seeking direct input from farmers in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin on how they solve challenges related to financial and mental well-being. This input will provide critical insights needed to […]

Kentucky Launches ‘Farm to School Stars’ Recognition Program

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The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has launched Kentucky Farm to School Stars Recognition Program to recognize three school districts annually that have demonstrated a commitment to increase purchases directly from Kentucky farmers. The program will recognize districts purchasing the highest percentage of locally grown products. Impacts will be measured by monitoring the districts’ purchases of […]

Texas A&M Offering Online Wine Science and Viticulture Certificate Program

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Texas A&M University is offering a new, online Viticulture and Wine Science Certificate Program for individuals interested in mastering the science behind grapevine cultivation and winemaking. The 24-month online program provides both professionals and enthusiasts with the chance to develop specialized knowledge and hands-on experience. The program offers individual tracks in viticulture and wine science, […]

Forestry App Helps Landowners Understand Tree Value

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Scientists at Purdue University have developed iForester, a new app that helps landowners learn more about the value of their own trees and conduct preliminary assessments of their forests. The app uses the lenses of an iPhone to measure a tree’s diameter at a standard height. New features that the developers are adding to the […]

Wyoming Startup Business Builder Grant

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The application deadline is March 14, 2025. The Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center is offering Business Builder Grants to Wyoming small farms, ranches, and food businesses, with a particular focus on local foods producers and value-added food businesses who want to scale up and make necessary changes to sell at Wyoming local […]

Idaho Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

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Applications are due by March 10, 2025. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture conducts an annual competitive solicitation process to award Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of Idaho specialty crops. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of Idaho grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must […]

Retail Farm Market Development Workbook Available

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Penn State Extension’s PA Farm Markets program has created a Retail Farm Market Development workbook for those who are considering starting a farm market or looking to improve or expand an existing market. The Workbook walks users through consideration of Start-up Costs, Sales Forecast, Departments, Labor, Expenses, Profit & Loss, and Capital and ROI (Return […]

Georgia Project Explores Saffron as Potential Crop

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Researchers are working with the Rodale Institute in Fulton County, Georgia, to explore whether high-value saffron would be a viable potential specialty crop for growers in the state, reports WABE. The two-year project is comparing different methods of growing the plant, evaluating high tunnel plantings compared to field-grown plants. Researchers say high-value specialty crops could […]

Auburn University Develops Paper-Based Temperature and Moisture Sensors

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In the Journal of Laser Applications, by AIP Publishing, researchers at Auburn University in Alabama introduced their paper-based temperature and humidity sensors that are accurate and reliable, as well as eco-friendly. The sensors can help measure factors that are critical to crop-plant growth. The research team created temperature and humidity sensors by printing silver lines […]

Handbook on Fish Processing Aids Small-scale Producers

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Purdue University is offering a free Handbook on Processing Fish for Small-Scale Fish Farmers, to aid producers in the Midwest with limited or no access to economically feasible seafood processing infrastructure for farmed seafood products. Local kitchens, such as shared-use commercial kitchens and licensed on-farm kitchens, can provide resources for fish farming entrepreneurs interested in […]