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ATTRA Blog

Whether you’re a seasoned or beginning producer, a curious consumer, or simply someone who appreciates the bounty of the earth, you’ll find valuable insights and engaging stories here.

Written by ATTRA specialists on topics they are passionate and knowledgeable about, the ATTRA blog highlights techniques, how-tos, insight, success stories, and much more in support of sustainable agriculture.

Test Driving the New LandPKS Land Monitoring App

In my work on NCAT’s Soil for Water Project, I’ve tried a lot of different ways of monitoring land and soil health. For years, I’ve been hearing about LandPKS (Land Potential Knowledge System), a mobile app that has been under development by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) since 2013. I was excited to hear that a full version was released earlier this year, and a couple weeks ago I finally got around to installing the app on my phone and running it through some tests.
By Mike Morris, Director of NCAT’s Southwest Regional Office

Overgrazing and the Maturing of an Adaptive Grazing Thought Process

Close to 20 years ago, we noticed a discouraging event slowly unfolding on our pivot-irrigated pasture of 12 acres: The first 120 feet of the pasture starting from the pivot point was producing less and less grass in comparison to the remaining perimeter of the pivot.
By Dave Scott, NCAT Livestock Specialist

Healthy Animals, Happy Farm: Strategies for Sheep and Goat Care

What is not so much fun is when you have an animal that does not feel well. An animal that is lethargic, disinterested in grazing or in being with the flock, is depressed and slow-moving or having trouble standing is worrisome. Watching one of those animals makes me feel anxious to fix the problem.
By Linda Coffey, NCAT Livestock Specialist

USDA Programs Can Help Farmers Succeed

By Margo Hale, NCAT Southeast Regional Director, Armed to Farm…

Giving Your Products Meaning

By Daniel Prial, NCAT Community Food Specialist It’s Not…
Terrapin Farm Tractor

The Sequel is Better: CFAP2 is Available Now

By Jeff Schahczenski, NCAT Agricultural and Natural Resource…

Beekeeping Basics: Making Splits

Back in the day, I learned beekeeping at Prairie View A&M University Greenhouse where I started their apiary. Cecil Fry, one of the university’s electricians, started me off and even gave me a hive. With his training as a launch pad, we trained agriculture students and local producers how to be beekeepers.
By Justin Duncan, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

How Farmers and Ranchers Can Find Recovery Assistance and Plan for Resilience

By Ann Baier, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Instead…
honey bee on clover blossomUSDA photo by Lance Cheung

Late Summer on an Ozark Farm

As we round the corner from summer into fall, I always like to look back and assess how we did on our farm during the busy summer months. We did not suffer a bad drought this summer, though it was touch and go for a few weeks in July. We had to feed hay for about ten days to make sure we didn’t graze the grass too short, but it wasn’t as dire as it has been some years.
By Nina Prater, NCAT Agriculture Specialist