A farmer hands a box of food to a customerCanva Pro

Episode 263. Feeding the World: Localism, Ecological Resilience, and Farmer Agency

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialists Nina Prater and Lee Rinehart compare the “feed the world” narrative to another narrative centered around “food sovereignty” and discuss what farmers, organizations, and governments can do to enable communities to achieve that sovereignty.
Nina Prater and Lee Rinehart
harvesting in the field

Feeding the World: Localism, Ecological Resilience, and Farmer and Community Agency

My alarm goes off, the kettle whistles and coffee steeps in the French press. At my desk I boot up my computer to prepare for what comes. Typical day. What’s also typical lately are the numerous articles I read on how the global food system is being stressed by high fuel and fertilizer prices. So today I did a quick search. In 2017, oil prices were $60 per barrel and fertilizer costs were $109 per acre. Fast forward to 2022 and oil is going for $105, and it costs $291 to fertilize an acre of crops.
Lee Rinehart

Community Supported Agriculture

NCAT Heading to Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference

We have saved the date! This August 7-9, 2022, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) specialists will be presenting at the 2022 Southern Family Farmers and Food System Conference. They will be covering topics ranging from soil health and carbon planning to livestock and horticulture. Additionally, they will be available to answer any questions about key projects at NCAT projects.
Luz Ballesteros Gonzalez

Vertical Farming

Episode 253. How to Conserve Water at an Urban, Mountain Desert Farm

NCAT’s headquarters in Butte, Montana, has a complicated growing climate to say the least. That makes John Wallace’s job as farm manager of NCAT’s Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training program – or SIFT – challenging as well.
John Wallace and Victorian Smart

Episode 252. Meet NCAT. Darron Gaus Has a Passion for Teaching Sustainable Ag

Darron Gaus grew up in Yoakum, Texas, a small agricultural town. After some other career moves, he made his way back to agriculture, including a stint as the farm manager at the San Antonio Food Bank.
Darron Gaus and Justin Duncan

Episode 248. Winter Farmers Markets Can Bring Year-Round Customers

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Dietetics Intern Melissa Wyatt sits down with beginning farmer Rick Williams and his wife Kyra, to talk about strategies for selling their farm products through the winter.
Melissa Wyatt, Rick Williams, and Kyra Williams

Montana’s Winter Farmers Markets Help Provide Local Food Access and Bridge Revenue for Farmers

When I arrived at Montana State University in the summer of 2021, I discovered the Gallatin Valley Farmers Market. As summer came to a close, I figured farmers markets in Montana would also close. I was surprised to find that there are winter farmers markets here in Montana. Curious, I decided to explore the Missoula Valley Winter Market to learn more about how a winter market can be successful in Montana’s cold Northern climate.
By Melissa Wyatt, Dietetic Intern, Montana State University