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Posted: May 11, 2021
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking both new and experienced grant reviewers for a variety of grant programs. Grant reviewers help AMS select the best programs from competitive groups of applicants. Reviewers are chosen for specific grant programs based on their knowledge, education, and experience. Grant review panels are selected to reflect diversity of ethnicity, gender, experience, and geography. Reviewers use their expertise to objectively evaluate and score applications against published evaluation criteria. Reviewers gain understanding of the grant-making process and have the opportunity to communicate with colleagues that often share common backgrounds and interests. AMS is currently seeking reviewers for the Acer Access and Development Program, Local Food Promotion Program, Regional Food System Partnerships, Farmers Market Promotion Program, Dairy Business Innovation, and other programs.



Posted: May 11, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Beyond Basic Compensation
Fair Trade USA and Chobani, LLC have launched a groundbreaking certification program for U.S. dairy farms and cooperatives that provides financial premiums to dairy farmers and workers, which will help protect and empower them while raising sustainability standards. The fair trade certification program is available to milk producers throughout the United States. Fair Trade Certification provides farm owners and cooperatives with an opportunity to differentiate, increase engagement with consumers, and receive a financial premium for their investments. Certification also provides greater support for farm workers in an industry that can face challenges in workforce availability, working hours, and farm safety. Fair Trade USA plans to develop an environmental component to this program which will address the unique challenges of the dairy industry. The certification process typically takes six to nine months to complete, and, when certified, milk buyers are authorized to promote their products using the widely-recognized Fair Trade Certified seal.



Posted: May 11, 2021
Midwestern farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers have direct access to a new tool to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, or substance use issues. The newly launched website, farmstress.org, is aimed at providing the agricultural community with resources and support through the North Central Farm and Ranch Assistance Center. The website lists resources by state and topic, including crisis numbers, telephone hotlines, and training resources. "This new tool will help those in agricultural communities connect with critical information to help themselves, their family members or people they work with," says Iowa project lead David Brown. "Having this information available online helps make mental health information more accessible."



Posted: May 10, 2021
The American Rescue Plan enacted this spring included $5 billion in direct aid for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers, explains the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). NSAC reports that the USDA Farm Service Administration will be responsible for distributing the approximately $4 billion in farm debt relief payments for BIPOC producers who have farm loans made directly by FSA or through private lenders with USDA guarantees. All Black, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino farmers with specified loan types are eligible for relief. Debt relief payments will be made automatically and do not require farmers to apply for payment.



Posted: May 10, 2021
The Pennsylvania Farm Bill's Urban Agriculture Grant Program is awarding $500,000 in grant funding to 42 projects. The program funded 18 microgrants and 24 collaboration grants for projects that improve agriculture infrastructure in urban areas, the aggregation of product, sharing of resources, and support for community development efforts. Microgrants provide funding up to $2,500 in matching funds for one-time projects or a single entity. Collaboration grants provide up to $50,000 in matching funds for projects that demonstrated cooperative or regional efforts to share resources, aggregate agricultural products or producers, promote the sharing of resources among agricultural entities, and support community development. The projects funded include everything from refrigeration equipment to agricultural infrastructure such as greenhouses, raised beds, irrigation, and tools.



Posted: May 10, 2021
More than 100 farmer veterans received the news that they are being awarded equipment through the 2021 Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund, a grant that supports veterans in their early years of farming and ranching. Over 11 years, more than 700 veterans have benefited from $3.5 million in equipment grants. This year's recipients include 47 females, doubling the percentage of women awardees compared to prior years, and come from nearly 40 states. Grantees are receiving equipment including greenhouses and grow tents, walk-in coolers and cold storage units, milking systems, water filtration systems, and honey extractors.



Posted: May 09, 2021
Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota has posted a series of silvopasture case studies to help farmers learn from each other. These case studies feature farmers throughout Minnesota who have been using silvopasture practices for three or more years and whose stories offer tangible examples, support, and encouragement to others. A printable PDF version of the case studies is also available online. The Silvopasture Case Studies are made possible through a partnership among the Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management at the University of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension, Great River Greening, and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.



Posted: May 09, 2021
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists and collaborators explored the rural economic impacts of climate variability and identified potential future outcomes for beef cattle production in a research article, "Future climate variability will challenge rangeland beef cattle production in the Great Plains," recently published in the journal Rangelands. Lead author David Briske, Ph.D. noted that cattle operations, which rely on grassland forage for much of their animals' dietary intake, could be especially vulnerable to increased precipitation variability. The research indicates that beef producers will experience a greater number of years where annual forage production may vary by 50%. This increases the already difficult task of balancing forage production with cattle demand. Briske said this increasing weather variability could present sustainability problems for beef cattle operations and regions that have been successful historically.



Posted: May 08, 2021
A study by Mississippi scientists that was published in Soil Science Society of America Journal focused on documenting the impacts of poultry litter application on crop fields. After five years of soil treatments that applied either poultry litter or commercial chemical fertilizers, researchers grew soybeans for three years. They found that soils amended with poultry litter were less compacted and held significantly more water. However, soil carbon content didn't change much, as the hot and humid region caused carbon to evaporate as carbon dioxide. The soybean yields from the fields amended with poultry litter were higher than those that received other treatments. "These results are useful for development of management practices that improve soil health and function," noted lead author Gary Feng, a USDA soil scientist.



Posted: May 08, 2021
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE) announced the 16 projects that will receive more than $638,000 in funding through its 2021 Partnership Grant Program. This grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Brief descriptions of the funded projects are available online. They address topics such as collaboration between industrial hemp growers, local foods marketing, building meat processing capacity, and alternative processing and markets for small grains.



Posted: May 08, 2021
California State University Chico's Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems and 12 partners received a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant of nearly $7 million through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The grant will fund a five-year project called "Soil Health Management Systems for Northern California" that will help orchard and vineyard, rangeland, dairy, and row crop producers in Northern California build food and fiber-production resiliency to counter the challenges from climate change. The project is designed to help the partners combine their efforts and help regional producers learn best practices from each other.



Posted: May 08, 2021
A study by researchers at the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth U.S., and the University of Maryland found that pesticides widely used in American agriculture pose a grave threat to organisms that are critical to healthy soil, biodiversity, and soil carbon sequestration to fight climate change. The researchers compiled data from nearly 400 studies, finding that pesticides harmed beneficial, soil-dwelling invertebrates including earthworms, ants, beetles, and ground-nesting bees in 71% of cases reviewed. This is the largest, most comprehensive review of the impacts of agricultural pesticides on soil organisms ever conducted. It was published in Frontiers in Environmental Science.



Posted: May 08, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: ATTRA Grazing Planning Manual and Workbook
The National Grazing Lands Coalition has teamed up with On Pasture and Yvette Gibson, an online learning specialist in grazing science, to bring you the information you need to be a successful grazier. The free Grazing 101 e-book introduces the principles you need to manage for soil and pasture health; choose the right fencing, watering systems, handling facilities and livestock; and work smarter, not harder, and actually make a profit. A 43-lesson online course on Grazing 101 and a 24-lesson course on Recordkeeping are also available free.



Posted: May 06, 2021
Related ATTRA Resource: ATTRA Agricultura Sustentable
The National Organic Program (NOP) launched a new web page that compiles resources available to Spanish speakers seeking information about organic certification in one place. The new resource repository includes Spanish translations of the Organic Foods Production Act, organic regulations, the NOP Handbook and a variety of other fact sheets, videos and training resources.



Posted: May 06, 2021
A graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is collecting and preserving the history of organic/sustainable agriculture in the midwestern and northeastern United States. She is identifying key people, publications, and organizations that helped shape and promote organic/sustainable agriculture. You can help by filling out a brief online questionnaire about how you became interested in organic/sustainable farming. Any identifying/contact information that you provide will be kept confidential.



Posted: May 04, 2021
Fast Company reports that fashion companies such as Patagonia, Allbirds, Timberland, Mara Hoffman, Christy Dawn, and Kering are not just considering where their raw materials are sourced, but are investing in regenerative agriculture. Although the companies produce only a small amount of their materials on regenerative farms, support for the idea is growing. The article highlights examples of how forward-thinking fashion companies are leading the way, and explores what impact the "farm-to-closet" concept could have on the fashion industry and on agriculture.



Posted: May 04, 2021
National Public Radio's All Things Considered reported that a large organic farm in South Dakota is receiving criticism for soil management practices that lead to erosion. Gunsmoke Farms covers 53 square acres, and it is owned by investors that have hired a series of managers to run the operation. Farm owners intend to supply General Mills with organic wheat, peas, and other crops, which they first planted in 2020. Critics say the farm hasn't followed plans that were designed to protect the area's fragile soils and minimize erosion. In addition, 2020 was a dry and windy year that created conditions especially conducive to erosion. Some are concerned that the farm's scale, combined with the current condition of the soil, will make organic, regenerative farming unattainable.



Posted: May 04, 2021
The American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) has announced that it will collect and analyze data on the agricultural, economic, and environmental impacts of co-locating agricultural enterprises such as commercial beekeeping and sheep grazing on photovoltaic sites. The project is being funded by a $198,000 research grant from the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. ASGA has already begun recruiting beekeepers, shepherds, and solar sites and will continue enrollment throughout the 2021 growing season. The study will collect data from co-located sites, as well as conventional, stand-alone operations for comparison purposes. Data will be collected during the 2022 and 2023 grazing seasons. Results of the study will address questions about the quality and profitability of farm products from solar sites, trends in soil health on agriculturally managed solar sites, and the benefits to farmers of working with the solar industry. Apply online to be considered for participation in the study.



Posted: May 04, 2021
The Federal Communications Commission announced that it will begin enrollment for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program on May 12, 2021. This program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on Tribal lands. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households. Under the law, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households with kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast; Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.



Posted: May 04, 2021
USDA announced a virtual listening session on May 6, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET, for beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA wants to learn how COVID-19 impacted beginning farmers' operations and get their feedback on USDA assistance. Registrants also have the optional opportunity to provide written feedback. This feedback will inform USDA preparations for outreach strategies, programmatic needs, technical assistance and accessible program delivery for beginning farmers and ranchers through Pandemic Assistance for Producers.



Posted: May 01, 2021
Future Harvest CASA, Fair Farms Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other founding partners introduced the Million Acre Challenge, an effort to achieve one million agricultural acres in Maryland using healthy soil techniques by 2030. The voluntary program is helping to connect farmers with each other and helping them find the best tools and management practices to address their unique challenges and set and achieve their soil health goals. The Million Acre Challenge website offers soil health information and research to help farmers build organic matter, reduce compaction, and create healthy soil biological communities.



Posted: April 30, 2021
One of the most successful beginning farmer training programs in the country is now accepting applications for its 2021-2022 course session. Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings classes will take place in an online setting December through March, with on-farm educational events to follow later in 2022. Applications that are accepted before August 15, 2021, will qualify for a $100 discount, and scholarships are available. Farm Beginnings provides community-based training that focuses on the goal setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful and sustainable farm business in the Upper Midwest.



Posted: April 30, 2021
The National Farmers Union of Scotland announced that farmer Patrick Barbour won its Next Generation Climate Change competition that encouraged Scotland's farmers and crofters to record on video the many steps they are taking to reduce emissions and deliver wider environmental benefits. Barbour's three-minute video features his brother and sister and stunningly illustrates the benefits of tree planting, species-rich grassland, rotational grazing for cattle and sheep, and stitching nitrogen fixing crops into pastures on the family farm. The winning video is posted online.



Posted: April 30, 2021
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture is accepting session proposals for its 31st Sustainable Agriculture Conference until June 14, 2021. The 2022 conference is planned for February 10–12, 2022, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with a virtual pre-conference taking place in January and early February. The goals of the conference are to provide training and education that promote the environmental, economic, and social wellbeing of farms, food systems, communities, and the environment; serve as an outlet for sharing cutting-edge research and science-based solutions, while preserving and passing on traditional farming knowledge and heritage; be a venue where people, businesses, and organizations from across the sustainable agriculture movement make meaningful connections; and embrace an inclusive definition of sustainability, which accepts a diversity of methods and philosophies of production.



Posted: April 30, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Measuring and Conserving Irrigation Water
Minnesota Department of Agriculture and project partners received a $3.5 million grant from USDA through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement conservation measures on irrigated lands. The five-year project will focus on 20 counties across the state of Minnesota. The MDA project, "Implementing Innovative Irrigation Practices to Protect Groundwater Quality and Quantity," will work directly with agricultural producers using irrigation to implement conservation practices that protect groundwater and promote expanded precision-irrigation practices.



Posted: April 29, 2021
Related ATTRA Tutorial: Soil Health
The largest soil health program in New England history has received funding from USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The project will be led by NRCS and American Farmland Trust (AFT), working with numerous additional partners. It matches a $7.4 million award from NRCS with partner and donor contributions of more than $7.6 million to incentivize adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in western New England. Over the next five years, AFT's Western New England Regenerative Agriculture project will work closely with hundreds of farms, covering tens of thousands of acres of cropland, on soil conservation, including no-till farming, cover-crop usage, the creation of filter strips, converting marginal cropland to pasture, and other regenerative agriculture practices, while also seeking to increase wildlife habitat, improve overall soil health, and protect local water quality.



Posted: April 29, 2021
A new report from American Farmland Trust calls attention to the importance of speeding the implementation of conservation practices on rented farmland and ranchland. "Advancing Understanding of Conservation on Rented Land" was published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. The article notes that with nearly 40% of farmland in the United States rented or leased from agricultural landowners, understanding who these landowners are and how they think about conservation is key to getting more conservation practices implemented on rented agricultural lands.



Posted: April 29, 2021
USDA announced that it will hold the first-ever Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair on May 26, to showcase USDA investments and business leadership in reducing food loss and waste throughout the food system. The free, virtual event will present businesses and research teams that have received USDA funding to research or commercialize cutting-edge food loss and waste solutions. USDA agencies will discuss their food loss and waste activities. Additionally, the event will feature several U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, businesses that have committed to reducing food loss and waste in their operations by 50% by 2030.



Posted: April 27, 2021
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the award of $330 million in 85 locally driven, public-private partnerships through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Projects will address climate change, improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. The Department anticipates that these investments will generate at least $440 million in additional conservation funds by communities and other partners.



Posted: April 27, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Organic Alfalfa Production
The University of California has released a new study that outlines costs and returns of establishing and producing organic alfalfa hay. The new study estimates the costs and returns of establishing and producing organic alfalfa using flood irrigation in the Sacramento Valley, north and south San Joaquin Valley, and the Intermountain Region. The 100 acres of organic alfalfa is rented for $345 per acre annually and the alfalfa stand life is four years after the establishment year. Demand for organic alfalfa is high in California as an organic dairy input. "This cost study provides information on how to grow alfalfa hay organically," notes study co-author Rachael Long.



Posted: April 27, 2021
Leading global certification program GlobalGAP c/o FoodPLUS GmbH has launched a new GGN label for consumers. Previous GGN labels were specific to aquaculture and floriculture products, but the new label applies to fruits and vegetables, as well. All products with the GGN label come from a farm whose production process has been independently certified according to international GlobalGAP standards or one of the standards that is recognized by GlobalGAP as equivalent. These standards are holistic in nature and cover food safety, sustainability, environmental protection, animal welfare, workers' health and safety, and supply chain transparency.



Posted: April 26, 2021
Researchers at Penn State University explored how using dairy manure and legume cover crops in corn crop rotations can increase emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. The increase was largely due to the typical timing of manure application, before planting the corn crop. This study found that farmers could reduce nitrous oxide emissions if they could apply manure after the crop is planted, closer to when the corn begins to take up nitrogen. In this study, better timing for nitrogen application allowed for a reduced total nitrogen application, including use of less inorganic nitrogen fertilizer.



Posted: April 26, 2021
FieldWatch, Inc., a non-profit company that promotes improved communication and stewardship among crop producers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators, is expanding its SeedFieldCheck registry into Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan for the 2021 growing season. SeedFieldCheck integrates into the existing FieldWatch crop and apiary registry and enables seed companies to more effectively communicate the location and presence of seed field workers to pesticide applicators. SeedFieldCheck enables seed companies to register the locations of their field crews daily. Users mark registered fields as "planned" or "occupied" to alert pesticide applicators when there may be crews in the area. The free mapping program debuted in Iowa in 2020, joining FieldWatch's other registries, including DriftWatch Specialty Crop Site Registry, BeeCheck Apiary Registry, CropCheck Row Crop Registry, and FieldCheck.



Posted: April 25, 2021
New York Department of Agriculture, Cornell University New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, and Northeast Regional Climate Center announced the launch of the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) version 3.0. This represents a complete update of a popular online system that helps New York farmers protect their crops from insects and plant disease. NEWA 3.0 offers an improved user experience paired with any smart device, a secure user account system with customized preferences, and 17 completed fruit and vegetable insect pest and plant disease forecast models, with seven more lined up for release in coming months. NEWA users report annual cost savings of $33,048 from avoided crop losses, $4,329 from reduced sprays, and $2,060 in overall per acre annually, according to a 2017 survey. NEWA 3.0 (beta) is available for use immediately. There is no charge for access or account creation.



Posted: April 25, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Organic Tomato Production
Oregon State University's Jim Myers has developed a purple processing tomato called Midnight Roma. The antioxidant-rich tomato resulted from a cross of the Oregon Star tomato with Indigo Rose, a dark purple tomato that contains anthocyanins. Both varieties were developed at Oregon State University. The Midnight Roma was developed for flavor and disease resistance. Its fruit ripens at about the same time, making it ideal for processing. Because the anthocyanins are contained in the dark skin, the skin must be included in processing to retain the health benefits of these antioxidants. Row 7 Seed Co. has exclusive rights to Midnight Roma and is selling seed online.



Posted: April 25, 2021
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that shade provided by solar panels increased the abundance of flowers under the panels and delayed the timing of their bloom, both findings that could aid the agricultural community. The researchers collected data from 48 species of plants and 65 different insect species, in full-sun, partial shade, and full shade situations. The study, believed to be the first that looked at the impact of solar panels on flowering plants and insects, has important implications for solar developers who manage the land under solar panels, as well as agriculture and pollinator health advocates who are seeking land for pollinator habitat restoration. The researchers explained that extending bloom times is important for pollinating insects because it provides them food later in the season. The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.



Posted: April 23, 2021
The Sand County Foundation announced that state-level Leopold Conservation Award recipients have been selected for Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Sand County Foundation and local partners in the states present the awards in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, to recognize private landowners who inspire others with their dedication to the land, water, and wildlife resources in their care. In South Dakota, Prairie Paradise Farms of Fort Pierre has been selected as the 2021 winner. Switzer Ranch of Loup County is the Nebraska winner, and May Ranch of Lamar is the Colorado recipient. More information on each of the recipients is available online.



Posted: April 22, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: The Irrigator’s Pocket Guide
Ceres Imaging released a study that uses aerial imaging to quantify the extent and impact of drip irrigation issues in agriculture. This new report finds that there is significant opportunity for growers to increase farm profits and conserve water by quickly detecting and correcting common issues like plugs, leaks, and pressure issues. This is the first publicly available report that uses aerial imagery to quantify the extent and impact of irrigation issues across a vast geography. Ceres Imaging reviewed anonymized data from more than 1 million acres of drip-irrigated specialty crops across California collected over the course of the 2020 growing season. The study found considerable opportunities to improve grower profits and increase agriculture resource efficiency by acting on irrigation issues quickly.



Posted: April 22, 2021
In March, NCAT hosted its inaugural Soil Health Innovations Conference. The conference offered a forum for leading experts and innovative farmers from around the U.S. sharing the latest in soil science, best practices in soil management, and the emerging technologies that will drive the future of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. If you missed the conference, you have another opportunity to access its content: NCAT is making session recordings available online to registered participants until September. Register today to gain access to all of the conference content.



Posted: April 21, 2021
USDA announced that it will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program's role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture. USDA's goal is to enroll up to 4 million new acres in CRP by raising rental payment rates and expanding the number of incentivized environmental practices allowed under the program. To target the program on climate change mitigation, FSA is introducing a new Climate-Smart Practice Incentive for CRP general and continuous signups that aims to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-Smart CRP practices include establishment of trees and permanent grasses, development of wildlife habitat, and wetland restoration. The Climate-Smart Practice Incentive is annual, and the amount is based on the benefits of each practice type.



Posted: April 21, 2021
USDA is seeking comments on a Department-wide effort to improve and reimagine the supply chains for the production, processing and distribution of agricultural commodities and food products. USDA is taking this action in response to Executive Order 14017, America's Supply Chains. The comments received will help USDA assess the critical factors, risks, and strategies needed to support resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains. In particular, the request for comment seeks input on bolstering local and regional food systems, developing new market opportunities (including for value-added agriculture and products), creating fairer and more competitive markets, meeting the needs of the agricultural workforce, supporting and promoting consumers nutrition security addressing the needs of socially disadvantaged and small to mid-sized producers, and advancing efforts in other ways to transform the food system. The comment period will close on May 21, 2021.



Posted: April 21, 2021
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced that it is awarding $21.7 million in several key programs to help agricultural producers manage the impacts of climate change on their lands and production. NIFA awarded $6.3 million for 14 Soil Health grants and $5.4 million for seven Signals in the Soil grants through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). NIFA also is investing at least $10 million this year in a new AFRI program area priority, "Extension, Education, and USDA Climate Hub Partnerships," to train the next generation of agriculturalists and foresters to incorporate climate change research into their management practices. Complete lists of funded projects are provided online.



Posted: April 20, 2021
USDA reminds agricultural producers that the Farm Service Agency is currently accepting new and modified Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2 applications. The CFAP 2 signup period has reopened as part of USDA's new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Producers of livestock and row or specialty crops who were directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance through CFAP 2. To learn more, visit farmers.gov/CFAP, call 877-508-8364, or contact your local FSA office.



Posted: April 20, 2021
Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora, the hosts of American Public Media's popular sustainable agriculture podcast Field Work, produced a short video that explores the conservation culture that developed in Washington County, Iowa. The three-minute video reveals how farmers' willingness to share successes and failures and entrepreneurial problem-solving all played a big role in making Washington County a bastion of sustainable agriculture, and it outlines how other farm communities can replicate that success.



Posted: April 20, 2021
For the past 15 years, the Behavior, Energy & Climate Change (BECC) conference has presented behavioral research and practice to foster individual and organizational change. The theme for this year's virtual conference is Reimagining the Future. BECC invites you to present your work and learn from others about how to encourage behavior change that reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, evaluate behavior-change programs, understand why individuals and groups change, and make transitions in fair and equitable ways. Submit your 300-word abstract by April 22, 2021.



Posted: April 19, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Integrating Livestock and Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing Income
University of California Cooperative Extension specialists have launched a research project to quantify the potential for chickens to be part of safe and sustainable commercial organic vegetable production. The California trial is part of a national effort to diversify organic vegetable farms with chickens. In the trials, chickens are introduced as part of a rotation that includes cover crops and a variety of vegetable crops. In California, chickens were placed on research plots in April, following a winter cover crop of vetch, peas, fava beans, and oat grass. The chickens themselves are part of a trial of meat quality for pastured chickens. Vegetable crops are subsequently planted on the ground where the chickens were, and soil quality and vegetable yield are being evaluated.



Posted: April 19, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: High Tunnel Grapes: Harvest and Quality Considerations
Scientists with the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station evaluated eight varieties of seedless table grapes to determine which grow best in New Hampshire. The study team reports that 'Mars' has performed very well, with consistently high yields, high fruit quality, and relatively good disease resistance. "Seedless table grapes are typically grown in much warmer climates, although several newer varieties released since the 1970s promise increased winter hardiness," experiment station scientist Becky Sideman said. "Seedless table grapes offer potential for existing vineyards that focus primarily on wine grapes to diversify into additional markets. They also may be a new crop to consider for those who do not currently grow grapes. In particular, the crop management requirements and timing could be compatible with other orchard or berry crops."



Posted: April 19, 2021
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs introduced its multi-stakeholder sustainability reporting framework for the full U.S. supply chains for chicken,turkey, and eggs from producer to final customer. Three full U.S. supply chain pilots (broilers, eggs, and turkeys) have been completed with input from leading companies including Butterball, Cal-Maine Foods, Cargill, Darling Ingredients, Herbruck's Poultry Ranch,Iowa Turkey Federation, Kreher's Family Farms, McDonald's Corporation, Peco Foods, Sanderson Farms, Tyson Foods, and West Liberty Foods. The pilot companies tested the Framework's metrics to ensure they were effective and implementable ahead of the anticipated full launch to the industry early next year. Participants in the initiative cited a need for greater transparency in the poultry industry at the individual and supply chain level.



Posted: April 18, 2021
Related ATTRA Resource: Regenerative Grazing
A study by University of Alberta biologists shows that adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing extracts methane gas from the atmosphere, locking it inside the soil through microbial activity. The study, "Adaptive Multi-paddock Grazing Lowers Soil Greenhouse Gas Emission Potential by Altering Extracellular Enzyme Activity," was published in Agronomy. Researchers compared the fluxes of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, from soils of AMP-grazed grasslands to paired neighboring non-AMP-grazed grasslands across a climatic gradient in Alberta, Canada. Among other results, the study found that methane uptake was 1.5 times greater in soils from AMP-grazed than non-AMP-grazed grasslands.



Posted: April 16, 2021
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has released Organic Foods: Are They Safer? This 40-page publication notes that organic agriculture is not a guarantee of food safety. This report discusses organic agriculture and its ecological roles in sustaining farming practices and protecting the environment, as well as its economic aspects. This paper also discusses organic agriculture and food safety, and introduces the concept of agroecology.



Posted: April 16, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: High Tunnel Grapes: Pruning, Trellising, and Training
Practical Farmers of Iowa has released a Farmer-Led Research report on the impact of pruning tomatoes in high tunnels. Iowa farmers Maja and Carmen Black and Natasha Hegmann were interested in learning the impact of double-leader pruning on tomato yield and labor-time in their high tunnels. In this study, cooperators documented labor for different tasks along with tomato weight and fruit count. They found that although time spent on labor was higher for the pruned tomatoes at the Blacks, at Hegmann's, time spent on labor was higher for un-pruned tomatoes. Additionally, at the Blacks' there was no difference in yield, while at Hegmann's the pruned plants produced larger fruits and the un-pruned plants produced more fruits. The full report is available online.



Posted: April 16, 2021
Scientists at Penn State University developed Beescape, an online decision-support tool that integrates multiple national databases to provide indices of bee resources across the United States. Now, a nearly $950,000 grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics and Tools grant program will enable the team to expand Beescape's functionality significantly. Penn State reports that Beescape NexGen will feature a tool to assess the economic value of pollination services for all crops dependent on insect pollination in a given area. It also will include a refined seasonal forage-quality index that integrates stakeholder perspectives and additional national data sets. In addition, the application will offer bee-support assessments at local and regional spatial scales and the ability to explore changes across multiple years.



Posted: April 16, 2021
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has named Purdue University as the new host of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC). There are six regional climate centers in the U.S., and the Midwestern center covers nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The centers serve as hubs for data collected from federal atmospheric observational sites. Staff use the data to develop tools beneficial to stakeholders across the region. Center director Beth Hall envisions developing tools that monitor plant evapotranspiration, the potential for flash droughts, and growing degree days.



Posted: April 15, 2021
A study led by Cornell University and Utah State University documented how ubiquitous microplastics have become. Plastics cycle through oceans and roadways, and as the pieces become small enough, they can become airborne and move through the atmosphere. Researchers examined the sources of atmospheric microplastics and found that, in the western United States, 84% of microscopic shards came from road dust, caused by cars and trucks agitating the plastic. About 11% entered the atmosphere from sea spray, and 5% was derived from agricultural soil dust. These atmospheric plastics can land and accumulate anywhere, the researchers point out.



Posted: April 15, 2021
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is extending the deadline to April 22, 2021, for public comment on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards. The original comment deadline was April 8, 2021. NRCS is encouraging agricultural producers, landowners, organizations, Tribes, and others that use its conservation practices to comment on these revised conservation practice standards. The 2018 Farm Bill required NRCS to review all 169 existing national conservation practices to seek opportunities to increase flexibility and incorporate new technologies to help the nation's farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners better protect natural resources on their working lands. In 2020, 57 conservation practice standards were updated after public review.



Posted: April 15, 2021
Pennsylvania has awarded its first Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grants to encourage and maximize the promotion of Pennsylvania-produced agricultural products. A total of $300,000 in state matching funds was awarded to 16 projects aimed at increasing consumer awareness of Pennsylvania agriculture products and market opportunities for agriculture producers. The funded projects include educational activities, promotions for particular crops and markets (such as hardwoods and potatoes), and promotional programs such as destination events. Brief descriptions of the funded projects are available online.



Posted: April 14, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Tipsheet: Assessing the Soil Resource for Beginning Organic Farmers
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) released a new guidebook, Building Healthy Living Soils for Successful Organic Farming in the Southern Region. The goal of this new guidebook is to help the region's current and aspiring organic producers develop effective, site-specific soil health management strategies that support successful, resilient enterprises. The guidebook explores how to apply organic soil health principles to the region's soils through a series of practical steps and strategies, illustrated by innovative farmer stories and brief descriptions of underlying scientific concepts. The guidebook also includes a list of resources for additional reading, a description of the inherent properties of soil types commonly found in the South, and a summary of the latest soil health research being conducted in the region. The publication is available free online.



Posted: April 13, 2021
USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently awarded $9.44 million in funding for 19 Agricultural Workforce Training grants and 12 awards totaling $4.88 million for rural economic development projects. These grants are part of NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Lists of the awarded projects are available online. In addition, NIFA awarded $6.72 million in funding for 15 grants to enhance animal reproduction, and $4.05 million in funding for eight grants that will improve the welfare and well-being of agricultural animals. Information on the funded projects is available online.



Posted: April 13, 2021
USDA announced the availability of more than $330 million to help agricultural producers and organizations as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative launched in March. This funding includes $169.9 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), the availability of $75 million for Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program grantees, and approximately $80 million in payments to domestic users of upland and extra-long staple cotton. Funding for SCBGP includes $72.9 million available to states as part of the annual Farm Bill funding for the program and an additional $97 million available as emergency funding for applications. Meanwhile, active Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) and Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grantees may request funding to allow them to address critical food and nutrition security needs of low-income communities, enhance the resilience of food and healthcare systems impacted by the pandemic, and maximize funds reaching participants in communities in need.



Posted: April 13, 2021
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has opened online applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies that are providing solutions to challenges faced by America's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, FMC Corporation, and John Deere. For this eighth year of the competition, Farm Bureau is seeking entrepreneurs who are addressing either traditional or new/emerging challenges, including challenges that surfaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications must be received by August 20, 2021. Ten semi-finalist teams will be announced on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 5, 2021 and awarded $10,000 each. These 10 teams will compete to advance to the final round where four teams will receive an additional $5,000 each and compete to win a total of $50,000.



Posted: April 13, 2021
The Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech and the Grow-NY program at Cornell's Center for Regional Economic Advancement collaborated to research and publish A Call for Agrifood Innovation in New York State, the state's first-ever report on innovation opportunities in its agrifood ecosystem. The report summarizes the current state of New York’s agrifood ecosystem and offers evidence-based recommendations and guidance to aspiring inventors, innovators, and startup founders, as well as investors looking for investment opportunities in the agriculture, processing, and distribution space. The report dives into the trends that could enable New York farmers and food producers to continue to produce and sell excellent-quality food, while reducing costs and environmental impacts, and responding to changes in land and labor availability. The complete report is available online.



Posted: April 13, 2021
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) has awarded a $1 million Research and Education Grant to a regenerative grazing project led by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). NCAT leads an interdisciplinary team of six universities, three NGOs, and eight farmer cooperators, who will be identifying practical and regionally-appropriate methods of regenerative grazing that can be implemented across the Southeast. In this multi-year project, the team will identify more effective water management strategies, better ways to sequester carbon, and the best methods for improving soil health through regenerative grazing practices. The project builds on NCAT's successful Soil for Water project in Texas that it will expand to Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia, building a multi-state network of landowners conducting on-farm trials.



Posted: April 10, 2021
Farm Commons, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and University of California Cooperative Extension have released Demystifying the Food Safety Modernization Act's Preventive Controls Rule: Supplier Verification Requirements. The 32-page guide is available free online. The Food Safety Modernization Act's Preventive Controls Rule applies to facilities such as food hubs and farms that aggregate products. This guide provides information and a flow chart to help businesses that are subject to the PC Rule determine if they need to be in compliance with the supplier verification requirement and how they could go about doing that with the farmers they buy from.



Posted: April 10, 2021
Global agriculture company Corteva Agriscience announced that it has created a new Carbon and Ecosystems Services portfolio to develop innovative products and services. According to the company, the initial offering will enable the carbon sequestration process, ease farmer access to carbon credits, and create flexible solutions to help farmers increase profitability while contributing to a climate change solution. Additionally, Corteva has created the 2021 Climate Positive Leaders Program, which will recognize "early adopter" farmers and ranchers who have successfully implemented climate positive agriculture practices. The introductory launch of Corteva's Carbon Initiative will be targeted to row crop farmers in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa this year, with the intent to expand to new geographies and crops for the 2022 growing season.



Posted: April 10, 2021
The Nature Conservancy and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a five-year cooperative agreement to increase private land conservation in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. Through this new agreement, The Nature Conservancy and NRCS will prioritize the geographies and natural resource issues where the two organizations can work together to have more impact delivering conservation assistance across the Great Plains.



Posted: April 10, 2021
Related ATTRA Video: Integrating Livestock with Crops Project: Livestock and Vegetables. A Close Fit.
Farmer-led research reported by Practical Farmers of Iowa explored the effect of having sheep graze cover crops on vegetable cropland. In the first year of this trial, Maja and Carmen Black were interested to see if there was a difference in the weight gain of lambs that grazed cover crops compared to those that grazed pasture. They found no difference in the average daily gain of the lambs. In the second year of the trial, Maja and Carmen were interested to see if there was a difference in yield of the summer squash between the plots that were grazed and the plots left ungrazed. They found no difference in marketable yield, but ungrazed plots produced more cull fruits. The complete report on the research trial is available online.



Posted: April 08, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Direct Marketing Lamb: A Pathway
Cornell University researchers have received a $500,000 grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to help improve the marketing returns for small- and medium-sized livestock farms in New York state. The Cornell Chronicle reports that the project will develop and deploy data, analysis, and feedback tools that give farm managers the ability to make better decisions as they select local markets, price meat, and market their products. The project is designed to both improve farm profitability and increase state capacity for meat production. The team is accepting applications to participate in the project from New York farms that sell meat-by-the-cut in direct-to-consumer channels. Participating farms will record sales data and will receive technical assistance with marketing and pricing.



Posted: April 08, 2021
In partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and Southeastern African American Farmers' Organic Network (SAAFON), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is presenting scholarship awards to three students committed to working on issues that affect Black farmers and food and agriculture systems. Three students, Erniko Brown (Columbia College), Cyheim McRae (University of Mount Olive), and Kristen Dunning (University of Georgia) are each being presented with Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $3,000 to help further their work in sustainable agriculture and with communities of color. The scholarship program, now in its fourth year, aims to support Black and Indigenous students within MANRRS who are interested in doing work within sustainable agriculture and are committed to working on issues that impact Black farmers.



Posted: April 07, 2021
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is beginning a three-year project to study the needs, challenges, and opportunities of women landowners. "Enhancing Conservation, Access and Generational Transition of Iowa Farmland through Women Landowners" is funded through a $300,000 grant by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. In Iowa, women own 47% of all farmland acres. According to a press release, the first part of the project will consist of collecting data and analytics about women's farm ownership. From there, the team will assemble area meetings of women landowners and stakeholders, to discuss and gather concerns. Lastly, the team will hold online and face-to-face workshops to deliver information and resources that improve women's knowledge of land ownership. Specific goals include the use of equitable leases and other economic incentives to increase conservation and land access for beginning farmers, adoption of soil and water conservation practices, and the implementation of efficient plans to transition farmland to the next generation of owners.



Posted: April 07, 2021
The new California Pollinator Coalition, convened by Pollinator Partnership, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Almond Board of California, includes more than twenty organizations pledging to increase habitat for pollinators on working lands. Together, their goal is to increase collaboration between agriculture and conservation groups for the benefit of biodiversity and food production. According to a press release, the result will be on-the-ground improvements, technical guidance, funded research, documentation of relevant case studies, and tracked progress toward increasing healthier pollinator habitats. "What we are doing in California is acknowledging the urgency to address the critical issue of protecting all pollinators, including native and managed species," said Laurie Davies Adams, President and CEO of Pollinator Partnership. "The outcome will not be a tidy report that sits on a shelf, but rather a metric of acres, projects, and species added to the landscape while agriculture continues to profitably feed the nation."



Posted: April 07, 2021
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has released a draft report, Farmer-and Rancher-Led Climate Solutions, for public comment. The report documents the wide range of comments, ideas, and feedback provided to CDFA by farmers, ranchers, and stakeholders during six online listening sessions held in February. The public comment period closes on April 30, 2021. The draft report was prepared by California State University Sacramento's Consensus and Collaboration program in partnership with CDFA's Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. It is available online.



Posted: April 06, 2021
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) unveiled new action-based frameworks to increase conservation work designed to benefit both agriculture and wildlife in sagebrush and grassland landscapes of the western United States. The new frameworks are designed to combat the most severe and large-scale threats faced by rangeland: woody encroachment, land-use conversion, exotic annual grass invasion, and riparian and wet meadow degradation. USDA explains that the frameworks will help guide voluntary conservation work over the next five years. Farmers, ranchers and private landowners in the sagebrush or Great Plains region can work with NRCS to implement conservation practices on their working lands, including those that further these conservation action plans. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, woody species removal and other key practices.



Posted: April 06, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Pasture, Rangeland, and Adaptive Grazing
Colorado State University researchers evaluated 12 strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of beef production. Their published study, Reducing Climate Impacts of Beef Production: A synthesis of life cycle assessments across management systems and global regions, showed that emissions could be reduced by as much as 50% in certain regions, with the most potential in the United States and Brazil. The study found that increased efficiency to produce more beef per unit of GHG emitted and enhanced land management strategies to increase soil and plant carbon sequestration on grazed lands offered significant means of emissions reduction. The research team found a 46% reduction in net GHG emissions per unit of beef was achieved at sites using carbon sequestration management strategies on grazed lands, including using organic soil amendments and restoring trees and perennial vegetation to areas of degraded forests, woodlands and riverbanks. Additionally, researchers found an overall 8% reduction in net GHGs was achieved at sites using growth efficiency strategies. Net-zero emissions, however, were only achieved in 2% of studies.



Posted: April 06, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Organic Small Grain Production Overview
University of Maine reports that some of its researchers are assisting in a multi-institutional effort to create new strategies for producing and marketing small grains, including emmer, einkorn, spelt, naked barley, hulless oats, rye, and others. The project is working to develop new small grain varieties, identify best management practices, evaluate new market opportunities, and strengthen supply chains. This work should help bolster small grain production and organic farms' sustainability and diversity. University of Maine's part of the project involves variety trials on test plots and on-farm, as well as nutritional analysis and baker evaluation of the flour produced.



Posted: April 06, 2021
A study by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the University of Arizona says that dry periods between rainstorms have become longer and annual rainfall has become more erratic across most of the western United States during the past 50 years. According to study authors, rain has been falling in fewer and sometimes larger storms, with longer dry intervals between. Total yearly rainfall has decreased by an average of four inches over the last half century, while the longest dry period in each year increased from 20 to 32 days across the West. The scientists did note that exceptions to these drought patterns were seen in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and the Northern Plains region of Montana, Wyoming, and the most western parts of North and South Dakota, where total rainfall has increased and drought intervals decreased. "Consistency of rainfall, or the lack of it, is often more important than the total amount of rain when it comes to forage continuing to grow for livestock and wildlife, for dryland farmers to produce crops, and for the mitigation of wildfire risks," co-senior author Joel Biederman said.



Posted: April 05, 2021
North Jersey RC&D has published A Practical Guide to No-Till and Cover Crops in the Northeast. The 182-page manual, available free online in PDF, was funded by a Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant. The manual is designed to help agricultural service providers and farmers as they strive to implement new practices. It is designed for individuals already convinced of the merits of no-till and cover crops, but unsure how to implement these practices. The manual contains precise instructions and equipment-configuration recommendations. It addresses cover crop species selection, planting, and termination, in addition to details on transitioning to no-till and a section on advanced soil health practices.



Posted: April 05, 2021
USDA Farm Service Agency announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding will be in the form of cooperative agreements from $20,000 to $99,999 that support participation in programs offered by FSA. Interested organizations have until May 5, 2021, to submit proposals. The funding was made possible by USDA's new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. As part of this same initiative, USDA is reopening Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) signup. Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications.



Posted: April 03, 2021
USDA is seeking nominations of qualified individuals for four open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). NOSB is a 15-member volunteer advisory board that considers public comments and makes recommendations on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances and other organic agriculture topics. Members serve five-year terms. USDA is looking for nominations for the following positions: an individual who owns or operates an organic farming operation or an employee of such individual, an individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation, an individual who represents public interest or consumer interest groups, and an individual with expertise in the fields of toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry. The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2021.



Posted: April 03, 2021
A study led by Cornell University revealed that global farming productivity is 21% lower than it could have been without climate change. This is the equivalent of losing seven years of agricultural productivity out of the past 60 years, say scientists. Stanford University's David Lobell, a study author, explains the impact of the study results, "By looking at the whole system—the animals, the workers, the specialty crops—we can see that the entire agricultural economy is quite sensitive to weather. It seems that in agriculture, practically everything gets harder when it's hotter."



Posted: April 03, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
Practical Farmers of Iowa has released a farmer-led research report on tests of potting soil for vegetable seedlings. Iowa farmers Hannah Breckbill, Emily Fagan, and Jon Yagla assessed how three potting soils performed in their farms' production systems. Study participants evaluated the quality of seedlings produced in each of three different companies' potting soil. At two farms, the media did not statistically differ from one another. At the third, gains in seedling quality were offset by declines in ease of work. The full report is available online.



Posted: April 02, 2021
USDA is requesting public input from interested parties, including potential customers and interested stakeholders, to help create a new Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program. USDA is seeking written comments and will also host a public listening session on April 22, 2021. The new program will aim to support the Nation's critical energy needs and combat climate change while advancing environmental justice, racial equity, and economic opportunity through the use of distributed energy technologies, innovations, and/or solutions. Instructions on how to provide comments, and the particular topics upon which USDA seeks comment, are available online.



Posted: April 01, 2021
Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) has released a new, free, online publication, Farmers' Guide to the 2021 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The new Guide explains the important recent changes to PPP that affect farmers. For example, PPP rules now allow farmers to receive two different PPP loans, what the program calls "first draw PPP loans" and "second draw PPP loans." In addition, farmers can use gross income, not net profit, as the basis of a loan. The Guide describes these and other rules, such as farmer eligibility for PPP loans, in detail. The Guide also explains how farmers can go about getting PPP loans forgiven, and how to go forward if a loan is denied or if loan forgiveness is denied. The deadline to sign up for PPP is now May 31, 2021, so it is not too late to apply.



Posted: April 01, 2021
California's Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has appointed a diverse group of experts to serve in its new Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Work Group, reports CCOF. The SPM Work Group is tasked with guiding state agencies in creating alternatives to the use of highly toxic synthetic pesticides. The members of the Work Group include representatives from organic farms and businesses, from the University of California, and from environmental and environmental justice groups. A list of members and their affiliations is available online.



Posted: April 01, 2021
A meta-analysis of 118 studies conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia and reported in Nature showed that small farms tend to be more productive and biodiverse than large ones, globally. The research revealed that small farms have higher yields than large ones, which may be attributable to availability of family labor. The small farms also have more crop diversity and a greater diversity of non-crop species. The researchers also noted that small farms were roughly as profitable and resource efficient as large ones.



Posted: March 31, 2021
A new nonprofit, the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, is a farmer- and rancher-led organization formed to provide practical information, resources, and events on soil improvement/soil health across the state. The organization's mission is to improve and protect Kansas soils. It welcomes all growers no matter the size of the operation or current farming and ranching practices to learn about soil improvement through its events and resources. Partners in the alliance include the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, Kansas Soybean, No-till on the Plains, and General Mills. The organization is currently exploring feasibility of creating a grazing exchange.



Posted: March 31, 2021
Related ATTRA Tutorial: Taking Your Farm to the Next Level
The nonprofit New Mexico Community Capital (NMCC) is introducing a new way to connect Native American farmers to Native consumers and larger non-Native markets. The Native Farmer in Residence program is a peer-to-peer based Native farmer training and support program based on delivering the tools and knowledge a farmer needs to enhance success. With funding from the Native American Agricultural Fund, the program is launching in 2021 with the selection of a cohort of 20 individuals engaged in farming practices, from micro-farms of less than nine acres to larger farms in the range of 40 to 60 acres. Training will take place over a one-year period at farms, in NMCC classrooms, and online. Each participant receives a Chromebook loaded with a suite of Google business tools tailored to farming. Additionally, each participant is funded with a stipend for the purpose of investing in the needs of their farm. Program curriculum includes enterprise resource analysis; developing a whole farm plan; budgeting, recordkeeping, accounting/bookkeeping; finding new markets; and building a business plan.



Posted: March 30, 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has launched a nationwide education, outreach, and enforcement initiative to ensure workplace protections for farmworkers. The initiative includes targeted outreach and education efforts to ensure that farmworkers and their advocates understand their rights and that they should contact the division to file a complaint if violations occur. The effort also focuses on educating growers, farm labor contractors, other agricultural employers, and industry stakeholders to ensure that they understand their responsibilities, and that the division is available to answer their questions. In addition to education and outreach, the initiative’s compliance component seeks to reduce agricultural industry violations through enforcement. Investigations in agriculture in 2020 found more than $7 million in back wages owed to more than 11,000 workers. In its investigations, the division assessed employers with more than $6 million in civil money penalties.



Posted: March 30, 2021
A study by the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence revealed that farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) had higher profits than non-certified farms. This marks the second year of data highlighting improved financial outcomes. The 64 MAWQCP farms in the study saw 2020 profits that were an average of $40,000 or 18% higher (median of $11,000) than non-certified farms. Other key financial metrics are also better for those enrolled in the MAWQCP, such as debt-to-asset ratios and operating expense ratios. The two years of data serve as an early indicator of a positive return on investment for whole-farm conservation management farmers implement in order to become certified.



Posted: March 30, 2021
USDA Agricultural Research Service has introduced a new Rangeland Restoration Research website that documents the performance of 37 check dams in the American Southwest from 2008 to 2019. The check dams are barricades made of loose rocks, made across minor channels that were experiencing erosion. The check dams slow runoff, trapping sediment that helps reverse the effects of erosion and allowing more water to infiltrate the soil. The low-cost check dams can not only halt erosion, but can result in minor channels refilling with sediment over the course of a few years. One key to making the dams work is maintaining them, the researchers note.



Posted: March 29, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Livestock as a Tool: Improving Soil Health, Boosting Crops
Sand County Foundation is working with four Wisconsin farmers to demonstrate the conservation and economic benefits of rotational grazing livestock on cover crops. The three-year project is supported by a grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program. Each of the participants involved in the study is a member of Sauk Soil & Water Improvement Group and farm within the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. "By gathering feedback from experienced graziers in an environmentally sensitive region, these case studies will help reduce the trial and error of grazing cover crops for farmers elsewhere," said Dr. Heidi Peterson of Sand County Foundation.



Posted: March 29, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Tips for Selling with: Agritourism and "Pick-Your-Own"
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a free, online course, "Risk Management Education for Farmers with On-Farm Visitors." Producers will learn practical management techniques to enhance the safety and health of their on-farm visitors. The course is expected to take approximately eight hours and enrolled participants will have three months to complete it. Topics include identifying hazards, legal risks, food safety best practices, and protecting animals and humans from biosecurity risks.



Posted: March 29, 2021
The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, a unique partnership between the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota Extension, and the Sustainers' Coalition, a group of individuals and community-based nonprofit organizations, is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on its Board of Directors. The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. A term on the MISA Board is three years. Nominations are sought by April 21, 2021, for a representative of the sustainable agriculture community, three representatives of the university community with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture, and two representatives of the farming community with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture.



Posted: March 28, 2021
The United States District Court for the Northern District issued a ruling in a lawsuit by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) challenging USDA's decision to allow soil-less hydroponic operations to be certified organic. Siding with the government, the Court ruled that USDA's decision to exempt hydroponic operations from the soil fertility requirement mandatory for all soil-based crop producers was permissible because the Organic Foods Production Act did not specifically prohibit hydroponic operations. The lawsuit claimed that hydroponic operations violate organic standards for failing to build healthy soils, and asked the Court to stop USDA from allowing hydroponically-produced crops to be sold under the USDA Organic label.



Posted: March 28, 2021
Cornell University has announced its new Lund Fellows Program for Regenerative Agriculture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The program plans to select eight undergraduate students in its first year for an eight-week experience working on small-scale, agro-ecological, biodynamic and/or organic farms around Ithaca, the Hudson Valley, and New York City. The program is recruiting students and farmers from diverse backgrounds. Program funding will allow students to accept unpaid internships without financial loss, and will support farmers in providing mentoring and training. Applications are being accepted until April 21, 2021.



Posted: March 28, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: A Pictorial Guide to Hedgerow Plants for Beneficial Insects
International research led by the University of Reading showed that fields and farms with more variety of insect pollinator species had more stable yearly pollination of nearby crops. According to a press release, areas with diverse communities of pollinators, and areas with stable populations of dominant species, suffered fewer year-to-year fluctuations in pollinator numbers and species richness. The findings could influence how agricultural land is managed, because land managers and farmers will need to consider interventions that support diversity in pollinators on their land to provide long-term benefits to food production. "This study has revealed that the secret to consistent crop harvests could be to encourage pollinator diversity on or near farmland. If we want pollinators to help us, first we need to help them, through land management decisions that preserve and increase the number of insect pollinator species," explained study leader Dr. Deepa Senapathi.



Posted: March 26, 2021
USDA has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, part of the organic regulations overseen by the National Organic Program. The proposed changes are based on October 2019 recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board. This proposed rule would allow fatty alcohols as plant growth regulators for sucker control in organic tobacco production, allow potassium hypochlorite as a pre-harvest sanitizer, and remove the redundant listing for dairy cultures from the list. These would continue to be allowed as ingredients in organic handling under the separate listing for microorganisms. USDA welcomes comments on the proposed amendments until May 24, 2021.



Posted: March 25, 2021
Related ATTRA Podcast: Is Farm to School Right for You?
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced two new initiatives to strengthen New York State's Farm-to-School program, which provides new markets for New York farmers and improves access to locally grown and produced food in schools. Working with the Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) will establish a Farm-to-School Coordinator Program to increase local agricultural product procurement in schools on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and the North Country. Additionally, the State is providing performance-based awards to schools across the State that successfully participated in the 30% Initiative during the 2019-2020 school year.



Posted: March 25, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Tips for Selling to Grocery Stores
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Minnesota Grown program announced Retailer of the Year awards for grocers in six regions who promote locally grown products and farms. Judges' scores were based on several factors—including the number of Minnesota Grown products and the number of Minnesota Grown farmers that the grocer carried. Judges also looked at how the grocer used ads, displays, social media, and other events to promote Minnesota Grown items to customers. The retailers in their respective regions will receive a commemorative plaque and exclusive rights to use the "Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year 2021" logo in their ads and displays. In addition, Cub Foods of Burnsville received the Minnesota Grown People's Choice Award for best display, as determined by an online social media voting contest.



Posted: March 25, 2021
Organic Seed Alliance and its Tomato Organic Management and Improvement Project (TOMI) partners have released a new guide to help growers produce organic tomato seed. The Tomato Seed Production Guide includes a background on the history of tomatoes, the various types and fruit colors, as well as the tomato lifecycle and biology. Readers will find details about growing tomato seed, including climatic requirements, maintaining genetics and population size, isolation requirements, and criteria for selecting desired traits. The guide walks growers through harvest techniques, cleaning methods, and how to store seed to keep it viable. Finally, this guide serves as a go-to resource for learning about important seedborne diseases of tomato seed crops, including bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases, and methods for treating them.



Posted: March 25, 2021
National Farmworker Awareness Week (NFAW), set for March 25-31, 2021, is a week of action for communities and individuals to bring attention to farmworkers and honor them for the contributions they make to our daily lives. Student Actions with Farmworkers maintains an interactive map where you can find national events or an event near you.



Posted: March 25, 2021
USDA announced that it is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department says it will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, and timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. USDA notes that existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative and, where statutory authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of producers.



Posted: March 23, 2021
USDA announced that it is investing $11.5 million in research to help ensure America's small and medium-sized farms become more profitable and improve the quality of life in American farm communities. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded 24 grants to 20 universities and organizations through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). The grants will support research efforts that focus on alternative crop enterprises, marketing, and scaling up fruit and vegetable production to overcome marketing constraints. Descriptions of the funded projects are available online.



Posted: March 23, 2021
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is inviting public comments on the development, coordination, and implementation of grant programs to support food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, and producers and other businesses identified in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. AMS also seeks comments on the development, coordination, and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance. Specifically, AMS is seeking input on questions of how to define and confirm designations of small to mid-size businesses, and what aspects of the current food purchase program worked and which ones didn't work. Comments should be submitted by March 31, 2021.



Posted: March 23, 2021
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action (USFRA) announced that more than 30 companies, organizations and individuals have joined the Decade of Ag movement. The shared Decade of Ag vision is for a resilient, restorative, economically viable, and climate-smart agricultural system that produces abundant and nutritious food, natural fiber, and clean energy for a sustainable, vibrant, and prosperous America. It is accompanied by principles for action and detailed desired outcomes. Those signing on include major agribusiness and foodservice companies, as well as Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Native American Agriculture Fund, National Association of Wheat Growers, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, American Egg Board, Manna Fish Farms, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, Dairy West, Maryland Grain Producers, Pennsylvania Soybean Board, Montana Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, and Maryland Soybean Board.



Posted: March 22, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Meat Chicken Breeds for Pastured Production
The Livestock Conservancy has launched the 2021 Poultry Census, sponsored by Murray McMurray Hatchery. This critically important project will focus on breeding populations of domestic poultry (purebred breeds or landraces), including chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. The census will enable The Livestock Conservancy to understand how poultry populations are faring in North America and guide future conservation efforts. Anyone who manages breeding flocks, small or large, is invited to complete the 2021 Poultry Census online. The last poultry census, conducted in 2015, showed an overall improvement for most poultry breeds. More than half of all poultry breeds had more than 1,000 breeding birds, making them far more secure than when last censused. The Livestock Conservancy notes that greater participation in the survey will result in a more precise picture of poultry populations in North America.



Posted: March 22, 2021
The White House released the President's proclamation of National Agriculture Day on March 23, 2021. "I call upon all Americans to join me in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to and appreciation for our country’s farmers, ranchers, foresters, farmworkers, and those who work in the agriculture sector across the Nation," wrote President Biden. In addition, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack posted a video message that invites people to celebrate National Ag Day in the United States and to recognize the value of our farmers, ranchers, and producers and those who work in labor in our farm fields.



Posted: March 22, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Tips for Selling through CSAs—Community Supported Agriculture
Rural Advancement Foundation International—USA's (RAFI-USA) Come to the Table program launched an 80-member community-supported agriculture (CSA) partnership between three local farmers of color and eight churches in Wake County, North Carolina. This pilot, part of RAFI-USA's Farm and Faith Partnerships Project, will run for eight weeks, with farmers beginning to plant in mid-February and deliveries taking place in April and May. RAFI-USA anticipates that the CSA will bring in $20,000 in produce sales for local farmers. Census data shows the average NC farmer runs a 168-acre farm whose market value exceeds $250,000 per year; for African American farmers, the average is 95 acres. RAFI-USA notes that for farmers of color, creating local partnerships through community-supported agriculture means a guaranteed source of income and market for their products. Meanwhile, for faith communities, forming a relationship with a local farmer helps increase access to fresh, healthy foods.



Posted: March 19, 2021
Vermont has joined the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Program, allowing state-inspected meat and poultry processors to ship their products across state lines without a federal grant of inspection. The 2008 Farm Bill created the CIS program, an agreement between USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and participating state meat inspection programs. The program is open to states that have an established Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (MPI) that ensures state plant inspections follow the same guidelines as USDA FSIS inspections for official federal establishments. There are now 27 states participating in the program. "Vermont entered into the CIS program with the USDA FSIS to increase the business opportunities for the state's small meat and poultry processors, and expand available markets beyond Vermont's borders," said Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts.



Posted: March 19, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: How to Accept SNAP Cards at Your Farmers Market
Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to support access to fresh, healthy foods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients while supporting Pennsylvania's agricultural economy. Interested market owners should apply to be an authorized SNAP retailer through FNS. Once authorized to accept SNAP, vendors can contact Pennsylvania's electronic benefit transfer (EBT) provider to request free wireless EBT processing equipment. The grant also covers set-up costs and one year of SNAP transaction fees. Although Pennsylvania is home to more nearly 1,000 farmers markets and on-farm markets, less than 5% of these are registered with FNS to accept SNAP benefits. Administration officials say this program that provides EBT equipment can help decrease food insecurity, increase consumption of healthy foods, and help build new markets for agricultural producers.



Posted: March 19, 2021
Related ATTRA Video: Integrating Livestock with Crops Project: Livestock and Vegetables. A Close Fit.
Community Alliance for Family Farmers has released Integrating Sheep into Walnuts: a case study on Sierra Orchards. In the five-page publication, Sean McNamara and Jeremy Shepherd share their experiences integrating sheep into walnut orchards in Winters, California, for cover crop grazing, weed management, soil health benefits, and more. The case study includes insights from the field, such as lessons learned, best management practices, and considerations around cover cropping with sheep in mind.



Posted: March 18, 2021
USDA published a notice in the Federal Register, inviting input from the public regarding a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. Comments will be accepted until April 29, 2021. Specific questions on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry appear in the notice, such as "What new strategies should USDA explore to encourage voluntary adoption of climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices?" In addition, the notice seeks input regarding aspects of biofuels and renewable energy, catastrophic wildfire, and environmental justice.



Posted: March 18, 2021
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, published results of a long-term study in the journal PLOS ONE, showing that feeding beef cattle red seaweed could reduce methane emissions by as much as 82%. Scientists found that feeding cattle 80-gram (3-ounce) doses of seaweed daily for five months did not affect weight gain, but reduced methane emissions dramatically. Scientists found no drop-off in efficacy of the seaweed supplement over time. The next step for researchers is to find a way to farm the type of seaweed used in the tests, because there is not enough of it available in the wild to allow broad application to cattle diets.



Posted: March 18, 2021
A farmer-led research project report from Practical Farmers of Iowa compared landscape fabric with straw mulch in tomatoes. Jill Beebout compared the two types of mulch during the 2020 growing season in order to evaluate any difference in both yield and labor. She found that there was not a significant yield effect from the type of mulch used. The landscape fabric beds required less weeding time, but had a larger labor cost overall in this study because they required more labor for bed preparation and clean-up.



Posted: March 18, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Start a Farm in the City
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources published California Urban Agriculture Food Safety Guide: Laws and Standard Operating Procedures for Farming Safely in the City, available free online in PDF. The 72-page guide covers fresh produce safety, urban soils safety, as well as food safety considerations for eggs, poultry, and small livestock in the urban environment. The authors also point out which aspects of the Food Safety Modernization Act apply to urban farms, as well as California laws that apply, recordkeeping requirements, information on working with gleaners, how to register as a community supported agriculture (CSA) organization, permitting requirements, and how to develop a food safety plan. "There are a growing number of backyard and community producers who are scaling up to sell some of what they grow,” said Rachel Surls, UC Cooperative Extension sustainable food systems advisor based in Los Angeles County and co-author. “We hope this guide will help them navigate the regulations and learn best practices for keeping food safe for consumers."



Posted: March 18, 2021
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) announced the projects selected for funding in 2021 through several of its grant programs. For Research and Education Grants, more than $3.4 million was awarded to 16 projects. SSARE also funded eight Professional Development Program, or train-the-trainer, projects for a total of $608,355. In addition, 10 On-Farm Research projects received funding that totaled $197,888. SSARE also funded nine Producer Grants totaling $105,176. Brief descriptions of all the funded projects are available online. They encompass research into specialty crops, plant disease control, livestock production, and market development.



Posted: March 17, 2021
Scientists at Penn State University are looking for potential predators among native species that could help provide control of the invasive spotted lanternfly, a pest found in 34 Pennsylvania counties and surrounding states. They asked citizen scientists to supply photos and observations of species feeding on the pest and received 660 submissions. Photographers supplied images of birds, insects, mammals, and fish consuming the spotted lanternfly. Scientists say the results are promising, although the spotted lanternfly doesn't have enough natural enemies ready in the United States to keep its population in check. "The overwhelming response to our request demonstrates what we suspected—that native predators may play a larger role in spotted lanternfly control than may have been assumed previously, perhaps giving us more biological options to help manage this pest," said one of the study leaders.



Posted: March 16, 2021
NCAT has collaborated with the University of California, Davis, for several years to work with and support beginning pastured poultry farmers. As part of these efforts, the partners have developed a short survey aimed at helping farmers better understand the economics of commercial pastured poultry production. This survey is designed to explore the overall profitability of commercial pastured and free-range poultry production in the United States, with a goal of providing farmers better information about capital and operating costs associated with this type of commercial poultry production. The anonymous online survey is approximately 25 questions and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.



Posted: March 16, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Planning for Profit in Sustainable Farming
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Program, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, and the Agricultural Justice Project are collaborating on an effort to help farmers succeed through improved financial management and better understanding of crop insurance options. The new project is called "How Do You Know Your Pricing is Right and Your Investment is Protected?" It will help farmers gain knowledge about overhead costs, equipment depreciation, using crop budgets, the complexity of specialty crop insurance, how to apply for and use crop insurance, how to hire workers and how to provide a workplace that is legal, fair, and safe. The program will include five online or in-person trainings, with multiple individualized consultations, online resources, and ongoing technical assistance. Farmers who are interested in participating are asked to complete an online survey. The project is also seeking farmer advisory board members to provide feedback and assist with program evaluation.



Posted: March 16, 2021
The Food Waste Index Report 2021, from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and partner organization WRAP, revealed that 17% of total food available to consumers in 2019 was wasted. Most of this waste comes from households, which discard 11% of the total food available at the consumption stage of the supply chain. Food services and retail outlets waste 5% and 2% respectively. On a global per capita-level, 121 kilograms of consumer-level food is wasted each year, with 74 kilograms of this happening in households. The study found that food waste is a global, not just developed world, problem. UNEP says the report "presents the most comprehensive food waste data collection, analysis, and modelling to date."



Posted: March 15, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Grazing Contracts for Livestock
The new Mountain West Grazing Connection website is a place where livestock producers and landowners across the Intermountain West region can find and connect with each other. It was created through a collaborative effort between NCAT, Montana State University, and a WSARE research grant, and it's designed to encourage more grazing in the region, to promote healthy land and livestock. Users can add a listing for available grazing land or for livestock available to provide grazing services and can also explore listings in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. The site is free to use.



Posted: March 15, 2021
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) is introducing a new series of short animated videos that illustrate how producers can improve the success and health of their farms by implementing sustainable practices. SARE says the eight What is Sustainable Agriculture? videos are useful and engaging for audiences with a variety of educational backgrounds. "A Whole Farm Approach to Sustainability," the first video in the new series, explores what it means to be sustainable across an entire farm or ranch operation. The three-minute video is viewable online, as are following episodes on "Cover Crops and Soil Health," "Conservation Tillage and Soil Health," "Social Sustainability," and other topics.



Posted: March 15, 2021
USDA is investing $28 million in six new Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects and four ongoing ones, which enable conservation partners and producers to work together to return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes. Several of the projects represent new phases of successful existing projects. The funded projects include habitat restoration and protection in the Mississippi River basin, wetland habitat conservation in Texas for migratory birds, and playa wetland restoration in Nebraska.



Posted: March 12, 2021
Related ATTRA Resource: Value Added
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has released a newly updated version of its Farmers' Guide to Applying for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. This guide includes everything interested farmers and ranchers need to know about VAPG to determine if the program is a good fit for their operation, including program changes made due to the COVID-19 pandemic and helpful tips to improve a producer's chances of obtaining funding from this highly competitive program. The revised guide is available free online



Posted: March 12, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Federal Working Lands Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching
USDA is accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31, 2021, for more than 11,000 contracts set to end this year. Participants with existing CSP contracts that close on December 31, 2021, can benefit from recent program changes by renewing their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional conservation practices on their land. Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorize NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments through 2023 and make additional improvements to the program, including higher payment rates for specific conservation activities on working lands. USDA advises that producers interested in contract renewals or applying for CSP for the first time should visit the CSP webpage or contact their local USDA service center.



Posted: March 12, 2021
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. The revisions include standards that deal with stream crossing, waste treatment, energy efficient agricultural operation, and dry hydrants. The 2018 Farm Bill required NRCS to review all 169 existing national conservation practices to seek opportunities to increase flexibility and incorporate new technologies to help the nation's farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners better protect natural resources on their working lands. In 2020, a total of 57 standards were updated. Comments on the latest proposed revisions are due by April 8, 2021



Posted: March 12, 2021
The University of Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Network, American Agri-Women, Minnesota Agri-Women District 11, and Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center are collecting data to learn more about women in agriculture and resiliency to stress. The study's online questionnaire takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and anyone involved in agriculture and over the age of 18 may take the survey. The data that is being collected will help these groups to learn more about resiliency to stress by women in agriculture, which in turn informs continued online programming for the Cultivating Resiliency series and aids in developing new resources to help women in agriculture. The survey is open until April 30, 2021.



Posted: March 12, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Building Healthy Pasture Soils
Texas researchers explored how applications of cattle manure could help improve the health of arid Texas soils, reports the American Society of Agronomy. This research project involved a one-time application of a low level of manure to grassland pastures. The manure helped increase soil organic carbon and the number of microbes in the soil, but the changes took nearly 18 months due to the dry climate. The researchers plan to explore whether more manure or multiple applications would get faster results and if irrigation or addition of nitrogen fertilizer would help incorporate the manure faster.



Posted: March 12, 2021
Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) is a new tool developed by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service in collaboration with NASA and George Mason University. Crop-CASMA provides access to high-resolution data from NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. The tool maps soil moisture across the United States, providing private users such as farmers and ranchers with free access to high-resolution data that can help plan spring planting, track damage after natural disasters, monitor crop health, and more. Data are from the topsoil and rootzone levels, or from the surface to roughly 3 feet underground, and are available at a 1-kilometer resolution.



Posted: March 11, 2021
The Organic Farming Research Foundation reported on results from a 2020 grant devoted to breeding varieties that are locally adapted to low-input organic systems for southern Ontario and the U.S. northeast. Grantee Sarah Hargreaves at the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario and team have released a new early-yielding pepper variety called 'Renegade,' and are also working n an open pollinated broccoli that is heat tolerant and adapted to organic systems, and an open pollinated seedless English cucumber with excellent flavor and good yield that is adapted to organic greenhouse conditions.



Posted: March 11, 2021
USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service has amended the notice inviting applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant program. The amendment extends the application deadline to May 4, 2021, for hard-copy applications and April 29, 2021, for electronic applications. In addition, $35 million in COVID–19 relief funds has been added to the program, meaning that a total of $76 million in program funding is available. A reduced cost-share match requirement of 10% of the grant amount applies for the $35 million in COVID–19 relief funds. Relief funds will be awarded in application scoring rank order until exhausted. If your application for COVID–19 relief funds is not selected for funding through the competitive process, you will have the opportunity to compete for the additional $41 million in funds if your application scores 50 points or above. You will be contacted by the Agency and will be required to submit a revised budget and work plan that includes the standard cost-share match of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds. Producers should note that this grant applies to "the use of a recognizably coherent set of agricultural production practices in the growing or raising of the raw commodity, such that a differentiated market identity is created for the resulting product. Examples of eligible products in this category include, but are not limited to, sustainably grown apples, eggs produced from free-range chickens, or organically grown carrots."



Posted: March 10, 2021
Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is celebrating National Farmworker Awareness Week by encouraging growers, agricultural associations, and consumers to share messages honoring farmworkers. National Farmworker Awareness Week is a designated week of action for communities to bring attention to the multiple challenges farmworkers face and honor their important and #AlwaysEssential contributions to the food supply chain. This commemorative week is observed March 25-31, 2021, and everyone in the supply chain can get involved by sharing the key messages and graphics provided in EFI's free communications toolkit.



Posted: March 09, 2021
Scientists at Michigan State University who are exploring how crops will perform under changing climatic conditions say that adapting to climate change through soil management is the best alternative for Midwest farmers. The researchers say that warming air temperatures will put crops at higher risk of drought, even if rainfall increases. However, instead of installing extensive and expensive irrigation systems that might only pay off under extreme droughts, ecosystems scientist Bruno Basso advises farmers to invest in technology and regenerative soil practices that make plants more resilient and adaptable to climate change.



Posted: March 09, 2021
The Soil Health Institute (SHI) and Cargill partnered to assess the economics of soil health management systems. SHI researchers interviewed 100 farmers across nine states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Tennessee) who adopted soil health systems to acquire production information such as tillage practices, nutrient management, pest management, yield changes, and more. SHI found that soil health management systems increased net income for 85% of farmers growing corn and 88% of farmers growing soybean. In addition, they reduced the average cost to grow corn by $24/acre and soybean by $17/acre, and they increased net farm income by an average of $52/acre for corn and $45/acre for soybean. "In addition, 97% of the farmers we interviewed reported their soil health management system increased crop resilience to extreme weather," noted Dr. John Shanahan, Project Manager for the study.



Posted: March 09, 2021
A new study, directed by the University of Maryland in collaboration with The Organic Center, analyzed more than 4,000 scientific articles to identify best management practices that organic growers can use to achieve significant boosts in the amounts of carbon captured in their soil. Specifically, the study looks at three best management practices: the use of organic soil amendments, conservation tillage, and cover crops. Although all three boost carbon sequestration, this study found that using best practices for organic soil amendments like compost and manure has the biggest impact in the shortest period of time. The study was published in the scientific journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, and The Organic Center developed a 15-page report titled Maximizing Carbon Sequestrations in Organic Systems that succinctly describes the findings and is available online.



Posted: March 08, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Reducing Tillage Intensity in Organic Production Systems
American Farmland Trust has released a suite of new resources aimed to help farmers adopt or expand conservation practices that benefit the environment and their bottom line. The Genesee River Demonstration Farms Network showcases the impacts of practical and innovative conservation practices on real working farms in the Genesee River watershed. A new case study features the 650-acre organic dairy HaR-Go Farms. Also, a new video features two farms in the Genesee River Demonstration Farms Network sharing their experiences with cover crops, reduced tillage, no-till, and other soil health practices and how their farm operations have benefited from these practices over time.



Posted: March 08, 2021
Research at the University of Nevada, Reno, explored the potential of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a a biofuel, food, and forage crop. Researchers say this drought- and heat-tolerant plant offers promise as a sustainable crop for arid regions. With dry areas predicted to become even drier with climate change, finding a productive crop species is key, as temperatures and lack of water will rule out increasing numbers of traditional crops. This five-year study focused on the use of spineless cactus pear as a high-temperature, low-water commercial crop. In addition to providing fuel, food, and forage, the plant also functions as a land-based carbon sink.



Posted: March 08, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Aquaponics—Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture
The School of Aquaculture and Aquatics Sciences at Kentucky State University released Aquaponics Production Manual: A Practical Handbook for Growers. This 75-page comprehensive manual covers the biological concepts of aquaponics, types of systems, suitable fish and plant species, systems management, water quality, diseases of plants and fish, controlled environments (greenhouse and indoors), marketing and economics, as well as information on certification and regulations. It is written as a practical resource for practicing (or potential) aquaponic producers. The complete manual is available free online in PDF.



Posted: March 06, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Cover Crop Options for Hot and Humid Areas
A Graduate Student Grant from Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education funded research at Texas A&M that evaluated the suitability of cover crops for use in Southeast Texas. The research project tested 13 cover crops for summer and 13 for winter in different locations. The summer group was planted in late August following a corn crop while the winter group was planted in mid-October after harvesting cotton. The eight most-promising crops went on for further testing of planting time and termination dates. These were sorghum-sudangrass, buckwheat, cowpea, and sunn hemp for summer and Austrian winter pea, shield mustard, oat, and triticale for winter.



Posted: March 06, 2021
CCOF, UC Davis Food Systems Lab, and Roots of Change have created the California Meat Processing Coalition to explore policy solutions to meat processing bottlenecks for small and mid-size producers. Coalition members include producers, processors, scientists, technical assistance providers, and key agricultural and environmental organizations. According to a CCOF posting, "The coalition is exploring policy solutions that will remove burdens on small and mid-size producers and processors, expand meat processing options, and invest in infrastructure to alleviate meat processing bottlenecks and support a resilient regional meat supply chain. Potential solutions include expanding on-farm slaughter, training the next generation of butchers, streamlining regulations, and supporting upgrades and expansion of meat plants."



Posted: March 05, 2021
Researchers reporting in American Chemical Society's Environmental Science & Technology identified pesticide residues at 100 Swiss farms, including all the organic farms in the study. The study showed that the abundance of beneficial soil microbes was negatively impacted by the occurrence of pesticide residue, even when the fields had been converted to organic management more than 20 years previously. The study found that multiple herbicides and one fungicide remained in the surface soil after the conversion to organic practices. However, scientists say that the pesticide might have contaminated the organic fields by traveling through the air, water, or soil from nearby conventional fields. At any rate, the team observed lower microbial abundance and decreased levels of a beneficial microbe when fields had higher numbers of pesticides.



Posted: March 05, 2021
A new study from Montana State University examined the economic impact of on-farm agriculture in Montana. This agricultural impact study utilizes data from the 2017 Census of Agriculture and the IMPLAN economic impact model to assess the impact of farmers and ranchers on the Montana economy. The study examines agricultural land use, finance (including revenues, expenses, and taxation), producer profiles, and agriculture production's impact on jobs and gross state product for each county in Montana. Statewide, the market value of agricultural products sold was $3.5 billion, with crop-related sales totaling $1.6 billion and livestock-related sales totaling $1.9 billion.



Posted: March 05, 2021
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Spring 2021 Meeting will be virtual. Meeting materials are available online, including the tentative agenda, proposals, and discussion documents. Interested parties are encouraged to review the online meeting materials and provide feedback on topics included on the agenda. Written comments and requests for oral-comment speaking slots must be received by April 5, 2021. Public comment webinars will be held on April 20, 2021, and April 22, 2021. The public NOSB meetings will take place daily from April 28-30, 2021. The meetings are free and open to the public, and registration is not required unless you wish to provide public comment.



Posted: March 05, 2021
Related ATTRA Podcast: CSA Beginner and CSA Veteran
The Eat Local First Collaborative in Washington state launched a "Meet Your CSA Farmer" campaign that's running through March 31, 2021. The campaign features an online CSA Finder tool, integrated with Eat Local First and the Washington Food & Farm Finder, to help consumers find CSA (community-supported agriculture) farms near them. The campaign also features a 15-video series running on the Collaborative's Facebook and Instagram channels that featuring local CSA farmers sharing how and why they grow, raise, and harvest in Washington, and how consumers can purchase shares. There's also an opportunity for state residents to win $100 toward a CSA share of their choice.



Posted: March 03, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Food Hubs: A Producer Guide
The Iowa Food Hub Managers Working Group released a report on the impacts of the Local Produce and Protein Program (LPPP) grant on Iowa's food hubs. This grant, funded by the CARES Act, helped Iowa children at 80 schools and early care centers eat healthy local food last fall. According to the report, schools in 53 of Iowa's 99 counties used an LPPP grant to purchase local food. Of the $225,000 reimbursed to schools for food procurement, 51% was spent at food hubs. Food hubs served 52 unique farm to school customers in 2020. Of these, 52% were new hub customers, and all of these new customers were spending grant funds, demonstrating how the LPPP incentivized schools to buy local food for the first time. The report also noted that schools purchased an additional $111,689 of local food from hubs last year using non-grant funds, amplifying the impact of the grant.



Posted: March 03, 2021
A special project group of the North Central Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center wants to learn about specialty crop growers' concerns and experiences with herbicide drift. The group is surveying growers of fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops in the upper Midwest. To truly understand the frequency, severity, and economic impact of herbicide drift on specialty crops, they need to hear from growers: growers who have experienced drift damage, growers who can share their concerns around this issue, and growers who have not dealt with drift but who grow sensitive crops in drift-prone regions. Survey responses are needed to establish herbicide drift as a serious economic and regulatory concern across the region. Growers in IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, or WI may complete the survey at go.osu.edu/drift21



Posted: March 03, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Cucumber Beetles: Organic and Biorational Integrated Pest Management
A University of Guelph study found female hoary squash bees exposed to the insecticide imidacloprid dug 85% fewer nests, collected less pollen from crop flowers and produced 89% fewer offspring than unexposed bees. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid pesticide commonly used to control cucumber beetles on squash and pumpkins. Meanwhile, the hoary squash bee and other ground-nesting bees are important pollinators for many food crops. "Solitary ground-nesting bees make up about 70% of bee species. It's a really important ecological group and is also really important in crop pollination," said one of the scientists who conducted the study. The study mimicked real-world exposure conditions such as those bees would experience in farm fields.



Posted: March 02, 2021
An Oregon Field Guide feature from OPB highlights how Oregon farmers Shantae Johnson and Arthur Shavers of Mudbone Grown made their way into farming and are helping train and launch more farmers. The couple participates in training veterans as farmers and young farmers of color, and they are working with the Black Oregon Land Trust and the Black Food Fund to help gain access to land and food system and cultural infrastructure for Black farmers.



Posted: March 02, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Peach Insect Pests Identification Sheet
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service provides peach growers in the Southeast with information on how to detect and fight diseases, insects, and weeds. They advise organic growers to focus on soil and tree health, preserve beneficial insects and other microbes, and tighten spray intervals, given that most organic products are only marginally effective. Clemson Fruit Pathology Program developed the free MyIPM Smartphone App Series that provides growers along the East Coast with information about fruit crop diseases, pests, and disorders. They also offer the online 2021 Southeastern Peach, Nectarine and Plum Pest Management and Culture Guide that covers pest management options.



Posted: March 02, 2021
Related ATTRA Resources: Vegetables
Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group, a group of vegetable Extension educators and researchers across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, is introducing Vegetable Beet, a new weekly Web series for vegetable growers. Each week the live show will address a topic relevant to growers, and growers can join in to ask questions. The sessions will be recorded for later listening as podcasts. Topics planned for March include preparing for the coming growing season, transplant media, soils in high tunnels, and hot-water-treating seed.



Posted: March 01, 2021
Soil Health Academy surveyed its 2019 and 2020 course graduates on implementation of regenerative agriculture practices. The survey found that a majority of respondents are realizing resource and profitability improvements, with those improvements even more pronounced among producers who have been implementing regenerative practices for more than a year. A majority of respondents reported declines in synthetic fertilizer use, decreases in the use of pesticides and herbicides, and improved water infiltration. Meanwhile, among graziers, a majority of first-year respondents reported biomass increases, while 90% of second-year respondents reported increases. Furthermore, 37% of 2020 graduates and 60% of 2019 graduates reported increased profits from implementing regenerative practices.



Posted: March 01, 2021
The nonprofit Mad Agriculture has launched the Perennial Fund, which offers a new type of loan to help farmers expand certified-organic acreage using regenerative practices. The program is designed to support farmers as they transition, in situations where conventional financing is difficult to obtain or not tailored to farmers' needs. The Perennial Fund offers operating loans, equipment loans, and infrastructure loans that provide flexible payments during transition years and allow two deferral years in case of unexpected losses. The program also helps to coordinate a support network that addresses business planning, market development, and information exchange.



Posted: March 01, 2021
Researchers at Penn State University examined data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture to identify aspects of local economic and agricultural ecosystems that are most strongly associated with female-owned farms. The analysis, which was recently published in Food Policy, shows that more female-owned farms are found where average farm size is below 50 acres, where annual farm sales average less than $10,000 per farm, where more farms specialize in grazing sheep or goats, and where agritourism activities are more common. The researchers also found that direct-to-consumer sales are more prevalent in counties with more female-owned farms. In addition, availability of childcare is correlated with the number of female-owned farms in a county. Also, the share of farms with female operators is higher in counties with a greater total number of farms.



Posted: February 26, 2021
Organic Seed Alliance is accepting applications for the 2021 Organic Seed Production Online Course. This is a six-month certificate program that combines hands-on, farm-based independent study with online learning. The interactive, cohort-based course is designed to supplement an on-farm organic seed production training experience. The course includes six modules over six months and is focused on the biological, technical, and economic aspects of organic seed production. The online course is meant to supplement an on-farm seed production training experience and requires that enrolled students be simultaneously working or interning on a farm that grows seed or will allow the student space to grow seed. There is no tuition fee.



Posted: February 26, 2021
A Greener World's Executive Director, Andrew Gunther, passed away suddenly on February 19, 2021. According to a blog post from A Greener World (AGW), "Andrew's leadership, expertise and relentless hard work drove the unprecedented growth of AGW's flagship certification, Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW...During his tenure, AGW expanded to offer five of the most trusted and transparent food labels and certification services to farms, ranches and food businesses around the globe." AGW's Director of Communications and Outreach, Emily Moose, will assume the role of Executive Director.



Posted: February 26, 2021
Since 2003, the Sand County Foundation's Leopold Conservation Award has recognized nearly 150 farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners nationwide for their efforts to improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Now, a $250,000 Conservation Collaboration Grant from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will fund Sand County Foundation's two-year pilot project to promote conservation outreach by its award recipients. "Leopold Conservation Award recipients are ambassadors who regularly discuss the importance of agricultural conservation with their peers and the general public. This project will empower our network of award recipients to share a range of knowledge, from how to apply for an NRCS conservation program to technical assistance, with an important audience," said Dr. Heidi Peterson, Sand County Foundation's Vice President of Agricultural Research and Conservation. Potential participants in the Land Ethic Mentorship can learn more and sign up for the free program online.



Posted: February 26, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures
Soil Health Partnership, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, published data from a study of 96 farms over three to five years, showing that soil health indicators improved with the use of cover crops. Of six key soil health indicators (active carbon, soil organic matter, aggregate stability, available water capacity, respiration, and soil protein), four changed with use of cover crops. Furthermore, the effect of the cover crop increased with the amount of time cover crops had been used on the field. Soil Health Partnership notes that these indicators can translate into improvements in soil function around soil nutrient cycling and water management on the field, which can have benefits to farmers. The researchers pointed out that laboratory indicators are limited in their ability to reflect soil function in the field, meaning that it's also important for farmers to pay attention to how indicators like infiltration, soil structure, and compaction are changing over time.



Posted: February 26, 2021
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) announced the award of $130,000 in Fund-a-Farmer Grants to a diverse slate of 56 livestock farmers and ranchers located across the country. The grants range from $1,000 to $2,500 and were awarded for projects that improve farm animal welfare and increase the capacity of humane farmers. In solidarity with the movement to address racial inequity in agriculture, half of the grants were made to farmers who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color. The grants include 19 to farmers who are seeking to attain or who already hold one of three animal welfare certifications (Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World, Certified Humane, or Global Animal Partnership Animal Welfare Certified) and 37 grants to farmers who wish to improve or expand access to pasture for their animals. A list of the recipients is available online.



Posted: February 26, 2021
Oregon State University has received a nearly $700,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide software tools for investors interested in starting aquaculture businesses in Oregon. This software, the Oregon Aquaculture Explorer Platform, provides more than 100 layers of data, including everything from water quality to energy costs to seasonal temperature variations. Investors and other stakeholders can use the platform to produce a specific report on aquaculture potential for any particular site in the state. An earlier grant supported development of three aquaculture business scenarios in the software: tilapia in recirculating tank systems; sturgeon in recirculating tanks; and hybrid striped bass in ponds. The new funding from NOAA will allow the team to create additional investment models that include species that live in oceans or estuaries. It's aimed at increasing Oregon's share of aquaculture business to levels more like other states in the region.



Posted: February 25, 2021
Related ATTRA Resource: Ecological Seafood and Aquatic Plant Farming
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences received a $900,000 grant to explore how kelp aquaculture can remediate negative effects of climate change. Absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide is making ocean water more acidic and less habitable for many marine organisms, but kelp that soaks up carbon dioxide as it grows can lower the acidity of the surrounding seawater and raise oxygen levels. This benefits other sea life in the area. In this project, researchers are exploring the potential of growing kelp alongside blue mussels—which are particularly vulnerable to increasing ocean acidity. In protected bays, growing kelp can naturally buffer seawater acidity and create an additional product for harvest in the process. "Not only does this give us two commercially viable crops, but it also allows us to increase the positive impact on our local ecosystem," said Matthew Moretti, CEO of Bangs Island Mussels, a Maine farm that has been collaborating with the researchers.



Posted: February 24, 2021
The Economist Intelligence Unit released the ninth annual Global Food Security Index (GFSI) sponsored by Corteva, which measures the underlying drivers of food security in 113 countries, based on the factors of affordability, availability, quality and safety, and natural resources and resilience. The GFSI considers food security in the context of income and economic inequality, gender inequality, and environmental and natural resources inequality—calling attention to systemic gaps and most recently how COVID-19 exacerbates their impact on food systems. Based on these findings, global food security has decreased for the second year in a row. This year, the GFSI formally includes "Natural Resources and Resilience" as a fourth main category. This addition marks a significant shift in methodology, revealing food systems' resiliency against climate change. The United States moves to 11th place, although North America leads the world in food security.



Posted: February 24, 2021
Researchers at Penn State University modeled the water-quality effects of relocating corn and soybean production away from the steepest land in the watershed of a Susquehanna River tributary. They found that moving hay crops onto landscapes most vulnerable to erosion and nutrient loss resulted in a 15% reduction in total nitrogen losses, a 14% reduction in total phosphorus losses, and a 39% reduction in sediment losses at an average annual scale across the watershed. The scientists say that replacing existing crops with alternatives in vulnerable areas could be the key to improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, though they caution that more research is needed, as well as consideration of how such a program could be implemented.



Posted: February 23, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Guide for Organic Crop Producers
Poultry producer Bell & Evans has unveiled an Organic Grain Initiative that aims to transition 50,000 acres of U.S. corn and soybeans to certified organic production over the next five years. Bell & Evans is experiencing significant growth in its organic chicken program, increasing its need for U.S.-grown certified organic corn and soybeans to use in its organic chicken feed. Bell & Evans finalized a long-term sourcing agreement with Cargill to exclusively secure its organic grain and increase domestic organic grain supply. Under the agreement, Cargill will incentivize U.S. farmers to transition acreage from conventional to organic management through subsidized organic crop consulting services provided by Rodale Institute.



Posted: February 23, 2021
The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) announced the expansion of its steering committee and new policy working groups focused on developing a set of more specific policy proposals that drill down on recommendations released by FACA in November 2020. FACA's eight founding members—American Farm Bureau Federation (co-chair), Environmental Defense Fund (co-chair), FMI - The Food Industry Association, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (co-chair), National Farmers Union (co-chair) and The Nature Conservancy—welcomed 14 new groups to the Steering Committee. New Steering Committee members include the following: the American Seed Trade Association, American Sugar Alliance, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, Ducks Unlimited, Farm Credit Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Milk Producers Federation, Produce Marketing Association, and USA Rice Federation. Meanwhile, the alliance's policy working groups are producing more detailed and specific proposals focusing on the carbon bank concept, tax credits and other incentives, as well as climate research.



Posted: February 23, 2021
Soil Health Partnership (SHP), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and K·Coe Isom collaborated to evaluate the financial impact of conservation tillage and cover crop usage among Midwest corn and soybean farmers. Key findings from the analysis are available in a new report, Conservation's Impact on the Farm Bottom Line, available online. Throughout 2020, the project team collected information about farm operations, management practices, and financial data, which was then analyzed to identify the impact on each farmer's bottom line. The summary report highlights three key findings: 1) By reducing or eliminating tillage, growers were able to reduce operating costs; 2) Profitability with cover crops improves as growers get more experience with this approach; and 3) Farmers in the study achieved profitable conservation systems by aiming to address specific management challenges with in-field conservation practices.



Posted: February 22, 2021
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) has released its 2020 Appalachian Grown Producer Survey Report. The report contains findings from a survey sent in in November of 2020 to 775 participating farmers in the Appalachian Grown branding program. The annual survey assesses the impact of program services and support and gathers feedback to shape the program's future direction. This year's survey also contained a section specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. ASAP notes that the survey data reveals that for most farmers, the pandemic swiftly upended months of crop and business planning. However, adaptable small and diversified farms pivoted (sometimes multiple times) to new market outlets and to establish relationships with new buyers. The 17-page PDF report is available online.



Posted: February 22, 2021
Food Solutions New England has launched a new Network Health Assessment survey to gain insight into how the network has been doing, as well as to solicit ideas and opinions from the regional food system community on future work. Anyone involved in any aspect of the New England food system is invited to participate. The online assessment survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is open until March 8, 2021.



Posted: February 19, 2021
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture released its Soil Health Benchmarks 2021 Report. This publication reports the latest soil health benchmark data from multi-year collaborative research with farmers, designed to help them monitor and evaluate the nuanced soil health strengths and challenges that can exist simultaneously within their fields. This 48-page PDF report details soil health benchmarks from the 2019 season, as well as soil health trends from farms that have participated in the study over multiple years. The study includes a wide variety and scale of farm types and management systems, encompassing soil samples and field management records from pastured livestock, row crop, and vegetable farms in Pennsylvania and Maryland.



Posted: February 19, 2021
University of Massachusetts Amherst research using satellite imagery shows that nearly 30 million acres of the Midwest Corn Belt has completely lost its A-horizon soil. The A-horizon is the upper portion of the soil—topsoil—that is rich in organic matter and contributes nutrient and water retention. The researchers say erosion of the A-horizon has already reduced corn and soybean yields by about 6%, leading to nearly $3 billion in annual economic losses for farmers across the Midwest. The A-horizon has primarily been lost on hilltops and ridgelines as a result of tillage erosion. Tillage erosion is not included in national assessments of soil loss, and researchers say this has led to significant underestimation of the true magnitude of farmland erosion. The researchers recommend incentives for no-till farming and regenerative agricultural practices to help restore soil productivity.



Posted: February 19, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Draft Animal Power for Farming
University of New Hampshire professor Drew Conroy is conducting a survey on working steers and oxen currently in the United States. It's the first survey of its kind since 1890. The online survey includes 12 questions and takes around five minutes. The intent is to share the results of this study in an international conference and resulting publication focused on draft animals. After the conference, Dr. Conroy will also share the results with numerous electronic groups and forums where the survey was shared. He would also be happy to share in other venues. The research results will hopefully have value to people who are interested in working with cattle, people who encourage their use, and those providing related equipment.



Posted: February 18, 2021
Farmers' Legal Action Group (FLAG) published a Guide to recent changes to the CFAP program, Farmers Guide to 2021 CFAP Changes—Contract Farmers and Others. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is a USDA program that gives direct payments to farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This Guide focuses on recent changes to CFAP 1 and CFAP 2 introduced by the 2021 Appropriations Act and on other recent changes made by USDA. Although the application deadlines for both versions of CFAP have passed, USDA recently announced important changes to CFAP that directly affect many farmers. Some farmers, such as many contract producers, are newly eligible for CFAP 2. Further, an extension of deadlines means that many farmers may still apply for or amend their applications for CFAP 2. The free 30-page guide is available online.



Posted: February 18, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Resource Guide to Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production
Purdue Extension announced the update of several resources for commercial fruit and vegetable growers. The 2021 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers is available online to download for free. The online version is searchable by crop, pest, and control measures. The Midwest Vegetable Trial Reportss are also available for free download, with variety trial results for asparagus, peppers, cantaloupe, pickling cucumber, summer squash, and seedless watermelon, as well as cultural practice trials on no-till sweet corn and pumpkin after winter rye, nitrogen rates for pepper and tomato, and the use of low tunnels and grafting for watermelon production. A new print edition of the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide is also available for sale.



Posted: February 18, 2021
Related ATTRA Resource: Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer and Indirect Energy Usage
A pioneering study by the University of Vermont on U.S nitrogen use in agriculture has identified 20 places across the country where farmers, government, and citizens should target nitrogen reduction efforts. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, located "hotspots of opportunity" that represent 63% of the total surplus nitrogen balance in U.S. croplands although they constitute only 24% of U.S. cropland area. The top-ranked hotspot to target, based on total excess nitrogen, is a 61-county area across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin. That's followed by a 55-county region in Kansas and Nebraska in second place, and 38 counties in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota in third. A map illustrating the hotspot counties is available online.



Posted: February 17, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Crop Insurance Options for Specialty, Diversified, and Organic Farmers
USDA is reminding rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families, and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that it has programs that provide assistance. The Federal Crop Insurance Program and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program offer risk protection for crops. Growers who experience losses are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days. Livestock growers who experience losses can apply to the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program for partial reimbursement. Perennial crop producers may qualify for the Tree Assistance Program cost-share to rehabilitate or replant and clean-up damage to orchards and vineyards. Additionally, USDA can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.



Posted: February 17, 2021
Noble Research Institute announced that it will focus all of its operations on regenerative agriculture and set its primary goal to regenerate millions of acres of degraded grazing lands across the United States. Noble says it will achieve the vision through its direct work with farmers and ranchers across the nation as they make the transition to and profitably maintain regenerative management of their lands. Noble's programming will center exclusively on regenerative ranching, which applies regenerative principles specifically to grazing lands. Working directly with farmers and ranchers, Noble's consultants, educators, and researchers will seek ways to overcome the barriers that often deter farmers and ranchers from adopting or using regenerative principles.



Posted: February 17, 2021
The South Dakota No Till Association is offering its annual soil health events in a virtual format this year, available for on-demand viewing. The presentations include Jerry Doan on Building Soil Health while Stacking Enterprises and Improving Profitability for The Next Generation and Dr. Dwayne Beck on Benefits of Crop Rotation, as well as speakers on grassland soil health, carbon basics, and building soil health in crop rotations.



Posted: February 16, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Measuring and Conserving Irrigation Water
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) revised its publication Smart Water Use on Your Farm or Ranch, which spotlights innovative, SARE-funded research into a range of conservation options. Part one examines how soil management strategies, such as cover cropping, adding organic matter, and conservation tillage, can build soil health, improve soil structure, and boost the waterholding capacity of soil. Part two discusses plant selection, crop rotation, and livestock management strategies. Part three highlights how irrigation and drainage systems can be used to better manage water use in cropping systems. The 16-page publication is available free online or in print.



Posted: February 16, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Positive Practices in Farm Labor Management
Equitable Food Initiative relaunched its online Responsible Recruitment Scorecard as an interactive version with a digital self-assessment to help growers identify their risk factors for forced labor in the recruitment process and pursue recommended action steps. The Responsible Recruitment Scorecard is available free online in both English and Spanish. Grower-shippers can choose from two versions of a detailed questionnaire: one designed to help identify risks that are often associated with the foreign recruitment of workers and another to determine risks that can be present when working with farm labor contractors. After the confidential questionnaire is filled in, the scorecard calculates key areas growers can address to drive continuous improvement across their recruitment processes, and it provides directional guidance.



Posted: February 16, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Soil Moisture Monitoring: Low-Cost Tools and Methods
Research scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab offered an update on their research with soil moisture meters at the virtual MonDak Ag Research Summit, reports The Prairie Star. The researchers explained their trials of different soil moisture probes and sensor systems on sugarbeet crops. The sensor systems can help with irrigation scheduling to conserve water, energy, and labor while optimizing yield. Researchers found that different sensors seemed to work best for different soil types.



Posted: February 13, 2021
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, through its Farm to Plate Initiative, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) released the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030. The Plan lays out a vision, 15 goals, 34 priority strategies, and 276 recommendations for advancing the agriculture and food system in Vermont, as informed by input from more than 1,500 Vermonters over 18 months. The Plan provides in-depth insights across 54 product, market, and issue briefs which are the foundation for its goals and strategies. For producers, there are briefs that pertain to particular products such as dairy, goats, grains, and much more, as well as briefs that provide insight on various market channels such as grocery stores, restaurants, and others, and briefs that cover a range of issues including climate change, consumer demand, marketing, supporting future farmers. The complete 202-page plan and all of the individual issue briefs are available online.



Posted: February 12, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Direct Marketing Lamb: A Pathway
Scientists based at Rothamsted and the University of Bristol Veterinary School in the United Kingdom have found a clear link between the weight of lambs early in their life and meat quality. The study found that lambs that are heaviest at the point of weaning go on to produce the leanest, most sought-after meat at market. Both leanness and musculature of lamb meat can be successfully predicted from the growth pattern of the animal before weaning. The researchers say this means it's likely that carcass quality is affected by management of ewes during pregnancy and lactation, because ewes' milk plays such an important role in determining weaning weights.



Posted: February 12, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Community Orchards
Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is reporting on results from trials of the "super fruits" juneberry, aronia, and honeyberry. Reports on trials as part of the New Commercial Fruit Crops for Northern New York project at the Willsboro Research Farm are available online. The project will add American and European varieties of elderberry to the trial this spring. The research trials are investigating aspects of these fruit crops such as growth habits, flowering and fruiting times, disease susceptibility, soil preferences, and fruit quality and yield. Additional on-farm trials are developing best management practices, based on regional growers' experiences establishing, producing, and marketing the specialty fruits. The project is aimed at increasing the number of specialty fruit-crop options available to regional market farms.



Posted: February 12, 2021
As interest in regenerative agriculture grows, the need to define and measure progress toward attaining the concept becomes more important. GreenBiz featured five technological tools aimed at assessing biodiversity on agricultural land and gauging soil health and carbon levels. From in-field bird biodiversity monitoring to artificial intelligence that identifies insect species and from handheld soil carbon probes to satellite mapping, new technologies are enabling measurement of agricultural health indicators.



Posted: February 12, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Federal Working Lands Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching
Iowa farmer Ryan Collins benefited from the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) by enrolling as a beginning farmer, reports the Center for Rural Affairs. Collins began farming in 2010 and is currently in his second 5-year CSP contract. The conservation plan developed for his farm through CSP has led to forage improvement, continuous no-till cropping, and rotational grazing, among other practices. Collins notes that the CSP payment provided the incentive to implement new practices, but he continues with them because the benefits are apparent.



Posted: February 11, 2021
Microbial ecologists at Penn State University are studying how high salt and nitrogen concentrations in high-tunnel soils make it challenging to rebuild a healthy soil microbiome following a soil-clearing event. High-tunnel growers who experience mounting disease pressure from growing the same crops season after season sometimes utilize anaerobic soil disinfestation and soil solarization to reduce pathogens. Howeover, these methods wipe out the entire soil microbial community, and this research shows that soils high in salt and nitrogen experience delays in soil-biome reestablishment.



Posted: February 10, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Cover Crop Options for Hot and Humid Areas
The Northeast Cover Crops Council has launched an online Cover Crop Decision Support Tool that provides cover crop species recommendations based on grower USDA hardiness zone and cropping system specifics. The tool is based on the Midwest Cover Crop Council's decision support tool but has been adapted for Northeast species and expanded. Northeast Cover Crops Council notes that "[d]ecision support tools are an excellent way to integrate the complexity of climate, soil, and management into recommendation systems." The code for the tool is open source.



Posted: February 10, 2021
Related ATTRA Video: Using Social Media to Grow Your Farm Business
Teams at the Northwest Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) and Taste the Local Difference (TLD) are working together to offer no-cost marketing services to small farmers and food-based businesses in Northwest Michigan. Priority is given to businesses with ten or fewer employees and they must be for-profit entities. The first participating businesses are working on marketing needs such as creating online stores, developing social media content, and third-party media strategy. The value of services for each awarded business ranges up to $4,000, depending on needs. Applications for the initiative are being accepted from February 12-17, 2021.



Posted: February 10, 2021
Taste the Local Difference reports that in honor of Black History Month in February, three local-food entrepreneurs launched an initiative called Taste the Diaspora Detroit (TDD). This celebration of Africa's contribution to American cuisine showcases the diverse foods of the African Diaspora through culinary storytelling. Throughout February, folks in the Detroit area can order weekly-diaspora themed dishes created by a collective of Black chefs, restaurants, farmers, and producers. The dishes utilize fresh, locally grown produce from Black farmers and Black-owned artisan food products. The initiative also includes a limited number of shoebox lunches featuring the dishes, available for purchase. TDD is partnering with Oakland Avenue Urban Farm to distribute 20% of these shoebox lunches to food-insecure residents at no cost.



Posted: February 09, 2021
The National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and Hemp Industry Association (HIA) have released results of a sample survey of industry stakeholders regarding a hemp checkoff program. The survey of farmers; oil, seed, and CBD processors; seed companies; importers and exporters; and other stakeholders found a high level of overall interest and support for the concept of a national hemp checkoff. Well over two-thirds of respondents strongly agreed with the essence of a checkoff, the need for more research, greater promotion of the industry, and for greater consumer education. Two-thirds of respondents showed support for a nominal assessment of less than 1% of the value of their crops to fund industry research, promotion, and consumer education.



Posted: February 09, 2021
Research at the University of California, Riverside, has identified a peptide from the Australian finger lime that can kill the bacteria that causes citrus greening disease or stimulate a plant's own immune system to help prevent infection. The peptide occurs naturally in plants that are tolerant of Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening. The peptide punctures the bacterium that causes the disease, acting more quickly than antibiotics. It is also safer for the environment than other potential treatments for the disease.



Posted: February 09, 2021
Related ATTRA Video: Payments for Ecosystem Services Part II ~ Carbon Markets and Credit Stacking
A new report from E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), titled Healthy Soils and the Climate Connection: A Path to Economic Recovery on America's Farms, provides a roadmap for how climate-smart agriculture policies could provide profit boosts for farmers and climate wins for advocates. The analysis shows that becoming carbon-negative can open the door for farmers to the marketplace of carbon credits and other financial incentives through farm policy. According to the report, regenerative farming practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and low-till or no-till practices that increase the amount of carbon in soil offer new revenue streams for hard-hit farms.



Posted: February 09, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Sheep and Goats: Frequently Asked Questions
The South Dakota State University Extension Small Ruminant Team is seeking input from sheep and goat producers across the United States to identify producer interests and enhance future Extension efforts. Responses collected from the voluntary survey will be complied into a Sheep and Goat Producers Needs Assessment. "We believe this nationwide response will add value by identifying collective producer strengths and struggles to cooperatively strengthen Extension program efforts in South Dakota and across the United States," says Kelly Froehlich, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Specialist in Small Ruminant Production. The survey is voluntary, confidential, and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Alternatively, printed surveys can be sent by mail upon request.



Posted: February 09, 2021
Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems and the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic recently released The Urgent Call for a U.S. National Food Strategy. The report updates the 2017 Blueprint for a National Food Strategy. It illustrates the need for a coordinated federal approach to food and agricultural law and policymaking through an analysis and review of new domestic strategies and coordination approaches, as well as international food strategies developed since 2017. In addition, the report considers some of the major impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food system—such as disproportionate food insecurity affecting BIPOC communities, alarming rates of infection among food and agricultural workers, significant threats to farm income, a dramatic increase in food waste—to consider how these issues demonstrate both an urgent need for a national food strategy and how they might have been alleviated and addressed more quickly with the kind of coordinated food system leadership a national food strategy would provide.



Posted: February 08, 2021
Related ATTRA Publication: Sweetpotato: Organic Production
Four farmers in Practical Farmers of Iowa's Cooperators' Program have compiled an enterprise budget for sweet potatoes, based on production on their farms during 2019. The farmers tracked expenses, labor, yields, and revenue for sweet potatoes grown primarily for CSA, and harvested by hand with broadforks and digging forks. The farmers used their own preferred planting methods and practices. The results showed that sweet potatoes were profitable for three of the four farms. Labor was either the most expensive or second-most expensive cost at all farms, with harvest accounting for most of the labor. Two of the farms decided not to grow sweet potatoes again, based on this analysis.



Posted: February 05, 2021
A new initiative, Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC), is bringing together women landowners throughout the state to network and connect with each other and with resources. With support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a coalition of organizations dedicated to sustainable agriculture and conservation, led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with the Wisconsin Farmers Union, Renewing the Countryside, and the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), kicked off a unique three-year initiative that will collaboratively bring together women throughout the state through a variety of workshops, field days, and mentorship and learning opportunities. Activities will begin with March and April virtual workshops offered throughout the state.



Posted: February 05, 2021
NCAT is offering a virtual version of its popular sustainable agriculture training program for military veterans, Armed to Farm. NCAT is moving the training online to make it accessible during COVID-19 restrictions. Veterans who want to attend the Virtual Armed to Farm training, which will take place in six sessions during April and May, can apply online until March 12, 2021. Virtual Armed to Farm will cover topics essential to farm success, including business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, and USDA programs, as well as specific enterprise discussions. Virtual Armed to Farm will include an engaging blend of interactive online instruction and video farm tours via Zoom. Participants will be expected to be involved in virtual activities, complete assignments, and interact with other attendees. Virtual Armed to Farm topics will be applicable to all U.S. beginning farmers, regardless of location. Military veterans interested in farming are encouraged to apply.



Posted: February 05, 2021
USDA is extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on February 12, 2021. This signup for CRP gives producers an opportunity to enroll land for the first time or re-enroll land under existing contracts that will be expiring September 30, 2021. All interested producers, including those on Indian reservations and with trust lands, are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center for more information. The program, administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for 10 to 15 years for land devoted to conservation purposes, as well as other types of payments. USDA says it will continue to accept offers as the Administration evaluates ways to increase enrollment.



Posted: February 04, 2021
The Virginia Cooperative Extension Small Farm Outreach Program at Virginia State University announced its 2020 Andy Hankins Small Farmer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Small-Farm Agent of the Year awards in a virtual ceremony. Carolyn Quinn, owner of Dug In Farms in White Stone, Virginia, was the recipient of the Andy Hankins Small Farmer of the Year award. Quinn began farming six years ago after moving from Washington, D.C. She raises vegetables and cut flowers and runs a farmers market on her farm. Quinn grows produce year-round in two high tunnels she received through a program funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.



Posted: February 04, 2021
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), per the Governors Executive Order N-82-20, is holding a series of stakeholder meetings in February to solicit feedback from the public and agricultural stakeholders on farmer-and rancher-led climate solutions that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and enhance biodiversity. The meetings are organized around three agricultural categories: livestock and dairy; row and field crops (annual crops); and trees and vines (perennial crops). Each agricultural category will have two online meetings of approximately two hours each. The first meeting will include an introductory presentation followed by an opportunity for stakeholder input. The second meeting will allow further discussion and capture additional feedback. The resulting report will be made available for a 30-day Public Comment period, after which the information will be used to inform CDFA and other state agencies about farmer-and rancher-led climate solutions.