This episode of Voices from the Field is part of “Starting a Farm,” an occasional series from Rockiell Woods, who directs NCAT’s Gulf States Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi, and Bill Evans, director of horticulture at Up in Farms food hub in Jackson.
Rockiell Woods and Bill Evans...
En este podcast, Edgar Mendoza Samaniego de Sol Seeker Farm habla con Ann Baier, especialista en agricultura sostenible de NCAT, sobre la producción de aves de pastoreo. Edgar describe su producción en pastoreo de huevos y carne. El crecimiento de su negocio ha pasado por varias etapas. Se ha aprendido mucho de otros agricultores en su región, la Asociación Americana de Productores Avícolas de Pastoreo (APPPA.org por sus siglas en ingles), y con la asesoría de Kitchen Table Advisors. Después de cambiarse de dos ranchos alquilados, consiguieron tierra propia donde están ahora. La alimentación de sus aves (gallinas y pollos,...
Years of farming and visiting other farms, combined with recent education in soil health, have convinced me of this: We can best serve people, the land, and the livestock by learning to care for the soil FIRST. That’s why NCAT’s Livestock and Grazing Team began with this foundation when they gathered to teach a three-part series for beginning livestock producers. By Linda Coffey, NCAT Livestock Specialist...
A Montana nonprofit organization, Missoula Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, received a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to support training for beginning farmers and ranchers, reports the Missoulian. The group will use the funding to launch Certified Farm Startup, a free program that will pair aspiring farmers and ranchers with trained mentors. The program will address land acquisition, business planning, financial management, and marketing through classroom curriculum and site visits. Applications are open until February 15, 2022, and the 2022 program will run from March through October. ...
Thanks to funding from Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE), NCAT is offering a six-month course for beginning livestock farmers who are women. This course will be offered in convenient virtual classes where students will interact with each other and with women mentors, including NCAT specialists. It will be capped with a two-day in-person training offered in two locations: Cookeville, Tennessee, June 20-21, 2022, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, June 27-28, 2022. We are excited to gather a group of 30 women to participate in each location. The application is available online. ...
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that 11 members either newly joined or were reappointed to the 19-member Emerging Farmers' Working Group. This advisory group advises the MDA and Minnesota Legislature on ways to advance the success and sustainability of farmers who traditionally face barriers to the resources necessary to build profitable agricultural businesses. Emerging Farmers are defined as women, veterans, persons with disabilities, American Indian/Alaskan Native, communities of color, young, and urban farmers. In 2021, the Legislature appropriated $150,000 to establish an Emerging Farmers Office and hire a full-time coordinator. This new coordinator will help ensure that anyone who...
I have been raising livestock since I was a young child, and I have learned some things in doing so. Today I want to share an easy way to think through animal observations. These basic indicators of animal health will allow you, the livestock manager, to see early warning signs and take effective action. While my experience is mostly with sheep and goats, these principles apply to other livestock, as well.
By Linda Coffey, Livestock Specialist...
The National Farmers Union is accepting applications for its Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) until December 1, 2021. BFI is a free, year-long training program intended to improve the health of your farm or ranch business. Three trainings will be hosted virtually on Zoom and one session will be hosted in-person in St. Louis, Missouri. Participants from diverse backgrounds come together around shared learning objectives related to business formation, taxation, accounting, land, labor, credit, and business planning. ...
Do you know what 11% of U.S. producers have in common? It’s not that they grow tomatoes or sell at farmers markets—it’s that they have served or are serving in the military. And do you know who offers training and networking opportunities specifically for military veterans interested in sustainable farming operations? NCAT does!
By Margo Hale, Southeast Regional Director and Livestock Specialist...
The Center for Land-Based Learning is offering beginning farmers the opportunity to lease land through its Farm Incubator Program. Land is available to lease in both West Sacramento and at the organization's new headquarters in Woodland, California. Plot sizes range from 1/4 acre up to one full acre, depending on the site. Beginning farmers can lease land for as long as four years. Prior commercial growing experience and a solid business plan are required. ...
In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Asha Tillman shares the story of James Burch, who left Carroll County, Mississippi, for the military and other pursuits some 40 years ago. Now, he has returned to pursue his dream of starting Coleman’s Farm. As a beginning farmer, Mr. Burch is full of plans and advice for other beginning farmer veterans. ATTRA Resources: Armed to Farm: Sustainable Agriculture Training for Military Veterans Farm Start-Up Beginning Farmer Tutorials A Beginning Farmer Tells Her Story Other Resources: AgPlan Using an Excel Sheet for Farm Financial Records USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service...
In January 2020, NCAT’s Armed to Farm team was busy making plans to host eight workshops, including one in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in June 2020. However, by late April it had become clear that we would not be able to meet in person for some time. After a year of waiting and hoping and Zooming, we were thrilled to finally host the 25th week-long Armed to Farm in May 2021 at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville. We were so happy to be back with a group of military veterans eager and ready to learn about sustainable farming.
By Robyn Metzger, Armed...
This blog will cover a short set of key questions you should ask yourself when considering starting a farm. Your answers will help you think about whether farming is right for you and help get you started in your planning process.
By Rockiell Woods, NCAT Gulf States Regional Director
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This week’s episode is part of an occasional series from Rockiell Woods, Director of NCAT’s Gulf States Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi, and Bill Evans, Director of Horticulture at Up in Farms Food Hub in Jackson. This series is all about starting a farm. Today’s conversation is focused on water issues For more information on this topic, you can contact Rockiell Woods directly at rockw@ncat.org. Related ATTRA Resources: Evaluating a Farm Enterprise Financing Your Farm: Guidance for Beginning Farmers Planning for Profit in Sustainable Farming Basic Accounting: Guidance for Beginning Farmers Other Resources: Farm Answers Up in Farms Food Hub Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts...