Thursday, December 16, 2010

Chemically Speaking

Please view the final edition of the year at:

http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/2010-11/index.htm

 

UF Agronomy Dept.

Pesticide Information Office

Register today for the 2011 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course!

Can't View This Email Click Here

You're receiving this email because of your relationship with the University of Florida. Please confirm your continued interest in receiving email from the Aquatic Weed Control Short Course.

 

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

 

Register today for the
2011 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course!
Earn up to 20 CEUs!

 

2011 Aquatic Weed Control
Short Course

May 3-5, 2011
Coral Springs Marriott
Coral Springs, Florida

www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw

 

Greetings!

Mark your calendar and plan to take part in the 2011 Aquatic Weed Short Course to be held May 3-5, 2011 at the Coral Springs Marriott Hotel, Golf Club, and Convention Center in Coral Springs, FL.

The short course is designed to benefit those new to the industry and experienced professionals seeking a comprehensive update. Topics include:
 
· General Standards (CORE) Training
· Pesticide Application Equipment Calibration Training
· Plant Identification
· Aquatic Pest Control Category Training
· Natural Areas Weed Management Training
· Right-of-Way Weed Management Training

 

Register Online Today! 

Registration is now available for the 2010 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course. Be sure that your organization is budgeted to attend this valuable training.

Early Reduced Registration Fee
(By February 25, 2011) $240.00
Regular Registration Fee
(By April 8, 2011) $290.00
Late Registration Fee
(After April 8, 2011) $340.00
Student Registration Fee
$115.00

CLICK HERE to register today!
The registration fee, combined with funds contributed by our generous sponsors, provides each attendee with the educational program, course materials, a Book of Presentations, morning, mid-day and afternoon refreshments, and Tuesday evening's welcome reception.

 

CEUs and Certification Exams

Up to 20 Florida Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be earned by attending this course.
A representative from the Florida Pesticide Certification Office will be available at the short course to answer questions regarding CEUs and Florida licensing requirements.

Commercial, Public and/or Private Pesticide Applicator Certification testing will be offered on Thursday, May 5th from 1:15 - 4:30pm.
There is no charge for taking an exam.  Please visit the conference website for more information on the available exams.

 

Short Course Publicity

We need your help.
If you manage listservs or have access to email addresses of colleagues who may be interested in attending the short course, please forward this email, along with a link to the short course web site where updates are posted periodically.

If you manage a society or association website or newsletter where your members would benefit from this training, please consider posting this course in your upcoming events.

Thank you

Aquatic Weed Control Short Course | May 3-5, 2011
Coral Springs Marriott | Coral Springs, FL

www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw

 

 

Please feel free to contact me personally should you have any questions about the 2011 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course.


Sincerely,
Jhanna Gilbert, CMP

Short Course Coordinator
PO Box 110750 | Bldg. 639 Mowry Rd. 
Gainesville, FL 32611-0750| USA
PH 352-392-5930 | FAX  352-392-9734
jhanna@ufl.edu|www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw

Become a Sponsor!

Looking for an efficient way to boost exposure and brand recognition to more than 5000 applicators by mail?

Want to be featured in publicity announcements that reach applicators across the US? 

Want to meet and network with more than 400 applicators in person?

Sponsor the 2011 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course!

Visit the Sponsor Opportunities website today to improve your industry presence and commit online:  Sponsor Opportunities

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Meeting Site & Accommodations
Coral Springs Marriott

Coral Springs Marriott

11775 Heron Bay Boulevard
Coral Springs, FL 33076
PHONE: 954-753-5598
FAX: 954-753-2888
TOLL FREE: 800-311-8018
 
Reservation Cut-off Date:
April 10, 2010


Special Group Rates

Group Code: aqqaqqa

Regular Room

$102 + tax

Concierge Level Room

$112 + tax

King Executive Suite

$122+ tax

One Bedroom Suite

$192 + tax

CLICK HERE to Book Online
Note: All rooms are subject to applicable local and state taxes, currently 11%.
  

 

Quick Links

 

Hosted By

IFAS Extension

 

Become a Fan!

On Facebook? Become a Fan of the Aquatic Weed Control Short Course for helpful reminders and short course updates.

Become a Fan!

 

Safe Unsubscribe

This email was sent to mbhenry@ufl.edu by jhanna@ufl.edu.

UF/IFAS OCI | PO Box 110750 | Bldg. 639 Mowry Road | Gainesville | FL | 32611

Weekly Harvest December 15, 2010

 

Forward this newsletter to a friend


Home | Newsletter Archives

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - December 15, 2010

Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.

News & Resources

Funding Opportunities

Coming Events


News & Resources

USDA Announces New Steps to Meet the Challenge of Climate Change
Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said USDA continues to take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions "by helping farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to be even better conservationists." Vilsack said USDA will demonstrate ways landowners can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration while improving their financial bottom line. Vilsack said USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide $15 million in Conservation Innovation Grant funds and other assistance to support large-scale demonstration projects to accelerate the adoption of new approaches to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote carbon sequestration on private lands. The Farm Service Agency will develop a communications tool to link companies, organizations and participants in carbon storage activities and information sharing. In addition, the Secretary announced that institutions in seven States were awarded Federal funding for research on the economics of reducing agricultural GHG emissions.

National Organic Program Amends List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
The National Organic Program (NOP) published a final rule amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for crops and processing, effective December 14, 2010. The rule enacts six recommendations: 1) Adds aqueous potassium silicate for use as an insecticide and for plant disease control in organic crop production. 2) Adds sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate for use as an algaecide in organic crop production. 3) Adds gellan gum as a nonsynthetic allowed for use in organic handling. 4) Adds fortified cooking wine for use in organic handling as a nonorganic agricultural ingredient only when not commercially available in organic form. 5) Adds tragacanth gum for use in organic handling as a nonorganic agricultural ingredient only when not commercially available in organic form. 6) Removes glycerine oleate as a synthetic inert ingredient allowed in organic crop production. Use of these substances is subject to restrictive annotations.

Campaign to Collect and Employ Endangered Wild Relatives of Food Crops Receives Funding from Norway
The Global Crop Diversity Trust has announced a major global search to systematically find, gather, catalogue, use, and save the wild relatives of wheat, rice, beans, potato, barley, lentils, chickpea, and other essential food crops, in order to help protect global food supplies against the imminent threat of climate change, and strengthen future food security. The initiative, led by the Trust, working in partnership with national agricultural research institutes, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), is the largest one ever undertaken with the tough wild relatives of today's main food crops. These wild plants contain essential traits that could be bred into crops to make them more hardy and versatile in the face of dramatically different climates expected in the coming years. Norway is providing US$50 million towards this important contribution to food security. The work is scheduled to take 10 years, from determining where to collect, through having material ready for crop breeding programs.

Freshwater Sustainability Challenges Shared by Southwest and Southeast
A team of researchers studying freshwater sustainability in the U.S. have found that the Southeast, with the exception of Florida, does not have enough water capacity to meet its own needs. A paper just published in a special issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reinforces predictions of water scarcity in the Southwest, but also includes findings with important implications for the Southeast. In order for water supply to be considered sustainable, the researchers calculated that no more than 40 percent of freshwater resources can be appropriated for human use, to ensure that streamflow variability, navigation, recreation and ecosystem use are accommodated. They also determined how much water a region would need to meet all its municipal, agricultural and industrial needs—its virtual water footprint (VWF). The VWF includes the water needed if a region were to grow enough food to support its own population. The researchers found that neither the Southwest nor the Southeast have enough water capacity to meet all their own needs. "The Southeast has virtually no positive, inland VWFs," pointed out a University of Georgia participant in the study.

Retailer Pledges to Double Organic Cotton Production
Anvil Knitwear, the largest consumer of U.S. organic cotton, made a commitment in October with the Lubbock-based Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative to double the production of organic cotton in the U.S., reports the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. According to the article, Anvil Knitwear will pay a premium for all the production from the increased acreage and will encourage other producers to switch to organic cotton. The New York-based company will also purchase any of the cotton making the transition into organic production at a price close to the price of organic cotton. The current number of organic producers in the South Plains do not have the ability to increase acreage to meet the goal; conventional producers need to convert, said Jimmy Wedel, Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative president. A lot of producers with just a few hundred acres of organic cotton would help reach the demand, Wedel said, specifically High Plains producers.
Related ATTRA Publication: Organic Cotton Production

Double-Cropping System Explored for Biomass Production
Trying to increase the amount of biomass available for ethanol production has led Iowa State University researchers to explore a double-cropping system that netted mixed results. Researchers planted triticale, a relative of wheat, in the fall and harvested it in the spring. Then they planted sorghum in early June and harvested it in mid-September. While the research didn't produce an increase in biomass, there are benefits to the double-cropping system, according to researcher Ben Goff. "The winter crop reduces soil erosion," said Goff. "And some studies have shown that having the crop in the field captures spring nitrogen early in the year so it doesn't move through the soil profile." While the research didn't net an increase in biomass, Goff doesn't declare the idea a failure. "This still has potential. If we can get an earlier maturing annual winter crop, I think we can get greater yields," said Goff.

>> More Breaking News

Back to top


Funding Opportunities

NCR SARE Graduate Student Program
North Central Region (NCR) SARE funds Graduate Student grants in Sustainable Agriculture for projects that address sustainable agriculture issues in the region and are part of the student's degree program at accredited colleges or universities. NCR-SARE awards grant funds for grad student projects up to $10,000. The North Central Region includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The deadline for proposals is January 27, 2011.

WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to invite States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with reclamation on projects that save water, improve energy efficiency, address endangered species and other environmental issues, and facilitate transfers to new uses. Eligible applicants may be located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands. Grants range from $5,000 to $1 million, and there is a cost-sharing matching requirement.
Applications are due February 17, 2011.

Wisconsin Agricultural Development and Diversification Grant Program
The Agricultural Development and Diversification (ADD) Grant Program invites proposals for projects that are likely to stimulate Wisconsin's agricultural economy through the development and exploration of new value-added products, new markets, or new technologies in agriculture. Individuals, associations, agribusinesses and industry groups can submit proposals for an ADD grant of up to $50,000.
Proposals must be received by March 15, 2011.

>> More Funding Opportunities

Back to top


Coming Events

Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference
January 27-28, 2011
Madison, Wisconsin

This conference features keynote speaker Joel Salatin, a tradeshow, and tracks on urban agriculture, marketing, value chain management, adding value through organics, food processing, and more. The conference theme is "Cultivating Farm Profitability", and participants from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are expected.

Texas Conference on Organic Production Systems
January 28-30, 2011
Killeen, Texas

The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is hosting its annual conference. This year's theme is Texas Farms Direct and the conference will focus on bringing organic and sustainably-raised products from the farm to the marketplace. A must-do event for organic growers, the conference features information for organic ranchers, farmers, commercial plant growers, retailers, wholesalers, processors, distributors, consumers, gardeners, and anyone desiring to support the organic industry in Texas. The conference features three days of lectures, discussion panels, and hands-on workshops by many well-known organic farming experts.

Farming for the Future Conference
February 2-5, 2011
State College, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture presents the 20th annual Farming for the Future conference, with the theme "Strength from our Roots: Claiming Our Food-System Future." Widely regarded as the best of its kind in the East, this diverse event brings together an audience of over 2,000 farmers, processors, consumers, students, environmentalists, and business and community leaders annually. Nearly 80 practical training workshops will be offered during the conference. Ten day-long "Pre-Conference" tracks offer in-depth exploration of special topic areas. This year's keynote speaker is Wes Jackson of The Land Institute.

>> More Events

Back to top


Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest

Comments? Questions? Contact us

Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives
Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) logo and link to home pageThe National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Visit the NCAT Web site for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.

© 2010 NCAT

Back to top

New & Updated Publications
Label Rouge: Pasture-Based Poultry Production in France

Local Foods No. 3 -- Basils

Local Foods No. 4 -- Oregano

Question of the Week
What are some resources for vegetable production and planting guides?

Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online

ATTRA Webinar
Innovative No-Till: Using Multi-Species Cover Crops to Improve Soil Health
Thursday, December 16
11:00 AM Mountain Standard Time

ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (Monthly Harvest), ATTRA's Spanish-language e-newsletter


Home | Newsletter Archives

 

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy

 

thedatabank, inc.

 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

IFAS in the News

Good morning. We hope you’re staying warm. Here is IFAS in the News for Wednesday, Dec. 15.

 

IFAS-Related…

 

Wintry Weather Chilling Growers (Southwest Florida)

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101214/ARTICLE/12141058/-1/sports?Title=Wintry-weather-chilling-growers

 

Florida Crops Withstand the Bitter Cold (Southwest Florida)

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/14/florida.crops.weather/?hpt=Sbin

 

Chill Threatens Florida’s Valuable Winter Crops (Central, South Florida)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/12/14/national/main7148288.shtml

 

Florida Farmers Hire Helicopters to Keep Crops Warm (Central, South Florida)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11993771

 

Fla. Farmers Cautiously Optimistic as Wintry Spell Ends (South Florida)

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/14/1566967/fla-farmers-cautiously-optimistic.html

 

Farmers Survey Damage Today After Temps Dip to High 20s (Southwest Florida)

http://www.marconews.com/news/2010/dec/14/farmers-surveying-damage-morning-after-temps-dip-h/  

 

Cold Grips Southwest Florida

http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101214/NEWS01/12140365/1075/Cold-grips-Southwest-Florida

 

Back-to-Back Cold Nights Make Landscaping Vulnerable to Damage (Southwest Florida)

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2010-12-14/Back-to-back-cold-nights-make-landscaping-vulnerable-to-damage

 

Plants, Ornamentals at Greater Risk Tonight (West Central Florida)

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_hillsborough/plants,-ornamentals-at-greater-risk-tonight

 

Ernst: Fire Ant Has Become Our Unwelcome Visitor

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101215/COLUMNIST/12151027/2055/NEWS?Title=Ernst-Fire-ant-has-become-our-unwelcome-visitor

 

4-H Members Start Down Path to Responsibility by Raising Chicks

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/flagler/2010/12/15/4-h-members-start-down-path-to-responsibility-by-raising-chicks.html

 

Master Gardeners Cut Ribbon on New Greenhouse

http://www.srpressgazette.com/news/rosa-11848-gardeners-santa.html

 

Fundraiser for UF Department of Animal Sciences

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20101214/ARTICLES/101219765/1109/sports?Title=Fundraiser-for-UF-Department-of-Animal-Services

 

Of Interest…

 

Intel Reports Reveal Grim Afghan War Outlook

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20025700-503543.html

 

Florida Still Trails Nation in Bank Health Rating

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/15/1974274/florida-still-trails-nation-in.html

 

Doctors Claim HIV-Positive Man Cured by Stem-Cell Transplant

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/12/14/doctors-claim-hiv-positive-man-cured-stem-cell-transplant/

 

New Business for Horse Industry Opens

http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/New_business_for_horse_industry_opens__111860699.html?ref=699

 

New Head Coach Muschamp Introduced to Gator Nation

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20101214/ARTICLES/101219758/1136/sports?Title=New-head-coach-Muschamp-introduced-to-Gator-Nation

 

 

Tom Nordlie

Science Communications Coordinator

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

 

Direct Line 352-273-3567

 

YF&R Hayride - Friday & Saturday Night!

 

PCFB banner

Winter 2010     www.pcfb.org         info@pcfb.org         863-533-0561 x 1

 

 

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Important Dates

Annual YF&R Hayride
Friday, Dec 17th
Saturday, Dec 18th

Legislative Appreciation Luncheon

January 6, 2011

 

Board Meeting

January 20, 2011


Agri-Fest 2011

Feb 7th - 11th

Feb 22nd - 25th

Feb 28th  

 

Ag Literacy Day

April 26, 2011


 

YF&R Holiday Hayride

Join us at the Annual Young Farmers & Ranchers Holiday Hayride this Friday and Saturday night!

 

When: Friday, Dec 17th & Saturday, Dec 18th

Time: 6 pm - 9 pm

Where: 1715 US Hwy 17 South, Bartow, FL 33830

Cost: $5.00 per person

 

 Bring family and friends to take a tour on a hayride through the Bartow neighborhoods to see the lights of George Street. Proceeds benefit the YF&R Leadership & Scholarship fund.

 

For parties of 10 or more, call 863-533-0561 ext 1 or email caitlinm@pcfb.org to make reservations. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

Volunteer at the

PCFB Logo Polk CountyIFAS Extension Polk County School Board 

23rd Annual Polk County Agri-Fest

February 7-11 and February 22-25, 28, 2011

 

agrifest kidsSpend the day helping Polk County's 4th Graders learn about our diverse Agriculture Industry. Throughout this ten-day field trip, 6,000 students and their teachers will explore interactive exhibits and attend hands-on workshops each day on citrus, beef cattle, phosphate, beekeeping, blueberries, horticulture, forestry and water conservation. Positions include group leaders, citrus station kitchen assistants, and station helpers. This event is held at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service complex, located at 1702 Hwy 17 South, Bartow, FL 33830. We hope to see you there!

 

To volunteer please email or fax this form to PCFB 

  E-mail: caitlinm@pcfb.org Fax: 863-533-9241

For more information please call 863-533-0561 ext 1.

 Florida's Natural Growers Foundation 

 

                     Special thanks to Sponsor

 

 

Central Florida Ag NewsCentral Florida Ag News

Check out the new PCFB Membership Benefit!
           

                  

                              

     Find us on Facebook

 

Safe Unsubscribe

This email was sent to mbhenry@ufl.edu by info@pcfb.org.

Polk County Farm Bureau | 1715 U.S. Hwy 17 S | Bartow | FL | 33830