Wednesday, July 30, 2014

FW: UF/IFAS in the news, 7/30

Good morning! Your UF/IFAS news roundup:

 

Florida Farm Bureau is First CALS Partner in Program to Support Students

http://growingfl.com/news/2014/07/florida-farm-bureau-first-cals-partner-program-support-students/?utm_source=Growing+Florida&utm_campaign=82c146640a-growingfl-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a00cf5c16f-82c146640a-296612469

 

UF/IFAS Study: When it Comes to Gluten-Free Diets, Unfounded Beliefs Abound

http://growingfl.com/news/2014/07/ufifas-study-when-it-comes-gluten-free-diets-unfounded-beliefs-abound/?utm_source=Growing+Florida&utm_campaign=82c146640a-growingfl-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a00cf5c16f-82c146640a-296612469


Sweeter And Healthier Strawberries

http://www.insidescience.org/content/sweeter-and-healthier-strawberries/1851

App unveiled for Florida-friendly plants

http://highlandstoday.com/list/highlands-agri-leader-news/app-unveiled-for-florida-friendly-plants-20140730/

Deadly Fungus Is Decimating Trees Throughout the Everglades

http://news.wgcu.org/post/deadly-fungus-decimating-trees-throughout-everglades

Field Corn Variety Tour Held

http://www.northescambia.com/2014/07/field-corn-variety-tour-held

 

Cities thinking ahead on marijuana (editorial/Extension mention)

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140730/OPINION/140739977?p=1&tc=pg

 

Holmes County 4-H holding open meeting for new Livestock Club

http://fosterfollynews.com/2014/07/30/holmes-county-4-h-holding-open-meeting-for-new-livestock-club/

 

 

Other news:

 

Whole-Genome Sequencing Expected to Revolutionize Outbreak Investigations

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/07/whole-genome-sequencing-expected-to-revolutionize-outbreak-investigations/#.U9jcDPldW-g

 

USDA declares 15th Farmers Market Week

http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2014/07/28/usda-declares-th-farmers-market-week/13303683/

Global authorities on alert over Ebola outbreak

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/30/ebola-fears-global-outbreak/13350607/

 

Survey ranks UF among ‘best schools for the money’

http://www.ocala.com/article/20140729/ARTICLES/140729620/-1/health?Title=Survey-ranks-UF-among-8216-best-schools-for-the-money-8217-

 

Q&A: Tax holiday starts Friday

http://staugustine.com/news/business/2014-07-29/qa-tax-holiday-starts-friday#.U9je3vldW-g

 

Construction to begin Monday along NW 34th St.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140729/ARTICLES/140729570

 

 

 

FW: Weekly Harvest, July 30, 2014

Home | Newsletter Archives

ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture

Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - July 30, 2014

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

Join the NCAT Team
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is seeking a Sustainable Agriculture Specialist to work directly with farmers and ranchers on crop and livestock production, soil health, water quality, organic certification, and other topics. The position will be located at NCAT's San Antonio, Texas, office. Applications will be accepted through August 24, 2014, or until a suitable candidate can be identified.

News & Resources

  • Conservation Law Foundation Launches Legal Services Food Hub
  • Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research Announced
  • Farm to Childcare Curriculum Package Available
  • 'Organic Ready' Corn-Breeding Project Progresses
  • USGS Reports Neonicotinoid Insecticides Widespread in Midwest Streams
  • Farm Aid Announces 2014 Venue

Funding Opportunities

  • Animal Welfare Approved Good Husbandry Grants
  • Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program
  • Conservation Innovation Grants in Maryland

Coming Events

  • Harvest Conference
  • Fodder Production for Organic Dairy
  • Practical Options for Food Production Resilience in an Increasingly Variable Climate

News & Resources

Conservation Law Foundation Launches Legal Services Food Hub
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) has launched the Legal Services Food Hub, a network that will connect lower-income farmers, brewers, cheesemakers, food-related organizations, and others in the Massachusetts and New England agriculture economy with pro bono legal services to help start, grow, and operate their businesses. CLF is recruiting attorneys to participate in the Legal Services Food Hub and is also accepting applications for legal assistance from farmers, food entrepreneurs, and related organizations.

Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research Announced
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the creation of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) and the appointment of a 15-member board of directors. The new foundation will leverage public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation, and partnerships critical to boosting America's agricultural economy. Congress provided $200 million for the foundation, which must be matched by non-federal funds.

Farm to Childcare Curriculum Package Available
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy has released a Farm to Childcare Curriculum Package that gives childcare providers a roadmap to connect young children with locally grown, minimally processed foods and the farmers who grow them. The package contains information on designing a Farm to Childcare menu and implementation schedule, recommendations on how to highlight local farmers, detailed examples of family engagement strategies, and extensive experiential learning activity suggestions.

'Organic Ready' Corn-Breeding Project Progresses
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) reports that an organic corn-breeding project is entering its fourth year and could have early releases of open pollinated "Organic Ready" corn available later this year. Plant breeder Frank Kutka has been working to develop a line of corn that will maintain its non-GMO integrity, using naturally occurring genes derived from popcorns and the ancient grain teosinte that create a screen against crossing with transgenic corn.

USGS Reports Neonicotinoid Insecticides Widespread in Midwest Streams
A new U.S. Geological Survey study reports that neonicotinoids were found commonly in streams throughout the Midwest. Nine rivers and streams, including the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, were included in the study, and the chemicals were found in all nine. Clothianidin was the most commonly detected chemical, showing up in 75% of the sites and at the highest concentrations, up to 257 nanograms per liter.

Farm Aid Announces 2014 Venue
Farm Aid will shine a spotlight on family farmers at its annual concert, to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 13. Farm Aid 2014, an all-day music and food festival, will feature a unique lineup of artists and genres and will offer concert-goers family farm-identified, local, and organic foods. The event will feature Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack White and many more artists. Tickets will go on sale on August 1.

>> More Breaking News

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Funding Opportunities

Animal Welfare Approved Good Husbandry Grants
Grants are available to improve animal welfare for Animal Welfare Approved farms, farms that have completed an application to join the program, or slaughter plants that are working with an AWA farm and/or have consented to be reviewed by AWA. Funding priorities for this cycle include: improved genetics, increased outdoor access, welfare improvements in the slaughter process, and non-lethal predator control.
Application deadline is October 1, 2014.

Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program
USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach is accepting applications to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating farms and ranches while increasing their participation in USDA agricultural programs and services. This program will assist eligible community-based organizations, higher education institutions, and tribal entities in providing outreach and technical assistance.
Application deadline is August 25, 2014.

Conservation Innovation Grants in Maryland
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Maryland is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references, or to the private sector. Grants up to $75,000 are available.
Applications are due by August 22, 2014.

>> More Funding Opportunities

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Coming Events

Harvest Conference
September 5-6, 2014
Asheville, North Carolina

Organic Growers School presents this event with a focus on the fall growing season, harvesting, canning, growing, gardening, energy, cooking, and more. Presentations are offered in six tracks, and there are preconference workshops.

Fodder Production for Organic Dairy
August 27, 2014
Whitesville, New York

NOFA-NY and Organic Valley CROPP Cooperative present this free event at B-A Blessing Farm. Learn how to incorporate fodder production on your farm and hear from John Stoltzfus about how fodder is produced and fed as a part of his milking-herd ration.

Practical Options for Food Production Resilience in an Increasingly Variable Climate
September 1 or 2, 2014
Newton or Amherst, Massachusetts

NOFA Massachusetts offers two opportunities to spend the day with Dr. Christine Jones, learning about sequestration of carbon and humus development through appropriate agricultural practices.

>> More Events

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Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest

Comments? Questions? Contact us

Weekly Harvest Archives
Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest newsletters are available online.

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

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

© 2014 NCAT

Back to top

New ATTRA Publication
Peach Diseases Identification Sheet

Question of the Week
Can I plant figs in an unheated greenhouse in Zone 6?

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

ATTRA Webinars
Organic Certification Basics ~ August 14. NCAT offers an opportunity for Texas producers to learn the ABC's of organic certification requirements.

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

ATTRA is on Facebook!
We feature breaking news on sustainable agriculture topics several times a week. Add us to your Facebook friends list today!

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Friday, July 25, 2014

UF/IFAS news 07/25/2014

Good Friday morning! Here’s your UF/IFAS in the news for July 25, 2014:

 

Tegu lizard’s egg-thieving ways may create a crisis

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140725/ARTICLES/140729757?tc=cr

 

Root loss due to HLB to be discussed at Citrus Expo

http://southeastagnet.com/2014/07/24/root-loss-due-to-hlb-to-be-discussed-at-citrus-expo/

Melbourne Tractor Supply Store Wins 4-H Award (Brevard)

http://spacecoastdaily.com/2014/07/melbourne-tractor-supply-store-wins-4-h-award/

 

Improving your health through forest bathing (Lee)

http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/540482/Improving-your-health-through-forest-bathing.html

Weed control requires a plan, knowing your enemy (Leon)

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/home-garden/2014/07/24/weed-control-requires-plan-knowing-enemy/13122333/

Think twice before chopping down dead trees (Leon)

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/home-garden/2014/07/24/think-twice-chopping-dead-trees/13120447/

 

Summer gardening chores (Gulf)

http://www.starfl.com/society/society-news/summer-gardening-chores-1.350062

 

4-H Cooking With Fresh Veggies Day Camp (Calhoun)

http://www.thecountyrecord.net/archives/4048-4-H-Cooking-With-Fresh-Veggies-Day-Camp.html

 

Native Plant Sale Saturday (Lee)

http://www.pineisland-eagle.com/page/content.detail/id/527373/Native-Plant-Sale-Saturday.html

 

Polk County Calendar of Gardening Events (Polk)

http://www.theledger.com/article/20140724/NEWS/140729464/1021/life

 

Hall, Patee Apoointed To Escambia County Extension Council (Escambia)

http://www.northescambia.com/2014/07/hall-patee-apoointed-to-escambia-county-extension-council

 

 

 

Other news:

 

UF College of Medicine founding member dies

http://news.ufl.edu/2014/07/24/william-f-enneking/

 

Researchers find new fertility drug to be more effective than one used for the past 40 years

https://www.ufhealth.org/news/2014/researchers-find-new-fertility-drug-be-more-effective-one-used-past-40-years

 

Doctors still hesitant to urge HPV vaccine for teenagers

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2014/07/24/cdc-doctors-still-hesitate-recommend-hpv-vaccine/AmLUSaeU4MtHC1mJ2P4UZI/story.html

 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Weekly Harvest, July 23, 2014

ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture

Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - July 23, 2014

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

News & Resources

  • National Farmers Market Week Set for August 3-9
  • Landowner Guide to Pollinator-Friendly Practices Released
  • USDA Announces Organic Certification Cost-Share Funding
  • New Manual Helps Fruit and Vegetable Growers with Machinery Sharing
  • Program for Women Beginning Farmers in the Northeast Accepting Applications
  • Study Links Bird Population Declines with Neonicotinoid Concentrations

Funding Opportunities

  • Food and Farm Communications Fund
  • Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program
  • Minnesota Farm to School Grant Program

Coming Events

  • Student Organic Seed Symposium
  • Bioenergy Feedstock Field Days
  • Iowa Grazing Workshops with Jim Gerrish

News & Resources

National Farmers Market Week Set for August 3-9
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared August 3-9, 2014, National Farmers Market Week. This 15th annual event recognizes the important role that farmers markets play in the agricultural and food economy. USDA and others will celebrate our nation's thousands of farmers markets, farmers who make them possible, and the communities that host them. Special events are planned at farmers markets across the country.

Landowner Guide to Pollinator-Friendly Practices Released
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy has released Farmer and Landowner Guide to Pollinators and Neonicotinoids in collaboration with Pesticide Action Network. This guide provides current research on causes of pollinator declines and gives landowners and farmers information on ways they can directly help pollinators survive and thrive on their land and beyond. The full guide is available online.

USDA Announces Organic Certification Cost-Share Funding
USDA has announced that Farm Bill funding is now available for organic certification cost-share assistance. Through the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, $11.5 million is available to all states. Through the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, an additional $1.5 million is available to organic operations in specified states.

New Manual Helps Fruit and Vegetable Growers with Machinery Sharing
A new manual from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Machinery Sharing Manual for Fruit and Vegetable Growers, discusses operational and organizational issues related to sharing specialized farm machinery. The 50-page publication is available online for download.

Program for Women Beginning Farmers in the Northeast Accepting Applications
Holistic Management International offers its program "Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: Women in the Northeast" for women farmers and ranchers with less than 10 years of experience. The course includes 60 hours of training across 10 sessions. Applications are currently being accepted for the program in New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. Application deadlines vary by state.

Study Links Bird Population Declines with Neonicotinoid Concentrations
A study in the Netherlands, reported in the journal Nature, revealed that insectivorous bird populations showed greater decline in areas with higher surface-water concentrations of the most widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid.

>> More Breaking News

Back to top


Funding Opportunities

Food and Farm Communications Fund
The Food and Farm Communications Fund is accepting letters of inquiry from U.S. nonprofit organizations for grants from $10,000 to $100,000. Proposals for projects that expand the good food movement's communications capacity are evaluated against a set of specific goals and outcomes.
Letters of inquiry are due by September 1, 2014.

Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals through its Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program to carry out research, education, and on-farm demonstration projects. Competitive grants may be awarded to individuals for up to $10,000 and units of government, nonprofit groups, institutions, or organizations for up to $20,000.
Proposals must be received by October 15, 2014.

Minnesota Farm to School Grant Program
The goal of the Farm to School Grant Program is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products to elementary schools, secondary schools, and child care centers. Up to 75% of feasibility study project cost may be covered by grants ranging from $1,000 to $30,000. Up to 50% of equipment purchases or physical improvements may be covered by grants from $1,000 to $50,000.
Proposals must be received by November 3, 2014.

>> More Funding Opportunities

Back to top


Coming Events

Student Organic Seed Symposium
August 17-21, 2014
Ithaca, New York

This event will bring together the leading scientists and graduate student plant breeders from across the country to interact with and learn from Finger Lakes Region stakeholders and systems. Participants will share ideas and knowledge and develop new knowledge, experience, and capacity to advance crop improvement for sustainable agriculture.

Bioenergy Feedstock Field Days
August 19 or 20, 2014
Beaver Crossing or Dawson, Nebraska

These free field days will provide information on the agronomics, economics, and sustainability of biomass production of switchgrass and other perennial energy grasses. The field days are sponsored by CenUSA Bioenergy.

Iowa Grazing Workshops with Jim Gerrish
August 18-22, 2014
Various locations, Iowa

A series of five workshops featuring grazing consultant Jim Gerrish will be held in different locations across Iowa. Each session includes classroom discussions and pasture walks at local farms.

>> More Events

Back to top


Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest

Comments? Questions? Contact us

Weekly Harvest Archives
Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest newsletters are available online.

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

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

© 2014 NCAT

Back to top

New ATTRA Publication
Peach Insect Pests Identification Sheet

Question of the Week
I've heard rainwater has a lower pH than municipal water. Would this be an advantage in a rainwater-collection system?

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

Armed to Farm
Arkansas and Mississippi veterans can register for week-long sustainable agriculture training events until August 1.

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

ATTRA is on Facebook!
We feature breaking news on sustainable agriculture topics several times a week. Add us to your Facebook friends list today!

Find us on facebook

 

Follow us on Pinterest

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

Support the ATTRA Project


 


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FDACs formally approves 4 additions to FL Noxious Weeds List (2 are aquatics)

The addition of four new species to the Florida Noxious Weed List (announced earlier this year) has now been formally approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FLDACS) Division of Plant Industry (DPI): Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet), Ardisia crenata (coral ardisia), Nymphoides cristata (crested floating heart) and Nymphoides peltata (yellow floating heart).  Please see the DPI press release at:

http://fldpi.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/florida-classifies-four-more-plant-species-as-noxious-weeds/ 

 

The updated Florida Noxious Weed List can be viewed at: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=5B-57.007 (click on the Word file under the Notice/Adopted column).

 

UF/IFAS in the news, 7/24

Good morning! Today’s UF/IFAS news:

How concerned should we be about the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus?

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/concerned-mosquito-born-chikungunya-virus/

 

Indoor Farms Finding a Place in Ag

http://growingfl.com/features/2014/07/indoor-farms-finding-place-ag/?utm_source=Growing+Florida&utm_campaign=dee8c35f8c-growingfl-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a00cf5c16f-dee8c35f8c-296612469

 

Research Reveals Genetic Influence On Beef’s Health Profile

http://beefmagazine.com/beef-quality/research-reveals-genetic-influence-beef-s-health-profile

 

New spud variety suited to Florida, fries up less oily

http://www.thegrower.com/news/New-spud-variety-suited-to-Florida-fries-up-less-oily-268390602.html

 

Global Initiative for Agricultural Education Formed

http://www.thecropsite.com/news/16509/global-initiative-for-agricultural-education-formed

 

UF/IFAS Students, Administrators Honored at ASABE Conference

 

http://growingfl.com/news/2014/07/ufifas-students-administrators-honored-asabe-conference/?utm_source=Growing+Florida&utm_campaign=dee8c35f8c-growingfl-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a00cf5c16f-dee8c35f8c-296612469

 

The Ten Plagues That Are Hitting America Right Now

http://www.rightsidenews.com/2014072334612/life-and-science/health-and-education/the-ten-plagues-that-are-hitting-america-right-now.html

 

Local Agricultural Innovators Receive National Attention (Escambia)

http://www.northescambia.com/2014/07/local-agricultural-innovators-receive-national-attention

 

Oh no, mosquito? (Clay) http://www.claytodayonline.com/ee/claytoday/en/component/fullstory/20140724_021_art_1/oh-no-mosquito

Pharmacologist Named Executive Associate Dean at UF’s Veterinary Medical College

http://growingfl.com/news/2014/07/pharmacologist-named-executive-associate-dean-ufs-veterinary-medical-college/?utm_source=Growing+Florida&utm_campaign=dee8c35f8c-growingfl-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a00cf5c16f-dee8c35f8c-296612469

 

Master gardeners plan plant clinics (Volusia)

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140724/LIVING/140729763/1065?Title=Master-gardeners-plan-plant-clinics

 

 

Other news:

 

Air Algerie plane carrying 116 disappears from radar

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/24/algerian-plane-disappears/13084329/

 

Texas Reports Big Spike in Cyclosporiasis Cases

 

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/07/texas-reports-big-spike-in-cyclosporiasis-cases/#.U9Dzh_ldW-g

How to Harvest Cherries, Peaches and Almonds, All From the Same Tree

http://io9.com/how-to-harvest-cherries-peaches-and-almonds-all-from-1609227454

 

Some Food Companies Are Quietly Dumping GMO Ingredients

http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/some-food-producers-are-quietly-dumping-gmo-ingredients

 

Malaria vaccine: Why has it taken 30 years to develop?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/pharmaceuticalsandchemicals/10988120/Malaria-vaccine-why-has-it-taken-30-years-to-develop.html

 

UF’s Lastinger Center made to return $1.3 million after audit

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140723/ARTICLES/140729804