The Dirt - November 2014

Gulf States Office Helps Veterans Our Gulf States Regional Director Rockiell Woods and Specialist Felicia Bell hosted a week-long Armed to Farm training for veterans from Mississippi and the surrounding states. More than 30 men and women veterans of all branches of the military, and of diverse ages and backgrounds, attended the event. There was hands-on training at a variety of local farms and ranches, including Beaverdam Fresh Farms, Francis Flowers & Herb Farm, and Uncle Bubba's Farm, which gave participants the opportunity to build poultry tractors, build fence for swine, and assist with hoophouse construction. They also visited the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center, the Mississippi Meat Goat Producers Cooperative, and the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production. Staff provided classroom instruction that covered risk management, and business and financial planning. Rock reports that the training was very successful, and said, "In addition to the great instruction provided to the participants, it was a good networking opportunity for the veterans, allowing them to share experiences and ideas."   This training was made possible through special funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.   Growing Good Food Habits The Gulf States office has added FoodCorps AmeriCorps to its Mississippi projects list. Specialist Felicia Bell is coordinating the project in Mississippi, and arranged pre-service orientation and training in September for the ten service members. The three-day training included classroom instruction and site visits with hands-on work.   The group met at Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford, MS, and enjoyed presentations from representatives of the Oxford School District and the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation. They had the opportunity to learn from local chef Corbin Evans and toured Richardson Vegetable Farm and Homestead Farms & Nursery.   The members spent a morning assisting Camp Lake Stephens staff in planting a fall garden, learning about basic place-based and culturally-appropriate gardening techniques and systems for planting, maintaining the plants, and harvesting produce.   This year's FoodCorps Fellow in Mississippi is Liz Broussard, who assisted Felicia with the training.   With training completed, the service members traveled to their host sites to begin their terms. Contact Felicia Bell at feliciab@ncat.org or call 479-575-1386 for more information or to help with FoodCorps efforts.   Sound and Sensible Organics NCAT's Gulf States office, in partnership with Quality Certification Services (QCS) of Gainesville, Florida, is offering a series of workshops about organic certification for producers in the Gulf States region. These workshops are intended to enlist new farmers and ranchers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia interested in the National Organic Program (NOP) and help them learn how to become NOP-certified.   The trainings will provide information and expertise to farmers interested in NOP and answer questions regarding organic farm practices and NOP certification.   According to Gulf States Regional Director Rockiell Woods, one goal of the workshops is to reach and educate new, beginning, minority, and historically underserved farmers to help them with organic and sustainable farming. "We also want to aid farmers in transitioning from conventional farm systems to certified organic and sustainable farming practices," said Woods.   The workshops will be offered in two parts, with the first workshop covering the basics of organic production and how to get certified organic. The second workshop series will be offered in the spring of 2015 and act as a follow-up for farmers who took part in the first series as well as any others interested in switching to certified organic production. The training team will help any of the workshop participants who want to set up a site inspection on their farms. There will be workshop days in each of the five states to answer questions participants may have, conduct mock inspections, and schedule organic certification inspections.   The current list of scheduled workshops is available on the NCAT website. Watch your email for further details, or visit www.ncat.org/gulf-states-regional-office/.   Intensive Grazing Pilot Project Our Gulf States office received a grant from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service — Grazing Land Conservation Initiative to conduct a pilot project on management intensive grazing (MiG) in Mississippi. Specialist Felicia Bell is working with a local producer to develop a demonstration farm showcasing MIG and other sustainable agriculture practices.   In a traditional grazing program, livestock are turned out on pastures and then removed when forage has been depleted. Uneven grazing, such as over-grazing of individual plants and under-grazing of other parts of a pasture can sometimes occur. This can result in a decrease in desirable grasses and an increase in weeds and other undesirable vegetation.   To avoid this, some landowners use a pasture rotation system with short grazing periods followed by intervals of rest for the pasture. This involves moving animals from one pasture to the next as forage is depleted. Management intensive grazing takes this concept even further using smaller pastures and moving animals to fresh pasture more often, perhaps even daily. This increases the harvest efficiency, improves soil health, and allows for better distribution of nutrients, among other positive effects.   With the project nearly complete, Felicia plans a public field day to showcase the changes the MiG project can bring to pasture. Watch this newsletter and the Gulf States Regional Office website — www.ncat.org/gulf-states-regional-office/ — for more information on the tour.     The Gulf States office is available to provide sustainable agriculture information and technical assistance across the five-state region: Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Call us for more information on how we can assist your organization, toll free: (866) 643-2767.   Have a farm or ranch question? Call ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service toll-free at: 1-800-346-9140 Or, en Espanol: 1-800-411-3222   ATTRA is a project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology     Contact the Gulf States office at Suite 212 510 George Street Jackson, MS 39202; [map↗] We would love to hear your input! What can we do to help you? Give us a call (toll free): (866) 643-2767   Local Solutions for a Sustainable Future! We routinely publish news and events as they are happening on our Regional Page on the NCAT website. Bookmark it to keep up to date! See: https://www.ncat.org/gulf-states-regional-office/ Copyright © November 2014 The National Center for Appropriate Technology NCAT Gulf States mailing address: 2548 Livingston Road Jackson, MS 39213 1-(866)-643-2767 Please consider a donation to NCAT. Your support helps NCAT promote sustainable solutions. Become an E-news Subscriber Pass it on If you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please forward it to a friend. Thank you!     THE NCAT MISSION Helping people by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.

 

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UF/IFAS in the news, 11/21

Good morning. Today’s UF/IFAS news:

Opinion column: A land-grant president for UF

http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/opinion/opinion-column-a-land-grant-president-for-uf/article_cb7998d2-70e4-11e4-ad2f-4b1edb231535.html

 

Get ready to feast (Leon)

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/chronicle/2014/11/21/get-ready-feast/19331495/

 

The food industry's future: University investments and innovations

http://www.fooddive.com/news/the-food-industrys-future-university-investments-and-innovations/333424/

 

University of Florida among those receiving $7 million to empower women farmers

http://news.ufl.edu/archive/2014/11/university-of-florida-among-those-receiving-7-million-to-empower-women-farmers.html

 

2014 Florida Ag Expo Offers Glimpse into the Future of Agriculture
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2014/11/20/2014-florida-ag-expo-offers-glimpse-future-agriculture#axzz3Ji0b4GIM

 

Compost workshop emphasizes reusing, recycling (Pasco)

http://suncoastnews.com/su/list/news-pasco/compost-workshop-emphasizes-reusing-recycling-20141121/

 

Peanut Butter Drive Concludes Today (Escambia/scroll down)

http://www.northescambia.com/2014/11/peanut-butter-drive-concludes-today

 

 

Other news:

 

Are farm crops key players in changes to seasonal carbon cycle? (+video)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/1119/Are-farm-crops-key-players-in-changes-to-seasonal-carbon-cycle-video

 

Only 10% of heavy drinkers are alcoholics, CDC study finds

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/heavy-drinkers-alcoholics-study-article-1.2018130

 

WHO: water and sanitation in rural areas seriously underfunded

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285848.php

Mexicans Hold Rally for Missing Students

http://www.voanews.com/content/mexicans-hold-rally-for-missing-students/2528836.html

 

Gunman at Florida State Spoke of Being Watched

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/us/florida-state-university-shooting.html?_r=0

 

 

 

 

Sustainable Food Conference on January 30, 2014

UF/IFAS in the news, 11/19

Good morning! Today’s UF/IFAS news:

 

Researcher wins prestigious award for strawberry work

http://highlandstoday.com/list/highlands-agri-leader-news/researcher-wins-prestigious-award-for-strawberry-work-20141119/

Mosquitoes bite fewer male birds

http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_97bef034-6fa7-11e4-bb11-cb3bc4475590.html

 

Join University Of Florida IFAS Extension For Its Annual Poinsettia Field Day

http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0040814

 

Lakeland Animal Nutrition: Feed Recalled After 3 Horses Die in South Florida (page 2)

http://www.theledger.com/article/20141118/NEWS/141119400/1410?p=1&tc=pg

 

Try Florida cranberries for Thanksgiving (Seminole Extension mention)

http://highlandstoday.com/list/highlands-agri-leader-news/try-florida-cranberries-for-thanksgiving-20141119/

 

Seminole spends $55K teaching people lawn care (TV)

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/27422638/seminole-spends-55k-teaching-people-lawn-care

 

Buddy Keen named Manatee County's agriculturist of the year

http://www.bradenton.com/2014/11/19/5482495_buddy-callon-named-manatee-countys.html?rh=1

 

 

Other news:

 

Why a star football player traded NFL career for a tractor

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-nfl-player-farms-for-good/

 

Air testing shows low levels of strawberry fumigant

http://tbo.com/news/business/air-testing-shows-low-levels-of-strawberry-fumigant-20141117/

 

FL Farmworkers Focus Of New Documentary 'Food Chains'

http://news.wjct.org/post/fl-farmworkers-focus-new-documentary-food-chains

A Plant That Grows Tomatoes Above and Potatoes Below

http://www.dailyoffbeat.com/articles/4231/20141117/plant-grows-tomatoes-above-potatoes-below.htm

 

At least 6 die as snow, cold pummels Northeast

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/11/19/wednesday-weather/19261905/

Less money borrowed nationally; fewer UF students getting loans

http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_86b50ea8-6fa8-11e4-bdf9-db3afe4dcc5d.html

 

 

Tonight's Freeze Potential

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I just published some information on my blog in regards to the cold weather coming through tonight in North Central Florida and dipping a bit into Central Florida. 

 

http://ufstonefruit.wordpress.com/

 

In short, I don’t anticipate any major damage, but if you have tender nursery plants, make sure they are protected so that they don’t suffer freeze damage. 

 

Thanks, and if you have any questions, please let me know!

 

Take care,

Mercy

 

“The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it”

-Neil DeGrasse Tyson

 

 

 

Announement: Dec 13th Workshop on Sustainable, Small Scale, Pasture Poultry Workshop by Sarasota County Extension

Hello, members and supporters to the SW FL Small Farmers Network (SWFSFN).  We are pleased to send you this announcement for those of you who are interested in pastured poultry enterprises – see attachment.

 

In case you have not heard, the long awaited Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operation rule has been adopted! This rule establishes the regulatory parameters for a small scale, 'farm based food establishment'. It is limited to the provision of whole shell eggs and dressed poultry products only.  Permitting By FDACS of Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operations began in July 1, 2014.

 

This workshop is the first of three workshops planned to provide educational support to farms interested in starting a limited poultry and egg farm operation using whole farm planning.  (Note: Workshops #2 and #3 will be offered in early 2015).  Registration for this workshop is required and is limited to 25 persons.

 

This Workshop Part #1 will focus on production and business planning for chickens and turkeys. Here are the description and registration details:

 

Date:                                     Saturday, Dec 13, 2014

Time:                                    noon to 4 pm

Location:                              701 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL (i.e., the SCTI/AgVoTec Farm in front of McIntosh Middle School)

Cost:                                      $40

Online registration:         see http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/ (go to Events Calendar link)

Topics:                                  see registration webpage

 

Feel free to forward this email and flyer to anyone you know who would be interested in this workshop.  If they are not familiar with the SWFSFN, also inform them of our networking website at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SW_FL_Small_Farms/info

 

Thanks, and, if you are a farmer vender, have a profitable Saturday at your Farmers Market

 

Robert A. Kluson, Ph.D.

Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent III

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Community Services Business Center

6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL  34241

rkluson@scgov.net

(941) 861-9849 (ofc); (941-232-3090 (c)

 

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" - Robert Kennedy

 

 

ARS Newslink: November 10 - 14, 2014

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
November 14, 2014

---

Boosting Butanol's Role in the Biofuel World

Some USDA studies suggest that barley straw and corn stover could be an economical way to produce butanol from agricultural byproducts. (11/14)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2014/141114.htm

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Veteran Scholarships Available for Ag Conference

Veteran Scholarships Set for Sustainable Ag Conference Annual Southern SAWG Conference Focuses on Practical Advice for Farmers Limited scholarships are available for military veterans who would like to attend Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's (SAWG) annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference. The popular conference, which is being held January 14 through January 17 in Mobile, Alabama, focuses on practical tools and solutions to build the necessary bridges between farmers, marketers, ag professionals, and local-food system advocates. The University of Arkansas and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are partnering to offer the veteran scholarships, which cover general registration for the conference. The deadline to apply for the scholarships is December 12. Download the PDF or fill it out online at  www.ncat.org/armedtofarm. For more information on the scholarships, contact Margo Hale at margoh@ncat.org. To learn more about the conference, visit http://www.ssawg.org/january-2015-conference/.   --30-- Since 1976, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources. In partnership with businesses, organizations, individuals and agricultural producers, NCAT is working to advance solutions that will ensure the next generation inherits a world that has clean air and water, energy production that is efficient and renewable, and healthy foods grown with sustainable practices. More information about its programs and services is available at www.ncat.org or by calling 1-800-ASK-NCAT.

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Weekly Harvest, November 12, 2014

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Weekly Harvest Newsletter Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - November 12, 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 Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs Available from NSAC Organic Federation of Canada Explores Certification Alternatives for Small-Scale Farmers Open-Access PlantVillage Offers Food-Crop Knowledge USDA Seeks Comments on New Conservation Stewardship Rule National Young Farmers Coalition Releases Film Highlighting Colorado Basin Water Stewards University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies Conducting Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture Survey Funding Opportunities WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Veteran Scholarships for Southern SAWG Conference California Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Coming Events Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference Great Plains Growers Conference New Mexico Sustainable Agriculture Conference News & Resources Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs Available from NSAC The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has released its 2014 Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs. This free, digital guide offers plain-language explanations of the dozens of federal programs and policies most important to sustainable agriculture and how farmers, ranchers, and grassroots organizations nationwide can access them. Organic Federation of Canada Explores Certification Alternatives for Small-Scale Farmers The Organic Federation of Canada's Working Group on Small Scale Organic Certification (WGSSOC) has been exploring why many small-scale producers choose not to certify as organic. A 2014 survey revealed that the current "one size fits all" model of organic certification is often not feasible for small-scale operators. WGSSOC has drafted two organic certification models that aim to be attainable for a small-scale producer focusing mainly on direct sales: the Peer Certification Model and the Self-Declaration Model. WGSSOC is currently collecting feedback on these models. Open-Access PlantVillage Offers Food-Crop Knowledge An open-access site called PlantVillage is offering plant and plant-disease knowledge to farmers and growers around the globe. Developed by Penn State biologists, PlantVillage includes a library of science-based information that can be accessed easily on mobile devices, covering 153 crops and 2,000 plant diseases. Users can also seek information and solutions to perplexing questions through a moderated forum. USDA Seeks Comments on New Conservation Stewardship Rule Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced proposed changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). USDA published an interim final rule containing the statutory changes to CSP in the Federal Register on November 5, 2014. USDA is seeking public comment on the rule through January 5, 2015. National Young Farmers Coalition Releases Film Highlighting Colorado Basin Water Stewards The National Young Farmers Coalition has released a short film titled Resilient: Soil, Water and the New Stewards of the American West. Within the context of historic drought and increasing urban demand, this online video highlights the work of innovative farmers and ranchers across western Colorado. They are adapting to a drier climate by building soil, enhancing irrigation efficiency, and saving water, all while forging resilience. University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies Conducting Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture Survey The University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies and Delta Land & Community, Inc. are inviting participation in an online survey of agricultural producers, businesses, and resource professionals. They would like to know about experiences and perceptions concerning barriers and opportunities for sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in the southern United States. >> More Breaking News Back to top Funding Opportunities WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation is inviting States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery to apply for a cost-share on projects that conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy, and improve energy efficiency. Up to $300,000 will be available for projects taking up to two years to complete. Up to $1 million will be available for larger, phased projects. Proposals must be submitted by January 14, 2015. Veteran Scholarships for Southern SAWG Conference Limited scholarships are available for military veterans who would like to attend Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference, January 14-17 in Mobile, Alabama. The University of Arkansas and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are partnering to offer veteran scholarships that cover general registration for the conference. The deadline to apply is December 12, 2014. California Specialty Crop Block Grant Program The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting proposals for the 2015 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $450,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and nine months. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply. Concept proposals are due by December 5, 2014. >> More Funding Opportunities Back to top Coming Events Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference January 7-9, 2015 Springfield, Illinois This major event includes pre-conference workshops on pollinators, high-tunnel production, and wholesale marketing, as well as conference tracks on agritourism, fruits, vegetables, herbs, organic, and emerging issues. Great Plains Growers Conference January 8-10, 2015 St. Joseph, Missouri This conference for beginning and experienced growers features presentations by knowledgeable speakers from throughout the nation. The conference showcases educational information and experience from five states: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. There is also a trade show. New Mexico Sustainable Agriculture Conference December 17, 2014 Roswell, New Mexico Topics to be addressed at this event include targeted grazing, drought management strategies, alternative crops, and sustaining chile through brand recognition. The conference is presented by New Mexico State University and Western SARE. >> 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. ATTRA 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 Sustainable Weed Management for Small and Medium-Scale Farms Question of the Week Is it better to use pelleted or loose chicken manure to fertilize Bermuda grass hay stands? Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert Submit questions to our professional staff online New ATTRA Video Selling Local Food to Schools: USDA Guidelines 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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