SARE News
25 Years of SARE: Report on Project Funding
Southern region SARE has produced a report that provides a brief look at the grants portfolio that has been built between 1988 and 2013. The report is intended to help those in the ag community evaluate the effectiveness of the SSARE program, as well as provide a snapshot of how grant monies are allocated and the types of grants are distributed in each state. Access the report here.
SSARE 2014 Index
Southern SARE’s index for 2014 is now available. The annual report contains the complete portfolio of final grant projects and continuing grant-funded research throughout the Southern region.
Webinars
Farmers making a smart choice for health insurance
Thursday, January 29, 1-2:30PM EST
Learn how the Affordable Care Act affects farm/ranch families as individuals (consumers), as business operators, and their farm workers. Enrollment assisters who work with farmers and ranchers are also encouraged to attend. Join the webinar here or call in to 888-469-1349/Participant passcode: 5724564.
Public opinion of genetically modified food
Thursday, January 29, 1-2PM EST
What do Floridians think about genetically modified food? Do Floridians know which foods contain genetically modified ingredients? Do Floridians plan to purchase genetically modified foods in the future? Join the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources to learn the answers to these questions and more about the public perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of genetically modified foods as Joy Rumble discusses the latest public opinion survey results. Alison Van Eenennaam will provide insights into the results based on her extensive experience working in the field of biotechnology and pose a few questions to generate discussion on how the results of the survey may be put to use. Register to participate here.
Developing, implementing and sustaining healthy food incentive programs at farmers’ markets
Thursday, January 29, 3-4:30 PM EST
Dr. Freedman of Case Western Reserve University will provide examples where Extension has connected with public health and community health initiatives through healthy food incentive programs. Her presentation will also offer guidance for engaging key stakeholders in healthy food incentive program development as well as challenges and opportunities for this type of intervention. URL: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/communities
Growing Roots in Farm to School Webinar Series
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USDA Farm to School staff and guest speakers have just what you need to start or expand your farm to school program in the new year. This 11-part webinar series will help you build your farm to school skills and develop new strategies for bringing local foods into the lunchroom. To join a webinar, register here:
1. Farm to School Planning and Building a Team, January 15, 2:00 pm
2. Setting Goals and Establishing an Evaluation Baseline, January 28, 2:00 pm
3. Finding and Buying Local Foods, February 5, 2:00 pm
4. Farm to School Menu Planning, February 19, 2:00 pm
5. Food Safety, March 5, 2:00 pm
6. Promoting Your Farm to School Program, March 19, 2:00 pm
7. School Gardening, April 2, 2:00 pm
8. Curriculum Integration, April 16, 2:00 pm
9. Program Sustainability, April 30, 2:00 pm
10. Evaluating Your Program, May 13, 2:00 pm
11. Tying it All Together and Digging In, May 28, 2:00 pm
Food Policy and Regional Food Systems: Opportunities for Networking Across Jurisdictions
Wednesday, February 11, 1:00PM – 2:15PM EST
During this webinar, expert panelists will address a number of big picture questions local food policy councils have about regional food systems, including:
· The role of local food policy councils within a regional network
· When is it beneficial to connect across a region
· How to determine your "region" and what to do when definitions vary
· Best practices and challenges to organizing and building regional networks, including resources and infrastructure needed
These issues will be addressed to show participants how networking across jurisdictions can positively influence food system change. The webinar will also include time for participant Q&A. Register Here.
University of Kentucky 2015 High Tunnel Webinar Series
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Learn about season extension in high tunnel production systems in a new webinar series sponsored by the Center for Crop Diversification and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. There will be six webinars, eat 75 minutes long. In February and March 2015. The series will cover market opportunities, structure options and construction, organic production and certification, crop and equipment options, pest pressure and control, as well as a summary of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Seasonal high Tunnel Initiative. You must register for each webinar by calling 606-348-8453. A description of each webinar can be found here.
· February 17 – Season Extension Opportunities and EQIP Funding
· February 24 – Structure Options, Construction, Ventilation and Temperature Control
· March 3 – Organic Certification and Marketing high Tunnel Crops
· March 10 – Crop, Irrigation and Equipment Options
· March 17 – Insect, Weed and Disease Control
· March 24 – Producer Views and Series Wrap-Up
Farm Law Webinar Series Announced
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Farm Commons is an organization that creates educational resources to help farmers identify legal issues, break them down into manageable steps, and give them the confidence to move forward. This winter season, they are hosting a series of webinars focused on legal issues in farming, featuring a wide variety of topics, including: food safety liability, legal considerations for beginning farmers and CSA operators, farmland leasing, farm labor, contracts, and more! See the full list of webinars and register for them at the Farm Commons website.
Resources
Small Farm Digest –Starting a Cooperative
This issue of the Small Farm Digest, produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) focuses on starting a cooperative. In it you will find articles on starting a cooperative and models of cooperatives in the U.S. See the publication attached.
The Farm to School Evaluation Toolkit
The Farm to School Evaluation Toolkit, created by the Colorado Farm to School Task Force and Spark Policy Institute, is a resource to help farm to school programs of all sizes, in all states, undertake evaluation. The FTS Evaluation Toolkit provides simple, straightforward information about how to design and implement evaluations of school gardens and other farm to school activities. In a succinct ten pages, the FTS Evaluation Toolkit Guide walks users through each step of the evaluation process, including how to prepare for an evaluation, identify outcomes, select and adapt measurement tools, complete an evaluation plan, implement an evaluation plan, and use evaluation results. Click here to check out the Farm to School Evaluation Toolkit.
2014 Farm Bill Provides Greater Protection for Specialty Crop Growers
Greater protection is now available from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for crops that traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop insurance: vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, and energy crops. Producers can now also choose higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price. Find out more here.
FSA Hay and Grazing Net: an Online Resource for Hay and Livestock Producers
For many years, FSA’s Hay Net website has been the “go to” online resource for agricultural producers. Now, in response to requests from livestock producers and landowners, FSA has expanded the site to include the option to list a need for grazing acres or to list acres available for grazing.
Tools for Trapping Pests and Attracting Beneficial Insects
Wherever crops are grown they attract insect and disease pests. So how can we detect pests early and how do we get their natural enemies to work better for us? There are some new multifunctional tactics that have been developed that will work for certain pest and beneficial insects. Check out this article for more information.
Honeybees are Valuable Pollinators
The honeybee, of all insects, is most peculiarly adapted to the task of cross pollination. About two million colonies are rented by growers each year to service over 90 crops. This article provides five recommendations for a successful pollination enterprise. In addition, Managing Alternative Pollinators, is a guide for rearing and managing bumble bees and other pollinators. This SARE book is available free as a PDF download.
Poultry Basics Tip Sheet
If you are looking for pointers on choosing chicken breeds, caring for your flock, and raising a flock in urban areas, check out this newly developed publication from ATTRA, “Poultry Basics Tipsheet.”
Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities: A Guide to Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Entrepreneurship, Conservation, Food Systems, and Community Development
This updated USDA funding guide helps producers, researchers, nonprofits, and landowners find programs to help them achieve their goals. It covers 63 government programs and has been updated to include programs included in the 2014 Farm Bill. Download the guide free here.
Federal Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching
This new ATTRA publication is an overview of federal conservation programs that help farmers and ranchers maintain and enhance sustainable practices and acts as a guide for navigating the often complex and difficult application process. Get the publication here.
