Wednesday, March 25, 2015

2015 FWC/IFAS Research Review for Invasive Plants in Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Invasive Plant Management Section and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP) held its biannual Research and Outreach Review Meeting at the UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Office in Orlando, Florida on March 4-5, 2015. The purpose of this meeting was to exchange current scientific research and outreach information on invasive plant management in Florida. The 1.5 day research and outreach review was attended by over one hundred participants and included university and government scientists, federal, state, and local government resource managers, and outreach professionals.

 

A link to the meeting agenda and to the PowerPoint presentations in PDF format can be found at the UF/IFAS CAIP website here.

 

The meeting was coordinated by Mr. Don Schmitz (FWC) and Dr. Bill Haller (UF/IFAS-CAIP).

 

Weekly Harvest, March 25, 2015

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ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture

Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - March 25, 2015

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

  • Report on Bio-Extensive Market Farming Published
  • Survey Collecting Input on Food Safety at Farmers Markets
  • Terminating Cover Crops with Sheep Benefits Organic Farmers
  • NRCS Spreadsheet Tool Helps Farmers Determine Economics of Cover Crops
  • Western SARE Introduces Western Sustainability Pioneer Award
  • World Health Organization Releases Assessment of Carcinogenicity of Organophosphate Pesticides

Funding Opportunities

  • Farmers Market Promotion Program
  • Kaiser Conservation Endowment
  • Montana Specialty Crop Block Grant

Coming Events

  • National Hmong American Farmers Annual Farm Conference
  • Piedmont Farm Tour
  • California Farm to School Conference

News & Resources

Report on Bio-Extensive Market Farming Published
The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture has released Market Farming with Rotations and Cover Crops: An Organic Bio-Extensive System. The 70-page report outlines how to control grasses and weeds and build soil life, health, and fertility organically through cover crops and rotations.

Survey Collecting Input on Food Safety at Farmers Markets
The Farmers Market Food Safety Program is seeking input from market vendors and managers regarding their opinions and experiences with food safety at farmers markets. This program seeks to enhance food-safety practices at farmers markets by developing educational materials and operational tools. To give your valuable input on food safety at farmers markets, you can take an online survey.

Terminating Cover Crops with Sheep Benefits Organic Farmers
Preliminary results of a study released by Montana State University show the benefits of using sheep, rather than tillage, to manage and terminate cover crops. The study found that farmers who grow organic crops may save money, reduce tillage, manage weeds and pests, and reduce the risk of soil erosion by using domestic sheep to graze farmland for cover crop termination and weed control.
Related ATTRA Publication: Integrating Livestock and Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing Income

NRCS Spreadsheet Tool Helps Farmers Determine Economics of Cover Crops
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has developed The Cover Crop Economic Decision Support Tool, a spreadsheet that helps farmers, landowners, and others make informed decisions when considering whether to add cover crops to their systems. The tool offers a partial budget analysis, derived from data that farmers enter.

Western SARE Introduces Western Sustainability Pioneer Award
To bring increased awareness to sustainable agriculture leaders and their work, Western SARE has announced that it is accepting nominations for its first Western Sustainability Pioneer Award. Nominations for this award may be made by anyone and are due May 15, 2015.

World Health Organization Releases Assessment of Carcinogenicity of Organophosphate Pesticides
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organization, has assessed the carcinogenicity of five organophosphate pesticides. In the IARC evaluations, the herbicide glyphosate and the insecticides malathion and diazinon were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. The insecticides tetrachlorvinphos and parathion were classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

>> More Breaking News

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Funding Opportunities

Farmers Market Promotion Program
The Farmers Market Promotion Program offers grants to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. The maximum grant is $100,000; the minimum award is $15,000.
Applications are due May 14, 2015.

Kaiser Conservation Endowment
Washington State University and University of Idaho are soliciting proposals to the Verle Kaiser Conservation Endowment for promotion and demonstration of conservation practices targeting soil erosion. Proposals are sought on the training of college and K-12 students and constituents, including curriculum development, field trips, teaching aids, audio/visual or other educational-related activities. Funds are open to Washington State University, University of Idaho, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Conservation Districts, and colleges in Washington and Idaho.
Proposals are due by April 10, 2015.

Montana Specialty Crop Block Grant
Montana has $1.3 million in federal funding available through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program to enhance the competitiveness of Montana specialty crops. Eligible projects include education on the value of specialty crops, improving efficiency of distribution systems, assisting entities in the development of good agricultural practices, pest and disease control, improving variety development, and sustainable production practices.
Proposals are due by April 22, 2015.

>> More Funding Opportunities

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Coming Events

National Hmong American Farmers Annual Farm Conference
April 30, 2015
Fresno, California

National Hmong American Farmers, Inc. will focus this conference on "Coming Together in the Asian American Pacific Islander Farming Community." They have invited Latino and Latina farmers, beginning farmers, and farm workers to join in this sixth national event.

Piedmont Farm Tour
April 25-26, 2015
Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Person counties, North Carolina

Learn about the Triangle region's local and organic farm and food scene. This self-guided tour offers the opportunity to visit any of 40 participating stops over the course of two afternoons.

California Farm to School Conference
May 4-6, 2015
Pacific Grove, California

This conference will offer a series of workshops, panels, and discussions. Farmers, distributors, government representatives, procurement officers, educators, and food program administrators will attend.

>> More Events

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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.

© 2015 NCAT

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Upcoming Webinar
Texas Drought and Disaster Assistance Programs ~ April 9, 2015
This webinar is sponsored by Farm Aid, NCAT, and Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association

Question of the Week
How can I propagate blackberries and figs?

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

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

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Book Your Hotel Room Today! - 2015 FL Beef Cattle Short Course

 

Celebrating the 64th Annual 

Florida Beef Cattle Short Course

"Building on Success"
May 13-15, 2015

Alto and Patricia Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center
Gainesville, Florida

 


Short Course Location 

 


Alto and Patricia Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center 

2142 Shealy Drive  

Gainesville, Florida 32611

 

Click here for a location map

 

 

 


Make the most of your visit to Gainesville! Check out the
Visit Gainesville

website for exciting places to see and explore.

 

 

Questions?

Program Information:
Rebecca Matta
Short Course Organizer
352-392-1916
rmatta@ufl.edu

Registration Information:
Jasmine Garcia
Short Course Registrar
352-392-5930
j.garcia@ufl.edu

 

Join Our Mailing List!


Click on the link above, enter your email address and click "Continue".  Then select the "Beef Cattle" marketing list to receive future emails about the conference.

If you manage listservs or have access to email addresses of colleagues who may be interested in attending the
2015 Beef Cattle Short Course, please forward this email and encourage others to join the mailing list. Thank you!

Hotel Accommodations  

 

To meet your lodging needs, 2015 Florida Beef Cattle Short Course attendees are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the UF/IFAS Discounted Room Rates available at many Gainesville area hotels.

 

Click here for more information on these great rates and to book your hotel room today!  

 

 

 

Check out this year's great agenda! 

 

Organizers have worked hard to ensure you gain valuable knowledge from this year's educational program. See the agenda

 

 

Register today for one of the premier beef cattle educational events in the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions with national and global recognition!

 

Become a Sponsor    

 

By becoming an active sponsor, your organization or company will have the opportunity to:

  • Strengthen its prominence as a leader in the industry
  • Increase recognition & exposure
  • Showcase promotional material
  • Network with colleagues
  • Be featured on the short course website with a link to your organization's homepage  

Click here for more information on becoming an active partner.

 

 

Become an Exhibitor

 

Showcase your company by becoming an exhibitor. Limited opportunities are available. Click here for more information.
    

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

22 Florida CEUs Announced! - 2015 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course

 

 

 

 

  May 4-7, 2015

 

Ft. Lauderdale Coral Springs Marriott

 

11775 Heron Bay Blvd.

Coral Springs, FL 33076

PH: 954-753-5598

WEBSITE    

 

 Like us on Facebook  Join the event!

 

conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw

 

Why You Should Attend

- Earn 22 Florida CEUs

- Take Florida Certification
   Exams

- Exam Study and Q&A
  Sessions

- Interactive Calibration
  Training Sessions

- Live Plant ID Sessions

 

 

 

Check out this year's great agenda to see who is speaking!

 

Need Continuing Education Units at the short course? We just received approval for 22 Florida CEUs!     

 

Want to plan your short course schedule in advance? Choose the category at the top of the CEU breakdown chart and find the classes that provide the credits you need. If you don't have a license, you will generally benefit from taking Session B courses and Plant ID and Calibration Training Sessions.

A representative from the Florida Pesticide Certification Office will be available at the short course to answer questions regarding CEUs and Florida licensing requirements.

 

You may only earn credit for sessions attended!

 

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

 

 

REGISTER ONLINE

 

The REGULAR Registration Deadline is fast approaching! Register today to avoid the $50 fee increase!

Regular Registration Deadline:

April 10

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

  

Book your room online using group code AQT to access the group rate of $107/night. Or call 954-753-5598 and request the Aquatic Weed Control Short Course group rate.  

 

Hotel Reservation Cut-Off Date:

April 12

SPONSOR TODAY


Sponsors enlisted by April 3rd will be recognized in the final printed program distributed to 400+ applicators at the short course!

Sponsorship in Print Deadline:

April 3

 

 

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

 

Gold 

 

 

 

 

 


Silver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Bronze

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


General

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

QUESTIONS? Contact Jasmine Garcia at j.garcia@ufl.edu or 352-294-3584

 

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