Weekly Harvest, December 21, 2016

Weekly Harvest Newsletter Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - December 21, 2016 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 accepting applications for a Growing for Success Program Specialist in Montana. This project aims to expand the Harvest of the Month initiative to a broader institutional audience. Applications will be accepted through February 3, 2017, or until a suitable candidate can be identified. News & Resources USDA Announces Farmer Fair Practices Rules to Protect Farmers Wind Turbines May Have Beneficial Effects for Crops, Says Research Applications for Cover Crop Champions Requested Report Released on Variety Trials of Storage Crops for Season Extension Research Report Shows Rotational Grazing Supports Bird Habitat Honey Bee Health Coalition Videos Help Beekeepers Combat Varroa Mites Funding Opportunities Lakewinds Organic Field Fund National Farm to School Network Core Partners RFA North Dakota Community and School Orchards and Gardens Grants Coming Events Healthy Farms Conference Farming for the Future Conference GrassWorks Grazing Conference News & Resources USDA Announces Farmer Fair Practices Rules to Protect Farmers USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has announced updated regulations to protect the rights of farmers. The Farmer Fair Practices Rules target the most harmful practices hurting farmers and clearly outline common-sense protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Packers and Stockyards Act. GIPSA is providing opportunity for additional comment on all of the rules. Wind Turbines May Have Beneficial Effects for Crops, Says Research A multi-year study led by an Iowa State University scientist suggests that turbines commonly used to capture wind energy may have a positive effect on crops. Tall wind turbines disbursed throughout a field create air turbulence that may help plants by affecting variables such as temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations. Related ATTRA Publication: Renewable Energy Opportunities on the Farm Applications for Cover Crop Champions Requested The National Wildlife Federation is accepting applications for Cover Crop Champions to promote cover crops and provide region-specific information and farming knowledge to farmers and crop advisors. Upper Midwest farmers and conservation professionals may apply as individuals or pairs/groups of farmer champions and outreach champions. Applications are due by January 15, 2017. Report Released on Variety Trials of Storage Crops for Season Extension Organic Seed Alliance has released Vegetable Crops for Season Extension in the Pacific Northwest: 2014 – 2016 Trial Results. The report details variety trial results for storage cabbages, storage onions, overwintering chicories, and overwintering purple sprouting broccoli. The trial evaluations in Washington state focused on agronomic, storage, and culinary qualities. The full report, available online, includes nearly 90 varieties. Research Report Shows Rotational Grazing Supports Bird Habitat Practical Farmers of Iowa reported on research conducted on bird populations on rotationally grazed pastures and a nearby prairie conservation area in Iowa. The study demonstrated that wild bird populations can thrive in properly managed working landscapes. Total numbers of birds and numbers of species were both higher on the grazed land. Related ATTRA Publication: Managed Grazing Tutorial Honey Bee Health Coalition Videos Help Beekeepers Combat Varroa Mites The Honey Bee Health Coalition has posted a series of videos to help beekeepers promote colony health and combat costly and destructive Varroa mite infestations. The videos provide helpful visual aids and step-by-step directions on how beekeepers can monitor and control Varroa mites through an Integrated Pest Management strategy. >>More Breaking News Back to top Funding Opportunities Lakewinds Organic Field Fund Lakewinds Organic Field Fund (LOFF) grant program provides funding for farmers who are working on the development and sustainability of organics through research and development, organic certification, transitioning farms from conventional to organic, creating new farms, and land trusts for organic farms. Preference will be given for farmers and farming organizations in Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin. Application deadline is February 3, 2017. National Farm to School Network Core Partners RFA The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) is seeking partner organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. Territories to serve as Core Partners during 2017-2019 in the next phase of farm to school and ECE growth and evolution. All selected Core Partners (one per state) will receive a matching $4,000 award (Level 1 grants). Additional matching support of up to $8,000 (Level 2 grants) will be allocated to selected Core Partners representing high-need areas of the country. Applicants must be members of NFSN and demonstrate capacity for supporting local and regional procurement, food and farm education, and gardening activities. Applications are due January 26, 2017. North Dakota Community and School Orchards and Gardens Grants North Dakota Department of Agriculture has $52,500 available to help North Dakota communities and schools plant orchards and gardens in 2017. Communities and schools are eligible to apply for grants of $500 to $7,500. Grant applications must be received by January 20, 2017. >>More Funding Opportunities Back to top Coming Events Healthy Farms Conference January 27-28, 2017 Columbus, Nebraska Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society's annual conference features keynotes John Ikerd and Greg Gunthorp. Breakout sessions address livestock and vegetable production, farm business, and more. There is also a full program of youth activities. Farming for the Future Conference February 1-4, 2017 State College, Pennsylvania PASA's 26th annual conference, "Hope, Farm, Heal," includes intensive full- and half-day programming, more than 100 workshops on a variety of topics, and a trade show. Keynote speakers are Janisse Ray and Gabe Brown. GrassWorks Grazing Conference February 2-4, 2017 Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin "Resilience Through Generations" features Tom Frantzen, Joyce Turk, and Jim Gerrish. Conference tracks include dairy, all-around, and beginning grazier. There will be presentations on a wide range of topics, as well as a trade show. >>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. © 2016 NCAT Back to top	New ATTRA Resource Crop Planning for Vegetable Farmers Question of the Week How can I treat apple scab organically? Ask an Agriculture Expert Submit questions to our professional staff online or by calling 1-800-346-9140 Coming ATTRA Events Find a list of scheduled workshops and presentations by ATTRA staff across the country. 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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Florida Land Steward Update 12/21/16

Florida Land Steward Update December 21, 2016 Have Land?  Get a Plan and Stay Connected.  Florida Land Steward is your source of assistance, information, events and resources. News, information and upcoming events below.   Please share this update with your neighbors, colleagues and others that may be interested.

*- Link to the current quarterly Florida Land Steward Newsletter (Fall-Winter 2016, Vol 5, No 4) and back issues -*

News & Info Brief FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PARTNERS WISH YOU A VERY BLESSED AND FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT 2017 EVENTS. 2017 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE Our 2017 Florida Land Steward Calendars are in!  With beautiful photos, land management highlights, tips, partner resources and contacts, these make a great gift for you or the forest landowner or farmer on your list. First come, first serve for Forest Stewards, Tree Farmers, farmers, landowners, and private land managers while supplies last. Email Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to request your copy. Please include your mailing address when you drop a line. If you requested a calendar last week, it is in the mail. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER ISSUE OF SOUTHERN FIRE EXCHANGE'S FIRE LINES NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE In this issue of our bimonthly newsletter: Smoke Research Highlights, with New Health Resources for Wildland Fire Smoke; Save the Date: 2017 AFE International Fire Congress in Orlando; NEW SFE Fact Sheets: Common Wildland Fire Programs and Prescribed Burn Associations; Prescribed Fire and Wildlife: Technical Review; 2017 SFE Webinars; Effective Communication About Fire Workshop; RSS Feed for Southern Fire Exchange Website Now Available; Nine Tips for "Talking Science"; Cohesive Strategy Importance in the Aftermath of the 2016 Fall Fire Season. Current and issues of Fire Lines available at: http://www.southernfireexchange.org/SFE_Publications/Newsletter.html FUNDING HELPS RANCHERS CONSERVE FLORIDA PANTHER HABITAT Ranchers in southwest Florida may be able to get paid for helping the Florida panther. To be eligible, a producer's operation must be in northeastern Collier County or southwestern Hendry County—an area identified as essential for the long-term viability of the panther population. Federal, state and nonprofits have partnered to provide a suite of technical services and financial assistance to ranchers, from building fencing and treating invasive plants to compensating ranchers for loss of their cattle from panthers. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will coordinate assistance to ranchers available through the various agencies. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide technical and financial assistance for conservation practices through its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The signup deadline to apply for that program is Feb. 3, 2017. To find out how to participate contact Jennifer Korn at FWC, 813-417-6165 or Erin Myers at USFWS, 239-657-8009. At NRCS in Hendry County contact District Conservationist Jim Sutter, (863) 674-5700, and in Collier County District Conservationist Bob Beck, 239-455-4100. 2016 TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS Dr. Linda Wang, National Timber Tax Specialist, USDA Forest Service, has prepared her annual Timber Tax Tips publication. It and other related resources are available at the National Timber Tax website: http://www.timbertax.org/. SIGN UP FOR WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENTS Application Deadline Extended to January 13 Agricultural landowners and Indian tribes can apply for a Wetland Reserve Easement until Jan. 13 for fiscal year 2017 funding. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial and technical assistance for landowners to purchase and restore wetlands, protect wildlife habitat and recharge groundwater on their property. Eligible landowners can enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year. Applications are available online. Contact Crenel Francis, (352) 338-9508 for questions and submissions. FUNDING HELPS FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IMPROVE WORKING LANDS   Application Deadline February 3 for Conservation Stewardship Program Agricultural producers can sign up for funding now until February 3 available through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Agricultural producers and forest landowners can earn incentive payments from CSP for expanding conservation activities on their land, such as cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat.  CSP encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new approaches such as precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to improve water quality. The program also offers bundles, where a producer can select a suite of enhancements to implement and receive an even higher payment rate. All CSP contracts will have a minimum annual payment of $1,500. Information about CSP, including national and state ranking questions and enhancement descriptions, is available on the national website or visit your local NRCS field office. SIGN UP FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS The application deadline is February 24 for fiscal year 2017 funding. NRCS provides financial assistance to partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrub land.  Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.   Under the Agricultural Land component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.  Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year. Visit your local NRCS office to find out how to apply or obtain the applications online. Contact Nina Bhattacharyya, (352) 338-9554 for information. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN DEER - FWC REQUESTS SAMPLES FROM HARVESTS By Larry Perrin, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission The FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requests your assistance with increased monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal disease of white-tailed deer, and other ungulates (elk, moose, mule deer). It is not contagious to humans. CWD was originally discovered in Colorado in 1980 and now occurs in 24 other states; the closest to FL being TX and AR to the west and VA and WV to the north. Early detection is critical as this disease is extremely difficult to control, thus continuous monitoring is important. FWC has been conducting CWD monitoring since 2001 with many of our samples coming from public wildlife management areas. We would now like to focus on obtaining samples from other public and private lands. It would be most beneficial if you would report any sick, injured, or dead deer (typically road-killed deer) to our CWD "hotline" at 866-293-9282. FWC will then make every effort to collect the necessary brain tissue and lymph nodes from these animals. Also, if you, or any of your acquaintances, are deer hunters we would like to obtain samples from these animals as well. For hunter-killed bucks, the antlers and/or cape can be removed as normal without affecting the desired samples. If you are likely to harvest several deer (bucks or does) over the hunting season deer heads can be stored for 2 to 3 weeks if refrigerated and for an extended period if frozen. The storage of heads from the same tract of land is beneficial as we can schedule a pickup that will be much more efficient than picking up individual deer heads. Again, you can call our hotline no. (866-293-9282) to arrange for pickups. If you harvest deer from more than one area specific location information is needed for each deer since if a sample tests positive for CWD it will be essential that its location be known so that appropriate measures can be taken. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.  SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES? Do you have pests or a disease in your trees? Leaves or needles wilting, and you don't know why? Sawdust falling out of your trees, and you don't know how to save them? There is help: ask your question at the free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/. GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM? Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities. LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC? Check the vast array of extension publications available at the University of Florida IFAS on the EDIS publication site:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/  Wow, there's a publication about that? HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE? Drop a line to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu More news and info at the Florida Land Steward Blog   *** EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south) February 10, 2017 Small Scale Mushroom Production (link), UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, FL. See link above for details and registration or contact Dilcia Toro at dtoro@ufl.edu or (386) 362-1725 ext.102 March 10-11 University of Florida 2017 Bee College (link), Whitney Marine Laboratory for Bioscience, 9505 N Oceanshore Blvd, Marineland, FL 32137. Provided by the UF Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab. See link above for details and registration. March 13-14 or March 17-18 Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business (link),UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, FL. See link above for details and registration or contact Dilcia Toro at dtoro@ufl.edu or (386) 362-1725 ext.102 May 8-11 2017 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course (link), Coral Springs, FL. Join us for the largest and most inclusive training for Florida Pesticide Licensing and CEUs. Become a more qualified professional, engage with your industry, and network with your peers! The Short Course is designed to benefit both new and experienced applicators alike. Register by February 27 at the early rate of $245, and save $50!  See link above for details and registration. Questions? Call Mandy Stage, Short Course Coordinator, (352) 392-5930, mstage@ufl.edu   WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) January 12, 2017 Managing Your Forests and Farms for Fish and Wildlife (link), 8:30 am to 12:30 pm CT, UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office, 2741 Pennsylvania Ave, Marianna, FL 32448. Provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, UF/IFAS and Farm Credit. Lunch will be provided free of charge but you must pre-register by January 9, 2017. Contact Billie Clayton at (850) 767-3634. January 22 Red Hills Fire Festival (link), 11:00 am - 3:00 pm ET, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL. Event includes wagon tours, kid's activities, live music, fire equipment and prescribed burning demos, food trucks and presentations by experts in fire and wildlife. For more Information, contact: Brian Wiebler, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy, (850) 363-1079, brian@ttrs.org January 29-31 Southeastern SAF 2017 Annual Meeting: "Sustaining Southeastern Forestry - Healthy Forests, Markets and Policy" (link), Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, FL. This event is approved for 9.0 SAF Category 1-CF Hours. Contact: Sharon Dolliver, sesafbusmgr@windstream.net  WEBINARS, REGIONAL EVENTS January 10 Science/Technology Webinar: Using Adaptive Management to Improve Soil Health in Grazing Ecosystems (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. January 25 Science/Technology Webinar: Eastern Forest Pest Update (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. *** More events on these sites and web calendars: UF/IFAS Web Calendar Florida Forest Stewardship Calendar http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/events_calendar.html http://www.floridainvasives.org/ Florida Master Naturalist Program Florida Native Plant Society Chapters:  http://www.fnps.org/chapters/chapters Brooker Creek Preserve Events, Pinellas County Florida Forest Service Training Opportunities Forestry and Natural Resources Webinars Check with your UF/IFAS County Extension Office for more events and information relevant to your county: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/ On Facebook? Visit and Like   Florida Land Steward on Facebook     Florida Land Steward Partnership:   UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION UF/IFAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PARTNERS PROGRAM PENINSULAR FLORIDA LANDSCAPE COOPERATIVE FLORIDA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION / SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE FLORIDA TREE FARM PROGRAM   http://floridalandsteward.org   To be added or removed from this service, simply email a request to cdemers@ufl.edu

 

 

Food System Positions open with UF/IFAS Extension, Family Nutrition Program

Three district-wide food systems positions have been posted on the UF/IFAS Jobs website. These are regional positions working with the Family Nutrition Program, Florida's SNAP-Ed implementation agency. Majority of duties are focused around Farm to School & Community. Please circulate widely through your networks.  

 

Brevard/Martin County (closes 12/19) - http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/500599/educationtraining-spec-ii-brevardmartin

 

Miami (closes 12/23) - http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/500680/miami-dade-food-systems-coordinator

 

Gainesville (closes 12/27) - http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/500714/district-procurement-coordinator

 

 

Please share my contact information with anyone who has questions. Thank you for passing along!

 

 

Caitlyn Glatting
District Food Systems Coordinator
Family Nutrition Program
UF/IFAS Extension

6021 S. Conway Rd.
Orlando, FL 32812
P: 407-254-9226​

 

 

Spring Course - Introduction to Fishery Science

Learn all about Fisheries while exploring Florida lakes this spring in FAS4305C Intro to Fishery Science!

 

Credits: 3  Principles of fish management in freshwater and marine systems. Includes field and laboratory techniques for aquatic habitat and fishery resource assessment, aquaculture practices and consideration of contemporary issues pertinent to sport and commercial uses of renewable fisheries resources.

 

New Job Opening at USDA - Local/Regional Supply Chain Specialist

AMS has announced a new local/regional supply chain specialist – there's a short time window (Dec 21 deadline) so please circulate to your networks.  If you have any questions, you should contact Ken Keck ken.keck@ams.usda.gov

Cheers,

Jim

 

Announcement for MSD's Agricultural Marketing Specialist (Research), GS-114-9/11/12 position in DC opens 12/15 and closes on 12/21, 11:59PM EST. Please consider your contacts and send this link below around to those you might think are interested.

 

Local/ Regional Supply Chain Ag Marketing Specialist

 

Farm Manager Job Position, SFU- Wayne County

Dear Colleagues:

 

We are accepting applicants through January 16, 2017 for the Farm Manager in Goldsboro, NC. Click on the below link for more information.

Please share the announcement with your networks.

 

https://jobs.ncat.edu/postings/11798

 

Best,

Kathleen Liang

 

W. K. Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Agriculture

Director, Center for Environmental Farming Systems

North Carolina A&T State University

College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Coltrane Hall, Room 105-B

1601 East Market Street

Greensboro, NC 27411

 

Office 336 285 4683   Fax 336 334 7432

cliang@ncat.edu

 

CORRECTION: USDA Notice of Relocation Office - Davenport Area Office

United States Department of Agriculture

 

Greetings,

 

The purpose of this notification is to inform you of the relocation of the Rural Development Davenport Area Office from the current location at 2629 Waverly Barn Road, Suite 129, Davenport, FL 33897 to 8390 Champions Gate Boulevard, Suite 210, Davenport, FL  33896.

 

Effective December 19, 2016, all Rural Development Davenport Area Office personnel and operations will relocate to the new location.  There will be no change in telephone and fax numbers, nor in Rural Development jurisdictional areas within the state.  Rural Development personnel in the Davenport Area Office will continue servicing Brevard, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk counties.

 

Please let me assure you that the Davenport Area Office will continue to provide the same high quality service as in the past.  New contact information, effective

December 19, 2016, is as follows:

 

Address:     USDA/Rural Development

8390 Champions Gate Boulevard, Suite 210

Champions Gate, FL 33896

Phone:        863.420.4833 (unchanged)

Fax:            855.474.8230 (unchanged)

 

Rural Development provides a variety of loan and grant programs through our area offices, including Community Facilities, Rural Utilities, Multi-Family Housing, and Business Programs, as well as Single Family Housing.  Again, please be assured that Rural Development is committed to the highest levels of service to all customers in our rural service areas.

 

We trust this information is helpful to you and we will be pleased to provide you with any additional information you require.  We do apologize for any confusion, thank your patience.

 

Sincerely,

 

LaTasha Thomas Pace|Area Specialist

Rural Development

United States Department of Agriculture

2629 Waverly Barn Road, Suite 129 | Davenport, Fl 33897

Phone: (863) 420-4833; ext. 3736| Fax: (855) 474-8230

www.rd.usda.gov/fl | “Committed to the future of rural communities”

 

Stay Connected with USDA:

     

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.