Monday, November 28, 2011

ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
November 25, 2011
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Nematodes eyed for biocontrol:
A custom-made machine for packaging mealworms infected with beneficial nematodes could improve the delivery, timing and use of the wormlike organisms as biological control agents. (11/22) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/111122.htm

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Newslink is the weekly e-mail pointer for web links to stories issued by the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

IFAS in the news, 11/23/11

Good morning! Here's the week's last IFAS news roundup. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Florida Citrus show brings experts, growers together to find solutions
http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=89313

More than 300 families are given holiday meals (West Florida REC) http://www.pnj.com/article/20111123/NEWS01/111230321/More-than-300-families-given-holiday-meals

Mini-gardens can safely fit veggies in many places (Hillsborough) http://www2.tbo.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/2011/nov/22/mini-gardens-can-safely-fit-veggies-in-many-places-ar-326672/

Keep it clean, safe for Thanksgiving (Leon) http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20111123/LIVING03/111230303/Keep-clean-safe-Thanksgiving

Social media model used to predict animal movements http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_84c9b07a-15a7-11e1-88f3-001cc4c002e0.html

The Paper Trail: Even in down year, UF football boosts local businesses http://www.alligator.org/sports/football/article_937c2acc-1592-11e1-b7dd-001cc4c03286.html

Palm Beach County proposes fertilizer rules aimed at reducing water pollution http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-fertilizer-crackdown-palm-20111122,0,319667.story


Other interesting stuff:

Countdown to a Food Coma
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204517204577046772508688922.html

The Internet's culture of nonviolent retaliation http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/the-internets-culture-of-nonviolent-retaliation/2010/12/20/gIQA6pYgnN_blog.html

Report: Urban Meyer to take coaching job at Ohio State http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-ubran-meyer-to-go-to-ohio-state-20111122,0,7484645.story

Animal right advocate likens livestock to slaves
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20111122/ARTICLES/111129833

Hazing Probed in Florida A&M Drum Major's Death http://abcnews.go.com/US/hazing-suspected-drum-majors-death-florida-university/story?id=15014294#.Tsz9C-zmvUE

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

IFAS in the news, 11/22/11

Good morning! Here is your Tuesday morning IFAS news roundup:

Florida Citrus Show Brings Experts, Growers Together To Find Solutions http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/11/prweb8978779.htm

Manatee County considers allowing chickens in residential areas http://www.bradenton.com/2011/11/22/3671708/county-considers-allowing-chickens.html

University Of Florida 2011 Industry Poinsettia Field Day Dec. 6th
http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0018738

Citrus Growers And Researchers Expect A Lot From Rootstocks http://southeastagnet.com/2011/11/22/citrus-growers-and-researchers-expect-a-lot-from-rootstocks/

Saving lives with salmonella
http://www.wndu.com/mmm/headlines/Saving_lives_with_salmonella_134263008.html

Water resource academy students participating in variety of projects (St. Johns) http://staugustine.com/living/community/2011-11-21/water-resource-academy-students-participating-variety-projects#.Tsui4OzmvUE


Other news, mostly UF-related:

UF explains its "unique mission'' to governor
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20111121/ARTICLES/111129922

UF would help USF Polytechnic's transition, Machen says
http://www.ocala.com/article/20111121/ARTICLES/111129936

Eat like a Mediterranean - but how?
Here's what the research says - and doesn't say - about the Mediterranean diet.
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-mediterranean-diet-20111121,0,382891.story

UF radio stations complete record-breaking membership campaign http://news.ufl.edu/2011/11/21/radio-campaign/

Museum's new 'Explore Research' exhibit showcases UF research http://news.ufl.edu/2011/11/21/explore-research%E2%80%99-exhibit/

Classes canceled earlier next year
http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_9a771c70-14c9-11e1-a09a-001cc4c03286.html

UF named second most vegan friendly
http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_81233872-14c8-11e1-b073-001cc4c03286.html

Monday, November 21, 2011

IFAS in the news, 11/21/11

Good morning! Here is this shorter-than-usual week's first batch of IFAS news:

Autumn is the best season to plant shrubs and trees (Okaloosa) http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/roots-45312-plant-growth.html

Garden Q & A: Ouch! Get rid of Sandspurs (Duval) http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/home-and-garden/2011-11-21/story/garden-q-ouch-get-rid-sandspurs

Oranges keep cows healthy (Range cattle REC) http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/oranges-keep-cows-healthy-12444.html

Farm-City Week Recognizes Importance Of Local Agriculture (West Florida REC)
http://www.northescambia.com/?p=74908

Muhly grass puts on a fabulous fall show (Alachua) http://www.ocala.com/article/20111119/COLUMNISTS/111119718/-1/entertainment02?Title=Muhly-grass-puts-on-a-fabulous-fall-show

4-H'ers honor local veterans (St. Johns/4-H) http://staugustine.com/living/youth/2011-11-19/4-hers-honor-local-veterans#.TspQ8ezmvUE

Beekeeper stays busy selling his honey locally (Lee) http://www.news-press.com/article/20111120/BUSINESS/311210011/Beekeeper-stays-busy-selling-his-honey-locally?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

Other news of note:

Droughts wreaking havoc on local hay growers, buyers http://www.gainesville.com/article/20111120/ARTICLES/111129989?p=1&tc=pg

As more get old, experts advise: Move it
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-11-20/As-more-get-old-experts-advise-Move-it/51323524/1

Longtime Georgia announcer Munson dies
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20111121/WIRE/111129963/1185?Title=Longtime-Georgia-announcer-Munson-dies

Friday, November 18, 2011

Polk County Farm Bureau offers Internship

Please see the attached announcement regarding an upcoming internship opportunity at Polk County Farm Bureau.

 

Please feel free to forward to any interested contacts.

 

Thank you.

Carole

 

Carole McKenzie

Executive Director

Polk County Farm Bureau

Phone: 863-533-0561 x-111

Cell: 863-581-1861

Fax: 863-533-9241

www.pcfb.org

1715 US Hwy 17 S

Bartow, FL  33830

 

 

Free EPA Webcast on NPDES Permitting of Pesticide Discharges

Information on the NPDES requirements for discharges from pesticide applications including EPA's final PGP, the accompanying PGP fact sheet, and an interactive tool to help potential permittees determine their permitting requirements is available at: www.epa.gov/npdes/pesticides  

FREE U.S. EPA WEBCAST ON NPDES PERMITTING OF PESTICIDE DISCHARGES (registration required)

EPA will be hosting a webcast to discuss the implications of the Sixth Circuit Court decision on Clean Water Act NPDES permitting requirements for pesticide discharges. 

 The webcast will be split into two sessions as follows:

2:00 - 2:50 pm (EST):  Overview of the Clean Water Act NPDES permitting requirements for pesticide discharges and EPA and State roles in administering these requirements.

3:00 - 4:00 pm (EST): Information on EPA's Pesticide General Permit(PGP), which is applicable in the limited geographic areas where EPA remains the NPDES permitting authority, including six states (Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Oklahoma), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories except for theVirgin Islands, most Indian Country lands, and federal facilities in four additional states (Colorado, Delaware, Vermont, and Washington).

Intended Audience: This workshop is open to the public.

Date and Time: November 22, 2011, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern.

EPA will repeat this webcast on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 (look for registration details soon), and will also post an archived version of the presentation on the NPDES Training & Meetings Page.

Cost: Free

Webcast Sponsor: U.S. EPA's Office of Water

Webcast Registration: Space is limited so Register Here to reserve your Webcast seat now.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webcast.

Number of Participants (Course Size): up to 1,000

System Requirements:

   -    PC-based attendees

            Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

   -    Macintosh®-based attendees

            Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Webcast Contact: Hema Subramanian, subramanian.hema@epa.gov  

Details: On October 31, 2011, EPA issued a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States.  This action was in response to a 2009 decision by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in which the court vacated EPA's 2006 Final Rule on Aquatic Pesticides and found that point source discharges of biological pesticides, and chemical pesticides that leave a residue, into waters of the U.S. were pollutants under the Clean Water Act.  As a result of the court's decision, NPDES permits are generally required for these types of discharges as of October 31, 2011.

 
 
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Weekly Harvest November 16, 2011

Home | Newsletter Archives

NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Project

Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - November 16, 2011

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

Check Your Eligibility for Whole-Farm Revenue Insurance

NCAT's online AGR-Lite Wizard allows farmers to quickly check their eligibility for AGR-Lite whole-farm revenue insurance supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (RMA); estimate the premium cost of a policy for their farm; explore different future loss scenarios; get a better sense of likely payouts related to possible yield or price changes; and generate useful reports that can assist in purchasing the insurance.

News & Resources

  • Field Guide to the New American Foodshed Introduced
  • ERS Reports on Local Food Marketing
  • Georgia Sustainable Agriculture Consortium Launches
  • USDA Awards People's Garden Grants
  • Virginians Try Ginger as Niche Market Crop
  • Wind Resource Reports Offered in Pennsylvania

Funding Opportunities

  • WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
  • Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program
  • Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund

Coming Events

  • Great Plains Growers Conference
  • Horticulture Industries Show
  • Planning for Food and Agriculture: Taking a Systems Approach on the County or Community Level

News & Resources

Field Guide to the New American Foodshed Introduced
Farm Credit Council and the National Good Food Network have teamed up to create a website designed to illustrate the myriad ways that farmers have been successful. Many different routes into many different markets are explained and then illustrated with case studies of actual farms and other businesses using each model.
Related ATTRA Publication: Financing Your Farm: Guidance for Beginning Farmers

ERS Reports on Local Food Marketing
A new study from USDA Economic Research Service explores farmers' use of both direct-to-consumer marketing (such as farmers markets) and intermediated channels (such as grocers and restaurants) to sell food to local consumers. This study uses nationally representative data on marketing of local foods to assess the relative scale of local food marketing channels.

Georgia Sustainable Agriculture Consortium Launches
The new Georgia Sustainable Agriculture Consortium has published a white paper titled Sustainable Food Systems for Georgia's Agrarian Future, which details the research behind the creation of the Consortium, as well as its specific goals. The PDF white paper is available online .

USDA Awards People's Garden Grants
USDA has announced 10 grants to support 155 People's Gardens—sustainable community gardens that will give residents direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved neighborhoods. Search the People's Gardens Interactive Map to find out where gardens are located.

Virginians Try Ginger as Niche Market Crop
Virginia State University and Virginia farmers are conducting a ginger production trial in a high tunnel greenhouse. The tropical plant is a high-value crop selling fresh at $15-20 per pound and offering a niche market opportunity.

Wind Resource Reports Offered in Pennsylvania
As part of its Community Wind Power project, Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center will prepare wind resource reports for agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Pennsylvania, using existing information technology and data. For those with sufficient wind resources, the program will provide follow-on assistance with investment analysis and finding reputable wind installers.
Related ATTRA Publication: Small-Scale Wind Energy on the Farm

>> More Breaking News

Back to top


Funding Opportunities

WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
The U.S. Department of the Interior's WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) Program is offering cost share funding for States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. The funding is for projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, benefit endangered and threatened species, facilitate water markets, or carry out other activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any water-related crisis or conflict. Applicants must be located in the western United States or Territories. A total of $18 million in funding is available, with individual awards up to $1.5 million.
Applications are due by January 19, 2012.

Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program
NIFA requests applications for the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program to support environmental assessment research concerning the introduction of genetically engineered organisms into the environment. NIFA anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2012 will be approximately $4 million. Applications may be submitted by any United States public or private research or educational institution or organization.
A letter of inquiry is requested by December 1, 2011. Full applications are due by February 1, 2012.

Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund
The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund provides cost-share grants to help farmers and rural communities develop new sources of agricultural income. The program makes awards of up to $10,000 to individual farmers or for collaborative farmer projects in North Carolina.
Applications are due by December 15, 2011.

>> More Funding Opportunities

Back to top


Coming Events

Great Plains Growers Conference
January 5-7, 2012
St. Joseph, Missouri

This conference features full-day workshops on high tunnel production, CSA, GAPs and honey bees. There are also tracks for farmers markets, agritourism, organic production, urban horticulture, and more, as well as keynote speakers and a trade show.

Horticulture Industries Show
January 6-7, 2012
Tulsa, Oklahoma

This conference involves two days of educational programs and trade show activities for individuals with horticultural interests in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and surrounding states. A trade show, educational sessions, and networking are offered.

Planning for Food and Agriculture: Taking a Systems Approach on the County or Community Level
December 13, 2011
Online

Join American Farmland Trust for a series of webinars that present an opportunity for individuals working in local and regional food systems to learn from successful examples. This webinar will focus on county and community-based food and agriculture plans.

>> More Events

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