Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that than soybean crops that are not planted near pollinator habitat, according to a press release. The study compared soybean fields with wildflower seed mixes planted adjacent to them to fields with habitat at least a kilometer distant from them. Fields with habitat nearby had more species of bees. The researchers also found that bees in the soybean fields located far from pollinator habitats were often leaving the soybean fields to visit flowers completely outside of the study area. Bees in soybean fields that were adjacent to the pollinator habitat were less likely to leave the study area.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology by University of California, Davis, scientists shows that farms with surrounding natural habitat experience the most benefits from wild birds. According to study results, when farms are surrounded by natural habitat, wild birds are less likely to carry foodborne pathogens and eat crops. Although the study ranked birds on whether they were likely to provide costs or benefits to farms, it also revealed that most species could bring either costs or benefits, depending on how the farm landscape was managed. The presence of natural habitat was the single most important factor in determining birds to be a net benefit.
Texas A&M AgriLife scientists are involved in a project that is exploring the performance of guar as a rotation crop with wheat. The study's long-term goal is to increase and stabilize guar production in the United States and increase the sustainability of wheat cropping systems in the Southern Great Plains region. Guar is a legume, which means its roots can associate with Rhizobium bacteria in the soil to convert atmospheric nitrogen into fertilizer for the plant and soil. It's adapted to the semi-arid conditions of Texas and is among the most drought-tolerant crop plants, with relatively low water use. This project is focused on quantifying the performance of guar, developing improved varieties that can reduce the need for fertilizer on other crops in rotation and shorten the season, and identifying the best inoculant to use with guar.
USDA is and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. USDA Rural Development will make $150 million available in grants to fund startup and expansion activities in the meat and poultry processing sector. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will provide another $40 million for workforce development and training, and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will provide $25 million to offer technical assistance to grant applicants and others seeking resources related to meat and poultry processing.
Wall Meat Processing in Wall, South Dakota, took the initiative to begin a farm to school program that brings local beef to South Dakota schools, reports Tri-State Neighbor. South Dakota Beef to Schools officially launched in 2019, and now 14 South Dakota school districts participate the program. Although the pilot program ran on producer donations, now producers have the option of donating or selling at market rate. School food service buyers appreciate the opportunity to purchase nutritious, local meat and are sometimes able to adjust budgets to prioritize local purchasing even when it's more expensive.
A team of Arizona State University researchers is looking for about their nutrient management practices. The first 100 participants will be provided with a free soil test for their participation. The survey is confidential and should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
According to the), the value of hemp production nationally was $834 million in 2021. Data gathered through the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey indicated that planted area for industrial hemp grown in the open for all utilizations in the United States totaled 54,152 acres. Area harvested for all utilizations totaled 33,480 acres. The value of U.S. hemp production in the open totaled $712 million. Meanwhile, the value of production for hemp that was grown under protection in the United States totaled $112 million, grown in an area that totaled 15.6 million square feet. Floral hemp production was estimated at 19.7 million pounds, hemp grown for grain totaled 4.37 million pounds, hemp grown for fiber was estimated at 33.2 million pounds, and hemp grown for seed was estimated at 1.86 million pounds.
University of Michigan Extension has released , a publication intended to assist beginning farmers in better understanding and demonstrating management experience. The publication explores what sets management experience apart from knowledge gained as a farm laborer and reviews how you can gain experience regardless of whether you currently work on a farm or are starting a new business. Management experience can be required to access services and to gain eligibility for some USDA programs. This bulletin is part of Michigan State University's Beginning Farmers DEMaND (Developing and Educating Managers and New Decision-makers) series. This series of publications is designed to help beginning farmers learn about financial and business management strategies that will assist them in developing into the next managers and decision-makers on the farm.
A new Land Stewardship Project (LSP) on southern Minnesota farms utilizes striking photos, inspiring quotes, and humor to get across the benefits of utilizing cover cropping, managed rotational grazing, no-till, and diverse rotations to build resilient, biologically healthy soil. The campaign was inspired by the eight farmers who sit on the group's Soil Builders' Network steering committee. "Part of the message we're trying to get across is that building healthy soil is not only good for the land and a farmer's bottom line, but is a fun way to take control and build resiliency when it comes to raising crops and livestock," said Shona Snater, who directs LSP's soil health program. One eye-catching and humorous sign, which was posted in collaboration with Practical Farmers of Iowa, features a farmer's bare legs and the phrase, "Don't Farm Naked: Plant Cover Crops."
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in more states during the past week. It was confirmed in a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Kentucky, a mixed backyard flock in Virginia, and in non-poultry flocks in New York and Maine. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit, available online.
Compostable molded pulp packaging products are becoming increasingly popular, but the recycled newspaper that has traditionally been used to make them is becoming less available. Oregon State University researchers explored whether apple pomace, the waste left when juice is extracted, could be . The research also explored using other fruit and vegetable processing byproducts. The researchers concluded that fruit pomace could be a feasible source of fiber for packaging, and they also explored additives that would make the packaging more water-resistant while still being compostable.
Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) and the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) are working together to. They have an online survey open through March 7, 2022. The questionnaire aims to understand how Native veterans are involved in food production and agriculture; the financial, business, and technical needs of Native veterans and Native food entrepreneurs; and how to connect Native veteran farmers, ranchers, fishers, and growers more seamlessly with NAAF grantees to realize the vision and mission of NAAF. American Indian or Alaska Natives who are veterans or currently serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to complete the survey. The first 200 Native farmer veterans to complete the survey will receive a limited edition co-branded FVC/NAAF challenge coin.
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aims to help farmers strengthen their businesses through in-depth consultations with experts. The program includes an assessment of your current marketing and business practices between June and September 2022, followed by five months of growth opportunity coaching and interaction with a peer network. Applications are being accepted through March 28, from current farmers in Iowa and surrounding states who have five years of experience farming on their own and are members of the organization.
National Young Farmers Coalition is joining other agricultural justice organizations to conduct the most inclusive to date. The National Young Farmer Survey is conducted every five years to present an up-to-date picture of the challenges and promises of the next generation in agriculture. Current or former farmers or farmworkers nationwide are invited to complete the online survey.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Farm Commons, and Land-Grant Extension programs in New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont are collaborating to develop innovative farm labor models. They're seeking input from mid-scale diversified fruit and vegetable farmers, farm employees, and farm workers in New England and New York who practice sustainable growing methods and who market products directly to consumers or engage in wholesale/institutional markets. Complete an online survey for or .
A offers results of a preliminary comparison of soil health and nutrient density between conventional and regenerative farms. The study, reported by lead author David R. Montgomery, paired farms across the United States that had been conventionally or regeneratively farmed for five to 10 years. Regenerative farms that combined no-till, cover crops, and diverse rotations produced crops with higher soil organic matter levels, soil health scores, and levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Also, a comparison of wheat from adjacent regenerative and conventional no-till fields in northern Oregon found a higher density of mineral micronutrients in the regenerative crop. Additionally, regenerative grazing practices produced meat with a better fatty acid profile than conventional and regional health-promoting brands.
A study led by the University of Washington found that in the tropics, or silvopasture, can cool local temperatures by up to 4.3° F for every four tons of woody material added per acre, depending on the density of tree plantings. The finding could help farmers in tropical climates adapt to rising temperatures by providing natural cooling for pastures. Researchers found that the effect holds true at all scales. The study also identified areas worldwide that could gain the most by practicing silvopasture.
Farm Journal's Trust In Food and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture , highlighting perspectives of 500 U.S. row-crop producers on pathways and barriers to accelerating conservation adoption. Research conducted by Field to Market in December 2021 showed that progress across five key environmental indicators has largely plateaued in the last decade. The report provides actionable insights and underscores the importance of blended solutions that give equal consideration to financial incentives, technical assistance, and tailored Human Dimensions cultural support to accelerate on-farm climate impact.
The nonprofit Sustainable Northwest has received a grant of nearly $489,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for a new regenerative ranching program, More than 100 ranching members of the Country Natural Beef marketing cooperative, representing 6.5 million acres, have signed up for the program. The regenerative ranching program will offer planning assistance and provide verification that participants are using regenerative practices such as rotational grazing and forage management to capture carbon. Sustainable Northwest anticipates that participants will be able to receive a price premium for products that are certified as produced using regenerative practices.
Research by Oregon State University is shedding light on the diversity and habits of native bees, reports the Capital Press. Understanding where bees occur and what plants they interact with can provide farmers with insight about how to support native bee populations, which can lead to improved pollination for farmers, as well as greater biodiversity on farms. Trained volunteers have helped compile the Oregon Bee Atlas, to provide a better understanding of the bee species in the state which flowers they visit.
A new University of Maine Cooperative Extension publication, Tarping in the Northeast: A Guide for Small Farms, provides the most up-to-date information on an emerging practice of tarping—applying reusable tarps to the soil surface between crops and then removing them prior to planting—for weed and soil management. Intended for beginning and experienced farmers, and based on research and farmer experience, the guide highlights successful tarping practices, as well as situations to avoid. Topics include basic information on how and why tarps work in the field; a range of management practices, from weed seed depletion to tillage reduction; and case studies of six farmers currently using tarps.
Research led by UCLA and published in the journal Nature Climate Change reveals that the is the driest since at least the year 800. Models show that climate change is adding to the severity of the drought with higher temperatures that increase evaporation. This effect turns a dry period into the most extreme dry period in more than 1,200 years. Scientists say that one wet year will not be enough to turn around drought conditions, and they advise long-term conservation strategies to ensure that water will be available in the future, as climate change continues to exacerbate droughts.
Purdue University's Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability has introduced a new, monthly Consumer Food Insights Report. It includes a new that offers insight into how sustainability and health relate to consumer behaviors. It is a self-reported assessment of how consumer shopping habits correspond with healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The Sustainable Food Purchasing Index value for January is 67/100. The score reflects consumer food purchasing that aligns with a set of key recommendations for healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The index includes six components correlating with different strategies for achieving food system transformation: nutrition, environment, social, economic, security, and taste.
SARE's newest book, Manage Weeds on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies, examines the biology and behavior of common weeds and provides an integrated set of non-chemical control strategies that exploits their weaknesses. The publication will help organic and conventional farmers alike better understand and manage weeds efficiently, effectively, and ecologically. It profiles five farmers who use the physical, ecological, and biological factors of common weeds to develop science-based management strategies appropriate for their operations. Manage Weeds on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies is free to read online or to download as a PDF.
USDA Economic Research Service released , a report that assesses the competition in the organic dairy, beef, and feed inputs markets. The report reveals that even as organic products have become more widely available, most organic growers in the United States still participate in niche markets. Despite an increase in organic production and market information, growers continue to face challenges related to thin markets. The full report is available online.
In Minnesota, a Statewide Cooperative Partnership for Local and Regional Markets led by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Minnesota is on direct sales. Producers are asked to share their experiences operating farms and selling in direct-to-consumer and direct-to-institution markets such as farmers markets, U-Pick, CSAs, and schools. Results will help identify market trends and opportunities, support the development of programs and services such as the MDA's Minnesota Grown program, and strengthen recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature to support historically underrepresented and under-supported farmers.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the to private landowners in 23 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. Sponsors and application requirements vary by state, but the award is typically $10,000 in each participating state. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. Nominations have recently opened in New Mexico, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Utah, and California.
Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from USDA if they planted cover crops during the 2022 crop year, . To receive the benefit from this year's Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), producers must report cover crop acreage by March 15, 2022. PCCP helps farmers maintain their cover crop systems, despite the financial challenges posed by the pandemic. It's part of USDA's Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, a bundle of programs to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The premium support is $5 per acre, but no more than the full premium amount owed. All cover crops reportable to FSA are eligible, including cereals and other grasses, legumes, brassicas and other non-legume broadleaves, and mixtures of two or more cover crop species planted at the same time.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds in several states in the Atlantic Flyway in January as well as in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana on February 8, 2022. APHIS is expanding wild bird surveillance for avian influenza to include the Mississippi and Central Flyways. APHIS advises that anyone involved with poultry should review their biosecurity plan and enhance their biosecurity practices to ensure the health of their birds. In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA's toll-free number at 866-536-7593.
A study by Penn State University is one of the first to link soil disturbance with negative human health effects. Researchers found that soil tillage may reduce the availability in crops of ergothioneine (ERGO), an amino acid produced by certain types of soil-borne fungi and bacteria that is known as a "longevity vitamin" due to its potent antioxidant properties. "Research suggests that a lack of ergothioneine in the diet may result in increased incidences of chronic diseases of aging, such as Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease, and reduced life expectancy," notes Robert Beelman, professor emeritus of food science. This research found that ERGO concentrations in grain crops declined as tillage intensity increased.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced the award of a total of $1 million in to 36 farmer groups. The grants range from $3,250 to $40,000 for conservation practice incentives, education and outreach, on-farm demonstrations, and water quality testing and monitoring efforts. Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants give financial support to farmers willing to lead conservation efforts in their own watersheds. The emphasis is on innovation and practices not already covered by other state and federal programs, and the intent is that participating farmers will help other farmers adopt conservation practices by offering incentives and through peer-to-peer education and outreach activities. Groups must partner with a county land conservation department, UW-Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, or another nonprofit conservation organization on their projects.
Corteva Agriscience announced an expansion of the Corteva Carbon Initiative to 17 new states and two new qualifying crop types. Newly approved states include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. The Initiative has also expanded its list of eligible crops to include peanuts and sugar beets. Participating farmers use Corteva's Granular Insights tool to log their practices and measure their impact, generating carbon credits with Carbon by Indigo.
USDA has announced the . The 15-member commission and its Subcommittee on Agriculture will provide recommendations to the Secretary on policies, programs, and actions needed to address equity issues, including racial equity issues, within the Department and its programs, including strengthening accountability and providing recommendations to the Secretary on broader and more systemic equity issues at USDA. USDA plans to launch an additional Subcommittee focused on rural community and economic development. Lists of the Equity Commission members and Subcommittee members are available online.
In Portland, Oregon, farmers of color are organizing a network to build support amongst themselves as well as in the broader community, . One of the group's efforts was a two-day networking fair to connect local Black and brown farmers to potential buyers. Attendees included food buyers from restaurants and community organizations, as well as individuals. Participants in the fair say that it offered an opportunity to meet new buyers and to connect with other farmers of color and benefit from their knowledge.
Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture released a report titled , highlighting the need for innovative financial mechanisms and incentive strategies to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. The report provides 12 tangible blueprints and case studies for value chain actors to follow for overcoming key barriers to farmer adoption of conservation practices, moving beyond early adopters, and addressing the agronomic and financial risk farmers face. The report's recommendations for financial innovations include blended finance, sustainable finance, transition risk sharing, pay for performance, and leasing incentives.
USDA is seeking for the development of clear organic standards that support a level playing field and market development. A listening session to gather input virtually is scheduled for March 21, 2022, from 1:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time. The deadline to sign up to make oral comments during the virtual meeting is February 28, 2022. The deadline to submit written comments is March 30, 2022. USDA believes including a variety of perspectives in developing NOP priorities will lead to a regulatory agenda that best supports all those it serves.
USDA is soliciting nominations for and its committees. The NAREEE Board is comprised of 15 members representing a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholders, and the Board's three committees include the Specialty Crop Committee (SCC), Citrus Disease Subcommittee (CDS), and National Genetic Resources Advisory Council (NGRAC). USDA expects to appoint or reappoint approximately 15 new Board and committee members in October 2022. Self-nominations are welcomed. Nominations are due by September 30, 2022.
The CSA Innovation Network, a national network for local CSA farms, announced that CSA Week will take place February 20-26, 2022. The national event provides an opportunity to promote CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Farmers, farmer support organizations, and CSA enthusiasts across the country will be working together to raise awareness of CSA and promote CSA signups. The CSA Innovation Network is providing a free packet of digital tools to help farmers promote their CSAs during this special week, which is available to people who sign up on the Network's website. The CSA Week Participant map on the Network's website will provide a visual of all the participating farmers and farm support organizations across the country.
Vermont's governor has released the , a 12-member citizen committee appointed to explore ways to grow the state's food economy. The Commission’s report provides recommendations to stimulate rural Vermont farm and food production and provide better access to local food. In creating the report, the Commissioners shared their ideas, and tapped the expertise of young farmers, members of the public, and organizations working on environmentally sound farming practices, climate adaptation and resilience, and diversity. Among the report's conclusions: agriculture is a principal engine for Vermont's rural economy and Vermont food and agriculture needs to grow, attract new and diverse farmers and workers, and adapt.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) unveiled a new website that serves agricultural producers and small to mid-sized food and beverage companies in Oregon who want to grow and become more successful. The site includes the , which offers a toolkit of resources to help producers get started selling Oregon products in the ODE Farm to Child Nutrition Program, as well as other resources to help agricultural producers market to schools.
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is in seven different locations across the country. Farm to School Regional Leads help deepen and broaden farm to school across their respective regions. They manage USDA Farm to School grants, build capacity and connectivity among state agency and extension partners, support networks, provide training and technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders, and help disseminate research and best practices. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2022.
USDA announced a new program that will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse gas benefits. USDA defines a climate-smart commodity as an agricultural commodity that is produced using agricultural (farming, ranching, or forestry) practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. Funding will be provided to partners through the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation for pilot projects to provide incentives to producers and landowners. Applications will be due April 8, 2022, for proposals from $5 million to $100 million.
USDA announced the appointment of four (NOSB). The new members will serve 5-year terms on the 15 member board. New appointees are Liz Graznak of Missouri in an an environmental protection and resource conservation seat, Allison Johnson of California in a public interest or consumer interest group seat, Dr. Dilip Nandwani of Tennessee in the scientist seat, and Javier Zamora of California in a farmer seat.
A study by University of Georgia researchers showed that a that optimized lighting based on a predictive model saved farmers 33% on electric lighting costs during the spring. The system generates the most savings while the sun is shining. Researchers say it could save even more money when variable energy costs are considered, as well. "The electricity used for the lights is anywhere from 10% to 30% of the cost of running a greenhouse," professor Marc Van Iersel said. "Our research began with the idea that, if we can reduce this cost, we can very quickly have an impact on the efficiency and sustainability of greenhouses."
The University at Buffalo's Veggie Van team has received $750,000 from USDA to support the , resources that are used by mobile markets across the country. The USDA funding will allow the Veggie Van team to work with mobile market leaders across the country to develop and implement a strategic plan and charter for the Mobile Market Coalition to connect and support mobile market operators, while establishing standards of operation and promoting best practices. In addition, it will support the Mobile Market Summit for the next three years. The grant will also go toward expanding the Veggie Van Training Center to provide training and technical assistance for new and established mobile markets through the Veggie Van Toolkit, which offers step-by-step instructions for starting and running a mobile produce market.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists have developed a custom microscope to image microbes in soil and plants at the micrometer scale. Live imaging of microbes in soil would help scientists understand how soil microbial processes occur on the scale of micrometers, where microbial cells interact with minerals, organic matter, plant roots, and other microorganisms. The approach the LLNL team developed enables a strong signal for general microbe, plant and mineral imaging; high contrast, label-free chemical imaging that can target diagnostic biomolecules and minerals; very strong signals from specific minerals and some biomolecules; and higher information content, deeper penetration, less scattering, and less photodamage compared to confocal microscopy. Using this instrument, the team imaged symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi structures within unstained plant roots in 3D to 60 μm depth. The research appears in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Purdue University assistant professor Laura Ingwell is leading a $3.7 million USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture project on high tunnel growing. The four-year project involves researchers from multiple institutions, who will work with farmers across the Midwest to collect data from different types of high tunnels in a variety of locations and growing different crops. The project will lead to integrated pest management and crop management recommendations, as well as an online tool to help farmers decide whether an investment in an integrated pest management strategy or crop diversification will be profitable.
USDA and the U.S. Department of Justice have launched a new online tool,, to let farmers and ranchers anonymously report potentially unfair and anticompetitive practices in the livestock and poultry sectors. The agencies are signing an interagency Memorandum of Understanding to further foster cooperation and communication between the agencies and effectively process the complaints received through the portal. "This new online tool will help USDA and the Justice Department address anticompetitive actions and create livestock and poultry markets that are fairer to our nation’s producers," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "I encourage producers who are aware of potential violations of competition laws to submit information to the portal so we can take appropriate action to create more competitive markets in the agricultural sector."
USDA announced the 12 members selected to serve on the inaugural to provide input on policy development and to help identify barriers to urban agriculture. The Committee is made up of agricultural producers, and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing. The new members will serve terms of one to three years. The first meeting of the committee will be open to the public and will take place in late February. More details will be available in the Federal Register and at and the new Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture website at .
USDA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to , which identifies the synthetic substances allowed and the natural substances prohibited in organic farming. The proposed changes are based on October 2020 and April 2021 recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board. This proposed rule would allow paper pots for use as a planting aid in organic crop production; allow low-acyl gellan gum for use as a thickener, gelling agent, or stabilizer in organic food processing; and correct a spelling error on the National List to change "wood resin" to "wood rosin." USDA welcomes comments on the proposed amendments. The 62-day comment period will close on April 4, 2022.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) awarded nearly $2.9 million in 2021 USDA to 24 recipients across the state. The grant program aims to boost the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Minnesota through marketing and promotion, research, and development, expanding availability and access, and addressing challenges confronting producers. Funded projects address disease-resistant hops, specialty crop marketing, hybrid hazelnut rooting, and consumption of microgreens and enriched sprouts in Native American Communities, among other topics. A list of funded projects is available online.
SunCommon is offering a new program to Organic Valley farmers in Vermont, to help them . According to a press release, the program provides Organic Valley farmer-members with financing for renewable energy projects, including solar. Farmers benefit from a fully-funded solar installation with no upfront costs. They then reap the rewards of their solar energy system, including an offset of almost all of their electricity usage and credits on their utility bills.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be holding two on the recently released proposed rule "Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water." The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss the proposed rule, which was issued under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. These public meetings are intended to facilitate and support the public's evaluation and commenting process on the proposed rule. The meetings are set for February 14, 2022, 11:45 am - 7:45 pm EST and for February 25, 2022, 8:45 am - 4:45 pm EST. Registration is required to attend.
A team of researchers led by scientists at Lancaster University explored the food production potential of urban green spaces throughout Britain. The research team used Ordnance Survey master maps to identify outdoor urban green spaces and calculated the productive potential of these areas using figures from existing domestic agriculture. The researchers considered all urban green spaces as potentially suitable for agriculture, as a means of defining the outer limits of urban food production. The study found if all urban green spaces were converted to food production, and used efficiently, they would collectively have the capacity to support food output eight times that of the current UK fruit and vegetable production. "We found that urban green spaces are significantly under-used for food growing and that there is huge untapped capacity in our towns and cities for people to grow more given support through targeted national policies. This could prove to be beneficial for improving access to healthier foods as well as boosting wellbeing through better connectedness to nature," commented the study's lead author.
USDA is making $72.9 million available through the (SCBGP) to fund innovative projects designed to support the expanding specialty crop sector and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. The SCBGP funds are allocated to U.S. states and territories based on a formula that considers both specialty crop acreage and production value. Applications from the states and territories must be submitted by May 3, 2022. Individual specialty crop producers should apply directly through their state departments of agriculture. ATTRA posts notices of open state-level Specialty Crop Block Grant Programs on the shadowsocks被封:Funding Opportunities page.
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the , with data collection beginning February 1 and concluding April 5, 2022. The survey will be sent to 11,100 farmers and ranchers nationwide to gather information on the five agroforestry practices used for climate, conservation, and production benefits, including windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping, as well as forest farming and multi-story cropping. The survey is conducted cooperatively with the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), which will release the summarized data in studies, press releases, and publications. Highlights will give an overview of how agroforestry practices are used in regions across the United States.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has entered into a cooperative agreement with Polk County, the City of Des Moines and Des Moines Water Works to help in the Des Moines and Raccoon River watersheds. "What happens upstream impacts the safety of our drinking water and the recreation in our rivers and lakes for everyone in Polk County. We know the utilization of cover crops can have a tremendous impact on reducing nutrient load from agricultural operations in our surface water and groundwater, and improve soil health," said Angela Connolly, Chair of Polk County Board of Supervisors. As part of the Central Iowa Cover Crop Seeder Project, Polk County, with support from the City of Des Moines and Des Moines Water Works, will purchase high-clearance equipment used to seed cover crops into standing crops in fields. Ag retailer Heartland Co-op will use the seeder to apply cover crop seed for farmers and landowners in central Iowa.
Wisconsin beef producer Justin Seeger shared some of his winter grazing innovations at a recent pasture walk,. Seeger, who has a full-time hoof-trimming operation, is looking to save labor on his cattle operation. He stretches the winter grazing season by windrowing corn stalks and using portable electric fence to portion the windrows out to his cattle. This year, he's added dry hay and ground corn-stalk bales to the windrows for more nutrition and volume. Extending the grazing season not only helps keep feed costs low but also helps save farm labor. Seeger calves in April and May.
Scientists at the University at Buffalo are exploring as a means of treating lead-contaminated urban soils to help render them safe for growing food. Their studies are making use of dried mycelium membranes that can provide a simpler and more uniform treatment than live mycelium. Mycelium binds lead through adsorption or biomineralization. This study will also investigate the willingness of gardeners to use a mycelium membrane product.
Montana Department of Agriculture announced that 29 Montana agricultural producers are receiving grants totaling more than $3 million through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) . The Value-Added Producer Grant helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. A list of the recipients is available online.
USDA has announced 2022 . The General CRP signup will run from January 31 to March 11, 2022, and the Grassland CRP signup will run from April 4 to May 13, 2022. General CRP helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Meanwhile, Grassland CRP is a working lands program, helping landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as working grazing lands. Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) received a grant from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to that are good for water quality, climate resiliency, soil health, and farmers' bottom lines. CBF hopes to hire three new staff members to help connect with socially disadvantaged farmers in Baltimore City and Prince Georges County, Maryland; veterans and beginning farmers in central and south-central Pennsylvania, and limited-resource farmers in southeast Virginia. CBF plans to use the funds to work with local partners in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to provide technical assistance and outreach events, such as on-farm demonstrations and round-table discussions, to engage farmers that historically have been underserved by conservation agencies.
An innovative partnership between the Savanna Institute and the Grantham Environmental Trust has launched Canopy Farm Management, a business focused on tree planting and management for farmers and landowners. Canopy will provide expertise and technology for tree planting, management, and harvesting, to increase adoption of agroforestry by helping farmers who are interested in planting trees for conservation purposes or to engage new markets. Canopy represents an innovative partnership between a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to scaling up agroforestry, the Savanna Institute, and impact investors. The majority of Canopy's profits will go to nonprofit entities supporting the widespread adoption of agroforestry and other natural climate solutions. The Savanna Institute, as a part-owner of the company, will be one of those beneficiaries. The remaining profits will be shared among Canopy employees.
USDA Agriculture Research Service studies show that when salty groundwater is used to irrigate almond orchards, production can be significantly reduced and the damage to trees can last for years. Declining groundwater levels in California have led some producers to irrigate with lower-quality, saltier water. This can lead to production losses of 30%. Becoming more efficient with irrigation saves water, but can have the effect of concentrating salts at the base of trees, where they can cause surprisingly lasting damage.
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will offer its week-long for military veterans in San Diego from April 18-22, 2022. Armed to Farm gives veterans and their spouses the opportunity to experience sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and explore career opportunities in agriculture. Participants will attend classroom sessions and travel to local farms for hands-on learning experiences. The event is free for those chosen to attend. Veterans from Western states will receive selection priority for this training. Applications are due by March 4, 2022.
is inviting farmers and gardeners in the Upper Midwest to participate in 2022 seed trials for development of organic varieties of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and other crops. Participants do not have to be certified organic. Trial results will be compiled using SeedLinked, and can be input using a web browser on a computer or smart phone.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, for their ability to entice and protect nitrogen-fixing bacteria. They say that black-eyed peas, a popular food crop in many parts of the world, could play an important role in crop rotations for their ability to fix nitrogen and their drought tolerance. This study found that the domesticated and improved black-eyed peas still have strong relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria; in some cases, better than wild plant relatives. The research pointed toward a genetic basis for the plants with the best nitrogen-related performance, suggesting that the crop's performance could be further improved.
A , published in the journal Environmental Pollution, found that there were up to 70% fewer pollinators, up to 90% fewer flower visits, and an overall pollination reduction of up to 31% in test plants when common ground-level air pollutants, including diesel exhaust pollutants and ozone, were present. The study used pollution concentrations well below maximum average levels, equating to 40 to 50% of the limits currently defined by U.S. law as safe for the environment. Dr. Robbie Girling at the University of Reading, who led the project, said, "We knew from our previous lab studies that diesel exhaust can have negative effects on insect pollinators, but the impacts we found in the field were much more dramatic than we had expected."
Washington State Department of Agriculture is preparing to award s in the coming year. The grant program's purpose is to improve food supply chain infrastructure and market access for farms, food processors, and food distributors, with an emphasis on women, minority, and small business owners. These infrastructure grants are possible because the state legislature allocated a total of $17 million to strengthen Washington's food system and develop small businesses. The grants will include two funds: $8 million for local food system infrastructure and market access grants, prioritized for women, minority, and small business owners; and $9 million to improve food supply chain infrastructure and market access for farms, food processors, and food distributors. WSDA Regional Markets Program is gathering input on the design of the grant program via an online survey that is open for participation.
The is designed to create investible business models and sound financial plans for food-focused businesses to grow and scale. Fellows are paired with a coach who works with you through all key areas of your business: sales, operations, accounting, finance, food safety, marketing, and branding. Plus, you'll be in a cohort of up to 15 like-minded businesses from all over the country. The program is free to apply to and participate in. The Value-Added Agriculture (agritourism farm or a farm creating a value-added product) and Processing/Supporting Technology cohorts are accepting applications until January 30, 2022. Both cohorts kick off with an abbreviated version of FFI's Financial Management Boot Camp, then each business will meet twice a month as a group for peer learning sessions, and twice a month for individual coaching sessions. Throughout the program, Fellows will have the opportunity to take on-demand courses, workshops, and Immersion Trainings.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released an investigation report for an outbreak investigation into a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in July and August of 2021, linked to packaged leafy greens produced at a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) indoor hydroponic operation. As part of the report, FDA highlighted a list of , such as the hydroponic operation implicated in this investigation. FDA noted that "the moist, warm environments in greenhouses and similar CEA operations can help support the growth of bacteria, including pathogens often implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks." The recommendations address identifying sources of contaminants, water and product testing, and sanitation procedures and sampling plans.
USDA is making up to $10 million available through a new Rural Energy Pilot Program, to help people living in rural towns develop community renewable energy projects that will help them cut their energy costs and contribute to the nationwide effort to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change. These funds will be targeted to help people who live in communities that have been historically underinvested and disinvested. The funds can be used to deploy community-scale renewable energy technologies and innovations to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. These technologies include solar, wind, geothermal, micro-hydroelectric, and biomass/bioenergy. Up to 20% of awarded funds may also be used for community energy planning, capacity building, technical assistance, energy efficiency, and weatherization. A letter of intent to apply is due by April 19, 2022.
The Livestock Conservancy to 12 rare-breed farmers, ranchers, shepherds, and breed organizations across the country. "Small financial awards can make a big difference for heritage breeders," said Dr. Alison Martin, Livestock Conservancy Executive Director. "These strategic investments were selected as excellent examples of livestock conservation in action across the United States by our panel of judges." Profiles of the grant recipients, their projects, and the breeds they are saving from extinction are available online.
Texas A&M AgriLife scientists are investigating cover crops suited to water-limited environments and varying growing conditions in the different regions of Texas. Farmers are looking to optimize cover crop use without consuming the soil moisture needed for cash crops. In the South Plains region of Texas, where cotton is grown, wheat and rye cover crops seem to work best when planted at a lower density than usual and terminated six weeks before planting cotton. In the Northern High Plains, corn-cotton rotations demand a short-season cover crop. For the Rolling Plains, scientists explored a variety of small-grain cover crops and legume and mixed-species cover crops, to identify the balance between cover crop benefits and yield reductions.
University of Nevada, Reno, Extension is offering training and certification for beginning producers through its . A Small Acreage - Level 1 Certification Program is scheduled for January 26 through April 23, 2022. The course involves five Zoom meetings and concludes with an in-person tour of small acreage farms and ranches. Training topics include goal setting, livestock and crop production, marketing, and farm financial management. A separate Farm to Fork Level 1 Certification course focused on livestock production for local consumption is scheduled for March 2-30, 2022, for the Zoom courses, with tour dates still to be determined.
Research from the University of California, Davis, found that wild birds may not pose the food safety risk once suspected. Researchers found that starlings and other birds that flock on the ground near cattle are more likely to spread pathogenic bacteria to crops like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli, while insect-eating species are less likely to carry pathogens. Researchers compiled more than 11,000 bacteria tests of wild bird feces and found that Campylobacter in 8% of samples. Meanwhhile, pathogenic E. Coli and Salmonella were only found in less than 0.5% of the samples. The researchers say this means that the current practice of removing bird habitats around produce growers' farms may not solve food safety problems and could, in fact, benefit the species that pose more risk and harm the beneficial, pest-eating ones.
The Good Food Foundation announced the 244 exceptional crafters of food and drink who are the . This year's winners hail from 39 states and Washington, D.C. Across 18 categories, each recognized crafter demonstrated exceptional taste and a deep commitment to building a more sustainable, just food system. The complete list of winners is available online.
, a new Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) report by Kathy Ruhf and Kate Clancy, takes a comprehensive look at regional food systems and makes a compelling case for their importance in food systems change work. This new report explores the concepts, practices, challenges and promise of regional food systems. It focuses on the U.S. Northeast, a laboratory of regional food systems thinking and action, but it also describes regional food systems development across the country. The report contains dozens of examples of region-scale endeavors. Clancy and Ruhf argue that "local" and "regional" are different and that both are essential. The report is a project of NESAWG and will be posted on its website. In a January 26, 2022, webinar, the authors will present the key concepts of the report, along with examples from the field.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service's received a $600,000 grant from USDA-NIFA to support the program for the next three years. The program is an agribusiness public education program focused on enabling new and beginning farmers to be successful, productive, and innovative members of their local agricultural community by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and skills necessary to be successful entrepreneurs, sound business managers, exemplary stewards of the natural environment and successful marketers of the unique products they create. The SCNBFP Class of 2022 cohort program will run from May to August 2022 and includes a series of 10 core agribusiness workshops focused on farm business management. Topics include business concept and plan development, financial and risk management, legal and regulatory issues, marketing strategies, soil health and pest management, and an introduction to federal, state and local agricultural resources. Any legal resident of South Carolina, at least 18 years of age, who is just beginning to farm or who has actively farmed for less than 10 consecutive years is eligible to apply for the SCNBFP cohort program. The deadline to apply is February 20, 2022.
A feature in Texas Monthly showcases ranchers Meredith Ellis, at G Bar C Ranch, and Travis Krause of Parker Creek Ranch, who discuss what regenerative agriculture means for them and their ranch operations. Both ranchers explain some of the economic considerations of a regenerative approach to agriculture, as well as the environmental benefits, based on their own experiences.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship awarded more than $300,000 in grants to 14 partners, to help grow demand for Iowa's specialty crops. help raise awareness about, drive demand or create new markets for specialty crops. The projects awarded in this round of funding focus on particular crops, such as Christmas trees, red wine, hazelnuts, honeyberry, and specialty melons, as well as broader efforts to increase the utilization of Iowa produce in schools. Additional projects address food safety for specialty crops, seeds for native plants, and training for refugee farmers.
Kenzo Esquivel and Patrick Baur wrote in a National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition blog about their recent study of on-farm. They found that larger farms that sell to wholesale markets often experience barriers to diversifying, while small, limited-resource farms frequently lack the means to diversify. Mid-scale farms have the highest rate of adoption for diversification practices, according to this study. The researchers noted that mid-scale farmers also enjoyed secure land tenure and access to capital and resources that facilitated diversification, as well as relationships with buyers. All of these assets contributed to mid-scale farmers' ability to invest in biodiversity and, eventually, benefit from it.
The University of British Columbia released results of a study on how different in the farmland bordering the former Iron Curtain in Germany. A sharp difference in farm sizes exists along the former border, allowing for comparisons of the effect of smaller and larger agricultural landscapes and land uses. Researchers found that increased farm sizes resulted in a 15% decline in bird diversity. "Providing a mix of different crop type and other land uses such as forests and grassland within the agricultural landscape is crucial for biodiversity conservation and can mitigate the negative impact of agricultural industrialization," explained Assistant Professor Frederik Noack. "Our results show that the negative impact of increased farm size can be mitigated by conserving land cover diversity within the agricultural landscape. In practice, this could mean incentivizing riparian buffer strips, forest patches, hedgerows, or agroforestry."
Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield Co-Founder and former long-time CEO, announced the launch of the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, a first-of-its kind partnership, created to solve the crisis of disappearing family farms, . The Partnership, collaboration of farmers, processors, activists, and government agencies, is inviting consumers to sign a pledge at to purchase one-fourth of their weekly dairy purchases from 35 brands that have committed to increase their purchases of northeast organic family farmers' milk. In addition, the partnership is inviting dairy retailers to become licensed as partners and commit to carrying partner brands.
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that interest in is growing in the United States. For example, veterinary students at Michigan State University are offered a three-week elective course on the subject, and a new textbook, Honey Bee Medicine for the Veterinary Practitioner, was published in 2021. In addition, there's a Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium, a nonprofit organization formed with the purpose of training veterinarians in honeybee medicine. Its website offers resources for veterinarians, and the group is developing a certification course for veterinarians that will require 150 hours of training in honeybee medicine.
NCAT's Armed to Farm program has released its first Armed to Farm News. This free, quarterly newsletter highlights Armed to Farm training opportunities for military veterans, as well as funding and other opportunities. The newsletter also features an alumni spotlight that showcases one of the program's participants. .
USDA National Organic Program (NOP) shared the results of an annual conducted to strengthen its organic accreditation and enforcement program. The 2021 Peer Review Report recommends one area of improvement: risk impartiality analysis. In response, NOP has requested that the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) review and facilitate public comment on its draft Risk Mitigation Table, outlining how the program safeguards impartiality in its oversight and enforcement activities.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is investing $9 million in six projects to directly with the agricultural community. The funding goes to new Cooperative Extension and USDA Climate Hubs partnerships. "These new NIFA-funded projects will work toward net-zero emissions in agriculture, working lands and communities adapted to climate change, training a diverse workforce that can communicate and incorporate climate considerations into management and climate justice that is appropriate for unique U.S. agronomic conditions," said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. The projects are led by the University of California, Davis; Pennsylvania State University; Montana State University; Ohio State University; The Desert Research Institute Native Climate; and the USDA Caribbean Climate Hub.
Farmers Business Network and Environmental Defense Fund launched the (RAFF), an agricultural financing program that rewards farmers who meet soil health and nitrogen efficiency standards through access to lower rates and fees, as well as agronomic insights to optimize the on-farm benefits of regenerative practices. RAFF credit lines will replace traditional operating loans with a one-year line of credit that includes a 0.5% discount from a farmer's base rate. To qualify, farmers must meet environmental eligibility requirements developed by EDF and backed by peer-reviewed scientific research, including nitrogen management and soil conservation standards. The $25 million pilot fund is currently enrolling 30 to 40 farmers growing a combination of corn, soybeans, and/or wheat, who will each receive one-year lines of credit of up to $5 million.
USDA has announced that it is investing $50 million in 118 partnerships to expand access to conservation assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The , administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will fund two-year projects to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to farmers who are new to farming, low income, socially disadvantaged, or military veterans. Projects will support USDA's broader effort to address climate change and equitable access to programs. A full list of the partnerships is available online. It includes funding for an NCAT project, "Investing in Underserved Farmers to Regenerate Their Farms' Ecologies."
USDA and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund have signifying a continued partnership to increase the number of minority landowners in the South and support them in sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed on behalf of USDA's Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and National Agroforestry Center, which have roles in implementing the agreement. The agreement renews USDA's commitment to working with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives to assist African American landowners and other underserved farmers, and ensure they have access to critical resources and information. The agreement focuses on the key role that underserved landowners play in forest management, food production, conservation, wood energy, and climate mitigation.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. First is nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option, as well as a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Specifically, NRCS is investing $38 million through the new targeted Cover Crop Initiative in 11 states to help agricultural producers mitigate climate change through the widespread adoption of cover crops. States include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Meanwhile, Conservation Incentive Contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within state high-priority areas and build on existing conservation efforts. Additionally, NRCS updated CSP to allow an agricultural producer to immediately re-enroll in the program following an unfunded application to renew an existing contract, rather than having to wait two years before applying again.
Northeast dairy farmers struggling to produce feed and comply with nutrient-management regulations can into soils, says a research team led by Penn State. Professor Heather Karsten explains, "We have been trying to identify how to help dairy farms be profitable and produce more of their feed and forage crops while at the same time ease the challenges of nutrient management. Double cropping small grains such as winter wheat or winter rye and corn silages provides a strategy that can benefit dairy farms in the northeastern U.S. as they take advantage of a longer growing season. Also, subsurface application of manure may reduce nutrient losses as the region faces warmer temperatures and greater precipitation." The researchers say that double cropping could help protect Northeast farmers from effects of summer droughts expected to become more common, while injecting manure rather than broadcasting it will help reduce nutrient runoff and emissions that would otherwise increase with expected higher summer temperatures.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the to private landowners in 23 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. Sponsors and application requirements vary by state, but the award is typically $10,000 in each participating state. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. Nominations are currently open for landowners in Kansas, New York, Kentucky, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, and Nebraska.
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development is working with the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to develop the . This program will help farmers in Kentucky access needed farm supplies from local farm retailers following the disasters experienced in many areas of Kentucky on December 10 and 11, 2021, and on January 1, 2022. Farm retailers in the program will receive funds to offset the costs of supplies for farmers, up to $1,500 per eligible farmer. Eligible supplies include fencing materials, chain saws, tools, feeders, and feed. Farmers will have to certify that they have farm property in one of the following counties and experienced farm damage from the specified storms: Barren, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor, and Warren.
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is partnering with Holistic Management International (HMI) to bring its . Veterans who want to attend the week-long training in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can apply online until February 11, 2022. This training is for veterans in the Southwest, with preference given to those in New Mexico. The number of participants will be limited. The ATF training, scheduled for March 28-April 1, 2022, in Albuquerque allows veterans and their spouses to experience sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and explore career opportunities in agriculture. At ATF, participants learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, USDA programs, livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, and more. Participants gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farm.
The Livestock Conservancy has released a free online Modern Heritage Swine Guide. This guide will help farmers who wish to learn more about raising traditional old-type hogs using both historic pasture-based management practices and modern information. Topics include cost management, health concerns, biosecurity, breeding heritage pigs, and processing heritage pigs.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is holding an online . Are you a farmer enrolled or previously enrolled in a WFRP insurance policy? What draws you to WFRP? What barriers to access and other challenges have you faced? How could WFRP be better for your farm? Join this one-hour Zoom session on January 10, 2022, at 4 p.m. Eastern to share your experience.
Researchers at University of California-Riverside who are studying the disappearance of the ancient Maya say that drought was not the primary driver of collapse for the civilization. Their work shows that the Maya had 500 edible plants available to them, many of which proved to be , such as cassava, hearts of palm, and chaya. The researchers say their study demonstrates the importance of exploiting a variety of plants to survive drought and climate change. "Even given a series of droughts, maintaining a diversity of resilient crops would enable people, both ancient and modern, to adapt and survive," noted UC Riverside plant physiologist Louis Santiago.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the award of 10 to sustain healthy populations of pollinators, which are crucial to the nation's food security and environmental health. NIFA noted that pollinators play a vital role in the production of healthy crops for food, fiber, and other agricultural uses. Pollinator health projects address the current problem of declining populations of managed and wild pollinators, such as bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, and bats. These grants are a part of NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program.
Understanding Ag, LLC, is offering a new, online course providing practical insights and techniques on adaptive grazing. The course is specifically tailored for farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their pastures and profit margins. The virtual course developed by Gabe Brown, Shane New, and Allen Williams, Ph.D., is a companion to their virtual Regen Ag 101 course. Both courses are designed to help farmers and ranchers successfully transition from conventional agricultural practices to more profitable and climate-friendly regenerative practices. A third Regen Ag online course focusing on regenerative cropping strategies is scheduled for release later this year.
An international, multi-disciplinary team that conducted a review of scientific literature found that . Honeydew, the excretion product of sap-sucking insects, is an important food source for many beneficial insects, including both pollinators and natural enemies of insect pests. However, researchers documented that when honeydew was produced from the sap of plants grown from seeds treated with neonicotinoids, parasitic wasps and pollinating hoverflies died after consuming the honeydew. "Our review describes how honeydew contaminated with systemic insecticides may play a role in insect declines," said Penn State University entomology professor John Tooker. "Honeydew is a hidden driver of direct and indirect interactions among insects that is likely to be affecting the population dynamics of herbivores, biological control agents, and pollinators."
USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers created a new tool, called Pathogen and Tree Fruit Health Map (PATHMAP), that will connect growers in different states and allow them to share important data regarding tree fruit diseases, disorders, and insect pests. This online interactive tool will enable growers to modify and adjust their pathogen and pest-control programs based on real-time data, provide quick access to time-sensitive data, give access to experts in the field, provide access to previous years' observations, and track current diseases, disorders, and pests.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland have expressed their shared commitment to effectively s from unfair and anticompetitive practices, including the antitrust laws and the Packers and Stockyards Act. A statement of principles released by the two deartments asserts that farmers, ranchers, and other producers and growers deserve the benefits of free and fair competition, and the Justice Department and USDA therefore are prioritizing matters impacting competition in agriculture. The agencies will jointly develop within 30 days a centralized, accessible process for farmers, ranchers, and other producers and growers to submit complaints about potential violations of the antitrust laws and the Packers and Stockyards Act. Furthermore, both agencies commit to vigorously enforce the laws that protect farmers, ranchers, and other producers and growers from unfair, deceptive, discriminatory, and anticompetitive practices.
Recognizing that poultry products are the primary route for human exposure to the foodborne disease Salmonella, researchers at Iowa State University are exploring the link between poultry immune and nervous systems as a potential treatment. They found that treating chickens with the drug Reserpine triggers intestinal cells to release a neurochemical called norepinephrine that activates an a bacteria. "Using this approach is really about stimulating the host's ability to fight the infection on its own and solve the problem at its source," explained study leader Melha Mellata. The researchers say their research offers a model that could be effective with other drugs and to treat other animal species that are reservoirs for food pathogens.
University of California, Davis, researchers tested eight commercial varieties of grape rootstocks under drought conditions to identify . They found that rootstocks with a lower capacitance (less root shrinkage) were better able to maintain photosynthesis during drought than other rootstocks. "This research gives us a new trait to target for breeding more drought tolerant rootstocks," study co-author and Ph.D. student Gabriela Sinclair said.
University of Florida scientists found that biopesticide and the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii can more effectively than traditional pesticides can. Sriyanka Lahiri, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of entomology, infected strawberry plants with thrips and then treated them with biopesticide and introduced predatory mites. The fruit of the treated plants had less fruit damage than untreated plants. Chilli thrips is a significant pest of strawberry crops in Florida, causing economic loss to growers.
A Montana nonprofit organization, Missoula Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, received a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to support training for beginning farmers and ranchers, . The group will use the funding to launch Certified Farm Startup, a free program that will pair aspiring farmers and ranchers with trained mentors. The program will address land acquisition, business planning, financial management, and marketing through classroom curriculum and site visits. Applications are open until February 15, 2022, and the 2022 program will run from March through October.
Montgomery Sheep Farm in North Carolina , reports radio station WFAE. The 200-acre farm is home not only to 400 sheep and other livestock, but also a 20-megawatt solar farm and a bed and breakfast. "Agriculture alone is very, very difficult to make work, so every single farmer has to do something else," says Joel Olsen, the solar developer who envisioned the diverse operation. The farm also hosts tours and dinners.
Farm Aid announced that it . Farm Aid prioritized organizations working to support family farmers, advance racial equity and social justice in our food system, advance farmer-led solutions to climate change, and build power for systemic change in our farm and food systems. Farm Aid distributed $817,500 in December to 86 family farm, rural service, and urban agriculture organizations. Highlights of the awards and an explanation of the organization's granting priorities are available online.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists published a study on that shows they can capture and sequester significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide in soil. Specifically, the study revealed that an acre planted with a bioenergy sorghum hybrid accumulates about 3.1 tons of dry root biomass. In addition, a press release notes that bioenergy sorghum's 6.5-feet deep root system can reach water and nutrients that other annual crops don't. Researchers suggest the crop can help manage fertilizer runoff from other annuals in a crop rotation.
The Food Systems Leadership Network is offering a ten-week . The training series starting in February will help participants deepen their knowledge of strategies, tools, and best practices that guide impactful VCC work. This training series will focus on how to organize and prioritize VCC activities. This will be a virtual learning cohort of about 28 total participants, composed of individuals and regional groups performing VCC from regions around the United States. Organizers are seeking a diverse cohort in terms of the race, gender, experience level, and role of the participants. The training is free to all participants. Apply to participate by January 10, 2022.
Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms program has been awarded two grants for projects to strengthen the food system by improving the viability of small and mid-size farms and food businesses. The first is a Regional Food Systems Partnerships Program grant that will support work with eight food hubs in Oregon. The second is a $591,951 grant to the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network for "Meat in the Middle," which will create a stronger mid-tier niche meat supply chain through training, business coaching, and peer support. The project will provide virtual short courses, business mastermind groups, coaching, peer support, and learning tools for at least 1,800 farmers, ranchers, meat processors, and butchers across the country.
USDA Farm Service Agency has announced (CREP). CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and enables USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), through Farm Service Agency (FSA), and partners to co-invest in partner-led projects. CREP also plays an important role in USDA's broader climate change strategy, bringing together producers, landowners and partners for climate-smart land management. USDA has updated the CREP rule regarding matching fund requirements, allowing partners to provide the required 50% matching funds in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or technical assistance. Additionally, USDA has invested in additional staff to work directly with partners for streamlined, partner-driven conservation efforts.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), in partnership with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, has launched a redesigned Virginia Farm Link website. The Virginia Farm Link website is an online database designed to link farm owners interested in exiting agriculture with those seeking farms and farm businesses. The new website includes filters to narrow farm seekers and owners' searches, an organized transition resources page, and an updated interactive map. Access to the Farm Link website and online database is free to all users.
Practical Farmers of Iowa's 2022 , referred to as "farminars," begins January 4, 2022, and runs weekly through March 29, 2022. Farminars free to attend and anyone with an internet connection is invited to participate. Each presentation focuses on a unique production or business management topic, and is led by a farmer or subject-matter expert. Attendees are able to ask questions in real-time using a chat box during the presentations. Topics in the 2022 series include organic no-till in row crops; on-farm research on cover crops, manure, and nitrogen; organic seed production; day-neutral organic strawberries; integrating prairie strips into farm fields; grass-fed beef marketing; estate planning; online direct marketing; and working lands conservation programs.
A free one-hour course developed by Western Kentucky University is available to aid healthcare professionals in acknowledging and lessening farmer suicides. The course guides healthcare professionals on how to prevent farmer suicide through cultural respect, understanding, sensitivity, and humility (CRUSH). The course delves into the culture of farming and how knowledge of the agricultural sector can help healthcare workers respond to a farmer in crisis. The Continuing Education qualifying program is designed for all healthcare professionals and is available online.
A study by researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and the University of Maine indicates that s. Ecosystem Service Valuation Approaches and Carbon Mitigation Considerations for Garden State Agriculture says that cover cropping, grazing management, and agroforestry can increase the amount of carbon stored in agricultural soils and help New Jersey meet emissions reductions goals. In addition, these practices can help provide other ecosystem services, ranging from soil health to flood mitigation.
Iowa's Farm to Table Task Force commissioned during the 2021 state legislative session has submitted a set of recommendations to the Iowa Legislature that are intended to improve the farm to table supply chain. The group of 12 local food experts was charged with identifying strategies to improve the farm to table supply chain in Iowa, with a special focus on increasing sales to institutional purchasers, including schools. The task force's full report is available online and contains recommendations including the following: improving sales of local foods to institutions, including farm to school and early care efforts, by increasing the efficiency of local food distribution and awareness of local options for institutional buyers; developing and supporting expanded processing opportunities for local foods; researching and increasing support for local food farming and scaling up local food agriculture; revitalizing and expanding the Local Food and Farm Advisory Council; and increasing the usage of the Farm to Food Donation Tax Credit and exploring other food donation programs.
Researchers at Western Illinois University's School of Agriculture are to help develop them as alternative crops for Illinois growers. The researchers are growing ginger and turmeric in high tunnels to gather information about how these high-value crops perform locally and how they could fit into local growers' crop rotations. The research team raised five varieties of ginger this year and plans to test more varieties next year. The ginger has medicinal and culinary uses, including applications in brewing. They raised one variety of turmeric, as well as a variety of other high tunnel vegetable crops.
USDA has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 eligible expenses is now February 4, 2022, rather than the original deadline of January 7, 2022.
Penn State Extension is offering a home-study course on meat goat production, beginning February 2, 2022. The course includes six weekly lessons covering profit-enhancing production principles for raising meat goats. It's available via the Internet or by mail. Lesson topics include production basics, nutrition, health, reproduction, marketing, and financial issues. Each lesson has information about the topic and a worksheet for producers to complete and return for comments.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources researchers and their collaborators conducted a multi-year study on how cover crops in almond orchards and tomato fields affected groundwater recharge. The studies revealed that cover crop water use was negligible, and at season's end, soil moisture in cover-cropped fields was equal to that in clean cultivated fields. The living covers helped offset moisture losses from evapotranspiration, leading researchers to conclude that cover crops could be used for their multiple environmental benefits without impairing groundwater recharge. These findings can inform groundwater planning in California.
Organic Seed Alliance and the Accredited Certifiers Association have developed a new course titled "Organic Seed Search" that is offered online through the National Organic Program's (NOP) Organic Integrity learning Center. This course provides best practices for addressing some of the most common challenges that certifiers and inspectors face when reviewing seed searches. The course also explains how to document organic seed searches and provides operations with resources for sourcing more organic seed and conducting variety trials. The Organic Integrity Learning Center is a self-enrolled learning program and all trainings are free.
Three on projects led by farmers and conducted on-farm have been published by Practical Farmers of Iowa. The research is part of the organization's farmer-led research program. These reports relate the results of trials in feeding whey to pastured broiler chickens, using clover as a companion cover crop or living mulch with corn, and planting corn in 60-inch row widths for interseeding cover crops. The reports are available free online.
ITV America and Nobody's Hero are with a major cable TV network. The show will follow the stories of American farmers who are in need of a farm transformation of a lifetime. Each episode will follow a farming expert coming alongside new, beginning, or unique farmers who are struggling to succeed, and through hard work, expert resources, and practical knowledge will help them transform their struggling farms into the farms of their dreams. The program creators are searching nationwide this week for homesteaders and farmers who'd like to learn how to forage—who are in need of help and assistance. A casting call is available online.
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addresses the economics and environmental benefits of solar grazing, provides steps for the planning process, discusses what developers and farmers should consider when developing a contract, aids in considering appropriate seed mixes, and offers recommendations to policymakers that incentivize beneficial practices.
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is soliciting nominations for members to serve on the (NACMPI). USDA expects to appoint committee members in 2022. USDA is seeking nominations from individuals with knowledge and interest in meat and poultry food safety and other FSIS policies and is also seeking representation of small and very small establishments and geographic diversity of members. Persons in academia, industry, state and local government officials, public health organizations, and industry and consumer organizations are invited to submit nominations. Self-nominations are welcomed. All nominations must be received by February 18, 2022.
An tallies inputs needed for different food industries, provides the share of total cost of upstream inputs and labor, and evaluates the risk of several different food industries based on a diversity score. The meat industry has the worst diversity score, meaning it is the most vulnerable. The dashboards are part of a portfolio of public dashboards created through Purdue's Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability and designed to inform industry leaders and policymakers about how to protect food supplies.
Many designs for from excess heat, say University of Illinois scientists who have conducted extensive thermal testing. The temperature inside the boxes may be 68 degrees higher than the air temperature, and boxes crowded with bats also concentrate their body heat. Scientists are looking at longer, four-sided designs that offer bats a chance to escape afternoon heat while they roost. They've also looked at insulated designs. Joy O'Keefe, an assistant professor and wildlife extension specialist in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at Illinois, maintains a website providing tips for making bat boxes safer for bats.
University of Illinois researchers studied how as the residue decomposes. Their trials showed that any form of nitrogen, either present in the residue or applied as fertilizer, accelerated decomposition by microbes and produced more carbon dioxide. When the residue was fully decomposed, microbes turned to soil carbon, or stable organic matter. This led to greater overall carbon dioxide production from nitrogen-fertilized residue, as well as a long-term loss of soil organic matter. The researchers plan to conduct similar testing in other soil types to see if they perform the same way.
The National Restaurant Association's annual predicts that healthy foods will be the trend for restaurant menus in the coming year. Specifically, some of the top trends include foods believed to have immunity-boosting qualities and plant-based sandwiches. Another trend is more sustainable packaging for food, including reusable and recyclable packages.
The Federal-State On-Farm Compost Work Group launched an On-Farm Compost Resource Website that provides information and tools to help farmers and ranchers compost agricultural byproducts, including manure, while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The website is hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and was developed as part of a larger collaborative working group that was co-led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, and California Environmental Protection Agency as well as eleven additional state and regional regulatory bodies. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross noted, "This multi-agency effort will help meet farmer demand for more on-farm composting to ensure safe, nutrient rich soil, and this new online resource provides a single location to show our producers how to put it all together in compliance with California environmental regulations."
Researchers at Penn State say that cover crops in vineyards can reduce erosion during heavy rainfall, enhance soil health, reduce herbicide use, and improve water quality. In addition, they say growers who inform and educate consumers about using cover crops for their environmental benefits may be able to charge more for their wine. Specifically, in a survey conducted during this study, 72% of 956 wine consumers from the mid-Atlantic region were willing to pay $18.99 for a 750-ml bottle of wine, which included a $1 surcharge to cover the additional costs of sustainable production, including use of cover crops.
The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is taking applications from cities and towns to serve as the host of ACGA's 2022 annual conference. The event traditionally takes place in mid-late summer or early fall. The application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2021.
The FruitGuys Community Fund has announced that it will accept applications for a 2022 small farm sustainability grant cycle beginning in January. FruitGuys Community Fund is asking for volunteer grant reviewers, in the interest of community participation in grantmaking, one of the core building blocks of the movement that connects people with their food system, communities, and the land. Past grant review committees have included community members, small farm and food system advocates, alumni grantees, The FruitGuys' employees, alumni, and clients. Each year 10 to 20 reviewers are invited to participate. The time commitment begins in February and goes through March, totaling about 15 to 20 hours. All participation is virtual. Apply to participate as a reviewer by .
Researchers with the University of California found that grazing can play a role in protecting biodiversity and vulnerable plant species in California's vernal pool habitat. Vernal pools are seasonal, ephemeral ponds that are reservoirs of native plant biodiversity in California's grasslands dominated by invasive and non-native species. However, researchers noted that where pools had been fenced off to protect them from grazing, biodiversity was declining. They found that when cattle were allowed to graze under carefully controlled conditions, biodiversity increased. The cattle preferred to graze on grasses, keeping their expansion in check, while the cattle's footprints filled with moisture, creating miniature vernal pools that sustained greater numbers of native plants.
A new study from the University of British Columbia warns that the could drop 16% by 2090 if no action is taken to mitigate climate change. Researchers say that if we continue to burn fossil fuels at our current rate, the amount of seafood such as fish or mussels able to be farmed sustainably will increase globally by only 8% by 2050, and decline by 16% by 2090. By comparison, in a low-emissions scenario where the action is taken to mitigate climate change, mariculture is projected to grow by about 17% by the mid-21st century and by about 33% by the end of the century. The effects of climate on mariculture include loss of area where fish farming is viable and shortages of fish-oil and fish-meal-based feeds.
is a new online platform and campaign to help farmers get started and have success with soil health and regenerative practices. Created by a multi-state team of university Extension professionals and farmers, One Good Idea was designed to facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning about practices that can improve soil, land, and bottom lines, such as cover crops, conservation tillage, rotational grazing, and nutrient management. As a clearinghouse of videos and podcasts that feature farmers' ideas and experiences with these practices, One Good Idea creates a centralized location for farmers to learn from their peers about what has worked or hasn't, the benefits and precautions, and other nuts and bolts of using conservation practices on their operations. This content is crowdsourced and has been contributed by university Extension, nonprofits, government agencies, farmer-led groups, and individual farmers from across the Midwest and Mid-south. One Good Idea is the product of a collaboration between Mississippi State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Kentucky, University of Arkansas, and University of Illinois.
Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEAs) are community-led efforts to establish designated areas important to Wisconsin's agricultural future. As a part of the state's Farmland Preservation Program, AEAs strive to support local farmland protection goals. Through this designation, communities can encourage continued agricultural production and investment in the local agricultural economy. Eligible landowners within an AEA can sign a 15-year farmland preservation agreement committing all or a portion of their farm to agricultural use and maintaining state soil and water conservation standards. In return, they may be eligible to claim the farmland preservation tax credit. Currently, the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department is (AEA) to further protect and support farmland preservation. Landowners in the AEA who sign a new farmland preservation agreement will receive a $2,000 signing bonus for enrolling up to 200 acres, or a $3,000 signing bonus for enrolling more than 200 acres. A limited amount of funding is available.
A new three-year, $470,387 USDA Acer Access and Development grant will allow the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension and partners to expand maple sugaring outreach and education efforts in Wisconsin. The project is geared toward private woodland owners, farmers, tribal communities, and other groups that have been overlooked by previous outreach efforts but are well positioned to take advantage of the economic, culinary, and cultural benefits of sugaring. From financial planning to equipment selection and product marketing, the project will meet landowners where they are and help them balance their business and land management goals. A producer needs assessment will commence in early 2022 with outreach efforts beginning later in the year.
American Farmland Trust's Women for the Land Initiative launched a new program, , to offer resources for women veterans in agriculture over the next three years throughout the Pacific Northwest. The project, funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture AgVets program, aims to foster a community of practice among veteran women farmers in Washington and Oregon through a series of listening sessions, learning circles, and regional convenings. The project will support non-formal education to provide veteran women the necessary skills, training, and experience to be successful in agriculture. AFT will offer a combination of in-person and virtual learning opportunities tailored to the needs and interests of veteran women beginning farmers, current farmers, and farmland owners.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is accepting applications until December 15, 2021, for a new bilingual program offered to help small, specialty crop farms forced to adjust in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, WSDA Regional Markets Program is partnering with Business Impact NW to offer "," a new business service providing one-on-one coaching to specialty crop farmers who had to “pivot” their business model due to the pandemic. Program participants will receive free business coaching, farm mentorship, and the opportunity to select from a portfolio of professional services including sales and marketing, financing and loans, business planning, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit support. Participants can get reimbursed for their first successful USDA GAP certification, if achieved during the course of the program.
In the summer of 2021, the WSU Food Systems Docuseries crew set out for the Portland and Seattle-metro areas to talk with farmers first-hand about their experiences farming in an urbanizing region. The Peri-Urban Agriculture Network has posted the first episode, ": Re-framing the paradigm of what viable agricultural economies look like in urbanizing regions." The 15-minute film is available online. It's the first of five planned episodes.
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is providing a $796,878 Seeding Solutions grant to Cornell University to study how different plant genomes respond to environment conditions throughout the entire growing season, with the goal of . BASF, Limagrain and Virginia Crop Improvement Association are providing matching funds for a total investment of nearly $1.6 million. To develop climate resilient crops, breeders must first understand how traits such as yield vary across environments and whether genetic variations can influence a crop's sensitivity to climate conditions. With this knowledge, breeders and growers can use genomic data to predict crops' resiliency and select plants for breeding that are best suited to expected and unexpected future climate conditions.
USDA is making $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act available through the to furnish nearly $1 billion in loan guarantees; these loan guarantees will back private investment in processing and food supply infrastructure. Through the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program, USDA will partner with lenders to guarantee loans of up to $40 million to help eligible entities expand meat and poultry processing capacity and finance other food supply chain infrastructure. Lenders may provide the loans to eligible cooperatives, corporations, for profits, nonprofits, Tribal communities, public bodies, and people in rural and urban areas. Funding may be used to start-up or expand food supply chain activities such as aggregating, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling or distributing food; address supply chain bottlenecks; or increase capacity and help create a more resilient, diverse and secure U.S. food supply chain. USDA is accepting electronic applications from lenders through the Food Supply Chain Online Application System until funds are expended.
USDA has announced the establishment of the (LFPA) that will award up to $400 million for emergency food assistance purchases of domestic local foods. Utilizing American Rescue Plan funds, these purchases will expand local and regional markets and place an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved farmers and ranchers. The awards will be made through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments. Eligible state and tribal governments can apply until April 5, 2022. The cooperative agreements will provide organizations the flexibility to design food purchasing programs and establish partnerships with farmers and ranchers within the state or within 400 miles of the delivery destination that best suit their local needs, accommodates environmental and climate conditions, accounts for seasonal harvests, and meets the needs of the population within their service area. State and tribal governments can partner with nonprofits and will be required to submit proposals indicating how they will use the funds to purchase commodities to support local, regional, and historically underserved farmers and ranchers within their states or region.
Researchers at Iowa State University, The Ohio State University, and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) partnered to find ways to make apple-orchard pesticide applications effective while causing the least harm to the environment. They found that a targeted spraying method that used laser beams and sensors to detect foliage could reduce overall pesticide use by 30-70%. In addition, using a weather-based warning system that measures the number of hours that humidity is over 90% in the orchard helped indicate the appropriate times to use fungicide. This cut fungicide applications by 25%. The research project involved on-farm demonstration trials, and has produced a website, blog posts, podcasts, and short videos to share research results.
An international coalition announced a $19 million research project aimed at understanding how a farmer or rancher's grazing management decisions impact soil health on pasture and rangeland and—in turn—how soil health can positively impact a producer's land and well-being. The "" project was announced at the National Grazing Lands Coalition triennial meeting. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research awarded Noble Research Institute a $9.5 million grant to lead this critical research that is improving soil health on grazing lands. In turn, Noble Research Institute is providing $7.5 million to the project. For decades, farmers and ranchers who have implemented soil health principles have improved the overall health of their land and have experienced more profitable operations; however, these observations have been largely anecdotal. This research is quantifying these observations and examining how management decisions on grazing lands are connected to the overall health of the ecosystem, including the social and economic well-being of the farmer, rancher, and land manager.
Low Carbon Beef, a cattle certification program that enables beef farmers and ranchers to earn premiums by reducing carbon emissions of their cattle operation, announced it has m (PVP) Service Provider from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This approval marks the first USDA PVP for calculating the life cycle GHG emissions for beef production. The PVP will enable beef providers to differentiate and market beef that is raised with reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Family farms, cattle ranchers, feedyards, and beef packers are eligible to enroll their cattle for the LCB certification. To qualify for the program, cattle must demonstrate at least 10% lower greenhouse gas emissions than the industry standard baselines based on the Low Carbon Beef Scoring Tables. Cattle are measured across 20 criteria associated with feeds, fuels, fertilizers, and cattle function (performance).
The May Ranch in Lamar, Colorado, is finding that environmental stewardship pays, . The ranch's certification from Audubon Society as a bird-friendly ranch helps add marketing appeal to its products, and Ducks Unlimited paid carbon sequestration credits for vegetation management practices. A conservation easement on the property also proved valuable. The ranch won a 2021 Leopold Conservation Award and has been recognized by researchers for the habitat it provides plant and animal species alike.
California Rangeland Trust posted a in its series of virtual tours. In the last couple of years, the ranch has been hit with devastating wildfires and detrimental drought. The Stones have devoted their time and effort to finding innovative ways to rehabilitate the land and are utilizing compost as a way to sequester carbon and improve the health of the soil. Learn more in the six-minute video.
The Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship and project partners are about what they want to see for the future of New York State's food system by 2050. Participating farmers will be asked to prioritize investments for the NYS food and farming system. Results from this survey will contribute to the VISION 2050 project. The survey represents the second phase of the stakeholder engagement process, built on the results of 17 focus groups which brought together a total of 90 stakeholders from all sectors of the NYS food system in a series of roundtable discussions. This survey will take 15 minutes to complete and will close on December 31, 2021.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that more than $1.2 million in will support seven advanced research, education, and marketing projects to help specialty crop farms across New York State grow and remain competitive. The funding will support five grower research and education projects led by Cornell University. Cornell University was also awarded $460,000 for research on identifying alternatives to neonicotinoids and chlorpyrifos for controlling insect pests in New York's specialty crops. In addition, $190,000 from the Specialty Crop Block Grant program will support the marketing and promotion of New York's specialty crops at tradeshows.
On December 7, 2021, NCAT's four-part webinar series focusing on hemp production and cultivation on the West Coast will air as part of the online . This series features the nation's leading hemp experts and includes a wide range of considerations for a sustainable hemp operation. Topics include marketing, production, harvesting, processing, regulation, and insurance.
USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that it is strengthening the policy by adding flexibilities around how producers work with processors, as well as improving consistency with the most recent USDA hemp regulation. Producers are no longer required to deliver hemp without economic value for insurability. Additionally, RMA clarified how the amount of insurable acreage is determined if the processor contract specifies both an acreage and a production amount. This change was made in the policy to ensure producers know how their insurable acreage is determined for those contracts. Additionally, RMA added a new requirement for producers who grow direct-seeded hemp, or hemp grown from seeds planted in the ground. Before insurance attaches, producers must have acreage inspected and must have a minimum of 1,200 live plants per acre. The hemp crop insurance policy is available in certain counties within 25 states.
The University of Minnesota is leading a multi-year, multi-state, organic benchmarking effort in partnership with Minnesota State Farm Business Management program to . Through this multi-state effort, organic farmers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota can receive a 25% to 50% cost-share for farm business management participation. Organic producers are eligible if they are an organic dairy farm, raise organic livestock, or produce organic alfalfa, corn, hay, soybeans, wheat, or specialty crops. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Organic data submitted to the FINBIN database will be used in an aggregate form to provide regional benchmark reports and build Extension programming and curriculum regarding the financial stability of organic production.
The University of Minnesota's is working to develop and improve crops that provide continuous living cover for farmers. Successful Farming reports that crops that can be used as continuous living cover offer an additional revenue stream to farmers, as well as promoting healthy soil and water. Forever Green has identified a list of productive and profitable crops that includes perennials, winter annuals, and native woody crops.
The Ohio State University published results of a study that examined consumer . The study showed that consumers in a farmers market setting would purchase carrot bundles that contained up to 40% misshapen carrots, if they were accompanied by explanations of both their health equivalence and that using them prevents food waste. This research focused on winning consumer acceptance of imperfect produce without discounting it, a strategy that undermines the food value chain. Although consumer willingness to pay was lower when any imperfect carrots were included in a bunch, consumer acceptance increased with education. This study helped analyze the price point that would make harvesting "ugly" produce profitable for farmers.
The Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) announced that it received $652,940 of local food system grant funding from USDA, with an additional $163,235 of matching funds committed, to establish the Virginia Certified Farmers Market System. VAFMA says the voluntary branding and support program will help farmers markets emerge from the pandemic with more resilience, capacity, and profitability. The Virginia Certified Farmers Market program will offer markets incentives and support for adopting best practices and adhering to state guidelines. At the core of the program will be VAFMA's extensive online training platform. It will include a range of webinars, mini‐workshops, and full multi‐session courses that will help market managers, farmers, and vendors achieve greater success. VAFMA anticipates launching the program in early spring.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a as part of the agency's implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It proposes to replace some of the existing requirements for agricultural water in the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). For example, it would require farms to conduct comprehensive assessments that would help them identify and mitigate hazards in water used to grow produce. Key provisions in the proposed rule include a requirement for farms to manage their agricultural water quality based on the results of a comprehensive systems assessment, an annual assessment by farms of their pre-harvest agricultural water, a requirement that farms implement expedited mitigation measures for hazards related to certain activities on adjacent and nearby lands, and removal of certain testing requirements for pre-harvest agricultural water (to be replaced with assessments).
USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced updates to crop insurance to respond to the needs of agricultural producers, including organic producers, as well as to support conservation of natural resources on agricultural land. RMA is making permanent a provision that allows producers to hay, graze, or chop cover crops and still receive a full prevented planting payment. To accommodate the different farming practices across the country, RMA is also increasing flexibility related to the prevented planting "1 in 4" requirement, as well as aligning crop insurance definitions with USDA's National Organic Program. RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger explained, "We want to provide producers tools to help mitigate and adapt to climate change as well as ensure crop insurance works well for a wide variety of producers, including organic producers."
Producer’s Voice is a new online publication that uses modern-day storytelling to highlight those who are living in the agriculture industry every day. Born out of the desire to provide a place for producers to connect with each other’s stories, Producer’s Voice hopes to facilitate producer-to-producer networking in conjunction with educating subscribers seeking a connection to the industry. The production team will be sharing news, producer features, technical assistance, and more.
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE) is seeking applicants with sustainable agriculture expertise for three : 1994 Land Grant University Representative, 1862 Land Grant University At-Large representative. and State Department of Agriculture Representative. Council members must live and work in one of the 12 states that comprise the North Central SARE region. The term for each of these SARE Administrative Council slots is three years. Applications are due by December 17, 2021.
Dairy specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have recently published a series of nearly a dozen publications related to farm stress. Seven Farm and Family Stress Resources publications are available for free download, in addition to four Managing Farm Stress and Distress publications. The publications cover the varying levels of stress, how to prevent and cope with stress, and how to respond after stressful things happen. The publications strive to cover all facets of life, including family, financial, and relational stress, and there are publications that are unique to men, women, and children.
The is seeking to better understand the needs and challenges of Farmers of Color and to highlight farmers' barriers, constraints, and innovations through storytelling. The project team consists of a very diverse team of Ag specialists from the National Center for Appropriate Technology, partners from the Intertribal Ag Council and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, and Ag professionals who serve as the project's Advisory Council. Information gathered gives us the opportunity to learn how we can better assist Farmers of Color through the services of each organization, as well as informing philanthropy on farmers' needs. We need your help! If you are willing, please to be entered on a list of farmers to potentially serve as case studies. We will hand-select 50 farmers for the case studies. If selected, you will be notified and receive a $500 stipend. If you would like to participate, please complete the survey by December 15, 2021.
Researchers with Washington State University have confirmed discovery in the United States of a (SWD) fly. The wasp, Ganaspis brasiliensis, is native to South Korea and is a host-specific parasite of spotted-wing drosophila larvae. The Ganaspis parasitoids were recently approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to be reared and distributed around the United States as a biocontrol, but before that could happen, the species apparently made its way into Washington on its own. This means that distribution of the species around the state will not be regulated or limited by USDA.
A team of biochar producers, practitioners, scientists, and engineers have published a roadmap for future development of the biochar industry in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, reports Washington State University. The 184-page report, Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value, assesses the current state of the biochar industry, identifies the barriers to its development as a key carbon-drawdown strategy, and recommends the research and development needed to overcome these barriers. The roadmap proposes strategic investments, including additional research and development, business support infrastructure, and collaborative policy development. The report also outlines a proposed long-term integrated research program to resolve the most important technical issues associated with the large-scale development of biochar technology needed to draw down large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the coming century.
Researchers at Penn State University who have been report that Holsteins with predominately white coats had lower fly loads than those that were predominately black. The researchers were looking for heritable resistance to provide organic producers with more options for horn fly control. Horn flies not only cause painful bites, but can lead to decreased milk production and poor animal health. Researchers aren't yet suggesting breeding for whiter cattle, however: they can be prone to sunburn and eye cancers. Also, the cattle with the least horn fly resistance were the ones that produced the most milk.
University of Tennessee Knoxville campus is producing its own 'UT Beef' to prepare and serve on campus. Cattle are produced at UT's Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Greeneville, and brought to the table through an agreement with UT Dining Services managed by Aramark. The beef cattle are raised primarily on a pasture-based system, using intensive grazing. "This model should serve producers and consumers across Appalachia as well as those in other regions with the same ability to grow their own forages capable of supporting a complete livestock enterprise," says Justin McKinney, director of the UT Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. In addition to providing beef, the program fosters university research in plant and animal science and veterinary medicine.
USDA announced that it will provide approximately $75 million in American Rescue Plan funding to 20 organizations to provide programs and services. Organizations were selected for their proven track records working with underserved producer communities, such as veterans, beginning farmers, limited resource producers, and producers living in high-poverty areas. The recipients are as follows: Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Intertribal Agriculture Council, National Black Farmers Association, The Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher Policy Center at Alcorn State University, Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Land Loss Prevention Project, Rural Coalition, Center for Farm Financial Management, Hmong American Farmers Association, Farmer Veteran Coalition, The Kohala Center, Inc., Alaska Village Initiatives, Farmers Legal Action Group, National Young Farmers Coalition, National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association, The Center for Heirs Property Preservation, National Immigrant Farmer Initiative, Inc, National Cooperative Business Association, National Black Growers Council, and World Farmers, Inc.
The is open until November 30, 2021. Potential presenters can submit proposals for 20-minute oral presentations, 60-minute workshops, or poster presentations. A list of potential topics is available online. Organizers are also seeking peer reviewers for presentations proposals. The event will take place in Burlington, Vermont, and online from August 30 - September 1, 2022.
Retired Army Reserve Major Amy Hess is ramping up her farming career, . Hess is raising livestock, poultry, and vegetables. She recently purchased an incubator and invested in a new tractor that will allow her to mow her own hay. She has plans to build a farm stand next year for on-farm sales of meat, eggs, and produce. Hess explains why veterans are well equipped for farming, and credits the Farmer Veteran Coalition with helping bring her plans to fruition.
Agriculture reporter and journalism professor Beth Hoffman moved from California to Iowa and began farming with her husband on family land. She discusses her insights on farming ideals, implementing unconventional farming practices, the importance of making a farming operation pay, and systemic challenges in the industry in an .
Writing on The Fish Site, Isle of Skye mussel farmer Jude Brown explains how she chose her current enterprise and discusses the biodiversity at her farm site. Brown had a background in fisheries, and when she evaluated alternatives, she decided on mussel farming as a sustainability winner. It provides a low-input source of animal protein, helps improve water quality, and offers habitat for a wide range of species.
USDA announced a $90.2 million investment in 203 projects to strengthen and explore new market opportunities for local and regional food businesses through the . Through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs, this funding will help support direct producer-to-consumer marketing projects such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and agritourism, as well as regional food business intermediary supply chain activities including processing, distribution, aggregation, and storage of locally or regionally produced food products. Meanwhile, the Regional Food System Partnerships program will support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. A full list of grant recipients is available online.
Delaware Governor John Carney, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy announced that the state will use $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to establish the . The program is designed to help stabilize and strengthen Delaware's small and mid-sized farmers and local food supply chain operations. According to the governor, "the Council on Farm and Food Policy will work with partners to develop and administer a diverse portfolio of grants and loans to improve the availability and accessibility of local produce, animal protein, value-added products, and other foods, promoting overall economic growth here in Delaware."
As some California farmers struggle with drought conditions, many Central Coast farmers can provide models of successful water conservation, reports the Monterey Herald. Farms that were threatened by saltwater intrusion decades ago have developed strategies for farming successfully with less water, such as recycling wastewater, using drip irrigation, and choosing crops that require less water. Some farmers use dryland techniques to produce crops that don't need to be watered for months at a time. Improving soil organic matter can also help the soil hold water longer.
First Nations Development Institute is accepting applications for its until December 22, 2021. The Network will provide training and technical assistance, as well as networking opportunities, to a cohort of 30 select Native American Beginning Farmer and Ranchers to expand their business capacity and strengthen land management strategies. Eligible applicants should be located in one of the following six states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Arizona, or New Mexico. Applicants should be willing to commit to a 30-month apprenticeship, from February 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024, which will involve traveling to regional in-person trainings, participating in virtual webinars and fieldwork, and networking with other producers.
A large-scale survey carried out by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, partners, and more than 1,000 landowners across the country highlighted the importance of pollinator habitat. It found that woodland and hedgerow creation, along with other actions such as restoring wildflower meadows and organic farming with mass-flowering crops, can play a crucial role in action to reverse declines in insects that are essential for crop yield and other wildlife. Researchers found up to twice as many insects in broadleaved woodland areas as in intensively farmed grassland. They also estimated that without hedgerows, pollinator abundance on farmland could fall by as much as 21%. The findings underscore the importance of incentive programs for creating and protecting pollinator habitat.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced that USDA's Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in the state. In the first project, Handsome Brook Farms will support five beginning farmers in adopting climate-smart regenerative egg practices. In the second project, as part of a multi-state effort, the University of Kentucky Research Foundation will increase adoption of bale grazing to improve winter feed management for beef cattle farmers by demonstrating the practical, economic and ecological benefits of this strategy.
The Yale Center for Business and the Environment's Regenerative Agriculture Initiative released a new publication, . Two Yale Master of Environmental Management students worked with dozens of practitioners and other experts in farming, climate adaptation, policymaking, sustainable investment, coalition-building, and related fields to provide practical advice for people interested in developing community-driven, state-level soil health policy and programs. Readers will find counsel on outreach, drafting, writing, implementation, and monitoring for soil-relevant outcomes.
Washington State University reports that scientists testing have achieved better yields than in southern states. Researchers say the sweetpotatoes grow bigger and faster with longer daylight in the Pacific Northwest. They used biodegradable plastic mulch to warm the soil to encourage production. The crop could provide producers with another crop to add in rotation—one that also produces a nutritious and high-value product. In addition, the edible sweetpotato vines could be used as a dairy feed. One potential threat to the crop is wireworm, and researchers are testing varieties for resistance.
The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) received a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to . Over the next year, KRC will form the curriculum for the training with feedback from new and prospective farmers, as well as partners from around Kansas and the Farm Beginnings Collaborative. The beginning farmer training program will feature instruction on business formation and management, recordkeeping, access to land and capital, state and federal farm assistance programs, and many more topics. Farmers and other agriculture professionals will provide the primary instruction for each farmer cohort, with classroom instruction in the winter months and farm tours and workshops during the growing season.
With funding from a USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant, University of Florida/IFAS Extension agents, the University of the Virgin Islands, and central Florida farmers are exploring in Florida. The hardy plant is native to Africa, but is commonly grown in the Caribbean islands and is a common ingredient in Caribbean foods and beverages. The plant is being grown in research plots in Florida, and the SARE-funded project will be documenting and doing outreach on the production methods, cost of production, yields, and income projections for the crop.
The Sand County Foundation has for 2021 in North Dakota, Wisconsin, New England, Missouri, and Utah. This award, named after renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farmers, ranchers, and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife-habitat management on private land. The awards, which include $10,000 and a crystal award, are presented annually in numerous states by the Sand County Foundation, national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and many state and local sponsors.
The Heinz Family Foundation in Pittsburgh has announced the winners of the twenty-sixth annual Heinz Awards. Established in 1993 to honor the memory of Sen. John Heinz, the awards recognize extraordinary individuals for their achievement in finding solutions to critical issues in areas that were important to Heinz: the arts and humanities; the environment; the human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy, and employment. The award includes an unrestricted cash prize of $250,000. One of the 2021 Environment Award recipients is Gabe Brown, from Bismarck, North Dakota, a pioneer in regenerative agriculture and soil health who is catalyzing the movement to change land use practices.
Thanks to funding from Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE), NCAT is offering a six-month course for beginning livestock farmers who are women. This course will be offered in convenient virtual classes where students will interact with each other and with women mentors, including NCAT specialists. It will be capped with a two-day in-person training offered in two locations: Cookeville, Tennessee, June 20-21, 2022, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, June 27-28, 2022. We are excited to gather a group of 30 women to participate in each location. .
A report released by the Iowa Food Hub Managers Working Group and ISU Extension and Outreach showed that school purchases of local food from food hubs dropped from 2020 to 2021, when financial incentives were no longer available. In 2020, schools received Local Produce and Protein Program grants, but when those funds were no longer available in 2021, many fewer schools purchased local food. Schools that already had established relationships with local food providers were likely to continue to purchase local foods, however. Over time, schools with established relationships tend to make larger and more frequent purchases of local food. The study also made several recommendations on how food hubs could help schools increase local food purchasing.
A methodology developed by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the , proposes a systematic way to monitor changes in varietal diversity on farm, between areas, and over time. The approach uses a rapid assessment technique to gather farmer knowledge about local agrobiodiversity, combined with a four-cell assessment method to identify and calculate the level of threat for each crop and variety reported, including both farmer and improved varieties. A study in India that involved 600 farmers identified significant diversity among landrace crops, but it also revealed that 76% or more of landraces were reported as vulnerable, near-threatened, threatened, or lost.
The Cornell Small Farms Program is offering a block of with live instruction beginning in January 2022. Topics include access to capital, farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep, pastured pigs, high tunnels, and vegetables. These courses have tiered pricing based on household size and income to make access to the courses more affordable and equitable for everyone. Registrants receive permanent online access to their course content.
Quivira Coalition is accepting applications until December 15, 2021, for its New Agrarian Program's 2022 season. This program partners with skilled ranchers and farmers to offer eight-month apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture, usually from March or April until November. Participants are involved in four types of education: experiential learning with a mentor, supplemental monthly online sessions that are topic-based, visits to other operations, and the annual Quivira Conference. Mentoring locations are in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and California and offer housing and stipends.
Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops announced a partnership with CropTrak, a cloud technology company, to across the specialty food supply chain. The partnership leverages CropTrak's technology and on-the-ground expertise with growers to deepen the level of insight and improve user experience of the tool. The Stewardship Calculator 2.0 can be used to track on-farm water, energy/GHG, fertilizer use efficiency, and soil organic matter, as well as biodiversity, food waste, and irrigation efficiency. This empowers participants across the supply chain to baseline the environmental impacts of fruit, nut and vegetable production and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
USDA announced formation of the to promote traditional food ways, Indian Country food and agriculture markets, and Indigenous health through foods tailored to American Indian/Alaska Native dietary needs. To kick off the Initiative, the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) is partnering with several tribal-serving organizations to develop seven projects that raise awareness of Indigenous perspectives about food and agriculture and inform future USDA programs and policies. Projects will explore issues such as marketing Indigenous-produced foods, supporting seed saving centers, and transitioning to bison production.
USDA is accepting applications for approximately $650 million in funding through the until November 22, 2021. Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for a grant to cover COVID-related expenses such as workplace safety measures (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety, shifting to online sales platforms, transportation, worker housing, and medical costs. Specialty crop producers and processors, aquaculture, apiculture, distributors, and farmers markets are eligible. USDA reminds potential applicants that the first step in applying is getting a DUNS number, which can take up to five days.
In its first major public initiative, the Organic Agriculture Institute—a program of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources—is conducting a , as well as forming a knowledge-sharing network that connects UC experts with growers, processors, producer organizations, certifiers, crop consultants, community groups, and state agencies. This California Organic Agriculture Knowledge Network, or Cal OAK Network, builds upon the productive partnerships and knowledge systems established by organic growers and other stakeholders over many decades. The Institute recently received a planning grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct a formal needs assessment through summer 2022. In surveying growers and other stakeholders, the Institute seeks to identify their primary research and extension priorities, as well as gain a better understanding of the key people and organizations they currently rely on for information about organic production.
The Midwest Perennial Forage Working Group was awarded a NCR- SARE Research & Education grant for its proposed project, "Match Made in Heaven: Livestock + Crops." The project will survey producers in six Midwestern states about the opportunities and barriers related to integration or re-integration of livestock and crop production with the goal of identifying strategies to capture the environmental, economic, and social benefits of diverse crop rotations and integrated systems. The three-year project will create opportunities for farmers to speak about their interests, challenges, and needs, and allow the crop and livestock organizations that they engage with to adapt their programming to meet current and future interests and needs. The grant will fund a complementary activity to explore the economics of re-integrating crops and livestock production.
USDA is investing $20.2 million in at University of Tennessee, Vermont Agency for Food and Marketing, University of Wisconsin, and the California State University Fresno. DBI Initiative provides valuable technical assistance and sub-grants to dairy farmers and businesses across their regions, assisting them with business plan development, marketing and branding, as well as increasing access to innovative production and processing techniques to support the development of value-added products. More information on the specific activities of the regional initiatives is available online.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture announced that nearly $2 million in from USDA will be awarded to 15 Oregon projects aimed at helping producers overcome obstacles, making their operations more profitable, and helping them grow, making them more competitive in the marketplace. A list of the funded projects is available online. It includes projects on beekeeping, pest management, Asian herbs, vineyard irrigation, and more.
With support from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), the Eat Local First Collaborative has expanded the , an online tool to connect consumers with food that is grown, caught, raised, and made by Washington growers and producers. The expansion added a section for wholesale vendors to the directory in late October, to better assist school districts and other institutions trying to source locally grown produce. Institutional buyers can search listings by city name, Zip code, category, product, distribution method, delivery area, and more. The wholesale tool also includes five diversity and seven sustainability icons to indicate a vendor's identities and their environmental and social practices.
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The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) provides these listings only as a public service to the sustainable agriculture community and no recommendation of an organization posting a position on this site (other than NCAT’s own postings) is expressed or implied by NCAT or its Sustainable Agriculture Project. All listings on this site are posted by farms, non-profit organizations and other organizations offering internships to the public. NCAT makes no claims concerning the content, accuracy, suitability, intent, comprehensiveness, or availability of the positions posted. It is the responsibility of the prospective intern to take all necessary precautions when interviewing for or accepting positions. NCAT encourages all prospective interns to obtain as much information as possible about the farm or organization offering the internship before accepting any internship or apprenticeship offer. NCAT is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of the positions offered on this website.It is the responsibility of the farm or organization offering internships to be aware of federal and state labor laws related to such positions, and any complaints concerning these matters should be directed to the proper state or federal authority or to a sponsoring educational institution if applicable.
