Great New Book on Farming and Country Living: Country-fied: Life in the Dakotas – by Elaine Babcock (Knuckledown Press, $2.99)

I highly recommend this new publication reviewed here by Jamee Larson. It can be purchased from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9996. This is not an ad. I actually commissioned Jamee to do this review because I want people to read the book. It’s cheap, and I think many of you will really enjoy it!

Elaine Babcock believes in living every moment to the fullest and appreciating the world around her. As a writer, her goal is to “paint word pictures of the way things used to be and the way I see things now.” Country-fied: Life in the Dakotas is a collection of essays that serves as a textual portfolio for those observations. Babcock takes readers on a journey from rummage sales and church potlucks, to funerals and hunting trips. Interspersed in between are essays that display her respect and admiration for the Dakotas. In “Living Country Style” she writes, “Sometimes when the weather was gentle that prairie called me. On the Dakota prairies I learned to listen to nature, to God, and to myself.” Her prose is full of rich sensory details that enable her to paint her word pictures.

Many of Babcock’s essays deal with personal issues, often written with a mix of raw emotional honesty and self-deprecating humor. Readers will appreciate her candor and relate to her life experiences. Part advice column, part personal essay, the variety of subjects contained within this collection has something for everyone. Babcock has managed to take the personal and make it universal, which is the very thing that makes this collection so relatable.

FREE WEBINAR: Integrated Pest Management for Organic and Sustainable farmers-web tools, scouting and understanding degree days

June 21, Thursday from 2:00-3:30 (EST), 2012

Are you a bit nervous about the pests that may attack your crops this year? Do you have your scouting plan ready? Do you know how to calculate degree days for the key pests in your field?

If these questions have you thinking then perhaps you should join us for a webinar on understanding and setting up an IPM program for your farm!!  All smart farmers  scout their fields to be ready for pest occurrences, but especially organic farmers who use multiple tools to manage pests. Having a good idea if and when insects will attack is the first step to smart pest management.

If you cannot attend the live presentation the webinar will be available for later viewing on www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu website. To join the meeting on June 21 at 2 pm EST Click on this link: http://connect.msu.edu/msuorganicipm/

The North Central SARE program is sponsoring this webinar that will be presented by Beth Bishop, Michigan State University’s Enviro Weather Coordinator how to set up a sound Integrated Pest Management program for your farm.

You will also have the opportunity to learn how to use online tools to assist you predict pest outbreaks as well as give you a heads up of possible pest outbreaks.

This year will likely be challenging to all farmers in the Midwest, given the mild winter and early heat spell, triggering perennials to bloom too early and allowing overwintering insects and disease to survive in the soil. Beth Bishop, Enviro-Weather coordinator will share how to use this great online tool to predict insect flights as well as steps toward a sound Integrated Pest Management program for your farm.

IPM model plans will be shared for three model crops; corn, apples and tomatoes. If you have any questions please contact Vicki at sorrone@msu.edu.

Press Release: Garamendi, McNerney, Capps Lead California Congressional Delegation in Fighting for California’s Agricultural Priorities in 2012 Farm Bill

In a letter to the House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-10), Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11), Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23), and 29 of their colleagues in the California Congressional Delegation detailed their top priorities in the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill, which Congress is expected to consider later this year.  The 2012 Farm Bill, which sets food and farm policy for the nation, provides multi-year funding for a wide range of agriculture programs.

“As a rancher and a pear farmer, I know the unique challenges that California’s agriculture community faces,” said Garamendi. “The Farm Bill offers the opportunity for California’s farm businesses to overcome these hurdles through advanced research, pest management, and marketing assistance programs. The bill can also connect disadvantaged families, especially children, with the food they need to lead healthy, productive lives. I join my colleagues in urging the Committee to pass a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that helps America’s families and farmers to Make It In America and grow it in America.”

“California produces the best specialty crops that are consumed in this country such as asparagus and almonds.  This year’s Farm Bill must level the playing field and grant more opportunities to the productive farmers from California.  We grow some of the best grapes in the world and as a result, have a robust and thriving wine industry.  Our family farmers stand to play a deciding role in our economic growth and we must do everything we can to help them flourish,” said McNerney.

“The 2012 Farm Bill is one of the biggest items on the agenda for Congress this year,” said Capps.  “We know the legislation will have a significant impact on California’s growers and ranchers, and that’s why it was so important for our delegation to express its priorities to the Agriculture Committee.  We want to ensure that our agriculture industry remains a pillar of the U.S. economy.”

In the letter, the California lawmakers highlighted the importance of maintaining support for specialty crops, agricultural research, pest detection, nutrition, and conservation – all of which are supported by the California Farm Bureau.  California is the most productive agricultural region in the world, contributing $39 billion per year to California’s economy and supporting over 1 million jobs.  California is ranked number one nationwide in exports for “specialty crops” such as tree nuts, fruits, and vegetables, and the state is ranked number two in dairy production nationwide. Prior to reforms enacted in the 2008 Farm Bill, only large growers who produce commodity crops like corn and wheat were eligible to receive federal support.

The lawmakers also expressed their strong support for preserving investments in nutrition programs for low income Californians, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Text of the letter is included below. (Click the Read More Button) Read more »

USDA Reminds Producers of Approaching Sign-Up Deadline for 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Bruce Nelson today reminded producers that enrollment for the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) ends on June 1, 2012.

“We want producers to know that DCP and ACRE are still available for enrollment,” said Nelson. “Producers who want to participate in DCP or ACRE must enroll their eligible farms. We encourage them to take the time to sign up before the deadline. Electronic DCP (eDCP) is a great option for enrolling during this busy planting season.”

Producers who choose to participate in either the revenue-based ACRE safety net or the price-based DCP safety net must enroll their farms each year. All owners and operators who will share in the DCP or ACRE payments on the farm must sign up by June 1. Since 2009, producers have had the option to participate in DCP or ACRE. A producer who initially chose to remain in DCP has an option to switch to ACRE during the current enrollment period; however, producers who chose to enroll in ACRE cannot switch back to DCP.

Find out all about it by clicking the READ MORE button. Read more »

Permaculture Design Certification Course in Ellenville, New York. Four 3 day Weekends June 1-3,  June  8-10,  June 15-17,  June 22-24, 2012

Meals included $1200, Bring a friend and save $100 each! Information/Registration contact@homebiome.com. For more information about the course www.homebiome.com

Join a group gathering for the first ever Permaculture Design Course to be held in Ellenville, NY.  A scenic 2 hour drive from NYC with bus service from Port Authority. They’ve been teaching PDC’s in the city for 5 years now and just finished their 11th course.

Get additional program and contact info by clicking “read more” -> Read more »

National Farmers Union Leads Broad Coalition to Urge Senate to Bring Farm Bill to Floor Vote

National Farmers Union (NFU) and a coalition of agricultural, conservation, environmental, energy, forestry, hunger, and rural stakeholders sent a letter to Senate leadership today urging them to bring the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 to the Senate floor as soon as possible. NFU led the effort, which was supported by more than 125 organizations.

“This is one piece of legislation upon which all Americans depend, urban as well as rural,” stated the letter. “With limited time remaining before the expiration of current program authorities, time is of the essence.”

The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on April 26 by a 16-5 vote. The broad range of the 125 cosigners emphasizes the expansive reach and impact of the farm bill.

“This strongly bipartisan bill ensures that agriculture does its part to reduce the deficit, cutting spending by $23 billion, while still maintaining a safety net that family farmers and ranchers need,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Some farm bill programs have already expired, and the rest expire on Sept. 30. It is critical to pass a farm bill as soon as possible so that Americans have the agriculture, conservation, environmental, forestry, hunger, and rural development programs that they need. While many of us will continue to work for improvements in the bill, we all agree that we need a farm bill this year.”

Hudson Valley New York Food Lovers Friends Of The Farmer Festival, Two Events:

1) Hootenanny! Friday, July 27^th 2012, 6pm till 11pm: This is a kickoff benefit for the CAMPFARMON!  Scholarship Fund and widely considered one of the best summer parties in the Hudson Valley. Join us for a sunset feast and dance party on the deck of the Copake Country Club, overlooking the Catskills and Copake Lake while the mists gather and the tents are erected for the Festival on the rolling fairways below. More info here

2) Friends Of The Farmer Festival Saturday, July 28^th 2012, 11am till 8pm: Enjoy the best of the Hudson Valley locavore movement in an exquisite setting and in all its glory! So much to choose from, bring the family, lots of kids events and entertainment. Highlights are 5 Mile Fresh Grill, Taste of the Farm & Locavore Village, Future of Farming Forum, It’s 5O’Clock Somewhere! & Local Libations Tent, Big Willy’s Fishing Camp & Fly Tying Table, Farm & Community Art Table, Tractor Parades, Farm Animals, Sack Races, Celebrity Picnic Table Auction, Miracle Tomato Tasting Competition & Silent Art Auction, Great Stuff & Gourmet Picnic Basket Silent Auction and so much more…! More Info Here

All proceeds to benefit CAMPFARMON!  Scholarship Fund Young Farmer Innovative Training in partnership with Cornell University & Columbia Greene Community College. This year they are expecting 5,000 guests for the Festival, Whole Foods is their anchor sponsor and it will be filmed for a television pilot.

Contact: tessa edick tessa@friendsofthefarmer.com, 518.325.9437, or Gianni Ortiz gianni@Gianniortiz.com, 518.392.8545

New Case Study Released as Part of Series Targeting Beginning Farmers in Sustainable Agriculture

The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) has released the second case study in an online series that provides beginning and transitioning farmers with a unique virtual resource. “These are comprehensive resources,” says Jane Grimsbo Jewett of MISA. “They both tell an engaging story and provide useful, practical, in-depth information that beginning farmers need to know.”

The new case study in the “Profiles in Sustainable Agriculture” series features Cindy Hale and Jeff Hall of Clover Valley Farms in Duluth, Minnesota.  They raise pastured poultry and hogs, produce herbs in a passive solar greenhouse, and use integrated pest management to grow heritage varieties of apples in new and restored orchards. The first case study featured Laura Frerichs and Adam Cullip of Loon Organics in Hutchinson, Minnesota.  They produce organic vegetables sold through farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture, and
wholesale clients.

“After the success of our pilot case study on Loon Organics, a lot of readers requested that the next case study be about growing fruit or raising poultry,” says Sarah Stai of EcoSmith Consulting.  “We were excited when Cindy and Jeff expressed interest in being profiled for a case study.  Their operation allowed us to cover both fruit and poultry – among other enterprises – and explore how they are taking a highly integrated approach to small-scale farming.”  Stai manages the project in collaboration with MISA and with support of advisors from
University of Minnesota Extension, Renewing the Countryside, the Land Stewardship Project, and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.

The “Profiles in Sustainable Agriculture” project uses graphics and narratives to integrate personal stories of profiled farmers with detailed information on their practices.  The case studies also include technical assistance via extensive tips and links to finance, production, and marketing resources.  A Clover Valley Farms reader summed up the approach this way: “I liked having the dry technical details wrapped into feel-good stories; it made the content more accessible, the delivery more palatable, and it fit my learning style.”

The case studies are located at http://sustagprofiles.info. Site visitors are encouraged to provide feedback on the project by taking a 5-minute survey that provides data for fundraising efforts and gives case study users a say in what topics get covered next.

Farmer Educator Job at Soil Born Farms,  Sacramento, California, 2012      

Soil Born Farms is an urban farm and education center located in Sacramento, CA. From our two urban farm sites on over 50 acres of certified organic ground, we are working to educate people about the connections between our food, our health and the health of the environment. Every day we produce and glean healthy fruit and vegetables, educate youth and adults through hands-on farm experiences and improve access to healthy food for everyone including our most underserved communities.

This year we are seeking to fill our Farmer- Educator position

Job Summary: The farmer educator is a trained educator and skilled farmer with a passion for incorporating education into a productive agricultural operation. The farmer educator is responsible for managing all adult educational activities that are directly linked to the farm. These primary educational duties include management and oversight of the youth job program, volunteer group facilitation/management, apprentice coordination/training and class instruction teaching specialty crop production practices to beginner farmers and gardeners. The farmer educator will work closely with the other farm managers and education staff to ensure that youth and adult students and volunteers both meaningfully contribute to the success of the farm and have positive educational experiences related to organic agriculture. Farm management duties will complement those of other farm staff specifically in the realms of orchard care, field management and planning.

To learn about job responsibilities, opportunities, and how to apply, click “read more”

Key Responsibilities
• Youth corps management and education in farm operations
• Volunteer coordination
• Apprenticeship coordination/education
• Teaching Specialty Crop production classes to beginning gardeners and small farmers
• Vegetable crop and Orchard management
• Liaison between farm staff and education staff
• Meetings

Hours and Compensation
• Between 40-60hrs/week
• Salary Range: $30,000 to $40,000 (Depending on experience)
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Sick Time and Paid Vacation

 Experience Required
• Three years farming experience on a diversified vegetable farm
• Trained educator with two years experience working with older youth in farm operations
• Experience designing dynamic curriculum
• One year experience in orchard care
• Passion for education
• Knowledge of sustainable agricultural systems
• Patience
• “Can do” attitude
• Ability to learn new skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to efficiently manage time, resources and people
• Ability to lift 50#
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, most notably heat
Please email cover letter, resume, and two references to Simon Farmer at sfarmer@soilborn.org

Organizational Description: The Neighborhood Garden Coalition participating with the Franciscan Volunteer Corp are sponsoring a summer internship located in Ferndale, Michigan in 2012 for Food Systems Research.

The “Neighborhood Garden Coalition” Mission is one of stewardship of the environment and to empower communities using urban agriculture to feed themselves, using organic methods, and promote health, nutrition and well being. We are working to establish sustainable community gardens by forming partnerships between local residents, youth, seniors, educational institutions, social service agencies, governmental entities, and other key stakeholders.

“Song and Spirit Institute for Peace” part of the Franciscan Volunteer Corp promotes greater understanding among people of diverse religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds through music, art, and gardens providing cultural programs, dialogue and study. It is run in part by BROTHER AL MASCIA, OFM, who is a Franciscan Friar of the St. John, the Baptist Province.

Position Summary: There are two areas that are part of these positions. The primary responsibility will be working in the development of a web-based system where farmers, consumers and distributors can share information that would allow the movement of food from farm to consumer. The other is working with two community gardens that are managed by the NGC. Sharing of duties and responsibilities will be encouraged.

To learn more, and find out how to apply, click “read more” below. Read more »

Heritage Livestock Farmers Fight the State, Find Unlikely Ally

Here’s how the strange story starts: On April 1st, 2012 Michigan State Department of Natural Resources implemented an Invasive Species Order (ISO) forcing the eradication of certain breeds of heritage pigs on their farms. According to the DNR, the order was issued “to help stop the spread of feral swine and the disease risk they pose to humans, domestic pigs, and wildlife as well as their potential for extensive agricultural and ecosystem damage.” But the definition of feral seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way.

There is no doubt that Michigan is facing a feral pig problem. But why in the world would they be targeting small farms in an effort to deal with it? And watch out, because apparently there are a number of other states considering similar legislation.

Apparently the answer has to do with the wording of the Order, which defines a feral big based on particular physical characteristics including “straight ears, wooly hair, dark snouts, and stripes on the piglets”.

As it happens, many small Michigan farmers have been raising a heritage breed called “Mangalista”, renowned for its flavor and tenderness. This is a pig species that has been around for several thousand years, but which MI farmers tend to crossbreed with varieties that are tough enough to make it through the harsh Northern Michigan winters. The result, unfortunately, is a pig that matches up perfectly with the definition of a feral pig included in the DNR Order.

Enter Jason Foscolo (the unlikely ally). Jason is an agricultural Lawyer from New York State who worked with heritage hog farmers in MI to form the American Mangalitsa Breeders Association to, among other things “help members jointly manage the reputation of the breed and be able to intercede on their behalf whenever regulation or market forces jeopardized their interests”. And due to the existence of this organization, Jason was able to intercede on the farmers’ behalf, eventually procuring a Enter Jason Foscolo, an agricultural Lawyer from New York State. Jason not only helped to form the organization, he was instrumental in helping negotiate an agreement with the DNR that at least purebred Magalistas will be protected.

The choice to classify feral pigs based on their anatomical traits, rather than whether they happened to be running amok (and evidence suggests that most of the hogs that are doing so are escapees from “hunting clubs”), rather than whether or not they are contained on a farm may have simply been an oversight.

But some farmers believe it has been an intentional and concerted effort led by the large confinement hog factories common in the state under the leadership of the Michigan Pork Producers Association, and with good reason.

Click Read More Below to continue reading this crazy tale. Read more »

New ‘Farm Finances‘ Webinar Archived and Available Online

NCAT and USDA RMA Offer Practical Advice for Beginning Farmers on Organizing and Understanding Their Numbers 

Beginning farmers and anyone else considering farming in the Northeast have a new tool for one of agriculture’s most daunting tasks–crunching the numbers.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), has just posted a new webinar that can smooth the road for anyone who is beginning a journey in agriculture and wants to get comfortable with handling finances. The webinar, “Farm Finances: Organizing and Understanding Your Numbers,” is available now at https://attra.ncat.org/webinars/.

As with any small business, starting a farm requires basic accounting and business-management skills. This webinar helps beginning farmers become familiar with necessary basic accounting techniques and gives them tips on organizing and understanding their numbers.

“With a few easy steps and forms, farmers can develop good record-keeping and accounting habits from the outset,” said Hannah Lewis, one of the featured NCAT ag experts in the webinar.

The topics in the webinar provide a solid overview. They include: Clarifying your goals and attaining them; Determining which resources are necessary for farming. Do you have them?; Organizing your data; What can your numbers teach you? Read more »

Internship description:  Our farm and ranch is located in Central Oregon.  We grow 1850 acres of organic alfalfa hay/grain.  We also run cattle year round.  Looking for intern interested in learning to put up dairy quality alfalfa hay and care for cattle on the BLM range during the summer months.  This experience will include: gopher trapping for rodent control, driving a raking tractor, and driving a swather.  Expect (at times) to work 40+ hours a week.  You will always have at least one day off on the weekends.  Number of hours worked will vary a little and relate directly to whether or not we are cutting hay.

Internship duration: First of May through the end of September 2012— Please apply now; email: rothclancy@live.com

To learn all about the internship and what you need to do to apply click “read more” below. Read more »

Soil health is a foundational component of a successful organic farming system. This workshop series takes place at farms throughout Massachusetts that are using a range of practices to build their soils to increase the yield and nutritional quality of their crops.

The workshops are led by growers who are implementing a variety of practices including mineral balancing, biological inoculations, and integration of crop and livestock systems on their farm. Presenters will explain and demonstrate the systems they have developed to enhance soil fertility and discuss the connection they see between their farming practices and nutritional quality. The emphasis of this workshop series is on the “how” of implementing soil building objectives on the farm, although the “why” will also be addressed.

List of Workshops on Soils Building:

Brix Bounty Farm, Dartmouth, MA:  Instructor: Derek Christianson; A) Saturday, May 12, 9am-12pm, Transplants and Seed Starting, $30; B) Sunday, June 17, 3pm-6pm, Foliar Sprays and Crop Monitoring, $30

Simple Gifts Farm, North Amherst, MA: Instructors: Jeremy Barker-Plotkin and Dave Tepfer; C) Saturday, June 23, 1pm-4pm, An Integrated Crop & Livestock System for Soil Building, $30

Many Hands Organic Farm, Barre, MA: Instructors: Julie Rawson, Jason Cucchiara, and Brian Fecteau; D) Sunday, July 22, 9am-1pm: Managing Biological Fertility on a Diversified Certified Organic Farm, $30

Discounts Available: NOFA Members receive a discount of $5 per workshop. There is also $5 discount for registering 14 or more days before the workshop you’re registering for.

More details and registration info: http://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/nutrientdensity.phphttp://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/beef-dairy-pigs.php

Job: Experienced Farmhand at Sweet Stem Farm in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, 2012

Sweet Stem Farm is a small sustainable farm near Ephrata, Pennsylvania specializing in humanely raised pork, beef, and lamb. They are a “high-touch” farm committed to giving an extra degree of care and attention to their animals. They have developed numerous innovative techniques for keeping their animals comfortable and productive on a very small land base.
They direct market everything they raise, mostly in and around Philadelphia. They sell their pork and lamb to several large customers including Whole Foods Market and hope to begin selling to Chipotle Mexican Grill in early 2012. They also sell directly to customers through an online store. They have made appearances in Bon Appetit magazine and in the 2011 documentary “American Meat”, as well as being included in the PBS series e2, which features Michael Pollan, author of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food”.

As their business evolves and their market grows, they’ve developed the need for seasoned farm help, ready to go to work with minimal training, particularly to help cover daily chores Fridays through Tuesdays. They are a “high-touch” farm, so you will work hands on with the pigs, sheep and cattle. If you are familiar with farm life, you know that daily duties will vary, but jobs include caring for their animals, pastures, crops, and maintaining and operating our facilities and equipment.

The person who fills this position will work closely with the farm owners, farm foreman, and interns to keep operations running smoothly, especially during the transitions from weekday to weekend routines. You need to be self-motivated, since there may not always be someone to direct everything you do.
This position is perfect for someone who likes to work hard and is interested in sustainable agriculture and passionate about animal welfare. Livestock experience is not required.
Starting wage: $15-18/hr. depending on your capabilities.

To learn about job requirements and how to apply click “read more” below. Read more »