Who We Are:
The Grow Dat Youth Farm’s mission is to nurture a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing food. On our farm we work collaboratively to produce healthy food for local residents and to inspire youth and adults to create personal, social and environmental change in their own communities. Grow Dat is a place where people from different backgrounds and disciplines come together in research and practice to support public health, local economies and a sustainable food system in South Louisiana.

What We Seek:
Grow Dat is seeking an Americorps Intern for the pilot year of the program. The position will require someone who is willing to learn and lead at the same time. The right candidate will be interested in working collaboratively, developing skills as an educator, excited about working with a diverse range of people, organized, detail-oriented, willing to do physical labor, and interested in growing food.
Read more »

Agency Mission Statement: Fondy Food Center connects Greater Milwaukee to local, fresh food – from farm to table. We do this through 1) Support of small-scale Wisconsin farmers to secure the supply of fresh food to Milwaukee; 2) Cooking-based nutrition education for youth and adults; and 3) Filling the need for fresh, locally grown food in Milwaukee’s North Side neighborhoods through a historic farmers market tradition.

Project Purpose: The purpose of the Fondy Farm Project is to build a secure, economically viable farm cooperative for small-scale local disadvantaged farmers that will provide fresh food for the people residing on Milwaukee’s North Side. The project will have four goals: economic viability, social justice, environmental quality, cultural continuity. Ultimately, the project will become a model for other similar efforts across the Upper Midwest.

Application Deadline: 5:00 pm, October 25, 2010

Position Starts: On or around December 1, 2010 Read more »

For aspiring and beginning farmers, the process of choosing what to produce and planning how to begin is one of the most essential aspects of developing a successful farming operation. The question may seem simple, but for many it can be challenging, and the careful planning that needs to be taken to maximize your chance of success is often overlooked and undervalued.

An excellent set of publications on Enterprise Selection put together by Karen Klonsky, Extension Specialist Department of Agricultural Economics UC Davis, and Patricia Allen, Agroecology Program, UC Santa Cruz as part of the Family Farm Management Series is available HERE.

Larry Lev, from the University of Wyoming has a publication on this issue available HERE.

Penn State University offers a publication called Starting or Diversifying an Agricultural Business.

The University of Kentucky offers a Primer for Selecting New Enterprises for Your Farm.

There is a publication available from the National Sustainable Agriculture information Service (ATTRA) called Evaluating a Rural Enterprise.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University publishes a Small-Farm Decision Making and Enterprise Planning Workbook.

And the University of Missouri Alternatives center provides a good list of publications on this topic HERE.

In Beginningfarmers.org’s Readers Survey, a number of people mentioned that they would like to see more research data presented on the site. As part of my attempt to begin bringing this research to you, I would like to feature the site Organic Eprints - a searchable database of research articles on organic production (mostly European) many of which are free to download by the public, and more of which are free with membership (click HERE to create an account for free). I highly recommend it to organic and sustainable farmers interested in the latest research data.

Below (Click Read More) I list just a few of the articles (with links) that a quick search using the term ‘pest control’ brought up.

Also, if you haven’t yet taken Beginningfarmers.org’s Visitor Survey, please take just a few minutes to do so. The results are extremely helpful to me in providing you with the information you want to see. - Taylor Read more »

Weather delays rice harvest

Farmers prepare to plant winter vegetables

Personal stories highlight need for estate tax reform

Grape growers hope to dodge rain, frost

For these stories and more click HERE

Tomorrow’s Table: Organic Farming, Genetics and the Future of Food

Date: September 30, 2010; 12:00 pm

Location: 800 9th St. SW, Washington, DC (Waterfront Centre) Room 4103

Webinar capabilities will be available for those who wish to join online.

For more details please contact Edwin Lewis at elewis@nifa.usda.gov or Shree Khalid at skhalid@nifa.usda.gov

Angelic Organics Learning Center Position Available: Program Manager and Enterprise Facilitator (Rockford)

Supervisor: Program Director, Urban Initiative
Salary: Salary range is $26,000 to $32,000 with a benefits package.
Application Deadline:P October 15

Position Description:
Our Urban Initiative works with clusters of community-based organizations to develop food systems and urban agriculture projects and enterprises in Rockford, IL. The position provides program management leadership for the Learning Center’s Urban Initiative Rockford and coaches community leadership teams to plan, budget, implement and evaluate their food system projects, and to build capacities (through customized training and coaching) to sustain the projects. This position provides enterprise facilitation support for individuals and community-based organizations emerging from these food system project initiatives. Read more »

Learn more about pest management in season extension production systems such as high tunnels by registering for a new webinar series sponsored by the Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group, the University of Illinois Extension, and a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development grant. There will be five 1-2 hour webinars produced on November 1st, 3rd, 8th, 16th, and 18th. The first three webinars will focus on an introduction to pest management in various season extension systems, focusing on tomatoes and winter crops. The last two webinars will be geared toward soil, water, and nutrient management, plus a summary of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) high tunnel pilot project initiated in 2010.  Why consider participating in the season extension and high tunnel production webinar series? Pest complexes in season extension production systems like high tunnels are different than field grown fruits and vegetables, and an understanding of that difference is needed to capitalize on early and late season markets. High-tunnel production can lengthen the growing season and provide producers with a means to enter the market earlier with high value crops. In addition, in several states the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing monetary incentives and assistance through EQIP to growers who use high tunnel production systems.

Pre-registration for this webinar series is mandatory and can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/season_ext. The cost for the series is $30 whether you attend one or all five webinars. Each webinar will be recorded and available on several state IPM or vegetable oriented websites for viewing soon after its original airdate. For people who do not have a broadband connection, we are identifying several sites throughout each state to host the webinar series. Please visit the Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group website at http://glvwg.ag.ohio-state.edu/index.php, and click on /Projects /at the top of the page to find more information and a pre-registration link for this webinar series.

*Source: University of Illinois Extension* *Name: Martha A. Smith* *University of Illinois Extension* *Office: Warren County* *Contact # (309) 734 – 5161* *e-mail: smithma@illinois.edu

*Source: Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group* *Name: Jim Jasinski* *Ohio State University Extension, IPM Program* *Office: Champaign County* *Contact # (937) 484-1526* *e-mail:  Jasinski.4@osu.edu

Posted by Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon

Excerpt: “I recently visited the Park Heights Community Farmers’ Market in Baltimore, Maryland.  At USDA we’re enthusiastic about farmers markets because they help fulfill two of our primary missions – promoting good nutrition and supporting United States agriculture, especially family farmers.  Farmers’ markets also boost local communities through increased outlets for local farmers. Park Heights is one of nine farmers’ markets in Maryland to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and one of 97 that accept WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks.  Like thousands across the country, the Park Heights market provides access to farm-fresh, affordable foods for low-income individuals, seniors, children and families.”

If You have not YET registered to receive cost share dollars for the expense of organic certification then you have another chance!!

The cost share deadline for expenses of organic certification (inspection costs, user fees, certification fees) of NOP are reimbursable up to $750 (75% of your actual paid expenses).  If you are interested in applying for cost share please visit MOFFA.org for the information and application.  The deadline is now extended to September 30, 2010, to coincide with the federal deadline. This is for organic certification expenses that occurred between Oct 1, 2009 through Sept 30, 2010. 2009-2010 period.

The 4 documents that you need to submit include

-  Application form completed (see MOFFA website)

-  a w-9 form (indicates tax ID number or SS number of farm owner) (available on MOFFA website)

-  copy of valid organic certification certificate provided to you by your certification agent

-  receipt of payment for cost of organic certification (including user fees and inspection feeds)

This information must be received at address on application by Sept 30, 2010.

Contact MOFFA.org

Position Title: FRESH (Food: Resources, Education, Security, Health) FARM MANAGER

Position Status: Year-Round, Full-time

Supervisor: Executive Director

Job Overview: The FRESH Farm Manager position requires a strong practical knowledge of agricultural skills and farm management, a broad understanding of community food security and a passionate commitment to food justice and social change. The Farm Manager has primary responsibility for the planning, coordination and implementation of all work and activities at the FRESH Farm. (The FRESH Farm is currently two acres of intensive, organically-cultivated land, a 1000 square foot greenhouse, an irrigation pond & harvest barn/outdoor classroom hosted by the Waterford Country School (WCS) Experiential Education and Farm Center.) The FRESH Farm Manager  coordinates, supervises and mentors paid FRESH (Youth) Crew Members, Farm Intern/Assistant(s) and a volunteer labor force. The Farm Manager will plan and coordinate all agricultural production activities from seed through harvest and will also participate and assist with our FRESH Market program, to market and distribute the produce. The Farm Manager will assist with marketing and general outreach efforts related to the FRESH Farm. The FRESH Farm Manager coordinates the ordering and movement of materials: seeds, soil, plants, stock, food, etc., from the Farm to other FRESH/ urban agricultural sites, partners, and programs. The Farm Manager will implement and help guide an expansion of the FRESH Farm over the next 2 to 3 years. Read more »

ISLAND Fall 2010 Events

Northwest Michigan Mushroom Forays
Saturday, September 25th from 9:30am until noon
A partnership of Grass River Natural Area and ISLAND

Take a walk in the woods with us and learn about fall mushrooms and fungi. Meeting monthly in the woods of Antrim and Kalkaska counties. Contact GRNA at info@grna.org or 231-533-8314 or Yvonne at ISLAND yvonne@artmeetsearth.org or 231-480-4515 for more information.
Build a Roots Storage Box Workshop
Thursday, September 30th from 5:30 to 7pm
Providence Farm, 5691 North M-88, Central Lake

Come learn how to build a roots storage box so you can eat fresh carrots, beets, and rutabagas all winter long. Providence Farm root vegetables and winter squash will be available for sale. Contact Yvonne at ISLAND yvonne@artmeetsearth.org or 231-480-4515 for more information. $5 suggested donation Read more »

Selling a Book That Has No Name: Holy Shit (The Contrary Farmer)

By Gene Lodgson

Excerpt:” Prairie Public Radio interviewed me recently about my latest book, Holy Shit. The interviewer was kind about my writing. He knew a lot about farming which is rarely the case but always a relief when discussing agriculture before an urban audience. The only problem was that he did not mention the title of the book during the entire interview! He said that he would get fired if he did. Regulations forbid the utterance of that awful word, shit, even when it is in the title of a book.”

Read the full article HERE

I Swear to tell the Truthiness -  Colbert to Congress: What would Jesus do about migrant farm workers? (Grist Video)

by Bonnie Azab Powell

Excerpt: “Kudos to Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert for spotlighting how schizophrenic Americans are when it comes to an unpopular issue — immigration — despite how these much-maligned migrant workers are the linchpin of America’s beloved cheap-food system.”

Read the full article and see the video HERE

New Virus Threatens Soybeans (DTN The Progressive Farmer)

By Dan Davidson

Excerpt: “The University of Arkansas and pathologist Yannis Tzanetakis announced this week a new soybean necrosis virus. In a press release Tzanetakis said “We have found the virus in soybean fields throughout Arkansas and other states.” Veinal symptoms begin to appear in mid-June and progresses to chlorosis and every leaf necros and death by the end of summer…”

To read the full article click HERE

Presented By: USDA Farm to School Team and the National Farm to School Network

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm Eastern Time

Registration Link: http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/17fb9g46ec0

Are you searching for resources on Farm to School and don’t know where to begin? Join us for “Digging Through the Farm to School Resources” webinar! The USDA Farm to School Team will be joined by the National Farm to School Network to share with you where to find supporting materials that will help you start or expand your Farm to School efforts. We welcome state agencies, school food service administrators, farmers, and non-profit organizations to participate. Resources for each of these groups, as well as an update from the USDA Farm to School Team, will be covered.

Should you have any questions regarding the training, please contact: farmtoschool@fns.usda.gov

Should you have any questions regarding the webinar logistics, please contact:
Emily Buckham Buday
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Emily.Buckham@fns.usda.gov
703-605-0772