Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was developed as a sustainable, ecologically based solution to pest control founded on comprehensive and current scientific knowledge about “the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment (http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm).” According to Mary E. Barbercheck of Penn State University, “The goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to control populations of pests below levels that result in economic damage. Ideally, this is achieved through the integration of all suitable control techniques in a compatible manner (http://www.extension.org/article/19916).” IPM relies on deterrence and careful observation to identify and apply an effective array of treatment measures only when and where they are necessary and likely to be most effective.

A number of IPM systems have now been developed for both agricultural and non agricultural use. And there are many IPM resources now available for specific systems and situations. I have listed 10 IPM information resources which you can see by clicking the ‘Read More‘ tab below. They will be archived on our new IPM Resources Page, and I will continue to add to the list as I come across new resources. Readers are encouraged to ‘contact us’ with suggestions for additional resources. Read more »

I have recently heard from a number of farmers concerned about late blight infestation of tomato and potato crops, and wanted to share with you a valuable new tool available from USPest.org.

Simply go to http://uspest.org/risk/tom_pot_map to find a map of the US which tracks infestation risk in thousands of local areas (see example below).

It takes a little time to load, so be patient.

Information is regularly updated. And from this map you can zoom in on your particular area to get a more detailed analysis of the latest plant disease forecasts based on models which consider degree days and rainfall, to estimate spore formation.

USPest.org also has lots of other great information on identification, forecasting, and control of a wide variety of agricultural pests.

View of Late Blight Map - Northeast US, 6/24/10

USDA Press Release No. 0318.10

Contact: Adrian Gianfor (202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced it is hosting a red meat mobile slaughter unit information session on June 24. The goals of this information session are to educate farmers, ranchers and processors on how to set up mobile slaughter units, receive the federal grant of inspection and meet USDA food safety requirements. The session is being held in response to interest in USDA’s efforts to support local/regional slaughter through the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative.

“This session will educate small producers and processors on establishing mobile slaughter units and how to ensure the safety of the products so that they can receive the USDA federal mark of inspection,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold R. Mande.

Mobile slaughter units are self-contained slaughter facilities that can travel from site to site. Typically, the units provide slaughter services to regional small producers at conveniently located host farms. FSIS inspected mobile slaughter units provide a feasible option for small livestock producers wanting to provide safe, wholesome meat product to local and interstate consumer markets. Read more »

Farm Succession Workshop - June 23-24, 2010 in NW Iowa (Sioux County Extension). Additional info | Register Online

The International Farm Transition Network will host their annual conference July 20-23, 2010 in Ohio. More information

Beginning Farmer Center and Leopold Center release Enterprise Budgets - Popcorn, Beekeeping, Sheep, Sorghum, Sweet Corn, and more to come

Investing for Farm Families Course helps farmers plan for a secure future. Sponsored by eXtension Read More

Managing Tough Times web site
ISU Extension site with resources for families and households,businessess and communities, farming in today’s changing economy, managing dairy finances, and more.

Do you want to retire from or start into farming? The Farm On Program can help. New opportunities added for beginning farmers.

Market Farm Forms is by Marcie Rosenzweig.

If you produce vegetables for sale to retail consumers or CSA members (or if you are about to start!) and you are serious about being successful you need this manual/CD combination. Market Farm Forms contains computer spreadsheet templates for planning and organizing information on diversified market farms. This software program will help you in planning crops and budgets, order seed and soil amendments, grow transplants, project yields and income, and then track what really happens against your projections. It will take your record keeping (record keeping) to new heights. If you don’t use a computer you can copy the forms in the spiral bound manual and do the calculations by hand. If you have a computer and a spreadsheet program you can use the electronic forms and the program will do the work for you. As a former market gardener myself (HBC) I can vouch for the need for a program such as this. If you are even considering a CSA this program will save you untold hours of guessing and agonizing. Considering the work that went into this application it is a steal. Spreadsheet Software Set contains: 8.5″ x 11″ 100 page manual and CD. For Windows or Mac.Market Farm Forms at Back 40 Books  http://www.back40books.com/get_item_mr-1_market-farm-forms.htm (A short video about the software is available at this location).

866.596.9982   University Purchase orders and Credit Cards Accepted
www.Back40Books.com
www.Back40Forums.com
www.ResilienceOnLine.org

ERS has posted downloadable spreadsheet [without commentary] containing data for public and private funding of agricultural research and development cover the years 1970-2008 (public) and 1970-98 (private). Data are available as nominal figures and adjusted for inflation. Click Here

to access.

Public funding is based on data from two sources:

• Federal data are from the National Science Foundation’s Federal Funds for Research and Development series

• State-level data are from USDA’s Current Research Information Systems (CRIS).

Private funding estimates are constructed by ERS, based on the methodology presented in “Private-Sector Agricultural Research Expenditures in the United States, 1960-92″ (Staff Paper AGES9525).

The research deflator (used to convert current dollars to real) is constructed by ERS, based on the methodology described in Pardey et al. (“U.S. Agricultural Research Deflators: 1890-1985

.” Research Policy 18, October 1989).

Thanks to OFRF for this update.

Beginning Farmers is proud to present this guest article on Agritourism and Farm Stays, by our friend Michelle Nowak. Be sure to check our Michelle’s blog at: http://farmstays.blogspot.com/

Farm stays are one form of agritourism that is popular elsewhere in the world, though not yet well known here in the United States. But Americans are hungering to reconnect with farms — and yearning for fresh air, fresh food, and authentic, affordable vacations. As the desire to support small family farms grows, so does the appeal of taking a farm vacation. Compared to other kinds of agritourism, farm stays can be personal and foster deeper connections between farmers and their guests.

What is a farm stay?

A farm stay is any type of accommodation on a working farm. Farm stays can be, but aren’t necessarily, interactive. Some are family-focused, offering kids the opportunity to feed the animals and collect eggs. Others don’t allow children at all, instead offering a peaceful retreat for adults. For the accommodations, guests normally pay rates similar to area bed & breakfasts or vacation rentals, although pricing varies considerably. The term “farm stay” can also describe a work exchange agreement, where the guest works a set number of hours per week in exchange for free or very cheap accommodations, such as those set up through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). Read more »

Tom Cherveny reported in today’s West Central Tribune (Willmar, Minn.) that, “[Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack] spoke Tuesday at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall at the third annual Home Grown Economy conference hosted by U.S. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

“The local foods movement has the attention and the support of the federal government today, according to Peterson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

“It’s simple, according to Peterson: There is a market for local foods, and agriculture stands to gain jobs and income by serving it.

“At the same time, he emphasized that there ‘is room for everybody in agriculture.’ The expansion of a local foods economy can occur alongside of — and not at the expense of — commodity-based agriculture.” Read more »

For Information and Regular Updates, Visit our New Rotational Grazing Information Page

According to The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) “Rotational grazing is periodically moving livestock to fresh paddocks, to allow pastures to regrow. Rotational grazing requires skillful decisions and close monitoring of their consequences. Modern electric fencing and innovative water-delivery devices are important tools. Feed costs decline and animal health improves when animals harvest their own feed in a well-managed rotational grazing system. Included are lists of resources for further research and other ATTRA publications related to rotational grazing.”

E-News for Northwest Gardeners, November 2009 (volume 8, no. 11)

Gardening News from OSU Extension Service and the OSU Agricultural Experiment Station

The November 2009 issue of OSU’s E-News for Northwest Gardeners is just a click away.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/enews

You can forward the subscription to gardening friends. Ask them to send an email to: gardeners-subscribe@lists.oregonstate.edu. It’s free and easy!

TIME TO CLEAN, MULCH, COVER, PROTECT, STORE — WINTER’S ON THE WAY

IN THE GARDEN Read more »