USDA Risk Management Agency and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will present a workshop in numerous locations for returning veterans and others interested in starting a career in farming. Participants will learn how to develop the business side of starting an entrepreneurial, diversified farm. Wisconsin and Minnesota workshops include a farm tour.
An 84-page report from the USDA Economic Research Service, Agricultural Adaptation to a Changing Climate: Economic and Environmental Implications Vary by U.S. Region, suggests that farmers have considerable flexibility to adapt to changes in local weather, resource conditions, and price signals by adjusting crops, rotations, and production practices. Such adaptation can partially mitigate the impacts of climate change on national agricultural markets but may have significant implications for both regional land use and environmental quality.
Begun in 2010, the Sustainable Dairy Cropping Systems research project at Penn State is seeking to design and identify management practices that will increase farm sustainability by minimizing off-farm inputs and reducing environmental impacts. The two years of research conducted so far have shown that producing all of the feed for the farm, including both grain and forage crops, is economically successful. The conservation practices used are being promoted across Pennsylvania and applied on demonstration farms.
The Climate Action Reserve, North America's premier carbon offset registry, adopted its Nitrogen Management Project Protocol June 28. The protocol provides opportunities for farmers in 12 midwestern states to generate carbon offsets by implementing agricultural management practices that reduce the application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to corn crops.
A new two-page PDF publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach shows the proportions of energy used to grow a typical corn or soybean crop in Iowa. Energy Consumption for Row Crop Production gives an overview of annual energy consumption in three categories: field operations, fertilizers and pesticides, and artificial drying.
On July 17, USDA will release version 2.0 of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass with new features and local food infrastructure data. The new Compass will also have a better map search function. A launch event has been planned for Google + Hangout at 3 pm ET on July 17. The event will showcase the new Compass map and feature women leaders from around the country engaged in local food systems. Tune in at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live or via the White House Google+ page.
Bayer CropScience has announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase AgraQuest, Inc. for $425 million. AgraQuest, headquartered in Davis, California, is a global supplier of innovative biological pest management solutions based on natural microorganisms, including brands such as Serenade®, Rhapsody®, Sonata® and Ballad® fungicides and Requiem® insecticides.
issues within the organic community. Only certified organic farms and farmers are eligible. Requests for support must fit into one of four categories: 1) Scholarships to students of organic agriculture; 2) Support for new organic farmers; 3) Help veterans establish new careers in organic farming; 4) Research projects on organic agriculture. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Applications are considered quarterly; the next deadline is October 3, 2012.
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is accepting pre-proposals in four initiative areas: ecology, marketing and food systems, cross-cutting (water, energy, soil and alternative farming systems), and policy. Pre-proposals may be submitted by investigators representing any Iowa nonprofit organization or educational institution.
Deadline for submitting concept papers is August 10, 2012.
New York Farm Viability Institute is accepting proposals to the Energy Management & Bioenergy program. Proposals should focus on practical, applied research and outreach education on energy issues from the farmer's perspective, including topics of on-farm energy conservation, bioenergy feedstock production, balance and integration of energy systems and animal agriculture, integrated food and energy systems, and bioenergy systems optimization. Eligible applicants include farmers, producer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies, and businesses.
Applications are due by August 12, 2012.
This annual conference offers more than 200 workshops on organic farming, gardening, land care, draft animals, homesteading, sustainability, nutrition, food politics, and activism, as well as keynote speakers, workshops for kids, and family entertainment.
"Community Gardening On the Cutting Edge" is the theme for an inspiring conference that includes state-of-the-art, hands-on workshops, provocative keynote speakers, cooking classes, networking opportunities, and guided visits to cutting-edge urban community gardens.
Holistic Management International and Oklahoma Land Stewardship Alliance present a two-day workshop on the Holistic Management Whole Farm/Ranch Planning System. This course for farmers, ranchers, and land stewards of all levels of experience helps them better manage agricultural resources in order to reap sustainable environmental, economic, and social benefits.
I want to buy farmland. What should I consider?
Register now for Pest Management for Organic Production Systems II, a free webinar on July 26.