Safety for Sheep and Shepherd
Linda Poole, NCAT Regenerative Grazing Specialist and shepherd, draws on her own experience to share common-sense guidelines for working sheep more safely. Though sheep are cute, they require respect, especially if you're working them alone. Linda provides pointers on selecting animals, designing infrastructure, and handling sheep. |
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VOICES FROM THE FIELD PODCAST |
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2021's Most Listened-to Voices from the Field Podcasts -
Episode 210, Harnessing The Power of Worms in Composting
- Episode 187, Perspectives on Agroforestry with Rowen Reid: Part 1
- Episode 222, Do Cover Crops Steal Water? Part 1
- Episode 191, Electric Fencing 101: Part 1
- Episode 183, Demystifying Soil Health Indicators and Tests
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Only three days left to make a difference in 2021! Make a donation today, save some on your 2021 income taxes, and help all of us eat healthier, save energy, and support our local farmers and ranchers.
Please click here to become a friend of ATTRA by making a charitable gift that will support ATTRA and all our critical work. |
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Montana Soil Health Symposium
NCAT is a co-sponsor of this in-person event in Billings, Montana, February 9-10, 2022, featuring inspiring and informative discussions on the latest in soil health. Don't Miss These Other ATTRA Events - Agri-voltaics – Combining Productive Farmland with Solar, January 11, 2022 (Stacie Peterson is speaking.)
Latino Farmer Conference, January 12 and February 9, 2022 -
Texas Hispanic Farmer & Rancher Conference, January 12-13, 2022 (Kara Kroeger and Justin Duncan are speaking.)
Lambing, Kidding, and Calving on Pasture, January 13, 2022 (Multiple NCAT staff members are speaking.) -
Oklahoma & Arkansas Horticultural Industries Show, January 13-14, 2022, Fayetteville, Arkansas (Guy Ames and Nina Prater are speaking.)
- EcoFarm Conference, January 19-22, 2022, Pacific Grove, California (Multiple NCAT staff members are speaking.)
- Farrowing on Pasture, January 19, 2022
(Mike Lewis is speaking.) - Grazing for Resilience - Bouncing Forward from Catastrophic Events, January 26, 2022 (Justin Morris and Linda Poole are speaking.)
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- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Small Grants Program
The Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SAREP) invites proposals for small grants to fund pilot projects and research projects that support California’s farmers, ranchers, and land stewards, and/or rural, urban, and Tribal communities to plan, implement, or evaluate sustainable agriculture or food systems strategies. Applications are due by February 15, 2022.
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Vermont Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program
$3 million is available through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program grant opportunity to local and regional partners for the reduction of agricultural nutrient runoff throughout the State of Vermont. The application deadline is January 31, 2022.
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Utah Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Stimulus Funding
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is accepting applications for funding to enhance the competitiveness of Utah-grown specialty crops. Proposals are due by February 11, 2022.
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Pigeon Pea (Cajunus Cajun): A Cover Crop for Hot and Humid Areas
In 2019, NCAT’s Subtropical Soil Health Initiative took part in a research study that tested pigeon pea’s performance as a cover crop in Texas. This tipsheet by Justin Duncan was developed in part from those findings. It's part of NCAT's Subtropical Soil Health Tipsheet Series. Pigeon pea is an upright, trifolate herb that is weakly perennial and that may help increase yields when used as a companion crop. In South Texas, pigeon peas endure while most of the summer weeds perish from the heat and dry conditions.
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TOFGA Annual Conference
January 27-29, 2022 Georgetown, Texas Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Annual Conference includes in-depth workshops and learning sessions, plus off-site intensives and farm tours. -
NAFDMA Agritourism Conference and Expo
February 3-7, 2022 Atlanta, Georgia The North American Farm Direct Marketing Association's Agritourism Conference and Expo features dozens of speakers and seminars, site visits, hands-on learning opportunities, and exhibitors.
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Healthy Farms Conference
February 3-6, 2022 Aurora, Nebraska
Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society combines its Healthy Farms Conference with the Nebraska Regional Food Systems Summit and the Nebraska Specialty Crops Conference & Trade Show.
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Value Chain Coordination Training Series Available Online
The Food Systems Leadership Network is offering a 10-week online training intensive for a cohort of value chain coordination (VCC) practitioners, starting in February. This virtual training series will focus on how to organize and prioritize VCC activities. Apply to participate by January 10, 2022.
- USDA Extends Deadline for Organic Farmers Applying for Pandemic Support
USDA has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply is now February 4, 2022, rather than January 7, 2022.
- Rutgers Study Identifies Ag Practices to Increase Carbon Storage in Soil
A study by researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and the University of Maine indicates that agricultural practices such as cover cropping, grazing management, and agroforestry can help increase carbon storage in soils.
Grants Support Projects to Strengthen Food System
Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms program has been awarded two grants to strengthen the food system. First, a Regional Food Systems Partnerships Program grant will support work with eight food hubs. Also, a project called "Meat in the Middle," will create a stronger mid-tier niche meat supply chain through training, business coaching, and peer support.
Related ATTRA Publication: Meat Plants: Improving Profitability in Small and Very Small Operations
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Western Illinois University Explores Ginger and Turmeric as Alternative Crops
Researchers at Western Illinois University's School of Agriculture are growing ginger and turmeric in high tunnels to help develop alternative crops for Illinois growers. They are gathering information about how these high-value crops perform locally and how they could fit into local growers' crop rotations.
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THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. Headquartered in Butte, Montana, NCAT has offices and staff in 10 states.
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