Sheep and Goat Grazing Workshop in Neosho

Lincoln University Cooperative Research, University of Missouri Extension, and Crowder College are conducting a “Grazing Workshop for Small Ruminant Producers,” Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 at Crowder College in Neosho.

One of the workshop speakers will be Dr. Frank Pinkerton, a world famous goat researcher, author, and retired professor and extension goat specialist. Dr. Pinkerton will talk about the evolution of goat production and marketing over the last 40 years.

“We are excited to be able to offer this kind of educational opportunity for producers,” said Dr. Todd Higgins, workshop director and associate professor. “There are over 5,000 producers in Missouri raising small ruminants. This workshop is designed to have a significant impact on their management grazing practices. This, in turn, may help them lower production costs to have a positive impact their bottom line.”

The workshop consists of two days of classes and hands-on exercises. Workshop participants will hear presentations by grazing specialists, veterinarians and researchers as well as network with other producers. There will also be field exercises, demonstrations and vendors.

The Grazing Workshop for Small Ruminant Producers is open to all interested producers and vendors. There is a fee of $150 for one person or $195 for two. The workshop fee includes a booklet and many free items for the attendees, including meals.

For more information and to register, contact Ms. Laurie Gilles by May 24 by calling (573) 681-6189 or email GillesL@LincolnU.edu.

Soil Health Testing Webinar

The University of Missouri 's Organic Research is offering a webinar on Thursday, May 16th from 2-3 pm on soil health.  David Hammer, Director of the new MU Soil Health Lab and Professor Of Soil Science, MU College of Engineering will be the presenter.

The MU Soil Health Lab is new and looks at the soil health from the biological, chemical and physical aspects of the soil.  Results from this lab will help farmers tie together management practices in relation to soil health.

The new Soil Health Lab will be a great additon for farmers's use and will complement the MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab which tests for the chemical analysis for the purpose of making fertilizer recommendations.

To join the webinar log in under guest at univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/debikelly

This webinar will be recorded and posted to the Bradford Research Farm website at a later date.

Grants for BMPs of Woodlands

Loggers and landowners can both benefit from a Missouri Department of Conservation pilot cost-share incentive program called the Best Management Practices Conservation Innovation Grant. The grants are focused on encouraging timber harvesters to use good practices that protect soil and water on private land timber sales in 57 counties across the state.

BMPs were developed as a guide for loggers and landowners to combine safe logging practices with steps that avoid damage to water quality and soil erosion associated with timber harvesting. By taking steps to learn and implement BMPs, MDC hopes the grant will encourage loggers and landowners to work together to maintain the best possible forest health and productivity.

According to MDC Forest Products Program Supervisor Jason Jensen, the CIG is designed to be a partnership between loggers and landowners as they do business together. If approved, the cost share pays loggers $10 to $20 per acre and landowners $5 per acre to implement BMPs on their timber sales.

“The concept behind splitting the incentive is that the logger has the equipment and responsibility for establishing erosion prevention measures and the landowner maintains the BMPs for a reasonable period of time,” Jensen said.

To participate loggers can sign up for the cost share program at their local MDC office. The program requires the logger to complete the Professional Timber Harvester course offered by the Missouri Forest Products Association, or attend a BMP training class through MDC. The deadline for completion of projects is Sept. 1.

For more information, contact Jensen at 573-522-4115 Ext. 3110, or Jason.Jensen@mdc.mo.gov. To find a local MDC office, visit mdc.mo.gov. 

Twelve Simple Steps to Food Safety

Join the Missouri Beginning Farmer Program's monthly webinar on Monday, May 13th from 7-8:30 pm for Twelve Simple Steps to Food Safety with Chris Blanchard, Rock Spring Farm, Decorah, IA.

Chris has presented a webinar in the past and was well received so we decided to bring him back!

With over fifteen acres of certified organic vegetable, herb, and greenhouse production, Rock Spring Farm has provided produce year-round to natural food stores, groceries, and wholesale distributors in Minnesota and Iowa since 1999. One of the first organic farms in the Upper Midwest to provide fresh vegetables year-round, Rock Spring Farm is often considered to be a model for business, production, and marketing.

Chris is known in the Midwest from his presentations at the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, Great Plains Grower Conference, SSWAG Conference and others. He is a dynamic speaker with tons of knowledge.

Twelve Simple Steps to Food Safety will not only inform you about how you can put simple practices into place for marketing a safer product to your customers, but he will do it with humor as well.

To join the webinar, log in with your name under guest at univmissouri.adobeconnect.com.

 

Cover Crop Field Day

The University of Missouri's Bradford Research Farm will be having a Cover Crop Field Day on Friday, May 17th from 1-4 pm.

Problem:
Standard planters are not equipped to handle the heavy residue with cover crops (see photo from last year).

Solution:

We will demonstrate 6 different types of closing wheels that can be used in planting into a heavy cover crop residue.

At the field day we will also highlight  how the cover crops were established and the successes and challenges that we had in 2012 and 2013.

We will also demonstrate the roller/crimper and discuss advantages and disadvantages.

For driving directions to the Bradford Research Farm click here or call 573-884-7945.

2012 closing wheels in thick cover crop.

New closing wheels to be tested at field day.

The roller/crimper

Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Workshop

A Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Workshop will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in Springfield, Missouri.

Gain the knowledge and experience you need to implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on your own farm! You are invited to participate in an upcoming IPM workshop led by:

 Dr. Jaime Pinero, Lincoln University IPM Specialist

 Dr. Zelalem Mersha, Lincoln University Plant Pathology Specialist

 Jacob Wilson, Lincoln University IPM Extension Associate

 Patrick Byers, University of Missouri Extension Horticulturist

for a hands-on practical experience of IPM for vegetable growers. Class-room presentations on pest prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression will be followed by an on-farm demonstration of trap cropping for cucumber beetle and squash bug, repelling pests with kaolin clay, use of both cool and warm season cover crops, and pheromone pest trapping and monitoring.

Morning Session:

Northside Christian Church

4902 N. State Hwy H, Springfield, MO 65803

Lunch and Afternoon Session:

Millsap Farm

6593 Emu Lane

Springfield, MO 65803

Drive north of the I-44/Glenstone Ave intersection on MO Hwy H to the church, which is on the east side of Hwy H. Millsap Farm is located a few miles further north; watch for the sign on Hwy H, and turn west on E. Farm Road 68, and then south on Emu Lane.

The workshop is free, including lunch and resource materials. Please direct questions to Patrick Byers by calling (417)881-8909 or by email at ByersPL@Missouri.edu

Alternative Agriculture Field Day – Lincoln University

Lincoln University is hosting a Alternative Agriculture Field Day at there Alan T. Busby Research Farm on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 2 pm - 7 pm.  The farm is located at 5124 Goller Road, Jefferson City, MO (off of Hwy 54 West). 

This field day is promoting sustainable and organic practices along with agriculture for Small Farms.  Topics and stops on the tour include:

* Integrated Pest Management

* Prairie Restoration
* FINCA Project
* Composting
* Organic Blueberries
* Multi-species Grazing
* Silvopasture

This event is open to the public. Registration fee is $5.00.  Dinner will be provided at no additional charge.  Pre-register by Friday, May 24, 2013 by calling (573) 681-5312 or email.  Please let us know if you need special accommodations.

For more information about Lincoln University’s research farms click here.