Missouri Beginning Farming

Acidified Foods Workshop - March 26-27

2012-02-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in adding value to the products you grow and selling them you need to check to be sure if you need to take the Better Process Control School (BPCS) in order to be in compliance with food regulations.

Some products such as salad dressings, sauces, marinades and similar foods depend on the presence of acids to prevent spoilage. This acid may be naturally occurring from foods such as fruit juices or tomatoes, or the food may be formulated by combining acid foods with other foods to achieve the desired acidity. Some foods such as vinegar and certain pickled vegetables may have developed acidity from microbial fermentation.

Some microorganisms which cause foodborne illness may grow in foods without adequate acidity; government regulations address the manufacture of these products. Title 21 of the code of Federal Regulations, Parts 114 and 108 (21CFR114 & 21CFR108) regulate acidified foods.

Categories of Foods Preserved by Acids

Naturally acidic and fermented foods, along with jams, jellies, preserves and certain dressings and sauces, are exempted from the provisions of 21 CFR114. Generally, if a food is formulated from predominately acid foods it meets the exemption. If, however the food contains a mixture of acid and low acid foods, it falls under the regulation.

Foods preserved with acids are required to have a pH of 4.6 or below. At these levels, the production of toxins by the deadly organism causing botulism is inhibited. We refer to foods that have readings of greater than pH 4.6 as low-acid foods. Most vegetables and meats fall into this category. Most fruits and tomatoes have pH values lower than 4.6 and are considered acid foods.

Now that you have a better idea of what types of value added production requires attendance at a Better Process Control School, you can decide if you need to take the course.

On March 26-27, 2012 a Better Process Control School (BPCS) will be held in Columbia MO on the campus of the University of Missouri. This class is specifically designed for processors of acidified food products and meets the requirements of 21 CFR Part 114 for FDA regulated food manufacturers. Please contact Dr. Andrew Clarke at the University of Missouri Food Science Program (573-882-2610) if you have any questions about the Acidified Food Workshop.

Processors of low acid canned foods should attend a Better Process Control School event designed for thermal processing (retorting) of low acid products such as one offered at Oklahoma State University on May 21-24, 2012 or at the University of Arkansas on November 5, 8, 2012.
Registration

The registration fee is $400 for the first person from a company and $300 for each additional person. All participants will be provided with workshop materials as well as lunches and refreshments during breaks. Registration is limited to 100 participants. Registration deadline is Mar. 12, 2012.

To register, please send an e-mail with your contact information (participant name, company name, address, telephone and e-mail).

We will confirm your registration and provide directions to the meeting location by e-mail reply. If you have any questions or do not have e-mail access for registration, please contact JoAnn Lewis, 573-882-4113.

Goat Forum (Meat and Dairy Conference)

2012-02-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Beacon of Hope Church, Raymore, MO (Hwy 58, East of J Hwy)

Agenda

9:00 am - Registration

9:45 am - Managing Your Goats for Profit, Dr. Steve Hart, Langston University Goat Extension Specialist

11:00 am - Kidding Obstetrics, Dr. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, Lincoln University, State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist

12:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm - Marketing Fresh Milk, Mr. Don Falls, MO Dept. of Ag, Dairy Manufacturing Program Director

2:00 pm - Managing the Lactating Dairy Doe, Dr. Jodie Pennington, Lincoln University Regional Small Ruminant Educator

3:00 pm - Wrap Up and Evaluation

Please RSVP (by February 21) at the Cass County University Extension Office (816-380-8460).

$25.00/person

Holistic Management Workshop - Feb 25

2012-02-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

What: Tools for Innovation in Land Management Workshop
Location: Forage Systems Research Center, 21262 Genoa Road, Linneus, MO 64653, 660-895-5121
Date: February 25, 2012
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM

This workshop will focus on the following topics:
• Enterprise stacking for diversifying production
• Innovative strategies and tools for increasing land health and farm profitability
• Land-manager developed plans for taking action and implementation

The agenda for this seminar will be as follows:

10:00 – 10:10 - Logistics, administrative details and introductions
10:10 – 10:20 - Introduction to tools for innovation in land management
10:20 – 10:40 - Introduction to Keyline*
10:40 – 12:00 - Perennial Farm Systems, Pasture Cropping, Livestock & Perennial Farming**
12:00 – 1:00 - Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 - Using Google Earth for Land Planning
1:30 – 5:00 - Breakout planning and design sessions

* Keyline design is a technique for maximizing beneficial use of water resources of a piece of land.

** Pasture Cropping is a technique, developed in Australia, of sowing crops into living perennial pastures and having these crops grow symbiotically with the existing pastures. We will also discuss adding fruit and nut trees and integrating that with a grazing operation.

Holistic Management International helps to improve your land and your life. At HMI, our mission is to educate people to manage land for a sustainable future. We accomplish this by delivering a variety of programs and services designed to educate and support farmers, ranchers and land stewards in their efforts to enhance the land through Holistic Management, a Whole Farm/Ranch Planning System that, naturally, mimics nature. We believe that people count, healthy land is essential, and money matters.

Frank Aragona will be our speaker at this year’s seminar. Frank is the Director, Research and Development for Holistic Management International. He is from Albuquerque New Mexico. Frank graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Master’s of Science in Forestry. From 2000 to 2003, Frank worked on agroforestry projects as a Peace Corps volunteer in a small agricultural village in Bolivia. In 2004 he created a small consulting company with the mission of integrating Information Technology and sustainable agriculture. Frank began working with HMI in 2008. In his free time Frank host the Agroinnovations Podcast, an online audio program that discusses permaculture, agroforestry, appropriate technology, and Holistic Management®.

Directions:
From US Highway 36: Turn north on State Road FF 1 1/2 miles west of Brookfield. Follow FF about 6 miles to end of blacktop and turn west (left) on Genoa Road. Follow signs 1 1/2 miles to office building on south side of road.
or
From MO Route 5: Turn east on State Road P at Linneus. Proceed 2 miles east until Rte. P turns sharply north where Finn Road exits on the curve. Follow Finn Road south 1 3/4 miles to Genoa Road. Turn east on Genoa and follow to office building on south side of road.

If you have any questions please call Tim at 817-929-4405

High Tunnel Loan Program

2012-02-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

Under the High Tunnel Loan Program, Missouri producers who have been approved by USDA NRCS, through either the USDA NRCS EQIP Seasonal High Tunnel System Initiative or the EQIP Organic Initiative for a seasonal high tunnel reimbursement, will be eligible for a short term loan from the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. Loans will be available at a fixed rate of 7.5 percent interest for the amount obligated to the producer by USDA NRCS for a term of up to one year.

Producers must first apply at their local USDA NRCS office. Once approved by NRCS, producers may apply for the High Tunnel Loan Program. Upon receipt of the required documents loan funds will be dispersed for the purchase of the high tunnel. The producer applying for the loan will be responsible for the monthly interest plus a one-time filing fee of $10.00.

What is required?

Copy of EQIP contract and obligation from USDA NRCS
Copy of estimate or contract from the high tunnel vendor
Application for High Tunnel Loan Program
In the case the amount of the high tunnel exceeds the reimbursement amount the borrower may need to show proof of payment or the ability to pay the difference in the two amounts.
Upon approval, borrower will be required to provide an Assignment of Payment for NRCS. (NRCS-CPA-1236)

Webinar tonight - Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety

2012-02-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program's February webinars will be on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety. Marlin Bates, Regional Horticulture Specialist with University of Missouri Extension will be the presenter. Good Agricultural Practices can be defines as production and farm level practices that ensure the safety of fresh produce for human consumption. GAP production and post-harvest handling guidelines are designed to reduce the risk of food borne disease contamination on fresh produce. These voluntary procedures can be tailored to any production system.

Feb 6-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go tohttp://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r2p5x0tx6la/ and sign in as a guest

Feb 13-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go tohttp://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r8zbe67rkcd/ and sign in as a guest

Farm Business Start-Up Checklist

2012-02-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

This checklist is derived from the “Occupational Profile for Northeast Small Scale ‘Sustainable’ Farmer.” It lists tasks that established farmers believe are important to do before you open for business on “day one.” See the complete profile click here.

Secure farm business location(s) (i.e., purchase, rent or lease)
Complete farm planning process (production, marketing and financial plans)
Select and develop farm product and/or service mix
Establish farm legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative)
Register farm business; obtain business certificate
Obtain tax identification numbers for the farm business:

_____ Sales Tax
_____ Employer’s Tax

Acquire necessary permits, licenses and certifications; prepare to comply with all relevant regulations

_____ Local
_____ State
_____ Federal

Purchase necessary insurance (e.g., liability, property, workers’ compensation)
Secure necessary financing (farm capitalization and operating); establish credit with key suppliers
Establish farm management team and job descriptions (e.g., family members and partners; employees; lawyer, accountant, other consultant services)
Open farm business bank account(s)
Set up farm business office; obtain necessary supplies and equipment
Set up farm bookkeeping and record keeping systems
Establish farm policies (personnel, safety, visitor)
Establish distribution channels/markets for farm products
Produce promotional and advertising material
Establish farm work plan; hire and schedule farm labor

Are you in business? You are if you answer yes to all the following:

I have products and/or services to sell
I have “announced” my presence (e.g., through signage, advertisements, word of mouth, attendance at a farmer’s market)
I have customers
I intend to make a profit from what I sell
I intend to file taxes as a business
I have chosen a legal structure for my business (e.g., sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, LLC) and have registered it as required
I have acquired all licenses and/or permits required to operate my business

(copied from the New England Small Farm Institute)

Farmers' Market Workshop in Southwest Missouri - Feb 18

2012-02-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

A Farmers' Market Workshop will be held Saturday, February 18th from 9 am to 4 pm at Central United Methodist Church,6 South Pennsylvania, Webb City, MO.

There will be two simultaneous tracks. Both will be in English with one fully translated into Hmong.

English language track

9:00 am - Food Safety from Farm to Market - Patrick Byers, UM Extension, & Russell Lilly, MO Department of Health

Noon - Lunch - Patrick Byers discusses 2011 challenges & solutions

1:00 pm - Customer Relations - Lane McConnell, Agri-Comm Services

2:00 pm - Detecting counterfeit money - Shon Bishop, Lincoln U Extension

2:30 pm - Using the internet & social media - Lane McConnell, Agri-Comm Services

Hmong language track

9:00 am - Customer Relations - Lane McConnell, Agri-Comm Services

10:00 am - Detecting counterfeit money - Shon Bishop, Lincoln U Extension

10:30 am - Using the internet & social media - Lane McConnell, Agri-Comm Services

Noon - Lunch - Patrick Byers discusses 2011 challenges & solutions

1:00 pm - Food Safety from Farm to Market - Patrick Byers, UM Extension, & Russell Lilly, MO Department of Health

There is no charge for the workshops, but reservations must be made by February 17th by calling 417-483-8139 or emailing eileennichols@sbcglobal.net.

The workshops aresponsored by the Webb City Farmers Market with support from the USDA Specialty Crops grant program and Lincoln University and University of Missouri Extension.

Grow Local: Production and Marketing Workshop - Feb 18

2012-02-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

Missouri State University

William H. Darr School of Agriculture

Presents

Grow Local: Production and Marketing

Saturday, February 18

8:30am to 4:00pm

Learn about animal and produce enterprise opportunities as well as direct and wholesale marketing possibilities in Springfield and the surrounding area. HyVee, an employee-owned food store and catering facility operating at 230 locations in the Midwest, will share its vision on including local foods in retail grocery stores.

$15.00 per person, lunch included.

Event webpage http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/commercial/GrowLocal.htm

Schedule http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/commercial/Schedule.htm

Registration form http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/assets/commercial/GrowLocalRegform.pdf.pdf or call 417-547-7533 or 7500 to register with credit card.

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop - Feb 17

2012-01-31T04:39:00.000-08:00

MU Extension is offering two Fruit Tree Pruning Workshops this year. Join us for one or both to learn the basics of pruning various fruit trees. At each workshop, we'll spend a little bit of time in the classroom (15 minutes), then head out to the orchard to hear from the owners and see how they prune their trees. If you want, you'll have the opportunity to gain some first-hand experience, too.

Fruit tree pruning is an important practice which impacts yield, disease, and quality. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn the science and art of proper pruning in an informal learning environment.

Friday, February 17, 2012, Noon - 2:00pm at "Of the Earth Orchard" 38391 W 176th, Rayville, MO 64084, 816.352.6188. Please register by February 14th to ensure your spot at the workshop. The cost of the pruning workshop is $10 per person. Be sure to come prepared for the weather. We will be spending time in the orchard. Click here for more information including a registration form.

Saturday, March 7, 9:00 - 11:00am at "Alldredge Orchards" 10455 Highway N, Platte City, MO 64079, 816.330.3448. Please register by March 7 to ensure your spot at the workshop. The cost of the pruning workshop is $10 per person. Be sure to come prepared for the weather. We will be spending time in the orchard. Click here for more information including a registration form.

Beginning Beekeeping Class - Feb 11

2012-01-30T06:07:00.000-08:00

Do you keep bees, or ever wanted to learn how? The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association will offer courses for both the novice and experienced beekeeper on Saturday, February 11, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Maritz in Fenton, Missouri. Prominent bee researcher and Bee Culture columnist Jennifer Berry, certified master beekeeper Erin Forbes, and Missouri State Beekeepers Association President and frequent speaker Grant Gillard will lead the classes.

The Beginners Beekeeping course is intended for persons with no prior beekeeping experience. The class will cover all aspects of basic beekeeping to prepare students to start beekeeping in April, 2012.

The Experienced Beekeepers’ course will be tailored towards intermediate and expert level beekeepers, and will place special emphasis on spring management, nucleus colonies, queen rearing, mite control, and successful overwintering.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Registration packets will include course materials, an authoritative reference book, beekeeping periodicals, and equipment catalogs.

Online registration began December 15, 2011 at http://www.easternmobeekeepers.com/

Tuition cost is $90 per person for those registering on or after January 22nd. Registration closes February 4th unless filled sooner. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-comefirst-served basis. There will be a waiting list, if needed. More information is available by calling 314-894-8737 or as listed on the EMBA website.

Keeping it Sharp

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

How sharp you make your tools is a matter of personal choice. I like my shovels to be sharp enough to cut through minor roots, but with my rocky soil, I won’t repair an edge to razor sharpness every five minutes. On the other hand, when I’m trimming back my lilacs, a razor-edged pair of pruning shears makes the job quick and easy.

Sharpening tools is a slightly more complicated procedure than removing rust. Some tools like shovels, axes, hoes, and trowels are best sharpened with a hand file, while other tools like pruning shears and knives call for a honing stone. Depending on how dull an edge is, some tools may require the use of a high-speed grinder.

A good guideline to use when sharpening is to follow the bevel already on the tool’s blade. Recommended sharpening angles range from 10 to 45 degrees depending on the tool and its use. In general, the angle of sharpness determines the length of the blade’s beveled edge, so use the angle of the blade as a guideline when sharpening. For example, blades sharpened at low angles have relatively wide bevels. Knives and pruning shears, tools that need finer edges for cutting, should be sharpened to between a 10- to 25-degree angle. Tools used for heavy-duty chores that dull the blades quickly, like hoes, shovels, and mattocks, only need to be sharpened to a 30- to 35-degree angle. The bevel on these blades is relatively short. Understanding this relationship is the key to successful sharpening.

The tools needed for basic sharpening are neither expensive nor complicated. The most basic sharpening tool is an 8 or 10-inch-long mill file with a bastard cut which you can purchase at your favorite hardware store for about $8 to $12. When sharpening a tool with a mill file, work by drawing the cutting teeth in one direction over the edge being sharpened. For best results, hold the tool steady in a vise, or other bracing system, keeping the file at an angle from the plane of the cool’s working surface as you push it along the edge you are sharpening. And since sharpening edges with a mill file requires two hands, get one that has a handle on one end. This makes it easier to maneuver and get a good edge. Remove the hoe from the vise (if applicable) and test it in the soil. You should notice a measurable difference in the sharpness as it cultivates the soil. Once you complete your sharpening work use a rag with some vegetable oil and wipe it on the tool to help prevent rust.

(by Jeff Yearington, Farm Outreach Worker, Lincoln University)

USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

2012-01-26T06:56:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map—jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group—is available online. ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA.

For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps have also been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access.

"This is the most sophisticated Plant Hardiness Zone Map yet for the United States," said Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The increases in accuracy and detail that this map represents will be extremely useful for gardeners and researchers."

Plant hardiness zone designations represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period. They do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations.

The new version of the map includes 13 zones, with the addition for the first time of zones 12 (50-60 degrees F) and 13 (60-70 degrees F). Each zone is a 10-degree Fahrenheit band, further divided into A and B 5-degree Fahrenheit zones.

To help develop the new map, USDA and OSU requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic area, and trial versions of the new map were revised, based on their expert input.

Compared to the 1990 version, zone boundaries in this edition of the map have shifted in many areas. The new map is generally one 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zone warmer than the previous map throughout much of the United States. This is mostly a result of using temperature data from a longer and more recent time period; the new map uses data measured at weather stations during the 30-year period 1976-2005. In contrast, the 1990 map was based on temperature data from only a 13-year period of 1974-1986.

Some of the changes in the zones, however, are a result of new, more sophisticated methods for mapping zones between weather stations. These include algorithms that considered for the first time such factors as changes in elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, and position on the terrain, such as valley bottoms and ridge tops. Also, the new map used temperature data from many more stations than did the 1990 map. These advances greatly improved the accuracy and detail of the map, especially in mountainous regions of the western United States. In some cases, advances resulted in changes to cooler, rather than warmer, zones.

While about 80 million American gardeners, as well as those who grow and breed plants, are the largest users of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, many others need this hardiness zone information. For example, the USDA Risk Management Agency uses the USDA plant hardiness zone designations to set some crop insurance standards. Scientists use the plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects.

Although a poster-sized version of this map will not be available for purchase from USDA, as in the past, anyone may download the map free of charge from the Internet onto their personal computer and print copies of the map as needed.

As USDA's chief scientific research agency, ARS is leading America towards a better future through agricultural research and information. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to help answer agricultural questions that impact Americans every day. ARS work helps to:

• ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products;
• assess the nutritional needs of Americans;
• sustain a competitive agricultural economy;
• enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and
• provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

(taken from USDA Office of Communications blog, Jan 25, 2012)

16th Annual Greenhouse Growers' School - Feb 2 in Columbia

2012-01-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

The Missouri State Florists Association and University of Missouri Extension announce the Sixteenth Annual Greenhouse Growers’ School (Presented jointly with MLNA ‘Nuts and Bolts’ Event) on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the Bradford Research and Extension Center, 4968 Rangeline Road, Columbia, MO (From U.S. 63 travel east on Rt. WW to Rangeline and turn right)

Agenda

8:30 - Registration/Coffee and donuts

9:00 - What Growers & Garden Centers Need to Know About Growing Media - Panel discussion

10:15 - Break

10:30 - New Ornamentals for 2012, Mr. Derek Schrof, Ball Seed Co.

11:30 - Lunch (furnished) - Various program updates will be presented during lunch.

Concurrent sessions in the afternoon — your choice of topics.

Room A (Greenhouse programming)

1:00 - Experiences with Using Compost as a Medium Amendment, Pat Bellrose, Fahr Greenhouses

2:00 - Alternative Greenhouse Fuels, Don Day, MU Extension

3:00 - Break Break – Visit with vendors

3:15 - Success with Baskets and Containers, (Speaker to be announced)

4:15 - Water Quality and Greenhouse Nutrition, Dave Trinklein, MU Plant Sciences

Room B (Nursery/Landscape programming)

1:00 - How to Think Big—Business Lessons Learned on Growing a Major Landscape Project, Tim Rost, Rost Landscaping

2:00 - Irrigation Scheduling – the Plant, Soil & Water Relationship, Craig Pisarkiewicz, MPR Supply Inc.

3:00 - Break Break – Visit with vendors

3:15 - What’s New in Organics & Hardgoods?, Steve Cook, Hummert International

4:15 - Insect, Disease, & Weed Control in the Landscape, Andy Seckinger, OHP Inc.

Registration is $20 per person (includes lunch) payable at the door.

For additional information contact David Trinklein, State Floriculture Extension Specialist at 573-882-9631.

Missouri Organic Association's Conference - Feb 2-4 in St. Louis

2012-01-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

Make plans now to attend MOA Annual Conference 2012. The dates are set, February 2-4, and the venue is the beautiful Union Station Marriott in St. Louis. Speakers include nationally known author/filmmaker, Jeff Smith; Garden of Life founder, Jordan Rubin; and, from the Rodale Institute, organic farm expert, Jeff Moyer!

Concurrent workshops include:
Thursday, Feb 2 - Soil Fertility, Greenhouses/Hoop Houses, Poultry Production, and Culinary

Friday and Saturday, Feb 3 & 4 - Alternative Gardening Methods, Soil Fertility, Vegetable Production, Alternative Horticulture Crops, Greenhouse/Hoop House Production, Organic Grain Production, Organic Livestock Production, Fruit and Bramble Production

To see the full agenda and speakers click here.

Click here to register.

We need volunteers...help us with your time and talents and attend MOA Annual Conference 2012 for a reduced fee. Just complete the application and contract and return to Sue Baird.

Webinar this evening

2012-01-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

join us this evening for the second part of "Assessing the Economics of Crop Choices on a Start-up Market Farm" with Eric and Joanna Reuter from Chert Hollow Farm.

Jan 23-Webinar - Assessing the Economics of Crop Choices on a Start-up Market Farm, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/debikelly/ and sign in as a guest

Growing Growers Apprenticeships

2012-01-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

Growing Growers is a collaborative effort of K-State Research and Extension, University of Missouri Extension, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, the Kansas City Food Circle, the Kansas Rural Center and Cultivate KC. Our goal is to provide training and educational opportunities to current farmers and to help new growers get started. We focus on sustainable vegetable production, but also work with other types of producers.

If you or someone you know currently farms, or if you are considering farming in the future, Growing Growers offers several options to help you learn and connect with other growers and resources:

* Our Apprenticeship program is a great opportunity for aspiring growers to get training and on-farm experience.
* Our Workshop Series covers many aspects of market farming and often includes farm tours where concepts can be seen in action. Workshops are open to the public and suitable for experienced, new or aspiring growers.

* Our Email Listserv is a great way to connect to others interested in sustainable agriculture and local foods.
The deadline to apply for the 2012 Apprenticeship Program is March 10th, but early application is strongly recommended, as apprenticeship slots fill up quickly. As of today, both paid and volunteer apprenticeships are still available on several area farms. No experience in farming or growing in necessary, but a willingness and ability to work hard and learn "on the fly" is required!

If you or someone you know is considering farming, or wants more information on Growing Growers, please check out our newly updated website at www.growinggrowers.org for more information on our apprenticeship program, a list of potential host farms, our workshop series and email listserv.

Laura Christensen
Growing Growers Training Program
http://www.growinggrowers.org/
growers@ksu.edu
(816) 805-0362

Energy Training for Small Farms Workshop

2012-01-19T05:40:00.000-08:00

Butterfly Energy Works is offering free Energy Training classes for small farms. The class will be offered Monday, Jan 30, 2012 – 1:30 – 5:00pm.

Classes are free to attendees, and refreshments will be provided as well! This class will be a halfday event divided between "classroom" presentations and time on the ground at EarthDance Farm.

The class will cover a range of topics designed to help you understand energy use on your farm and in your home, give you useful information to help ur energy use and expenses, and that will help you plan for the future. Topics will include the following:

Energy efficient building science
Heating and cooling systems
Lighting
Refrigeration
Motors (fans, pumps, compressors)
Low-input farming practices
Renewable energy systems
Financial support programs

We'll emphasize a “big picture” approach to your farm’s energy usage. Energy conservation will be stressed – along with low-tech options for reducing your usage. To help you apply the training where it matters most – your farm and home - we'll provide you with guidelines to help you perform your own farm energy audit.

The final class is scheduled for at EarthDance Farms in Ferguson, MO (North St. Louis County). The class will run from 1:30-5:00. Please call if you would like more information or would like to reserve a slot. These classes will fill fast, and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Field Day: Energy Training
Monday, January 30, 2012
RSVP by Wed. January 25th, 2012
Email: fieldday@butterflyenergyworks.com
Phone: 314-961-8418
RSVP by Wed. January 25th, 2012

Email: fieldday@butterflyenergyworks.com

Grow Your Farm begins Feb 13 in Central Missouri

2012-01-18T06:51:00.000-08:00

Grow Your Farm classes offer opportunities for land and livelihood. New session begins Feb. 13 in central Missouri. Winter presents a perfect opportunity for farmers to think about the future.

University of Missouri Extension’s Grow Your Farm classes equip participants to start, transition or expand any sort of farming operation. The next offering of the eight-week course begins Feb. 13 in Columbia.

“We help people identify the resources on their land and around them so they can make wise decisions on what they should be producing on their farm and how to market those products,” said Debi Kelly, MU Extension’s state Grow Your Farm coordinator.

From cattle to row crops and pumpkins to poultry, participants come to the class with diverse dreams and aspirations for their farms, Kelly said. Grow Your Farm gives those dreams a framework to help make their farms a successful business reality.

“Most farmers in alternative agriculture do not have a written business plan, but successful businesses happen across the U.S. because of preparation,” Kelly said. “The concept of Grow Your Farm lets participants walk out of the class with a business plan that they can start implementing, take to a bank, the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Department of Agriculture for loans to help them get started in their farming enterprise.”

Grow Your Farm attracts all types of farmers wanting to transition for the future or increase their profit.

“These classes attract people on traditional farms who want to look at their operations differently, older farmers nearing retirement with the next generation in mind and people just starting out,” Kelly said. “For all of them, it’s about understanding the opportunities and the different resources available on or near their land.”

Some of those resources might be hiding in plain sight.

“It’s not only their land,” Kelly said. “Their farm may be on the crossroads of a blacktop, and that’s a huge resource if they want to start a ‘U-pick’ farming operation.”

While MU Extension specialists teach the beginning of the course, veteran farmers will lead discussions in the second half of the course. They will explain trials, tribulations and successes experienced in their operation. Two farm tours will also allow the class to see a good business plan in action.

For many participants, bouncing ideas off farmers who have been in their shoes is one of the biggest benefits of Grow Your Farm.

“So many of them come out of the class relieved that there are other people who want to think differently about farming,” Kelly said. “The networking helps them develop valuable relationships with classmates and lets them know they aren’t alone.”

Grow Your Farm classes will begin Feb. 13 at the MU Bradford Research and Extension Center in Columbia. The course fee is $225 per farm. Space is limited to 20 farms.

To sign up, email Debi Kelly or call 573-882-1905.

Upcoming Webinars

2012-01-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

Just so everyone can put these on your calendar, here are the next couple of months webinars:

Jan 23-Webinar - Assessing the Economics of Crop Choices on a Start-up Market Farm, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/debikelly/ and sign in as a guest

Feb 6-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r2p5x0tx6la/ and sign in as a guest

Feb 13-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r8zbe67rkcd/ and sign in as a guest

March 5-Webinar - Financing for Beginning Farmers, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4jg7mvonrj/ and sign in as a guest

March 12-Webinar - Financing for Beginning Farmers, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r62qx1pe4s3/ and sign in as a guest

April 2-Webinar - Grazing Goats, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r447hpprlts/ and sign in as a guest

April 9-Webinar - Grazing Goats, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r5ldmre8w7b/ and sign in as a guest

May 7-Webinar - Legal Issues with Direct Marketing, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r8rvewyda9u/ and sign in as a guest

May 14-Webinar - Legal Issues with Direct Marketing, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4fwlpfel1u/ and sign in as a guest

Webinar info from last night

2012-01-17T06:44:00.000-08:00

For those of you who missed the webinar last night, you missed a great one. Luckily it was being recorded and you can watch it later this week. In the meantime, here are some links that you might like to review that were mentioned in the webinar.

If you want to review immediately look at a similar PPT Eric gave at the Great Plains Growers Conference in 2011 - http://www.greatplainsgrowers.org/2011%20Information/Powerpoints/AssessingEconomicsOfCropsSmall-Reuter%20Revised.pdf

Eric Reuter: http://www.cherthollowfarm.com/transfer/crop_income_comparison_model.xlsx

Eric Reuter: http://www.cherthollowfarm.com/transfer/crop_income_comparison_model_oldExcelVers.xls

Hottest Restaurant Menu Trends in 2012 Include Locally Sourced Ingredients

2012-01-17T06:13:00.000-08:00

Small-scale, local food producers can look forward to stronger markets this year, if the National Restaurant Association’s predictions prove accurate. According to the association’s What’s Hot in2012 survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs, children’s nutrition and local sourcing will be the hottest trends on restaurant menus this coming year.

The top 10 menu trends for 2012 will be:

Locally sourced meats and seafood
Locally grown produce
Healthful kids’ meals
Hyper-local items
Sustainability as a culinary theme
Children’s nutrition as a culinary theme
Gluten-free/food allergy-conscious items
Locally produced wine and beer
Sustainable seafood
Whole grain items in kids’ meals

“The top menu trends we’re seeing in our What’s Hot in 2012 survey reflect the macro-trends we have seen grow over the last several years,” said Joy Dubost, Ph.D, R.D., director of Nutrition & Healthy Living for the National Restaurant Association. “Nutrition—especially when it comes to children—is becoming a major focus for the nation’s nearly one million restaurants, in tune with consumers’ increasing interest in healthful eating.”

“Local sourcing of everything—from meat and fish, to produce, to alcoholic beverages—is another big trend for 2012. Local farms and food producers have become an important source of ingredients for chefs and restaurateurs wishing to support the members of their business community and highlight seasonal ingredients on menus,” Dubost added.

“The American Culinary Federation has a long history of working with families to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition, so we are delighted that chefs have chosen to include healthful kids meals in the top 10 menu trends for 2012,” said Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, ACF national president. “We are also pleased to see an emphasis on local sourcing across major ingredient categories, including produce, a vital component of children’s diets.”

If you’ve not already pursued area restaurants as a market for your locally grown products, this could be an opportune time to do so. Chefs are often willing to pay a premium for healthy, fresh, local products, and with an anticipated increase in demand, they could be looking for additional suppliers.

Webinar this evening

2012-01-16T08:47:00.001-08:00

When: Monday January 16th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r35toikn7k7/ and sign in as a guest

Elderberry Research Program Focused on Developing Cultivars of this Missouri Native Fruit for Profitable Crop

2012-01-13T05:10:00.000-08:00

Several Extension reseachers are working together to try and develop a new cultivar of elderberry that can be profitable for growers in Missouri.

The “Elderberry Development Program” is a joint research project between the University of Missouri, Missouri State University, and Lincoln University that focuses on the elderberry, a native Missouri fruit plant. The project was initiated in 1997 and has attracted over $120,000 in grant funding.

’Wyldewood’ elderberry is a new cultivar
being developed in Missouri.

The program is coordinated by Patrick Byers, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension, and Andy Thomas, a researcher at University of Missouri’s Southwest Research Center in Mt. Vernon.

“Processors interested in elderberry wine, jelly/jam, juice, and health supplements are driving an interest in elderberry production in Missouri,” said Byers.

Little is known about the commercial cultivation of this fruit crop. The research project is focused on testing elderberry cultivars, developing new cultivars, investigating elderberry culture in Missouri, and studying the health benefits of elderberry consumption.

Impacts of the project include development of two new elderberry cultivars adapted to Midwestern growing conditions; development of fertility regimes for elderberry, which will lead to more efficient use of fertilizers; development of management strategies for elderberry pest issues; and the production of 18 publications.

There have also been 31 invited presentations that have shared Missouri’s elderberry experience regionally, nationally, and internationally.

“Most importantly, as a direct result of this research, a project is the development for Missouri’s commercial elderberry industry of 35+ acres, worth an estimated $140,000 annually to Missouri farmers,” said Byers.

For more information, or answers to your specific lawn and garden questions, contact Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension or the Greene County Master Gardener Hotline at (417) 881-8909.

Missouri Organic Association Regional Conference - Feb 2-5

2012-01-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Organic Association's Regional Organic Conference, hosted by MO, KY, and TN will be held at the Union Station Marriott in St. Louis MO, Feb 2-5, 2012.

The lineup of speakers include such famed presenters as Jeff Moyer, farm manager of Rodale Institute; Jeffrey Smith, author of “Seeds of Deception”; Jim Long, author of 23 books on urban edible landscapes; Jordon Rubin, founder of Garden of Life and Beyond Organic; and a full day of “Iron Chef” competition featuring some of the best of St. Louis chefs.

Friday and Saturday will be filled with 8 concurrent hands-on workshops being presented on such topics as aquaponic production of tilapia and shrimp by Kentucky State University experts; tree grafting classes by Stark Brothers; best of bramble cultivars for Midwest climates; cheese-making; showing of the documentary, “What’s Organic about Organic;” and the list goes on and on.

Check out the full agenda at http://www.missouriorganic.org/. All 3 days of invaluable training and great networking is only $195.

Farmers’ Market Workshop - January 31st

2012-01-11T06:27:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Black River Electric Cooperative in Fredericktown, MO. Cost is $10 per person.

Come Hear Topics About:

Health Department Regulations
Conventional and Biological Insect Control
Educational and Grant Funding Opportunities
Marketing at Farmers’ Markets
Building the Soil Organically
Growing Specialty Crops
Bring Your Scale to be Re-Certified from 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Great opportunity to introduce your area Farmers’ Market & Welcome New Vendors. Great way to
meet other vendors & share information about growing, produce and markets.

This Workshop is Sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension and the MO Dept of Agriculture. If you have questions, please call 573-238-2420.

Registration and $10 Fee Required for Attendance. Lunch will be served. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions. Please mail registration to: Bollinger County Extension Center, P.O. Box 19, Marble Hill, Mo 63764

Low Stress Livestock Handling For People and Livestock

2012-01-10T06:21:00.000-08:00

Handling livestock can sometimes be stressful for both people and the animals. A lot depends on our attitude, methods, and our understanding of how an animal behaves. Trying to load a balky horse into a trailer, gathering or herding animals in a pasture, or trying to pen or catch animals for treatment can all be stressful situations and even unsafe at times for all involved. But to reduce this stress on the owner and livestock try using low stress livestock handling methods.

The best way to handle livestock is to work in harmony with their natural behavior. Livestock see the world differently than we do. Because they are prey animals, their eyes are shaped differently and are located on the sides of their heads. Livestock have excellent peripheral vision. They have excellent distant vision, though they may have difficulty judging distances. Livestock also have blind spots where they can’t see. A blind spot for horses and cattle is directly behind them. That is why it is extremely important not to approach a horse or cattle from the rear without the animal knowing you are there. They may kick out in a defensive or protective manner and injure the unsuspecting person.

Livestock have a keen sense of hearing and also a good memory. Loud voices and yelling can scare animals more than clanging gates and chains. Animals may not be able to pinpoint where the loud noises are coming from but they are very disturbing to them. All loud noises can frighten animals, even if we understand that the noise should not be an issue. Livestock have long memories. If they are handled roughly in the past they will be more difficult to handle and stress more easily. Try to make animals’ first experiences with a new place, piece of equipment or person a favorable one. An initial experience that is averse can create a permanent fear memory in that animal.

A good livestock handler understands two key principals: flight zone (the “bubble” around an animal that, if invaded, will cause the animal to move away) and the point of balance (the point, usually around the front shoulder, at which pressure in front of that point will cause the animal to stop or back up, and vice versa). When an owner is at the edge of the flight zone and properly balanced, only slight movements are needed to control the animals in a low-stress manner. To make an animal speed up, walk against their direction of travel: to make them slow down, walk with them. As you pass the point of balance, notice how each animal responds to your movement and position. This concept is evident when many times it is easier to lead an animal by the halter if we are walking beside them near the shoulder rather than being ahead of them and trying to pull on the halter to get them to go forward.

A thorough understanding of the behavior of the animals we are working with is the first step towards developing and effective method of handling livestock. A good livestock handler is calm and patient. The golden rule of low-stress handling is slow and quiet resulting in less stress for you and your animals.

Try to use low stress handling methods every time you work with our animals. The idea is to start with low stress handling from birth and throughout the animal’s life. It will be good for them and for you too.

There are many excellent resources on low stress livestock handling methods. Web sites, books, DVDs, are readily available and provide good information for using low stress handling methods for domesticated and wild animals.

Sources: Dr. Temple Grandin, Colorado State University; Steve Cote, NRCS; Ryan Reuter and Kent Shankles, Noble Foundation; eXtension Horse, Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland; Ben Barlett and Janice Swanson, Michigan State University; Heather Larson, South Dakota State University, Ashely Griffin, University of Kentucky, Nebraska Farmer, October 2010.

(By Steve Tonn, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension Educator)

Webinar Tonight - Assessing the Economics of Crop Choices on a Start-up Market Farm

2012-01-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

NOTE: This is one of those webinars you don't want to miss. If you do, remember they are archived and can be viewed at the OLC (online learning community).

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program will continue in 2012 with its monthly webinars. January will begin with two webinars on "Assessing the Economics of Crop Choices on a Start-up Market Farm" with Eric and Joanna Reuter of Chert Hollow Farm. Chert Hollow Farm has been certified organic since 2009. They minimize off-farm inputs and rely heavily on low-overhead, low-impact, non-mechanized methods as they work to integrate their diversified operation. The Reuter's sell their products through a farmers' market, on-farm sales, CSA and restaurants.

When: Monday January 9th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4j3g8echub/ and sign in as a guest

When: Monday January 16th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r35toikn7k7/ and sign in as a guest

Understanding Good Agricultural Practices - Jan 26

2012-01-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

The 2012 Growing Growers Workshop Series will kick off with "Understanding Good Agricultural Practices" on January 26. Contact the Platte County MU Extension Office to register. The workshop fee is $15/person and is due prior to the registration deadline on January 20.

The Platte County University of Missouri Extension Center is located at 11724 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City, MO 64153. The workshop will take place January 26, 2012 from 3:30-6:00 pm.

Increasingly, fresh fruit and vegetable producers are being asked whether or not they have a food safety plan on their farm to reduce the threat of food borne illness in the food supply. Additionally, the Food Safety Modernization Act may require some producers to certify their operations by seeking third-party audits of their food safety plans. This workshop will help producers understand what Good Agricultural Practices really are, what it takes to prepare for an audit, and how to develop an on-farm food safety plan.

Agenda
3:30-4:30 An Introduction to Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) with Jennifer Smith, K-State Research & Extension Horticulture Agent, Douglas County - Find out how water management, employee activity, manure management, and post-harvest handling can affect the potential of microbial contamination of food.

4:30-5:00 Implementing GAPs on the Farm with Marlin Bates, University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist, West-Central MO - You don't have to seek certification to implement Gaps on your farm. Whether or not you intend to seek certification, documentation will play a big role in implementing GAPs. We'll discuss common policies and standard operating procedures for the farm.

5:00-5:15 Break

5:15-6:00 The Food Safety Plan with Marlin Bates, University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist, West-Central MO - We'll review some resources and look at common structures of food safety plans.

Good Agriculture Practices (GAP)

2012-01-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

With all we are hearing in the news about contaminated foods, especially the one on canteloup from a farm in Colorado, farmers should begin reading up on Good Agriculture Practices.

The USDA’s Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) program for fresh fruits and vegetable producers is a voluntary, third-party verification program. Buyers know that GAPs-certified farms are meeting guidelines set forth by the FDA to reduce the potential of microbial contamination of the food supply. Interest in GAPs certification continues to increase, especially because laws from the Food Safety Modernization Act may require certain producers to seek third-party audits. Additionally, many wholesale buyers are requiring producers to provide evidence that they have passed such an audit on their farms. Farmers market vendors, Community-Supported Agriculture, U-Pick and other direct-to-consumer producers are also seeking GAPs certification as a way to communicate their commitment to safe food to their customers.

However, GAPs can be implemented on any fresh fruit/vegetable farm, regardless of the farmer’s intent to be audited. Protecting the food supply from microbial contamination is a responsibility that we all bear. While we can’t eliminate the potential of this sort of contamination, there are some great principles in the Good Agriculture Practices protocol that all producers can easily implement in their operations.

A good resource to learn more about GAPs is from Cornell University.

New Potential Pest Raises Big Stink

2012-01-04T06:27:00.000-08:00

NOTE: I have blogged about this before making sure you were aware of the brown marmorated stink bug and now it appears it is closer than we thought. Also a St. Clair County vegetable producer found 2 on her front porch which she identified as the brown marmorated stink bug but they have yet to be identified by an entomologist.

A new stinkier stinkbug may hitchhike into Missouri this year to destroy crops and upset homeowners, says a University of Missouri Extension entomologist.

The brown marmorated stink bug, a pest found in 33 states mostly to the east and south, will likely be found for the first time this year in Missouri, says Wayne Bailey of the MU Plant Sciences Division.

Dead specimens were found in Columbia in a stored travel trailer from the East Coast. Live stink bugs were found at the end of the growing season at an Interstate-70 rest stop near Kansas City, Kans.

The new stink bug destroys fruit, vegetable and field crops.

However, homeowners may be the first to detect the pest, Bailey says. It invades homes, as well as injuring crops.

"A crushed marmorated stink bug can be quite repugnant," Bailey said. "The smell makes some people sick and some have had to vacate their homes for a few hours.

"The stink bug invasion might make ladybug home intrusions seem like nothing," he adds. Like the ladybug, the stink bug enters homes in large numbers seeking over- wintering sites. Stink bugs are winter hardy however they seek warm place to live."

First found in Pennsylvania in 1998, the pest has spread slowly. Starting in the Mid-Atlantic States, stink bugs are now working their way through the Midwest.

The stink bug probably came in cargo from China or a neighboring country, Bailey says. It travels as a stowaway.

The new stink bug has become a problem for truck farms and orchards. As it moved west it gained an appetite for corn and soybeans.

The marmorated stink bug joins local stink bugs that already attack crops. "It is a juice-sucking insect that heads for the developing fruit or pods," Bailey said. "It can shrivel all of the kernels on an ear of corn. Heaviest crop damage has been on soybeans, a concern to Missouri farmers."

All stink bugs are difficult to control with pesticides, Bailey says. They don't eat foliage, but pierce the plant to suck juices.

The new pest has proven more resistant to control. However, more insecticides are becoming available for use on the various host crops, Bailey adds.

Truck farmers have found that insect netting offers one method of control on fruits and vegetables.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working on finding biological controls. "The most likely control will be from wasps that attack the eggs," Bailey says.

In the United States, the pest has not been as prolific as in China. There it has five or six generations in a crop season. Here, the pest has one generation a year. It is not a prolific egg layer.

The adult insect grows to about three-fourths of an inch in length. The shield-shaped body has alternating black and white triangles on the back edge of the wings. White bands are shown on the pair of long antennae and the hind legs. The distinguishing feature is a white underbelly. Common stink bugs have brown or green undersides, Bailey says.

When disturbed, the bug emits a powerful odor. "If one is attacked, the other stink bugs around it emit the defensive odor. Inside a house, that odor can be repulsive," Bailey says.

For crop farmers, the new insect will require weekly scouting of fields. As pod feeders, stink bugs can be quite destructive, Bailey adds.

If by chance to happen across the insect, please contact your local county extension office.
(by Duane Daily, Senior Writer, MU Cooperative Media Group)

Food Safety for Local Growers

2012-01-03T06:15:00.000-08:00

Consumers value fresh and local, but above all, they want to trust in the quality and safety of the products they buy. That’s why the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), the trade organization supporting the fresh produce supply chain, Schnucks Markets and Sysco Corporation have joined forces to develop and deliver a series of one-day programs uniquely-tailored to help local growers explore the challenges of implementing a company food safety plan, meet the requirements of restaurant and retail outlets, and above all, protect your business and bottom line.

Through hands-on demonstrations and discussions with experts, you will leave with the tools you need to build your own customized food safety program, based upon your specific business model.

Date: Thursday January 19, 2011
Location: 3850 Mueller Road, St. Charles, Missouri
Registration: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Cost: $35.00 per person
Food Safety Training: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For Agenda & Registration Information contact: Michelle Lewis

Need Help Creating a Food Safety Plan?

2011-12-30T05:47:00.000-08:00

The On-Farm Food Safety Project is a comprehensive national program that offers fruit and vegetable farmers, food safety professionals and agricultural extension specialists technical assistance to utilize and teach best practices in food safety.

The project developed a website which includes the bulk of these resources including a free voluntary online tool, based on a comprehensive risk based framework, which generates customized on-farm food safety plans based on user input. The tool is designed for use by small to mid-scale fruit and vegetable growers and provides a full set of record keeping tools to document their food safety program and to provide training to their employees.

Organic Seed Availability Database Planned

2011-12-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

American Seed Trade Association, the Organic Seed Alliance, and the Organic Trade Association, with additional input, are proposing to develop a database where seed producers and growers will be able to determine what organic varieties of seed are available. Elements of the new database include easy searching by seed type, classification, organic certification, and region of adaptation. To read the full story click here.

Cover Crop and Soil Health Workshops

2011-12-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

Two Cover Crop and Soil Health Workshops will be taking place; one on January 13 and the other on January 14. Both are identical workshops but each is on a different day and at a different location. Be sure to RSVP to the correct location that fits your schedule.

Topics include:

Improve profitability using no-till and cover crops Integrate livestock into cover cropping systems
Reduce input costs
Building soil health Improve sustainability
Cover crop selection, strategies, planting techniques, and management

Guest Speaker: Gabe Brown
Nationally Recognized Farmer/rancher and County Conservation District Supervisor from Bismarck, ND. Years of experience with cover crops, mixtures, soil health, and other methods to improve productivity Highly diversified zero-tillage cropping system Farm has attracted visitors from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries Incorporates grazing into his cropping system.

Guest Speaker: Ray Archuleta
Nationally Recognized Conservation Agronomist at the NRCS East National Technology Center from
Greensboro, NC 24 years experience with NRCS in Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, and North Carolina Utilizes demonstrations to teach soil quality and the importance of soil health.

Friday, January 13, 2012 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 311 East Patterson Avenue Salisbury, MO from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. Call to RSVP for lunch count at 660-288-3279 x 3 or email carrie.henry@mo.usda.gov. Send registration fee of $5.00 per person to Chariton Co. SWCD. Registration needs to be received by January 6, 2012.

Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Blue Springs Elks, 100 NE Brizenine, Blue Springs, MO 64014 from 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. RSVP for lunch count by calling 816-228-1161 x 3

Southeast Missouri Ag Expo

2011-12-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

The Ag Expo will celebrate its 26th Anniversary on January 20 and 21 at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Agriculture booth spaces are now available to rent. This is one of the largest ag trade shows in the region, which is sponsored by Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers College.

There will be 118 booths available to visit and learn first-hand about agriculture and natural resources and their importance to the area’s economy. The expo will also feature outdoor exhibits. Twelve thousand people attended last year’s two-day event.

The event will be held Friday, January 20 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, January 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and the two days are packed with activities for the whole family. Entertainment and events include gospel, jazz, and contemporary music; agriculture seminars; beauty pageants; and toy tractor pedal pull contests for youth ages 4 to 9. There will be tractor driving contests for FFA members; petting farm; an old time auction; a milking contest; an ag photography contest; duck calling contest for adults and youth; and baking contest. This year the Pesticide Applicator Training for private re-certification will be held at the Expo on Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.

Contact:
Butler County University of Missouri Extension
222 N. Broadway Street
Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901
573-686-8064
Email: butlerco@missouri.edu

Beginning Beekeeping Workshops in Planning Stages for 2012

2011-12-26T02:14:00.000-08:00

The following beekeeping clubs and beekeepers have springtime workshops in the planning stages for the spring of 2012.

January 5 - Valerie and Jim Duever will do an all-day beginners’ workshop at the Great Plains Growers Conference in St Joseph, MO. For more information, email valerie.duever@gmail.com.

January 25, February 1 and February 8 - Jefferson County Beekeepers is offering a three-night Beginners’ Beekeeping class. It will be from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Jefferson County Extension Office in Hillsboro. Cost of the class is $45.00 per person. To register, contact Wanda Kiggans at (636)797-5391.

January 28 - Boone Regional Beekeepers will host a Beginning Beekeeping Workshop in Columbia. Contact Marty Comstock for more information at lyleclair@hotmail.com.

February 11 - Eastern Missouri Beekeepers will host its Fifth Annual Beekeepers Workshop in Fenton. It will feature Jennifer Berry, Erin Forbes and Grant Gillard, with instruction for beginners and experienced beekeepers. More at easternmobeekeepers.com.

Feb 24-26 - Three Rivers Beekeepers will hold a Beginning Beekeeping Workshop. More information can be found at www.threeriversbeekeepers.com

March 17-18 - Three Rivers Beekeepers will hold a Queen Rearing Workshop. More information can be found at www.threeriversbeekeepers.com.

April 7 - Cory Stevens will host a field day at his queen mating apiary in Dexter. Call 573-225-6935 for more information.

Local Beekeepers Associations

Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks, 4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield, www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
Boone Regional Beekeepers Association, 3rd Sunday of month, 3:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia,President Jim Duever 573-254-3373, www.boonebees.org
Busy Bee Club, 4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton, Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252, grnthumb@alltel.net
Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association, 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood, Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517, www.easternmobeekeepers.com
Golden Valley Beekeepers, 2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies), Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO, Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171, murftk@copper.net
Jackson Area Beekeepers, 4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington, Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568, gillard5@charter.net
Jefferson County Beekeepers Association, 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21, Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro, Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association, Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin, Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
Mid Missouri Beekeepers, 3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr., Charlotte Wiggins, President, charlotte@bluebirdgardens.com
Midwestern Beekeepers Association, Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m., April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m., (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room, Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association, Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL, Contact Bernie Andrew 217-938-4975
Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association, 3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Location varies, call contact number below if unsure, President Calvin Brandt cvbrandt@landolakes.com, VP Rodney Angell bee143@fi dnet.com
Parkland Beekeepers, 3rd Tuesday of month, 7pm, Ozark Federal Savings & Loan, President Bob Brenneke 573-518-1997 or 573-631-2782
Pomme de Terre Beekeepers, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7 pm, Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage, Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
SEMO Honey Producers, 2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office, Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222, wells.ernie@gmail.com
South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association, 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains, Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”), 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett, Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association, 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building, Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
Three Rivers Beekeepers, 3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m., For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303, info@threeriversbeekepers.com
Northwest Missouri Bee Busters, 1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m., 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434, Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
Lake of the Ozarks Beekeepers, 3rd Saturday of month, 1:00 p.m., UMC Extension Office, 100 E. Newton, Versailles MO, Contact Russell Kasnick 573-372-3122

Happy Holidays

2011-12-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Beginning Farmer Program wishes everyone Happy Holidays!

Growing Chestnuts in Missouri a Challenge, But Possible

2011-12-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

Roasting chestnuts over an open fire sounds like a nice holiday activity. But, it takes extra work and the right variety to grow chestnuts in the Missouri according to Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

Byers says three chestnut species are native to the United States: American chestnut, Alleheny chinkapin and Ozark chinkapin. However, all three are very susceptible to chestnut blight attack.

As a result, the Chinese chestnut is an emerging new tree crop for the Midwest. The Chinese chestnut tree is a spreading, medium-sized tree with glossy dark leaves bearing large crops of nutritious nuts.

“These delicious nuts are a healthy, low-fat food ingredient that can be incorporated into a wide range of dishes. Chinese chestnut trees are medium sized and they have great cold tolerance and adequate tolerance to chestnut blight,” said Byers.

Chinese chestnuts can be grown about anywhere if the soil is well drained and not within a frost pocket. Chinese chestnut trees are drought tolerant once established, but ample water throughout the growing season promotes good tree growth and regular nut production.

“For the most part, the Chinese chestnut is pest free and in a small-scale planting can be successfully grown without pesticides,” said Byers.

Byers recommends grafted trees of proven varieties for the backyard gardener. Grafted varieties provide more uniform ripening, higher nut quality, larger nut size and more consistent yields.

Several different varieties such as Eaton, Mossbarger, Sleeping Giant, Peach, Wing, Willamette and Revival have been recommended for Missouri. A list of retail nursery locations that sell grafted varieties are available online.

Byers also recommends that three trees of different varieties be planted together to ensure pollination. Spacing trees at least 40 feet apart will allow ample room for tree growth.

“Homeowners should plant chestnut trees where children and pets can be kept away from the spiny burrs that fall to the ground at harvest. Also keep in mind that chestnuts require full sun for best nut production so they should not be planted next to large shade trees,” said Byers.

Grafted Chinese chestnuts should start bearing nuts one to three years after planting.

“At that point, you should have the pleasure of roasting your very own chestnuts over an open fire during the holiday season,” said Byers.

For additional information on growing Chinese chestnuts, contact your local University of Missouri Extension Center or call Greene County’s Master Gardener Hotline at (417) 881-8909.

Great Plains Grower’s Conference

2011-12-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

Ever since moving to Northwest Missouri, I have been a member of the organizing committee of the Great Plains Growers Conference. Putting together a large conference like this takes an enormous amount of planning and work, but the results are certainly worth it, as conference attendees have pointed out to us on evaluations through the years. This will be our 16th annual conference. It will be held on January 5-7, 2012. You can still get the early registration fee until this coming Friday.

We do have a lot of help putting this together. The conference is organized by the Extension services of five states: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

The conference starts with workshops on Thursday. Attendees choose a workshop when they register. Each workshop explores a topic in-depth.

This year, we have expanded the Thursday workshops again. The high tunnel workshop returns to discuss topics such as high tunnel winter & summer production, advanced soil management in high tunnels, moveable high tunnels, and more.

Other workshops will discuss CSA marketing (Community Supported Agriculture), implementing Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) on your farm for food safety, and a tree fruit workshop for orchardists.

New to our Thursday workshops is a session titled, “The Basics of Beekeeping in the Midwest.” I have been working or organizing this workshop, and am pretty excited about it. This session will teach the basics that you need to get started, including equipment, hive construction, where to get your bees, bee care, and more. Our workshop instructors will take you through step-by-step management of your bees, and what to expect in that first year. You will also learn of educational reference sources, and how to find local bee clubs and beekeepers that can help you get started. Our instructors will also assemble a hive during the workshop. As a bonus, one workshop participant will walk away with that hive, which will be given away as a door prize.

Friday and Saturday, there are up to five concurrent tracks to choose from. But before deciding what track you want to attend (sometimes a hard choice), we will hear from our keynote speakers, Paul and Sandy Arnold of Saratoga Springs, New York. They will relate their experiences at their very successful Pleasant Valley Farm, which should be of interest to everyone.

Break-out sessions this year include a wide range of topics, including small fruit, beginning organic, conventional vegetables, marketing & agritourism, tree fruit, integrated pest management, advanced organic, cut flowers, farmers markets, urban horticulture & community gardens, and more.

You will hear from growers and university researchers from all over the country. As usual, we will have a trade show, where you can see the latest that horticultural suppliers have to offer.

I have only missed three of these conferences through the years. I’m always amazed that it not only improves with time, but that growers continue to support it in ever increasing numbers. If you are a horticultural producer of any kind, you will find this to be well worth your time.

Registration is online. For more information, please call the Buchanan County Extension Center at 816-279-1691.
(by Tim Baker, University of Missouri Regional Horticulture Specialist)

Pasture-Based Dairy Course

2011-12-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

Online Course - January 17 - March 23, 2012
Laboratory - March 24-27, 2012

The University of Missouri (MU) is offering a 9-week team-taught (14 instructors) course covering the topic of pasture-based dairy farming. The course was offered to MU undergraduates in Spring 2011 for the first time and received very positive reviews. Beginning in Spring 2012, the course will still be offered to traditional MU students, but will also be opened up to off-campus and non-traditional students such as current dairy farmers that are considering transitioning from confinement to management intensive grazing, or to those that are considering starting a pasture-based operation.

This course is offered as an online course – all you need is access to an internet connection and about 3-5 hours per week (9 weeks) of your time to listen to lectures (this is not just boring text that you need to read, these are oral lectures with accompanying slides that the instructor delivers and records for you to listen to at your convenience) and complete your assignments. You pick the times when you would like to learn about pasture-based dairying - the schedule is flexible. The only rigid scheduling items are 1) one hour per week will be scheduled for the whole class to participate in an online discussion with the instructors, and 2) assignments and exams will be posted after the discussion period and are due by the end of the week (students can complete these assignments at their leisure over the course of several days, but there is a due date).

In addition to the online lecture, there is an optional 4-day practical laboratory held at the MU Southwest Center Grazing Dairy and also on several commercial pasture-based dairies in Southwest Missouri. The lab course will be held on four consecutive days near the end of March. This laboratory portion of the course is optional, but students are not allowed to enroll or participate in the laboratory section without also completing the online portion of the course first. Students will learn to implement many of the practices discussed in the online course (such as allocating pasture, measuring residuals, working with the grazing wedge, and site evaluations for new farm set-ups) and will also get to see multiple farm systems and talk with farm owners about what has and has not worked for them. Students from the 2011 class raved that this hands-on farm experience really brought everything together for them from the online portion of the course.

Contact Matt Waldron 573-882-6354 for more information.

Goats Require Minimal Investment But Several Factors Can Impact Profits

2011-12-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

There are several major benefits to raising meat goats according to Dr. Jodie Pennington, a small ruminant specialist working with Lincoln University and University of Missouri Extension.

“Raising goats requires minimal costs for facilities and investment. They are also attractive for their ability to use grass and other low costs forages, brush control, high pregnancy rates, and potential for high returns per acre,” said Pennington. “But at the same time, goats also have the potential for losses if sound management is not maintained.”

Sound management of any goat enterprise depends on good records to monitor economic factors and the proper care of the animals.

Pennington says it is essential that animal identification be made in a precise manner. Budgets should be set to determine the financial feasibility of the business. Breeders should also make sure they have a market for their goats before they begin.

A calendar is also recommended to make sure routine management practices which are conducted in a timely manner and treatment procedures for illnesses are established.

“Proper care of meat goats is essential because the best economic returns are realized when disease problems are minimal,” said Pennington. “That means cleanliness and proper animal comfort are important for the prevention of disease.”

Major problems with raising goats include marketing, internal parasite control, an economic and sustainable forage program, availability of good breeding stock, predator control (primarily guard dogs), availability of a local veterinarian, and lack of model farms to emulate.

“Some producers with full-time jobs may be limited in the time that they can spend on goats at critical times. Feeding the guard dog can also be a problem with absentee owners, but it is essential the goats be protected from predators,” said Pennington.

More and more cattle producers are running goats with the cattle, either in leader-follower system or concurrently. The advantage of this system is that the pasture is used more efficiently.

The goats are browsers and eat the bushy plants, including many weeds, and the cattle eat the lower-growing grass. According to Pennington, forage use can be improved 10 to 20 percent by this system which also works well with horses.

“The performance of your meat goats is a combination of several factors. The breeding and selection of the animals, the health and care of the animals once they are in your possession, and the interaction with facilities, feeding, and weather will all effect performance,” said Pennington.

For more information, contact Pennington at the Newton County Extension Center, (417) 455-9500.

Winter Farmers' Markets Expand

2011-12-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

The number of winter farmers markets is increasing. According to the updated National Farmers Market Directory, since 2010, the number of winter markets has increased 38 percent, from 886 to 1,225. These winter markets also account for nearly 17 percent of the nation's 7,222 operating farmers markets (Note: The reported number of farmers markets has been updated since August 2011).

Consumers are looking for more ways to buy locally grown food throughout the year. Through winter markets, American farmers are able to meet this need and bring in additional income to support their families and businesses.

Farmers markets operating at least once between November and March are considered winter farmers markets. The top 10 states for these markets are:

State - # of Winter Markets in 2011 - # of Winter Markets in 2010

1. New York 180 - 152

2. California 153 - 137

3. Pennsylvania 78 - 35

4. North Carolina 73 - 53

5. Ohio 50 - 34

6. Maryland 48 - 30

7. Florida 46 - 31
8. Massachusetts 43 - 30

9. Virginia* 40 - 21

10. Michigan* 33 - 19
* New to the top 10 list.

The expanded adoption of hoop house technology, which has enabled many smaller growers to extend their production seasons at low cost, has been a contributing factor to the growth of winter farmers markets. Hoop houses have allowed growers to produce locally-grown products for longer time periods and in colder climates.

USDA provides support to farmers markets through numerous programs, including AMS Specialty Crop Block Grants Program and Farmers Market Promotion Program. The agency also sponsors its own indoor farmers market during the winter months at USDA's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The market features local products such as fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, eggs, honey, herbs, handmade soaps, baked goods and more.

(Does anyone know how many winter farmers' markets there are in MO? I don't but I'd sure like to know. debi)

Immigrant Population Increasing Interest in Meat Goats

2011-12-15T06:20:00.000-08:00

It seems everyone in the world eats goat meat but Americans. However, the preference for goat meat in the U.S. is rapidly increasing, as reflected in the record high prices of the last two years.

“This increase in consumption is primarily related to a rapidly growing population from traditional goat consuming residents,” said Dr. Jodie Pennington, small ruminant educator with Lincoln University Extension.

Presently, 16 percent of the U.S. population is Hispanic and 4 percent of the population is Asian. The Hispanic population in the U.S. has grown 5-fold since 1970.

“The Hispanic population should provide a significant consumer base for goat meat products, particularly fresh goat meat served around festivals or significant occasions,” said Pennington.

Hispanic Interest

Since many Hispanics are Christian, and many are Catholic, producers can expect the highest consumption periods of goat meat for Hispanics, especially Mexicans, to be around Christmas, New Years, and Easter according to Pennington.

“With Cinco de Mayo being May 5, it also increases goat meat consumption by Mexicans during the period surrounding Easter,” said Pennington.

For those celebrating the Western or traditional Easter, the ideal goat is a milk-fed kid weighing 30 pounds. For those celebrating the Eastern, Orthodox or Greek Easter (which generally coincides with, or follows, the Western Easter), a slightly larger, 35 pound milk-fed kid is preferred. However, larger goats are also acceptable but may sell for slightly less per pound.

“The Latino market prefers a suckling kid weighing 20-35 pounds with larger kids preferred for pit barbecuing,” said Pennington.

Muslim Interest

The U.S. is also experiencing growth in religious groups that prefer goat meat, particularly those of the Muslim/Islam faith.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which lasts for 29 or 30 days. Festival meals take place each night since no food is consumed between sunrise and sunset.

Male or female kids that are less than one year old and weigh 60 pounds are desired, but weaned kids between 45-120 pounds may be acceptable. For the past few years, Ramadan has coincided with September - November, the months when most kids are weaned and sold.

Traditionally, this also is the time when prices fall due to seasonal weaning and increases in numbers sold. However, for the next few years, Ramadan will be earlier in the calendar year, being on July 20 in 2012 and moving 11 days earlier each year.

“Muslim holidays are based on the lunar calendar which is 11 days less than our traditional solar calendar. How the movement of Ramadan toward summer and spring months will affect fall goat prices remains to be seen,” said Pennington.

The Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is a Muslin market for blemish free yearlings, preferably uncastrated bucks. Large kids weighing 60-100 pounds may be acceptable. The Festival of Harvest was Oct. 18 this year and futures dates are Oct. 26, 2012, and Oct. 5, 2013.

Seasons Impact

“Goats tend to be seasonal breeders, coming into heat as daylight shortens from late August to early January. Most kids are born in late winter to early spring and weaned in the late summer or fall. This creates a market kid shortage during the late winter and early spring months, and over-supplies the market during late summer and fall,” said Pennington.

Easter (the Western or traditional Easter) has the strongest goat meat demand in the U.S. Pennington says market kid and goat meat prices tend to reach their peak just before the Western Easter (March-April), drop significantly during June, continue trending downward through October-November, then begin rising toward the Christmas season (December).

Fresh goat meat shortages force the prices to continue upward until they peak again during the Easter season (March-April).

“How the changing dates of Ramadan and the increased demand for goat meat will affect the best times to market goats remains to be determined. Yet, producers should plan their marketing strategies around the traditional ethnic holidays—which means marketing two to four weeks before those holidays,” said Pennington.

For more information, contact Pennington at the Newton County Extension Center, (417) 455-9500, or by e-mail at PenningtonJ@lincolnu.edu.

EQIP Organic Initiative Bulletin Published

2011-12-14T07:15:00.000-08:00

On November 14, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2012 National Bulletin on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative.

This bulletin provides guidance to State Conservationists for administering the EQIP Organic Initiative in FY 2012. The Organic Initiative provides funds and technical assistance to certified organic, exempt organic, and transitioning organic producers to instal conservation practices related to organic production. A number of changes have been made to the National Bulletin for FY 2012:

The Organic Initiative will now require transitioning producers and exempt organic producers to self-certify that they agree to develop and implement an Organic Systems Plan in order to receive assistance through the Organic Initiative. Transitioning producers must also prove that they have contacted a certifying agent and begun the process of transitioning to certified organic production.

National Headquarters has created a list of 64 conservation practices and Conservation Activity Plans that states must offer. This differs from the previous two years, when each state determined which practices it chose to offer. However, a state conservationist can request a waiver to omit individual practices if they are deemed unnecessary. We expect that many states will request exemptions for a least some of these 64 practices.

National Headquarters will determine national ranking criteria for the Organic Initiative, and the national office will essentially eliminate state ranking criteria by rolling the state criteria in with the national criteria. National ranking criteria will account for seventy-five percent of available ranking points. States will develop local ranking questions, which will account for twenty-five percent of available ranking points.

NRCS has established three application periods for the Organic Initiative in FY 2012, which is a change from the single application period that existed in previous fiscal years. National Headquarters will establish a threshold ranking score for each application period, and all EQIP applications with scores that meet or exceed the threshold score in a given application period may receive funding. Period 1 ends on February 3, 2012, Period 2 ends on March 30, 2012, and Period 3 ends on June 1, 2012. The threshold ranking score will change with each successive application period, and any eligible applications below the threshold score in a given application period will be considered for funding during future application periods.

National Headquarters will initially allocate only a portion of the total available Organic Initiative funds to states, which states can then use to obligate funds to contracts in Period 1. If states need additional Organic Initiative funds during any application period, the state conservationist can submit a request for an allowance change. It is our understanding that NRCS National Headquarters will make it easy for states to receive additional funding when needed.

NRCS plans to develop a national web site for the EQIP Organic Initiative, which will include information on application periods and national bulletins. Each state will have a web page that links to the national web site.

Each state will update their state contact person for the Organic Initiative.

State conservationists must complete the required actions by November 25, 2011, four working days from today. The National Bulletin expires on September 30, 2012, when NRCS will publish updated guidance on administering the EQIP Organic Initiative.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: A New Invasive Insect Pest

2011-12-13T06:16:00.000-08:00

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) has been detected in some Midwestern states. This invasive stink bug is native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and was introduced into the US in 1996. It can cause devastating damage to many crops, including tree and small fruit, vegetables, row crops, vineyards, etc. For example, in 2010 severe crop injury was reported in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Currently, it is found in 31 states including Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. Its presence in Illinois and Missouri is unknown. Its additional status as a nuisance pest makes the brown marmorated stink bug different than other plant-feeding stink bug species. The adults enter homes and other buildings in the autumn seeking sheltered sites to spend the winter. The adults fly to these overwintering sites in mid September, and the peak flight activity is from late September until early October. The bugs are harmless to humans and pets as they do not bite, but they can become a nuisance when they congregate in large numbers outside and inside buildings. In extreme cases, hundreds can invade a home. When disturbed, the bugs produce a characteristic pungent, acrid odor that many people find offensive.

The adult brown marmorated stink bug has the typical shield shape of other stink bugs. They are approximately 15 mm (5/8 inch) long and 8 mm (3/8 inch) wide. The upper side of the body is mottled shades of brown and gray, and is covered with dense puncture marks, as shown in the image below. The word marmorated refers to its marblelike coloration. The adults of the brown marmorated stink bug can be distinguished from other species of stink bugs by the alternating dark and light bands on the last two segments of the antennae. The edges of the abdomen also have alternating light and dark banding.

If you happen to see a brown marmorated stink bug in your area, please contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture by contacting Collin Wamsley, State Entomologist at (573) 751-5505 or Dr. Jaime Piñero.

If you are able to capture a specimen, please place it in any type of container such as a plastic medicine bottle or a film canister and put this in a freezer for at least 24 hours before submitting the sample. Digital pictures will also be useful.

(By Dr. Jaime Piñero, LUCE Integrated Pest Management State Specialist.)

Webinar Tonight - Rotational Grazing Part 2

2011-12-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program will continue tonight with its last webinar of the 2011 with Fred Martz, retired animal scientist from the University of Missouri Extension.

After more than 50 years of agricultural teaching and research, Fred Martz retired in 1997 and now focuses on a business he enjoyed all his life, farming. With 450 acres located on the outskirts of northeastern Columbia, Martz assists his son, Kevin, in tending to 150 cattle, 24 ewes, 50 lambs, 100 hens and one protective llama on a daily basis. An innovator in utilizing rotational grazing, Martz turned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 1997 for financial and technical assistance to further expand and modernize his system. He now has 60 paddocks which allow him to move four groups of cattle from paddock to paddock every 2-3 days. The process protects the health of the pasture, makes the herd easier to handle and increases the performance and profitability of his livestock. “We take the cattle off the land and allow the pasture to rest anywhere from 20-to-40 days,” Martz said. “This allows plants time to refurbish and develop vegetative tops while also keeping the roots vigorous.” He adds that he feeds hay from January through March to supplement the dormant winter pastures. Martz is former president of the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council and says he has had an interest in pasture management for as long as he can remember.

When: Monday December 12th, 7-8:30 pm
Introduction to Rotational Grazing, Part 2
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r37lh9hufpg/ and sign in as a guest

We will continue with new webinars in 2012!

NRCS Announces Ranking Dates for Major Conservation Programs and Initiatives

2011-12-09T11:03:00.000-08:00

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced ranking dates for its major conservation programs and initiatives that offer technical and financial assistance to Missouri farmers and ranchers.

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. However, NRCS establishes ranking periods for its programs that allow it to rank submitted proposals for funding consideration. NRCS then notifies all applicants of the results of the rankings and begins developing contracts with selected applicants.

The ranking period cutoff dates for the major conservation programs and initiatives that apply in Missouri are:

February 3, 2012

€ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

€ Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

€ On-Farm Energy Initiative

€ Organic Initiative

€ Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

March 30, 2012

€ On-Farm Energy Initiative

€ Organic Initiative

€ Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

June 1, 2012

€ On-Farm Energy Initiative

€ Organic Initiative

€ Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

Moving to multiple ranking dates instead of just one annually will make it easier for more producers to apply for the three initiatives and help them get started with implementing the practices they need to benefit the natural resources on their operations, State Conservationist J.R. Flores says.

"This change will also give Missouri's agriculture producers more time to make sure they choose the initiatives that are right for their operations," Flores says.

Flores adds that additional ranking periods for EQIP and WHIP could be established at a later date depending upon Missouri's funding allocation.

Program and Initiative Overviews

Environmental Quality Incentives Program: EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to install and implement structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: WHIP provides financial and technical assistance on private agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land and Indian land to assist eligible producers establish and manage fish and wildlife habitat.

On-Farm Energy Initiative: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS then uses audit data to develop energy conservation recommendations. Each AgEMP has a landscape component that assesses equipment and farming processes and a farm headquarters component that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation.

Organic Initiative: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices for organic production. New for fiscal year 2012, applicants will be evaluated continuously during the ranking periods. Applications meeting or exceeding a threshold score may be approved for an EQIP contract before the end of the ranking period. Applications rating below the threshold score will be deferred to the next period. A new threshold score will be established at the beginning of each ranking period. This new scoring process allows organic producers to implement conservation practices in a timelier manner.

Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot Initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement the steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops.

Visit the NRCS National Web site for more information on how to apply for these initiatives and connect with an NRCS office near you.

MU research goes organic

2011-12-08T07:04:00.000-08:00

Mizzou receives its first national organic farming grant to study cover crops, greenhouse gases.

With freshly sprouted cover crops of cereal rye and hairy vetch, the University of Missouri’s BradfordResearch and Extension Center is embarking on the university's first nationally funded organic farming research project.

Those cover crops are the first step in a project funded by a grant of more than $740,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The project hopes to advance organic cropping systems with a focus on weed suppression, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing fertility in an environmentally friendly way and improving grain productivity. MU joins 23 other institutions that shared $19 million in grants from NIFA.

“The most important goal is to find management practices that have the least carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions,” said Tim Reinbott, lead researcher on the project and superintendent of MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center. “We’re also very concerned with utilizing cover crops and compost, and how those management methods might help suppress weeds.”

Much of that effort focuses on the soil. Researchers will measure both the amount of gases released in each plot and how much carbon is sequestered when plant matter returns to the soil to improve its fertility and nutrient-holding capacity.

“Microorganisms decompose materials like sugars and starches because they are easy to digest, but a considerable amount of organic matter is broken down into carbon compounds that can be incorporated into the soil matrix. It may take decades to a century to break down that organic matter,” said Bob Kremer, a microbiologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and an adjunct soil science professor with the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Nitrous oxide has garnered particular attention for agriculture producers. The greenhouse gas takes 120 years to break down and traps 310 as much heat as carbon dioxide in its lifetime, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

More than 60 percent of nitrous oxide emissions are attributed to soil management. Emissions come from natural sources like manure, crop residue or cover crops breaking down. Nitrogen fertilizer, whether organic or synthetic, also can be a significant source of nitrous oxide.

“We intend to periodically sample soil for the carbon measurements and will have small chambers in each plot to collect gases from the soil so we can analyze carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide,” Kremer said.

Reinbott said the project will partner with several organic farmers in the state, both to serve as extra experiment sites for plots and to help disseminate results through farm tours and interaction with other organic farmers.

Missouri ranks 20th in the nation for the number of organic farms, with more than 30,000 certified organic acres. According to the 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture, 38 percent of all certified organic producers in the U.S. use no-till or conservation tillage practices on their farms, 51 percent use compost and 65 percent use green manure and animal manures. Missouri organic farmers have not adopted as many of these practices as their nationwide counterparts, with only 13 percent reporting they use no-till or conservation tillage, 19 percent using compost and 46 percent using green and animal manures.

“While Missouri has an active state organic association, there has not been much ongoing research into organic practices in the state to spur change,” Reinbott said. “Traditionally, most organic is heavily tilled for weed control, but we’re going to determine if we can produce enough biomass from our cover crops to suppress the weeds.”

As experiments progress, the results will be shared with organic farmers via the Missouri Alternatives Center and Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Research Education co-coordinator Debi Kelly.

That extension and outreach has potential to change how Missouri’s organic farmers approach their crops.

“This is exactly the kind of thing organic farmers would be interested in,” Reinbott said. “We expect some of our hypotheses will hit home runs and some things will probably teach us painful lessons. We hope it’s something that continues to build a database of useful information for organic farmers.”

Show-Me Beef University

2011-12-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

Beef producers can learn more about how their product makes it from the pasture to the meat counter at Show-Me Beef University, Jan. 11-13, 2012, at the University of Missouri meat lab.

“Producers can learn what adds value to their product,” said Carol Lorenzen, MU Extension meat specialist. “They will see the process from live animal to carcass to retail package.”

MU Extension and the Missouri Beef Industry Council sponsor the three-day Show-Me Beef University. The yearly workshop helps producers think beyond the farm gate to learn what consumers want when buying beef.

“Too often, beef producers never think about what affects quality,” said David Patterson, MU Extension beef reproduction specialist. “Few think of what happens to their calves once they leave the farm.”

Professors of animal science, food science and veterinary medicine will lead classes that cover topics from animal nutrition and food safety to meat cutting and cooking. Participants will see the processing of a market steer and a cull cow to learn the difference in meat quality and value. They will get hands-on experience cutting a whole rib, progressively, down to the final cuts.

Experts will demonstrate cooking techniques in a commercial kitchen and participants will taste-test beef to compare the differences among USDA quality grades and observe the impact of aging on beef.

Enrollees will arrive at 5 p.m. on the first day to study meat products and participate in taste tests. Research updates will follow dinner. The second day runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with lectures and participation exercises. On the final day, the participants will see the actual cutouts from the carcasses graded the day before. The program ends with lunch.

Class size is limited to the first 30 participants. A $100 registration fee includes four meals, a parking pass and instructional materials to take home. Rooms can be reserved at Stoney Creek Inn for $80 per night when mentioning Show-Me Beef University.

Reservation deadline is Jan. 1. Contact Kathy Craighead to register at 573-882-2752.

Youth & Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants

2011-12-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

NCR-SARE 2011 Youth & Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants Due January 12, 2012

The 2011 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Youth & Youth Educator Grant Call for Proposals is now available.

These grants are a part of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. Their purpose is to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable, and socially responsible. A total of approximately $34,000 is available for this program.

There are two options:

1. YOUTH GRANTS. These grants are for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-18. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore Sustainable Agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about Sustainable Agriculture or attending a Sustainable Agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum.

2. YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS. These are grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.

Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal at http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Types-of-Grants/Youth-and-Youth-Educator-Grant-Program.

Proposals are due by 4:30 pm, Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the NCR-SARE office in Jefferson City, MO.

Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, Associate Regional Coordinator and Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at benjaminj@lincolnu.edu or 573-681-5545 or 800-529-1342. A hard copy or an emailed copy of the call for proposals is also available by contacting Joan Benjamin. We make slight revisions to our calls for proposals each year, which means it is crucial to use the most recent call for proposals.

Previously funded Youth and Youth Educator Grant Program projects have covered a wide variety of topics from a youth project about learning to spin wool into yarn to a youth educator project about growing a more sustainable school garden.

Since 1988, NCR-SARE has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a regional research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.

Webinar tonight - rotational grazing

2011-12-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

Remember to join us this evening for our beginning farmers webinar on rotational brazing with Fred Martz.

When: Monday December 5th, 7-8:30 pm
Introduction to Rotational Grazing, Part 1
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4df9pp4oza/ and sign in as a guest

Prepare Tools for Use Next Spring

2011-12-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

You wouldn’t forget to wash your hands after ‘playing’ in the soil, so why should your garden tools get this treatment? Garden tools often get neglected and ignored until there is a major problem. With a little bit of maintenance at the end of the gardening season you can keep your tools looking like new for many years to come.

Remove the Dirt & Rust
The type of tool determines the care that it receives. Digging tools, like shovels and hoes, need different maintenance and care compared to the pruning tools, like pruners and loppers. Digging tools, most commonly include shovels, hoes, pitchforks, and garden rakes. Routine maintenance should begin by removing any excess soil from the tool. It can be as simple as scraping off the excess soil, or as extreme as washing and drying the tool after every use, the choice is yours. Any rust that is present can be removed using a wire brush and a little bit of elbow grease or an electric drill with a wire brush or sanding attachment. After rust is removed, renew or sharpen the edges and points with a mill file or grinding wheel, be sure to wear protective eyewear.

For winter storage, apply a light coating of oil. Tools can even be stored in a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand and oil, either motor oil or vegetable oil. Inspect the handles of your tools at the end of the season for cracks or splinters. Replace the handles if necessary. If the wooden handles are in good condition, they can be sanded and oiled at least once a year. Use a fine grade sand paper to smooth the surface. Remove any dust and rub linseed oil into the handle and allow it to soak in. Keep applying until the oil doesn’t absorb any more. Wait a half hour, and dry off any oil remaining on the surface.

Sharpen Your Pruners
Pruning tools, like hand pruners, loppers, or hedge shears, require a little different maintenance technique than digging tools. After each use, the cutting blades should be cleaned. Rubbing alcohol or a solvent like kerosene can be used to remove any sticky sap residue left on the blades. Prior to storage, apply a light coating of oil on the joints and on the exposed metal.

When it comes to sharpening your pruning tools, the type of tool and how you sharpen can make a difference. Sharp pruning tools will cut with less effort and the clean cuts promote faster plant healing. Inspect your pruning tools to see if they would benefit from a sharpening. With Anvil type tools, sharpen the cutting blade only on both sides, not the anvil portion. It is important that you don’t change the shape of the blade because it needs to sit flush against the anvil to provide clean cuts. With bypass type tools, sharpen the blade on the outside edge only. With both types of tools, try to maintain the original bevel angle of the blade to give you the best edge life.

To ensure you have the correct cutting angle on the blades, color the area to be sharpened with a black felt-tip pen before your start. Use a whetstone or oil stone and sharpen evenly until no trace of the ink can be seen on the blades. When sharpening, be sure to push away from the blade with the file or sharpening tool.

Personalize Your Tools
Another good thing to do with your tools is to personalize them. How many times have you not seen the garden rake lying in the lawn or remembered which tools you borrowed from your neighbor? Use spray paint on the handles to find tools quickly and to identify yours’ from the neighbors’. Go green and use up any leftover paint from another project, or invest in the bright florescent pink paint that you have had your eye on. Whichever you choose, it will make finding and identifying your tools a snap.

(by Elizabeth Killinger, University of Nebraska Extension Educator)

Young and Beginning Farmers Need Capital, Land, Health Insurance

2011-12-02T05:11:00.000-08:00

New Survey of 1,000 Young and Beginning Farmers Reveals What the Next Generation Needs

The National Young Farmer’s Coalition released a study showing that the nation’s young and beginning farmers face tremendous barriers in starting a farming career. Building a Future With Farmers: Challenges Faced by Young, American Farmers and a National Strategy to Help Them Succeed surveyed 1,000 farmers from across the United States and found that access to capital, access to land and health insurance present the largest obstacles for beginners. Farmers rated farm apprenticeships, local partnerships and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as the most valuable programs to help beginners.

“If Congress wants to keep America farming, then they must address the barriers that young people face in getting started,” says Lindsey Lusher Shute, Director of the National Young Farmers’ Coalition. “We need credit opportunities for beginning and diversified farmers, land policies that keep farms affordable for full-time growers and funding for conservation programs.”

Report findings include:

78% of farmers ranked “lack of capital” as a top challenge for beginners, with another 40% ranking “access to credit” as the biggest challenge.
68% of farmers ranked land access as the biggest challenge faced by beginners.
70% of farmers under 30 rented land, as compared to 37% of farmers over 30.
74% of farmers ranked apprenticeships as among the most valuable programs for beginners.
55% of farmers ranked local partnerships as one of the most valuable programs, and 49% ranked Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a top program.

Lack of capital was found to be the biggest challenge for beginners. Although the USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers loans to beginning farmers, current loan rules often disqualify even experienced farmers with good credit and small loans are hard to come by. For real estate transactions, FSA loans take too long to process — up to thirty days to qualify and up to a year to receive funds – and the $300,000 loan limit doesn’t go far in many real estate markets.

Land access was the second biggest concern. Farmers under the age of 30 were significantly more likely to rent land (70%) than those over 30 (37%). Over the last decade, farm real estate values and rents doubled making farm ownership next to impossible for many beginners.

“In Nebraska the main barrier to new and beginning farmers is access to land. Unless an aspiring farmer inherits land, it is very difficult to have access to it,” says William A. Powers, farmer and Executive Director of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society.

The National Young Farmers’ Coalition recommends action at the local, state and federal level to help beginning farmers. At the local level, communities can create market opportunities for farmers by starting Community Supported Agriculture groups and shopping at farmers markets, as well as protecting existing farmland through zoning and the purchase of development rights. States can preserve farmland and even offer tax credits for farmers that sell their land to beginners. At the federal level, Congress can include the “Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Opportunity Act” in the next Farm Bill, which supports many of the specific recommendations in the report.

Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is calling for hundreds of thousands of new farmers nationwide. Over the past century, the total number of American farmers has declined – from over 6 million in 1910 to just over 2 million today. For each farmer under 35 there are now 6 over 65 and the average age of farmers is 57. The USDA expects that one-quarter (500,000) of all farmers will retire in the next twenty years.

The ‘good food’ movement is inspiring many young people to farm, both from farming and non-farming backgrounds. These farmers have the potential to offset the numbers of retiring farmers and keep family farms active, but land tenure and lack of capital are getting in the way.

“Young farmers are poised to redefine the American landscape along with our food scene”, says Severine T Fleming, Director of The Greenhorns, “We are strong of will, and determined to make farming sustainable in this country.”

“With the release of reports such as this one, the agrarian revival, this influx of young and beginning farmers, gains status – we’re not just a few people spread across the country, we’re a well organized, politically active group that can be documented,” says Tierney Creech of the Washington State Young Farmers Coalition. “We know who our senators and representatives are, we vote, and our friends and families vote. We need USDA and government support to succeed and we’re going to let the nation know that.”

Download the full report here.

Urban Farming and Community Gardens to be featured at Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference

2011-12-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

The 16th Annual Great Plains Growers Conference is set for Jan. 5-7, 2012, at the Fulkerson Center at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.

Among the highlights at the 2012 conference is an all-day track focusing on Urban Farming and Community Gardens in the sponsoring states of IA, KS, NE, MO & SD .

Urban farming will be the initial focus with the lead off presenter Katherine Kelly of the non-profit Cultivate KC, which helps people grow and eat healthy, quality food in city neighborhoods. Katherine has been a vegetable grower in the Midwest and active with local foods, urban farming and nonprofits in Kansas City since 1996. “I’ve witnessed this agriculture niche develop into a dynamic and vital urban scene in less than 10 years.” says Katherine, “ City residents are beginning to see how city-grown food can be a real contributor to the local food supply.”

“We are always looking for interesting topics for the Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference,” said James Quinn, University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist. “By putting these presentations on Saturday, I’m hoping individuals in this new aspect of agriculture will find it more convenient to attend; some may have regular full-time jobs.” There are 9 other presenters in the track, with other areas of focus being youth gardening and techniques associated with growing edibles in community gardens. Complete information can be found here.

The conference and trade show is a collaboration of growers associations and extension services from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. Each year the event draws hundreds of producers from the region and beyond.

Five concurrent sessions on Friday, and Saturday allow for more than 50 presentations on subjects related to organic and conventional vegetable crop production, operating a U-pick, selling at farmers’ markets, growing table grapes, and floral crafts.

“Interesting and useful information will be presented on production and marketing of vegetables, cut flowers, tree fruit and berries,” said Tom Fowler, MU Extension horticulture specialist in Buchanan County. “It doesn't matter if you are an experienced commercial vegetable grower or someone with just a dream about starting to grow and sell produce, there will be something for you.”

Registration for the workshops on the first day is $50-$60; included in the registration is lunch and break refreshments. The workshops on the 5th include: High Tunnels, Community Supported Agriculture mini-school, Beekeeping, Fruit Growers, GAP/Food Safety . Registration for the second and third day of the conference is $35 each and includes lunch and break refreshments.

Headquarter hotels are the Ramada Inn, 4016 Frederick Blvd., St. Joseph. Room rate is $72 per night plus tax. For reservations call 800-748-0036. Or Stoney Creek Inn, 1201 N Woodbine, St. Joseph. Room rate is $77 per night plus tax, call (816) 901-9600 for reservations.

For more information about the program and a registration form, contact Katie Cook at 816-279-1691.

December Webinars - Introduction to Rotational Grazing

2011-11-30T06:29:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program will continue its monthly webinars in December with two presentations from Fred Martz, retired animal scientist from the University of Missouri Extension.

After more than 50 years of agricultural teaching and research, Fred Martz retired in 1997 and now focuses on a business he enjoyed all his life, farming. With 450 acres located on the outskirts of northeastern Columbia, Martz assists his son, Kevin, in tending to 150 cattle, 24 ewes, 50 lambs, 100 hens and one protective llama on a daily basis. An innovator in utilizing rotational grazing, Martz turned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 1997 for financial and technical assistance to further expand and modernize his system. He now has 60 paddocks which allow him to move four groups of cattle from paddock to paddock every 2-3 days. The process protects the health of the pasture, makes the herd easier to handle and increases the performance and profitability of his livestock. “We take the cattle off the land and allow the pasture to rest anywhere from 20-to-40 days,” Martz said. “This allows plants time to refurbish and develop vegetative tops while also keeping the roots vigorous.” He adds that he feeds hay from January through March to supplement the dormant winter pastures. Martz is former president of the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council and says he has had an interest in pasture management for as long as he can remember.

When: Monday December 5th, 7-8:30 pm
Introduction to Rotational Grazing, Part 1
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4df9pp4oza/ and sign in as a guest

When: Monday December 12th, 7-8:30 pm
Introduction to Rotational Grazing, Part 2
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r37lh9hufpg/ and sign in as a guest

Missouri Livestock Symposium offers free expert advice, Dec. 2-3 in Kirksville

2011-11-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

Whether your animals moo, bleat or whinny, the 2011 Missouri Livestock Symposium, Dec. 2-3 in Kirksville, will have helpful tips for your farm or ranch.

“We have some of the best speakers in the country coming to the Kirksville Middle School,” said Garry L. Mathes, chair of the MLS planning committee. “Since the symposium is free, and so are the meals, I doubt there is a better buy anywhere.”

Speakers will cover topics on beef cattle and forages, horses, sheep, meat goats and stock dogs. The Missouri Livestock Symposium is organized and run by a 20-member volunteer committee representing all livestock species and multiple agriculture-related agencies and educational institutions.

Beef

Dave Pratt, founder of Ranching for Profit, will be a big draw for livestock producers. Pratt will give multiple talks on efficient and profitable techniques for farms and ranches. The former University of California Extension specialist has taught practical farm and ranch management to producers since 1992. Topics will include “Three Secrets to Profit,” “Working on the Business,” “Knowing What Numbers Mean,” Hard Work and Harmony,” “Wealthy on the Balance Sheet, Broke at the Bank” and a Q-and-A session.

“Dave Pratt speaks all over the world and his schools can cost producers more than $2,000 to attend, so this is a golden opportunity to hear Dave at no cost,” Mathes said.

Beef cattle health will be the focus of an expert panel discussion moderated by Rod Geisert, University of Missouri professor of animal science. Covering pinkeye and trichomoniasis and other perennial issues, these specialists will field questions from the audience.

Justin Sexten, an MU Extension state beef specialist, will turn his eye toward efficiency of operations in “Feed Costs, Feed Efficiency and Profit.”

The Missouri Beef Council will team up with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to debut some new cuts that are coming to the meat counter thanks to beef checkoff dollars. Cooking and taste tests will be part of the program.

Sheep and goats

Sheep and goat producers can expect to hear national experts present about the biggest producer problems.

T.A. Yazwinski, University of Arkansas, will share new strategies and products to control worms and internal parasites. Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland, will cover both ends of the beast, including feed costs and foot health.

Veterinarian Bob Fielder of McArthur, Calif., will bring the discussion to better sheep and goat breeding. He will also talk about how to keep a producer’s flock or herd healthy.

Horses

Equine producers and aficionados will learn from Van Hargis, Sulfur Springs, Texas. His talks will discuss standing while mounting and bit education.

Veterinarian and author Ted Stashak of Northern California will turn attention to the tender issue of wound care. Emily Costello, Truman State University equine specialist, will round out the program by moderating an equine panel to explain a variety of horse topics and field audience questions.

Other sessions will include livestock and farm protection, backyard poultry production and management, the Farmers Care program, providing safe food to consumers, the impact of food and drink on the history of the world, available grant money to improve farmstead efficiency, and floral arranging. Stock dog owners can also receive tips from training expert Lyle East of Clinton, Mo.

The Missouri Livestock Symposium will feature a trade show on Friday, a classic tractor contest and display, and entertainment Saturday evening by Becky Blackaby. Those attending will eat a free beef meal at 6 p.m. Friday, free donuts and drinks Saturday morning and free lunch Saturday.

No pre-registration is required and the all programs are free.

For a full schedule and information on hotel accommodations and speakers, go to http://www.missourilivestock.com/. More information is also available on the Missouri Livestock Symposium's Facebook page, or by calling 660-665-9866 or 660-341-6625.

The Basics in Beekeeping in Missouri

2011-11-28T06:10:00.000-08:00

A workshop on “The Basics of Beekeeping in Missouri” will be held Friday, December 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Missouri Department of Conservation Northeast Regional Office in Kirksville. The workshop is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and is limited to the first 20 people that register.

The workshop will be taught by experienced beekeepers, Jim and Valerie Duever, of Jim ‘n’ I Farms, Inc. They have been keeping bees for honey production for about 10 years on their farm in Bachelor, MO. Jim is the President of the Boone Regional Beekeepers Association.

There will be five sessions throughout the day. The first session will discuss parts of the bee and their functions, members of the hive, and society inside the hive. The second session will discuss parts of the hive and the equipment needed. The third session will focus on getting started-what to know your first year, where to set up, how to install, and what to do to keep the bees alive. The fourth session will be hands-on with construction of a hive to give away as a door prize. The fifth session will be a Q&A and information for further education and research including a list of recommended readings, associations, local contacts, etc.

A boxed lunch will be available and must be paid for when you register. Pre-registration is required by November 29. More information and a flyer with registration information can be found here or to register call the Adair County Extension Center at 660-665-9866 or email.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T11:03:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Beginning Farmer Program wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Take time to enjoy the beautiful weather (at least here in Columbia the sun is shining and the temperature is warm), family, friends and good food.

Applications Being Accepted Now for Value-Added Agriculture Projects

2011-11-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority is now accepting applications for grants to assist farmers with business planning expenses for projects that develop, process, or market agricultural goods.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and applications evaluated on their economic development potential for the agriculture industry, credibility and merit, probability of near-term commercialization and practical application of project results, source and level of matching funds and the geographic location of the project’s economic impact.

“Grants, like these for value-added agriculture, are important tools for Missouri’s producers and agribusinesses as they work to expand their operations and realize new opportunities,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “As Missouri agriculture continues to grow, our Department of Agriculture will lead the way in supporting our farmers’ innovations in production and processing technology and in the future of our industry.”

In 2011, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority awarded more than $1 million in grants to assist value-added agriculture.

Past projects have included feasibility studies for international exports, local meat processing and renewable energy, as well as waste management and agricultural processing. Projects funded in previous years have also included business plans. and marketing plans for locally produced dairy and poultry products, biomass pellets, compost products, and specialty grains.

The maximum individual grant is $200,000, with at least 10 percent of the available funding going to grant requests of $25,000 or less. Applicants are required to provide a 10 percent cash match toward eligible expenses, which do not include operating expenses, salaries or capital improvements.

These grants are funded through the purchase of tax credits and administered by the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority board.

To read more click here and to download the application click here.

Applications must be received by MASBDA no later than 5:00 p.m. January 13, 2012. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For more information on the program and complete guidelines, visit mda.mo.gov or contact MASBDA.

MU Preparing to Raise Saltwater Shrimp

2011-11-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

Dr. David Brune is setting up a greenhouse at the University of Missouri's Bradford Research Farm that will allow him to grow Pacific white shrimp.

Brune said he hopes to apply more than two decades of his research to this project. Before coming to MU, he worked at Clemson University in South Carolina, where he developed the university's patented system. The primary difference between the pond and Brune's system is a series of raceways. They are like lanes in a highway and allow the shrimp to grow at much higher densities than in conventional ponds. Another key piece of his design is growing algae with the shrimp to provide oxygen and clean up the water. After several years of experimenting with this process, Brune was able to achieve a huge leap in fish production.

“When we started doing this, (the farmers) were producing 5,000 pounds of fish per acre," Brune said. "After a few years, we were able to reach 20,000 pounds per acre.” The greenhouse Brune is working on at Bradford Research Farm is built around the same concept. The facility takes up one-fifteenth of an acre, about the size of a tennis court. It is divided into two identical sections for experimentation and educational purposes. Each section has two shrimp raceways that are 3 feet deep, a tank of tilapia, a water wheel and two tanks providing additional water treatment.

You can read the whole article in the Columbia Missourian here. To see a separate article with a graphic of the system click here.

Income Tax Resources for Farmers

2011-11-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

It may seem really early to be thinking about income taxes but that time of year will be her before you know it. I want to remind you all that University of Missouri Extension will have several resources that can assist you in your income tax responsibilities. Let’s discuss them in a little more detail.

~ Farmer’s Tax Guides have been around for many years. They are an excellent reference booklet for farmers as well as tax preparers that you can utilize throughout the year, not just at tax time. This booklet is written so that it is easy for anyone to understand. It is online but since it is a large file it can take a long time to download.

~ 1099 & 1096 forms have been utilized for quite a few years now as well. If you pay someone over $600 in a year that is not your employee but an independent contractor, then you are required to send them a 1099
form. Examples of this are dozer work, custom combining or haying, cash rent and others. Keep in mind the difference between an employee and independent contractor relates to whether or not they have their own
equipment/machinery and how you pay them (per job vs. per unit of time. 1096’s are the form that summarizes the 1099’s whether you send out 1 or 100.

~ income tax forms are now online so you can find them at www.irs.gov. If you don’t have access to a computer we can assist you in the county office.

All of these resources should be available in your county offices by December 15th. There is a small charge for 1099 and 1096 forms but the Farmer’s Tax Guides are free. Stop by anytime then on for those or farm record books for 2012.

(by Joe Koenen, Ag Business Specialist, Putnam County)

Getting Started in Organic Farming Workshop

2011-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

There is still room available for participants in the Getting Started in Organic Farming Workshop that will be held on Nov 29-30 at the Hillsboro Community Building (at the Fairgrounds), 10345 Business 21, Hillsboro, MO 63050.

Have you considered farming organically but want to know how to manage fertility, control weeds and insects, comply with regulations? Attend this workshop to learn:

 How to manager insects, weeds and diseases in organic production
 Basics of managing soil fertility organically
 The latest on organic regulations, including how to keep good records
 Where to find certifiers
 What federal and state resources are available for organic growers

Plus you’ll get to tour a successful organic farm!

Agenda

Tuesday, November 29

10:00 a.m. Registration
11:00 a.m. Welcome – Debi Kelly, Missouri Beginning Farmers Program, University of Missouri
11:20 a.m. History and Principles of Organic Agriculture – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center
12:00 p.m. How MDA supports Missouri’s Organic Farmers – Charlie Hopper, Marketing Specialist, Missouri Department of Agriculture

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Designing Organic Systems -- George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center
2:00 p.m. Knowing Cover Crops for Your Organic Systems – Rich Hoormann, Regional Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
2:45 p.m. Practicing Organic Agriculture – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center

3:30 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. Practicing Organic Agriculture Continued – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center
4:45 p.m. Organic Production in Missouri – Farmer Panel - Paul Krautman, Bellews Creek Farm; Molly Rockamann, EarthDance and Charlie Harper, MO Dept of Ag and former certified organic producer
5:30 p.m. Dinner and Evening on Your Own

Wednesday, November 30

8:30 a.m. Organic Regulations, Certification, and Compliance for Certified and Exempt Farms – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center
9:45 a.m. Federal Programs that Support Organic Production – Lauren Cartwright, USDA-NRCS
9:55 a.m. Evaluation and Reflection – Dean Wilson, Regional Ag and Rural Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

10:00 a.m. Leave for tour of Organic Farm
10:30 a.m. Arrive Bellews Creek Farm, Paul Krautman, Hillsboro, MO
12:00 p.m. Depart Bellews Creek Farm and Adjourn

Workshop Registration

Contact the Jefferson County Extension Office at 636-797-5391. Cost of the workshop is $25 for those who preregister by Nov 18th and includes educational materials and food. Registration limited to 30 participants. Walk-ins accepted but cost $30 with no food guaranteed. Click here for the registration form.

Kitchen Incubators

2011-11-17T06:04:00.000-08:00

What is a kitchen incubator?
A kitchen incubator is a facility that is equipped with commercial-size types of equipment for food preparation. The fully installed and operational equipment are available for rent by the hour, day or week. These are health department-approved facilities.

How do they work?
The first step is to make an appointment with the staff for a tour and to find out the specifics for using the facility. Ask questions like: what will be required of me to use the kitchen, how much does it cost, and how do I engage the use of the kitchen? They may require you to have a merchant license, food handling license, insurance and other training. After meeting the requirements, make a reservation to use the kitchen incubator for a block of time.

Why is a kitchen incubator important to beginning and small farmers?
Kitchen incubators allow farmers with limited capital to explore the possibility of adding value to the fruit, vegetables, herbs or meat they produce. They can do this without having to invest a huge sum of cash in a kitchen incubator. An example would be a farmer with a short harvest season for cilantro. This person might decide greater profit could be had in the form of salsa or a cilantro pesto. After developing a recipe in their home kitchen they could rent the kitchen and produce health department approved batches to test the market. The second step would be to begin manufacturing the product with the most positive response using the kitchen incubator.

Where can a kitchen incubator be found?
Many farmers do not know that the Kansas City region now has an ‘incubator kitchen’ located at the Independence Regional Ennovation Center, located in what used to be Independence Regional Hospital. It has a long list of kitchen equipment, such as 40-quart mixers, restaurant ranges, ovens, fryers, and even a smoker. There is also cold/dry storage, office space and conference rooms for rent. One can also conduct training workshops and provide business planning help in conjunction with Missouri Small Business Development & Technology Center. There are many other services offered as well. Contact information is 201 N. Forest Avenue, Independence, Missouri or call (816) 463-3532.

The City Market Farmers’ Market in Kansas City will be installing a kitchen incubator called the Farm to Table Kitchen Currently the concept is in developmental stages and should be available sometime in 2011. It is expected to be smaller in scale and available by the hour to individuals, vendors, and organizations. Contact Paige Powers for more information at (816) 842-1271 or by email.

Kitchen Resources and Further Reading
• Independence Regional Ennovation Center (Supports entrepreneurs)
201 N. Forest Avenue, Independence, MO 64050, USA
Jenni Mann, (816) 463-3532

• The Culinary Incubator
Online resource and links for the entrepreneur and a map

• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC)
Has information and links to kitchen incubators
1111 NSRIC, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3310
(866) 277-5567

(By Jim Pierce, Farm Outreach Worker with Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farm Outreach Program)

Growing and Marketing Elderberries

2011-11-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant – Terry Durham, Hartsburg, MO

Objective: We are trying to improve the native selection of elderberries at Elderberry Life Farm in Hartsburg, MO, where we’ve been growing elderberries for three years. In fact, at 23 acres, we have the largest elderberry farm in the United States.

Results: We choose selections of elderberries that grow in the Midwest and put them into trials to see which grow best in our area. In the spring we start with 8,000 elderberry plants in a greenhouse where we keep the humidity up. It takes six to eight weeks for plants to root and send up shoots. Once started, we move them to a 50-acre field that is drip-irrigated.

We lay a plastic mulch layer, and then transplant the elderberries mechanically. We can plant about 1,000 an hour, which is about an acre an hour. We plant them 4 feet apart on 12-foot centers.

We put six different native grasses between each row of elderberries, and use the grass clippings as mulch. Every fifth row we plant a different variety of elderberries for diversity, and every 10th row we plant a habitat row of pecans, wild plums, black raspberries, blackberries, or hazelnuts. In the end, we have a permaculture system that is made up of all regional native plants. We expect to get up to 12,000 pounds to the acre on the varieties wildwood and Bob Gordon (the University of Missouri’s new selections), after the fifth year of establishment.

Around Aug. 15 the first varieties of elderberries are ready to pick, which we do by hand. We then have continuous harvest through the season. We process the elderberries for jellies and juice. We retail the juice for $12 per 11-ounce bottle. Mostly we wholesale – we get $100 wholesale per case. One health food store we work with will sell about $20,000 worth of our elderberry juice this year. Currently we’re trying to get more growers to grow elderberries, form a juice collective to process the juice as a group, market it together under one brand name, and sell it wholesale.

We cut the elderberries to the ground after harvest to keep them contained enough and organized so eventually we will be able to develop and use a mechanical harvester. For more information, see http://www.riverhillsharvest.com/.

Rules and Regulations: Compliance for Direct Marketing Webinar Tonight

2011-11-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

Join tonight's webinars (Monday November 14th) for part 2 of a series on Rules and Regulations: Compliance for Direct Marketing. The webinar will be from 7-8:30 pm. Crystal Weber, Community Development and Local Food System Specialist, will be the presenter for this series. Topics to be covered include: Foodborne Illness Basics, Food Safety, Food Defense, Rules and Regulations, How it works, Who are the regulating agencies, Liability insurance, Permits and accountability and For rent kitchens.

To join the webinar for next Monday, November 14th, go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r9nrw3zvgsb/ and sign in as a guest.

If you miss the webinar, it will be archived and available to watch at the Online Learning Community about 3 days after the meeting.

Biomass Grass Crop Options for Energy in Missouri

2011-11-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Bradford Research and Exension Center

4968 Rangeline Road (driving directions)

Columbia, MO

Farmers, extension and agency staff, and agribusiness leaders are invited to a special meeting to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using perennial grass crops to produce biomass energy. These new opportunities in Missouri have developed in part because of the awarding of several million dollars in USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) funding to assist Missouri farmers with planting costs of selected biomass crops (beginning 2012) and to subsidize the price paid by the private sector for each ton of delivered biomass. In central and southwest Missouri, BCAP funding has been awarded for planting tens of thousands of acres of giant Miscanthus beginning in 2012, with contracts offered by MFA Oil Biomass. In western Missouri and extending to central Missouri, BCAP funds have also been awarded to support planting and harvest of perennial prairie species for delivery to the Show Me Energy farm cooperative (Centerview, MO).

Agenda
10:00 - 11:30 am
• Dr. Emily Heaton, Iowa State University will speak on “Miscanthus Production Practices: a New Missouri Bioenergy Crop”
• Dr. Newell Kitchen, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO, will speak on “Local yields and experiences with switchgrass and Miscanthus in central MO”

11:30 - Lunch - complimentary catered lunch (to join the lunch please RSVP to Kristi Perry at perrykk@missouri.edu or 573-882-0085 so we can get an accurate meal count)

12:00 - 1:00 Panel presentation and discussion on challenges and opportunities with biomass grasses:
- Jerry Kaiser, NRCS Plant Materials center, Elsberry, MO
- Rob Kallenbach, Forage Extension Specialist, University of Missouri
- Emily Heaton, Biomass Agronomist, Iowa State University

Dr. Emily Heaton will also give a presentation on her research experience with Miscanthus at the University of Missouri campus on Monday, December 5, from 3-4 pm in the Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Center (park in Virginia Avenue garage).

Program sponsored by USDA-ARS and University of Missouri Extension. For more information on the program, contact Dr. Newell Kitchen

Marketing to Today's Consumer

2011-11-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

A webinar on marketing sponsored by the Fruit Growers News and Vegetable Grower News will take place at 1:30 am on Thursday, November 17th.

The presenter will be Jane Eckert, Eckert AgriMarketing, who will discuss learning how successful agritourism operators in North America continue to grow their businesses with effective marketing methods in light of today's economy. It's never easy to stay ahead of your competition but you can learn to differentiate yourself. Don't be a copy cat — be a leader! Learn how to maximize the free tools of the Internet to stay ahead. Get ready to recharge your batteries and rechard your business for 2012 with proven marketing strategies.

If you would like to sign up for this webinar click here. Great American Publishing will be back in touch with you about the details of how to participate in this webinar from the comfort of your own computer.

Getting Started in Organic Farming Workshop

2011-11-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program is happy to host a workshop on the basics of organic farming. The workshop will take place on Nov 29-30 at the Hillsboro Community Building (at the Fairgrounds), 10345 Business 21, Hillsboro, MO 63050.

Have you considered farming organically but want to know how to manage fertility, control weeds and insects, comply with regulations? Attend this workshop to learn:

 How to manager insects, weeds and diseases in organic production
 Basics of managing soil fertility organically
 The latest on organic regulations, including how to keep good records
 Where to find certifiers
 What federal and state resources are available for organic growers

Plus you’ll get to tour a successful organic farm!

Agenda
Tuesday, November 29
10:00 a.m. Registration

11:00 a.m. Welcome – Debi Kelly, Missouri Beginning Farmers Program, University of Missouri

11:20 a.m. History and Principles of Organic Agriculture – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center

12:00 p.m. How MDA supports Missouri’s Organic Farmers – Charlie Hopper, Marketing Specialist, Missouri Department of Agriculture

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Designing Organic Systems -- George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center

2:00 p.m. Knowing Cover Crops for Your Organic Systems – Rich Hoormann, Regional Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

2:45 p.m. Practicing Organic Agriculture – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center

3:30 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. Practicing Organic Agriculture Continued – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center

4:45 p.m. Organic Production in Missouri – Farmer Panel - Paul Krautman, Bellews Creek Farm; Molly Rockamann, EarthDance (invited) and Charlie Harper, MO Dept of Ag and former certified organic producer

5:30 p.m. Dinner and Evening on Your Own

Wednesday, November 30
8:30 a.m. Organic Regulations, Certification, and Compliance for Certified and Exempt Farms – George Kuepper, Horticulture Manager, Kerr Center

9:45 a.m. Federal Programs that Support Organic Production – Lauren Cartwright, USDA-NRCS

9:55 a.m. Evaluation and Reflection – Dean Wilson, Regional Ag and Rural Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

10:00 a.m. Leave for tour of Organic Farm

10:30 a.m. Arrive Bellews Creek Farm, Paul Krautman, Hillsboro, MO

12:00 p.m. Depart Bellews Creek Farm and Adjourn

Workshop Registration
Contact the Jefferson County Extension Office at 636-797-5391. Cost of the workshop is $25 for those who preregister by Nov 18th and includes educational materials and food. Registration limited to 30 participants. Walk-ins accepted but cost $30 with no food guaranteed. Click here for the registration.

Wetlands Reserve Program

2011-11-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

Missouri landowners interested in applying for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) have until November 30 to sign up, according to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

WRP is the federal government's largest wetlands restoration program. It provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Indian Tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands that have been degraded or converted for agricultural uses. Through WRP, Missouri NRCS has purchased 954 easements in 19 years. In exchange for the easements, landowners receive cash payments for converting marginal-use land to shallow wetland acres and maintaining them.

Wetlands support diverse populations of fish, wildlife and plants. They protect water quality by filtering out pollutants and provide natural flood control by absorbing or temporarily storing excess water. Wetlands also offer aesthetic and recreational opportunities.

NRCS enrolled 6,365 acres in WRP in Fiscal Year 2011, says State Conservationist J.R. Flores. He says that since WRP began in 1992, Missouri has restored 136,890 acres through WRP.

Missouri's success with WRP is a major contributor to offsetting wetland losses caused by development and other land-use conversions. The 2007 National Resources Inventory (NRI) showed that Missouri had 948,600 acres of wetlands. Though the wetland acreage is increasing, it represents only about 20 percent of the state's original 4.8 million acres of wetlands.

"We're never going to get back to 4.8 million acres, but our goal is to increase the number of easements enrolled in WRP and significantly increase wetlands acreage in Missouri," Flores says.

For more information about WRP and other NRCS programs, contact the NRCS office serving your county. Look in the phone book under "U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture," or access our website to contact your local county NRCS Office for more information.

Rules and Regulations: Compliance for Direct Marketing Webinar Tonight

2011-11-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

Join the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program's Monday webinars on Monday, November 7th and Monday November 14th for a 2 part series on Rules and Regulations: Compliance for Direct Marketing. The webinars will be from 7-8:30 pm. Crystal Weber, Community Development and Local Food System Specialist, will be the presenter for this series. Topics to be covered include: Foodborne Illness Basics, Food Safety, Food Defense, Rules and Regulations, How it works, Who are the regulating agencies, Liability insurance, Permits and accountability and For rent kitchens.

To join in on the webinar for this evening, November 7th, go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4axxylj7s7/ and sign in as a guest.

To join the webinar for next Monday, November 14th, to to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r9nrw3zvgsb/ and sign in as a guest.

If you miss the either of these webinars, they will be archived and available to watch at the Online Learning Community about 3 days after the meeting.

Cut Flower Production and Marketing Workshop

2011-11-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and University of Missouri Extension are collaborating once again to offer a free class on cut flower production and marketing. Karen Davis, Horticulture Educator with Lincoln University, will share her knowledge and the experiences she gained as the owner and operator of a central Missouri cut flower farm.

The class is scheduled to be offered on Tuesday, November the 15th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Warren County Extension Center (107 W. Walton; Warrenton, Mo. 63383). Ms. Davis will lead a discussion that details varietal types of flowers; the latest trends in cut flowers; great cuts for the Midwest; and marketing wholesale, retail, and directly to florists.

Registration is Free. However, please call 636-456-3444 to reserve seating for this program.

About the Presenter:

Karen “Mimo” Davis studied the mineral nutrient requirements and effects of plant growth regulators on clerodendrum while pursuing her Master of Science degree in Horticulture Science at North Carolina A&T State University. She also has experience as the owner and operator of “Wildthang farms”, a farm concentrating on the production and marketing of high quality specialty cut flowers selling to over thirty florist and 3 farmers’ markets weekly. She is currently the Regional Horticulture Educator at Lincoln University Urban Impact Center of St. Louis, providing technical assistance and horticulture programming in St. Louis and surrounding counties.

Missourians Urged to Report Drought Information Online

2011-11-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

Has drought affected your farm, business or community? Missourians can help scientists and decision-makers assess, plan for and respond to droughts by using a simple online tool to report local conditions, said a University of Missouri Extension climatologist.

Drought is a slow-moving natural hazard that affects millions of people worldwide each year by triggering a cascade of agricultural, economic, environmental and social impacts. Understanding these impacts is crucial for drought planning, mitigation and response.

“No instrument or third party will be able to describe a drought situation as well as someone living in the area and experiencing the situation,” said Pat Guinan, state climatologist with the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.

The Drought Impact Reporter (DIR) lets anyone report drought conditions and their local impact to the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Neb. DIR has been online since 2005, but the revamped version that launched in October is more user-friendly, Guinan said.

Contributions to the DIR appear in an interactive map on the DIR website. They are also used by the authors of the NDMC’s Drought Monitor map, which provides a detailed weekly assessment of the extent and severity of drought throughout the U.S.

“It’s a huge task for the authors to discern drought conditions across all 50 states,” Guinan said. Weather station data on precipitation, temperature and other indicators sometimes doesn’t tell the whole story of what’s going on at the local level, such as struggling crops, wells and farm ponds that are drying up, and wildlife looking for food along roads and in people’s yards.

Greater participation and input from Missourians will provide a more accurate portrayal of drought in the state, he said. This can help ensure that authorities mount a swift and appropriate response and aid scientists seeking to better understand drought.

Kelly Helm Smith, NDMC communication and drought resources specialist, asks that participants submit reports every month or even more frequently during drought. “Start and end dates are very helpful,” Smith said. “Regular reporting would help establish the pattern that a report covers of conditions during a particular span of time.”

When someone submits information to the Drought Impact Reporter, that information is classified as a “report.” If the report contains information that describes “an observable loss or change that occurred at a specific place and time because of drought,” a moderator will also record it as an “impact.”

For example, the NDMC received the following user report with impact information:

We live on the Jasper - Lawrence County line and the drought of 2011 is worse or rivals 1980. The rains were very spotty. It would rain a mile from here and not rain a drop here. Ponds are extremely low or dry. One neighbor in Lawrence County has been feeding hay since July. Many of the farmers in the area have culled their herds, in some cases by more than half. Many of the neighbors have also begun feeding hay, some of which have been doing so for over a month. Many of the herds in the area are grazing corn stalks. Fall stockpile is not existent. Corn and soybean yields in the area are very low.

Another example of a user report talks about a precipitation shortfall but does not include impact information:

The last time we had more than one inch of rain was on May 24 when they got 1.84 inches. They have had a couple of smaller rains since then but it has been hot, dry and windy almost every day. Only 0.75 inches fell in July.

The following sample user report speculates about an event that would be considered an impact. It is valuable because it points to the likely occurrence of an impact and shows a high level of drought awareness, but it is not an impact yet:

Mandatory watering restrictions will be implemented in My City, USA, unless it rains a lot before Tuesday.

Reports come from media, individual users, data submitted by Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) observers, National Weather Service drought information statements, information gathered by states on burn bans and water restrictions, and other summary reports compiled by agencies or organizations.

The Drought Impact Reporter was developed with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency.

Cover Crop Field Days

2011-11-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

The University of Missouri Extension will be hosting two cover crop field days. The first field day farm is a recipient of a SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant. The second field day is a farmer who is trying different cover crops in his cropping system.

Grazing Cover Crops In Standing Corn Field Day
November 7, 2011
10:00 a.m.-Noon
Cope Farm near Bellflower, MO

The field day discusses broadcasting winter cover crops into standing corn using high clearance ground spreaders. Information will be presented on pounds of cover crop grown under 4 corn populations, corn yield, costs and feeding trials of lambs. This is the second year of plot information.

Cover Crop In Row Crops Field Day
November 8, 2011
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Willott Farm near Laddonia, MO

Two planting dates of winter cover crops
Plots are 22’x120’

The field day discusses planting dates, seeding rates, yield gains and other benefits of cover crops. Species growing include: winter oats, radishes, crimson clover, turnips, kale, Marshall ryegrass, Gulf ryegrass, buckwheat, oats-crimson clover combinations.

For more information, contact Richard Hoormann, Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Montgomery County, 310 Salisbury St., Ste. E., Montgomery City, MO 63361, 573-564-3733.

Organic Farming Research Foundation is Accepting Grant Proposals Through November 15, 2011

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Since 1990, Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has awarded grants in support of exceptional education and research in organic farming. Organic farmers are continually innovating farming practices to meet consumer demand. OFRF has awarded 314 grants totaling $2.7 million -- helping organic farmers meet this demand today and tomorrow.

OFRF announces a deadline of November 15, 2011, to submit an education or research proposal. Successful proposals feature:

• Sound experimental design conducted on certified organic study sites.
• Meaningful farmer / rancher participation.
• Focus on training opportunities for organic and transitioning farmers and ranchers.

Please submit a proposal if you wish to improve organic research.

19th Annual Small Farm Today Trade Show and Conference

2011-10-31T06:19:00.000-07:00

The MO Beginning Farmer Program will have an exhibit at this conference. Come by and say hi.

November 3-5, 2011
Boone County Fairgrounds
Columbia MO

General Admission (no charge for children 12 and under)
1 day - $10; 2 days - $15; 3 days - $20

Short Courses Registration in addition to General Admission
$35 each or 2 for $65; 3 for $95; 4 for $125; 5 for $150; 6 for $170; 7 for $180

For questions call 800-633-2535.

AGENDA
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Show hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Short Courses
10:30 am-1:00 pm - Mob Grazing, Robert Kinkead, DVM
1:30-3:00 pm - Legacy Beef, Mark Mahnken
3:30-5:00 pm - Flame Weeding in Agronomic Crops, Dr. Dogos & Stevan Knezevic

Seminars
9:15–10:15 am - Keynote address: Making Your Farm Energy Efficient—An Ecological Model for Today’s Farmer, Francis Thicke (Iowa)
10:30-11:30 am - Cover crops, Liz Sarno (Nebraska)
11:45 am-12:45 pm - Recent Developments in Sustainable Research, K.B. Paul & Debi Kelly
1:00-2:00 pm - Aquaculture, Chuck Hicks
2:15-3:15 pm - Soil, Sanjun Gu
3:30-4:30 pm - Successful Small Farmers, Kelly Klober

Farmers Forum
10:30-11:00 am - Growing, Processing, and Selling Omega-9 Canola Oil, Dan & Bonnie Blackledge
11:00 am–12:00 pm - Diversifying With Small Fruits (Elderberries, Blackberries and Blueberries), Tim Malinich
12:00-1:00 pm - Cover Crop Tillage Practices to Enhance Nutrient Availability and Crop Yield, Tim Kimpel
1:00-1:30 pm - On-Farm Bio Char Production for Use as a Soil Amendment, John Topic
1:30–2:00 pm - Forage Diversification with Hogs, Andrew Rider
2:00–2:30 pm - Species Diversification through Rotational Grazing, Graham Rider
2:30-3:30 pm - Comparing Prairie Grass & Small Grains Straw Mulch for Vegetable Crops, Tony Ends
3:30-4:00 pm - Using Commercially Available Mycorrhizae Inoculant to Enhance Growth of Small Berry Bushes, Cathy & Patricia Hanus
4:00-4:30 pm - Healthy Farms Healthy Kids in Nebraska, William Powers
4:30-5:00 pm - Labor Saving Practices for Small Produce Farms, Kevin Cooley

Friday, November 4, 2011
Show hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Short Courses
8:30-10:30 am - Asset Protection, Dale West (Nevada)
11:30 am-2:00 pm - Economics & Success of Movable High Tunnels, Mike Bollinger & others
2:30-4:00 pm - Community Supported Agriculture, Liz Graznak

Seminars
8:30–9:30 am - Simple Things for On-Farm Research, Liz Sarno (Nebraska)
9:45–10:45 am - Soils & Compost, Roger Kropf
11:00 am–12:00 pm - Prime Pork Hog Production, Kelly Klober
12:15–1:15 pm - Urban Composting, Billy Polansky
1:30–2:30 pm - TB
2:45–3:45 pm - Organic Ag and Non-GMOs Ken, Roseboro (Iowa)
4:00–5:00 pm - Laying Flock Basics, Kelly Klober

Farmers Forum
9:00–9:30 am - Scaling Up Production by Improving Worker Comfort and Efficiency in Conservation Tillage Organic Seed Garlic Production System, Dan & Julie Perkins
9:30-10:30 am - The Coney Garth: Managing breeding does (meat rabbits) on 100% grass, Julie Engel
10:30–11:30 am - Why It's Cool to Mulch with Wool, Katie Charlton-Perkins with Melinda O'Briant
11:30 am-12:00 pm - Forest Farming: wild foods, wildflowers, wild stock, sustainable firewood & timber, Cindy & Charles Ramseyer
12:00–12:30 pm - Aronia Berry as a Sustainable Crop for a Sustainable Future, Andrew, Cindy & Vaughn Pittz
12:30-1:00 pm - The Aquaponic Journey of a Lifetime, Ryan & Jenny Marcelo
1:00-2:00 pm - Extending the season and increasing quality of produce with low tunnels, year-round, Curtis Millsap
2:00-3:00 pm - Green Manure vs. Brown Manure in an Organic Vegetable System, Mark Quee and others
3:00-4:00 pm - Subsurface Drainage Installation as an Integrated Fruit Tree Planting Practice, Barry Short
4:00-5:00 pm - Preventing Parasitic Infestation of Yellow Perch in Small Farm Production Facilities, Bill West

Saturday, November 5, 2011
Show hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Short Courses
8:30-11:00 am - Soil Amendments, Ralph Voss
11:30 am-2:00 pm - TBA
2:30-5:00 pm - How to Grow and Graze High Energy Plants to Maximize Animal Performance, Greg Judy

Seminars
8:30–10:30 am - Two-Wheel Tractors, Joel Dufour (Kentucky)
11:00 am–12:00 pm - Grazing, Greg Judy
12:15–1:15 pm - Food Safety, Patrick Byers
1:30–2:30 pm - Low-Cost Cattle Panel Hoophouses, Jennifer Grabner
2:45–3:45 pm - Small Farm Advocates, Dr. John Ikerd
4:00–5:00 pm - An Overview of Urban Agriculture, Billy Polansky

Farmers Forum
9:00 am - Cow Taxi: using noncontiguous pastures for dairy grazing, Karen Lubbers
9:30-10:30 am - Pasturizing My Pigs: Integrating pigs into my family’s farm, Lydia Gioja
10:30–11:00 am - Growing Biomass Crops in Iowa, Randy Kasperbauer
11:00-11:30 am - A Five Part Plan to Bring to Life a More Sustainable School Garden, Sarah Holmes
11:30 am-12 pm - Sharing the Buzz: Beekeeping and plants to attract them, Thomas Bubenzer
1:00-1:30 pm - Small Hive Beetle Control in Bee Hives, John Nenninger
1:30-2:30 pm - Permaculture Design and Practice for Small Farmers, Stephen Moring with Maryam Hjersted
2:30–3:30 pm - Designing & Building a Polyculture Food Forest Garden: Year One, Michelle Ajamian
3:30–4:30 pm - Experiments in Regional Staple Foods Production and Processing, Brandon Jaeger
4:30-5:00 pm - Chickamore Urban Poultry Project, Christine Allen

Meetings free with admission
12:00–1:00 pm - Missouri Organic Association Meeting (Farmers Forum area)

Online Learning Community Offers Support to Farmers Starting Out

2011-10-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

Missouri Beginning Farmers webinars get second life in online archive.

Where can you find conversations about pasture-raised chicken and organic farming next to talks on soil and social media? Online.

The Missouri Beginning Farmer Program’s Online Learning Community from University of Missouri Extension lets everyone learn from experienced farmers. More than a year of archived workshops, webinars and discussions are now free online, allowing individuals to use expert information at their convenience.

“It’s farmers learning from farmers,” said Mary Hendrickson, who runs the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program for MU Extension. “People like to talk to others with lots experience and great information and who can say, ‘I’ve been there before and had these problems.’ It’s a great way to bring both the farmers' experience and all the expertise we have in MU Extension to the table together.”

Fall offers farmers a perfect time to learn new techniques and strategies as they turn their eyes toward planning for next year. For beginning farmers, this can mean tackling new areas of farming.

“It’s not just animal production or vegetable production, but it’s also food safety, financing and marketing,” Hendrickson said. “It’s kind of horizontal learning, with people learning from others with the same kind of experiences. We’re really there to help facilitate by pulling it together in this one spot.”

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program identifies producers skilled in specific areas to present webinars. MU Extension specialists provide extension guides and other information to complement presenters’ information. Those presentations, participant discussions and related documents are then archived by topic and date. Online forums moderated by MU Extension specialists allow participants to bounce ideas off each other.

These resources help beginning farmers create a support network that novices and experts alike find valuable. They connect via Facebook, the Missouri Beginning Farmers blog and through the webinar archive forum.

“Networking is key for many of these folks because it’s easy to think you’re alone in this world with all these crazy ideas or get discouraged because you’re trying to farm but don’t have experience,” said Debi Kelly, Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education co-coordinator and MU Extension Beginning Farmers guru.

Missourians of all ages and experience levels attend the face-to-face workshops. Online participants range from people in their 20s just starting out in farming to traditional farmers transitioning to organic produce, and older individuals looking to put their land to good use.

Beginning Farmers webinars bring these people together from across the state, saving time and money for producers.

“They love not having to leave home, how they can get access to really good information without driving a long way,” Hendrickson said. “This online community helps us reach a more diverse and dispersed audience, but keeping a high-touch atmosphere is why we integrate aspects like the online forums to make it as interactive as possible.”

This encyclopedia of farming knowledge will expand as new webinars happen each month. Participant ideas guide the selection of future speakers and topics. Presenters share challenges and tribulations experienced on their farms.

“They talk about their successes but also share their failures in their farming enterprises, because learning about people’s failures is just as important to those starting out,” Kelly said.

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program began in 2009 and is funded through a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant. Through its online and in-person workshops, the program hopes to serve an ever-growing number of people who are exploring how to put their land to work for them, whether as a full-time business or as a source of supplemental income.

Find more about the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program. A link to archived webinars is on the right.

To download broadcast-quality audio, click here.

Log in with the name of your news organization (password/registration not required). For questions regarding the audio download site, contact Debbie Johnson at 573-882-9183.

Future Farming Families

2011-10-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FNC02-428– Ida Thurman, Pembroke Township, IL

Objective: To teach young people hands-on, socially responsible agricultural systems, including free-range poultry, pastured pork, rabbits, and worm production, and community gardening.

Results: My family – which includes husband John and nine children – runs L & R Farms in Pembroke Township in Illinois. Our 20-acre operation strives to grow nutritious foods to feed our family, and educate the public about sustainable agriculture. We have used sustainable organic methods of livestock and vegetable production for home consumption and as a way of life. We began retail marketing in 1999 on-farm and at the Kankakee County Farmers Market.

Our livestock production includes grass fed/rotationally grazed cattle and goats, pasture pork, and range-fed poultry, turkey, geese, duck, and rabbits. The pesticide/ herbicide-free vegetable production includes a rotation of melons, squash, peas, beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra, greens, potatoes, and pumpkins. We also grow and cut grass hay.

We believe it’s key that older farmers share their knowledge with younger ones. We used our SARE funding to provide members of 4-H and Realistic Opportunities for Youth (ROY) a safe place to learn hands-on, socially responsible agriculture. They learned details of our livestock operations.

ROY is an initiative in which youngsters who participate in the Youth Garden are taught by older youth about gardening. Those who serve as youth leaders often become 4-H members. Youth leaders learn sustainable agricultural systems, whether at L & R Farms or while visiting neighboring farms. Several youth leaders created gardens for senior citizens and the disabled. They also had an option to participate in the community garden and then sell the produce they planted, weeded, and harvested at the local farmers markets. Within ROY they experienced seed saving, learned to prepare the foods they were growing in the Youth Garden, and exchanged recipes. They also took part in community service activities – delivering food, mowing lawns, and raking leaves for seniors and the disabled. Youth who participated not only were viewed as positive members of our community; they also learned to care about someone, or even something, other than themselves.

Long-term, this project seeks to make small-scale agriculture affordable again in a region once dominated by family farms, including a number owned by African-Americans. The project and a collaborative effort from Pembroke Farming Family, a Project Partner of Heifer International, continues to provide some participants marketing opportunities at the Hopkins Park/Pembroke Farmers Market, Kankakee County Farmers Market, and the City of Chicago Farmers Markets. These opportunities reward limited-resource farmers’ efforts.

Comparing the Market Viability of Two Methods of Shiitake Mushroom Production (Seasonal vs. Year-Round Production on Logs)

2011-10-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FNC02-417 – Earnest Bohner, Lampe MO

Objective: To explore the feasibility of expanding an existing shiitake mushroom operation to offer a year-round supply to customers.

Results: We began our farming operation, Persimmon Hill Farm, in 1982 with the planting of two acres of highbush blueberries. Later we added more blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, apples, and shiitake mushrooms. We are primarily a you-pick farm, but we also sell products such as jams, berry-flavored barbecue sauces, butters, biscuit mixes, and other items wholesale to some retailers and do some mail-order sales through www.persimmonhill.com.

We produce log-grown shiitake mushrooms indoors. About 3,000 logs are inoculated each year; logs can be used for three to four years.

Logs are taken indoors in baskets that contain 60 logs each, soaked in tanks of water in our fruiting building and then placed in racks where they fruit. Then, they’re removed and placed in the “laying yard” until their next fruiting. The water tanks are in the floor of building.

The fruiting building is about 14 feet square and has a hoist that reduces labor while soaking the logs. The fruiting racks have trolleys that allow for easy access for loading and harvest.

In addition to selling mushrooms to retail customers, we have a weekly wholesale route for upscale restaurants and grocery stores in the Springfield and Branson region during our primary harvests in the spring and fall.

The fruiting building has allowed us to expand our production to make our shiitakes available to restaurants year round. By doing so, we’re building our business by promising restaurants a steady supply that they can rely on to feature in their menus.

Our new, larger facility was constructed using well proven energy conservation techniques. It also allowed for more labor-efficient production.

We are producing more usable mushrooms with this new facility, but just as important, we’re better able to control the production pace and quality. Growing mushrooms indoors also reduces waste because it reduces weather related damage.

Our production costs per pound dropped significantly. We also noted mushroom quality was improved through the new fruiting process. When using seasonal production, we could produce during six months of the year; now we can produce year-round. While initial capital expense for the building was significant, our increased profits have recouped those costs.

New webinars on Marketing Organic Produce, Organic Transplants, Food Safety and Hops Production

2011-10-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Join eOrganic and Michigan SARE for a series of 4 free webinars on marketing organic produce, organic transplants, food safety, and hops production in October and November! All webinars are open to the public, and advance registration is required. Save the dates and register now at for the following webinars at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242 or at the links below. All are being offered on A Tuesday at 2 pm eastern time. See below of exact dates.

This is for Tuesday (today) at 2 pm. Plan for Marketing Your Organic Products, by Susan Smalley, Michigan State University: October 25, 2011 at 2PM Eastern Time. Register at http://www.extension.org/pages/60942

Root Media and Fertility for Organic Transplants, by John Biernbaum, Michigan State University: November 1, 2011 at 2PM Eastern Time. Register at http://www.extension.org/pages/60943

Tracking Your Produce—For Your Business and Health, by Colleen Collier Bess, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources: November 8, 2011 at 2PM Eastern Time. Register at http://www.extension.org/pages/60944

Starting Up Small-Scale Organic Hops Production, Rob Sirrine, Michigan State University and Brian Tennis, Michigan Hop Alliance: November 15, 2011 at 2PM Eastern Time. Register at http://www.extension.org/pages/60945

Find the updated eOrganic webinar schedule and listen to recordings of past presentations athttp://www.extension.org/pages/25242

Funding Now Available for Underserved Urban and Rural Areas to Grow More Fresh Foods

2011-10-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Up to $5,000 in grant funding available through Department of Ag’s Local Foods Matching Grant Program.

Bell Demonstration Garden
in St. Louis

Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that funding is available for urban and rural organizations to help underserved populations increase access to fresh foods. Through the development of production infrastructures, direct distribution venues, education programs, workforce development and expanding the understanding of the importance of agriculture and where food comes from, more Missourians will be able to enjoy locally-grown fresh foods in their cities and neighborhoods. Up to $5,000 in grant funding is available to each qualifying organization through the Department’s Local Foods Matching Grant Program.

“As we travel the state, you quickly realize that some people don’t have the access to local foods that so many of us take for granted. Through grant programs like these, we are able to connect resources to those ready to make a difference in their communities,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “We hope these funds go a long way in helping areas promote agriculture through farmers’ markets, community gardens and to establish partnerships in their communities that will bring more fresh foods to the table.”

The one-time competitive grants are targeted to:

• Assist farmers’ markets, urban/community garden expansion efforts and youth initiatives related to promoting agriculture,

• Establish or expand partnerships with urban/community gardens, youth initiatives and farmers’ markets,

• Encourage agricultural production to combat hunger, poor nutrition and obesity, and

• Provide training and develop skills to the next generation of agricultural producers.

Funds must be used for the creation of a farmers’ market, the expansion of an urban or community garden, to promote local food efforts and/or youth initiatives that combat hunger, poor nutrition and obesity in collaboration with community gardens or farmers’ markets.

For an application or to learn more click here.

MO Beginning Famers Program Survey

2011-10-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

If you participated in any of our workshops, webinars or Grow Your Farm courses within the past two years, please fill out this survey that will evaluate the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program. Your answers to this survey will help us know how we are doing with our program as well as help us to plan a better program for you in the next years. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MOBeginningFarmer. It will take about 10 minutes. We appreciate your time in helping us make these programs better! Thanks!

Pasture-Raised Heritage Breed Turkeys

2011-10-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

SARE Youth Grant #YNC08-001– Will King

Objective: To hatch and raise my own turkeys out of my existing birds, to market my birds to various ethnic groups that come to our farm to buy livestock and poultry, and to cook one of my birds and do a taste test and survey about how the bird tasted compared to store-bought turkey.

Results: Raising heritage turkeys outdoors on pasture reduces stress and is a healthier environment for them. They’re better adapted to outdoor life. Before receiving this grant, I had two different varieties of heritage breed turkeys, but had not tried to raise any on my own. When my original turkey hens started laying eggs, I put them in an incubator. I also put eggs under broody chicken hens and, toward the end of the laying season, let two turkey hens set on a clutch of eggs.

None of the incubated eggs or those under the chickens hatched. Two eggs under the turkey hens hatched, but neither poultry lived past day one. I’ve since learned that to increase hatchability of eggs, I need to increase the feed protein level from the 16 percent I was feeding to 20 percent. I need to make sure eggs cool to 50 degrees before putting them into an incubator, and to keep setting turkey hens where the hatchlings can’t wander off and get chilled.

Since none of my eggs hatched, the only young birds I had were the 16 Royal Palm turkeys I bought with the grant money. I’ve kept back a Royal Palm tom and four Royal Palm hens to use as breeders.

I processed a pasture-raised heritage breed tom, which my mother served at two Missouri Extension Council dinners. I surveyed those attending. They said they thought it tasted better than a store-bought turkey. Most said they’d be willing to pay a little more for a local, sustainably raised bird.

There is demand for this type of product. I am going to try this project again, and will be printing a sales brochure, and planting disease-resistance dwarf fruit trees in my turkey pasture.

Growing and Marketing for a Winter CSA in Central Missouri

2011-10-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FNC07-668 - Jennifer Graber, Ashland MO

Objective: To develop a community supported agriculture business growing and marketing cool-season greens and vegetables from October through April in central Missouri, experimenting with unheated greenhouse and cold frame designs.

Results: Central Missouri has a variety of commercial growers providing fresh, organically grown local produce for wholesale and retail buyers during the typical growing season of April through October. However, there are few options for area consumers to buy such produce during the off-season of November through March, so virtually all fresh greens and vegetables must be trucked in.

At Wintergeen Farm, our small family operation on about five acres west of Ashland in Boone County, MO, we established a winter community supported agriculture (CSA) venture on about two acres. We tested four styles of unheated greenhouses and cold frames: 1) standard hoop houses, 2) hoop houses made from cattle panels, 3) low tunnels over raised garden beds, and 4) standard wooden cold frame boxes. We grew more than 30 crops through the winter, including several varieties of greens, root crops, herbs, and more.

We had eight families for the 2008-09 seasons, and 16 families signed up for 2009-10. Each family paid $15 for a large box of produce, which was available weekly from October through December and every other week in January and February. We struggled this past season with a cold, cloudy, wet, fall and winter that slowed production.

Overall, though, many of the crops were surprisingly cold hardy, surviving even through two weeks in January when high temperatures didn’t get out of the single digits. Results from the first two seasons have encouraged us to continue with these efforts. No difference in seedling germination, growth, productivity, or survival was noted among the different greenhouse and cold frame designs. The only differences were in building and maintenance costs and ease of operation.

Know Your Costs of Production on the Farm

2011-10-19T04:57:00.000-07:00

How can a producer know if the operation is profitable if he or she doesn’t have an accurate accounting of all the costs associated with the operation?

It is an important question to consider according to Dr. Gordon Carriker, agriculture business specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Carriker says what many producers overlook is that the tax collector does not care if they earn $1 per hour or $100 per hour for the time they spend working and managing their farm. That’s a decision the producer has to make and using enterprise budgets is a good way to determine the economic profitability and feasibility of the farm enterprises.

“I am amazed at the willingness of producers to work on their own farm for less than a reasonable wage. As an economist, I look past accounting profits -- the profits that the IRS is interested in for taxes -- and look at all costs including opportunity costs and thus economic profit,” said Dr. Carriker.

There are several things a producer can do to help them determine their production costs according to Dr. Carriker.

First, determine what the enterprise is: for example a cow/calf enterprise ends when the calf is weaned (producing a calf) for later sale; a backgrounding/stocker enterprise begins (producing beef or breeding stock) when the calf is kept for growing.

Second, get a sample enterprise budget. Some very good ones are available through the University of Missouri Extension website: http://agebb.missouri.edu/mgt/budget.

Third, keep track of all production costs. This includes “sweat” labor time as well as “thinking” labor (management) time. “This is the biggest opportunity cost producers tend to overlook. Management time is more valuable in the market place than physical labor time,” said Carriker.

Fourth, account and allocate costs to the appropriate enterprise. If a farm truck is being used one fourth of the time as the family truck, one fourth of the time for a crop enterprise and one half the time for a livestock enterprise, do not allocate all the truck fuel and maintenance costs to the livestock enterprise.

Fifth, do not forget to allocate ownership -- sometimes referred to as fixed costs -- to an enterprise. These include insurance, depreciation and taxes on capital items.

Sixth, do not be overly optimistic or pessimistic about expected revenues. “A good practice is to look at a few sale prices, say a low, medium and a high sales price, for the product being sold,” said Dr. Carriker.

River Hills Purebred Poultry Marketing Alliance Research Project

2011-10-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FNC07-687 – Paul J. and Kelly Harter, Kelly and Phyllis Klober, Nathan and Sarah Price, Mark and Michelle Wagstaff of Silex, MO

Objective: Local farmers supplying eggs to the River Hills Poultry Project Alliance (RHPA) project have been maintaining laying flocks and producing eggs for years, but the market for those eggs has been limited by the lack of a delivery system to connect producers and consumers. The project seeks to develop a marketing approach for both eggs and live chicks to expand opportunities for the alliance’s producer members, who specialize in heirloom poultry breeds.

Results: Four families operating small poultry operations in east central Missouri specialize in heirloom poultry breeds such as Orpingtons and Delawares, which used to be common on family farms but now are considered rare and endangered. These birds are hardy and well-adapted to the traditional, natural production methods these small farmers prefer.

Initially, the alliance conducted surveys on breed preferences, existing ventures, marketing methods and outlets, and seed stock sources and pricing. The surveys showed a preference for classic, heritage breeds; a desire for better seed stock; and a strong interest in buying from farmers rather than commercial hatcheries. One factor the surveys didn’t initially reflect is that many of the farmers supplying table eggs use hybrid layers primarily, while farmers maintaining flocks for both table eggs and baby chicks are using heirloom breeds. This information represents the reality of certain trends that currently exist among small producers, each having specific goals and management systems.

The alliance’s local table egg marketing efforts, headed up by Mark and Michelle Wagstaff, have moved beyond the initial grant support and were self-sustaining in 2009, with a steady supply of 300 dozen eggs every week provided to customers in the St. Louis, MO, area. Deliveries for the 2010 season have increased to over 500 dozen per week. While many Community Supported Agriculture ventures require customers to pick up their goods, the alliance provides weekly deliveries, which has led to increased orders from RHPA.

The increased success of the table egg market has enabled the alliance to solve one of its initial challenges – the high cost of shipping egg cartons. Now that the alliance is buying in bulk, its supplier is waiving shipping costs.

Interest in locally produced poultry and eggs is even higher than the RHPA expected. Urban consumers have been especially interested.

A second portion of the project – the shipping of live chicks – is already underway in earnest in 2010, with an initial order for 25 Delaware chicks sent to a buyer in Tennessee. Individual RHPA members have started websites to encourage sales (www.backtothefarmMO.com). Local chick sales have been steady, with customers willing to pick up orders themselves, enjoying a farm visit in the process. This type of “hands-on” approach brings buyers and producers together on a personal level, something that is missing from the majority of chick orders today.

Plans for 2010 and 2011 also are to develop a local hatchery for heritage breeds.

Beekeeping Webinar Tonight

2011-10-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Walk-About Acres
demonstration hive

Join the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program's Monday webinars this evening from 7-8:30 pm. Art and Vera Gelder from Walk-About Acres will conclude this 3 webinar series. The topic this evening willl be on Basic Beekeeping and in particular, the care of the hives and any diseases the hives and bees might contract and how to treat those diseases. To join the meeting to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4oeuesuwj5/ and sign in as a guest.

Remember, if you have missed any of the webinars from the past 8 months, they have all been archived and can be found at the Online Learning Community.

Brambles and Sassafras Agroforestry

2011-10-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FNC99-281 by Brian Schweiss, Macon, MO

Objective: To develop an agroforestry system with several blackberry and raspberry varieties to serve as a source of annual income, and to grow sassafras trees to reduce sunscald damage to fruit, and to serve as a source of supplementary income.

Results: I tilled several 5-by-200 foot rows for 50 plants each of three blackberry varieties, and another 50 plants each of three raspberry varieties. Each plot was mounded to improve drainage, and brambles were planted down the center of the rows. Each row was mulched, trellised, pruned, and mowed to improve weed control and irrigation efficiency. Approximately one-half acre was planted.

Brambles were well established. I installed irrigation and applied minimal pesticides. Only the Illini Hardy blackberry produced consistently over the two years of the project. I decided production wasn’t worth the time and expense it was taking from me. The market in my small town wasn’t sufficient, and people weren’t willing to pay the right price for the type of berry they were getting. I sold 23 quarts and made $69; the 50 plants I purchased cost $100, so that left me without a profit.

I made no profit on the sassafras. I learned sassafras trees do not transplant well, and they did not grow well. The project was extended one year to gather data on berry harvests and allow for sassafras planting.

I manage and sell trees on my Foxtail Farm, which is 37 acres, about half of which is forested. I work with the green-certified nonprofit Tree Farm, which certifies that trees harvested come from properly managed land. I now am working to regenerate oak on my property. I view my forestry project as profitable, and as an investment. I do not make an annual profit from it, but every 10 years I have a timber sale, and profit from that. I select harvest certain trees, and leave the others for more growth, to be harvested later.

Getting Started in Organic Farming Workshop

2011-10-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

A workshop on “Getting Started in Organic Farming” will be held Nov 29-30th in Hillsboro, MO. The workshop will start at 10:00 am with registration and end at Noon the next day. The workshop will be held at Hillsboro Community Building (at Fairgrounds - 10345 Business Highway 21).

Have you considered farming organically but want to know how to manage fertility, control weeds and insects, comply with regulations? Come to this workshop to learn:

How to manager insects, weeds and diseases in organic production
Basics of managing soil fertility organically
The latest on organic regulations, including g how to keep good records
Where to find certifiers
What federal and state resources are available for organic growers
Plus you’ll get to tour a successful organic farm!

Featured presenter for this workshop is George Kuepper from the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Poteau, OK.

George has over 30 years of experience with sustainable and organic agriculture. He has worked mostly in the non-profit sector as a researcher, educator, producer, and consultant, including an earlier stint with the Kerr Center in the late 1980s. Before rejoining Kerr Center, he worked for NCAT (the National Center for Appropriate Technology) on the ATTRA Project and served as NCAT's Midwest Office Director in Lewis, Iowa. There he focused on organic agriculture, specializing on compliance, certification, and transition issues. George is currently responsible for developing Kerr Center's intern program, for reviving organic horticultural demonstrations on the ranch, and for reviewing and updating Kerr Center's technical publications and information packets.

Workshop Registration:
Contact the Jefferson County Extension Office at 363-797-5391. Cost of the workshop is $25 for those who preregister by Nov 18th and includes educational materials and food. Registration limited to 30 participants. Walk-ins accepted but cost $30 with no food guaranteed. Click here for the registration form.

October issue of Ag Opportunities

2011-10-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

The October 2011 issue of Ag Opportunities is now available online. If you've missed the October webinars on Basic Beekeeping, they have been archived and can be found at the Online Learning Community. Topics for the newsletter include:

October Webinar - Basic Beekeeping

Online Learning Community

Upcoming Missouri Beginning Farmers Program Workshops

19th Annual Small Farm Today Trade Show and Conference

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants

SARE Youth and Youth Educator Grants

Grants and Assistance

IN PRINT/ON-LINE/IN THE NEWS

ON THE CALENDAR

2011 Green Hills Farm Project Farm Walks

Small Engine Repair Workshop for Small Farmers

2011-10-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension's Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program is offering a workshop on small engine repair.

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011

Time: 12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Location: Beacon of Hope Church Farm, 1315 East Walnut Street (Hwy 58), Raymore, Missouri 64083

Do you ever feel at the mercy of your machinery? Did you ever wish you could do your own repairs and maybe save a few dollars? We would like to help empower you to understand the basic mechanics of your machinery and the maintenance you can do to keep your equipment healthy and running smooth.

Time will be split between "classroom" learning and hands-on.

Some topics we will cover:
-Basic maintenance
-Lubricants for engines
-Lubrication of machine chassis
-Adjustments
-Tuning
-Weatherizing

-Fuel

You will learn the difference between equipment that has a 'bowl' type carburetor and why that setup is generally more reliable than equipment with a 'diaphragm' carburetor.

Please feel free to bring your small equipment. Different brands have different needs and we can demonstrate that with the various equipment that is brought.

If anyone has a 2-stroke engine, weed eater or anything that will start and only idle but will not rev-up, especially please bring that, along with some fresh fuel mix.

This workshop is FREE, but be sure to register to ensure your seat. Limited to 30 people.

To register or to get additional information, contact Katie Nixon at (816) 809-5074

Accelerating the Acceptance of Alternative Foundation in Honeybee Frames

2011-10-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

I will be running a series of reports from past SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant recipients. Most of these recipients will be presenters at the Farmers Forum on November 3-5 in Columbia MO at the National Small Farm Trade Show and Conference.

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FNC06-595 by Grant F.C. Gillard from Jackson, MO

Modern apiculture, in an attempt to
manage the honeybee for greater
productivity and improved health,
has adapted square boxes (hives)
with parallel slats across the top which
are called “frames.”

Objective: To explore and evaluate different approaches to frame technology used by beekeepers in an attempt to reduce costs and labor to make the practice more economically viable.

Results: Conventional beekeepers use movable wood frames to manage their bees. Pioneered in 1860, the techniques are little changed. Unfortunately, these frames are expensive, require special tooling, are labor-intensive to assemble, and require frequent replacement because they are so susceptible to damage from a variety of sources.

Recently developed plastic frames solve some of these problems, but bees have been reluctant to accept them. This project sought to resolve those concerns.

My hives are located on a dozen farms in Cape Girardeau County. I market honey through farmers markets and a ouple of retail grocery stores.

We evaluated several types of plastic foundations for the honeybee hive, comparing them to the conventional approach, which uses a wax foundation, and evaluated management practices needed to accelerate bees’ acceptance of the plastic foundation.

Our research showed it’s almost impossible to get bees to establish hives on plastic foundations, but it is possible, with intensive management practices, to get already established hives to adapt to them. Adding more wax to the plastic foundation proved to be highly beneficial.

Many beekeepers may find the additional management challenges of getting bees to use plastic frames are not worth the eventual savings in costs, especially since most beekeepers don’t depend on it for their livelihood.

However, the benefits of plastic foundation include its reusable nature, which saves time and energy, not to mention the resources of wood and fuel to make and ship the replacement parts of the wood frames.

Organic Farm Tour in Northeast Missouri

2011-10-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Missouri Organic Association will be hosting a farm tour on October 15, 2011. The tour will start at 10:00 am at Blue Heron Orchard, 32974 220th St, Canton, MO. The farm is owned by Dan Kelly and Cherie Sampson. There will be two guest speakers at the farm tour.

Blue Heron Orchard's unique
'agritecture', a straw-bale and
timber frame cold storage building
for our apples. Constructed in 2001.

Blue Heron Orchard has practice organic farming since 1990 when the trees went into the ground. We became the first certified organic apple orchard in the state of Missouri in 1990. Building and understanding the orchard and the land that nourishes it take time. Finding the balance and respecting the forces that keep the ecosystem whole is a commitment to the land. Blue Heron Orchard is located in northeast Missouri on a Mississippi River bluff 30 miles north of Hannibal.

Large, predaceous wasps as potential pest control agents will be discussed by Dr. Joe Coelho is an Associate Professor of Biology at Quincy University, where he teaches courses in ecology, environmental science, zoology, botany and other topics. Both an educator and a scientist, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Riverside in 1984 and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1989. While he has authored papers on cultural entomology, most of his research focuses on the ecology and evolution of wasps. Known as a mad scientist and adventurer, Coelho is also an award-winning outdoor writer and photographer. Coelho combines an understanding of natural history with a passion for photography in his public speeches.

Predaceous wasps are seldom considered among methods of biological control. However, several common species are caterpillar specialists and have the potential to reduce a variety of garden and orchard pests. Two types of wasps will be highlighted in this slide/lecture presentation. The carpenter wasp, Monobia quadridens, is a widespread, solitary wasp that preys mostly on pyralid larvae. It has a long season and is easily cultivated. Paper wasps (Polistes spp.), though more aggressive, are generalists on a wider range of prey. A social species, they are also easy to encourage in desired areas. Advantages and disadvantages of each type, as well as means of boosting their numbers, will be described.

Prairie burning as an aid for
insect control in the orchard.

The other speaker will be Joel Gruver. He will be speaking about Joel will be discussing with hands on experiencing orchard floor management. He will also be touring the vegetable gardens and high tunnels answering questions and pointing out the various considerations for soil health in the various alternative growing areas of Blue Heron Orchard. Blue Heron Orchard is a certified organic farm specializing in apples but has a broad diversity of alternative vegetable crops through the four seasons.

Dr. Joel Gruver discovered his fascination with crops and soils at a young age on his family's homestead in rural Maryland. His formal education includes a BS in Chemistry from Principia College (Elsah, IL), an MS in Agronomy from the University of Maryland (College Park, MD) and a PhD in Soil Science from North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC). He has taught courses related to soil science and agroecology at Tufts University, Principia College, North Carolina State University, Central Carolina Community College and Western Illinois University where he is currently an assistant professor and director of the WIU Organic research program. Joel is a continuous student of the art and science of soil management and enjoys helping farmers and gardeners to translate scientific concepts into practical applications.

The price for the farm tour will be $10.00 per person. It will include a light lunch and beverages. To RSVP call 73-655-4291. Click here for directions to the farm.

Beginning Beekeeping Webinar Tonight

2011-10-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

Join us this evening from 7-8:30 pm to learn about the basics of getting started in beekeeping. Art and Vera Gelder from Walk-About Acres will be leading us in our webinar. They are experienced beekeepers, members of the MO State Beekeeping Association and have given numerous beekeeping classes at their farm.

When: Monday October 10th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r57jxo22o9g/ and sign in as a guest

When: Monday October 17th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4oeuesuwj5/ and sign in as a guest

Program Survey

2011-10-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Hello folks. Sorry for not posting for a few days. It's been quite busy around here and I just needed a few days away. As beginning farmers with chores and tons to do, I'm sure you can appreciate needing a short bit of time away.

The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program is asking for your input on a survey monkey we put together. We are looking for information about our program and your participation in it. We hope this survey will help us to better serve your needs in the future. Please take a few minutes to go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MOBeginningFarmer and fill out the survey.

Managing Short Feed Supplies

2011-10-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

Feed supplies in many areas are tighter than normal. A “show of hands” crowd survey at a recent meeting had producers estimating this year‟s hay crop reduced between 10 and 50 percent of normal. With the on-going drought in the southern U.S., hay demand and prices continue to increase, thus winter feed costs appear to also be on the rise for local producers.

If producers are short of feed right now, the best way to reduce feed needs is to wean spring-born calves. This reduces cow dry matter intake by 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day and also reduces their energy and protein needs. Additionally, weaning cows before they lose too much body condition means they won‟t have to add as much weight over the fall and winter, thus accounting for additional feed savings.

We have several feed resources at our disposal. Many producers chopped corn for silage. Due to reduced grain yields and potential nitrate issues, I am recommending sampling corn silage for nutrient content and nitrate concentration. In addition to forage nutrient analysis, many commercial laboratories can also do a quantitative nitrate test. If nitrate concentration is a concern in the silage, it can be limit fed without problems, but the concentration must be known in order to safely feed the silage.

An often underutilized feed resource is grazing crop residues. It may be cheaper to repair fences and haul water to cattle on corn stalks this fall than to buy hay. One note of caution with grazing corn stalks damaged by windstorms is that producers may need to strip graze the fields to prevent cows from overeating corn if there has been substantial ear loss. Assess the level of corn left in the field before turning out cows.

If winter annuals have been seeded, they can provide late fall grazing and early spring forage for grazing or hay.

Stockpiled fescue pasture will be valuable this year. The amount of grazing days provided by stockpiled pasture can be extended by strip-grazing the pastures. Portable electric fences can be placed to allow animals a week or less grazing area. After a few days to a week, advance the fence away from the watering source. There is no need to put up a back fence, since there will be no regrowth in the late fall and winter months.

Finally, buying or selling hay needs to be done on a weight basis, not a per bale basis. At $40 per bale, a bale weighing 1,100 pounds sells for $72.73 per ton while a bale weighing 1,300 pounds sells for $61.54 per ton. That $11.19 difference per ton is either lost revenue or unnecessary expense depending on whether you are selling or buying the hay.

Source: Gene Schmitz, MU Extension Livestock Specialist

First Southern Missouri Sheep and Goat Field Day in Bolivar Oct. 15

2011-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

University of Missouri and Lincoln University are teaming up to host the first annual Southern Missouri Sheep and Goat Field Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Bolivar, Mo.

The program includes a wide variety of educational topics (for both beginning and experience producers), as well as live demonstrations and hands on activities outside.

“Here in southern Missouri we are getting more and more calls for information about sheep and goat production,” said Wesley Tucker, agriculture business specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Polk County. “There is simply more profit potential in sheep and goats than most other enterprises that can use our local resources.”

Of course, producers have to be willing to put in more labor as well as an investment in facilities.

“Through this event we hope to provide producers with practical management tips they can use to focus on improving the profitability of their own sheep and goat operations,” said Tucker.

Topics to be covered will include: breeds of sheep and goats, stretching limited forage supplies, vaccination and deworming (including Famacha), foot rot management, selection of breeding stock, producer panel on profitability, foot trimming and hoof care and cograzing of livestock species.

“The live demonstrations and hands on activities are going to provide an excellent way to learn. It’s not often you get to listen while the industry experts show you animals and point out what to look for and what to avoid when selecting breeding stock, or how to diagnose foot rot or properly trim hooves,” said Tucker.

The cost of the entire day is only $5 per person and includes lunch for the first 100 people who preregister.

For more information, or to register, call the Polk County Extension Center at (417) 326-4916.

October Webinar - Beginning Beekeeping

2011-10-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

In the month of October, the MO Beginning Farmers Program's webinars will be on beekeeping. Honeybees are the main pollinators in agriculture. They pollinate up to 85% of the plant food we eat. Join Art and Vera Gelder from Walk About Acres as they share their beekeeping knowledge and experience with us. Art has given many beginning beekeeping workshops.

Meeting Name: Beginning Beekeeping - Art and Vera Gelder
When: Monday October 3rd, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r7dw3nz4rqj/ and sign in as a guest

When: Monday October 10th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r57jxo22o9g/ and sign in as a guest

When: Monday October 17th, 7-8:30 pm
To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4oeuesuwj5/ and sign in as a guest