Small Farms Winter Webinar Series

University of Illinois Extension will present a weekly educational series for the small farm community to provide practical information on emerging topics that advance local food production in Illinois. These online presentations will give small farmers a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability. This year's series includes new topics such as farm pond ecology, producing Shiitake mushrooms, the emerging local grain economy in Illinois, raising meat birds on pasture, and growing great blackberries. Webinars will be held from noon -1:00 pm on Thursdays and are free.

Choose any number of the following webinars to attend when you register.  Topics include:

Jan. 14 - Lean Farming: Cutting Waste and Maximizing Efficiency on Small Farms, Zack Grant, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Jan. 28 - Farm Pond Ecology: Managing for Desirable Plants and Fish, David Shiley, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 4 - Producing Shiitake Mushrooms, Grant McCarty, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 11 - Managing Horse Pastures on Small Farms and Acreages, Jamie Washburn, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 18 - The Emerging Local Grain Economy in Illinois, Bill Davison, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 25 - Food Safety Modernization Act: Changes for Small Scale Producers, Laurie George, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 3 - Getting Your Beehives Ready for Spring, Doug Gucker, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 10 - Raising Meat Birds on Pasture, Andy Larson, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 17 - Using Cover Crops on Small Farms, Nathan Johanning, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 24 - Growing Great Blackberries, Bronwyn Aly, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 31 Setting Up a Grazing System on a Small Farm, Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator

The webinars can be accessed on-line from your personal computer. In case you cannot attend these dates, register anyway to view an archived, recorded version. Information will be provided via email (the Monday after airing) for viewing at your convenience. They can also be accessed on our website at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/webinar.html.  For more information, contact: Andy Larson, University of Illinois Extension, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator at 815-732-2191 or andylars@illinois.edu.  When you register, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS CORRECT.

Farm Commons Webinars

Farm Commons will be hosting 11 webinars in 2015.  Farm Commons works directly with farmers to help them with business legal issues that hinder farmers from achieving their goals.

Our 2015 Webinars:

• Hosting Safe, Legally Secure Farm Events
• Adding Value Without Adding Legal Liability To Farm Products
• Farmland Leases Built to Last: Content and Legal Context
• Food Safety Liability And Regulations For The Farm
• Sales Contracts for Farm Produce: Why and How
• Making Employment Law Work For Your Farm
• Farm Sole Proprietorships, LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, and Coops: Which? Why? How?
• Going In-Depth With CSA Farm Law
• Getting Farm Work Done Legally With Interns, Apprentices, And Volunteers
• Financing A Farmland Purchase: Legal basics for traditional and non-traditional farmland purchases
• Efficiently Manage Your Farm’s Risks With Insurance   

Farmland Leases Built to Last: Content and Legal Context

Leasing farmland is so commonplace farmers may not think twice about the lease itself… until things go wrong. Don’t let misunderstandings with landowners hinder your farm. Prevent problems with a strong lease that addresses water usage, equipment access, payment strategies, dispute resolution procedures, long-term concerns, and termination processes, plus more. Negotiating tactics and various laws affecting farmland leases will be on the agenda.
Monday, January 19th at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Food Safety Liability and Regulations For The Farm

We’ve been hearing all about the upcoming regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act. But, as important as it is, farm liability for food safety goes beyond this new law. A food safety incident has potentially disastrous implications for any direct-to-consumer farmer. We’ll talk about how a food safety incident plays out, from lawsuits to recalls and contract breaches. Most importantly, we’ll talk about ways to protect farmers.

Tuesday, January 20th at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Sales Contracts for Farm Produce: Why and How

Everyone loves local food! Consumers, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, and child care facilities are buying more and more product. No matter the size of the buyer, a good relationship between buyer and farmer is key to making these sales profitable over the long-term. The right sales agreement- a written one that addresses ordering, cancellation, and payment terms- can help keep everyone happy. Learn how and why farmers should pay attention to the "terms" of their sales and strongly consider writing down sales agreements.

Monday, February 2nd at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Making Employment Law Work for Your Farm

Employment law is probably the single most complex legal concern for farmers. Especially for the diversified farm, navigating farm and non-farm employment law is no walk in the park. This webinar will break down federal minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, plus migrant worker laws. (They apply to more than just migrant workers!) Worker-exchange programs, independent contractors, employment manuals, injury liability, discrimination and a host of other concerns round out the discussion. Checklists and flowcharts will help make the process easy.
Tuesday, February 3rd at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Farm Sole Proprietorships, LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, and Coops: Which? Why? How? (Advanced)

Many farms operate as a sole proprietorship but growing numbers of farmers are choosing an LLC instead. Learn what an LLC or corporation can and cannot do to protect the farm business. A any solid business entity also needs managing paperwork. Learn what an operating agreement or bylaws can do for the farm and what to write into them. We’ll also discuss options for cooperative ventures, entity structures to pass on the farm business, and some tax aspects of business entities.

Monday, February 23rd at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Going In-Depth With CSA Farm Law (Advanced)

In this webinar, farmers will get in-depth tools to move forward on managing sales, drop-site, volunteer, and worker share matters. We’ll also discuss some of the more unique CSA programs like farmers’ market pre-pay programs and multi-farm cooperative CSAs. Farmers who’ve already attended one of Farm Commons’ basic CSA law programs will get a lot out of this advanced session.

Tuesday, February 24th at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website! 

Getting Farm Work Done Legally With Interns, Apprentices, And Volunteers (Advanced)

CSA is an incredibly unique relationship between farmer and customer. But, this means it also has unique legal dynamics. CSA farmers who critically analyze their membership agreement, drop sites, and farm event programs beforehand set themselves up for success. Learn how an attorney sees CSA and what you can do to protect your farm. This webinar will also discuss risks with farm volunteer programs and buying the right insurance.
Monday, March 2nd at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Financing A Farmland Purchase: Legal basics for traditional and non-traditional farmland purchases (Advanced)
Finding money to purchase land and capital is a huge issue for many farmers. Bank loans, land contracts (aka contracts for deed), and family financing offer some solutions. The legal language behind promissory notes, security agreements, land contracts, and mortgages isn’t just “boilerplate.” Farmers will learn the basics behind these documents. Farmers are also exploring new opportunities such as crowdsourcing funds from farm customers, friends, and members. To avoid costly fines, farmers must pay attention to the state and federal securities laws that affect these opportunities. This webinar will give farmers knowledge of the legal basics when financing farmland.

Monday, March 23rd at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website!

Efficiently Manage Your Farm’s Risks with Insurance (Advanced)   

Insurance is vital to build a resilient farm but it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. What’s a farm liability policy and is it the same as a property/casualty policy? How does it work with a homeowner’s policy? Is workers’ compensation required and how does it work? If that isn’t enough, we also have to think about commercial policies for value-added products and farm events. Crop insurance is also important- we’ll learn about the latest and most affordable options. Find the right policies for you with this webinar.

Tuesday, March 24th at Noon, Central. (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern)  Register now at our website! 

Weekly Webinar Series on Small Farms

The Small Farm Webinar Series is a weekly educational series for the small farm community and provides practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. This series of online events is aimed at providing small farm producers with a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability.

Webinars air live each Thursday at 1:00 – 2:30 pm and include a question and answer session. If you cannot attend, a link to the recorded webinars will be available to view at your convenience for all those who register.

Date Topic

Jan. 15, 2015 – No-till culture for Peppers & Tomatoes

Jan. 22, 2015 – Growing Hops for Market

Jan. 29, 2015 – Potato Production

Feb. 5, 2015 – Sweet Corn Production

Feb. 12, 2015 – Perennial Crops for Small Farms

Feb. 19, 2015 – Understanding Insecticides

Feb. 26, 2015 – Blueberry Production

Mar. 5, 2015 – Hydroponics

Mar. 12, 2015 – Effective Farmers Market Displays

Mar. 19, 2015 – Veggie Compass Record-Keeping Software

Mar. 26, 2015 – Variety Selection & Rootstocks for Establishing Apple Orchards

To register for each webinar, log onto http://go.illinois.edu/2015winterwebinars.  For any question contact Miki White, University of Illinois Extension, Small Farms/Local Foods Program Coordinator at 309-342-5108.

Organic and Sustainable Agriculture - 2014 Webinar Series

In partnership with Oregon Tilth, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's East and West National Technology Support Centers are pleased to present "Understanding Organic and Sustainable Agriculture" webinars in 2014.

Information needed to participate is available at the Science and Technology Training Library at ConservationWebinars.net about 30 days prior to the scheduled presentation date. Start time for the webinars is 3pm Eastern / 12pm Pacific. The webinars are open to the public, and they will be archived. Subscribe for our webinar announcements.

2014 Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Webinar Topics

Feb 4 – Insights from an Organic Certifier

Apr 15 – On-Farm Food Safety and Conservation

Jun 3 – Commonly Used Organic Inputs

Aug 5 – Weed Management in Organic Pastures

Oct 7 – Organic Farming and Soil Health

Dec 2 – Nutrient Budgeting: Organic Considerations for Implementing Conservation Practice Standard 590

Bookmark Planned Conservation Webinars for the most up-to-date listing of conservation webinars presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. Topics are linked when more information is available.

Visit the Science Technology Training Library to participate in live and replay webinars and earn CEUs/certificates.
 

Soil Health 2014 Webinar Series

The National Soil Health and Sustainability Team, located at the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center, are pleased to offer a series of soil health webinars in 2014.  Start time for our soil health webinars is 1 pm (Central time).  For the full list of webinars, please click here.

The series starts on January 16, 2014 with the first webinar: "An Experimental Case Study for Soil Health." Other topics include:

* February 11 – The Biology of Soil Compaction

* March 11 – Soil Health and Production Benefits of Mob Grazing

* April 8 – Managing for Soil Health on Dry Land – A Farmer's Perspective

* May 13 – Using RUSLE2 to Evaluate Soil Health Planning Principles

* June 10 – Managing for Soil Health in the Piedmont Area of the Southeast – A Farmer's Perspective

* July 8 – Managing for Soil Health when Raising Potatoes – A Farmer's Perspective

* August 12 – Managing for Soil Health on an Organic Farm – A Farmer's Perspective

Our webinar topics in partnership with NRCS' National Energy Team and for "Understanding Organic and Sustainable Agriculture" will be released soon! Bookmark Planned Conservation Webinars for the most up-to-date schedule of conservation webinars presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology.

Visit the Science & Technology Training Library to participate live and to replay webinars.

 

Farm Commons Webinars (Legal Topics)

Farm Commons is a non-profit organization based in Wisconsin that provides farmers with the legal services they need to become the stable, resilient foundation of a community based food system. We accomplish this mission in three ways.

1. Working one-on-one with farmer clients to produce sales agreements, contracts, leases, employee documents, and many other transactional legal matters.
2. Developing legal education resources such as workshops, articles, and guides that help farmers understand how the law affects their business.
3. Networking rural and agricultural attorneys to our resources and to each other to improve attorney-farmer relationships.

To register for each FREE webinar go to www.farmcommons.org/webinars
Webinars are offered through a platform that does not require any additional software or downloads. They will be simple to access. Those without an internet connection will be able to listen to the presentation over the phone.

Overview of Farm Legal Issues
December 2, 2013, 6pm
Learn about the most pressing legal issues encountered by direct-to-consumer and organic farm operations. Beginning farmers will learn how to set up a strong farm business and established farmers will learn ways to make their business more resilient. Attendees will be able to spot legal issues and understand the initial steps to resolve them.

Community Supported Agriculture Legal Issues
December 17, 2013, 6pm
CSA farms are developing a truly innovative business model that promises to change the way consumers think about food. But, this innovation comes with some interesting legal issues. We will discuss the complex employment law, insurance, zoning, and volunteer worker legal issues encountered through CSA. Farmers will learn how to move forward in addressing these concerns.

Hosting On-farm Events
January 13, 2014, 6pm
On-farm events are a great way to build support in the community. And, they're a lot of fun! But as the saying goes, it's always fun until someone loses an eye. Make sure your farm isn't left with the short end of the stick after a good-intentioned event goes bad. From zoning compliance to guest injuries and serving prepared food, we'll work through a checklist of things a farm should address before hosting an event.

Workers and Employees
January 28, 2014, 6pm
Farming is a lot of work, and help is often needed. Should a farm work with volunteers, trade labor for food, or hire employees? This webinar will explore the options and guide farmers through the legal considerations. Checklists, flowcharts, and model documents will help attendees move forward after they've decided on the best approach for their farm.

Selling Products to Larger Buyers
February 10, 2014, 6pm
Now that hospitals, food service operations, and grocery stores have caught on to the merits of local food, farmers are learning how to work with these operations. A good relationship between buyer and seller is key to making these sales worthwhile. Learn how the right sales agreement can help keep everyone happy. Also, learn how to protect the farm business if the relationship goes south.

Starting a Farm
February 25, 2014, 6pm
A beginning farmer has to find financing, lease or buy land, coordinate equipment, establish a website, and so much more, all while growing crops or raising livestock. The legal issues abound, but this webinar will help beginning farmers understand the fundamental issues that should demand attention while the farm gets started.

Adding Value to Farm Products
March 10, 2014, 6pm
Although starting a processing operation, improving packaging, and developing new products are great ways to make the farm more profitable, these activities have a huge legal impact. Employment laws, liability potential, state/federal regulations, and tax factors all change when a farm begins to process product. Farms relying on cottage food laws should make sure to attend- we'll talk about what these laws do not do to protect farms.

Food Safety Liability and Regulations
March 25, 6pm
We’ve been hearing all about the upcoming regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act. But, as important as it is, farm liability for food safety goes beyond this new law. Learn all the latest on how farms can comply with the FSMA as it goes into effect and how they can protect their operations from liability in general.

Small Farms Winter Webinar Series

The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community, providing practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois.  This series of online events is aimed at providing small farm producers with a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability.  This year's series include the addition of two tracts on small orchard management and organic pest control.  Webinars will be held from 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Thursdays and are free.

Choose any number of the following webinars to attend when you register.    

Topics include:

Jan 9     Managing Layers on Pastures - Kyle Cecil, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator

Jan 16    An Overview of the Philosophy and History of Organic Agriculture - Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator

Jan 23    Pumpkins and Gourdes - Nathan Johanning, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator

Jan 30    Approaches to Small Scale Farm Composting - Ellen Phillips, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator

Feb 6      Organic Pest Management:  Insects -   Rick Weinzierl, University of Illinois Extension Specialist, Entomology, Dept. of Crop Sciences

Feb 13    Organic Pest Management:  Disease -   Darin Eastburn, University of Illnois Associate Professor of the Dept. of Crop Sciences, Plant Pathology

Feb. 20   Organic Pest Management:  Weeds  -   Adam Davis, University of Illinois Associate Professor of the Dept. of Crop Sciences, Weed Science and Crop Management

Feb. 27   Asparagus Production - Mike Roegge, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms/Local Foods Educator

Mar. 6     Small Orchard:  Insects -   Rick Weinzierl, University of Illinois Extension Specialist, Entomology, Dept. of Crop Sciences

Mar. 13    Small Orchard:  Orchard Management - Elizabeth Wahle, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator

Mar. 20    Small Orchard:  Disease - Mohammad Babadoost, University of Illinois Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology, Dept. of Crop Sciences

Mar. 27    Growing for Ethnic Markets - James Theuri, University of Illinois Extension Local Foods/Small Farms Extension Educator

The webinars can be accessed on-line from your personal computer.  In case you cannot attend these dates, register anyway!  An archived version of the webinars will be provided via email (the Monday after airing) for viewing at your convenience.

To register for the webinars, click here.

 

For more information, contact:  Miki White, University of Illinois Extension Small Farms Program Coordinator at 309-342-5108 or miki7047@illinois.edu

2 Upcoming Webinars from Illinois Beginning Farmers Program

The Illinois Beginning Farmers Program is offering two upcoming webinars that may be of interest to you.

Growing Garlic for Market

August 15, 2013    12:00 - 1:00 pm

To register, click here.

Consumers are using more garlic in their diets than ever before.  Because of increased consumer demand, many market farmers and Community-Supported Agriculture organizations (CSAs) are now offering garlic as one of their standard seasonal products.  Garlic fits perfectly into the small farm niche, benefiting both the grower and the local consumer.

The webinar will be held on August 15 from 12:00 noon until 1pm.  It will cover growing requirements, variety selection, and management of garlic for market sales.  The program will be recorded and archived for viewing at your convenience.

Growing Vegetables Year-Round

August 30, 2013 at 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm

To register, click here.

An Extension webinar will provide information to market vegetable growers on how to grow crops year round.  The basics of vegetable variety selection, planting considerations, watering, and harvest will all be covered.  The time to think about production is now.  Greens, roots, and other crops can all be grown and harvested through the winter in this climate.  Attend this web program and find the knowledge and inspiration you'll need to eat, grow, and sell more produce throughout the year!  The session will be delivered as a webinar.  You can attend from home via your personal computer.

University of Missouri Organic Research

Organic No-till/Cover Crop Field Day

As part of the USDA certified organic research grant, the University of Missouri will be hosting two different field days showcasing their organic research which is taking place at the Bradford Research Center and the Littrell Farm near Mexico, MO.

The Littrell Farm Organic Field Day will be held sometime during the last two weeks of May.

• Twenty different cover crop mixes will be destroyed with a cover crop roller/crimper and soybean will be planted into the field.
• This will take place at the organic grain crop farm of Terry Littrell, approximately 8 miles northwest of Mexico, MO in Audrain County.
• Participants will be able to examine the cover crop mixtures, see a crimper in action and observe planting into a cover crop mulch.
• This will take place one day during the last two weeks of May. The exact day will be decided based on weather conditions.
• To sign up for notification of the event and to get directions call Kerry Clark at 573-884-7945 or email clarkk@missouri.edu.

Bradford Research Farm Organic Field Day

The Bradford Research Center Organic Field Day will be held August 1st from 1-6 pm. More information will be forthcoming. Topics and tours include Organic no-till, Winter cover crop tour, Trap cropping with cucurbits, Summer cover crop tour, Vegetable tour, Equipment, Organic Marketing, Interpreting your soil test, Soil carbon testing, Mobile certified kitchen and the tasting of the organic harvests! For questions call 573-884-7945 and ask for Kerry.

Bradford Research Farm Webinars

As part of the USDA certified organic research grant, the University of Missouri is offering 4 webinars. To join any of these webinars go to univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/debikelly and sign in as a guest. These webinars will be archived and can found on the Bradford Research Center’s website.

April 25, 2-3 pm – Cover Crops for Missouri Tim Reinbott, Superintendent of Bradford Research Farm

May 16, 2-3 pm – Soil Health Testing David Hammer, Director of MU Soil Health Lab and Professor Of Soil Science, MU College of Engineering

June 13, 2-3 pm – The Short and Long Term Benefits of Cover Crops Newell Kitchen, Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS

July 18, 2-3 pm – Practical Management of Cover Crops Tim Reinbott, Superintendent of Bradford Research Farm

 

 

New Generation Energy: Sustainable Power for Your Farm or Homestead Webinar Series

Are your farm energy bills on the rise - and are you wondering what you can do to reduce them?  Are you looking for more sustainable sources of energy? Join us online for a webinar series of farmer-led virtual tours and fun, informational tips for saving energy and converting to renewables on your farm or homestead!

This four-part lunchtime webinar series will provide examples of energy conservation measures, solar arrays, wind turbines, compost heat, and a variety of other ecological production techniques and introduce you to farmers and professionals who are successfully harnessing the power of renewable resources to produce affordable, sustainable energy.  Tune in to learn if solar, wind, geothermal, and even compost power are right for you!

The series will run from noon-12:45pm (Eastern Time) every Friday from March 29th through April 19th.  All of the webinars are free and open to the public.  To sign up, please complete and submit our New Generation Energy Webinar Sign-Up form.   You will receive an email approximately one week before your chosen webinar(s) providing a link and instructions for you to access the series.

Sponsored by NE SARE (Northeast Sustainable Ag Research and Education) and the Cornell Small Farms Program.  To learn about funding opportunities available from NE SARE, visit www.nesare.org.  To learn more about sustainable energy resources visit http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-energy/

 

March 29: Dreaming of Local Lemons - Solar Energy Virtual Tour. Noon - 12:45pm - with Leo Siemion of Summit Naturals Organic Farm, Summit, NY

Leo Siemion of Summit Naturals Organic Farm will give a virtual photo tour of the sustainable energy features on his 25-acre organic farm. The farm produces 11 varieties of garlic in raised fields, eggs from heritage Buff Orpington breed chickens, and bottled honey, comb honey and beeswax candles from 12 bee colonies. Leo and his farm crew have spent the past several years raising approximately 450 pond-bred Koi fish for retail sale. Their 60×21 foot high tunnel is double walled plastic and excess solar heat is circulated through 250 feet of corrugated pipe 2 feet underground. The active solar heating system allows Summit Naturals to grow greens throughout the winter. Their smaller glass greenhouse attached on the south side of the family home has 520 feet of corrugated pipe, 5 feet underground which runs through an insulated stone pit and radiates back up through the concrete floor. Leo has been able to produce tropical fruits such as oranges, lemons, pineapples and figs in this greenhouse. In addition, they have two pole mounted solar arrays totaling 10-kW and an evacuated tube solar hot water system. The farm has acquired a restored 40 year old GE Electrak electric tractor to use the excess electricity they now produce and reduce diesel fuel needs.

April 5: Powering Your Farm Off the Grid - Virtual Tour. Noon - 12:45pm - with Raymond Luhrman of Fox Creek Farm, Schoharie, NY

Is it possible to operate a farm off-the-grid, and what are the challenges and opportunities? Raymond Luhrman will take us on a virtual tour of Fox Creek Farm and describe how his family operates their 350 member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) operation from electricity produced right on site. The Lurhman's have installed two 1.3 kW solar arrays and a Bergey XL1 wind turbine on a 100 foot tower. Raymond will describe how he sited, sized, funded and installed these systems. He'll also present some additional energy conservation features of the farm, including the passive solar barn, and the CoolBot regulator that makes his walk-in cooler extra energy efficient. Aside from these technical aspects, he will also share thoughts on the challenges and opportunities that come with off-grid farming.

April 12: Compost Power! Noon - 12:45pm - with Sam Gorton, Compost Power, Systems Engineer and Design Consultant

Composting is a sustainable process for transforming farm wastes into a stable soil amendment. But, did you know that an active compost pile may be able to generate enough heat to keep your greenhouse warm in the wintertime, offset your water heating fuel needs or even heat a small-scale biogas digester? Composting is a sustainable process for transforming farm wastes into a stable soil amendment. But, did you know that an active compost pile may be able to generate enough heat to keep your greenhouse warm in the wintertime, offset your water heating fuel needs or even heat a small-scale biogas digester? Sam Gorton, a PhD student at the University of Vermont (Burlington, VT) and co-founder of the Compost Power Network (Waitsfield, VT) will describe strategies to power your home, greenhouse or barn on the heat produced from high-Carbon compost recipes.

April 19: Ask an Installer: Wind, Solar and Geothermal. Noon - 12:45pm - with Conor Kays, Alternative Power Solutions

Energy prices are rising, and who knows where they will be in 10 or 20 years. Investing in renewable energy now can turn a variable cost into a fixed one over the life of the system. Conor Kays from Alternative Power Solutions of NY will talk about how to choose between geothermal, solar or wind (or all three), how to size a system, current financial incentives and offsets, and services that installers will provide.

Technology

We will be using WebEx to host this webinar series. To use WebEx, all you will need are functioning speakers (a sound card in your computer) and a good Internet connection - a cable modem or DSL are preferable, but dial-up, mobile wireless, and satellite Internet connections can also work. If you have any questions about the Internet or hardware requirements necessary to use WebEx, please contact Hannah Koski at hpk23@cornell.edu.

 

 

 

 

Online Extension Poultry Webinars Begin Jan. 15

In the 1980s and 1990s small-scale poultry and egg production made a comeback in the United States when more Americans decided they wanted a direct connection to their food. In recent years, raising chickens in the back yard became popular and in the case of Springfield residents, legal.

The Small and Backyard Flock resource on eXtension.org has information on getting started as well as poultry anatomy, behavior, biology and management. The site includes more than 250 frequently asked questions and more than 350 terms in a glossary.

This same national resource is using local Extension professionals to provide educational seminars this winter on poultry.

Three Webinars for the Public

·         January 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Winter care of small and backyard flocks

·         February 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, So you want to raise turkeys

·         March 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Producing poultry meat on pastures

The class on Jan. 15 will focus on keeping poultry productive during cold winter weather. Most poultry can handle cold weather very well as long as they are sheltered from wind and kept dry. To keep hens laying, however, requires light supplementation.

To connect to the webinar go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry just before 7 p.m. (Eastern) on Jan. 15, 2013.

The poultry resource area on eXtension is led by Jacquie Jacob, Poultry Extension Associate at the University of Kentucky; Anne Fanatico, Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University in North Carolina; Jesse Lyons, Poultry Extension Associate at the University of Missouri; and Brigid McCrea, Assistant Professor at Delaware State University. University researchers and educators from 18 states contributed and reviewed information for http://www.extension.org/poultry.

2013 Small Farm Webinar Series

The University of Illinois is hosting a series of webinars for small farms.  You might be interested in some of the topics and would like to attend.

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The 2013 Small Farms Webinar series will be held on Thursday afternoons at 1:00 pm, beginning January 10 and concluding March 28.

The topics will be varied but designed for small farm application.  See below for a list of dates and topics.

Sessions are presented by U of I Extension Educators and Specialists. Programs will last approximately one hour. You can log on from home or contact a local Extension office if you need Internet access. If you plan to view the webinar at home, a url and intructions will be sent to you once you register.  You can register for each webinar here.

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January 10 - Raising Broiler Turkeys on Small Farms        

January 17 - Strawberry Production                       

January 24 - Water Sanitation for Small Farms    

January 31 - Wildlife Damage Control                  

February 7 - Basics of Fruit Insect Management   

February 14 - Farm Financial Management           

February 21 - Seed Saving                                      

February 28 - Crop Rotations in High Tunnels      

March 7 - Farm to School Series                            

March 14 - Beneficial Insects                                 

March 21 - Weed Control in Pastures                    

March 28 - Crop Budgeting Resources                  

February 5 - Growing Unique Vegetables (Note: 6-7pm)

 

 

Building the Base of Your CSA: Legal Best Practices, Including Member, Volunteer, and Intern Agreements

Do you have a CSA program or are you planning to start one? Would you like guidance in how legal documents can help you achieve your CSA goals?

Farmers are invited to attend a webinar December 10th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm to learn about the legal aspects of running a CSA and gain strategies for crafting a CSA member agreement to improve customer satisfaction and retention. This webinar will also discuss how to create meaningful volunteer opportunities with worker share or volunteer agreements, while also identifying potential legal risks. We will discuss setting up a CSA business, hiring interns and apprentices, and overall risk management strategies to build a CSA that can thrive.

CSA farmers, educators, and advocates are invited to attend. The legal principles discussed will be relevant to CSA farmers nationwide, although Wisconsin and Illinois examples will be emphasized for state-specific discussions.

Please register for this webinar at www.farmcommons.org.

After registering you will receive more information about how to log into the webinar. We are excited to use the University of Illinois’ user-friendly and interactive webinar presentation resources. It will be accessible for those on dial-up. Phone support will be available if you have any trouble accessing the presentation.

This webinar is presented by Professor A. Bryan Endres at the University of Illinois Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons and the University of Illinois. It is hosted by the University of Illinois, Online and Continuing Education, and funding is provided in part by the North Central Risk Management Education Center.

Webinar Tonight - Starting a CSA

Don't forget to join the Missouri Beginning Farmer Program this evening Monday, November 5th from 7-8:30 pm for a webinar on Starting a CSA with Eric and Joanna Rueter from Chert Hollow Farm. Catch the details of how this CSA operation does it successfully. Join the webinar by logging in at univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/debikelly

Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success Webinar Series

Essential FREE Resource for Farmers, Market Managers, and Local Producers
Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success Webinar Series Registration Now Open!

The Farmers Market Federation of NY and the NY Farm Viability Institute have partnered with USDA Northeast SARE to present a series of webinars on marketing, “Marketing for Profits: Tools for Success”. These webinars have been designed with the assistance of regional and national marketing experts to provide critical marketing insights for farmers and farm markets throughout the northeast. The webinars are free, are approximately an hour and a half long, and easy to access with a basic internet connection. This winter, 6 webinars will be held and interested participants are encouraged to register TODAY for the webinars they think they will attend.

The Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success webinar series will give farmers the information and tools they need to excel at direct marketing their farm products. It will also provide curriculum, presentations and handouts to Cooperative Extension Educators and other farm service educators to help their farmers master key marketing concepts that will bring greater success and more profits to their farms than ever before.

As producers, farmers are well-equipped with the knowledge to produce quality farm products. They determine the best methods of farming, and the crop mix that will help them to achieve their production goals and revenue requirements. They understand and follow all statutory regulations impacting their operation, comply with labor law and file mounds of paperwork. But when it comes to marketing, many producers believe the Field of Dreams version of “Build it and they will come.” Marketing is a concept that must be learned to achieve maximum profits from chosen marketing channels, whether it is farmers markets, CSAs, direct to restaurant sales, or another other venue.

Marketing encompasses a broad array of efforts all aimed at identifying your market and customers, satisfying your customers and maintaining your customers long term. It includes all marketing channel selections and business decisions, what to grow or produce and how it will be produced; ie conventional, organic, bio-dynamic or some amalgam of these; how you choose to make products available, how product is presented to the public, how you present your business, advertising and promotions, signage, pricing strategy, and so on. Marketing is complex and is often the most misunderstood and least successful part of many farm businesses.

The series will include coverage of 5 categories of marketing concepts spanning three years: Self-Assessment, Market Assessment, Customer Assessment, Communications Assessment and Business Assessment. Each Assessment will be a series of 3 webinars. The winter season, 2012-13, will focus on Market Assessment and Customer Assessment. Learn how to understand the current marketplace, understand your competition, find the right fit for you and your products and build your marketing plan. In the Customer Assessment series you will learn to identify your ideal customer and how to attract them, understand customer service, gain knowledge of marketing tactics to reach your ideal customers and use a SWOT analysis to understand trends that can impact your business. These are just a sample of the skills and knowledge to be gained through this season’s Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success webinar series. Each webinar will be repeated twice to maximize opportunity to participate.

Learning to Look Around, or Getting Your Head in the Game!

Bob Buccieri, former President of the Farmers Market Federation of NY
December 4, 10 am – 11:30am
December 5, 7pm – 8:30pm

How Smart ARE you, Really?

Warren Abbott, Abbott Farms, Baldwinsville, NY
December 10, 10am – 11:30am
December 11, 6pm – 7:30pm

Building the Marketing Plan

Marty Broccoli, Ag Economic Development Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Oneida County
January 8, 11am – 12:30pm
January 9, 6pm – 7:30pm

People Sure Are STRANGE! Coming to Understand the Customer

Marty Butts, Small Potatoes Marketing
January 15, 11am – 12:30pm
January 16, 6pm – 7:30pm

BOGOs, Bounce Backs and the cost of freebies! Promoting the Product

Lindsay Ott Wilcox, Creative Director, Clear Channels Radio, Syracuse
January 29, 11am – 12:30pm
January 30, 6pm – 7:30pm

Every Silver Lining has a Cloud! Market Assessment & Analysis

Marty Butts, Small Potatoes Marketing
February 12, 11am – 12:30pm
February 13, 6pm – 7:30pm

These webinars are free to participate. To register for the webinars, go to http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/work-shop-programs/webinars/registration.html

 For more information, detailed descriptions of the sessions or a full, 3 year curriculum, please contact Diane Eggert at deggert@nyfarmersmarket.com or David Grusenmeyer, dgrusenmeyer@nyfvi.org.