Attra - Sustainable Agriculture

In this episode, Rockiell Woods, director of NCAT's Gulf States Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi, has a conversation about the effect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on farms – both as a growing operation and as a business.Joining him are Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliot of Foot Print Farms in Jackson and Dr. Bill Evans, director of horticulture at Up in Farms Food Hub, also located in Jackson.For more information on this topic, you can contact Rockiell Woods directly via email at rwoods@ncat.org.Related ResourcesATTRA COVID-19 ResponseOther Resources:Foot Print FarmsUp in Farms Food HubPlease complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the content presented here.Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA s

In this episode, Nina Prater, a sustainable agriculture specialist with NCAT's southeast office in Fayetteville, Arkansas, talks with Dr. Phillip Owens and Dr. Amanda Ashworth about a new piece of farm technology called a subsurfer.Dr. Owens is research leader with the Dale Bumpers Small-Farm Research Center in Booneville, Arkansas, and Dr. Ashworth is a research soil scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service.The subsurfer inserts dry poultry litter into the soil without tilling the soil. It was originally designed for use in pastures, but Dr. Ashworth has been conducting research on the use of this technology in organic edamame and sweet corn production.Related ResourcesArsenic in Poultry Litter: Organic RegulationsEdamame: Vegetable SoybeanSweet Corn: Organic ProductionNutrient Cycling in PasturesOther Resources:Effect of Seeding Distance from Subsurface Banded Poultry Litter on Corn Yield and Leaf GreennessThe SubsurferPlease complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the c

In this episode, Margo Hale and Linda Coffey, lifelong livestock producers and long-time NCAT livestock specialists, talk about getting started in livestock. What is the appeal, and what are the important considerations?Margo is director of NCAT's Southeast Regional Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she and Linda both work.In their conversation, Margo and Linda emphasize the importance of keeping farm goals and resources in mind and stress the need to start small but plan for expansion. They mention essential infrastructure to have in place before bringing livestock home and offer many tips that will help beginners succeed with livestock.For more information on this topic, you can contact Margo Hale and Linda Coffey directly at margoh@ncat.org and lindac@ncat.org.Related ResourcesSmall Scale Livestock ProductionATTRA Livestock and PastureLivestock as a Tool: Improving Soil Health, Boosting CropsIntegrating Livestock and CropsManaged Grazing TutorialHealthy Animals, Happy FarmWorking With Your Meat

In this episode, Jeff Schahczenski, NCAT agricultural and natural resource economist, and Marieke de Ruyter de Wildt discuss issues surrounding the possibly disruptive technology of blockchain as used in agriculture and food supply chain management.Blockchain technology is often described as a system that maintains a record of transactions across several computers that are linked to a peer-to-peer network, which allows for the easy distribution of digital information.Tanzanian-born Marieke is founder of The New Fork, a blockchain company based in Amsterdam. The New Fork builds new technologies for agri-food supply chains, specializing in blockchain.Marieke's fascination with agri-food started while she was travelling in Africa at the age of 17. She began her career with computer science at Wageningen University and worked on farm data for more than 20 years, covering more than 50 countries. She returned to Wageningen University to fulfil several management positions, became director of a software company

In this episode, Jeff Schahczenski, an agricultural and natural resource economist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology, discusses working-lands conservation solutions with NCAT outreach specialist Rich Myers. Both work out of NCAT's headquarters in Butte, Montana.In the 2018 Farm Bill, significant changes were made in the two most important federal working-lands conservation programs: USDA NRCS's Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Jeff and Rich discuss the importance of these programs to farmers and ranchers in supporting a more sustainable agriculture, as well as the recently adopted NRCS Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART), which is used to rank applicants for limited funding available for these valuable working lands conservation resources.For more information on this topic, you can contact Jeff Schahczenski directly at jeffs@ncat.org.Related ATTRA ResourcesConservation Assessment Ranking Took (CART) webinar serie

This week's episode is part of an occasional series from Rockiell Woods, Director of NCAT's Gulf States Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi, and Bill Evans, Director of Horticulture at Up in Farms Food Hub in Jackson. This series is all about starting a farm.Today's conversation is focused on water issues.For more information on this topic, you can contact Rockiell Woods directly at rockw@ncat.org.Related ATTRA ResourcesEvaluating a Farm EnterpriseFinancing Your Farm: Guidance for Beginning FarmersPlanning for Profit in Sustainable FarmingBasic Accounting: Guidance for Beginning FarmersOther Resources:Farm AnswersUp in Farms Food HubPlease complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the content presented here.Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock,

In this episode, Tammy Howard, an agriculture specialist who works out of NCAT's Rocky Mountain West Regional Office in Butte, Montana, talks with two tribal food officials about their approach to sourcing food and selling it through their "mobile markets" in rural areas of Minnesota and Mississippi. They also discuss their approach to providing healthy, local food to tribal members.Zachary Paige is the coordinator of the White Earth Food Truck and facilitates the White Earth Food Sovereignty initiative of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.Daphne Snow manages the Choctaw Fresh program's five farms on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation and helps distribute produce to multiple locations through the reservation.For more information on this topic, contact Tammy Howard directly at tammyh@ncat.org.Related ATTRA ResourcesFarmers MarketsFood Hubs: A Producer GuideFeasibility Study for Central Texas Food HubOther Resources:Choctaw Fresh ProduceWhite Earth Food So

In this episode, Martin Guerena, a sustainable agriculture specialist based at NCAT's Western Regional Office in Davis, California, speaks with Alex Ellison of Castlerock Farm in Walnut Creek, California. The conversation includes a description of the Castlerock Farm operation as well as the initial results and challenges of Castlerock's trials in solarization and biosolarization. Alex also describes the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on the farm.For more information on this topic, contact Martin Guerena directly via email at marting@ncat.org.Related ATTRA ResourcesSoil Solarization and BiosolarizationTips for Selling at: Roadside StandsMarket Gardening: A Start-Up GuideOther Resources:Castlerock FarmPlease complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the content presented here.Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from

SIFT — or Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training program — aims to help communities increase their food security by producing their own healthy food. SIFT, with NCAT, has a working, sustainably managed, demonstration farm on five acres at our Butte office.This farm is the center of a program that teaches farmers and future farmers, urban food producers, community leaders, and citizens how to produce high-value, nutrient-rich food on small parcels of land. And in Butte's case, in a challenging climate.John and Andrew talk about the farm's educational capacity and what its research has shown concerning maximizing growing capacity, conserving water, hydroponics, and other issues.For more information on this topic, contact John Wallace directly at johnw@ncat.org.Related ATTRA ResourcesEpisode 165: SIFT Farm's Unusual YearNCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm websiteUrban and Community AgricultureATTRA COVID-19 ResponseSIFT 2018: Lessons from a Small-Scale Urban Intensive FarmSIFT 2019: Continuing Lessons from a

In this episode, Margo Hale, NCAT's Southeast Regional Office director and a livestock specialist with NCAT's ATTRA sustainable-agriculture program, joins livestock specialist Linda Coffey to discuss the important problem of internal parasites.The conversation covers why internal parasites are such a force to be reckoned with, as well as ways producers can work with nature to manage their pastures and animals to minimize issues with parasites.Related ATTRA ResourcesAnimal Health and NutritionManaged Grazing TutorialPublicationsAdaptive Grazing: You Can Do ItTools for Managing Internal Parasites in Sheep and Goats: Pasture ManagementTipsheet: Organic Approach to Animal HealthGrazing to Control ParasitesTips for Managing Internal ParasitesVideosIntegrated Pest Management: Train the TrainerFAMACHA in a NutshellManaging Internal Parasites in Sheep and GoatsOther ResourcesAmerican Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite ControlACSRPC Best Management PracticesIntroduction to Goat NutritionPlease complete a

In this episode, Colin Mitchell, a sustainable agriculture specialist based out of NCAT's Southwest Regional Office in San Antonio, Texas, is joined by Jeanne Merrill, policy director at the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN). Colin and Jeanne discuss different "Climate Smart Agriculture" tools and policies in California, including the Healthy Soils Program; the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program; the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program; the Sustainable Agriculture Lands Conservation Program; the Alternative Manure Management Program; and the Climate Adaptation Program.They also discuss carbon markets, water quality trading, and other issues.Related ATTRA ResourcesPublicationsPayments for Ecosystem ServicesAgriculture, Climate Change, and Carbon SequestrationManaging Soils for WaterMarketing ManureVideosPayments for Ecosystem Services Part IPayments for Ecosystem Services Part II: Carbon Markets and Credit StackingPayments for Ecosystem Services Part III: Water Quali

In this episode, Kara Kroeger, a sustainable agriculture specialist who works out of NCAT's Southwest Regional Office in San Antonio, Texas, talks with Bill Nieman, the owner of Native American Seed, a native seed company in Junction, Texas. Bill shares his history in the native-seed business and talks about how native seeds can help improve ecosystem health, among other benefits. He also shares success stories of folks he's worked with over the years.We'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete a survey about the podcast. It really helps us improve our sustainable-agriculture resources. The link is in the notes below.Related ATTRA ResourcesSeed Production and Variety Development for Organic SystemsSeed Saving: What Beginners Need to KnowOther ResourcesNative American SeedHill Country AllianceThe Land InstitutePlease call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you wit

In this episode, Linda Coffey, a Livestock Specialist with NCAT's Southeast Regional Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas, talks with Janet Vorwald Dohner, a farmer and noted expert on livestock guardian animals. The author of four books about the wonderful dogs that serve as livestock guardians, Jan brings more than 40 years of experience and a wealth of research and knowledge to the conversation in hopes of helping people succeed with these dogs. Jan talks about the history and traits of livestock guardian dogs and how to find and manage them. She explains how to handle some common problems experienced by dog owners and talks about how to set up our dogs for success.We'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete a survey about the podcast. It really helps us improve our sustainable-agriculture resources. The link is in the notes below.Related ATTRA Resources:Livestock Guardian Animals: Protecting the Flock or HerdOther Resources:Jan Dohner WebsiteFarm Dogs; A Comprehensive Breed Guide

In this episode, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Colin Mitchell is joined by Brian Brandt, the Agriculture Conservation Innovations Director at the American Farmland Trust. Colin and Brian discuss ecosystem service markets with a focus on water quality trading, a type of ecosystem service market that pays farmers for the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices that improve water quality through the reduction of runoff from manure, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and sedimentation from soil erosion. Brian goes into extensive detail discussing a multistate water quality trading pilot project focused on the Ohio River Basin watershed and a new pilot on the Scioto River watershed in Central Ohio.For more information on this topic, you can contact Colin Mitchell directly at colinm@ncat.org.Related ATTRA Resources:Payments for Ecosystem ServicesPayments for Ecosystem Services Part I (webinar)Payments for Ecosystem Services Part II: Carbon Markets and Credit Stacking (webinar)Other Resources:Ameri

In this episode, Margo Hale, NCAT's Southeast Regional Director and Director of NCAT's Armed to Farm Program, talks with Eric Grandon and Sara Creech. Eric is an Army veteran and owner of Sugar Bottom Farm in Ovapa, West Virginia. Sara is an Air Force veteran and owner of Blue Yonder Organic Farm in North Salem, Indiana. Both are alumni of NCAT's Armed to Farm program, a week-long, sustainable agriculture training for military veterans.Eric and Sara share their experiences in accessing various USDA programs. They talk about the programs and services they have utilized, how those programs have helped them reach their farm goals, and tips for veterans and other farmers as they navigate USDA programs.This podcast was supported with funding by USDA's Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.For more information on this topic, you can contact Margo Hale directly at margoh@ncat.org.Related ATTRA Resources:NCAT's Armed to Farm: Website / FacebookVeteran ResourcesFinancing Your Farm: Guid

In today's episode, Justin Duncan, sustainable agriculture specialist at NCAT's Southwest Regional Office in San Antonio, Texas, interviews Helen Smiley, a sustainable agriculture consultant located in Turkey. Helen is formerly of Texas and was invited to Turkey to educate refugees in organic farming. She shares some of the differences in agriculture in Turkey versus Texas — from giant-sized cabbage to purple carrots.For more information on this topic, you can contact Justin Duncan directly at justind@ncat.org.Related ATTRA Resources:Organic Specialty Crop Production in Texas: A Grower's HandbookPlease complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the content presented here.Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.You can get in

In this episode, Andrew Coggins, director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology's Rocky Mountain West office, has a conversation with farm manager John Wallace about the unusual growing season so far at NCAT's SIFT Farm.Both Andrew and John work out of Butte, Montana.SIFT -- or Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training program -- aims to help communities increase their food security by producing their own healthy food. SIFT, with NCAT, has a working, sustainably managed, demonstration farm on five acres at our Butte office.This farm is the center of a program that teaches farmers and future farmers, urban food producers, community leaders, and citizens how to produce high-value, nutrient-rich food on small parcels of land. And in Butte's case, in a challenging climate.This year, the Butte farm site has endured a heavy spring snow and subsequent high winds, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic. John talks about how the farm has reacted, both in production and in its community associations.

In this episode, Nina Prater, a soil specialist with NCAT's ATTRA sustainable-agriculture program, and NCAT's Southeast Regional Director Margo Hale discuss soil pH. They cover the basics – why it's important, how to measure pH, and how to best remedy soil acidity, which is a common concern in Arkansas where they live. They don't discuss alkaline soils in as much depth because it is not Nina's area of expertise. But as she points out, NCAT's ATTRA program does have other specialists who can address that soil issue with farmers.Margo is a livestock specialist, and she earned degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural & Extension Education without taking a single soil class, so Nina likes to get Margo caught up on all things soil-related. Margo and Nina both work out of NCAT's Southeast Regional Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas.And please take a few minutes to complete a survey when the podcast is done. We really value your feedback to help us make our podcasts better. The

In this episode, Devona Bell, NCAT's Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Communities, has a conversation with Maya and Ed Skopal.Maya and Ed own I-TAL ACRES, a medicinal plant farm and apothecary in Floyd County, Virginia. The Skopals discuss their philosophy of medicinal plants, some of the plants they grow and the methods they use to grow them, how the medicinal plants are processed into products, and I-TAL ACRES' business philosophy.For more information on this topic, you can contact Devona Bell directly via email at devonab@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.Related ATTRA Resources:I-TAL Acres video playlistWhat are some options for marketing medicinal herbs?Other Resources:I-TAL AcresHerbal ResourcesBuhner ProtocolMaking Plant MedicinePlease call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of

IToday's podcast is part of the occasional series entitled "Starting a Farm" from Rockiell Woods, Director of NCAT's Gulf States Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi, and Bill Evans, Director of Horticulture at Up in Farms Food Hub in Jackson. This episode is about soil considerations on a new farm. They talk about factors that affect soil, how to have yours tested, and the various ways you can improve your soil.For more information on this topic, you can contact Rockiell Woods directly at rockw@ncat.org.Related ATTRA Resources:ATTRA Soil ResourcesSustainable Soil ManagementHow to Add Compost on Your Small FarmSoil Management: National Organic Program RegulationsTipsheet: Manure in Organic Production SystemsTipsheet: Assessing the Soil Resource for Beginning Organic FarmersOther Resources:Web Soil SurveyPlease complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the content presented here.Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-914