Producer Grants Available for Sustainable Agriculture

GRIFFIN, Georgia – Calls for Proposals for the 2012 Producer Grants, intended for farmers/ranchers and farmer/rancher organizations throughout the Southern region, are now available from the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program.

Proposal submission deadline is 11:59 Eastern Standard Time on Nov. 15, 2011. Announcement of grants will take place in February 2012.

Producer Grants are used to conduct projects that solve problems farmers face and to develop information on what works and what doesn’t so that other farmers and ranchers facing those same problems can benefit from the results of the funded project. The grants are not designed to pay a farmer to farm. They are designed to take some of the financial risk away from trying a solution.

Projects may be funded for up to two years for a project maximum of $10,000 for an individual producer or $15,000 for a producer organization. Producer organizations should be comprised primarily of farmers/ranchers and must have a majority farmer representation on their governing board.

Log on to http://www.southernsare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant to download the current Calls for Proposal. The Calls for Proposal includes application information, program priorities, use of funds, proposal submission instructions, and contact information. Be sure to carefully follow the information in the Calls for Proposals when submitting your grant. Failure to follow the submission guidelines may result in your proposal being rejected.

Focus areas for Producer Grants include beneficial insect habitat, alternative crops/livestock, organic agriculture, sustainable marketing products, sustainable grazing systems, soil organic matter, building/protection/management, increasing sustainability of existing farming practices, appropriate technology and agroforestry/water quality.

SARE is a competitive grants program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to promote research and education about sustainable agriculture. Southern SARE is administered by a host consortium consisting of the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Oklahoma.

For more information on Southern SARE, log on to http://www.southernsare.org, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/southernsare, or fan us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/southsare.

2011 EQIP Sign-Up for Organics Deadline May 20

From Southeast Farm Press:

"The USDA — NRCS is offering a second sign up for conservation assistance on certified organic farms or agricultural ventures transitioning to organic production in North Carolina through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Farmers and growers who are transitioning to organic production, or are currently certified, must sign up for EQIP before the May 20, 2011 deadline in order to be considered.

A number of conservation practices may be funded including irrigation, cover crops, crop rotations, prescribed grazing, forage harvest management, nutrient management, pest management, and seasonal high tunnels (also known as hoop — houses).

Cost-share assistance is provided based on the average cost of conservation practices implemented, and is usually between 75 and 90 percent of the practice costs.

Once again, the deadline is Friday, May 20, 2011. For more information on Organic Initiative, NRCS, and how to sign up for EQIP, please contact your local USDA Service Center or NRCS office."

USDA/NRCS Service Centers

"What's Hot" Trends for 2011

The National Restaurant Association's annual survey of 1,500 professional chefs from the American Culinary Federation is here!

I find that this list is an important tool for growers to use during the planning for next season. This is especially important for producers who sell to restaurants.

Again this year we see local, sustainable and organic as some of the top trends. I hope this means these "trends" are here to stay!

Here are the top 10 overall trends:

1. Locally sourced meat and seafood
2. Locally grown produce
3. Sustainability
4. Nutritionally balanced children's dishes
5. Hyper-local (e.g. restaurant gardens, do your own butchering)
6. Children's nutrition
7. Sustainable seafood
8. Gluten-free/food allergy conscious
9. Simplicity/back to basics
10. Farm/estate-branded ingredients

Also making the top 20 is Locally produced wine and beer (#12), Organic produce (#14) and Fruit/Vegetable children's side items (#18).

The top 5 produce trends:

1. Locally grown produce
2. Organic produce
3. Superfruits (acai, goji, purslane, mangosteen)
   
4. Heirloom beans
5. Exotic fruit (paw paw, passion fruit, durian, dragon fruit and guava)
   

Download the entire What's Hot for 2011 chef survey results (PDF).

Should Organic Beers Contain Organic Hops?

Here is an article from the Yakima Herald-Republic via the Kitsap Sun website that was forwarded to me about the struggle for organic hops producers in the Pacific-Northwest to sell their crop.
For Organic Hops Farmers in Washington, Gov. Obstacles

The difficulty lies in the National Organic Program exemptions for some non-organic ingredients that are allowed in organic products.

I'd like to hear what you think about these exemptions. Use the the comments function below.

Sustainable Insect Management Workshop

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Sustainable/Organic Insect Management for Vegetable Growers Workshop in Clinton, SC. Our first stop was Parson Produce, a certified organic farm located at Bush River Farm.


Here we were greeted by Daniel Parson, a young and gregarious farmer who has been farming for 12 years. Daniel is a great presenter and has a Master's degree from Clemson University. Some of you may know Daniel from his presentations at SSAWG.

Daniel discussed his farm and showed us his farming equipment, which he stated is a piece of his pest management strategy. In true organic fashion, his production is a whole-farm system and pest management starts with productive soils, adequate not abundant nutrition, cover crops and good weed management.

Next, we moved to the field where Dr. Powell Smith (Extension entomologist and vegetable specialist from Clemson University) showed us some insect collection tools. These include sweep and butterfly nets, aspirators (used for catching small insects by sucking them into a container) and fabric sheets.

Below you can see Daniel's cover crop mixture of sorghum-sudangrass and buckwheat.

A great place to find insects!

Check out this field of pure buckwheat! A quick summer cover crop and insect attractor.

Insects, especially those that are predators to some plant-eating insects love the small buckwheat flower and will visit often for a source of food.


Daniel allows his buckwheat to go to seed and therefore re-seed the field.


Here is a group of workshop participants learning about the insects they collected in the buckwheat.


Next, we moved on to look at the broccoli to see what kind of insects we could find in this crop.


Here we saw some bad insects, but also some natural predators. We also learned about 'banker plants'. 'Banker plants' are plants that have some kind of problem and attract crop destroying insects and the predators that feed on them. Daniel has chosen to leave his 'banker plants' in order to keep the good insects in the planting. His 'banker plants' had lots of aphids (typically a sign of excess nitrogen). In addition to the aphids, they contained aphid predators. Below is a lady beetle larva feeding on the aphids.


Syrphid fly larvae were also present and feeding on the aphids(below). These insects are known as "aphid killers".


We also found harlequin bugs, a yearly problem on brassica crops. Below are nymphs of the piercing/sucking pest.


Exploring the eggplant crop we noticed a lot of flea beetle damage. Management for flea beetles is difficult. Some have found that row covers are effective for crops that do not require pollination. The covers cannot have open spaces for the beetles to enter. This control method is not effective if the flea beetle larvae are present in your soil. If they are, you will be trapping them in and may have a big problem on your hands.

Below you can see some flea beetle damage (the shot holes). The insect pictured below is an adult two-lined spittlebug, which is a plant-feeding insect.


Another plant-feeding pest that we found on the eggplant was a some kind of leaf-footed bug (below).


Thrips damage was also noted on the eggplant crop. Thrips are usually found in the flower of crops. These insects have rasping mouthparts. Damage on eggplant appears as green to brown streaking on the fruit. Sorry, I don't have a picture.

After all of our fun in the field, we enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the owners of Bush River Farm and Bed and Breakfast.

After lunch the group headed to Presbyterian College to learn some more about insect pest management and to do some more insect identification. Dr. Powell Smith discussed the different characteristics of identifying insects and the major plant-feeding and beneficial insect groups. The group discussed management options and the importance of attracting beneficial insects, as well as learning about the life cycle of an insect pest.


Overall, managing insects in vegetable crops organically is similar to a conventional IPM approach. Like discussed above, healthy soils, adequate nutrition and weed management will go along way. IPM includes cultural control methods (including proper selection of vegetable varieties for your area, avoiding insects by changing planting date, eliminating insect overwintering areas, attracting beneficial insects, planting trap crops, etc), using mechanical or physical control methods (tillage to disturb life cycle, row covers, hand picking or vacuuming) and finally the use of organically approved insecticides. Keep in mind that many insecticides will also kill or disturb your beneficial insects, that is why it is your last line of defense.

To learn more about attracting beneficial insects and biological control, visit NCSU's Biological Control Information Center or the Biological Control Resources page on GrowingSmallFarms.org.

Overall, the day was successful. We learned a lot about identifying insects, management options and even got to take a few specimen home with us. Below you can see our insect collection.


I took a wheel bug (a predator in the assassin bug family), a leaf-footed bug and larva, a squash bug and a running ground beetle (a voracious eater in the Carabidae that will feed on cutworms) home with me!

To learn more about insect identification, insect collection and insect control visit the following links:

ATTRA's Links to Insect Management
Growing Small Farms Links to Insect Management Web Resources
Collecting and Preserving Insects and Arachnids

CSA On-Line Resource

I came across this CSA on-line resource today reading "Growing for Market" and would like to know if any Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers are using it.

The CSA Tool was developed by David Haynes, who helped to manage the largest CSA in Utah, and is supposed to help growers save time. From the website:

"With the tools in this Toolbox you can communicate easily with your customers, quickly do your paperwork and handle your billing, take payments and contact only those members you want to notify. This will help you cut down the time spent in the office allowing you to do what you enjoy, farming. We have tips, highlights and ideas that will help you increase your income with the crops you are already growing."

The CSA management Tools include:

• Membership Management,
• Pick-Up Site Management,
• Share Management,
• Email Broadcaster,
• Billing Systems, and
• Reporting Systems

Let us know if you use this resource to manage your CSA or are thinking about using the CSA ToolBox.
Or if you have another resource that helps to save you time on the farm, let us know about it.

NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council Meeting Feb. 2

The North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Council will meet for the first time Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. The council will meet from 2-4 pm in the Martin Building. The public is strongly encouraged to attend.

The advisory council was created by the NC General Assembly in August 2009 to study, develop and promote policies that will create jobs, support communities, preserve the natural environment, increase access to fresh and nutritious foods, and provide greater food security for all North Carolinians. The 27-person council includes appointees by Governor Bev Purdue, President Po Tempore Marc Basnight, Speaker Joe Hackney and Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler.

"The council is purposely diverse," said Dr. Nancy Creamer, executive director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and a council appointee. "By ensuring that the many organizations and individuals are at the same table, the council;s ability to effectively engage policy-makers and community leaders across the state to support a local sustainble food economy in North Carolina is much greater."

"Hundreds of individulas and organization have worked to establish and support local food economies," said Representative Ray Rapp. "Tuesday's meeting will begin to lay out the state's vision and role to support existing efforts, of which there are many, and to encourage new endeavors and ideas." Rep. Rapp and Senator Charlie Albertson championed the legislation in the General Assembly.

The creation of the council is one result of the ongoing CEFS "Farm to Fork" statewide initiative to develop a Statewide Action Plan to build a sustainable local food economy. The Action Plan is expected to be released in March 2010. For a complete listing of council appointees, visit the CEFS website NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council page.

CEFS develops and promotes a farm-to-fork approach to agriculture and food choices that protects the environment, strengthens local communities, and provides economic opportunities through research, education, outreach and marketing innovations.

NRCS Offers High Tunnel and Organic Ag Funding Opportunity

Here is some exciting news from Stuart Ashby Lee regarding Organic Agriculture and Seasonal High Tunnels and the NRCS-EQIP!

On behalf of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) I would like to share with you exciting news about funding opportunities for seasonal high tunnels for corps and the Organic Initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Below, I have included a Web link that will provide you with information about financial assistance offered for organic agricultural production and seasonal high tunnels. As always, if you have any questions about the attached information, links or NRCS, please contact me at any time. Stuart Ashby Lee, USDA-NRCS North Carolina, State Public Affairs Specialist, 4407 Bland RD, Ste 117, Raleigh, NC 27609. Phone: 919-873-2107. Email: stuart.lee@nc.usda.gov.
Funding Opportunities Through EQIP:

Link: http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP/index.html

Additional Links:

Link: http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/

Link: http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

• Applications for seasonal high tunnels should be received by your local NRCS field office no later than February 12, 2010
• Organic Farmers Sign-Up by March 12, 2010

Here is the news release:

Subject: High Tunnels to Reach New Heights In North Carolina

Raleigh, NC - High hope for high tunnels as the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) expands its ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative to North Carolina. The initiative will provide opportunities for farmers to establish seasonal high tunnel systems for crops – also known as hoop houses – to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation friendly way.

Unlike greenhouses, seasonal high tunnels use no energy, other than sunlight – saving money and valuable energy resources. Other resource benefits include improved pest management and plant condition. Seasonal high tunnels also provide a longer growing season.

“Seasonal high tunnels extend the growing season, which means a greater supply of locally grown produce on dinner tables across North Carolina,” said NRCS Acting State Conservationist JB Martin. “Ultimately, it’s a great opportunity for our producers and the state.”

Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move for crop rotations. Proactive conservation practices are installed around the tunnel to prevent soil erosion from runoff.

Traditional agricultural producers interested in utilizing seasonal high tunnels on currently cultivated cropland may qualify for financial assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). A special EQIP sign-up period has been established exclusively for seasonal high tunnels. Applications for seasonal high tunnels should be received by your local NRCS Field Office no later than February 12.

Under the EQIP Organic Initiative, organic producers and producers who are transitioning to organic production can also receive financial assistance to establish a number of “core” conservation practices, which includes seasonal high tunnels to be utilized on cultivated cropland. Applications for EQIP Organic Initiative applications must be received by March 12 at your local field office.

For more information on NRCS, EQIP, high tunnels and for contact information on your nearest NRCS field office, please visit us on the Web at www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov.

Movento to be Pulled From Shelves!

Big Win for Bees: Judge Pulls Pesticide

NEW YORK (December 29, 2009) - A pesticide that could be dangerously toxic to America's honey bees must be pulled from store shelves as a result of a suit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Xerces Society. In an order issued last week, a federal court in New York invalidated EPA's approval of the pesticide spirotetramat (manufactured by Bayer CropScience under the trade names Movento and Ultor) and ordered the agency to reevaluate the chemical in compliance with the law. The court's order goes into effect on January 15, 2010, and makes future sales of Movento illegal in the United States.

Here is a full article on the matter Bayer 'Disappointed' in Ruling on Chemical that May Harm Bees

Chef's Think Local is Hot in 2010 (again!)

The results are in from the annual National Restaurant Association survey of American Culinary Federation member chefs. The results are a comprehensive culinary forecast including a menu trends prediction report. More than 1,800 professional chefs ranked nearly 215 culinary items as a "hot trend," "yesterday’s news," or "perennial favorite" on restaurant menus in 2010.

The results are exciting!


Ranking in the Top 20 Trends are:
#1 Locally Grown Produce, #2 Locally Sourced Meats and Seafood, #3 Sustainability, #10 Sustainable Seafood, #12 Organic Produce and #20 Fruit/Vegetable Children's Side Items.

View the entire What's Hot in 2010 Chef Survey.

If you are looking to market your produce to restaurants this survey is a valuable guide!

Some of the specific items on the list of What's Hot Produce are:
#1 Locally grown produce, #3 Organic produce, #5 Micro-veggies/micro-greens, #6 Heirloom tomatoes, #7 Specialty potatoes, #8 Fresh herbs, #11 Root vegetables, #12 Fresh beans, #15 Ramps (a WNC Local Favorite!) and #17 Jerusalem artichokes. Just to name a few.


Last year's list was had many similar items. View my post from last year and the What's Hot in 2009 Chef Survey here.

Fee Waivers Available!: SSAWG Conference

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's (commonly known as SSAWG) "Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms" conference is coming up January 20-23, 2010 in Chattanooga, TN!

If you or someone you know is a current or future farmer who could benefit from atttending the

SSAWG conference on a fee waiver, please visit http://www.ssawg.org/conference-waiver.html for information on how to apply.

I was lucky to attend this conference this past January and had an awesome time. Chattanooga is a great place for this conference. It is a very walkable town with a lot of interesting things to see and do.

The SSAWG conference is an invigorating and informative conference that brings together farmers, researchers, students and advocates of sustainable agriculture. A truly remarkable experience for all who attend.

Here are some comments from folks that have attended this event (from the SSAWG Conference webpage):

“Good practical info with real examples delivered by people with real experience.”

“I learned a ton about many different aspects in profiting off a farm operation.”

“Most useful thing was the affirmation and validation from others like myself. Renewed confidence in my initial decision to farm.”

I hope to see you there!

Sustainable AgricultureConference in Black Mountain!

We are so lucky this year to have the Carolina Farm Stewardship's 24th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference (CFSA-SAC) in WNC! Last year I had an outstanding time at CFSA-SAC! Read about my experience here and here.

The CFSA conference registration deadline is Nov. 25. Don't delay!

Only six days to go to sign up at the pre-conference rate for CFSA's 24th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Black Mountain, NC. Dec. 4 to 6. Register today! (https://www.netforumondemand.com/eweb/shopping/shopping.aspx?pager=2&site=cfsa&prd_key=d2d8a432-86af-436f-ad3e-21a338f0cb3d)

Time is running out to reserve your place at this year’s conference. Day-of registration rates are 20% higher-- if any spots are open. Don’t miss this chance to lock in to the biggest sustainable agriculture conference in our region.

Besides a wide array of skill-building and policy workshops and panels, this is the premier opportunity to network with Carolina sustainable farmers and foodies --- and in a relaxed retreat setting. It has never been more important for us to get together as a movement, meet each other and pool our efforts. Don't miss this special weekend event. Come join us in the beautiful mountains to move the farm and food movement forward!

Already registered? Spread the word to others, bring a friend, and help this community grow.

Full workshop descriptions and speaker bios are at our website: www.carolinafarmstewards.org. The conference site, Blue Ridge Assembly (http://www.blueridgeassembly.org/) is a majestic, historic retreat center with miles of hiking trails aside mountain creeks to peaks as high as 4,375 feet! On-site lodging is affordable and includes cabins, quads and rooms. We have yoga and breakfast each morning, and, of course, an all local and organic menu.

Lodging and food packages, farm tours and the children's program still have openings, but could sell out soon. Contact us if you have any questions, 919 542 2402.

We look forward to seeing you there!

P.S.: We are pleased to announce that Tim LaSalle from the Rodale Institute will be speaking on a Saturday morning panel, as well as at the Saturday keynote.

***An exciting event just in from Debbie Hamrick***

If you direct market your agricultural products through farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture, on-farm stands, or are just interested in farmers markets, then you are invited to a Listening Session to be held at Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference on Saturday December 5 in Black Mountain, NC. The Listening Session will be from 3:30-4:40 pm in the Blue Ridge Center Chapel.

The 2009 Farm to Fork Summit Direct Marketing Working Issues Team identified their main “game changer” as “Develop a NC Direct Marketing Network - a structured network whose mission is to enhance existing local efforts and encourage new innovations in direct marketing across the state.” To see all of the ideas from the Direct Marketing WIT and other Farm to Fork Summit WITs, go to: http://ncsustainablefood.wordpress.com/working-issue-groups/direct-marketing/

Do we need such a network? What are the potential benefits? What is the process for developing a direct marketing network and who should be involved? North Carolina enjoys a national reputation for its strong direct market farmers and as interest in buying local continues to increase dramatically, now is the time to examine how we can all work together to everyone’s benefit.

For more information, contact the Direct Marketing WIT facilitator, Debbie Hamrick, debbie.hamrick@ncfb.org or Cell: (919) 302-9538.

Free Workshop: Sustainable Agriculture with Joel Salatin

Interested in organic gardening or pursuing a career in sustainable agriculture? The Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) Sustainable Agriculture Program and Burke County Cooperative Extension will host a workshop entitled “Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success in Sustainable Agriculture with Joel Salatin”.

Events will include a panel discussion, farm projects tour, exhibits by area organizations involved in sustainable agriculture and a presentation by Joel Salatin.

Salatin is the owner/operator of Polyface Farms in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. A third generation alternative farmer, Salatin carries his message of environmentally sustainable farming practices to audiences nationwide. Salatin’s farming methods have been profiled in the film Food, Inc. and in the book The Omnivore’s Dilemma by investigative journalist Michael Pollan. Salatin has written several books about farming including You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farming Enterprise.

This free workshop will be held on Monday, November 16 from 1-5 P.M. at the Burke County Cooperative Extension Office in Morganton.

Registration is from noon to 1 P.M. and space is limited, so be sure and arrive early. For more information about this event or if you or your organization would like to have a free exhibitors table, please contact Chip Hope at chope@wpcc.edu or 828 448-3554 or Donna Teasley at donna_teasley@ncsu.edu or 828 439-4460.

This event is being held in conjunction with WPCC’s Fall Speakers Forum. This year, the theme is “Food for Thought: Reinventing Our Food System for a Healthier World”. Speakers on international food issues will appear at Western Piedmont’s Leviton Auditorium from Monday, November 16 through Thursday, November 19. Joel Salatin, author and food activist Anna Lappé and Joel Bourne of National Geographic will speak at 7:15 on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings respectively. Chip Hope, Coordinator of WPCC’s Sustainable Agriculture Program, will speak on Wednesday, November 18 at noon. For more information about the forum, contact Mary Charlotte Safford at msafford@wpcc.edu or 448-3539.

**All events are free and open to the public. Sign Language Interpreters will be at each event. Western Piedmont complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make every effort to honor reasonable requests made by individuals with qualifying disabilities. Accommodations must be requested three (3) business days in advance of school events or activities through the Disability Access Office in room 103 Hildebrand Hall or call 828.448.3153.**

Biochar Webinar Nov. 3

Well, it seems like webinars are all the rage these days! Here is another one:

Webinar: Introduction to Biochar

November 3, 2009
12 – 1pm ET
The webinar will address the questions of:

– What is biochar?
– How can it be used for soil amendment and carbon reduction?
– What are the opportunities for agriculture and forestry?

Presentations will be given by:

Julie Major
Agriculture Extension Director
International Biochar Initiative
http://southern.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0f1ae3af4acc3549d021cd534&id=315c5dbf61&e=01c7f33fc2

and

Joseph James
Founder and President
Agri-Tech Producers
http://southern.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0f1ae3af4acc3549d021cd534&id=398355b38a&e=01c7f33fc2

The webinar is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, visit: https://southern.ilinc.com/register/cpmxzjy

For more info about the webinar, visit the NC Altenative Crops and Organics Blog.

Getting Started in Farm-Scale Biodiesel Production Webinar

Are you interested in making your farm even more sustainable by producing your own biodiesel?

The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) will host "Getting Started in Farm-Scale Biodiesel Production" webinar on November 5. The webinar will begin at 11 a.m MST (I am pretty sure this will be 1 pm EST- correct me if I'm wrong!) and will last for 60 minutes.

The presenters for the webinar are Al Kurki and Rich Dana, biodiesel specialists with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

The presenters will present the basics of biodiesel production and show home brewers the precautions to take to avoid potential problems associated with poor-quality fuel.

Other topics to be presented include:

• The advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel;
• The chemistry of biodiesel and step-by-step instructions to make your own fuel;
• Types, prices and trade-offs of biodiesel processors and equipment;
• Oilseed production and processing; and
• Examples of farmers and ranchers making their own fuel.

Please register in advance at www.attra.ncat.org/webinars2009/biodiesel1.

Hops Tour a Success!

Over 100 people attended the first ever Hops Farm and Brewery Tour on Saturday coordinated by the NC Cooperative Extension Service. Small farms agent, Melinda Roberts, organized the event which consisted of a two farm tour at Landfair Farm and Hop'n Blueberry Farm and a tour of a local microbrewery, Pisgah Brewing Company.

The day started at Landfair Farms, where Julie Jenson and her tireless crew cultivate approximately 1,300 hops bines. The hops varieties they grow include, Cascade, Willamete, Brewers Gold and others.


The crowd came eager to learn, despite the early threat of rain.

Dr. Jeanine Davis (read more about the tour on her new blog!) discussed the efforts she has been taking to advance our knowledge of hops production in WNC. Dr. Davis also discussed that with new crops we have a lot to learn and a lot of challenges to face- but that is what makes hops fun and exciting. She also stressed that it is important that growers communicate with one another and take notes because we have a lot to learn.


The crowd listened attentively.

Next Chris Reedy, local beer and hops enthusiast, discussed his efforts to start a guild for hops growers. After the tour Chris founded the Eastern Hops Guild. This will be just the type of organization that Dr. Davis discussed. A group of individuals with the common goal to forward the hops industry here in WNC.


Next, Julie Jenson, the proprietor of Landfair Farms, discussed the farm. Julie explained her passion for farming and her desire to grow the hops at Landfair Farms organically. Though, she did explain that there are many challenges with growing a new crop, including lots of learning!


After the presentation, participants had time to roam through the hop yard and form connections with other interested individuals. I had a great time with the folks in this picture discussing diseases, insects and site selection. My first question is always "What beer do you like to drink?"

Folks then enjoyed lunch at Landfair Farms. Chef in Motion provided delicious sandwiches and dessert. These folks enjoyed the food and meeting the resident pooches.

Next, we were off to Black Mountain to Hop'n Blueberry Farm owned by Van Burnett. Van is a 2009 WNC AgOptions Grant Recipient. Van was also featured in the Black Mountain News.



Here is Van and Melinda welcoming the crowd to Hop'n Blueberry Farm!


Van, always animated, explained his hop yard and all the hard work he has put into it. Below, he explains his high tech harvesting equipment (a canvas tote bag).

Here Van show the participants how his trellis is on a winch system so that he can lower the bines for harvesting. Despite his fears, the bines do not get entangled when he lowers them.

Here you can see Van's hop yard and all of the people that were in attendance. Some of the varieties that Van grows include Chinook, Centennial and Nugget.

You reap what you sow! Below is dried hops from Van's harvest. He has tried a few different methods, vacuum sealing, freezing, air drying.


Hops in the hand is worth two in the...


Finally, we were off to Pisgah Brewing Company located nearby in Black Mountain.



And we got to sample three beers 1. Endless Summer Ale 2. India Pale Ale and 3. Belgian Amber.

Dave, the man in charge and exuberant tour guide, explained that Pisgah Brewing Company desires to remain a small microbrewery and to purchase local hops and as many local ingredients as possible. Dave also explained the brewing process and showed the participants his set-up.


Well the day had to end somewhere. This participant enjoyed the hops and brewery tour day so much, that his day ended with dancing a little jig.


It ended up being a beautiful day!

To learn more about hops production, visit the following sites:

North Carolina Specialty Crops Site
Oregon Crop Profile on Hops
Organic Hop Production
Hop Production in New England

Tomato Workshop This Friday!!

Tomato Workshop:

Highlighting Studies on Growing Organic Heirloom Tomatoes

And Growing Tomatoes with a Microbially Active Biochar Product

When: August 21, 2009 10:00 AM

Where: Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC
Directions at: http://www.agr.state.nc.us/research/mrs.htm

The Studies:

Organic Production of Heirloom and Heirloom-type Hybrid Tomatoes by Jeanine Davis and Dilip Panthee
Farmers and gardeners have been very interested in the organic heirloom tomato studies that we have conducted at this research station since 2004. This year, 11 heirloom tomato varieties and 9 new heirloom-type hybrids are being grown with an organic insect and disease control strategy that we have developed from results from the previous years’ studies. For the first time, we are growing these indeterminate tomatoes on a high-stake, string and weave system instead of a standard trellis system. There will also be a taste test to compare all the varieties.

Assessing the Effects of Fertilizer Rates and Carbon-based Soil Inoculants on Tomato Growth and Yield by Jeanine Davis
Everyone is talking about biochar and how it can improve crop yields, remediate soils, reduce fertilizer use, sequester carbon, and as a byproduct of its manufacturing, be a source of an alternative fuel. This study is one of several in the Southeast testing CHARGROW, a biochar product inoculated with beneficial soil microorganisms. Different formulations of the product were used to grow the transplants at two rates. The plants are being grown under three fertilizer regimes. Organic disease and insect control products are currently being used. A member of the Carbon Char Group will be present to discuss biochar and CHARGROW.

Tomato Sandwiches Provided: Back by popular demand-free tomato sandwiches! Make your own sandwich-we’ll provide the tomatoes, bread and mayonnaise. Chips and tea will round out this light lunch.

Come Prepared: This is an outdoors workshop. We will have canopies set up, tables, and chairs. If we have heavy rain, we will move inside for the taste tests and lunch.

For More Information: Please call Terri Schell at 828-684-3562 or email her at Terri_Schell@ncsu.edu.

Funding: Funding for these two projects was provided by Brandt Consolidated (http://www.brandtconsolidated.com) and a member of the Carbon Char Group (http://carbonchar.com).

Who is Conducting These Studies: These studies are being conducted by Dr. Jeanine Davis, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, and Dr. Dilip Panthee, Assistant Professor, in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University. They are located at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/. The Mountain Research Station maintains the research plots and provides technical support for the projects.

There is word that some representative from Ingles Supermarket plan to attend the workshop. The representatives would like to meet with local farmers with an emphasis on "organic" and "local". Ingles is making a big effort to buy local, so you might want to rearrange your schedule to attend!

WNC Growers Testify: The Future of Specialty Crops For Small Family Farmers

I am extremely proud to share the following post with you.

Three WNC growers testified before Congress on July 30 about the 2008 Farm Bill regarding the Specialty Crops Program. Each grower expressed the need to protect small, family farms. They voiced their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the current Farm Bill, as well as other government programs. The growers, which represent vegetable and fruit growers in WNC, discussed food safety, crop insurance, the importance of research and the challenges of being a small farmer. Each grower represented WNC and small farms very well!

Read the Hendersonville Times-News article: Area Farmer Headed to Congress.

I have posted each growers' testimony below (Thanks to YouTube) for you to view.







I would like to thank each of these gentlemen for their eloquent words and for representing the farmers of WNC. I would also like to thank Congressman Heath Shuler, who represents the 11th District of NC and acts as the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade.

This is a very important topic for growers in WNC and it is exciting to see our fellow growers voicing their opinions in Washington!

Food Safety?

It is no question that everyone wants the food they consume to be safe. But, have we crossed the line? Is this really the future of food? I hope not.

Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent in Chatham County, has passed on another stimulating and disturbing article from the San Francisco Chronicle about how food safety is going overboard. Crops, Ponds Destroyed in Quest for Food Safety talks about the extreme measures an organic grower is taking to make sure his produce isn't contaminated by wildlife. The article also mentions that these same extreme measures of removing vegetation could be making the produce less safe. All in all, are we rushing forward before we have the science to back it up? What we do have, however, is the experience that tells us local produce is not causing the problem. I'd like to hear your comments!

If you would like to stay abreast of the food safety legislature in Washington, visit President Obama's Food Safety Working Group's website and please send them your comments.

Local Dirt

What is Local Dirt?

http://www.localdirt.com

Local Dirt is an online site for finding, selling, and buying local food (and local food buyers). We are funded by the National Science Foundation. Local Dirt is the only site that does not charge a markup for selling online.

We come from farm backgrounds and have a goal to give small and mid-sized farmers the same advantages as large distributors. Finding buyers and automating the sales, invoices, and inventory is made as easy and fast as possible.

How It Works

1. Profile page - have a free page telling about your farm.

2. List and sell products - put products on the site for sale on your farm, through a farmers' market, or for wholesale delivery. Buyers search by distance and order online directly from the farm. Invoices are automatically generated. Local Dirt does not take any markup or receive any of these payments.

3. List deals - Selling a whole cow? Have excess product? Take bids online.

There is more. Register for a tour - http://www.localdirt.com/see_more_ask_questions-r1.html - to see and ask questions.

Who Can Use Local Dirt?

To market or sell: farms, local food producers, farmers' markets, farm cooperatives, and local food distributors.

To buy: individuals, farm stands, restaurants, grocers, schools, hospitals, and other businesses.

Just getting started in your area... Not seeing anyone? Do a search for a product or buyer, then click "set an alert". You will receive an email anytime that product or a new buyer is available on the site.

Last year we tested the site in Madison, Wisconsin. On June 15th we opened it up nationally. Please help us pass the word on.


Bill Walker
bwalker@localdirt.com
ph: 919-740-8075
http://www.localdirt.com