ORIGINAL ARTICLE AVAILABLE AT: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/

VIDEO: 2007 Census Data Release (Feb 04, 2009)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2009 – The number of farms in the United States has grown 4 percent and the operators of those farms have become more diverse in the past five years, according to results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

“The Census of Agriculture is a valuable tool that provides the general public with an accurate and comprehensive view of American agriculture. It’s also a set of benchmarks against which this Department must measure and demonstrate its performance to agriculture and the taxpayer,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more »

Sustainable Ag Technician – soils / grass-fed beef

The Shasta Group (Shasta California) has 5000 acres of grass fed beef, and this new group is creating a very sustainable model for food production there on all levels. They are seeking a Sustainable Ag Technician-soils/grass-fed beef.

Their most immediate need is to find a person with a soils background that can help run a composting system, as well as do much of the soils quality monitoring, tracking their successes over time with building soil organic matter and fertility, from a biological perspective.

For more information on the position and how to apply contact: Alison Kutz-Troutman, Sound Horticulture for The Shasta Farm (360)739-9095.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE AVAILABLE AT: http://news.cals.wisc.edu/newsDisplay.asp?id=1823

Written by Bob Mitchell on 4/2/2009

UW’s school for beginning farmers teams with federal program that provides farm start-up loans
The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (http://www.cias.wisc.edu/dairysch.html) will provide training needed to qualify for loans from the Farm Services Agency

A UW-Madison program that teaches aspiring farmers the skills they need to get started has forged a partnership with a federal program that provides financial resources to make those dreams come true. Read more »

West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science
is seeking an Garden Manager for our new
FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM

West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) is a preK-12th grade school situated on 62 acres of diverse ecosystems.  We have a few small organic garden areas and are looking to start some new spaces to grow fruits and vegetables for our salad bar in spring and fall as well as start a small school CSA and Farmer’s Market program.  This is an adventurous program and we need YOU to help!

The Intern will be responsible for:
•    Planning, designing and constructing new garden spaces and adding on to new ones
•    Helping with the implementation of a Youth Farm Stand and aiding in the hiring of 4, 9-12th grade students
•    Taking students on field trips during summer
•    Work Monday nights from 6:30-8 with our Green Thumb Club
•    Caring for all gardens with help of students and taking produce to farmer’s market one day a week
•    Helping to install irrigation system and fencing
•    Using all tillers and tractors
•    Co-leading farm related workshops throughout the summer to school families and community members
•    Whatever else may come up! Read more »

www.beginningfarmers.org was recently featured in an article in Farmers’ Markets Today magazine which highlights my doctoral dissertation research on first-generation farmers. You can read the article online on page 10 of the current issue available at http://www.farmersmarketstoday.com/images/fmtmarapr09sec.pdf

Enjoy!

ORIGINAL ARTICLE AVAILABLE AT: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2009news/04071_bfrp.html

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $17 Million in Grants for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
While Visiting Farmers in Missouri, Vilsack Also Discusses Recent Initiatives to Help Producers

Media Contact: Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188

LOTHROP, Mo., April 7, 2009 – While visiting with farmers in Lothrop, Mo., today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making more than $17 million in grants available under the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Vilsack also described recent initiatives, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), designed to help producers and keep farmers on the land. Read more »

NEW Resources on the Web:
Funds for Farmers and
Policy Updates | Action Alerts

MOSES has launched two new web pages, filled with valuable information to help you navigate the many funding opportunities available for your farm, as well as advocate for important organic issues.

Our Funds for Farmers page contains a huge variety of resources to help beginning and established organic farmers find funds for their farms. From grant opportunities, to government programs and tax credits, there is a funding source out there that is right for you and your farm. Check back often. New funding programs are announced frequently.

Go to Funds for Farmers
http://www.mosesorganic.org/fundsforfarmers.html

Our Policy Updates | Action Alerts page was designed to keep you informed and up-to-date on organic policy. Check in often for simple, but important ways we need you to take action. Find additional groups who are doing important organic policy work. Get involved!

Go to Policy Updates | Action Alerts
http://www.mosesorganic.org/policy.html

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Scully Ranch Seeks Full Time Farmer

Scully Ranch, nestled in the hills above Napa Valley, is a gorgeous
twenty-acre Estate with a growing two-acre farm and orchard.  They are
seeking an additional fulltime farm employee who is passionate about
organic farming. They are a small operation so everyone takes on
responsibilities and has the opportunity to participate in all aspects
of the farm. We would prefer someone with experience, but a highly
capable, hardworking person, with a willingness to learn, will also be
considered.

Farm Duties:
Prepare and Plant Vegetable Beds, Seeding, Irrigation,  Tree Care,
Farmers Markets, Produce Delivery, Chicken Care, and Land Management
(clearing fallen trees, building fences, drainage maintenance, etc..).

Requirements/Qualifications:
1 Year of Experience Working on a Farm, English Speaker-(Spanish is a
plus), Drivers License and Clean Driving Record.

Start Date: ASAP
Fulltime- 40-50hrs per week
Salary: Competitive wages-DOE

Please Email, or Fax, a resume and cover letter and be ready to
provide two references upon request.  Please tell us about yourself,
your skills, and experience.

ATT: Emily Baron
Email: Ebaron@scullyranch.net
Fax # (707) 252 0582

A farmer wrote to me recently interested in sharing some new resources on goat farming. One is Personal Milkers:  A Primer to Nigerian Dwarf Goats, which she wrote for the newcomer to keeping livestock. Many ND owners have no background in livestock at all, so this guide introduces them to fencing, housing, feeding needs as well as what to do with the milk, and how to purchase stock. It is currently self-published, by lulu.com, and recently was reviewed by one of the contributing editors of Hobby Farms, very favorably.  You can learn more about Personal Milkers at her farm’s website: www.hamesaxle.com/BookPromo.htm

The other resource is Ruminations: Celebrating the Small Farm Goat. This quarterly magazine has been around since the late 1980’s and focuses on Nigerian dwarf goats. Until recently it was heavily centered on showing goats, but the new editing team is working to make it more practical for the small farmstead. There are still celebrations of the goat in shows, but they work hard to include medical information, marketing and other aspects of farm business that many of the ND owners did not concern themselves with, until lately.  You can see more about Ruminations, at www.smallfarmgoat.com

Time is running short to urge Secretary Vilsack to finally close the worst farm subsidy loophole on the books.  If you have already submitted your comment, Thank You!  Your letter will help send a loud and clear message that we want change.  If you haven’t yet submitted a comment, you have until Monday, April 6th.  It’s so easy to submit a comment.  There is a sample comment letter available here, or you can write your own based on the action alert and talking points below.

An Action Alert from the
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Act Now to Shut Down the
Multimillion Dollar Farm Subsidy Loophole

The 2008 Farm Bill handed President Obama and USDA Secretary Vilsack a rare opportunity to close one of the biggest payment limit loopholes in current regulations.  The nation’s largest farms collect unlimited annual production subsidies under rules that permit payments to those who provide only minimal farm management and no active labor.  President Obama and Secretary Vilsack need to hear a loud and clear message from farmers and other citizens who care about the future of farming: The time is now to close the loophole that allows widespread abuse of payment limitation law!

COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009 Read more »

CSREES is hosting a web based grantsmanship workshop on April 6, 2009 for the BFRDP program.  The webinar will begin with a brief description of the different types of grants, application submission requirements, and a brief description of the application peer review process.  Time will be reserved for questions and answers.

Date and time: April 6^th, 2009 between 2 – 3.30 pm Eastern time

Equipment needed:

Your computer should have DSL / Cable line or better.  A dial up modem will not work, unfortunately

You’ll also need Flashware software on your computer, version 9 or better.  Most computers have this or it can be downloaded free

You can also check the official computer requirements

A headset is best for hearing the presentations but your computer speakers will also work (may need turn up the volume)

Test in advance:
We suggest you test out your equipment anytime before the meeting by logging on to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/

This would be the time to check the Flashware, for example, and download it if it’s not on your computer.

Log on to http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/csrees/ a few minutes before 2 pm on April 6^th.

Additional Information: the closing date for submitting applications to BFRDP is 5 p.m. on May 13, 2009.  Only electronic applications through www.grants.gov are accepted.  You need to be registered with www.grants.gov to submit an application.