2013 Idaho Master Composter and Recycler

The Idaho Master Composter and Recycler (MCR) is a train the trainer program that trains individuals in environmental education topics related to the pollution prevention cycle (reduce, reuse, recycle, treatment, disposal), resources usage reduction and efficiency (energy, water, soils), composting at the home, farm, and municipal level, and vermicomposting. The program meets once a week for seven sessions plus a field day. We provide attendees with information on a wide arrange of sustainability topics and a lot of resources to enrich themselves and to teach others, enabling them to serve as a community resource in environmental education. The program is open to the general public, but audiences that for sure will take a lot of applicable knowledge home include teachers, students, Planning and Zoning, and city public works personnel, elected officials, private companies representatives (stores, hotels, farms, manufacturing, restaurants, etc.). Participants share their experiences and questions, and learn more about sustainable practices and how to increase sustainability in their businesses, schools, farms, communities, or simply at home with their family.

NOP Releases New Guides for Organic Certification

Written by NCAT experts, guides are part of NOP ‘Organic Literacy Initiative’ 

Beginning farmers and existing organic operations can find detailed information about organic certification in a series of new guides available now on the ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website.

Food Safety for Value-Added Producers

If you missed this webinar by Londa Nwadike's presentation on Food Safety for Value-Added Producers. The recording and presentation materials are now available at http://www.extension.org/pages/16076/etc-webinar-archive.

Hope to see you again soon at one of our monthly webinars for rural businesses and farms.  For a complete listing of all the available webinar topics please check out https://learn.extension.org/

Sustainable-ag question? Text an expert

  ATTRA expands its popular phone helpline and email service

 Got a question about sustainable agriculture? Shoot us a text.

The popular “Ask an Ag Expert” feature on ATTRA’s website now includes a texting option. Just text a question to askanag@ncat.org, and you’ll get a reply via your phone from the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s (NCAT) staff of sustainable-agriculture experts.

Tax and Financial Risks Due to Drought and Disaster Webinar Recordings

RECORDINGS POSTED FOR:

AAEA Extension Section & Ag In Uncertain Times webinar -
Presentations and presenters included:

  Weather-Related (Drought) Sales of Livestock:  Income Tax Management Issues-

     J.C. Hobbs (Oklahoma State University)

  DROUGHT: Cash Flow Planning and Analysis-

     Danny Klinefelter (Texas A&M University)

  Major Unresolved Ag Tax Issues-

     Roger McEowen (Iowa State University)

Point your browser to AgInUncertainTimes.FarmManagement.or g for presentation slides and webinar recordings posted as: PDF, video, MP3, and more . . . 

Reproductive Strategies for Beef Cows

Ron Torell is teaching a reproductive strategies class through Great Basin College next month for livestock producers in Nevada.  This is another great learning opportunity that is being offered to producers in Ely, Winnemucca, Elko, Battle Mountain, Eureka, Gardnerville, and Pahrump through interactive video class rooms. 

Whole Farm and Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Program Dates Approaching in Early 2013

SPOKANE, Wash., December 5, 2012 ----- USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers of the fast approaching winter and spring sales closing dates for Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) programs. This also includes the whole farm insurance programs Adjusted Gross Revenue Pilot (AGR) and Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite). AGR and AGR-Lite cover most farm-raised crops, animals, and animal products.  

Cow Camp Chatter: Nutrient Shopping

Ron Torell, Long-Standing Educator and Advocate of Agriculture
 

Hay prices are skyrocketing.  In some instances the price has doubled from what it was just a few short years ago.  These escalating prices are primarily due to a nationwide drought which has reduced supply and increased demand for hay, grain and standing forage.   The price relationship of protein and energy sources parallel corn and other grain commodities.  Whether you are selling, purchasing or feeding hay it is important to know what you are dealing with.  The best and most appropriate way to accomplish this is to compare price per pound of nutrient, not price per ton of feed. This is when an accurate forage/hay sample and analysis will save/earn you valuable dollars.