ATTRA Pubs Are Now on Amazon for Ereaders

One of the longest-running sources of research-based information on sustainable agriculture is once again embracing the latest in technology for getting that information to the people who need it.

ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service has begun placing many of its more than 400 publications on Amazon, where they can be downloaded to e-readers.

Urban Farms: Commercial Farms or Socially Minded Operations? April 29th

Local food was once considered to be in the purview of consumers and small-scale producers. Recently, policymakers, including those residing in cities, began embracing local food systems as a solution to a myriad of urban problems, including lack of green space and a dearth of healthy food availability. As part of this shift in policy, cities and other jurisdictions have embraced production in the urban environment.

Integrated Scenarios of the Future Northwest Environment April 17th

Where:   Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, Salon Room
When: Thursday April 17, 8:30-5 pm (event will be webcast - webcast instructions)Registration: the event is free but preregistration is required – complete your registration.

As scientists strive to understand and predict the effects of climate change on the Northwest’s fish, wildlife, hydrology, and ecosystem services, a foundational piece of knowledge they require is how the climate, the water cycle, and the vegetation will change in the future.  Funded in part by the Northwest Climate Science Center, this project integrates, for the first time, state-of-the-science predictive modeling of these different attributes of the future environment in the Northwest, and will provide coherence and guidance for many scientific studies seeking to work out the details of how climate change will affect various plant and animal species and other aspects of ecosystem services.  This project has evaluated and downscaled global climate models (from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5, CMIP5), examined projections from these models and also from regional climate models, and improved and applied hydrologic and vegetation models.

Free Wildlife Damage Management Training Webinar for MG April 10th

I wanted to make you aware of our upcoming webinar on Wildlife Damage Management Training for Master Gardeners and others who engage the public. Our webinar will be offered April 10, 2014 at 1:30 central time. It will be recorded for those that can’t make it. No need to sign up. Just show up at the appointed time. Link is available at https://learn.extension.org/events/1568  

We would appreciate your help in getting the word out.

3rd Annual FiberTrain Wool Festival May 25&26th in Nampa

Calling all Farms, Craftors, Guilds, and Groups to FiberTrain Wool Festival 2014.  The 3rd annual celebration of fiber art past and present is two fun filled days of workshops, demonstrations, classes on fiber art and sustainable farming, great food and shopping in historic Downtown Nampa on May 25 & 26.  This year classes are available from guest speakers Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius of Colorado, authors of The Fleece & Fiber SourceBook, Field Guide to Fleece, Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep, Storey’s Illustrated Guide to Raising Poultry, and Hobby Farming. Classes are affordable and include titles like: 

Idaho Farm Fresh News Farmers’ Market Webinar April 10th

The Idaho Extension in Cooperation with the Idaho Department of Agriculture is offering "Farm Fresh News for Idaho Farmers’ Markets" in person an as a webinar.  The goals of the program are to update farmer's market operators and vendors on health department issues and the parts of the Food Modernization Act which apply to farmer's markets, as well as marketing and merchandizing opportunties.  The live program will be held at the University of Idaho Caldwell Research and Extension Center on Thursday, April 10th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.  

Webinars Discuss the Provisions and Implications of 2014 Farm Bill

The Extension Risk Management Team has put together a series of webinars that cover the provisions and implications of the recently pasted 2014 Farm Bill.  The webinars are available live, and will also be recorded for later viewing.

Go to http://www.farmmanagement.org/aginuncertaintimesenglish/ag-in-uncertain-times/webinars/ or click on the image above to view the schedule of webinars as well as instructions on how to view recorded presentation.

2014 Farm Bill: Implications for Nutrition, Food Policy and Research

2014 Farm Bill –Nutrition & Food Policy, Trade Implications and Research Title Highlights

Date: Monday - April 7, 2014

Time: 12:00 Eastern/11:00 Central/10:00 Mountain/9:00 Pacific

Ranchers to Learn More About Food Processing Coop for the Salmon River Valley April 7 & 8

There is a movement afoot in the Salmon River valley to create a food processing cooperative.  The facility would process local cattle, fish, vegetables and other food products.  Members of the steering committee for formation of the cooperative have recently visited a small, recently established cooperative in Washington, and have planned  informational meetings to relay what they have found out.