Latest News
As farmers and ranchers across the country are feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA is preparing to distribute $16 billion in direct aid to producers who have experienced financial losses. Applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will be open in early May - but the USDA’s plan isn’t set up to account for farmers who sell into local/regional markets, diversified farmers, or organic farmers, it doesn’t have a thorough outreach plan or reserved funding for underserved producers, it doesn’t reflect realistic timelines for farmers’ losses or their increased expenses in addition to their losses, and it isn’t set up to focus aid on independent, family-scale producers who need help (instead of large corporate operations). Farmers are in need of help now more than ever.
USDA has not yet released full details on their program - so now is the time to ask questions and speak up to ensure the program works for all farmers in need of aid.
USDA has the power to ensure these farmers have support through this unprecedented situation. Now is the time for us to demand better from USDA. How can you help?
· We can share stories that show who is missing from the program and at risk of being left out. If you’re a farmer: share your story on social media, tagging USDA and using the hashtag #dobetterUSDA
· We can ask questions to highlight issues, concerns, and gaps in information about the program. If you’re a farmer: call your county FSA office to ask key questions about the program and who it serves.
· We can demand that USDA do better for farmers and ranchers and share solutions. Not a farmer? Post on social media to stand with farmers and amplify their voices!
The most effective thing you can do is share your own story in your own voice - with photos. Most importantly – speak up about the impacts you are seeing, the market losses you are experiencing, the innovating you are doing, and why it’s important that USDA supports farmers like you. You don’t need to have all the answers – just be willing to speak up in your own words!
MDA offers some help for livestock producers facing disruptions due to Covid.Due to market and supply/demand changes for meat products during the #COVID19 pandemic, the MDA is helping #livestock farmers and processors in addressing these current challenges.
More: www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-assists-livestock-producersprocessors-during-covid-19-pandemic #MNAg
This is the only kind of dirty your hands should be!
We know microbial communities are influenced by management, but to what degree and how do the services they provide differ with management?
A study starting the Summer 2020 will focus on biological function in agricultural systems in North Dakota. In the past, NDSU has worked hard to build information on the chemical properties of soils (fertility, salts, organic matter), physical properties (aggregation, soil texture, water movement) and have been making headway on biological communities, but there's still questions about how soil microbial community function across multiple agricultural systems – a state-wide study. This is part of the Agribiome Research Initiative at NDSU and led by NDSU research faculty, Samiran (Sam) Banerjee.
More organic farms in the region are needed! NPSAS is working with NDSU to secure farmers for the study as we recognize this is a great opportunity for participating farmers to learn more about the soil health on their farm.
Specifics of your field will be kept confidential and you will receive information (e.g., soil health and microbial diversity) specific to your fields at the end of the study. If you are interested in participating, contact Sam (samiran.banerjee@ndsu.edu) or his Research Specialist, Kim Zitnick Anderson (kimberly.zitnick@ndsu.edu; cell: 240 298 2164).
Tomorrow SDSU Extension will talk food preservation! Follow the link below to register.
Food & Families Coffee Break: Food Preservation
Have you been wanting to learn different food preservation techniques?Farm Breeding Club Work for the 2020 Season!
The Ceres Trust has funded NPSAS to collaborate with Walter Goldstein of the Mandaamin Institute in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. In addition to support for corn field trials, NPSAS board and FBC members will be reviewing the organizational structure and developing plans and funding goals designed to renew the important work of the Farm Breeding Club.
During 2020 season cooperating farmers will grow out several hybrids and open pollinated varieties. Plots will be grown on unfertilized sites following a different crop than corn, with a manured strip included to assess the impact of manuring on the performance of the cultivars. Field Days will be held later this year and research will be reported from this work at the 2021 Food and Farming Conference.
Interested in participating?
There are several new opportunities for getting involved. The first step is a Zoom meeting set for April 7, 9-11:00 AM.
Additionally, NDSU is seeking an advisory group to assist in the planning for eight certified acres on campus.
If you're interested in being involved in the advisory group, the corn trials, or the work of FBC, please email (kayla@npsas.org) or call the office (218-331-4099).
It's the time of year that lots people are getting in touch with the NPSAS office looking to connect with folks in their area that might have equipment to swap, compost to sell, or ideas about collaborating. One of the greatest resources we have is our member directory. Please take a moment to join or update your directory info.
You can update your directory information here: www.npsas.org/2305-2/
Or renew your membership here: www.npsas.org/membership/how-to-become-a-member/
The new Germinator is up online. Members, expect to find a copy it in your mailbox soon!
This is particularly good one. Take a look, and please share your reflections below.
"When we respond to crises with the diversity that is authentically present in who we are, and when we embrace the work of partnering with the Creator to expand the diversity of what’s possible, we won’t just help the current problem. We will actually invite in the kingdom of God—“the abundance that is promised,”..."
www.npsas.org/spring-2020-germinator/
Great resource on getting food to customers with everyone's safety in mind: extension.purdue.edu/article/36645?fbclid=IwAR1QwbMPn-S4iyAjCEJHdTBR3YbVvmO9-s-Zl_5OSPK9Sxp4c1zp3...
As farmers and ranchers across the country are feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA is preparing to distribute $16 billion in direct aid to producers who have experienced financial losses. Applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will be open in early May - but the USDA’s plan isn’t set up to account for farmers who sell into local/regional markets, diversified farmers, or organic farmers, it doesn’t have a thorough outreach plan or reserved funding for underserved producers, it doesn’t reflect realistic timelines for farmers’ losses or their increased expenses in addition to their losses, and it isn’t set up to focus aid on independent, family-scale producers who need help (instead of large corporate operations). Farmers are in need of help now more than ever.
USDA has not yet released full details on their program - so now is the time to ask questions and speak up to ensure the program works for all farmers in need of aid.
USDA has the power to ensure these farmers have support through this unprecedented situation. Now is the time for us to demand better from USDA. How can you help?
· We can share stories that show who is missing from the program and at risk of being left out. If you’re a farmer: share your story on social media, tagging USDA and using the hashtag #dobetterUSDA
· We can ask questions to highlight issues, concerns, and gaps in information about the program. If you’re a farmer: call your county FSA office to ask key questions about the program and who it serves.
· We can demand that USDA do better for farmers and ranchers and share solutions. Not a farmer? Post on social media to stand with farmers and amplify their voices!
The most effective thing you can do is share your own story in your own voice - with photos. Most importantly – speak up about the impacts you are seeing, the market losses you are experiencing, the innovating you are doing, and why it’s important that USDA supports farmers like you. You don’t need to have all the answers – just be willing to speak up in your own words!
MDA offers some help for livestock producers facing disruptions due to Covid.Due to market and supply/demand changes for meat products during the #COVID19 pandemic, the MDA is helping #livestock farmers and processors in addressing these current challenges.
More: www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-assists-livestock-producersprocessors-during-covid-19-pandemic #MNAg
This is the only kind of dirty your hands should be!
We know microbial communities are influenced by management, but to what degree and how do the services they provide differ with management?
A study starting the Summer 2020 will focus on biological function in agricultural systems in North Dakota. In the past, NDSU has worked hard to build information on the chemical properties of soils (fertility, salts, organic matter), physical properties (aggregation, soil texture, water movement) and have been making headway on biological communities, but there's still questions about how soil microbial community function across multiple agricultural systems – a state-wide study. This is part of the Agribiome Research Initiative at NDSU and led by NDSU research faculty, Samiran (Sam) Banerjee.
More organic farms in the region are needed! NPSAS is working with NDSU to secure farmers for the study as we recognize this is a great opportunity for participating farmers to learn more about the soil health on their farm.
Specifics of your field will be kept confidential and you will receive information (e.g., soil health and microbial diversity) specific to your fields at the end of the study. If you are interested in participating, contact Sam (samiran.banerjee@ndsu.edu) or his Research Specialist, Kim Zitnick Anderson (kimberly.zitnick@ndsu.edu; cell: 240 298 2164).
Tomorrow SDSU Extension will talk food preservation! Follow the link below to register.
Food & Families Coffee Break: Food Preservation
Have you been wanting to learn different food preservation techniques?Farm Breeding Club Work for the 2020 Season!
The Ceres Trust has funded NPSAS to collaborate with Walter Goldstein of the Mandaamin Institute in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. In addition to support for corn field trials, NPSAS board and FBC members will be reviewing the organizational structure and developing plans and funding goals designed to renew the important work of the Farm Breeding Club.
During 2020 season cooperating farmers will grow out several hybrids and open pollinated varieties. Plots will be grown on unfertilized sites following a different crop than corn, with a manured strip included to assess the impact of manuring on the performance of the cultivars. Field Days will be held later this year and research will be reported from this work at the 2021 Food and Farming Conference.
Interested in participating?
There are several new opportunities for getting involved. The first step is a Zoom meeting set for April 7, 9-11:00 AM.
Additionally, NDSU is seeking an advisory group to assist in the planning for eight certified acres on campus.
If you're interested in being involved in the advisory group, the corn trials, or the work of FBC, please email (kayla@npsas.org) or call the office (218-331-4099).
It's the time of year that lots people are getting in touch with the NPSAS office looking to connect with folks in their area that might have equipment to swap, compost to sell, or ideas about collaborating. One of the greatest resources we have is our member directory. Please take a moment to join or update your directory info.
You can update your directory information here: www.npsas.org/2305-2/
Or renew your membership here: www.npsas.org/membership/how-to-become-a-member/
The new Germinator is up online. Members, expect to find a copy it in your mailbox soon!
This is particularly good one. Take a look, and please share your reflections below.
"When we respond to crises with the diversity that is authentically present in who we are, and when we embrace the work of partnering with the Creator to expand the diversity of what’s possible, we won’t just help the current problem. We will actually invite in the kingdom of God—“the abundance that is promised,”..."
www.npsas.org/spring-2020-germinator/
Great resource on getting food to customers with everyone's safety in mind: extension.purdue.edu/article/36645?fbclid=IwAR1QwbMPn-S4iyAjCEJHdTBR3YbVvmO9-s-Zl_5OSPK9Sxp4c1zp3...
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NPSAS works directly with farmers to encourage better care of the land by increasing perennial crops, reducing chemical use and developing environmentally beneficial livestock systems.
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NPSAS works directly with farmers to encourage better care of the land by increasing perennial crops, reducing chemical use and developing environmentally beneficial livestock systems.