Podcasts about sustainable agriculture research

Farmers talking with farmers is key to building soil health, encouraging innovation, and expanding peer-to-peer mentoring. Anthony Beery of Beery Farms and Cumberland Hay and Straw LLC shares his journey of learning, mentoring, and on-farm experimenting with Mary Sketch Bryant and Jeff Ishee. In the previous episode, Anthony talked about how he benefitted from his father's counsel and encouragement. Anthony provides similar mentorship to his children and fellow farmers through the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE) and Virginia's Integrated Cropland Agronomy (ICA) program so others can generate new ideas and enjoy success.  Like the majority of farmers, Anthony is constantly learning and gleaning new information through his on-farm experiments with no-till farming, multispecies cover cropping, composting, and observing the soil and plant ecosystem. As a self-described general gleaner, Anthony recommends talking with other farmers, attending conferences like the Annual VANTAGE No-Till Conference, and reading books and publications available through USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and agricultural partners. In Anthony's work with multi-species cover crops, he uses Green Cover Seeds' SmartMix Calculator as one of his reference tools.    As always, we encourage you to talk with other farmer mentors and follow the four principles of soil health: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. Yes, soil health is a great conversation starter since we can all be 4 The Soil! To enjoy the recent 4 The Soil blog posts and We Are 4 the Soil song created by the Flip Charts, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and  https://www.4thesoil.org/#we-are-4-the-soil-video. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Sarah Red-Laird, founder and co-director of Bee Regenerative, formerly known as the Bee Girl Organization. Sarah shares insights into her journey from founding the Bee Girl Organization to leading impactful regenerative agriculture projects that benefit pollinators. Listeners will hear about the challenges and rewards of working with native pollinators, honey bees, and agricultural landscapes, and how Sarah's work in regenerative agriculture is building healthier ecosystems. From discussing the unique grazing habits of bison on pollinator habitats to exploring her passion for native bee surveys, Sarah offers a fresh perspective on habitat restoration and the importance of integrating livestock into regenerative practices. You'll also learn how her team is using innovative art projects to bring the message of pollinator conservation to new audiences. Whether you're interested in honey bees, native pollinators, or sustainable agriculture, this episode will offer valuable insights for every listener. Listen today! You can learn more and donate to Bee Regenerative by clicking on Sarah's website below. Websites we recommend: Bee Girl / Bee Regenerative Website: https://www.beegirl.org/regenerate American Association of Professional Apiculturists: https://aapa.us.org/ Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE): https://www.sare.org/   Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com 2 Million Blossoms - The Podcast: https://2millionblossoms.com   Copyright © 2024 by Growing Planet Media, LLC ______________ Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!  Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper. HiveAlive offers a unique supplement with seaweed extracts, thyme, and lemongrass, proven to maintain low disease levels, increase bee populations, boost honey production, improve bee gut health, and enhance overwinter survival. Check out their new HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup this fall! Visit www.usa.hivealivebees.com and use code "BTP" for a special discount. Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com Thank you for listening!  Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC Copyright © 2024 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Sabrina Halvorson. Today's show includes industry calls for full funding of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and what types of assistance is available from NRCS Service Centers. Tune in for these news stories, interviews, features, and more.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org. In this episode, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Tyler Jenkins dives into the world of chestnuts with Michelle Ajamian, who works with Rural Action as a network developer for Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative.  Michelle shares her experiences and insights from her work in southeastern Ohio as a project developer and advocate for small-scale farming. She discusses her efforts to establish a thriving market for chestnut growers in the region.  Chestnuts are a sustainable and nutritious crop with deep roots in American agriculture. Michelle explores the success stories of cultivating chestnuts – from fostering community partnerships to promoting environmentally friendly practices. Resources:·        Demonstrating Higher Yields and Market Opportunities of Mixed Annual and Perennial Intensive Planting in Appalachian Ohio·        Producing Culinary Chestnut Flour with Michelle Ajamian and Amy Miller·        Consider Chestnuts: A Potential Perennial for Market Farms·        Rural Action·        Appalachian Staple Foods CollaborativeContact Tyler Jenkins at tylerj@ncat.org. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast. You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org. In this episode, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Tyler Jenkins dives into the world of chestnuts with Michelle Ajamian, who works with Rural Action as a network developer for Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative.  Michelle shares her experiences and insights from her work in southeastern Ohio as a project developer and advocate for small-scale farming. She discusses her efforts to establish a thriving market for chestnut growers in the region.  Chestnuts are a sustainable and nutritious crop with deep roots in American agriculture. Michelle explores the success stories of cultivating chestnuts – from fostering community partnerships to promoting environmentally friendly practices. Resources:·        Demonstrating Higher Yields and Market Opportunities of Mixed Annual and Perennial Intensive Planting in Appalachian Ohio·        Producing Culinary Chestnut Flour with Michelle Ajamian and Amy Miller·        Consider Chestnuts: A Potential Perennial for Market Farms·        Rural Action·        Appalachian Staple Foods CollaborativeContact Tyler Jenkins at tylerj@ncat.org. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast. You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org.In this episode, NCAT Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames talks with Matthew Lebon, owner of Custom Foodscaping in St. Louis, Missouri.  Guy and Matthew talk about “edible landscaping” – which includes plants that produce food in residential, business, and community landscapes. They also discuss the value of “uncommon” crops such as gooseberries, currants, and paw-paws that grow well in the region.Related ATTRA Resources:·        Local Food Systems·        How to Start Community Agroforesty Projects: Advice from 11 Forest GardensOther Resources:·        Developing a Market for Locally Adapted Organic Fruiting Plants in St. Louis·        Custom Foodscaping Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org.In this episode, NCAT Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames talks with Matthew Lebon, owner of Custom Foodscaping in St. Louis, Missouri.  Guy and Matthew talk about “edible landscaping” – which includes plants that produce food in residential, business, and community landscapes. They also discuss the value of “uncommon” crops such as gooseberries, currants, and paw-paws that grow well in the region.Related ATTRA Resources:·        Local Food Systems·        How to Start Community Agroforesty Projects: Advice from 11 Forest GardensOther Resources:·        Developing a Market for Locally Adapted Organic Fruiting Plants in St. Louis·        Custom Foodscaping Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit SARE.ORG. In this episode, Maura Henn, an NCAT Local Food Systems Specialist, talks with Michal DeChellis of the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) in Montana. Michal is AERO's Program Manager for the Montana Food Economy Initiative (MFEI), a project that has been funded through a Western SARE Grant.Maura and Michal talk about the process of conducting Community Food Assessments around Montana and the importance of bringing together multiple stakeholders from different parts of community food systems when building a coalition for food systems work. Maura and Michal also talk about some of the first projects, which were launched in 2020, and adaptations and improvements made to the 2023-2024 round of community assessments.  Related ATTRA Resources:·       Farmers Markets·       Local Food SystemsOther Resources:·       Montana Food Economy Initiative·       AERO·       Montana Food System Resource Library·       Butte Community Food Assessment Video Story ·       Butte Winter Farmers Market·       MSU Food Product Development Lab ·       Montana Harvest of the Month ·       Iowa State Food Assessment Training Certificate Program ·       Double SNAP Dollars - Montana ·        Northern Plains Resource Council Contact Maura Henn at maurah@ncat.org.  Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.  You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.  

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit SARE.ORG. In this episode, Maura Henn, an NCAT Local Food Systems Specialist, talks with Michal DeChellis of the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) in Montana. Michal is AERO's Program Manager for the Montana Food Economy Initiative (MFEI), a project that has been funded through a Western SARE Grant.Maura and Michal talk about the process of conducting Community Food Assessments around Montana and the importance of bringing together multiple stakeholders from different parts of community food systems when building a coalition for food systems work. Maura and Michal also talk about some of the first projects, which were launched in 2020, and adaptations and improvements made to the 2023-2024 round of community assessments.  Related ATTRA Resources:·       Farmers Markets·       Local Food SystemsOther Resources:·       Montana Food Economy Initiative·       AERO·       Montana Food System Resource Library·       Butte Community Food Assessment Video Story ·       Butte Winter Farmers Market·       MSU Food Product Development Lab ·       Montana Harvest of the Month ·       Iowa State Food Assessment Training Certificate Program ·       Double SNAP Dollars - Montana ·        Northern Plains Resource Council Contact Maura Henn at maurah@ncat.org.  Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.  You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.  

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org.In this episode, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Justin Duncan talks with Edmund Frost at the Twin Oaks Intentional Community in Virginia. Edmund is the managing director of Common Wealth Seed Growers, a cooperative of seed growers producing farmer-grown, regionally trialed seeds in the Southeast.Since 2013, he has received funding from Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education for research and breeding work with butternut squash. Justin and Edmund talk about breeding strategies to produce butternut squash that is resistant to downy mildew while still maintaining its eating quality. They also discuss how Edmund conducts taste tests of the squash and how he gathers the data from his research.Related ATTRA Resources:Adventures in MirlitonSquash Bug and Squash Vine Borer: Organic ControlsOrganic Pumpkin and Winter Squash Marketing and ProductionRelated SARE Resources:Breeding a Better ButternutBreeding and Evaluation of Butternut Varieties for Southeast Organic FarmsWinter Squash Evaluation and Improvement for Downy Mildew Resistance and Fruit QualityIdentifying and Marketing Open-Pollinated and Organic Cucurbit Seedstocks for VirginiaOther SARE/NCAT Podcasts:Episode 327. ATTRA and SARE: The Commercial Potential of Mulberries in the Midwest.Other ResourcesTwin Oaks Intentional CommunityCommon Wealth Seed Growers Contact Justin Duncan at justind@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org.In this episode, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Justin Duncan talks with Edmund Frost at the Twin Oaks Intentional Community in Virginia. Edmund is the managing director of Common Wealth Seed Growers, a cooperative of seed growers producing farmer-grown, regionally trialed seeds in the Southeast.Since 2013, he has received funding from Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education for research and breeding work with butternut squash. Justin and Edmund talk about breeding strategies to produce butternut squash that is resistant to downy mildew while still maintaining its eating quality. They also discuss how Edmund conducts taste tests of the squash and how he gathers the data from his research.Related ATTRA Resources:Adventures in MirlitonSquash Bug and Squash Vine Borer: Organic ControlsOrganic Pumpkin and Winter Squash Marketing and ProductionRelated SARE Resources:Breeding a Better ButternutBreeding and Evaluation of Butternut Varieties for Southeast Organic FarmsWinter Squash Evaluation and Improvement for Downy Mildew Resistance and Fruit QualityIdentifying and Marketing Open-Pollinated and Organic Cucurbit Seedstocks for VirginiaOther SARE/NCAT Podcasts:Episode 327. ATTRA and SARE: The Commercial Potential of Mulberries in the Midwest.Other ResourcesTwin Oaks Intentional CommunityCommon Wealth Seed Growers Contact Justin Duncan at justind@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org.In it, NCAT Sustainable Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames talks with Weston Lombard, who grows mulberries on his Millfield, Ohio, farm and was a SARE farmer/rancher grant recipient on the topic “Field Testing the Mulberry for Commercial Production in the Midwest” in 2016.Guy and Weston talk about the commercial possibilities and challenges mulberries present, along with different cultivars and growing strategies.Related ATTRA Resources:Community OrchardsFruit Trees, Orchards, and Vines for Natural Growing in the OzarksCommunity Forest Gardens: Case Studies Throughout the United States Related SARE Resources:Field Testing the Mulberry for Commercial Production in the MidwestSustainable Agriculture Solutions for Appalachia: Mulberry AgroforestryMulberry Production with Weston Lombard Other Resources: Uncommon Fruits for Every GardenTree Crops: A Permanent AgricultureContact Guy Ames at guya@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

This episode of Voices from the Field was produced in partnership with ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. To learn more about SARE's library of practical information and available grants to fund projects that advance sustainable agriculture, visit sare.org.In it, NCAT Sustainable Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames talks with Weston Lombard, who grows mulberries on his Millfield, Ohio, farm and was a SARE farmer/rancher grant recipient on the topic “Field Testing the Mulberry for Commercial Production in the Midwest” in 2016.Guy and Weston talk about the commercial possibilities and challenges mulberries present, along with different cultivars and growing strategies.Related ATTRA Resources:Community OrchardsFruit Trees, Orchards, and Vines for Natural Growing in the OzarksCommunity Forest Gardens: Case Studies Throughout the United States Related SARE Resources:Field Testing the Mulberry for Commercial Production in the MidwestSustainable Agriculture Solutions for Appalachia: Mulberry AgroforestryMulberry Production with Weston Lombard Other Resources: Uncommon Fruits for Every GardenTree Crops: A Permanent AgricultureContact Guy Ames at guya@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode, Olivia interviews Christa Hartsook, Small Farms Program Coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the State Coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE). Listen in as they discuss the grant opportunities SARE offers, who is eligible, where to apply, and when applications are due!   Episode Links:  • North Central Sustainable Agriculture and Education: https://northcentral.sare.org/  • Christa Hartsook: Email: hartc@iastate.edu Phone: 515-294-4430  

In the second episode of the two-part series with the farmers at Urban Buds City Grown Flowers, Miranda Duschack covers urban cut flower farming, supporting farmers through an 1890 land-grant university and the realities of being a part-time farmer. Hear about the history of the land that this farm sits on—it's been a flower farm since 1870—and how it came into Miranda's and Mimo Davis' hands. Miranda gets honest about having to work off-farm to make a farm business work and her dream of farming full-time. Learn about agricultural census and National Agricultural Statistics Service data in an actually interesting way to understand the picture of small-farm profitability in the US. Hear about Miranda's role as a Lincoln University Small Farm Extension Specialist and how she's using her Urban Buds farming experience to benefit the folks she serves through Extension—and how you can best work with your Extension professionals to boost your own farm dreams. Learn also about how Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education's (SARE) grant programs work—including the Farmer-Rancher Grant and Youth Educator Grant—and the efforts of the Farm Service Agency's new Urban Ag County Committee Pilot Program. Listen to the first part of the Urban Buds City Grown Flowers interview, with Mimo Davis, in Episode 56. Urban Buds City Grown Flowers website Urban Buds City Grown Flowers on Instagram  Email Miranda Duschack

In this episode, we discuss the benefits of cover crops in terms of sustainability, profitability, and soil health. We explore the ROI of cover crops and how they can improve nutrient use efficiency in farming. Yara's Director of Agronomic Services, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen is joined by  Curt Knight, Soil Health Agronomist to provide insight on the latest research and practical tips for farmers looking to incorporate cover crops into their operations. Explanation of what cover crops are and how they are used in agriculture Types of cover crops and the benefits of each Some history of cover crops Overview of the benefits of cover crops for sustainability, profitability, and soil health Discussion of the financial benefits of cover crops, including reduced input costs and increased crop yields Explanation of how cover crops can improve nutrient use efficiency by cycling nutrients and reducing leaching Useful links for further learning Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education is a great place to start. Lots of good information on the specifics of cover crop selection and cover cropping strategies. There are many cost sharing and incentive programs for cover crops: USDA Cover Crop Subsidy NRCS EQIP (environmental quality incentives program) Carbon credit programs: where the company will pay you based on the amount of carbon that your cropping systems have sequestered. Cover crops are usually included in these programs. Our friends at Agoro Carbon Alliance. Many statewide and regional cost-sharing programs For our friends in Canada: Ag Action Manitoba Ducks Unlimited Canada Canadian Agricultural Partnership On-Farm Climate Action Fund (Canadian Federal Initiative)

Jill Shore Auburn was a National Program Leader at the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture from January 1998 until her retirement in April 2017, managing grant programs for research and extension on sustainable agriculture, local/regional food systems, rural community development, and beginning farmers and ranchers. In this week's episode, she and our host Ron Kroese chat about how she got into this work and she walks us through ~30 years of working in sustainable ag. She talks about the origin and structure of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program; a special project on organic ag that she worked on at USDA; mentions her work on the Know your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative; and more. From 2009 to 2013, she spent four years on detail to the USDA Office of the Chief Scientist, where she was Acting Director for two years, and also Senior Advisor for agricultural systems and sustainability. Prior to that detail she spent 10 years directing the SARE grant program for the USDA agency that is now the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Before joining USDA, she was associate director of the University of California's statewide Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, where she developed the information program including one of the first university web sites on sustainable agriculture. While at UC SAREP she led the national team that developed the information network for the SARE program (now SARE Outreach) and co-led the Professional Development Program of Western SARE. Her academic background is in agricultural systems analysis and ecology, with a Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis and M.A. and B.A. from Miami University. The interview was conducted on October 11, 2017. Links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.

“I like to tell people we still farm the same land our ancestors farmed 400 years ago, and we still use the same rituals and we still use the same tradition. We incorporate a little new technology that allows us to be economically viable.” -Don Bustos This week, our host Ron Kroese sits down with Don on his farm in the village of Santa Cruz in northern New Mexico on land his family has owned for more than three centuries. Don talks about traditions, the importance of leaving the land for the next generations, and how he became a sustainable ag leader. In the 1970s, Don began converting his farm from 100 acres of row crops to 3.5 acres of year-round organic production with more than 70 varieties of fruits and vegetables. For more than 20 years, he has used solar energy for year-round production, installing his first panels with the help of a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant. Over the past three decades, he has been involved in efforts to improve state and federal public policies to advance sustainable and organic farming. For many years he served as director of the American Friends Service Committee's New Mexico program and was a co-founder of the National Immigrant Farming Initiative. In 2015, he was one of five people to receive the James Beard Foundation Leadership Award, which recognizes "who influence how, why and what we eat." The interview was conducted on Feb. 21, 2017. Additional links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Center for Rural Affairs -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.

In this episode, Ferd Hoefner outlines the role of sustainable agriculture in each farm bill from the early 1970s to the present, and talks about policy that was enacted—and advocated for—in between farm bill years. He tells Ron about his start in Washington (an unusual first day of work), a “commandeered” report, the beginning of the organization now known as the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and more. Yes, this is an extended listen, and sometimes gets wonky, but you want to tune in. Ferd is the Founding Policy Director at NSAC, and has been a leader in the sustainable agriculture community for over 30 years. He led NSAC's federal policy work as Policy Director from 1988 through 2016 and served as Senior Strategic Advisor from 2017 to 2020. He continues to mentor and advise the coalition in a consulting role. NSAC is a leading voice for sustainable agriculture in the federal policy arena, joining together the interests of over 100 grassroots farm, food, conservation, and rural member organizations to advocate for federal policies supporting the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Among the many federal programs that NSAC has successfully developed and championed are Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Wetlands Reserve Program, Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, Beginning Farmer Down Payment Loan Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Farm to School Grants, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Whole Farm Revenue Protection, National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, and Value-Added Producer Grants, among others. Prior to NSAC, Hoefner for nearly a decade represented Interfaith Action for Economic Justice and its predecessor, the Interreligious Taskforce on U.S. Food Policy, on federal policy on farm, food, and international development issues. He has also served as a policy consultant to numerous faith-based organizations and NGOs. He did his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College and graduate work at Wesley Theological Seminary. The interview was conducted on Dec. 6, 2015. Links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Center for Rural Affairs USDA Economic Research Service Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.

The South Carolina Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program ( S A R E) gives small grants for educational events that train the trainer.

Don't farm naked, folks. This episode is all about the benefits of cover crops. Leaving the soil naked during any part of the year is detrimental and utilizing a cover crop has so many benefits. In this episode I highlight 14 benefits of cover crops. The phrase 'don't farm naked' is the slogan of the group, Practical Farmers of Iowa. Take a look at the book, Managing Cover Crops Profitably published by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). Check us out at http://www.resilientfarmingnow.com and join our Facebook group at Resilient Farming

Cover crops are widely seen as a beneficial practice, with effects like improved soil health, weed management and erosion protection. They also require a little planning and knowledge to be successful. Kris McNaughton is a research technician at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. She discusses the importance of forethought: termination of a cover crop, the crops that preceded and will follow in that field, and how herbicide use can affect the cover crop. Yvonne Lawley, a professor in the plant science department at the University of Manitoba, and Callum Morrison, a University of Manitoba PhD student, discuss a cover crop survey they conducted in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2019 and the importance of considering the realities of your farm when deciding on cover crops. Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inputs-by-top-crop-manager/id1494756804 (Apple Podcasts), https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vaW5wdXRzLWJ5LXRvcC1jcm9wLW1hLw?hl=en-CA (Google Podcasts), https://open.spotify.com/show/0VU7HhyqQJPs3XEGMDLWhm (Spotify), or wherever you listen to podcasts. Show notes"https://www.topcropmanager.com/webinars/what-to-consider-when-looking-at-cover-crops/ (What to consider when looking at cover crops)," a webinar from April 2020 led by Anne Verhallen, OMAFRA horticultural soil management specialist. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub75/pub75A/pub75Atoc.htm (OMAFRA Publication 75A, Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops) http://mccc.msu.edu/ (Midwest Cover Crop Council) http://mccc.msu.edu/selector-tool/ (Cover crop selector tool) https://ag.purdue.edu/agry/dtc/Pages/CCFG.aspx (Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide) (and http://mccc.msu.edu/midwest-cover-crops-field-guide-mobile-app/ (the mobile app version)) https://www.sare.org/publications/covercrops/covercrops.pdf (Managing Cover Crops Profitably), published by the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/climatechange/?cid=stelprdb1077238 (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) website for cover crops and and soil health) https://www.ndsu.edu/soilhealth/ (North Dakota State University (NDSU) soil health website) https://www.ndsu.edu/soilhealth/?page_id=4061 (Soil Sense podcast) Abbey Wick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ndsusoilhealth?lang=en (@NDSUsoilhealth) On Twitter: https://twitter.com/YvonneLawley_UM (@YvonneLawley_UM) https://twitter.com/CallumMorrisons (@CallumMorrisons) https://twitter.com/Anne_Verhallen (@Anne_Verhallen) https://twitter.com/drobinridgetown (@drobinridgetown)

IntroWhat’s Working In AgThe importance of better weather data and why BAMWX has better dataBamwx.com@BAMWXCOMHow does better data leads to farmers making better decisions?The value of having access to your own meteorologist….Why?How do farmers get a hold of them and get signed up?Introduce Guest-------Loran Steinlage @FLOLOFarmersIt’s that time of year, if you haven’t been incorporating covers on your farm you are seeing the neighbors flying them on,inter-seeding, and getting their deliveries and so on. So, we wanted to talk with an expert today to try and answer some ofthe question you might have. Start with Definition: Cover Crops: Various crops grown between the harvest of row crops, like corn orsoybeans and planting of the following year’s row crop to cover the soil, reduce nitrogen loss through plantuptake and phosphorus loss through reduced erosion. Why do you think cover crops aren’t the unanimously decided practice for every farm? When considering implementing cover crops on my farm what are some of the challenges I may face? Is this something I need to plan ahead for? How much planning goes in to a successfully managed cover cropprogram?o When putting a plan together, what are somethings I would need to consider? Goals of that cover crop…. Now sell me on it, what are the benefits of implementing cover crops? So we know what the challenges are I may face and you just shared the benefits, what about putting dollars and centsto the project? Is there a positive ROI to using cover crops? Can you provide an example?  Farmers will be able to easily calculate return on investment for cover crops with a new online tool.It will help farmers decide whether or not cover crops work for their operation. Iowa State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) The tool shows farmers’ estimated annual net returns of cover crops under a variety of scenarios. The tool was created in Iowa but can be used in any U.S. state.o “Since the tool allows the user to create his or her own scenario using their own data it canbe used by any farmer in the U.S. to evaluate the net returns to cover crops in a corn-soybean rotation,” he says.  Select state, then region, then cash crop, then custom or not applied, burn down or not, expectedcrop price. – hit submit – spits out a chart to customize https://www.card.iastate.edu/conservation/economics-of-cover-crops/net-returns-calculator/ As a farmer working with cover crops, do I have to foot the entire bill to the programs? Are there ways to help withthe upfront costs? Ok, so now you’ve sold me on starting. How do I know what to choose, where to start, etc….?o Resources available?o Cover Crop Decision Treeo https://practicalfarmers.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cover-Crop-Decision-Tree-and-Seeding-Only.pdf Anything else you think the listener should hear? What do you have to say to the person who thinks “this will never work”? We ask every guest, what do you believe or have observed is the greatest characteristic or trait of the most successfulfarmers you know? Summary Challenge Remember to submit topics and episode ideas to farm4profitllc@gmail.com

In this Strip-Till Farmer podcast, bought to you by Topcon Agriculture, we're joined by Rob Myers, regional director of extension programs for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) to dig into data from the recently released Census of Agriculture’s 2017 report to dissect some of the national momentum for cover crop adoption.

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Montag Manufacturing, we share a Q&A interview with senior editor John Dobberstein and Rob Myers, regional director of extension programs for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

In this episode of the Cover Crop Strategies podcast, we share a Q&A interview with senior editor John Dobberstein and Rob Myers, regional director of extension programs for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

Our Farms, Our Future is a new podcast by SARE, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. The purpose of this project is to foster community and connection, encourage conversation and share different perspectives within the sustainable agriculture community. Through this series of thought-provoking conversations between those involved in this community, we hope to capture a snapshot of the current state of sustainable ag, how we got here, and where we're headed. Our first episode will be released April 1, 2018. Episodes will be released twice a month.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is a grant program of the U.S.D.A. to find solutions to problems identified by growers. By providing funding to growers for original research, demonstrations, and other projects new sustainable innovations are discovered and promoted. Western SARE Communications Manager Stacie Clary discusses the program and some of its many successes. References: 20: Dr. Mark Fuchs | Red Blotch Virus in Grapevines (podcast) Conventional vs. GMO-free Broilers Video Sustainable Ag Expo Western SARE website Western SARE Learning Center  Listen to the latest science and research with the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Since 1994, Vineyard Team has been your resource for workshops and field demonstrations, research, and events dedicated to the stewardship of our natural resources. Learn more at www.vineyardteam.org.

Guest Erin Silva, Ph.D., plant pathologist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, describes research in modern sustainable and organic agriculture, new technologies, farmers challenges, and the intersections between soil, plant and human biologyUW Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension

Sustainability, food, agriculture, climate change, UC Davis. Dr. Thomas Tomich was principal economist for the World Agroforestry Centre from 1994-2006. He led long-term collaborative partnerships at sites in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia aiming to raise productivity and income of rural households without increasing deforestation or undermining essential environmental services. Previously, Dr. Tomich spent 10 years as a policy advisor and institute associate with the Harvard Institute for International Development.

Sustainability, food, agriculture, climate change, UC Davis. Dr. Thomas Tomich was principal economist for the World Agroforestry Centre from 1994-2006. He led long-term collaborative partnerships at sites in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia aiming to raise productivity and income of rural households without increasing deforestation or undermining essential environmental services. Previously, Dr. Tomich spent 10 years as a policy advisor and institute associate with the Harvard Institute for International Development.