Join SARE grantee, Mike Prell, on June 15-16, 2013, 10am-6pm for the fifth annual Summer Solstice Lavender Festival at Peaceful Acres Lavender Farm LLC in Martinsville, OH. Enjoy the taste of lavender food supplied by a chef as well as free lavender lemonade during the SARE tour on both days. Participate in lavender craft workshops, tour a sustainable home, and learn more about Peaceful Acre's SARE project on Increasing Lavender Production.

Registration is free and open to the public. RSVP at http://www.peacefulacreslavenderfarm.com/lavender-festival.html.

This story features David Yarrow, who is participating in a NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant project on biochar. Participating farmers will learn how to properly prepare and test charcoal (biochar) in soils on at least 28 test beds in the Lawrence, Kansas foodshed.

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Source: Tara Maxwell, Acres USA, The Voice of Eco-Agriculture, May 2013 Vol. 43 No 5

You most likely heard of biochar, but you probably have lots of questions about how to successfully use this soil amendment on your fields. Biochar advocate David Yarrow is working to provide answers...

Join SARE grantee Steve Moring for a Kansas City workshop, "Designing Edible Forest Gardens," which will explore the vision, theory, design and practice of ecological forest agriculture that uses our temperate deciduous forest as a model. Moring says that by mimicking the structure and function of a natural ecosystem architecture through all stages of growth, a good design can maximize photosynthesis for perennial production of food, fodder, and fiber.

The workshop will cover the basics of forest gardening: forest ecology and architecture, examples of forest gardens, principles of permaculture,...

From low covers to high tunnels, from hoop houses to greenhouses – producers are finding ever more innovative ways to extend the growing season, and their income stream.

With support from an NCR-SARE grant, Rural Action Ohio and Green Edge Organics are hosting an onsite, high tunnel workshop series called, “Beyond Season Extension: High Tunnels for Season Creation and Economic, Community, and Environmental Sustainability.” The workshops will cover site-specific adaptation of high tunnel agriculture for agriculture professionals and educators to utilize and teach farmers/producers in their...

NCR-SARE grant recipient Rachel Levi is the coordinator of Camp EarthDance, a farm-to-table summer camp for middle school students. Campers are able to gain experience in a full season of hands-on training and skill-based education in sustainable agriculture. Camp EarthDance offers a fun-filled and educational environment in which young people can visit a local farm, watch how carrots grow, and learn how and why to prepare and eat a healthy, local foods-based lunch. Campers also “celebrate the culture in agriculture” by engaging in art, writing, and fitness activities that let them further...

Join several local sustainable small scale farmers for a six part series of SARE-supported workshops focusing on beginner farmer topics and practices. Each workshop includes presentations and hands on experience. Come with your questions and concerns and be ready to get dirty.  Learn more about the host farms by checking out their websites. 

Introduction to the Organic Small Farm Model

May 20, 10am-5pm ($15 + bring a lunch)

Bertrand Farm, Inc., 3575 W Bertrand Rd, Niles, MI

A look at the history of agriculture and how we got to where we are today. Included in this day long workshop are...

Calvin Adams, Kansas Ranch and Range Internship Program coordinator

Ranch ownership transitions can be complex, involving issues such as generational needs, tax issues, social attitudes, and recreational landowner competition.  In an effort to help simplify the process, Calvin Adams of Beloit, KS, Cade Rensink of Ada, KS, and Ted Alexander of Medicine Lodge, KS, and the Kansas Ranch and Range...

Daniel Rossman and DeChun Wang are conducting an NCR-SARE Research and Education project at Michigan State University to identify and evaluate non-GMO soybean varieties that match characteristics desired by farmers and end-users.

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Source: Michigan State University Extension

The Michigan Organic Soybean Variety Performance Comparison Project is identifying and evaluating soybean varieties that will match both the characteristics desired by the farmers and also by the end-user. This project is being conducted by Michigan State University Extension educators and specialists in...

Jerry and Jane Wohletz received a NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant to do on-farm research trials of different weights of row cover cloth for berry production. Since the Wohletz’s were the first to try plasticulture in the region, researchers and specialists were previously unsure how heavier or lighter weights of row cover would affect berry production. For that winter at least, a one-ounce row cover produced the best results.

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Source: Lawrence Journal World, Jennifer Smith

At Wohletz Farm Fresh, 1831 North 1100 Road in rural Lawrence, strawberries are about to hit the big...

Are you an educator? 
Do you work with, get questions from, or know of: 

• Small acreage farmers and ranchers
• Small specialty crop producers such as vegetables, fruits, goats, etc.
• Small value-added producers selling cheese, meat, other food–products based on locally grown items; or·          
• Others like this? 

Are you interested in learning more so you can better respond to their needs? 

Would you like to implement programming to help build your local efforts AND receive some travel support to attend the workshops, plus- have a small grant (approximately...