State News and Activities
Marvin Baker, Theresa Podoll, and Steve Zwinger wanted increase the number of open-pollinated vegetable varietal choices well-suited to organic production systems and local markets in North Dakota, so they applied for a NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant to screen and identify dozens of varieties of interest to ND market growers.
According to Podoll, "the number of farmers markets in North Dakota has increased. With the development of farmers markets and localized food systems, seed producers and farmers serving these markets seek to identify varieties with agronomic traits suited...
Read MoreYou are invited to join Jay and Krista Reiser as they show the results of their NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant on July 30, 2012, 1pm-4pm. The goal of the Reiser's project was to mob graze cattle on cool season grasslands to promote soil health and native grass growth for ecological and economical benefits.
Tour Topics include:
- Fencing Equipment, Tools & Techniques
- Training Cattle for Mob Grazing System
- Livestock Monitoring & Daily Forage Allocation
- Advantages & Disadvantages of Mob Grazing on Native Rangeland
- View Mob & Mob Grazing Sites
- Combining Mob Grazing, Bale Grazing and...
NCR-SARE is seeking farmers and ranchers to join the NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program Review Committee.
Each year, NCR-SARE funds a competitive grant program for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region of the U.S. who are interested in exploring sustainable agriculture. The North Central Region covers 12 states: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI. The 29 members of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program Review Committee review the Farmer Rancher Grant proposals. The committee has one in-person meeting where they evaluate the grant proposals and make recommendations...
Read MoreNDSU Extension, United Tribes Technical College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Turtle Mountain Community College, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, the Carrington Research Extension Center, and SARE are sponsoring a horticulture professional development tour for educators on the 23rd and 24th of July in northern and central North Dakota. Below is the current agenda.
Meals will be on your own, and most of attendees will likely be lodging at the Spirit Lake Casino Hotel (http://spiritlakecasino.com/lodging/hotel/) on the evening of the 23rd. Those interested in coming...
Read MoreCover Crop Mixtures in North Dakota
North Dakota SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka, visited a wheat field planted with a diverse, cover crop mixture at NDSU's Dickinson Research Extension Center Ranch near Manning, North Dakota. This plot is a part of the Southwestern North Dakota Soil Health Demonstration put on by NDSU, NRCS, and local Soil Conservation Districts with support from SARE.
Green Manures in North Dakota
North Dakota SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka, created this quick view of green manures and how they are being successfully used at Fort Berthold Community College to improve soil fertility in a garden setting.
No-Til Gardening for Weed Control in North Dakota
SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka, created this video that documents the weed control that can result from a mulched, no-till approach to gardening.
No-Til Gardening for Improved Water Filtration in North Dakota
This video from North Dakota SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka demonstrates the advantages of no-till gardening. The video highlights improvements to water infiltration that come with mulched gardens that are not tilled.
Extending the Grazing Season with Multiple Forages in North Dakota
This brief video by ND SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka, highlights the way that multiple forage sources can extend the grazing season even in the North.
Biocontrol for Leafy Spurge and Biting Flies in North Dakota
This brief video by ND SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka, highlights two biocontrol procedures used on the Miller ranch near Fort Rice, ND. One is for leafy spurge and the other for biting flies.
Source: Agriculture.com by: Raylene Nickel
Soil comes to life in the classroom of vocational agriculture teacher Marcus Lewton at South Heart High School, South Heart, North Dakota. His creative teaching tools, contained in a soil-quality tool kit, unveil to students the microscopic citizens of the soil, such as fungi and bacteria. Students also learn the critical role of all microorganisms in soil and plant health. For high school senior Michael Zarak, whose parents farm and ranch near South Heart, learning about soil builds a foundation for the future.
“It’s important for young people to...
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