Tell me more about… the Conservation Stewardship Program
This is a part of a blog series on different federal programs in the USDA and how they affect the average beginning farmer. As we work towards improving legislation and pushing for reform in the Farm Bill, we decided to create these quick tutorial pages to act as a reference. Let us know if there is a particular program that you’d like us to write about next! Vegetated Buffer Strips – photo courtesy of NRCS The Conservation Stewardship... Read More
Tell me more about….EQIP grants
This is part of a blog series on different federal programs in the USDA and how they affect the average beginning farmer. As we work towards improving legislation and pushing for reform in the Farm Bill, we decided to create these quick tutorial pages to act as a reference. Let us know if there is a particular program that you’d like us to write about next! The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a conservation program within the USDA’s... Read More
Colorado’s young farmers ready to join Governor in conservation
Friends, please take a minute to check out my recent Op-Ed published in the Grand Junction Sentinel on Colorado River water conservation. Young farmers need to be at the forefront of the discussion of how to build a smart water future for Colorado and the Colorado River Basin! Please also note the action at the bottom–sign on in support of water conservation at startwithconservation.com! Colorado’s young farmers ready to join governor... Read More
A Fond Farewell to Deputy Secretary Merrigan
Leaving Big Boots to Fill:USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan speaks with a potential future farmer in Raleigh, NC. Last week, Kathleen Merrigan announced that she will be resigning from her position as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in the USDA. It is a regret to see this visionary of local food and organic agriculture leave the department – we hope her replacement brings the same commitment to renewing sustainable and local farming. Merrigan... Read More
Upcoming Community Initiatives in Sustainable Agriculture Conference
The Community Initiatives in Sustainable Agriculture Conference (CISA) will take place April 5-7, 2013 at Lawrence University and Riverview Gardens in Appleton, WI. The mission is to provide the necessary community, resources, and experience to establish and support new farmers. The conference will be a venue for young people to engage in conversations and educational activities, featuring farmer panels, workshops, open space discussions, local... Read More
Young Farmers in the House at NSAC winter strategy meeting
Maya Wiley of CSI addresses the NSAC winter meeting. Photo courtesy of NSAC. Last month, the Young Farmers’ Coalition took part in the semi-annual planning meeting of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). NYFC is a member group of NSAC, which advocates nationally for agricultural reform and also coordinates the advocacy efforts of nearly 100 member organizations. The winter meeting – this most recent one held in Haines City,... Read More
Introducing Firefly Meadows of Fairfield, NE
Mike and Rita Brhel’s just over five acres might be small in size but it’s big in dreams. Firefly Meadows features a farm-fresh chicken and duck egg business, a pasture-based sheep operation, and a vegetable garden with spring, summer, and fall plantings. There are plans to add meat goats, pigeons, and an orchard. Both Mike and Rita grew up on farms – Mike on a diversified livestock and crop operation southwest of Lincoln, NE, and Rita on a... Read More
Apply now for NRDC’s Growing Green Awards
Are you a leader in the sustainable food movement? The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) announces its fifth annual Growing Green Awards to recognize individuals who have demonstrated original leadership in the field of sustainable food. Through this national award, NRDC will recognize extraordinary contributions that advance ecologically-integrated farming practices, climate stewardship, water stewardship, farmland preservation, and social... Read More
Rogue Farm Corps: Accepting Applications for 2013 Season
Rogue Farm Corps: Training the Next Generation of Farmers Farms Next is a full season of hands-on training and skill-based education in sustainable agriculture for aspiring farmers and ranchers. Through an innovative and cooperative model, Farms Next combines up to 1500 hours of field training with a mentor farmer, 75 hours of classroom learning with agricultural professionals and expert farmers, 15 tours of local farms, and opportunities for farm-based... Read More
Can rural policy promote agriculture and still attract women and young people?
This blog post is an appeal to all young and beginning farmers to help out by taking this quick survey. Between 2007 and 2008 I had the opportunity to live in Norway. I spent some of my time planting potatoes and some of it visiting the Centre for Rural Research in Trondheim. Wherever I went people were saying something that we hear in the U.S. too— that it’s hard to keep young people in rural areas. In Norway they have a gendered perspective... Read More
