www.sare.org publications farmer-field-day-toolkit capturing-the-event-with-video Capturing the Event with Video You can increase the learning value of your field day by video recording key aspects of it and sharing your video through social media. A video does not need to be professionally produced to be useful to other farmers and ranchers, but if you decide to record, it is helpful to keep in mind a […]
www.sare.org publications farmer-field-day-toolkit tips-for-a-successful-field-day Tips for a Successful Field Day The following tips cover key areas of planning. See the suggested timeline for how they fit together in a typical situation. Scroll through this page or jump directly to a section of interest: Program | Outreach | Logistics | Handouts | Presenting Program Determine what the most important information to share is. What are the […]
www.sare.org publications conservation-tillage-systems-in-the-southeast chapter-4-the-calendar-management-tasks-by-season september-through-november September through November This is a busy time of year so planning ahead is important. The main goals are harvesting cash crops and planting cover crops. Along with these operations, soil testing, field repair, seed crop planting and small-grain cash crop planting are accomplished. Harvest Cash Crop and Plant Cover Crops Once harvest is underway, it is time […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field northeast-sare driving-birds-away-from-corn-fields-with-a-laser-scarecrow Driving Birds Away from Corn Fields with a Laser Scarecrow "Under normal circumstances I’d lose 80–90% of the corn. Right now I’m losing maybe 7–8%. We developed this to be easy to use and build. It’s really promising." Ken Elliot, Elliot Farm THE CHALLENGE For years, Elliot Farm in Lakeville, Mass., struggled with crop damage from red-winged black birds and other bird pests, many of […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field southern-sare north-carolina-graduate-student-tackles-on-farm-food-waste North Carolina Graduate Student Tackles On-Farm Food Waste "Not only does the loss of specialty crops reduce farm efficiency and sustainability, but the recovery of those crops can increase farm profitability and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables." Lisa Johnson, North Carolina State University THE CHALLENGE Fruit and vegetable farmers are all too familiar with food waste, as they are forced to leave […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field northeast-sare Northeast SARE 2019-2020 Recent Highlights from the Northeast Region Northeast SARE is committed to funding projects that address social sustainability because we need resilient farmers and communities if agriculture is to thrive into the future. Over the past two years, our Administrative Council approved 22 projects, totaling $1.5 million, that focus on social issues, including ones on farm […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field southern-sare Southern SARE 2019-2020 Recent Highlights from the Southern Region Nonprofits play an important role in furthering sustainable practices, and they typically work through educational initiatives rather than research. Two years ago, we added an Education grant to the Southern SARE portfolio as a way to better support nonprofits. As a result, the number of grant proposals submitted to […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field north-central-sare field-peas-a-new-crop-to-replace-fallow-and-diversify-the-farm Field Peas: A New Crop to Replace Fallow and Diversify the Farm "As a result of this project, field peas became an established crop in southwest Nebraska, and we built a foundation for a successful and long-term pulse industry." Strahinja Stepanovic, University of Nebraska-Lincoln THE CHALLENGE In semi-arid regions, farmers without irrigation oftentimes conserve precious soil water by rotating cereal crops such as corn or wheat with […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field north-central-sare north-dakota-farmers-pursue-soil-stewardship-through-cover-crops North Dakota Farmers Pursue Soil Stewardship Through Cover Crops "We are building a soil health network of farmers, scientists, consultants, state organizations, industry and Extension." Abbey Wick, North Dakota State University THE CHALLENGE The practice of planting a cover crop holds many opportunities for farmers. Cover crops can build soil health, curb erosion, control weeds, improve water and nutrient management, and increase the bottom […]
www.sare.org publications 2019-2020-report-from-the-field north-central-sare urban-farmers-adopt-more-efficient-soil-management-practices Urban Farmers Adopt More Efficient Soil Management Practices "It would not be an overstatement to say this system is revolutionizing our operation." Adam Millsap, Urban Roots Farm THE CHALLENGE When it comes to keeping their soils healthy and productive, most farmers willingly put in the work. For urban growers like Adam and Melissa Millsap, who operate Urban Roots Farm, an intensive production system […]