AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension
Green Horizons
Volume 25, Number 2
Spring 2021
Calendar of Events
2021 North American Agroforestry Conference
June 28th - July 2nd | 9:00am - 5:00pm CST | Online
From the Savanna Institute's website: "The work to establish and scale up agroforestry for carbon drawdown has only just begun, but the potential is enormous. One acre of alley cropping can sequester nearly a ton of carbon in woody biomass alone. Silvopasture is #4 on Project Drawdown's list of natural climate solutions. And even just a modest adoption of agroforestry is head and shoulders above other agricultural land-use changes in its potential for carbon sequestration. The 2021 North American Agroforestry Conference will bring together farmers, landowners, researchers, climate scientists, investors, philanthropists, policymakers, and global leaders on climate change, carbon drawdown, and agroforestry. Together we will tackle the major barriers to scaling agroforestry, focusing on solutions and action. We hope you'll join us!: For more information and tickets: https://www.savannainstitute.org/agroforestry-2021/.
Agroforestry Training Academy
July 19th - August 20th, 2021 | Online
The 2021 Agroforestry Training Academy will take place online with recorded presentations and extensive course materials. It will also include meet-up and consultation sessions with agroforestry professionals, researchers, and experienced growers along with virtual farm tours and networking opportunities. A wide variety of topics including an overview of agroforestry practices, planning and design considerations, marketing and economics, and much more! The program fee is $350, which includes all course materials (electronic and/or hard copies) and access to the Canvas course for one year. Scholarships are available for US veterans, individuals from socially disadvantaged and underserved groups, and Extension or USDA personnel who assist farmers/landowners. For more info and to apply to the academy: https://centerforagroforestry.org/landowners/the-agroforestry-academy/.
Bees, Beetles, and Broccoli: Establishing & Managing Native Habitat for Beneficial Insects
June 8th, 2021 | Practical Farmers of Iowa & Xerces Society | Online
Did you know only 2% of insects are pests? The rest are beneficial insects that contribute to the farm ecosystem by preying on pest insects, eating weed seeds, recycling nutrients, aerating and building soil structure, providing pollination services and supporting other wildlife in vast food webs. Join PFI member and farmer Jake Kundert and Xerces Society biologist Sarah Nizzi to hear about the decisions Jake and his colleagues have made on the Grow: Johnson County farm to benefit these native beneficial insects and other wildlife. You will also learn about strategies and resources you can use to establish and manage many types of habitat to foster communities of beneficial insects. RSPV here: https://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days/live-from-the-farm/bees-beetles-broccoli-native-habitatestablishment-management-for-beneficial-insects/
Walnut Council Regional Field Day
July 24th, 2021 | Forest Keeling Nursery | Elsberry, Missouri
The Walnut Council annual field day will include information on forest health, timber markets, and invasive species. The day will also include a tour of Forest Kneeling Nursery, lunch, an open Q& A session and networking opportunities. Registration is limited, register at: https://walnutcouncil.org/events/annual-meeting/.
Forest Farming Training for Natural Resource Professionals:
Increasing Capacity for Landowner Assistance
June 16th - 17th, 2021 | 9:00am, 12:30pm | West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative | Online Training
Want to increase capacity for landowner assistance? This free online training will provide Natural Resource Professionals with the knowledge and skills to understand, identify, and implement forest farming management strategies, which will expand technical assistance opportunities for private forest landowners in the Central Appalachian region. This training has been approved for 5 SAF CFE category 1 credits. Register & view agenda: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Forest-Farming-Training-Opportunity-for-Natural-Resource-Professionals.html?soid=1106304554030&aid=opUkCO3xhKE.
Foraging for Soil Health Workshop
July 21st, 2021 | Missouri Forage and Grassland Council | Everton, MO
This day long workshop covers all aspects of soil health in grasslands. Attend presentations from Agronomist Dale Strickler and Soil Health Specialists Ray Archuleta and Doug Peterson on the importance of soil health, how to improve soil, cost share programing, cover crops, warm season grasses and more. There will also be field observations and discussions on a working cattle farm. Registration is limited to 100 people. Register here to reserve your spot: https://mfgc.regfox.com/foraging-for-soil-health-workshop.
Designing Diversity: Climate-Smart Habitat Management for Pollinators
September 7th, 2021 | Practical Farmers of Iowa and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | Online
Join Erik Sessions to learn about the work he and his family are doing to increase the diversity of their farm and the surrounding property. Learn about strategies and approaches for habitat management to maximize diversity, and hear more about their long-term vision for the land. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Gregg Pattison will discuss the importance of diverse and connected habitats for wildlife in the Driftless Region. Register: https://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days/live-from-the-farm/designing-diversityclimate-smart-habitat-management-for-pollinators/.
A New Carbon Program for Hardwood Landowners
June 15th, 2021 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET | Walnut Council | Online
Alex Macintosh, Director of Landowner Success at NCX (formerly SilviaTerra), and his colleagues Lillian Hogan and Jeff Wright, will share information on their data-driven forest carbon marketplace and how owners of woodlands of all sizes can participate now. SAF continuing education credits will be available. Register here: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HGr-CxOdT8yzECd9IDCsjQ.
Field Days and Events from the Savanna Institute
- Ownership Pathways in Agroforestry, June 17th @ 11:30am - 12:30pm
- Elderberry & Elder Flower Field Day, July 9th @ 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Black Current Field Day, July 11th @ 9:30am - 5:00pm
- Farm and River Tour, July 23rd @ 10:00am - 5:00pm
- Lily Springs Field Day, August 28th @ 10:00am - 1:00pm
For event details and registration: https://www.savannainstitute.org/events/.
Agroforestry Webinar Series
June - November | 3:00pm | Cornell Agroforestry | Online
- Silvopasture Systems in New York and Their Contributions to Capturing Carbon, June 9th
- Getting Started with Ginseng, July 21st
- Past, Present, and Future Nut Production, September 15th
- Sustaining production and profits: research update from the Cornell Maple Program, November 17th
For webinar details and registration: https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2021/05/agroforestry-webinarseries-will-showcase-new-research-techniques-and-more/.
The Consulting Foresters Fall Meeting
October 28-29, 2021 | Cabool, MO
Missouri Consulting Foresters Fall Meeting is planning a technical tour on two tree farms in the Cabool, MO area. Included on the tours are Max Schmollinger's Tree Farm and the Honeycutt Tree Farm. Meeting topics include observations of 40 or more years of continous forest management including multiple harvests, follow up timber stand improvement (TSI), results of site preparation and direct seeding and planting of shortleaf. There will also be a discussion on salvage harvesting following a derecho event and the need for a basis in timber value. A business meeting will follow tours on Day 1 with tours resuming on Day 2. The business meeting will be held at The Old Iron Club pavilion in Cabool. Tentative dates are: October 28 and 29, 2021. Please contact Lynn Barnickol, 573-230-6248 if you have questions about the meeting.
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center Annual Chestnut Roast
October 2nd, 2021 | The Center for Agroforestry | New Franklin, MO
Join the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry for the annual chestnut roast! Stay tuned for additional event info. Videos from last years virtual chestnut roast can be found at https://harc.missouri.edu/chestnut-roast/.
Missouri Community Forest Council Conference
August 25 - 27th, 2021 | Branson, MO
The Southwest MCFC is excited to welcome you to Branson for three days of presentations, networking opportunities, and exhibits related to community forestry. Attendee Registration is available as a mail in form and online at: https://bpt.me/5134236. MCFC is offering a limited number of scholarships for students and professionals to assist with registration for the conference. For more details, links to register, and access to forms for scholarships, sponsership, and hotel information go to https://www.mcfcconference.com/.
Master Gardener Program
Aug. 25 - Nov. 10, 2021 | Wednesday mornings, 9:00am - 11:30am | MU Extension | Face to face & Zoom
The Master Gardener program trains individuals in the science and art of gardening. Graduates become volunteers who advise and educate the public on gardening and horticulture. Local Master Gardener chapters provide ongoing education, organize gardening activities for the public good, conduct research, and many other types of projects. This offering will have two cohorts, one in mid-Missouri (Boone, Cole, and surrounding counties) and one in the Kirksville/Adair County area. You will choose a cohort in the registration, and may select any cohort that is convenient for you. For this offering, the primary course content will be delivered online (via Zoom) on Wednesday mornings, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. "How to" instructions and tips for using Zoom will be provided by email prior to the first class. In-person lab sessions will illustrate what was covered during the Wednesday classes through tours, demonstrations, and handson activities all held in the local cohort vicinity. For the mid-Missouri cohort, the lab sessions will be from 9:00 to 11:30 every other Friday: Aug 27, Sept 10, Sept 24, Oct 8, Oct 22 and Nov 5. but participants can expect morning hours. For the Kirksville/Adair County cohort, lab sessions will be on Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday sessions are optional but strongly encouraged. Lead trainers are James Quinn, retired MU Extension horticulture specialist, and Jennifer Schutter, horticulture specialist in Adair County. Cost: $200. For more info: https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/master-gardener.
Pollinator Festival
June 26th, 2021 | 10:00am - 12:00pm | MU Extension, Master Gardeners | Independence, MO
The Pollination Festival Celebrates pollinators at St. Paul's Community Garden at the Northeast corner of 36th Street and S. Sterling Ave. on Saturday, June 26, 10am to 12noon. Learn more about pollinators and their important role in the environment and in food production. This event includes activities and information for adults and children. Free to attend. https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/master-gardener.