Ag Opportunities Volume 16, Number 2 August 2005 Getting Started in Farming Are you interested in farming but don’t know where to start? Or are you a farmer wanting to learn more about incorporating alternative enterprises into your operation? If so, you may be interested in a unique program-Farm Beginnings™-that will be starting this fall. This hands-on program trains new and transitioning farmers in innovative low-cost farming practices that sustain both farm families and the land. Farm Beginnings™ will let you tap the knowledge of some of the Midwest’s most innovative and skilled farmers; learn critical management skills; engage in an internship, employment or mentorship with an experienced farmer; and craft a tailor-made farming/business plan. The 10-month course, taught by both established farmers and experienced Extension and other professionals, includes 34 hours of classroom sessions from Oct through March, a field-based component where you will be able to visit and learn from unique and diverse farming operations and a farmer-to-farmer mentorship. Farm Beginnings™ training addresses sustainable production, family goal setting, business planning and management and marketing practices and it creates an opportunity for participants to network with established sustainable farmers. The program, initiated in Minnesota almost ten years ago, is a collaboration between a group of farmer and the Land Stewardship Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture http://www.landstewardshipproject.org. In 2004, the Land Stewardship Project received a grant from USDA-SARE North Central Region Professional Development Program to pilot Farm Beginnings™ in Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska. In Missouri this year, there will be one pilot program in West Plains. In 1996, there will be two locations, one in West Plains and one in Lebanon. In its ninth year, Farm Beginnings™ has trained 225 people, over 60% of who are farming currently. Graduates are farming over 6,000 acres engaging in enterprises covering a diverse spectrum: dairy (cow and goat), beef, hogs, meat goats, sheep, poultry, wholesale vegetables, community supported agriculture (CSA), organic grains and specialty products such as flowers. It is hoped that Farm Beginnings™ will provide similar results for Missouri. For more information call Randy Saner, 417-256-2391, saner@missouri.edu or Debi Kelly, 800-433-3704, kellyd@missouri.edu or agebb.missouri.edu/mac/fbp/index.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- All sessions will be held at the Howell County Extension Center, 217 S Aid, West Plains, MO Session 1: Oct 22, 10:00 am-4:00 pm Building Networks Value Clarification and Goal Setting Becky Day, direct marketing of vegetables and grass-fed beef Scott McWilliams, pumpkin producer Session 2: Nov 12, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Whole Farm Planning Jerry Fry, markets certified organic beef and hay Wilbur & Elsie Spreutels, Show-Me Select Heifer program Session 3: Nov, 15, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Plan for Profit Pam Rosen, markets cattle and horses, certified accountant and tax preparer Session 4: Dec 8, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Creating the Plan-Nuts and Bolts Pam Rosen, markets cattle and horses, certified accountant and tax preparer Session 5: Dec 13, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Building your Business Plan Charlie Rymer, Show-Me Select Heifer Program, runs cattle on shares Mick Gilliam, Ag Business Specialist, Univ. of MO Extension Session 6: Jan 12, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Marketing 101-Intro to Marketing Al Vance, President South Ozarks Premier Beef Marketers Vickie Kensinger, dairy producer direct marketing milk Session 7: Jan 26, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Marketing 201-Realities from the Field Pam Murray, nursery production Becky Day, direct markets vegetables and grass-fed beef Bob Cunningham, markets timber Richard Stricklin, producer, direct markets mushroom Don Bush Sr, producer, direct markets meat goats John Tidwell, producer, direct markets puppies Mark Newman, direct markets pork, beef and lamb Session 8: Feb 9, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Connecting with Resources and Class Presentations Dan Corman, Vice-President, First National Banks Steve Robbins, NRCS Dennis Johnson, Farm Service Session 9: Feb 23, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Connecting with Resources, Class Presentations and Identifying the Next Steps March 9: Snow Day (if needed) March 23: Mentor/Mentee Meeting April-August 1)One-on-one mentorships 2) Farm Tours a. Jerry Fry-certified organic farm, organic beef organic hay and direct marketing b. Don Bush Sr.-production and marketing of meat goats c. Becky Day-vegetable production, grass-fed beef and direct marketing d. Pam Murray-nursery production e. Scott McWilliams-pumpkin production f. TBA-pastured poultry and direct marketing August 5th -Farm Beginnings Potluck Graduation Picnic ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004 Missouri Organic Facts 12,543.64 acres certified organic in 39 MO counties * 2,431 acres of certified pecan trees in Vernon County * Organic livestock certified in MO: dairy cattle, beef cattle, turkeys, chickens, lambs * Organic food crops produced in MO: soybeans, corn, wheat, alfalfa, field peas, vegetables, berries, apples, garlic, flowers, asparagus, horseradish, sorghum, sunflowers, barley, buckwheat, flax, clover mushrooms and more. (MO Organic Assn, Winter Almanac 2005) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorting Out the Medicinal Components of Elderberry by Andrew L. Thomas The Southwest Center, along with the State Fruit Experiment Station of Southwest Missouri State University, has developed what is probably the most comprehensive research program in the country on elderberry. This spring, we received our 4th grant to support our ongoing research on this common Missouri plant. This latest $9,300 grant, from the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), allows us to further expand our research by supporting an intern to help us sort out the medicinal attributes of the elderberry plant. Alexis Malone, an MU undergraduate student majoring in Sustainable Agriculture, was awarded the internship which extends from this summer through next spring. Alexis is spending her summer at the Southwest Center taking good care of the elderberry plantings and collecting nearly 1,000 plant samples for laboratory analysis. Between classes during the next two semesters, Alexis will be working at the Veterinary Diagnostic Clinic on campus analyzing the samples she is collecting this summer. Elderberry is a native plant with many uses. We have all heard of elderberry wine and jelly, but interestingly, the fastest growing market for elderberry appears to be as a health tonic or "nutraceutical". The berries and juice are loaded with vitamins, anti-oxidants, flavonoids, and other substances that promote good health. But in Europe, it's the flowers that are mostly consumed as a tea to fight colds and viral infections as an immune stimulant. The stems, bark, and leaves are also believed to have medicinal properties, but little is known about the occurrence and quantities of various medicinal compounds in these non-fruit tissues. The purpose of this project, therefore, is to take advantage of our very unique elderberry plantings to sort out in a scientific manner which medicinal compounds are contained in which tissues and in what quantities. We are also sampling tissues at various times of year to determine if some substances may fluctuate in the plant throughout the season. We are hopeful that our results will help define additional important uses for this easy-to-grow plant which may lead to increased opportunities for farmers. (From Southwest Center RUMINATIONS, Jul-Sep, 2005, Vol. 11, No. 3) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Building a Loyal Customer Base By Mary Peabody, University of VT Extension On a small farm, economic success often comes down to some good luck and the ability to master some basic business concepts. Once of the best direct marketing techniques that farmers can implement is to maintain a loyal customer base and encourage them to increase their business with you. What makes customers loyal to your business? First, you need to have a great product. Quality matters when you want customers to come back so be demanding with yourself when it comes to quality control. Make sure that everyone who works for you understands that cutting corners is not OK. The second rung on the ladder of customer loyalty is perceived value. This does not mean your product needs to be ‘cheap.’ It does mean that the customers perceive that they are getting a good return on their investment. You want to make certain that customers know that the satisfaction they get from consuming your product is equal t the price they are paying. A third consideration is trust. Make sure your product is as safe, healthful and fresh as you promised. It also means consistency over time. But most of all it means that you value the relationship with them more than you value the financial transaction. Customers like to know that if a product doesn’t meet their expectation that you will want to hear from them and that you will do what’s necessary to keep their trust. While there are hundreds of marketing strategies that you can use to sustain a loyal customer are the three listed above—quality, value and trust form the core values that keep customers coming back season after season. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- *** In Print/On-Line *** *Resources for Beginning Farmers* 64 page publication lists and describes five topics of concern for would be and novice framers. Those areas are Farm Vision and Goat Setting; Business Planning, Management, and Marketing; Farming Knowledge and Production Experiences; Access to Financing and Means of Production; and the Transition to Farming. Order from MISA, 411 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul MN 55108, 612-625-8235, $5 or available at www.misa.umn.edu *The New American Farmer, 2nd edition* a new book by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) has photos of each producer and contact information so readers can learn more, the 200-page book provides a jumping-off point for reporters seeking ideas for agriculture-oriented features. For farmers and ranchers, the book provides a host of valuable ideas. Preview the entire publication at www.sare.org/publications. To order from SAN ($16.95 + $5.95 s/h): Call (301) 374-9696 or send check or money order to SAN, PO Box 753, Waldorf, MD 20604-0753. *Communicator’s Guide* A guide to promote better communication through the identification and sharing of communication knowledge, skills, and resources across the Government. For more info, visit: http://www.usda.gov/news/pubs/fcn/table.htm. *Plant Propagation* CD with 52 videos and hundreds of photos, animations and graphics that show everything from the simplest planting of a seed to the complexities of grafting. Available from Purdue Extension’s online Education Store at www.ces.purdue.edu/ or call 1-888-398-4636 or media.order@purdue.edu, $40. Four new publications on seed saving are now available from Jeff McCormack, founder of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and an expert on seed saving and heirloom plants. Isolation Distances – written for seed savers and small scale organic seed growers . Seed Processing and Storage – principles and practices of seed harvesting, extracting, processing, drying, storage, seed longevity, seed treatments, germination testing, germination enhancements, seed laws. Bean Seed Production – small scale production of high quality organic bean seeds. Tomato Seed Production – small scale production of high quality organic tomato seed. All are available from 434-964-9113 or www.gardenmedicinals.com *Directory of Residential Greenhouses and Distributors of Imported Greenhouses* lists sources of hobby greenhouses, solariums, sunrooms, cold frames, and window greenhouses with contact info and brief descriptions of the products. Available from Hobby Greenhouse Assn, 8 Glen Terrace, Bedford MAC 01730-2048, $2.50. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- *** IN THE NEWS *** Do you sometimes wonder what funds or technical assistance is available from USDA agencies and other federal programs? Building Better Rural Places is a resource guide to help answer that question. The updated guide covers 82 programs in agriculture, forestry, conservation and rural community development and should prove helpful to farmers, land managers, entrepreneurs, community developers, conservationists, organizations and businesses. A free print copy of the 158 page guide is available from ATTRA at 1-800-346-09140 or www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/betterrural.html What is a food system? A food system includes food production, processing and distribution; food access and use by individuals, communities and populations; and food recycling, composting and disposal. Food systems operate at multiple, interrelated levels-community, state, regional, national and global. If it has to do with food, it is part of the food system. If you eat, you participate in the food system. A three-year research project on forage-fed Appalachian beef shows that it may be a hit with health-conscious shoppers, reports Georgia FACES. The University of Georgia analyzed beef raised solely on forages in Virginia and West Virginia, and found the fat content of the forage-finished steaks to be 40 percent lower than that of grain-finished steaks. In addition, the forage-fed beef had higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acid, and a better ratio of omega-6-to-omega-3, as well as being higher in fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin E and beta carotene. It also had double concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid. According to the story, the project will continue this fall, as researchers begin taste-panel studies and start comparing three types of forage feeding systems. http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/storypage.cfm?storyid=2508 Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG) - The purpose of this program is to improving the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing cooperatives. For more info, visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm. Even as farm families worry about keeping the next generation on the farm, there are some would-be farmers who are having difficulty making their way into the profession because they can't afford land, reports The Christian Science Monitor. In the Midwest, rising land values driven by development, by farm subsidies, and by trends toward larger, less labor-intensive farm operations are pricing farmland out of reach for beginning farmers. Beginning farmers who are able to obtain land recognize that in order to pay for it they will need to earn more than they can earn from growing commodity corn and soybeans. Some are turning to alternative or organic crops for an economic advantage. http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0707/p01s02-usec.html?s=hns Organic farming produces the same yields of corn and soybeans as conventional farming, but uses 30 percent less energy, less water and no pesticides, according to a recent study by David Pimentel, a Cornell Univ professor. The study is a review of the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial, the longest running comparison of organic vs. conventional farming in the United States. The study compared a conventional farm that used recommended fertilizer and pesticide applications with an organic animal-based farm (where manure was applied) and an organic legume-based farm (that used a three-year rotation of hairy vetch/corn and rye/soybeans and wheat). The two organic systems received no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Titled "Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Systems," the article was published in the July 2005 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Bioscience. http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/513110/ We are what we eat: Estimated distance a conventional tomato travels from farm to market: 1,569 miles * Estimated distance a conventional head of lettuce travels from harvest to market: 1,823 miles * The typical American prepared meal contains, on average, ingredients from at least five countries outside the US * During the past 50 years, an average of 219 farms per day in the US have closed or been amalgamated into a larger enterprises. * Average time spent preparing meal in US, 1954: 2.5 hours. * Average time spent preparing evening meal in US, 2004: 6.5 minutes. (Organic Gardening, Aug/Sept 2005) The Save Our Seed Project is offering a free certified organic seed sourcing service. Any grower who would like to plant certified organic seeds may submit a list of all the cultivars of seeds that she/he would like to plant, along with the quantity of seed needed. The Save Our Seed Project will promptly send the grower a list of all the certified organic sources for every cultivar. If no sources exist, the grower will receive full documentation of this to show to the organic certification agency. Growers can submit lists by fax (706-788-0071), mail (Save Our Seed Project, 49 Circle D Drive, Colbert GA 30628) or email (sourcing@savingourseed.org) The Seed Stick plants corn, bean, pea, squash, cucumber, pumpkin, melon, sunflower and other large seeds to a preset depth (adjustable from 0.5 to 2.0 inches) -in any type of soil and through plastic mulch, on hills, in rough terrain, or in existing rows- while the operator is standing up. Its reservoir holds one cup of seeds. A simple pushing movement removes a single seed from the reservoir and plants it. Up to 1,800 seeds can be planted per hour. Available from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 800-879-2258 www.johnnyseeds.com, Growing strawberries in a greenhouse eliminates dependence on methyl bromide, avoids excessive water use for plant establishment and frost protection and minimizes pesticide use according to Daniel Cantliffe and Ashwin Paranjpe of the Univ of FL. The researchers report that greenhouse strawberries also fetch a higher price because they can be produced in the off season. Greenhouse strawberries are typically grown in PVC troughs filled with a soilless substrate such as pine bark and irrigated with drip tape. Because berries hang down, the trough can be adjusted to kept he fruit at eye level, making harvest quicker and less painful to the harvester’s back. The troughs can be spaced 20 to 30 inches apart with more than three plants per linear foot or densities as high as 98,000 per acres. Early yields in the greenhouse can be two to three times greater and the total yield three to four times greater than of field grown strawberries in FL. Biological controls work well on greenhouse strawberries. Fungus pathogens, such as Botrytis, are negligible in the greenhouse. Powdery mildew is common, but can be controlled with biofungicides. Strawberries need minimal heating – just enough to keep the temperature above freezing and passive ventilation. For more info, go to www.hos.ufl.edu/protectedag. (Growing for Market, Jan 2005) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- *** ON THE CALENDAR *** Aug 11-21-MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO. Aug 18-Turkey Field Day, Stillwater, OK. Call 918-647-9123 or easpeaker@kerrcenter.com Aug 21-Pests, Diseases and Weeds Workshop, call 913-488-1270 or growers@ksu.edu Aug 23-Graves Chapple Memorial Research Plots Field Day, Rock Port, MO. Call 660-744-6231. Aug 26-28-Artisan Cheesemaking Class, Warren, VT. Call 802-496-3998, aginnov@madriver.com Aug 27-Goat Day, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5545. Aug 31-Delta Center Field Day, Portageville, MO. Call 573/379-5431. Sept 3-5-World Sheep and Fiber Arts Festival, Bethel, MO. Call 573-439-5035, waterboy@missvalley.com. Sept 13-14-Women In Ag Conference, Joplin, MO. Call 417-637-5993 x 3. Sept 16-18-11th Annual Master Gardener’s Conference, Kansas City, MO. Call 573-882-9633. Sept 21-24-45th Annual Black Walnut Festival, Stockton, MO. Call 417-276-5213. Sept 23-24-Midwest Forest Industry Show, St Louis, MO. Call 573-634-3252. Sept 8-9-Southwest Center Education Field Day, Mt. Vernon, MO. Call 417-466-2148. Sept 8-IL Pumpkin Field Day, SIU Belleville Research Center. Call 618-453-3446 or awalters@siu.edu Sept 23-24-Midwest Forest Industry Show, St Louis, MO. Sept 23-25-Artisan Cheesemaking Class, Warren, VT, Call 802-496-3998, aginnov@madriver.com Sept 27-Integrating Meat and Dairy into Vegetables Workshop, call 913-488-1270 or growers@ksu.edu Oct 6-7-Wurdack Youth Field Day, Cook Station, MO. Call 573-743-3301. Oct 14-16-Artisan Cheesemaking Class, Warren, VT. Call 802-496-3998, aginnov@madriver.com Oct 14-16-Biodynamic Farming National Conference, Red Boiling Springs, TN. Call 888-516-7797. Oct 22-Farm Beginnings™ Course, West Plains, MO. Call 417-256-2391. Oct 21-23-Women in Ag Conference, Burlington, VT. Call 802-656-0554 or wagn@umv.edu Oct 22-Business Management, Basics of Farm Business Management Workshop, call 913-488-1270 or growers@ksu.edu Oct 27-Riparian Buffer Field: Managing Riparian Forests and Riparian Buffers, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234, rhoadsj@missouri.edu Oct 29-3rd Annual Chestnut Roast, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234, www.centerforagroforestry.org Oct 29-30-MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Lake of the Ozarks, MO. Call 636-394-5395 Nov 3-5-National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference, Columbia, MO. Call 800-633-2535. Dec 2-3-2005 MO Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. Call 660-665-9866, missourilivestock.com Dec 3-Rural Life Day, Jefferson City, MO. Jan 13-14-North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show, Austin, TX. Call 413-529-0386 or www.nafdma.com Jan 17-19-IL Specialty Crops Conference, Springfield, IL. Call 309-557-2107 or handley@ilfb.org Feb 17-19-Specialty Mushroom Grower Workshop, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-3234, www.centerforagroforestry.org Green Hills Farm Project 2005 Farm Walk Schedule Green Hills Farm Project welcomes all families to our open farm walks. Always bring your children! Please call ahead to let the host family know how many to expect. The host family provides the main meat coarse and drinks. It would be appreciated if all members and guest bring a side dish and service set for each participant. Bring Lawn Chairs. Some Farm Walk host will have a special guest speaker. Many past walks have had a variety of guest speakers from our Univ Extension, MO Dept of Ag, special interest groups, and specialist from our own communities. Our farm walks are very social, but also a time of sharing information and learning. Come on out and join us for a great time on our farms! For more information about Green Hills Farm Project please contact: Jordan Bentley jbentley@cvalley.net; Allen Powell atpowell@mcmsys.com Aug 18-5pm TBA Sept 15-5pm Allen & Tauna Powell, Laclede, MO, 660-963-2685. See a short presentation about ranching and traveling in Australia and then sample a staple of Australian fare - vegemite! I do have some interesting information on what Australia is doing as far as value adding beef products. Of course we'll show you cattle, sheep, chickens, and gardening. Allen will take those interested to the far reaches of our operations to give you an idea of how spread out we are and how those are managed a bit differently because of the distance from our home place. Oct 20-4pm. Matt & Tina Reichert, Brunswick, MO, 660-548-3283. "MIG Cow/Calf operation and Boer African Meat Goat brush and weed control project that is being expanded. See how the "$500" ponds have worked out which were built last summer. We are expanding our Bed and Breakfast to include some youth camps this summer as well as family camps. Nov 18-Tentative Dinner in Brookfield, MO Grazing Schools across the State Northwest Central Region Sept 14-15-Thompson Farm, Spickard. Call Sarah Clark, 660-359-5685 x 3, sarah.clark@mo.nacdnet.net or Scott Roy, 660-359-5685 x 3, scott.roy@mo.nacdnet.net Sept 21-22-Guilford. Call Debi McKay, 816-232-6555x3, debi.mckay@mo.nacdnet. net or Curt Walker, 816-232-6555x139, curt.walker@mo.usda.gov Central Region Sept 21-22-Waynesville. Call Pamela Cornelius 417-532-6305 x 3 South Central Region Sept 22-24--Willow Springs. Call Randy Saner 417-256-2391, SanerR@missouri.edu or David Harrison 417-256-7117, david.harrison@mo.usda.gov Southwest Region Aug 9, 11, 16, 18 (evenings) and Aug 13 (daytime)-Carthage. Call Mark Starnes 417-358-8198 x 3, mark.starnes@mo.usda.gov Aug 23, 24, 25, 30, Sept 1 (evenings) and Aug 27 (daytime)-Bradleyville. Call Shelia Braden 417-546-2089, mark.green@mo.usda.gov Oct 27-29-Marshfield. Call Mark Emerson 417-468-4176 x 3, mark.emerson@mo.usda. gov Southwest Region Sept 7-8-Hermitage. Call David Wright 417-745-6613 x 3 Sept 20-21-Butler. Call Diane Bradley 816-884-3391 x 3 Oct 13-14-Brumley. Call Lisa Tellman, 573-392-5667 x 3 Northeast Region Aug 26-27-Macon. Call Mark Collins 660- 385-2616 x 3 or Charles Chaney 660-385-2173 Linneus Schools Sept 27-29-Beginning Grazing School, Linneus. Call Joetta Roberts 573-499-0886, mfgc@mchsi.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------