Ag Opportunities Volume 17, Number 6 June 2006 Bird Flu May Impact Backyard Producers First By Greg D. Horstmeier, News Director Extension and Agricultural Information Massive human deaths and inedible poultry meat supplies are good for television movie plots, but a University of Missouri animal scientist said those aren’t the greatest concerns regarding highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. Jeffre Firman, an MU professor of poultry science, recently traveled through rural regions of Asia and Eastern Europe studying H5N1 avian flu impacts on poultry production. His travels, and the realities of how the highly pathogenic version of avian flu would likely spread, have taught him that backyard poultry producers will face the first round of tough decisions should the disease make its way to the Midwest. "There’s no reason to panic until it gets here," Firman said. "But from what we’ve seen in other countries, the chief way H5N1 avian flu will get into domestic animals is through contact with wild birds. The animals with highest risk for that contact are ducks, chickens, turkeys and other domestic fowl that are outdoors, in the open." Backyard producers-- whether a rural resident with a few domestic ducks around the pond, a free-range poultry producer and marketer, or families involved in showing birds at local fairs--will be on the front line should the highly pathogenic version of the disease come to Missouri or surrounding states. "If it arrives, and that still is ‘if,’ those poultry owners will have to decide to either move their birds into some kind of building to limit contact with wild birds, or possibly depopulate their flocks." Firman has made several trips to Azerbaijan and other countries with high levels of highly pathogenic avian flu strain. His travels gave him several hands-on lessons on dealing with the disease. "These are mainly rural, usually impoverished, communities," he said. "Almost everyone in the village or town has poultry that they consume directly or use for income. Once the disease arrives in an area, it spreads quickly in fowl because there are so many flocks so close together." For Missourians, small poultry flocks aren’t that prevalent and flocks usually aren’t found close together. While Missouri is fifth in commercial turkey production and just outside the top 10 in meat chicken production, those animals are raised in protected confinement systems. Firman estimates "noncommercial"--meaning small flocks not grown under contracted confinement conditions-- are less than 1 percent of Missouri’s domestic fowl flock. "But the risk to outdoor poultry is there, and will be something Missourians will have to consider should (the disease) arrive," Firman said. A most-likely scenario-- based on expert reports and on Firman’s conversations with other scientists--is that the highly pathogenic strain will show up first in Alaska from wild birds crossing the Bering Strait. Waterfowl could then spread it in North America through yearly migrations. Firman said if the disease arrives in the Midwest, it might likely move into domestic animals through wild ducks defecating in ponds, around feed troughs and on the ground. "Backyard feeding areas are a problem. Wild birds will definitely seek out those areas because poultry feed is a lot easier and a lot more tasty than bugs and seeds," Firman said. "If the disease does arrive we’re talking about a need for complete housing for domestic birds. You can’t just pen your backyard flock in with a fence and think that is enough protection. You would have to prevent all contact with wild birds and wild bird feces." Domestic ducks and geese are Firman’s highest concern because they could be swimming and drinking from the same ponds as wild fowl. Domestic ducks also have the potential of playing Typhoid Mary, contaminating the farmstead. "From what we’ve seen in other countries this highly pathogenic strain often isn’t fatal to domestic ducks. So they get sick and still move around shedding the virus to other domestic fowl on the farm." Another concern, the animal scientist said, is the fighting cock trade. Though fighting is illegal in Missouri, the birds are found in the state, and their owners give them the closest of care. "Fighting cocks were a big problem in many countries I’ve visited," Firman said. "You have birds from one flock coming into very direct contact with birds from other regions during popular sparring events. You have animals that are very valuable to their owners, so it’s unlikely the owner would kill them to prevent spreading the disease." Firman said the unwarranted fear spread by misinformation and by television movies, may be the most dangerous issue regarding the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. "Even in the worst of situations in rural countries, where humans are living with poultry in the house, there has been less than 200 cases of birdto- human passing of the highly pathogenic H5N1. "In other countries, there is little testing. Communications in rural areas is much more difficult," he said. "The scientific awareness of the average citizen, even of the average government official, is often much lower than in the US. And there is little trust of government agencies." "If it arrives here, those of us in the poultry industry may have to rethink how we do some things. We may have to postpone some poultry shows and figure out how to protect our flocks or decide to get out of the poultry business. But we have the agencies and the systems in place to do all that, and to keep it under control. "My advice to poultry producers is to keep an eye on the issue and educate yourself about the disease. If and when it gets here, be prepared to make some of those decisions." For more information, including health risks and poultry care issues, see the official US government information website at www.pandemicflu.gov or Jeffre Firman, 573-882-9427. ************************************************************************ Eleven Missouri farms granted cash for sustainable agriculture projects by Chuck Adamson, Ag News and Information Free water - minus most of the electricity costs needed to pump it - will be a huge boost to organic farmer Dan Kuebler’s profits. The Ashland, MO grower was one of 11 farmers and ranchers in the state to be awarded a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant in the producer category this spring. Kuebler plans to install a solar cell powered water pump to move water from his pond to one of the vegetable fields on his 30-acre farm. He estimates the pump will save thousands of dollars on his water bill during the growing season. The grant requires Kuebler to document the success or failure of his project and present the findings publicly. Missouri farmers dominated the 12-state North Central Region of SARE in the farmer and rancher category this year. There were 47 grants awarded to a pool of 180 applicants. The second-highest winning state was Ohio with eight grant recipients. Michigan producers won seven and Kansas farmers got five. Jose Garcia, Univ of MO Extension coordinator of the Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Program, has been leading the charge to increase the number of grant proposals coming out of MO. He sits on the 18- to 20-member committee that awards the grants. Because of that, he can’t take part in writing the proposals themselves, but he has presented workshops around the state on general grant-writing techniques. "We have put an extra effort into making farmers more aware of the grant program and we offer assistance in teaching how to prepare applications," Garcia said. "A grant gives them enough money for an idea they want to try out on their farm." In the coming year, he hopes to expand the number of SARE grant proposals and awards for MO in the other three SARE categories: research and education, professional development, and graduate student programs. Kuebler won a $5,600 grant. He estimated the total project will cost $7,000. His plans are to pump pond water, via the solar pump, about 20 feet up a hill to a 3,000- to 5,000- gallon cistern or holding tank. Another pump, powered by traditional electricity, will push the water through his irrigation lines in the acre-and-a-half field. Kuebler also will attempt to recover rainwater runoff from the roof of a nearby building. "We’re on a county water line and have always used it to irrigate, but it’s very expensive," Kuebler said. "The pond is very clean. We use it to swim, and we’ve always wanted to use it to irrigate. I’ve resisted putting an electric or a gas line down there for a pump." Kuebler estimated it will cost him $100 monthly, during growing season, for the traditional electricity used for his drip and small overhead irrigation systems. But he expects to save thousands on his summer water bill. Don Day, MU Extension natural resource engineer, visited Kuebler’s farm in April to help assess his irrigation needs. "I haven’t seen a solar pump used for this application. I have seen it with some livestock watering operations," Day said. "I’m hoping it will create energy savings and allow for less reliance on power generated from coal or other means." SARE grants are funded through the USDA. Missouri is part of the North Central SARE region, consisting of a dozen states from North Dakota to Ohio. A call for new grant proposals is expected in early fall, Garcia said, with applications due in late November or early December. Anyone interested in applying can contact Garcia for details and regarding upcoming Extension-sponsored grant writing workshops. He can be reached by calling 573-884-3794 or garciajl@missouri.edu ************************************************************************ A Message for Shiitake Growers Accurate, up-to-date, detailed information about markets is crucial for the success of any business. Market research and evaluation can be challenging and difficult to accomplish. The shiitake mushroom market is a specialized niche market and not much information is available for the market as a whole. As part of its ongoing niche market research focus, the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) is launching a nationwide survey including all individuals and businesses that are active participants in the shiitake mushroom market within the US. Once completed, UMCA will send you the results of our research. The information in the report will help you better identify market opportunities and problems, generate, refine and evaluate your marketing actions, and monitor your marketing performance. In order to do that, UMCA needs your participation (not your money), just 25-30 minutes of your time. In turn, after the completion of the study, UMCA will provide you not only with a snapshot of the market but also with a moving picture that describes the trends in the market over the next five years. In a couple of weeks, if you are a shiitake mushroom producer, you should receive a survey in the mail and a market directory form. UMCA ask that you complete the survey and return it together with the market directory form in the enclosed envelope. If you are a shiitake mushroom producer and have not received a survey, please contact UMCA at goldm@missouri.edu, cernuscam@missouri.edu or 573-884-1448. ************************************************************************ Farming the Sky By Jim Jarman, Agronomy Specialist, Callaway County At one time our state’s rating of wind energy potential was listed among the top twenty. Recent refinement has placed much of Missouri lower. The wind resources in central MO are considered low. There are budgets available to determine the profit or loss potential from wind generation of electricity. MO Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) has a consumer guide to "Small Wind Electrical Systems" available at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/renewables/wind-energy.htm. University of MO Extension has a guide sheet "Wind Energy in MO" at http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/agengin/g01981.htm. Much depends on the strength and dependability of local wind resources. The windiest local for a wind generator in MO is roughly north of St Joseph and west of Maryville. Since winds are stronger at higher altitudes, hill tops are better than lowlands. This can be overcome to a certain extent by suing taller towers to support a wind generator. Unfortunately, most electrical generation systems are designed to produce advertised power at wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph. The MU guide sheet mentioned above has a table of annual wind speeds from Kansas City, St Louis, Columbia, and Springfield. This averages from a half to a third of the needed optimum wind speed. A map of MO’s wind is available from DNR and is printed in their guide. Also, MO’s winds are currently being evaluated to further refine information on this resource. Without the economic return potential from wind electrical generation, there are still reasons for an installation. Wanting or needing a sustainable source of electric power that is not dependent on a utility company is one reason. Another is a windy location far away from electric lines that does not have a large power need. Plus, if the cost of a hookup is as much or more expensive than a wind generator installation, those reasons may be combined for another justification. Then a wind electrical generator may be a must have item for some people. An aid in getting a farm or home wind generation system would be a grant. This might make it more easily affordable and justifiable. Sustainable grants usually must show a need and innovative use of the grant funds. Budgets, records and comprehensive reports for public use are typical requirements. Information for this article came from Rick Anderson at the NDR Energy Center 573-751-5953. ************************************************************************ Grower to Grower: Creating a Livelihood on a Fresh Market Vegetable Farm The University of Wisconsin 's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems has developed an Extension publication reporting on results of a two-year Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education project in which vegetable growers shared and compared various business information -- Grower to Grower: Creating a livelihood on a fresh market vegetable farm. The results provide insight about potential costs and returns for fresh vegetable operations. The way in which information was collected and shared also provides a basis for additional work in this area. The entire publication can be downloaded free of charge. It is entitled:. Here is a description of the project and publication: Growing produce is not the biggest hurdle facing most fresh market vegetable growers; earning a reasonable living poses the greatest challenge. One way for farmers to analyze their operations in order to better meet their financial goals is to share information through farmer networks, conferences and coffee shop talk. Farmers may feel reluctant to share sensitive financial information, however. To address this, the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems worked with a group of 19 growers on a participa- tory, farmer-led case study from 2002-2004. The growers collected data on their sales, labor and other aspects of their businesses. They then created financial ratios that allowed them to compare small, medium and large operations in a way that respected their confidentiality. Their goal was not to provide a complete economic analysis of their operations, but to provide a basis for comparisons between farms and discussions of how to forge a quality livelihood from farming. The information contained in this case study can help guide growers as they set financial and quality of life goals for their farms and structure their operations to realize those goals. Download a pdf copy at: www.cias.wisc.edu/pdf/grwr2grwr.pdf. ************************************************************************ New ‘White Paper’ on Organic Research Released by CSREES An important new "White Paper" on organic farming research leadership has been written for the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES). The authors of the paper are the recent and current CSREES Interim Program Leaders for Organic Agriculture, Jim Kotcon and Dawn Thilmany. The Interim Program Leader position is a temporary assignment within the agency’s National Program staff. Dr. Kotcon was the first Interim Program Leader during 2005, and Dr. Thilmany is currently serving in that position through October of 2006. The paper is intended to help USDA-CSREES determine how best to meet the needs for organic research, education and extension. The paper first summarizes the growth in demand for organic products, the historical deficit of attention by USDA research agencies, and the specialized nature of organic research, education and extension needs. The paper then describes the way that organic agriculture relates to the Strategic Goals of CSREES, noting that it has positive contributions and opportunities for meeting every one of these agency goals. The need for CSREES leadership in organic farming is further explored in relation to international competitiveness. With a brief overview of current USDA research agency activities, the paper offers a series of goals and action items for CSREES. The authors state that, "...a National Program Leader position is needed to identify evolving priority needs and opportunities, coordinate research and outreach efforts, and serve as a single point of contact for organic programs." A follow-up paper providing alternatives for staffing and organizational structure is expected in late Spring, 2006. The paper is accessible through the OFRF website at http://www.ofrf.org/policy/usda_organic/csrees/organic_opportunities.pdf ************************************************************************ *** In Print/On-Line *** *Raising Poultry on Pasture: Ten Years of Success* The best APPPA Grit! articles from the last ten years have been gathered under one cover with over 130 illustrated articles. It's divided into fourteen chapters and is fully indexed for ease of reference. Available from APPPA Book, 36475 Norton Creek Road, Blodgett OR 97326. $39.95. The FDA has published a draft guidance document for producers and processors, "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables" at www.cfsan.fda.gov/guidance.html The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has issued a new report documenting the impacts its grants program has had on grant recipients, organic research, and education. The report offers an overview of the OFRF grants program and results arising from funded projects. Available online at www.ofrf.org/publications/investing_in_organic.pdf. Univ. of Minnesota and the Minnesota Dept of Ag teamed up to produce a new guide to dairy production, Dairy Your Way: A Guide to Management Alternatives for the Upper Midwest, edited by MN Dept of Ag. Available as a free download or as a book, this publication contains a broad overview of issues pertaining to dairy and information useful to all family-sized producers, including a chapter on entry and exit strategies and a chapter on organic dairy. www.misa.umn.edu/Dairy_Your_Way.html, or call 651-201-6012 or 800-909-6472. A useful new resource is the online newsletter published by the New Agriculture Network twice monthly during the growing season. The newsletter features research and extension reports on organic as well as farmers’ reports from their fields on growing conditions and management decisions. The New Agriculture Network is a joint effort of Michigan State Univ, Purdue Univ, and the Univ of Illinois "to bring seasonal advice to field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture." www.ipm.msu.edu/new-ag.htm *Proceedings of the 5th Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Symposium* includes excellent articles on production, use and marketing of medicinal plants. Send check to Mountain State Univ, Medicinal Botanicals Program, PO Box 9003, Beckley, WV 25802-9003, $40. *Seeds: The Ultimate Guide To Growing Any Plant From Seed* This book covers every aspect of collecting, germinating and harvesting flower, tree, vegetable, cactus and other annual and perennial seeds from nearly every species imaginable. 1-866-596-9982, $22.95 *Building a Sustainable Business: Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses* If you are thinking of expanding or starting an on-farm value added business, or any rural-based business, this comprehensive guide will help you do the thinking, research and planning to be successful. Call 301-374-9696, sanpubs@sare.org $17.00. ************************************************************************ *** IN THE NEWS *** University of Minnesota Extension reports that a demonstration in Cass County during 2005 showed better animal performance under rotational grazing than continuous grazing. Cow-calf pairs in a 400- acre continuously grazed pasture were compared with pairs in a 41- acre pasture divided into four paddocks and fertilized. In this demonstration, the rotationally grazed paddocks was able to support 1 cow/calf pair on 2.1 acres of land for 143 days. The pasture that was continuously grazed provided support for 1 cow/calf pair on 5 acres for 87 days before these cattle had to be moved because of lack of available forage. During the same 87 day grazing period, cows on the rotationally grazed paddocks gained 0.38 lb. per head per day more than cows on the continuously grazed pasture. Calves in the rotationally grazed pasture showed considerably more weight gain than their counterparts in the other pasture. The cows in the rotationally grazed pasture also achieved higher body condition scores. www.extension.umn.edu/cropenews/2006/06MNCN15.htm The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has loan funding available specifically for "socially disadvantaged" applicants to buy and operate family- sized farms. Loans are available for a variety of purposes. Some loans may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch, purchase easements or rights of way, erect or improve buildings, promote soil and water conservation, and pay closing costs. Operating loans may be used to purchase livestock, equipment, feed, seed, fuel, fertilizer, and crop insurance. Funds also may be used to refinance debt. Eligible applicants may be from a group "that have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice... without regard to their individual qualities." Eligibility information and application materials are available online or through any local FSA. www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/facts/html/sdaloan02.htm. "Corn hybrids grown in last year's Ohio State Organic Corn Performance Test produced 13 percent more corn per acre than the statewide average yield and topped the record-high state average yield by four bushels per acre. One hybrid tested did even better, beating last year's state average corn yield by nearly 50 percent. Yields at one organic site averaged 171.4 bushels per acre, and yields at the other site averaged 153.6 bushels per acre, for a combined average yield of 162 bushels per acre. The Ohio Dept of Ag estimated last year's statewide average corn yield at 143 bushels per acre." excerpted from Ohio State and Purdue Extension resource Ag Answers, March 2006. www.agriculture.purdue.edu/aganswers/story.asp?storyID=4174 Look for a new regulation on grass-fed beef to promote a market niche. USDA will say it’s OK to label beef as "grass fed" if 99% of a cow’s feed is made up of grass or other forage. The remaining 1% can be grain, but only to allow ranchers to deal with bad weather or other emergencies. Ranchers will pay USDA to verify their feed and approve grass-fed labels, which will help them compete in the natural food and lean meat markets. Around 0.3% of US beef, mostly hamburger, is sold as grass fed. www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/claim.htm (Kiplinger Ag Newsletter, Vol 77 No 11) ************************************************************************ *** ON THE CALENDAR *** June 2-4 - Heart of America Sheep Show & Fiber Festival, Sedalia, MO. Call 816-632-4310;, vhfarm@cameron.net, www.moncwga.com June 8-9 - Artificial Insemination Goat Clinic, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5551. June 8 - Viticulture Field Day, Mountain Gove, MO. Call 417-547-7500. June 19-21 - Midwest Katahdin Hair Sheep Assn Meeting, Sedalia, MO. Call 618-669-2440, jgeiler@hotmail.com. June 22 -- Timber Stand Improvement Workshop, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-884-7991, walterd@missouri.edu June 28-30 - Grant I Writing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. July 6-8 - MO Dairy Grazing Conference, Mt. Vernon, MO. Call 417-466-2148. July 12-14 - Grant II Writing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. July 12-13 - Greening St Louis: Sustainable Landscape Development, St Louis, MO. Call 573-522-4170. July 20-22 - Grazing America: The American Grassfed Assn’s Annual Conference, Colorado Springs, CO. Call 303-243-4300, www.americangrassfed.org/index.html July 22-23 -- Chestnut Growers of America Meeting, Macomb, IL. Visit www.nutgrowing.org or tuckerh@epix.net July 28-29 - MO Christmas Tree Assn Summer Meeting, Holt, MO. Call 660-457-3834. July 28-Aug 9 - Ozark Empire Fair, Springfield, MO. Call 417-833-2660, www.ozarkempirefair.com Jul 29-30 - Ozark Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Expo, Hermann, MO. Call 314-993-9047, http://ozarkre.org. July 30 - MO Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives Annual Summer Tour, Chillicothe, MO. Call 573/751-8467. July 30 -- Annual Walnut Council Meeting, Nebraska City, NE. Call 765-583-3501. Aug 3 - Alternative Fruit Crops Field Day, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-547-7513. Aug 4-6 - Camelid Community, Kansas City, MO. Call 715-246-5837, bsfugina@pressenter.com Aug 9-11 - Grant III Writing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. Aug 10-20 - 2006 MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO Aug 15-17 - 5th National SARE Conference, Oconomowoc, WI. Go to www.sare.org/ Sept 22-23 - Native Plant School, Kingsville, MO. Call 573-522-4170. Oct 14 - 4th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234, rhoadsj@missouri.edu; www.centerforagroforestry.org Aug 18 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln, NE. Call 402-472-2819. Oct 27-28 - MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Jefferson City. MO. Oct 30 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln, NE. Call 402-472-2819. Nov 2-4 - National Small Farm Conference and Trade Show, Columbia, MO Call 1-800-633-2535. Dec 1-2 - MO Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. Call 660-665-9866 or http://missourilivestock.com Dec 10-13 - 3rd National Conference on Grazing Lands, St Louis, MO. Call 303-986-3309, www.glci.org/3NCGLindex.htm Jan 12-13 - Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind, Springfield, MO. Call 573-522-4170. MU Ag Experiment Station Field Days June 15-16 - Grazing School, Wurdack Farm, Cook Station, MO. Call 573-882-4450 June 23 - Native Plant Field Day, Bradford Research and Extension Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945 July 11 - Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day, South Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-442-4893 July 12 - Weed/Integrated Pest Management Field Day, Bradford Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945 July 25-28 - Crop Injury and Diagnostic Clinic, Bradford Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573884-7945 Aug. 3 - Greenley Memorial Research Center Field Day, Novelty, MO. Call 660-739-4410 Aug. 22 - Graves-Chapple Farm Field Day, Corning, MO. Call 660-744-6231 Aug. 26 - Bobwhite Quail Management Workshop and Field Day, Bradford Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945 Aug 31 - Delta Research Center Field Day, Portageville, MO. Call 573-379-5431 Sept 6 - Hundley-Whaley Center Field Day, Albany, MO. Call 660-726-5610 Sept. 8 - Southwest Center Field Day, Mount Vernon, MO. Call 417-466-2148 Sept 16 - South Farm Showcase, South Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-7488 Sept 26-28 - Beginning Grazing School,Forage Systems Research Center, Linneus, MO. Call 660-895-5121 Oct. 5 - Wurdack Farm Field Day, Cook Station, MO. Call 573-882-4450 Oct. 14 - Chestnut Roast, Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234. Nov 10-12 - Raising Vegetables and Civic Values : CSA in the 21st Century, Tustin, MI. Call 877-526-1441, or www.csafarms.org Green Hills Farm Project 2006 Farm Walk Schedule June 15-5 pm, John & Jackie Woods, Smithville, MO, 816-532-3795 This farm has been in the family for many generations. Raising Cattle and goats using a MIG, the Woods continue to farm despite the growing urban sprawl around them. Having a farm so close to the urban area presents great opportunities and challenges. Bring lawn chairs and a covered dish. July 20-5 pm, Matt & Tina Reichert, Brunswick, MO, 660-548-3283 Using MIG methods to manage their cattle and goats, the Reichert family has worked hard these past years to convert brushy hill ground into great grazing pastures. The Bed and Breakfast and youth camps are continuing to grow. Bring lawn chairs and a covered dish. Aug 17-5 pm John & Rose Blaszak, Polo, MO, 660-354-3438 John & Rose and their growing family are like many of us who pursue careers off the farm and have that dream of a farm on a little acreage. Raising chickens for meat and a garden is a great way to bring that dream to reality. Bring lawn chairs and a covered dish. Sept 21-5 pm, Jordan & Anne Bentley, Brookfield, MO, 660-388-6825 City Slickers think'n they're going to homestead!? Jordan & Anne have bought just less than 40 acres with nothing but a pond on it. They have been raising chickens, turkeys and lambs for the past six years on rented ground. They will begin raising the same this spring on the new home place. All pastured meats are direct marketed locally or in Kansas City. They have not built a home as of the first of the year, but they will be living there this spring. This is a dream come true for the Bentleys! Contact them early this spring for directions or call Barb Buchmayer. Their contact information will change this spring! Bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Oct 19-4 pm, Doug & Diane Peterson, Ridgeway, MO, 660-824-4276 Doug and Diane raise cattle and use MIG methods. "We have a cattle only operation at this time. We have expanded quite a bit in the last few years and are still trying to get everything figured out. We will try and look at one or two different grazing systems. One will be fairly large with 200 cows being run together as one herd. This large of a herd have some very unique benefits and problems. Because we expanded our grass base faster than we wanted to purchase cows we run a combination of our own cows plus some contract cows for other people. We have also started selling a limited amount of grass fed all natural beef to customers in the Kansas City/St. Joe area. We are a family operation." Bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Nov-Workshop/Seminar will be announced 2006 Market Gardening Workshops Growing Growers Program For more information on each of these workshops, call 913-488-1270, growers@ksu.edu June 5 - Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling Workshop, TBA. July 10 - The Taste and Nutrition of Local Vegetables Workshop, Lawrence, KS. Aug 27 - Pests, Diseases and Weeds, Independence, MO. Sept 25 - An Integrated Farm, Higginsville, MO. Oct 21 - Business Management for Small Farms, TBA. ************************************************************************