Ag Opportunities Volume 23, Number 2 February 2012 February Webinar--Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety The Missouri Beginning Farmers Program's February webinars will be on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety. Marlin Bates, Regional Horticulture Specialist with University of Missouri Extension will be the presenter. Good Agricultural Practices can be defines as production and farm level practices that ensure the safety of fresh produce for human consumption. GAP production and post-harvest handling guidelines are designed to reduce the risk of food borne disease contamination on fresh produce. These voluntary procedures can be tailored to any production system. Feb 6-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r2p5x0tx6la/ and sign in as a guest Feb 13-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r8zbe67rkcd/ and sign in as a guest ******************************************************************************* Online Learning Community The Missouri Beginning Farmer Program's Online Learning Community is a tool to help beginning farmers learn from each other, essentially it is an online mentoring program. Presently you will find the archived webinars on topics of "getting started in farming", "pastured poultry", "organic agriculture", "soils", "social media marketing", "selling at farmers' markets" with upcoming webinars on "direct marketing of meat", "SARE Farmer/Rancher grants" and "beekeeping". Couldn't make it to any of the workshops this year or last? Not a problem, you will find PowerPoint presentations, handouts materials and pictures of the farm tours from the 2011 Workshops as well as from the 2010 Workshops. 2011 Workshops include "high tunnel production and installation", "getting started in organic agriculture", "berry and grape production" with 2010 workshop materials "growing for local markets", "berry options and productions", "tractors 101", "direct marketing". Upcoming workshop materials will be added after each event. Upcoming workshops include "direct marketing to the consumers", "accessing federal programs", "cheese making for profit", blueberry production", organic agriculture for the beginning farmer". Got a question and don't know the answer but sure would like to have the answer? Don't sweat it. Log onto the Online Learning Community and ask your question on one of the farmers forums. The farmers forum includes 3 different threads of topics at this time: "tractors and equipment", "grass-based farming", and "beginning farmers". Just email and we can add a new thread for discussions between beginning farmers, experienced farmers and experts in the field. To join the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program Online Learning Community go to https://extweb.missouri.edu/courses/default.aspx?courseid=86 You will need to create a passport (registration with a login name and password) to the Online Learning Community. Here is a video to assist you with the creation of your passport. Search for Missouri Beginning Farmers Program and you will find the Online Learning Community. Here is a video to assist you with signing up for the online learning community You can also follow us on Facebook at Missouri Beginning Farmers Program. Also check out our website for publications and additional information. ******************************************************************************* Upcoming Webinars Hold these dates for upcoming webinars. March 5-Webinar - Financing for Beginning Farmers, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4jg7mvonrj/ and sign in as a guest March 12-Webinar - Financing for Beginning Farmers, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r62qx1pe4s3/ and sign in as a guest April 2-Webinar - Grazing Goats, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri. adobeconnect.com/r447hpprlts/ and sign in as a guest April 9-Webinar - Grazing Goats, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri. adobeconnect.com/r5ldmre8w7b/ and sign in as a guest May 7-Webinar - Legal Issues with Direct Marketing, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r8rvewyda9u/ and sign in as a guest May 14-Webinar - Legal Issues with Direct Marketing, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4fwlpfel1u/ and sign in as a guest ******************************************************************************* Reducing Heat Stress and Insect Pressure in Crops Using Kaolin Clay (Surround WP) By Jaime Pinero, State IPM Specialist, Lincoln University Based on the extreme heat and drought that most farmers experienced not only in Missouri but in many areas of the Midwest, in this article I discuss the advantages of using kaolin clay (one trade mark is Surround WP, an OMRI-approved product that has both sticking and spreading agents incorporated) to protect plants against excessive heat and sun radiation while reducing insect pressure. What is kaolin clay? Kaolin is a naturally occurring clay resulting from weathering of aluminous minerals such as feldspar with kaolinite as its principal constituent. Kaolin is a common mineral, considered “generally regarded as safe” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is used as an anti-caking agent in processed foods and an additive to cosmetics, toiletries and health products. It is also used as an “inert” carrier in some pesticides, and enhances the performance of some microbial products. Kaolin is ground and processed further to reach a uniform particle size for application as a plant protectant. Applied in suspension in water, kaolin produces a dry white film layer of interlocking microscopic particles on the surface of leaves, stems, and fruit after evaporation of the water. How does it work? This material has several modes of activity. According to the manufacturer, the principal use of Surround WP is to reduce heat stress; thus, the use of Surround WP can increase overall fruit yields in regions with high light and temperature levels because Surround’s specially engineered kaolin particles reflect harmful infrared and ultraviolet radiation. With less radiation and cooler fruit there is less sunburn damage. However, kaolin also acts as a physical barrier preventing insects from reaching vulnerable plant tissue. It acts as a repellent by creating an unsuitable surface for feeding or egg-laying. The uniform white film may also disrupt the insect’s host finding capability by masking the color of the plant tissue. Furthermore, particles of kaolin act as an irritant to the insect. After landing on a treated surface, particles of kaolin break off and attach to the insect’s body triggering an excessive grooming response that distracts the pest. Formulation and application guidelines: Kaolin clay is available as a wettable powder (i.e., Surround WP) to be mixed with water. Application can be made with most commercially available spray equipment but large amounts of water are required. To prevent caking, it is suggested that the material be added while mechanical agitation is running, or to first completely mix the needed amount in a small amount of water before filling up the tank to the recommended volume. It may be tank mixed with soaps, and most pesticides, but not copper, sulfur, or Bordeaux mixtures. Precipitation, curdling, uneven film formation or changes in viscosity are signs of incompatibility. Periodic shaking is recommended for a backpack sprayer or use of an automatic agitation mechanism for larger equipment in order to keep the material suspended in water. Efficacy is only successfully achieved with thorough coverage. Care should be taken to cover the entire surface of the crop. Hydraulic sprayers at full dilution apply a better covering than mist blowers using concentrated sprays. Reentry interval (REI) and pre-harvest interval (PHI): 4 hour REI. May be applied up to the day of harvest. Case study - MELON: Melon field studies and years of commercial use in melons show Surround WP applied close to harvest can dramatically reduce sunburn, thereby boosting marketable yields. If applied throughout the season, Surround has been shown to increase melon size and brix, and cause more uniform ripening. For reducing sunburn damage to melons, Surround should be applied at 50 lbs/per acre prior to the occurrence of sunburn-causing conditions. Make one to two applications seven days apart to provide thorough coverage of the plant and fruit. Surround can suppress cucumber beetle and grasshoppers on melons. To be effective, Surround must be used in a preventive program and should be sprayed on plants before insects appear. Case study - CUCUMBER and EGGPLANT: In 2010, research aimed at investigating the effectiveness of kaolin clay at reducing flea beetle numbers and damage to young eggplants and cucumber beetles numbers in young cucumber plants was conducted by Dr. Jaime Piñero at Lincoln University Carver Farm. Four varieties of eggplants were used for the first study. For each variety, half of the plants (8 inches tall) were treated with Surround WP formulated at 4% and the other half was left untreated. Damage by flea beetles was recorded every day for a 3-day period. Substantial decreases in the numbers of flea beetles were recorded in plants treated with Surround WP compared with untreated plants, although some differences were noted amongst eggplant cultivars. In cucumber, one application of Surround WP resulted in significant reductions in the numbers of striped and spotted cucumber beetles for up to a 10 day period in the absence of rain. The four graphs below show the numbers of spotted and striped cucumber beetles in Surround-treated and untreated cucumber plants for a 96-hour (4 days) interval. Insects were counted daily at 06:00 AM, when cool temperatures allowed insects to be counted. Case study - TOMATO: Excessive heat can stress the entire tomato plant, causing irreversible damage to plant function or development. Temperatures higher than 90 to 95°F can interfere with pollination and fertilization, contributing to poor fruit set. Higher temperatures may result in blossom and fruit drop or oddly shaped fruit. Heat also affects fruit color, as lycopenes and carotenes are not synthesized above 86°F. High daytime temperatures can increase evaporation – resulting in high transpiration rates and poor water uptake – resulting in reduced plant vigor. This can lead to early canopy collapse, ultimately exposing the fruit to more heat and solar radiation – and increasing the potential for damage. In trials where temperatures regularly exceeded 90 to 95°F, Surround WP reduced the temperature of treated tomato leaves by 9°F. The engineered particles in Surround do not inhibit carbon dioxide uptake in leaves. Therefore by reducing plant temperatures Surround increases net photosynthesis. Trials where Surround was used season-long produced significantly decreased the proportion of tomatoes that had sunburn and increased tomato weights and yields. Case study - APPLE: In experiments conducted in two apple orchards in Missouri, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of Surround WP against important insect pests of apple such as plum curculio and red-banded leafroller. S urround WP was successful at suppressing plum curculio damage to fruits, red-banded leafroller damage to leaves (but not consistently to fruits), and flyspeck and sooty blotch diseases on fruits, but was not consistently effective against cedar apple rust. Overall grade of apple was improved with applications of Surround WP. Generally, higher rates and more frequent applications resulted in better pest suppression. The particle film coating also reduced plant stress during extreme temperature conditions. Altogether, these results suggest that kaolin-based particle films have potential applications in integrated management of apple pests, while providing some physiological benefits to the plants. Organic farmers have reported good results in apple. Case study - STRAWBERRY: Researchers in Florida reported that the application of Surround WP on the strawberry foliage the following morning after either 6 or 8 days of sprinkler irrigation had the same plant establishment, plant canopy diameter, and early fruit weight as the 10-day irrigated control. Application of Surround WP resulted in a 40% reduction of establishment irrigation volumes, which might represent major water savings for strawberry production in West Central Florida. The white film of kaolin clay dissipated within three to five weeks, and it did not show reduction in plant growth, flowering, and yields. Some considerations for applications of Surround WP: According to the manufacturer, fruits and vegetables that are to be marketed fresh but have a white film of Surround remaining at harvest may be washed to remove the film. Though Surround is designed to have moderate adhesion to fruit surfaces the film is normally removed with common washing techniques found in packinghouses. Field-packed fruit that will not be washed may be applied with Surround early in the season for heat stress. The sprays should be discontinued when the fruit are still small. The remaining film coating will eventually weather off the fruit from rain and wind attrition. This attrition will be more pronounced in rainy climates. Note however, that when Surround applications are discontinued and the crop begins to lose its protective coating, sunburn protection will be lost. Post-harvest techniques for washing Surround-treated fruits and vegetables are available at http://www.novasource.com/english/ag-products/Documents/WashGuide.pdf and http://www.novasource.com/english/ag-products/Documents/PI_SheetMelonUS.pdf ******************************************************************************* New Survey of 1,000 Young and Beginning Farmers Reveals What the Next Generation Needs The National Young Farmer’s Coalition released a study today showing that the nation’s young and beginning farmers face tremendous barriers in starting a farming career. Building a Future with Farmers: Challenges Faced by Young, American Farmers and a National Strategy to Help Them Succeed surveyed 1,000 farmers from across the United States and found that access to capital, access to land and health insurance present the largest obstacles for beginners. Farmers rated farm apprenticeships, local partnerships and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as the most valuable programs to help beginners. "If Congress wants to keep America farming, then they must address the barriers that young people face in getting started," says Lindsey Lusher Shute, Director of the National Young Farmers’ Coalition. "We need credit opportunities for beginning and diversified farmers, land policies that keep farms affordable for full-time growers and funding for conservation programs." Report findings include: 78% of farmers ranked "lack of capital" as a top challenge for beginners, with another 40% ranking "access to credit" as the biggest challenge. 68% of farmers ranked land access as the biggest challenge faced by beginners. 70% of farmers under 30 rented land, as compared to 37% of farmers over 30. 74% of farmers ranked apprenticeships as among the most valuable programs for beginners. 55% of farmers ranked local partnerships as one of the most valuable programs, and 49% ranked Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a top program. Lack of capital was found to be the biggest challenge for beginners. Although the USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers loans to beginning farmers, current loan rules often disqualify even experienced farmers with good credit and small loans are hard to come by. For real estate transactions, FSA loans take too long to process - up to thirty days to qualify and up to a year to receive funds - and the $300,000 loan limit doesn’t go far in many real estate markets. Land access was the second biggest concern. Farmers under the age of 30 were significantly more likely to rent land (70%) than those over 30 (37%). Over the last decade, farm real estate values and rents doubled making farm ownership next to impossible for many beginners. "In Nebraska the main barrier to new and beginning farmers is access to land. Unless an aspiring farmer inherits land, it is very difficult to have access to it," says William A. Powers, farmer and Executive Director of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. The National Young Farmers’ Coalition recommends action at the local, state and federal level to help beginning farmers. At the local level, communities can create market opportunities for farmers by starting Community Supported Agriculture groups and shopping at farmers markets, as well as protecting existing farmland through zoning and the purchase of development rights. States can preserve farmland and even offer tax credits for farmers that sell their land to beginners. At the federal level, Congress can include the "Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Opportunity Act" in the next Farm Bill, which supports many of the specific recommendations in the report. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is calling for hundreds of thousands of new farmers nationwide. Over the past century, the total number of American farmers has declined - from over 6 million in 1910 to just over 2 million today. For each farmer under 35 there are now 6 over 65 and the average age of farmers is 57. The USDA expects that one-quarter (500,000) of all farmers will retire in the next twenty years. The ‘good food’ movement is inspiring many young people to farm, both from farming and non-farming backgrounds. These farmers have the potential to offset the numbers of retiring farmers and keep family farms active, but land tenure and lack of capital are getting in the way. "Young farmers are poised to redefine the American landscape along with our food scene", says Severine T Fleming, Director of The Greenhorns, "We are strong of will, and determined to make farming sustainable in this country." "With the release of reports such as this one, the agrarian revival, this influx of young and beginning farmers, gains status - we’re not just a few people spread across the country, we’re a well organized, politically active group that can be documented," says Tierney Creech of the Washington State Young Farmers Coalition. "We know who our senators and representatives are, we vote, and our friends and families vote. We need USDA and government support to succeed and we’re going to let the nation know that." Download Full Report (PDF) ******************************************************************************* USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map-jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group-is available online at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA. For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)- based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps have also been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access. "This is the most sophisticated Plant Hardiness Zone Map yet for the United States," said Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The increases in accuracy and detail that this map represents will be extremely useful for gardeners and researchers." Plant hardiness zone designations represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period. They do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations. The new version of the map includes 13 zones, with the addition for the first time of zones 12 (50-60 degrees F) and 13 (60-70 degrees F). Each zone is a 10-degree Fahrenheit band, further divided into A and B 5-degree Fahrenheit zones. To help develop the new map, USDA and OSU requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic area, and trial versions of the new map were revised, based on their expert input. Compared to the 1990 version, zone boundaries in this edition of the map have shifted in many areas. The new map is generally one 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zone warmer than the previous map throughout much of the United States. This is mostly a result of using temperature data from a longer and more recent time period; the new map uses data measured at weather stations during the 30-year period 1976-2005. In contrast, the 1990 map was based on temperature data from only a 13-year period of 1974-1986. Some of the changes in the zones, however, are a result of new, more sophisticated methods for mapping zones between weather stations. These include algorithms that considered for the first time such factors as changes in elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, and position on the terrain, such as valley bottoms and ridge tops. Also, the new map used temperature data from many more stations than did the 1990 map. These advances greatly improved the accuracy and detail of the map, especially in mountainous regions of the western United States. In some cases, advances resulted in changes to cooler, rather than warmer, zones. While about 80 million American gardeners, as well as those who grow and breed plants, are the largest users of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, many others need this hardiness zone information. For example, the USDA Risk Management Agency uses the USDA plant hardiness zone designations to set some crop insurance standards. Scientists use the plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects. Although a poster-sized version of this map will not be available for purchase from USDA, as in the past, anyone may download the map free of charge from the Internet onto their personal computer and print copies of the map as needed. As USDA's chief scientific research agency, ARS is leading America towards a better future through agricultural research and information. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to help answer agricultural questions that impact Americans every day. ARS work helps to: ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products; assess the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole. ******************************************************************************* Grants and Assistance FSA Announces Land Contract Guarantee Program, Beginning Farmer Opportunity USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced a new rule that expands loan opportunities for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The rule allows FSA loan officers to consider all prior farming experience, including on-the-job training and formal education, when determining eligibility for farm operating and ownership loans. FSA also established a Land Contract Guarantee Program for all 50 states, designed to encourage farmers and ranchers to sell their property to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through the use of seller financing. More information on the new Land Contract Guarantee Program and the other changes are available at local FSA offices nationwide. Information about Farm Loan Programs and FSA loan qualifications can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov. Healthy & Humane Farm Funds Project FACT's Healthy & Humane Farm Funds Project will provide small grants to qualifying humane farmers who need assistance in improving the welfare of their farm animals. Grants will be awarded for projects that (1) help farms transition to pasture-based systems, (2) improve the marketing of their humane products, or (3) more generally enrich the conditions in which farm animals are raised. Applications are due by April 1, 2012 for awards made in June 2012. At least five farms will be funded each year, with grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 per farm. View guidelines and download an application at http://www.humanefarmfunds.org/. Contact Lisa Isenhart at grants@foodanimalconcerns.org, 773-525-4952 with questions. NRCS Announces Ranking Dates for Major Conservation Programs and Initiatives The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced ranking dates for its major conservation programs and initiatives that offer technical and financial assistance to Missouri farmers and ranchers. NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. However, NRCS establishes ranking periods for its programs that allow it to rank submitted proposals for funding consideration. NRCS then notifies all applicants of the results of the rankings and begins developing contracts with selected applicants. The ranking period cutoff dates for the major conservation programs and initiatives that apply in Missouri are: February 3, 2012 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) On-Farm Energy Initiative Organic Initiative Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative March 30, 2012 On-Farm Energy Initiative Organic Initiative Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative June 1, 2012 On-Farm Energy Initiative Organic Initiative Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative Moving to multiple ranking dates instead of just one annually will make it easier for more producers to apply for the three initiatives and help them get started with implementing the practices they need to benefit the natural resources on their operations, State Conservationist J.R. Flores says. "This change will also give Missouri's agriculture producers more time to make sure they choose the initiatives that are right for their operations," Flores says. Flores adds that additional ranking periods for EQIP and WHIP could be established at a later date depending upon Missouri's funding allocation. Program and Initiative Overviews Environmental Quality Incentives Program: EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to install and implement structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: WHIP provides financial and technical assistance on private agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land and Indian land to assist eligible producers establish and manage fish and wildlife habitat. On-Farm Energy Initiative: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS then uses audit data to develop energy conservation recommendations. Each AgEMP has a landscape component that assesses equipment and farming processes and a farm headquarters component that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation. Organic Initiative: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices for organic production. New for fiscal year 2012, applicants will be evaluated continuously during the ranking periods. Applications meeting or exceeding a threshold score may be approved for an EQIP contract before the end of the ranking period. Applications rating below the threshold score will be deferred to the next period. A new threshold score will be established at the beginning of each ranking period. This new scoring process allows organic producers to implement conservation practices in a timelier manner. Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot Initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement the steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. Visit the NRCS National Website for more information on how to apply for these initiatives and connect with an NRCS office near you. ******************************************************************************* *** In Print/On-Line/In The News *** A new book titled Ohio's Specialty Crops: A Boost to Food Service Menus is now available free online. The book is intended for farmers and for food buyers-specifically, food buyers for institutions, such as colleges, restaurants, hospitals, and nursing homes-and addresses issues on both sides of the supply chain. The book includes sections on making connections, local food success stories, food safety information, and seasonal availability charts. Illinois Announces Tools to Help Increase Local Food Distribution Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announces the release of Building Successful Food Hubs: A Business Planning Guide for Aggregating and Processing Local Food in Illinois. The guide includes descriptions of key functions, best practices, and "how-to" strategies for establishing and operating food hubs. DCEO has also announced a new website to help farmers navigate larger market channels, which often have complex regulatory requirements. The site http://isupply.illinois.edu/ connects producers directly to market requirements and resources, as well as entities that may already have an interest in purchasing their products. Young Farmer Survey Reveals Obstacles for Young Farmers The National Young Farmer’s Coalition surveyed 1,000 young farmers across the United States. The findings showed that access to capital, access to land and health insurance present the most significant obstacles for beginning farmers. Access the report at http://www.youngfarmers.org/newsroom/building-a-future-with-farmers-october-2011. ******************************************************************************* *** On the Calendar *** Feb 1-3-Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks. Go to www.mnrc.org Feb 2-4-MO Organic Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO. Go to http://www.missouriorganic.org/Events/MOAAnnualConference.aspx Feb 3-4-MO Nut Growers Association Annual Meeting, Nevada, MO. Go to www.missourinutgrowers.org Feb 6-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Feb 9-12-27th Annual Midwest Grape & Wine Conference and Trade Show, St. Charles, MO. Contact rbenz@vwm-online.com Feb 10-12-Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers Conference, Osage Beach, MO. Feb 11-Beginning Beekeeping Class,Fenton, MO, 314-894-8737 Feb 13-Webinar - Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Feb 17-Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, Rayville, MO. Call 816-352-6188 Feb 18-Grower/Vendor Workshop, Webb City, MO. For more info call 417 673-5866. Feb 18-Green Hills Farmers Project Annual Meeting with Frank Aragona, Director of Research and Development at Holistic Management International (HMI), Linneus, MO. Email greenhillsfarmproject@gmail.com Feb18-Grow Local: Production and Marketing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Contact (417) 547-7533 or 7500 Feb 24-26-2012 Western Farm Show American Royal Complex, Kansas City, MO. Call 800-762-5616 Feb 25-Direct Marketing Workshop, St. Louis, MO. Details to come. Feb 25-Holistic Management Workshop, Linneus, MO. Call 817-929-4405 Feb 28-Meat and Dairy Goat Conference, Raymore, MO. Call 816-380-8460 March 2-3-Minority Landowner’s Conference, Jefferson City, MO. March 5-Webinar - Financing for Beginning Farmers, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4jg7mvonrj/ and sign in as a guest March 6-7-Greenhouse Tomato Short Course, Raymond, IL. For more information go to http://greenhousetomatosc.com March 7-Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, Platte City, MO. Call 816-330-3448 March 7-Fruit Brandy Distillation Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Call (417) 547-7533 March 9-10-MO State Beekeepers Association Meeting, St. Louis, MO. Call 573-626-4493. March 9-10-11th Annual Fiber Retreat, Jefferson City, MO. For more information call 417-488-4361, lecarroll@me.com March 12-Webinar - Financing for Beginning Farmers, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r62qx1pe4s3/ and sign in as a guest March 15-Elderberry Mentoring Workshop, Hartsburg, MO. Call 573-999-3034. March 22-Food Safety - Field to Market Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Call (417) 547-7533 April 2-Webinar - Grazing Goats, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r447hpprlts/ and sign in as a guest April 7-Growing Vegetables for Consumption and Profit Workshop, Blue Springs, MO. Call 816-252-5051 April 9-Webinar - Grazing Goats, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r5ldmre8w7b/ and sign in as a guest May 7-Webinar - Legal Issues with Direct Marketing, Part 1, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r8rvewyda9u/ and sign in as a guest May 14-Webinar - Legal Issues with Direct Marketing, Part 2, 7-8:30 pm. Go to http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r4fwlpfel1u/ and sign in as a guest June 7-8-Elderberry Comprehensive Workshop, Hartsburg, MO. Go to www.riverhillsharvest.org or call 573-999-3034 or 573-424-9693. June 14-16-Grazing Workshop for Small Ruminant Producers, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-6190 or BaxA2@Lincolnu.edu