Ag Opportunities

Volume 19, Number 8
August 2008

*** IN THE NEWS ***

Green Heron Tools, a small-scale start-up company specializing in Farm and Garden Tools for Women, is inviting women farmers and gardeners from all over the world to share what you want and need in your agricultural equipment. This includes problems with existing tools; examples of tools and equipment that work for you; and ideas for better, more effective tools and equipment. Visit www.farmtoolsforwomen.com/ to answer an 11 question survey or send an e-mail to: info@greenheronfarms.com.

This special 20th anniversary publication chronicles 20 years of agricultural innovation - from SARE's beginning in 1988 to present-day stories of farmers, ranchers, researchers and educators working across America to develop and implement sustainable marketing and production practices. SARE 20/20 highlights cream-of-the-crop projects from more than 3,700 SARE funded granta, illustrationg how producers, researchers and educators are collaborating to advance sustainable innovations to the whole of American agriculture. Download SARE 20/20 for free at http://www.sare.org/publications/highlights.htm. To order print copies, visit www.sare.org/WebStorewww.sare.org/WebStore, call 301-374-9696 or write to Sustainable Agriculture Publications, PO Box 753, Waldorf, MD 20604-0753 (please specify SARE 20/20 when ordering by mail) Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. SARE 20/20 is also available in quantity to agricultural educators for workshops, conferences, and tours at no cost.

Farmers’ markets across the state are now accepting debit cards and electronic food stamps making it easier for people to buy local produce, cheeses, homemade breads, pies and a variety of other local Missouri-made products this season. A Specialty Crop Block Grant, offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Service, provided the new wireless technology to markets in the state.  The Missouri Department of Agriculture has placed wireless electronic benefits transfer machines in 19 eligible farmers’ markets to assist in providing consumers the opportunity to purchase fresh local produce with foods stamps and debit cards. To learn more, visit http://www.mda.mo.gov/NewsAndEvents/Press/2008/PR07232008b.htm

What’s old is new again in America’s grain fields, with many farmers turning back the clock to plant an array of ancient grain varieties, quinoa, spelt, kamut, chia and many others gaining popularity in food uses. Ancient grains are a win-win for farmers. They help to shave costs because they don’t require as much nitrogen fertilizer, don’t require huge yields to turn a profit and work well as rotational crops with conventional grains. The grains are a big hit with increasingly health conscious consumers, who like that they require less processing than many other types of grain.

Certifying humane treatment of livestock may offer an edge in marketing to meat and poultry firms that promote model treatment of animals to consumers. The Animal Welfare Institute grants certifications, labels, etc., to farmers approved via an application and farm audit. Plus farmers can get grants of up to $10,000 to make changes that favor livestock, including improved water sources, safe fencing, comfy winter shelter and means of transport. http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/index.php?page=farmersmainpage (Kiplinger Agriculture Letter Vol 76 No 16)

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