The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides a variety of agency forms and free publications about conserving our natural resources. Check out LANDCARE, the NRCS National Publications and Forms Distribution Center by going to http://landcare.sc.egov.usda.gov/ To browse the list of available items, enter the title, a keyword (such as “water” or “soil”), or the publication/form number in the ‘Search’ box below. To view the entire list, click on “Browse All”. You can order on-line or call 1-888-LANDCARE (888-526-3227) or e-mail, landcare@usda.gov.
Need a Loan for Part-time Farming?
Check out the County Home Loan program at the Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. http://www.efarmcredit.com/Portals/0/PDF/BrochureCountryLiving.pdf
New Grass-Fed Beef Handbook Available
Grass-Fed Beef Notebook has been created as a resource starting point for individuals wanting to have more information about grass-fed beef. It is the compilation from a series of the workshops that were held with a group of Ohio dairy and beef farmers. Use the handbook as a guide to developing a grass-fed beef farm. Consult the suggested resources as you seek to learn about creating, processing, and marketing grass-fed beef. For information go to: http://smallfarminstitute.wordpress.com/grass-fed-beef-notebook
September 26, 2009 – Lorain County Farm Tours
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation announces the Southeastern Lorain County Farm Tour September 26, 12-5 pm. Enjoy the value-added agriculture Lorain County has to offer during this drive-it-yourself tour. Stops: Belden Historical Society, Shamrock Stables, Slow & Easy Alpaca Farm, The Apple Barrel orchard and Conrad Farms, a dairy and grain farm. For more information, visit www.northcoastfarmbureau.org or call 440-774-2211.
For Lease in Summit County – 1 Farm & 4 Nearby Fields
This year Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy will be offering one farm for lease – the Edgar Farm in Valley View (6885 Canal Road). The Edgar Farm consists of a two story farmhouse, and a small tenant house; however, there are no other outbuildings associated with this farm. Four nearby fields, totaling 35 acres, will be available for lease. Contact info@cvcountryside.org, to confirm your interest in receiving a hardcopy of the Request for Proposals, projected to be available by mail by the end of October.
See, Try Out, and Drive Farm Equipment – October 31, 2009
On October 31, 2009 (Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 noon) a free Farm Machinery
Workshop is being held at Nickajack Farms, 2955 Manchester Ave. NW, in
North Lawrence (Stark County) Ohio 44666. The workshop is jointly sponsored by Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy and Ohio CAT. New and experienced farmers will have opportunities to see, try out, and drive equipment that is commonly used on farms. A continental breakfast will be service. To RSVP or for information: farmlink@cvcountryside.org or call Meredith at 330-657-2529.
Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP)
Want to learn more about signing incentives, practice incentives, and cost share payments that could help you protect clean water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitats? Announced in late August 2009, producers can sign up for the FWP at their local FSA office. Check out the land eligibility requirements which were expanded through the 2008 Farm Bill. Go to www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/Ohio See In the News or Search Farmable Wetlands Program or contact Christina Reed at 614-255-2527.
Loans and Beginning Farmers
Might you need a loan? Unique programs are offered by Farm Credit Services to beginning farmers. During 2008, Farm Credit made 66,559 loans totaling $12 billion to beginning farmers. Such loans represented 21% of all loans to farmers made by Farm Credit in 2008, and 17% of all loan dollar volume. Learn more at http://www.e-farmcredit.com (Click on Benefits and then Small Farmers.)
Tree Farm Tour – September 26, 2009
Are you interested in tree farming? The Hunter Family Tree Farm in Glenmont OH is a sixth generation farm. The Hunters were selected by the Ohio Tree Farm Committee as the Tree Farmer of the Year. Review the scheduled topics, demos & tours at http://ofbf.org (Search Hunter Tree Farm). Tour more than 50,000 trees. Walk and visit presentations on 150 of this 384 acre Tree Farm