Extension Update by Gary L. Zoubek - Extension Educator
Coming Events
- Nov. 30, 2011 – Farmers and Ranchers College, Dr. Dave Kohl, 1p.m., Opera House, Bruning, call 402-759-3712 to register
- Dec. 6, 2011 – Landlord/Tenant Cash Lease Workshop, 5-9pm, Adams Co. Fairgrounds, Hastings, call 402-461-7209 to register
- Dec. 9-10, 2011– Returning to the Farm Workshop, Holiday Inn Downtown Lincoln. 800-472-1742
- Dec. 15-16 – AgSMARTS Program, Extension Office, Seward
Corn Grower Banquet
We had a great Corn Growers Banquet and meal last Friday at Chances R! Josh Chrisman had an interesting LEAD presentation and slide show. We also had updates from both the Nebraska Corn Growers as well as the Nebraska Corn Board.
Congratulations to Clark Pickrel who has been involved with the York County Corn Growers Association for many years and the President of the four or five years. He was presented a plaque for his dedication and service to the York and Nebraska Corn Growers organizations.
I’d like to encourage all area corn producers to stop by our office for information about the York and Nebraska Corn Growers Associations. If you are not a member, I’d encourage you to consider joining, for more information check them out on the web at: http://www.necga.org/.
Feeding the Future
At this time of Thanksgiving, our IANR Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ronnie Green blogged the following:
“Few other states “have it all†when it comes to agriculture — Nebraska is richly endowed with more than 45 million acres of farmland that is contributing to unprecedented economic success at the moment for the entire state of Nebraska and its citizens.  Research faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are making the most of these natural resources, working to assure a safe, abundant supply of food for Nebraskans and people across the globe, and extending their knowledge and techniques, for the benefit of the nation and the world.
IANR is the feature of an insert coming out this week in the Omaha World Herald. The section looks at key trends in agricultural production, new discoveries about food and the human body, and, of course, good wishes for a satisfying Thanksgiving. We have a special story to tell in how the University of Nebraska and its Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources is leading the charge in working to ensure that we can successfully feed the future and is strategically positioned to do so for the 21st century.
I encourage you to read the insert that can be found at the following link to learn more:
http://www.unl.edu/ucomm/ucomm/special/20111115/â€
We do have a lot going in Nebraska! I hope you’ll check out that link! Have a great Thanksgiving weekend!
Farmers & Ranches College
I’ve mentioned it a couple times that Dr. David Kohl will be the featured speaker at the kick-off of the Farmers & Ranches College season. It will be November 30th at the Bruning Opera House at 1:00 p.m. and is titled “Global Economic Impacts on the Farm & Ranchâ€. This workshop will focus on the new mega trends impacting  producers’ profitability and lifestyles. What will be the emerging nations’ role? What will be the economic game changers? How can producers position themselves to capitalize on these trends? Do high farmland values represent a credit or asset bubble? Where is the economy heading? To register, call the Fillmore County Extension Office at (402) 759-3712.
Returning to the Farm
Is someone from your family considering returning to the farm in the future? If so, consider attending this returning to the farm program! It will be held Dec. 9-10 and Jan. 6-7 the Holiday Inn Downtown in Lincoln and it is required that you attend both weekends and that all members of the farm management team attend.
Bringing a young person into a farm/ranch operation presents challenges. However, the business operation can accomplish numerous goals by helping the young person get a solid start in the operation, keeping the farm/ranch in the family, and ensuring a comfortable retirement for all involved. Blending different talents and personalities into one farming operation takes planning, communication, and management accomplish. The Returning to the Farm program is designed to assist families and operations in developing a financial plan and successful working arrangements that will meet the needs of multiple families. For more information call 800-472-1742 or check it out by going to http://york.unl.edu, click on my articles and you’ll find a registration form.
Explore Farming Class Planned
My column this week seems to be filled with information about beginning farming. But when you think of farming I often think of large fields and corn and soybeans or livestock production. But what about those of us on acreages or small farms, did your garden do well this year, and you are thinking about selling at the farmer’s market next year? Do you have dreams of self-sufficiency and living off the land? Are you a budding entrepreneur?
If any of these apply to you, come to the free Explore Farming Class at UNL Extension in Lancaster County on December 3, 2011 from 10 – noon. This two-hour seminar will help you think through the resources, skills, and time you will need to launch a successful farm business. Local farmers and participants in the Community CROPS Growing Farmers Training Program will be on hand to answer questions. Information about various training opportunities in the 2012 season will also be available.
The class is free, but you must register to attend. To register, simply send your name and phone number to warren@communitycrops.org. For more information, check out this website: http://www.communitycrops.org/
Often, when we think of farms, today we think of large equipment and large farms, but growing food locally is on the steady increase, so if you’re interested, think about attending.
Specialty Crops Grants Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided a grant to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) to administer a project that is designed to provide small, competitive grants, in amounts of up to $4,600, to a limited number of Nebraska specialty crop growers for the sole purpose of extending the growing season for specialty crops. Grant sub-recipients, who will be selected from different areas of the state so as to represent various topographical regions of Nebraska, will receive funding to construct and implement season extension practices on their individual farms. Project funds will help offset the costs of the construction and implementation of cold frames, plasticulture, biodegradable mulches, floating row covers, drip irrigation, low tunnels, and/or high tunnels. Other alternative extension practices, also fundable under this project but used more sparingly in recent times, include smudge pots, wind machines, windbreaks, heat sinks, and cloches. In return for receiving grant dollars, the sub-recipients will be required to disseminate information regarding their use of these techniques to agricultural growers through written reports and farm tours. This project is only available to Nebraska specialty crop growers for the 2012 and 2013 calendar years. Growers who want to be considered as a potential project applicant for the 2012 year must meet the following eligibility requirements and complete and mail the attached application form to NDA by November 30, 2011.
Complete details can be found here, http://www.agr.ne.gov/promotion/2011_specialty_crop_block_grant_program.pdf
Farmers wishing to apply and needing assistance with the application process and writing their proposal are welcome to contact NSAS through my email address, healthyfarms@gmail.com, or the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center with Elaine Cranford at, ecranford2@unlnotes.unl.edu
FSA News
I received a note from the Farm Service Agency that the FSA election ballots have been mailed for the County Committee Election. The voters who received the ballots are in LAA#1 (Stewart, Waco, Beaver, McFadden & West Blue). If you received ballots, please return the ballots December 5, 2011.
Also for your information, DCP/ACRE signup has been delayed until January 23, 2012.
