(12/21/09) Through the past year, NCAT staff members have volunteered locally and regionally for professional organizations in their respective fields, as well as for other nonprofit organizations. These include Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee, Missoula's Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, Citizens' Technical Environmental Committee, Butte Restoration Alliance, Montana Conservation Voters, Ecological Farming Association, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, California FarmLink, Montana Society of Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Montana's Joint Engineers Conference, Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Montana Organic Association, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, California Small Farm Conference Board and Women, Food and Agriculture Network.

Staff also gave their time to the National Folk Festival, e-Waste Recycling, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Butte Soccer Club, Mile High Nordic Ski Club, Prairie Grove FFA, LifeSource International, MATHCOUNTS, Johnson County Humane Society, EdTech Credit Union, Butte High Speech and Debate team, Fayetteville Community Gardening Coalition, Arkansas Farm to School Coalition, Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods, Town Mountain South Neighborhood Association, First Thursday Community Pantry and Jefferson School Garden.

NCAT also added 10 Montana Energy Corps members this year. The volunteers will spend 2010 working in communities across the state providing hands-on energy efficiency assistance to low-income and underserved Montanans.

NCAT employees also volunteered with their churches, in their community schools and at local YMCAs. They also participated in workplace giving programs to support the United Way and Montana Shares. Employees also donate to NCAT through a staff giving program.

NCAT commends its employees for their dedicated community service throughout the year.

NCAT Sponsors Cut Flower Workshop

(12/09/09) NCAT specialist Janet Bachmann recently taught a session at Rolling the Dice with Cut Flowers, a specialty cut flower workshop in Memphis, Tenn. Bachmann helped to plan the workshop and NCAT's ATTRA project served as one of the workshop sponsors.

At least 90 people enrolled in the workshop. They came from 19 states, and most of them were cut flower growers or potential cut flower growers. The workshop featured sessions taught by producers and educators from Arkansas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, Alabama and Oregon. There were separate tracks for both beginning and advanced cut flower growers. Session topics included organic cut flowers, postharvest handling, marketing, variety selection and recordkeeping. Bachmann gave a presentation on using perennials as cut flowers, which was very well received.

Bachmann staffed an ATTRA booth and was able to introduce many attendees to the available ATTRA resources. Several participants signed up to receive ATTRA's introductory package. Bachmann felt that the workshop was successful, with lots of helpful information exchanged. Not only was she able to share her expertise, but she also gathered new information that will be helpful in updating ATTRA's flower publications and in answering case questions. "Of special value to me was new information on postharvest handling, especially for dahlias, (which are) currently one of the most popular cuts," commented Bachmann.

The workshop was funded by the Southern Region Risk Management Education Center. NCAT was a co-sponsor of the event, along with the University of Arkansas, Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Louisiana State University Ag Center and Mississippi State University Cooperative Extension.

For more information about the workshop contact Janet Bachmann at janetb@ncat.org.

In Memoriam: John T. Brown, Jr.

(12/04/09) Born in Virginia in 1941, John received his BS in psychology from Virginia State University, and his post-graduate degree from the University of Bridgeport. He served for 27 years as President of the Committee for Training and Employment, Inc., a community action agency helping the communities of Stamford, Darien and Greenwich in Connecticut. In addition to his service on our board, John lent his expertise and commitment to boards such as the NAACP, the Human Rights Commission and Fairfield 2000, a regional planning agency. In 2006, the community of Stamford recognized his devoted service with its first ICON award.

John T. Brown, Jr.

"John was tireless in his efforts to promote our work, as well as the programs of many organizations serving minorities and the disadvantaged," says Kathy. "That's why, in honor of John's commitment to NCAT, in 2000 the John T. Brown Internship program was instituted, to create educational employment opportunities for minority students from low-income or disadvantaged communities."

One of John's many talents included the ability to reach out to a wide audience in pursuit of change for the disadvantaged. He hosted a weekly talk radio show, "Heritage," on WSTC radio in Norwalk, CT, and was the founder and co-publisher of "Eagle View Press."

As we remember the man and his mission, board members reflected on John's contributions to NCAT. Randy Chapman writes: "John was inspirational for all of us, and reminded all board members of NCAT's commitment to ensuring access to services by those most in need, and those persons who associated with anti-poverty agencies. Please …share with his family our deepest respect for John's longstanding contributions to NCAT."

Brian Castelli says, "When I was a staffer at NCAT many years ago, my wife and I got to know John very well and we have many great memories of the time we got to spend with him over the ensuing years.…he has an extended family that will miss him."

Dennis McBride will speak at John's memorial service in Stamford on December 8th on behalf of NCAT. Dennis said, "John was many things to many people. But we all acknowledge his importance to NCAT. I visited him in his last days. He was always excited when I spoke of NCAT. At the Memorial Service, George and Kathy have both asked me to speak on behalf of NCAT. I would be honored to do so."

John is survived by his former wife, Dolores L. Brown, and their two daughters, Kim Brown-Seabrooks and Tanya (Darrel) Greene, all of Connecticut; a son, John Novak-Brown of Pennsylvania; a daughter, Stephanie Webster of New Jersey, and three grandchildren. His two brothers, Steve and Anthony, also survive, as well as a sister, Patsy Jones.

John T. Brown will be greatly missed.

NCAT creates Pacific Northwest Irrigator's Pocket Guide

(11/30/09) NCAT has created a new version of its popular "take-to-the-field guide," intended to help irrigators in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho save water, energy, and money.

The Pacific Northwest Irrigator's Pocket Guide is really two books in one: The Equipment Maintenance half of the book features exceedingly clear and detailed maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for pumps, motors, engines, control panels, and distribution systems. A Water Maintenance guide on the other side of the book provides a step-by-step guide to irrigation water management for sprinkler, surface, and microirrigation systems. The book also includes irrigation guidelines for over 30 common crops. An introduction describes key resources for irrigators in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

The Pacific Northwest Irrigator's Pocket Guide
	Equipment Maintenance 2 MB PDF download ~ 80 pages
	Water Management 2 MB PDF download ~ 98 pages

The book is 158 pages long, has durable waterproof covers, and measures 4"x 6½". It includes 44 diagrams and tables, as well as 14 pages of handy conversions and formulas. The Pacific Northwest Irrigator's Pocket Guide is being distributed through Washington State University Extension. Contact Troy Peters, troy_peters@wsu.edu.

NCAT has previously created more than a dozen other state- and region-specific versions of this publication, with input from irrigation experts in over 20 states. More than 30,000 copies have now been distributed.

NCAT is always interested in working with state and federal agencies, utilities, and nonprofit organizations on high quality publications that promote efficient use of water and energy. For more information, contact Mike Morris, mikem@ncat.org.

NCAT Wins Encore Opportunity Award

(11/23/09) The awards honor organizations that are making it easier for experienced workers over 50 to transition into "encore" careers – paid jobs that offer meaning and the chance to make a social impact.

Phyllis N. Segal (left), vice president of Civic Ventures, presents the Encore Opportunities Award to Kathy Hadley, executive director of NCAT, and Marcia Brown, NCAT's chief operating officer, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.

NCAT was selected as an award recipient for its adjunct worker program that allows former employees to return to NCAT for temporary assignments, and for its retention efforts, offering flexible work time to accommodate employees who might otherwise retire.

"This year's Encore Opportunity Award winners are innovative, adaptable and smart – and clearly recognize the need to take advantage of the windfall of talented older Americans," said Dennis White, CEO and president of MetLife Foundation. "These trailblazing employers can serve as a model for others to follow."

While layoffs and hiring freezes remain the norm in most industries, experts still project talent shortages in some health care, education, nonprofit and government jobs. Meanwhile, surveys show that millions of boomers want to find "encore" careers where they can give back and make an impact. "For those in midlife and beyond, looking for a job these days is often a do-it-yourself project," said Phyllis N. Segal, vice president of Civic Ventures, a national think tank on baby boomers, work and social purpose. "But some nonprofit and public sector organizations are hiring and retaining people over 50 to meet community needs – and doing so in an exemplary fashion."

Rose Sullivan (left), 89, helps Holly Hill, 28, find reference materials at the library housed in the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). Rose, who is the staff librarian at NCAT, is one of the reasons NCAT was honored with the Encore Opportunity Award, presented by the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures.

Accepting the award for NCAT was Kathy Hadley, Executive Director, and Marcia Brown, Chief Operating Officer. "It is an honor to be recognized for employment practices that promote an age-diverse staff," Ms. Hadley said. "As a non-profit organization, NCAT knows the value of recruiting and retaining experienced staff. We develop and invest heavily in our staff, and hate to lose anyone to retirement."

Ms. Brown added, "Because of our commitment to qualified employees of all ages, NCAT is able to provide enhanced and expanded services to more individuals with a qualified staff that blends experience with cutting-edge technology and skills."

The other 2009 award winners are Alliance of Early Childhood Professionals, Minneapolis; Civitan Foundation Inc., Phoenix; Executive Service Corps of Chicago; Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department, Georgia; Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, FL; Orleans Technical Institute, a division of JEVS Human Services in Philadelphia, and Umbrella of the Capital District in New York.

In 2007, MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures first honored nonprofit and public sector employers with what was then called the "BreakThrough Awards." The inaugural winners were also organizations that exhibited successful strategies for finding, hiring and maximizing workers over 50.

More information about Civic Ventures, a national think tank on baby boomers, work and social purpose, is available at www.encore.org. The MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 and has been involved in a variety of aging-related initiatives that address such issues as caregiving, intergenerational activities, mental fitness and health and wellness. More information is available at www.metlife.org.

NCAT program specialist Alice Beetz Attends the Quivira Coalition's Eighth-Annual Conference

(11/16/09) The conference celebrated the 100th anniversary of Aldo Leopold's arrival in New Mexico and was called "Living Leopold: The Land Ethic and a New Agrarianism." It featured speakers who are "living Leopold" in their work – people who are implementing his vision on the back forty, where the land ethic is alive and well.

The mission of the Quivira Coalition is to foster ecological, economic and social health on Western landscapes through education, innovation, collaboration and progressive public and private land stewardship. Aldo Leopold was an ecologist, forester, and environmentalist who served in the Southwest as a ranger with the fledging U.S. Forest Service. Over the course of his diverse and influential career, Leopold advocated wilderness protection, sustainable agriculture, wildlife research, ecological restoration, environmental education, land health, erosion control, biological holism, watershed management and a land ethic.

Beetz said the conference featured excellent speakers who covered topics ranging from the riches of dirt to direct-marketing beef and managing ranches that benefit wildlife. A Navaho mother spoke about working with horses and youth as well as her efforts to encourage growing food locally again, and Sallie Collins, director of the Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets of USDA, was encouraging about the possibility of possible payment for ecosystem services provided by farmers and ranchers. Two college-age women spoke of their hopes to ranch after completing their educations and a young Amish man from Ohio described his horse-farming operation.

Beetz also attended two preconference seminars. The first workshop, titled "Dung Beetles, Bats, Beaver, Wolves, and Elk--Oh My! Creating Harmony Between Livestock and Wildlife," featured Dr. Pat Richardson, who shared her enthusiasm and knowledge of these useful critters.

The second session, titled "Wolves," was presented by Dr. Timm Kaminsky. Kaminsky described his work with ranchers in Canada, Montana and Idaho to help them understand wolf behavior and how to change herd management to minimize depredation by wolf packs.

Beetz also manned an ATTRA booth, which received considerable attention. For more information about the Quivira Coalition and the conference, visit www.quiviracoalition.org.

NCAT Releases Report on Farm Energy Calculators

(11/13/09) The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has released a new report, "Farm Energy Calculators: Evaluations and Recommendations." Because of the high cost and difficulty of performing professional energy audits in rural areas, Web-based decision-making tools offer a promising alternative for promoting energy efficiency on farms and ranches.

NCAT staff identified 75 do-it-yourself energy calculators relevant to agriculture, studied 32 of these in detail, and hired a group of agricultural producers from around the country to test and review 23 of these tools. NCAT also interviewed software designers, energy auditors, and other energy professionals.

Farm Energy Calculators:
Evaluations and Recommendations
400KB PDF download
17 pages + three appendices

According to lead author Mike Morris of NCAT, "The best Web-based calculators are promising low-cost awareness and educational tools that perform some tasks extremely well—even if they have inevitable limitations in comparison to an on-site audit by an energy professional."

As designers try to address these limitations—making tools more complicated, more comprehensive in their coverage of topics, and more specific in their recommendations—they run into daunting problems of usability, liability, accuracy, and maintenance. The report offers a dozen recommendations for making these tools more useful, and includes a list of user-friendly features that were noted and appreciated by the reviewers.

Generally, the report recommends keeping calculators simple, tackling credibility issues head on, encouraging curiosity and experimentation, and accepting the reality that most people who use Web-based tools are going to be casual users.

Funding for the development of this publication was provided by the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Southwest Urban Farmers Meet in Utah

(11/10/09) In Salt Lake County, Utah—as in many places across the U.S.—urban development is eliminating farmland at an alarming rate. To combat this trend, county officials have identified more than 35 government properties that can be used for farms and community gardens. County commissioners and the Salt Lake City mayor all supported the idea.

As further encouragement for the region's metropolitan farmers, the Southwest Marketing Network's Urban Farming Conference will convene in the city on November 16. The one-day conference is designed to support the growth and vitality of urban farmers working along the Wasatch Front. Attendees will profit from a variety of information from small sustainable farm and ranch experts.

NCAT agriculture specialist Tammy Hinman will be at the conference, introducing farmers and ranchers to the services and resources of the ATTRA project. Hinman will also participate in a panel entitled The Face of Urban Farming, featuring city farmers from the Salt Lake City region. Other conference sessions include Farm to School; Creating Partnerships in Your Marketing; Regulations and Resources for Urban Farmers; and Scaling up to Larger Markets.

Salt Lake City County is the most populous in Utah, with over a million inhabitants. The county is home to more than 500 family farms that cultivate more than 107,00 acres. Conference presenters are farmers, ranchers, ag business professionals, government agency experts, university ag and extension educators, and nonprofit organizations from Utah, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The conference is sponsored by Salt Lake County, Southwest Marketing Network, NCAT, Western Rural Development Center, Utah State University Extension, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, USDA Rural Development, USDA Risk Management, Great Salt Lake Resource Conservation and Development Council, and the Utah Association of Conservation Districts. For more information, visit http://wrdc.usu.edu/htm/programs/swmn-urban-farming-conference or contact Tammy Hinman, tammyh@ncat.org, 406-494-8683.

NCAT's SPIN-Farming™ Workshops a Success

(11/6/09) NCAT's Northeast Office Director Lee Rinehart and Specialist Andy Pressman recently conducted several SPIN Farming workshops. SPIN stands for S-mall P-lot IN-tensive. It is a non-technical, easy-to-understand farming system that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size. Minimal infrastructure, reliance on hand labor to accomplish most farming tasks, utilization of existing water sources to meet irrigation needs and locating close to markets all keep investment and overhead costs low.

SPIN Farming workshop at the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival

Pressman assisted Roxanne Christensen, co-author of the SPIN-Farming guidebooks, with a SPIN Farming workshop at the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival. Pressman conducted a hands-on demonstration of SPIN's planting techniques and exercises in target revenue formulas. There were over 70 attendees for the workshop.

Pressman and Rinehart conducted an in-depth workshop at Bloomfield Farm, a small-scale organic farm near Burlington, Vt. This workshop was designed for experienced farmers. The full-day workshop was sold out with 15 farmers and specialists in attendance.

Pressman and Rinehart also led a two-hour SPIN workshop for about 80 people at the Maine Organic Farming and Gardening Association's (MOFGA) Common Ground Country Fair. They adapted SPIN's message of utilizing an urban land base to fit the needs of the primarily rural audience. Pressman and Rinehart also had an ATTRA booth at the MOFGA fair. They were able to meet many new ATTRA clients and handed out over 600 ATTRA publications.

Several workshops are planned for 2010, which will integrate biointensive agriculture, permaculture and SPIN Farming and will focus more heavily on direct marketing opportunities for small-scale farmers.

For more information about SPIN Farming and upcoming workshops contact Andy Pressman (andyp@ncat.org).

Energy Corps Members Take the AmeriCorps Oath

(11/3/09) Ten Montana Energy Corps members will spend the next year working in communities across the state providing hands-on energy efficiency assistance to low-income and underserved Montanans.

Energy Corps members take oath --> NCAT Photo

The 10 Energy Corps members are sworn in by Butte District Judge Kurt Krueger

The 10 Energy Corps members took the AmeriCorps oath Friday at the National Center for Appropriate Technology in Butte as part of a ground-breaking energy project launched by NCAT this week. The members were sworn in by Butte District Judge Kurt Krueger. The Montana Energy Corps is a pilot program created by NCAT to help Montana's communities that are struggling with their energy bills. Energy Corps members will weatherize homes, design and install sustainable energy systems and more. Energy Corps members will also educate communities about how to save and use energy more efficiently and help communities develop sustainable energy plans. Members will also get experience in a growing industry – green technology.

"One of the key components of the effort is to help Montanans to get hands-on experience in green-collar jobs by promoting and implementing solutions for sustainable energy consumption," said project director Holly Hill.

Christopher Borton, of the Sage Mountain Center, demonstrates solar panels to Energy Corps members. From left, Sherry Cathel, Jennifer Reed, Chelsey MacNeill, Taylor Lyon.

The Energy Corp members selected for the year-long program are Tina Beltz, Sherry Cathel, Bobbi Favel, Mayme Healy, Taylor Lyon, Chelsey MacNeill, Jennifer Reed, Saara Snow, Tom Wagenknect and Curtis Windy Boy. Their host organizations and locations for the next 10 months are Blackfeet Community College in Browning; Chippewa Cree Tribe in Box Elder; Fort Belknap Indian Community Council in Harlem; Northern Plains Resource Council in Billings; University of Montana Western in Dillon; the NCAT office in Butte; and District IV HRDC, Montana State University – Northern and Opportunity Link, all in Havre. Curtis Windy Boy, 28, will spend his Energy Corps time at Fort Belknap.

"I'm looking forwarding to helping the tribe make their buildings more efficient and helping them implement policies to save energy," he said. Windy Boy, who is from Rocky Boy, said his projects might include upgrading the local swimming pool with solar heating and performing energy audits on tribe buildings. Chelsey MacNeill, 25, will work on sustainable energy projects in Butte. "One of my first projects is to look at starting a community garden," she said.

MacNeill, who is from Michigan, has studied mechanical engineering and joined the Energy Corps to get experience in grassroots ways to solve energy problems. The Montana Energy Corps AmeriCorps project is an initiative of NCAT in cooperation with the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Browning, MT
Blackfeet Community College
• Develop energy curriculum for the college
• Service wind turbines
• Energy efficiency in tribal housing

Box Elder, MT
Chippewa Cree Tribe
• Develop strategic energy plan for the tribe
• Community education and outreach

Havre, MT
District IV Human Resource Development Council (2 members)
• Residential weatherization
• Window upgrades in domestic violence shelter
• Volunteer recruitment

MSU - Northern
• Technical assistance with oilseed production and biodiesel processing
• Identity community needs for sustainable fuels

Opportunity Link
• Develop green facilities demonstration project
• Develop community network of groups interested in green building

Harlem, MT
Fort Belknap Indian Community Council
• Develop energy development department for the tribe
• Conduct community meetings and workshops

Butte, MT
NCAT
• Develop resource efficient community garden
• Launch low income energy efficiency project

Billings, MT
Northern Plains Resource Council
• Energy education to electric coop members
• Grassroots planning to motivate electric coops for positive change

Dillon, MT
University of Montana - Western
• Develop clean energy awareness program for campus
• Work on campaigns for sustainable classroom space, green bike program and campus recycling

Learn more about this ground-breaking project by visiting www.energycorps.org.

NCAT Releases Report on Farm Energy Audits

(10/29/09) The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has released a new report, "Farm Energy Audits:
Availability, Usefulness, and Cost."

Based on interviews with dozens of audit providers, agencies, utilities, energy organizations, and hundreds of agricultural producers from around the U.S., the report offers recommendations for improving energy efficiency efforts in rural areas.

Although the availability of energy audits remains extremely limited in most rural parts of the country, demand has recently increased, partly because audits are required by a major USDA grant and loan program: the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The NCAT report includes a detailed discussion of the role of energy audits in the REAP program, and answers frequently asked questions about meeting the requirements of the program.

While recognizing the value of energy audits, the report cautions against relying too heavily on them in energy efficiency programs. Energy audits alone have a poor reputation for saving energy, unless they are combined with attractive incentives and promotional efforts.

Farm Energy Audits:
Availability, Usefulness, & Cost
900 K PDF download ~ 30 pages + glossary of energy audit terms

According to lead author Mike Morris of NCAT, "Farm energy audits can play an important role in promoting energy efficiency. But they are a labor-intensive and expensive approach—like sending doctors out to make house calls."

The report concludes that the best energy efficiency programs in rural areas use a variety of low-cost approaches, create incentives for equipment dealers and installers, and work through trusted agricultural organizations.

Funding for the development of this publication was provided by the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Organic-Conservation Trainings Emphasize Common Concerns

(10/27/09) Over the past year a series of trainings for natural resource professionals and organic certification inspectors has taken place in Washington and Oregon with the help of NCAT program specialist Rex Dufour. The workshops were a collaboration between NRCS, Oregon Tilth, the organic program of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, NCAT, and others. The final session of the series took place in Wilsonville, Ore. in early October.

Dufour and the other workshop sponsors wanted organic farmers and certifiers to understand new Farm Bill conservation programs that support good agricultural practices. Training organizers also wanted to make sure that natural resource professionals understand how organic certification translates into stewardship in the field.

In early October, organic farmers, organic certification inspectors, and natural resource professionals learned from each other at Mustard Seed Farms in St. Paul, Oregon. Photo: Rex Dufour, NCAT

Two trainings were offered in Oregon and two in Washington. Each workshop had a specific focus: dairy production, dryland wheat production, orchards, or mixed vegetable production. The workshops took place in classrooms as well as on farms in Corvallis and Wilsonville, Ore., and Pullman and Pascoe, Wash. Dufour's presentations emphasized the connection between organic soil management practices and good soil conservation techniques.

Both NRCS conservation practice standards and the National Organic Program are designed to help farmers control soil erosion, preserve biodiversity, and improve soil and water quality with methods such as cover cropping and conserving soil organic matter. But until now, the two programs have existed in virtually separate worlds, with most practitioners of each system ignorant of the other.

The organizers of these meetings hope that similar trainings will take place across the country. The workshops were offered as part of a grant from the USDA's Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program. To learn more about the trainings and some useful new tools that correlate the organic system with conservation practice standards, contact Rex Dufour, 800-346-9140, rexd@ncat.org.

NCAT Conducts First-Ever Energy Training for Agriculture Professionals

(10/22/09) The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) have completed an intensive three-day energy training for 26 agriculture professionals from across the South, launching a new effort to build a network of locally based energy advisors and educators in rural America.

The first ENTAP group takes a break for a photo

The first-ever Energy Training for Agriculture Professionals course, funded by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, took place near Goldsboro, N.C., from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Tuition, materials, lodging, meal expenses and travel costs were fully paid for participants, who were mostly Cooperative Extension Service agents and specialists from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The organizers hope to build support for renewable energy and energy efficiency within the Extension service, finding and connecting agents — often working in isolated rural areas — who have a personal commitment to renewable energy.

The first ENTAP group looking at energy devices

Co-chair Mike Morris of NCAT said, "Most renewable energy projects are going to take place in rural areas. With its network of trusted county agents, Extension is in a unique position to work directly with rural people and help them make profitable and sustainable energy choices."

Course instructors included nationally recognized experts on wind, solar, biopower, energy efficiency and other energy topics. Graduates were given an assortment of tools and resources that prepare them to lead training efforts in their own communities. They also had a chance to network with other agriculture professionals from throughout the southern United States.

"This was an outstanding training," one participant said. "You have given us plenty of motivation, ideas and resources to make a good program back home."

More information about Energy Training for Agriculture Professionals is available at www.entap.org.

NCAT Represented at Farm Aid's Homegrown Village

(10/21/09) NCAT's Southeast Regional Office Director Margo Hale and Midwest Regional Office Director Hannah Lewis recently represented NCAT and ATTRA at the 24th Farm Aid concert. More than 20,000 people attended the daylong event in St. Louis, Mo. The concert included several sustainable agriculture-related booths as part of the Homegrown Village. ATTRA was located between the Organic Farming Research Foundation and the Farmer-Veteran Coalition. Hale and Lewis handed out magnets and had a few dozen people sign up for the ATTRA mailing list. They also had a few sample publications on display. The highlight of the day was when United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan stopped by the booth, shook hands with Hale and Lewis, and said, "ATTRA, I love ATTRA!" Merrigan had spoken at the press conference that kicked off the event.

Margo Hale and Hannah Lewis at FarmAid 2009

In addition to Merrigan, the press event had comments from a young organic dairy farmer from northwestern Iowa, Rhonda Perry of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, Mary Hendrickson of University of Missouri Extension, Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar and Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews.

Hale said the best part of the event, besides the music, was all the real food served at the concession stands, including Organic Prairie cheeseburgers and hot dogs, organic fries, organic kettle corn, Patchwork Family Farm pork chops and organic corndogs. Perhaps some of the general public made the connection between food and supporting family farms.

Farm Aid has raised nearly $35 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land. For more information on the Farm Aid event contact Margo Hale (margoh@ncat.org) or Hannah Lewis (hannahl@ncat.org).

NCAT Headquarters Gets Eco-Friendly Updates, Hybrid Cars

(10/07/09) This October, NCAT's headquarters in Butte, Mont., received a much-needed facelift. NCAT's headquarters are located in the Silver Bow County Poor Farm Hospital building, a 1902 brick building that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

NCAT gets new paint -> Courtesy Montana Standard

NCAT Headquarters gets a new coat of paint.

The building was outfitted with energy-efficiently lighting and recycled carpet. New energy-efficient window shades were added and the outside also underwent brick repair and received a new paint job using historically accurate colors.

Lighting updates started with NCAT's energy team taking a full inventory of the 107-year-old building's current lighting system. The team found many opportunities to replace old fixtures as well as add new lighting in under-lit areas.

On the energy team's recommendations, crews replaced old, inefficient T-12 fixtures with new, high-efficiency Metalumen steel T-8 low-watt lamps. The estimated electrical savings is about $1,500 a year. NCAT also took advantage of a local utility's rebate program to pay for almost $1,900 of the improvements. In addition to the new fixtures, hallways, large work areas and conference rooms received occupancy sensors for additional electrical savings.

In its early years, NCAT's headquarters operated as the Silver Bow County Poor Farm Hospital, providing care for the elderly and poor in the community. The building was adapted to serve as a county hospital by 1930. The building housed both resident patients and operating rooms. The building continued as a hospital until 1956, but had been standing empty for several years by the time NCAT was founded in 1976 and set up its offices in the landmark structure.

Over the years, NCAT has updated the building to improve its energy efficiency and to serve today's communication and technology needs without damaging its historic character. Throughout the years the building and adjacent grounds have been the site of the design, construction and demonstration of many appropriate technologies, including solar photovoltaic panels, which provide part of the building's electricity and power outdoor lighting.

More eco-friendly updates
NCAT also recently purchased two slightly used Toyota Prius hybrid cars as a way to offset the organization's carbon impact. NCAT's Montana staff travel by car across the West to attend conferences, give workshops and more. Providing cars for staff to use while traveling on NCAT business will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

NCAT/ATTRA Agriculture Specialist's conducting SPIN-Farming™ Workshops

(9/22/09) Lee Rinehart and Andy Pressman will be conducting SPIN-Farming™ Workshops this fall. These hands-on workshops will focus on SPIN's organic-based processes and techniques that are different from conventional farming methods, or from home gardening. For information on the workshops and registration, please contact Lee or Andy at 1-877-248-5379. For more information on SPIN-Farming™, or visit the SPIN-Farming™ website at www.spinfarming.com.

Date	Event	Location
9/20	Pennsylvania Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival	Kempton,PA
9/23	Bloomfield Farm	Charlotte, VT
9/25	MOFGA's Common Ground Country Fair	Unity, ME
10/17	CraftWorks at Cool Spring	Charles Town, WV

SPIN Farming SPIN stands for S-mall P-lot IN-tensive. It is a non-technical, easy-to-understand sub- acre farming system that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size. Minimal infrastructure, reliance on hand labor to accomplish most farming tasks, utilization of existing water sources to meet irrigation needs, and situating close to markets all keep investment and overhead costs low. Best of all, it can be implemented wherever you happen to live.

NCAT starts Montana Energy Corps, has new VISTA volunteer

(9/14/09) For the next year, NCAT's new AmeriCorps VISTA member Todd Hunkler will help establish NCAT's Montana Energy Corps, an AmeriCorps program that provides hands-on support and outreach for energy conservation education and energy-efficiency installations.

Todd Hunkler

Hunkler, from Barnesville, Ohio, is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in construction management. He is interested in green building, building conservation methods and energy efficiency and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

The Montana Energy Corps AmeriCorps project is an initiative of NCAT in cooperation with the Corporation for National and Community Service. The project will address community energy needs by promoting sustainable energy consumption and education, fostering community sustainability and helping mitigate the effects of global climate change.

NCAT is currently recruiting for 10 Montana Energy Corps positions. Members will be placed in host organizations in communities throughout the state of Montana to implement solutions for sustainable energy consumption.

Montana Energy Corps members will provide hands-on energy efficiency and alternative energy assistance to underserved Montana communities and groups. They will weatherize low-income homes, install energy-efficient appliances and more. Members will also create energy awareness through education and outreach activities for low-income groups and communities that are most affected by energy and climate fluctuations. In addition, Energy Corps members will work to form energy action networks and organize communities to develop sustainable strategic energy plans.

Hunkler will also assist in planning for a National Energy Corps to be launched in the fall of 2010. That project will tackle the energy needs of low-income, senior, minority and other disadvantaged groups across the country by introducing the Energy Corps into communities with demonstrated need in Iowa, Arkansas and Pennsylvania, in addition to Montana.

To learn more about Energy Corps, visit www.energycorps.org.

NCAT Celebrates Grand Opening of Midwest Office

(9/09/09) NCAT's Midwest office in Des Moines, Iowa celebrated its grand opening recently. Regional director Hannah Lewis and farm energy specialist Rich Dana hosted a reception to announce NCAT's new office and to get acquainted with other agriculture, energy and environmental organizations in the area. Kathy Hadley, NCAT's executive director, and program manager Teresa Maurer also participated in the event, joining over 60 other attendees.

The Iowa office is located in the East Village of downtown Des Moines, housed in the offices of the Iowa Environmental Council. The reception was held a block away at the Grand Piano Bistro, which actively sources foods from local farmers. Owner Sara Middleton prepared tomato bruschetta, BLTs and pulled pork sliders using Niman Ranch pork and tomatoes from Central Iowa farmer Larry Cleverly. Middleton grew the greens herself in a nearby community garden. She wrapped up a 45-minute program by sharing her perspective as a buyer finding local farmer suppliers – it's harder to find farmers than she expected. Preceding Middleton in the program, Lewis gave a short welcome and introduced Hadley and Maurer, who gave an overview of NCAT and ATTRA. Maurer introduced John Moreland from Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's office. Moreland read a letter from the senator congratulating NCAT on the new Des Moines office. Dana introduced main speaker Francis Thicke, an organic dairy farmer, who gave an insightful talk on the intersection of sustainable agriculture and sustainable energy.

NCAT is excited about building partnerships with people and organizations in the Midwest. For more information about NCAT's Midwest office contact Hannah Lewis at hannahl@ncat.org.

Corn, Soybeans and Asparagus?

The college program includes activities for whole family to learn about farming.

(8/19/09) Iowa is well known for its corn, soybeans, and confined animal operations, but it can be difficult to find locally grown produce in the state. Residents of Marshall County, Iowa should find it easier to purchase local food this year, thanks to a program at Marshalltown Community College. The first students in the college's Start Your Own Diversified Farm program graduated this past spring. The program offers an English/Spanish bilingual course that prepares students to begin farming and marketing organic products.

Hannah Lewis, NCAT's Midwest regional office director, coordinated the development of the class and curriculum. Lewis has traveled extensively in Latin America and speaks Spanish. In her work at NCAT she has a particular interest in helping farmers and communities build local food systems.

Students learn how to operate equipment on the Marshalltown college farm.

The Marshalltown students farmer are a diverse group, including Native Americans and other Iowans as well as immigrants from Sudan and Mexico. As is frequently the case with community college students, these people have busy lives, with jobs and families. Class organizers take pains to include activities for children and other family members, so that the whole family can learn about farming together.

After they complete the program, graduates have the chance to lease land on the college's organically certified farm. To help get their businesses off the ground, the students also have access to micro loans through the Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise and Community Vitality. They are selling produce at the Des Moines and Marshalltown farmers' markets and to local restaurants.

The diversified farming classes are offered through the Entrepreneurial and Diversified Agriculture Program of Marshalltown Community College, directed by Dr. Linda Barnes. The program works with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension, Sustainable Agriculture students from ISU, Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, to develop a local food system for Marshall County.

Graduates of the program can lease land from the college to raise food for market.

COMIDA, an acronym for County of Marshall Investing in Diversified Agriculture, is the name for that collaboration. Comida translates to food in Spanish. COMIDA's goal is to connect local farmers with buyers. The group sees great promise in a survey of local merchants conducted by the North Central Regional Center of Rural Development in cooperation with the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce.

According to Claudia Prado-Meza, Sustainable Agriculture graduate student at ISU, "More than 50 percent of the businesses have bought products from local farmers. And 73 percent would like to have more opportunities to establish new or stronger links with local producers." That means the market should be strong for the students of Marshalltown Community College's farming program.

COMIDA is conducting meetings to discuss the formation of a local foods system plan in Marshalltown and Marshall County. The next two meetings will be:

Monday, 9/14/09 from 5:30-8:30p.m. @ Dejardin Hall, Marshalltown Community College
Monday, 10/5/09 from 5:30-8:30p.m. @ the Iowa Veterans Home.

For more information about the college program or the COMIDA work, contact Hannah Lewis, hannahl@ncat.org, 515-288-0460.

Fresh from the Farm: NCAT Releases Oilseed and Biodiesel Development Report

(8/13/09) NCAT recently released Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future Report, a new publication that features information from farmers, ranchers and scientist who spent 3½ years participating in a Montana biodiesel production study.

The report outlines the barriers, opportunities and issues associated with developing a more vibrant oilseeds and biodiesel industry. The 11-page document draws on the experiences of farmers, ranchers, scientists and agency staff who were involved in the educational and development project called Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future. The report also features stories from farmers who used Innovation Grants to add or improve biodiesel production on their farms.

To see the full report and for more information about the project and its Innovation Grant-funded farm tours and workshops, go to www.ncat.org/special/oilseeds.php.

Summer Interns Contribute to NCAT's Work

(8/10/09) Summer interns in NCAT's Southeast Regional office in Fayetteville, Ark., have been working on a variety of sustainable agriculture projects. Interns Carnita Whimper and Timothy Wallace have focused on multimedia production this summer, while interns Ann Bartlett and Chelsey Ahrens have worked on sustainable livestock projects.

Photo:
Bottom Row L/R: Ann Bartlett, Chelsey Ahrens, Robyn Metzger, Timothy Wallace
Top Row L/R: Leif Kinberg, Katherine Adam, Margo Hale, Teresa Maurer, ALice Beetz, Carnita Whimper

The multimedia interns worked on a variety of video projects. Whimper and Wallace collaborated with Apple Seeds, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching students about healthy food choices and promoting local food systems, to create a video that will be used in educational programs. The video, "From the Farm to the Farmers' Market," features a local farm family and documents the process the family uses to grow hydroponic tomatoes, from seed all the way to market. Whimper and Wallace also created a video for the Farmers' Market Promotion Project, an NCAT project led by Janet Bachmann. This video highlights techniques used to evaluate farmers' markets. Whimper and Wallace assisted with several farmers' market evaluations while documenting the process for the video.

Whimper and Wallace also worked on an NCAT history project. They filmed interviews with numerous current and former NCAT staff members to begin compiling a video history of the organization. In addition to completing videos, the interns also filmed "Short Takes." These were short interviews recorded in the Community Access Television (CAT) studio and aired on the CAT station. The interviews focused on several aspects of sustainable agriculture and local foods in the Fayetteville community. The completed projects will be a great tool for educating the public and promoting local food and sustainable agriculture in the Fayetteville area.

Interns Ann Bartlett and Chelsey Ahrens worked on several livestock projects this summer. They assisted NCAT specialists Linda Coffey and Margo Hale on a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) project, updating ATTRA's sheep and goat publications and creating educational presentations on sheep and goat production. They also updated and wrote new publications covering topics such as parasite control for sheep and goats, pasture finishing small ruminants and value-added dairy options.

Whimper is an agricultural business student at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff. Wallace recently graduated from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff with a degree in agriculture. He will start graduate school at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in the fall. Bartlett is majoring in animal science with a minor in equine science at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Ahrens is double-majoring in animal science and agricultural business, also at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

NCAT Co-Sponsors 2009 Quinn Farm Tour

(7/29/09)Bob Quinn shared his first-hand experiences in diversified, organic farming at the July 22 tour of his farm in Big Sandy, Montana . NCAT agronomy and cropping specialist Susan Tallman and intern Amanda Lowe attended the full-day tour, along with over 100 other farmers, US Department of Agriculture employees and interested neighbors.

The tour was sponsored by NCAT, the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO), Montana Department of Agriculture, USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Montana NRCS, the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, Montana Farmers Union and Montana Organic Association.

Quinn is a fourth-generation dryland farmer in the Big Sandy area, north of Great Falls. He has practiced organic farming for over 20 years, and grows cereals such as winter wheat, spring wheat and Kamut wheat, legumes for green manure to fix nitrogen, lentils, vegetables and alfalfa hay. The tour featured talks on organic dryland grain production , native corn breeding , and biodiesel production. A lunch was provided, comprised of locally grown foods.

"Bob Quinn highlighted the need for diversity in all parts of these systems," said Tallman. "He is even planting mixes of wheat varieties in the same field to encourage diversity."

Quinn has hosted this tour for three years. He emphasizes using locally grown products to solve the interconnected farming, health and climate crises by keeping income and jobs in small communities, providing nutritious, seasonal food, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by growing fuel on the farm.

Presentations from MSU researchers touched on soil fertility and nutrient cycling, weed management, and ecology. Dr. Bruce Maxwell, MSU weed ecologist, noted that an organic system has to manage biology and isn't prescriptive. One innovative strategy is to create strips of native range refuge in fields for rodent habitat. These rodents can eat up to 80 percent of their body weight in weed seeds each day.

Quinn demonstrated that by devoting 9% of his farm land to oilseed production, he can power his own tractors for the year. Bob uses straight vegetable oil made from safflower grown on the farm. The tour of Quinn's farm was the third 2009 tour for the Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future project, a project funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency and managed by NCAT. For more information, visit www.ncat.org/special/oilseeds.php.

NCAT Selects Participants for Energy Training for Agriculture Professionals (EnTAP)

(7/22/09) NCAT and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) recently selected 27 agriculture professionals from across the South to participate in the first Energy Training for Agriculture Professionals course (EnTAP).

The training, funded by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, will be held near Goldsboro, North Carolina, from September 30 to October 2. Tuition, materials, lodging, meal expenses and travel costs will be fully paid for participants.

The participants were selected from an extremely competitive pool of more than 70 applicants. The states represented include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The participants are mostly county Extension agents and specialists, and they are affiliated with 19 different southern schools, including six Historically Black colleges and universities.

The course will prepare graduates to lead training efforts in their own communities, helping local people manage their energy resources profitably and sustainably. Participants will gain familiarity with renewable energy technologies as well as energy efficiency opportunities commonly available to farms and rural landowners. They will learn about financial and technical resources, so they know where to look for answers and can make appropriate referrals. They will also learn about energy-related developments and opportunities, including networking with agriculture professionals from throughout the southern United States.

"We are trying to build support for renewable energy and energy efficiency within the Extension service, finding and connecting agents who have a personal commitment," said co-chair Mike Morris of NCAT. "These employees are often isolated and under-appreciated. In most states, it's still not possible for an Extension agent to build a career based on being an energy educator. We are trying to change that."

Co-chairs Morris and Steve Moore have led hundreds of courses and workshops on energy and agriculture. Morris is the farm energy team leader at NCAT and holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. Moore works in the Crop Science Department at North Carolina State University and directs the Small Farm Unit at CEFS. The steering committee for this project includes a distinguished group of agricultural educators and researchers from nine southern states and 14 universities. Course instructors will include nationally recognized experts on energy efficiency, bioenergy, solar energy and other forms of renewable energy. Instructors and agenda details will be posted as they become available, at www.entap.org.

NCAT Participates in Agile Agriculture Summit

(7/14/09) NCAT specialists Margo Hale and Janet Bachmann recently participated in the Agile Agriculture Summit held in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This year's summit -- Connecting Small Farms with Large Markets -- was sponsored by the University of Arkansas Applied Sustainability Center, University of Arkansas Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability, Drake University, National Agricultural Law Center and Walmart. NCAT was featured as an in-kind sponsor of the summit as Hale served on the summit steering committee. There were more than 100 participants representing academic institutions, agricultural producers, food distributors, non-profit organizations and government entities at the two-day meeting.

The summit featured presentations by Janie Hipp, from USDA CSREES; Jack Sinclair. Walmart Stores, Inc.; Dr. Steve Stevenson, University of Wisconsin; and a panel discussion featuring Darlene Knipe, University of Illinois/MarketMaker; Rich Pirog, Iowa State University Leopold Center; Julia Freedgood, American Farmland Trust; Ron McCormick, Walmart Stores, Inc.; and Martha Montoya, Los Kitos Produce.

The summit's purpose was to design and launch projects to connect small- and medium-scale agricultural producers with large markets. There are many benefits to this, including new marketing opportunities and increased profitability for farmers, access to local and regional products for consumers and the potential to develop local economies and create business opportunities. Several multi-stakeholder working groups were organized around the broad goals of bridging the gap between consumer desire for local food products and current market availability. Projects developed address issues such as policy and legislation; new farmers; access to processing facilities and farm credit; and good agricultural practices for producers. In the coming months these teams will continue to work on their projects, and will implement them within the year.

"It was encouraging to see so many people from all areas of agriculture and food distribution working together to find solutions that will benefit farmers, distributors and consumers," commented Hale.

For more information on the Agile Ag Summit, contact Margo Hale at margoh@ncat.org.

NCAT Launches Weekly Internet Radio Show

(7/7/09) On Thursday July 9th, 2009 NCAT will launch Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight, a weekly Internet radio show on the Green Talk Network.

Hosted by ATTRA outreach director Jeff Birkby, Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight will cover a wide range of topics on sustainable agriculture, including on-farm production of biodiesel, integrated pest management, growing crops for farmers markets, innovative ways to provide local foods to school cafeterias and federal sustainable agriculture programs. Regional and national experts will be interviewed during the one-hour program. The show will appeal to anyone involved in farming, as well as those with a passionate interest in local foods, sustainable farming systems and healthy rural communities.

Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight's first show, on Thursday, July 9th, will feature NCAT livestock specialist Lee Rinehart. Rinehart will discuss managing pastures sustainably to produce healthy and profitable livestock.

The radio show will be heard live on Thursdays at 11 am Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) from July through early October. Archived files of each show will also be available on the ATTRA Web site.

The Green Talk Network is part of VoiceAmerica™, the world's largest live Internet talk radio network with more than 200 radio show hosts and six genre-based channels. The Green Talk Network, the newest channel on VoiceAmerica™, launched in January 2009 and features environmental activists, business leaders and trend setters discussing how to create a more sustainable future.

For more information or to listen to the show, visit www.attra.ncat.org/radioshow2009

NCAT awards $1,500 to Three High School Graduates Pursuing Further Education

(6/8/09) The National Center for Appropriate Technology recently awarded $1,500 to three high school graduates pursuing further education.

The Next Generation Graduation Award provides $500 to graduating high school seniors who are children of NCAT employees. In this year's first round of awards, three students received funding. Two are graduates of Butte High School in Butte, Montana The other recipient is from Prairie Grove High School in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

The funds help cover some of the expenses involved in continuing education. This is the second year the award was given; in 2006 NCAT's Board of Director approved the program as a special benefit for employees and their children. Last year NCAT awarded $2,000 to four graduates in Butte and Davis, California.

To qualify for the award, graduating high school seniors must plan to attend a college, university or technical or vocational school.

The winners are:

Katie Thom, daughter of NCAT computer specialist Mary Ann Thom. Katie Thom graduated from Butte High on June 2. She plans to pursue general studies until she decides on a major at the University of Montana, starting in August 2009.

Hannah Rabson, daughter of NCAT accountant Colleen Rabson. Hannah Rabson graduated from Butte High on June 2. She will study at Billings Nail Academy to become a nail technician, starting in August 2009. Rabson hopes to open her own salon and wants to take business and management classes to learn how to successfully run a business.

Hannah Coffey, daughter of NCAT program specialist Linda Coffey. Hannah Coffey graduated from Prairie Grove High School on May 16 and will attend Harding University in Searcy, starting in August 2009. Coffey plans to earn a Bachelor's degree and then pursue a license and Master's degree in physical therapy and become a physical therapist.

NCAT Hoop House Webinar is the Start of a New Series

(6/1/09) In May NCAT horticulture specialists Tammy Hinman and Andy Pressman presented NCAT's first online seminar, or webinar. The topic of the May 7 event was Hoop Houses for Extending Your Growing Season. An increasing number of farmers are using these low-cost greenhouses to lengthen the time their crops are available. The free 60-minute webinar drew more than 1,200 registrants.

Growers are interested in season extension because they can ask high prices for crops that get to market early in the spring. Likewise, there is a premium for high-quality product late in the fall or during the winter, when few other growers are harvesting. Crops grown in hoop houses often produce larger yields of better quality than field-grown crops. Hoop houses may create a yearlong crop in some situations, which can attract loyal customers.

Farmers who are interested in hoop houses but missed the NCAT webinar can still watch it online. A link on the ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site, www.attra.ncat.org, takes you to the webinar. In the online seminar, the NCAT specialists explain how hoop houses can improve farm operations. They discuss the uses and benefits of hoop houses, including increased crop quality and yields, different styles of hoop houses, construction, materials, cost estimates, crop management, soil fertility, pests, weeds, economics, and marketing.

NCAT specialist Tammy Hinman holds a Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University in horticulture food crops and entomology and a Master's degree in food system studies from Antioch University. She is based in NCAT's Butte, Mont., office. Andy Pressman has a Master's degree in sustainable systems from Slippery Rock University. He is a certified permaculture designer and works in NCAT's office in Shavertown, Pa. Hinman and Pressman both have experience in market farming as well as in building and using hoop houses.

The next webinar is July 29 and will focus on sustainable sheep and goat production. To learn more about it, contact NCAT livestock specialists Margo Hale, margoh@ncat.org, or Linda Coffey, lindac@ncat.org. Both are based in NCAT's Fayetteville, Ark., office.

Producers Investigate High Desert Viticulture

(5/13/09) Farmers in Nevada are best known for the top-quality alfalfa they truck to dairies around the West. Many alfalfa growers are family farmers whose parents and grandparents also grew the hay. But with today's uncertain dairy industry, the changing climate, and greater competition for water, producers are re-thinking how they farm. Grapes are one of several specialty crops that conserve water and yield a high return per acre.

Nevada farmers must deal with tremendous temperature shifts and soils that are low in organic matter. Water is an increasingly precious commodity in the state, as developers are willing to pay $30,000 per acre foot, and large quantities of water are being diverted to restore wildlife refuges. The state's alfalfa growers currently use 1 to 1.5 million gallons of water each year. Grapes require about one-tenth of the water needed by alfalfa.

At a May 8th workshop in Fallon, Nevada, NCAT viticulture specialist Marisa Alcorta spoke to farmers about the basics of grape growing in California, which Nevada farmers can use as the standard. The session was presented by the Specialty Crop Institute of Western Nevada College and drew about 55 farmers, most already experimenting with a few grapevines, both table and wine, on their land. Alcorta spoke about aspects to consider when selecting a site, and the importance of knowing about your soil, water and climate. She also discussed cover crops and other soil fertility practices, sustainable agriculture strategies for dealing with weeds and insects, and the importance of canopy management. A discussion panel included Alcorta, two Nevada grape farmers, a winemaker and the Alternative Crops extension specialist, all of whom answered questions from the audience ranging from wine grape quality to table grape production. The growers also shared some of their successes and challenges in growing grapes. Unpredictable frosts and cold winters are big problems in the Nevada vineyard.

Charlie Frey is a pioneering high-desert grape grower who shared his experiences with the crowd. Since 2001 when he began Churchill Vineyards in Fallon, Frey has been experimenting with wine grape varieties including Merlot, Pinot Noir, Concord, and Petit Sirah. He found that white grapes from Northern Europe—such as Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Semillon, and White Riesling—do fairly well in the extreme conditions of Nevada. He is also trying a few French and American hybrids. Frey uses self-rooted vines rather than rootstock to improve chances that the vines will re-sprout after a freeze.

Workshop attendees spent May 9th at Churchill Vineyards, where Alcorta and others demonstrated proper pruning & planting techniques. Churchill Vineyards is Nevada's first estate winery. The company also has an experimental distilled spirits plant, where they process products grown on Nevada's high desert farms, including cantaloupe brandy, corn whiskey, and several flavors of vodka.

The Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute is an innovative education program for current and future small-scale farmers. Participants learn alternative farming methods to transition from low-value crops to high-value, direct-marketed specialty crops that can increase profitability and conserve water. The institute is made possible with funding from the Nevada Department of Agriculture and USDA/AMS through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. For more information about the viticulture workshop, contact Marisa Alcorta, 406-533-6654, marisaa@ncat.org.

NCAT Starts Relationship with AmeriCorps

(5/4/09) NCAT recently had the opportunity to become involved with two AmeriCorps programs. NCAT has been approved to hire two VISTA volunteers and was also awarded a National Planning Grant for an Energy Corps project.

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency. NCAT's VISTA positions will be based in Butte, Mont., and will work to increase awareness of the energy needs of low-income people and engage community members to help meet those needs. VISTA members will research existing energy advocacy programs, assess community energy needs and help identify sources of funding to develop strategic community energy plans. The anticipated goal of the VISTA Energy Corps project is to work to increase awareness of low-income energy needs and engage community members in helping to meet those needs. VISTA members will also help build NCAT's programmatic capacity and lay the groundwork for our existing projects to effectively help promote and provide for sustainable energy consumption. NCAT is currently recruiting VISTA member applicants.

NCAT was awarded one of three National Planning Grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service to plan for a national partnership with AmeriCorps. The grant will be used to develop a plan for an Energy Corps project that would tackle the energy needs of low-income, senior, minority and other disadvantaged groups by introducing Energy Corps members into communities with demonstrated need in Montana, Iowa, Arkansas and Pennsylvania. This grant will help expand NCAT's current Energy Corps work to other areas.

If you are interested in applying for NCAT's VISTA opportunity or would like more information about this project, contact Holly Hill at hollyh@ncat.org.

NCAT Farm Energy specialist Rich Dana attends Iowa Wind Energy Association Meeting

(4/27/09) NCAT farm energy specialist Rich Dana recently attended the second-annual Iowa Wind Energy Association meeting in Estherville, Iowa.

More than 200 people attended the April 2 conference, whose theme was "Wind Energy in Iowa - Issues and Emerging Solutions." Featured keynote speakers John Dunlop,
senior technical outreach engineer from the American Wind Energy Association, and E. Ian Baring-Gould, a senior engineer with the National Renewable Energy Lab, addressed wind energy from a national perspective. The meeting was held at Iowa Lakes Community College, the first school in the United States to have a wind energy training program.

A crew replaces a blade on a Suzlon 2.5-megawatt wind turbine at the Crosswinds Wind Energy Farm, a project owned and operated by eight local farmers.

A number of local panelists also spoke about safety issues, state policy, industrial manufacturing in Iowa, environmental issues and siting and legal issues. Dana said that legal issues are becoming a hot topic as more and more farmers sign long-term contracts and leases with developers. With the incredible growth in the wind power industry, equity and impacts on quality of life and the environment, as well as the "not-in-my-back-yard" mentality, are becoming more important to address, he said.

Dana also volunteered to become a member of the newly formed IWEA speakers bureau, which means he is available to speak across Iowa about small wind systems and the use of renewable energy in sustainable farming systems.

Carpooling back from the conference, Dana visited two farmer-owned wind projects: Crosswinds Energy Wind Farm near Ruthven and the Hilltop Wind Farm outside of Jefferson. Both of these projects utilize a small group of Suzlon 2.5-megawatt wind turbines capable of powering 640 homes each. The sites are successful examples of locally owned wind projects.

According to the developers, farmer-owned wind projects keep more money in the local economy, and by connecting a small group of turbines to local distribution lines there is no need for major transmission upgrades.

Dana is one of NCAT's new energy specialists. At NCAT, he works directly with farmers to develop more energy efficient farms and cropping systems. Dana works on efficiency issues and evaluates the viability of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and biodiesel. Dana also assists in system design, evaluates and trains farmers on small-scale processing equipment and works directly with farmers and farm groups to provide information on farm energy projects.

Learning about Farmers in the Dominican Republic

(4/20/09) In late January NCAT staffer members Rex Dufour and Hannah Lewis visited the Dominican Republic. They spent six days talking with farmers and community organizers around the communities of Santiago, La Vega, and Puerto Plata. Confederación Nacional de Campesinos, a local nonprofit farmer organization known as Confenaca, hosted Dufour and Lewis.

NCAT's California field office director Rex Dufour, rear, is surrounded by farmers eager to learn about pest management.

Dufour and Lewis visited seven villages and spoke with more than 200 farmers in the La Vega area. The farmers associated with Confenaca grow mainly rice, beans, vegetables, root crops, plantains, and cocoa. Producers occasionally use natural fertility strategies, but mostly rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

In the Dominican Republic, land is measured in small units called tareas. About 7.5 tareas equal one acre. Farmers own anywhere from 5 tareas, about .67 acres, to 125 tareas, or almost 17 acres. Some farmers own no land at all and rent the land they farm. People in the communities where Dufour and Lewis visited have access to basic social institutions including elementary education, health care, womens groups, youth groups, and small farmer groups.

Farmers grow their crops using hand labor and a limited amount of animal power and mechanization. They often retain a portion of what they grow for home consumption. Some Dominican Republic households raise goats, pigs, chickens, and cows. A number of villagers have small patio gardens. An enterprising farmer at one site raises honeybees and breeds dogs for sale.

NCAT's Midwest field office director Hannah Lewis, center, listens to farmers in La Vega, Dominican Republic.

Confenaca farmers are limited by their narrow range of marketing channels. The bulk of what they grow is sold to enterprising middlemen who transport the products from the farmgate to the processing plant or exporter. In some cases these middlemen also are the principal suppliers of operating capital, fertilizer, and other inputs. This puts farmers in the position of accepting whatever prices and terms are offered to them.

Farmers are also concerned about the difficulty of acquiring operating capital. For landed farmers, particularly those who grow rice, credit from the government agricultural bank or middlemen comes at annual interest rates of 18 percent or higher. The problem is compounded by the unpredictable and lengthy process required to receive a loan.

Dufour and Lewis were evaluating whether NCAT should consider establishing a strategic partnership with Confenaca. They presented the results of their fact-finding trip to the NCAT board of directors and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Agency, and now are waiting to hear how the project might move forward. Possible collaborations include microfinance training and financial support, or technical assistance with agriculture, horticulture, and cooperative development. For more information, contact Rex Dufour at rexd@ncat.org or 406-533-6650.

Specialists See Many Changes in 20 Years

(4/13/09) Specialists Katherine Adam and Alice Beetz recently celebrated 20 years with NCAT. Adam and Beetz were both hired to work on the ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service project soon after it moved to Fayetteville, Ark. Adam was hired as an information specialist. Her first task was to help handle ATTRA requests and she sent out nearly 800 form letters. With a background in English studies, Adam then helped review case letters for other specialists. Her editing and writing skills have been used extensively throughout her time at NCAT. Adam gradually started answering technical questions and learned as much as she could about topics such as herbs and agritourism. She now works as a technical specialist, where she considers herself a generalist because she is able to find the answers to many different types of ATTRA requests.

Katherine Adam and Alice Beetz

Beetz was hired as a technical specialist covering various agricultural topics. She had on-farm experience, so she was able to answer a variety of questions. Early on, Beetz started answering questions about mushrooms. Her topic areas now include mushrooms, agroforestry, dung beetles and grazing. She also serves as the ATTRA intake coordinator, where she makes sure clients' requests are handled by the proper specialist.

Both specialists have seen many changes to the ATTRA program through the years. There were no written ATTRA publications when they started, and now there are nearly 300. When asked about the biggest change they have seen, they both commented on the growth of the Internet. The use of the Internet has drastically changed how they find information and how they communicate with clients.

Beetz noted the amazing growth in interest in sustainable agriculture over the years. With NCAT being one of the first players in sustainable agriculture, she remembers having to continually explain to people what sustainable agriculture means. Now there are many other organizations that also focus on sustainable and organic agriculture. Another change has been the introduction of new technical topics. The areas of farm energy and climate change are emerging areas that NCAT has taken on.

Congratulations Katherine and Alice on 20 years with NCAT.

NCAT's ATTRA Project to Hold Webinar on Hoop Houses

(4/7/09) On May 7, NCAT's ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service will hold a webinar about hoop house production.

Hoop houses, or high tunnels, are hoop-shaped frames covered with one or more layers of clear plastic. Less expensive than greenhouses, hoop houses are used to extend growing seasons.

The webinar, titled Hoop Houses for Crop Extension, will be presented by NCAT specialists Tammy Hinman and Andy Pressman. Topics will include the uses and benefits of hoop houses, including increases in crop quality and yields; different types of hoop houses; construction, materials and cost estimates; management of crops, soil fertility, pests and weeds; and the economics and marketing of crops. Hinman and Pressman will also take questions about hoop house production. The webinar will be held at 11 a.m. MDT.

Hoop houses can be very useful for small-scale farmers. Some farmers say the structures pay for themselves in one season. Often, crops grown in hoop houses produce larger yields and are of a higher quality than field-grown crops. Crops can also be ready for the market earlier, bringing a higher price and building a customer base. Hoop houses can also extend growing seasons, creating a yearlong crop in some situations.

"Season extension technologies can positively affect small-scale farming operations, said Pressman. "There is a learning curve when creating microclimates and differences from outdoor production, but the benefits of using hoop houses can be garnered in one season."

Crops grown in hoop houses include cut flowers, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, lettuce and other greens. Some growers use hoop houses to produce cane berries, strawberries, blueberries and even cherries.

For more information on the webinar and to register, check:
www.attra.ncat.org/webinars2009/hoophouses.

Information will also be included in the May edition of ATTRAnews.
To sign up for ATTRAnews, visit:
www.attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html.

Alternative Livestock Marketing in the Eastern Sierra

(4/1/09) A recent study by a team of NCAT specialists evaluated the alternative livestock market for Inyo and Mono counties in California. Located in the mountainous eastern part of the state, the counties are isolated from population centers. Ranchers and community leaders hoped to learn if a market could be developed for local, grass-fed and organic beef and lamb.

The NCAT team was led by Jeff Schahczenski, with help from Nancy Matheson, Lee Rinehart, and Linda Coffey. They surveyed local merchants and ranchers, assessing support for new processing facilities and other crucial elements of a regional food system. Team members presented two educational workshops about alternative livestock. Both meetings featured presentations from the NCAT team as well as other experts.

The first workshop looked at the potential profitability of organic, natural and grass-fed livestock. Steve Lewis, of Nevada's Douglas County Extension, reported on efforts to create a mobile slaughter and cut-and-wrap facility in his state. California rancher George Work spoke about the Central Coast Home Grown Meat Alliance, which hopes to open a mobile processing unit for large animals.

The second meeting addressed building an Eastern Sierra food system that would support a local meat industry. Mary Canada, field representative for the Sierra Business Council, talked about her work with local chefs to develop a regional food system. Debra Garrison of Central Coast Grown discussed her work to build a sustainable community food system in San Luis Obispo County.

After presenting the workshops and surveying livestock producers, local merchants and other likely partners, the NCAT team determined that developing an alternative livestock market in the Eastern Sierra region is not feasible at this time without further educational efforts and greater in-depth analysis.

"There is a lot of passion by some folks for a regional livestock market, but there are many factors that complicate moving forward quickly," said Schahczenski. In the future, with greater support from producers and merchants, such a project may be possible.

The NCAT team brought wide-ranging experience to the project. Based in Montana, Jeff Schahczenski is an agricultural economist with experience in cooperative development and market analysis. Nancy Matheson helped create the Grow Montana Coalition, which is increasing state residents' access to Montana-grown food.

Lee Rinehart is a livestock production specialist who works in NCAT's Pennsylvania office. He is knowledgeable about alternative beef production practices. Linda Coffey works in NCAT's Arkansas office and is an expert in alternative ruminant production and marketing. For more information about this project, contact Jeff Schahczenski, jeffs@ncat.org or (406) 494-8636.

NCAT staffer attends 20th Annual Midwest Organic Farming Conference

(3/23/09) Hannah Lewis, NCAT's Midwest regional office director, recently represented NCAT's ATTRA project at the 20th Annual Midwest Organic Farming Conference held by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES).

More than 2,600 people attended the conference in La Crosse, Wis., Feb. 26-28. The event is recognized as the largest organic farming conference in the United States.

The conference featured big-name keynote speakers, including Dr. Vandana Shiva, one of the world's most renowned environmentalists, and Dr. Alan Greene, an acclaimed pediatrician. The conference also included several workshops covering everything from soil health, field crops and small grains, organic certification, market farming, livestock and marketing.

NCAT's ATTRA project has long been a sponsor of the conference. This year the NCAT booth was in a prime location in the exhibition hall, Lewis said. She distributed more than 100 publications and publication catalogues to attendees.

"A real highlight of hosting the booth at MOSES was the high proportion of farmers and aspiring farmers that visited the booths," Lewis said

This year, the conference was held in conjunction with Organic University, a MOSES program that offers small, in-depth classes covering everything from starting an organic farm to hoop houses and season extension.

In the next few weeks NCAT will open its new Midwest regional office in Des Moines, Iowa. The location will provide NCAT with an anchor in the heart of the Farm Belt for its sustainable agriculture work and other projects.

For more information about this year's MOSES conference, Organic University and the 2010 conference, visit www.mosesorganic.org.

NCAT Makes First Appearance at Ohio Agriculture Conference

(3/16/09) ATTRA specialists Andy Pressman and Lee Rinehart recently attended the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association's (OEFFA) 30th annual conference in Granville Feb. 21-22.

This was the first year NCAT had a presence at an OEFFA event. More than 700 people attended this year's conference, whose theme was "The Changing Climate of Agriculture." Pressman and Rinehart maintained an ATTRA booth that was very popular, made many great contacts in Ohio and Michigan and distributed nearly 500 ATTRA publications. Pressman and Rinehart also were presenters at the conference.

The conference also featured nearly 50 workshops covering topics such as production, marketing, food and energy; and included a trade show and meals made with organic, locally produced meats, produce, dairy and grains.

Pressman gave a presentation on SPIN, or small-plot intensive, farming. His presentation was well received by the 100-plus in attendance, including many beginning farmers and established farmers interested in diversifying their operation or downsizing. Pressman focused on SPIN's organic-based processes and techniques that work equally well in urban or rural areas.

Rinehart gave a talk titled "Ecological Pasture Management for Sustainable Livestock Production." The session covered species selection including perennial grasses, legumes and annuals; pasture fertility; grazing systems; and forage harvest management. Rinehart also discussed organic and grass-based production systems, including details on the new livestock grazing standards in the National Organic Program Regulations.

Fred Kirschenmann, a longtime organic farmer and distinguished fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, was a keynote speaker. He addressed opportunities in the new agriculture climate and described the severity of how energy is affecting farmers throughout the United States and energy's role in leading the country toward a food crisis. Melinda Hemmelgarn was also a keynote speaker. She is a dietitian and award-winning writer covering cutting edge nutrition and food safety issues. She founded and formally directed the Nutrition Communications Center at the University of Missouri. Hemmelgarn's talk also focused on the current climate of food systems and how daily food choices affect personal health and the planet.

For more information on the OEFFA Conference, contact Lee Rinehart (lee@ncat.org) or Andy Pressman (andyp@ncat.org).

Workshops Steer Montana Growers toward Organic Grain

(3/9/09) NCAT agronomy and cropping specialist Susan Tallman recently attended a series of Organic Grower Awareness workshops in eastern Montana.

Susan Tallman, NCAT agronomy specialist.

The workshops, sponsored by the Montana Department of Agriculture, are helping farmers across eastern Montana learn more about producing organic grain. Workshops were held in Lewistown on Feb. 3 and Great Falls on Feb. 10.

The workshops offered Montana farmers and potential organic producers a chance to talk with organic farmers, grain buyers and specialists about the economics of organic certification, the certification process, yields and transitioning from conventional agriculture, as well as best management practices including soil health, rotations, organic systems, weed control and buffer requirements.

Montana is the nation's No. 1 producer of organic grains, and interest in switching to organic production is high among conventional producers in the eastern part of the state, Tallman said. About 35 people attended the Lewistown workshop and another 25 came in Great Falls.

Tallman said the biggest challenges facing potential organic producers in Montana are weed control and nutrient management. “There is a growing interest in large-scale organic crop production in Montana,” she said. “However, challenges remain, such as reducing tillage, weeds and soil nutrient management.”

In Montana, demand for organic grains outpaces supply. Tallman said farmers who switch to organic production can enjoy price premiums of up to 75 percent.

The full-day workshops featured a broad range of topics and speakers from across the state. Speakers included Doug Crabtree and Perri Walborn, both with the Montana Organic Association, who spoke about the switch to organic production. Chad Lee, with the Montana Department of Agriculture, spoke about the economics of organic production compared to conventional systems.

Sean Mulla, also with the Montana Department of Agriculture, spoke about the certification process and fees. Dr. Dave Buschena, a professor in the agricultural economics department at Montana State University, spoke about the economic returns of organic and no-till production. Dr. Fabian Menalled, a cropland weed specialists also at MSU, spoke about weed management principles and the new e-Organic Web site. Dr. Clain Jones, a soil fertility specialist also with MSU, spoke about nutrient management in organic systems and several speakers covered what to expect from an organic inspection.

California Conference Looks at Transition to Organic Production

Larva and chrysalis of the monarch butterfly on narrow leaf milkweed, which was planted as part of a hedgerow to increase the biodiversity at Fong Farm. Photo by Rex Dufour.

(3/2/09) NCAT Agriculture Specialist Rex Dufour organized a short course and tour for the California Small Farm Conference, which took place March 1-3 in Sacramento. The daylong course, "Transitioning to Organic Farming," began with discussions of the organic products market, the USDA organic certification process, and the resources available to help farmers transition to organic farming. Dufour explained what the new federal Farm Bill offers for organic farmers. Wendy Rash, of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Yolo County, provided details about how NRCS programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can share the cost of transitioning to organic practices.

In the afternoon the class toured three USDA-certified organic farms in Yolo County, west of Sacramento. The group visited Pacific Star Farms, a 38-acre mixed fruit and vegetable operation; Fong Farms, a 500-acre farm that produces processing tomatoes, corn, alfalfa, grains, dry beans, and asparagus; and Dixon Ridge Farms, a 290-acre walnut orchard that also has a certified organic huller/sheller facility.

Hedgerows of native plants that Cliff Fong plants along the margins of his fields provide habitat for native beneficial insects and also reduce the road dust in the field. Photo by Rex Dufour.

The farmers shared their histories, including why they decided to go organic, and the challenges of transitioning to organic production and maintaining certification. They described their various marketing strategies and the changes they have observed on their lands. Most of those attending the course are considering a change to organic production on their own farms. They appreciated the chance to learn about organic transition from farmers who have been through the process.

Other short courses offered at the Small Farm Conference were Small-Scale Livestock Production and Marketing, Farmers' Market Innovations, Cherry Production and Marketing, Creative Agricultural Enterprises, and Farming In and Around Cities.

In addition to the short courses, the conference provided many workshops addressing the specifics of five general topics: Preserving Resources for this Generation and the Next, Opportunities and Innovations for Farmers' Markets, Production Strategies for Small Farmers, Hot Topics in California Agriculture, and Marketing Techniques for Small Farmers.

NCAT's Rex Dufour is a member of the California Small Farm Conference board of directors, along with representatives from other nonprofit organizations, cooperative extension, USDA agencies, farmers' market groups, and local interested parties. This annual conference has been convened by a similar collaborative effort since 1982. For more information please contact Rex Dufour, 406-533-6650.

AmeriCorps Planning Grant Launches Energy Corps Project

(2/23/09) NCAT recently received a $50,000 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to plan for a national partnership with AmeriCorps. The grant will be used to develop a plan for an Energy Corps project that would tackle the energy needs of low-income, senior, minority and other disadvantaged groups by introducing Energy Corps members into communities with demonstrated need in Montana, Iowa, Arkansas and Pennsylvania. In NCAT's early vision of the project, the AmeriCorps members in the Energy Corps would provide hands-on support and outreach through energy-conservation education and energy efficiency installations. Their efforts in target communities would benefit individuals, families, and businesses struggling with energy costs.

Low-income households often have unaffordable home energy bills and pay a disproportionate amount of household income towards those bills in comparison with higher-income households. Low-income families frequently have to make a choice between paying the utility bill, buying food or paying for medications. Many of these households have senior or disabled members or young children who may be particularly affected by forced cutbacks in the household energy budget.

Coupled with energy affordability problems is the issue of global climate change. Given the financial stresses of low-income groups, climate change will have a greater impact on the livelihoods of the poor. With rising temperatures, human lives—particularly in low-income, senior, and minority communities—are expected to be affected by compromised health, financial burdens, and social and cultural disruptions.

Improving energy efficiency in households at the greatest risk from energy cost and climate burdens—through measures such as weatherization improvements, ENERGY STAR appliance installation, and energy-efficient lighting replacement—results in lower energy bills, as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

By forming collaborations with local non-profit organizations, community action agencies, local governments and energy service organizations, the Energy Corps will foster community sustainability by addressing the challenges of rising energy prices and global climate change. The Energy Corps will simultaneously launch AmeriCorps members into green-collar career pathways, providing them with the essential elements for good and secure jobs in the growing clean energy economy.

NCAT is putting its substantial experience in residential energy efficiency, low-income energy issues, energy education, and workforce training to work in developing the Energy Corps program concept. At the conclusion of the year-long planning grant period, NCAT will submit an application for funding to carry out the Energy Corps project.

NCAT Found at "Finding Your Foodshed"

(2/17/09) The 18th annual Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture's (PASA) Farming for the Future Conference took place February 5-7, 2009 at Penn State University. Over 2,500 people traveled from 39 states to take part in workshops related to this year's theme, “Finding Your Foodshed.” NCAT was a sponsor of the conference and was represented by Specialists Lee Rinehart and Andy Pressman.

The conference kicked off with full-day pre-conference track workshops. Andy was the moderator for the track titled “Innovative Cover Cropping Systems for Organic Vegetable Production.” This track was very popular and had about 65 participants. The workshop was led by Anne and Eric Nordell, Alex Hitt, and Dr. Ron Morse. Anne and Eric Nordell have been raising organic vegetables, small fruits, and herbs on their horse-powered farm in north central Pennsylvania for 25 years. Growers across the country have adapted their bio-extensive practices as a result of their publications, videos, and popular column in the Small Farmers Journal. Alex Hitt has been farming organically in North Carolina for 27 years. Alex produces cut flowers, small fruits, vegetables, and turkeys on extensive rotations and use of winter and summer cover crops. Dr. Ron Morse is an emeritus professor at Virginia Tech. His major research-outreach focus is reduced-tillage conservation agriculture systems for small-scale vegetable farms.

NCAT's Lee Rinehart led a workshop on how clear, complete records can help improve farming systems, manage farm businesses more profitably, and help farmers meet the requirements for organic certification. The presentation included an introduction to ready-to-use forms from ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service and approaches to record keeping that make it more effective and less stressful. Practical record keeping ideas were given to make planting and scheduling fieldwork easier, help determine profitability and efficiency on farm, and putting it all together for organic certification.

The keynote address for the conference was delivered by writer, activist, and researcher Raj Patel. Patel has a diverse background that includes working for the World Bank, World Trade Organization, and United Nations. Patel spoke about his thoughts on food, hunger, and globalization. He explained the paradox of why one billion people are overweight yet 850 million are still starving. He has a new book out, titled Stuffed and Starved.

Rinehart and Pressman also had an ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service exhibit that was well visited. Many attendees signed-up to receive ATTRAnews and about 500 publications were distributed. For more information about the PASA Conference contact Lee Rinehart or Andy Pressman.

Have 'er Audited: Energy Savings Identified in Montana Community

(2/9/09) NCAT's energy team traveled to the northern Montana town of Havre last week to perform energy audits on several facilities.

The pool and physical education building on the MSU-Northern campus uses 14 inefficient 400-watt metal halide lights.

The team audited all of the buildings in the Havre School District and at the Montana State University – Northern campus; three buildings in Havre's Catholic school system; a motel; convenience store; and a restaurant and convention facility. The audits focused on lighting, but also covered parts of the building envelopes and HVAC systems.

NCAT engineers Dave Daugherty, Dave Houser, Tom Pelletier, Hal Hubber, Dan Yeoman and Stacie Barry conducted the audits under NCAT's Business Partners Energy Services Program performance contract with NorthWestern Energy.

The auditing process starts with the energy team visiting each building to determine what existing fixtures are in place, building usage, operating hours, light levels and total fixture wattage. After creating an inventory, the team calculates the total amount of energy currently used to light the facilities.

The team then recommends upgrades to help the facilities save energy and money. Often, that includes replacing inefficient fixtures and installing occupancy sensors that turn off lights when no one is in a room. The team also determines the appropriate amount of light for each space, based on standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

Several of the buildings in Havre present great opportunities for savings, Daughtery said.

“Old gyms at several of these schools use old metal halide lamps, which use a lot of energy and don't produce sufficient light,” he said. “We can recommend replacements that will provide a better quality of light and higher light levels while at the same time saving energy and electric costs. We will also recommend using occupancy sensors throughout all the buildings.”

The energy team will estimate the electricity savings of the recommended retrofits and calculate what rebates are available through the Business Partners program if the schools make the upgrades. The team will also estimate how much the materials and labor to install the upgrades will cost.

If you'd like more information on NCAT's commercial audit services, call 1-866-723-8677 or visit www.northwesternenergy.com/display.aspx?Page=Business_Partners_MT.

Eco-Farmers Stir Things Up

(2/2/09) NCAT had a big presence at the 29th annual Ecological Farming Conference, held January 21 to 24 in Pacific Grove, California. Everyone in NCAT's California office participated. The ATTRA project's publication lists were included in the registration packets for the 1,500 attendees and NCAT had a booth in the exhibitors' tent. NCAT Program Specialist Marisa Alcorta masterminded a campaign to deliver relevant ATTRA publications to all the workshop rooms at the proper time. The publications were eagerly snatched up by interested participants.

One high point of the conference was a workshop that discussed the role of farmworkers in organic agriculture. Dolores Huerta, who worked with Cesar Chavez to create the United Farmworkers of America, spoke in that session. The UFW's slogan is "Si Se Puede" (Yes You Can). At the conference banquet on Friday evening, Huerta was given Eco-Farm's "Justie" award for her lifetime of work to create a just food system. In her acceptance speech she told the story of meeting Barack Obama during the presidential campaign. He told her he had borrowed the UFW's slogan for his campaign. She replied, "Yes, you did!"

For the last 10 years, Eco-Farm has offered scholarships to Latino farmers and farmworkers on the Thursday of the conference. ATTRA and ALBA (the Agricultural and Land-Based Training Association in Salinas) organize a series of Spanish-language workshops for that day. This year there was a session on weed management, moderated by former NCAT Agriculture Specialist Martin Guerena. He is now the Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for the city of Davis, California. Other participants in that workshop included UC Cooperative Extension adviser Steve Fennimore and Israel Morales, a Latino farmer who manages a large vegetable farm. Morales emphasized the importance of cover crops in his vegetable fields as a tool to keep ahead of the weeds.

Another Spanish-language workshop looked at direct marketing, with Efren Avalos of Avalos Organic Farm in Hollister and Jamie Collins of Serendipity Farm in Monterey. In addition to these all-Spanish workshops, Spanish interpretation was offered for several other sessions. The first of these was a plenary session on celebrity chefs who are working to raise the profile of the sustainable food system. Spanish interpretation was also provided for a workshop examining the conflict between conservation and food security in new regulations for leafy greens production.

NCAT Program Specialist Rex Dufour organized and spoke in another workshop that featured interpretation into Spanish. It was called Organic Farming 101 and was aimed at new farmers. Other presenters in that session were Poppy Davis of the RMA in Washington, DC, and Carl Rosato, an Oroville California farmer who grows some of the world's best peaches.

NCAT staff also helped organize a Spanish-speaking social hour for Thursday afternoon. One of the attendees was farmer Michael O'Gorman, who farms in Salinas. O'Gorman is the person who originally suggested the Spanish-language workshops. At the reception he told us about his exciting current project, the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, which was sparked by some returning Iraq vets who want to farm now that they are home. It's hard to find a farm here, though. So the veterans turned to the Farms Not Arms organization and to California FarmLink. They received a warm welcome, lots of helping hands, and have found a farm in Solano County. The two returning vets said that they are astonished by the open attitude of other farmers. They expected to be viewed as potential competitors. One neighboring farmer who has a large CSA has even offered to help them get started and to advertise their new CSA in his newsletter.

Another workshop at the conference was "Not Just Another Roadside Attraction." Organized and moderated by NCAT Program Specialist Karen Van Epen, the workshop addressed agritourism. Presenter George Work and his family have been stewarding their Central California ranch for more than 130 years. They have wanted to host guests on their ranch for a long time, but needed a commercial kitchen in order to conform with California regulations. So George and other would-be farmer hosts persuaded the legislature to change the law, permitting farm stays on working farms. Also speaking in that workshop was Rosemary Nightingale. She and her husband have an extensive herb garden in the Sierra foothills near Kings Canyon. They give "theater" tours of their herb garden, imparting lots of information about gardening, botany, geography, cuisine, and health.

The Ecological Farming Conference provides an abundance of excellent ideas for farmers to mull over. For more information, visit the conference website or contact Karen Van Epen, karenv@ncat.org, 406-533-6653.

Farmers' Market Conference To Be Co-Sponsored by NCAT

Fayetteville farmers' market.

(1/26/09) NCAT Specialist Janet Bachmann is working on a project funded by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service—Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). Bachmann, along with Dr. Curt Rom of the University of Arkansas Horticultural Department, a partnership of multiple nonprofit entities from around Arkansas, and the Arkansas Farmers' Market Association, are organizing a two-day farmers' market conference, “Farmers' Markets as Community Collaboration.” The conference will be held February 6-7 in Fayetteville, Arkansas and will feature hands-on educational workshops and seminars by farmers and market managers. The event will highlight local foods with a banquet that partners a local chef and culinary arts students with local farmers.

The conference organizers hope to draw participants from Arkansas, northeast Oklahoma, and southwest Missouri. The conference aim is to connect growers, markets, and consumers, and to provide educational and professional development opportunities for growers and market managers. Sales tax, market liability, market promotion, production planning, and selling at a market are just a few of the sessions scheduled. The Arkansas Farmers' Market Association will also hold their annual meeting in conjunction with the conference.

The FMPP project will also provide training and assistance on market evaluation for at least eight markets. One tool for evaluation, Mystery Shopper, will be introduced at the conference by Darlene Wolnik, who works with Market Umbrella in New Orleans, Louisiana. Participating markets will conduct evaluations in summer 2009.

In addition to the USDA-AMS grant, sponsors and collaborators involved in the “Farmers' Markets as Community Collaboration” conference include NCAT/ATTRA, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Farmers' Market Association, Arkansas Agriculture Department, Fayetteville Tourism Bureau, Winrock International, and Northwest Arkansas Community College. For more information about the Conference, local foods dinner, or other project activities, contact Janet Bachmann (janetb@ncat.org).

Harvesting Clean Energy Conference Nears

(1/20/09) The annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference is known as the Northwest's premiere gathering to advance rural economic development through clean energy production. NCAT has been an active supporter of the conference for many years, particularly during years when the conference's rotating location brings it to Montana. This year the 9th annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference takes place in Billings, Montana, January 25-27, and NCAT is one of the co-sponsors for the event.

NCAT Research Specialist Holly Hill has been working with the conference organizing team for many months, and has helped put together an outstanding agenda featuring workshops, tours, and speakers from both the technical and policy realms. Sunday's keynote speaker is Montana Senator Jon Tester, while Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer headlines Monday's agenda with a keynote speech and presentation of the Governor's Clean Energy Awards.

The conference agenda also includes sessions delivered by a number of NCAT staff members. Hill will serve as moderator for an in-depth breakout session that will help attendees learn how to conserve energy and use energy more efficiently, particularly in regard to farm equipment and activities. As one of the session panelists, NCAT's Vicki Lynne will present on Irrigation and Energy Efficiency on the Farm.

NCAT Energy Engineer Dave Ryan is slated as one of the speakers for a special workshop on Energy Programs in the Farm Bill, and will also speak later in the conference on wind energy. Ryan is part of a panel that will outline solutions and opportunities to speed adoption of energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy, and will also discuss wind energy during a breakout session on Powering the Farm with Small-Scale Renewables. NCAT Program Specialist Al Kurki will address biofuels and bioenergy in that same session.

Following the Harvesting Clean Energy conference, NCAT will hold a two-day workshop on Advanced Oilseed and Biodiesel Production, also in Billings. Registration information is available from NCAT's Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed, and the Future project.

NCAT Releases New Climate Change Publication

Addressing climate change can reduce energy costs, create green jobs in Montana

(1/12/09) NCAT recently released a new climate change publication that highlights ways Montana consumers can address climate change while reducing energy costs and creating green jobs.

The publication, titled Changing climate, Changing future (PDF / 6M), is a guide to climate change in Montana and smart ways we all can act now to preserve our state for tomorrow's generation.

Changing climate, Changing future details the work of the Montana Climate Change Advisory Committee, a group established by Gov. Brian Schweitzer in 2005 to study the effects of climate change in Montana and develop recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, are a major cause of climate change.

Changing climate, Changing future features dozens of resources to help Montanans reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. From ways to slash home heating bills to ideas for squeezing the most out of a gallon of gas, the resources will also help Montanans save money by using less energy.

In 2007, the Climate Change Advisory Committee produced a 450-page report with 54 recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Montana. Changing climate, Changing future provides a sampling of these recommendations, along with several success stories of Montanans already acting to reduce their own emissions.

New Spanish-Language Resources about Community Food Security

(1/6/09) NCAT's ATTRA project website now offers three new Spanish-language resources about community food security. These colorful flyers are designed to inspire people to learn about food security issues. The brochures discuss ways to make fresh, local food available in low-income communities.

publication cover The first flyer is called Seguridad de Alimentos de la Comunidad : Cultivando Granjas, Personas y Comunidades Sanas (In English that is Community Food Security: Cultivating Healthy Farms, People and Communities). The brochure explains the basics of community food security. Everyone should have access to good food. Local independent farmers and businesses should produce and distribute food in ways that protect our environment. Stores in every community should sell healthy, high quality foods at affordable prices.

The second flyer—Su Comunidad, Sus Alimentos: Siete Maneras de Ingresar Alimentos Sanos a Su Comunidad (Your Community, Your Food: Seven Ways to Introduce Healthy Food into Your Community)—describes ways that citizens can get healthy foods into their communities. Emphasizing that everyone deserves a chance to make healthy food choices, the brochure points out that people tend to eat the food that is easiest to get. When that food is of low quality, family health deteriorates. The resulting high healthcare costs and lost work time have a profound effect on the whole community.

The third flyer, which is called Buenos Alimentos que Podemos Costear: Hoy y Mañana (Good Food We Can Afford: Today and Tomorrow), explains why food grown locally using greener methods and less energy is the best deal for consumers. The handout urges people to grow some of their own food and to support local and organic farmers. It asks consumers to work to develop a system that provides good food for everyone.

publication cover drawing The flyers can be found and downloaded in PDF at ATTRA's Spanish-language website. Besides being useful to individuals, these brochures can also be used by organizations that are working to improve community food access. All three of the flyers include a space for the local contact information of community food security groups that can help families.

The handouts were developed in English by the Community Food Security Coalition and World Hunger Year. NCAT specialists helped re-formulate the text and translate it into Spanish. Each flyer directs people to NCAT's ATTRA project Spanish-language website, where they can find information about growing food.

To learn more about NCAT's partners in this project, see www.foodsecurity.org and www.worldhungeryear.org. The English versions of the brochures can be downloaded at www.foodsecurity.org/handouts.html. To find out more about the Spanish flyers, contact NCAT Program Specialist Karen Van Epen, karenv@ncat.org, 406-533-6653.

NCAT Helps Develop Content and Hosts Website for Presidential Climate Action Project

PCAP Logo The Presidential Climate Action Project is a comprehensive action plan for presidential leadership, based on climate science and designed to ignite innovation at every level of the American economy. The project gathered leaders from the nation's science, policy, business and civic sectors to develop a plan for dealing with climate change. The plan contains background information and educational materials on global warming, as well as a broad portfolio of tools and policy options to address this global challenge. Work on the plan started in 2006, with a goal of having the plan completed in time to present to the newly-elected US President prior to his taking office in January 2009.

NCAT Executive Director Kathy Hadley served on one of the leadership summit groups that contributed ideas to the plan. NCAT also hosts the project website, which features the results of the leadership summit groups, background documents, and a final copy of the plan that was delivered to President Obama's transition team in late 2008. The plan incorporates many of the best ideas for national innovation around climate change put forward by the presidential candidates, universities, non-governmental organizations and others, as well as new ideas based on original analyses commissioned by the project.

A free PDF copy of the 117-page plan is available on the PCAP website managed by NCAT: www.climateactionproject.com. The plan was also published by St. Martins Press, and is now available in bookstores.

View Earlier NCAT News

NCAT News Archive for 2009

THE NCAT MISSION Helping People by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.

THE NCAT MISSION
Helping People by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.