March 17th, 2010

ATTRA - National Sustainable
Agriculture Information Service
P.O. Box 3657
Fayetteville, AR 72702
800-346-9140 (English)
800-411-3222 (Español)

USDA - Supported Programs for Sustainable Agriculture

Looking for the latest in sustainable agriculture and organic farming news, events and funding opportunities? We feature all that, plus in-depth publications on production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises, innovative marketing, organic certification, and highlights of local, regional, USDA and other federal sustainable ag activities.

Conversations from the Field

NCAT agriculture specialist Andy Pressman and sustainable agriculture intern Hannah Sharp recently spoke with Michelle Ajamian and Brandon Jaeger of the Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative (ASFC), located in Athens, Ohio. Learn More »

Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

The EQIP Organic Application The sign-up for the FY2010 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative has begun. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is taking applications and the deadline for applications will be March 12, 2010. If you have a pending application or never fully completed an application for FY2009, the (NRCS) will be sending you a letter informing you of this new opportunity in 2010. » Learn More.

NCAT Internship Opportunity

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a private non-profit corporation that works to promote sustainable technologies and systems, especially for the benefit of economically disadvantaged individuals and communities. NCAT is seeking a current student or a recent graduate with an interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency to work part-time based in our Des Moines, Iowa office as a Clean Energy Intern. » Learn More.

DIY Biodiesel Webinar Available

The second installment of ATTRA's farm-scale biodiesel production webinar series, DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal is now available for viewing. Safety practices including personal safety, workspace safety, materials handling and regulations, waste stream handling, methanol, compatibility with equipment and environmental safety and regulations are all covered. Watch it »

The New Conservation Stewardship Program

The new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) passed in the last Farm Bill will be available beginning August 10, 2009. This Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) program rewards farmers and ranchers for current conservation practices and for putting in place additional new conservation practices and enhancements over a 5 year contract period. Successful applicants could receive up to $200,000 in benefits over the five year contract period. Learn more »

Late Blight Resources

Late blight, a fungal disease that attacks potatoes and tomatoes, is showing up across the northeastern and southern United States. Late blight is one of the few plant diseases that can destroy a crop, producing a 100 percent loss. Click here for our resources to manage this disease. Learn more »

Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities

"Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities," is now available on the ATTRA website! This guide is an updated version of a previous publication called "Building Better Rural Places" and is written for anyone seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. Learn More »

Breaking News

UPDATE: 1/29/10
Sign-up for the 2010 Organic Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

Senate Committee Passes Food Safety Legislation

Report Shows Increase in Food System Energy Use

Fulbright Scholar Program Seeks Applicants

Producer Explores Pond-Raised Shrimp

NCAT Releases Report on Farm Energy Audits
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has released a new report, "Farm Energy Audits: Availability, Usefulness, and Cost."
Learn More »

» More Breaking News

Learning Ops

Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships

ATTRA on the Radio

Listen to NCAT's new weekly internet radio show, Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight, on the Green Talk Network from July through October 2009.

Calendar of Events

Organic Transition Workshop

National Organic Standards Board Meeting

Sheep and Goat Marketing Conference

Funding Opportunities

Alabama Environmental Education Grant

Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Grant

University of Minnesota's Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate Research Program Award

New & Updated Publications

Organic System Plans: Livestock Production

Biochar and Sustainable Agriculture

Comparing Energy Use in Conventional and Organic Cropping Systems

Ecological Pest Management

ATTRA has created a new, on-line pest management tool for farmers. This database highlights reduced risk materials that can be integrated with ecological pest management strategies.

Farm Energy

Are rising energy and fuel costs affecting your farm or ranch? Check out our Farm Energy section to learn about using energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, as well as sustainable agriculture practices, to combat these rising costs, increase profits and help protect the environment. Read more >>

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT Web site for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.

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