ATTRA FINAL REPORT 2019-2020

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program RB-17-06

Annual Performance Report for Public Distribution April 24, 2019 – May 15, 2020

Submitted to: USDA Rural Business – Cooperative Service 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250

Submitted by: National Center for Appropriate Technology Background he ATTRA program was created in the New Hampshire; Jackson, Mississippi; and Check, 1985 Farm Bill and has been reauthorized Virginia. Each offi ce covers a region of the U.S.: T in all subsequent Farm Bills. ATTRA is Montana covers the northwestern U.S., Arkansas housed within the USDA’s Rural Business- covers the southeast, California covers the west, Cooperative Service (RBS) and managed by the Texas covers the southwest, New Hampshire National Center for Appropriate Technology covers the northeast, Mississippi covers the (NCAT) through a cooperative agreement with Gulf States region, and Virginia covers the mid- USDA/RD. This national program strives to off er Atlantic region. Additionally, NCAT has remote improved access to scientifi cally sound, under- offi ces in Durango, Colorado, and Dallas, standable, and practical information to commercial Pennsylvania. agriculture producers by responding to client This report covers the performance period of requests received via national toll-free telephone April 24, 2019, through May 15, 2020. lines, postal mail, email, online chat, Facebook, Twitter, other social media, and conferences. Historically, the producers who access the ATTRA’s COVID-19 services most frequently are family-scale, small- Response scale, beginning, limited-resource, and returning veteran farmers. ATTRA’s external evaluator In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reports that the median age of commercial ATTRA program rapidly pivoted to serve producers accessing ATTRA technical assistance the nation’s farming community with additional and resources is 45, and 40% are women needs resulting from the crisis. We have commercial producers. Assistance is provided to established a COVID resource page on our ATTRA clients in a variety of ways, including telephone website, comprised of timely, relevant farming conversations and responses; emailed/mailed and ranching resources that are updated technical responses and publications; other regularly. NCAT’s ATTRA Agriculture Specialists electronic information dissemination; in-person are producing videos and blogs to connect education through workshops, conferences, farmers and agricultural professionals with and one-on-one meetings; self-help publications real-time solutions to these challenging times. and tutorials; and other appropriate outreach NCAT’s ATTRA specialists are providing technical methods, including social media. assistance, peer-to-peer learning, and workshops electronically throughout the nation. Additionally, Work carried out under ATTRA is accomplished NCAT has made all ATTRA publications and among all of NCAT’s offi ces, located in Butte, resources free on the ATTRA website. We Montana (headquarters); Fayetteville, Arkansas; understand these are trying times for the nation Davis, California; San Antonio, Texas; Keene, and our food and farming systems are critical.

— COVID-19 Message For ATTRA — During these times of uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, NCAT’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program continues to serve the nation’s farming community. We have established a COVID resource page on our ATTRA website, which will be updated regularly. Our Agriculture Specialists are producing a series of videos and blogs to connect you with real-time solutions to these challenging times. NCAT is also collaborating with partners across the nation to hear from farmers in farmer listening sessions and will consolidate and share broadly information on challenges, opportunities, and innovation. Stay tuned for more! Please reach out to us and let us know how we can better serve you at: [email protected] or 800-346-9140. Wishing for the best of health for all, Your NCAT Team

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 1 Task #1: Provide Technical Assistance to Support the Rural Workforce rom April 24, 2019 – May 15, 2020, NCAT • Montana : provided technical assistance to a F specialists assisted clients 47,838 times with farmer on current organic systems, rotations, and technical assistance materials. In 2,184 cases, the weed control practices and provided information technical assistance required more extensive research. about regional grain elevators that have modifi ed operations to handle organic fi eld crops. Some examples include: • Northeast : provided technical assistance to • Texas : provided technical assistance to a a vegetable producer on weed control and rancher on how to start integrating adaptive fl ame weeding. multi-paddock grazing. • NCAT-ATTRA’s regenerative grazing expert provided technical guidance and resources : provided technical assistance • Pacifi c Northwest to a rancher in Oklahoma regarding intensive grazing. and information on cover cropping for each season to a rancher who has a pastured sheep operation. • Midwest: provided technical assistance to a farmer on pasture over seeding—what seed • Montana : assisted a farmer in reading a Haney varieties to use and what equipment works best. soil test, and called the company to understand unclear results, reporting back to the farmer. • NCAT-ATTRA’s fruit and orchard expert provided assistance to farmers nationwide on • Midwest : provided assistance to an organic grain heirloom varieties, propagation, blackberry rust, farmer on the price elasticity of organic grains as Asian pear problems, pest control, and more. it relates to revenue protection insurance. • NCAT-ATTRA’s whole-farm revenue protection expert provided assistance assisted a vegetable farmer with • Northeast : and guidance on whole-farm and crop insurance implements that can help her transition to no-till to farmers throughout the U.S. and provided information on a new compost spreader. • In Arkansas, NCAT-ATTRA's livestock specialist • South : provided technical assistance to an orchard provided watering information and options for farmer on successfully propagating persimmons. pasture raised pigs to a livestock farmer.

2 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #2: Outreach Website esources were accessed during this – Montana Farmers Market COVID-19 Q&A Rreporting period 3,348,790 times, – COVID-19 National Forum: Financial Relief for Farmers with 1,388,719 visits. – Farming During COVID-19: A Webinar on Adapting During Crisis, CA and national Outreach Materials – Farmer Veteran National COVID-19 Listening Session – NCAT & Wallace Center National Food Hub/ Voices from the Field podcast series • Farmer Listening Session 52 new podcasts; 860,876 podcast listens – NCAT & Virginia Biological Farming Association during project year Farmer Listening Session for Mid-Atlantic Farmers • We created 61 new videos and webinars – Latino Farmer Workshop, Ontario, CA with a total of 130,502 views – MS Alcorn Small Farmers Conference • Weekly Harvest newsletter – California Small Farm Conference 15,803 subscribers (distributed weekly) – 37th Annual Georgia Farmers Conference – Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable • Cosecha Mensual Spanish e-newsletter Agriculture Conference 2,780 subscribers (distributed monthly) – Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference, AR Workshops and – 2020 Texas Organic Farmer and Gardener Conferences Association Conference – New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference • ATTRA agricultural specialists – Missouri Livestock Symposium have attended/presented at 155 workshops or – Iowa Organic Conference; 19th Annual conferences, reaching a total of 52,521 people. – Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference, TX • Due to shelter-in-place orders and – MS Alcorn State University Women in Agriculture social isolation of the COVID-19 Conference pandemic, NCAT’s Agriculture Specialists were able to rapidly pivot to using online systems to provide work- shops, listening sessions, and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and agriculture professionals. • Sampling of both virtual and in-person events: – Five Guidelines to Improve Soil Health and Water Holding Capacity in Texas Photo: CA Alliance of Farmers Markets

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 3 Task #2: Outreach Workshops and Conferences (continued) • Promoted USDA Rural Development – NCAT also continued to promote Beyond Fresh: Programs and USDA Collaboration a Food Processing Guide for Texas Farmers workbook. This workbook features and promotes – Rural Development in Montana participated on the Value-Added Producer Grant Program, Rural the Soil Health Innovations Conference steering Cooperative Development Grant, Community committee, and USDA-RD in Washington, D.C., Facilities Loan & Grant, Business & Industry Loan has helped identify speakers, including assisting Guarantees, Intermediary Relending Program, with inviting Secretary Perdue to speak at Rural Business Development Grants, Rural Business Investment Program, Rural Economic the conference. Development Loan & Grant, and Rural – USDA-RD representatives spoke at the Armed Microentrepreneur Assistance. to Farm training in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in May 2019.

– The Cleveland Armed to Urban Farm training in September 2019 featured presentations from Ohio and Wisconsin USDA-Rural Development on ways farmers can work together and create cooperatives.

– In Mississippi, NCAT invited USDA-Rural Development, Public Aff airs & RD Coordinator, to speak at the Alcorn State University Small Farmers Conference where information was shared about what Rural Development is and what it has to off er to the farmers and clients in attendance.

“ This program far exceeded my expectations. I feel equipped and as if I have everything I need to start and run a productive farm and give to the community.” —Armed to Farm Attendee

4 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #3: Education Farmer Training rom April 24, 2019 – May 15, 2020, • CA Small Farm Conference F NCAT presented fi ve week-long – pre-conference fi eld day trainings to 97 veterans. • Subtropical soil health fi eld days for Hispanic farmers in the Rio Grande Valley Crawfordsville, IN • NCAT worked to organize the third Texas – veterans from six states • 18 Hispanic Farmer & Rancher conference • Craftsbury Common, VT – 22 veterans from nine states • Victor, NY – 16 veterans from NY • Cleveland, OH – 22 veterans from 10 states • Geneva, NY – 19 veterans from the Northeast • An additional 12 veterans received training at a special two-day business planning workshop in Helena, MT, for Armed to Farm alumni.

Latino Producer Training • CA Latino Farmer Conference – 350 attendees • EcoFarm Conference – two Spanish presentations

“ Fluidity and fl exibility to ask questions throughout. This is the fi rst instance - ever - where I felt that any question, no matter how stupid or basic, would be fully answered.” —Armed to Farm Attendee

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 5 Task #3: Education Expanded Publications Library

2019-2020 New Publications (19): 1,248,802 Total Downloads

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology 800-346-9140 www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org • • A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Vertebrate Integrated Pest Management Series Food Safety Considerations for High Tunnel Grapes: Establishment Benef icial and Pest Birds: Vertebrate Integrating Livestock into Produce By Luke Freeman, NCAT This publication is the fi rst in a series on high tunnel grape production, based on research led by Dr. Agriculture Specialist, Elena Garcia at the University of Arkansas. This publication covers the topics of selecting and building Cropping Dr. Elena Garcia, a high tunnel, preparing the soil, selecting table grape cultivars, planting grape vines, and managing IPM Tip Sheet University of Arkansas, young grape vines. Birds, similar to insects, can be benefi cial or be pests to farmers. and Dr. Amanda McWhirt, Benefi cial birds can help reduce insects, weeds, or rodent pests that Systems University of Arkansas feed on and destroy crops. Pest birds, on the other hand, can damage Division of Agriculture and destroy seed, vegetable, fruit, and vine crops, causing signifi cant Integrating livestock with vegetable Cooperative Extension economic losses. They can also be vectors of disease that can threaten crop production takes advantage of Service livestock’s natural place in agro-ecosy- the poultry industry, or they can spread E. coli, Campylobacter spp., and Published May 2019 tems: cash and cover crop residues are ©NCAT Salmonella spp. in fruits and vegetables. Pest birds also consume and consumed, nutrients are cycled, weeds IP576 contaminate livestock and dairy feed (Medhanie et al., 2014). are suppressed, and soil health is increased. However, in order to protect Sometimes, the same birds can be benefi cial by consuming insects in Contents the spring but then become pests in the fall when they consume the safety of the food consumer, it’s im- vegetation, fruits, and seeds. portant to adhere to certain standards. Introduction ...... 1 Site Selection ...... 1 Farmers and pest-control professionals need to identify the benefi - Farmers who are integrating live- stock grazing in a produce cropping High Tunnel cial and pest birds, and be able to manage or manipulate those birds system should treat the area in ac- Selection ...... 2 that shift from benefi cial to pest. This tip sheet was developed to help cordance with food safety guidelines Grape Cultivar achieve those goals. A bird catching an insect on the fl y. Photo: wikimedia as having had a raw manure amend- Selection ...... 3 ment application. Raw manure Soil Preparation ...... 4 contains pathogens that can cause Planting ...... 5 Bird Identif ication illness in humans when ingested Photo: Devon Regan, Montana State University Weed Control ...... 6 The fi rst step in any integrated pest management strategy is to identify the pest. In the case of birds, identifi cation is critical in on fresh produce (Bihn et al., 2014). The following off ers some general guidelines and recommendations to reduce the likelihood of microbial contamination on Early Plant Care ...... 6 ‘Faith’ table grapes growing in a high tunnel at the UA Agriculture Experiment Station in Fayetteville. Photo: order to determine whether the birds are pest, benefi cial, or both. The following websites can help with correct identifi cation: produce when manure is present. Summary ...... 6 Luke Freeman, NCAT The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: The Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has established national standards for food-safety References ...... 7 www.allaboutbirds.org practices on produce farms, including practices regarding the use of manure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the Further Resources ...... 7 Appendix ...... 8 Introduction The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin Bird ID App (ideal for smart agency charged with regulating and enforcing the Produce Safety Rule on qualifi ed farms. Although many small produce opera- tions are exempt from the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule, the rule establishes best practices for on-farm food safety that phones): http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org igh tunnels have shown the potential to in this publication are for example purposes and all farms should follow. Even if a farm is exempt from the requirements of FSMA, it is still responsible for the quality and safety of This publication is a deliverable Project FeederWatch: https://feederwatch.org/learn/identifying-birds its produce and liable for damages if microbial contamination on produce causes a foodborne illness. of the Southern SARE Project, improve table grape quality and yield are not an endorsement by NCAT, the University “High Tunnel Grape Production signifi cantly and allow for successful of Arkansas, or the authors of this publication. Audubon Guide to North American Birds: The FDA is currently conducting research to establish evidence-based requirements for manure application on produce farms. Until the Systems: A Novel Sustainable H FDA establishes diff erent standards, it is utilizing the USDA National Organic Program standards for raw manure, which are as follows: Approach to Growing Grapes,” in production in regions that have less-than-ideal www.audubon.org/bird-guide collaboration with the University • 90-day interval between raw manure application /presence and harvest of crops that do not touch the soil (e.g., tomatoes, peppers). of Arkansas, Arkansas Coopera- growing environments. Ongoing research led by Bird Watcher’s Digest: tive Extension, and the Arkansas Dr. Elena Garcia at the University of Arkansas Site Selection www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/identifi cation.php • 120-day interval between raw manure application /presence and harvest of crops that do touch the soil (e.g., leafy greens, Association of Grape Growers. cabbage, carrots, etc.). has demonstrated that table grapes in high tun- Choosing the right site is critical for the success Before any action against birds is carried out, be aware of the of a high tunnel grape planting. When growing • The Produce Safety Rule requires that untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin, such as raw manure, must be nels are able to come into bearing one to two years Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that protects all native birds from applied in a manner that does not contact covered produce during application and minimizes the potential for contact with earlier and yield up to three times more per vine, grapes in a high tunnel, it is important that the harassment or harm, except by permit. There is an exception in which covered produce after application. compared to grapes in the fi eld. Th e high tunnel site is well-suited for both the grapes and the high one can take native birds without a permit if they will cause harm For northern latitudes, this essentially means that there should be an area set aside on your farm for a full season to incorporate environment also reduces the amount of fungi- tunnel itself. to crops or livestock. Check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, animals grazing on cover crops. If there is enough room, this can be part of your rotation schematic. ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) cides that need to be applied, opening the door to or with your local agricultural commissioner, for more information. is a program of the National High tunnels should be placed on relatively level Additionally, the Produce Safety Alliance recommends that animals not be present or adjacent to the cropping area during the Center for Appropriate Technology the potential opportunity for organic table grape Non-native birds not protected by MBTA include European Starlings, (NCAT). The program is funded growing season. Grazing animals in or next to a produce fi eld introduces the risk of produce being contaminated by animal ground. Depending on the style of tunnel, you Pigeons, and House Sparrows. through a cooperative agreement production in the humid Southeast. Th is series manure through wind drift on a dry day or runoff following a rain (Produce Safety Alliance, 2017). with the United States Department may be able to tolerate as much as a 3% slope of Agriculture’s Rural Business- of publications will provide an overview of high Cooperative Service. Visit the tunnel grape production and key considerations running the length of the tunnel (Jett, 2010). Creating Habitat for Birds on Farms Feeding insects to a chick. Photo: fl ickr NCAT website (www.ncat.org) for more information on for interested growers, beginning with this pub- Th e soil should be deep and as free from rocks as Sustainable agriculture relies on biodiversity to provide the environmental services on which it depends to maintain productivity. our other sustainable possible to facilitate driving the high tunnel foot agriculture and lication on establishment considerations for high Biodiversity is created by establishing habitat on the farm that harnesses the diversity of wildlife, including birds. Several types of energy projects. tunnel grapes. Any specifi c products mentioned anchors at least four feet deep. Th e recommended eff ective habitat can be created or enhanced on agricultural land that can increase benefi cial bird populations and provide pest- control services (Garfi nkel and Johnson, 2015): Food Safety Considerations for www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 Benefi cial and Pest Birds: Integrating Livestock into High Tunnel Grapes: Vertebrate IPM Tip Sheet Produce Cropping Systems Establishment 156 151 114

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Marketing Tip Sheet Series High Tunnel Grapes: Pruning, High Tunnel Grapes: Temperature Outreach Tips for Farms that Trellising, and Training and Soil Management Accept SNAP Payments for CSAs By Luke Freeman, NCAT This publication is the third in a series on high tunnel grape production, based on research led by Agriculture Specialist; Each year, more and more farms accept Supplemental Nutrition By Luke Freeman, NCAT This publication is the second in a series on high tunnel grape production, based on research led by Dr. Elena Garcia at the University of Arkansas. This publication addresses considerations for providing Dr. Elena Garcia, University Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for community supported Agriculture Specialist; an ideal growing environment for table grapes in a high tunnel, focusing on temperature management, Dr. Elena Garcia at the University of Arkansas. This publication covers the topics of selecting and of Arkansas Division of agriculture (CSA) programs. When farms decide to accept SNAP, Dr. Elena Garcia, University constructing a trellis system, pruning grapevines, and training them to the trellis system. Agriculture, Agriculture irrigation, and soil fertility. it opens the door to a new revenue stream, as well as providing of Arkansas Division of Experiment Station; and healthy local food to community members with limited incomes. Agriculture, Agriculture Dr. Amanda McWhirt, According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than $63 Experiment Station; and University of Arkansas million in benefi ts were distributed to SNAP recipients last year, Dr. Amanda McWhirt, Division of Ag, Cooperative representing a signifi cant market opportunity for farmers (USDA, University of Arkansas Extension Service 2018). In order to capture some of this market share, SNAP recipi- Division of Ag, Cooperative Published December 2019 ents need to be aware that your farm accepts SNAP payments for Extension Service ©NCAT your CSA. Outreach is one of the most important aspects to gaining Published October 2019 IP578 SNAP recipients as new CSA customers. Below, you will fi nd some ©NCAT key tips for conducting successful outreach to SNAP participants. IP577 Contents Contents 1. Take your budget and time constraints into account. Introduction ...... 1 Weigh the cost and benefi ts for each form of advertising. Introduction ...... 1 Environmental For example, a newspaper ad is simple to place but can be Selecting a Trellis Considerations ...... 1 expensive. On the other hand, social media makes it easy to System ...... 1 High Tunnel connect with your customers but can be time-consuming Glacier Tilth Farm CSA distribution site lets SNAP recipients know that Building a Trellis ...... 3 Temperature and you may not reach some of your desired demographics. they are welcome. Photo: Glacier Tilth Farm Management ...... 3 Trellising and Training If your farm is active on social media, post regularly that you Young Grape Vines ...... 4 Irrigation accept SNAP as a form of payment. Keep your desired out- More information on correct usage of the SNAP logo can be Management ...... 4 found at https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/fi les/ Pruning Established comes, budget, and time restrictions in mind as you set out Grape Vines ...... 5 Fertility to determine what form of outreach will be most eff ective in snap/SNAP-Logo-Guidance.pdf. Management ...... 6 reaching SNAP recipients for your particular situation. Canopy Management ....6 4. Embrace the power of word-of-mouth. Summary ...... 7 Conclusion ...... 7 2. Work with community-based organizations to distribute Notify your current CSA members that you accept SNAP as a References ...... 7 References ...... 7 outreach materials. form of payment. Your members already endorse you because Further Resources ...... 8 Further Resources ...... 8 Recent studies show that lack of awareness is one of the big- they believe in your product. Most people are happy to spread gest barriers to participation in programs for SNAP recipients. the news to individuals they know. Also consider off ering dis- This publication is a deliverable Consider partnering with a community-based organization counts to SNAP recipients who refer a friend with SNAP ben- This publication is a deliverable of the Southern SARE Project, Table grapes trellised in a high tunnel at the Arkansas Agriculture Experiment Station with the Geneva Double ‘Gratitude’ grapes growing in a high tunnel at the Arkansas Agriculture Experiment Station in Fayetteville. Photo: of the Southern SARE Project, (CBO) to advertise that you accept SNAP. CBO locations such efi ts to your CSA. The support from a peer could provide reas- “High Tunnel Grape Production Curtain trellis system on the right and a Modifi ed Double High Cordon trellis system on the left. “High Tunnel Grape Production Luke Freeman, NCAT Systems: A Novel Sustainable as churches, foods banks, offi ces of public assistance, WIC, and surance and make the experience less intimidating. Photo: Luke Freeman, NCAT Systems: A Novel Sustainable Approach to Growing Grapes,” in SNAP-Ed offi ces are places where a high volume of SNAP recip- Approach to Growing Grapes,” in collaboration with the University 5. Call local media to alert them that you now accept SNAP. collaboration with the University ients are likely to see your materials. CBOs are capable of pro- of Arkansas, Arkansas Coopera- of Arkansas, Arkansas Coopera- Introduction viding many resources, such as serving as a CSA pick-up hub Contact your local newspaper or TV station to discuss develop- tive Extension, and the Arkansas Introduction tive Extension, and the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers. for customers or organizing events that promote your CSA. ing a narrative around the ability to purchase a CSA share with Association of Grape Growers. his publication is the third in our series SNAP benefi ts. Give the story wide appeal by describing the his publication is the second in our series publication discusses the foundational practices. Environmental Considerations 3. Keep outreach materials consistent. on high tunnel grape production, based benefi ts of purchasing a CSA membership with SNAP benefi ts, on high tunnel grape production, based Any specifi c products mentioned are for example Grapes are grown throughout the world in a diver- When developing outreach materials, use the federal SNAP such as boosting the local economy, supporting environmen- largely on research conducted by Dr. largely on the research conducted by purposes and are not an endorsement by NCAT, T sity of climates, though Mediterranean climates are logo. This is the logo that recipients will recognize and tal stewardship, and providing a way for people with limited T Elena Garcia and her research team at the Univer- trust. Using unoffi cial logos incomes to access health, fresh, locally grown food. ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) Dr. Elena Garcia and her team at the Univer- the University of Arkansas, or the authors of this considered ideal. Most grape cultivars need 150 to or alterations of the federal ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) is a program of the National sity of Arkansas, who have investigated seedless 6. Vocalize why SNAP recipients should use their benefi ts sity of Arkansas. Th eir research has investigated publication. is a program of the National 180 frost-free days in order to produce a crop and logo creates confusion and Center for Appropriate Technology Center for Appropriate Technology table grape production in high tunnels through- at your CSA. (NCAT). The program is funded the potential of seedless table grape production will not grow at temperatures below 45°F (Galetta diminishes its eff ectiveness. (NCAT). The program is funded through a cooperative agreement out Arkansas. Research results have indicated The SNAP logo is free to use For most SNAP recipients, this will be their fi rst time partici- in high tunnels throughout Arkansas. Research through a cooperative agreement and Himelrick, 1990). For reference, Fayetteville, with the United States Department with the United States Department as an outreach tool as long pating in a CSA. Educate new customers about how CSA par- of Agriculture’s Rural Business- Selecting a Trellis System signifi cant yield increases in high tunnels and results to date have been promising, indicating of Agriculture’s Rural Business- Arkansas, has an average of 187 frost-free days per Cooperative Service. Visit the as no alterations are made. ticipation recirculates money in their local economy. Describe Cooperative Service. Visit the a reduction in disease pressure. Th is publication NCAT website (www.ncat.org) signifi cant yield increase in the high tunnel and Of the many trellis systems developed for grape year. Although the high tunnel can add a few frost- NCAT website (www.ncat.org) for more information on a reduction in disease. Trellising, pruning, and production, the Geneva Double Curtain and a for more information on will discuss key considerations for temperature free days on either end of the season, grape cultivars our other sustainable our other sustainable agriculture and Modifi ed Double High Cordon are recommended management, irrigation, and soil fertility when should be selected that match the average number vine management play important roles in suc- agriculture and energy projects. cessful high tunnel grape production, and this for use in high tunnels and are described here in energy projects. growing high tunnel grapes. of frost-free days for your region.

www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 Outreach Tips for Farms High Tunnel Grapes: Pruning, High Tunnel Grapes: Temperature that Accept SNAP Payments Trellising, and Training and Soil Management for CSAs 122 114 125

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Intermediated Markets Case Studies Knowing the Real Value of Food: Livestock as a Tool: Improving Soil By Karen Gardner, Intermediated markets are defi ned as sales directly to restaurants, grocers, schools, universities, and New York University, and other institutions, as well as sales to distributors, brokers, and other aggregators dedicated to local Blockchain in a New Sustainable Andy Pressman, NCAT foods sourcing. This publication off ers case studies of four intermediaries who source and market local Agriculture Specialist Health, Boosting Crops Published February 2020 food. It focuses on the intermediaries’ relationships to the farmers from whom they source, as well as their experiences with farmers who are scaling up and transitioning from direct-to-consumer marketing ©NCAT Food Economy Integrating livestock with crops is an age-old practice. IP561 to wholesale production. By Jeff Schahczenski This publication provides an introduction to blockchain technology as it relates to marketing Unfortunately, in the past 70 years, as farming has become NCAT Agriculture and sustainably produced food products through a supply chain in novel and more transparent ways. much more specialized, livestock’s place in crop production Natural Resource Blockchain technology off ers promises of a new and disruptive form of algorithmic economic trust. has been reduced and even eliminated by the ready use of Economist Three case studies explore how blockchain is and is not yet living up to its many promises to build synthetic fertilizers. However, current research and practice Published November trust in sustainably produced food products with multiple attributes delivered to increasingly in soil health has reaffi rmed the strategic importance of 2019 discerning consumers. livestock as a means of cycling nutrients, feeding soil micro- ©NCAT organisms, and improving the aggregation and structure Contents IP592 of soils. This, in turn, leads to more vibrant crops with less production inputs. Introduction ...... 1 The Common Contents Market ...... 2 The Livestock Advantage Introduction ...... 1 Urban Agrarian ...... 3 Livestock can perform multiple soil remediation actions: Blockchain 101...... 2 Red Tomato ...... 5 Cause cover crop roots to release sugars (exudates) when Disruption in Food • Photo: Kate Vogel, North 40 Ag The Boise Co-op ...... 6 Supply Chains ...... 3 grazed, building soil humus. Conclusion ...... 7 The Real Value • Cycle 70-80% of what they consume back to the soil in a form that directly References ...... 8 of Lamb: Three feeds both microbes and plants. Supply-Chain Why Not Just Hay the Cover Crop? Further Resources ...... 8 Case Studies ...... 4 • Add microbes from the rumen to the soil. These microbial species are simi- Besides trampling the cover crop organic mat- Discussion and lar to soil species of fungi, bacteria, benefi cial nematodes, and protozoa— ter into the soil, what value is there to grazing Conclusion ...... 8 the workhorses of a functioning soil. the cover crop instead of cutting and baling References ...... 10 • Trample cover crops into soil for microbes to break down. This feeds mi- it for hay? In Progressive Forage Magazine, Dr. Further Resources ...... 10 crobe populations and cycles nutrients, including carbon, back into the soil. Woody Lane calculates that grazing a grass crop and selling the lambs “removes 88% less Notice that no disc, plow, mower, or herbicide spray can replicate three out nitrogen, 71% less phosphorus, and 99% less of four of these unique and essential tasks. Tillage, in fact, can be negative, potassium compared to making hay from the Beginning farmers deliver Roma tomatoes to a processing kitchen for a local company to make into gourmet destroying mycorrhizal fungi in particular. Herbicides, although expedient in same fi eld” (2019). That means a huge gain ketchup. Photo: Luke Freeman, NCAT Photo: Andrew Neel termination of cover crops, can also harm soil microbial populations. Let’s look in residual nutrients left in the soil by grazing Introduction more closely at how livestock can be a game changer. rather than haying.

Introduction “A cynic is a man who knows the price of every- embedded trust that no matter where one travels a Initiating Plant Root Exudates s the local food movement continues to Th e USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) thing and the value of nothing.” Coke is a Coke (Ciafone, 2019). Blockchain tech- The mere act of a cow, sheep, or goat biting off the leaf of a forage plant causes sugary exudates to be released from the roots of is a program of the National —Oscar Wilde, 1892 nology may provide a verifi able means to create a grow, farmers are fi nding more oppor- defi nes intermediated markets as: “sales directly Center for Appropriate Technology the plant. These exudates are direct products of photosynthesis, and plants use them for nutrient exchange with soil microbes. (NCAT). The program is funded diff erent and simpler level of the trust that brands Think of it as a giant underground Chicago Board of Trade. Plants off er an essential food to soil microbes (carbon), but only in tunities to scale up their production, sell to restaurants, grocers, schools, universities and etting off the plane at the international A through a cooperative agreement like Coca-Cola have developed over many years. exchange for essential plant nutrients. Plants are the original experts in the Art of the Deal—no plant nutrient; no deal. There is into larger markets, and diversify their income with the United States Department other institutions, as well as sales to distributors, airport in Lima, Peru, one cannot help a primary diff erence between decomposition of plant material and an injection of carbon via root exudates. The decomposition streams. Local grocery stores are demanding of Agriculture’s Rural Business- seeing a massive Coca-Cola® six-pack One recent (2016) defi nition of blockchain is ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) brokers, and other aggregators dedicated to local Cooperative Service. Visit the G process, while breaking down carbon, releases some carbon as CO2 through respiration. On the other hand, the release of root is a program of the National NCAT website (www.ncat.org) sculpture. Whether a sign of signifi cant multi- “a distributed database of records, or public ledger Center for Appropriate Technology more local produce. Food hubs are helping farm- foods sourcing” (Vogel and Low, 2015). Interme- exudates builds complex, stable forms of carbon, or humus. Humus is the main ingredient of healthy, carbon-rich soils. Adding hu- for more information on (NCAT). The program is funded ers aggregate their product to wholesale-levels. diated markets generally separate the producer national global capitalism or simply a surprising of all transactions or digital events that have been mus increases soil organic matter much faster than tilling in a cover crop, and integrating livestock with crops gets this job done. through a cooperative agreement our other sustainable reminder of one of the most trusted world-wide executed and shared among participating parties” with the United States Department Even places like hospitals and universities are and the end-consumer by one step. For example, agriculture and of Agriculture’s Rural Business- energy projects. brands, the Coca-Cola® brand does represent an (Crosby et al., 2016). Cooperative Service. Visit the looking to source from their farming neighbors. the farmer sells her kale to a restaurant, which Cycling Nutrients NCAT website (www.ncat.org) for more information on Th e United States Department of Agriculture then provides the kale to customers. Another www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 Ruminants are exceedingly ineffi cient by design. They only utilize 70-80% of the proteins, energy, and minerals that they consume. our other sustainable example is a farmer who makes milk pudding The rest goes right out the back end. Why? To feed the soil bacteria, fungi, and plants. Much of ruminant urine and manure is in plant- agriculture and (USDA) refers to this growing market for farm- energy projects. ers as intermediated markets. and sells it to a hospital, which then provides it available form. Nearly all of it is readily available for soil microbes to utilize. So, the minerals that the plant originally absorbed from the soil to photosynthesize, build plant tissue, and emit root exudates largely come back to the soil in a readily available form. Nature has it fi gured out—as long as you use a cow. www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 Knowing the Real Value of Food: Intermediated Markets Blockchain in a New Sustainable Livestock as a Tool: Improving Case Studies Food Economy Soil Health, Boosting Crops 99 192 254

6 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #3: Education Expanded Publications Library (continued) 2019-2020 New Publications (19): 1,248,802 Total Downloads

Agricultura Sustentable Sustainable Agriculture A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Un programa del Centro Nacional de Tecnología Apropiada • 1-800-411-3222 • https://espanol.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Livestock Guardian Animals: Los Cinco Principios de la Salud del Suelo: Factores que Promueven la Inf iltración y Managing Internal Parasites: Resources Protecting the Flock or Herd Almacenamiento del Agua Call 1-800-346-9140 to request these publications or visit www.attra.ncat.org. Por Martin Guerena y Rex Dufour, Especialistas You walk out to check your sheep and fi nd the best Agrícolas de NCAT Managing Internal Parasites in Sheep lamb is missing. Your dairy goats go out to graze with Publicado Novembre 2019 and Goats their kids and return later without your daughter’s ©NCAT best show prospect. One day you come home to fi nd SP#594 This publication discusses new techniques to manage that a dog has ravaged your animals, and the carnage parasites and to prolong the efficacy of dewormers. It is sickening. Tabla de Contenido provides a concise “big picture” look at the problem of managing internal parasites. How do you make sure this doesn’t happen on Introducción ...... 1 Como Obtener your farm? Suelos Saludables ...... 2 Suelos, materia Managing Internal Parasites in Sheep Livestock Guardian Animals: orgánica y agua ...... 5 Suelo saludable, bien agregado, es resultado de adiciones En contraste, con poca o ninguna agregación del suelo, and Goats: Success Stories Por qué no puedes regulares de materia orgánica y diversas rotaciones de las partículas de arcilla fi na no se mantienen agregados, Choosing a Good Protector administrar lo que no cultivos. Los agregados consisten de partículas de arena, además con la lluvia (o gotas de riego) las partículas de In this publication, three sheep and goat producers puedes medir ...... 7 limo y arcilla incorporadas por adhesivos de hongos y arcilla forman un sello en la capa superfi cial, evitando la explain in their own words how they manage inter- If this is your concern, you are not alone. The American La Salud del Suelo bacterias. Los agregados del suelo permiten que el agua y infi ltración de aire y agua. Este agricultor mantiene limpio el nal parasites using combinations of animal selection Sheep Industry Association (ASI) notes that predation y el Futuro de el aire penetren el suelo. suelo de su huerto y no proporciona adiciones regulares de Photo: Robyn Metzger, NCAT la Agricultura ...... 8 is the leading cause of death in American sheep fl ocks. Fotos: Rex Dufour, NCAT materia orgánica. and pasture management. The producers share strate- Referencias ...... 8 All of the above situations happened in our own fl ock, gies for maintaining a healthy herd. Recursos ...... 8 Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in before we took actions to prevent predation. Introducción Small Ruminants: Animal Selection A good fence can help and is an essential fi rst step. nivel mundial, el agua es cada día más presiones adicionales. Con frecuencia, el enfoque Internal Parasite Tipsheet Series Having at least some electrifi ed wires that are powerful escasa y más cara debido a los efectos del para lidiar con los défi cits de agua se ha centrado The publications in this series discuss different strate- Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in enough to get attention may deter dogs and coyotes. Acambio climático y el impacto de seres en el desarrollo de tecnología, (pozos más profun- gies for preventing and managing internal parasites. However, in areas with a lot of predator pressure, savvy los humanos. Para garantizar un abasto adec- dos, mejores emisores de goteo, microaspersores Small Ruminants: Pasture Management El desarrollo de esta publicación uado y uso efi ciente de este recurso decreciente más efi cientes, bombas de velocidad variable, etc.) predators may fi gure out how to avoid shocks. Once Photo: Courtesy Lewis Fox, Fox Farms Preventing Internal Parasites y su traducción al español fue se necesitará cambiar el modo de manejo signifi - el cual es importante. Sin embargo, un enfoque they do, the fence will not be suffi cient protection. parcialmente fi nanciado por Coccidiosis: Symptoms, Prevention, and CDFA's Specialty Crop Block cativamente. Esta reducción en el abastecimiento alternativo que puede ser utilizado en combi- Managing Internal Parasites Also, a fence cannot protect from avian predators, such as eagles or turkey vultures. Grant project, 18-0001-034-SC nación con los desarrollos tecnológicos se enfoca Treatment in Sheep, Goats, and Calves de agua afectará a la agricultura y requerirá un Treating Internal Parasites cambio de enfoque de aumentar la productividad en el mantenimiento de suelos saludables a través Penning livestock near the house at night can help if predators are wary of humans. That strategy may leave the animals more El Servicio Nacional de Infor- de cinco principios básicos que se discutirán en This publication helps describe how producers can prone to “little predators,” however, as internal parasites become a serious problem where animals camp and manure builds up. mación de la Agricultura Sos- de la tierra a aumentar la productividad por uni- Working with a Veterinarian tenible de ATTRA es adminis- dad de agua consumida y a la vez incrementar la detalle en las siguientes secciones. deal with coccidiosis, which will not respond to Also, the manure left in the lot is not helping the pastures. It’s much better to keep the animals on pasture when possible, so that trado por el Centro Nacional cantidad del agua que es fi ltrada por el suelo. La dewormers used for gastrointestinal parasites. their fertility can build soil. para la Tecnología Apropiada El suelo sano, con su próspera actividad biológica, (NCAT) y fi nanciado por una necesidad de una mayor efi ciencia en el uso del crea un sistema de poros de aire y agua que Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in subvención del Servicio de agua se ha magnifi cado con el clima cambiante This is where livestock guardians can show their value. By using livestock guardian animals, you can give your animals 24-hour-a- Negocios y Cooperativas Rura- permiten que el agua se infi ltre en el suelo y man- Small Ruminants: Sericea Lespedeza Managing Parasites Out West Series day bodyguards and allow the animals to stay out grazing and spreading manure on the land. Eff ective guardians prevent injuries les del USDA. Visite el sitio que creará fl uctuaciones bruscas de temperatura, tenga el agua en su lugar. Estos poros ayudan a Web de NCAT (en inglés: www. patrones de precipitación, sequía, olas de calor, las raíces de las plantas crecer profundamente, These concise, practical publications were written and deaths and give the farmer peace of mind. They are well worth the cost. ncat.org/agriculture) para más Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in información sobre tormentas más fuertes, inundaciones, incendios manteniendo el suelo en su lugar mientras per- through the efforts of Dave Scott, sheep producer On the other hand, not all livestock guardian animals are eff ective, and when they are not, they can cause losses and strain neighbor nuestros proyectos forestales y brotes de plagas. Nuestros suelos y su miten que el agua se infi ltre profundamente en en la agri-cultura Small Ruminants: Copper Wire Particles and NCAT staff member based in Montana. They relations. So, how can you increase the odds of getting a good protector and not another problem? Following are strategies that sostenible. manejo no están preparados para enfrentar estas el perfi l del suelo. A medida que aumenta la can help set up a good situation. are applicable for those in the East as well. www.attra.ncat.org Página 1 NCAT/ATTRA’s YouTube channel holds several Grazing to Control Parasites Selection videos on the subject of internal parasite manage- How Fecal Egg Counts Can Help You Fight • Choose the right animal for the terrain, predator pressure, pasture size, proximity to neighbors, budget, and your personal ment, including “Don’t Let the Barberpole Worm Parasites Devastate Your Flock (12 minutes) and a 3-part preference. Simple Genetic Selection Strategies to Manage webinar series “Managing Internal Parasites: • Only use animals that have been bonded to the species they will protect. Bonding happens in the fi rst weeks of life: for dogs, the Barber Pole Worm before they are 16 weeks old. Know thy Enemy, Outsmart the Enemy, Attack the Enemy”. Watch each segment to learn practical Why FAMACHA Score? • Put an unfamiliar dog in the pen with a prospective guard donkey or guard llama to test them. If they don’t seem to notice, ways to keep livestock healthy. they are likely not a good guardian prospect. You want a guardian that is antagonistic toward strange canines. A donkey will Frequently Asked Questions about Integrated www.youtube.com/user/NCATATTRA/videos show this by braying and moving toward the dog and attempting to stomp or kick it. Our donkey behaved like this to strange Parasite Management dogs but accepted our own dogs. Los Cinco Principios de la Salud del Suelo: Factores que Livestock Guardian Animals: Promueven la Inf iltración y Managing Internal Parasites: Protecting the Flock or Herd Almacenamiento del Agua Resources 174 166 103

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Managing Soils for Water: No Livestock? Innovative Ways Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and Whole-Farm Revenue Protection: How Five Principles of Soil Health to Incorporate Them into Your Understanding the Diff erences Support Water Inf iltration and Storage By Jeff Schahczenski This publication helps explain and diff erentiate between two risk-management options that can help Cropping System NCAT Agriculture and protect farm businesses from losses and prevented yield caused by weather or other disasters. These By Martin Guerena and Natural Resource federally subsidized programs are Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Rex Dufour, NCAT Perhaps you have incorporated less tillage, year-round living roots, Agriculture Specialists Economist Assistance Program. covered soil, and plant diversity on your farm. All have enhanced Published August 2019 Published November 2019 your farm’s viability. You have increased your soil’s organic matter, ©NCAT ©NCAT crops are more prolifi c, and you have fewer weeds and pests to deal IP594 IP589 with. Still, you have the nagging idea that something is holding you back from realizing the full profi t potential that regenerative agri- Contents culture brings. You sense that adding livestock is the next step to Contents Introduction ...... 1 complete the nutrient-cycling loop and achieve more profi tability. Introduction ...... 1 Attaining Healthy But how? You don’t have one fence on your place. And not one cow, Soils ...... 2 sheep, or goat. What now? WFRP Basics ...... 1 Soils, Organic Matter, NAP Basics ...... 2 and Water ...... 5 Produce Farms: Getting Four Feet Main Diff erences Why You Can’t Well aggregated, healthy soil: the result of regular In contrast, a soil with little or no aggregation: the fi ne between NAP Manage What You additions of organic matter and diverse rotations. clay particles were not held in soil aggregates, and with on the Ground and WFRP ...... 3 Can’t Measure ...... 6 The aggregates consist of sand, silt, and clay particles rainfall (or irrigation droplets) the clay particles form a Innovative market gardeners have turned to small animals to termi- Comparing Cost held together by fungal and bacterial glues. The soil Soil Health and the seal on the surface layer, preventing infi ltration of both nate cover crops and ready the seedbed for the next crop. Some have and Protection ...... 3 Future of Farming ...... 7 aggregates allow water and air to infi ltrate into the soil. air and water. This farmer keeps his orchard fl oor clean advertised successfully on Craigslist or in local newspapers for sheep, Reference ...... 5 References ...... 8 Photos: Rex Dufour, NCAT and does not provide regular additions of organic matter. goats, chickens, or pigs to graze the crop biomass, control weeds, Further Resources ...... 5 Further Resources ...... 8 and break pest cycles. Small, mobile, and local graziers will often Angus cows grazing. Photo: Kate Vogel, North 40 Ag Introduction provide their grazing animals, electric net fencing, and water tanks in exchange for the forage value of the crop. Additionally, to make the deal sweeter, consider what you as a farmer can provide the orldwide, water is becoming scarcer micro-sprinklers, and variable-speed drives on grazier. For example, if you run a CSA, off er it as a marketing vehicle for the livestock owner’s meat. Such arrangements will attract and more expensive due to the eff ects pumps—all of which are important. However, small livestock operations interested in increasing the value of their product. Diversity also helps your CSA: it is much easier to sell of climate change. Signifi cant adap- four products to one customer than to fi nd four customers who will each buy one. Photo: Lance Cheung, USDA W a diff erent approach to dealing with the oscilla- This material is based upon work tation will be necessary to ensure adequate Larger produce operations will necessitate more livestock, requiring greater logistics to get the job done. Fulfi lling the overarching that is supported by the National tion between too little and too much water uses Institute of Food and Agriculture, Introduction supply and effi cient use of a diminishing resource. an appropriate technology that focuses on main- goals of the crop producer (timely crop and weed termination with minimal compaction to the soil) will involve increased hauling, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Th is reduction in the supply of water will aff ect fencing, and watering. Securing a grazier who has the ability to do this is worth the cost of having him or her provide the grazing under award number taining healthy soils by following fi ve basic prin- 2014-51300-22224. agriculture and will require a change in focus service. And don’t forget about off ering a direct-marketing deal to the grazier. It can off set some costs for you and be a windfall for arming is an especially risky business helps explain and diff erentiate between two risk- Development of this publication ciples discussed in detail in the following sections. and its Spanish translation was from increasing productivity of land to increasing him or her. Either way, livestock integration is a worthwhile long-term investment for your soil. because farmers have few means of pro- management options: Whole-Farm Revenue partially funded by CDFA's productivity per unit of water consumed. Th e tecting their crops and livestock from Protection and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Specialty Crop Block Grant Healthy soil, with its thriving biological activ- F project, 18-0001-034-SC. need for increased water-use effi ciency will variances in weather, and they are often at the Assistance Program. ity, creates a system of air and water pores that Small Grains on Large Tracts: Leveraging Cattle and Sheep ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) be arising in a changing climate that will is a program of the National mercy of markets infl uenced by factors beyond ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) both allow water to infi ltrate the soil and hold Across the Northern Plains, incorporating cattle and sheep into wheat production is potentially the biggest “silver bullet” in create abrupt fl uctuations of temperature, Center for Appropriate Technology their control. To help farmers protect themselves is a program of the National that water in place. Th ese pores help plant roots agriculture. Livestock can be used to increase soil structure, mitigate saline seep, curb water and nutrient runoff , manage weeds WFRP Basics Center for Appropriate Technology precipitation patterns, drought, heat waves, (NCAT). The program is funded from undue risk, the federal government off ers (NCAT). The program is funded and insect pests, and decrease fertilization costs. For more information on the mechanism of nutrient cycling, consult the ATTRA grow deep, holding soil in place while allowing through a cooperative agreement several forms of assistance, including subsidized Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) is a through a cooperative agreement stronger storms, fl ooding, wild fi res, and pest publication Nutrient Cycling in Pastures https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=240. with the United States Department with the United States Department water to infi ltrate deep into the soil profi le. As unique form of federally subsidized crop insur- outbreaks. Our soils, and our soil management, of Agriculture’s Rural Business- crop insurance and other programs that can aid of Agriculture’s Rural Business- There are several infrastructure considerations involved in grazing cropland. Cattle must be fenced, and there are low-cost, low- ance that insures the revenue from an entire farm Cooperative Service. Visit the are not ready to meet these additional stresses. the amount of organic matter, or carbon, in the Cooperative Service. Visit the farmers whose crops or animals are lost or can’t NCAT website (www.ncat.org) soil increases, so does the ability of that soil to labor options to achieve this. Consider aircraft cable, with its ability to maintain a high voltage over long distances. A single wire NCAT website (www.ncat.org) operation, rather than just one specifi c crop. It for more information on Too often, the approach to dealing with water for more information on be sold at a reasonable price. our other sustainable will contain fence-trained cattle, providing a built-in advantage over sheep in some situations. With today’s power fencing and a is the only federally subsidized crop insurance defi cits has focused on better technology: hold water, release nutrients to the crop, and our other sustainable agriculture and quad, you can put up 10 acres of single-wire fence in a short amount of time. Optimally, cattle should be moved at least every four Sometimes the array of programs can be bewilder- policy available in every county in the United energy projects. deeper wells, better drip emitters, more effi cient prevent erosion (Funderburg, 2001). agriculture and days. Not only does this lessen the paddock size and fencing labor, it increases grazing effi ciency. Cattle will have to be checked energy projects. ing, and the options confusing. Th is publication States. WFRP can provide coverage for all your every few days, so why not move the fence then? In the long run, short grazing periods pay, with more-contented stock and in- www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 creased control of residue in the grazed paddocks. Higher stock densities also help in controlling pests, such as wheat stem sawfl y, www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 through intensifi ed hoof action. Managing Soils for Water: Non-Insured Crop Disaster How Five Principles of Soil Health No Livestock? Innovative Ways Assistance Programs and Support Water Infi ltration to Incorporate Them into Your Whole-Farm Revenue Protection: and Storage Cropping System Understanding the Diff erences 496 83 67

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Pruning for Organic Management SIFT 2019: Continuing Lessons from Soil Solarization and Biosolarization a Small-Scale Urban Intensive Farm Solarization Imagine harnessing the sun’s energy to destroy of Fruit Tree Diseases By John Wallace and NCAT’s Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training program (SIFT) operates a high-altitude urban demonstration your enemies. Like Archimedes—the ancient Andrew Coggins, NCAT farm in Butte, Montana, focused on production of food for the good of the community. This publication Greek who used mirrors to concentrate sun- By Guy K. Ames This publication explains why pruning is an especially important disease-management tool for organic Agriculture Specialists documents production during 2019 and reports on several ongoing research projects. It also outlines Published April 2020 light to burn the Roman fl eet—farmers can NCAT Horticulture tree fruit growers. It explains how to remove diseased wood and prune branches and discusses how plans for the demonstration farm’s future. Specialist this can control spread of disease and help prevent hosting of pathogens that cause rot. Pruning strat- ©NCAT utilize the sun to destroy or disable insects, IP597 diseases, nematodes, and weeds in the fi eld. Published July 2019 egies for apples and pears are contrasted with techniques used for other stone fruits, such as plums, The technique known as solarization consists ©NCAT peaches, and cherries. of laying clear plastic mulch on moist soil. IP581 Solarization during the hottest months of the Contents year, which in some areas can begin in mid- Contents Introduction: spring through early fall, can raise soil temper- Introduction ...... 1 atures to levels that kill or debilitate many soil Soil solarization in beds. Flat solarization. Photos: Martin Guerena, NCAT Introduction: Let Let the Sunshine In Production ...... 1 pathogens, insects, nematodes, weed seeds, the Sunshine In ...... 1 Donations ...... 2 and seedlings. The eff ect of solarization may roperly pruning fruit trees has more than last many years, depending on how thorough the solarization was and how heavily the soil is tilled in following years. Solarization improves Diseased Wood: Outreach ...... 2 Low-Hanging Fruit ...... 2 one benefi t for the plants and the grower, soil tilth and releases many nutrients—primarily nitrogen in the form of ammonium and nitrates, as well as Soil Testing ...... 4 calcium, magnesium, and potassium—to the crop. Pruning for but, arguably, the most important benefi t P Special Projects ...... 6 Sunlight and Air ...... 2 for organic growers is management of diseases. Th e Steps in solarization: Fire Blight of organic grower has available only a fraction of the Financials ...... 10 • Prepare the area by disking or tilling the soil. Break down the clods and make the surface as smooth as possible. Apples and Pears ...... 2 disease-suppressive spray products that a conven- Future Plans ...... 10 • Water the soil deeply to about 70% of water-holding capacity. Black Rot and tional grower can use. Consequently, knowing that • As soon as you can reenter the fi eld, cover the area with clear UV-resistant plastic. Other “Summer Radishes and beets for donation. Preparing for the Sosten Fest. Photos: NCAT • Plastic can be laid fl at over large areas or in strips over beds. Rots” of Apples ...... 3 proper pruning can aid in disease management is especially important to organic growers. – Strip solarization on beds leaves the furrows out of the heating process; therefore, weeds will emerge once they get wet. Drip tape Pruning Other Introduction may be placed in the center of the bed before the plastic is applied for irrigation, once the solarization process is over and the crop is Fruit Trees for Why is this so? Th e answer begins with an under- planted. With strip coverage, however, long-term control of soil pathogens and nematodes may be lost because pests in the untreated Disease Control ...... 4 standing of the pathogens that incite the diseases. he National Center for Appropriate impact on the community has been greater. soil in the rows between the strips can contaminate and reinfest treated areas. Summary ...... 4 Practically speaking, nearly all economically Technology’s Small-Scale Intensive Farm NCAT puts a dollar value on its donations, as our – Flat solarization may have shallow beds or no beds. If beds need to be formed after fl at solarization, it may bring up weed seeds, depend- Training program (SIFT) operates a main fi nancial goal is to cover the farm’s yearly ing how deep the bed shaper goes. Flat solarization is recommended if the soil is heavily infested with soilborne pests or perennial weeds, important bacterial and fungal fruit pathogens T because there is less chance of reinfestation by soil being moved to the plants through cultivation or furrow irrigation water. high-altitude urban demonstration farm in Butte, expenditure on seeds, soil amendments, fertil- rely on water to increase, spread, and infect (this • Bury the plastic edges in the soil to trap and keep in the heat. is not true of most viral pathogens). And this Montana. Th is is a multi-year, ongoing project izer, water and electricity use, and other costs. In addition to the value assigned to donations, • Leave the plastic in place for four to six weeks, depending on location, for deep full solarization eff ect. Soil texture may determine water almost always comes in the form of rain, that involves education, outreach, research, and time needed for maximum benefi t: clay holds more water and heat than sandy soils do. though overhead irrigation and very heavy dews food production. Th is was the second year that the SIFT farm generates actual revenue through Photo 1. Severe fi re blight canker in an apple tree. the SIFT farm has focused on production of food plant sales and other events. Once solarization is occurring, make sure to repair any tears in the plastic with patching tape. If the wind lifts the plastic’s edge, quickly rebury can also contribute. Proper pruning should open Though fi re blight may have been the original the edges to keep the heat and moisture in. the plant to wind and sun penetration, allowing for the good of the community. In 2019, produc- problem, chances are good that the canker is also tion of food for donation to local institutions and Drawbacks of solarization include the following: for rapid drying of leaf, stem, and fruit surfaces. harboring the fungal pathogen that incites black rot Production charities nearly doubled from 2018, increasing • Keeping land out of production while solarization occurs. Without water on those surfaces, pathogens gen- in apples. Photo: Guy K. Ames, NCAT With below-zero weather in both late spring and from 451 pounds to 829.1 pounds. • Removing and disposing of the plastic mulch. Until a strong, durable, biodegradable plastic is developed, farmers will have to rely on erally cannot infect the tissues. Indeed, without ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) early fall, our 2019 growing season was the short- petrochemically produced polyurethane, which ends up in the landfi ll. Plastic used in fl at solarization can be cut and folded into is a program of the National est on record. However, this did not impede us water on those surfaces, most pathogens cannot these fruiting bodies perform the same function Center for Appropriate Technology Th e SIFT farm’s prime concern is maximizing manageable pieces for reuse. ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) (NCAT). The program is funded from reaching record harvests for the year. By is a program of the National long survive. through a cooperative agreement our donations for the good of the community • Areas with high winds, too much rain, or fog may hinder solarization. that a common mushroom performs: they pro- the end of September we had harvested a total of Center for Appropriate Technology with the United States Department • Perennial weeds like nutsedge, fi eld bindweed, Bermuda grass, or Johnsongrass are more diffi cult to control, especially in duce and release spores to spread into the environ- of Agriculture’s Rural Business- and utilizing the additional outreach opportu- (NCAT). The program is funded 849 pounds of food, as well as an additional 420 Rain provides the proper conditions for a patho- Cooperative Service. Visit the nities this provides. Partnerships with donation bed-strip solarization or on the edges of fl at solarization. through a cooperative agreement ment, where they can land on other suitable hosts. gen to proceed in its life cycle. If a spore has NCAT website (www.ncat.org) heads of cured garlic. • Benefi cial microorganisms will also succumb to the high temperatures, but they do recover and eventually reestablish themselves. with the United States Department for more information on recipients have opened opportunities for commu- of Agriculture’s Rural Business- already infected tissue, the rain may provide the Some of these plant pathogens produce fruiting our other sustainable • May have to inoculate with rhizobium if planting a legume. agriculture and nity networking, available resources, and educa- Th e 2019 growing season marked the fi rst year of Cooperative Service. Visit the necessary environment to produce fruiting bod- bodies that can project or propel spores into the energy projects. tion tools. With the help of its partners, SIFT’s production in one of our two new high tunnels How hot does the soil get during solarization? It depends on the soil texture and the amount of moisture the soil is holding. The sand- NCAT website (www.ncat.org) ies, like mushrooms in the case of most fungi. environment. For instance, when spring tempera- ier the soil, the less water it holds; therefore, the less heat is transferred. Clay soils hold more water than sand and transfer heat through- for more information on out the profi le more readily. The following are photos of a simple 6-inch cooking thermometer used to monitor soil temperatures at the our other sustainable Some of these are not mushrooms that most of tures and moisture are conducive, the fungus that www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 agriculture and surface right under the plastic, at three inches deep, and at six inches deep. The location is in Davis, California, about 4 p.m. on July 16, us would recognize; in fact, most are too small incites apple scab, Venturia inaequalis, can shoot o o energy projects. 2015, with an ambient temperature of 93 F. Photo 1 shows the thermometer at 129 F on the soil surface right under the plastic sheet. At to be visible to the naked human eye at all. Still, spores up into the air from a specialized organ these temperatures for four weeks, all seeds and seedlings on the surface essentially cook and are non-viable. In Photo 2, the thermometer www.attra.ncat.org Page 1 SIFT 2019: Continuing Lessons Pruning for Organic Management from a Small-Scale Urban Soil Solarization and of Fruit Tree Diseases Intensive Farm Biosolarization 88 66 251

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 7 Task #3: Education Expanded Publications Library (continued) 2019-2020 New Publications (19): 1,248,802 Total Downloads

Agricultura Sustentable Un programa del Centro Nacional de Tecnología Apropiada • 1-800-411-3222 • https://espanol.ncat.org Solarización y Biosolarización de Suelos Solarización Imagina aprovechar la energía del sol para destruir a tus enemigos. Al igual que Arquí- medes, el antiguo griego que usaba espe- jos para concentrar la luz solar para quemar la invasora fl ota romana, los agricultores pueden destruir o deshabilitar insectos, enfer- medades, nematodos y malezas en el campo. La técnica conocida como solarización con- siste en colocar plástico transparente sobre un suelo húmedo. La solarización durante los meses más calurosos del año, que en algu- Solarización. Foto: Martin Guerena, NCAT Solarización plana. Foto: Martin Guerena, NCAT nas áreas puede comenzar desde mediados de la primavera hasta principios del otoño, puede elevar las temperaturas del suelo a niveles que matan o debilitan muchos patógenos del suelo, insectos, nematodos, semillas de malezas y plántulas. Este proceso puede ser efi caz durante muchas temporadas, mejora la labranza del suelo y libera muchos nutrientes, principalmente nitrógeno en forma de amonio y nitratos para el cultivo, así como calcio, magnesio y potasio (Barakat y AL-Masri. 2011). Y quizás lo mejor de todo, la solarización y la biosolarización no requieren el uso de fumi- gantes tóxicos. Pasos en la solarización: • Prepare el área disqueando o labrando del suelo. Rompa los terrones y haga que la superfi cie sea lo más suave posible. • Riegue profundamente el suelo hasta aproximadamente el 70% de la capacidad de retención de agua. • Tan pronto como pueda volver a ingresar al campo, cubra el área con plástico transparente resistente a los rayos UV. • El plástico se puede colocar plano sobre grandes áreas o en tiras sobre camas. – La solarización de las camas deja los surcos fuera del proceso de calentamiento, por lo que las malezas emergerán una vez que se mojen. La cinta de goteo se puede colocar en el centro de la cama antes de aplicar el plástico para el riego una vez que fi naliza el proceso de solarización y se siembra el cultivo. Sin embargo, con la cobertura de camas, el control a largo plazo de patógenos y nematodos del suelo puede perderse debido al suelo no tratado en los surcos que pueden ser franjas de contaminación y pueden re-infectar las áreas tratadas. – La solarización plana puede tener camas poco profundas o no tener camas. Si es necesario que se formen camas después de la solarización plana, es posible que aparezcan semillas de malezas según la profundidad del arado y la formadora de la cama. Se recomienda la solarización plana si el suelo está muy infestado con plagas del suelo o malezas perennes, ya que hay menos posibili- dades de re-infestación por el suelo no solarizado que se traslada a las plantas a través del cultivo o el agua de riego por surcos. • Entierre las orillas del plástico con el suelo para atrapar y mantener el calor, y para reducir el riesgo de perder el plástico con vientos fuertes. • Deje el plástico en su lugar durante 4 a 6 semanas, según la ubicación, para lograr un efecto de solarización profunda. La textura del suelo puede determinar el tiempo necesario para obtener el máximo benefi cio, la arcilla contiene más agua y retiene más calor que los suelos arenosos. Una vez que se empiece la solarización, asegúrese y repare cualquier rasgadura en el plástico con cinta adhesiva. Si el viento levanta el borde del plástico, vuelva a enterrar rápidamente los bordes para mantener el calor y la humedad. Los inconvenientes incluyen: • Mantener la tierra fuera de producción mientras ocurre la solarización. • Retirar y desechar el mantillo de plástico. Hasta que se desarrolle un plástico fuerte, duradero y biodegradable, los agricultores tendrán que confi ar en el poliuretano producido de forma petroquímica que termina en el basurero. El plástico utilizado en la solarización plana se puede cortar y doblar en piezas manejables para su reutilización. • Las áreas con vientos fuertes, demasiada lluvia o niebla pueden reducir los benefi cios de la solarización. • Las malezas perennes, como la cebolleta o coquito, la corregüela, pasto de bermuda o grama Johnson, son más difíciles de controlar, especialmente en la solarización de la cama o en los bordes de la solarización plana. • Los microorganismos benefi ciosos también sucumbirán a las altas temperaturas, pero se recuperarán y eventualmente se restablecerán. • Puede tener que inocular semillas de leguminosas con rhizobium si se siembra en suelo solarizado. ¿Qué tan caliente se pone el suelo durante la solarización? Depende de la textura del suelo y de la cantidad de humedad que este con- tenga. Entre más arenoso es el suelo, menos agua retiene, por lo tanto, menos calor se transfi ere. Los suelos arcillosos retienen más agua que la arena y transfi eren calor a través del perfi l con mayor facilidad. Las siguientes son imágenes de un simple termómetro de cocina de seis pulgadas utilizado para monitorear las temperaturas del suelo en la superfi cie debajo del plástico, a tres pulgadas de profundi- dad y a seis pulgadas de profundidad. La ubicación está en Davis California, alrededor de las 4 p.m. del 16 de julio de 2015, con una

Solarización y Biosolarización de Suelos 41 2019-2020 Updated Publications (4): 1,248,802 Total Downloads

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Community Supported Agriculture Pasture, Rangeland, and Adaptive Grazing Photovoltaic Applications in By Daniel Prial, NCAT Since its introduction to the United States, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has been a model By Lee Rinehart Well-managed pasture-based livestock production can regenerate depleted soil and maintain plant Agriculture Specialist for connecting people with where their food comes from. By encouraging customers to become share- NCAT Agriculture integrity while growing healthy livestock. This publication profi les the general types of pastures Published November 2019 holders in the farm business, CSA gives farmers a chance to spread both the risks and the rewards of Specialist and rangelands in the United States and off ers information about management. It discusses weed- Published 2006 ©NCAT farming across a larger community. This publication provides a foundation and tools for farmers looking management strategies and off ers tips for renovating pastures. It also discusses issues such as adaptive Aquaculture: A Primer IP584 to begin a CSA operation. It also explores many variations to the traditional model that have developed Updated March 2020 ©NCAT management, stocking pastures, plant selection, drought, and plant toxicity. By Al Kurki, NCAT over the last generation and looks into what the future might hold for CSA. IP306 This publication examines the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in aquaculture. It outlines Program Specialist, and key questions to keep in mind if you are considering solar arrays for a closed aquaculture system, and Vicki Lynne, NCAT Energy includes an example of a fi sh farm currently using PV power. Contents Contents Engineer Published May 2014 Introduction Why CSA?...... 1 Introduction ...... 1 Updated April 2019 by Before Starting Temperate Pasture ...... 2 Al Kurki, NCAT Program quaculture is the a CSA ...... 3 Rangeland ...... 2 Specialist, and Danielle cultivation of fi sh Mishka, NCAT Energy Structuring the Managing Soil and and aquatic ani- Share ...... 4 Forage Resources ...... 3 Engineer A Legumes and ©NCAT mals and plants. Closed Marketing a CSA ...... 7 Soil Fertility ...... 6 IP473 aquaculture systems need Making a Member Ecological Weed pumps and aerators to Agreement ...... 8 Management in Contents provide oxygen, to move Pastures...... 7 Communicate with Introduction ...... 1 water into and through Members ...... 9 Pasture Renovation the system, and to purify and Establishment ...... 8 Getting It Right – Variations to the The Solar Array, the water. Solar-generated Intake, Density, Traditional CSA Batteries, and Pumps .....2 electric power, known as Model...... 10 Yield, and Adaptive Grazing ...... 9 Conclusion ...... 4 photovoltaics (PV), can The Future of CSA ...... 13 Multispecies References ...... 4 be used to meet the power Market-size catfi sh. Photo: Peggy Greb, courtesy of USDA/ARS References ...... 14 Grazing ...... 14 Further Resources ...... 4 needs of an aquaculture operation. Further Resources ...... 15 Overgrazing ...... 15 • Pond aquaculture is the most commonly prac- Plant Species and This special publication is pub- Th e basic elements of aquaculture production sys- ticed form of aquaculture. Most large-scale Adaptive high stock-density grazing. Photo: Pasture Project A full share box from Full Belly Farm CSA, California. Photo: Rex Dufour, NCAT Options for lished by ATTRA in partnership tems are as follows (Gegner and Rinehart, 2009): aquaculture farmers construct levee-type Extending the with the Western Sustainable Grazing Season ...... 15 Agriculture Research and • Extensive aquaculture is conducted in ponds ponds, but these require large amounts of Education (SARE) Program. that are stocked at a low density and yield The 2006 version of ATTRA’s Community Supported Agriculture, by Katherine Adam, focused on shar- Regenerative Introduction relatively level land. Many small-scale and a ing pertinent research data with farmers. This updated version focuses on why community supported Grazing on small crops, but require little management. few large-scale aquaculture farms use water- agriculture can help farm businesses and how a farm can integrate community supported agriculture Rangeland ...... 19 Intensive aquaculture is practiced in arti- shed ponds. into its business model. Range and asture is the basis of any livestock operation often throw ruminants into metabolic problems, fi cial systems such as constructed ponds, Pasture Monitoring...... 20 that aspires to be truly sustainable. Pasture such as acidosis, as well as increase the risk of respi- cages, raceways, and tanks that are stocked • Raceways, which are long, narrow canals Managing for is especially important as the livestock sec- at a high density and have high yields but with large fl ows, are the most widely used Drought ...... 21 P ratory and other diseases because animals are in require a lot of management. production system for the intensive culture Why CSA? Plant Toxicity ...... 21 tor continues to experience extraordinarily high close quarters with poor sanitation. Although feed of salmon, trout, and char. or many farmers, their products are about needs, presents variations to the traditional CSA Final Thoughts ...... 23 feed and fuel costs, as consumers demand more effi ciency may be improved with concentrate feed- • Open systems allow water to fl ow through without reuse. Generally, the more intensive more than just selling a commodity. Th ey model, and discusses the future of CSA in the References ...... 24 sustainably raised animal products, and as we ing, there are many costs that go unaccounted. • Tank culture, in both open and closed Further Resources ...... 25 an aquaculture system, the more water must ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) grow food to share with their families, to United States. begin to understand the need to mitigate climate Th is type of system causes losses of soil and water systems, can be adapted to a wide range of is a program of the National F fl ow through. In open systems, discharged feed their towns, and to help the people around change by sequestering carbon instead of releas- quality, increased use of fuel (for cropping systems species and situations. Tanks made of steel, Center for Appropriate Technology ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) water is lost from the system. Closed sys- CSA is, at its core, a system for building a ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) them. And, they strive to do this while running is a program of the National ing it. Ruminants, forages, and soils are meant and transportation), and problems with manure fi berglass, or plastic can be dismantled and (NCAT). The program is funded is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology tems recirculate and recondition virtually through a cooperative agreement a profi table farm business. Th is publication pres- network of support around a farm business. Center for Appropriate Technology reassembled for transportation or reloca- (NCAT). The program is funded to work together. When we raise livestock in a handling, poor air quality, and odors. Stresses are (NCAT). The program is funded all of the water used, largely freeing aqua- with the United States Department Generally, before the growing season, customers through a cooperative agreement ents Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): system that respects those relationships, the result high to every part of the system. through a cooperative agreement tion. Th e advantages of tank culture include of Agriculture’s Rural Business- with the United States Department culturists from water-supply constraints. buy a membership or share in a farm operation by with the United States Department Cooperative Service. Visit the a farm business model that seeks to help farmers of Agriculture’s Rural Business- minimal land requirements, portability, and is better health for each component. of Agriculture’s Rural Business- Closed systems have the potential to allow Cooperative Service. Visit the A well-planned and managed pasture-based NCAT website (www.ncat.org) feed their communities while remaining in the sponsoring the farm costs that year. As a return Cooperative Service. Visit the ease of expansion. Tanks can be located NCAT website (www.ncat.org) the production of almost any species any- for more information on NCAT website (www.ncat.org) for their money, they then receive pr oducts for more information on Livestock on pasture experience fewer health prob- operation can maintain health and productivity black. Th is publication explores the origin of the for more information on where, provided the market price can pay indoors to reduce climate limitations. High our other sustainable our other sustainable lems due to reduced stress. In contrast, confi ne- of animals and plants, build pasture soil health, our other sustainable agriculture and CSA idea and explains how to start a CSA opera- regularly during the growing season: traditionally, agriculture and for the capital and energy requirements of equipment cost, especially in closed systems, agriculture and energy projects. energy projects. tion, reviews diff erent structures and marketing a box full of vegetables per week. If the farm, for ment feeding programs use high-starch diets and provide nutrient cycling and soil fertility for energy projects. the system. is the main disadvantage of tank culture.

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Community Supported Pasture, Rangeland, and Photovoltaic Applications in Agriculture Adaptive Grazing Aquaculture: A Primer 349 158 63

A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology • 800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Understanding Organic Pricing and Costs of Production By Jeff Schahczenski, This publication provides resources to compare organic and non-organic agricultural prices, discusses NCAT Agriculture and organic production costs, and off ers tips on how to set organic crop prices. Case studies summarize Natural Resource insights gained from organic farmers and ranchers. Economist, and Emily Post, NCAT Agricultural Specialist Published Sept. 2012 Updated Nov. 2019 ©NCAT IP441

Contents Introduction ...... 1 Higher Organic Prices ...... 2 Lower Organic Production Costs ...... 7 Organic Profi tability ...... 9 Organic Pricing Strategy: How to set organic prices ...... 10 Case Studies ...... 11 Summary ...... 12 References ...... 13 Further Resources ...... 14 Photo: NCAT Introduction n recent years, growth in organic food hubs, and other institutions.) Furthermore, sales in the United States outpaced growth using organic production practices leads to an Iin overall food sales, despite the economic absolute reduction in the use of synthetic downturn. Th e organic food industry reached chemicals and fertilizers, which can reduce almost $52 billion in sales in 2018 (OTA, 2019). toxic chemical exposure, lower input costs, and ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org) Th is increased demand continues to motivate is a program of the National lessen industrial agriculture’s sources of climate- Center for Appropriate Technology some farmers to transition to organic produc- degrading emissions. A 2015 U.S. Department of (NCAT). The program is funded tion. Financial, human-health, and environmen- Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department tal benefi ts can be gained from transitioning (ERS) study suggests that the profi t potential of of Agriculture’s Rural Business- to organic farming. Th ese benefi ts are due to organic farming is signifi cant (McBride et al., Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT website (www.ncat.org) higher product prices, as well as growing value- 2015). Th is study examined the profi tability of for more information on added, intermediated, and institutional markets. corn, wheat, and soybean production and found our other sustainable agriculture and (Intermediated markets include sales directly to “that signifi cant economic returns are possible energy projects. restaurants, grocers, schools, universities, food from organic production of these crops.”

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Understanding Organic Pricing and Costs of Production 249

8 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #3: Education Videos and Webinars ATTRA added just over 60 video and webinar titles to our library, which were viewed 130,502 times. 2019-2020 New Videos (56): 130,502 Total Views

COVID-19 Local Food Solutions: What is Peach Leaf Curl? Sustainable Poultry Production New Braunfels, TX, Farmers Market During COVID-19 73 114 84

Farmer Veteran COVID-19 Economically Viable Management Regenerative Grazing from the Listening Session Tools to Improve Land Health Ground Up 86 77 200

Local Food COVID Adaptations: Adaptive Grazing: Setting Up an Adaptive Grazing: Soil Evaluation, Pearl Drive-Thru Farmers Market Adaptive Grazing System Aggregation, and Biology 140 71 104

Adaptive Grazing: Forage Density, Adaptive Grazing: Mycorrhizal Paddock Size, & Animal Adaptive Grazing: Forbs and Fungi Movement Medicinal Compounds 96 103 50

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 9 Task #3: Education Videos and Webinars (continued) 2019-2020 New Videos (56): 130,502 Total Views

Adaptive Grazing: Animal Density, Spring Pasture Management: Spring Pasture Management: Nutrition, and Parasites Winter Paddock Recovery Forage Diversity in Pastures 72 98 82

Customer Pickup: COVID and Soil Sampling: A Management Potting Mix: COVID and Sustainable Ag Strategy Sustainable Ag 74 52 145

Sustainable Livestock in Arkansas: Farmers on COVID-19: Let's Learn Seed Starting: COVID and COVID and Sustainable Ag from Each Other Sustainable Ag 124 90 182

Market Adjustments: COVID and Maintaining Your Tractor: Maintaining Your Tractor: Sustainable Ag Changing the Oil and Oil Filter Replacing the Fuel Filter 99 154 137

10 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #3: Education Videos and Webinars (continued) 2019-2020 New Videos (56): 130,502 Total Views

Maintaining Your Tractor: Maintaining Your Tractor: Maintaining Your Tractor: Building Your Toolbox Changing the Air Filter Preparing to do Maintenance 99 67 57

Practices Supporting Sustainable Electric Deer Fencing with Managing Soil and Irrigation and Economic Cotton Production Kenny Simon for Drought 65 463 101

Integrating Livestock into Crop Integrating Livestock with How to: Start your own Seed Production Project: Montana Crops Project: Electric Fencing Library State University Research of Sheep 215 91 73

Integrating Livestock into Crop Integrating Livestock with Crops Integrating Livestock with Project: Using Sheep to Project: History of Montana State Crops Project: Food-Safety Terminate Cover Crops University Project Considerations 68 55 43

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 11 Task #3: Education Videos and Webinars (continued) 2019-2020 New Videos (56): 130,502 Total Views

Integrating Livestock with Crops Integrating Livestock with Crops Integrating Livestock with Crops Project: Why Not Use the Field Project: Infi ltration. Monitoring Project: Livestock and Vegetables. as a Feedlot? for Soil Health A Close Fit 41 38 38

Allen Williams: Extending the Allen Williams: To Graze or Not High Tunnel Grapes: Grower Grazing Season. Graze in and How to Improve Interview with Rex Barnhill Synchrony with Your Ecosystem 315 272 172

High Tunnel Grapes: High Tunnel Grapes Short: Harvest Considerations Sour Rot Pigeon Pea 316 569 607

Sunn Hemp Iron & Clay Cowpea and Cover Crop Insurance and Hemp: The (Crotalaria juncea) Crop Inoculation Whole Farm Approach 547 352 141

12 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #3: Education Videos and Webinars (continued) 2019-2020 New Videos (56): 130,502 Total Views

Serving Local Food at Helena Pruning Fruit Trees: Pruning Fruit Trees: Food Share An Introduction Tools and Tips 59 387 302

Regenerative Grazing: Spring Masterful Management in Local Food Access: MS Food Turnout Sets the Stage for Profi ts Lambing Jugs Justice Collaborative 365 332 225

Economic Development: MS Food Justice Collaborative 67

Education: MS Food Justice Collaborative 63

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 13 Task #3: Education Videos and Webinars (continued) 2019-2020 New Webinars (5): 583 Registrants , 275 Total Attendees

Do Organic Farmers Want Crop Insurance and Hemp: Practices Supporting Sustainable Crop Insurance? The Whole Farm Approach Economic Cotton Production 31 102 18

Economically Viable Management Five Guidelines to Improve Soil Tools to Improve Land Health Health and Water Holding Capacity 12 112

14 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Task #3: Education Podcasts

TTRA’s podcast series, Voices from the Field, features interviews with our specialists and A farmers on new ATTRA resources and current innovations in sustainable agriculture. Podcasts are available on iTunes, Google Play, and the ATTRA website.

In 2019-2020, we created and posted 52 podcasts. Total podcast listens, including podcasts produced in previous years, during this project year were 860,876.

2019-2020 New Podcasts (52): 860,876 Total Listens

• Soil Health and the Five Soil Health • Growing Organic Grapes in the Southeast .... 3,524 Principles ...... 5,630 • Tools for Farmer Success as Seen by • Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Plan Extension Agent Adrian Card ...... 6,501 Part 1 ...... 5,153 • Heirloom Apples ...... 1,803 • Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Plan Part 2 ...... 4,516 • Farm to School Aquaponics Program ...... 933 Small (Ruminant) Talk: Considerations • Seed Saving: What Beginners • for Fall ...... 1,897 Need to Know ...... 9,042 Transition from Conventional to • Understanding the Soil Microbiome • Organic Farming ...... 929 with Nicole Masters ...... 7,396 Texas Sized Sustainable Pastures: • Small Ruminant Talk: Pastures, Parasites, • Chicken ...... 3,390 and Predators ...... 6,196 Scaling Up: Land and Water ...... 1,203 • Researching and Using Biostimulants ...... 3,783 • • Quivira Comes to Montana ...... 960 • Agritourism on Your Farm ...... 10,386 Integrating Livestock with Cash Alternative Feed for Poultry ...... 4,281 • • & Cover Crops ...... 2,358 • A Conversation with Amigo Bob ...... 2,774 • A Beginning Farmer Tells Her Story ...... 1,282 • Scaling Up: An Introduction ...... 4,212 • Allen Williams ...... 1,821 • Food Safety for Your Farm ...... 2,172 • Direct Marketing Meat. Part 1 ...... 1,858 • Cut Flower Production ...... 3,454 • Direct Marketing Meat. Part 2 ...... 1,345 • Benefi ts of Birds ...... 1,899 • Organic Agriculture in the South ...... 1,361 • Celebrating Farmers Markets ...... 3,704 • A Talk with Fred Provenza. Part 1 ...... 1,392 • Farming the Ocean at Greenwave ...... 1,951 • A Talk with Fred Provenza. Part 2 ...... 1,581 • Regenerative Rangeland Management and Contour Subsoil Ripping ...... 2,223 • History of Food Coops in the South ...... 745

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 15 Task #3: Education Podcasts (continued)

2019-2020 New Podcasts (52): 860,876 Total Listens

• Pocket Prairie on the Golf Course ...... 1,598 • Agricultura en California ...... 756 • Montana Farm's Profound Change ...... 1,468 • Small (Ruminant) Talk: Springtime ...... 907 • Direct Marketing Meat. Part 3 ...... 1,683 • Using Cover Crops to Sequester Carbon ...... 852 • Direct Marketing Meat. Part 4 ...... 7,259 • Glyphosate Contamination ...... 957 Erosion Control and Mitigation ...... 772 • Organic Pioneer Tom Willey ...... 1,641 • • Community Gardens and Sustainable Agriculture ...... 1,489

• The Haney Soil Test ...... 1,700 • The PLFA Soil Test ...... 1,378 • Soil Considerations for Orchards ...... 1,069 • Connecting Refugees to Sustainable Agriculture ...... 1,221

• A Flower Farm Blossoms ...... 1,232 • Farmers Battling Lyme Disease ...... 1,417 • Farmers Battling Lyme Disease. Part 2...... 1,013

16 ATTRA Final Report 2019-2020 • www.attra.ncat.org Summary

CAT’s ATTRA program has had a successful assistance. NCAT has documented a signifi cant 2019-2020 year implementing and increase in ATTRA resources accessed during Naccomplishing deliverables. NCAT has the COVID pandemic. ATTRA videos have almost met and/or exceeded our target goals for this 930,000 views, ATTRA podcasts have over project year. NCAT has enjoyed working with 860,000 listens, and ATTRA publications down- various USDA agencies to leverage ATTRA, loaded from the ATTRA website have almost expand its reach, and improve the quality of doubled during the COVID crisis, from 565,000 service to America’s agriculture communities. In to over 1.2 million. NCAT, through the ATTRA response to COVID-19, ATTRA was able to pivot program, is well suited to meeting the needs quickly to serve the farming community’s needs of clients as we off er training and technical nationally due to remote systems we had in place expertise at a level the client wants. NCAT is to enable NCAT to hold virtual workshops, farmer honored to continue to serve farmers and ranchers listening sessions, webinars, and provide technical during these uncertain and challenging times.

ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 17 In the words of those we serve: Basic learning to do it right before stepping out and I am an ag educator with Extension and I use them a lot wasting money. —Commercial producer (veteran), Georgia in my programs and recommend them to people all the time. I really appreciate the inclusion of budgets in the Basic knowledge and information that I can pass on to livestock info…they give people a place to start. other like-minded organic (and not so organic) growers —Public-sector extension, New York and gardeners. —Commercial producer, Texas Sense of security knowing knowledge is available. As a legislator I use your information to help make public —Commercial producer, Arkansas policy. —Elected offi cial, Montana

It’s just good to know you are out there promoting I work with ranchers and small community members. regenerative practices. —Commercial producer, Wisconsin ATTRA resources help us all learn, stay current and feel I am encouraged by listening to what other farms are connected to leading ideas and people. doing. That encouragement is key in the midst of a busy —Nonprofi t professional, Oregon community where many others have diff ering values. ATTRA is an EXCELLENT resource for someone beginning Thank you. —Commercial producer, Montana in farming or even in a small business. I feel many other I'm more aware of where I can turn for information I need resource publications are lacking in DETAILED scientifi c on soil and water conservation practices and I'm very research! Practical information that I have been able pleased with the resources I fi nd through ATTRA. to pass along to my farmers. —Private service provider, Mississippi —Private service provider, New York

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA is a program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). We are committed to providing high-value information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States. 1-800-346-9140 (1-800-ask-ncat) NCAT Headquarters: 3040 Continental Drive, P. O. Box 3838, Butte, MT 59702, (406) 494-4572 Regional Offi ces: 20 E. Spring St., Ste. 101, Fayetteville, AR 72701 • 36355 Russell Blvd, Davis, CA 95617 510 George St., Ste. 212, Jackson, MS 39202 • 16 Church St., Ste. 3B, Keene, NH 03431 • 118 Broadway, Ste. 524, San Antonio, TX 78205