Michigan’s Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, a partnership among Michigan State University, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced funding for four research and outreach projects. Each of the new projects is funded at roughly $1.25 million over three years. One project focuses on increasing resiliency of tree fruit production to climate change through a holistic approach to water, nutrient and soil management. Other projects will create a decision-support system that promotes sustainable farming by providing insights int ..read more

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) has issued a Request for Proposals soliciting a Workforce Development Needs Assessment for the organic industry within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The primary objective of this needs assessment, evaluation, and summary report is to isolate measurable gaps in training opportunities for future organic inspectors and reviewers. Proposals will be accepted until May 30, 2024 ..read more

The Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program released a video of using a drone to frost-seed red clover into fields of hybrid rye. “The drone allowed us to get the seed in the field when the ground was too wet to use large equipment,” said Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy at Iowa State University. The drone flew at 10 mph and seed was spread from a height of 16 feet. The inter-seeded red clover will supply nitrogen for a subsequent corn crop and help build soil quality ..read more

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) will hold its 69th Stewardship Week from April 28 through May 5, 2024, with the theme “May the Forest Be with You, Always.” According to NACD, this theme underscores the critical interplay between soil and water conservation and the resilience of our forests and notes the function forests play as steadfast protectors of soil and water resources, preventing erosion, purifying contaminants, and nurturing healthy watersheds. Conservation districts across the United States will participate in celebrating Stewardship Week with a variety of a ..read more

Researchers at York University in Toronto, Canada, say that their work shows that honey bees are affected by multiple interacting stressors encountered as they pollinate crops. Increasing mortality in bee colonies, which scientists have been unable to attribute to a single pesticide, parasite, or virus, is probably due to a network of stressors, this research shows. Specific stressors that show up in combination with other key stressors seem to compound negative effects on bee colonies. The research took place across Canada, on a number of important crops pollinated by bees, including apples ..read more

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers and livestock producers experiencing times of stress due to business and financial challenges that resources are available to help. These include the 24/7 Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or text “FARMSTRESS” to 898211. Calls are answered by trained counselors who can lend a listening ear or connect you with help for business, financial, or legal problems. Other resources include Farm Advocates and free mental health counselors for farm individuals, couples, or families. Options for financial assistance are also avai ..read more

USDA announced that it is partnering with Reinvestment Fund to help organizations strengthen local food financing programs and improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities across the country. Reinvestment Fund has selected 16 public-private partnerships in 20 states and Washington, D.C., to receive $40.3 million in grants under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Local & Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program. This program provides financing to local, state, and regional organizations that partner together to provide financing and technical assistance t ..read more

Researchers at Penn State University evaluated a mixture of essential oils and a probiotic as alternative feed supplements for broiler chicks, to improve feed efficiency, growth rate, and intestinal health without the use of antibiotics. Soon-to-be-published research results found that supplementing the diet of young chicks with the probiotic Bacillus subtilis for 21 days significantly boosted the abundance of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. Researchers caution, however, that further studies will be needed to understand health outcomes and longer-term effects on the chickens’ intestinal ..read more

Scientists from Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have developed a resource to promote pasture health and productivity. The Inland Pacific Northwest Pasture Calendar is available free online. The 140-page guide predicts how plants grow and change during 10 growing periods across the year, helping growers understand and manage their irrigated, rain-fed, dryland, or range pastures in 14 different landscape types. The calendar helps promote healthy pastures by focusing on proper grazing that prevents adve ..read more

Strawberry growers on California’s Central Coast can make use of a new estimate of costs and returns, developed by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Cooperative Extension and the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The cost study models a management scenario for a 50-acre farm, 45 acres of which are planted to strawberries. The study describes the cultural practices used in strawberry production and harvest, including land preparation, soil fertility, and pest management, irrigation, and labor needs. The 19-page study shows costs for each operation, material inpu ..read more