Ear to the Ground 167: Small Goals, Big Plans

Farm Beginnings grads achieve a series of “micro-goals” in service of the bigger picture: a successful livestock enterprise.

Upcoming Events

December 2024

Saturday December 7 – Sunday December 8

Marine Mills Folk School, 550 Pine St, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047, USA

Join a cohort of intermediate-beginning farmers (two to six years of farming experience) for a weekend retreat focused on farm financial wellness and business management. This training is offered by Marbleseed with regional partners in different states each year.

For details and to register, click here.

Friday December 13

9:30 am – 2:30 pm: Soil Health=Net Profit Workshop
Friday December 13
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Soil Health=Net Profit Workshop
RENVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, 221 Main St N, Renville, MN 56284, USA
Join the Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District in exploring how to make soil health practices profitable for you. Learn how to use data from soil tests as a financial tool, get tips for building a cash flow for regenerative agriculture, and meet with local farmers, bankers, seed and equipment dealers, and local government. Topics covered include “regenerative cash flow,” grower context, automated drainage and cover crops, and economics and testing regenerative agriculture.

Register by Dec. 5 for a free lunch. To register, click here.

For details, check out this flier.

Tuesday December 17 – Wednesday December 18

Wisconsin Water & Soil Health Conference

Tuesday December 17 – Wednesday December 18

Wisconsin Water & Soil Health Conference

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Wisconsin Dells, 1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Water and Soil Health (WWASH) Conference.This year’s conference will bring together experts, farmers, and conservationists to discuss the latest advancements in soil health and practices that promote water quality.

For details, click here.

Tuesday December 17

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Farm Food Safety Workshop
Tuesday December 17
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Farm Food Safety Workshop
Madison Mercantile, 601 1st St, Madison, MN 56256, USA
This University of Minnesota workshop provides a deep dive into Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on the farm. GAPs are science-based, farm-level practices for keeping fresh produce safe.

GAPs training is for farm owners, workers, and gardeners who grow, harvest, and pack fresh fruits and vegetables for sale to all markets, including farmers’ markets, CSA, retail, schools, restaurants, or who donate produce to others.

Connect with other produce growers and receive help in writing your own food safety plan.

Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and will be entered into drawings for food-safety supplies to take home. Training certificates are accepted as documentation of food safety training for the Produce Safety Mini Grant available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Trainers include an experienced produce farmer and University of Minnesota Extension staff who will cover all aspects of on-farm food safety.

Workshop capacity is limited to 30 participants; there is no charge and lunch is provided. To register, click here.

January 2025

Friday January 10 – Saturday January 11

Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

Friday January 10 – Saturday January 11

Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

833 5th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

For more information, click here.

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