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29 Year-old Farmers are on top!  This from Zoe Bradbury: Did any of you hear this today? http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101329685 On a similar vein, this financier in Business Week recommends we all marry farmers. http://www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/09_10/b4122017811535.htm Which commodities are worth buying or holding on to? I recently bought more of all of them. But I really think agriculture […]

via Comfood: Hello All, I am co-designing a Community Foodshed apprenticeship in Summertown, Tennessee. Link: http://www.thefarm.org/etc/etcapprentices.html Apprentices will design their own desirable foodsheds. The opposite of industrial food systems. Local food networks are vital! Keep the emails coming! and if you know anyone interested in the below description pass this on. peace, Ellie

Dear Aunty, I need a production loan. Why? Because the farming equipment worth buying costs money. The nice tools are made in England and Switzerland and Holland - but the Chinese ones at the Hardware store fall apart and make me feel like a grunt. Specifically, I would like to buy: a seeder 2 spades […]

This via the High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal Kelly Huenink named Outstanding National Young Ag Professional winner Kelly Huenink from Hudson, Colo., a member of the St. Vrain Valley Young Farmer Chapter was named the Outstanding National Young Ag Professional at the National Young Farmer Educational Institute held recently in Baltimore, Md. Huenink is the operation […]

"Transhumance - the transfer of livestock from one grazing ground to another, as from lowlands to highlands, with the changing of seasons." This beautiful conference is a gathering of Transhumant Pastoralists: http://www.nomadassegovia2007.org/media.html

The Project for Public Spaces is a great resource, read on for information on a conference they're putting on this Spring. The 7th International Public Market Conference will showcase the vital role markets play in reconnecting local economies and communities. The recent explosion in popularity of public markets and farmers markets is emblematic of people's […]

A New Report From the Oakland Institute Issues a Challenge to Western-led Plans for a Genetically Engineered Revolution in African Agriculture Voices From Africa: African Farmers & Environmentalists Speak Out Against a New Green Revolution in Africa Oakland, CA: A new report from the Oakland Institute, Voices from Africa: African Farmers & Environmentalists Speak Out […]

Practical Permaculture is offering a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) this March 16-23, 2009 in Nevada City, CA. This course will cover sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. Students will learn to apply Permaculture principles to food production, home and greenhouse designs, construction, energy conservation and generation. They will explore alternative […]

I once worked for a miraculous biodynamic farmer in Switzerland. It was actually the first 'real' farm I worked on, a dairy farm. We milked 30 cows for making Emmenthal cheese and special yogurt. Because we were Biodynamic, the milk had to go early to the cooperative creamery, so that it would touch only the […]

Here's an excerpt from a recent Canadian Press Article: Young farmers say agriculture must be seen as profitable and 'sexy' to thrive The Canadian Press January 19, 2009 CALGARY - It's no secret that it's a tough time to be a farmer. The agricultural industry is dealing with volatile commodity prices, costly fertilizers and fuel, […]

Here is the 2nd in a series of profiles of young farmers in America, written for The Greenhorns by Amelia Spilger. These short young farmer profiles will help inspire and shape our collective understanding of the movement with specific examples of lives lived. Think of it them case studies in the PHD program we are […]

We were psyched to read about this great adventure/biking project/local food feast.  Follow Ibti's journey, host her along the way, share some good food, get some labor in return. A Bikeable Feast "Sustainability" is such a buzz word these days that I wonder if we've forgotten what it really means. Is it possible to produce […]

We want to radically reinvent American agriculture, we want to revitalize rural economies, we want to revolutionize agronomic techniques...but we'd also like to check our email and watch videos from around the world. Dial up is a major major bummer for a lot of young farmers. High speed internet isn't quite the same as a […]

Check out: Coming Home to Hogs Niman Ranch hogs are among the enterprises launching a new career From Severine: I'm getting pigs this year...and so are quite a few others. It turns out that cooperative marketing structures like Organic Valley and Niman Ranch are super helpful for small, young and new producers. Meaning - if […]

Let's focus on what we have. Windmills The Harden Foundation is restoring a rare 115-year-old windmill and historic mill building. The Challenge Double Header Wind Engine, built in 1892 for Duncan McKinnon, is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering-a mighty windmill that supplied power to operate millstones, a grain elevator, water pump, and a woodworking shop. […]

via comfood:Farming and Teaching in Big Sur We are looking for an individual or couple with Permaculture and Biodynamic farming experience to help continue the development of orchards, dry land crops, and range management on our family farm. As a Waldorf teacher I bring students and families to the farm for outdoor educational and arts […]

The Greenhorns have a lot planned for 2009 - check it out & get involved! We'd love to see you. March 7:  New York + Smithereen Farm 'Stake Out'- bed marking on the farm, scraping manure from the barn and top dressing. Moving mulch, moving hay, moving our arms in the sun March 13-23: Southern […]

It's not just doused with poison, it actually poisons the soil. Monsanto's Bt Cotton Kills the Soil as Well as Farmers ISIS Press Release, 2/23/09 Biosafety refers to ensuring that GMO's do not harm the environment or health. The soil, its fertility, and the organisms which maintain the fertility of soil are a vital aspect […]

WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE? is a witty and provocative documentary produced and directed by award-winning Catherine Gund about kids and food politics. Filmed over the course of one year, the film follows two eleven-year-old African-American city kids as they explore their place in the food chain. Sadie and Safiyah take a close look at food […]

From the Boston Globe... Comes a time to fight for farmers By Neil Young February 26, 2009 When Abraham Lincoln formed the US Department of Agriculture in 1862 he referred to it as the "People's Department" because it served the common interest of so many Americans. America's concerns about food and the economy were addressed […]

Greenhorns will be there, will you? Brooklyn Food Conference Local Action for Global Change A Project of the Brooklyn Food Coalition Food issues hit home for all of Brooklyn-from school lunches or the rise in diabetes, escalating food costs, immigration or farmers markets, local food challenges and delights, food touches us all. Come join us […]

Not farming on your own, but longing to get your hands in the dirt? Plenty of farmers could use some help! Including Greenhorns Kaycee & Owen of Awesome Farm in Tivoli, NY... Saturday April 4th 10-6 Sunday, April 5th 10-5 Lunch will be served both days. Please dress for cold, wet weather. Hopefully you will […]

Via American Public Television http://www.aptonline.org/aptweb.nsf/vOtherDocs/Interview-Wilfred+Emmanuel-Jones Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones of YOUNG BLACK FARMERS discusses his farming initiative and his new BANFF Award-winning series American Public Television recently interviewed Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, a black farmer in the U.K. and the creator of the new documentary series YOUNG BLACK FARMERS (winner of the best unscripted entertainment program at the 2006 […]

As so often happens, this comes to us via comfood. And is worth re-posting.   Ray Offenheiser Oxfam America sent via e-mail February 8, 2009 Dear Ray, I started writing this letter in response to the panel lineup that Oxfam is co-sponsoring this month at the Asia Society, "The Global Food Crisis: Time for Another […]

A great piece from  www.culinate.com... read the original at http://www.culinate.com/articles/the_culinate_interview/novella_carpenter Novella Carpenter The urban farmer By Twilight Greenaway February 3, 2009 Most urban farmers confine their agricultural efforts to vegetables, fruit, and the occasional egg-laying chicken. But on her small plot in Oakland, California, Novella Carpenter has raised bees, goats, rabbits, geese, and turkey, among […]

Lost Valley Kitchen is currently looking to fill two Kitchen Assistant positions. The first position will begin March 1st, and the second position will begin May 1st. Both Kitchen Assistants will work approximately 20-30 hours per week.

Historic Holly Hill Farm, in Cohasset, MA has published an awesome resource for Greenhorns, educators, and anyone who wants to get kids outside and in the dirt. A project of The Friends of Holly Hill Farm, "A Growing Relationship: The School Garden, Classroom and Organic Farm" provides 15 lesson plans that use gardens for teaching […]

This  station out of Goddard College in Vermont broadcasts a 1.5 hour segment every Thursday morning on "relocalizing" Vermont.  Tune in, stream it live, and check out the archives!  Local economies are where it's at. http://www.wgdr.org/relocalizingvermont.html

When recently faced with the prospect of Winter, I had to make a tough choice - should I buy winter tires (thus assuring my survival in eastern New York) or should I spend the same 900 dollars to buy some draft horses. In the end, I opted for a plane ticket to California to overwinter […]

These kinds of listings are actually quite common on craigslist. If you don't mind being a "kept farmer" - We'd recommend you take a look there before you start despairing that it's too late for an apprenticeship and too dark for a mortgage. Reply to: [email protected]: 2009-02-24, 10:35AM EST Guest House Available in Large Private […]

Yes. We agree with this. Family farmers. ...and the family of farmers that includes: city farmers farmworkers young farmers aspiring farmers we are the team of agricultural conspirators who are launching our small businesses around the country-- carving out new territory and growing strong soil in the hills, and in the laser-land valleys of the […]

The Fashion Show/Bake Sale was a great hit.  And according to style.com, bike flags just may be the new trend. Almost. http://www.style.com/stylefile/2009/02/all-organic/ Kerry Trueman wrote a lovely piece about it all on the Huffington Post: Farmers + Fashionistas = Sex and the Country? Definitely worth a read. In the meantime, here is the recipe for […]

off - farm income for some farmers off- farm subsidies for others whats next? off-farm social lives for new farm entrants in towns across america. off-farm support from community members invested in a sustainable food system off-farm contributions of food scraps and useful lumber http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/business/08feed.html?_r=1

Nothing Lasts Only the land lasts, not you. Only your steps upon it, the cut glass of memory and your smile within it survives. Only the land lasts; simple rock and the dumb scape of lusting lack, the rack and pinion of flight and fall. Autumn doesn't last. Not spring with all its fine tithings. […]

Here's another write-up we just caught wind of - about the Young Farmers Conference at Stone Barns.  Some Great pictures to be viewed... http://gothamist.com/2009/02/14/often_armed_with_not_much.php

Check out this video from Organic Consumers: "What is the National Animal Identification System & Why It Should Be Rejected" http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_16869.cfm And read Severine's Letter to Dolly the Sheep - "Dear Dolly, with regards, from Severine" full text below

A few great bicycle blogs: Streetsblog.org - By turning transportation reform into a daily beat, this blog became a real force for change in NYC. Streetfilms.org - Video blog that highlights best practices in transportation planning/policy. Folks in dozens of cities have used these videos to advocate for bike lanes, better transit, and pedestrian-friendly changes. […]

This just in from Greenhorn Erin Bullock of Mud Creek Farm in Victor, NY "Lots going on here! check out my front-page debut in the Rochester paper yesterday, and check out both videos on the right. i have a reporter following me through the season. Sold out with a waiting list-- 70 members! And i'm […]

This comes via Comfood, in response to a posting about Wegmans Featuring Kids' Gardening Kits and Tools.  As always, we recommended subscribing to comfood & joining the ever-widening, engaging conversation. I replied off-list to my Cornell colleague, Christine Porter, about this posting, and she suggested that I share what I wrote with the list.

This is a report that Annie Myers completed last year, but it will stay relevant. It can be found on her blog, Thoughts on the Table. "Over the last two months, I have conducted a research project focused upon urban farms and city planning, for the course City Planning 252 ("Land Use Controls"), taught by […]