smallfarmsustainability's podcast

Olivia is again joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, and Liv Meyer, a graduate student in the department of Horticulture at Iowa State University and on this episode of our Beginning Fruit Farm Series, they discuss grape trellising. Tune in as they discuss the different trellising options and what options would best suit your grapes here in Iowa!

Have you been noticing more Bald Eagles in Iowa lately?

In today's episode, Olivia interviews Heidi Anderson, a Naturalist with Polk County Conservation, and we're talking about Bald Eagles! Where can we go to see them, what should we do if we see them, and what are some ways we can attract them?!

It's that time of year again when we can go out and shed hunt!

If you're interested in shed hunting but don't know where to start, or maybe you're just looking for a few tips on where to find them, tune in to this episode! Olivia interviews Heidi Anderson, a Naturalist with Polk County Conservation, who gives some great tips on where to look for sheds, things to avoid, and what you can do with them once you find them!

Winters in Iowa can be really challenging! How do you prepare for them and keep yourself, your family, and your farm safe?

In this episode, Olivia interviews Brandi Janssen, Director of the Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. Tune in to hear all about winter weather hazards you should be aware of and emergency preparedness on the farm.

Episode Links: 

• Iowa's Center for Agricultural Safety and Health: https://icash.public-health.uiowa.edu/ 

• Winter Weather Emergency Preparedness: https://icash.public-health.uiowa.edu/programs/seasonal-campaigns/winter-2019-winter-weather-emergency-preparedness/ 

• Prevent Farm Fires: https://icash.public-health.uiowa.edu/programs/seasonal-campaigns/winter-2015-campaign-prevent-farm-fires/ 

In this episode, Olivia interviews Kendra Meyer, Executive Secretary for the Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association and Christie Jensen, Executive Director for the Iowa Wine Growers Association. Tune in to hear all about the upcoming 2023 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference! The conference will start on February 22, 2023 and go through February 23, 2023. There will also be a pre-conference workshop held on February 21, 2023.

Episode Links: 

• Iowa Specialty Producers Conference: https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/ 

• Conference Registration Link: https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/registernow 

• Pre-conference Workshop Registration: https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/registeriscga 

• Session Overview: https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/2023-sessions 

• Conference Speakers: https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/2023-speakers 

• Sponsors and Exhibitors: https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/2023-sponsors 

• Contact the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference: ispc@iowawinegrowers.org 

Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, and Liv Meyer, a graduate student in the department of Horticulture at Iowa State University and on this episode they discuss Apple Tree Trellising. They dive into what some of the best practices are, what you need to think about before planting your trees, why trellises are so important for your apple trees, and more!

Egg prices are rising, and the idea of having backyard chickens is gaining popularity! In this episode, Olivia interviews our very own Christa Hartsook, Small Farms Program Coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Christa shares her professional knowledge about backyard chickens and how one can get started! There are a few things to consider before going out and buying a handful of chicks! Tune in to this episode and learn what you will all need before getting started!

Episode Links: 

• Small Farm Sustainability with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/ 

• Getting Started with Backyard Chickens eCourse: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/15129 

You want to start producing raspberries and/or blackberries, but what does the trellising systems look like for them?

In this episode, Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, and Liv Meyer, a graduate student in the department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Listen in as hey go into more details and tips about what a trellising system for raspberries or blackberries should look like and include!

Do you really need a trellis on your fruit farm?

In this episode, Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, and Liv Meyer, a graduate student in the department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Tune in as they dive into the ins and outs of trellises, the different options you have when it comes to them, questions to consider before putting yours in, when is the best time to put a trellis in, and more! 

Episode Links: 

• Gripples: https://www.gripple.com/en-us/ 

• Diagram and publication links coming soon.

In this episode, Olivia interviews Kitt Tovar Jensen, Staff Attorney at Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Tune in to hear all about the upcoming 2023 Farm Transitions Conference! The conference will start on February 9, 2023 and go through February 10, 2023. 

Episode Links: 

• Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT) Website: https://www.calt.iastate.edu/https://practicalfarmers.org/

• Registration Link: https://www.calt.iastate.edu/seminar/2023-02-09/farm-transitions-entering-expanding-or-exiting-business 

• Registration Services Phone: 515-294-6222 

• CALT Office Phone: 515-294-5217

In this episode, Olivia interviews Liz Kolbe, Senior Farmer Lead Education Manager for Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI). Tune in to hear all about the upcoming 2023 PFI Conference! The conference will start on January 20, 2023 and go through January 21, 2023. Liz also talks about pre-conference course opportunities that will be held on January 19, 2023.

Episode Links: 

• PFI Website: https://practicalfarmers.org/

• Registration Website: https://practicalfarmers.org/events/annual-conference/2023-annual-conference/registration/

In this episode, Christa interviews Dr. Billy Beck, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Forester. He gives some great insight on the Emerald Ash Borer, signs to look for if you think your tree may be infested, ways to determine if your tree can be saved, ways to treat, and more! He has also supplied us with some useful resources on the topic.

Episode Links: 

• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach online tree ID guide: https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/tree_id.html  

• "How to Use Bark to Identify Trees": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_ajYcAbGc4 

• "EAB or Native Borer - Insect Galleries Often Confused for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): file:///C:/Users/aburke13/Downloads/PM3065.pdf 

• Department of Ag and Land Stewardship - Areas Where EAB Have been Confirmed and more info: http://www.iowatreepests.com/eab_home.html 

• Managing Emerald Ash Borer: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/Emerald-Ash-Borer-Management-Options 

• Rethinking Acreage & Rural Tree Plantings from the Iowa DNR: https://go.iastate.edu/EODTKA 

• Iowa State University Forestry Professionals by county: https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/contacts/forestry 

• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Crop Advantage Series: https://www.aep.iastate.edu/cas/ 

• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Master Woodland Steward Program: https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/programs/forestry/education/woodlandmgr#:~:text=The%20MWSP%20features%2030%20hours,%2Dperson%20field%2Fclassroom%20session. 

What tools would you need in order to start a fruit farm? Join us and listen in on the second episode of the Beginning Fruit Farm Series!

In this episode, Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, and Liv Meyer, a graduate student in the department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Learn about the equipment you would need in order to get started with a small fruit farm and what you may need going a conventional route vs. an organic route!

Episode Links: 

• Registry for producers of commercial crops sensitive to pesticides: https://driftwatch.org/ 

• Registry for beekeepers and apiarists: https://beecheck.org/signup#beekeeper 

• Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM): https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/ 

• Newa Weather Monitoring: https://newa.cornell.edu/ 

• Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide 2021-2022: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/Midwest-Fruit-Pest-Management-Guide-2021-2022 

• Great Lakes Expo: https://glexpo.com/ 

• Local Extension Specialists by County: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/staffdir/

In this episode, Olivia interviews Kate Hansen, Policy Associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. Tune in as she answers our questions about the different options for contract pricing and micro-farm policy. She explains some of the eligibility concepts and why this topic is worth looking into.

Be sure to let us know what you think about our podcast for your chance to win a $50 gift card to your local farm store! https://go.iastate.edu/ZRF9GG  (Survey will close December 16, 2022.)

Episode Links: 

• Fact sheet: Impacts Of The Conservation Stewardship Program in Iowa: https://www.cfra.org/publications/fact-sheet-impacts-conservation-stewardship-program-iowa 

• Fact Sheet: Impacts Of The Conservation Stewardship Program in Minnesota: https://www.cfra.org/publications/fact-sheet-impacts-conservation-stewardship-program-minnesota 

• Fact Sheet: Impacts Of The Conservation Stewardship Program in Nebraska: https://www.cfra.org/publications/fact-sheet-impacts-conservation-stewardship-program-nebraska 

• Fact Sheet: Impacts Of The Conservation Stewardship Program in South Dakota: https://www.cfra.org/publications/fact-sheet-impacts-conservation-stewardship-program-south-dakota 

• Contact information: Phone - 515-215-1294  |  Email - kateh@cfra.org

Why start a fruit farm? Tune in to the first episode of the Beginning Fruit Farm Series!

In this episode, Olivia interviews Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, and Liv Meyer, a graduate student in the department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Learn about the benefits of having a fruit farm and why you may want to start one of your own!

Be sure to let us know what you think about our podcast for your chance to win a $50 gift card to your local farm store! https://go.iastate.edu/ZRF9GG  (Survey will close December 16, 2022.)

Episode Links: 

• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/

• Local Extension Specialists by County: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/staffdir/

How do you know what tree to choose for the holiday season? Tune into this episode where Olivia interviews Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. There are multiple things to consider when picking out your tree, we go through and discuss these as well as the options we have to utilize/dispose of our Christmas Trees after the season is over! 

Be sure to let us know what you think about our podcast for your chance to win a $50 gift card to your local farm store! https://go.iastate.edu/ZRF9GG

Episode Links: 

• Christmas Tree Selection and Care Guide: https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/guide-selection-and-care-christmas-trees

Christa Hartsook interviewed Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist of Iowa at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. In his episode, we discuss weather patterns and how we can use them to determine what future seasons will look like, the biggest determiners, and what it means for farmers.

Be sure to let us know what you think about our podcast for your chance to win a $50 gift card to your local farm store! https://go.iastate.edu/ZRF9GG

Episode Links: 

•Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Department of Agronomy: https://www.agron.iastate.edu/extension/ 

• Iowa Climatology Bureau: https://iowaagriculture.gov/climatology-bureau 

• Dr. Justin Glisen Contact Information: Cell 515-281-8981, Work 515-281-8503, Email justin.glisan@iowaagriculture.gov

Christa Hartsook interviews Denise Schwab, Extension Beef Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The cold weather is here! In his episode, we discuss fall grazing and winter forage concerns. Tune in to get tips on best practices with beef grazing, and learn about pasture alternatives and ways to keep your pasture grass strong and healthy. 

Be sure to let us know what you think about our podcast for your chance to win a $50 gift card to your local farm store! https://go.iastate.edu/ZRF9GG

Episode Links: 

• Iowa Beef Center: https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/

• Who We Are https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/whoweare.html 

In this episode, I interview Kathleen Delate, an Iowa State University Professor and Extension Organic Specialist. We talk about the upcoming Iowa Organic Conference that is to take place at the University of Iowa on November 20th and 21st. Kathleen informs us of the exciting topics we can expect to be covered at this year's conference and key dates and information you don't want to miss!

In this episode, I interviewed Ajay Nair, Associate Professor and Vegetable Extension Specialist with Iowa State University. Ajay talks with us about his upcoming Annual High Tunnel Short Course and what we can expect if we join him next week. The course will discuss advanced production-related issues in high tunnel crops.

This course is an opportunity for growers, educators, and industrial personnel to discuss the different aspects of high tunnel crop production, As well as highlight more recent research, and hear from speakers from the region and other states who work on high tunnels so our growers can get a different perspective on crops and management techniques that can be utilized inside of a high tunnel.

Links:

High Tunnel Short Course information page: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/vegetablelab/events

High Tunnel Short Course registration page: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/vegetablelab/2022-iowa-high-tunnel-short-course