armed to farm

In this episode of Voices from the Field, we meet Fred Bahnson, NCAT’s new Executive Director. Fred tells us the story of the journey that led him to NCAT and talks with Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis about the strength of NCAT’s resources — and staff — and some of its many programs.

Related Resources:

·        National Center for Appropriate Technology

·        ATTRA

·        Armed to Farm

·        Soil for Water

·        AgriSolar Clearinghouse

Contact Fred Bahnson and Mike Lewis at fredb@ncat.org and mikel@ncat.org

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You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis introduces us to one of NCAT’s newest staff members, Dan Birnstihl.

To say Dan has wide-ranging experience is something of an understatement. He worked on fighter jets while in the Marines, studied sustainable agriculture and managed a farm. And he managed to squeeze in studying audio production in Nashville. He says he’s particularly interested in NCAT’s Armed to Farm training for veterans and in finding ways to use his multi-media skills to make NCAT’S ATTRA and other sustainable-agriculture resources even easier to use.

ATTRA Resources:

·       Dan Birnstihl Profile

·       Armed to Farm

·       Farm Start Up

·       Marketing and Business

Other Resources:

·       Hip Peas Farm

Contact Mike Lewis and Dan Birnstihl via email at mikel@ncat.org and danb@ncat.org.

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG. Learn about NCAT’s other cutting-edge sustainable agriculture programs.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT's Southeast Regional Director and Director of NCAT's Armed to Farm Program Margo Hale, talks with Alvina, an Air Force Reservist who owns River Hill Ranch in Richmond, Kentucky.

Alvina Maynard credits a commercial she happened to see on television while staying in in a hotel with inspiring her to raise alpacas.

Alvina talks about her military background, her farming enterprises, and how her operation has grown. She also shares her experience accessing various USDA programs, including the Value-Added Producer Grant and EQIP. Alvina discusses the programs and services she has utilized, how those programs have helped her reach her farm goals, and tips for veterans and other farmers as they navigate USDA programs.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• NCAT Armed to FarmWebsite
• NCAT Armed to FarmFacebook
• Veteran Resources
• Financing Your Farm: Guidance for Beginning Farmers
• Federal Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching
• Veterans Discuss USDA Programs
• High Tunnels and the NRCS

Other Resources

• River Hill Ranch
• Farmer Veteran Coalition
• Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
• USDA Veteran Initiatives
• USDA Service Center Locator
• USDA Farm Service Agency
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Step-by-Step: How to Get Assistance from NRCS
• USDA Rural Development

Contact Margo Hale via email at margoh@ncat.org.

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also

In this episode, Madelynn Nelson, an AmeriCorps member serving with Energy Corps as a sustainable-agriculture farm-energy educator at NCAT's headquarters in Butte, Montana, talks with West Virginia farmer and beekeeper Eric Grandon.

Eric and Madelynn talk about farm energy conservation and using solar power on the farm as well as water and other kinds of conservation. He also discusses the work and learning curve that came along with the decision to pursue sustainable energy.

Related ATTRA Resources

Crop Insurance Options for Specialty, Diversified, and Organic Farmers

Energy-Efficient Lighting for the Farm

Federal Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching

Renewable Energy Opportunities on the Farm

Solar-Powered Livestock Watering Systems

Farm Energy Alternatives

Other Resources

Sugar Bottom Farm Facebook

Sugar Bottom Farm website

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Northeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook