Join Mesquite Field Farm for mobile chicken tractor building workshop
Participants will
- Learn the Suscovich design of mobile chicken tractors
- Learn how to build a mobile chicken tractor
- Construct 4 Suscovich style mobile chicken tractors
Lunch is provided by Pioneer BBQ
RSVP by October 18, 2018
REGISTER HERE
This workshop will teach individuals how to build wicking beds for vegetable production. Wicking beds are a permaculture technique as an alternative to growing vegetables in the ground. We will be building a wicking bed.
Skills Taught:
- Understanding irrigation systems
- Planning irrigation systems
- Raised Beds
- Soil Moisture testing
- Determining moisture needs
Instructor:
Steve Smith, Army veteran, co-founder of F.A.R.M.
RSVP by November 1, 2018
REGISTER HERE
Join us for a farm tour of Stiles Farm in Thrall, Texas. The Stiles Farm Foundation is a 2,716 acre farm located in Thrall, Texas in eastern Williamson County. The farm is managed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as a living demonstration of research-based, profitable, and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices for the Texas Blackland Prairie.
Tyler Coufal, Williamson County Extension Agent, will be putting together some hands-on learning activities and a farm tour of the Stiles Farm.
You can vote for topics from the following when registering:
- Parasite Management & Soils
- Cattle Handling & Working
- Sheep & Goat Handling & Working
- Animal Health & Nutrition
FARM LEARNING LAB:
MANAGING PRODUCTION INCOME FOR SUCCESS
December 11th
9:00am – 1:00pm
Owenwood Farm & Neighbor Space
1451 John West Rd, Dallas, 75228
Does your farm income keep you up at night? Are you worried about those one or two crops making or breaking your year? We can’t control the weather, and we can’t predict farm income interruptions. But, we can plan for them.
Come to this free workshop and sleep better at night!
Join us for an interactive look at tools to assess potential income vulnerability throughout the year. You will have an opportunity to use tools to see where your farm’s income comes from throughout the year and look at strategies for managing any vulnerabilities, whether through diversification, crop insurance, or a combination. You will also gain knowledge on Whole Farm Revenue Protection crop insurance and have the chance to work with knowledgeable folks on whether this is a good option for your farm.
Just getting started in farming? You are welcome as well! This workshop will give you an opportunity to think through your farm plan as you are planning or getting it up and going.
Who should attend:
- Any farmer or rancher who wants to improve the financial viability of their farming operation
- Beginning farmers who are already growing or who have an idea of what they will grow. If you haven’t decided what you will be producing, this workshop maybe frustrating you to.
- Experienced farmers who want to better understand their farm and look at additional risk management options
- Any farmer with more than one product raised on the farm
Presenters include:
Scott Marlow, Rural Advancement Foundation International -USA – Scott is Senior Policy Specialist at RAFI-USA. Previously RAFI-USA’s Executive Director, Scott also directed the Farm Sustainability program, providing in-depth financial counseling to farmers in crisis, education on disaster assistance programs and access to credit, and addressing the needs of mid-scale farmers increasing the sustainability of their farms by transitioning to higher-value specialty markets. With over 20 years working with farmers, Scott’s specialty is financial infrastructure, including access to credit and risk management. He has served and continues to serve on various boards and committees in North Carolina and nationally, including the steering committee of the National Task Force to Renew Agriculture in the Middle. He has a Masters Degree in Crop Science from NC State University and a BA in Political Science from Duke University.
Susie Marshall, GROW North Texas – As founder and executive director of GROW North Texas, Susie has 15 years of experience in working with farmers and food access. She also directs the Food Safety Outreach project for the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, training small farmers in the Food Safety Modernization Act and serves on the Southern Risk Management Education Center Advisory Committee. Susie has a Masters Degree in Health & Physical Education from Texas A&M – Commerce and a BS from Texas Wesleyan University.
This training made possible by a grant from the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
REGISTER HERE
What is one thing there is never enough of? COLD STORAGE!
Skills Taught:
- Determining Equipment Needs
- Sourcing Eqipment/Supplies
- Cooling
- Cleaning
- Drying
- Dry and Cold Storage
Instructor:
Steve Smith, Army veteran, co-founder of F.A.R.M.
RSVP by December 13, 2018
REGISTER HERE
In partnership with Growing on Faith Farm, we will demonstrating and discussing proper care and maintenance of your sheep including:
- Applying ID tags
- Medication/Vaccination
- Castration
- Record Keeping
- Handling/Moving
- Hoof care
- Nutrition
- Behavioral knowledge & selection
- Breed knowledge & selection
- Options for predator control
Whether you are just starting or have been in the game for a while, this class is open to everyone!
What to bring- Gloves, hat, sunscreen, water, boots.
Register here
Come out and learn the ins and outs of how to build a high tunnel and best practices to maximize your high tunnel outputs. Chat with an NRCS agent to learn how financial assistance payments, as part of a Farm Bill conservation contract in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a high tunnel can benefit you and your community.
Be sure to bring reusable water bottles, gloves, hat, closed toe shoes.
Snacks for breakfast with full lunch provided.
Register here
Come join us at ARTillery Avenue Farm as we help Farmer Rachel assemble her high tunnel. Not only will you get hands-on experience, you will learn about participating in the NRCS EQIP high tunnel program, selecting the site for your high tunnel, considerations in purchasing a high tunnel, and what grows well in the tunnel.
Lunch is included, but feel free to bring any other snacks you might need. Please bring a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the GROW North Texas Farm Allies program that provides technical assistance to farmers.
ARTillery Avenue Farm is owned and operated by Rachel Mims, a military veteran who understands the need for nature and art therapy for her fellow veterans. She has combined both of these in ARTillery Avenue Farm.
GROW North Texas is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works to connect North Texans to food, farms, and community to create a sustainable, secure regional food system that enriches the land, encourages economic opportunity through food and agriculture, and provides equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents.
Register here
Join Grow North Texas at ARTillary Avenue Farm in Hillsboro, TX to learn about season extension techniques, hear from other farmers actively utilizing season extension methods, participate in farmer/provider discussions, and have the opportunity to assist with completion of a 30×96 Zimmerman Gothic Arched high tunnel. This workshop will also address creating a plan for sustainable on-farm enterprises through goal setting conversations and identifying resources that assist with whole farm planning and sustainability (financial and farmer).
Lunch is included, but feel free to bring any other snacks you might need. Please bring a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the GROW North Texas Farm Allies program that provides technical assistance to farmers.
ARTillery Avenue Farm is owned and operated by Rachel Mims, a military veteran who understands the need for nature and art therapy for her fellow veterans. She has combined both of these in ARTillery Avenue Farm.
GROW North Texas is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works to connect North Texans to food, farms, and community to create a sustainable, secure regional food system that enriches the land, encourages economic opportunity through food and agriculture, and provides equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents.
This workshop is made possible by funding from the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE).
About this event
Please wear appropriate attire for the weather predicted for that weekend. It is required that you wear close toed canvas or leather footwear (boots preferred). No shorts will be allowed. Your clothing should be made from durable materials, like wool, leather, or heavy tightly woven cotton. A fabric baseball cap should also be worn to protect the top of your head from sparks. We will provide welding hoods, welding gloves, welding blanket, and welding sleeves for your use while actively welding. If you have your own welding helmet, gloves, and /or jacket you may bring it with you.