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NCAT strives to make our information available to everyone who needs it. If you are a limited-access or low-income farmer and find that one of our publications is just not in your budget, please call 800-346-9140.

Visit Our New Food Safety Page!

We have information about on-farm food safety, what is the Food Safety Modernization Act (also known as FSMA) and how it applies to you as well as links to related publications and videos.

Cover Crops in Montana:
See How They Work

July 28, 2017
Boulder, Montana

Ask An Ag Expert

Use this online form or give us a call at 1-800-346-9140
to submit sustainable agriculture related questions to our Specialists.

Internship Opportunities

Sustainable Farming Internships & Apprenticeships
A directory of on-the-job learning opportunities.

Calendar of Events

The Latest Sustainable Agriculture Events
from around the U.S.

News
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Question of the Week
events ?week br_news funding new_pubs
What information can you give me on designing a solar water-pumping irrigation system?
Posted: 06/06/16

How can I control tilapia disease in an aquaponics operation?
Posted: 05/31/16

Is there a low-toxicity herbicide that kills thistle as well as thistle roots?
Posted: 05/23/16

Question of the Week Archives...
Upcoming Workshops

Conference: Armed to Farm
NCAT is organizing this event.
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Date: 2016-06-06
Registration Info: This free, week-long event gives veterans and their spouses an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and examine farming as a viable career. Applications are due by April 29, 2016.
Registration Link: www.ncat.org/armed-to-farm-events/
Posted: 2016-04-01 08:32:51

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Conference: Growing Microgreens for Quick Spring Greens
NCAT's Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training Program (SIFT) is presenting this workshop.
Location: Butte, Montana
Date: 2016-05-19
Registration Info: This event is part of a monthly series of Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training Program workshops.
Registration Link: sift.ncat.org/calendar.php
Posted: 2016-04-06 18:07:13

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Conference: Growing Roots
Topic: IPM Field Class
Presenter: Rex Dufour
Location: Stockton, California
Date: 2016-04-24
Registration Info: This morning, in-field event is part of the Growing Roots workshop series.
Registration Link: growingroots.berkeley.edu/calendar-of-events/
Posted: 2016-03-17 08:33:12

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Conference: Third Thursday Thing
Topic: Understanding Risk Management Agency Insurance Options and Managing Risk
Presenter: Rock Woods and Felicia Bell
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Date: 2016-04-21
Registration Info: Kentucky State University's monthly sustainable agriculture workshop focuses on USDA Programs in April.
Registration Link: kysu.edu/academics/cafsss/research-extension/cooperative-extension/third-thursday-thing/
Posted: 2016-03-31 18:04:58

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Conference: Growing Roots
Topic: Integrated Pest Management
Presenter: Rex Dufour
Location: Stockton, California
Date: 2016-04-18
Registration Info: This evening event is part of the Growing Roots program.
Registration Link: growingroots.berkeley.edu/calendar-of-events/
Posted: 2016-03-17 08:32:03

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Conference: Flathead Global Youth Service Day
Food Corps Montana is organizing this event.
Location: Kalispell, Montana
Date: 2016-04-16
Registration Info: People of all ages will be working at the Kalispell Public Schools Central Kitchen Garden and learning about food insecurity issues and gardening opportunities in the Flathead. Contact Whitney Pratt for more information,802-779-5868.
Registration Link: whitney.pratt@foodcorps.org
Posted: 2016-03-31 18:01:49

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Conference: Farm Foundations: Planning for Success
NCAT is partnering with the USDA Farm Service Agency to host this workshop.
Location: Montgomery, Alabama
Date: 2016-04-05
Registration Info: This free workshop for military veterans will focus on whole-farm planning, business management, and starting a sustainable farming operation.
Registration Link: www.ncat.org/armed-to-farm-events/
Posted: 2016-03-01 11:34:25

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Conference: Montana Harvest of the Month Webinar for Producers
NCAT is presenting this webinar.
Location: Online
Date: 2016-03-31
Registration Info: Learn about the Montana Harvest of the Month program and how you can get your local products served in Montana schools through this great farm to school program that will be starting in September 2016 across Montana.
Registration Link: farmtocafeteria.ncat.org/harvest
Posted: 2016-03-10 08:29:47

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Conference: Making Energy Work for Your Small Business or Agricultural Operation
Topic: Renewable Energy 101: Energy Efficiencies
Presenter: Vicki Lynne
Location: Livingston, Montana
Date: 2016-03-22
Registration Info: Registration is required for this day-long workshop on the Rural Energy for America Program. RSVP to Donna Wyatt at USDA Rural Development, 406- 585-2545 or email donna.wyatt@mt.usda.gov
Posted: 2016-03-16 14:39:17

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Conference: New Food Safety Rules for Farmers Workshop
NCAT is cosponsoring this workshop.
Location: Elgin, Texas
Date: 2016-03-22
Registration Info: This workshop is an introduction to the new food safety rules that impact how farmers grow, harvest, and store their products, as well as new requirements for value-added producers and food hubs. Learn about the exemptions in the new regulations.
Registration Link: bit.ly/1Qy7Gn8
Posted: 2016-03-07 11:45:09

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Conference: Annual Sacramento County Strawberry Growers Meeting
Topic: Best Practices to Keep Your Farm Productive
Presenter: Thea Rittenhouse and Rex Dufour
Location: Sacramento
Date: 2016-03-16
Registration Info: Contact Margaret Lloyd, UCCE Small Farm Advisor, at 530-564-8642 for information on this annual meeting.
Posted: 2016-03-09 21:30:04

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Conference: Growing Roots
Topic: Marketing: Getting Your Products Out
Presenter: Thea Rittenhouse
Location: Stockton, California
Date: 2016-03-14
Registration Info: This evening class will focus on developing marketing plans, websites and social media, making marketing connections, marketing decision-making tools and other tips for beginning direct market growers.
Registration Link: growingroots.berkeley.edu/calendar-of-events/
Posted: 2016-03-09 21:27:02

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Conference: Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference
Topic: Greenhouse Design and Management
Presenter: Chris Lent
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date: 2016-03-12
Registration Info: Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference is designed to advance the opportunities and address the barriers involved in cultivating a resilient and thriving Urban Farming sector.
Registration Link: urbanfarminginstitute.org/2nd-annual-massachusetts-farming-conference/
Posted: 2016-02-18 12:35:25

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Conference: Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference
Topic: Investing in Your Farm: Decisions on Infrastructure, Tools, and More
Presenter: Andy Pressman
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date: 2016-03-12
Registration Info: Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference is designed to advance the opportunities and address the barriers involved in cultivating a resilient and thriving Urban Farming sector.
Registration Link: urbanfarminginstitute.org/2nd-annual-massachusetts-farming-conference/
Posted: 2016-02-18 12:34:21

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Conference: Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference
Topic: Season Extension and Winter Growing
Presenter: Chris Lent
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date: 2016-03-12
Registration Info: Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference is designed to advance the opportunities and address the barriers involved in cultivating a resilient and thriving Urban Farming sector.
Registration Link: urbanfarminginstitute.org/2nd-annual-massachusetts-farming-conference/
Posted: 2016-02-18 12:31:41

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Conference: California Small Farm Conference
Topic: Pastured Livestock Production on Small Farms
Presenter: Pamela Wolfe
Location: Sacramento, California
Date: 2016-03-08
Registration Info: This is a workshop in the "Production" track. The conference offers more than 25 workshops, as well as speakers and field courses.
Registration Link: www.californiafarmconference.com/
Posted: 2016-02-17 11:36:35

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Conference: California Small Farm Conference
Topic: Soil Health and Function: Farmers Investing in Soils for Climate Change
Presenter: Rex Dufour
Location: Sacramento, California
Date: 2016-03-07
Registration Info: This is one of more than 25 workshops offered at the California Small Farm Conference.
Registration Link: www.californiafarmconference.com/
Posted: 2016-02-17 11:34:44

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Conference: California Small Farm Conference
Topic: Field Course #1: Conservation on the Farm Field
Presenter: Rex Dufour
Location: Sacramento, California
Date: 2016-03-06
Registration Info: This Field Course will highlight some of the innovative practices which California farmers are implementing to conserve soil, water, and wildlife. The 29th California Small Farm Conference is the state's premier gathering for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and farmers market managers.
Registration Link: www.californiafarmconference.com
Posted: 2016-02-01 08:33:41

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Conference: Farm Foundations: Planning for Success
NCAT is partnering with Growing Warriors, Williamson Health and Wellness Center, and Refresh Appalachia to host this series.
Location: Williamson, West Virginia
Date: 2016-03-05
Registration Info: This workshop series is for military veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers. The workshop will focus on whole-farm planning, business management, and starting a sustainable farming operation. There is no cost, but space is limited.
Registration Link: www.ncat.org/armed-to-farm-events/
Posted: 2016-02-09 12:16:23

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Conference: Planning for Success: Growers' and Producers' Entrepreneurship Workshop
NCAT is helping to organize this workshop.
Location: Anaconda, Montana
Date: 2016-03-04
Registration Info: This is the final day of a multi-day workshop, featuring panel discussions organized by NCAT's Tammy Howard.
Registration Link: is.gd/FTn4ff
Posted: 2016-02-09 12:07:24

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"Armed To Farm" is Sustainable Agriculture Training For Military Veterans
NCAT has partnered with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Farmer Veteran Coalition, University of Arkansas, Growing Warriors, and other sustainable agriculture organizations to train veterans interested in sustainable agriculture careers.

⇒ Learn More
New Kindle Resources

The ATTRA catalog on Amazon includes publications ranging from organic production of apples, garlic, tomatoes, and other crops to building a micro-hydro system and crop insurance for small, diversified, and organic producers.

⇒ Learn More
Popular & Updated Publications
⇒ More ATTRA Publications
Webinars and Other Videos
⇒ Archives
Helpful Links
- Sustainable Ag Webinars
- Upcoming Workshops
- Organic Seed Suppliers
- Tutorials
- Organic Livestock Feed Suppliers
- Disaster Assistance
- ATTRA Newsletters
- Drought Programs and Resources
- Sustainable Producer Spotlight
- Ecological Pest Management
- Cosecha Mensual
  (Spanish-language e-newsletter)
New Podcasts!
ATTRA: Voices from the Field

Voices from the Field podcasts are the newest way to access our sustainable-agriculture expertise. If you would like to suggest a subject for a podcast or just need help with a sustainable-agriculture question, please contact us through our Ask an Ag Expert feature.

⇒ Learn More
Ecological Fisheries and Ocean Farming

World seafood production is increasing, with a large percentage coming from the harvest of fish and shellfish in both wild caught fisheries and aquaculture. As human population increases more pressure will be placed on our oceans for seafood protein. To meet this need, it is crucial that we foster ecological and regenerative systems to produce seafood that reverses the ocean degradation we have caused through overfishing and unsustainable fish farming methods.
⇒ Learn More
About ATTRA
In this video, our expert staff members introduce ATTRA's resources and mission.

Our ATTRA toll-free English language hotline is at
800-346-9140 and the Spanish-language ATTRA hotline
is at 800-411-3222. Call for expert advice.

...or use the Ask An Ag Expert tool to send us a note.
Montana Governor's Food Summit

Montanans who care about the issues pertaining to local food had a chance to come together, share information, and strategize about the next 10 years of working to build the state's food economy. The Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition and other partners, including the Montana Governor's Office, Montana Department of Agriculture, and Montana State University, held the 2016 Governor's Local Food and Agriculture Summit in October.

Watch videos of keynote speakers Fred Kirschenmann and Michael Shuman.

⇒ Learn More
On-Farm Food Safety and FSMA

What is the Food Safety Modernization Act (also known as FSMA) and does it apply to me?

If you operate a farm business that grows and sells fresh produce—and/or processes, packs, manufactures, or holds food, your business may be affected by FSMA. Some businesses may not be affected at all, some may be affected by one rule, and some may be affected by both rules.
⇒ Learn More