Join this exclusive free 6-part online series with elderberry experts who will walk you through how to grow, sell, and profit from this amazing plant. You’ll learn:

– The dozens of products that can be made from elderberry flowers, stems, leaves, and berries
– The simple setup to grow elderberries, including the “rain method” for planting
– The top varieties that cutting edge growers are investing in that give superior yields
– Why the US is investing $5.4 million into additional elderberry research
– How you, too, can get started for just a few dollars and benefit from “natures medicine chest”

Sign up, and you will receive one session each day, delivered to your inbox. Emails go out at 8:00 am daily (February 6-12), and you can view them on your schedule and from wherever you are. The videos are each about 30 minutes long. If you miss one, you can catch it the next day.

For more information or to register, visit the series webpage.

The National Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Meeting is the premier event for leaders in conservation, from district officials and agency representatives to industry professionals. Each year, the meeting draws over 1,000 conservation leaders from across the United States and its territories.

Meeting attendees have the opportunity to:
– Network with landowners, partnering organizations, companies and government agencies
– Discover emerging technologies, services and programs through the Innovation Fair
– Engage in professional development
– Participate in forums discussing natural resource issues
– Develop strategies for education and outreach
– Influence conservation policy

For more information or to register, visit the event webpage, or contact the National Association of Conservation Districts by email or phone (202-547-6223).

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

The application for the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund opens once per year at which time eligible veterans are given four weeks to submit a fully completed application.

Once the application period ends, an advisory panel of agricultural industry professionals convenes to review submissions. The application review process can take up to two months with awardees usually being notified in the spring.

Fellowship recipients have six months to use their award.

Upon notification of their award, Fellowship recipients may begin seeking out third-party vendors to make their purchase. All third-party vendors must be approved by the Fellowship Fund manager prior to purchase.

After an approved third-party vendor has been selected, the Fellowship Fund manager makes the payment on the farmer veteran’s behalf.

The application, which consists of both short answer and essay questions, is comprised of five main focus areas: military service, educational background, prior farming experience, business and financial planning, and short-term and long-term goals.

Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Farm training/experience and/or transferable skills
• Personal investment in their farm business
• Strength of funding request and ability to show how an award will help grow their farm business
• Vision and goals for the future of their business
• Community involvement

Required Documents

• A business plan
• Proof of service

For more information or to apply, visit the fellowship website, or contact the Farmer Veteran Coalition by email or phone (530-756-1395).

SoilCon 2023 is a free, virtual conference that brings research, extension, and production together to move soil health principles into practice. The Washington State Soil Health Initiative (WaSHI), with support from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE), organizes the conference.

For more information or to register, visit the conference website, or email the Washington State Soil Health Initiative.

Meaningful conversations between women farmers, rural business leaders and landowners have been a goal of the Women Managing the Farm Conference since the event began in 2005, and the 2023 meeting is no exception. From ag advocacy at large and small scales to the impact of military aggression on global food security to mental health, the 2023 Women Managing the Conference offers women the chance to explore how to grow their operations, their communities and themselves.

This annual conference provides a supportive setting in which women can develop the skills, resources and knowledge needed for success in a competitive agricultural environment. Conference sessions are designed to keep women up to date on the latest advancements in agriculture and thriving within their rural communities.

During the two-day conference, attendees will also select from presentations covering many topics, including a K-State calving school, farm finances, relationships and health, agricultural and estate law, crop production and marketing, management and more. Attendees also choose networking sessions tailored to the different roles women hold, such as agricultural partners and helpers, independent producers, absentee landowners, ag industry career women and business managers.

Early registration runs through January 15, 2023, at $175, with scholarships available for those who apply before that deadline. New this year is a student rate of $60 for any high school or college students. After that date, registration is $200. Additional pre-conference sessions are available for $25, including beginning QuickBooks, advanced QuickBooks, interactive farm safety and an introduction to UAV/drone technology.

For more information or to register, visit the conference webpage, or contact Rhonda Lund by email or phone (785-532-4016).