May 8, 2023, is the deadline for applications to the SARE Fellows program. SARE Fellows is a unique professional development opportunity for agricultural professionals to:
– Build new relationships with colleagues across the nation.
– Deepen their understanding of the concepts and intentions of sustainable agriculture.
– Visit with innovative producers and partners nationwide who are striving to sustain agriculture for future generations.
– Increase their awareness about educational opportunities and approaches in sustainable agriculture.

The SARE Fellows program provides an immersive educational experience for participants to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture through broad-based training and interpersonal interactions at unique agriculture operations nationwide. Participating Fellows build professional relationships, improve their teaching and technology transfer skills, and are better prepared to develop programs that meet the needs of their local agricultural communities. Learn more about the SARE Fellows program and about previous participants’ experiences.

Eligibility
– Agricultural professionals working in outreach programs focused on farmer and rancher education.
– Must have an interest in learning about sustainable agriculture systems across the US and applying what you learn with your agricultural community.

For more information, or to apply, visit the SARE Fellows Program webpage, or contact Kristy Borrelli by email or phone (301-453-5339).

During the third full week of May each year, conservation organizations, associations, farmers, ranchers, shepherds, and consumers share stories about how heritage breeds have impacted their lives, environments, and local economies. This global conversation raises awareness about endangered livestock and poultry breeds listed on the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List and about rare breeds around the world. You can share photos and plans for special activities on social media. The Livestock Conservancy also has brochures to help you tell the story of livestock and poultry conservation.

For more information, visit the Livestock Conservancy website, or contact The Livestock Conservancy by email or phone (919-542-5704).

Farmers and ranchers may apply to enroll grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup through May 26.

The Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is part of the CRP program, a federally funded voluntary program that contracts with agricultural producers so that environmentally sensitive agricultural land is not farmed or ranched, but instead used for conservation benefits. FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is 10 or 15 years. Grassland CRP helps landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland, and pastureland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands.

The program emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity, and grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion. Grassland CRP is reauthorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.

For more information on the CRP Grasslands program, see the USDA fact sheet.  The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition also has this post with more background on the program.

To enroll in the CRP Grasslands signup, producers and landowners should contact their local USDA Service Center by the May 26 deadline.

The Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association Annual Convention & Trade Show is a 3-day conference designed for the pecan industry in Oklahoma and surrounding areas.

For more information or to register, visit the event webpage, or contact the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association by email or phone (580-279-0357).

The OSU Cattlewomen’s Boot Camp is a project that combines elements of two successful programs, Annie’s Project and the Oklahoma Livestock Boot Camps. Using previous agendas from the boot camps and the teaching model of Annie’s Project, the program intends to create an informative and engaging learning experience for female producers covering various methods on how to manage the production, financial, and market risks when operating a beef cow/calf operation.

This program will be a three-day workshop that will combine traditional educational programming with hands-on demonstration and activities and classroom exercises. Topics that will be covered include but are not limited to:

• Cattle Evaluation
• Calf Management
• Herd Nutrition
• Hay Evaluation
• Forage Production
• Marketing
• Production and Financial Records
• Farm Transitions
• General Management Practices
• Farm Business Planning
• Herd Health and Vaccinations
• Facility Management and Selection
• Reproduction Management
• Calving Management

Partners

This program will partner with the Southern Extension Risk Management Education, Oklahoma Cattlewomen’s Association, Oklahoma Women in Agriculture, and Oklahoma Women Veterans Program.

For more information or to register, visit the event webpage, or contact JJ Jones by email or phone (580-332-7011).