Nebraska’s Beginning Farm and Ranch Opportunity Tour Set to Launch

June 2, 2016 Leave a comment


The Center for Rural Affairs is offering a free summer series of Latino Beginning Farmer and Rancher tours in Nebraska City, Martell, Grand Island, and Lincoln, Nebraska. The first session will be held on Saturday June 11, with the last session on October 22, 2016.

 

“These tours are a great opportunity for people who are either interested in starting a small farm or who already have a farm, to learn from an existing farmer,” commented Kirstin Bailey, Project Organizer, Center for Rural Affairs. “We will be seeing farms that have been in business for just a few years and hear from the owners about their operation. It is a chance to learn from expert presenters and network with other farmers and those interested in farming. We are excited about the different topics we have this year!”

 

Participants can pick and choose which farm tours work best for them to attend, based on their location. All tours will be presented or interpreted in Spanish.

 

Transportation to the tour sites will be provided. Participants can meet at Community Action, 210 O St, Lincoln, NE at 9:00 a.m for a ride.

 

What: Multi-session summer series of Latino Beginning Farmer & Rancher Workshops and Farm Tours

 

When and Where: 

June 11th, 2016 – Basic Orchard Management, Union Orchard, Nebraska City, NE

 

July 30th, 2016 – Soil Health and Cover Crops,  Jones Produce, Crete, NE

July 30th, 2016 – Small Scale Farming,  Robinette Farms, Martell NE

 

September 17th, 2016  – Tools for Vegetable Farming, 26th St Farm, Hastings, NE

September 17th, 2016 – Poultry Management, Prairie Pride Poultry, Grand Island, NE

 

October 22nd, 2016  – Walk Behind Tractor Options and Alternative Soil Amendments, Prairie Pines, Lincoln NE

 

For more information or to register, contact Lucia Schulz at lucias@cfra.org or (402) 750-5727.  Additional information can be found here: http://www.cfra.org/latino-beg-farmer-workshops.

 

The Center for Rural Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Provider, and Employer.

Filed under Community Tagged with , ,

Clean Power Plan Finalized

August 5, 2015 Leave a comment


By Lauren Kolojejchick-Kotch, laurenk@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

On August 3rd, President Barack Obama and EPA Director Gina McCarthy announced EPA’s release of the final version of the Clean Power Plan, establishing the first U.S. limits on carbon pollution. We applaud the Administration for taking this step. The Clean Power Plan will provide a significant opportunity to reduce America’s dependence on fossil fuels by stepping up our commitment to renewable energy and greater energy efficiency.
The Clean Power Plan requires the nation’s existing power plants to reduce carbon pollution by an average of 32% by 2030, an increase from the target of 30 percent proposed in the draft rule. States must submit implementation plan drafts by 2016, with final versions due in 2018. The final rule also includes incentives for states that invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency prior to 2022.
Energy efficiency investments benefit ratepayers, especially in low-income households and rural communities. Moreover, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory forecasts that an 80 megawatt wind farm can generate nearly 400 jobs, $4.8 million in land lease payments, and $6.3 million in new tax revenues for schools and services like local fire and police forces.
During the Clean Power Plan comment period, the Center for Rural Affairs helped nearly 1100 rural and small town Americans submit comments in support of a strong carbon rule. As we review the final plan in coming months, we should all emphasize energy options that dramatically reduce emissions and protect our health, while keeping our hard-earned dollars closer to home.

Filed under News Tagged with , ,