Begin forwarded message:

From: "National Center for Appropriate Technology" <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: ICYMI: Integrate Livestock into Your Veggie Crops

Date: November 13, 2020 at 8:31:04 AM EST

To: [log in to unmask]

Reply-To: [log in to unmask]

REMINDER Hear Specialty-Crop Farmer's Real World Experience Integrating Livestock Integrated Livestock and Vegetable Crops Q&A Session  Tuesday, November 17, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. MST  Join us for this question-and-answer session that is a follow-up to a webinar NCAT hosted about integrated crop-livestock systems. Such systems may provide sustainable alternatives to terminate cover crops, reduce fertilizer, and improve the water cycle. Featured in this session are Montana specialty crop farmer Leon Stangl, Montana State University (MSU) research associate Devon Ragen and MSU graduate student Trestin Benson. Leon will share his story of success in integrating livestock on his farm and Devon and Trestin will discuss their ground-breaking research concerning integrating sheep on dryland cropping systems and vegetable specialty crops. NCAT sustainable agriculture specialist Dave Scott will serve as moderator. Please watch Leon’s video about work on his farm prior to this session. You can view it at https://youtu.be/e_2Z99jfK04 . Registration is required. Click here to reserve your place. For more information, contact Dave Scott at [log in to unmask] or 406-490-7596 or Devon Ragen at 406-579-1539. Watch for registration information about a Q&A session that will feature ranchers who are integrating livestock into their field crops. It will be offered on Monday, November 23. These sessions are made possible through funding from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE). About the Presenters: Leon Stangl is a Montana farmer whose Yourganic Farm produces a diverse selection of vegetables and directly sells its produce through CSAs and local markets. To add diversity and interest, each year he trials a new crop to test for hardiness and marketability. Animals are also an integral part of the farm, providing weed suppression, tilling, manure for compost, and meat for sale. According to Leon, "The diversity of our farm, with vegetables and animals, stabilizes our work load and cash flow throughout the year." Devon Ragen is a Research Associate in the MSU Animal and Range Sciences Department in Bozeman, MT.  She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from MSU.  Devon has been conducting research to investigate the sustainability of integrated crop-livestock production systems.  She has participated in research incorporating animal science, agronomy, soil science, entomology, and weed ecology. Trestin Benson is a master’s graduate student studying with the MSU Animal and Range Sciences Department. She received her bachelor’s in natural resources and rangeland ecology from MSU. Currently she is wrapping up her research on The Effects of Integrating Livestock in Small Scale Farming Systems. Trestin has also assisted on other research projects that have focused on nutrition, animal health, wool, and agronomy. Dave Scott has over 35 years of experience with adaptive multi-paddock grazing, first with dairy cows and the last 17 years with sheep. He and his wife operate Montana Highland Lamb with 180 ewes and close to 300 lambs on 32 acres of irrigated pasture in southwest Montana. They direct market lamb and are transitioning to regenerative grazing, which has yielded more ewe grazing days while reducing inorganic N-fertilizer inputs. At NCAT, Scott contributes practical “how-to” publications, podcasts, and videos for the sustainable farmer and rancher.          Since 1976, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. More information about its programs and services is available at www.ncat.org or by calling 1-800-ASK-NCAT.

Copyright © 2020 The National Center for Appropriate Technology NCAT Headquarters: 3040 Continental Drive Butte, MT 59701 1-800-ASK-NCAT Your Gift Helps NCAT Help People. Your support helps NCAT promote sustainable solutions. Please donate today. Become an E-news Subscriber     THE NCAT MISSION Helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. Unsubscribe || Privacy Policy

 

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy