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ROBYN METZGER
robynm@ncat.org

Two women working in rows of vegetables with a high tunnel and house in background.
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The Legacy and Future of Small Farms

By Mike Lewis, NCAT Senior Manager, Southeast and Appalachia Region In the past century, the number of farmers in the U.S. has declined dramatically. Small farms, once the heart and soul of rural America, have been squeezed out by a system that…
Linda and Janice taking a selfie, smiling into the camera.
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Farmer Appreciation: A Tribute to Janice Neighbor 

January is Farmer Appreciation Month at NCAT, and some of the farmers and ranchers we especially value are those who make the effort to pass along their hard-won knowledge to beginners. NCAT Livestock Specialist Linda Coffey recently lost one…

Ag solutions company sparks biomass innovation and remarkable success

The fertile farm country of eastern Washington’s Palouse prairie region hosts millions of acres of grains, fruits, vegetables, forage, and forests that support its economy. And one Cheney-based company is increasing the economic value of these…
Stacked lumber with sawdust on the ground around it.

Arkansas carbon venture turns sustainable forestry management residuals into market-ready product

John Reese brings the boundless energy of a born salesman and a passion for every project he does. As general manager of EnviraPAC Monticello, his focus is on a business venture that superheats sustainable forestry management residuals to create…
group of bats flying in blue sky above tree silhouettesCanva

How Human and Ecosystem Health Intertwine

By NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Nina Prater Sometimes cause and effect are easy to understand. Habitat destruction, for example, obviously leads to a decline for those creatures that depend on that habitat. Less milkweed means fewer…
cover of book showing graphic of farm scene and words Farmer Guide to Fertilizing with UrineRich Earth Institute

Farmer Guide to Fertilizing with Urine Available Online

The Rich Earth Institute has a new publication available free, online, Farmer Guide to Fertilizing with Urine. The Rich Earth Institute reports that interest in urine nutrient reclamation has been surging, driven by spiking synthetic fertilizer…
close-up of green leaf of crop plant USDA/Kirsten Strough

Small, Black-owned Farms Practicing Climate Farming

As part of National Public Radio’s week dedicated to coverage of food and climate, a story highlighted small, Black-owned farms in the Gulf South that are choosing crops and farming practices with the climate in mind. For example, Louisiana…
Three people work among row crops in an urban garden with hoop house in the backgroundUSDA photo by Christophe Paul

Minnesota Seeking New Members for Emerging Farmers’ Working Group

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Emerging Farmers’ Working Group has openings for nine volunteer members for two-year terms. Minnesotans interested in making it easier for new and emerging farmers to create or sustain an…
a field of agave plants under a blue sky with white cloudsCreative Commons by Kirt Edblom

California Explores Agave as Heat- and Drought-Tolerant Alternative Crop

As part of its week-long focus on food and climate change, National Public Radio reported on California agriculture’s interest in agave as an alternative crop. Unlike many other crops, agave can grow with just three inches of water each…