Rodale Institute’s Post

In today's episode, we have James Cusack, a fifth-generation farmer and Corriedale breeder hailing from south-west Victoria. While James grew up on a farm in Western Australia, he spent time completing a diesel mechanic apprenticeship before returning to farming in Victoria. James explains, "I was always told I had to do something else, so becoming a diesel mechanic was a practical skill to have. It's come in handy in various ways, but ultimately, my heart was in farming." Now located in Skipton, south-west Victoria, James manages his family's farms, including the original Corriedale stud in Australia, flock number one, a lineage established in 1911. In 2012, James inherited the stud and has since dedicated himself to ramping up production and genetic improvement across both wool and meat. James' dedication to improving his flock led him to join the Performance Corriedale Group. This group of passionate Corriedale breeders collaborates to enhance the breed's performance, particularly in meat quality and growth traits. James elaborates, "We aim to change the traditional look of the breed, improve rearing ability, and boost lamb weaning rates while maintaining the valuable wool characteristics." To achieve this, the Performance Corriedale Group established a progeny test. This project involves joining 270 commercial ewes to 11 different sires, including Corriedales, Border Leicesters, Dorsets and maternal composites. The goal is to assess eating quality and growth traits in the offspring: "We're looking forward to processing the lambs in the new year and analysing carcass traits such as shear force and intramuscular fat." James is optimistic about the future of Corriedales and believes that projects like these will help showcase the breed's potential. He emphasises the importance of encouraging other breeders to embrace objective measurement tools and select for desired traits. To stay updated on the progress of this exciting project or get in touch with James Cusack, visit the Performance Corriedale Breeders' Twitter account or email James at jocusack94@gmail.com. Don't miss their field day on 1 March 2024, where you can see the progeny on display and learn more about their findings first hand. If you have any questions about anything mentioned on this podcast, or one for our upcoming Q&A, sign up to Head Shepherd Hub (for free) and record your question here: https://lnkd.in/gDSyti9i .

Vegetable Trivia Time! Test Your Knowledge and Have Fun!💚 Let’s see how much you know about the world of vegetables!👇 🔸 Cucumbers have been cultivated for over how many years? a) 1,000 years b) 3,000 years c) 5,000 years d) 7,000 years 🔸 Which pollinator is considered the most efficient at pollinating vegetable crops? a) Butterflies b) Bees c) Hummingbirds d) Beetles Drop your answers in the comment section. Did you get both right? Let’s remember that learning is a continuous journey. Keep growing and keep learning! Follow us at Leverage Fresh Limited for more updates #leveragefreshlimited #vegetables #gardening #agriculture #growvegchallenge

Archive Collection - Work: Crab Farming {Jun 26th, 2023} Alright, the groundwork has been laid and we're starting our research production at the Thomas Seafood crab hatchery. As mentioned previously, Thomas Seafood is a soft-shell crab shedding operation that has recently revisited their plans for a blue crab hatchery, which started back in 2019. The large water-filled trays you see are what's used during shedding season to house molting (peeler) crabs. We retrofitted them with air lines, and two tanks each for holding pregnant (sponge) crabs. The tanks consist of a sand bed, an air line, a water line, black coverings, and a side port for exiting water. The idea is to have one sponge crab per tank and let them spawn naturally. Then the early-stage larvae, called Zoea, will exit the tank via the side port, into a filter bag, and then be transferred to larval culture. The second image shows some healthy eggs we scraped off a sponge crab to have as a recorded sample. For further information please visit https://lnkd.in/dv3dpcAX.

#agriculture, #agricema, #villages, #community, #farming, #foodjustice, and #farmers, #foodie, #foodstagram, #foodporn, #foodphotography, and #localfood. I'm breaking my 25-year movie drought! I'm sharing some of my favorite films about farming and agriculture with my neighbors. These films are educational and inspiring, and I hope they'll enjoy them as much as I have. Even if they don't think they're interested, I'm determined to get them hooked. Here's to a new era of Agri-cinema. There are many movies that can be really helpful for agripreneurs. Few of them are : "The Biggest Little Farm." This movie follows a couple who starts a farm and faces many challenges along the way. It's a great example of perseverance and problem-solving. "Food, Inc." This documentary explores the food industry and the challenges faced by farmers. It's a great way to learn about the issues facing the agricultural industry. For a film that covers the history of modern agriculture, I recommend "King Corn." It follows two friends as they explore the corn industry and its effects on American agriculture. For a more lighthearted option, "The Garden" is a documentary about a community garden in South Central Los Angeles. It's a great example of urban agriculture and community building. If you're looking for something more dramatic, I recommend "The Grapes of Wrath." Based on the novel by John Steinbeck, it tells the story of a family of farmers who are forced to leave their land during the Dust Bowl. It's a powerful and moving story about the importance of land and community. It also features amazing performances by Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell. Another great option is "Fruitvale Station." It's a drama based on the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old man who was shot and killed by a police officer in Oakland, California. It's a heartbreaking film, but it also offers insight into the struggle of urban farming and food justice. The lead performance by Michael B. Jordan is also incredible. "City of Gold" is a documentary about food critic Jonathan Gold and his love for Los Angeles. It's a fascinating look at the connection between food and place. Gold's perspective on food is unique and inspiring, and the film is a joy to watch. "Gather." It's a documentary about the food sovereignty movement and its focus on reclaiming traditional food systems. It's a powerful and eye-opening film that will leave you thinking about the importance of food for generations to come. To wrap up, it's clear that movies and documentaries can be a powerful way to learn about the world of food and agriculture. They can offer different perspectives and insights, and they're a great way to relax and unwind. I hope you'll find something on this list that sparks your interest and expands your horizons. What do you think about my selection, l'm going to start by watching the "The Little Biggest Farm".

We believe that the healthiest and tastiest produce is always grown responsibility. #GrupoBay #quality #foodsafety #healthy #healthyfood #safetystandards #safetyprocesses #consumerexpectation #organicproducts #organic #agriculture #sustainablefarming #freshproduce #planting #harvest #cucumber

Black Sesame! #Navadhanya for #Saturn Engaging High #School #Students in #Sesame Seed #gardening Growing black sesame seeds at home can be a rewarding and educational experiment for high school students. The entire crop cycle, from planting to harvest, can be observed within a timeframe of 3-4 months. Flowering typically begins around 2 months after sowing. This project offers several opportunities for students to explore practical applications of science, mathematics, environment and life skill concepts learned in the classroom. Investigative Questions: Here are some thought-provoking questions students can consider throughout the growing process: How much does a single black sesame seed cost? On average, how many seeds can be harvested from a single sesame plant grown from a single seed? What are the three most significant uses of black sesame seeds? Researching this question can introduce students to the diverse applications of black sesame in food and potentially other industries. What are the key quality parameters that determine the market value of black sesame seeds? How does the price per kilogram vary based on these quality factors? Students can investigate market trends and understand how factors like quality influence consumer choices and pricing. Experiential Learning: By actively participating in the gardening process, students gain valuable firsthand experience with plant growth and development. This project fosters a sense of accomplishment and promotes an appreciation for the time and effort involved in food production. The practical learning experience, coupled with the enjoyment of cultivating a crop at home, can leave a lasting positive impact on students' understanding of agriculture and the importance of sustainable practices. #SkillsByNature at https://www.arecapot.in/ Image source: Google Gemini

What’s the best way to teach kids about farming when you’re nowhere near a farm? How about bringing a farm to the kids? Read more about some of the trips our mobile truck farms have gone on in June on our blog: https://loom.ly/_obJLI0

I will be at Nnewi Catfish Hatchery and Grow Out farm next week where I will be producing hundreds of thousands of catfish fries and will raise them to fingerlings, post fingerlings and juveniles for stocking of grow outs and table sizes. This project will be a steady program that will pass through various value chains such as breeding, rearing of fries, fingerlings and juveniles, feed, feeding, processing, equipment, marketing and sales. You can learn a lot following these project milestones. You can also become a partner to this project or program. You can be a supplier to this project. You can be a marketer for this project. You can even become a benefactor of this project. Meaning, there's a lot of opportunities for you to gain by being involved in any stage of this project. Because of the size of the project site and the capacity expected, we'd be needing extra funds to make sure materials and inventory is maximally put in place. We have therefore, created a partnership offer for those interested enough to participate. I will be needing various amounts of support from colleagues and partners. I need over 50 pieces of catfish, female and male broodstock. I need ovulation chemicals and some hatchery materials for the overall success of this goal. There are some openings for partnership collaboration in this project seeing the volume of cost investment. There's slots for those who can bring broodstocks and other vital inputs whether cash or kind. There's slots for those who would like to learn. Few slots open First 5 persons to DM me will receive a free gift on catfish farming. Chat Me Up https://lnkd.in/dZKQAa7W

https://lnkd.in/gFxTtd_y MGFSP MICRO-GRANT FOR FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM (MGFSP) What is MGFSP? The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) assists to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations. The Hawai’i Department of Agriculture competitively distributes the funds through subawards to eligible entities. Subawardees applying as individuals will be awarded up to $5,000, and subawardees applying as organizations will be awarded up to $10,000. Please check back here for more updates. How do I apply? Applications for MGFSP FY23 (Awarded in 2024) will go live on July 11, 2024. A link will be available on this page for individuals to click on and complete your PDF fillable application form. Organizations will apply at https://lnkd.in/gzNyZFmn. A webinar will take place on July 12, 2024, at 12PM HST. The webinar will guide you through the application and may answer any questions you have. We recommend you watch the webinar before filling out your application. The webinar will be linked to the right of the application for you to view at any time. Applications are due on August 12, 2024 12:00PM HST as evidenced by the HDOA timeclock. The application will prompt you to check boxes in set categories on how you will use your funding and in what dollar amounts, estimate quantity/weight of food you will produce, and provide a headcount of beneficiaries. Categories are gardening, herding and livestock, and apiaries. You will also have space to write a coherent and descriptive plan of your project. If you need assistance with applying, contact hdoa.md.microgrants@hawaii.gov. Please check back here for more updates.

The Adaptive Cultivator System (ACS) is a weed control tool for vineyards, trellised orchards, hemp and fence lines. The ACS is primarily used as a maintenance tool and not an aggressive tillage tool. The 26" finger weeder head is supported by a flexible torsion arm that requires no electronic or hydraulic input as it works to eliminate weeds in the crop row without damaging the established crop. The fingers are able to run right up to, and around the crop without operator input and does not leave an unworked area at the base of the vine, like a radius on a grape hoe. The machine excels at working speeds of 4 to 7 mph depending on soil and crop conditions. Running ahead of the finger weeders are a gang of two spiders that work to break crust and control weeds alongside the row. Depending on how they are set, they can also be used to move a small amount of soil towards or away from the crop row. These spiders also run on a flexible torsion mount which allows them to adjust to contours on the ground without operator input. A rigid guard designed to deflect vines, trees or other crops protects both the crop and the equipment from damage. Small growers face unique challenges and often must rely on older equipment that was developed many years ago for mechanized cultivation. This often means farmers are forced to rely on parts that are obsolete, poorly constructed or difficult to find. Our goal is to provide a variety of implements for planting, cultivation, harvest, post-harvest, and more. Check us out at HeberEquipment.com Financing and Delivery Available #marketgardening #grapes #grapevine #blueberry #blueberries #orchard #vineyard #vine #apples #hops #blackberries #Blackberry #agriculture #Farming #FFA #fruitsandveggies #organicgardening #organicfarming #organicfood #smallfarm #farmlife #cultivate #fypシ゚ #shorts #reelsusa #americanmade #farmequipment