REGIONAL CHAPTERS:

We have the beginning of our first chapter. The Pacific Northwest Chapter is co-chaired by Susan Richman and Laura Masterson. Paul Hudak has joined as a key member of the Chapter’s Education Committee. Paul provided an incredible presentation about his Terra Nova Community Farm at Terra Nova High School during the Small Farmer’s Journal Horse -Drawn Equipment Auction in April.

EDUCATION PROGRESS:

Susan Richman and Paul Hudak are seeking sources for, and examples of, quality school curriculum content for developing classroom teaching material to support student experiences with sustainable agriculture on school farms and gardens. The SFC is working to encourage and assist with development of school, farm, and classroom based agricultural programs.

A GIFT FROM THE SMALL FARMER’S JOURNAL FOR INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Lynn Miller, Publisher and Editor of the Small Farmer’s Journal, has donated to the SFC a gift of approximately 50,000 back issues of Small Farmer’s Journal. The SFC intends to distribute these Journals to organizations in North America and worldwide that will use and benefit from the exceptional content found in this publication. The SFC has just begun a donation drive to establish a fund for paying postage toward our goal of world-wide distribution. If you know of an organization that would benefit from receiving copies of SFJ back issues, please send us your suggestions with some background and contact information. Also please consider contributing to the postage and shipping fund. Every dollar helps. Donations can be sent to Small Farms Conservancy, Journal Distribution Fund, P.O Box 3500 PMB 402, Sisters, OR 97759

SFC COLLABORATES TO BRING FORTH NEW MILKING TECHNOLOGY:

SFC member Chet Kendell, has invented a milk filtering device that can filter fresh milk directly from the cow to render it bacteria free and, thereby, eliminating the need for pasteurization. Chet presented the design and test data at the last SFC Board of Director’s meeting. We have seen the data and we know it works. The device filters milk directly from the cow while still warm and after the filter the milk is ready to go directly into final containers, ready for consumption. The challenge now is to get it approved by regulatory bodies around the world. This invention has the potential to change the dairy regulatory structure in developed nations and reduce disease and save lives in third world countries. The SFC is working with Chet Kendell to find funding for establishing a research partnership with a university to conduct robust testing of this device in real dairy conditions and then publish the results in a scientific journal and in popular literature. From there we take it to the regulatory infrastructure and push for approvals.

CAN YOU LEND A HAND?

Below is a string of email communications between Peter Tellin, an aspiring and deserving young farmer and the Small Farms Conservancy. Can you provide advice or assistance?

Hi Peter,

Can you provide more information about your needs? Where is your farm? What do you want to achieve? What equipment do you need? I am looking forward to your reply.

Larry Brewer

President – Small Farms Conservancy

Hi Larry,

I’m located in Wisconsin – Pierce County. My initial goal is to raise quality Herefords as a cow calf producer. My goals also include (but are not limited to) making a small income from my farm that will help me buy stuff for the farm, have better fences for the pasture… pretty much succeed as a small farmer. I own my cows and some equipment but I need hay making equipment and fencing materials. I buy all my feed including hay, but I have hay ground that people will let me cut. I’m a vet from Iraq and sold all the stuff that I had to follow my dream of farming beef cattle. I was a dairy farmer but sold out due to deployment. I’m still in the Army and work for GENEX breeding cattle as well. I’ve seen small farmers work it out and make money at it. I want to get to organic in a few years and graze my animals as well. I also want to market my beef to Co-ops and small grocery stores in the cities. I have so many goals and dreams but I just want to take it one step at a time.

Thank you

Peter Tellin

peter.tellin@yahoo.com

715-338-0507

Please take a moment to check the Conservancy website’s Community Forum for more opportunities to connect and assist with aspiring farmers. www.smallfarmsconservancy.org.

The demand for fresh, local meat products – with no taint of industrial process – is absolutely staggering. To read an article about the Conservancy’s inquiry please click here.

Donn Hewes of New York state offers a plan for a barn and a plan for community building. Click here for the complete article.

Word has come to us that the deadline to apply for USDA Value-added grants in aid to farmers comes up August 29, 2011. Here is an important opportunity for small farms which you might want to take advantage of.

Here is the link to more complete information: