In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Katherine Favor heads to Terranova Ranch in the central San Joaquin Valley of California to talk about conservation hedgerows with Don Cameron, the ranch’s general manager and vice president.

Terranova Ranch is dedicated to producing over 25 premium-quality crops as effectively, productively, and sustainably as possible. They have implemented a wide variety of conservation and regenerative agriculture practices, including sustainable irrigation practices and conservation hedgerows.

Learn about the benefits and challenges of hedgerows, along with do’s and don'ts for hedgerow design and installation.

Since planting these hedgerows just two years ago, Don has seen a wide variety of positive changes at the ranch, including increased biodiversity, more beneficial insects and pollinators, reduced erosion, and a more aesthetically pleasing farmscape.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• A Pictorial Guide to Hedgerow Plants for Beneficial Insects
• Farmscaping to Enhance Biological Control
• Agroforestry: An Overview
• Miles of Hedgerows, a California Update
• Native Plants Offer More Than Beauty to the Farmscape

Other Resources:

• Terranova Ranch

Contact Katherine Favor via email at [email protected]

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website /

Damian Valdez and Jamie Williamson run Lighthouse Herb’n Farm, an organic herb, tea, medicinal plant, and dye-plant operation in eastern San Diego. The farm is located on what is considered Luiseño Payómkawichum native land.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Jamie and Damian talk with NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Katherine Favor about their ethic of "leave no trace" -- how they farm organically in San Diego's harsh desert climate in a way that honors this sacred native land, and ensures that it is kept intact for generations to come.

For Jamie and Damian, "leave no trace" farming means farming in a way that honors the past while preserving the future.

It involves knowing your landscape and its limitations; tailoring every farming practice to the specifics of your growing context; choosing crops that are appropriate to your growing context; keeping your soil covered and disturbing it as little as possible; creating self-regulating systems rather than relying on inputs; using only natural principles of biomimicry and succession to alter your landscape; seed saving; and always attempting to leave the land better than you found it.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Herb Production in Organic Systems
• Lavendar Production, Markets, and Agritourism
• Ginseng, Goldenseal, and Other Native Roots

Other Resources:

• Lighthouse Herb’n Farm

Contact Katherine Favor via email at [email protected]

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Northeast Regional Office:

The National Center for Appropriate Technology has launched America’s first AgriSolar Clearinghouse to connect farmers, ranchers, land managers, solar developers, and researchers with trusted, practical information to increase the co-location of solar and agriculture.

In less than a decade, solar installations are expected to cover more than 3 million acres of the United States, creating a big opportunity to pair solar with agricultural land to produce food, conserve ecosystems, create renewable energy, increase pollinator habitat, and maximize farm revenue.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Communications Director Emilie Ritter Saunders speaks with Energy Programs Director Stacie Peterson, Phd., about how the AgriSolar Clearinghouse aims to make solar more accessible to land managers looking to make the most out of their land, diversify their revenue, and produce renewable energy.

Visit the new resource at AGRISOLARCLEARINGHOUSE.ORG

Related ATTRA Resources:

• AgriSolar Clearinghouse
• Sheep and the Sun: Solar Grazing with Lexie Hain

Contact Stacie Peterson and Emilie Ritter Saunders via email at [email protected] and [email protected]

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Northeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook

En este episodio de Voces del Campo, Martin Guerena, especialista en agricultura sostenible de NCAT, es entrevistado por Pepe Reyes de Radio El Gallito de Bakersfield, California, sobre cómo encontrar tierras agrícolas y cómo asegurarla para alquiler, arrendamiento o compra. Martin trabaja en la Oficina Regional Occidental de NCAT en Davis, California.

Para obtener más información sobre este tema, puede ponerse en contacto con Martin Guerena directamente en [email protected]

Llame a la línea de "ATTRA en Español" con cualquier pregunta sobre agricultura sostenible al 800 411-3222 o por correo electrónico a [email protected] o [email protected]. Nuestros especialistas pueden ayudarle con una amplia gama de temas, inclusivamente: planificación de fincas, manejo de plagas, producción hortícola, ganadería, suelos, acuicultura, y mucho más.

Recursos de ATTRA

• Recursos en Español
• La Conferencia del Agricultor Latino Facebook

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

NCAT Facebook

Granja SIFT de NCAT SITIO Website

Oficina del suroeste: Website / Facebook

Oficina occidental: Website / Facebook

Oficina de Rocky Mountain West: Website / Facebook

Oficina de los Estados del Golfo: Website / Facebook

Oficina sureste: Website / Facebook

Oficina del noreste: Website / Facebook

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Margo Hale, NCAT'S Southeast Regional Director, and NCAT Agriculture Specialist Tracy Mumma discuss considerations in raising hair sheep. Both have raised hair sheep but in very different climates – Tracy in Montana and Margo in Arkansas.

Because hair sheep are less common than wool sheep in many part of the country, Margo and Tracy begin by explaining what hair sheep are and go on to discuss some of the benefits of hair sheep as well as some potential pitfalls to be aware of when deciding whether a hair sheep enterprise is right for your farm.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Sheep and Goats
• Direct Marketing Meat with Dave and Jenny Scott. Part 1
• Direct Marketing Mead with Dave and Jenny Scott. Part 2: Processing
• Direct Marketing Mead with Dave and Jenny Scott. Part 3: Relationships
• Managing Internal Parasites in Sheep and Goats
• Sheep and Goats: Frequently Asked Questions
• Sheep: Sustainable and Organic Production
• Tips for: Preventing Internal Parasites
• Tips for Marketing Sheep and Goat Products: Live Animals
• Tips for Marketing Sheep and Goat Products: Meat
• Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants: Animal Selection
• Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants: Pasture Management

Contact Margo Hale and Tracy Mumma via email at [email protected] and [email protected]

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website /

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Nina Prater introduces us to one of NCAT's newest staff members, Chris Lent.

Actually, it is more of a reintroduction since Chris worked at NCAT several years ago. He took a break when his son was born, and now he's back as a sustainable agriculture specialist working from northeast Pennsylvania with NCAT's Northeast Regional Office.

Chris has wide-ranging experience, from organic agriculture and high tunnel production to solar power and business planning. He and Nina talk about his journey in agriculture and the projects he'll be taking on with NCAT.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Chris Lent profile
• Scaling Up for Regional Markets
• Armed to Farm
• Solar Powered Livestock Watering Systems
• High Tunnels in Urban Agriculture

Other Resources

• Square Foot Gardening
• PASA Sustainable Agriculture
• Rodale Books
• International Organic Inspectors Association
• Pennsylvania Certified Organic
• Greenhouse Manual: An Introductory Guide for Educators

Contact Nina Prater and Chris Lent via email at [email protected] and [email protected]

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website /

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist Jeff Schahczenski talks about the more than 30 year history of the development of the organic pulse and legume industry in Montana and beyond.

His conversation is with David Oien, founding farmer and CEO of Timeless Foods based in Ulm, Montana. David was on the forefront of the sustainable agriculture movement, and his story, along with the other founders of what will become Timeless Foods, is the subject of the popular book Lentil Underground: Renegade Farmers and the Future of Food in America.

Timeless Foods now represents dozens of organic farmers growing gourmet legumes and heirloom grains using biologically diverse organic farm systems. Under the brand Timeless Natural Food, this "lentil underground" has grown into a million-dollar enterprise that sells to hundreds of independent natural foods stores and a host of renowned restaurants worldwide.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Guide for Organic Crop Producers
• Is Organic Farming Risky? Improving Crop Insurance for Organic Farms
• Organic Small Grain Production Overview
• Reducing Tillage Intensity in Organic Production Systems

Other Resources

• Timeless Natural Foods
• Lentil Underground

Contact Jeff Schahczenski via email at [email protected].

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website /

Jane Harrod and her family operate a multi-generational farm in Clays Ferry, Kentucky. In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT specialist Mike Lewis sits down with Jane to talk about the history of her family land and how a highway divided the land and changed the farm's economic outlook.

A well-known Kentucky native-species specialist, Jane talks about her family's vision for the future of their farm using an ecologically driven decision-making process. An early adopter of hemp production in Kentucky, Jane also discusses some of the challenges and successes she has had producing this crop.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Agroforestry: An Overview
• Organic Farming

Other Resources

• Early Bird CDB

Contact Mike Lewis via email at [email protected].

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also check out NCAT's Regional Offices' websites and Facebook Pages!

Southwest Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Western Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Rocky Mountain West Regional Office: Facebook

Gulf States Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Southeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook

Northeast Regional Office: Website / Facebook

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT's Southeast Regional Director and Director of NCAT's Armed to Farm Program Margo Hale, talks with Alvina, an Air Force Reservist who owns River Hill Ranch in Richmond, Kentucky.

Alvina Maynard credits a commercial she happened to see on television while staying in in a hotel with inspiring her to raise alpacas.

Alvina talks about her military background, her farming enterprises, and how her operation has grown. She also shares her experience accessing various USDA programs, including the Value-Added Producer Grant and EQIP. Alvina discusses the programs and services she has utilized, how those programs have helped her reach her farm goals, and tips for veterans and other farmers as they navigate USDA programs.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• NCAT Armed to FarmWebsite
• NCAT Armed to FarmFacebook
• Veteran Resources
• Financing Your Farm: Guidance for Beginning Farmers
• Federal Conservation Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching
• Veterans Discuss USDA Programs
• High Tunnels and the NRCS

Other Resources

• River Hill Ranch
• Farmer Veteran Coalition
• Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
• USDA Veteran Initiatives
• USDA Service Center Locator
• USDA Farm Service Agency
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Step-by-Step: How to Get Assistance from NRCS
• USDA Rural Development

Contact Margo Hale via email at [email protected].

Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA's website.

You also can stay in touch with NCAT at its Facebook page.

Keep up with NCAT/ATTRA's SIFT farm at its website.

Also

This episode of Voices from the Field, continues the discussion between NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Colin Mitchell and Dr. Alexis Racelis of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley about the use of cover crops in semi-arid subtropical environments.

While cover crops are heralded as a regenerative agriculture tool to improve soil health, integrating cover crops into farming systems can be challenging in drier climates. Colin and Dr. Racelis discuss whether cover crops even can be detrimental in some scenarios and steal water from cash crops.

In particular, the conversation centers on the Subtropical Soil Health Initiative, a research partnership between NCAT and UTRGV to address soil health challenges in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

While cover crops are heralded as a regenerative agriculture tool to improve soil health, in drier climates integrating cover crops into farming systems can be challenging. Colin and Dr. Racelis discuss whether cover crops even can be detrimental in some scenarios and steal water from cash crops.

If you missed the first part of the conversation, find the link in the notes below or follow this link.

Dr. Racelis is an associate professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Biology and the School for Earth, Environmental, and Marine Science at UTRGV. He leads the Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems program, which focuses on participatory research and education in restorative agriculture, agroecology, soil conservation and management, and food and farm justice.

Dr. Racelis also is a board member of NCAT and leads the UTRGV team on the NCAT Subtropical Soil Health Initiative.

This podcast was produced by the National Center for Appropriate Technology through the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program under a cooperative agreement with USDA Rural Development. This podcast was also made possible in part by funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant, Grant #69-3A75-17-281. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Do Cover Crops Steal Water? Part 1
• Cover Crop Options for Hot and Humid Areas
• Subtropical Organic Agriculture Research (SOAR)
• Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea)
• Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
• The Two Best Legume Cover Crops for Hot and Humid Climates
• How to Make Sure Your Leguminous Cover Crop is Doing Its Job

NCAT Soil for Water Project
NCAT is scaling up its Soil for Water project to include livestock producers and farmers across eight states.Soil for Water supports a network of farmers and ranchers who are taking steps to catch and hold more water in the soil through land management practices that improve soil health, reduce erosion, sustain diverse plant and animal life, and filter out pollutants.The project grew out of persistent droughts, which are straining agricultural producers across the country. It combines the use of appropriate technology, peer-to-peer learning, and on-farm monitoring to encourage the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.The Soil for Water project is about building lasting infrastructure that will make farms, ranches and communities more resilient in the face of persistent drought