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Alaska Natural Resources Conservation Service has just announced its 2018 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that funds conservation practices associated with soil health, manure management, high tunnels, organic transition and more. All applications for FY18 funding are due Nov. 30. For more information, go to https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/
“Farmers & Chefs” is an occasional networking event for farmers, food professionals and anyone interested to get more local farm products on area tables. On Tuesday, Nov. 7. the discussion theme will be “lessons learned from the 2017 season.” This event is … Continue reading
Do you understand how the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will (or will not) impact your small farm? On-farm food safety, FSMA, intentional crop planning and post-harvest handling are some of the topics to be covered in a free workshop to be held Saturday, Apr. 8, 9 am to 5 pm at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai. We are fortunate to have Atina Diffley of Family Farmed coming to lead the workshop, as well as a similar workshop in Homer on Apr. 7. Atina is an organic farmer, top-notch presenter and author of the 2012 award-winning memoire, Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works. This don’t miss event is co-sponsored by Homer Farmers Market and Homer Soil & Water Conservation District.
There is no fee to attend. Bring your own lunch. And please register at http://tinyurl.com/FamilyFarmedAK. Questions? Email Heidi at kenaiswcd@gmail.com.
Did you know that bids for the Sterling Highway upgrade MP 60-79 will require weed-free material? Is your gravel company/supplier on the list of certified sites? Find out everything you need to know at a workshop hosted by Kenai Soil & Water on Mar. 22, 2 to 4:30 pm at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association on K-Beach Road. Please register in advance under the Events tab.
SIGN UP BY MARCH 15 for the 2017 Kenai Loves Local Food Directory, a not-for-profit project of Kenai Local Food Connection and Kenai Soil & Water Conservation District. Click HERE for more information.
Kenai Soil & Water is helping contain the spread of invasive plants through its gravel certification program in partnership with Alaska Division of Agriculture and the Alaska Plant Materials Center.
Participants in Certified Weed-Free Inspector Training conduct a mock inspection at a Soldotna gravel pit in May, 2016.
Read more here: http://peninsulaclarion.com/outdoors/refuge-notebook-smarter-management-of-invasive-plants-with-weed-free-gravel
Growing the Economy: Agriculture Flourishing on the Kenai Peninsula
By Jenny Neyman
Dec. 23, 2015 — Redoubt Reporter
When people think about the economy of the Kenai Peninsula, it’s usually oil and gas, fishing, and maybe education, health care or government. But there’s a growing trend to add another sector to that list — farming.
“These are not hobby farmers, these are hard-working folks. They are investing in infrastructure, they are buying equipment, they’re building storage, they’re building refrigeration for peonies, they’re putting up more high tunnels planting more. These folks are thinking ahead, and I think the rest of us should, as well,” said Heidi Chay, manager of the Kenai Soil and Water Conservation District, speaking at a Kenai Chamber of Commerce meeting Dec. 16.
Commercial agriculture is typically thought of on a big scale, but the Kenai Peninsula is growing its own agricultural revolution, one small operation at a time.
“Today the farms that are making headlines are the small farms under 10 acres, very likely under 5 acres,” Chay said. …
Link to the full article: https://redoubtreporter.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/growing-the-economy-agriculture-flourishing-on-kenai-peninsula/
