Farm Rescue offers planting

assistance to farm families in crisis

When Mathew Fischer lost his left arm and left leg to a farming accident in November 2013, it could have been the end of his family’s ability to maintain their family farm near Mercer, N.D. But thanks to a supportive community, and the volunteers and equipment from North Dakota-based Farm Rescue, his 2014 crop was planted quickly and on-time as Fischer continued to adjust to using his new prosthetics.

Fischer was just one of 50 family farmers in five states aided by Farm Rescue in 2014, and the organization is again ready to provide volunteer labor and equipment for the 2015 planting season to farm families who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster. Farm Rescue provides aid to farmers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and eastern Montana.

Applications for the 2015 planting season are now being accepted, with priority given to those received prior to March 31. Application forms may be found on the organization’s website at www.farmrescue.org or by calling 701-252-2017. Friends may also call to anonymously refer a family they believe could use Farm Rescue’s help.

Each family selected for assistance can receive up to 1,000 acres planted free of charge.

Since 2006, Farm Rescue has assisted 300 farm families who have experienced hardships ranging from open-heart surgery and cancer treatment to severed limbs and car accidents. The organization has been supported by more than 200 business sponsors and donors and nearly a thousand volunteers who have contributed time and expertise to helping farmers with planting, haying, and harvesting.

More information about contributing to Farm Rescue or becoming a volunteer can be found at www.farmrescue.org or by calling 701-252-2017.

State Ag leaders highlighted

numerous issues facing agriculture

The nation’s leading state agriculture officials gathered at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Winter Policy Conference this past week to discuss agriculture issues including pollinators, mediation, rail transportation, trade with Cuba, food safety, antimicrobial resistance and agriculture literacy.

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, introduced a policy amendment to support safeguarding the use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture by encouraging judicious use principles while providing outreach and education to practitioners, users, patients and the public.

Goehring pointed out that there are misconceptions about antibiotic use in animal agriculture, in fact animal agriculture is ahead of the curve due to quality assurance programs and best management practice models.

“This amendment encourages state departments of agriculture to support veterinary and public health communities as they continue to develop infection control practices,” said Goehring.

NASDA members unanimously passed Goehring’s policy amendment.

Pollinators and bee health were also identified by NASDA members as a top tier priority. They passed an action item directing promotion and development of state managed pollinator plans to ensure a combined effort to mitigate risk and minimize impact to agricultural operations.

“We actively engaged agriculture stakeholders over two years ago to develop a pollinator plan to promote bee health and enhance communication in North Dakota,” said Goehring. “This pollinator plan is being used as a model for other states.”

North Dakota leads the nation in honey production and is home to 20% of the nation’s bee colonies.

NASDA members also passed policy amendments on national commodity check off programs and agriculture mediation programs, additionally they passed action items on rail transportation, invasive species, trade with Cuba, national labeling of food derived from genetic engineering, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), and agriculture in the classroom.

NASDA is comprised of the commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture of the 50 states and four U.S. territories. To learn more about NASDA or ag policy discussions, please visit www.nasda.org.

Wild World of Weeds Workshop Set for Jan. 21

The 16th annual Wild World of Weeds workshop is set for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at the Fargodome, according to Rich Zollinger, North Dakota State University Extension Service weed specialist.

The workshop is intended for agricultural professionals who advise growers on weed control and herbicide use, crop consultants, agronomists, agricultural dealers and distributors, Extension agents and industry representatives.

NDSU scientists, including Andy Robinson, Brian Jenks, Greg Endres, Kirk Howatt, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Mike Ostlie, Angela Kazmierczak, Rod Lym and Zollinger, will present information on a variety of environmental and weed science topics during the workshop. Also doing a presentation is Dick Beardsley, former marathon runner who will talk about his career and near-fatal farm accident.

Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., with the first session beginning at 8:30.

Topics for the workshop are:

* NDSU research updates on small grains, corn, soybeans, edible legumes, oil seed crops, root crops, minor crops, weed biology, noxious/troublesome weeds, and adjuvants and formulations

* Survey of relevant weed science issues

* Cultural practices of weed control

* Factors of pre-emergent herbicides

* Herbicide residue and carryover

* Controlling waterhemp, ragweed, kochia in soybeans and palmer amaranth

The agenda and a registration form are available at http://www.ndsu.edu/weeds.

The registration fee is $85 until Jan. 17 and $125 after that date. The registration fee covers food and resource materials. Registration is available only on the Web.

Six and a half credits for the certified crop adviser program will be given for attending the workshop. The credits are for pest management.

For more information, contact Zollinger at (701) 231-8157 or r.zollinger@ndsu.edu.