By: Rene? McCracken,
Director of Agriculture
Northeast Texas Community College
It is said that the more you know, the more you know you?ve got to learn. Never has that been more relevant than with our current economic situation within the agriculture industry.† Our steady and continued population growth, coupled with the burning of our food/feed corn is just one of the industry?s dynamics that has created a drastic need for a whole new game plan.
Despite the lessons learned from the failed agriculture management strategies that brought about the dust bowl, agriculture techniques still tend to continue to follow tradition over necessity. †Insanity defined is to continue to do the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome. If you are currently at a loss as to which direction to take with your agriculture business, or are just investigating the possibilities of starting one, let me invite you to start? ?Living From the Ground Up?.
Northeast Texas Community College will host its second annual Living from the Ground Up (LFGU) agriculture field day on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the Elizabeth Hoggatt Whatley Agriculture Complex. †Back again as keynote speaker will be famed organic guru, published author and radio spokesman, Howard Garrett "The dirt doctor.? Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the first session kicks off the day at 9 a.m. The LFGU conference is designed to provide those interested in producing income with their small acreage a chance to learn from area ?veteran? producers already running small farms and sustainable agricultural operations, through the sharing of their personal experiences. ††A special track has been added this year designed for those who have never planted a garden and want to make use of their land - whether that encompasses a backyard or small acreage.
The agenda features three tracks: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, BACKYARD HOMESTEADING, AND FARMING FOR A PROFIT for all level of interests.† Presentations designed to increase sustainability include: Rainwater harvesting and storage, improving your soil, raised bed vegetable production, direct marketing your grass-fed beef, compost tea production, controlling wild hogs, eliminating risk, becoming certified organic grower, farming your woodlands and much more.
This event will include hands-on demonstrations, presentations on sustainable agriculture, a tour of the agriculture facilities/farm projects, cooking demonstrations, vendor booths, an OLD-TIMEY SEED SWAP and BEST HOMEMADE PIE CONTEST. †A continental breakfast and Stew and Cornbread Lunch will be served. Seating is limited, so please register early.†† To register for the event, Contact Lisa York at 903-434-8134 by November 7th for $50 registration fee. †You may also register up until the morning of for $75.
The field day will conclude with an old-fashioned hayride tour of the farm and equipment and hands-on demonstrations at 6 pm.† If you are unable to attend the entire event, special lunch only tickets for $10. These must be purchased by November 7th and will include access to farm trade show and seed swap.†† For more information about agriculture at NTCC, contact me at 903-434-8267 or via email at agriculture@ntcc.edu or www.ntcc.edu/lfgu.† For those who would be interested in sponsoring or becoming a part of our trade show, spots are still available.† Contact Charla Hunt for sponsor information at 903-434-8207.† Do not miss the opportunity to improve the sustainability of your ag-business, begin today by evaluating your possibilities to change your farm, your community and, ultimately, our country by learning new techniques to help you start ?Living From the Ground Up.?
