Students Put a New Spin on Farming

This year NCAT helped students at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania launch and operate the first and only campus small-plot intensive (SPIN) farm in the country. Student farmers supplied produce to the campus food service and sold it locally. Read more ››

Alternative Livestock Marketing Project Underway

NCAT has been awarded a contract to conduct a natural livestock feasibility study for Inyo County, California, investigating markets for local meat products. A workshop in November helped NCAT introduce alternative meat marketing to area producers, and learn more about their production challenges and marketing opportunities. Read more ››

NCAT to Offer Home Energy Rater Training

NCAT will offer comprehensive energy auditor training with an emphasis on new residential construction and the HERS rating process from December 8-12 in Butte, Montana. This workshop will incorporate information about how the Energy Star New Homes program is operated both nationally and in the four northwest states. This training is intended to prepare the participant to take the tests necessary to become a certified HERS Rater, an Energy Star Homes Northwest Energy Star Verifier, and an Energy Star Homes Northwest Performance Tester. The National Rater Exam will be administered the Friday afternoon of the training. Read more ››

Advanced Oilseed and Biodiesel Production Workshop Set for January 28-29

Farmers, businesspeople, and scientists will present the most current information about processing oilseed crops and on-farm biodiesel production at an Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future workshop in Billings, Montana, on January 28-29, 2009. This advanced workshop will cover complex oilseed crushing and vegetable oil-based biofuel production and use issues. Read more ››

Annual Report Shines Spotlight on Local Food

NCAT's 2007 Annual Report Spotlight on Local Food is now available online in PDF [1.9M]. The 16-page document highlights NCAT projects across the country during the past year that have helped promote healthy local economies and increase access to local food through farmers' markets and institutional food service programs. In addition, the report showcases NCAT's 2007 projects that addressed farm energy needs through efficiency and renewable energy development. The report also features additional sustainable energy and agriculture projects undertaken by NCAT in 2007, as well as NCAT's financial information. Read more ››

NCAT Launches Climate Change Website

As part of its ongoing efforts to raise awarenes about climate issues, NCAT has launched "The Montana Climate Action Project". The website features a prominent link to the Montana Climate Change Action Plan—an initiative calling for Montana to reduce its emissions of global warming pollution to 1990 levels by 2020. This is an important first step in achieving the necessary reductions in greenhouse gases by mid-century.

Questions? – Contact Holly Hill at 406-494-4572 or at hollyh@ncat.org.