(12/27/05) In addition to spending their working hours helping people in accord with NCAT's mission statement, NCAT staff members give generously of their own time to many worthwhile causes. Employees from NCAT offices in Arkansas, Montana and California volunteer for a variety of organizations in their own communities, protecting the environment, supporting youth, and aiding less fortunate individuals. At the close of each year NCAT takes the opportunity to salute its employees for their volunteer efforts.

Many NCAT staff members volunteer for schools or other youth organizations. In addition to volunteering directly at schools their involvement includes PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) program, 4-H and FFA, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, and science fair judging. Two NCAT staffers serve as school-based mentors for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Several staff members are active in community-based sports organizations, for both children and adults. One baseball-minded employee volunteers as a Little League umpire and serves on the Missoula Mavericks Board of Directors. Two are active in the Mile High Nordic Ski Club. Other sports-related volunteer venues include Butte Tennis Association, Special Olympics Torch Run and Butte Soccer Club.

Many NCAT staff members volunteer at their respective places of worship, or at church-based food banks. Butte Food Bank, a local public library in Arkansas, Missoula Kiwanis, St. James Healthcare, 15-90 Search & Rescue, and two hospice organizations also enjoy the services of volunteers who work at NCAT. Other staff members lend their time and efforts as volunteers or officers for community organizations that focus on economic development or governance, including Montana Shares, Butte Local Development Corp, EdTech Federal Credit Union, Town Mountain South Neighborhood Association, and Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods.

Two staff members volunteer for Garden City Harvest, an organization that raises food for the Missoula Food Bank using sustainable agriculture. Other staff members also volunteer for organizations that align with NCAT's sustainable agriculture work, including Sequoyah Neighborhood Community Garden in Fayetteville, Arkansas, California Certified Organic Farmers, Montana Organic Certification Advisory Council, and the Independent Organic Inspector's Association.

Several staff members are active in local organizations that help to preserve the quality of the environment, including Big Butte Task Force, Montana Native Plant Society--Calypso Chapter, The George Grant Chapter of Trout Unlimited and The Big Hole River Foundation, Southwest Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee. Some staffers provide their support to organizations that have a broad-scale approach to improving the world: Earth Island Institute and CAJA (Community Action for Justice in the Americas).

In addition to their individual volunteer efforts, NCAT staff members also participate in workplace giving campaigns for United Way and Montana Shares. Employees at NCAT's Butte, Montana, office have also participated for many years in the Mining City Christmas program, helping to make the holidays happier for families in need.

NCAT salutes its staff members who give generously of their time and talents to so many worthwhile causes.

Fayetteville Office to Move to Historic Building

New Fayetteville Office (11/28/05) NCAT's Arkansas office will move to a new location in Fayetteville by the start of the new year. NCAT has leased space on the first floor of the historic Walker-Stone House, built in 1845. The office will begin moving during December and expects to be functional in the new location on January 2.

The two-story classic Georgian house was built by Arkansas Supreme Court Justice David Walker. In 1850 it sold to Stephen Stone, and renowned architect Edward Durell Stone spent boyhood summers at the family home, visiting his grandparents. In the course of the Civil War, the west wall was struck by cannon fire during a Confederate attack on Fayetteville in 1864.

New Fayetteville Office Despite its age, the historic structure has been well maintained and updated so that it will be able to support the infrastructure attributes needed by a professional organization. NCAT staff members will enjoy high-speed Internet access, as well as a new voice-over IP phone system. In addition, staff members will enjoy the amenities of windows in each office, mature landscaping, and pedestrian access to Fayetteville's downtown square.

The Walker-Stone House is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, as is NCAT's Butte, Montana office, which was originally constructed in the early 1900s as the Silver Bow County poor farm.

NCAT Keeps Pace with Changing Face of American Agriculture

(11/21/05) Demographic studies of Americans involved in agriculture show several distinct trends. Studies frequently report that the number of mid-size farms is declining, and that the farm population is aging. The demographic news isn't all bad for agriculture, though. It also reveals an increasing number of small farms, and shows more different types of farmers emerging on the American scene. As more women and immigrants join the ranks of American farmers, NCAT is on the scene to help them learn more about successful and sustainable agriculture.

At the end of August NCAT Program Specialist Martin Guerena attended the First Annual National Hispanic Farmer and Rancher Association conference in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He gave a presentation for a session titled "Creative marketing for Latino/Hispanic producers," speaking about the sustainable agriculture resources NCAT makes available to Hispanic farmers. These include a toll-free help line for sustainable agriculture questions, a section of the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website in Spanish, and Spanish-language publications on topics such as organic certification, integrated pest management, and growing strawberries.

Guerena also presented on alternative marketing channels. NCAT has been particularly active in helping minority agricultural producers in the Four Corners area develop markets and marketing skills for their products. A multi-year project called the Southwest Marketing Network has helped educate and organize producers.

At the Women in Sustainable Agriculture conference held in Burlington, Vermont at the end of October, NCAT Program Specialist Megan Schuknecht gave a presentation on resources offered by the ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. This national conference attracted an audience of more than 400 women, and an NCAT exhibit supplied attendees with a variety of sustainable agriculture publications and the opportunity to subscribe to NCAT's weekly and bi-monthly agriculture newsletters.

Also during October three of NCAT's sustainable agriculture specialists attended a Hmong New Year Celebration in Springdale, Arkansas. The gathering drew people from a multi-state region, and an NCAT display offered information relevant to poultry growers and market gardeners among the group.

NCAT has been active in supporting numerous underserved populations in the field of sustainable agriculture, with activities ranging from farm record keeping training sessions for immigrant farmers in California to seminars on using computers for marketing in the Deep South. NCAT is proud to encourage diversity and sustainability in American farming.

Farm Bill Forum Comes to Montana

(11/14/05) Over the past several months the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been holding a series of events in states across the country, giving people the opportunity for input on the 2007 Farm Bill. On November 4 a Farm Bill Forum was held in Bozeman, Montana, by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Charles Conner. NCAT Program Specialist Lee Rinehart attended the meeting and submitted both oral and written comments.

Top USDA officials have hosted forums in numerous states over the past several weeks. They specifically requested comments on six issues: the challenges facing new farmers and ranchers as they enter agriculture, the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in global and domestic markets, the appropriateness and effectiveness of the distribution of farm program benefits, the achievement of conservation and environmental goals, the enhancement of rural economic growth, the opportunities to expand agricultural products, markets and research.

In addition to Deputy Secretary Conner, Montana Senators Max Baucus and Conrad Burns and Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer attended the Bozeman Forum to take audience comments. Members of the audience were given two minutes each to provide oral comments regarding the future Farm Bill. Further comments were also accepted in writing at the meeting. The public has the opportunity to comment on the 2007 Farm Bill at USDA listening events, by mail, or online at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill before December 30, 2005.

Rinehart's comments on the Farm Bill included observations on the six topics raised by USDA, as well as recommended actions such as support for farmland preservation efforts, broader funding for the Conservation Security Program, and additional programs designed to support small farmers.

Renewable Energy Websites Provide Two States with Information

(10/31/05) NCAT is helping people in two states learn more about renewable energy and its application through the ArkansasRenewableEnergy.org and MontanaGreenPower.com websites. NCAT has administered MontanaGreenPower.com since 2000, under yearly USB funding from NorthWestern Energy. ArkansasRenewableEnergy.org was developed in the fall of 2004, and NCAT has received funding through the Arkansas Energy Office to continue operating the site into the next year.

Both websites offer background information on different sources of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal and biofuels. The sites also feature recent news items related to application of renewable energy in the states and their respective regions. In addition, the renewable energy sites list coming events, provide links to more online resources, and offer the opportunity to subscribe to newsletters that highlight the frequently updated content from the sites.

The sites are useful for individuals or companies launching renewable energy projects, and community energy providers, as well as anyone who is simply interested in energy development or energy issues. The two websites also provide information that can be used for renewable energy education for grades K-12, as well as at advanced levels.

As public and utility interest in renewable energy sources grows, these websites are becoming ever more popular. NCAT's knowledgeable and experienced energy staff post updated information to both sites on a regular basis. Postings include not only news from within Arkansas and Montana themselves, but also regional and national renewable energy application and policy information that puts renewable energy opportunities in a broader context.

Workshop to Teach Agriculture Professionals about Organic Production

(10/24/05) On October 26 agriculture professionals in California have the opportunity to learn more about organic agriculture at a workshop organized by NCAT. The workshop in Hopland, California, is designed to increase the capacity of agricultural professionals to provide appropriate technical assistance and services to farmers and ranchers who are certified organic, or are interested in transitioning to organic production. This workshop is part of a series of similar organic training events presented by NCAT in different regions of the state in 2004 and 2005.

Funding for the training is provided by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), Western Region, Professional Development Program. Intended participants are staff of Resource Conservation Districts, UC Cooperative Extension, county ag commission offices, farmer organizations, and USDA agencies (NRCS, RMA, FSA, Rural Development), as well as farmers interested in organic production.

This week's training will be held at Fetzer Vineyards, which itself offers an example of organic grape production. Fetzer vineyard manager David Koball is part of the workshop agenda, as he and other producers will talk about challenges they face in transitioning to, and maintaining a certified organic system. The schedule for the workshop also includes an overview of organic agriculture, organic production, and organic markets, and a presentation on soil health in organic cropping systems. NCAT Program Specialist Ann Baier, who is also a long-time organic inspector, will discuss steps to certification, the USDA’s National Organic Standards, and how organic agriculture can complement resource conservation programs and help maintain water quality.

In addition to its California workshop series, NCAT is helping producers, agricultural educators, and others learn more about organic production and certification through training and information dissemination projects in Montana and across the South.

National Small Farm Conference Involves NCAT Staff

(10/17/05) The 4th National Small Farm Conference takes place this week in Greensboro, North Carolina, and several NCAT staff members are on the agenda or participating in other ways in the event. NCAT will have an exhibit on its sustainable agriculture program at the conference, to furnish information and publications to more than 600 expected attendees.

National small farm conferences, held every 3 years, are organized primarily by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service in conjunction with other USDA agencies and other public and private sector organizations. They provide a venue for small farm program leaders from federal, state, and local organizations to learn about successful programs that help small producers enhance incomes to levels comparable to other economic sectors. The theme for this conference is "Enhancing Opportunities for Small Farmers and Ranchers." The conference will include four general sessions, six conference tracks, poster presentations, exhibit displays, and educational tours. The conference tracks are: alternative enterprises, marketing, risk management, bridging gaps in programs and services, organic agriculture, and professional/program development.

NCAT staff members are involved in the conference in several different capacities. NCAT's Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Program Manager Teresa Maurer served on the conference organizing committee as the event was planned, and is the moderator for the organic agriculture track during the conference. During a conference session on "Extension Delivery and Practical Research," Program Specialist Martin Guerena will give a presentation titled "Experiences and lessons learned while providing outreach to Latino farm workers and farmers on organic agriculture and related topics."

Program Specialist Rex Dufour will also be attending the conference, where he will represent NCAT at a special meeting of grant recipients in the USDA's Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program.

NCAT Offers Resources for Disaster Recovery

(10/11/05) During the past month NCAT has developed several resources to aid homeowners, farmers and communities in hurricane recovery. NCAT's staff has compiled information on sources of financial aid and technical assistance for sustainable recovery from disaster, and is making this information available to the public through websites and an e-newsletter.

Operation Fresh Start is a website dedicated to providing information on using sustainable technologies to recover from disasters. The website began in 1997 with support from the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in response to 1997 flooding in Red River, North Dakota. Over the past few weeks, NCAT redesigned and updated the site to feature a range of current resources and case studies that can help rebuild communities, businesses, and homes using sustainable principles and technologies. Operation Fresh Start offers links to publications and organizations that provide details on everything from rebuilding a flooded home with environmentally responsible materials to promoting community participation in redevelopment planning.

NCAT has also created a special page on its National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website, titled Hurricane Assistance for Agricultural Producers. This page offers numerous links to NCAT and ATTRA resources, federal and state resources, nonprofit groups, aid organizations, publications, and news articles focusing on assistance available to farmers and the rural poor.

Some of these resources were also featured in a special edition of the Weekly Harvest e-newsletter on September 28. The special edition was distributed to thousands of regular subscribers throughout the country, and is archived on the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website.

These efforts to assist with disaster recovery represent NCAT's initial response to recent hurricanes. NCAT is also planning additional, longer-term activities to aid in promoting sustainable redevelopment. It's a goal that meshes well with NCAT's mission: helping people by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.

NCAT Launches Membership Drive

(10/3/05) For the first time in NCAT's twenty-nine year history, it is now possible for supporters and associates to become formal members of the organization. NCAT launched its inaugural membership drive at the end of September in Montana, and will be recruiting members nationwide this fall.

NCAT was founded as a non-profit organization in 1976, to investigate ways people could use new technologies to reduce our nation’s dependence on oil. Since then, the organization has worked to reduce our country's reliance on non-renewable energy sources, protect our environment, aid low-income families in becoming self-sufficient, and help bring about more sustainable farms, ranches and communities. The organization's work has been funded primarily through a combination of government, corporate and private foundation grants and contracts for services.

NCAT's new membership program will offer individuals and organizations who believe in NCAT's mission a way to have an active role in supporting the organization's continued work promoting sustainability. A tiered membership program will allow members to join at a basic rate of $30. Supporters will also be able to pledge their support by joining at a higher level. Members are also able to join online via NCAT's website.

To help the organization keep in touch with its members, NCAT has developed a new quarterly newsletter, ACTION. Each season, ACTION will furnish NCAT members with an update on the organization's programs and projects. The newsletter will also feature success stories and action tips focused on saving energy, resources, and money.

Each year NCAT assists thousands of people across the country in attaining greater sustainability in their homes, businesses and communities. Now those people have a special way to say thanks by joining NCAT and sharing in a more sustainable future.

NCAT Projects Garner Media Coverage

(9/26/05) Some of NCAT's renewable energy and energy efficiency projects have recently gained media attention in Montana. On September 5 the Great Falls Tribune ran an article about solar panels installed on the Cascade County, Montana, court house annex as part of the Sun4Communities project administered by NCAT.

The Sun4Communities project was funded by NorthWestern Energy's Universal Systems Benefits (USB) charge paid by the company's electric customers. Beginning in 2004, the project made it possible to install solar electricity systems on ten city and county government buildings and libraries in Montana. The systems generate electricity for the community buildings, and are net metered, sending any excess electricity generated back into the power grid. In addition to providing communities with electricity, the systems offer a practical demonstration to the public of renewable energy at work.

The article describes NCAT's role in the Sun4Communities project, quoting Program Specialist Cathy Svejkovsky about how the project built on the success of the Sun4Schools project. Sun4Schools installed 27 solar energy systems on secondary schools in NorthWestern Energy's Montana service area.

The Great Falls Tribune also published an article September 3 on the first ENERGY STAR-certified home built in Cascade County. The article quotes NCAT's Jim Maunder, who is serving as an ENERGY STAR outreach specialist for Montana. An NCAT project funded by US EPA Region 8 is working to increase the number of ENERGY STAR homes built in Montana. According to a press release issued recently by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, thirteen Missoula area builders have signed on to offer ENERGY STAR homes.

Montana Energy Summit Agenda Includes NCAT Speakers

(9/19/05) Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer will convene "Montana's Energy Future Symposium" October 18-19th in Bozeman, Montana. The mission of the symposium is to start the process of developing a comprehensive, long-term energy policy for Montana. According to the Governor's office, the purpose of such a policy should be to provide Montana's energy consumers with adequate, affordable power while making sure Montana strategically and proactively shapes its unique place within the ever-evolving world of energy. Several NCAT staff members are on the agenda for the event.

"To help Montana form a solid, long-term energy vision I am convening the best and the brightest in the energy sector from across Montana and the nation to discuss energy production, renewable energy, conservation, transmission issues, environmental concerns, and other relevant topics," Governor Schweitzer said. "Only by working together will we be able to form a stable, long-term energy policy that protects the citizens and ratepayers of Montana, protects our environment, while further strengthening our economy."

NCAT Sustainable Energy Program Manager Dale Horton will participate as a panelist in a breakout session titled "Renewable Resources" on October 18. Energy Engineer Dave Ryan will be part of a panel discussing "Distributed Generation" on October 19. In addition, NCAT's Executive Director Kathy Hadley has been named the Moderator for a session on Conservation and Demand Side Management. These NCAT staff members are part of an agenda that includes dozens of panelists representing Montana agencies, organizations, and communities, as well as governors of other states, federal agency officials, and other speakers.

Governor Schweitzer has invited anyone interested in Montana's energy future to attend the event. Information on the conference is available at the Montana's Energy Future Symposium website.

Sustainable American Cotton Project Receives Funding

(9/12/05) The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced August 24 that NCAT will receive a Conservation Innovation Grant of $294,843 for its Sustainable American Cotton Project: Pesticide Reduction Innovations. NCAT will be collaborating with organizations in Arizona, California and Georgia on the multi-year project, which has a total budget of nearly $600,000.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate and evaluate the efficacy of creating beneficial insect habitat in and adjacent to cotton fields. Cotton fields are generally sprayed with a diverse group of insecticides, and impacts on nontarget organisms, as well as soil, air, and water resources, can be significant. Pesticide expenses also represent a substantial cost to cotton producers. Results from initial testing indicate that beneficial plantings can reduce pesticide applications by over 60% compared to county averages. By using ecological approaches to reduce pesticide applications on cotton while maintaining cotton quality, farmers will save money, reduce the environmental impacts of pesticide application, and even enhance songbird and other wildlife populations.

Through this project, cotton farmers in California, Arizona, and Georgia will learn how to plant, conserve and promote beneficial insect habitat in and adjacent to their cotton fields. The project will provide participating farmers with technical support and facilitate information exchange and site visits to farms using beneficial plantings. The techniques that farmers are already using successfully will be documented and made available to other farmers through on-farm field days, development and dissemination of free hardcopy and web-based technical information, as well as conference presentations. In addition, this project will continue on-going efforts to educate and interest retailers in “sustainably grown cotton,” in order to facilitate developing this market.

Project collaborators include Eric Norton, with La Paz County Cooperative Extension in Arizona, Marcia Gibbs of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and Glynn Tillman of the USDA/ARS Crop Protection and Management Research Unit. Rex Dufour will be project leader for NCAT. Approximately 20 cotton farmers in California, Arizona, and Georgia will participate directly in the project, enrolling an expected 2,000 acres. The ripple effects of the information produced and disseminated by this project will help reduce pesticide use on many more acres over time.

Poultry Training Project Involves NCAT

(9/6/05) A new Small-scale Poultry Production: Sustainability Training project led by Heifer International will involve NCAT in several roles. The two-year project is funded by the Southern Region SARE Professional Development Program, and begins in 2005.

As interest in pastured poultry continues to grow among both consumers and producers, extension agents and other agricultural educators need more information on small-scale commercial poultry production to order to help producers. Through this project, key leaders in sustainable poultry production, including farmers, Heifer International, NCAT, the University of Arkansas, and Kentucky State University will plan and carry out three train-the-trainer events in southern states (Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi) covering the many facets of sustainable poultry production, processing and marketing. NCAT will work with Heifer International and the University of Arkansas in developing training materials for the workshops and for the trainers to use in working with producers in their communities. The effort will demonstrate how land grant institutions with extensive poultry experience can be resources in helping small producers as well as large.

NCAT will be instrumental in helping not only with preparing for and conducting the training, but also in conducting evaluations to ensure the training is what is needed by educators and that it is effective. With the materials developed for this project, NCAT will be updating and expanding its Sustainable Poultry website, to relay information and make new resources on sustainable poultry production more widely available.

The main train-the-trainer events will be held in October 2005 in Arkansas, in Kentucky in spring 2006, and in Mississippi later in 2006. There will also be smaller local producer trainings that will be announced during the project on the Sustainable Poultry website, in the Projects section, under Small Scale Poultry Training.

NCAT Project Encourages Solar on ENERGY STAR Homes

(8/29/05) Houses that achieve an ENERGY STAR certification are some of the most energy-efficient homes available. Over the past several years NCAT has worked to encourage more builders to construct ENERGY STAR homes in Montana. Now NCAT is pushing home construction in its home state toward even lower energy consumption with a new project that offers incentives for solar electric or solar water heating systems on ENERGY STAR houses built in Montana.

The Solar ENERGY STAR project is funded by Universal Systems Benefit charges paid by NorthWestern Energy utility customers. It is offering incentives of up to $3500 for builders of ten new homes that are ENERGY STAR Homes Northwest certified and incorporate solar electric systems. Besides the financial incentive, NCAT also provides technical assistance to the builders in helping them modify their building plans to include the solar electric systems and energy-saving features that will qualify them for ENERGY STAR certification. In addition, NCAT will provide builders participating in the project with information and marketing materials that will help them inform their clients about the benefits and savings of ENERGY STAR construction with solar electric systems.

For several years NCAT operated residential solar electric demonstration projects under NorthWestern Energy USB funding. These projects offered homeowners incentives to install solar electric systems on existing homes. Because most existing homes weren't designed with solar performance in mind, it can be difficult to achieve peak system performance in a retrofit installation. By concentrating on integrating solar electric systems with new homes in the design phase, this new project optimizes system performance and effectively demonstrates the potential for energy savings and renewable energy generation on homes in Montana.

This project ties into other NCAT projects aimed at increasing the number of ENERGY STAR homes built in Montana and promoting solar energy sytems to builders under the Million Solar Roofs program.

Farmers' Markets a Priority for NCAT and Staff

(8/15/05) Last week states and communities across the country marked National Farmers' Market Week with special events and activities. Interest in farmers' markets is on the rise nationwide, with numbers of markets increasing steadily. These markets can provide opportunities to increase farm in Janet Bachmann with farmers' market flowers come, strengthen local food systems, and promote healthy communities. NCAT is proud to play a role in supporting the producers who supply farmers' markets with information resources and training. In addition, NCAT salutes its employees who are direct supporters of their local farmers' markets as both customers and vendors.

Through ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, NCAT offers publications, presentations and research to a wide range of commercial agricultural producers. NCAT helps farmers and ranchers find information on specific topics related to production processes, pest control, organic certification, and product marketing. Publications such as Market Gardening: A Start-up Guide and Direct Marketing can be especially helpful to producers who are planning on selling at farmers' markets. Other NCAT projects are also supporting potential farmers' market producers by helping them overcome risks in transitioning to organic production and by helping them develop alternative marketing skills.

NCAT employees in Arkansas, Montana and California are enthusiastic farmers' market customers, supporting local food producers by purchasing vegetables, herbs, flowers, meat and eggs. In their hours away from work, two NCAT staff members are also vendors at the Fayetteville, Arkansas, farmers' market. Teresa Maurer and her husband Jim Morgan have been selling their Round Mountain Farm products at the Fayetteville Farmers Market for 4 years. Their pasture-raised lamb meat is USDA-inspected and brought to the market frozen in popular cuts such as chops, leg, shanks, kabobs and ground meat. They also sell smoking wood for grilling and provide free recipes and cooking advice. "Bringing the lamb meat to market allows us to be directly involved in providing wonderful Ozark-grown meat--we can meet our customers in person and learn more about what they like to buy and eat," says Maurer, a Program Manager for NCAT's Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development program.

NCAT Program Specialist Janet Bachmann has been selling at Fayetteville Farmers' Market for 11 years. She cultivates about 2 acres, growing vegetables and specialty cut flowers. Market season begins for Bachmann in April, with daffodils, forsythia, redtwig dogwood, tulips, spinach and mixed lettuces, and other spring greens for sale. Later in the season she offers flowers including peonies, Dutch irises, bearded irises, Louisiana irises, ornamental onions, lilies, glads, zinnias, sunflowers, tuberoses, dahlias, and vegetables including onions, garlic, snap beans, cherry tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, okra, eggplant, and more. "It is hard work and I feel fortunate if I break even on expenses," reflects Bachmann. "I do it because it is good exercise, good food, and loyal customers appreciate the things I bring to market."

Annual Report Available Online

(8/1/05) NCAT has recently made its 2004 Annual Report available on its website, both as a viewable online document and a downloadable PDF file. The 16-page color report highlights NCAT's achievements under the organization's new strategic plan adopted at the start of 2004.

In particular, the report showcases NCAT projects that focus on Empowering People, Sharing Information, and Moving Forward. For example, some projects that relate to Empowering People include the Southwest Marketing Network project that is helping minority agricultural producers in the Four Corners region of the United States to develop markets for their goods. Across the country, in Pennsylvania, NCAT collaborated on energy efficient designs and construction practices for the Pine Street Neighborhood, an affordable and sustainable housing development that is helping to revitalize the city of Hazleton. Meanwhile, NCAT's All-Ozark Meal Project helped to promote local food purchasing and support healthy farm economies.

NCAT has numerous projects that relate to Sharing Information. In 2004, NCAT shared information via websites, conference presentations and workshops, and publications. Specifically, NCAT provided information on sustainable agriculture through its ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, on low-income energy assistance through its LIHEAP Clearinghouse, and on energy payment aid through its Ntional Energy Assistance Referral Project.

NCAT is moving forward with projects that support organic farming and marketing, water conservation, revitalizing family farms, and promoting energy efficient home construction, among others.

In addition to features on projects, NCAT's Annual Report contains financial information on the organization, a list of collaborators during the past year, and a roster of board and staff members.

NCAT Agriculture Work Reaches New Audiences

(7/25/05) NCAT is always working to reach new audiences for our organization's sustainable agriculture information and services. This summer NCAT staff members have taken advantage of diverse opportunities to give presentations on a wide variety of subjects and exhibit NCAT material.

Mike Morris traveled to the annual meeting of the National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees, in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 27-29. He gave a talk about creating the Irrigator’s Pocket Guide and about the need for Spanish-language irrigation training materials. Morris noted steady traffic at the NCAT booth, with the Spanish-language organic IPM CD-ROM the hottest item. Simultaneously, other NCAT staff members tended a booth at the American Indian / Alaska Native Employee’s Association for Natural Resources Conservation Service, held in Polson, Montana. Nancy Matheson presented a workshop at this conference, on organic agriculture as it pertains to NRCS conservation goals.

George Kuepper recently headed to Quincy, Florida to participate in a SARE-PDP training of Extension Agents about organic regulations by presenting modules on organic system plans and organic livestock. NCAT is a subcontractor on a collaborative project, with responsibility to help create the training modules, assist in their delivery, and publish the final product on our website.

During the past month Linda Coffey addressed the Advanced Livestock class at the University of Arkansas, discussing the benefits and challenges of sheep and goats. Her presentation included an introduction to the FAMACHA technique for assessing parasitism, and addressed misconceptions about sheep and goats. Her audience received the NCAT's Small Ruminant Resources Manual on CD. Coffey also gave a similar presentation in late June at the Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation conference, introducing a number of minority farmers to the Small Ruminant Resources Manual.

Alice Beetz attended AFTA’s 9th North American Agroforestry Conference in Rochester, Minnesota, June 13-15. "Moving Agroforestry into the Mainstream" was the theme, and many Minnesota projects were highlighted in tours and presentations. She reported that NCAT's ATTRA display was a success, with many participants visiting and signing up for or taking materials.

NCAT also sponsored a booth at the Sustainabilty Fair held in Livingston, Montana, July 9. In addition, Martin Guerena represented NCAT at the 3rd National Organic Tree Fruit Research Symposium, in Chelan, Washington, June 6-8. These events represent only a selection of NCAT's recent appearances, with many more presentations and exhibits scheduled for the coming months.

U.S. Representative Visits NCAT Office

(7/18/05) On July 6 NCAT's Arkansas office hosted a visit from Arkansas 3rd District U.S. Congressman John Boozman and three of his staff members. Representative Boozman was joined by Kathee Facchiano, Legislative Assistant from his Washington, DC office and Kathryn Gough, Field Representative, and Colin Massey, Grants Coordinator, both from his Arkansas office. The visit was arranged in advance, and Representative Boozman specifically requested a tour of the office and an update on NCAT's ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service project.

Congressman Boozman with NCAT Program Specialist Julia Sampson The Congressman spent more than an hour at the NCAT office, touring the facility and meeting Fayetteville staff members. The visitors had the opportunity to chat with staff members individually and ask questions. Staff presentations acquainted the visitors with four major components of the project: the toll-free help line, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website, diverse training workshop opportunities, and the more than 200 publications produced and distributed by the ATTRA project.

Congressman Boozman and his staff have been especially supportive of the ATTRA project as NCAT has sought continued funding for the project in Congress. It was a pleasure for NCAT staff to provide the Congressman and his staff with an updated report on project activity during the first half of 2005. The ATTRA project has responded to more than 23,000 requests in the first half of the year, and more than 700,000 unique visitors have already used the ATTRA website this year.

Near the end of the tour the Congressman commented, "It is so easy for me to support and work for this program--you provide great service and products, and I know that many people value your work. Keep it up!"

NCAT Collaborates on Rooftop Unit Efficiency Program

(7/11/05) NCAT is working with NorthWestern Energy Demand Side Management staff and the Facility Improvement Corporation (FICO) on a new project aimed at improving the energy efficiency of rooftop-mounted Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning units on commercial buildings in Montana.Space cooling is the second highest end-use of electric energy in commercial buildings after lighting. Space cooling sets electric utility peak demand in the summertime, and accounts for fifteen percent of all electric energy use in commercial buildings in the United States. The most common machinery providing heating, cooling and ventilation for small and medium sized commercial buildings is rooftop mounted Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning units (RTU’s). These RTUs are good targets for energy conservation because most are aging, they have chronic inadequate maintenance, and they frequently suffer damage from hail and vandalism.

NCAT's new project consists of two phases under contract, and another phase to be contracted depending upon the results of the first two phases. Phase 1, Program Startup and Customer Identification, is already underway. This phase involved identifying likely candidates for Program participation from NorthWestern Energy Commercial Building Audit Data, representing a broad range of customer types and RTU applications. The new project was inspired by NorthWestern Energy's Irrigation Efficiency program administered by NCAT, and other existing utility HVAC efficiency programs.

Phase 2 of the project, Rooftop Unit Survey, begins this month. NCAT staff members Dave Ryan and Tracy Grant will work with FICO to survey one hundred diverse RTUs in NorthWestern Energy service territory. Each of these one hundred RTUs will be inspected for proper operation and maintenance. The inspections will include operator/occupant interviews, as well as equipment checks for general cleanliness, belt condition, blocked or damaged coils, proper filters, condenser condition, and refrigerant charge. Airflow and temperature will also be measured. The inspection will also look at the ductwork and building insulation levels, review the equipment ratings and the facility's actual energy use, and consider the system maintenance and setpoints, among other items.

If the energy savings resulting from the inspections and minor repairs are great enough, NCAT will operate a rebate program as the third phase of the project, offering incentives to customers in the NorthWestern Energy Montana service territory to repair or replace their rooftop units.

Summer Interns Arrive at NCAT Offices

(7/5/05) This summer NCAT offices in Arkansas, Montana and California are hosting student interns. NCAT has a long-standing internship program that offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience as they work alongside professionals in their fields. Although some students intern during the school year, or for academic credit, most of NCAT's interns join the staff for the summer months, and this year is no exception, with six interns now at work in NCAT's offices.

NCAT's main office in Butte, Montana, has two interns this summer. Tracy Grant is working on a Masters degree in Geochemistry at Montana Tech. At NCAT she's working on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Amanda Hill is a recent Environmental Science graduate of Colorado College. This summer she will work on sustainable agriculture and energy projects at NCAT, including publications on solar and wind energy.

Regina Leung is NCAT's first intern in the Davis, California, office. Regina is a sophmore at the University of California--Davis, focusing on food production and nutrition. She'll be involved in sustainable agriculture projects ongoing at the California office this summer.

Three interns are based in NCAT's Fayetteville, Arkansas, office located on the University of Arkansas campus. Yassine Rahmi is a Computer Science student at the University of Arkansas, who will be assisting NCAT's Information Services team this summer. Ryan Neal is an Environmental Soil and Water Science student at the University of Arkansas, who is working primarily on a project that is looking at ways to manage grazing to reduce agricultural pollutants in runoff. One of the 2005 interns is returning for her second summer with NCAT. Margo Hale is pursuing a graduate degree in Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, and has been working on small ruminant projects at NCAT.

NCAT is pleased to welcome a diverse and enthusiastic crew of interns from schools across the country into its offices for a unique summer learning and work experience.

Solar Fire Stations Project Renewed

(6/27/05) NCAT has received funding to continue its Fire Station Solar Electric Demonstration Project in Montana for a third year. During each of the past two years, this project has installed two- to three-kilowatt solar electric systems with uninterruptible power supply on six fire stations within the NorthWestern Energy electric service area. In 2005 NCAT will coordinate the installation of solar electric systems on another six fire stations. This year NCAT will place a special emphasis on recruiting participants in the Great Falls, Billings, and Bozeman areas, to ensure that the project achieves broad geographic coverage.

The Fire Station Solar Electric Demonstration Project is funded by the Universal Systems Benefits (USB) charges paid each month by NorthWestern Energy customers. In past years it has installed solar electric systems on volunteer fire department stations in remote Montana communities and major fire departments in population centers. NCAT has experienced strong interest in the demonstration project by potential participants. Fire stations offer highly visible public building locations for the demonstration of renewable energy systems. The systems will reduce the demand for nonrenewable electric generation sources, resulting in less pollution. In addition, the reliable systems help provide electricity for emergency services even during a utility grid outage, demonstrating the dependability of renewable energy generation.

The NCAT project designs systems specifically for each station selected to participate, taking into consideration the roof angle, slope and material. The systems installed are grid-intertied and net-metered. Also, each system’s generation is metered to enable the public to view system energy generation output data.

NCAT staff will conduct a two-hour solar energy seminar at each fire station that receives a solar system through the program. NCAT also provides maintenance training for the minor maintenance the systems are expected to need. Fire stations selected to participate in the project are able to have the system installed at no cost to them. Fire departments interested in the program can contact NCAT for more information on the application process.

Specialists to Provide Organic Strawberry Seminar

(6/20/05) Agriculture specialists based in NCAT's Davis, California, office have been contracted by Driscoll Strawberry Associates to provide an all-day seminar on organic strawberry production for company growers. Martin Guerena and Ann Baier will conduct the training session for approximately 90 of Driscoll's strawberry growers from across the United States and Mexico, as well as marketing staff from the company.

The seminar will be held in Watsonville, California, on June 22. It will be presented in English with Spanish translation provided. NCAT has developed an agenda packed with useful information for growers interested in organic production. First, guest speaker Jake Lewin, Marketing Manager for the Certified Organic Product Export Strategy program of California Certified Organic Farmers, will talk about differences in organic requirements for fruit that is exported from Mexico to the U.S. and from Mexico and the U.S. to Europe, Canada, and Japan.

Next Baier, who is a certified organic inspector, will provide information on the National Organic Program standards, developing an organic system plan, and preparing for inspection for organic certification. Guerena will then discuss production in organic systems, including soil health and the role that it plays in plant health, and integrated pest management for dealing with insect and disease problems. Guerena will tour some Driscoll growers' fields in advance of the training session, to help tailor his presentation specifically to the concerns of the company's growers. A question and answer session on strawberry and bramble fruit production will round out the day.

Driscoll Strawberry Associates is a major grower and distributor of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. The company is moving toward more organic production based on the price premium it is able to obtain for organic berries and the demonstrated yields of organic production. To aid its growers in producing more organic berries, Driscoll has been developing strawberry varieties especially for organic production. The plants are selected for disease resistance and fruit yield under organic production methods.

Project Helps Southern Organic Farmers Manage Risk

(6/13/05) NCAT and the Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) are nearing the conclusion of a year-long partnership agreement with the USDA Risk Management Agency. This project is designed to help certified and transitioning organic farmers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee minimize and manage risks associated with obtaining and maintaining organic certification.

To date, the project has involved several training sessions for producers. NCAT agricultural specialist Holly Born discussed “grey areas” in the National Organic Program certification regulations during a full-day training in Mississippi on April 8. This meeting, organized in coordination with Dr. William Evans, Research Director-Mississippi Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, provided participants with organic certification, marketing, and production information. Ellen Ferry, an IOIA member, attended the Tennessee Organic Growers Association (TOGA) annual meeting on April 23 and provided two presentations, “Value Added – Keys to Success,” and “Organic Certification as a Marketing Tool.” On April 27 and 28, NCAT agricultural specialist George Kuepper worked with Kentucky Department of Agriculture coordinator Jake Schmitz to conduct trainings on organic certification regulations in Lexington and Bowling Green. All workshop participants were serious producers, the majority of whom were intent on becoming certified. Full-day workshops for Cooperative Extension agents are being planned for Arkansas and Louisiana, to be conducted in August. In addition, follow-up meetings in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi are being scheduled for September.

To further assist potential or certified organic producers and the technical service providers they work with, project collaborators are developing several documents and training materials. The materials include a Southern Organic Resource Guide that provides lists of organic producers in the area, sources of organic inputs, organic certifying agents working in the area, and technical resource people and organizations knowledgeable about organic agriculture. Farm management documents being produced include documentation forms designed for highly diversified market gardeners and a collation of miscellaneous certification forms developed by other agencies, but not previously available from a single source. Finally, to help trainers across the region provide accurate information about organic certification, project collaborators are producing several PowerPoint presentations.

Montana Green Power Website Funding Renewed

(6/6/05) NCAT has received funding for another year of operation for the MontanaGreenPower.com website. The project was funded through NorthWestern Energy's Univeral Systems Benefit charges. These charges, paid by the utility's customers throughout the year, are used in part to fund renewable energy projects. The MontanaGreenPower.com website was developed by NCAT under USB funding in 2000 and has been administered by NCAT since then.

MontanaGreenPower.com provides site visitors with regularly updated news on solar, wind and other renewable energy technologies in Montana and the region. News story summaries and links to original sources are featured on the site. In addition to current news, the site offers background resource information on planning, designing and installing different types of renewable energy systems. It also lists of systems that have already been installed across the state. Renewable energy activities for the classroom are available on the site. In addition, a monthly E-newsletter with highlights from the site is offered, with past issues posted online.

NCAT has noted a recent dramatic rise in site visits to MontanaGreenPower.com, demonstrating the timeliness of renewable energy subjects as petroleum prices rise and demonstration projects prove successful. Over its years of operation, MontanaGreenPower.com has built a reputation as a reliable source of useful information for individual homeowners, businesses and communities in the state. Recent infrastructure upgrades at NCAT now allow this site to reside in-house on an NCAT server, which simplifies technical and content administration and speeds access for visitors. An experienced team of energy and web specialists will contribute to the continued smooth operation of the site.

NCAT is pleased to have this opportunity to continue in its leading role in providing renewable energy information for Montanans.

Usability Study to Guide Website Improvements

(5/31/05) In early May NCAT staff began a usability study of the ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Center website. The purpose of the usability study is to identify and correct major design and architectural problems with the site, with the goal of improving the site design to better serve our users and clients. User testing is a great way to get first-hand data from real users, is relatively quick and easy to do, saves development time and money, and gives Web development teams the chance to observe how users actually interact with the site.

Eight representative clients, including five women and three men, were recruited to participate in the qualitative tests. (Studies have shown that four to eight users will identify 75-90 percent of the major problems for a given Web site.) Participants included farmers, ranchers, an extension agent, a university educator/farm manager, and a college student, and they varied in age and degree of computer skills. The tests were conducted in NCAT offices in Butte and Missoula, Montana, and in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

With one facilitator and one to two observers present for each test, participants were asked to complete a series of 19 tasks related to the website, such as submitting a question to a sustainable agriculture expert, signing up for an e-newsletter, and accessing a publication on blueberries. Participants were asked to "think out loud" and comment on their satisfaction, frustration, and expectations as they pursued each task. Observers noted how users found and searched for each bit of information, how successful participants were at completing each task, and what tasks were particularly easy or difficult to complete.

Now that individual tests are completed, NCAT Web staff will begin the analysis phase of the study. This phase will include analyzing the qualitative data, prioritizing the severity of each finding, classifying the time needed to fix each finding, and producing a report and recommendations for design changes.

In addition to completing the usability study, project leader and NCAT Web Specialist John Webb will be soliciting feedback from users of the ATTRA site via an online survey. Staff feedback regarding the site will also be sought.

Institutional Market Assessment Project Receives Grant

(5/23/05) Grow Montana has received a grant from the Montana Department of Agriculture's Ag Development Council for an Institutional Market Assessment project. Announcement of the $49,774 grant comes hot on the heels of a $200,000 grant for Grow Montana project work, awarded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Grow Montana is a collaboration between NCAT and four other core partners that is working to make community-based food systems a centerpiece of Montana’s economic development policy. NCAT acts as grant recipient on behalf of the other core partners: the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Montana-Missoula, Artemis Common Ground, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, and Lake County Community Development Corporation’s Mission Mountain Cooperative Food Processing and Co-op Development Center.

As part of Grow Montana's overall aim of strengthening regional food systems, this particular project will assess the public institutional food markets in Montana and state agriculture's capacity to serve those markets. In addition, this project will take an in-depth look at the University of Montana's Farm to College program to understand the details of how a real-life segment of the local-food institutional market functions. Finally, the project will take its resulting findings and strategic action plan to 15 communities around the state. Presentations to the local agricultural, business and economic development communities and local public institutions will seek input on interpretation of the results and the action plan from local contexts. In addition, they will encourage communities to use the findings in creating cooperative networks for developing institutional food markets and the necessary production and processing capacity to serve those markets.

Grow Montana already recognizes that public institutions offer a tremendous market for Montana agricultural products, and is eager to scope the actual size and particular requirements of that market. For example, state institutions in Montana purchase about $12 million of food annually, with colleges and universities already beginning to implement local purchasing programs and setting a precedent. By contrast, little is yet known about the extent of the potential market for local public institutions that purchase food, including K-12 schools, county hospitals and nursing homes, and county and regional jails. This project's market assessment will survey each institutional segment to learn of the needs and opportunities for adding Montana-produced food to its menu. The project team, led by NCAT Program Specialist Nancy Matheson, is eager to begin work on this significant project with such potential for Montana agriculture.

Grow Montana Receives Kellogg Foundation Grant

(5/16/05) The Grow Montana Food Policy Project, a collaboration between NCAT and four other core partners, has received a $200,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This project aims to make community-based food systems a centerpiece of Montana’s economic development policy. Specifically, the project will document how local food initiatives do and can contribute to a more sustainable economic development model; demonstrate market potential by moving local food into institutional food services and other Montana markets; and convince key decision-makers of the need for policy changes that can make regional food and agriculture central to the state’s future.

The project will run from May 2005 until April 2007, and NCAT program specialist Nancy Matheson will serve as project leader. In addition to NCAT, core partners are the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Montana-Missoula, Artemis Common Ground, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, and Lake County Community Development Corporation’s Mission Mountain Cooperative Food Processing and Co-op Development Center. The Kellogg grant provides slightly less than half of the total project budget.

Currently over 80 percent of food consumed by Monanans comes into the state from outside sources, while Montana-grown agricultural commodities flow out to distant markets. Increasing the amount of Montana-grown food consumed in Montana by just fifteen percent would make an additional $325 million flow into the pockets of Montana food producers and processors, and their rural communities. This project will work to identify the policy barriers that prevent development of local food systems, as well as the opportunities that stronger local food systems would provide. The information collected will provide a key component needed to enact policies favorable to local food systems and development of connections between state food producers and consumers.

An in-depth case study of the successful Farm to College program at the University of Montana-Missoula will provide evidence on the importance of and potential for regional food systems. In the second year of UM’s program, the Dining Services purchased food from 36 Montana farmers, ranchers and processors to the tune of $300,000, and the program is still growing. Besides the case study, other activities of the project will include policy education, assisting on-the-ground efforts to build community-based food systems, and specific efforts to build a broader coalition in support of local food.

State-specific Versions of Irrigator's Guide Released

(5/9/05) NCAT has just released eight state-specific Irrigator's Guide publications, patterned after the popular Montana Irrigator's Pocket Guide edition that NCAT issued in 2003. The Guide is a "take-to-the-field reference to help irrigators save energy, water, and money" that addresses both water management and equipment maintenance. The new editions are for Wyoming, North Dakota, Washington, Oregon, California, Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Following production of 7,500 copies of the Montana Irrigator's Pocket Guide in the original 2003 project, NCAT launched a new project in 2004. This collaborative effort was designed to produce similar energy and water-saving guides for other states, with support from both the Montana Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the ATTRA--National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (itself funded through USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service). Montana NRCS provided partial funding for developing the guides and helped convene a series of teleconferences that provided feedback from NRCS irrigation specialists in about 30 states.

Agency staff, university researchers, farmers, extension agents, energy specialists, and irrigation equipment dealers also reviewed drafts of the irrigator's guides. Based on reviewer feedback, NCAT added more information on surface and micro-irrigation to the publication. A team of NCAT specialists made up of Mike Morris, Barbara Bellows, Nancy Matheson and contracted engineer Vicki Lynne rewrote and reorganized the Water Management half of the book. They added several new chapters, including a chapter on water quality protection. Irrigation guidelines for several more crops were also added to help adapt the text for other states.

Guides printed for the eight participating states are being retailed to NRCS offices and others, for distribution to field staff and end users. Early responses to the guides have been quite positive. Some states have already expressed interest in purchasing additional copies, and offices in other states are considering having editions printed for their states. At least one state is considering extensive collaboration with NCAT to develop an even more "regionally appropriate" version. Irrigation equipment dealers, irrigation districts, and other organizations have also expressed interest in purchasing or sponsoring adapted versions of the Guide. Based on widespread interest, a second printing of Guides is possible later this year. In addition, a Spanish-language irrigation guide is under consideration. NCAT project leader Mike Morris has been invited to make a presentation on the Irrigator's Guide in June, at a meeting of the National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees.

Infrastructure Upgrades Position NCAT for Future

(5/2/05) NCAT is in the process of computer infrastructure upgrades that will both improve the efficiency of the organization's current operation and provide the opportunity for future expansion of services.

Over the years NCAT's computer system has grown on an as-needed basis. Without a comprehensive plan--and with several generations of technology--the system evolved into a complex patchwork that was no longer serving the organization's needs efficiently. NCAT's spring 2005 upgrade in its Butte office is replacing existing infrastructure with higher-end, functional, and stable equipment.

The upgrade began with switches that not only aid transfer of information within the building, but also speed Internet traffic in and out of NCAT's Butte, Montana, headquarters. The new switches add speed; they are up to two hundred times faster than the old switches for internal network traffic. Meanwhile, NCAT servers were assigned to a dedicated switch that segregates the traffic, thus allowing them to serve content of web pages and e-mail up to one hundred times faster. Once the new switches were operational, they allowed the office's firewall to be reorganized to separate internal and external traffic in the interests of speed and efficiency.

The next step in NCAT's infrastructure upgrade is the installation of a blade server to replace five separate servers currently used. The new technology not only represents a space savings, but efficiently consolidates administration of the servers. The new blade server offers improvements and expandability in processing power, disk space, networking, security and redundancy capability. Although the new server is physically in place already, migration of content onto the blades will take place over a couple of months.

The new computer infrastructure will make NCAT's system run faster and more efficiently now, and together the switching and blade server upgrade position NCAT for future growth, as well as enhance NCAT's capacity for new projects. The system will allow NCAT to house its numerous and extensive existing project websites in-house, and will still have room to house future sites that NCAT may develop. Information Services staff estimate that savings on site hosting outsourcing will give the new server a payback period of just 2 to 3 years. What's more, the new server has the capacity for instant and fully compatible additional expansion, should future projects demand even more space. The new system also lays the groundwork for voiceover IP, whereby phone traffic could eventually run over the data network, replacing the organization's current phone system.

Workshop Set on System Approach to Resource Management with Livestock

(4/25/05) NCAT and Heifer Ranch will present a workshop May 24-26, designed to enhance skills needed for a systems approach to managing beef cattle and small ruminants and transitioning to organic livestock production. Titled “Putting it All Together: Using Livestock to Manage Natural Resources”, the workshop is part of a project funded by Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program.

NCAT is inviting agency and extension personnel, as well as non-governmental organization agricultural educators, from the Southern Region to partner with a farmer they work with to attend the workshop. Training will be provided by farmers and educators who have direct experience in livestock production, marketing, research, extension and/or transition. In addition to presentations, the workshop will feature hands-on field demonstrations, discussions, information about putting the results of past SARE projects to work, and diverse technical resource materials. The workshop will take place at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, an internationally recognized learning center. Workshop participants will have a chance to hear from Ranch staff and see the results of recent decision-making about their own livestock management work with stocker cattle and small ruminants.

In addition to NCAT's role in organizing the event, three sustainable agriculture specialists from NCAT will be among presenters at the workshop. Tim Johnson is the author of the ATTRA publication "The Economics of Grass Based Dairying." He will share his expertise in beef management and marketing in a workshop presentation. Linda Coffey will address the topic of small ruminants, drawing from her work on the recent project "Enhancing Educator Knowledge of Sheep and Goat Production." George Kuepper, author of numerous ATTRA publications and a recognized authority on organic agriculture, will speak on the details of organic certification and production.

Scholarships will cover room, board, workshop fees and materials for all participants, but participation is limited. Interested potential participants can apply for a slot by registering online at http://www.regonline.com/22611. Questions about the event may be addressed to Tim Johnson or Teresa Maurer at 1-866-442-6085 (toll free). Another, similar workshop is planned for this fall, to be held in Tennessee.

Farmer Internet Training Sessions Conducted by NCAT Staff

(4/18/05) NCAT staff members recently finished conducting 8 training sessions in Internet use for farmers and people working with farmers across the South, under a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group project. Last week's story reported on the organizations serving limited resource, minority and other underserved producers in the South that were selected to host the training sessions.

NCAT staff developed a draft presentation outline and support materials adapted to different audiences, locations and Internet skill levels for each training session. Each training session opened with an introduction to using the Internet for farm marketing, looking at why to use the Internet, covering basic computer and Internet connection and use, and extending into e-mail marketing, finding information online, and entering information in Internet directory listings. The second part of the training agenda guided participants in getting started on developing their own web site, covering registering a domain name, finding a host, marketing a site, and considering online transactions. The final segment offered technical information for participants developing own sites, based on the presentation "Web Site Development for Farms," by Debbie Roos of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center.

A CD-ROM of support materials was distributed to participants. The CD contained examples that were used during the training, as well as lists of sources for more information, so that participants could take home materials that would help them work on their own on the subjects covered during the training. Based on the trainings, NCAT plans to further develop the CD content over the next several months and eventually release it as a stand-alone self-teaching tool for producers to use in learning more about Internet marketing.

The training sessions were specifically tailored to meet the needs and skill levels of each audience. Some workshops spent most time on the basics of introducing producers directly to Internet use for marketing. Other workshops provided professionals skilled in computer use with practice and information resources that they can use in assisting their clients. Participants in different workshop sessions praised the usefulness of the training, and were especially pleased with the portions of the training that highlighted example farm websites and started them step-by-step on developing their own websites.

A large team from NCAT worked on producing and delivering the training sessions. Sessions were presented by Holly Born, Teresa Maurer, Majid Quereshi, Janet Bachmann, Julia Sampson, and Nana Mejia. More than 70 participants from 7 states completed the training and promised to share what they had learned.

NCAT Completes Internet Training Sessions for Farmers

(4/11/05) Over the course of the past two months, NCAT staff members have completed a series of eight training sessions in Internet use for farmers and people working with farmers across the South. The trainings were conducted under a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group project funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency, and titled "Helping Southern Producers Reduce Risks through New Internet-based Services." NCAT was a partner in the project, charged with developing and conducting workshops for for limited resource producer organizations, to help their farmers effectively use the Internet for marketing farm products.

In Fall 2004, applications were accepted from organizations across the South that wished to sponsor Internet training sessions. The applicants pledged to either offer the training session directly to their members who are producers, or to train organizational professionals who would in turn conduct training for local producers.

Eleven groups who applied were selected, and eight day-long marketing skills training workshops were developed by NCAT and delivered in the following locations, hosted by these sponsoring organizations:

Asheville, North Carolina, February 11, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Atlanta, Georgia, February 23, Georgia Organics
Jackson, Tennessee, March 8, University of Tennessee-Center for Profitable Agriculture
Shelby, Mississippi, March 11, Mississippians Engaged in Greener Agriculture
Gainesville, Florida, March 14, Florida Organics and Heifer International, US Programs-- Southeast Office
Epes, Alabama, March 23, Federation of Southern Cooperatives and Mississippi Association of Cooperatives
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, March 23, Southern University
Safford, Alabama, March 26, The United Christian Community Association and Holmes County Sustainable Agriculture Project.

In addition to NCAT and the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group collaborating on the project, an advisory team also informed the project, comprising Rodale Institute, Heifer International, Florida Organic Growers, Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation, Kentucky State University Small Farmer Program, and Rural Coalition.

A follow-up story will focus on the training materials developed for this project and report on highlights from the workshops, as noted by NCAT staff members conducting the sessions.

NCAT Offers Summer Internships

(4/4/05) It's spring, and college students across the country are lining up summer employment. Some will be seeking job experience to give them a head start in their chosen career paths. Paid internships can offer students an opportunity to work for several months in a real-world workplace with professionals in their field. NCAT is pleased to once again provide internship opportunities for Summer 2005.

For many years NCAT has hired interns both during the school year and during the summer months. Summer usually sees the highest number of interns, with as many as 10 having worked for the organization at the same time. Internships are offered for currently enrolled college undergraduates and graduate students, as well as students who have just graduated.

NCAT offers a variety of different internships, related to the organization's program work and to general organizational administration. In past years, interns have been able to apply their skills in accounting, administration, computer science, animal science, engineering, writing, graphic arts, marketing and other fields. Their duties have taken them into farm fields, into university libraries, and in front of corporate audiences.

In recognition of the challenges minority students from out of town may experience in finding affordable temporary housing close to NCAT offices, NCAT offers living cost assistance for minority student interns through the John T. Brown Minority Internship Fund. Minority student interns from schools outside NCAT's hometowns may be eligible for a stipend from this fund.

For summer 2005 NCAT is looking for interns to work in any of its offices. In particular, applicants with experience or expertise in aspects of agriculture may be assigned to project duties in Arkansas that could include researching and writing technical material for public use. An intern with desktop publishing skills may be assigned to producing and formatting such documents. Other qualified interns may assist with reception duties, formatting and proofreading technical materials, and providing support for staff. Meanwhile, students with skills and expertise in architecture, building science, engineering, planning or community development may be assigned to energy or community projects in the Montana office. For application instructions on joining the NCAT team, consult the Employment Opportunities page.

Board Reviews Strategic Plan Progress

(3/28/05) NCAT's Board of Directors met March 16-18 in Washington, DC. One of the items on their agenda at this meeting was an update on the organization's progress toward the goals in NCAT's 2004-2008 strategic plan.

With four new members taking seats on the Board, this meeting was an ideal time to review the strategic plan developed by NCAT during 2003 and adopted in December 2003. This plan set forth seven goals:

Empower economically disadvantaged people and communities to enhance their quality of life and their environment by using resources sustainably.
Research, demonstrate and transfer sustainable technologies and practices.
Collaborate with other organizations to better reach shared goals.
Cultivate diversity in all NCAT activities.
Strengthen NCAT as a results-oriented organization focused on excellence.
Strengthen the Board’s capacity to support NCAT’s strategic directions.
Increase NCAT’s financial soundness and sustainability.

The plan contains a number of priority strategies that NCAT can use in working toward fulfilling the goals. For the recent meeting, NCAT's managers gathered data and assembled a presentation that detailed the organization's efforts and successes in pursuing priority strategies. The first year of the plan's operation has seen significant activity on many fronts. For example, one strategy calls for NCAT to develop technical assistance projects in its program areas that are specifically targeted to low-income people, and several such projects are now ongoing at NCAT. Another strategy emphasizes becoming a principal focus for organic farming information in the US, and strides have been made toward this by having several staff members trained as organic inspectors, and developing a number of new publications on organic farming.

Other achievements over the past year included recruiting several minority interns, distributing hundreds of thousands of print and online publications, conducting workshops for audiences from 37 states, and working on projects to help bridge the digital divide for low-income and rural residents.

NCAT is progressing with plans to help effectively implement more of the priority strategies in the plan during 2005, such as those dealing with organizational funding, hiring practices, and staff training.

Conferences Offer Networking, Outreach and Learning Opportunities

(3/21/05) NCAT staff members have attended a number of events across the country recently, as presenters, exhibitors or simply participants. Conferences offer opportunities to introduce new audiences to NCAT's work, to network with colleagues and potential project partners, and to further professional development. Frequently they also provide the chance to collect feedback from our clients, in both formal and informal settings.

Staff members who attend events on behalf of the ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service project share reports on their experiences with their co-workers. Aside from being humorous narratives on the trials and tribulations of business travel, these reports provide an important record of contacts made, insights gained, and ideas spawned.

For example, Technical Supervisor Mark Keating recently attended the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture conference held in Washington, DC. With fifty organizations represented at the three-day event, this provided an outstanding national networking opportunity. At another national event, Program Specialist Barbara Bellows gave a presentation on her poultry litter and arsenic research for the Fertilizer and Agrochemical subdivision of the American Chemical Society meeting, held in San Diego. Bellows reported on other cutting-edge research on organic production presented at the conference.

In more regional venues, Program Specialist Nancy Matheson attended the second annual meeting of the Montana Organic Association, where she spoke on a panel and distributed ATTRA materials at an exhibit. This dynamic, young organization's successful conference was a good place to spread the word about what ATTRA has to offer organic farmers--and according to Matheson, she wasn't the only speaker touting ATTRA. Just a couple weeks later, Program Specialist Anne Fanatico gave two poultry presentations and staffed an NCAT exhibit at the NOFA-NH Winter Conference. This event represented ATTRA's first appearance in New Hampshire.

Program Specialist Alice Beetz traveled south to the Tuskegee Farmers Conference in Alabama, where she staffed a booth that distributed ATTRA materials and copies of Building Better Rural Places. Taking part in this event helped strengthen ties with the agricultural community at this historical African-American university, as well as introducing NCAT to an audience focusing on rural issues.

These events represent just a few of the venues NCAT staff members have enjoyed for teaching and learning during the past few months. Staff maintain busy travel schedules throughout the year, so watch for them at events across the country!

Teleconferencing Helps NCAT Speakers Cover Ground

(3/14/05) It's no secret that NCAT's experts in sustainable agriculture, energy and communities are in frequent demand as conference speakers or workshop leaders. As a consequence, scheduling conflicts sometimes arise, with events scheduled at the same time in different locations. One NCAT staff member recently solved the problem of being in two places at once with teleconferencing.

NCAT Program Specialist Steve Diver is is well known for his workshops on compost teas and related on-farm beneficial microbe cultures and extracts. Compost tea is a compost extract that is brewed to deliver a liquid blend of soluble nutrients, bioactive substances, and beneficial microorganisms. It is becoming popular as an on-farm tool to enhance soil fertility and plant health. Diver was recently invited to present material on Compost Teas and EM (Effective Microorganisms) at the "Alternative Agriculture and Specialty Crops Conference" held in Brighton, Colorado, on March 3-4. Though scheduling conflicts prevented Diver from attending in person, he was able to provide presentations from a remote location, using teleconference technology.

Resource lists that accompanied Diver's talks were prepared in advance, and distributed to the audience as workshop handouts. Conference participants viewed Diver's PowerPoint slides projected on a screen in Colorado as he spoke over an intercom via a telephone connection from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Following his presentation, Diver participated by phone in a Practitioners' Panel that took audience questions.

The process ran smoothly, and Adrian Card, Extension Agriculture Agent for Boulder County and conference organizer, later said that Steve's presentations were the highlight of the 2-day conference, drawing an audience of more than 100 people. Feedback from the event was positive, though one participant in Colorado noted that concentrating on listening to a speaker was more difficult without body language and facial expressions as cues. Perhaps videoconferencing will be NCAT's next frontier.

NCAT Subsidiary Releases Enhanced Energy TechNet

(3/7/05) New Horizon Technologies, Inc., NCAT's for-profit subsidiary, welcomed March by unveiling a substantially upgraded Energy TechNet website at energytechnet.com. With final approval from the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy TechNet's re-release culminated five months of close cooperation between NCAT and New Horizon Technologies staff that has resulted in a site that is deeper in content, richer in resources, and much more user friendly.

Energy TechNet is DOE's "toolbox for entrepreneurs," a website originally developed by New Horizon Technologies. The site continues to be funded by DOE's Inventions & Innovation Program, which looks to Energy TechNet to be a centralized source of information and resources available to entrepreneurs engaged in developing and commercializing energy technologies. These "energy entrepreneurs" can use the site to gain a better understanding of the idea-selection process, intellectual property, markets and market research, funding types and sources, and other issues related to technology development and commercialization. In addition, Energy TechNet's Resource Database represents the largest collection of business and financial resources ever compiled for technology developers.

Energy TechNet was originally released in mid-2004 and was well received by DOE and other target audiences. However, user tests performed by NCAT's usability specialists identified several additional ways to improve the usefulness of the site by enhancing its organization and presentation. Seeing an opportunity for continued collaboration, New Horizon Technologies called on several of NCAT's IT staff for significant contributions during the re-design and subsequent re-development of the site. At the heart of this effort was the collective ingenuity to transform a complex array of features into an integrated, color-coded scheme that still adheres to DOE's strict Web site branding regulations.

Energy TechNet's new site serves as a good example of how New Horizon Technologies and NCAT can work together not only to support each other, but also to better serve our mutual audiences.

Timely Publications Released by NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Project

(2/28/05) Several new and updated publications have recently been released by NCAT under its ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service project. Publications are one important means the project uses to reach an audience of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural educators and professionals with sustainable agriculture information. In total, more than 200 different titles are distributed by ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, most of which have been written by NCAT specialists.

New titles are added and existing publications regularly updated in response to market and research developments, as well as audience demand for particular topics. One new NCAT publication, Grazing Contracts for Livestock, discusses some of the issues involved with contract grazing, including various classes of livestock, equipment, sample contracts, some of the economics to consider, and other resources available on the subject. The topic is especially timely given growing interest nationwide in grass-fed and pasture-raised meat.

Another publication soon to be released is Preparing for an Organic Inspection: Steps and Checklists. Many farmers and ranchers are interested in the potential for organic certification of their operations, in order to serve a booming organic food market. At the same time, the organic certification process may seem daunting for producers who aren't familiar with it. This new resource from NCAT will help demystify the inspection process for farmers and ranchers.

Some producers are finding success in serving niche markets by providing fresh vegetables throughout the year, or raising specialty crops. An updated version of Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners helps producers learn more about options such as rowcovers and hoophouses. Meanwhile an update to Marketing Organic Grains is designed to help producers prepare to access a growing and changing market. Another new publication, Biodiesel—A Primer, is an introduction to home biodiesel production that may be useful to people contemplating on-farm production of their own fuel. Other recently updated publications include Sweetpotato: Organic Production, Edible Flowers, and Rotational Grazing. More publications will be updated, and several more new titles released, throughout the remainder of 2005.

Publications from ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service are available free in hard copy to commercial agricultural producers and other agricultural professionals. The publications are also available online at the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website, in PDF files for printing and HTML files for online viewing.

Grow Montana Supports Local Food Legislation

(2/22/05) NCAT is a founding member of Grow Montana, a new coalition dedicated to strengthening the state's local food and agricultural economy. Grow Montana has obtained start-up funding that enabled it to hire a lobbyist and a Researcher/Project Coordinator for 2005. The group is actively pursuing additional grant funds to support its activities.

Grow Montana is supporting two measures currently before the Montana legislature that are designed to benefit local food producers. The first, House Bill 484, would provide authority for state meat inspection of mobile slaughtering units. Mobile slaughtering units can benefit small farmers by allowing them to share the costs of processing facilities while reducing the cost and stress of animal transportation to a centralized facility. Mobile units are ideal for processing small batches that can be identified with a farm brand or tracked as organically certified meat. However, farmers are not allowed by law to sell meat directly into wholesale or retail markets unless the animals are slaughtered at a state- or federal-inspected facility. The State of Montana currently does not have authority to inspect mobile slaughtering units. This measure would award that authority, thus making it possible for mobile slaughtering units to serve the state's small farmers and aid their direct marketing efforts. House Bill 484 passed out of committee almost unanimously, and is ready for House floor debate.

The second measure is House Bill HB 521, which would provide a preference for Montana food in State procurement. Specifically, the Montana Food Preference Act will encourage state agencies to purchase food produced or manufactured in Montana when comparable in price and quality, and provide a preference for food produced or manufactured in Montana. State agencies spent nearly $12 million on food in 2004, but current regulations require food service operations to accept the lowest bid for food products. This makes it difficult for small, local producers to compete against volume pricing. Establishing a preference for Montana-grown food would help build markets for the many high quality food products grown and produced in the state, and help revitalize rural community economies. HB 521 was passed by the House on February 19.

The Grow Montana coalition represents just one of NCAT's many efforts to support and promote local food purchasing. NCAT is pleased to join with Montana groups such as AERO, Mission Mountain Market Cooperative Development and Processing Center, and Artemis Common Ground in founding and supporting Grow Montana.

Southwest Marketing Network to Hold Third Annual Conference

(2/14/05) The Southwest Marketing Network will hold its third annual conference March 13-15, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The three-day conference will feature 70 speakers who are noted experts in the fields of farming, ranching, marketing, fundraising, farmers' markets, and agricultural policy. An Albuquerque-area tour of farms and farm businesses is planned, as well as a number of workshops. One special workshop produced by First Nations Development Institute will focus on helping rural Native communities discover paths to future cultural and physical health, economic sustainability, and food security.

Farmers, ranchers, and other community members interested in increasing regional marketing opportunities are invited to attend the event to build skills and gain expertise. The conference provides a valuable opportunity for participants to share, learn, and engage with others to improve local marketing, especially in isolated areas of the region that encompasses Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Topics for conference sessions and workshops include Agritourism, transitioning to organic production, alternative marketing, grass-fed livestock, selling to schools, and many more.

As leader for the Southwest Marketing Network project, NCAT is helping expand markets for southwest small-scale, alternative, and minority producers. This is the third year of the Southwest Marketing Network initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Food and Society Initiative, with additional support from the USDA Risk Management Agency and NCAT. NCAT coordinates the project, its website, a resource database and training. An NCAT contractor and staff members have been instrumental in organizing the conference and will speak in several sessions. Other project partners are Farm to Table and the Wallace Center, with involvement by The Farm Connection, Traditional Native American Farmers Association, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University, the University of Arizona, and the Western Rural Development Center.

Registration materials and the complete conference agenda are available online as a PDF file. Scholarships are offered to help cover lodging, registration and travel costs for participants. Priority will be given to those who work with a group or a community project or plan to start a project and want to learn more about how to develop a program or project. Scholarship requests must be received by February 28.

Organic Poultry Research Project Involves NCAT

(2/7/05) A USDA-CSREES grant will allow NCAT to collaborate with the University of Arkansas in conducting and reporting research on raising organic broiler chickens without supplemental methionine. The grant, one of 11 awarded in 2004 to strengthen the Integrated Organic Program, provides the University of Arkansas with a total of $305,015 for the project. NCAT will participate as a subcontractor for education and outreach.

Methionine (MET) is a synthetic amino acid that helps producers reduce feed costs while maintaining growth performance and meat yield in poultry. However, the National Organic Program plans to phase out the use of MET in organic production by the end of 2005, so organic growers are eager to find effective alternatives for poultry production.

Preliminary doctoral degree research by NCAT Program Specialist Anne Fanatico found that slow-growing broilers appeared to have lower MET requirements than typical commercial birds that reach market weight in less than 7 weeks. In this new project, Fanatico will work with scientists from the University of Arkansas Poultry Science Department and West Virginia University to continue research on slow-growing broilers and alternative feeding strategies that allow elimination of supplemental MET. Slower-growing birds may experience fewer health problems and could obtain market premiums for their natural growth process and desirable flavor. This project will include research on slow- and medium-growing bird genotypes and different production methods.

In another portion of the project, University of Arkansas staff and NCAT Program Specialist specialist Holly Born will collaborate on an evaluation and economic assessment. This work will consider market opportunities for slow-growing broilers, as well as feed costs under alternative feeding strategies. The final phase of the project involves disseminating findings to the organic and scientific communities. NCAT will play an active role in compiling and publishing project reports. Information and results from the project will be made available to the public on NCAT's Sustainable Poultry Web site, www.sustainablepoultry.ncat.org.

The project is planned to continue over the course of four years. Research with chicks began in January 2005, and aspects of the project will continue until September 2008. NCAT's involvement in the project will run throughout the course of the four-year period.

Growing Interest in Sheep and Goat Production Addressed by NCAT Project

(1/31/05) Raising sheep and goats has become an interest for many farmers in recent years. The market for these meats is growing, and is particularly strong among increasing ethnic populations in the United States. Sheep and goat operations offer low start-up costs, don't require as much land as larger livestock, and may be well suited to small farms. At the same time, studies are proving the effectiveness of sheep and goats as environmentally friendly tools for weed and brush management. With the increasing popularity of growing these animals has come the need for good information about how to make them productive and keep them healthy.

A special NCAT project, Enhancing Educator Knowledge of Sheep and Goat Production, was designed specifically to help agriculture educators and professionals learn more about small ruminants so that they can better aid farmers involved in their production. This project has completed production of a Small Ruminant Sustainability Checksheet to guide production practices and a companion Small Ruminant Resources manual. The checksheet is available online or in print, and the manual in print or on CD, through ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service at 800-346-9140.

The Enhancing Educator Knowledge project is a multi-year project funded by Southern Region SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), and involving several cooperating organizations and individuals. The project has involved developing a list serve of sheep and goat producers, and compiling and distributing the checksheet and nearly 600 copies of the Small Ruminant Resources manual. In the final phase of the project, a series of workshops will be conducted in locations across the South, based on the manual and involving on-farm demonstrations. At these workshops educators will be taught how to use the checksheet as a tool for their producers. They will also receive hands-on training with small ruminants, and will receive a manual to aid in responding to further inquiries from producers. NCAT staff members will participate in planning and delivering some of these workshops.

Staff members who worked on the project, Linda Coffey and intern Margo Hale, have had a poster on this project accepted for presentation at the Southern Agricultural Education Research Conference slated for February 5-9 in Little Rock, Arkansas. More NCAT information related to sheep and goat production can be found in the January-February 2005 issue of ATTRAnews (PDF).

NCAT Furthers Sustainability Education

(1/18/05) Throughout its nearly 30-year history, NCAT has been involved in helping people learn more about appropriate technology solutions that are good for people and the environment. NCAT's educational activities take many forms, both inside and outside the classroom, in person and over long distances.

NCAT has offered direct learning opportunities to numerous students from a range of academic institutions, who have chosen to intern with the organization. Similarly, NCAT has participated in job training programs that help mature workers develop skills that equip them for the workplace.

In a different line, NCAT developed classroom curriculum for middle and high school students as part of its Sun4Schools project. This curriculum helps students learn more about the renewable energy systems installed on their schools, and track the energy that those systems produce.

NCAT has also furnished curricular material for college and university courses and continuing professional education, as well as specialized training sessions. This material includes both specially designed curricula and adaptive applications of more general NCAT publications. For example, publications from NCAT's ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service are used in organic farming training sessions held across the country, for farmers and agricultural education professionals. ATTRA publications are also used as text for college courses, including a sustainable agriculture course at Fort Lewis College, an agriculture ethics course at Truman State University, a sheep production course at North Carolina State University, and University of Arkansas courses. Meanwhile, the "Case for Sustainability" created by NCAT for DOE assembled a multimedia kit for use by community leaders developing local training workshops. A variety of green building resource materials developed by NCAT have also been used in college courses and professional and public education events.

Not only NCAT publications, but also NCAT staff members participate in education. NCAT's specialists are often chosen to lead workshops for the public or for professionals, on topics such as wind energy development, organic agriculture, energy efficient building construction, or farm product marketing. A number of staff members have also served as instructors for college courses related to sustainability, in a complement to their work at NCAT.

New Members Take Seats on NCAT Board

(1/10/05) Four new members are taking seats on the NCAT Board of Directors, beginning in January 2005. During its September meeting in the Seattle area, the Board elected new members who are now starting their terms. These talented individuals bring a wealth of experience to their new position at NCAT, and the existing board and staff members look forward to working with them. Joining the board are Brian Castelli, Maricela Gallegos, Mary Harris and Carol Werner.

Brian Castelli is an independent consultant for a variety of clients working on program, policy and legislative issues related to electric power generation and consumption, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and a principal with the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions. He has an extensive background in energy efficiency and energy policy.

Maricela Gallegos recently retired from the Hewlett Packard Company where she worked as the Human Resource Manager. Her work included efforts to increase and retain the representation of women and people of color, and increase awareness for a more inclusive environment. From 2002 to the present, Maricela has been Chair of the Education Committee with the Institute for Mexicans Abroad. She has also advised and been affiliated with a range of other organizations.

Mary Harris is managing consultant with PA Counseling Group in North America. Currently she leads an international climate change project between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. She has volunteered for numerous public and private organizations and previously served as executive director for the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board.

Carol Werner is the Executive Director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) in Washington, DC. EESI is a non-profit public policy organization dedicated to sustainable development, believing that a sound environment and a sound economy go hand in hand. Carol is on the steering committees of several additional energy and environment organizations, as well.

NCAT is pleased to welcome these outstanding new members to its Board. At the same time, NCAT staff and board are mourning the December 20 passing of one of NCAT's earliest board members, Richard M. Saul. After his retirement from the Board of Directors, Saul continued to serve on NCAT's Honorary Advisory Council. Saul was a well-known anti-poverty advocate in Washington, DC, whose death was reported by the Washington Post. His unflagging enthusiasm for NCAT will be missed.

NCAT Launches into New Year

(1/3/05) NCAT begins its fiscal year in October, but the start of a new calendar year brings excitement to the organization, as well. NCAT has great expectations for 2005, as we anticipate continued success with ongoing projects, the start of several new projects, and the addition of some new members to the NCAT team.

NCAT expects flagship projects in its Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Communities, and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development program areas to continue into 2005. Several new projects will allow the organization to increase its activities in promoting organic agriculture, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and small farm viability. A number of other new projects that have been developed are awaiting funding at present.

Four new members will be seated on NCAT's Board of Directors in January. NCAT is excited about the enthusiasm and talent these new members bring to their positions. In addition to these new board members, NCAT anticipates adding new faces to its staff. A position for a sustainable livestock specialist is currently being advertised, and the sustainable agriculture team looks forward to rounding out its expertise. Position openings during the year will be posted on the NCAT website. NCAT also plans to continue working with colleges and universities to offer short-term positions for student interns.

Meanwhile, the start of 2005 will see an increase in the living wage paid to NCAT employees. NCAT is proud to offer employees in its California, Arkansas and Montana offices a living wage well in excess of minimum wage, in addition to a strong benefits package. This year's increase represents the fourth time NCAT's living wage has been increased since the organization instituted its living wage program.

During 2005 NCAT will also be busy with arrangements for a number of special activities designed to commemorate the organization's 30th anniversary, which occurs in 2006.

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NCAT News Archive for 2005

THE NCAT MISSION Helping People by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.

THE NCAT MISSION
Helping People by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.