The National Center for Appropriate Technology has recently added several new staff members to its sustainable agriculture and farm energy teams. These talented and experienced staff members will be working with ATTRA to produce new publications, give presentations, and answer client questions.

Rich Dana Farm Energy Specialist

Leif Kindberg Farm Energy Specialist

Susan Tallman Agronomy & Cropping Specialist

Strong local food systems connect farmers who practice sustainable agriculture to community markets for their products. Join us this week in exploring how the Michigan Land Use Institute's Taste the Local Difference website effectively promotes local foods and a regional food system, in the latest installment of our 2009 series on outstanding websites.

Research is showing that organic production systems are some of the most climate-friendly systems of food production.

This year brings many challenges and opportunities for farmers and ranchers. Marketing, soil management, energy use, access to government commodity and conservation programs, and even the changing climate all present opportunities for positive change. And change we must. The latest issue of ATTRAnews, "Ready for Challenges," looks at ways farmers and ranchers can strengthen their operations and prepare for the unexpected.