Urban Ag Conference - April 11-12

2014 West Virginia

Urban Ag Conference

April 11-12, 2014

@ West Virginia State University. Institute, WV

Farming. It’s so citified.

The WV Urban Ag Conference will feature daylong hands-on workshops for home gardeners, urban homesteaders and urban farmers. Learn about garden basics, marketing farm products, home preserving and more.

Additional highlights:

      Delicious locally-grown food

      Local foods dinner Friday evening

      Keynote address

      Sustainable practices

      Exhibitors trade show

Hosted by:

·         West Virginia University Extension Service

·         West Virginia State University Extension Service

·         Northeast SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education

In Partnership with:

·         SARE in WV

·         WV Conservation Agency

·         Capitol Conservation District

·         WV Farmer’s Market Association

·         Charleston Area Alliance

For more information, contact John Porter at info@urbanagwv.com or 304.720.9887

Solar water pump innovations

This will provide ideas for you do-it-yourselfers.

MOOCS

MIT and others provide a huge number of MOOCs (Massive, Open Online Courses) perfectly suitable for those who have a desire to continue learning from wherever and whenever they choose.

If you want to expand your mind but don’t have time to go back to school, there are plenty of options to get an advanced education online. The best part? All of these programs are completely free!

Check them out here: http://bit.ly/19vWxP6

Sustainable Potomac Highlands meeting - Feb 20

The snow date  for the missed meeting is Thursday February 20  at the county health department building in Augusta. 

Before the meeting please review the minutes of the last meeting, which are on our website -- click here. 

The proposed agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Proposed Agenda

Sustainable Potomac Highlands

02/13/14

Evidence of correlation between two plant viruses and bee die-offs

Bee Deaths May Stem From Virus, Study Says

www.nytimes.com

The mysterious die-offs of honeybees known as colony collapse disorder may be linked to a rapidly mutating, tobacco ringspot virus (a fast-mutating RNA virus) that jumped to bees from tobacco and soy plants. Researchers are also studying the Israeli acute paralysis virus.    Read more here.

Raw Milk discussion in today's Washington Post Food Section

Two articles on raw milk in from Whitney Pipkin in the Washington Post Food Section:

FOOD

On raw milk, FDA and proponents engage in a battle of statistics

FDA, Price Foundation cite studies bolstering opposing views on unpasteurized product's safety

Whitney Pipkin,  The Washington Post   JAN 21

FOOD

Raw milk: Devotees seek their fix, despite the warnings about health risks

Despite the health risks, devoted fans of unpasteurized milk go to great lengths to get their fix.  Whitney Pipkin,  The Washington Post   JAN 21

Underground Shelter Demonstration in Baker, WV - January 11

Our little property is isolated by the river on three sides and mountains on all four sides, and only one road in. So we've had several city folks ask me to consider a shelter out here. I usually dismiss these concerns, but I find all of this fascinating. Yesterday I talked with a guy from Titan Subterranean Survival Shelters who invited me to Baker, WV next weekend for a demonstration. I can't go, but thought you all might find it interesting. Call them if you're interested.

Titan Shelters

For more details please call us 855-528-8426