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From practical production tips to international success stories ...
		
Hi. There's lots of great advice this week for experienced growers AND beginning farmers. Enjoy the feast.

Want to go directly to the New Farm home page? Go to the following web address:
http://www.newfarm.org"
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FRESH TODAY FROM THE NEW FARM
____________________________________________

******** Lettuce get growing: greens, that is ******** 
George Devault lays out the economic case for lettuce, and more lettuce. Then he gets down to business with seed starting tips, help with selecting varieties that work in cold, cool and hot weather, and advice on staying productive in hot weather.
http://www.newfarm.org/columns/george_devault/0303_growing_lettuce.shtml

******** Cut Flower Business: Where to start with seeding ******* 
An amazingly detailed and practical guide to seed starting, with tips on successfully starting specific flowers, from ageratum to zinnias, celosia to statice. Melanie also answers reader questions. 
http://www.newfarm.org/columns/cut_flowers/march_2003/seeding.shtml

******** In search of pullet that laid the golden egg ******** 
Wisconsin organic egg producer Dean Dickel talks in detail about how to build a medium scale egg operation that is economically viable. The keys? Marketing, and careful attention to cost-savings … without cutting corners.
http://www.newfarm.org/depts/talking_shop/0303/umoc.shtml

******** Gary Zimmer on biological weed control ******** 
Zimmer, author of The Biological Farmer, laid out the ABCs of controlling weeds through building soil, rotating crops and cultivation before a standing room only crowd at the Upper Midwest Organic Conference in late February. Here's a summary of what he said.
http://www.newfarm.org/depts/talking_shop/0303/zimmer.shtml

******** In a moment of weakness and hope, you bought that hoophouse kit … ******** 
Did you take Don Devault to heart, and actually plunk down cash for a gothic hoophouse kit? Here's what means for a beginning farmer … and how to build the darn thing.
http://www.newfarm.org/depts/beginning_farmers/0303/hoophouse.shtml

******** Buddhist monks show the way to organic in Thailand ******** 
Thailand's Buddhist Asok movement is providing leadership in regenerative agriculture through example and training. Jason Witmer visits one Asok community and reports on the impact this movement has had.
http://www.newfarm.org/columns/Jason/0303/thai_asok.shtml

******** Farming without subsidies? Some lessons from New Zealand ******** 
New Zealand went cold turkey in 1984, and Kiwi farmers are thriving. Alone in the world, they have the same number of farmers they had 30 years ago. Net incomes are up. Exports are up. Can we afford not to cut the cord?
http://www.newfarm.org/features/0303/newzealand_subsidies.shtml

******** Organic in Kenya ******** 
Thousands of small-scale farmers in Kenya are benefiting from efforts to create sustainable local markets. Bob Wagner reports on the successes, and the challenges facing Kenyan farmers as they try to build markets and infrastructure.
http://www.newfarm.org/features/0303/kenya.shtml

__________________________________________________

STILL MORE!!!

******** Action alert: ACT BEFORE MARCH 31! ******** 
The USDA is currently soliciting comments on proposed minimum standards for livestock and meat industry claims such as "grass fed." Help push them to set a meaningful minimum standards by using our email form.
http://www.newfarm.org/action/meat_marketing.shtml

******** Answers to your questions about the Organic Price Index™ ******** 
We've received over 800 questions and comments from readers. This week we respond to the dozens of questions we've received about the New Farm® Organic Price Index™. Your observations were informed, insightful … and pretty darn challenging, sometimes … especially when it came to organic grain prices.
http://www.newfarm.org/depts/letters/0303/mar_17_letters.shtml

******** Check out our newly renovated International page ******** 
Our international readership has climbed from 9 to 13 percent in the past month. To celebrate, we've not only added the new international articles listed above. We've also given them a better home. Check it out.
http://www.newfarm.org/international/index.shtml

******* News and research *******
Packaging zaps salad mix nutrients ... pork checkoff update ... food security issues ... and more.
http://www.newfarm.org/archive/news.shtml
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    <td align="left"><p><span class="bodyCopy"><strong><font color="#990000">SHARE 
        THE WEALTH:</font></strong> <font color="#000000">Please forward this 
        email to a friend or colleague.</font></span></p>
      <p><span class="headline2">From practical production tips to international 
        stories ...</span></p></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr> 
    <td height="10" colspan="3"><img src="http://www.newfarm.org/images/spacer.gif" width="20" height="10"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr> 
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p>Hi. There's lots of great advice this 
        week for experienced growers AND beginning farmers. Enjoy the feast.</p>
      <p><font color="#669900"><font color="#000000">Want to go directly to the 
        New Farm home page? <a href="http://www.newfarm.org"><strong>Click here.</strong></a></font><a href="http://www.newfarm.org"><strong></strong></a><strong><br>
        <!-- BEGIN SECTION BOX-->
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      <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
        <tr> 
          <td align="center" bgcolor="#669900" class="boxHead"><font color="#FFFFFF"><strong>Fresh 
            today from The New Farm</strong></font></td>
        </tr>
      </table>
      <br> 
      <!-- END SECTION BOX-->
      <br> 
      <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><strong>Cut Flower Business: Where 
            to start with seeding</strong><br> <br>
            An amazingly detailed and practical guide to seed starting, with tips 
            on successfully starting specific flowers, from ageratum to zinnias, 
            celosia to statice. Melanie also answers reader questions. <br> <br> 
            <br> </td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/columns/cut_flowers/march_2003/seeding.shtml">Flowers</a></strong></p>
            <p><img src="http://www.newfarm.org/newsletter/0303/images/sunflower.jpg" width="153" height="104"></p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><strong>Lettuce get growing: greens, 
            that is</strong><br> <br>
            George Devault lays out the economic case for lettuce, and more lettuce. 
            Then he gets down to business with seed starting tips, help with selecting 
            varieties that work in cold, cool and hot weather, and advice on staying 
            productive in hot weather.</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">
<p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/columns/george_devault/0303lettuce.shtml">Lettuce</a></strong></p>
            <p><img src="http://www.newfarm.org/newsletter/0303/images/don_hooplettuce.jpg" width="153" height="96"></p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong>Organic in Kenya</strong><br>
              <br>
              Thousands of small-scale farmers in Kenya are benefiting from efforts 
              to create sustainable local markets. Bob Wagner reports on the successes, 
              and the challenges facing Kenyan farmers as they try to build markets 
              and infrastructure.<br>
              <br>
            </p></td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/features/0303/kenya.shtml">Kenya</a></strong></p>
              <img src="http://www.newfarm.org/newsletter/0303/images/Mwoshi_beds.jpg" width="153" height="89"><br>
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p>I<strong>n search of the pullet 
              that laid the golden egg</strong><br>
              <br>
              Wisconsin organic egg producer Dean Dickel talks in detail about 
              how to build a medium scale egg operation that is economically viable. 
              The keys? Marketing, and careful attention to cost-savings &#8230; 
              without cutting corners.<br>
            </p></td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/depts/talking_shop/0303/umoc.shtml"><strong>The 
              golden egg</strong></a><strong><a href="/depts/talking_shop/0303/umoc.shtml"></a></strong></p>
            <p>&nbsp;</p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong>Farming without subsidies? 
              Some lessons from <br>
              New Zealand</strong><br>
              <br>
              New Zealand went cold turkey in 1984, and Kiwi farmers are thriving. 
              Alone in the world, they have the same number of farmers they had 
              30 years ago. Net incomes are up. Exports are up. Can we afford 
              not to cut the cord?<br>
            </p></td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/features/0303/newzealand_subsidies.shtml">Life 
              without subsidies</a></strong><strong><a href="/columns/final_word/1102/112202.shtml"></a></strong></p>
            <p>&nbsp;</p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><strong>In a moment of weakness and 
            hope, you bought <br>
            that hoophouse kit &#8230;</strong><br> <br>
            Did you take Don Devault to heart, and actually plunk down cash for 
            a gothic hoophouse kit? Here&#8217;s what means for a beginning farmer 
            &#8230; and how to build the darn thing.<br></td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/depts/beginning_farmers/0303/hoophouse.shtml">Hoophouse 
              dreams. #2</a></strong></p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><strong>Gary Zimmer on biological 
            weed control</strong><br>
            <br>
            Zimmer, author of The Biological Farmer, laid out the ABCs of controlling 
            weeds through building soil, rotating crops and cultivation before 
            a standing room only crowd at the Upper Midwest Organic Conference 
            in late February. Here&#8217;s a summary of what he said.<br> <br></td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/depts/talking_shop/0303/zimmer.shtml">Biological 
              weed control</a></strong></p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong>Buddhist monks show the 
              way to organic in Thailand</strong><br>
              <br>
              Thailand&#8217;s Buddhist Asok movement is providing leadership 
              in regenerative agriculture through example and training. Jason 
              Witmer visits one Asok community and reports on the impact this 
              movement has had.<br>
            </p></td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/columns/Jason/0303/thai_asok.shtml">Thailand</a></strong></p>
            <p>&nbsp;</p></td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy">&nbsp;</td>
        </tr>
        <tr> 
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong>AND MORE: </strong></p>
            <p><strong>Action alert: ACT BEFORE MARCH 31!</strong><br>
              The USDA is currently soliciting comments on proposed minimum standards 
              for livestock and meat industry claims such as &#8220;grass fed.&#8221; 
              Help push them to set a meaningful minimum standards by using our 
              email form. </p>
            <p><strong>Answers to your questions about the Organic Price Index&#8482;</strong><br>
              We&#8217;ve received over 800 questions and comments from readers. 
              This week we respond to the dozens of questions we&#8217;ve received 
              about the New Farm&reg; Organic Price Index&#8482;. Your observations 
              were informed, insightful &#8230; and pretty darn challenging, especially 
              when it came to organic grain prices.<br>
              <br>
              <strong>Check out our newly renovated International page</strong><br>
              Our international readership has climbed from 9 to 13 percent in 
              the past month. To celebrate, we&#8217;ve not only added the new 
              international articles listed above. We&#8217;ve also given them 
              a better home. Check it out.</p>
            <p><strong>News &amp; research</strong><br>
              Packaging zaps salad mix nutrients &#8230; pork checkoff update 
              &#8230; food security issues &#8230; and more.<br>
              <br>
              <br>
            </p>
            </td>
          <td>&nbsp;</td>
          <td valign="top" class="bodyCopy"><p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/action/meat_marketing.shtml">Action 
              alert </a></strong></p>
            <p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/depts/letters/0303/mar_17_letters.shtml">Price 
              Index Q&amp;A</a></strong></p>
            <p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/international/index.shtml">International 
              page</a></strong></p>
            <p><strong><a href="http://www.newfarm.org/archive/news.shtml">News 
              &amp; research</a></strong></p></td>
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    <td align="center" class="footer"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">If 
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          <td align="center" bgcolor="#000000" class="bottom"><a href="/features/0802/regenerative.html"><font color="#FFFF66">T 
            H E&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N E W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F A R M &#8211; 
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