Organic Seed Alliance Seed Internship Program

New Seed Internship Program Announced!

Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) recently launched a new Seed Internship Program -- the first of its kind in the U.S. The program matches individuals who want to learn about seed production with experienced growers. The six-month farm trainings combine hands-on education, farm-based independent study, and classroom and online learning.

Will you help us train more seed producers by sharing this announcement with your farming members, colleagues, and friends?

Preventative Search and Rescue Training from the Flagstaff Ranger District

G’Day,

My name is Brian Poturalski and I work with the Forest Service at the Flagstaff Ranger District.  We have partnered with Friends of Northern Arizona Forest (FoNAF), a non-profit group to develop a Preventative Search & Rescue program for the Kachina Peaks Wilderness.  It’s my understanding that you have an interest to be involved with the program.

In a nutshell, the intent is to educate visitors about the unique challenges that hiking strenuous trails at high altitude can encounter and hopefully influence them to make good decisions. Volunteers will be present at popular trailheads like the Humphrey’s and Kachina trails during peak use periods such as weekends and holidays.  They will be dressed in official uniforms and conduct outreach at information tables as well as patrol points.  The will provide information on proper gear to be worn and on recognizing altitude sickness, staying hydrated, bringing the proper food, and being aware of weather conditions, especially the possibility of lightning.  Volunteers will also provide general information about the area including less challenging alternative trails, general wilderness information and ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics.

With that in mind, we have our initial training scheduled for Saturday, May 16 (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) at the Flagstaff Ranger District (5075 N. Hwy. 89) – located in east Flagstaff near the Mall.  I recognize this is short notice, but I’m hopeful that you and/or others you may know that might be interested can make the training (please share this as you see fit).  Our goal is to initiate the program the weekend of Memorial Day.  If you have any questions/comments please contact Laura James at 527-8260 or ljames@fs.fed.us Finally, we will be sending out an agenda for the meeting early next week.

Kind regards,

Brian

Brian Poturalski Recreation and Wilderness Staff Officer Forest Service Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District p: 928-527-8226 f: 928-527-8288 bpoturalski@fs.fed.us 5075 N. Highway 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 www.fs.fed.us

Certified Arborist Training: Summer 2012

The Certified Arborist Training (CAT) course is a series of classes designed to prepare tree care industry workers to take the ISA Certified Arborist tes, and the course is open of everyone!

It is an excellent intro to the field of arboriculture, covering topics such as Tree Biology, Tree Selection and Identification, Urban Forestry, Tree Nutrition and Fertilization, Pruning, Water Management, Diagnosis and Plant Disiorders, Climbing and Working in Trees, Plant Identification, and much more.

Dates:  August 24 and 31st and September 7, 14, 15 & 21st 

Cost:  ACTC Members $390 for all 5 classes or $85 per class

Non- Members:  $490 for all 5 classes or $120 per class

Study Guide included

Registration deadline is August 10, 2012  Register now

Questions? Call ACTC at 602-354-3023