Hello Farming Friends
Things have been some quiet here at the institute. Our Winter session is going wonderfully. We've had a few great weekends of classes and we are plugging away planning our 2015 main season. We've got three different farm tours in the works and lots of great classes to enhance your skill set. Classes will be announced on February 15--please wait for the email to register! As well as planning the 2015 season I myself am planning a four month sabbatical June 15-October 15. I will be traveling around california seeking out land and contacts for the Institute North (working title) -- dedicated to helping hobby and gentleman farmers establish and sustain their small rural farming projects. If you have contacts in the North Bay (101 corridor from Petaluma to Ukiah) feel free to connect me. Don't worry--we'll still be offering classes for urban folks locally here for a awhile yet!

winter blooming magnolia

2015 Internship Application Deadline Approaching
The Three Springs Internship is an excellent opportunity to learn small business skills and attend lots of classes. Work closely with founder K.Ruby Blume. Approximately 20-25 hours per month. Wednesday mornings and weekend availability required. Deadline to Apply February 15th. Notification of Acceptance March 5 . Internship Begins March 26 DETAILS APPLICATION

Urban Farm Tours 2015
Dates & Locations Mark Your Calendars!!
Walnut Creek/Concord Saturday June 6
Oakland Saturday June 13
Hayward Saturday September 19

Seeking Farm Tour Sites We are still looking at sites in West & East Oakland, Hayward, Concord and Walnut Creek. Sites should include gardening, animal husbandry and other unique sustainability features. To be considered please send your name, name of site, size of site, full contact info, short description and photos. This is a paying gig and excellent opportunity to engage the public and educate them about urban agriculture.

Rats? Rats!
Rats are a big problem for the poultry and small scale farmer both urban and rural, as food that is beloved of livestock is also well loved by vermin. Poison, although effective should only be used as a last resort. Besides putting toxins into the environment, poison can endanger pets and children and can also enter the food web where it can kill raptors and other wildlife who feed on rats. . On organic farms poison isn't an option and most resort to trapping. Trapping can be effective, however rats are smart and easily learn to avoid a trap once recognized. So what is the solution?

For the past year I have been out hunting rats with dogs with North Bay rat-catcher Jreed and his Mongrol Hoard. Ratting is widespread in England (it is an island, after all), but nearly unknown in the U.S. While some may find the idea gruesome or inhumane, it is actually one of the more effective and humane methods. The dogs, sometimes called feists. are fast, accurate and determined to get their foe. They will show you with a wagging tail where the rats are, dig with enthusiasm and dispatch with a quick shake to break the neck of the pest, killing them instantly. This is in stark contrast to (killing with poison or traps, which can be protracted, painful and take days.

While rural operations with large coops and open spaces provide excellent access for hunting rats with dogs, urban situation are usually more difficult. City rats almost never live where they feed and urban folks don't generally have access to neighboring yards or sewers. For us the best defense is prevention. To minimize rat visitations you will want to minimize the food sources available to them. Feed should be stored in locking galvanized containers. Set out only what is needed for the day in deep dish container to prevent spillage and put the feed away at night. Place a dish below hanging feeders to catch what spills. We recently also saw a rat proof chicken feeder, which is quite effective at containing food. Permanent chicken structures should be raised up off the ground 12-18 inches. Do not seal the flooring underneath with hardware cloth or chicken wire as this often creates a space for the rats to nest in. Rats love to nest in wood piles and construction detritus so these should be kept tidy and away from your poultry and livestock areas. Have a Rat Problem? Feel free to inquire here at IUH with details of your situation. If it sounds like a good option for hunting, we'll come out and take a look for a small fee.

More Info:
Learn about the dangers of rat poison in the food web. RATS Raptors Are The Solution
Learn About Rat Eradication with working dogs Press Democrat Article Facebook Page

one rat down, hundreds to go. Grumpy Dog King of the Rat Hunters waits with bated breath for the rat to appear