Welcome to the end of another week, or Week Two of the government shutdown.  In an effort to distract from the shutdown, here are some other interesting bits of information:

A helpline is established for anyone impacted by the South Dakota blizzard.

Volunteers are helping pick up fields after the tornadoes in northeast Nebraska, southeast South Dakota, and northwest Iowa to assist in the harvest.

Information on the Affordable Care Act as applicable to agriculture is in Cornhusker Economics.

Following up from last week, additional information on Monsanto’s buy of Climate Corporation is here.

Perhaps land values will remain steady and perhaps increase?

Combining the fun and food portion of this post, check out this recipe for pumpkin soup, using the pumpkin as the soup bowl.

Can you believe it is the last week of September?  It has been a busy week here at Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Farm and Ranch Project but as we fully enter fall, we’re excited about the workshops and clinics currently being scheduled.  When I know more, I’ll let you know!  Now, to whet your appetite for the weekend:

The North Central Region SARE Producer Grant proposals are due November 14, 2013 at 4 P.M. Eastern time.  More information is here.

For those of you near the South Platte River, I hope that flooding is at a minimum for you.  In a small silver lining to the flooding, water diverted will be used for recharging the aquifer in the Platte and Republican River basins.

Land prices may be flattening out.

Some foods have fewer calories than previously believed?  Or, in other words, I can eat more pistachios?

Since fall is here(!), check out these Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Gingersnap Crust.  Nothing says fall like pumpkin.

Happy Friday!  I am headed out on my vacation today and as such, blogging will resume the week of September 16th.  Before I leave on a jet plane, however, some tidbits:

DTN/The Progressive Farmer has an interesting article on a farmer-to-farmer program for retired farmers.

The BBC has an interesting article on U.S. professionals leaving the corporate ladder for farming.

We return to DTN/The Progressive Farmer for an interesting look at Nebraska water regulations vis a vis irrigation.

The USDA has released its farm income forecast.

If you are going to be near Des Moines on November 6 – 8, check out the 4th National Conference for Women in Sustainable Agriculture.  I’ll be there so stop and say hi!

Craving some sweet with some heat?  Try this Fiery Grilled Peach and Habanero Salsa with pork, chicken, or by itself.

Can you believe college football season is almost here?  And that the weather has been so beautiful of late?  If you don’t make it outside this weekend, here are some tidbits for your reading pleasure:

The apocalypse sperm bank by operated by the USDA is fascinating.

This is a great NPR report on young farmers and access to land and capital.

With school starting, do you want some lesson plans on conservation, soil science, plants, and more?  The NRCS has put together lesson plans for all ages.

The Open Harvest Dig Deeper Farm Tour and Community CROPS Farm Walk is Saturday, September 7th.

If you are in the Nebraska Panhandle, check out this amazing-sounding farm-to-table dinner in Harrisburg, Nebraska.

Got some fresh eggplant and want a sandwich?  Allow me to recommend the Grilled Eggplant Sandwich.

Has this week been crazy-busy for anyone else?

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this amazing video of Nebraska:

Whole Foods in Lincoln is hosting a local vendor fair.  The deadline to apply is today (sorry!).

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln is hosting a two-day No-Till Cover Crops Tour in Central Nebraska September 4-5, 2013.  More information is here.

Farm Safety for Just Kids $250 grant application is open until September 3, 2013 to fund safety-related project on the farm designed to improve safety for children.

Interested in the demographics of the American Farmer?  Or just interested in what I (among many other more articulate and intelligent people) have to say about it?  Check out the Harvest Media documentary here.

Interested in exploring social media?  Here is a good overview for farmers.

Wow. Imagine planting 1 million trees in the past 20 years. Read about the family who has done so.

If you are headed to the South Dakota State Fair at the end of the month, check out the South Dakota Wine Pavilion (with South Dakota beer and cheese too!).

Finally, if you can stomach it, try these Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps.  Simple and tweak this recipe to suit your taste buds.

Can anyone else believe that August is here?  Time is flying in 2013, at least from my perspective.

Reminder that applications to Nebraska NRCS to restore windbreaks are due August 14, 2013 to optimize ranking of applications to receive funding.

Interesting articles on Branched Oak Farm and Dutch Girl Creamery in the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star this week.  As a frequent Dante’s diner, I can attest to how fantastic the mozzarella cheese is.

The Outdoor University is tomorrow, August 3, in Sertoma Park, Sioux Falls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The rock climbing sounds like fun.

For those of you in the Omaha area and over the age of 21, may I suggest the Omaha Beer and Bacon Festival on August 3?

National Farmers’ Market Week is August 4 -10.  Get out and explore your local farmers’ market.  See if you can’t find all the makings for Sausage with Peppers, Onions, and Beer.