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FruitGuys Community Fund reveal grant cycle for 2015

Eight grants given in Wisconsin, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California in 2014

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

The application process to receive grants from The FruitGuys Community Fund is now underway. Applications are due by midnight PST on Monday, February 16, 2015 and projects must be completed by December 1, 2015.

The FruitGuys Community Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives, was created in 2012. By April 2015, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to farms and agricultural non-profits impacting the environment, economy, and community health.

"We are committed to helping small farms become more sustainable and are confident that we will identify well deserving farms, farmers and projects,” said Mittelstaedt. “We firmly believe that supporting small farms bolsters communities in major ways."

More than 60 applicants submitted their names in 2014 after only 15 applicants came forward in 2013. Those who received grants in 2014 included Gabriel Farm from Sebastopol, California who will use their grant to build and install bat boxes and a bat belfry to improve natural pest control.

Bountiful Hope Farms out of Monroe, Wisconsin will use theirs to transition from hand watering to a drip irrigation system, build raised plant beds and a hoop house for their farm that donates all of their harvest to local food pantries.


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Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.