First, I would like to thank all those readers who wrote notes, called, and prayed for me during my illness.

As my wife’s uncle used to say, “Getting old is not for sissies.” We are still here and still fighting for small farm ideas.

Right now, we are working on the missing issues you will receive to make sure everyone gets the issues we promised. Thank you for bearing with us until we get straightened up and on time again.

To the new subscribers who took advantage of our introductory offer at the 15th National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference: welcome to the small farm world.

The conference was great, with many exceptional speakers. The short courses with Jim Gerrish on year-round grazing and Greg Judy’s talk on mob-density grazing were especially helpful during a hard-to-figure grazing season this year. Kamyar Enshayan’s talks on local agriculture, expanding local markets, and the Buy Fresh, Buy Local expanding consumer campaign were right on target and inspiring as to what can be done in today’s markets.

The Farmers Forum was again packed with many innovative ideas like Aronia berries, freshwater shrimp, solar irrigation, urban farming, and mobile slaughter facilitiesÑto name just a few. The livestock exhibits were of high quality, with numerous breeds of poultry and cattle from the rare and niche market breeds like Dexters, Miniature Herefords, and Scottish Highlanders. We also had Caspian horses, Katahdin sheep, and Savannah and Pygmy goats, plus more!

This year has had both high and low spots, but we’re moving on.

Joel Salatin and John Ikerd will be returning to speak at the 2008 National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference. Plan on attending it on November 6-8 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), 2008. See you there!