FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
The buzz on bees

NEWS:
WIC programs seeks public input
CDC investigating salmonella outbreak in 18 states, 7 of which in the Northeast
Sales of raw milk growing in Pennsylvania
New Vermont company promises fair milk prices
Milk price slump crushing New York dairy farms
Maine city folks turn up noses at country odor
Good news: teen diet isn't ALL junk food
Maryland’s free-range turkeys gobbling up the Thanksgiving market
New Hampshire: a state in search of a signature dish
Vermont cows providing college campus energy

EVENTS:
11/1-3: New England Greenhouse Conference & Expo, Worcester, MA
11/4: Season Extension Workshop, Hancock, NY
11/4: Maryland Small Farm Conference, Princess Anne, MD
11/13-15: Farming on the Edge: The Next Generation, Newark, DE
11/14-15: Cornell Strategic Marketing Conference, Hyde Park, NY
11/9-10: “Regionalism: A Commitment to Place”, Baltimore, MD
12/11-13: Vegetable Production: From Greenhouse to Market, Saratoga Springs, NY
1/20: Vermont Grazing Conference, Randolph Center, VT

OPPORTUNITIES:
Administrative Manager, Sustainability Institute, Hartland, VT
Development Director, Farm & Wilderness Foundation, Plymouth, VT
Executive Assistant, West Side Campaign Against Hunger, New York, NY
Director Corporate Relations, Project Bread - The Walk For Hunger of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Managing Editor, Web, Oxfam America, Boston, MA
Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA
Multiple Job Openings, The Food Project, MA
Multiple Job Openings, Community Food Resource Center, New York, NY
Northeast SARE Farmer Grants
American Farmland Trust Steward of the Land Award
New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Grant Program
Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grants Program
Northeastern IPM Center Partnership Grants
Diversifying Public Markets and Farmers Markets Grants



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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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The buzz on bees
In this month’s Potluck, we honor some of smallest and most vulnerable farmworkers of all: honeybees. Last week, the National Research Council (NRC) released a report raising concern about the ongoing decline in populations of key North American pollinators. In the last 20 years, honeybees have declined by about 30 percent. Last year, and for the first time since 1922, the U.S. was forced to import honeybees from abroad. To give you an idea just how critical pollinators are to the US food system, consider that honeybees are responsible for up to 30%* of food in the U.S. diet that relies on pollination. An article in this week’s Time Magazine offers a partial list of the crops and food products at risk: alfalfa-fed beef •ORANGES 17.8 billion lbs. •GRAPES 15.7 billion lbs. •APPLES 9.9 billion lbs. •WATERMELONS 3.8 billion lbs. •CUCUMBERS 2.2 billion lbs. •ALMONDS 915 million lbs. •SQUASH 815 million lbs. •CHERRIES (sweet) 502 million lbs. •HONEY 175 million lbs. Gene Robinson, a professor of integrative biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a member of the committee that wrote the NRC report, says that anyone can help encourage local populations of pollinators by planting flowers and native plants. For more information, see the press release about the NRC report here: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11761  or Time Magazine’s article here: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552024,00.html 


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NEWS
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WIC Program Seeks Public Input
(Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves more than 8 million nutritionally-insecure women, children, and infants through the provision of food, nutrition counseling, and access to healthcare services. For the first time in more than 25 years, the USDA is proposing to update the nutritional guidelines of the WIC food program. The changes advocated by USDA would make significant improvements in the variety of healthy foods available to families that might otherwise not be able to afford them, and allow millions of families to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at their local farmers’ markets. WIC is seeking public input on the proposed rule change by November 6th. For more info, please see: http://www.msawg.org/pdf/WIC%20Proposed%20Rule%20Action%20Alert.pdf 

CDC investigating salmonella outbreak in 18 states, 7 of which in the Northeast
(AP) - A salmonella outbreak potentially linked to produce has sickened at least 172 people in 18 states, health officials said Monday. Health officials think the bacteria may have spread through some form of produce; the list of suspects includes lettuce and tomatoes. But the illnesses have not been tied to any specific product, chain, restaurants or supermarkets. No one has died in the outbreak, which stems from a common form of salmonella bacteria. Eleven people have been hospitalized, health officials said. Full article available here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061031/ap_on_he_me/salmonella_outbreak_8 

Sales of raw milk growing in PENNSYLVANIA
(Philadelphia Inquirer) - Convenience is the key to where most Americans shop for food, especially for something as basic as milk. But that's not the case for Cherry Hill resident Suzanne Musetto, who makes regular trips to Pennsylvania for something she can't buy in New Jersey: raw milk. Musetto swears by the health benefits she perceives in milk that has not been pasteurized, or heat-treated, to kill bacteria: a stronger immune system and better digestion. Full article available here: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/15783975.htm

Milk price slump crushing New York dairy farms
(The Citizen) - Eric Kehoe and his father, Dale, sold their dairy cows last month and are selling the farm that has been in their family for almost 100 years. The family is getting out of the business because of poor economic conditions for the dairy industry. There is silence in the barns of Starvation Ranch. Dale Kehoe's heart was wrenched when his family auctioned off its entire herd of 160 Holsteins, from the calves to milking cows, last month. He and his son, Eric, had wanted to keep the farm in the family for the next century. They find it eerie to be in barns that once were active with livestock. Now Dale's German Shepherd, Bubba, herds barn cats instead of cows. Full article available here: http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2006/10/29/news/local_news/news01.txt 

New VERMONT company promises fair milk prices
(Burlington Free Press) - Weary from low milk prices and banking on the Vermont image, a small group of dairy farmers from the Northeast Kingdom have formed a dairy products company that guarantees them a fair price for their milk. Vermont Milk Co. was introduced at a news conference in Montpelier last week. Farmers involved in the venture spoke optimistically about how being paid a fair price for their milk will allow them to stay in farming and preserve the state's working landscape. "We look to this to keep our sons on the farm for the next generation," said Jenny Nelson, a dairy farmer from Ryegate and a founding member of the board. Full article available here: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061022/BUSINESS/610220304/1003 

Maine city folks turn up noses at country odor
(Portland Press Herald) - Like so many Portland residents and workers Monday morning, Clara Porter scrunched up her nose and inspected the soles of her shoes to see if she had stepped in dog doo. A nearby construction worker shook his head and explained that a farm in Westbrook was spreading manure. "It was horrible," said Porter, who said her Deering Highlands neighborhood reeked, as did other parts of the city. "It was overwhelming, and you have to wonder if it's healthy." Not only is it healthy, says Llewellyn "Lew" Randall, it's essential to getting his grass and hay to grow well next year, providing food to sustain a herd of 300 or so cows on his 160-acre farm on Stroudwater Street in Westbrook. Full article available here: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/local/061010stench.html

Good news: Teen Diet Isn't All Junk Food
(Washington Post) - A walk through the food court of any mall confirms the worst reports about teens' eating habits: Kids share overflowing cartons of french fries, bite into cheeseburgers and dripping slices of pizza, and quench their thirst with jumbo cups of soda. Stop and talk to teenagers, though, and many say that they eat junk mainly when they're out of their parents' eyesight, especially when they're hanging out with friends. They have learned what it means to eat healthfully, they say, even though they often don't choose to do so. Full article available here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001011.html?nav=rss_health 

Maryland's Free-range turkeys gobbling up the Thanksgiving market
(Baltimore Sun) - David Smith and his family are gearing up for the big Thanksgiving rush. Smith is owner of Springfield Farm, in the Sparks section of Baltimore County, a family-run turkey farm dating to the 1600s. It is one of 18 operations listed in a directory published last week by the state Department of Agriculture of farms producing fresh turkeys and selling directly to the public. Smith says he will sell 650 free-range turkeys this year; the bulk of them will move out the weekend before Thanksgiving. He said about 90 percent of his turkey customers come to the farm to pick up the centerpiece of their holiday feast. Full article available here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.farm29oct29,0,419861.story?track=rss 

New Hampshire’s: a state in search of A signature dish
(Boston Globe) - Every other state in New England, it seems, has a culinary claim to fame. Maine's got lobster. Vermont has maple syrup and cheddar cheese. Rhode Island's got jonnycakes and coffee milk, Massachusetts has Boston brown bread and baked beans and Wellfleet oysters. In Connecticut, there's New Haven pizza and . . . well, nutmeg. But what meal is the hungry tourist from Kentucky or New Mexico eagerly anticipating when he touches down at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport? What quintessential food will the Granite State native, stranded on a business trip far from home, close her eyes and longingly recall? Steve Taylor , the state agriculture commissioner and a living Google of New Hampshire culture, had some sorry news. "There isn't a unifying food or culinary tradition in New Hampshire," he said. Full article available here: http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2006/10/29/culinary_cornucopia/ 

Vermont cows providing college campus energy
(AP) - Green Mountain College is seizing the power of cow dung. The 760-student school, located along the Vermont-New York line, started Thursday to get half of its electricity from farms that run generators powered by methane gas extracted from cow manure. The college will pay an extra $48,000 on its $250,000-a-year electricity bill for the privilege, which will help it reduce its reliance on non-renewable energy that pollutes the environment. Full article available here: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061031/farm_scene.html?.v=2 

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EVENTS
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11/1-3
New England Greenhouse Conference & Expo, Worcester, MA
This event includes sessions on greenhouse production, pest management, business management, greenhouse engineering, and energy. Some sessions cover organic production and renewable energy. For more info, see: http://www.negreenhouse.org/ 

11/4
Season Extension Workshop, Hancock, NY
The NOFA-NY Susquenango Chapter Meeting offers an opportunity to learn about season extension from NOFA-NY Governing Council Board Member and longtime vegetable grower, Mark Dunau. You will learn techniques for extending your vegetable crop into the late fall and early winter. For more info, see: http://nofany.org/events.html 

11/4
Maryland Small Farm Conference, Princess Anne, MD
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore presents this third annual conference sponsored by the Maryland Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Project. Topics include: Production Issues, Food Safety, Financial Management and Local Food. For info, contact Maryland Cooperative Extension, [email protected]

11/13-15
Farming on the Edge: The Next Generation, Newark, DE
American Farmland Trust's annual conference is billed as the only national conference that brings together people who care about America’s rural legacy, land use and the future of farming and ranching. Participants and presenters will share information and ideas, network, find allies and form partnerships to achieve a healthy balance among sustainable agriculture and sustainable development, farmland protection and environmental quality. For more info, see: http://www.farmland.org/news/events/2006conference/default.asp 

11/14-15
Cornell Strategic Marketing Conference, Hyde Park, NY
"Beyond Growing: Strategies and Technologies that Transform Your Products to Meet Market Demands" is the title of this workshop. Determining how to transform crops in the fields to products desired by different markets is often a challenge for many local and regional agricultural producers. At this year's conference, buyers from retail, foodservice distribution, and restaurant sectors will share their insights, and growers will discuss their experiences on what the markets want beyond quality products, including packaging, varieties, volume, delivery schedule, and methods of doing business. For more info, see: http://aem.cornell.edu/outreach/conferences/strategic_marketing.htm 

11/9-10
“Regionalism: A Commitment to Place”, Baltimore, MD
The Summit organized in the context of NESAWG’s “Northeast Ag Works!” project will provide an opportunity to: learn about emerging Farm Bill recommendations and priorities for the Northeast; explore areas of common cause and synergy; build our Northeast voice in upcoming policy deliberations; and discuss opportunities and strategies to work together. The Summit will take place in conjuction with NESAWG's annual meeting. The event will be held at the Marriott/BWI Hotel and Conference Center, located next to the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport (10 minutes south of Baltimore). The conference will draw policy makers, advocates and educators from the Northeast region – Maine to West Virginia. For more info, please see: http://www.nesawg.org/summit_registration.pdf 

12/11-13
Vegetable Production: From Greenhouse to Market, Saratoga Springs, NY
This event is a three-day Farmer-to-Farmer Workshop for vegetable farmers, presented by by the Sustainable Farmers Network with assistance from Washington County Cooperative Extension. The workshop will focus on all aspects of greenhouse production, crop varieties, field production (including soil management, tillage, cultivation,& rotations), insect & disease management, recordkeeping for profitability, harvesting techniques, post-harvest handling/storage, and marketing. The presentations will consist of detailed, valuable information with PowerPoint pictures. This workshop is designed for all levels of farmers with any size farm and any type system. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to receive a registration form, contact Sandy at [email protected] or 518-638-6501.

1/20
Vermont Grazing Conference, Randolph Center, VT
At this 11th annual conference keynote speaker Mark MacAfee, from Organic Pastures Dairy Company, will share his experience producing and marketing certified organic, grass fed, raw milk directly to consumers, using mobile milking equipment. Six workshop tracks will include additional information for dairy, beef, small ruminant, diversified, technical, and business interests. Contact Jenn Colby, [email protected] or (802) 656-0858.


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OPPORTUNITIES
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Administrative Manager, Sustainability Institute, Hartland, VT
Sustainability Institute, a non-profit research and consulting organization in Hartland VT, seeks candidates to fill a new full-time position of Administrative Manager. The Administrative Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative operations of the Institute. These include providing support to the staff of eleven, management and maintenance of the physical office and office systems, IT and website maintenance and handling other administrative matters as requested. Last day to apply: December 20, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/197668-227 

Development Director, Farm & Wilderness Foundation, Plymouth, VT
Set on a beautiful 500 acre campus in the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Farm & Wilderness Foundation (F&W) is a non-profit, educational organization operated by a board of trustees which, since 1973. As a member of the senior management team working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Development Director has primary responsibility for the creation and implementation of an integrated program of fundraising that supports and enhances the mission of the Farm & Wilderness Foundation. Last day to apply: December 11, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/196193-41 

Managing Editor, Web, Oxfam America, Boston, MA
ROXfam seeks a web editor responsible for strategic and editorial oversight of Oxfam America’s portfolio of web sites. The selected candidate will oversee the production and coordination of all Web material for Oxfam America. This includes: establishing and maintaining the editorial calendar; editing and publishing content within the Plone content management system. Last day to apply: December 15, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/198234-119 

Executive Assistant, West Side Campaign Against Hunger, New York, NY
WSCAH is New York City's largest emergency food pantry. We are open Monday to Friday, and provide 3 days worth of food for people who find themselves without enough to eat. The pantry is set up like a supermarket where customers are able to select their own food. We also provide counseling and referrals for our customers, as well as programs such as the Customer Chef Program, nutrition workshops, Medicaid assistance, legal aid, and exercise classes. Last day to apply: November 14, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/192795-310 

Director Corporate Relations, Project Bread - The Walk For Hunger of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
The Director of Corporate Relations will direct all aspects of the year-round corporate relations activities on behalf of Project Bread/The Walk for Hunger. The Director of Corporate Relations will report to the Executive Director, Project Bread. Last day to apply: November 21, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/193685-33 

MULTIPLE JOB OPENINGS, THE FOOD TRUST, PHILADELPHIA, PA
The Food Trust is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization improving the supply of affordable food and good nutrition in the mid-Atlantic region. The mission of The Food Trust is to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. For more info, see: http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/about/jobs.php 

MULTIPLE JOB OPENINGS, THE FOOD PROJECT, MA
The Food Project operating from Lincoln and Roxbury Massachusetts is seeking to fill several full-time positions including “Major Gifts Officer”. For more info, see: http://www.thefoodproject.org/about/internal1.asp?ID=151 

MULTIPLE JOB OPENINGS, FOODCHANGE, NEW YORK, NY
FoodChange (formerly known as the Community Food Resource Center) is dedicated to helping low-income New Yorkers gain and maintain access to nutritious food, income support and decent housing. For more info, see: http://www.foodchange.org/employment/employment.html 

New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Grant Program
This program consists of awarding small grants, up to five thousand dollars, to the best project proposals submitted to the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. The purpose of this program is to "bring about the broadest possible application of the principles of IPM to agriculture, landscape and building maintenance, horticulture, arborculture, and any other areas in which economic poisons are employed." Due date: November 1, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.nh.gov/agric/programs/index.htm 

Northeast SARE Farmer Grants
The goal of the Farmer grant program is to develop, refine, and demonstrate new sustainable techniques and to explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the region. To apply, you must be a farmer in the Northeast SARE region. The region is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Due date: December 22, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.uvm.edu/%7Enesare/FGinfo.html 

American Farmland Trust Steward of the Land Award
The American Farmland Trust (AFT) annually offers its Steward of the Land Award of $10,000 to a farmer or farm family who embraces a lifelong commitment to good land stewardship. Now in its tenth year, the award recognizes a farmer or farm family who best demonstrates leadership in protecting farmland and caring for the environment.The award honors the memory of Peggy McGrath Rockefeller, an avid farmer and conservationist who helped found AFT. The 2006 award was given to Tom Hutson of DeLancey, New York. To nominate a candidate for the award, or simply to gather more information, click on the link above, or call 202-378-1244, or e-mail: [email protected]. Due date: November 20, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.farmland.org/programs/award/default.asp 

Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grants Program
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals from a variety of agriculture stakeholders—specifically farmers, farmer cooperatives, non-profits working directly with farmers, municipalities, municipal associations, regional planning agencies/councils of government, and non-profits working directly with municipalities—who are planning activities that will promote agriculture sustainability and/or increase the economic viability of one or many farm businesses. The two grants in the Agriculture Viability Grants Program are called the Farm Viability Grant for Municipalities (FVG) and the Farm Transition Grant (FTG). The intent of the Farm Viability Grant is to strengthen the economic viability and promote the sustainability of agriculture in Connecticut municipalities by providing matching grants for both capital projects and planning projects. The intent of the Farm Transition Grant is to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers, agricultural not for profit organizations and agricultural cooperatives for diversification of the farm, transitioning to value-added agriculture production and sales, and developing markets and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state. The Department may provide up to $50,000 in matching funds per project. Due date: November 17, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?Q=318538&A=1401 

Northeastern IPM Center Partnership Grants
The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center is pleased to announce the availability of funding through its IPM Partnership Grants Program for 2007. Approximately $465,000 is available to support projects that will address or develop regional IPM priorities and will further the mission of the Northeastern IPM Center. The Center is seeking applications for six project types: (1) IPM Working Groups (2) IPM Priorities (3) Regional IPM Publications (4) IPM Planning and Assessment Documents (Tactics Surveys, Crop Profiles, Pest Management Strategic Plans [PMSPs], and IPM Guidelines) (5) State Network Projects (6) IPM Minigrants. Due date: December 15, 2006 http://northeastipm.org/abou_fund.cfm 

Diversifying Public Markets and Farmers Markets Grants
Project for Public Spaces, Inc. (PPS) is pleased to release their second Request for Proposals to support individual farmers markets as part of their "Diversifying Public Markets and Farmers Markets" program. This round will be awarding approximately $400,000 in funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Grants resulting from this RFP will be awarded in early 2007 and will be for one year. The 2007 public markets grant program aims to strategically support markets, especially in low- to moderate-income communities, to become more economically sustainable and community-centered. Due date: November 13, 2006 For more info, see: http://www.pps.org/markets/info/regranting/rfp_2007