TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

You Are What You Eat: 2006 and the Politics of Food

 

NEWS:

University of Maryland Center to protect nation's food supply

VT farmers received $17M in federal aid

PA:state opens dairy incubator to nurture future farmers

W.Va. leads nation in free breakfasts for kids

CT state senator calls for ban on trans fats

Court gives N.J. dairy farmers partial relief

 

EVENTS:

1/13: NOFA Vermont Direct Marketing Conference South Royalton, VT

1/18-20: New York State Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference, Oswego, NY

1/20: Vermont Grazing Conference, Randolph Center, VT

1/20: NOFA Massachusetts Winter Conference, Worcester, MA

1/23: Tri-State Conservation Tillage Conference, West Middlesex, PA

1/25: Inquiry, Impact, and Action: The 2007 Farm Bill, New York, NY

1/26-28: NOFA New York Annual Conference, Syracuse/Liverpool, NY

2/1-3: Farming for the Future, State College, PA

2/10: NOFA Vermont Annual Winter Conference, Randolph Center, VT

2/14-15: Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Syracuse, NY

2/14-16: Understanding Organics: Livestock Management and Health, Alfred, NY

2/21-24: Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference, Solomons, MD

2/28-3/1: New England Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show, Sturbridge, MA

2/28-3/2: National Grassfed Beef Conference, Harrisburg, PA

3/3: NOFA New Hampshire Winter Conference, Tilton, NH

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

Office Coordinator, The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, Waltham, MA

Executive Director, NOFA New Jersey, Somerville, NJ

Grant Writer, City Harvest, New York, NY

Program Associate, Farm to Table, Earth Pledge, New York, NY

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

New Hampshire Agricultural Promotion Mini-Grant Program

National Research Initiative—Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-Sized Farms

Conservation Innovation Grants

 

 

 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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You Are What You Eat: 2006 and the Politics of Food

(NYT) - The slow drip-drip-drip of foodborne outbreaks over the last 20 years has not desensitized people to the fact that food can harbor harmful bacteria; it has made them skittish. After the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in spinach in August, sales of the vegetable plummeted 60 percent. With several outbreaks this year, including one involving E. coli at the Taco Bell chain, the idea that eating local may be safer is taking hold. When the fruits or vegetables from dozens of farms are combined before shipping, the opportunities for contamination are greatly increased. Full article available here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/27/dining/27food.html

 

 

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 NEWS

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University of Maryland Center to protect nation's food supply

(Baltimore Sun) - Protecting the nation's food supply from contamination - either accidental or intentional - is the goal of a new research center at the University of Maryland. In addition to developing methods to prevent the types of bacterial outbreak that have made headlines in recent months, researchers at the university's Center for Food Systems Security and Safety also will work to safeguard food from terrorist attack." Recent events have shown that we need to do a better job in these areas," said Cheng-i Wei, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who will oversee the center's operations. Full article here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-md.ha.food02jan02,0,7927773.story?track=rss

 

Vermont farmers received $17M in federal aid

(Burlington Free Press) - Vermont farmers received more than $17 million in federal Agriculture Department subsidies during 2005, according to data released this week. The figure ranks Vermont 40th in the country and accounts for less than 0.1 percent of the $21 billion doled out by the USDA to farmers and other institutions nationwide, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental organization in Washington, D.C. Iowa farmers received the most, chalking up more than $2.2 billion; Rhode Island tallied the least, at slightly less than $550,000. Vermont's ranking at No. 40 placed it ahead of Maine by about $300,000 and behind Delaware by more than $5 million, according to the data. Full article here: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/NEWS01/612210311

 

PA:state opens dairy incubator to nurture future farmers

(The Patriot News) - With a smile on his face and a bounce to his step, Andrew Laudenklos led a reluctant cow into a long-abandoned barn on the old Harrisburg State Hospital grounds in Susquehanna Twp.  "This is a dream come true for me," he said Monday while moving 76 Holsteins into the barn.  "If I didn't have this opportunity, I might have given up on farming and gone to work in something else."  Full article here: http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167228019139310.xml&coll=1

 

W.Va. leads nation in free breakfasts for kids

(Herald Dispatch) -  West Virginia schools are serving free or reduced-price breakfast to a greater proportion of children from low-income families than any other state in the nation.The Food Research and Action Center's School Breakfast Scorecard 2006 shows that West Virginia served breakfast to 58.5 children for every 100 children who also participated in the federal School Lunch Program. Nationally, 44.6 low-income children received breakfast for every 100 eating lunch, according to the report. "It's no secret that children learn better when they're not hungry," said State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine. "I'm proud of West Virginia for recognizing the important role proper nutrition plays in education. Study after study shows children with poor nutrition score lower on vocabulary, reading, math and general knowledge tests. Simply eating breakfast improves alertness and mood and lessens anxiety." Full article here: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070102/NEWS01/701020342

 

CT state senator calls for ban on trans fats

(Weston Forum) - State Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore John McKinney (R-28) and Senator Andrew Roraback (R-30), ranking Senate member on the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee, recently filed legislation to ban the use of artificial trans fats in Connecticut restaurants. The proposal follows several scientific studies linking trans fats to coronary heart disease and the New York City Board of Health’s recent decision to ban the harmful food ingredient from New York City restaurants.“ By forcing some of the world’s largest food chains and restaurateurs to use healthier alternatives in their food preparation, New York City has paved the way for what I hope will be a national movement to improve the health quality of the food we eat in restaurants,” said Mr. McKinney, whose district includes Weston. “Trans fats contribute to heart disease and are particularly harmful to children. I urge my colleagues in the General Assembly to seize this opportunity and vote to remove this harmful ingredient from our restaurants.” Full article here: http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/article_12029.shtml

 

Court gives N.J. dairy farmers partial relief

(Lancaster Farming) -  An appellate court decision on actions to aid dairy farmers in New Jersey was called “a step in the right direction” by New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) officials this week.

The decision, issued Dec. 27 by a three-judge Appellate Division panel, upheld most of an earlier order by the NJDA to address the way in which milk producers are paid by those who buy their product. A “fuel adjuster” payment per hundredweight of milk was upheld by the panel. However, the judges said NJDA needed more specific local information to justify a 76-cents per hundredweight payment by processors who require that milk be free of the synthetic hormone rbST, which is used to increase milk production per cow.  Full article here: http://www.lancasterfarming.com/node/305

 

 

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EVENTS

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1/13

NOFA Vermont Direct Marketing Conference South Royalton, VT

Join NOFA-VT for a full day of direct marketing workshops for farmers' market, CSA, farm stand, and alternative direct marketing farmers and those who support them. Keynote speaker will be Vance Corum, co-author of The New Farmers' Market: Farm Fresh Ideas for Producers, Managers, & Communities.  For more info, see: http://www.nofavt.org/event.php?e_id=621

 

1/18-20

New York State Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference, Oswego, NY

"The Food Less Traveled: How Local Food Contributes to Healthy People and Healthy Communities" will focus on the links between local agriculture and the health and well being of citizens and communities. Pre-conference workshops will feature topics important to farm direct marketers. Professional farmers' market manager training is also offered. Workshops on health, food nutrients and marketing are scheduled during the conference. For more info, see: http://nofany.org/events/foodlesstraveled.htm

 

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.

 

1/20

NOFA Massachusetts Winter Conference, Worcester, MA

NOFA/MASS is holding its 20th Annual Winter Conference & Annual Meeting. This one day event will feature 30 workshops, a keynote speech with Vern Grubinger, a potluck lunch, the NOFA/Mass annual meeting, a children’s program, a farmer’s market, exhibits and a raffle. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/conferences/w2007/index.php

 

1/23

Tri-State Conservation Tillage Conference, West Middlesex, PA

The Tri-State Tillage Conference is a collaborative effort to promote the benefits of No Till Farming in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York State. Penn Soil RC&D administers and hosts the annual conference in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Cooperative Extension Service personnel in all three states, as well as agricultural industry representatives, commercial sponsors, and practicing farmers. For more info, see: http://www.pennsoilrcd.org/tillage/tillage.htm

 

1/25

Inquiry, Impact, and Action: The 2007 Farm Bill, New York, NY

The Farm Bill isn't just about farming. It is our most important piece of agricultural legislation, covering issues of conservation, food stamps, and school lunches and has international implications for poor people in developing countries. On Thursday, January 25, 2007, the Hunger & Environmental Nutrition Special Interest Group of the Greater New York Dietetic Association (GNYHEN), is sponsoring a full-day, Northeast Regional educational forum and networking event on the 2007 Farm Bill. Co-sponsors of the event include Oxfam America, Hunter College of the City University of New York, Just Food, and the New York City Nutrition Education Network (NYCNEN). How to register and more details to follow via NEFOOD.

 

1/26-28

NOFA New York Annual Conference, Syracuse/Liverpool, NY

"Building the Farm Economy Around Local Foods" is the theme for this conference that features more than 55 workshops for adults, teens, and children. Keynote speakers include Joel Salatin and Rich Pirog. Workshops cover everything from CSA management to business planning to organic dairy, and include some full-day intensive sessions. For more info, see: http://nofany.org/events/2007conference/nofanyconference07.htm

 

2/1-3

Farming for the Future, State College, PA

The annual Farming for the Future conference is PASA's signature event and their main vehicle for community building. Widely regarded as the best of its kind in the East, this diverse event brings together an audience of over 1,400 farmers, processors, consumers, students, environmentalists, and business and community leaders annually. Typical conference workshops focus on such practical topics as poultry production, cheese making, riparian buffers, organic certification and raw milk marketing. For more info, see: http://www.pasafarming.org/farmingForTheFuture.html

 

2/10

NOFA Vermont Annual Winter Conference, Randolph Center, VT

This one-day event brings together over several hundred organic farmers, gardeners, consumers and teachers for over 30 workshops, a keynote address, farmers' market, live music, silent auction, children's conference and the largest pot-luck lunch in New England. For more info, see: http://www.nofavt.org/annual-events/winter-conference.php

 

2/14-15

Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Syracuse, NY

This annual event is sponsored by the NYS Vegetable Growers Association, the Empire State Potato Growers, the NYS Horticultural Society and the NYS Berry Growers and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Sessions on specific fruit and vegetable crops are offered, as well as a trade show. For more info, see: http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/expo/

 

2/14-16

Understanding Organics: Livestock Management and Health, Alfred, NY

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), in partnership with Quality Milk Production Service of Cornell University, is pleased to announce a 3-day conference on Organic Livestock Health and Management designed to provide continuing education to extension agents, veterinarians, and other professionals working with Northeast organic or transitioning producers. This conference, and one that follows March 6-8 in Durham, NH, will focus on the comprehensive nuts and bolts of organic livestock production. For more info, see: http://www.qmps.vet.cornell.edu/nofa/nofa.html

 

2/21-24

Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference, Solomons, MD

The conference theme is "Lighting the Way," and the agenda includes a trade show, workshops, seminars & farm market tours in Southern Maryland. For more info, see: http://www.madmc.com/

 

2/28-3/1

New England Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show, Sturbridge, MA

"Successful Strategies for Growing Your Farm Business" is the theme for this unique marketing conference that targets New England farmers interested in learning new marketing ideas or fine-tuning strategies for business success. Over the course of two days, there will be over 20 workshops with a wide range of marketing and business planning topics to be covered, as well as a trade show. For more info, see: http://www.harvestnewengland.org/conference2007.htm

 

2/28-3/2

National Grassfed Beef Conference, Harrisburg, PA

"The Art and Science of Grass-Fed Production and Marketing" is the conference theme. Learn the latest in technology for grass-fed beef production from producers and experts around the world. Exchange ideas with producers and interact with scientists. For more info, see: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=fb11f56f-5884-4d42-bd58-329d48a141fd

 

3/3

NOFA New Hampshire Winter Conference, Tilton, NH

This all-day conference, the fifth annual, features 28 workshops in 4 sessions, on food, farming, gardening, landscaping, sustainability and related topics, and will offer an organic potluck lunch, a Keynote, and a Market Fair. For more info, see: http://www.nofanh.org/calendar.html

 

 

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OPPORTUNITIES

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Office Coordinator, The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, Waltham, MA

FMFM is looking for a organized individual to play a key role in the operations of a well-established, agriculturally-based non-profit organization. For a complete job description and to learn more about FMFM, visit our web site at www.massfarmersmarkets.org. This is a full-time, salaried position with health benefits. Last day to apply: February 12, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/203220-148 

 

Executive Director, NOFA New Jersey, Somerville, NJ

Founded in 1987, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) is a unique collaboration among the stakeholders in our food system that serves as a catalyst in the development of sustainable, community-based food systems. The duties of the Executive Director will focus particularly on two start-up initiatives: 1) Center for Working Lands and 2)New Jersey Agricultural Incubator. Last day to apply: January 31, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/201706-247

 

Grant Writer, City Harvest, New York, NY

City Harvest’s mission is to end hunger in communities throughout New York City through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions. The Grant Writer will develop, write, and edit foundation, government, and corporate grant proposals and reports. The Grant Writer will collaborate with City Harvest’s staff to identify potential opportunities for funding and to manage grants that are received by City Harvest. This position reports to the Associate Director – Institutional Giving. Last day to apply: January 31, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/204262-229

 

Program Associate, Farm to Table, Earth Pledge, New York, NY

Earth Pledge’s Farm to Table Initiative educates consumers and food professionals in order to create demand for sustainable and local products, to provide growers with information about innovative, practical sustainable agriculture techniques and technologies, and to provide multiple marketing and information channels connecting these groups. Our efforts began in New York in 1995 and are now expanding throughout the United States. We seek an individual with a flair for marketing and promotion, a passion for food, and a background in agriculture to lead the expansion of our Farm to Table program. Last day to apply: January 29, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/201472-203 

 

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 Agricultural Promotion Mini-Grant Program

The Agricultural Promotion Mini-Grant Program offers matching grants of up to $1,000 to organizations that wish to conduct a project focused on promoting New Hampshire agriculture. Organizations or commodity groups involved in production, marketing or promotion of New Hampshire agricultural products are eligible to apply. Due date: January 15, 2007  For more info, see:  http://www.nh.gov/agric/programs/index.htm

 

National Research Initiative—Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-Sized Farms

The purpose of this program is to foster interdisciplinary studies to improve our understanding of the interactions between the economic and environmental components important to the long-term viability, competitiveness and efficiency of small and medium-sized farms. Institutions of higher education, local governments, and nonprofits are among those eligible to apply. Total program funding is $5 million, with awards up to $500,000 possible. Due date: February 14, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1200

 

Conservation Innovation Grants—National

NRCS requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Basin Area. CIG has two competitions available in fiscal year 2007: National and State. There are three categories in the national competition: Natural Resource Concerns category—Up to $10 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns; Chesapeake Bay Watershed category—Up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; Technology category—Up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories. Each State administering a CIG competition will announce funding availability through separate requests for proposals. Due date: February 2, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/