NESAWG

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Food Fight: A Teach-in on the 2007 Farm Bill

 

NEWS:

2007 federal budget update: Senate passes supplemental appropriations bill

House eyes offsets for $20 bln ag reserve fund

Maryland gets a say on new farm bill

Vermont bill requires state buy cage-free eggs

Milk prices expected to rise 9 percent

Massachusetts legislators seek solutions for struggling dairy farms

Alarm over missing bees prompts House hearing

 

EVENTS:

4/13-14: Agriculture in the City Conference, Boston, MA

4/ 21: Organic Orcharding Workshop Unity, ME

4/ 21: Schools, Food and Gardening: Cultivating a Healthy Future, New York, NY

4/27-28: Organic Beekeeping Workshop, Chestnut Ridge, NY

5/15: Practical Farm Skills Workshop-Organic Apples in Bloom, Concord, MA

6/1-3: Strolling of the Heifers, Brattleboro, VT

8/10-12: Annual NOFA Summer Conference, Amherst, MA

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

Executive Director, Chefs Collaborative, Boston, MA

AmeriCorps Positions, New York City Coalition Against Hunger, New York, NY

Outreach Coordinator, Waterkeeper Alliance, Irvington, NY

Executive Director, The Food Project, Boston, MA

Community Gardening and Nutrition Program, Isles Inc,, Trenton, NJ

Program Officer, Citymeals-on-Wheels of New York City, New York, NY

Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA

Multiple Job Openings, Community Food Resource Center, New York, NY

Whole Foods Market Local Producer Loan Program

Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Program Grant

New York Conservation Innovation Grant

New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Grant

Organic Farming Research Foundation Grant

 

 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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Food Fight: A Teach-in on the 2007 Farm Bill

Author Michael Pollan moderates this discussion of the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill. Pollan thinks this could be the year that the bill will inspire widespread heated national public debate. 700 people attended this event, which was presented by the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. Speakers include Dan Imhoff, author of Food Fight: A Citizen's Guide to the Farm Bill; George Naylor, Iowa corn farmer and president of the National Family Farm Coalition; Ann Cooper, Director of Nutrition Services for the Berkeley, California, school system; Carlos Marentes, founder of the Sin Fronteras Border Agricultural Workers Project; and Ken Cook, president of Environmental Working Group. Through the magic of the internet, you can watch a webcast of the event here: http://webcast.berkeley.edu/stream.php?type=real&webcastid=19222

 

 

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 NEWS

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2007 federal budget update: Senate passes supplemental appropriations bill

(Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - On Thursday, the Senate passed by a vote of 51-47 a bill with an additional $123.2 billion in appropriations for FY 2007, most of which will be used to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate bill retains an additional $115 million for the Conservation Security Program to provide for a 2007 sign-up and contract modifications for current participants, full extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract program, and the $4.2 billion agricultural disaster assistance package.  The House version also contains a similar though not identical disaster package and a one-year rather than long-term funding solution for the MILC program.  The next step is for the House and Senate to finalize a single piece of legislation.  Most of that work will happen during the next two weeks, primarily at the staff level, with members approving a new package sometime after the House returns from recess two weeks from now.  Both bills contain directives on winding down the war in Iraq and exceed the amount of supplemental funding requested by President Bush, provisions which the President has stated will result in his veto.  It is highly unlikely that Congress would have the votes to override the veto.  Hence, after the veto, a new round of negotiations will take place to finalize a measure that can be passed and signed into law.

 

House eyes offsets for $20 bln ag reserve fund

(Reuters) - House Democrats may use offsets to cover the use of a $20 billion reserve fund for new agricultural spending while a new farm bill is written, the head of the House Agriculture Committee said on Thursday. Lawmakers would be able to dip into the $20 billion reserve, but would have to take funds from other programs or find new federal revenue. Full article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070329/pl_nm/usa_agriculture_farmbill_dc_1

 

Maryland gets a say on new farm bill

(Baltimore Sun)- Early spring is when Bobby Hutchison grapples with deciding what crops he will plant on his 3,000-acre farm near Cordova in Talbot County. But last week, Hutchison's attention was firmly fixed on Washington, where Congress is working on the 2007 Farm Bill. The legislation will drive federal farm policy for the next six years, looming as important to the economic viability of Hutchison's farm in the years ahead as the cooperation of Mother Nature. Full article here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.farm25mar25,0,5011968.story?track=rss

 

Vermont Bill requires state buy cage-free eggs

(Times Argus) - Sen. Hinda Miller, D-Chittenden, vividly remembers touring a factory farm near Montreal and seeing firsthand the conditions of the chickens whose eggs she eats. "It wasn't pretty," she remembered Tuesday. "These animals couldn't move. They were in distress. And I think that is reflected in the quality of the eggs." Miller put her breakfast plate where her conscience is Tuesday, proposing a new law that would require the state of Vermont – including its public school system – to purchase humanely grown eggs from hens that are not locked up in cages. Full article here: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070328/NEWS02/703280336

 

Milk prices expected to rise 9 percent

Dairy economists predict the retail price of milk could rise as much as 30 cents per gallon — a 9 percent jump — by fall. The reasons include rising fuel and feed costs for farmers and increasing demand for milk products around the globe. The average retail price of whole milk could rise to $3.35 per gallon by October, up from $3.07 in January, said Ken Bailey, an agricultural economist at Penn State University who specializes in the dairy industry. Full article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070330/ap_on_bi_ge/farm_scene_4

 

MA Legislators seek Solutions for Struggling Dairy Farms

(Worcester Telegram) - The state’s 187 remaining dairy farms are facing a financial crisis, having suffered major financial losses last year from a steep drop in milk prices linked to a change in federal pricing policies and rapidly escalating operating costs. Together farmers say those factors are forcing them to continue selling milk at prices that do not cover their production costs, leaving many farms at risk of closing. While they have turned to the state for help, many farmers say it may come too late for those struggling to meet spring start-up costs, such as fertilizer for feed corn. And without help soon, the state could see more dairy farmers closing their barns and selling off their herds. Full article here: http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEWS/703290385

 

Alarm Over Missing Bees Prompts House Hearing

(NPR) - The disappearance of bee colonies across North America, which endangers the pollination of fruits and vegetables, prompts a hearing by the House agriculture panel. Alarmed beekeepers, farmers and scientists voiced their concerns at the hearing. Full article here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9213661&ft=1&f=1001

 

 

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EVENTS

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4/13-14

Agriculture in the City Conference, Boston, MA

The emerging importance of urban agriculture as a solution to many public problems is the focus of the 2007 Urban Agriculture in the City Conference entitled, "Urban Agriculture: Changing the Way We Think about Food, Hunger and Health." This conference organized by The Food Project will highlight research, policies and programs from the grassroots and up that are utilizing urban agriculture to address problems that relate to the health of producers, consumers, land and community. For more info, see: http://thefoodproject.org/agriculture/Internal1.asp?ID=551

 

4/ 21

Organic Orcharding Workshop Unity, ME

This second offering in MOFGA's Organic Orcharding Workshop series focuses on grafting fruit trees and spring orchard care. Learn to propagate and reproduce your favorite fruit tree varieties. For more info, see: http://www.mofga.org/Default.aspx?tabid=300

 

4/ 21

Schools, Food and Gardening: Cultivating a Healthy Future, New York, NY

Presented by Baum Forum and the Nutrition Department, Teachers College Columbia University. Join 400 practitioners, parents and advocates for a very full day of panels, workshops, a resource fair and networking lunch. Explore how food, farm and gardening initiatives are taking root in schools and what’s required to sustain innovation in New York and elsewhere. For more info, see: http://www.baumforum.org/next.htm .

 

4/27-28

Organic Beekeeping Workshop, Chestnut Ridge, NY

The Pfeiffer Center presents a workshop for active beekeepers as well as for beginners including a hands-on session. In this workshop we will look at the bee colony as an organism and what it needs in order to further its health and vitality. Lots of practical advice and demonstrations will give novices enough information to get started with their own hive, and encourage experienced beekeepers to adopt organic procedure. For more info, see: http://www.pfeiffercenter.org/workshops/index.asp

 

5/15

Practical Farm Skills Workshop-Organic Apples in Bloom, Concord, MA

NOFA Massachusetts offers this opportunity to have Hutchins Farm's John Bemis teach you what he has learned about organic apple tree management: see the tools he uses to get a fairly predictable marketable crop, hear what has and has not worked well, tour the orchard when the apples are in bloom. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/calendar2/view_entry.php?id=17&date=20070514

 

6/1-3

Strolling of the Heifers, Brattleboro, VT

The Sixth Annual Strolling of the Heifers Parade and Festival includes a variety of events highlighting local foods and farms, such as all-local meals and farm tours. For more info, see:

http://www.strollingoftheheifers.org/index.php

 

8/10-12

Annual NOFA Summer Conference, Amherst, MA
The 33^rd Annual NOFA Summer Conference will take place Aug. 10-12, 2007 on the organic farmer-friendly campus of Hampshire College.  Keynote speakers include Bill McKibben and Hazel Henderson.  For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/conferences/s2007/index.php

 

 

 

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OPPORTUNITIES

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Executive Director, Chefs Collaborative, Boston, MA

The Executive Director works to implement organizational goals and objectives through administration of Chefs Collaborative’s programs and projects. The Executive Director will directly supervise the organization’s budget ($350-$500K) and a staff of 3-5 FT/PT/contract employees. Primary responsibilities include administrative oversight, managing and initiating programs, managing grants and fundraising initiatives, and implementing the strategic goals and plans of the organization. Last day to apply: April 30, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/216143-128

 

AmeriCorps Positions, New York City Coalition Against Hunger, New York, NY

The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) is seeking part-time AmeriCorps members to help make a difference for the 1 in 8 New Yorkers suffering from hunger. Become an AmeriCorps member with NYCCAH, and you'll write grants, manage volunteers, and sign families up for Food Stamps – maybe even start a community garden. Last day to apply: May 1, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/202473-269 

 

Outreach Coordinator, Waterkeeper Alliance, Irvington, NY

Waterkeeper seeks an outreach coordinator to organize grassroots action against factory farms, coordinate campaign-related events and activities with Waterkeeper Alliance member programs and partners, develop and distribute educational and outreach materials, and provide general advocacy support for the Chesapeake Poultry Initiative. Last day to apply: May 26, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/215796-147

 

Executive Director, The Food Project, Boston, MA

The Food Project seeks an energetic, committed, charismatic, creative Executive Director who will lead the organization into its next phase of development. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the successful candidate will be the overarching leader of the organization as well as a seasoned fundraising ambassador for the organization. Last day to apply: April 2, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/210517-50

 

Community Gardening and Nutrition Program, Isles Inc, Trenton, NJ

Isles seeks a Community Gardening and Nutrition Program (CGNP) Manager to plan and implement activities of community gardening and nutrition for Isles, a nonprofit community development and environmental organization in Trenton, NJ. Community Gardening: The CGNP Manager supports 40 community gardens by providing technical assistance to establish and maintain gardens and by implementing an annual schedule that includes organization of a spring gardeners’ meeting, annual horse plow and Midsummer Garden Tour. A special emphasis in 2007 will be to develop a nutrition education program for gardeners and other interested Trenton residents. Last day to apply: April 9, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/209574-200

 

Program Officer, Citymeals-on-Wheels of New York City, New York, NY

The candidate sought will monitor a caseload of centers in Queens, the Bronx and ½ of Manhattan;  provide technical assistance to centers as needed; provide timely and effective follow-up with centers;  locate and participate in community events/activities/committees and be active in the community by presenting information about meals-on-wheels.  Last day to apply: April 23, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/211355-326

 

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, 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

 

Whole Foods Market Local Producer Loan Program

Whole Foods Market has begun a new initiative that will make $10 million available each year for low-interest loans to small, local agricultural producers. To qualify, producers must: meet Whole Foods Market's quality standards and animal compassion standards; and have a viable business plan and adequate cash flow to service debt. Additional information, as well as an application, can be found at the link above.  For more info, see: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/locallygrown/lplp/index.html

 

Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Program Grant

The Farm Reinvestment Program (FRP) provides funds to be used for the expansion of existing agricultural production facilities or expansion into new production areas and site improvements related to such expansion or diversification. The grants will be awarded on a competitive and merit basis with those having a complete application and excellent business plan being rewarded. The farmer is required to match or exceed the amount of the grant being requested. Due date: April 30, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?Q=331914&A=1401

 

New York Conservation Innovation Grant

The New York Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Grants up to $75,000 will be awarded. Due date: June 1, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=13259

 

New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Grant

This program awards grants, up to $5,000, 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, 2007 For more info, see: http://agriculture.nh.gov/programs/index.htm

 

Organic Farming Research Foundation Grant

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is offering grants, up to $15,000, to projects that address any agricultural production, social, economic, or policy-related topic of concern to organic farmers and/or ranchers. OFRF supports research that is relevant to and takes place in certified organic systems. Due date: July 16, 2007 For more info, see: http://ofrf.org/grants/apply.html

 

 

 

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Potluck is a monthly e-newsletter sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) and is supported in part by the Lawson Valentine Foundation and the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation.  It is distributed via NEFOOD-L, the listserv for sustainable food systems in the Northeast generously hosted by Tufts University.  In case you know of someone who you think would be interested in receiving Potluck, please invite them to subscribe to NEFOOD-L by going here: https://elist.tufts.edu/wws/info/nefood

 

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Roger Doiron, NEFOOD Listserve administrator, [email protected]