FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

The Fat of the Land: Whom to help -- wealthy cotton growers, or just about everyone else in the world?

Farm Bill: Feast or Famine for Connecticut

 

NEWS:

Making waves in Dairyland

Chinese imports are worrying PA apple growers

NH state law making homemade goods safer, easier to sell

Even with aid, MA dairy farmers struggle to keep businesses going

Growing pains: How global warming helps and hurts VT agriculture

 

EVENTS:

6/28-29: FoodMed--Conference on Local, Sustainable Healthcare Food, Boston, MA

7/7: Haymaking workshop, Lincoln, MA

7/11-14: 2nd National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education, Ithaca, NY

7/14: Starting with draft horses, Rutland, MA

7/20: Rodale Institute Annual Field Day, Kutztown, PA

7/21: Organic Gardening Workshop, Hubbardston, MA

8/2-5: Kneading Conference, Skowhegan, ME

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

9/9: Taste Organic Connecticut, Coventry, CT

9/21-23: Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, ME 

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

Development Manager, Farm Aid, Somerville, MA

Freelance Writer, Grace, New York, NY

Youth Horticulture Coordinator/Educator, Poughkeepsie, NY

Temporary Copywriter, Oxfam America, Boston, MA

Program Coordinator, Share Our Strength, Boston, MA

Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA

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

New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Grant

Organic Farming Research Foundation Grant

Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grant

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

New York Farmland Protection Implementation Projects

Pennsylvania Agricultural Product Promotion Grants

Conservation Innovation Grants—Rhode Island

 

 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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The Fat of the Land: Whom to help -- wealthy cotton growers, or just about everyone else in the world?

(Washington Post) - A proposal making its way to the House floor would hurt everyone from the average American taxpayer to the struggling African farmer. It would enrich a small number of big businesses in a few dozen congressional districts. It would claim money that could otherwise go to priorities the Democratic majority supposedly champions: environmental conservation, student loans, Head Start, food stamps or children's health insurance. Even President Bush wants to reprioritize the spending. So what will the Democratic leadership do about it? Last week a panel of the House Agriculture Committee snubbed a growing group of lawmakers critical of federal farm payouts by reapproving a massive system of subsidies in place since 2002, the last time Congress thoroughly examined agricultural policy. The 2002 farm bill is a monument to craven interest politics and federal waste. Its commodity supports are too often misdirected: High-income farmers collect increasing shares of the largess, and, by The Post's calculations, between 2000 and 2006 about $1.3 billion went to Americans who do not farm at all.� Read the full editorial here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/23/AR2007062300953.html

 

Farm Bill: Feast Or Famine For Connecticut

(Hartford Courant) - First, let's take a look at the numbers. Between 1995 and 2005, the state of Iowa received $14.8 billion in federal agricultural subsidies. During the same period, Connecticut, with a population very close to that of Iowa's, received $59.1 million from the same government cash pool. Well of course, you say, America's premier corn and soybean state has about 25 times more farmers than the Nutmeg State. They should get the lion's share of the loot. But think again. Such a disproportionate redistribution of the nation's wealth in favor of one region over another is not preordained. It is in fact the direct result of a periodic divvying up of the agricultural pie by Washington politicians and food industry interest groups in the national farm bill.� Read the full editorial here: http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-plcwinne0603.artjun03,0,1104102.story?coll=hc-headlines-commentary

 

 

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NEWS

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Making waves in Dairyland

(The New York Times) - Ron Kind, a Democratic representative from Wisconsin dairyland, is making a name for himself as a crusader for big changes in farm policy. It’s making many of his colleagues nervous.Mr. Kind represents a district in southwest Wisconsin which has hundreds of dairy farmers and received $1.4 billion in farm subsidies from 1995 to 2005. He says farmers realize that change is inevitable.Mr. Kind, a six-term congressman, has introduced legislation that would drastically reduce farm subsidies while pouring more money into land conservation programs and rural development. He gathered 200 votes for a similar bill in 2002 and says he believes he has additional momentum this time around. “There are so many reasons to do it,” Mr. Kind said, ticking off high crop prices and increasing pressure from foreign trading partners as two reasons to curb subsidies. “Now we are going to see if this Congress has the stomach for meaningful reform.” Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/22/business/22farm.html

 

Chinese imports are worrying Pa. apple growers

(Philadelphia Inquirer) - Farmers have been growing apples here since before the Civil War, and as times have changed, they have changed with them, planting smaller trees to speed up harvests and growing popular new varieties to satisfy changing tastes. But the growers who have made this mountainous region the core of apple-growing in Pennsylvania worry that they face a new challenge that may be too big to overcome and could change their way of life. Like farmers in the bigger apple-producing states, they are becoming increasingly anxious about the prospect of China flooding the U.S. market with their fresh apples - an event many believe is inevitable, even if it could be years away. Read the full article here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/8161652.html

 

NH state law making homemade goods safer, easier to sell

(Nashua Telegraph) - Summer’s arrival on Thursday marked the opening of farmers markets across the region, venues for nature’s harvest and the ever-popular homemade pies, jams and jellies long associated with outdoor shopping. Selling and buying homemade products that don’t require refrigeration will be easier and safer this year thanks to a new, two-tiered state law that regulates home production in most communities across the state. The law, which doesn’t apply in Nashua because of its status as a self-inspecting community, affects sales of products sold at farmers markets and farm stands, which have established farmers markets. By city law, Nashua farmers markets aren’t allowed to sell homemade products. The new regulation was designed to protect the public from food-borne illnesses while encouraging the development of small businesses, said Jack Potter, a Sanbornton farmer who helped write the law. Read the full article here: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070624/BUSINESS/206240386/-1/news

 

Even with aid, MA dairy farmers struggle to keep businesses going

(Boston Globe) - He has spent the past eight hours milking cows, helping a veterinarian do pregnancy checks on his herd and fixing a tractor. He still needs to spread some manure and get through another milking in the afternoon on the 175-acre farm that's been in his family for 346 years. The migraines aren't bothering him today, but the 47-year-old has other headaches to deal with -- like the $10,000 bill for corn seed just delivered by the mailman. He looks at the bill and says goodbye to more than half of the $19,000 he's expecting from an emergency state payout to dairy farmers who suffered some $18 million in losses last year. His share of that loss was $50,000. Read the full article here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/06/09/even_with_aid_dairy_farmers_struggle_to_keep_businesses_going/

 

Growing pains: How global warming helps and hurts VT agriculture

(Times Argus) - Dr. Alan K. Betts, a scholar of meteorology and theoretical physics, can speak with scientific precision about the impact of global warming on Vermont. But it's simpler for him to tell the story about picking brussels sprouts from his Pittsford garden this past winter. When the 61-year-old atmospheric researcher moved to the state three decades ago, he wouldn't leave any fruit or vegetable outside during the winter. Instead, he harvested everything before frost took a bite each fall. "It used to be a challenge for me to have brussels sprouts to eat for Thanksgiving," Betts recalls. "But the last few winters, I've had brussels sprouts for Christmas." Then one spring-like day this past January, he reached down into his garden and pulled up a handful of ready-to-boil brussels sprouts. For Betts, it's just one example how global warming is cropping up in the state. Read the full article here: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070624/NEWS01/706240396/1002/NEWS01

 

 

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EVENTS

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6/28-29

FoodMed--Conference on Local, Sustainable Healthcare Food, Boston, MA

This one and half day conference is designed to help participants incorporate sustainable and nutritious food purchasing at their facilities, and learn cost effective strategies that emphasize health concerns that meet the unique needs of healthcare and facilitate the development of healthy communities. Presentations will be geared towards healthcare providers, dieticians, food service directors and food procurement and distribution professionals. For more info, see here: http://www.foodmed.org/

 

7/7

Haymaking workshop, Lincoln, MA

Learn to read the weather, loading twine, balers, tedders and rotary rakes. Codman Farm makes over 16,000 bales a year. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org

 

7/11-14

2nd National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education, Ithaca, NY

With a team of trained facilitators in real-time participatory techniques such as World Caf� and Open Space Technology, the conference will consist of a series of focused group discussions, participant-driven workshops, and short presentations.  As complement to the real-time participant-driven workshops, sessions will also be organized to: 1) explore innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to learning and teaching that are applicable to sustainable agriculture; 2) share curricula and teaching experiences from developing or established programs; 3) provide a forum for exchanging resources and materials; 4) strategize resourceful ways of starting and maintaining sustainable agriculture education programs and farms; and, 5) formally launch the Post-Secondary Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA). For more info, see: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/SustAgEd/

 

7/14

Starting with Draft Horses, Rutland, MA

You will learn about both the care (health, nutrition, foot care) of horses as well as have hands-on opportunities in handling, harnessing, and driving draft horses (single and team). There will also be farm equipment demonstrations (logging, wagon, cultivator and walking plow) and informal question and answer time throughout the workshop. Dale Perkins is the Farm Steward at Heifer International's Overlook Farm and has more than 20 years experience working with draft and saddle horses. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org

 

7/20
Rodale Institute Annual Field Day, Kutztown, PA

The 2007 Annual Field Day at The Rodale Institute will focus mainly on mechanical cover crop management for organic no-till, addressing the many benefits of this management system and the challenges encountered by farmers and researchers around the country. Topics to be included will feature results from the first three years of a large-scale research project on no-till systems focused on building and testing a second generation of no-till rollers under various field conditions, in diverse geographic areas and with different crops/cover crop combinations. For more info, see: http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/events/content.shtml#fieldday

 

7/21

Organic Gardening Workshop, Hubbardston, MA

Learn how gardening begins with the soil and building and maintaining a compost pile; choosing, planting and incorporating cover crops; no-till gardening techniques; mulches; soil testing; raised beds vs row planting; and using soil amendments. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org

 

8/2-5

Kneading Conference, Skowhegan, ME

Meeting the need for locally grown grain and wood-fired bread. The KNEADING Conference invites professional and home bakers, farmers, and millers, oven builders, and innovative community members to participate in hands-on demonstrations and lectures on progressive ideas in the art of wood-fired bread baking and food production, local grain growing and milling, and oven building. For more info, see: http://www.heartofmaine.org/kneading/

 

8/10-12

ANNUAL NOFA SUMMER CONFERENCE, AMHERST, MA

The 33rd 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  

 

9/9

Taste Organic Connecticut, Coventry, CT

Fall Festival - Organic Farmer's Market - Children's Activities Educational Workshops - Music - Craft Vendors.  For more info, see: http://www.ctnofa.org/events/Taste/taste2007.htm

 

9/21-23

Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, ME 

Downeast Magazine calls Common Ground "Maine's most authentic country fair, uniting, as it does, old-time folkways with progressive ideas about living the good life on a fragile planet." Organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Common Ground Country Fair brings together people to share knowledge about sustainable living; eat delicious, organic, Maine-grown food; buy and sell beautiful Maine crafts and useful agricultural products; compete in various activities; dance; sing and have a great time. For more info, see: www.mofga.org

 

 

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OPPORTUNITIES

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Development Manager, Farm Aid, Somerville, MA

National nonprofit looking for FT mission driven development professional who knows all the rules of fundraising thru major gifts, special events and foundations but wants to apply them in entrepreneurial ways. If you have 7+ years experience with planning house parties and restaurant events and a history of successful major gift solicitation at the $10,000 or higher level please apply. Last day to apply: July 13, 2007 For more info, see:� http://www.idealist.org/en/job/227187-246

 

Freelance Writer, Grace, New York, NY

GRACE's Sustainable Table program [www.sustainabletable.org] invites applications for a freelance writer to assist with writing and research for a wide variety of subjects, including: sustainable and organic food and farming, nutrition, agribusiness, genetic engineering, pesticides, environmental issues, policy, international agricultural issues, and more. Writing will be for articles, fact sheets, handouts, and other online content. Last day to apply: August 10, 2007 For more info, see:� http://www.idealist.org/en/job/225914-85

 

Youth Horticulture Coordinator/Educator, Poughkeepsie, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County seeks a coordinator for its youth development program.  The chosen candidate will provide educational, technical, work and life skills to under served youth through in-school, after school and summer venues, with the focus on horticulture and gardening. Last day to apply: June 30, 2007 For more info, see:  http://www.idealist.org/en/job/223098-108

 

Temporary Copywriter, Oxfam America, Boston, MA

Oxfam America is dedicated to creating lasting solutions to hunger, poverty, and social injustice through long-term partnerships with poor communities around the world. It seeks a temporary copywriter responsible for creating copy for a variety of Oxfam America campaign and outreach publications and web pages. Last day to apply: July 31, 2007 For more info, see:  http://www.idealist.org/en/job/224490-216

 

Program Coordinator, Share Our Strength, Boston, MA

Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline� is a groundbreaking nutrition-education program that helps low-income families help themselves by teaching them how to prepare healthy, low-cost meals. The Program Coordinator works closely with the Operation Frontline Boston Program Manager to coordinate, implement, support, and strengthen all aspects of the Operation Frontline program in Boston. Last day to apply: July 30, 2007  http://www.idealist.org/en/job/224327-120

  

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  

  

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

 

CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURE VIABILITY GRANT

The Agriculture Viability Grants Program (AVGP) encompasses two separate grants. The first grant is called the Farm Transition Grant. Producers, non-profits, and agriculture cooperatives may apply for this grant and may receive up to $50,000 matching. Non-profits who apply may use in-kind services as their match. The second grant is called the Farm Viability Grant and may only be used by municipalities, regional planning agencies, and association of municipalities. Due date: November 16, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1368&q=317242  

 

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $7 million in block grant funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. The SCBGP assists State departments of agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, "buy local" programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives. Due date: October 11, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/scbgp.html

 

New York Farmland Protection Implementation Projects

The New York Farmland Protection Program is accepting applications for matching implementation funds from counties and municipalities with approved agricultural land protection plans. Due date: September 17, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html

 

Pennsylvania Agricultural Product Promotion Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has funds available for its Agricultural Product Promotion Matching Grants. These grants provide matching funds for projects that increase consumer awareness of Pennsylvania agricultural products. These grants are awarded to Pennsylvania non-profit agriculture product promotion or marketing organizations to help fund promotion and marketing projects, educational programs, and trade show participation. Due date: July 10, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=128593

 

Conservation Innovation Grants—Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a second round of requests for proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), for 2007. Grants of up to $75,000 are available to fund creative ideas and practices that will conserve soil, water and energy resources or improve air quality, grazing land and forest health in Rhode Island.

Due date: July 6, 2007 For more info, see: http://www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/RICIG_2007.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]