Potluck News: January 2008
FARM BILL UPDATE:
New Year, old Farm Bill
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
What will we eat as the oil runs out?
NEWS:
New York City’s hungry for a regional market, but where?
Vermont 'localvore' advocates question state meat inspection rules
Maine's new "protect and sell" program seeks to shield farmland
Connecticut's farmland still vanishing
Pennsylvania first state to stop labeling milk "hormone-free"
EVENTS:
1/15-17: Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta, ME
1/18-19, 2008: Farming for Profit and Stewardship Conference, Hagerstown, MD
1/19: Vermont Grazing Conference, Randolph Center, VT
1/19: NOFA Massachusetts Winter Conference, Worcester, MA
1/25-27: NOFA-NY Winter Organic Farming and Gardening Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY
1/26: NOFA NJ Annual Winter Conference, New Brunswick, NJ
1/29-31: Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey, PA
2/7-9: PASA Farming for the Future Conference, State College, PA
OPPORTUNITIES:
Conservation Planner, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, West Wareham, MA
Communications Manager, Slow Food U.S.A., Brooklyn, NY
Information Technology Manager, The Food Project, Lincoln, MA
Grant Writer, The Food Project, The Food Project, Lincoln, MA
Common Ground Country Fair Director, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Unity, ME
Administrative and Financial Coordinator, Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham, MA
Assistant Crops Manager, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln, MA
Food/Nutrition Coordinator, The Partnership for the Homeless, New York, NY
Managing Director for Operations and Finance, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Hunger Action Network of New York State, New York City, NY
Farmstand Co-Manager, White Dog Community Enterprises, Philadelphia, PA
Multiple openings, Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA
Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA
Multiple Job Openings, Community Food Resource Center, New York, NY
Conservation Innovation Grants
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
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FARM BILL UPDATE
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New Year, Old Farm Bill
(Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - With just hours to go before adjournment of the 1st session of the 110th Congress, the House approved a $555 billion omnibus appropriations bill that generated some muted cheer and a number of humbugs from representatives on both sides of the aisle. Included in the spending bill is language extending the 2002 Farm Bill through March 15, 2008. This action preserves the 2002 baseline budget at $283 billion, extends authorization for appropriations for discretionary programs, and allows mandatory programs to fund new projects without having to wait for passage of the new Farm Bill. March 15 is the start date for the congressional Easter recess, with Congress expected to send the President a new Farm Bill prior to that break. That new bill will be a compromise between the House bill passed in July and Senate bill passed in December. A side-by-side comparison of these two bills is available here: http://www.sustainableagriculturecoalition.org/ActionCenter/SAC_Farm_Bill_Platform_Progress_Report_12_07.pdf
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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What Will We Eat as the Oil Runs Out? By Richard Heinberg
Our global food system faces a crisis of unprecedented scope. This crisis, which threatens to imperil the lives of hundreds of millions and possibly billions of human beings, consists of four simultaneously colliding dilemmas, all arising from our relatively recent pattern of dependence on depleting fossil fuels. The first dilemma consists of the direct impacts on agriculture of higher oil prices: increased costs for tractor fuel, agricultural chemicals, and the transport of farm inputs and outputs. The second is an indirect consequence of high oil prices - the increased demand for biofuels, which is resulting in farmland being turned from food production to fuel production, thus making food more costly. The third dilemma consists of the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events caused by fuel-based greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is the greatest environmental crisis of our time; however, fossil fuel depletion complicates the situation enormously, and if we fail to address either problem properly the consequences will be dire. Finally comes the degradation or loss of basic natural resources (principally, topsoil and fresh water supplies) as a result of high rates, and unsustainable methods, of production stimulated by decades of cheap energy. Each of these problems is developing at a somewhat different pace regionally, and each is exacerbated by the continually expanding size of the human population. As these dilemmas collide, the resulting overall food crisis is likely to be profound and unprecedented in scope. Read the full transcript here: http://www.richardheinberg.com/museletter/188
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NEWS
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New York City’s hungry for a regional market, but where?
(New York Times) - The day was wet and so cold that the savoy cabbages nearly froze and the fat on Mario Batali’s porchetta quickly congealed into a solid mass. But the few thousand intrepid souls who made their way to the southern tip of Manhattan on that dark Sunday afternoon in December did not seem to mind. At the site of the old Fulton Fish Market, a one-day food market drew lots of customers. Neither sleet nor lack of a handy subway stop could keep them from Finger Lakes dried beans, hot fried oysters and Nantucket scallops still in their red shells. They had heard there was a market, and they were going to get there no matter what. Set up just outside one of the former Fulton Fish Market buildings by a nonprofit group called New Amsterdam Public, the one-day event was meant in part to build support for a permanent indoor public market selling pristine local food. Similar events are planned for the spring and summer. Full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/dining/02mark.html
Vermont 'Localvore' advocates question state meat inspection rules
(AP) - Raise a few animals, slaughter them, make a little money selling the meat to friends. It's a romantic rural notion -- and it runs afoul of state meat inspection rules. Peter Harvey found out the hard way. The Calais resident and self-described "backyard farmer" had been thinking about raising pigs for some time before he and a neighbor took the plunge two years ago, buying three piglets. When the pigs were ready, a custom slaughterer came to Harvey's farm to kill the animals, put the sides in plastic bags and take them to the New England Culinary Institute, a Montpelier-based cooking school, where students could sharpen their butchering skills. "It was a good deal for everybody to have less expensive meat, and to have it raised right at home where we knew what (was going into it)," said Harvey. But an inspector going through the Culinary Institute's kitchen spotted the pork and confiscated it, saying the pigs hadn't been slaughtered and processed according to government rules. Full article here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2007/12/27/localvore_advocates_question_state_meat_inspection_rules/
Maine's new "protect and sell" program seeks to shield farmland
(Kennebec Journal) - A new program by Maine Farmland Trust could preserve thousands of acres of farmland in the coming years. John Piotti, executive director for Maine Farmland Trust, said the organization recently sold its first farm, a 200-acre property in Auburn under the Trust's buy/protect/sell program. The farm, off the Quail Run Road not far from Lake Auburn, was purchased by Ray Nichols and Tina Brooks and will be known as the Oakwood Equestrian Center. "Maine Farmland Trust created this new program because we realized we needed to be in the business of buying land ourselves," Piotti said. "Otherwise, we knew that an ever-increasing number of good farms would be converted into development." Maine Farmland Trust, which has protected more than 10,000 acres of farmland for the past eight years, has typically accepted easement rights as donations or purchased them from the property owners, Piotti said. Full article here: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/4604897.html
Connecticut's farmland still vanishing
(Connecticut Post) - In the first half of the 20th century, the Joseph Waskewicz Dairy was one of several thriving dairy farms in the town of Seymour. Waskewicz had a herd of cows, processing equipment to bottle the milk they produced, and a truck to deliver it to customers on his route. He brought it to customers' homes, putting it outside their door in an insulated aluminum box that kept the fresh milk cool. It was a way of life that seems quaint today, but by the 1950s the tide had receded on the small dairy farmers of southern Connecticut. "Dairy farming just wasn't profitable anymore. It was too much work for too little money," said Bonnie Stanis, Waskewicz's granddaughter who now operates Little Bit Farm, a horse farm on the 5 acres that remain of the former Waskewiczdairy on Bungay Road. "My family made a transition to artesianwell drilling, and then in the 1990s, we started our horse farm on the land," Stanis said. The squeeze on small farms in southwestern Connecticut is tightening. In a region where towns are proud of their agricultural heritage and real estate agents point to rustic barns and stone walls as a part of the landscape that give old New England marketable charm, the pressures of taxes, real estate development and zoning regulations are making small farmers pack it in or consider the consequences. The window of opportunity to rescue agricultural assets in Connecticut is closing fast, said Kevin Maloney, spokesman for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Full article here: http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_7792841
Pennsylvania first state to stop labeling milk "hormone-free"
(The Philadelphia Inquire) - Twenty years ago, John Harnish was happy if his cows each yielded 17,000 pounds of milk a year. These days, his 145 black-and-white animals are veritable dairy queens — producing a hefty 27,000 pounds each. He credits most of the increase to breeding, more frequent milking, and better feed. Another factor comes straight from the biotech lab: biweekly injections of synthetic growth hormone. If you don’t like that, you won’t like this: As of Feb. 1 in Pennsylvania, consumers won’t be able to tell the difference between milk from farms that inject their cows and milk from those that don’t. The state Agriculture Department has forbidden dairies that don’t use the hormone from touting that fact on milk-bottle labels, contending it gives the impression that milk like Harnish’s is unsafe. It is the first such move in the nation, and the ensuing debate has spilled from the aisles at Whole Foods to the halls of Harrisburg, where the governor’s office is reviewing the decision. “Every dairy state in the country is watching Pennsylvania. This is huge and they’re waiting to see what’s happening here,” said dairy farmer Ron Reese, of Worth Township. Full article here: http://www.centredaily.com/116/story/304516.html
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EVENTS
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1/15-17
Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta, ME
Visit over 100 exhibit booths to find out what's new, and attend seminars and meetings held by various organizations to learn about the latest developments in the ag arena. For more info, see: http://www.getrealgetmaine.com/visit/trades_show.html
1/18-19, 2008
Farming for Profit and Stewardship Conference, Hagerstown, MD
The most comprehensive annual sustainable agriculture educational event in the mid-Atlantic region features keynote speaker Cynthia Barstow, pre-conference intensive workshops, and conference sessions led by the area’s best researchers, extension experts and experienced farmers. Topics include high tunnel production, small-scale equipment, honey production, marketing, and many more. For more info, see: http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/08conference.html
1/19
Vermont Grazing Conference, Randolph Center, VT
The 12th Annual Vermont Grazing Conference will feature Missouri grazier Greg Judy as keynote speaker. The schedule includes themed tracks for dairy, meat, poultry, diversified farming, animal management, soil and forages, consumer interests, and grazing partnerships. The conference is co-organized by the Vermont Grass Farmers Association and the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture. For more info, see: http://www.uvm.edu/~pasture/?Page=conference2008.html
1/19
NOFA MASS Winter Conference, Worcester, MA
45 workshops on crops, gardening, farm management, sustainable lifestyles, organic land care, livestock, renewable energy and more! For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/conferences/w2008/index.php
1/25-27
NOFA NY Winter Organic Farming and Gardening Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY
"Organic Solutions" is the theme for this conference that includes workshops, a trade show and organic marketplace, and keynote speakers. Full-day and half-day intensive workshops are offered. For more info, see:
http://www.nofany.org/events/2008conference/nofanyconference08.htm
1/26
NOFA NJ Annual Winter Conference, New Brunswick, NJ
Held every year for almost two decades, NOFA-NJ’s Winter Conference is the premier gathering for the organic & sustainable food, farming, gardening community in the state. With an impressive mix of sessions, topics will include vegetable rotations and soil health, ingredients for a great farmers market, why and how to buy local, pest-free fruits, composting, pruning, cut flowers, farm to school, cheese-making, pastured egg production, food preservation, and more! Whether you are a new or experienced farmer / gardener, land conservationist, market manager, chef, educator, or interested consumer, there is certain to be something for you. Conference fee: $55 / $40 for NOFA-NJ members. Local, organic lunch: $12. For full details, contact (609) 737-6848 For more info, see: http://www.nofanj.org/events.htm
1/29-31
Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey, PA
The Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention offers three days of six or more concurrent educational sessions with a large industry trade show and numerous networking opportunities—all designed to enable fruit, vegetable and berry growers as well as direct marketers to stay on the cutting edge of their industries. The 2008 Convention will also feature the North American Berry Conference with the North American Strawberry Growers and North American Bramble Growers Associations joining in the sponsoring the meetings. For more info, see: http://www.mafvc.org
2/7-9
PASA Farming for the Future Conference, State College, PA
This 17th annual conference presented by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture has the theme "Ready to Go: Sharing the Sustainable Story." The schedule includes an extensive selection of workshops, speakers, pre-conference tracks, and a kids' conference. For more info, see: http://pasafarming.org/conference2008/
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OPPORTUNITIES
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Conservation Planner, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, West Wareham, MA
As a Conservation Planner working for the MACD ACPP, the incumbent shall assist land owners, the Bristol conservation district, the MA State Department of Agricultural Resources and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, in carrying out a coordinated soil and water conservation planning and assistance program. Last day to apply: January 26, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/256617-227
Communications Manager, Slow Food U.S.A., Brooklyn, NY
We are currently seeking a motivated, organized and highly articulate individual to manage the external communications of Slow Food USA. The Communications Manager’s primary responsibilities are to: serve as editor of the Snail, our national newsletter; manage and produce all electronic communications, and; co-design and implement press and media strategies for Slow Food USA. Last day to apply: January 30, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/256486-189
Information Technology Manager, The Food Project, Lincoln, MA
The Information Technology Manager is responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and managing all IT systems, including desktop and laptop clients, servers, software, network, and accessories. This includes responsibility for planning and progress tracking, budget planning and management, and all necessary technical work. In addition, the ITM will troubleshoot problems and deal with emergencies, build staff IT capacity through training and education, and support all staff on a one-on-one basis as needed. Last day to apply: January 21, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/255934-35
Grant Writer, The Food Project, The Food Project, Lincoln, MA
We seek a talented, motivated individual to be a key member of our Development staff. The successful candidate will prepare proposals, contracts, letters of inquiry, etc., for new and existing foundations. We are looking for an individual who can not only maintain and strengthen current funding relationships, but also help us initiate significant new relationships with national foundations. Last day to apply: February 5, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/254258-176
Common Ground Country Fair Director, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Unity, ME
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) (www.mofga.org) is searching for a personable, dynamic, highly organized and motivated individual to serve as Director of the Common Ground Country Fair. This is an outstanding opportunity to work year-round on a unique agricultural event, celebrating sustainable living practices in Maine, while highlighting organic farming and gardening and vital local economies. MOFGA, founded in 1971, is the oldest and largest state organic association. The Common Ground Country Fair, now in its 32nd year, is MOFGA's signature event, and is the largest known organic fair. It runs three days (always the third weekend after Labor Day), and draws more than 60,000 visitors. Last day to apply: January 18, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/256006-121
Administrative and Financial Coordinator, Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham, MA
Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) is a non-profit organization based in the diverse suburban community of Waltham, Massachusetts. We forge relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. The ideal candidate for this position will have training in and experience with QuickBooks and Microsoft Access; will have experience in bookkeeping and financial reporting; will have experience working with and/or maintaining a database; will be comfortable trouble shooting basic technology issues; and will be willing to take on a variety of administrative tasks as needed. Maturity, responsibility and discretion will be critical. Last day to apply: February 2, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/255635-67
Assistant Crops Manager, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln, MA
Massachusetts Audubon Society is seeking an Assistant Crops Manager for its 232-acre sanctuary in Lincoln, MA. Drumlin Farm is a wildlife sanctuary and working farm where a staff of educators and farmers teach school children, visitors, volunteers and apprentices sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship. The Assistant Crops Manager will work with Drumlin Farm's Crops Manager to train seasonal apprentices, make educational opportunities available to school and camp groups, and grow 14 acres of crops for distribution to two Boston area farmers markets, a vegetable stand on the property, and a summer and winter CSA project. Last day to apply: February 14, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/254687-151
Food/Nutrition Coordinator, The Partnership for the Homeless, New York, NY
The Partnership for the Homeless is seeking a Food/Nutrition Coordinator to be a part of its Food for Life program, a multi-disciplinary initiative addressing the nutritional needs of older homeless adults, as well as the needs of families and children and persons affected by HIV/AIDS. Last day to apply: February 2, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/253741-277
Managing Director for Operations and Finance, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a farm, a kitchen, a classroom—an exhibit, a laboratory, a campus. The mission of this nonprofit, member-driven collaboration is to celebrate, teach and advance community-based food production and enjoyment, from farm to classroom to plate. Last day to apply: January 25, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/252407-30
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Hunger Action Network of New York State, New York City, NY
Hunger Action Network is seeking an energetic, organized and passionate individual to be our Policy and Advocacy Coordinator. Last day to apply: January 31, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/253490-192
Farmstand Co-Manager, White Dog Community Enterprises, Philadelphia, PA
The Farmstand Co-Manager will oversee the day-to-day operation and manage The Fair Food Farmstand, White Dog Community Enterprises’ retail location at the Reading Terminal Market. Located in the historic Reading Terminal Market, the Fair Food Farmstand carries a variety of fresh produce, meats, poultry, dairy, eggs and cheese from organic and sustainable farms throughout the southeast Pennsylvania region.Last day to apply: January 28, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/252608-57
Multiple openings, Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA
The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, and one of the largest food banks in the country, distributing more than 25 million pounds of food annually to a network of more than 600 member hunger-relief agencies. For more info, see: http://www.gbfb.org/content/main.cfm?sca_id=27&cu_id=12
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
Conservation Innovation Grants
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. CIG has two competitions available in fiscal year 2008--National and State. The National competition is now open; individual states will announce funding availability through separate requests for proposals.
Due date: February 20, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
CSREES requests applications for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to support: (1) the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining; (2) projects that provide Training and Technical Assistance on a nationwide or regional basis to entities interested in developing new Community Food Projects or assisting current grantees; and (3) Planning Projects to assess the food security needs and plan long-term solutions to help ensure food security in communities. CSREES anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2008 will be approximately $5,000,000. Letters of intent are due by January 10, 2008. For more info, see: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/community_food.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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Happy New Year!
Roger Doiron, NEFOOD Listserve administrator, [email protected]