Potluck News: April 2008
FARM BILL UPDATE:
Farm Bill Drama Continues – Will a Deal be Reached by April 18th?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Anti-hunger Movement Just Too Nice
NEWS:
Food Price Inflation Changes How We Shop
Yes, It’s Local, Even in Winter
Major PA Grower Ends Crop, Lacking Workers
Urban Jungle
Drink Beer and Save the World
NJ Taking Garden Out of Garden State?
EVENTS:
4/5: Raised Beds in the Garden and the Farm Organism, Chestnut Ridge, NY
4/12: Connecticut Community Gardening Conference, Waterbury, CT
4/12: Working Lands: An Agroforestry Sampler, Ithaca, NY
4/21 : Organic Apples: Focusing Tree Energy with John Bemis at Hutchin's Farm, Concord, MA
4/25: Organic Beekeeping: Principles and Practices, Chestnut Ridge, NY
4/26: Organic Gardening across Massachusetts, various locations
5/10: Organic Orcharding 101 with Michael Phillips, Unity, ME
6/8-8/15: Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Semester, Craftsbury Common, VT
OPPORTUNITIES:
Executive Director, Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham, MA
Field Program Director, Sustainable Harvest International, Surry, ME
Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA
Multiple Job Openings, Community Food Resource Center, New York, NY
Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant Program
New York Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant
Small Minority Producer Grant Program
Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program
New Hampshire Conservation Innovation Grant
NRI: Agricultural Prosperity for Small & Medium Sized Farms
Food and Nutrition Research Program 2008 Competitive Grants and Cooperative Agreement Program
Organic Research and Education Grants
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FARM BILL UPDATE
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Farm Bill DRAMA Continues – WILL A DEAL BE REACHED BY APRIL 18th?
(Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Weekly Update) – Two weeks ago, as the congressional Easter recess began, a new farm bill framework was announced by the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Ag Committees. The framework detailed how available funding would be divided between the various farm bill titles. As soon as it was released, though, Senators Baucus (D-MT) and Conrad (D-ND) declared it dead on arrival for providing $2.2 billion for a pre-paid permanent disaster assistance fund, less than half the amount provided in the Senate version of the bill as a result of their leadership. A new agreement between Baucus and Conrad on the one hand and Chairmen Harkin (D-IA) and Peterson (D-MN) on the other means the farm bill could be moving again and the pending April 18 deadline (the expiration date for the current farm bill) could in fact be within the realm of possibility. At press time for the Weekly, however, there is still no definitive word that Senate Ranking Members Chambliss (R-GA) and Goodlatte (R-VA) had signed off on the deal. Another key player yet to make a decision is Finance Ranking Member Grassley (R-IA). The big sticking points are reductions in crop insurance subsidies, hits to direct payments, and remaining questions about the tax section of the bill. Then there is also the question of whether House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and House Ways and Means Chairman Rangel (D-NY) are going to be willing to accept the notion that the financing package for the $10 billion increase in farm bill spending would be paid for in part by spending cuts to entitlement programs under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee. Previously they had indicated an unwillingness to agree to domestic program spending cuts to pay for the farm bill, but it is not known whether that attitude has changed or not. And last but not least is the question of whether, if this new package hangs together, the Administration would sign it or veto it. They have continued to indicate a veto was likely if the bill included tax measures that could be characterized as a tax increase or if the bill did not contain sufficient commodity program reform. So, clearly, there are further hurdles remaining. However, for the first time in a long time it would appear that there is at least a decent chance the bill may reach a conclusion by or before the end of April. We are preparing for the possibility that there are but three weeks left in the process. The Bad News? Well, it's rather obvious that conservation proved to be the major contributor to the permanent disaster fund in absolute dollar terms ($1 billion) and rural development the major contributor in percentage terms (100%). Full update here: http://tidyurl.net/n4Mnb
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Anti-hunger movement just too nice
(Kennebec Journal, Maine) - Imagine that the nation's food banks all closed their doors. That's the provocative and unsettling idea from the country's leading hunger scholar, J. Larry Brown. Brown, a faculty member at the Harvard School of Public Health and director of the National Center on Hunger and Poverty, spoke at a conference on hunger in Augusta last week. Brown's suggestion was borne of frustration. For decades, he's been one of the nation's leading anti-hunger advocates, but he despairs that hunger has become a stubborn and accepted fact of life in America. "Our job is not going well," he said. "Nobody really expects that our nation's leaders will bring an end to hunger." Instead, said Brown, we have lowered our sights, and "hunger is no longer considered intolerable." Full article here: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/view/columns/4893623.html The transcript of Dr. Brown’s speech is available here: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/view/columns/4893214.html
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NEWS
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Food Price Inflation Changes How We Shop
(AP) - Steadily rising food costs aren't just causing grocery shoppers to do a double-take at the checkout line — they're also changing the very ways we feed our families.
The worst case of food inflation in nearly 20 years has more Americans giving up restaurant meals to eat at home. We're buying fewer luxury food items, eating more leftovers and buying more store brands instead of name-brand items. For Peggy and David Valdez of Houston, feeding their family of four means scouring grocer ads for the best prices, taking fewer trips as a way to save gas and simply buying less food, period."We do more selecting, looking around, seeing which prices are cheaper," said David Valdez. "We are being more selective. We have got to find the cheapest price." Full article here: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hoh0EcX58dSG8oW_xU6nUxcwRfjAD8VOHOIG0
Yes, It’s Local, Even in Winter
(New York Times) - It looked like a farmers’ market — scores of people meandering through more than a dozen booths of local products. It sounded like a farmers’ market — a lone guitarist’s strumming punctuated by squealing kids. But on a recent rainy and chilly Saturday morning, all parties were warm and dry indoors. Full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/23marketct.html
Major PA Grower Ends Crop, Lacking Workers
(AP) - Saying the nation's immigration system is broken, Pennsylvania's largest grower of fresh-to-market tomatoes announced Monday he will no longer produce the crop because he can't find enough workers to harvest it. Keith Eckel, 61, a fourth-generation farmer and the owner of Fred W. Eckel Sons Farms Inc., said he saw a dramatic decline last summer in the number of migrant workers who showed up to pick tomatoes at his 2,000-acre farm in northeastern Pennsylvania. He said Congress' failure to approve comprehensive immigration reform had hindered his ability to hire enough workers to get his crop to the market. Most of Eckel's workers came from Mexico. "There are a number of workers hesitant to travel, legal or illegal, because of the scrutiny they are now under," said Eckel, whose tomatoes have been shipped to supermarkets and restaurants throughout the eastern United States. "So there are less workers crossing state lines." Eckel, who planted 2.2 million tomato plants last year, said he also will stop growing pumpkins and will plant half as much sweet corn as usual, resulting in a loss of nearly 175 jobs. Full article here: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLcw2uB74fh2WVfW9hUsryKDFUrwD8VK1T480
Urban jungle
(The Guardian, UK) - People visiting Middlesbrough last year may have wondered why there were radishes and pumpkins being grown where they might have expected to see carnations and dahlias. All over the town, disused urban spaces were turned into fertile corners bursting with freshly grown fruit and vegetables as more than 1,000 residents took part in a project aimed at changing the way they think about food. This year, the results could be even more spectacular. The idea of the urban farming project was to make people more aware of food miles, improve health and aid regeneration of the borough, which contains the ninth most deprived area in the UK. Groundwork South Tees advised schools, mental health hospitals, residential care homes and retailers on planting and growing many varieties of herbs, vegetables and fruit. Containers of different sizes were used so people could cultivate whatever space they had. Full article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/26/cityfood
Drink Beer and Save the World
(Alternet) - Can corporate "globeerization" be fought through "beeroregionalism"? Beer, like so many other products, is largely in the hands of giant corporations. Therefore, drinking beer can often enrich the same systems of power we as activists are fighting against. Fermenting Revolution: How To Drink Beer and Save the World by Christopher O'Brien is a book about how the people can take back the brew and join together in saying, "If I can't drink good beer, it's not my revolution." It is satisfying and rebellious in this increasingly corporate world to make your own beer. In Vermont, homebrewing and microbrewing is a state-wide past time; a 2005 census shows that there is one microbrewery for every 32,792 people in the state, which is the highest number of microbreweries per capita in the country. As many people know, beer drinkers can be activists in how they choose and make their own beer. Interested in changing the world through drinking? Fermenting Revolution can serve as a kind of bible for the beer activist that's bubbling inside each and every one of us. Full article here: http://alternet.org/story/80882/
NJ Taking Garden Out of Garden State?
(AP) - New Jersey farmers are starting to worry that their state lawmakers are about to take the garden out of the Garden State. Gov. Jon Corzine is proposing to make New Jersey the third state without a Department of Agriculture as he looks to slash spending amid chronic state budget problems. Some argue the move will chase away farmers who persevered for generations while New Jersey grew into the nation's most densely populated state. "Ultimately, the quality of life of all of New Jersey's citizens will suffer," said William Griffin, president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. New Jersey would join Alaska and Rhode Island as the only states without an agriculture department, said Charles W. Ingram, spokesman for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Full article here: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gQF0O_IrOOtJ9N95VJCBlncFlVdgD8VO9QB80
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EVENTS
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4/5
Raised Beds in the Garden and the Farm Organism, Chestnut Ridge, NY
In this one-day workshop at the Pfeiffer Center, Mac Mead will present both the principles underlying raised-bed cultivation and the practical aspects of growing in raised beds. In hands-on sessions, we will learn how to build up, amend and cultivate raised beds. Demonstrations of tractor methods of raised-bed farming will show how this valuable technique can be applied to larger-scale farming. For more information, see: http://www.pfeiffercenter.org/workshops/index.asp
4/12
Connecticut Community Gardening Conference, Waterbury, CT
The Connecticut Community Gardening Association and the Naugatuck Valley Community College present an annual sharing of garden ideas and insights on how community gardening contributes to the health of people and neighborhoods. For more information, see: http://ctcommunitygardening.org/events/
4/12
Working Lands: An Agroforestry Sampler, Ithaca, NY
Gain valuable information for enhancing land and water stewardship and increasing farm viability. This workshop will provide an overview of agroforestry practices and also the Root Production Method as applied to agroforestry with specific case studies highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of agroforestry to the landowner or farmer. Presentations and a tour of the Cornell MacDaniels Nut Grove will showcase the opportunities for forest farming in New York and the Northeast. For more information, see: http://rpmecosystems.com/workshop.html
4/21
Organic Apples: Focusing Tree Energy with John Bemis at Hutchin's Farm, Concord, MA
John Bemis, with 30 years of apple tree management experience, will show us how to guide the trees growth and help produce fruit. We will walk the orchard and learn about girdling and pruning to control excessive growth. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/programs/skills.php
4/25
Organic Beekeeping: Principles and Practices, Chestnut Ridge, NY
This workshop at the Pfeiffer Center covers topics suitable for all beekeepers, from novice to expert. A special Friday afternoon session for beginners demonstrates hive construction and the basics of handling bees. The rest of the workshop – Friday evening and all day Saturday – presents a balanced view of natural beekeeping topics not ordinarily covered in lectures and articles, including: swarming as an expression of the bees’ vitality; working with swarms and making splits; the importance of wax production; and acid treatments for Varroa mites. For more information, see: http://www.pfeiffercenter.org/workshops/index.asp
4/26
Organic Gardening across Massachusetts with NOFA Staff, various locations
Learn how gardening begins with building the soil and composting and all about seeds and seedlings, mulches, raised beds and how you can grow some of what you eat and start to appreciate where all of your food comes from. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/programs/skills.php
5/10
Organic Orcharding 101 with Michael Phillips, Unity, ME
MOFGA offers this full-day workshop as part of its Organic Orcharding series for 2008. The author of The Apple Grower will teach about everything under the sun as concerns the apple tree. Come learn about pruning, pest dynamics, soil health, good varieties, and apple pleasures. For more info, see: http://www.mofga.org/Programs/Events/OrganicOrchardingClasses/tabid/300/Default.aspx
6/8-8/15
Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Semester, Craftsbury Common, VT
The Sterling College Sustainable Agriculture Semester immerses students in the daily rhythms and realities of farming. The Sustainable Agriculture Semester is a 8-11 credit integrated program of work and study exploring ecological management of plants, animals, and land. Classroom instruction, hands-on training, and work on the farm are combined to teach sustainable practices and to foster discussion about agricultural issues. The deadline for application for the 2008 summer semester is April 14, 2008.For more information, see:
http://www.sterlingcollege.edu/AD.summerfarm.html
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OPPORTUNITIES
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Executive Director, Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham, MA
Waltham Fields Community Farm promotes local agriculture through growing and distribution practices that are socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable. We forge relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. The Executive Director (ED) has overall responsibility for implementing the goals of Waltham Fields Community Farm as expressed in its mission and strategic plan. The ED works closely with the staff and the Board of Directors, as well as with partner agencies, donors, and the local community in general. He or she is responsible for fundraising, drafting and implementing the annual budget, and conducting the financial and administrative activities of the organization. Last day to apply: May 11, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/269208-262
Field Program Director, Sustainable Harvest International, Surry, ME
Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) seeks a Program Director to lead its ongoing work to increase standards of living while protecting the environment. Currently with programs in four countries in Central America and having just completed our first decade of operations, SHI is committed to finding the person best suited to maintain our existing program and take us forward for the decades ahead. The Program Director (PD) will be responsible for all aspects of program management from budget oversight to policy, best practices, & program evaluation, development and planning. The PD will ensure that the field program remains focused on and aligned with SHI's mission, and maintains close familiarity with the work on-the-ground through regular visits to the field. Last day to apply: April 20, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/265517-167
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/aboutUs/CurrentOpenings.cfm
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
Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant Program
By providing money for capital enhancement to farms, it is the Department of Agriculture's hope to help preserve Connecticut’s agricultural base and improve farm production. These competitive matching grants will be awarded on the basis of the quality of the business plan that is a part of their application. The farmer applicant must match or exceed the amount of the grant being requested. These funds must be used for projects that are defined as capital fixed assets and have a life expectancy of 10 years or more. The funds may be used for the expansion of existing agricultural facilities, or diversification—expansion into new production areas and site improvements related to such expansion or diversification. Due date: April 30, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1368&q=273968
New York Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting applications for Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants. The grants are being made available to local community organizations in neighborhoods historically overburdened by a higher density of contaminated sites, air pollution, water pollution, noise, lack of green open space and waterfront access, related public health impacts, and reduced quality of life, as compared to other communities in New York State. Eligible grant projects must address environmental or related human health problems in the community and educate community residents. Awards ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 will be given out for projects such as demonstration projects of green rooftops for storm water abatement, alternative energy projects, air and water quality monitoring, and community gardens. Due date: April 23, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/31226.html
Small Minority Producer Grant Program
The Small Minority Agriculture Producer grants are made to Cooperatives or Associations of Cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide assistance to small, minority agriculture producers and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of at least 75 percent minority. The primary objective of this grant program is to provide technical assistance to small, minority agriculture producers. Eight awards of up to $175,000 are expected to be made under this program. Due date: April 8, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/smpg/smpg.htm
Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program
These grants support fellowship programs that encourage outstanding students to pursue and complete their degrees or obtain postdoctoral training in areas where there is a national need for the development of scientific and professional expertise. Applications are being solicited in the following Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas: 1) agricultural genomics and bioinformatics; 2) natural resources and the environment; 3) agricultural systems and natural resource engineering; 4) agricultural management and economics; 5) food science; 6) human nutrition; 7) sciences for agricultural biosecurity; and 8) training in sustainable sciences. Applications may be submitted by: 1) Land-Grant Institutions, 2) colleges & universities having significant minority enrollments & a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food & agricultural sciences, & 3) other colleges & universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food & agricultural sciences. Due date: May 8, 2008. For more info, see: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/graduateandpostgraduatefellowshipsserd.cfm
New Hampshire Conservation Innovation Grant
The New Hampshire State Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications will be accepted from any eligible entity for projects within the State of New Hampshire. Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. Applications are requested from eligible government or non-government organizations or individuals within the State of New Hampshire for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one and three years in duration. There are two CIG components available in FY2008: (1) Natural Resource Concerns Component, and (2)Technology Component. NRCS anticipates the availability of up to $168,000 of funds during fiscal year 2008 for the New Hampshire CIG program competition. Grants to eligible entities and individuals may not exceed a maximum of $75,000 each. Due date: April 24, 2008. For more info, see: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=Hh8FCWT7vVyYfpnh2wTGfy7TVlT6hNGGRYmrpLGTvMQTj0vcLn7l!-295107562?oppId=40954&flag2006=false&mode=VIEW
NRI: Agricultural Prosperity for Small & Medium Sized Farms
One component of the National Research Initiative is the Agricultural Prosperity for Small & Medium Sized Farms Program. Proposals for this program must be "integrated," i.e. contain at least two of three functions: research, outreach, and education. This year the program is highlighting involvement of Extension personnel & curriculum development that involves K-12 teachers. The program also encourages applications on sustainable biofuel production. Due date: June 5, 2008. For more info, see: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/nri_rfa.html
Food and Nutrition Research Program 2008 Competitive Grants and Cooperative Agreement Program
USDA Economic Research Service's Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program is now accepting proposals for grants and cooperative agreements for fiscal 2008. The three priority research areas are (1) Food Choices: Economic Determinants and Consequences, (2) Economic Incentives in Food Assistance Programs, and (3) Food Assistance as an Economic Safety Net. Funding for competitive awards in fiscal 2008 is approximately $2 million Due date: May 19, 2008. For more info, see: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AP/ap027/DBGen.htm
Organic Research and Education Grants
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has issued its Request for Proposals for organic research and education projects for Spring and Fall 2008 grants. OFRF offers funds for research on any topic that will improve organic production systems, and for education and outreach projects to share organic farming information with current organic producers and to farmers and ranchers considering transitioning their operations to organic. Proposals may request awards of up to $15,000 per year ($20,000 for fruit projects). Multi-year funding will be considered for fruit projects. Due date: July 15, 2008 For more info, see:http://ofrf.org/pressroom/releases/071116_stretchislandfunding.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]