Potluck News: July 2008
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
In search of local produce, but coming up short
NEWS:
Farm Bill implementation update
New York City restaurants go trans-fat-free
New law permits farmers to sell more unpasteurized milk
As tobacco loses currency, a new cash crop blooms
Grain heads for boom year
Business booms down on the farm
Farmers markets grow with yen for local crops
EVENTS:
7/10: Organic Dairy Transition Pasture Walk, Colrain, MA
7/18: Rodale Field Day, Kutztown, PA
7/24: Raising and Marketing Grass-Fed Meat, Shelburne, MA
8/2: Mid-Atlantic Meat Goat Symposium, Petersburg, VA
8/3: Vermont Fresh Network Annual Forum, Shelburne, VT
8/7: Building a High Tunnel Hands-on Workshop, Stroudsburg, PA
8/8-10: NOFA Summer Conference, Amherst, MA
8/10: Maine Grass Farmers Network Pasture Walk, Woodland, ME
8/18: Small Scale Dairies and Alternative Forages, Greenfield, MA
8/24: International Kitchen Garden Day, your garden, your community
9/19-21: Common Ground Fair, Unity, ME
9/19-21: PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival, Kempton, PA
10/5: Mother Earth Harvest Fair, Glenrock, PA
OPPORTUNITIES:
Farming Specialist, International Institute of Boston, Manchester, NH
School Garden Curriculum Assistant, Rippling Waters Farm, Steep Falls, ME
Anti-Hunger & Empowerment Corps, New York City Coalition Against Hunger, New York, NY
Publications Coordinator, Sustainable Harvest International, Surry, ME
Call for Nominations, Glynwood Center's 6th Annual Harvest Awards
Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA
Multiple Job Openings, Community Food Resource Center, New York, NY
Organic Research and Education Grants
New York Agriculture Innovation Center Grant
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant
Pennsylvania Agricultural & Rural Youth Grant
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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In search of local produce, but coming up short
(New York Times) - Wait-listed for broccoli rabe? I blinked at my computer screen in disbelief. In fact, it was worse than that. A polite, regretful notice on the Web site for Fort Hill Farm, an organic producer here, informed me that the wait list for a seasonal share in the farm's C.S.A., or community-supported agriculture program, is now closed until at least 2009. And it's not sure when the list can be reopened. Having munched and swooned our way through Fort Hill's chard, heirloom tomatoes, fingerling potatoes and other dewy fresh produce for a few years at local farmer's markets, we thought we would look into a C.S.A share: Pay the farmer up front in February and pick up a box of vegetables, herbs and fruit weekly from June to October at the farm or at designated drop spots. C.S.A. shares are generally calculated to provide a week's worth of fresh, organic, locally grown produce for a family of four. Some farms, like Fort Hill, also offer pick-your-own options that send shareholders into the strawberry and tomato rows. Full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/22colct.html
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NEWS
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FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
(Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - Two letters were sent last week from Capitol Hill to USDA to clarify beginning farmer provisions in the new farm bill. On Thursday, House Chairman Peterson (D-MN) and Senate Chairman Harkin (D-IA) wrote to Secretary Schafer to provide a clear direction that the farm bill designates the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to be administered by the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (soon to be renamed the National Institute for Food and Agriculture). The letter came in response to surprising news from the Department that the program might be assigned to either Rural Development or to the new Office of Outreach and Advocacy. The clear intent of Congress, supported by SAC, was for this program to go to CSREES. On Friday, a letter from Senator Feingold (D-WI) and Chairman Harkin was sent to the Secretary to outline their intent, as the Senate champions for the new Office of Outreach and Advocacy and its Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers sub-unit, regarding the placement and mission of the new office. SAC has been working closely with the Rural Coalition on the implementation of this new office, which also includes a sub-unit for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. The newly-positioned and enhanced office will be at the executive level of the Department, reporting directly to the Secretary, not through any department mission area and Under Secretary. We have reported earlier on the pending USDA decision on the funding level for the Risk Management Agency's Community Outreach partnership grant program for FY 2008. Unfortunately, to date, USDA has decided to scale the program back from $5 million to $2.25 million for this year, transferring the balance to RMA's information technology computer account. Some would-be grantees have begun to be notified that their grants will not be forthcoming as a result. We have met with USDA on the issue and we are still working with Members of Congress to urge them to fight this cut. The new farm bill provides $19 million a year in mandatory funding, over and above annual appropriated funds, for fixing the computer system at RMA. Nonetheless, the agency seems intent on shifting partnership grant funds to the computer account on top of the other two large sources of funding for the same purpose. We will continue to update readers on this situation. On the commodity program front, USDA Secretary Schafer announced this week that they will not be implementing the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program option in time for winter wheat producers to know program details prior to planting season this fall. He also indicated that the new so-called permanent disaster aid program cannot be implemented this year. He did say that farmers may begin to sign up now through August 15 for direct and counter-cyclical payments at their local Farm Service Agency office. The Secretary made claims this week that USDA will need twice and maybe four times the $5 million provided to USDA in the farm bill for administrative costs to implement the new farm bill. In response to the threatened delays, Senate Chairman Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) called on the Administration to request emergency supplemental funds from Congress to get the job done.
New York City restaurants go trans-fat-free
(Reuters) - One New York City chef spent a year mastering a trans-fat-free version of his sfogliatella pastries. Boston Market restaurants have introduced a trans-fat-free chicken pot pie in New York before taking it to other U.S. cities. All that work was in preparation for New York City's ban on trans-fats in restaurants, which took full effect on Tuesday, and is the first of its kind among major U.S. cities. The move follows the city's 2003 ban on public smoking. Full article here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKN0144154920080701
New law permits farmers to sell more unpasteurized milk
(Associated Press) - For years, people have stopped by Applecheek Farm to buy milk -- straight from the cow. They consider it more nutritious than pasteurized milk. Now, a new law allows farmer John Clark to sell even more -- up to 50 quarts a day -- and to advertise it, but he hopes one day it will be more." Hopefully, it can expand so consumers can have a choice and farmers can have a choice," said Clark. "Farmers can have the choice to sell it and consumers can have the choice to buy it without limitations, and let it be a consumer and farmer relationship choice and not a bureaucratic choice." Demand for unpasteurized milk has grown in recent years as consumers -- worried about chemicals and hormones used in traditional dairy farming -- seek alternatives. Raw milk advocates say it's more nutritious, easier to digest than pasteurized milk, builds immunity and protects children from asthma. Full article here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/06/30/new_law_permits_farmers_to_sell_more_unpasteurized_milk/
As Tobacco Loses Currency, a New Cash Crop Blooms
(Washington Post) - Jamie Raley's family has been farming in St. Mary's County since Abraham Lincoln was president, mostly growing tobacco. But with the drop in U.S. cigarette smoking over the past decade, tobacco no longer pays. So the Raleys cast about for something else that would keep them on the farm. They discovered petunias. And begonias, marigolds and impatiens. The Raleys borrowed $318,000 to build a half-acre, climate-controlled greenhouse that could grow tens of thousands of garden flowers and add a tidy income to bolster Jamie's slim government pension. They are among a growing group of local farmers at the forefront of what could become a revolution in Maryland agriculture. Theirs and 40 other farms in Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore have created a factory-like network of greenhouses to produce a viable new cash crop for an industry once dependent on tobacco and poultry farming. Full article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/28/AR2008062802169.html
Grain heads for boom year
(Baltimore Sun) - This could be the year that state grain farmers buy that flashy new pickup truck they have been eyeing for a couple of years. Due primarily to recent floods in the Midwest, "Maryland grain farmers are looking at a huge payday this year," says Kevin McNew, a managing partner of Go Grain LLC, a commodity research firm in Bozeman, Mont., and an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland. "For Maryland farmers, things look great," he said. "It could be their best year ever. "They are sitting on a corn crop that looks to be valued at $7 or $8 a bushel," said McNew. "Historically, prices have been in the $2- to $3-a-bushel range in Maryland." Full article here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.farm29jun29,0,2320412.story
Business Booms Down on the Farm
(NJ Biz) - Even as ever-more farmland gives way to development, the appeal of farming appears to be growing in the Garden State. Charles Kuperus, who heads the state Department of Agriculture, says an increasing number of youngsters and career-changers are going back to the land. Kuperus, whom colleagues call a "true farmer," says interest in winemaking and growing organic vegetables is particularly hot. Many who go such routes "choose it as a second career," he says, "or like a change of pace in life." Meanwhile, the price of New Jersey farmland rose 6.3 percent last year to an average of $11,900 an acre, more than five times the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the number of local farm markets in the state is booming. Last month the agriculture department launched a Web site, www.jerseyageducation.nj.gov, aimed at students interested in careers in agriculture and others who might be interested in teaching the subject. Full article here: http://www.njbiz.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=20508256.6648871.974272.9957372.671583.076&aID2=74935
Farmers markets grow with yen for local crops
(Boston Globe) - Most Tuesday afternoons last summer, Susan Grieb and friends from Bedford cycled to the Lexington Farmers' Market. "I loved the sense of community," said Grieb, a former software engineer and development manager, who determined to bring the same mix of fun and fresh food to her hometown. After seven months of planning, fund-raising, visits to potential vendors, and presentations to town officials by Grieb and co-managers Moira Sarson and Barbara Purchia, the Bedford Farmers' Market celebrated Opening Day last Monday. Bedford and Winchester are among 20 new markets this year in Massachusetts - the largest growth in numbers on record, said David Webber, the farmers market coordinator for the state Department of Agricultural Resources. Since 1978, the number of markets statewide has grown from 10 to more than 160, he said. Escalating fuel prices, environmental concerns, and questions about the food supply and the downside of industrial agriculture raised by books including Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Penguin Books 2007) and Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life" (HarperCollins 2007) have made people "more aware of buying local, and of supporting local growers and farmers," said Webber. Full article here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/26/farmers_markets_grow_with_yen_for_local_crops/
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EVENTS
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7/10
Organic Dairy Transition Pasture Walk, Colrain, MA
NOFA/Mass, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Massachusetts Extension have organized a series Grazing Workshops as a continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers. Topics at each event will vary, but will include pasture management, organic transition and herd health, forage species, soil fertility, fencing and water systems, and summer and winter grazing. This event takes place at Colrain Dairy Farm. For more info, see: http://www.umass.edu/cdl/MassGrass.html
7/18
Rodale Field Day, Kutztown, PA
At the Rodale Institute's annual field day their researchers provide updates and tours of the Farming Systems Trial research underway on the 333-acre certified organic farm. for more info, see: http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/on_our_farm
7/24
Raising and Marketing Grass-Fed Meat, Shelburne, MA
NOFA/Mass, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Massachusetts Extension have organized a series of on-farm pasture walks and Grazing Workshops as a continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers. This event takes place at Wheel-View Farm. For more info, see: http://www.umass.edu/cdl/MassGrass.html
8/2
Mid-Atlantic Meat Goat Symposium, Petersburg, VA
The Mid-Atlantic Meat Goat Symposium is designed to provide research-based production and marketing information for meat goat producers and those planning to begin raising meat goats. Its goal is to help producers and interested individuals become more knowledgeable and thus more profitable in meat goat production. The event is sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and others. For more info, see: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/pdf/goat.pdf
8/3
Vermont Fresh Network Annual Forum, Shelburne, VT
This annual event, held at Shelburne Farms' Coach Barn on the shore of Lake Champlain, offers the rare opportunity to mingle and break bread with farmers, growers, chefs, and neighbors all interested in insuring a fair and sustainable food system for our future. The agenda includes educational workshops, keynote speaker Dan Barber, and a walk-around dinner provided by 20 of the best chef and farm partnerships in Vermont. For more info, see: http://www.vermontfresh.net/vfnforum/
8/7
Building a High Tunnel Hands-on Workshop, Stroudsburg, PA
Join Pennsylvania Women's Ag Network (PA-WAgN) member Heidi Secord for a hands-on Workday to build a high tunnel at Josie Porter Farm. The day includes a farm tour and a discussion of Heidi's Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) on leased municipal land. For more info, see: http://wagn.cas.psu.edu/Calendar.html
8/8-10
NOFA Summer Conference, Amherst, MA
This 34th annual conference features two keynote speakers, extensive workshops that include offerings for teens and children, and a special full-day grazing workshop. For more info, see: http://www.nofamass.org/conferences/s2008/index.php
8/10
Maine Grass Farmers Network Pasture Walk, Woodland, ME
During this afternoon tour Stan Maynard will show his grazing system for his herd of Scottish highland cattle. For more info, see: http://www.umaine.edu/news/article.asp?id_no=2158
8/18
Small Scale Dairies and Alternative Forages, Greenfield, MA
NOFA/Mass, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Massachusetts Extension have organized a series of Grazing Workshops as a continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers. This event is hosted by Bostrom Farm. For more info, see: http://www.umass.edu/cdl/MassGrass.html
8/24
International Kitchen Garden Day, your garden, your community
Kitchen Garden Day is an annual, decentralized celebration of food produced on a human-scale. It is an opportunity for people around the world to gather in their gardens with friends, family, and members of their local community to celebrate the multiple pleasures and benefits of home-grown, hand-made foods. For more info, see: http://www.kitchengardenday.org
9/19-21
Common Ground Fair, Unity, ME
MOFGA celebrates its 32nd Common Ground Country Fair on September 19, 20 & 21, 2008, in Unity, Maine. The Fair allows fairgoers to make connections with a rapidly expanding base of organic farms in the state of Maine. Hundreds of vendors, exhibitors and demonstrators, more than 1,000 volunteers, and roughly 50,000 fairgoers will gather 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: http://mofga.org/TheFair/tabid/135/Default.aspx
9/19-21
PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival, Kempton, PA
A three-day festival about renewable energy, natural building construction, sustainable agriculture, land-use planning, forestry and healthy living practices in general. Featuring dynamic speakers, national exhibitors, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, vendors, live music and entertainment, children's activities, food and more.For more info, see: http://www.paenergyfest.com/
10/5
Mother Earth Harvest Fair, Glenrock, PA
Combining the atmosphere of a traditional country fair and farmer's market with cutting-edge advances in alternative fuels, green building, and sustainable living, the Mother Earth Harvest Fair is a celebration and showcase of healthy, balanced, and sustainable living in the Chesapeake Bioregion. For more info, Contact: 717-235-6610
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OPPORTUNITIES
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Farming Specialist, International Institute of Boston, Manchester, NH
Farming Specialist to work with refugees in NH who arrived with a farming background. Provide consultation, orientations and training to assist refugee farmers to overcome barriers to farming in the United States. Develop a training farm site program on property already leased. Begin recruitment and planting immediately. Develop marketing opportunities and facilitate sales to established markets and provide market orientations and trainings to refugee farmers. Last day to apply: August 15, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/289550-86
School Garden Curriculum Assistant, Rippling Waters Farm, Steep Falls, ME
The Vista member will review existing school garden curriculum to identify learning activites that can be matched with the Maine Learning Results and the K-6th grade curriculum. S/he will conduct teacher workhops at each of the school sites to provide trainng to show teachers how they can use the learning activies that have been provded for different subject areas and assist teachers in piloting these activities in the school gardens. S/he will help raise funds to expand the farm community school garden Initiaitive. Last day to apply: August 16, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/289989-61
Anti-Hunger & Empowerment Corps, 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 6 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: August 11, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/288541-117
Publications Coordinator, Sustainable Harvest International, Surry, ME
Sustainable Harvest International seeks to fill the position of Publications Coordinator. This person will be responsible for raising awareness of the organization's programs through print and online publications.Last day to apply: August 10, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/288359-16
Call for Nominations, Glynwood Center's 6th Annual National Harvest Awards
The Harvest Awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses across the United States that do an exceptional job of supporting sustainable agriculture and regional food systems. Deadline for nominations: 21 July 2008. For more info, see: http://www.glynwood.org
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
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
New York Agriculture Innovation Center Grant
The New York Farm Viability Institute seeks proposals for innovative projects that help farmers increase profits and provide models for other farmers to follow. Eligible grant applicants include farmers, producer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies and businesses. Applicants may represent nonprofit or for-profit sectors. Projects should work with New York State resident farmers and outcomes should benefit agriculture in New York State.
Due date: July 15, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.nyfvi.org/grants-aic.asp
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant
The goal of the Farmer Grant program is to develop, refine, and demonstrate new sustainable techniques and to explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the region. To apply, you must be a farmer in the Northeast SARE region, made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Due date: December 16, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/FGinfo.html
Pennsylvania Agricultural & Rural Youth Grant
The purpose of the Agriculture and Rural Youth Grant Program is to fund projects, which will increase the knowledge and awareness of agricultural and rural issues in Pennsylvania, in particular, among the youth of Pennsylvania. The Program awards direct grants up to $2,500 and matching grants up to $10,000. Eligible youth organizations are those which are primarily comprised of persons eighteen years of age, or younger, and are organized within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to promote development in the areas of agriculture, rural community leadership, vocational training or peer fellowship. Due date: October 31, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=128621
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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]