FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

One burger with a Champagne chaser, hold the guilt

 

NEWS:

China's Shift on Food Was Key to Trade Impasse

New Hampshire Study seeks to define rural areas
Inner-City Farms
New England farms blossom in cheese renaissance
Frequent Family Meals Might Reduce Teen Substance Use
Helping farmers find their niche

EVENTS:

8/2: Mid-Atlantic Meat Goat Symposium, Petersburg, VA

8/2: Field Day and NOFAvore Celebration, Beidler Family Farm, Randolph Center, VT

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

8/9: Grazing School, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA

8/9: The Family Cow and Making Home Dairy Products, Turkey Hill Farm, Randolph Ctr, VT

8/10: Maine Grass Farmers Network Pasture Walk, Woodland, ME

8/12: Balancing High Dairy Production with Creative Forage Crops, Howacres Farm, Tunbridge, VT

8/16: Grow Your Own Organic Garden, Maplewood Natural Organics, Highgate, VT

8/17: Cooking with the 10 Best Herbs, Manchester Village, VT

8/18: Small Scale Dairies and Alternative Forages, Greenfield, MA

8/19: NOFA 4th Annual Organic Lawn and Turf Course, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA

8/23: Hot Water with the Sun, 21st Century Foods, Jamaica Plain, MA

8/24: International Kitchen Garden Day, your garden, your community

8/24: How to Build and Use Your Own Oven, Wellspring Farm, Marshfield, VT

8/24: Yoga for Farmers and Gardners, Green River Yoga, Greenfield, MA

8/27: Holistic Planned Grazing in Action for Commercial Farmers, Maplewood Natural Organics, Highgate, VT

8/30: Pollination Gardens to Attract Bees, Honey Gardens Apiaries, Ferrisburgh, VT

9/6: Plant yer own patch! Pennsylvania (various locations)

9/6: Growing Herbs - Making Medicines, Anjali Farm, S. Londonderry, VT

9/10: Commercial Organic Dairy Grazing and Animal Health Management, Taconic End Farm, Leicester, VT

9/10: Cover Crop Trials for Soil Improvements, Brattleboro Extension Office, Brattleboro, VT

9/11: Organic Dairy Grazing for Commercial Farmers, Maple Lane Farm, Cabot, VT

9/13: Hands On Stonewall Building, Holy Goat Farm, Williston, VT

9/14: Store the Harvest, Meadowland Farm, Hinesburg, VT

9/17: Seed Saving Basics, High Mowing Seeds Trial Gardens, Wolcott, VT

9/19-21: Common Ground Fair, Unity, ME

9/19-21; PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival, Kempton, PA

9/21: MCCE Agriculture Center, Morrisville, NY

9/22: Soil Fertility and Organic Fertilizers for Commercial Growers, Luna Bleu Farm, South Royalton, VT

9/26: Northeast Animal Power Field Days, Tunbridge Fair Grounds, Tunbridge, VT

9/27: Putting Food By, Many Hands Organic Farm, Barre, MA

9/28: Creating School Gardens and Composting Systems, Hubbardston Center School, Hubbardston, MA

10/5: Mother Earth Harvest Fair, Glenrock, PA

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

Plant Education Coordinator, Food Bank For New York City, New York, NY 

Development Assistant, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY

Agricultural Land Protection Manager, Columbia Land Conservancy, Chatham, NY

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

Northeast SARE Farmer Grant

Pennsylvania Agricultural & Rural Youth Grant

Rhode Island Specialty Crop Grants

 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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One Burger with a Champagne Chaser, Hold the Guilt

Although we all eat every day, it's still a rare day when food and agriculture topics find their way onto the opinion pages of the New York Times and it has never happened (to my knowledge) that the two main staff columnists for a given day have both chosen to write about food...until yesterday, that is. Yesterday's columns by Nicolas Kristof and Roger Cohen cover topics that at first glance may seem to have little to do with the Northeast: farm animal rights and Champagne.  Our region is home to very few large-scale intensive animal farms and even fewer bubbly wine operations compared to other parts of the country.  However, read through the lens of "uniqueness" - a quality our region certainly has - the two articles offer food for thought about the efforts Northeast producers are making or should be making to differentiate themselves from the rest of the country and the world.  How well do we stand up to other areas in terms of the recognition and protection of animal rights?  How good of a job are we doing to resist the homogenization and "banalization" pressures that globalization applies to certain agricultural products like Champagne?  Read the columns here http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/opinion/31kristof.html and here http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/opinion/31cohen.html and see what thoughts they evoke.  If you feel so moved as to want to strike up a discussion, the forum area at NEFOOD.org is a good place for that: http://www.nefood.org/ .

 

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NEWS

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China's Shift on Food Was Key to Trade Impasse
(New York Times) - Some blamed soybeans. Others blamed cotton. And many pointed a finger at America's election-year politics. But the collapse of negotiations to open world markets gave way Wednesday to resignation that a shift in the global economic hierarchy had darkened the prospect any time soon of a new accord to further open markets. "This is simply too complex," the director general of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, said of the multidimensional game of chess that finally ended in stalemate. The negotiations foundered on the right of India and other developing countries to protect critical agricultural products from competition in exchange for cutting tariffs on imported industrial goods. China and India have seldom shared the same views on free trade in recent years, but they were on the same side when the talks collapsed here on Tuesday because China made an abrupt about-face, signaling it may have leavened its interest in free trade with concerns about food security. At the same time, the United States, which often made concessions to lubricate previous deals, refused to make one now. Full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/business/worldbusiness/31trade.html

 

New Hampshire Study seeks to define rural areas

(New Hampshire Business Review) - Coos County in New Hampshire and the Pacific Northwest are hundreds of miles apart geographically, but economically they are much more comparable than one might think, says a new report released by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. In its study, "Place Matters: Challenges and Opportunities in Four Rural Americas," Carsey researchers have identified not just one, but four broad categories of economies faced by rural areas across the country. Based on a survey of more than 7,800 respondents from 19 rural counties in the Northwest, Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta and New England, researchers have defined four categories of rural places. Full article here: http://nhbr.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080729/NEWS06/467519105/-1/NEWS

Inner-City Farms
(Time) - Farm aid, the annual concert dedicated to raising funds for the American family farmer, has been held in such agricultural strongholds as Manor, Texas, and Ames, Iowa. But the most recent venue, the distinctly nonrural borough of Manhattan, is not as incongruous as it seems. With its estimated 600 small-scale farms (which are often large-scale vegetable gardens), New York City is part of an urban agricultural boom in the U.S., where rising food and fuel prices are making city farming seem less and less outlandish. In July volunteers began transforming the front lawns of San Francisco's city hall into the first edible offerings on that site since 1943, when civilians across the country were encouraged to aid the war effort by growing victory gardens. Full article here: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1826271,00.html

New England farms blossom in cheese renaissance
(Reuters) - Standing in a 144-year-old Vermont dairy farm making goat's milk Romano cheese in a 150-gallon (682-liter) stainless-steel mixer, Peter Dixon is at the heart of a revolution in American cheesemaking. The 50-year-old dairy farmer is monitoring the stirring of the milk, which gets heated and mixed with a starter to separate the curd from the whey. Eventually molded into 20-pound (9 kg) wheels, the piquant product will command $22 a pound (0.5 kg) in high-end food shops and farmer's markets. "I like to bring out the real character of the milk, rather than add a lot of cultures," explained Dixon, who will scrub the cheese periodically with salt water to help its flavor along as it ages three to four months in a cave-like room. The Consider Bardwell farm is one of a growing number of small-scale farms in Vermont and across the country that are meeting demand for high-end farmstead cheese, a business model some find far more profitable than selling commodity milk. Full article here: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0931079520080724

Frequent Family Meals Might Reduce Teen Substance Use
(ScienceDaily) - Parents who have regular meals with their adolescent children might help lessen the chances they will start drinking or smoking later in their teen years, according to new research.  Past studies have shown that family meals provide many benefits, including offering a venue for parents to communicate with their adolescents about their daily activities, as well as monitor their moods and whereabouts. In the new study, researchers noted benefits in families that ate five or more meals together each week, and found that about 60 percent of the participants did so. "Sixty percent having regular family meals is about what we would expect for middle school students," said lead author Marla Eisenberg of the Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine at the University of Minnesota. "The percentage is lower among high school students, who are more likely to have afterschool activities or more freedom to spend time away from home." Full article here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723192444.htm

Helping farmers find their niche
(Baltimore Sun) - The sight of a wooden table full of plump peaches, shiny red cherries and mounds of ripe blueberries at Harbin's farm stand in Ellicott City on Monday makes Kathy Zimmerman's efforts to turn people on to local produce seem easy. In fact, farmers are reporting increased traffic at farm stands, pick-your-own operations and farmers' markets this season, and organizations across the state are promoting a "Buy Local Challenge" this week to encourage the purchase of fresh, local food. But Zimmerman's role as the Howard County Economic Development Authority's agriculture marketing specialist still holds plenty of challenges as she helps farmers reach customers amid rapidly growing suburbs. "I want to educate the public and to help the farmers here continue to grow and diversify their businesses, to keep them economically viable," she said. Full article here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.zimmerman23jul23,0,1458238.story

 

 

 

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EVENTS 

 

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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  

 

Field Day and NOFAvore Celebration, Beidler Family Farm, Randolph Center, VT

Regina and Brent Beidler will discuss their diverse cropping and grazing system including their plantings of Japanese Millet and annuals for fall grazing. In addition, participants can look at some of the diverse crops being grown on the Beidler farm this year including: wheat, camelina, canola, potatoes, corn, and dried beans. Free and open to all. This will be followed by a mid-day NOFAvore Celebration for farmers, members, and friends. We invite you to join us for dinner featuring our Vermont Farmers' Fare pizza with local and organic cheeses, meats, and toppings, hot from our mobile, wood-fired oven. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3270

 

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  

 

8/9

Grazing School, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA

Beginning and experienced graziers who would like to learn about the tools and resources needed to develop grazing systems and how to improve animal growth or production through better pasture management are invited to attend a Grazing School held as part of the NOFA Summer Conference at UMass in Amherst on Saturday, August 9th. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3648  

 

8/9

The Family Cow and Making Home Dairy Products, Turkey Hill Farm, Randolph Ctr, VT

Have you ever thought of having a family cow? Then this workshop is for you! Farmers Stuart and Margaret Osha will share the many issues that arise in having a family cow, including milking schedules, equipment, breed types, health considerations, feed and land issues as well as marketing your milk. This workshop will also cover making homemade butter, ice cream, cheese, and more! For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3060  

 

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   

 

8/12

Balancing High Dairy Production with Creative Forage Crops, Howacres Farm, Tunbridge, VT

Kyle Thygesen will share his organic cropping system. Kyle manages to maximize land use and profits through diverse plantings, including annuals like forage kale, peas, and oats, along with sorghum-sudan and millet. Co-hosted with the VT Pasture Network at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture. for more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3274

 

8/16

Grow Your Own Organic Garden, Maplewood Natural Organics,Highgate, VT

Want to cut your food bill and become more self-sufficient, but unsure of how to start? Workshops on the basics of organic gardening will be held throughout Vermont this summer and will cover: an introduction to soil science, composting methods, nutrient management, cover cropping, weed control, insect and pest management, plus more. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3064

 

8/17

Cooking with the 10 Best Herbs, Manchester Village, VT

Learn to design an herb garden perfect for your cooking needs with Ellen Ogden, co-founder of The Cook's Garden seed catalogue and author of both The Cook's Garden and The Vermont Cheese Book. Together discuss garden design and then prepare soup, salad, bread, and a main course using 10 of the best culinary herbs. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3070

 

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

 

8/19

NOFA 4th Annual Organic Lawn and Turf Course, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA

This one-day, intensive course will provide state-of-the-art information for managing lawns and turf organically and is geared toward land care professionals, groundskeepers and municipalities who are responsible for the establishment and care of grass, as well as anyone interested in learning organic methods. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3385

 

8/23

Hot Water with the Sun, 21st Century Foods, Jamaica Plain, MA

Learn how to pre-heat your hot water using copper or plastic solar heaters. Save money, save polar bears, save the planet! For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3365

 

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   

 

How to Build and Use Your Own Oven, Wellspring Farm, Marshfield, VT

In 2007, NOFA-VT sponsored the construction of the beautiful earthen oven seen to the right at Wellspring Farm. That oven will serve as the prototype for this workshop. We will discuss site location and preparation, the use of earthen materials, planning and logistics for building, upkeep and maintenance, fuel considerations, and baking tools used in the finished oven. A very small-scale oven will be constructed during the workshop to demonstrate the general process of building with earth materials. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3078

 

Yoga for Farmers and Gardeners, Green River Yoga, Greenfield, MA

Learn how to move so farming and gardening doesn't hurt so much. Practice breathing, and relaxing stretches that can make your active life less painful and more complete. Make friends with your body! For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3369

 

8/27

Holistic Planned Grazing in Action for Commercial Farmers, Maplewood Natural Organics, Highgate, VT

Eric Noel will share his on the ground experience with Holistic Planned Grazing, a management system designed by Allan Savory. Eric will give an overview of his current and past grazing charts, results, and more. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3278

 

8/30

Pollination Gardens to Attract Bees, Honey Gardens Apiaries, Ferrisburgh, VT

Todd Hardie and Annie Watson of Honey Gardens Apiaries will discuss how to plant gardens that support bees. Assess your yard and garden to see what vegetables, flowers, "weeds," and trees you already grow that provide nectar and pollen. Make plans to encourage what's there and to add more next year, so honey bees and other pollinators will have food sources throughout the spring, summer, and fall. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3082

 

9/6

Plant yer own patch! Pennsylvania (various locations)

Interested in native plants? Enjoy spending time in the woods? Looking for a way to diversify income or help cover annual forestland ownership costs? Whether establishing a hobby "patch," or forest farming of "forest gold," taming the wild American ginseng is always a fascinating endeavor. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to one of Pennsylvania 's most valuable and challenging crops, American ginseng. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3391

 

Growing Herbs - Making Medicines, Anjali Farm, S. Londonderry, VT

The day begins with a farm tour and weed walk with Lini Mazumdar, owner of Lotus Moon Medicinals. Get your hands dirty digging roots and wildcrafting herbs. After lunch, you will learn different methods of storing, processing, and making medicines and other herbal products. Lini will also discuss starting and owning an herbal business. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3086

 

9/10

Commercial Organic Dairy Grazing and Animal Health Management, Taconic End Farm, Leicester, VT

Pasture walk and lunchtime discussion with Annie Claghorn of Taconic End Farm and Sarah Flack, NOFA-VT Farm Advisor, on health care treatments and prevention for an organic dairy herd including homeopathy, herbs, and other materials. Co-hosted with the VT Pasture Network at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3282

 

Cover Crop Trials for Soil Improvements, Brattleboro Extension Office, Brattleboro, VT

The Brattleboro UVM Extension office fields are home to a 3/4 acre demonstration of 20 different cover crop plots, which have been rotated with different species over the past 4 years. Come see how different clovers, vetch, sudax, millet, soybean, cowpea, and more unusual cover crops, like sesbania and crotolaria, have performed. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3114

 

9/11

Organic Dairy Grazing for Commercial Farmers, Maple Lane Farm, Cabot, VT

Pasture walk led by Paul Stecker of Maple Lane Farm and Willie Gibson, NOFA-VT Farm Advisor, with discussion on organic livestock management, healthcare, fly control, record keeping, grazing, forage quality, and more. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3286

 

9/13

Hands On Stonewall Building, Holy Goat Farm, Williston, VT

Brian Vaughan of Vaughan Landscaping will teach a hands-on workshop building a natural fieldstone wall. You will learn how to prepare the base, the drainage, and the backfill for a stone wall, as well as how to build the wall and the cap. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3090

 

9/14

Store the Harvest, Meadowland Farm, Hinesburg, VT

This hands-on workshop, led by Susan Johnson of Meadowland Farm, will walk participants through canning tomatoes and freezing vegetables. We will discuss how to choose vegetables that store, can, and freeze well. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3094

 

9/17

Seed Saving Basics, High Mowing Seeds Trial Gardens, Wolcott, VT

Tom Stearns and Katie Traube of High Mowing Seeds will discuss the basic principles and techniques of seed saving. The event takes place in the HMS Trial Gardens and will lend an opportunity to tour and discuss a number of crop types as well as some live demonstrations of extraction and cleaning. This workshop is directly followed by the High Mowing Seeds Summer Field Day. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3098

 

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/  

 

9/21

MCCE Agriculture Center, Morrisville, NY

CAE 2008 will be held Sunday, September 21 at the CCE Agriculture Center in Morrisville.

This event is held to support and promote our local farm community. The farm market and crafter vendors are a centerpiece to this event. Last year we attracted 47 participants including vendors and attractions. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:2642

 

9/22

Soil Fertility and Organic Fertilizers for Commercial Growers, Luna Bleu Farm, South Royalton, VT

Join the discussion about soil fertility and fertilizers on organic farms. Vern Grubinger of UVM Extension, and Wendy Sue Harper, NOFA-VT Vegetable and Fruit Technical Assistance Coordinator, will lead this session on OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved fertilizers and soil fertility on organic vegetable and berry farms. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3118

 

9/26

Northeast Animal Power Field Days, Tunbridge Fair Grounds, Tunbridge, VT

The Northeast Animal Power Field Days is a celebration of sustainable farming and renewable resources promoting conservation, stewardship, small farms, healthy forests, and the roles that they play in vital communities. This 3-day conference will feature working animal and equipment demonstrations in field and forest settings, workshops, exhibits, networking sessions, and an auction and swap meet on Sunday. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:2045

 

9/27

Putting Food By, Many Hands Organic Farm, Barre, MA

Visit a root cellar and learn to can, freeze, ferment, dry and lacto-ferment, jam, and wine various fruits and vegetables. Instructors will also discuss pork and chicken products and share their experience with season extension with hoop houses. Fore more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3373

 

9/28

Creating School Gardens and Composting Systems, Hubbardston Center School, Hubbardston, MA

The Hubbardston Center School's garden program was developed using grant money, and is student- maintained. Learn how a student-powered composting program that recycles cafeteria leftovers and schoolyard organic materials works. Learn how to start, run, fund and also curriculum lessons that use both the garden and the school composting system. for more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/event/show?id=2044592:Event:3377

 

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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Plant Education Coordinator, Food Bank For New York City, New York, NY 

The purpose of this position is to oversee the daily operation of and development of a gardening based nutrition education program including recruitment, training and formalization of the gardening/farming lessons. Working within a fast-paced environment, this position requires an individual with strong interest in nutrition and food poverty issues, the experience and willingness to work with diverse audiences and the ability to collaborate with partner schools and community based organizations. Last day to apply: September 2, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/297284-133

 

Development Assistant, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY

Stone Barns has an immediate opening for a full-time Development Assistant to be a key member of a small, vibrant department, organizing the flow of information in a multifaceted fundraising program. Supervised by the Development Director, the Development Assistant will work as part of a team and independently to deepen the organization's relationships with all donors and prospects and perform a range of duties in support of department goals. This is an excellent opportunity for to further learn and apply the fundamentals of comprehensive nonprofit fundraising. Last day to apply: August 31, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/301046-315

 

Agricultural Land Protection Manager, Columbia Land Conservancy, Chatham, NY

The Columbia Land Conservancy (located in Chatham, NY) seeks a land protection manager to assist with developing agricultural support initiatives and farmland protection projects. The Conservancy's current full-time land protection manager responsible for agricultural programs is becoming part-time, and this advertised position is for either a part-time/job share arrangement, or possibly a full-time position. Main job responsibilities will include coordinating with current Senior Land Protection Manager to initiate and complete farmland protection projects along with general outreach and assistance programs for the agricultural community, assisting with the Conservancy's general land protection programs including conservation easements and acquisitions, community outreach and special projects, and some project-related fundraising.Last day to apply: August 9, 2008  For more info, see:  http://www.idealist.org/en/job/297628-244

 

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

 

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  

 

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

 

Rhode Island Specialty Crop Grants

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management /Division of Agriculture announces the availability of Farm Viability grant funds for the purpose of Enhancing the Competitiveness of Specialty Crops grown in Rhode Island. Total available grant funds for this program are approximately $70,000; individual grant awards may not exceed $15,000. All Rhode Island Agricultural organizations or residents who are interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit grant proposals to the Rhode Island Division of Agriculture. Due date: August 31, 2008 For more info, see: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/agricult/pdf/fvg2008.pdf