FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

The First Vegetables

 

NEWS:

Subsidy debate weighs farmers vs. children

Tufts' Merrigan tapped for No. 2 slot at USDA

Organic milk boom in Maine going bust

Farm-to-plate bill looks to boost Vermont economy

Delaware losing 6,000 acres of its farmland a year

Farming rises on Cape, across Massachusetts

N.J. open space groups oppose bill backing green energy for farms

Pollution pinches Chesapeake crabs

New Jersey and Pennsylvania add farms, according to agriculture census

 

EVENTS:

3/4: Grow Food Everywhere, Keene, NH

3/5-7: Professional Farmers' Market Managers Training Workshops, Schenectady, NY

3/7: Rain Barrel Volunteer Training Workshop, Accokeek, MD

3/7: Energize Your Farm's Future, Dighton, MA

3/14: Spring Growth Conference: Growing Grains in Maine, Unity, ME

3/15-17: Inaugural Meeting of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Alexandria, VA

3/16: Local Grower Local Buyer Gathering, Philadelphia, PA

3/18: Growing a 21st Century Agricultural Revolution, Washington, DC

3/18: Seed starting workshop, Accokeek, MD

3/19: Eating Green, Garden City, NY

4/3-4: Farm to Table Conference, Pittsburgh, PA

4/18: Garden preparation workshop, Accokeek, MD

 

FARM BILL: ACT NOW:

3/16: Regional Equity

3/16: Environmental Quality Incentives Program

3/16: Wetlands Reserve Program

3/17: Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

3/17: Technical Service Provider Assistance

3/17: Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program

3/24: Grassland Reserve Program

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

Part Time Executive Director, Community Harvest Project, Grafton, MA

Organizational Coordinator, Gaining Ground, Concord, MA

Executive Director, NOFA New York, Cobleskill, NY

Gardening Program Assistant, Boston Natural Areas Network, Boston, MA

Major Gifts Coordinator, Sustainable Harvest International, Surry, ME

Assistant Director, Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick, MA

Membership Coordinator, FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement), Bethesda, MD

Multiple Job Openings, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA

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

Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant Program

Conservation Innovation Grants

Pride of New York Specialty Crop Cooperative Advertising

New York Community Garden Organization Capacity Building Grant Program

Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant Program

 

 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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Editor's note: I'm tooting my own horn on this one, but it's not every day that I get an article into a national newspaper.  Enjoy.

 

THE FIRST VEGETABLES

(Chicago Tribune) - In Jerzy Kosinski's novel and award-winning screenplay, "Being There," the U.S. president turns to a plain-spoken gardener named Chance for wisdom at a time of economic crisis. The insight Chance offers is as simple as it is reassuring: Growth has its seasons and, as long as the roots of growth are not severed, all will be well. President Barack Obama would be wise to add a gardener or farmer to his team of advisers. I already know what advice I'd offer if called to serve: Launch a new victory garden campaign starting with one on the White House lawn. Full article here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-perspec0301gardenmar01,0,7242582.story

 

 

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NEWS

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Subsidy debate weighs farmers vs. children

(Reuters) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Monday he has heard some concern from lawmakers about the Obama administration's plan to cut subsidy payments to large farmers, but says the nation's hungry children need the money more. "We will do our best to frame this discussion in that way, so that people understand: 30 million children, 90,000 farmers," Vilsack told Reuters. "It is a tough choice but it's a choice that folks are going to have to make," he said. President Barack Obama last week proposed phasing out direct payments to farmers with sales of more than $500,000 a year, to save $9.8 billion over 10 years. The administration would redirect the money to school lunch and other childhood nutrition programs to curb hunger and help end obesity. Obama has said he wants to end childhood hunger by 2015. Full article here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKN02398362

 

Tufts' Merrigan tapped for No. 2 slot at USDA

(Scientific American) - Pres. Obama has tapped Kathleen Merrigan, an academic and former congressional aide who helped write federal organic food-labeling rules, to be deputy agriculture secretary. The White House announced the pick yesterday, drawing cheers from food-safety advocates, who have pushed for more stringent labeling regs." Merrigan will bring an excellent perspective to a number of troublesome labeling issues now before the agency," Jean Halloran, Consumers Union's director of food policy initiatives, said in a statement. Among the matters that need to be addressed, she said: loopholes in the current "grass fed" standard, lack of uniformity in meat marketing claims, defining "raised without antibiotics" label claims, and weaknesses in the current definition of "naturally raised." Merrigan, 49, director of the agriculture, food and environment program at Tufts University, helped develop the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 as a staffer on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. The law created national standards for organic foods and a federal program to accredit them. From 1999 to 2001, Merrigan served as administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which oversees the agency's organic program. Full article here: http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=kathleen-merrigan-organic-foods-exp-2009-02-24

 

Organic milk boom in Maine going bust

(Bangor Daily News) - Too much supply and too little demand in a recession have caught up with the fast-growing organic milk industry, dealing a harsh blow to Maine producers. Dairy industry giant HP Hood recently told eight Maine organic dairy farms their milk contracts will not be renewed. In its next move, Hood notified most of the remaining 14 organic milk producers in the state under contract to the company that they must cut their production this year by 15 percent. There are 72 farms in Maine producing organic milk. Some sell in bulk to other processors such as Organic Valley and Ho-rizon Cooperative. The farms being dropped by Hood are in Aroostook and Washington counties only, an area courted heavily by Hood just three years ago, when the organic boom was at its peak. Full article here: http://www.bangornews.com/detail/100620.html

 

Farm-to-plate bill looks to boost Vermont economy

Three hundred farmers packed into the Statehouse on Feb. 17 for a legislative hearing on the future of agriculture before the Senate and House Agriculture Committees Tuesday night, and legislators listened. Farm and farm-related sectors in Vermont are responsible $503.3 million in total cash receipts each year, according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, and the agriculture industry and allied businesses account for roughly 17,000 jobs in the state. But a report released in December by the Council on the Future of Vermont found that the nature of agriculture in the state is changing as the number of small, non-dairy farms rises while the number of dairy farms declines. Last week's hearing came just days after Rep. Chris Bray, D-New Haven, introduced legislation designed to do exactly what many farmers at the hearing requested: promote strong local foods systems. Bray argued that better "farm-to-plate" food systems would circulate more money back into the hands of Vermont's farms. The issue is particularly important in Addison County, which accounts for 22 percent of all agricultural sales in Vermont. Full article here: http://www.addisonindependent.com/?q=node/1935

 

Delaware losing 6,000 acres of its farmland a year

(The News Journal) - Delaware farmland has disappeared at a rate of 6,000 acres a year for much of this decade, according to new government data. From 2002 to 2007, Delaware lost nearly 30,000 acres -- about 5.5 percent of its total farmland -- according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, a comprehensive look at the industry released every five years by the U.S. Department of Agricu-lture. Nationwide, the loss was 16.2 million acres, about 1.7 percent of total farmland. In spite of the diminishing acreage, Delaware's 2,546 farms produced more than $1 billion worth of products in 2007, up 75 percent from 2002, thanks largely to rising commodity prices.The second-smallest state was the nation's eighth-largest producer of broiler chickens, and Sussex County was the top broiler producer among 3,079 U.S. counties. Full article here:http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090219/DCP01/902190356

 

Farming rises on Cape, across Massachusetts

(Cape Cod Today) - Agriculture, organic farming and agritourism in Massachusetts all grew from 2002 to 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.But you don't have to tell Bill Snowden of Hawk's Wing Farm in Yarmouth Port that farming is on the upswing.Snowden, who created the farm three years ago at a former sand pit, has seen demand growing at Cape farmers' markets, slow food events featuring local offerings, and even in tourism drawn to Cape farms. A two-day event at the farm last August drew 150 visitors, who were allowed to camp out on the property. "We have way more demand than we have farms," Snowden said. Full article here: http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2009/02/23/farming-on-rise-on-cape-across-massachus?blog=53   

 

N.J. open space groups oppose bill backing green energy for farms

(The Star Ledger) - Farmers in New Jersey have long tried creative methods to stave off bankruptcy, and their latest push to harvest wind and sun for electricity is gathering steam with a boost from state lawmakers. The bill, which broadens the rights of farmers to install wind turbines and solar collection systems on their property, has been on a fast track to passage and could gain final approval in weeks. The New Jersey Farm Bureau loves it and has been arranging well-attended informational sessions with farmers to encourage them to install the new technology. But a provision of the proposed law extending similar rights to owners of preserved farms has angered major open-space groups. The issue is sensitive in a state that has spent billions of dollars on popular open-space programs designed to slow sprawling development in rural and wooded areas. The League of Municipalities also has voiced concern that the rush to renewable energy may go too far in limiting local officials' ability to regulate the new land use. The controversy has divided the environmental community and ensnared Gov. Jon Corzine's agriculture-secretary designee before he is even sworn in. But with President Obama, Corzine and others beating the drum on clean energy, the measure appears certain to pass. The bill (S1538/A2859) was approved Feb. 23 by the Senate by a 36-3 vote, and the Assembly passed an earlier version overwhelmingly in October. The Assembly must vote again because the bill was amended, but it is expected to do so in weeks. Full article here: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/nj_open_space_groups_oppose_bi.html

 

Pollution pinches Chesapeake crabs

(The Tribune-Democrat) -  A century of water pollution killed native trout in the streams of northern Cambria and Clearfield counties. That same pollution also has contributed to the decline of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. That's how what happens here threatens the nation's largest estuary - the bay that brings salt water in from the Atlantic Ocean, while carrying fresh water from the Susquehanna River, which is fed by polluted waters from Cambria County. That's also one factor - just one - that is blamed by Virginia and Maryland for a growing threat to the fishing industry. The blue crab population is at an all-time low, and two factors are to blame: Pollution and overfishing. There are six sub-basins of the 444-mile Susquehanna that feed the bay. Acid-mine drainage is blamed for pollution from this region, while farm runoff is the main culprit to the east. There is less crab food, less crab habitat and too much catching of fish the crabs feed on. Full article here: http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_059234213.html

 

New Jersey and Pennsylvania add farms, according to agriculture census

(Express-Times) - New Jersey may be the most densely populated state in the United States, but that hasn't prevented the Garden State from adding farms at an impressive rate. In the five-year period ending in 2007, Warren County added 119 farms and Hunterdon County another 109. While Pennsylvania gained more than 5,000 farms in this period, Northampton County had a net loss of one farm and Lehigh County lost 102, according to a census by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Agriculture is a business and there's a market for local-grown products," said Win Cowgill, a Hunterdon agricultural agent. "There are a lot of people that want to buy local when they can get local." Many of the newer farms in Warren and Hunterdon counties are small operations, according to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Full article here: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/today/index.ssf/2009/02/new_jersey_and_pennsylvania_ex.html   

 

 

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EVENTS 

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3/4

Grow Food Everywhere, Keene, NH

Do you want to experience the many ways schools can strengthen their connection to local food and farms? Join us to explore specific strategies of how our schools can: cultivate food, learning, and community through the development of school gardening programs, build their curriculum around growing local food, and unite the community around local farming. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/grow-food-everywhere

 

3/5-7

Professional Farmers' Market Managers Training Workshops, Schenectady, NY

Farmers' Market Federation of New York presents this training opportunity for market managers, with sessions on event planning, maintaining market integrity, and more. For more info, see: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/workshops.htm

 

3/7

Rain Barrel Volunteer Training Workshop, Accokeek, MD

Volunteers will be trained in the construction of rain barrels and leading rain barrel workshops. Volunteers will be able to conduct workshops and educate homeowners about water conservation, use and care of rain barrels.For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/rain-barrel-volunteer-training

 

3/7

Energize Your Farm's Future, Dighton, MA

This one-day conference and resource fair offers workshops on farm energy, farm transfer, season extension, grassfed poultry and meats, and pest management. For more info, see: http://www.farmfresh.org/learn/events.php?year=2009&month=3#294

 

3/14

Spring Growth Conference: Growing Grains in Maine, Unity, ME

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners presents a full day of presentations and discussions for home-scale and commercial growers, addressing varieties, fertility, harvesting and storage, and seed saving. Keynote speakers are Klaas & Mary-Howell Martens of Lakeview Organic Grain. For more info, see: http://www.mofga.org/Programs/Events/SpringGrowthConference/tabid/190/Default.aspx

 

3/15-17

Inaugural Meeting of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Alexandria, VA
The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture have merged to form the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).  In mid-March, NSAC members and partners will be meeting in the DC area to set the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's policy priorities for 2009, strategize farm bill implementation and appropriations work, visit with key legislators and new staff at the Department of Agriculture, and sharpen policy advocacy and media skills.  For more info, see: https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=29988

 

3/16

Local Grower Local Buyer Gathering, Philadelphia, PA

This sixth annual industry-only event brings together local farmers/food producers with Philadelphia chefs, store owners and institutional buyers. The Gathering is a chance for farmers and wholesale buyers to meet and to make business connections face-to-face just before the growing season gets started. For more info, see: http://www.whitedogcafefoundation.org/events.html

 

3/18

Growing a 21st Century Agricultural Revolution, Washington, DC

This food and agriculture summit is being convened by the Sustainable Food Lab, SAI Platform and the Keystone Center's Farm to Market Initiative. For more info, see: http://www.sustainablefoodlab.org/calendar/

 

3/18

Seed starting workshop, Accokeek, MD

Why buy transplants when you can grow your plants from seeds? This class will provide you with the information you will need to grow your own seedlings and get a jump on the growing season. You will learn how to select the seeds, materials, and methods that will work best for you. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/seed-starting

 

3/19

Eating Green, Garden City, NY

The third in a series of vegetarian cooking classes. This class "The Gluten Free, Dairy Free Challenge" is designed to address food allergies and the changes one needs to make in their diet. We will explore the wonderful options that exist, while creating delicious, healthy vegetarian meals. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/eating-green-with-bhavani-2

 

4/3-4

Farm to Table Conference, Pittsburgh, PA

This event, "Farm to Table: Keep it Real, Keep it Local," will include a farmers' market, health expo, cooking demonstrations, presentations, speakers and exhibits about eating local, and a local food tasting event. For more info, see: http://www.pathwayswellnessprogram.com/farm_to_table_conference.html

 

4/18

Garden Preparation, Accokeek, MD

This class will teach you how to prepare your garden site, create successful planting beds, and put those seeds and plants in the ground. You will also learn how to set up your garden to accommodate the plants as they grow throughout the season. For more info, see: http://www.nefood.org/events/garden-preparation

 

 

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FARM BILL: ACT NOW

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3/16: Regional Equity: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-3

3/16: Environmental Quality Incentives Program: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-1

3/16: Wetlands Reserve Program: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-2

3/17: Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-farm

3/17: Technical Service Provider Assistance: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-4

3/17: Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-5

3/24: Grassland Reserve Program: http://www.nefood.org/events/public-comment-deadline-6

 

 

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OPPORTUNITIES

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Part Time Executive Director, Community Harvest Project, Grafton, MA

This is an opportunity to work with an established grassroots organization to help it reach the next level. The Executive Director is the principal staff executive of Community Harvest Project, Inc. (CHP) and reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for carrying out the organization's strategic plan and the policies and goals approved by its board. Last day to apply: March 13, 2009  For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/328608-244/c

 

Organizational Coordinator, Gaining Ground, Concord, MA

Organizational Coordinator needed to run our non-profit office, manage finances and fundraising, and help our community. Gaining Ground grows and distributes organic for hunger relief with the help of volunteers of all ages and abilities who work and learn in our gardens. Last day to apply: April 15, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/327997-209/c

 

Executive Director, NOFA New York, Cobleskill, NY

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is seeking a committed and dynamic Executive Director to build on its twenty five year history of promoting organic and sustainable agriculture throughout the state of New York; this person will lead an expanding organization into the next phase of education and advocacy for New York state farmers, gardeners, and consumers. Last day to apply: March 15, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/326328-216/c

 

Gardening Program Assistant, Boston Natural Areas Network, Boston, MA

BNAN is a 30 year old urban environmental non profit working to preserve, protect and expand open space in Boston. Working collaboratively with community, public agencies, and non profits, BNAN combines the environment with cultural and social issues. BNAN offers a wide range of educational, recreational and cultural programs to build constituencies for Greenways. Last day to apply: March 13, 2009  For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/326175-172/c

           

Major Gifts Coordinator, Sustainable Harvest International, Surry, ME

Sustainable Harvest International seeks a new full time staff member to coordinate its major gift fundraising efforts. The successful candidate will implement SHI's fundraising plan by working closely with the President, other members of the staff, Board members and volunteers on building relationships with and soliciting major gifts from individual supporters. Last day to apply: March 22, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/325323-16/c

 

Assistant Director, Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick, MA

The Natick Community Organic Farm, located in Natick, Massachusetts, is a 30 year old, non-profit, certified organic farm providing productive open space, farm products, and hands-on education for all ages, year-round. NCOF is now searching for a year - round community farmer, a critical position to the day-to-day operations of the Farm. This person must be willing to both farm and work with the public on a daily basis. They must have a two to four year degree or equivalent work experience in agriculture, and be proficient in at least several, if not all, of the aspects of this diversified farm  Last day to apply: March 16, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/324735-28/c

 

Membership Coordinator, FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement), Bethesda, MD

Mid-level position responsible for communicating with and cultivating members and donors. The position involves maintaining the members database in MS Access, preparing direct mail appeals, and personalized outreach by letter, phone and e-mail.Last day to apply: March 15, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/324678-201/c

 

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

The purpose of the Department of Agriculture's Farm Reinvestment Grant Program Program (FRG) is to insure the viability of agriculture in Connecticut. By providing money for capital enhancement to farms, it is the department'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 the 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, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=398988

 

Conservation Innovation Grants

NRCS requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2009 will be approximately $20 million. Funds will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. There are four CIG categories available in FY 2009: Natural Resource Concerns Category, Technology Category, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category, and Grant Leveraging Category.Due date: March 2, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=J9xR5GymnvZ6Njbsgfh3K8hy6DT0d8vvF8chDGvWh2n28LPsJqhK!1169085978?oppId=44803&flag2006=false&mode=VIEW

 

Pride of New York Specialty Crop Cooperative Advertising

Pride of New York is offering its members an expanded cooperative advertising program for specialty crops, to now include television and radio as well as cooperative funding for print, point of purchase and promotional items. Cooperative funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Reimbursements of up to $5,000 per member are offered for qualifying advertising. For more info, see:

http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html

 

New York Community Garden Organization Capacity Building Grant Program

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invites applications for financial assistance to strengthen existing community garden organizations and support local garden coalitions. Each applicant may apply for and receive up to $5,000. These small, flexible grants can be used for capacity building efforts such as leadership development and organizational planning, membership recruitment activities, and strengthening a community garden's role within its neighborhood. There is a total of $50,000 available state-wide for the program. Due date: May 4, 2009 For more info, see: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html

 

Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant Program

The purpose of the Department of Agriculture's Farm Reinvestment Grant Program Program (FRG) is to insure the viability of agriculture in Connecticut. By providing money for capital enhancement to farms, it is the department'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 the 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, 2009  For more info, see: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=398988