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DIGEST
The Electronic
ATTRA Newsletter
June 1998
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Appropriate
Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) CONTENTS: Congressional subcommittees eye budgets for sustainable ag programs During the week of June 8, Senate and House agriculture appropriations
subcommittees recommended level or reduced federal funding for FY99 for
several USDA sustainable agriculture programs. Though action is still pending from full appropriations committees at
press time, both subcommittees recommended $1.3 million for ATTRA. This
represents a reduction from the President’s and USDA’s budgets, which recommended
$2 million for the program, but is equal to its FY98 funding. Level funding vs increasing demand "We are very disappointed that key programs in sustainable agriculture,
including ATTRA, did not receive support from the subcommittees for the
increased funding that USDA recommended," said Teresa Maurer, ATTRA
Project Manager. " I am pleased that both subcommittees recommended
continued funding, but the reductions and level funding means that ATTRA
and USDA’s sustainable agriculture programs are less able to meet greatly
increased interest from farmers, educators and researchers." The Fund for Rural America was cut entirely for FY99, despite the $100
million recommended by USDA. SARE received $2M less than USDA proposed,
with the result that the SARE research program and SARE-PDP (Professional
Development Program) were funded at $8M and $3.3M, respectively, the same
as FY98. The Conservation Farm Option (CFO) was cut to $0 in Senate subcommittee
action, but recommended at USDA’s proposed level $25M by House subcommittee.
EQIP also received differing recommendations from the subcommittees, at
$176M and $200M, well below USDA’s recommendation for $300M. One program, the Direct Farm Operating Loan program in Farm Services Administration
(FSA) was sustained at the $500M level recommended by USDA and the President’s
budget on the House side, and given an increase to $560M on the Senate side. The agriculture appropriations process is moving extremely rapidly, and
information is changing almost daily. ATTRA joins 200,000 others, responds to National Organic Program proposals ATTRA in April joined more than 200,000 individuals and organizations
filing responses to the National Organic Program (NOP) Proposed Rule. In
its response, ATTRA urged the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
to adhere to the directives of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990
(OFPA) and re-write the Rule according to recommendations of the National
Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Responding to the landmark number of protests, Secretary of Agriculture
Dan Glickman said USDA would issue a revised proposal later this year. He
said the new proposal would not contain three items which garnered the fiercest
protest from people genetically engineered food, irradiated food
and food grown in municipal sewage sludge. Glickman comments "If organic farmers and consumers reject our national standards,
we have failed," Glickman said. "Our task is to stimulate the
growth of organic agriculture, ensure that consumers have confidence in
the products that bear the organic label, and develop export markets for
this growing industry." The avalanche of protests began last December when the USDA Proposed Rule
was issued. People were given until May 1 to express their opinion via faxes,
email and snail-mail, and a series of USDA hearings across the U.S. In Washington, 31 Senators and 48 members of the House of Representatives
also signed letters urging USDA to return to the drawing board to redraft
the Rule. In its response, ATTRA stated that, "The proposed rule, which permits
use of now prohibited inputs and technologies, falls well below the expectations
of consumers and producers. It fails further by restraining certifiers from
electing to prohibit any such inputs and technologies if they are approved
under the national standards." The ATTRA response cited a host of unacceptable technologies in the USDA
proposal, ranging from irradiation of organic foods for postharvest preservation
to excessive allowance of confinement livestock production. It conjectured
that the proposal would not only damage the credibility of organic agriculture
in the U.S., but undermine the marketability of American organic products
overseas and increase demand for imported organic products in the U.S. Organic Foods Production Act The USDA became involved with writing a national organic rule as a result
of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The current 33 private and
11 state organic certification agencies through the organic industry
trade association had unsuccessfully attempted to establish a national
voluntary organic certification program. The agencies petitioned Congress
to establish a mandatory national organic program. Enacting the OFPA in
1990, Congress in 1992 created the 14-member NOSB to write the Rule. NOSB,
consisting of organic farmers, retailers, environmentalists, conservationists
and representatives of consumer and public interest groups, presented its
draft of the Rule last year. Public comments are expected to be posted at the National Organic Program’s
website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. Campaign for Sustainable Ag: 5 recommendations on NOP rule Members of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture have issued
five recommendations to Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman on the National
Organic Program (NOP) Proposed Rule. They are: Farmer’s Bookshelf: "Linking People, Purpose & Place": New CSAS
handbook "Linking People, Purpose, and Place: An Ecosystem Approach to Agriculture"
a 266-page handbook by the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems
at the University of Nebraska addresses the components of a trinity
whose disintegration has led to many of our current problems in agriculture
and whose reintegration offers a path toward a truly sustainable agriculture.
Edited by Heidi Carter, Richard Olson and Charles Francis, the handbook
is Volume 7 in the university's series of Extension and Education Materials
for Sustainable Agriculture and contains materials from the North Central
SARE Professional Development Program workshops held in the summer of 1997.
Agriculture's a place The handbook relates how in an era of increasing globalization of food
systems and dominance by multinational corporations, we often forget that
the purpose of agriculture is to feed and clothe people while protecting
the environment, and that agriculture ultimately is pursued in a particular
place. The place is a landscape or region with a unique combination of soils,
climate, farming systems, people, infrastructure, and social organization.
Together they form an agroecosystem or agroecoregion. By recognizing and
working with the structures and processes that confer sustainability on
the ecosystems that underlie our farming systems, we can effectively match
our purpose to each place to achieve a lasting agriculture. To farm and live sustainably requires that each of us be receptive to
the lessons that nature teaches and share these lessons with others. To order, send a check for $10 payable to the University of Nebraska
for (note it is for Volume 7) to Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems,
University of Nebraska, PO Box 830949, Lincoln, NE 68583-0949. (Price includes
s&h in U.S.) For questions, contact the CSAS office, 402-472-2056, csas003@unlvm.unl.edu. Information about other volumes in the series can be found at http://ianrwww.unl.edu/ianr/csas/vol1-5.htm MAC debuts Extension links page The Missouri Alternatives Center (MAC), located at the University of MissouriColumbia,
has developed a new links page to Extension information on alternatives
in agriculture. MAC Project Manager Debi Kelly says web visitors may click on "Extension
Information on Alternatives" and then click on appropriate alphabetical
letters for information on such topics as ginseng, hydroponics or community
supported agriculture. Kelly has requested that people with additional Extension
guidesheets or links on such alternative ag topics contact her at: Missouri
Alternatives Center, 628 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, 573-882-1905, kellyd@ext.missouri.edu. The Internet address is: http://www.ext.missouri.edu/agebb/mac. There’s a new NE SARE homepage The Northeast Region SARE has a new website which features reports on SARE/ACE
regional projects, 1998 calls for proposals, archives of the region's newsletter,
Innovations, and links to other sustainable farming websites. Visit:
http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/. Jill Shore Auburn is new SARE director Dr. Jill Shore Auburn has been named new director of the USDA’s Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Auburn is a well-known figure in sustainable agriculture circles. Prior
to accepting the SARE directorship, she served as associate director of
the University of California SARE Program (SAREP) and since 1994 has been
regional training coordinator for USDA’s Professional Development Program
(PDP) in the Western Region. Chairing the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) Management Committee
from 1991 to 1995, Auburn helped to launch the sanet-mg listserv which now
has more than 1000 subscribers across the U.S People may contact her at: Project Manager’s Notebook: In CSARE, tough policy issues addressed By Teresa Maurer Over the last few months, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of learning
more about the Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
(CSARE), by serving as a member of its Governing Council, which includes
farmers, extensionists, researchers and policy activists from across the
U.S. In May, I participated in a Washington, DC meeting of the Research
Policy Task Force, and had a chance to meet and work face to face with CSARE
members whose names, accomplishments, voices and emails I knew, but never
had met. I was reinforced in my opinion that CSARE represents a unique national
effort, and thought I’d spend this column telling you a little about the
group. Launched in 1993 CSARE was initiated in 1993 by the Center for Rural Affairs with the guidance
and support of a diverse steering committee, who felt that it was important
for research scientists, farmers and extensionists to be able to have more
effective ways to join together in changing institutional and federal policies.
With support from the Center, Kellogg Foundation, SARE-PDP, and modest
membership dues, CSARE has thrived and grown, and tackled: USDA research
priority setting, public accountability, rewards structures, farmer-researcher
networking and other issues that promote/prevent research, extension and
collaboration in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Outstanding newsletter One of the most useful resources I’ve found as an outcome of CSARE’s work,
is their wonderful newsletter, "Inquiries in Action: Learning Partnerships
for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Communities". It is well edited and
features diverse, very timely articles from farmers, researchers, nonprofit
activists, extensionists, and consultants. From the mountain of mail I get at work and at home each month, it is
one of several that I read as soon as it comes! I’ll use my last few column
words to encourage those of you feeling discouraged about the potential
for change in the fields, pastures, agency offices, labs legislative hallways
and academia, to find out more about CSARE by calling 1-608-265-6483. ATTRA staff in Southern SARE project aid farm enterprise development Several ATTRA specialists will participate in a Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education (SARE) project to accelerate farmer-driven, value-added
enterprise development for sustainably produced farm products in the Southern
region. ATTRA will maintain an information bank generated during the project
and disseminate project information to U.S. farmers, agricultural information
providers, farm cooperatives, researchers and educators. Three-year project Coordinated by Keith Richards, marketing coordinator for the Southern
Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) and editor of Southern
Sustainable Farming, the three-year project from this summer through
2001, will identify both the keys and barriers to the successful development
and marketing of farmer-driven, value-added products by conducting a survey
of current farm-based enterprises producing and marketing value added agricultural
products; create an information bank of programs, services, facilities,
and other business and entrepreneurial resources available to support these
enterprises; and create a model incubator service to help hatch or expand
businesses that add value to sustainably produced farm products. Other project partners include SSAWG and the Sustainable Food Center in
Austin, TX. Project participants Participants will include Ben Burkett, owner-operator of B & B Farms,
Petal, MS, and marketing specialist with Mississippi Association of Cooperatives;
Dr. Barry Colley, President of Delta Integrated Business Enterprise Services
and co-owner of God’s Little Acre Greenhouse at Forrest City, AR; Dr. Robert
Jenkins, co-owner of Highland View Orchard and professor of Fruit &
Vegetable Marketing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Keith Jones, president,
Keith Jones and Associates, Buda, TX, an agricultural economist; Marty Mesh,
executive director of Florida Organic Growers and Consumers, Gainesville,
FL, and co-owner of Bellevue Gardens Organic Farm; Martin Richards, owner-operator
of Eartheart Farm, Versailles, KY, and board member of the Organic Kentucky
Producers Association, Community Farm Alliance, and the Federal Kentucky
Agricultural Development Association; Michael Sligh, Sustainable Agriculture
Program Director of Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA; Gus
Townes, director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Rural Training
Center, Epes, AL; and Hollis Watkins, president of Southern Echo, Jackson,
MS, and owner-operator of Watkins Farm. ATTRA/EPA project targets whole farm nutrient planning Two ATTRA technical specialists will use an Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) grant to help farmers and educators in northwest Arkansas learn how
to develop and implement whole farm nutrient management planning to benefit
water quality and watersheds. Though the project will have a local focus,
it will generate information used on a national basis by ATTRA staff members. During the one-year project from summer, 1998 through spring, 1999, ATTRA
staffers Ann Wells and Ron Morrow will lead a collaborative
learning process with the area’s farmers, Extension and NCRS personnel,
agribusinesses, conservation groups and farm educators aimed at improving
water quality and better protecting watersheds. Northwest Arkansas, located
in the Ozark foothills, is heavily involved with production of broilers
and beef. Study circles, master grazers program Under the project, a learning community will be established
through the use of study circles and a master grazers program, which will
help farmers to train other farmers. The EPA "Learning Community" project will provide
further technical support to another project launched by Wells and Morrow
the Northwest Arkansas Grassroots Grazing Group. The Grazing Group
is an educational and networking organization dedicated to encouraging better
forage production and utilization through emphasis on grazing management
and proper nutrient utilization. Southern PDP leadership to visit ATTRA State Coordinators and members of the Leadership Committee of the Southern
Region Professional Development Program (PDP) plan to visit ATTRA while
attending meetings at Fayetteville, AR, from Oct. 7-10. ATTRA is located
at the University of Arkansas campus there. The meeting will mark the first occasion that the Southern Leadership
Committee and State Coordinators have assembled jointly. The Extension Sustainable
Agriculture Coordinators meet annually to discuss how the regional PDP supports
their state plans for sustainable agriculture training, to suggest ways
the PDP could be improved, and to share success stories and problems with
each other. The Leadership Committee meets twice a year as the principle decision-making
group on issues of PDP design and implementation. The Leadership Committee
at the October meeting will also review this year’s PDP preproposals and
select new Leadership Committee members to replace rotating members. Who's calling ATTRA? A database search of ATTRA files shows that 70% of the total 10,616 requests
for sustainable ag information during the period of January through May
of 1998 came from farmers. Farmer requests totaled 7,373, with the most
calls coming from "diversified," vegetable, beef and fruit operations.
The remainder of the requests came from Extension personnel, agribusinesses,
university researchers, other agricultural groups and assorted organizations. Today’s Quote "We are encouraged by your commitment to 'fundamental changes' in the proposed
regulation, and by your historic recognition that USDA's task is to 'stimulate
the growth of organic agriculture'. A clear road map to these goals has
been provided by the public comments and the work of the NOSB, and your
statement marks the first stride in the right direction....We stand willing
to assist the Department in achieving these purposes."
P.O. BOX
3657
FAYETTEVILLE,
AR 72702
PHONE:
1-800-346-9140 --- FAX: (501) 442-9842
Congressional subcommittees eye budgets for sustainable
ag programs
ATTRA joins 200,000 others, responds to NOP proposals
Campaign for Sustainable Ag: 5 recommendations on NOP
rule
"Linking People, Purpose & Place": New CSAS handbook
MAC debuts Extension links page
There’s a new NE SARE homepage
Jill Shore Auburn is new SARE director
Project Manager’s Notebook: In CSARE, tough policy issues
addressed
ATTRA staff in Southern SARE project aid farm enterprise
development
ATTRA/EPA project targets whole farm nutrient planning
Southern PDP leadership to visit ATTRA
Who's calling ATTRA?
Today’s Quote
Dr. Jill Shore Auburn
Office of Sustainable
Agricultural Programs
USDA-CSREES
1400 Independence Ave.
Ag Box 2223
Washington, DC 20250-2223
Phone: 202/720-5203
Fax: 202/720-6071
Email: jsauburn@reeusda.gov
ATTRA Project Manager
-- Letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman concerning USDA's
National Organic Program (NOP) Proposed Rule, from the National Campaign
for Sustainable Agriculture, consisting of more than 200 sustainable farming
organizations (including ATTRA), May, 1998.
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