Weekly Harvest Newsletter

Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - June 9, 2004

Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site.

News & Resources
* Essay Examines Impacts of Drought and Development on Western Ag
* Newspaper Series Examines Wide-Ranging Effects of Biotech Crops
* New Organic Association Forms in Montana
* CSA and Produce Marketing Publications Online
* Asparagus Festival Celebrates Local Food
* Publication on Improving Whole Farm Planning Available

Funding Opportunities
* Kellogg Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural America
* USAID Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
* USDA Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas

Coming Events
* Organic Vegetables and Open-pollinated Corn Training
* From Farm to Family: Linking Landscape Use to Public Health Workshop
* Field Course in Organic Management

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News & Resources

Essay Examines Impacts of Drought and Development on Western Ag
Headwaters News features an essay by Gary Nabhan who sees connections among the ongoing western drought, the rapid loss of agricultural lands and the undermining of local food security. Nabhan, of the Center for Sustainable Environments, cites a recent survey of Arizonans that found that while less than a third of the urbanites in metro Phoenix and Tucson felt their consumption patterns had been affected in any way by the drought, more than two-thirds of rural residents had already suffered impacts on their economic and food security. Since the onset of the drought in the mid-1990s, the number of farms and ranches lost to to condos, retirement homes, malls and golf courses in Arizona has increased from 82 to 100 a year. "Ironically, there are ample indications that while farmers are adopting water-conserving practices that have cut their per-acre use by one-fifth over the past quarter-century, per capita urban use in Western cities has increased by one-quarter over the same period." At the same time, Nabhan cites evidence that Arizona consumers show a strong preference for locally produced food. "It is time that water-conscious consumers and environmentalists help farmers and ranchers stay on the land through this era of record drought, rather than standing by passively while land developers further diminish our region's chances to have a sustainable food future," he writes.
URL: http://www.headwatersnews.org/p.nabhan052604.html

Newspaper Series Examines Wide-Ranging Effects of Biotech Crops
The Sacramento Bee features a five-part series based on eight months of research on the hope, hype, and hazards surrounding genetically modified crops. The series, titled "Seeds of Doubt," ranges from the deserts of Mali and mountains of Mexico to the labs of UC Davis and beyond. "What we found was propaganda where there should be probing; superficial talk where there should be deeper truths," wrote the series editor.
URL: http://www.sacbee.com/static/live/news/projects/biotech/

New Organic Association Forms in Montana
A group of Montana's organic agriculture and food industry leaders have announced the launch of the Montana Organic Association (MOA). Formed as a nonprofit membership organization, MOA represents organic producers, processors, handlers, and retailers. In addition, MOA welcomes providers of organic research, education and technical assistance. Organic is the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture, which has enjoyed a decade-long 20 percent growth rate. Montana farmers and ranchers have taken advantage of this trend, certifying over 280,000 organic acres, placing Montana second in the nation. MOA will work for policies and information that support and promote Montana's organic industry. The organization will provide conferences and trade shows, training and education for those wanting to transition to organic, tours of organic operations, and marketing workshops. It will have a web site and newsletter, and will offer educational workshops for Montana's schools and civic organizations. For more information about the Montana Organic Association, contact: Jill Davies, MOA Coordinator and Newsletter Editor, at rivercare@blackfoot.net or 406-642-3601.

CSA and Produce Marketing Publications Online
The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin has recently released three new research briefs on Community Supported Agriculture and produce marketing. The publications are available free online. Titles are "Community Supported Agriculture Farms: National Survey Results," "Community Supported Agriculture Farms: Management and Income," and "Homegrown Wisconsin: Marketing Fresh Produce Cooperatively." CIAS is also making available copies of the 2004 Farm Fresh Atlas, listing more than 100 farms, farmers' markets and food-related businesses that sell fresh, locally grown food directly to customers in southern Wisconsin.

Asparagus Festival Celebrates Local Food
The village of Empire, Michigan, launched a new tradition this spring with its first annual Empire Asparagus Festival, says an article from the Michigan Land Use Institute. In addition to celebrating one of the first crops of the season, the festival marks a new era of support for local agriculture and a recognition of the importance of local food. Michigan Land Use Institute will publish a guide to northwest Michigan foods in June, in support of interest in local food purchasing. The article profiles one asparagus farmer in the area who has altered his marketing strategy in recent years. Instead of selling asparagus as a commodity for canning at 42 cents per pound, he now sells almost half his crop to local restaurants and through farmers' markets for as much as $1.25 per pound.
URL: http://www.mlui.org/growthmanagement/fullarticle.asp?fileid=16702
Related ATTRA Publication: Organic Asparagus Production

Publication on Improving Whole Farm Planning Available
A new publication titled Improving Whole Farm Planning Through Better Decision-Making is available in electronic and hard copy versions from the Savory Center. The publication is a collection of case studies written by educators who participated the Savory Center's 2001 Northeast Holistic Management Certified Educator Training Program, and was funded by Northeast Sustainable Agriculture & Research (SARE) and Growing New Farmers. The educators compiled case studies about the farmers and farms with which they worked in the two years following their training, to determine how Holistic Management had helped improve farm management, particularly in the context of Whole Farm Planning. Case studies of beginning and new farmers, as well as agricultural educators, are included. Individual case studies and accompanying material may be downloaded as PDF files, or printed copies may be purchased for $10 from The Savory Center.
URL: http://www.holisticmanagement.org/oll_wholefarm.cfm

For more news and resources, visit the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site: Breaking News section: http://attra.ncat.org/management/geninfo.html.

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Funding Opportunities

Kellogg Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural America
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural America seeks to foster entrepreneurship across rural regions of the country. The Kellogg Foundation is funding this project as part of a special, one time initiative to commemorate its 75th Anniversary (1930-2005). Grants made during the 75th anniversary year will support traditional areas of emphasis—health, food systems and rural development, youth and education, philanthropy and volunteerism—as well as new opportunities that build on the Kellogg Foundation’s current programming. The grant for this project is being made through the Kellogg Foundation’s Food Systems and Rural Development (FSRD) programming area. FSRD’s focus is to promote healthy and sustainable food systems and rural communities to achieve economic viability, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Proposals must be postmarked by August 13, 2004.
URL: http://www.eshipsystems.org/

USAID Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement for funding a program entitled: Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management (SANREM) Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP). One agreement for $12 million to $17 million is expected to be made. Matching funds are required. Nonprofits, for-profits, and universities may apply. Proposals are due by July 7, 2004.
URL: http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/AID/OP/WAS/M-OP-EGAT-
PEP%26%23032%3B04-1500/listing.html

USDA Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas
The USDA Rural Information Center recently launched a new database, Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas. The database provides keyword and Boolean search capabilities. The Web page also features links to key funding programs and grant writing resources.
URL: http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/funding/federalfund/ff.html

For additional funding opportunities, visit http://attra.ncat.org/management/financl.html.

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Coming Events

Organic Vegetables and Open-pollinated Corn Training
June 29, 2004
Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Part of a series of Organic Trainings for Education Professionals offered this summer by Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). Trainings are designed for Extension, NRCS and educators, but all are welcome. Pre-registration is suggested. Contact Jody Padgham at 715-667-3203.
URL: http://www.mosesorganic.org/misc/calendar.htm

From Farm to Family: Linking Landscape Use to Public Health
July 10, 2004
Topeka, Kansas
This afternoon workshop is a pre-conference session for the Promoting Global Health: Sharing Visions and Strategies Conference hosted by the Washburn University School of Nursing. A 21st century public health agenda, informed by ecology and evolutionary biology, must acknowledge the direct links between people, land and community. Farming, as the unique and most intimate juncture between these three members, is the ecological foundation for a 21st century public health agenda. Staff from The Land Institute conduct this workshop.
URL: http://www.washburn.edu/nursing-conference/preconference.html

Field Course in Organic Management
July 13-14, 2004
Lamberton, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center offers this field course designed for ag professionals who are interested in working with the rapidly growing community of organic producers. Participants will develop a grounding in the basics of organic production.
URL: http://swroc.coafes.umn.edu/upcoming/2004/fieldcourse.htm

More events at http://attra.ncat.org/cgi-bin/event/calendar.cgi.

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ATTRAnews Available Online
The digital version of the latest ATTRAnews is available online. ATTRAnews is the bi-monthly newsletter of ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
URL: http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html

The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is the Web site of the ATTRA project created and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT Web site for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.