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Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - March 21, 2007
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.
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News & Resources
* Federation of Organic Dairy Farmers Established
* Understanding Farmers' Market Rules Booklet Available
* MISA Releases Organic Guide
* Organic Olive Production Manual Released
* Web Site Links Kentucky Farmers With Food Businesses
* MOFGA Releases CSA Directory
Funding Opportunities
* Organic Farming Research Foundation Grant
* Montana Growth Through Agriculture Program
* Kansas Conservation Innovative Grants
Coming Events
* Living Green Expo
* Montana Governor's Food & Agriculture Summit
*
Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability, and Profitability
News & Resources
Federation of Organic Dairy Farmers Established
The Midwest Organic Dairy Producers Association, Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance and Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance formed an umbrella organization to represent producers nationally. The Federation of Organic Dairy Farmers (FOOD Farmers) represents 850 farms. The Country Today reports FOOD Farmers members' primary concern is for National Organic Program standards to require cows to be on pasture 120 days a year, with 30% dry-matter intake.
Understanding Farmers' Market Rules Booklet Available
The Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) announced the release of a new booklet, Understanding Farmers' Market Rules (PDF-310 KB). The booklet contains important legal information for producers who sell products at farmers' markets. This resource is intended to answer common questions and give practical advice on problems that may arise.
MISA Releases Organic Guide
The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) recently released the Minnesota Guide to Organic Certification . This guide covers the National Organic Program standards, organic certification, and organic production for crops and livestock.
Organic Olive Production Manual Released
Researchers and farm advisers with the University of California Cooperative Extension have developed an organic olive production manual. Organic Olive Production Manual provides detailed information for growers on production issues, economics, pest control, harvest, and organic certification and registration. "Organic olive oil production could be a significant niche in California's agriculture industry," said Paul Vossen, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Sonoma and Marin counties and a co-author of the manual. "We're pleased to be able to offer this resource for growers."
Web Site Links Kentucky Farmers With Food Businesses
A new web site, Kentucky MarketMaker, links Kentucky agricultural businesses, farmers and markets to make it easier to get Kentucky food products to consumers. Kentucky Ag Connection reports the web site has a comprehensive directory of Kentucky businesses and farms, including about 500 Kentucky Proud members, that are buying and selling food-related products. Anyone can find farmers, farmers' markets, restaurants, processors, wholesalers, distributors and retailers on the site. Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska also have MarketMaker web sites.
MOFGA Releases CSA Directory
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) recently released a directory of community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. The directory is meant to help consumers find CSAs in their area and help connect farmers. The directory gives a snapshot of nearly 80 CSAs and also gives tips on other places to find local foods.
> More Breaking News
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Funding Opportunities
Organic Farming Research Foundation Grant
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is offering grants, up to $15,000, to projects that address any agricultural production, social, economic, or policy-related topic of concern to organic farmers and/or ranchers. OFRF supports research that is relevant to and takes place in certified organic systems.
Proposals are due July 16, 2007.
Montana Growth Through Agriculture Program
The Montana Growth Through Agriculture program was created to encourage economic development through innovations in various aspects of agricultural business. Awards up to $50,000 are given to projects that strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through private-public partnerships that assist in the development of new agricultural products and processes.
Proposals are due April 30, 2007.
Kansas Conservation Innovative Grants
Kansas Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be awarding grants to projects that demonstrate innovative technologies and approaches to environmental enhancement and protection on working agriculture lands. Selected applicants may receive grants up to 50 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $50,000. Applicants must provide non-federal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost.
Proposals are due April 2, 2007.
> More Funding Opportunities
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Coming Events
Living Green Expo
May 5-6, 2007
St. Paul, Minnesota
The Living Green Expo is a free, annual event that provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. The Expo features exhibitors of products, services, and information, along with workshops on a variety of sustainability and green living topics, including food and agriculture.
Montana Governor's Food & Agriculture Summit
March 22-23, 2007
Helena, Montana
Participants will learn more about Montana’s food system; explore opportunities for increasing Montana’s food production, processing and distribution infrastructure; identify economic and social barriers faced by low-income people in accessing proper food and nutrition; and address policy and system changes needed to increase food security and ensure a sustainable, healthy food system.
Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability, and Profitability
May 22-24, 2007
Brookings, South Dakota
The National Agricultural Biotechnology Council presents this opportunity for discussion of biotechnology in biofuels.
> More Events
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of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
 ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is 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.
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