|
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - May 30, 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.
|
Share The Harvest: Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who might be interested in the latest sustainable agriculture news, funding opportunities, and events.
|
News & Resources
* "How To Go Organic" Web Site Launched
* New York Creates Food Policy Council
* Glynwood Harvest Awards Seeks Nominees
* Congressional Committees Differ on Conservation Program Approach
* AMS Organic Compliance Review Leads to Agreement with Retailer
Funding Opportunities
* Critical Agricultural Materials
* Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council Grant
* EPA Grant to Provide Environmental Assistance For Livestock Operators
Coming Events
*
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Annual Forum
*
Kansas City Urban Farms Tour
*
Pasture Poultry Production and Rare Breeds Workshop
News & Resources
"How To Go Organic" Web Site Launched
The Organic Trade Association has launched HowToGoOrganic.com. This web site is for producers and processors transitioning to organic. The web site is designed as a clearinghouse of North American resources for farmers and businesses interested in becoming organic or in creating new organic enterprises. The web site’s regional directories showcase transition resources unique to specific regions and states. Resource listings in the North American directory can be searched by topic and subtopic, by type of resource, or by state. The site also features profiles of farmers and businesses that have successfully become certified organic or that are working through the process.
New York Creates Food Policy Council
On May 20, an executive order from New York's Governor, Eliot Spitzer, created the New York State Council on Food Policy. The council will focus on ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to safe, fresh and nutritious food. American Agriculturalist reports the council will also be developing a food policy that ensures availability of New York ag products to low-income residents, senior citizens and children. Special emphasis will be on expanding the consumer market for organic food and expanding local access to more locally grown fresh and processed products. "The council will bring the public, producers and government together to explore ways in which we can improve existing food production and delivery systems, expand capacity and in particular, address the critical needs of children and low-income New Yorkers. By expanding the sale of locally grown products, we can help struggling farmers, and expand local agriculture," said Spitzer.
Glynwood Harvest Awards Seeks Nominees
Glynwood Center is preparing for the 5th Annual Harvest Awards which recognize innovative farmers, organizations, and businesses that are supporting sustainable regional food systems. They are currently accepting nominations in three categories: Farmer Award, Good Neighbor Award, and Connecting Communities, Farmers, and Food Award. Nomination forms are available for download and must be postmarked by July 10, 2007.
Congressional Committees Differ on Conservation Program Approach
Senator Tom Harkin recently proposed combining federal conservation programs—the Conservation Security Program (CSP), environmental quality incentives program (EQIP) and wildlife habitat incentives program (WHIP)—into a new Comprehensive Stewardship Incentives Program with streamlined application processes and increased funding. Meanwhile, House Democrat Collin Peterson has taken a completely different approach to conservation programs, proposing that the Conservation Security Program be put on hold until 2012, and then restructured, according to AgriNews. The House version of the farm bill currently cuts all funding for the Conservation Security Program.
AMS Organic Compliance Review Leads to Agreement with Retailer
The Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced that, following completion of an AMS compliance review, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has agreed to redesign its green shelf tags bearing the title "Wal-Mart Organics" by removing all product information. Instead, Wal-Mart will use the USDA organic seal as shelf information to direct customers to products that have been certified organic. AMS initiated the review of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., after receiving a complaint that alleged Wal-Mart Stores misled customers by labeling an entire section of the store as "Wal-Mart Organics" without ensuring that only certified organic products were stocked in the section. The review concluded Wal-Mart violated neither the Organic Foods Production Act nor the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations because certified organic products were stocked in those sections of the store, but AMS determined the placement of the shelf tags in some stores had the potential to confuse consumers.
> More Breaking News
Back to top
Funding Opportunities
Critical Agricultural Materials
Under the the Critical Agricultural Materials Act, CSREES anticipates funding one or more projects which will contribute to the development of biobased polymers. The total amount of funds available is approximately $1 million. In FY 2007, the Critical Agricultural Materials Act will support development of novel, environmentally friendly technologies for use in paints and coatings, and adhesives for composites. Applications may be submitted by any person, or public or private agency or organization.
Proposals are due June 11, 2007.
Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council Grant
The Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council (AGRPC) has established a Grant program to assist Arizona grain producers in identifying solutions to production issues. There is approximately $40,000 available to fund appropriate studies, research projects, and programs to assist in the reduction of freshwater consumption; development of new grain varieties; improvement of production and handling methods; and research and design of new or improved harvesting or handling equipment.
Proposals are due July 16, 2007.
EPA Grant to Provide Environmental Assistance For Livestock Operators
EPA is requesting applications from organizations for a $7.9 million grant to provide technical assistance to livestock operators, including animal feeding operations, for the prevention of water discharges and reduction of air emissions. The grant recipient will provide livestock operations with two types of technical assistance at no cost to the operator: (1) comprehensive assessments of water and air quality environmental challenges and recommendations for strategies to mitigate these challenges; and (2) development or review of the facility's nutrient management plan, which specifies the amount of manure that can be applied to crops so the potential for runoff to waterbodies is minimized. All livestock operations in the United States are eligible to receive assistance from the grant recipient.
Proposals are due July 9, 2007.
> More Funding Opportunities
Back to top
Coming Events
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Annual Forum
June 25-28, 2007
Des Moines, Iowa
Learn about the region's food system from those working in the region, hear from provocative speakers and engage in thoughtful discussions with colleagues about key issues—water, energy, protecting traditional food systems, and, share and enjoy delicious local food together.
Kansas City Urban Farms Tour
June 24, 2007
Kansas City, Missouri
The Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture invites you to visit up to eleven farms located in Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Independence and Raytown, Missouri and learn about urban farming and gardening on this self-directed biennial tour.
Pasture Poultry Production and Rare Breeds Workshop
June 19, 2007
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Center for Environmental Farming Systems presents this workshop with Heifer International, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy & Steve Moore (NCA&T). This workshop will provide information on pastured poultry with specific emphasis on the use of rare breeds and breeding flock management.
> More Events
Back to top
Subscribe
to the Weekly Harvest
Comments? Questions? E-mail the Weekly Harvest Newsletter editor Mary Ann Thom at
.
Weekly
Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives Available Online
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters
are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter
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.
© Copyright 2007 NCAT
Back to top
|
|
ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (Monthly Harvest), ATTRA's new Spanish-language e-newsletter |
|
