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Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - October 22, 2008
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
* New Farm Financial Management Publications Available
* Extension Web Site Explains Details of COOL
* Program To Help Livestock Producers With Environmental Plans
* USDA Issues Update on Farm Bill Implementation Dairy Farmers
* APHIS Seeks Comment on Regulations Regarding Movement and Release of GE Organisms
* 2009 Farmer Training Opportunities Offered
Funding Opportunities
* Pioneers in Conservation Grant Program
* Grow New York's Enterprise Program
* Kansas Agritourism Scholarship
Coming Events
* Acres U.S.A. Conference and Trade Show
* The Young Farmers Conference: Reviving the Culture of Agriculture
* Sustainable Agriculture Pest Management Conference
News & Resources
New Farm Financial Management Publications Available
Recent updates of six publications from Iowa State University Extension are designed to give farmers current information on a variety of topics related to farm financial management. The publications include information on farm income and net worth statements, farm financial statements, cash flow budgeting, farm lease agreements and the annual farm building rental rate survey report. The publication titles include Your Farm Income Statement (PDF/148KB), Your Net Worth Statement (PDF/117KB), Farm Financial Statements (PDF/134KB), and Twelve Steps to Cash Flow Budgeting (PDF/143KB).
Related ATTRA Publication: Agricultural Business Planning Templates and Resources
Extension Web Site Explains Details of COOL
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Web site explains the details of the Country of Origin Labeling law that went into effect September 30. The law will require livestock producers to document where their livestock was born, raised and processed. The site includes a series of fact sheets, videos and other educational materials for livestock producers, meat processors, retailers, extension educators and consumers. The new Web site will help "anyone in the food system from farm to fork," said Darrell Mark, UNL extension livestock marketing specialist.
Program To Help Livestock Producers With Environmental Plans
Federal dollars are available for assistance to livestock producers in the western half of the country with confidential environmental assessments and comprehensive nutrient management planning. The funds have been made available through a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Environmental Resources Coalition, an agriculture-affiliated not-for profit organization. The Comprehensive Livestock Environmental and Nutrient Management Plan-West (CLEANmp-West) program is expected to last approximately three more years, unless funds are depleted earlier.
USDA Issues Update on Farm Bill Implementation
On October 16, USDA issued an update on the progress it has made to date in implementing the provisions of the Farm Bill enacted in June 2008. The update reports benefits provided in the areas of Farm Programs, Conservation Programs, Nutrition Programs, Research and Marketing, and Energy, and also reports on public and stakeholder meetings held.
APHIS Seeks Comment on Regulations Regarding Movement and Release of GE Organisms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms under the Plant Protection Act (PPA) of 2000. APHIS is seeking public comment on the proposed rule. APHIS will consider all public comments submitted during the comment period before any regulatory changes are put in place. APHIS has scheduled three public meetings that will take place in California on October 28, in Missouri on October 30 and the Washington, D.C., area on November 13. The proposed rule is available on the APHIS Web site , and comments can also be submitted online until November 24.
2009 Farmer Training Opportunities Offered
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is encouraging beginning farmers to enroll now for its 2009 Garden Student Program and Whole Farm Workshop Series. These programs combine study and practicum through workshops, lectures, and on-farm experience. They offer the opportunity to learn through farmer-to-farmer based education and from leading experts in the field. The Garden Student Foundation Year is an exploration into biodynamic and organic agriculture through theoretical and experiential building on core competencies and skills and agro-ecological literacy, in a four-term immersion program. In the Whole Farm Workshop Series, beginning farmers and advanced growers develop the skills and competencies they need to take their agricultural careers to the next level.
> More Breaking News
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Funding Opportunities
Pioneers in Conservation Grant Program
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Washington State Conservation Commission have established the Pioneers in Conservation Grant Program to develop innovative projects that benefit salmon recovery while also strengthening the viability of agriculture and small-scale forestry businesses in Washington State. Pioneers in Conservation grants are intended to help farmers and foresters protect and restore salmon habitat in a manner that is both environmentally sustainable for fish and economically sustainable for farm or forest businesses. The maximum grant award for projects that address issues of regional significance is $75,000. The maximum grant award for projects that do not address issues of regional significance is $35,000. Projects must include matching funds of at least 50 percent. Applicants can be farm or forest organizations & other non-profits, conservation districts, drainage or diking districts, educational institutions, local governments, or tribes. Individual property owners interested in applying will need to partner with a fiscal sponsor.
Proposals are due November 10, 2008.
Grow New York's Enterprise Program
The Grow NY Enterprise Program is a joint Governor's initiative of the Governor's Office for Small Cities (GOSC), Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and the Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM), which dedicates $3 million annually to increasing the demand for and expanding the use of New York's agriculture and forest products. Under the Grow NY Enterprise Program, funds are provided to eligible communities for the following purposes: To make loans for production agriculture and agribusiness development and expansion for an identified eligible activity which will result in the creation of permanent private sector job opportunities, principally for low-and moderate-income persons; or To construct publicly owned facilities or infrastructure which are necessary to accommodate production agricult ure and agribusiness development and expansion that will result in the creation of permanent private sector job opportunities, principally for low-and moderate-income persons.
Kansas Agritourism Scholarship
The Kansas Department of Commerce, Agriculture Marketing Division has established a scholarship program to assist Kansas agritourism operators in attending select conferences, seminars and educational tours, to gain first-hand information regarding agritourism best practices around the region and the country, and to develop professional, educational, and marketing relationships within the industry nationwide. Commerce will reimburse scholarship awardees for all costs associated with educational tours, workshops, seminars, sessions, registration, and one year’s annual organizational dues related to attendance at an approved agritourism, tourism, or agricultural direct marketing conference, up to a total of $5,000 per application. The scholarship program will reimburse up to $400 in registration fees only for first time attendance of approved in-state conferences, workshops and seminars. Applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis. Due dates are July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.
Proposals are due April 1, 2009.
> More Funding Opportunities
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Coming Events
Acres U.S.A. Conference and Trade Show
December 4-6, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri
At the annual Acres U.S.A. conference you can find farmers and consultants from every side of eco-farming who come together to share their experience and expertise. Learn the latest in cutting-edge technology and methods, and return home ready to make your farming operation the best it can be. Pre-conference intensive workshops, a trade show, keynote speakers and numerous lectures are planned.
The Young Farmers Conference: Reviving the Culture of Agriculture
December 4-5, 2008
Pocantico Hills, New York
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture presents a program especially for young and new farmers. The Young Farmers Conference will be a space to network with peers and learn from leaders in the field, helping to ensure that the next generation of farmers is equipped for the work ahead. Workshops during the conference will cover topics on four tracks:
Getting Started; General Skills; Policy, the Farm Bill, and Global Agricultural Issues; The Farmer-Chef Relationship. Keynote speakers and other activities are also scheduled.
Sustainable Agriculture Pest Management Conference
December 5-6, 2008
San Luis Obispo, California
The 7th Annual Sustainable Pest Management Conference features innovative pest management practices, including information on: tools for biologically-integrated pest control; pesticide resistance management strategies; non-toxic vertebrate pest control; beneficial soil organisms and risk management strategies.
> More Events
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 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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