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AFTA Publications
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November 2006 AGROFORESTRY NEWSLINE >>> November 2006 News of the science and practice of temperate agroforestry in North America, brought to you by the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA). IN THIS EDITION:
The 2007 Agroforestry conference The deadline for presenters to submit abstracts for the conference was November 15. Be sure to check the link for other important dates regarding the Quebec City conference. To find out more information about the 2007 conference, refer to the home website at Agroforestry conference. Renewable Energy Opportunities on the Farm Renewable energy represents an important option for agricultural producers. This new 2006 publication introduces three renewable energy resources that can be attractive and economically feasible for the farm: solar, wind, and renewable fuels. This is not a technical guide for designing or installing renewable energy systems but, instead, an overview that provides information on wind, solar, and renewable fuel technologies, cost and savings, site planning, and financial incentives. Click here to view the PDF file. Organic Farmers Consolidate Operation Lancaster Farm Fresh, a cooperative of 15 organic farming families in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has formally organized this year with board members and employees, and consolidated its business office and warehouse under one roof, reports the Intelligencer Journal. Amish and Mennonite farm families founded the cooperative several years ago. Now a full-time operations manager helps with marketing the cooperative's products. Clients include retail businesses, CSAs and farm stands, as well as restaurants, and the coop delivers goods to Philadelphia twice a week. Group Letter Calls for Full Funding of Conservation Programs American Farmland Trust and 20 other organizations have sent a letter to President Bush, urging full funding of conservation provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. The letter calls on the President to fund conservation programs in his 2008 budget at no less than current full authorized levels. AFT President Ralph Grossi notes that "[W]while farmers and ranchers want to protect the land, three out of every four who apply for conservation funding are turned down due to a lack of funds." Grant Supports Organic Apple Production in New England To produce organic tree fruits in New England is extremely difficult and prohibitively expensive, with apples seeming to be the worst of the lot. Lorraine Berkett, a University of Vermont professor of plant and soil science, and her colleagues are trying to tackle this problem. With a $657,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Berkett and her colleagues are studying organic apple farming in New England. Berkett's study focuses on resistant varieties of apples and organic applications such as oils and kaolin clay. Berkett and her colleagues do not expect to find a single horticultural sword to strike down curculio and other attackers. Rather, they are starting a nearly decade-long effort to test and combine numerous approaches that may lead to success in the marketplace. Unity College Connects Food and Farm on Campus Many colleges and universities across the U.S. are purchasing more local foods, and some even grow vegetables on campus farms, but Unity College in Maine is going an additional step, reports Bangor Daily News. A student initiative has brought a herd of cows and a flock of sheep to a little-used part of campus. The animals will provide students with opportunities to learn about grazing management, and animal health and care. Ultimately some of them are destined for the campus cafeteria, in a plan that connects students very closely with their food. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks to the following correspondents and sources for the information they contributed this month: ATTRA, AFT, University of Vermont, and USDA. YOU CAN HELP Please tell us about agroforestry-related news from your area or institution. We welcome your contributions of photos and/or news about useful information sources (in print and online), education and training opportunities, research or demonstration projects, success stories, etc. For submission guidelines, please visit www.aftaweb.org/resources1.php?page=47. Contact the Newsline editor by e-mailing infonews@aftaweb.org. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the Agroforestry Newsline: www.aftaweb.org/resources1.php?page=7 |
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