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AFTA Publications
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January 2007 AGROFORESTRY NEWSLINE >>> January 2007 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. online registration for the conference has begun this January. Check the Agroforestry conference website to register for the conference and to find out more information about the 2007 conference. The December 2006 issue of Temperate Agroforester The December issue of the Temperate Agroforester is now available for online viewing. This issue highlights the 2007 AFTA conference to be held in Quebec City, Quebec. AFTA Seeks Proposals to Host 2009 Agroforestry Conference AFTA is now inviting proposals from organizations interested in hosting the Ninth North American Agroforestry Conference to be held in 2009. Proposals are due by January 29, 2007. Members of the AFTA Board will review all submitted proposals based on responsiveness to the criteria stated below. AFTA may contact the applicant organization for clarification or to offer suggestions or modifications to submitted proposals prior to final selection. Selection of the host for the 2009 conference will be made by February 15, 2007. For more information and to submit written proposals send an e-mail to: curre002@umn.edu. Prairie Grasses Show Biofuel Potential University of Minnesota researchers recently announced the results of a 10-year study, says UMNnews, showing that mixed native prairies grasses yield more net energy as a biofuel than biodiesel from soybeans or ethanol from corn. The study appeared in the journal Science in December. The prairie grasses have such a high net energy yield because they take so little fossil fuel energy and fertilizer to produce. The researchers point out that the mixed native grasses can be grown on marginal or degraded land, don't need supplemental water and can even store carbon in their root systems. USDA Announces New Forest Service Chief The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the selection of Abigail Kimbell as the 16th chief of the Forest Service. Kimbell succeeds Chief Dale Bosworth, who is retiring on Feb. 2 after 41 years with the Forest Service. As Forest Service Chief, Kimbell will oversee an organization of over 30,000 employees and a budget of just over $4 billion. Read more here. Ethanol won't Buoy Corn Prices Forever In a white paper released this week by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), Nathan Danielson of BioCognito and Geoff Cooper of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) say corn production levels will continue to climb alongside the growing demand for the ethanol feedstock. As a result, concerns about high corn prices going higher are "unfounded. The authors believe that while the market may very well show some transitory increases in price because of increased demand, corn prices will adjust to near the historic average in the long term." Read the full article here. Sustainable Farming Conference in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania The annual sustainable farming conference hosted by Laurelville Mennonite Church Center will take place February 23rd - 25th, 2007. The conference, Farming with Values that Last, is a gathering to inspire and equip those who grow food sustainably and those who support them by buying local, fresh, and wholesome food. "Standing on Common Ground" is the theme for this event at the intersection of Christian faith and innovative farming that builds farms, families and community. The weekend will feature singing, worship, Bible teaching, reflection, practical and inspirational workshops, and ample time for building relationships and hearing stories. The event invites each participant to learn more about sustainability and faith through how they farm, how they eat and how they create connections. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks to the following correspondents and sources for the information they contributed this month: ATTRA, NACD, USDA, Agriculture online. 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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