Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable
Agriculture News Briefs - June 9, 2004
Weekly
sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the
Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable
Agriculture Information Service Web site.
News
& Resources
* Essay
Examines Impacts of Drought and Development on Western
Ag
* Newspaper Series Examines Wide-Ranging Effects
of Biotech Crops
* New Organic Association Forms in Montana
* CSA
and Produce Marketing Publications Online
* Asparagus Festival Celebrates Local Food
* Publication on Improving Whole Farm Planning
Available
Funding
Opportunities
* Kellogg
Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural America
* USAID Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
* USDA Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas
Coming
Events
* Organic Vegetables and Open-pollinated Corn Training
* From Farm to Family: Linking Landscape Use to Public Health Workshop
* Field Course in Organic Management
================
News & Resources
Essay
Examines Impacts of Drought and Development on Western Ag
Headwaters News features an essay by Gary Nabhan who sees connections
among the ongoing western drought, the rapid loss of agricultural
lands and the undermining of local food security. Nabhan, of
the Center for Sustainable
Environments, cites a recent survey of Arizonans that found
that while less than a third of the urbanites in metro Phoenix
and Tucson felt their consumption patterns had been affected
in any way by the drought, more than two-thirds of rural residents
had already suffered impacts on their economic and food security.
Since the onset of the drought in the mid-1990s, the number of
farms and ranches lost to to condos, retirement homes, malls
and golf courses in Arizona has increased from 82 to 100 a year. "Ironically,
there are ample indications that while farmers are adopting water-conserving
practices that have cut their per-acre use by one-fifth over
the past quarter-century, per capita urban use in Western cities
has increased by one-quarter over the same period." At the
same time, Nabhan cites evidence that Arizona consumers show
a strong preference for locally produced food. "It is time
that water-conscious consumers and environmentalists help farmers
and ranchers stay on the land through this era of record drought,
rather than standing by passively while land developers further
diminish our region's chances to have a sustainable food future," he
writes.
URL: http://www.headwatersnews.org/p.nabhan052604.html
Newspaper
Series Examines Wide-Ranging Effects of Biotech Crops
The Sacramento Bee features a five-part series based on eight
months of research on the hope, hype, and hazards surrounding
genetically modified crops. The series, titled "Seeds of
Doubt," ranges from the deserts
of Mali and mountains
of Mexico to the labs
of UC Davis and beyond. "What we found was propaganda
where there should be probing; superficial talk where there should
be deeper truths," wrote the series editor.
URL: http://www.sacbee.com/static/live/news/projects/biotech/
New
Organic Association Forms in Montana
A group of Montana's
organic agriculture and food industry leaders have announced
the launch of the Montana Organic Association (MOA). Formed
as a nonprofit membership organization, MOA represents organic
producers, processors, handlers, and retailers. In addition,
MOA welcomes providers of organic research, education and technical
assistance. Organic is the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture,
which has enjoyed a decade-long 20 percent growth rate. Montana
farmers and ranchers have taken advantage of this trend, certifying
over 280,000 organic acres, placing Montana second in the nation.
MOA will work for policies and information that support and promote
Montana's organic industry. The organization will provide conferences
and trade shows, training and education for those wanting to
transition to organic, tours of organic operations, and marketing
workshops. It will have a web site and newsletter, and will offer
educational workshops for Montana's schools and civic organizations.
For more information about the Montana Organic Association, contact:
Jill Davies, MOA Coordinator and Newsletter Editor, at rivercare@blackfoot.net or
406-642-3601.
CSA and Produce Marketing Publications Online
The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University
of Wisconsin has recently released three new research briefs
on Community Supported Agriculture and produce marketing. The
publications are available free online. Titles are "Community
Supported Agriculture Farms: National Survey Results," "Community
Supported Agriculture Farms: Management and Income," and "Homegrown
Wisconsin: Marketing Fresh Produce Cooperatively." CIAS
is also making available copies of the 2004 Farm Fresh Atlas,
listing more than 100 farms, farmers' markets and food-related
businesses that sell fresh, locally grown food directly to customers
in southern Wisconsin.
Asparagus
Festival Celebrates Local Food
The village of Empire, Michigan, launched a new tradition this
spring with its first annual Empire Asparagus Festival, says
an article from the Michigan Land Use Institute. In addition
to celebrating one of the first crops of the season, the festival
marks a new era of support for local agriculture and a recognition
of the importance of local food. Michigan Land Use Institute
will publish a guide to northwest Michigan foods in June, in
support of interest in local food purchasing. The article profiles
one asparagus farmer in the area who has altered his marketing
strategy in recent years. Instead of selling asparagus as a commodity
for canning at 42 cents per pound, he now sells almost half his
crop to local restaurants and through farmers' markets for as
much as $1.25 per pound.
URL: http://www.mlui.org/growthmanagement/fullarticle.asp?fileid=16702
Related ATTRA Publication: Organic
Asparagus Production
Publication
on Improving Whole Farm Planning Available
A new publication
titled Improving Whole Farm Planning Through Better Decision-Making
is available in electronic and hard copy versions from the Savory
Center. The publication is a collection of case studies written
by educators who participated the Savory Center's 2001 Northeast
Holistic Management Certified Educator Training Program, and was
funded by Northeast Sustainable Agriculture & Research
(SARE) and Growing New Farmers. The educators compiled case studies
about the farmers and farms with which they worked in the two years
following their training, to determine how Holistic Management
had helped improve farm management, particularly in the context
of Whole Farm Planning. Case studies of beginning and new farmers,
as well as agricultural educators, are included. Individual case
studies and accompanying material may be downloaded as PDF files,
or printed copies may be purchased for $10 from The
Savory Center.
URL: http://www.holisticmanagement.org/oll_wholefarm.cfm
For
more news and resources, visit the National Sustainable Agriculture
Information Service Web site: Breaking News section: http://attra.ncat.org/management/geninfo.html.
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================
Funding Opportunities
Kellogg
Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural America
The W.K.
Kellogg Foundation's Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural
America seeks to foster entrepreneurship across rural regions of
the country. The Kellogg Foundation is funding this project as
part of a special, one time initiative to commemorate its 75th
Anniversary (1930-2005). Grants made during the 75th anniversary
year will support traditional areas of emphasis—health, food
systems and rural development, youth and education, philanthropy
and volunteerism—as well as new opportunities that build
on the Kellogg Foundation’s current programming. The grant
for this project is being made through the Kellogg Foundation’s
Food Systems and Rural Development (FSRD) programming area. FSRD’s
focus is to promote healthy and sustainable food systems and rural
communities to achieve economic viability, environmental sustainability,
and social equity. Proposals must be postmarked by August 13, 2004.
URL: http://www.eshipsystems.org/
USAID
Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement for funding
a program entitled: Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources
Management (SANREM) Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP).
One agreement for $12 million to $17 million is expected to be
made. Matching funds are required. Nonprofits, for-profits, and
universities may apply. Proposals are due by July 7, 2004.
URL: http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/AID/OP/WAS/M-OP-EGAT-
PEP%26%23032%3B04-1500/listing.html
USDA Federal
Funding Sources for Rural Areas
The USDA Rural Information Center recently launched a new database,
Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas. The database provides
keyword and Boolean search capabilities. The Web page also features
links to key funding programs and grant writing resources.
URL: http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/funding/federalfund/ff.html
For additional funding opportunities, visit http://attra.ncat.org/management/financl.html.
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================
Coming Events
Organic
Vegetables and Open-pollinated Corn Training
June 29, 2004
Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Part of a series of Organic Trainings for Education Professionals offered this
summer by Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). Trainings
are designed for Extension, NRCS and educators, but all are welcome. Pre-registration
is suggested. Contact Jody Padgham at
715-667-3203.
URL: http://www.mosesorganic.org/misc/calendar.htm
From
Farm to Family: Linking Landscape Use to Public Health
July 10, 2004
Topeka, Kansas
This afternoon workshop is a pre-conference session for the Promoting Global
Health: Sharing Visions and Strategies Conference hosted by the Washburn University
School of Nursing. A 21st century public health agenda, informed by ecology and
evolutionary biology, must acknowledge the direct links between people, land
and community. Farming, as the unique and most intimate juncture between these
three members, is the ecological foundation for a 21st century public health
agenda. Staff from The Land Institute conduct this workshop.
URL: http://www.washburn.edu/nursing-conference/preconference.html
Field
Course in Organic Management
July 13-14, 2004
Lamberton, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center offers this
field course designed for ag professionals who are interested in working with
the rapidly growing community of organic producers. Participants will develop
a grounding in the basics of organic production.
URL: http://swroc.coafes.umn.edu/upcoming/2004/fieldcourse.htm
More events at http://attra.ncat.org/cgi-bin/event/calendar.cgi.
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Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
URL: http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html
The
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is the Web
site of the ATTRA project created and managed by the National
Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and 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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