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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@gilanet.com>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org, nmgreens@yahoogroups.com
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  • Subject: [Livingontheland] THE WEEKLY HARVEST -- SUSTAINABLE AG NEWS BRIEFS (9/3/03)
  • Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 12:50:07 -0600


THE WEEKLY HARVEST -- SUSTAINABLE AG NEWS BRIEFS (9/3/03)
===============================================================
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned
from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA National
Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website.
===============================================================
IN THIS EDITION:

NEWS AND RESOURCES
* 'Natural' and 'Pasture-Raised' Meats Draw Consumers, Producers
* Kansas State Website Links to Sustainable Ag. Publications
* Native Bees Help Farmers Pollinate
* Cookbook Highlights CSA Produce
* North Carolina On-Farm Research Newsletter Online
* Agritourism Website Offered

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
* Minnesota Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program
* Southern SARE, Research on Adoption of Sustainable Practices
* USDA Trade Adjustment Assistance

COMING EVENTS
* Food Business Incubation Summit
* Healthy Food, Local Farms Conference
* Seed Processing and Training

ATTRA QUESTION OF THE WEEK
* What are good organic methods for thinning fruit on apple and
pear trees?

NEW AND UPDATED ATTRA PUBLICATIONS
* Amaranth Production
* Conservation Tillage
* Constructed Wetlands

=================================================================
NEWS AND RESOURCES

'Natural' and 'Pasture-Raised' Meats Draw Consumers, Producers
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/6603327.htm
The Kansas City Star recently published an article on the
Midwest's growing market for meat products labeled "natural,"
"pasture-raised," and "grass-fed." Although these labels don't
have the official definition of an organic label, they provide a
means for small specialty producers to distinguish their products
and earn a premium price. Consumers pay the premium because they
appreciate knowing how the meat was produced, they believe it has
better taste, or because they believe it has health benefits.
Though debate rages on whether and how organic and other
sustainably produced meats may be better for consumers, there is
little debate that they are well suited to production by small
farmers who connect directly with their customers. For farmers
who don't have the time or inclination to market their own
product, there is now Wholesome Harvest, a corporation that
brings certified organic meat from suppliers to consumers.

Kansas State Website Links to Sustainable Ag. Publications
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/kcsaac/pubs_main.html
The Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative
Crops has reorganized the publications section on its website to
provide instant access to a wide selection of factsheets on
alternative crops and methods applicable to Kansas. The
publications are indexed alphabetically by specific crops,
products, or topics. KCSAAC links to three or four publications,
from some of the top university research centers in the world
and other sources, for each topic.

Native Bees Help Farmers Pollinate
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0828/p11s01-sten.html
Farmers who have relied on rented honeybees for pollination of
their crops are having to look for other pollinating agents, says
an article in The Christian Science Monitor--and they're finding
that some native bee species may be even more effective
pollinators. As mites and competition have driven honey
producers out of business, there are no longer as many hives for
farmers to rent for pollination. Researchers say, though, that
native species of bees, including bumblebees, mason bees,
carpenter bees, and sweat bees are good pollinators. In order to
attract these bees to their fields farmers must offer them
habitat such as weeds and hedgerows, and be more careful with
their use of pesticides. Researcher Claire Kremen acknowledges
that it may be difficult for large agricultural operations to
change the way they operate just to attract bees. But she says
small farmers may lead the way, and their success will eventually
motivate others.

Cookbook Highlights CSA Produce
http://www.suntimes.com/output/food/foo-news-farm20.html
One of the authors of a new cookbook says the book aims to spread
the word about community-supported farms to the unconverted, and
that part of the book's profits will be donated to groups that
foster community-supported agriculture, according to an article
in the Chicago Sun Times. Maura Webber discusses the connection
with community-supported agriculture that led her and her
co-authors to compile Recipes From America's Small Farms: Fresh
Ideas for the Season's Bounty. The book, which contains recipes
from CSA members, farmers and chefs across the country, helps
home cooks store, cook and preserve seasonal produce. Webber
notes that CSAs require farmers who once specialized in a single
crop to learn to produce a variety of vegetables, and often
require shareholders to be flexible about using new foods and
dealing with unexpected bumper crops.

North Carolina On-Farm Research Newsletter Online
http://www.rafiusa.org/pubs/OFR_May_2003.pdf
A new newsletter that describes on-farm research taking place in
North Carolina is now available online through the Rural
Advancement Foundation International--USA. The first issue of the
newsletter, which was produced in May and is now available
online, discusses the value of on-farm research and then reports
on results from some specific projects, including cotton tillage
practices, biological pest control for beans, weed suppression
for Christmas trees, and a study on the economics and production
of organic versus conventional apples.

Agritourism Website Offered
http://www.farmstop.com
A new website devoted to agritourism allows visitors to locate
farms and ranches across the country that are open for the public
to visit. FarmStop.com compiles information from each state's
tourism authority about agritourism activities in the state.
Visitors can search the site to locate farms, ranches, festivals,
farmers' markets and other events open to the public. Farmers are
encouraged to make sure their farms are listed on the site, which
also offers background information about the concept of
agritourism in general.

For more news and resources, visit the National Sustainable
Agriculture Information Service website: Breaking News section:
http://attra.ncat.org/management/geninfo.html

===============================================================
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Minnesota Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/esap/default.htm
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will provide up to
$25,000 to individuals or groups on a competitive basis for
sustainable agriculture research or demonstration projects in
Minnesota. Grants are awarded to innovative, promising and
worthwhile demonstrations of sustainable agricultural methods or
systems in Minnesota. Eligible recipients include Minnesota
farmers, individuals at Minnesota educational institutions,
non-profit organizations, and local natural resource agencies.
Priority is given to projects that are farmer initiated. The
application deadline is December 12, 2003.

Southern SARE, Research on Adoption of Sustainable Practices
http://www.griffin.uga.edu/sare/2004calls/ADOPTION.DOC
The Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
(SARE) program has released a call for proposals to examine the
literature and methods of adoption of sustainable agriculture
practices by farmers. The successful applicant will conduct the
research then suggest how the SSARE program, through its
research, education and outreach efforts, can influence the
adoption of sustainable agriculture in the South. Proposals are
due in the SARE office by October 31, 2003.

USDA Trade Adjustment Assistance
http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/08/0291.htm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Trade Adjustment
Assistance for Farmers (TAA) program will provide technical
assistance and adjustment payments to U.S. agricultural,
livestock and aquacultural producers, including qualified
fishermen, if it is demonstrated that increased imports of
competitive commodities have contributed importantly to a 20
percent or more price decline compared to the average price over
five preceding marketing years. Groups of agricultural producers
with complete marketing year price information from marketing
year 2002 or 2003, whichever is the most recent available, are
eligible to apply. Producers must petition for eligibility
before receiving an application. Petitions must be received by
January 31, 2004.

For additional funding opportunities, visit
http://attra.ncat.org/management/financl.html

====================================================================
COMING EVENTS

September 17-18, 2003
Food Business Incubation Summit
Northampton, Massachusetts
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/nande/workshops.html
The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship and Franklin
County Community Development Corporation, partnering with
Massachusetts Food and Agriculture Department and Rutgers
University/NJAES, Food Innovation Research & Extension Center
(FIRE) are sponsoring this 2-day event. Building on last year's
conference, the symposium will re-unite food processing technical
and business support professionals from across the country to
review best practices for food venture centers and incubation
facilities. In addition, there will be several workshops that
review and explain some of the new and revised requirements of
food processors.

September 20, 2003
Healthy Food, Local Farms Conference
Louisville, Kentucky
http://kentucky.sierraclub.org/foodconf.asp
Learn how you can become an active participant in building a
strong local food system in Kentucky. A full day of lectures and
interactive workshops will explore how a local food system
benefits cities, farmers the environment and consumers.

October 1, 2003
Seed Processing and Training
Sheffield, Massachusetts
http://nofany.org/events/psi10-1-03.pdf
Seed processing and training hosted by the Eastern Native Seed
Conservancy at the Moon in the Pond Farm Participants will be
shown how to use the equipment on the Mobile Seed Processing
Unit. Feel free to bring crops that may be used in the
demonstrations. There will be the opportunity for local farmers
to use the seed cleaning equipment and clean their own seed
(reasonable quantities, please) by appointment only.

More events at http://attra.ncat.org/cgi-bin/event/calendar.cgi

================================================================
ATTRA QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Q. What are good organic methods for thinning fruit on apple and
pear trees?
A. Find out at http://attra.ncat.org/question.html

NEW AND UPDATED ATTRA PUBLICATIONS
http://attra.ncat.org/newpubs.html
Amaranth Production
Conservation Tillage
Constructed Wetlands

ATTRAnews AVAILABLE ONLINE
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/ATTRAnews.pdf
The digital version of the July-August ATTRAnews is
available online. ATTRAnews is the bi-monthly newsletter
of Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Project.

ABOUT ATTRA
The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
Project provides information and other technical assistance
to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and
others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United
States. ATTRA, created and managed by the private,
nonprofit National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT),
is funded under a grant from the United States Department of
Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Visit the
NCAT website <http://www.ncat.org for more information on our
sustainable agriculture projects.

================================================================
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=================================================================

Comments? Questions? Email the Weekly Harvest Newsletter editor
Michael Kustudia at michaelk@ncat.org

=================================================================
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

http://attra.ncat.org/




  • [Livingontheland] THE WEEKLY HARVEST -- SUSTAINABLE AG NEWS BRIEFS (9/3/03), Tradingpost, 09/04/2003

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