National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

UCS Petition to USDA on Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Chemicals in Food Crops
http://tinyurl.com/ykjxa2
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is preparing to issue new regulations for oversight of crops that have been genetically engineered (GE), including those that are designed to produce pharmaceutical (pharma) and industrial chemicals. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) needs your help to send a strong message to USDA as it crafts new rules for the oversight of pharma/industrial crops. Organizations representing the interests of farmers, consumers, environmentalists, food companies, and more are being asked to sign a petition to USDA at http://tinyurl.com/ykjxa2 to ban outdoor production of pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals in food crops.

Strengthening Rural America Strengthens All of America!
www.cfra.org/nran_endorse.htm
Our partners at the Center for Rural Affairs are circulating a petition outlining priorities for the 2008 Farm Bill aimed at strengthening rural America. To contribute to the nation's prosperity, rural America must share in it. When communities are weakened, the bonds that make us strong are weakened. In strong communities we are more likely to help each other. To uplift rural values, we must lift up rural communities. Please ask five or more people to sign the petition at www.cfra.org/nran_endorse.htm

Farm Aid Wants to Hear From You
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=191783326920
Farm aid is embarking on a new project aimed at connecting farmers to groups, information and technical assistance that can help them make farms viable, both financially and ecologically, over the long haul. The first step in our research is to gather input and outlooks of family farmers through an on-line survey. If you are a family farmer, please take 10 minute to complete this confidential survey. Organizations with contacts to family farmers are encouraged to pass this survey along.

EVENTS

Latino Farmers and Ranchers Conference
http://www.mafofarmworker.com/2007/quick2007.pdf
April 1-4, San Antonio, TX
"Sowing the Seeds of Success: Harvesting the American Dream" is the theme for the National Farmworker Conference, which has a special Latino Farmers and Ranchers track. The event addresses Latino-related issues as well as farmworker programs and services.

Agriculture at the Metropolitan Edge Symposium
http://metrostudies.berkeley.edu/agmetroedge/events/symposium2007/
April 5-6, Berkeley, CA
The event will bring together academics, policymakers, farmers, developers, design professionals, planners, and activists involved in bridging sustainable agriculture and smart growth. The symposium aims to advance a systems- and place-based framework for linking sustainable metropolitan development with sustainable urban-edge agriculture and local food systems.

Come to the Table: A Conference on Food, Faith, and Farms
www.cometothetablenc.org
April 10, 11, & 13, Various locations, NC
Three one-day regional sessions will explore how churches can bring us together to relieve hunger and sustain local agriculture in our communities. The eastern N.C. conference will be April 10 in Goldsboro; the central N.C. conference will be April 11 in Orange County; and the western N.C. conference will be April 13 in Asheville.

Agriculture in the City Conference
http://thefoodproject.org/agriculture/Internal1.asp?ID=551
April 13-14, Boston, MA
The emerging importance of urban agriculture as a solution to many public problems is the focus of the 2007 Urban Agriculture in the City Conference entitled, "Urban Agriculture: Changing the Way We Think about Food, Hunger and Health." This conference organized by The Food Project will highlight research, policies and programs from the grassroots and up that are utilizing urban agriculture to address problems that relate to the health of producers, consumers, land and community.

BioCycle West Coast Conference
http://www.jgpress.com/conferences1/conferences1.html
April 16-18, San Diego, CA
Composting, organics recycling and renewable energy are covered by this conference. Specific topics include food safety and compost pathogen sampling protocols, large-scale digester systems for dairies and food processors, agricultural waste management, and more.

Disappearing Bees: Is it Really Such a Mystery?
http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/sb_calendar/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=1102
April 21, 1- 2, Tarrytown, NY
A recent New York Times article has spurred much conversation lately about vanishing bees and diminished colonies in the U.S. But is it really all that mysterious or simply a predictable side effect of our industrialized food system? Join assistant livestock manager (& resident beekeeper) Padraic MacLeish as he delves into the causes of this phenomenon – as well as explains why our bees (& the bees of many small-scale producers) are staying put.

First Annual Earth Day Food & Wine Festival
www.vineyardteam.org
April 21, 2007, Paso Robles, CA
Enjoy eco-friendly food and wine and support sustainable farmers. Event features live entertainment, silent auction, and educational exhibits. Proceeds support sustainable ag research and education and farmworker outreach.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Energy Costs in Agriculture, Innovative Ag Marketing Strategies and Impacts of Global Climate Change
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/grants/request.htm Due April 11
The RFP is targeted toward UC Cooperative Extension, but highly encourages partnerships with community organizations. Maximum per grant = $25,000.

Farmers' Market Promotion Program
http://tinyurl.com/2zkv4p , Due April 30
Approximately $1 million in fiscal year 2007 funding is open to agricultural cooperatives, local governments, non-profit and public benefit corporations, economic development groups, regional farmers' market authorities, and Tribal governments. Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded.

Fulbright Scholar Program for US Faculty and Professionals
www.cies.org Due August 1
The Fulbright Scholar Program is offering 28 lecturing, research or combined lecturing/research awards in agriculture during the 2008-2009 academic year. U.S. Fulbright Scholars in 150 countries and all regions of the world enjoy an experience of a lifetime, one that provides a broad cultural perspective on their academic disciplines and connects them with colleagues at institutions around the globe. Awards range from two months to an academic year.

IN THE NEWS

Update on Congressional Budget Resolution
Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to the action alerts sent out over the last few weeks urging calls to members of the House and Senate Budget Committees and to your Senators in support of the Grassley-Dorgan payment limitation amendment. Here's an update on what happened with all three votes:

Grassley Dorgan Payment Limitation: Senators Grassley and Dorgan proposed an amendment to the Budget Resolution that would have directed a tightening of the per farm payment limitation and a shift of the $1.1 billion saved to spending on conservation programs, food stamps, renewable energy and rural development. At the last minute even though it appeared headed for passage by a narrow margin, Senator Grassley withdrew the amendment. We heard from staff that calls were coming in and they had an impact. This issue will come up again. Stay tuned!

Budget Committees: Over the last several weeks both the House and Senate Budget Committees were deciding the overall pool of funding available for fiscal year 2008 and the overall funding levels for the five-year 2008 Farm Bill. The House Budget Committee voted to include a special $20 billion dollar reserve fund and the Senate approved a $15 billion dollar reserve fund for the Farm Bill over and above baseline funding - provided that any new spending be paid for with offsetting spending cuts.
For more details, see http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/update.doc

U.S. House Creates Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture
http://www.organicnewsroom.com/2007/01/organic_trade_association_prai.html
On January 23, the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee approved the creation of a new Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. Jurisdiction of the subcommittee will include fruits and vegetables, honey and bees, marketing and promotion orders, plant pesticides, quarantine, adulteration of seeds, insect pests, and organic agriculture.

Animal Welfare Approved' Seal Launched
http://www.awionline.org/farm/news/awalaunch.htm
The Animal Welfare Institute recently launched a seal identification program for meat, poultry, dairy and eggs that feature what they term the highest standards for the humane treatment of farm animals. Products bearing the "Animal Welfare Approved" seal meet standards for all aspects of an animal's life, from opportunities to socialize and behave naturally to assurances of comfort and freedom from intensive confinement. Only independent family farms can earn the Animal Welfare Approved seal, and more than 500 farms currently comply with AWI's standards. The farms continue to be inspected by AWI after being endorsed.

Harkin Bill Calls For Open and Fair Competition of Agricultural Markets
Senator Tom Harkin (Dem.-Iowa) today introduced legislation to correct deficiencies in USDA's enforcement over agricultural markets and provide needed protections for producers involved in production contracts for agricultural commodities. The Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act will be the basis for the development of a proposed competition title in the upcoming farm bill. Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. "Producers need to have a fighting chance in an industry that is becoming far too consolidated and vertically integrated." Harkin said. "I will propose and seek to include this legislation as part of a competition title in the farm bill."

Federal Court Finds USDA Erred In Approving Genetically Engineered Alfalfa
A Federal Court has ruled, for the first time ever, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture failed to abide by federal environmental laws when it approved a genetically engineered crop without conducting a full Environment Impact Statement (EIS). In what will likely be a precedent-setting ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer of the Northern District of California decided in favor of farmers, consumers, and environmentalists who filed a suit calling the USDA's approval of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa a threat to farmers' livelihoods and a risk to the environment. Judge Breyer concluded that the lawsuit, brought last year by a coalition of groups led by the Center for Food Safety, raised valid concerns about environmental impacts that the USDA failed to address before approving the commercialization and release of Roundup Ready alfalfa. In his ruling, the judge consistently found USDA's arguments unconvincing, without scientific basis, and/or contrary to the law.

Wyoming Senator Introduces Captive Supply Reform
Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) has introduced the Captive Supply Reform Act with bipartisan support. The bill would limit meatpacker control of the cattle market by requiring more transparent transactions and firm base prices for cattle supplied under advance contracts. Four multi-national packing firms control the markets, in part through captive supplies, or cattle owned or contracted by the packers. It's time for Congress to step up to the plate and support Sen. Enzi's reforms," said Mabel Dobbs, a rancher from Weiser, Idaho, and chair of the Livestock Committee for the Billings-based Western Organization of Resource Councils. "Ranchers want and deserve to earn a fair price in an open, competitive livestock market."

RESOURCES

Resources from Sustainable Table
http://www.sustainabletable.org/getinvolved/signup/
Sustainable Table celebrates the sustainable food movement, educates consumers on food-related issues and works to build community through food. The program is home to the Eat Well Guide, an online directory of sustainable products in the U.S. and Canada, and the critically-acclaimed, award-winning Meatrix movies. Visit the link above to stay up to date with all Sustainable Table's activities, as well as current events and news in the sustainable food movement. You can also choose to receive actions you can take to help stop the corporate takeover of our food supply.

Coming Soon-Farm Bill Action Center
www.sustainbleagriculturecoalition.org
The objective of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's Farm Bill Action Center is to provide timely information about the current status of sustainable agriculture policy priorities in the 2008 Farm Bill and action items that need grassroots support. Through action alerts, a legislative tracking center, SAC's "Weekly Update", farm bill basics, and a farm bill advocacy toolkit, we hope that individuals and organizations will have the resources and tools they need to be informed and get active.

NSAAS News Gleanings
www.csgeast.org/agriculture.asp
Northeast States Association For Agricultural Stewardship (NSAAS) News Gleanings is a weekly gathering of news sent via email. It includes congressional updates, including Farm Bill updates, and other issues including Dairy, Trade, Aquaculture, forestry, conservation and much more. To, subscribe, contact If you have news you would like included, you may forward it to the same email address.

Southern SAWG's Farm Policy Education Webpage
http://www.ssawg.org/farmpolicy_.html
Southern SAWG is working on several fronts to share information about the upcoming Farm Bill and to encourage anyone and everyone with an interest in food, agriculture, and nutrition to get involved in the discussion. They will regularly post food and farm policy updates on their home page and Farm Policy Education page. Among the tools is a presentation from Scott Marlow of Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) which clearly explains the "how-to" of getting involved in the Farm Bill debate and in farm policy issues in general. Additionally, in an effort to facilitate conversations about farm policy, there are monthly open conference calls. The link above has a schedule of calls and Scott Marlow's presentation described above

Farm Bill Energy Policy Website
http://farmenergy.org/policy/
Our partners at the Environmental Law and Policy Center have created a website with information on Energy Policy plans for the 2008 Farm Bill. They note that the Bush Administration Farm Bill framework proposal would slightly increase funding for biofuels and the successful Section 9006 program, though the proposal would not significantly change Section 9006. USDA places more emphasis on loan guarantees, and also has proposed to change the organizational structure for grant programs.

Sustainable Farm Insurance Program
www.sustainablefarminsurance.com
Underwritten by Markel Insurance Company of Glen Allen Virginia, the program was developed after significant field research facilitated by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. The Sustainable Farm Insurance Program is a product that does two things, it recognizes the preferred underwriting this sort of farm should receive, and it provides the coverage really needed by those undertaking, among other things, direct sales to the public."

North American Food Policy Council Webpage
http://www.foodsecurity.org/FPC/
The Community Food Security Coalition has created this page to bring together stakeholders from diverse food-related sectors to examine how the food system is operating and to develop recommendations on how to improve it. Food policy councils have been successful at educating officials and the public, shaping public policy, improving coordination between existing programs, and starting new programs.

Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA E-Bulletin is Relaunched
http://www.rafiusa.org/pubs/pubebulletins/pubebulletin.html
This year, look for news and information about the 2008 Farm Bill along with updates and stories about RAFI's diverse programs. To subscribe to the bulletin, send an email to with SUBSCRIBE in the Subject line. The current issue focuses on the 2008 Farm Bill, including news about a Competition Title proposed for the Farm Bill

MOFGA's Maine CSA Directory and new CSA page
http://www.mofga.org/Default.aspx?tabid=653
You can now access information about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) website through links to articles and other organizations AND you can download a copy of the Maine CSA Directory to find detailed information about all the CSA operations in the state.

Three Reports Available from the Community Food Security Coalition
"Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programs,"
http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/cfj/publications/goinglocal.pdf
Occidental College and the Community Food Security Coalition created this publication, which includes case studies from eight states on the different ways in which farm to school projects can operate successfully.

"Healthy Food, Healthy Communities: A Decade of Community Food Projects,"
http://www.foodsecurity.org/CFPdecadereport.pdf.
Describes the first 10 years of USDA's Community Food Projects program.

"Federal Policy Advocacy Handbook"
http://www.foodsecurity.org/FedPolicy2007_fnl.pdf.
This document that provides the basics of the federal policy cycle, including program authorization, appropriations, and implementation, and guidance on how to effectively participate in the federal policy process.

Free Online Tool for Sustainable Management Practices and Risk Management
http://sat.foodalliance.org
The self-assessment tool allows farmers to compare their own management practices with the Food Alliance's "best practices" certification standards for sustainable agriculture..The site looks at safe and fair working conditions, integrated pest management, soil and water conservation and wildlife habitat conservation.

Farm Bill Primer
http://www.FarmBillPrimer.org/
One of our supporters created this webpage which includes basics on the Farm Bill and a brief video explaining the funding issues with ATTRA as well as other farm bill spending maps, and an Interactive House Agriculture Committee Map, etc.

CREATE-21 –A Proposal for Research and Extension in the Farm Bill
http://www.create-21.org/
This is a project of the Board on Agriculture Assembly of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). We are working to reach a consensus about how the partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and America's land-grant and related universities should be updated to "Create Research, Extension, and Teaching Excellence for the 21st Century."

QUICKLINKS

Perspectives on the Administration's Farm Bill:

University of Tennessee Agricultural Policy Analysis Center (APAC)
http://www.agmatters.net/docs/A/APAC.doc

Farm Bureau
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/farm_bureau.doc

National Family Farm Coalition
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/nffc.doc

National Farmers Union
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/nfu.doc

Europe
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/europe.doc

Voting Beyond Our Forks
Attention shoppers: it's going to take more than consciousness at the checkout line to fix our broken food system
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/beyond_our_forks.doc

Farm Bill Idea: End Payments To Richest Farmers
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/endpayments.doc

LEISA Magazine: articles on Ecological Processes in Agriculture around the world
http://www.leisa.info/index.php?url=magazine-details.tpl&p[readOnly]=1&p[_id]=87898

Food Miles May Be Green, but Are They Fair?
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/food_miles.doc

It might seem strange to most Americans, but the building congressional debate over the Bush administration's proposed 2008 farm bill involves something unusual: actual food.
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/Actual_Food.doc

Eat To Live: 1 Million against GM Food
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0207-08.htm

An interesting article from BBC on a possible correlation between male fertility and eating beef from hormone-injected cows:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6496977.stm

Women of the Harvest: Inspiring Stories of Contemporary Farmers
http://www.voyageurpress.com/Store/ProductDetails_36940.ncm

Eating Better Than Organic by John Cloud. Interesting article re organic vs. local
http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1595245,00.html

Julie Hay looks at how the changing face of farming—Hispanics and other immigrant farmers, women, and baby boomers are—is also changing how farming is done.
http://mlui.org/farms/fullarticle.asp?fileid=17139

Global Warming Can't Buy Happiness
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0321-22.htm

Local is the New Organic
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3631

Want tasty fruit? Then find a way to ensure a steady workforce.
http://tinyurl.com/32aoch

Ethanol Reaps A Backlash In Small Midwestern Towns
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/ethanol.doc

How differently would we eat if we got to know our food better?
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/new_rules.doc

Despite the Snow, Farmers Say Organic Cows Need to Graze Pasture
http://www.agmatters.net/attachments/MOSES.doc

Helpful Links available on the National Campaign's Website
Employment:
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/employment.php
Internships
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/internships.php
Events Calendar:
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/index.php
Action Alerts:
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/alertsMain.php

Happy Spring!