Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - July 20, 2016
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture website. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.
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News & Resources
- Workbook Helps Resolve CSA Legal Issues
- Report Evaluates Potential for U.S. Biomass Production
- Study Says Increasing Perennial Bioenergy Grasses Could Reduce Gulf Dead Zone
- Study Confirms that Buying Local Food Supports Local Economy
- Alternatives for Insecticide-Free Stink Bug Control Studied
- FDA Issues Final Rule for FSMA Food Facility Registration
Funding Opportunities
- Small Business Innovation Research Program - Phase I
- Leopold Conservation Award in North Dakota
- Minnesota Farm to School Grant Program
Coming Events
- Beginning Farmer Workshop
- Calf Care, Herd Health, and Farm Management with Dr. Guy Jodarski
- Federation of Southern Cooperatives Annual Meeting
News & Resources
Workbook Helps Resolve CSA Legal Issues
Farm Commons is making the Building a Legally Resilient CSA Program Workbook available free online. The workbook explores a range of potential issues including making the sale, sharing risk, offering gift certificates, dealing with securities laws, managing drop sites, combining farm products, working with volunteers, hosting events, and managing food safety.
Report Evaluates Potential for U.S. Biomass Production
The U.S. Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have released the 2016 Billion-Ton Report, which concludes that the United States has the potential to sustainably produce at least 1 billion dry tons of nonfood biomass resources annually by 2040.
According to the report, increasing production and use of biofuel, biopower, and bioproducts would substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Related ATTRA Publication: An Introduction to Bioenergy: Feedstocks, Processes, and Products
Study Says Increasing Perennial Bioenergy Grasses Could Reduce Gulf Dead Zone
An Iowa State University study shows that an increase in perennial bioenergy grasses throughout the Corn Belt would lead to a significant reduction in nitrogen moving down the Mississippi River and into the Gulf of Mexico. The study used computer models to reveal how 5% to 40% perennial grass replacement could reduce nitrogen runoff from farmland by more than 70%.
Related ATTRA Publication: Protecting Riparian Areas: Farmland Management Strategies
Study Confirms that Buying Local Food Supports Local Economy
A University of California Extension
study found that, for every dollar of sales, Sacramento Region producers engaged in direct marketing are generating twice as much economic activity within the region as producers who are not involved in direct marketing. Direct marketers also generate 31.8 jobs in the Sacramento Region for every $1 million of output.
Alternatives for Insecticide-Free Stink Bug Control Studied
USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists have found three insecticide-free alternatives for native stink bug control in adjacent fields of peanuts and cotton. One option is to plant soybean and grain sorghum trap crops alongside the cotton. Other options are use of pheromone-baited traps or plastic barriers between peanut and cotton crops. This study found that physical barriers were the most effective.
Related ATTRA Publication: Companion Planting & Botanical Pesticides: Concepts & Resources
FDA Issues Final Rule for FSMA Food Facility Registration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued the FSMA Amendments to Registration of Food Facilities final rule. Food facilities that manufacture/process, pack or hold food for consumption in the United States are required to register with the FDA.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition issued a press release saying that FDA's clarification of the term "retail food establishments" means that farmers and small food enterprises primarily selling value-added products directly to consumers are not subject to food facility registration requirements or regulations.
>> More Breaking News
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Funding Opportunities
Small Business Innovation Research Program - Phase I
USDA invites science-based small business firms to submit research applications up to $100,000 to this program. Proposed Phase I projects should prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept.
Applications must be received by October 6, 2016.
Leopold Conservation Award in North Dakota
Sand County Foundation, North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, and North Dakota Stockmen's Association have announced the launch of the Leopold Conservation Award Program in North Dakota. The award will be presented for the first time to a North Dakota farmer, rancher, or other private landowner who exemplifies voluntary, responsible stewardship and management of natural resources. Winners receive $10,000 and an Aldo Leopold crystal.
Applications for the award must be postmarked by September 15, 2016.
Minnesota Farm to School Grant Program
Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Minnesota Farm to School Grant Program. Public or private schools or school districts, child care providers, economic development organizations, non-profit organizations, and educational service cooperatives can apply for planning grants up to $30,000 or equipment grants up to $50,000.
Proposals must be received by November 2, 2016.
>> More Funding Opportunities
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Coming Events
Beginning Farmer Workshop
August 20, 2016
New Albany, Indiana
Purdue Extension offers this free 8-hour workshop with concurrent sessions on livestock and vegetable production. It will also explore pricing information, beginning farmer resources, and beekeeping.
Calf Care, Herd Health, and Farm Management with Dr. Guy Jodarski
August 16 or 17, 2016
Guilford or Enosburg Falls, Vermont
NOFA Vermont offers a
workshop
on calf care, heifer raising, group housing, outdoor access, grazing management, impacts of young stock management on labor efficiency and performance, and a demo on administering lidocaine and dehorning.
Federation of Southern Cooperatives Annual Meeting
August 18-19, 2016
Birmingham and Epes, Alabama
This event will include the 49th anniversary celebration and 15th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner, as well as exhibits, workshops, training, panel discussions, and a guest speaker.
>> More Events
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ATTRA was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
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