Common Ground
Vol. 1.3; April 7, 2005
Common Ground is a weekly communication on behalf of the West Michigan Forum for Sustainable Agriculture, whose mission is "to catalyze people and their communities to build the infrastructure for a local, sustainable food and agriculture economy."
Those wishing to forward information to be disseminated through Common Ground, please contact Tom Cary (616) 451-3051 or [email protected] ==================================================== Contents:(Click on Links to Move Down the Page)
Sustainable Production Strategies
Coordinator: Greg Mund, NRCS (231) 773-0008
[email protected] Goal:To increase the knowledge and practice of sustainable production strategies among existing farmers and new farmers through training, teaching, and sharing sessions, with an emphasis on local small to mid-scale farms, and especially
among those presently using conventional methods.
Farmland Access and Opportunities
Coordinator: Anja Mast (616) 457-5822 [email protected] Goal:Develop a support system to increase the number of farms and farmers by helping connect new farmers to land resources, help re-scale and diversify agricultural
production and protect farmland resources.
Linking Local Markets Through Value Chains
Coordinator: Kristine Fedewa (517) 668.2028 [email protected] Goal:Build local values based (sustainable) value chains around agricultural products and materials from production through to customers to replace existing non-local, non-cooperative/collaborative price focused production chains.
Closing the Loop on Waste: Compost and Biofuels
Coordinator: Tom Cary (616) 451-3051 [email protected] Goal:Develop and help implement strategies to replace current petroleum based fuel and nutrient use by local farmers through compost and biofuels.
UK Study Touts Local Food as 'Greener than Organic'
A study published in the journal Food Policy calculated the hidden costs of produce, and found that buying food from within a 12-mile radius is even more helpful to the environment than buying organic food, reports BBC News. Professor Jules Pretty, from the University of Essex and Tim Lang, from City University, UK, estimated the environmental costs of producing and transporting food, and found local food the clear environmental winner. They acknowledged that it is hard for consumers to know where food comes from, however, due to inadequate labeling. "The most political act we do on a daily basis is to eat, as our actions affect farms, landscapes and food businesses," commented Pretty.
Minnesota's family farmers are playing a major role in building a cleaner, renewable energy future. There are now over 800 wind turbines across the state, largely on agricultural land, providing 595 megawatts of power -- enough to power every household in Minneapolis. Minnesota's farmers are also leaders in the biofuel sector, with a growing number of farmer-owned ethanol and biodiesel facilities. There are currently 13 ethanol plants in Minnesota, with three more under construction, and three soy diesel plants in the works. With growing demand by consumers to be more energy efficient and climate friendly, there will be mounting demand for these environmentally friendly fuels.
Court Ruling Points to Inconsistencies in Organic Regulations
The Court of Appeals in Boston has called for changes in the regulations of the National Organic Program, pointing out that some areas are inconsistent with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990, according to DairyReporter.com. Specifically, the court addressed the issue of synthetic substances used in multi-ingredient organic products, and said that manufacturers wanting to use non-organic substances in products labeled organic would have to have those substances individually reviewed and approved. Also, the court highlighted differences in organic feed requirements for transitioning dairy herds between the 1990 law and the current NOP regulations.
Judge Rejects Stall Tactics in Organic Certifier Case
A federal judge recently ruled that the USDA has to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Center for Food Safety (CFS). The court told the agency that it could not charge CFS for the documents
that were requested. The FOIA request aims to gather information about
USDA's oversight and assessment of the qualifications of new organic
certifiers seeking accreditation and the concern that "sham" certifiers
are being allowed into the program. Appropriate certification of
organic farms is the fundamental enforcement mechanism of organic food
standards. Fueling public concern over a reduction in the integrity of
the new "organic" label is the appearance of numerous new, previously
unknown certifying agents applying to the USDA for accreditation. Since
2000, the number of organic certifying agents has jumped from 49 to over
120.
Research Could Help Reduce Insect Resistance to Bt
A team led by biologists at the University of California, San Diego has
discovered a molecule in roundworms that makes them susceptible to the
bacillus thuringiensis toxin. Their findings, published February 11 in
the journal Science, should facilitate the design and use of Bt
toxins to prevent insects from developing resistance to Bt, extending
the life of this natural pesticide. Bacillus thuringiensis toxin is a
pesticide, non-toxic to vertebrates and produced by bacteria, which is
widely used by organic farmers to ward off insect pests.
Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has established a Latino
Agricultural Resource Center in response to the growth of the Hispanic
population in the United States and its growing involvement in
agriculture. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of Hispanic-run farming
operations in the United States rose by 51 percent, and during the same
time frame, the number of Pennsylvania farms owned and operated by
Hispanics grew by 27 percent, to 350. The Latino Agricultural Resource
Center will coordinate development of Spanish language instruction and
materials, as well as fee-based translation of publications and other
materials. The center will also collect, analyze and maintain data on
domestic and international issues related to the growth of Latinos in
agriculture.
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==================================================== Upcoming Events
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Dynamic Farmers' Market Conferences
April 5-6, 2005
Staples and Waseca, Minnesota
Two conferences on farmers' markets are being presented by the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, and USDA Risk Management. Topics will include displaying products, regulation compliance, and market organization.
For more information: http://www.mfma.org
Or contact Terry Nennich or Mary Gieske from the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Center in Crookston, 1-888-241-0781.
Year Round Solar Greenhouse Workshop
Salad Greens and Seedling Production
April 9, 2005
Natick, Massachusetts
Part of the Practical Farm Skills Workshop Series presented by NOFA Massachusetts, this event showcases operation of two solar greenhouses at Natick Community Organic Farm which produce year round salad mix and seedling production. Lynda Simkins, farm manager, will cover bed design, soil mixes, varieties, timing, picking and all the other tricks of the trade of growing year round salad greens. Pre-registration required.
Southeast Michigan Biodiesel Bus Tour
April 11, 2005
Lansing, Michigan
The biodiesel bus tour will introduce you to key biodiesel facilities and players in Southeast Michigan: showing you where we are today, where we are going, and most importantly, why you should be using biodiesel. The bus tour is intended for anyone who is interested in learning more about biodiesel and the path of its use and development here in Michigan. The tour will leave from the Michigan Farm Bureau Office, located at 7373 West Saginaw Highway in Lansing at 7:30 am on Monday, April 11; returning to Lansing at 5:30 pm. Lunch will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
If you are unable to make the day-long tour, please consider attending the Meijer Biodiesel Grand Opening Celebration from 2 - 3 pm at the Meijer fueling station at 3995 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti.
Call 1-734-994-4780 or e-mail [email protected] to register for the free tour
Marketing Your Food Product Workshop
April 21, 2005
Aurora, Colorado
Colorado Department of Agriculture Markets Division presents a one-day workshop that will boost your marketing efforts from developing a plan to getting your product on the shelves to promotion and advertising.
Food and Society 2005 Networking Conference
April 27-29, 2005
Landsowne, Virginia
Food and Society is a Food Systems and Rural Development initiative of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Every year the Food and Society initiative convenes a meeting of stakeholders which brings together community activists, business leaders, farmers, ranchers, scholars, and academic leaders to explore and discuss the community-based food system concept and its opportunity to improve rural communities, the environment, and public health.
Community Food & Farm Festival
April 30 - May 1, 2005
St. Paul, Minnesota
The Community Food and Farm Festival is an annual event co-sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project and Minnesota Grown. This event provides an opportunity for consumers to network with local farmers who are producing food using sustainable methods.
Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Tour
May 25, 2005
Stelle, Illinois
The Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Illinois is sponsoring six sustainable agriculture tours this summer. This first tour is entitled "A Closer Look at Sustainability," and will visit the Center for Sustainable Community. The tour will include a look at the community's solar powered telephone company that also provides high speed wireless internet service; the windmill-supported potable water treatment facility; organic and permaculture oriented gardens; and a lunch prepared with some of Stelle's organically raised foods.
Income Opportunities from Field Forest Conference
June 3-5, 2005
Hocking Hills, Ohio
Rural Action's 7th Annual Landowners Conference offers 50 workshops, demonstrations, and over 40 presenters, with introductory and advanced sessions. Topics include forest management, holistic resource management, sustainable agriculture, herbs and other income opportunities, and much more.
3rd National Organic Tree Fruit Research Symposium
June 6-8, 2005
Chelan, Washington
The WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Washington Organic Tree Fruit Growers Association, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, and the Institute for Rural Innovation and Stewardship, present this event that follows on two previous events where researchers from across the country working on organic tree fruit production shared their experiences and results. A tour, speakers, and poster session are planned.
Second National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
June 16-18, 2005
Gambier, Ohio
The Community Food Security Coalition, Center for Food & Justice, Farm Aid, and Kenyon College present this conference, focusing on Farms and Food Services in Partnership. Speakers and workshops are planned.
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Tom Cary
WM Forum for Sustainable Agriculture
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (W.MI)
Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council
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West Michigan Environmental Action Council
1514 Wealthy St. SE - Suite 280
Grand Rapids, MI 49506 ph/fx - (616) 451-3051/3054 [email protected] www.wmeac.org
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"Many people believe only in the possible. Some people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible."