Southern
SAWG Newsletter, Volume 3, #5
June 2007
With the advent of summer, things are heating up on the farm, at the markets, and on the 2007 Farm Bill, as well. In this issue, learn how you can become a Farm Bill Hero through our partners at the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. You can also check out a free organic seed sourcing service, learn about a new grant opportunity, and get the news about the upcoming community food organization workshop in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as a farm and market tour in the Mississippi Pine Belt.
Wishing you good summer rain and sun, and a chance to sit in the shade with a cool drink from time to time.
--Your friends at Southern SAWG
| Be
a Farm Bill Hero! Farm Bill Digest Provides Important Weekly News Alerts From the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture |
The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture is a diverse nationwide partnership of individuals and grassroots organizations, including Southern SAWG, that works for food and farm system policies that support healthy rural communities. Work on the 2007 Farm Bill, which offers the opportunity for major reform of our federal food and farm policies to achieve a more sustainable food and farm system, is in the spotlight during this pivotal time.
The National Campaign has launched the Farm Bill Digest to help keep you abreast of developments by sending weekly Farm Bill reports that track National Campaign priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill. These priorities include organic agriculture, conservation programs, rural development, competitive markets, renewable energy and other issues crucial to the future of our entire nation. (Read the full set of priorities here.)
They will also send timely, targeted action alerts to help you be a Farm Bill hero and personally shape the next Farm Bill.
To learn more about the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, to receive the Farm Bill Digest, and become a Farm Bill Hero, visit www.sustainableagriculture.net.
| Organic
Seed Sourcing Service Available Free Through 2007 Presented by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association |
The
Save Our Seed project is addressing one of the most daunting problems
facing organic producers with their Organic Seed Sourcing Service. They
provide a quick and easy way for growers to obtain lists of available
organic seeds through a comprehensive database. Save Our Seed also
offers, when available, lists of equivalent cultivars in the event that
the requested seed is not available organically, to their knowledge.
These lists will be provided by seed dealers if they feel they offer a
seed comparable to one being sought by the grower. According to the USDA’s National Organic Program, organic producers must use available organic seeds for all organic production during certification as well as the three-year transitional period prior to certification. While working with organic growers (certified, transitional, and considering certification), the Save Our Seed project has found that one of their most common issues is the lack of a knowledge base about the availability of organic seed. The project uses networks of growers and seed dealers to address this problem. The Organic Seed Sourcing Service accepts organic “wish lists” from growers and replies with the following information:
● A complete list of the numerous certified organic seed dealers that they have searched in order to document the request, along with contact information for each.
● Documentation of where and how to purchase any sourced organic seeds, complete with prices.
● Documentation for certification services of requested seeds which, to the best of their knowledge, are not available organically.
● For requested seeds that they cannot source organically, organic seed dealers may have equivalent cultivars to suggest. In this case, these will be documented as well.
In the effort to uphold a complete and thorough sourcing service, Save Our Seed encourages clients to let them know about organic seed dealers that are not listed so they can be added to the database.
This service is available for free throughout 2007. Growers can send a list of the organic seeds they are seeking to Cricket Rakita at cricket@organicseedsourcing.com, or by going to the website at www.organicseedsourcing.com. Requests can also be faxed to 540.894.8060, or mailed to 286 Dixie Hollow, Louisa, VA 23093. When requesting a search, include: variety name, type, quantity sought, and/or maximum days to harvest, and the e-mail or postal address to which the result should be sent.
| New!
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Educational and Outreach
Grants Farmers, Ranchers, Researchers, and Extension Personnel are Encouraged to Apply |
The Organic Farming Research Foundation now offers educational and outreach grants. New education and outreach Request for Proposal (RFP) and application guidelines are available here.
OFRF also offers research grants, and has revised their Request for Proposals. Read the
new research grants RFP and application guidelines: http://ofrf.org/grants/apply_research.html.
Deadlines for application are July 16 and Dec. 17, 2007. The program is open to all applicants residing in Canada, Mexico and the United States. OFRF particularly encourages farmers, ranchers, researchers, and extension personnel to consider applying for funding.
| National
Harvest Awards Call for Nominations Nominate someone whose work you admire Deadline July 10, 2007 |
Glynwood Center’s 5th Annual National Harvest Awards will recognize innovative farmers, organizations, and businesses from across the U.S. that are doing an exceptional job of supporting sustainable, regional food systems. The goal is to encourage this growing movement by inspiring others to take action within their own communities. Glynwood Center is a nonprofit organization located in the Hudson Valley of New York that is dedicated to advancing the field of community stewardship.
This year’s categories include a Farmer Award, Good Neighbor Award, and Connecting Communities, Farmers & Food Award. Winners will be honored at celebrations at Glynwood Center and in New York City in October, 2007. Accommodations and travel expenses will be provided to all winners.
Nominations must be postmarked by July 10, 2007. For nomination forms and more information, visit www.glynwood.org/programs/harvest.htm
or contact Kim Vargo:
kvargo@glynwood.org
845.265.3338.
| Building
and Sustaining Effective Organizations for Community Food Work in the
South: A Training Conducted by Southern SAWG July 25-26, 2007 Nashville, TN |
This two-day training is designed to help leaders of community food projects in the Southern United States build and sustain more effective organizations. The training is hosted by the Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee, and funded in part by the USDA-CSREES Community Food Projects Program.
The training will focus on two main areas:
1. Organizing, Partnerships and Power Sharing for More Effective Community Food Work
We will explore best practices for attracting diverse partners, developing powerful working collaborations, creating processes that share power, and using asset-based approaches.
2. Building Capacity for Financial Sustainability
We will explore methods of effective funding development from a holistic perspective, building organizational capacity, and planning for sustainability.
The training format will be highly participatory, combining classroom sessions with case studies and a tour of local projects, to create a rich learning experience and foster networking relationships among those who attend.
Trainers include:
Keecha Harris, DrPH, RD, Associate Program Manager for Southern SAWG’s Community Food Program and president of Harris and Associates, a food systems and public health consulting firm based in Birmingham. Dr. Harris works with corporate, philanthropic, and advocacy organizations on resource management, communications, strategic planning. and cultural competence issues.
Ruth Peebles, president of The INS Group (Innovative Nonprofit Solutions), a consulting firm for nonprofits and local government agencies, and Funding Development Coordinator for Southern SAWG. Ms. Peebles has more than 20 years of hands-on experience in non-profit management, fundraising, and project management.
Keith Richards, Program Manager for Southern SAWG's Community Food Program. Mr. Richards has over 21 years of experience in the sustainable agriculture and community food movement as an organic farmer, cooperative marketing manager, researcher, writer, trainer, and technical assistance provider.
Registration:
The registration fee is $125 per person, which includes two days of training, three meals of locally produced food, and all training materials. Registrations received after July 3 are not guaranteed as class size is limited and we expect it to fill up. Pre-registration is required.
For more information and a registration form:
Contact Keith Richards: keith@ssawg.org or 479.587.0888.
| Remembering Terry Pepper |
On
April 15, 2007, Terry Pepper lost his battle with the cancer he had
been fighting. Terry, a legendary cotton grower, helped pioneer organic
cotton production in Texas. He and his wife La Rhea courageously helped
grow an organic fiber sector in this country, facing considerable
opposition and social pressure, with neighbors, local farmers,
"conventional wisdom," the cotton industry, and most everyone else
saying it couldn't or shouldn't be done.
Terry provided leadership to Southern SAWG in a variety of capacities over the years, and he generously contributed his time, skills and wisdom to SSAWG and numerous other organizations and causes.
Terry was a gentle, kind spirit, a loving husband, proud father, faithful son, and great colleague. I remember the person willing to provide calm in an excitable situation; the man who was always willing to give, to share, and to lead by example; a person who, although often quiet, was intelligent and articulate when he spoke. One could feel his passion for God, family, farming, and life. He was a man who always wanted to focus on living while he was on this earth, even while he was dying. Terry will be missed, but his memory will continue to inspire us.
--Marty Mesh
If you wish to share your thoughts with La Rhea Pepper and family, please write to LaRhea@organicessentials.com or 822 Baldridge Street, O'Donnell, TX 79351.
Terry provided leadership to Southern SAWG in a variety of capacities over the years, and he generously contributed his time, skills and wisdom to SSAWG and numerous other organizations and causes.
Terry was a gentle, kind spirit, a loving husband, proud father, faithful son, and great colleague. I remember the person willing to provide calm in an excitable situation; the man who was always willing to give, to share, and to lead by example; a person who, although often quiet, was intelligent and articulate when he spoke. One could feel his passion for God, family, farming, and life. He was a man who always wanted to focus on living while he was on this earth, even while he was dying. Terry will be missed, but his memory will continue to inspire us.
--Marty Mesh
If you wish to share your thoughts with La Rhea Pepper and family, please write to LaRhea@organicessentials.com or 822 Baldridge Street, O'Donnell, TX 79351.
| Free Farm
and Market Tour Fruit and Vegetable Production and Market Diversification Hattiesburg, Lumberton, and Petal, MS June 27, 2007 |
Visit markets, farms and
packing facilities
in the Mississippi Pine Belt.
Everyone
involved in food, farm production and marketing is invited on a tour
that will cover fruit and vegetable production risk management
techniques, including diversification of crops, scheduling, season
extension, and direct marketing that can increase profit for small
farmers. Why attend? Across the Gulf States, experienced producers are needed to supply fresh and value-added products to savvy consumers at emerging alternative markets.
The program is free and open to all interested in local food.
Don’t miss the bus! Pre-register by June 25 (deadline) for this popular tour. Pre-registration information is online at www.growingfarmers.ncat.org, or contact Nana Mejia: 985.549.5134; nanam@ncat.org.
Please note any accessibility needs during registration. Wear closed-toe, low heel shoes and comfortable clothing. Bring hats and sunscreen. Water and lunch provided.
NCAT's mission is
to help people by championing small-scale, local andsustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources.
ATTRA, the National Sustainable Ag Information Service http://www.attra.ncat.org
Toll-free to U.S. Citizens: 800.346.9140
En Español: 800.411.3222
Visit Southern SAWG online at
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Inc. (Southern SAWG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to promote sustainable agriculture in the Southern United States.
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