Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Public Policy Internships for 2009 Application deadline is November 21

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) announces their sixth year of public policy internships. The MFAI focuses on research, education, technical assistance, and public policy work to revitalize farming and help both urban and rural populations meet common concerns.

Interns will have the opportunity to assist in a number of activities, including coordinating the Fiscal Year 2009 grassroots agricultural appropriations campaign; helping assure optimal implementation by USDA of sustainable agriculture programs and provisions in the Farm Bill; working on Farm-to-School provisions in the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization; and working for two weeks in Washington, D.C. 

Applications are due November 21, 2008. For more information contact Margaret Krome, MFAI Policy Program Director, 2524 Chamberlain Ave., Madison, WI  53705; mkrome@sbcglobal.net; 608.238.1440.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a public, non-profit institute for education and research in sustainable agriculture. They actively encourage students of all races, colors and national and ethnic origins to apply.

Please help Southern SAWG as we build an ongoing renewal of hope for family farmers and communities throughout the South, by making a contribution today. Your support allows us to continue and expand programs such as our annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference, to be held this January 21-24 in Chattanooga, TN.

The organizations and individuals Southern SAWG supports tell our story best. Here is one inspiring account that Karen Wynne, Executive Director of the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, recently shared with us.

The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network was founded at Southern SAWG's 2001 conference by a critical mass of 18 farmers, educators, and supporters. In the past seven years, we have grown from those 18 founders to a network of over 800 farms, homes, businesses, non-profit and government agencies. We are grateful to Southern SAWG for helping bring Alabamians together when there was no other opportunity for us to meet and work together. We continue to depend on Southern SAWG for resources and support. The information they provide is always practical, relevant, and ahead of the curve. The level of support, openness, and encouragement among conference participants continues to amaze us.     

With your support, we can reach our goal to raise $25,000 through our annual donor campaign this year.

And now, your contribution will go twice as far!  Thanks to the generosity of a group of anonymous individual donors, your gifts received through January 31, 2009 will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $7,575.

You can honor your family and friends by making your donation in their names while supporting Southern SAWG. We will send them a card announcing your gift.

Make a donation online or download a form to mail to us with your check or credit card.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Competitive Grants Program Needs Public Stakeholder Input Make your voice heard by November 14, 2008

Stakeholders are being asked to provide input on the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Competitive Grants Program (BFRDP). Eighteen million dollars have been made available through the 2008 Farm Bill to fund this program, administered by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). The Request for Applications is expected to be released in January 2009, with a 60-day open period.

CSREES is seeking stakeholder comments from the public in developing and implementing programs and regulations for BFRDP. Comments must include the reference: CSREES-2008-0003. Input for the 2009 funding cycle is being accepted until November 14, 2008.

Please take this opportunity to provide input and also share this announcement with as many people as possible to help the develop a program that will be of value to beginning sustainable farmers and ranchers.

For more information and instructions to submit your input click here.

Alabama's 6th Annual Organic Vegetable Production Conference and Trade Fair Meeting the Challenges of Organic Farming in Alabama  November 11-12, 2008 Andalusia, Alabama

Learn about the latest in organic production, from pest control and soil management to marketing and research needs. Featuring farmers, educators, and researchers from Alabama and the region, the conference is sponsored by the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN), Auburn University, the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Download the program and  registration form. For more information email ASAN or call 256.751.3925.

Community Food Leaders Forum Seed to Table: Shaping Our Local Food Systems  November 12-13, 2008 Andalusia, Alabama

Following Alabama's 6th Annual Organic Production Conference, the food leaders forum will feature local leaders, community activists, farmers, ranchers, and educators coming together to meet new people, make connections, and set goals. Come prepared to share your experiences, ideas, and energy on: improving access to healthy foods for everyone; growing sustainable farms and ranches; and empowering local communities.

Click here for more information, or contact ASAN; 256.751.3925.

National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture 2008 Leadership Gathering Welcoming current and future leaders of the sustainable agriculture movement November 13-15, 2008 Excelsior Springs, Missouri

NCSA partners, allies, and friends will gather for over two days of workshops, committee and SAWG meetings. For more information…

Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Winter Meeting December 9-10, 2008 Memphis, Tennessee

Activities at the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's annual winter meeting will include: preparing for SAC's work with the new Administration; setting appropriations priorities; strategizing for the next round of farm bill implementation decisions; and acting on SAC's new climate change paper.

A working meeting with representatives from USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and the Organic Agriculture Research and Education Initiative will be held the afternoon of December 10 in conjunction with the Southern SAWG Board of Directors and others interested in SARE and OREI issues. And stick around for a fun outing that evening with SAC and Southern SAWG in downtown Memphis.

For more meeting information and registration… 

Learn more about SAC…

Deep South Fruit & Vegetable Conference & Trade Show December 3-4, 2008 Mobile, Alabama

This is a multi-state meeting (Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi) with an expected attendance of over 500 people. For more information… 

Find more events on Southern SAWG's website!