2012 Organic Land Grant Assessment
UF was named 1 of the top 6 for institutional commitment to organic agriculture by the Organic Farming Research Foundation. Other universities recognized are Colorado State University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Tennessee, and Washington State University. Universities were awarded points for having certified organic research land, having a student farm, organic academic programs, providing organic Extension resources, and other factors. Read about it here.
Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference Registration Now Open!
If you’ve missed this conference in the past, you won’t want to miss it this year! This conference is designed to provide farmers with up-to-date, research-based, in-depth educational information. The conference aims to facilitate solutions-based collaboration by encouraging networking and an open dialog among members of Florida’s small farms community. This year’s educational sessions will cover topics such as alternative energy, beginning farmers and ranchers, community gardens and urban farming, farmers markets, farm to school/ag in the classroom, food safety, good bug/bad bug identification, horticulture, hydroponics, livestock, mushrooms, organic and sustainable farming, pastured poultry, and the business of farming. See the full program and secure your spot by registering today!
Farm to School Webinars
Interested in learning more about farm to school? The National Farm to School Network offers 20 minute webinars on various topics once a month. All webinars are archived and available for you to view free here. The next webinar is scheduled for May 8 and is titled, “School Gardens vs. Summer Vacation”. Another opportunity to learn about Farm to School programs specifically in Florida is at the Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference in Kissimmee, July 27-29. Check out the program here.
Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook
The national Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers many publications free on their website. This resource in particular “offers straightforward guidance on cooperative marketing, an innovative practice that is helping CSAs stay strong and viable over the long term. This 130-page book details how farmers in CSA cooperatives can best work together to market their produce, including advice on staffing, volunteer boards, distribution, legal topics and other practical information”. Download the entire handbook free here.
Creating Change in the Food System: The Role of Regional Food Networks in Iowa
Don’t be fooled –this isn’t a repeat from the last listserv announcement. In the last list email I sent out there was a link to the USDA Regional Food Hub Resource Guide, this resource comes from Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems. This case study focuses on building long-term local and regional food commerce in Iowa using a community of practice approach. They offer tips for creating through a network of organizations. The entire document is attached.
Training Needs Survey of Food System Professionals and Volunteers
This group is reaching out to folks involved with programs ranging from beginning farmers, farmland protection, food hubs, and food value chains to urban agriculture and community food security. American Farmland Trust, the Wallace Center at Winrock International, and the Michigan State U. Center for Regional Food Systems (formerly the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems) have teamed up with the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) to conduct a survey of food system development practitioners in North America. The survey is open through May 31, 2012, and is open to practitioners throughout North America. The survey objective is to identify the specific challenges and training needs of current and prospective food system development practitioners. This anonymous questionnaire is largely simple checkboxes and should not take more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
For the purposes of the survey, a "food system development practitioner" is anyone who, as a significant portion of their work, uses community development strategies in working with farmers, business people, government agency staff, local residents, or other persons or entities to create or strengthen the viability, equity, and sustainability of food systems. Thank you for your participation and for sharing this link with others! If you have any questions, contact Duncan Hilchey at duncan@newleafnet.com.
Kelly Monaghan
Program Assistant
Florida SARE Program
UF/FAMU
3031 Mc Carty Hall D
PO Box 110310
Gainesville, FL 32611-0310
352.273.3508
352.392.8196 Fax
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