| Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - April 15, 2015 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. | Sound and Sensible Organic Certification in the Gulf States
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Quality Certification Services are offering free workshops on organic regulations and organic inspections. Workshops are offered in locations across the Gulf States during April and May. Find a schedule at http://bit.ly/1PKnIKk | News & Resources - Organic Farming Capitalizes on Nature's Services, Study Says
- USDA Invites Nominations to National Organic Standards Board
- Locavore Index Announces States Most Committed to Locally Produced Food
- Online Video Series Focuses on Processing Local Meats
- Proposed FDA Change to Food Facility Registration Would Exempt More Farms
- Case Studies Highlight Water and Energy Savings in Kansas Agriculture
Funding Opportunities - Aetna Foundation GoLocal: Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program
- California Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, Phase II
- Conservation Innovation Grants in Kentucky
Coming Events - North American Agroforestry Conference
- Grass-Fed Beef Conference
- Advanced Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
News & Resources Organic Farming Capitalizes on Nature's Services, Study Says
Scientists conducted research on conventional and organic farms to arrive at dollar values for natural processes that aid farming. Their research found that organic farming systems do a better job of capitalizing on nature's services. This study quantified the economic value of biological control of pests and the release of nitrogen from soil organic matter into plant-accessible forms. Values of these services averaged $146 per acre each year for organic systems. USDA Invites Nominations to National Organic Standards Board
USDA is seeking nominations to fill five vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): two farmers, two consumer/public interest representatives, and one USDA-accredited certifying agent. Appointees will serve a five-year term. Nominations are due on or before May 15, 2015. Locavore Index Announces States Most Committed to Locally Produced Food
According to the 2015 Locavore Index, the four states that do best in consuming locally produced food are Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon. The ranking of all 50 states is compiled annually by Strolling of the Heifers, a Vermont-based local food advocacy group. The full ranking by state is available online. Online Video Series Focuses on Processing Local Meats
NC Choices has released a six-part video series on processing local meat products in North Carolina. The online videos illustrate some of the services available at small-scale processing facilities that can add marketability for farmers selling local meat products. The videos include topics such as "How to Choose a Processor That's Right for You" and "Meat Yield: How Much Am I Getting Back."
Related ATTRA Video: Creating an Excellent Relationship with Your Lamb Processor Proposed FDA Change to Food Facility Registration Would Exempt More Farms
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a proposed rule to amend and update its regulation on registration of food facilities. The proposed rule would clarify that the sale of food directly to consumers from an on-farm establishment includes sales by the establishment at roadside stands, farmers markets, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. FDA is accepting public comments on the rule change. Case Studies Highlight Water and Energy Savings in Kansas Agriculture
Water + Energy Progress has posted nine case studies of its 2015 award winners. The program identifies and spotlights innovations that save water and energy on Kansas farms and ranches. In addition to online profiles, Climate & Energy Project has a Vimeo page that features short videos of innovators. >> More Breaking News Back to top
Funding Opportunities Aetna Foundation GoLocal: Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program
The Aetna Foundation's Local Roots grant program seeks to fund the creation and expansion of community gardens, urban farms, and farmers markets in underserved, low-income, and minority communities. Non-profits may apply for grants of up to $25,000 per year for up to two years.
Applications must be received by May 6, 2015. California Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, Phase II
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting proposals for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, Phase II (Research). An estimated $500,000 in competitive grant funding will be awarded for research and demonstration projects that study and facilitate changes in manure management practices at California dairies.
Proposals are due by May 15, 2015. Conservation Innovation Grants in Kentucky
NRCS in Kentucky is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development, adoption, and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches and technologies related to water quality, soil health, and forage quality and quantity. CIG will fund projects up to three years long, up to $75,000 each.
Applications must be received by May 22, 2015. >> More Funding Opportunities Back to top
Coming Events North American Agroforestry Conference
May 30 - June 3, 2015
Ames, Iowa
The conference title is "Agroforestry as a Catalyst for On-Farm Conservation and Diversification." A pre-conference agroforestry field tour will visit a variety of agroforestry systems. Concurrent half-day advanced agroforestry workshops will be offered May 31. The main conference features keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, tours and field demonstrations, and poster sessions. Grass-Fed Beef Conference
May 28-29, 2015
College Station, Texas
Grass-fed beef producers will have the opportunity to learn more about marketing opportunities and production trends. The conference will cover a broad range of important topics pertaining to grass-fed beef production. Advanced Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
June 2, 2015
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
North Carolina Growing Together is offering a series of Postharvest Handling Workshops. Participants will learn approaches and technologies to maintain product quality and extend shelf life, limiting postharvest disorders and loss of sales. >> More Events Back to top
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Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest newsletters are available online.  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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