| Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - June 28, 2017 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. News & Resources - Armed to Farm Training Helps Veterans Launch Sustainable Agriculture Careers
- Produce Growers, Farmers, and Food Hubs Invited to Give Food Safety Input
- Michigan EnviroImpact Tool Maps Nutrient Runoff Risk
- American Farmland Trust Kicks Off Farmers Market Celebration
- European TRUE Project to Promote Legumes
- Maine Enacts Food Sovereignty Law
Funding Opportunities - Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
- Bring Back the Natives
- Nevada Regional Conservation Partnership Program Sage Grouse Projects
Coming Events - Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
- Soil Sisters
- Organic Certification Course
News & Resources Armed to Farm Training Helps Veterans Launch Sustainable Agriculture Careers
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) recently held one of its week-long Armed to Farm sustainable agriculture training sessions in Fayetteville, Arkansas, reports KUAF radio. Armed to Farm is a free program for veterans and active-duty service members that offers classroom instruction on establishing a farm business and visits to sustainable agriculture operations. NCAT is accepting applications for a program in Maine, and another training will take place this fall in Montana. Produce Growers, Farmers, and Food Hubs Invited to Give Food Safety Input
The Local Food Safety Collaborative (LFSC) is conducting a nationwide survey to find out how it can help produce growers, farmers, and food hubs with food safety. Responses to this survey will help LFSC enhance fundamental food-safety knowledge and support local farmers and processors in complying with applicable Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete online. Michigan EnviroImpact Tool Maps Nutrient Runoff Risk
MSU EnviroImpact Tool is a new agricultural nutrient-management tool that provides maps showing short-term runoff risks for daily manure-application planning purposes. It takes into account factors such as precipitation, temperature, soil moisture, and landscape characteristics. Farmers handling and applying livestock manure in Michigan can use this tool to determine how risky it will be to spread manure on their fields. This tool is part of a multi-state regional effort. American Farmland Trust Kicks Off Farmers Market Celebration
American Farmland Trust's annual summer Farmers Market Celebration raises national awareness about the loss of America's farmland and its impact on local, healthy food, drinking water, and critical wildlife habitat. The seventh year of the Farmers Market Celebration extends through September 22, 2017. The celebration allows farmers market supporters to vote online for their favorite farmers market and join in discussion.
Related ATTRA Publication: Farmers Markets: Marketing and Business Guide European TRUE Project to Promote Legumes
A new, European-wide research project will explore and develop sustainable legume-based farming systems and agri-feed and food chains in the European Union. Project TRUE (TRansition paths to sUstainable legume-based systems in Europe) includes innovations from the development of novel farming practices to improved feed and food formulation. Feed innovations include use of lupins and faba beans for aquaculture. Additionally, there will be sustainability assessments of various legume-based systems. Maine Enacts Food Sovereignty Law
Maine's governor has signed An Act to Recognize Local Control Regarding Food Systems, reports Bangor Daily News. The legislation legitimizes the authority of communities to enact ordinances regulating local food distribution independent of state regulatory control. Supporters say the legislation opens new opportunities for small producers to sell food within their own communities. >>More Breaking News Back to top
Funding Opportunities Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
USDA has announced the availability of $8.4 million in competitive grants to support organizations that provide training, outreach, and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged, Tribal, and Veteran farmers and ranchers. Community-based and non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities are eligible to apply for one-year grants up to $200,000.
Proposals must be submitted by August 7, 2017. Bring Back the Natives
This program invests in conservation activities that restore, protect, and enhance native populations of sensitive or listed fish species. The program emphasizes coordination between private landowners and Federal agencies, Tribes, corporations, and states to improve the ecosystem functions and health of watersheds. Species and geographic priorities are identified online.
Pre-proposals are due July 13, 2017. Nevada Regional Conservation Partnership Program Sage Grouse Projects
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nevada is offering Environmental Quality Incentives Program financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers interested in completing conservation projects that improve and protect greater sage-grouse habitat through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Conservation practices and management actions may include sagebrush establishment, perennial grass and/or forb seeding, riparian or meadow enhancements, cross-fencing, off-stream watering for livestock and wildlife, and other potential practices.
Applications must be received by July 17, 2017, to be considered in the first project funding period. >>More Funding Opportunities Back to top
Coming Events Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
July 30 - August 2, 2017
Madison, Wisconsin
The 72nd International Conference theme is Conservation Connections: Creating Pathways to Sustainability. The agenda features numerous workshops, speakers, and tours. Soil Sisters
August 4-6, 2017
Monroe, New Glarus, Blanchardville, and Brodhead, Wisconsin
This culinary event celebrates Wisconsin's family farms and rural life. It features tours, workshops, and farm-to-table meals involving numerous women-owned farms. Organic Certification Course
August 2-3 or 9-10, 2017
Nashville or Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension is offering this course in two locations. The course introduces organic agriculture, discusses certification and marketing, covers production and management, and addresses practical applications. >>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.
Visit the NCAT website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects. © 2017 NCAT Back to top | 
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