| Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - May 2, 2012 Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online. News & Resources - Study Compares Organic, Conventional Yields
- Organic Trade Association Survey Shows Continued Organic Market Growth
- Working Landscapes Certificate Program Opens Farmer Opportunities
- Michigan State University Center for Food Systems Established
- Wendell Berry Delivers Jefferson Lecture
- Scholarships Available for 6th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
Funding Opportunities - Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program
- Northeast SARE Graduate Student Grants
- California Conservation Innovation Grant Program
Coming Events - Michigan Good Food Summit
- Grazing Workshop for Small Ruminant Producers
- Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Courses in Montana
News & Resources Study Compares Organic, Conventional Yields
A review of 66 studies comparing yields of 34 different crops, led by McGill University and published in Nature, found that organic farming yields are lower than conventional farming yields. Crop yields in the studies ranged from 34% lower to only 3% lower than in conventional farming, depending on the crop. The study leader noted that organic farmers can boost yields of less-productive crops through land-management practices. Organic Trade Association Survey Shows Continued Organic Market Growth
The U.S. organic industry grew by 9.5% overall in 2011 to reach $31.5 billion in sales, according to findings from the Organic Trade Association's 2012 Organic Industry Survey. Prospects for 2012 and 2013 indicate that organic food and non-food sales will continue to sustain growth levels of 9% or higher. Working Landscapes Certificate Program Opens Farmer Opportunities
In an interview posted by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Angela and Kerry Knuth, who farm more than 3,000 acres of corn and soybeans near Mead, Nebraska, discuss their participation in the Working Landscapes Certificate program. The program allows end users of commodity crops to encourage sustainable crop production by providing additional income to farmers in return for the environmental benefits associated with more sustainable farming practices. Michigan State University Center for Food Systems Established
The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, a newly established group at Michigan State University, is focused on bettering food systems. The center was established through the combination of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems and the MSU Student Organic Farm. Affiliated faculty and staff will contribute their expertise to the center's research, education, and outreach on food systems issues from agricultural production and marketing to healthy corner store initiatives in low-income areas. Wendell Berry Delivers Jefferson Lecture
Wendell Berry delivered the 2012 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities on Monday, April 23, 2012. The annual lecture, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, is the most prestigious honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities. In his lecture, entitled “It All Turns on Affection,” Berry lamented the increasing divergence of modern man from the environment and local communities. Video and a transcript of the lecture are available online. Scholarships Available for 6th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
The 6th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Digging In! is accepting scholarship applications until May 31. The conference takes place in Burlington, Vermont, August 2-5. Scholarship awards cover the early bird registration fee for the conference. In addition to scholarships, a limited number of volunteer positions are also available. Scholarship applications are available online. >> More Breaking News Back to top
Funding Opportunities Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program
USDA Risk Management Agency will award approximately $3 million through the Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program. This competitive cooperative partnership agreement program delivers crop management training to U.S. agricultural producers to assist them in identifying and managing production, marketing, legal, financial, and human risk. The program gives priority to: (1) Educating producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage; and (2) Providing collaborative outreach and assistance programs for limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, and other traditionally under-served farmers and ranchers.
Applications must be received by May 24, 2012. Northeast SARE Graduate Student Grants
This grant of up to $15,000 is for graduate students who are researching topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers. Projects should explore the themes of good stewardship, profitability, and quality of life for farmers and the farm community. This grant is open to graduate students enrolled at an accredited college, university, or veterinary school in the Northeast region.
Applications are due on May 25, 2012. California Conservation Innovation Grant Program
NRCS in California requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) of up to $75,000 to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. For fiscal year 2012, up to $375,000 is available for the California competition. Applications are requested from eligible government or nongovernment organizations, private businesses, or individuals. Program objectives are detailed online.
Applications are due by May 18, 2012. >> More Funding Opportunities Back to top
Coming Events Michigan Good Food Summit
June 14, 2012
Lansing, Michigan
The 2012 Michigan Good Food Summit provides an opportunity to network, hear success stories, and work with others to advance a food system based on food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable. People who grow, produce, process, distribute, market, prepare, or eat food are encouraged to attend. Grazing Workshop for Small Ruminant Producers
June 14-16, 2012
Jefferson City, Missouri
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and Research presents a grazing workshop featuring keynote speaker Greg Judy. Presentations will cover forages, forage management, stockpiling, soils, and fencing, with sessions on grazing system design, layout, and grazing plans. Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Courses in Montana
June 12 or 14, 2012
Bridger or Great Falls, Montana
This day-long short course will equip conservationists, land managers, farm educators, and agricultural professionals with the latest science-based approaches to increasing crop security and reversing the trend of pollinator decline, especially in heavily managed agricultural landscapes. >> More Events Back to top
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Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest newsletters are available online.  The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
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