| Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - March 11, 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. News & Resources - New Edition of Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening Available
- National Farm to School Network Reports Growing Trend in State Farm to School Policies
- Cost and Return Study for Organic Processing Apples Issued
- USDA Market News Retail Report Covers Local and Organic Products
- Wisconsin Organic Status Report Issued
- Report Shows Food Hubs Emerging Economic Force in Iowa
Funding Opportunities - Specialty Crop Research Initiative
- Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
- Conservation Innovation Grants in California
Coming Events - Philly Farm & Food Fest
- Great Lakes Intertribal Food Summit
- Summit on Local Economies
News & Resources New Edition of Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening Available
Teaching Organic Farming & Gardening: Resources for Instructors, 3rd Edition addresses practical aspects of organic farming and gardening, applied soil science, and social and environmental issues in agriculture. New features of the 3rd Edition include revised and expanded lecture outlines and detailed narrative supplements. The 700-page manual was produced by UCSC's Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. National Farm to School Network Reports Growing Trend in State Farm to School Policies
Twenty-two states passed 41 farm to school bills and resolutions in 2014, according to a report released by the National Farm to School Network. The State Farm to School Legislative Survey: 2002-2014, prepared by Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, is a comprehensive review of state-level farm to school policies, analysis of national trends, and advocacy guide. Cost and Return Study for Organic Processing Apples Issued
New studies on the cost and return of growing processing apples for juice and cider are available from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension. One study shows production costs for organically grown apples and the other for conventionally grown apples for processing into juice and cider.
Related ATTRA Publication: Apples: Organic Production Guide USDA Market News Retail Report Covers Local and Organic Products
USDA Market News is now issuing a weekly National Retail Report covering local and organic products. This report represents average prices for products based on online advertisement surveys from 350 major grocery retailers and 28,000 stores nationwide. Wisconsin Organic Status Report Issued
UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection have issued Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2015 Status Report. The 40-page publication provides data on organic production, markets, and farmer demographics. This report also includes a special section on organic grain. Report Shows Food Hubs Emerging Economic Force in Iowa
A new report, Food Hub Development in Iowa: Lessons learned from a study of food hub managers and regional food coordinators, says that food hubs play a significant role in the state's local and regional food economy. Thirteen food hubs purchased $4.5 million in food from more than 450 Iowa farmers and supported 58 jobs. >> More Breaking News Back to top
Funding Opportunities Specialty Crop Research Initiative
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Specialty Crop Research Initiative is awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food-production systems.
Pre-applications must be received by March 30, 2015. Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture requests applications for approximately $17.5 million in funding under the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). OREI helps solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities.
Notice of Intent to Submit is requested by April 1, 2015; full applications are due April 30, 2015. Conservation Innovation Grants in California
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in California is accepting project pre-proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants of up to $75,000 each. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nongovernment organizations, eligible private business, and individuals.
Pre-proposals must be received by April 10, 2015. >> More Funding Opportunities Back to top
Coming Events Philly Farm & Food Fest
April 12, 2015
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fair Food Philly and Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture teamed up to create this annual regional marketplace to connect farmers and local food producers with consumers. Great Lakes Intertribal Food Summit
April 14-16, 2015
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Join the Intertribal Agricultural Council for networking sessions, hands-on workshops, and tours focused on Great Lakes Tribal food production, marketing, and access. Summit on Local Economies
April 14-15, 2015
Medora, North Dakota
Organized by FARRMS, this event will begin with a networking session featuring North Dakota's local food farmers. On the second day, join FARRMS and its partners for a summit presenting the economic benefits of supporting local farmers and local foods. >> 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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