Press Release: March 9, 2010; Contact: Ben Lilliston, (612) 870-3416, ben@iatp.org

Farm to school efforts double in Minnesota: Demand from students, farmers and schools grows for farm to school programs

Minneapolis – The number of Minnesota school districts purchasing fresh food from local farms has more than doubled in the last 15 months, according to a survey released today by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

Farm to school programs link school children with local farmers and farm products, including fruits and vegetables, meat, grains and other items. Farm to school provides fresh, healthy food choices, helps children develop healthy eating habits and supports small and mid-size farmers.

The survey gathered input from MSNA’s membership, which includes foodservice professionals from nearly 100 public school districts serving approximately 550,000 K-12 students across the state. Sixty-nine districts reported purchasing Minnesota-grown products in 2009, more than double the figure from late 2008. Further, 77 percent of the districts now involved with farm to school initiatives expect to expand their activities in the upcoming school year, a sign that these programs are taking root and growing. Read more »

Keep up on all the events at Shelburne Farms by clicking Here!

Leaping Lambs & Shear Delights! (special)

Saturday, April 17

TIME: 10 am – 1 pm FEE: Member: $6/adult, $4/child; nonmember: $7/adult, $5/child NO PREGISTRATION

Celebrate this special time of year! Visit our new lambs, watch their moms get sheared, wash the fleece and learn how to hand spin. Try your hand at felting, taste some sheep’s milk cheese, and much more!

Cheddar is a Verb! Be a Cheesemaker for a Day (adult)

Friday, APRIL 23

TIME: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm FEE: $75/person (includes lunch)  REGISTRATION: 802-985-8686

A full-day experience in the art and science of cheese. Work side-by-side with our cheesemakers to turn 6,000 lbs of milk into cheddar! Topics include: raw milk cheese, the 8 steps of cheesemaking, and cheese quality and aging. The day includes a home cheesemaking demonstration

Sheep Shearing Clinic (adult)

Saturday, April 24

TIME: 9:00 am–3:00 pm FEE: $125 for shearing (must bring own equipment); $50 for lectures & observation REGISTRATION: 802-524-6501

Learn the hands-on basics of sheep shearing in this day-long workshop guided by professional sheep shearer, Chet Parsons.  Sponsored by UVM Extension.

Vacation Day: Farmer for a Day (family)

Mon.–Wednesday, April 26–28

Register for one, two, or all three days.

TIME: 9:00 am–3:30 pm Ages: 5–12 FEE: Member: $45/child/day; nonmember: $50/child/day  REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  802-985-8686

Pitch in to prepare the farm for spring! Earth Day adds to the significance of caring for farm animals and garden plants that provide us with food. Activities may also include work in our sugarbush, or on our walking trails or beaches.      Before & after care available upon request. Please contact Peter Bullock 985-0309.

Seeking enthusiastic interns and volunteers with a demonstrated interest in nutrition education/food studies/culinary arts for a hands-on, creative internship helping to teach schoolchildren about local food and farmers markets. 10 to 20 hours a week late April through mid-June.

Interested parties please contact Sarah Poten at spoten@greenmarket.grownyc.org or 212-341-2259

Who we are: Greenmarket, a program of Grow NYC, is dedicated to promoting regional agriculture, preserving farmland, and ensuring a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for all New Yorkers. We operate 50 open air farmers markets throughout the five boroughs.

The Greenmarket Youth Education Project connects thousands of New York City schoolchildren in grades K-12 with Greenmarkets and regional farmers each year.  Through fun, interactive learning experiences like School Tours at market, Meet Your Farmer classroom visits, Seed-to-Plate cooking classes and On The Farm field trips we help children gain an understanding of local agriculture and the importance of eating fresh, seasonal foods–for their bodies, their environment and their communities. Read more »

Just Food’s Fresh Food for All program helps food pantries and other emergency food programs make fresh, nutritious, locally grown food available to families and individuals in need. Just Food works with 38 food pantries and soup kitchens in all 5 boroughs of New York City, connecting them with farmers, providing cooking demonstrations, and arranging farm visits to acquaint the staff and clients with their farmers and the local food system. Our partners include the Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) of New York, the United Way of NYC, NYC emergency food programs, and rural family farmers.

Fresh Food for All has two models to connect local farms and organizations serving low-income communities:

1. Local Produce Link

2. Direct Purchasing

Are you a NYC soup kitchen, food pantry, or other type of institution serving low-income families? Would you like to get fresh vegetables from a local farm?  Click here to learn more.

Are you a farmer interested in growing vegetables for NYC food pantries and soup kitchens?  Click here to learn more and to find out how to apply.

Do you need emergency food?  If so, call the NYC Hunger Hotline at 1-866-888-8777 or contact the Food Bank for NYC at 212-566-7855.

Just Food has also produced a toolkit to share this model with other communities.  Find out more at: http://www.justfood.org/marketplace/just-food-tools/local-produce-link-toolkit

Time is running out to register for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute March Whole Farm Workshops in Wisconsin:

From the Farm-Based Education Association:

Time: March 27, 2010 from 8am to 4pm
Location: Bristol County Agricultural High School
Street: 135 Center Street
City/Town: Dighton, MA
Website: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2phblet84e20970
Phone: 774-240-7004
Organized By: Katie Cavanagh

Enhance Your Farm’s Future

3rd Annual One-Day Farm Conference & Resource Fair Organized by Bristol County Conservation District & SEMAP Saturday, March 27, 2010, 8:00 am-4:00 pm Bristol County Agricultural High School, 135 Center St., Dighton MA.

Topics: Feeding livestock in today’s economy; Agri-tourism; Soil Fertility; Artificial insemination; Purchasing Public Land; and Biochar. Read more »

From the Farm-Based Education Association and NOFA Mass:

Time: April 10, 2010 from 9am to 12pm
Location: In every region of Massachusetts
Website: http://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/workshopday.php
Phone: 413-658-5374
Organized By: Ben Grosscup

With basic gardening workshops available in every region of the state (Monterey, Chesterfield, Wendell, Winchendon, Barre, South Natick, Mattapan, Newbury, Dartmouth, and Centerville), anyone wanting to plant a garden has a nearby opportunity to learn new techniques. Registration: $30. NOFA membership discount: $5. Early registration (by March 27) discount: $5. Workshop descriptions, online registration, and downloadable mail-in registration from available online:
http://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/workshopday.php

The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ Program Coordinator, Sustainable Food Center (25 hours/week)

Overview: Sustainable Food Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ (THK) is a program of Sustainable Food Center that provides individuals and institutions with the resources and knowledge to make lasting dietary and behavioral changes. THK offers free, interactive 6-week cooking class series that emphasize the selection and preparation of fresh, seasonal foods that are nutritious, economical, and delicious.

Duties:

• Coordinate community-trained facilitators and cooking class logistics
• Oversee inventory tracking and maintenance of cooking equipment and educational materials
• Develop educational materials for events targeted to underserved families at risk for nutrition-related disease
• Assess community needs and develop new training content and resources
• Market nutrition education products and materials
• Work with the THK Program Director to deliver training to staff and/or volunteers of agencies interested in replicating The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ cooking and nutrition education series
• Support and represent Sustainable Food Center initiatives in the community
• Some evenings and weekends required

Qualifications:

• MUST BE Bilingual English/Spanish (professional oral and written skills); native Spanish speaker preferred
• Experience in community development/organizing in underserved communities
• Experience producing low-literate health education materials
• Experience adapting educational materials for culturally diverse audiences
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Strong organizational skills including strategic planning and non-formal evaluation methods
• Commitment to promoting culturally appropriate and sustainable food systems
• Current driver’s license and reliable source of transportation

Compensation: Sustainable Food Center is an equal opportunity employer; women and people of color are encouraged to apply. Salary in the $30,000 – $35,000 range for fulltime equivalent. Position is part-time, 25 hours per week, with health benefits included.

Email resume, cover letter, references and a Spanish/English writing sample to the following address:  joy@sustainablefoodcenter.org

No phone calls, por favor.

Resumes accepted until March 19, 2010

SEEKING FARM MANAGERS: To expand and potentially take over a certified organic produce business in NE Pennsylvania. Seeking energetic, highly motivated self-starters with extensive know-how and experience in all aspects of organic growing and marketing, good people skills, and a deep love of land and animals. Starting as salaried managers (including farmhouse, utilities, and other benefits), the managers would work to increase productivity and sales. The potential to make the business their own through a long-term land lease would follow a transition period for developing mutually beneficial goals and a compatible relationship. For complete information, please send cover letter and resume to Shary and Gary Skoloff, e-mail: sskoloff@comcast.net

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) has an immediate need for an Executive Director. This membership organization of consumer cooperatives seeks to assist our regional food cooperatives in creating a healthy local
food system and an integrated, vibrant cooperative sector. This exciting position will take a five year old volunteer organization to the next stage of development by establishing a new cooperative organization. Reporting to the NFCA Steering Committee, you will work with many cooperatives and Food System partners in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience related to local economic  initiatives; experience in working with New England food systems projects and involvement with policy initiatives associated with local food systems; experience in managing a non-profit organization; familiarity with and
experience in working with consumer cooperatives; be able to travel; be computer and Internet literate and be willing to work a flexible schedule, which includes some weekends. This is a full time, salaried position, and includes benefits. If you would like to join us as we build this dynamic new organization and are qualified for the available position, then we encourage you to submit a resume and cover letter by 3/29/10 to: Glenn Lower, Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, 1 Washington Street, Middlebury, Vermont 05753. Phone 802-388-7276 and email gm@middleburycoop.com

Kayam Farm at Pearlstone is hiring its first full-time Farm Manager, March 25th-Nov 15th, with $5000 stipend plus free housing at Beit Kayam and farm produce.  Kayam embodies and inspires social and ecological responsibility by transforming our community through hands-on Jewish agricultural education. The Kayam Farm Manager will be responsible for managing all farm production tasks- planting, mulching, fertilizing, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, and composting- as well as produce distribution through our CSA, Pearlstone kitchen, farmers market, and donations.  The farm manager will work with other Kayam staff, volunteers, and summer fellows to make the farm as productive as possible.  The farm manager will live with other Kayam staff and apprentices at Beit Kayam, a beautiful 6-bedroom mansion located one mile away from Pearlstone in Reisterstown, MD.  Contact Jakir Manela for more information:
jakir@pearlstonecenter.org.

Kayam also has a summer fellowship/internship program:

Entering our third season, the Kayam Summer Fellowship brings together talented, passionate young Jews who farm, teach, and live together on Kayam Farm at the Pearlstone Center, just outside Baltimore. Fellows start each morning by working together on our 2.5 acre farm, which includes vegetables, fruit trees, grape vines, culinary and medicinal herbs, grains, berries, asparagus, educational gardens, and a large greenhouse. Kayam fellows teach about 5 hours/day at Camp Milldale, the JCC DAY camp on-site. The fellowship runs June 8th-August 23rd. Fellows live together in Kfar Kayam, a tent village located just a few steps away from the farm. We live together in community, farming and teaching during the day, learning and playing music at night (instruments strongly encouraged).

Fellows receive a $1600 stipend in three payments over the course of the summer, plus room & board. Fellows also receive health insurance through Pearlstone. Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows receive a Certificate in Jewish Community Gardening and Jewish Environmental Education. It is our hope that fellows use their experience at Kayam to start and/or enhance similar programs elsewhere.

We have 5 positions available. In addition to these five will be one Israeli fellow and four Kayam staff, making our total community 10 people. We are looking for hard workers, good teachers, creative minds, fun-lovers, and people who take initiative. To apply, fill out the application and send to jakir@pearlstonecenter.org.

If you like the idea of working in the country away from the noise of the city, then Emandal might be right for you…

What is Emandal? Emandal has operated as a family camp/guest ranch since it was opened in 1908 by Em and Al Byrnes.  Since 1946, The Adams Family has continued the family camp tradition.  In addition they have added Environmental Education in the Spring and host the occasional wedding and private group retreat.  For 100 years Emandal has been a place for people to come and relax, learn, explore, reunite with friends and family, and meet new friends.  Emandal’s Seasonal Staff are essential in creating a quality experience for guests.

Why do people come here to work? We have found over the years that Emandal has been a great place for people to come while pondering life’s choices.  Working a season or two on the farm is ideal for transitioning from one experience to another…whether the end of school, between jobs, prior to graduate education, before a trip around the world, or while making decisions about a career change.

What sorts of jobs are available? We have a variety of positions available beginning as early as January, and a few more available in mid June.  End dates vary depending on the position, though usually late September-mid October.  Though we are a farm, we operate as a guest facility and the work reflects this.  We encourage people to stay more than one season so they can experience the farm’s life cycle. Read more »

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:  Deborah Stockton 434.295.7176 Email: nicfa@earthlink.net
Congress Gets Fed a New Taste of Food Safety

March 8, 2010–Washington DC—The National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (NICFA), along with a host of area restaurants and caterers who source food from local farmers, plans a buffet reception for federal legislators on March 10, 4:00 – 6:30pm Room SD-106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC.  Citing potential destruction of small farms as the unintended consequence of proposed federal food safety bills, the national advocacy group is bringing to Congress its message that small farms produce the safest food.

The buffet will cap off the fourth annual Farm Food Voices lobby day (10:00am-3:00pm). This year, Main Event Caterers is coordinating food from a number of fine dining restaurants around the metro area, including Nora’s, Sonoma, Woodberry Kitchen, Poste Brasserie, Restaurant 3, Alchemy Caterers, Coppi’s Organic, Lavender Moon Cupcakery, Suburban Trading Company and Food Matters. The lavish buffet will be served up to Senators, Congressmen and their staffs, with a request to spare small farms more legal hurdles.

“Small farms produce the safest food available, without regulation. Small farms are also  increasing at about 13,000 a year, according to the USDA,” says Deborah Stockton, Executive Director of NICFA.  “The current Administration that wants to ‘rebuild’ rural America, is pushing food bills that will do the opposite.  Just like family farms brought us out of the Great Depression, they can bring us out of the food safety problem and this recession, if they are allowed to thrive.”

NICFA asserts that federal agencies do not enforce measures already on the books to ensure food safety in the industrial food system.

“Do we really want to give sweeping new powers to agencies that do not do their jobs?” asks Stockton.  “The main threats to food safety – by the government’s own admission – are centralized production, centralized processing and long distance transportation. The food safety bills will actually increase these risk factors by consolidating agriculture into fewer, larger industrial farms  through enormous regulatory burdens that small farms cannot endure.  There is not a history of food borne illness from farmers’ markets.”

Mrs. West Virginia International is also making a lobby day appearance at her representatives offices and the buffet. Beauty Queen, Mrs. Alexandra Booth will vie for the title of Mrs. America International with Local Food as her platform.

Advocates for the bills claim that exemptions in the bills will protect small farms. Consumers and farmers from around the country however, contend that the exemptions are insufficient and questionable, and they will ask legislators to reconsider these bills. For more information on the Capitol Hill local-foods reception see http://www.nicfa.com

Time: March 24, 2010 from 1pm to 2:30pm; Location: The World Wide Web; Website or Map: http://www.eventbrite.com/eve…; Phone: 978-318-7872; Event Type: webinar; Organized By: The FBEA & Dialogue Social Media Education & Consulting

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Some of our best learning comes through discussions with others in our field. As much as we might like to network more frequently, it is not always possible. Use the information from this webinar to strengthen the social networking you may already be doing or to determine if social networking is a good option for your goals and the goals of your program.

In this Webinar you will:
* Gain a window of insight into the workings of online social media.
* Learn how to gain access to farm-based education resources and facilitate easier online connections with other farm-based educators and members of your farm program’s community.
* Get some inside tips on how to optimize these tools and the time you spend utilizing them.
* Learn how to feature and promote your program and the work of your colleagues both to your community members and the larger community of farm-based educators.
* Learn how to upload resources, pictures, and videos to social media sites and join forum discussions on topics relevant to farm-based education such as community food security, funding sources, and the political issues surrounding education and agriculture.

What do we mean by social media? Examples are: Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and websites powered by platforms like Ning – the Farm-Based Education Association, Farm Aid’s HomeGrown.org, The Northeast’s Food & Farm Network, and Kithchen Gardeners International as examples.

The Database is available at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FeedGrains/

This database contains statistics on four feed grains (corn, grain sorghum, barley, and oats), foreign coarse grains (feed grains plus rye, millet, and mixed grains), hay, and related items. This includes data published in the monthly Feed Outlook and previously annual Feed Yearbook. Data are monthly, quarterly, and/or annual depending upon the data series.

Available data include:

• Supply: beginning stocks, production, and imports;
• Demand: utilization for food, seed, and industrial uses, feed and residual, exports, and ending stocks;
• Prices: farm and market prices;
• Quantities fed: concentrates, oilseed meals, and animal- and grain-protein feeds;
• Feed-price ratios for livestock, poultry, and milk;
• And much more!

Assistant Farm Manager Non-profit environmental education center/working farm. Assist Farm Manager with animal care for dairy cows, sheep, chickens and pigs; property & equipment maintenance; haying; some administrative tasks. B.A./ farm experience required along with an interest in working with students of all ages. Housing/benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume to Ann Taylor, Executive Director; New Pond Farm Education Center; P.O. Box 116; West Redding, CT 06896
or to ann@newpondfarm.org