Regional Food Systems and More News

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Taylor in Funding, Local Food, Policy, Politics, Publications, Research, Webinar // 0 Comments

Regional Food Systems

Sustainable Agriculture News Featuring FSMA Water Requirements, Farm Safety Net, Regional Food Systems, FSIS Policy, and More…

FDA NEWS 
 
What Should You Know About FSMA Water Requirements?
 
Anyone growing produce has probably heard by now that the first produce farms subject to FDA’s new regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act will have to come into compliance in 2018. Compliance dates for farms are staggered based on size, with the largest farms coming into compliance in 2018, small farms in 2019, and very small farms coming last in 2020. There is, however, one aspect of the new requirements for produce farms that does not follow these same compliance dates – the standard related to water used in agricultural production.
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REPORTS 
 
Conservation Compliance is a Key Thread in Farm Safety Net

A recent report from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) entitled, “Conservation Compliance: How Farmer Incentives Are Changing in the Crop Insurance Era,” supports the importance of retaining the link between conservation compliance and crop insurance subsidies. The report focuses on how the highly erodible land compliance requirements affected soil conservation, the impact of compliance on natural resources, and if the 2014 Farm Bill measures worked to improve compliance.

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Federal Reserve Puts Its Money on Regional Food Systems

The Federal Reserve, better known for setting the nation’s monetary policy than promoting locally-grown produce, released a book this week celebrating the growing local and regional farm and food sectors as key drivers of economic and community development. Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food Systems Investments to Transform Communities, concludes that one of the best solutions to economic challenges in both rural and urban America is the rebirth of regional food economies.

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WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT
Engagement With FSIS Policy: Experiences From the Field

Hear from a panel of speakers who are engaging with USDA FSIS policy as it relates to small meat plants and niche meats. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, with NMPAN’s help, is steering a small plant policy group that is meeting quarterly with top FSIS leadership to address policy concerns for small operators. These include issues around humane handling rules, inspector training, pathogen testing, labeling, outreach to small plants, funding, and more. Learn what these folks are up to, what concerns are most pressing for them, and what they believe are potential policy levers for change. We will conclude with next steps and ways others can get involved in having their voices heard.

Panelists will include: Ferd Hoefner, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Carrie Balkom, American Grassfed Association; Brian Sapp, White Oak Pastures; Denise Perry, Lorentz Meats; Greg Gunthorp, Gunthorp Family Farm

When: Thursday, August 17th, 2017

Time: 9-10:15am PST/12-1:15pm EST

Where: Go to this link to pre-register for FREE. Plan on registering at least 10 minutes before the webinar begins.

All NMPAN webinars are open to the public and free of charge.

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