University of Illinois Extension

Illinois Small Farms

Archived News

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference to Feature More than 150 Speakers and Exhibitors

The Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference will be held Jan. 11-13, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Ill. The conference, which features more than 100 speakers and 50 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference workshops, general sessions and breakout sessions aimed at helping Illinois specialty growers cultivate their operations.

Wednesday, Jan. 11, participants may attend one of four preconference workshops, including Getting Started: Guidelines and Resources for New Growers, Scaling Up Local Food Systems, Expanding Farmers’ Market Opportunities and Legal Issues for Specialty Crop Producers.

The conference opens Thursday, Jan. 12, with a general session and keynote titled, “Foods that Heal - How Eating Local Foods Can Lead to a Sustainable and Healthier Community,” featuring Michael McGreal, chef and culinary educator, Joliet Junior College.

Participants are invited to attend breakout sessions Thursday, Jan. 12, and Friday, Jan. 13, featuring:

Following Thursday’s breakout sessions, the annual banquet will include a keynote speech titled, “A Lifetime of Resource Conservation on Farm and Home - Doing it the Easy Way,” presented by Jerry Mills, Mills Apple Farm, Marine, Ill. The 23rd Annual Apple Cider Contest and 10th Annual Hard Cider Contest will again be held in conjunction with the conference, with winners being announced during Thursday evening’s festivities.

To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor information, please contact Diane Handley at 309-557-2107 or dhandley@ilfb.org. A detailed conference agenda and cider contest details can be viewed at www.specialtygrowers.org. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at a rate of $87 per night. Please call the hotel directly at 217-529-7777 and ask for the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference room block to make reservations at the conference rate.

 

Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® Application Period Open

Program trains new farmers to grow crops and their business

Food Works has opened the application period for the second year of the Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® (SIFB) farmer training program. The program runs from March, 2012 through February, 2013. This comprehensive, year-long course helps beginning and transitioning farm entrepreneurs in three important ways. The first is a series of field days during the growing season for hands-on learning at established farms in the region. The second element is a mentorship component that pairs budding growers with experienced farmers for one-on-one learning opportunities. The third aspect teaches the critical importance of sound business planning and marketing strategies over the course of eight classroom sessions during the winter months.

Those who participate in the SIFB program will learn from established growers and regional agriculture professionals, along with business and financial experts who will give invaluable advice on how to best operate a small farm.

The course is part of a wider network of Farm Beginning programs throughout the U.S. Initiated by the Land Stewardship Project in 1997, Farm Beginnings has grown to nine programs in seven states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and New York). Each program uses a standard framework with regional adaptations to ensure relevance for regional markets and growing conditions. In Illinois, more than 60% of Farm Beginnings graduates are operating a farm business five years after graduation, far exceeding the success rate of small businesses in general.

Kris Pirmann, a graduate of Central Illinois Farm Beginnings and who is now farming in Tunnel Hill near Vienna, said the price of the program is well worth it.

“If the person is serious about going into farming, the course is worth the price,” he said. “I think that the number one thing was getting to know the nitty gritty details about what type of business I was going to set up. Did I want a sole proprietorship, an LLC or something different?”

Kris also needed to know how to pay taxes for an agricultural business and how to build functioning budgets.

“Once I got into the course, it really helped me to focus,” he said. “I knew I wanted to farm, but when we started setting up the goals (long- and short-term), it helped me to organize and prioritize them. You keep those like tools to work with. I was also looking for help to start out on firm financial ground rather than just going to a bank and asking for some money to grow vegetables. A lot of people in the class, including myself, liked and wanted to farm, but it really helped all of them to focus.”

In Illinois, the opportunity for developing local food economies is virtually untapped. For example, more than 90 percent of the food consumed in Illinois comes from outside the state. Illinois has 27 million acres of farmland currently in production - the vast majority of which is commodity crops such as corn, beans and wheat. By transitioning just a small percentage of that acreage to sustainable fruit and vegetable production, farmers can grow food for markets closer to home, supporting local and regional economies.

Southern Illinois itself is uniquely situated for successful small-scale fruit and vegetable production with its rolling hills and southerly climate. The lack of large tracts of flat land make it difficult to grow on the scale necessary for corn, beans and wheat. The warmer climate also makes it possible to get an early jump on the growing season, as well as extend it further into the fall. In recent years a surge of interest in eating food from local sources has created a greater demand than local farms can supply. At the same time, markets in larger cities such as Chicago are experiencing a seemingly bottomless demand for food grown locally and sustainably, making the potential to develop an improved regional distribution infrastructure a distinct possibility.

All of these factors - and more - combine to make the prospects for growing more local food very promising. But Southern Illinois needs more established farm businesses. Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® aims to provide growers with the tools and skills necessary to ensure long term success in what can be a very demanding undertaking.

Cost for the year-long program is $975 and includes on-farm field days, workshops, a mentorship, and eight business planning and marketing seminars. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available. Printable application packets and scholarship forms can be downloaded at eatsouthernillinois.org.

Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® is funded through grants from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program, and Farm Aid, and by donations from supporters in Southern Illinois and beyond.

Food Works is first and foremost a farmer-led organization. The organization’s farmer support and training offerings are guided by a 12-member Farmer Advisory Committee comprised of eight local farmers and four agriculture professionals. Successful local small farmers lead the business planning sessions and present field day learning opportunities for SIFB and the Southern Illinois Farming Network.

To learn more about Food Works’ upcoming events, workshops and other initiatives, visit eatsouthernillinois.org. For any questions or more information, please contact Dayna Conner by email at or call 618-319-0542.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General West Announce Process to Resolve Discrimination Claims of Hispanic and Women Farmers

As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West today announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans.

"The Obama Administration has made it a priority to resolve all claims of past discrimination at USDA, and we are committed to closing this sad chapter in USDA's history," said Vilsack. "Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege past discrimination can now come forward to participate in a claims process in which they have the opportunity to receive compensation."

"Under the resolution announced today, USDA and Hispanic and women farmers will be able to move forward and focus on the future," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The administrative process being established will give Hispanic and women farmers who believe they suffered discrimination the chance to have their claims heard."

The claims process offers a streamlined alternative to litigation and provides at least $1.33 billion in compensation, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. This announcement follows the Obama Administration's settlement of longstanding litigation brought by African American farmers and Native American farmers.

The program announced today provides up to $50,000 for each Hispanic or woman farmer who can show that USDA denied them a loan or loan servicing for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000. Hispanic or female farmers who provide additional proof and meet other requirements can receive a $50,000 reward. Successful claimants are also eligible for funds to pay the taxes on their awards and for forgiveness of certain existing USDA loans. There are no filing fees or other costs to claimants to participate in the program. Participation is voluntary, and individuals who opt not to participate are not precluded by the program from filing a complaint in court.

In conjunction with this announcement, USDA is launching an outreach effort to potential claimants that will include a call center for farmers and ranchers, a website, public service announcements, and in-person meetings around the country. Individuals interested in participating in the claims process may register to receive a claims package, or may obtain more information, by visiting www.farmerclaims.gov. Beginning February 25, 2011, individuals can register to receive a claims package by calling the Farmer and RancherCallCenter at 1-888-508-4429. USDA cannot provide legal advice to potential claimants. Persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.

Under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, USDA is addressing civil rights complaints that go back decades, and today's announcement is another major step towards achieving that goal. USDA is committed to resolving allegations of past discrimination and ushering in "a new era of civil rights" for the Department. In February 2010, the Secretary announced the Pigford II settlement with African American farmers, and in October 2010, he announced the Keepseagle settlement with Native American farmers. Meanwhile, Secretary Vilsack continues to advocate for resolution of all remaining claims of past discrimination against USDA.

Audio and video public service announcements in English and Spanish from Secretary Vilsack and downloadable print and web banner ads on the Hispanic and women farmer claims process are available at: http://www.usda.gov/PSAs_Print_and_WebBanner_Ads.xml

Farmer and Rancher Call Center: 1-888-508-4429 or visit www.farmerclaims.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

 

One-Stop Online Shop for Ag Educators, Farmers and Ranchers

Have you heard about the new Learning Center at SARE.org? It's a treasure trove of books, videos, online courses and other information products about sustainable agriculture from A to Z.

Perhaps you're interested in starting up a pastured poultry operation, or generating on-farm energy? Maybe you need more information about direct marketing or value-added products before you take the plunge? Considering incorporating a cover crop rotation? Well, pull up a chair, turn on the reading light, and browse the Learning Center, where you'll find free online access to hundreds of products, conveniently browsable by type or topic:

...and smuch more!

Other great features at SARE.org include:

Interested in applying for a SARE grant? To learn about grant opportunities and groundbreaking research funded by SARE, visit www.sare.org/Grants.

 

Kevin Brussell Scholarship Fund

Kevin Brussell, 56, a long time organic activist, researcher and working organic farmer, was tragically killed on Saturday, June 11. Kevin's wife, Juli, has established a scholarship fund in memory of her husband. The scholarship fund will support beginning farmers.  Mail donation to: MOSES, PO Box 339, Spring Valley,WI 54767. To donate online now.  For additional information, contact, Development Director Nancy Frank at nancy@mosesorganic.org; 715- 778-5775.

 

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR THE “MOSES 2012 ORGANIC FARMER OF THE YEAR” AWARD

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is seeking nominations for the “MOSES 2012 Organic Farmer of the Year” award which will be presented at the 23nd annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, February 23-25, 2012.

MOSES will, for the 8th year, recognize an outstanding organic farmer or farm family who are innovators; who excel in managing their farm resources such as soil, water, wildlife, and biodiversity; and who serve as educators and shining examples in their communities and to the next generation of organic farmers.

“The Organic Farmer of the Year award is such a great opportunity to showcase the best in organic farming to a wide audience; farmers of all persuasions in rural and urban communities alike,” said Linda Halley, MOSES board president. “Recognition of an Organic Farmer of the Year allows us all to say a public thanks to a farmer who has been a model and a teacher. It also says to the rest of the agricultural community, ‘Check it out! This is why we’re proud of organic farming!’”

Those who wish to nominate a farmer for the award must complete and return the nomination form which is available by calling the MOSES office at 715-778-5775 or at the MOSES website, http://www.mosesorganic.org/foy.html.All nominations are due by September 15, 2011.

The MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year award includes a cash gift of $500, full registration to the 2012 Organic Farming Conference, lodging during the conference, and a gift certificate redeemable at the conference book sales booth.

The Vetter Family of The Grain Place in Marquette, Nebraska, received the 2011 Organic Farmer of the Year Award. The Vetters have a diversified farm and affiliated processing company where they grow and process a number of specialty crops including edible soybeans, edible dry beans, blue and white corn, popcorn, heirloom barley, flax, amaranth, lupines, sunflowers and pasture.

The Vetters’ care for their farm, its biodiversity and bounty, is informed by their deep spiritual bond with the land. They are outstanding stewards of its natural resources and shining examples in their community.

MOSES is a non-profit education and outreach organization working to promote organic agriculture in the Upper Midwest. MOSES provides education, resources and training to farmers interested in learning more about organic and sustainable farming practices.

 

New pamphlet  Available - "Pesticide Drift in Illinois: How to Report a Pesticide Drift Incident"

(PEORIA, IL) - It's Spring! It's also chemical spraying time on 22 million acres of Illinois cropland.

A new pamphlet put out by the Spray Drift Education Network (SDEN) "Pesticide Drift in Illinois: How to Report a Pesticide Drift Incident" is available to anyone who is experiencing the following:

The pamphlet includes:

A grass root effort by Anita and Brian Poeppel of Broad Branch Farm, Peoria, and Jane Heim of Willow Creek Organic Farm, Paw Paw - both of whom have been spray drifted - has led to the creation of  the pamphlet and the Spray Drift Education Network.

"Learning how to report a suspected pesticide drift incident is highly important for the victim AND for the state of Illinois. It is highly suspected that many cases of spray drift go unreported simply because people don't know what to do," states Jane Heim, who entered into a lawsuit after she was spray drifted in 2000.

Anita Poeppel urges citizens of Illinois to go to SDEN's website to download the pamphlet, "Pesticide Drift in Illinois: How to Report a Pesticide Drift Incident," at www.spraydriftillinois.com. "We are dedicated to helping Illinois citizens report and prevent pesticide drift," says Anita. "This is the first step."

Spray Drift Education Network can be reached at 815-988-2628 or go to their website: www.spraydriftillinois.com

Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings

Looking to jump start your farm business? You're in luck: the deadline for the 2011-12 Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings course has been extended! A full-year course that includes whole farm planning, field days, a farming network membership, and a mentoring relationship with an experienced farmer.

Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings (SIFB) is a full-year program for anyone wanting to engage in sustainable, entrepreneurial farming. The program provides education and information to beginning and transitioning farmers and ranchers in three key ways:

  1. One-on-one farmer mentorships
  2. On-farm field days
  3. Classroom business and marketing seminars

Through Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings, you will:

The course includes:

Course Fee: $975 (Limited number of full or partial scholarships available.)

Application Deadline Extended

For application guidelines, visit the SIFB Application page.
Download the printable scholarship application by clicking here.
For more information or to have application materials mailed to you, contact:

Dayna Conner
Executive Director, Food Works
P.O. Box 3855
Carbondale, IL 62902
Phone: 618.319.0542
E-mail:

NCR-SARE Announces 2012 Call for Research and Education Preproposals

The 2012 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Research and Education Grant Program Call for Preproposals is now available online at http://sare.org/ncrsare

NCR-SARE’s Research and Education program supports innovators with competitive Research and Education grants. Individual grants range from $10,000 to $200,000. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 8-12 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region. Potential applicants can contact or 612-626-3113 or contact Dr. Rick Weinzierl, Illinois Coordinator at , 217-244-2126

The deadline for Research and Education Program preproposals is 4:30pm CDT June 9, 2011.

Since 1988, NCR-SARE has awarded more than $40 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states. NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council represents various agricultural sectors, states and organizations. It sets program priorities and makes granting decisions for the region. A collection of farm and non-farm residents, the Administrative Council includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in our 12 states. Council members come from regional farms and ranches, university extension and research programs, and nonprofits. In addition, the Administrative Council includes regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, state agencies, and agribusinesses.

 

Women and Hispanic Claims Program

As you know, since becoming Secretary of Agriculture, I have worked hard to write a new chapter for Civil Rights at USDA.  In the past year, we have come to historic settlements to bring justice to thousands of black and Native American farmers and ranchers and help us move beyond a sad chapter in USDA's history.

Over the last several months, the USDA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have been working on a unified claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who were discriminated against.  Today, USDA once again made history as we announced a process that allows us to provide significant relief to Hispanic and women farmers who were unjustifiably denied farm loan program benefits between 1981 and 2000 because of their ethnic background or gender.

Some of you may be familiar with two court cases - Garcia vs. Vilsack and Love vs. Vilsack -which alleged significant discrimination against Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers, respectively.  These cases were not certified as class action lawsuits, and therefore, the only redress for those involved in these cases had been for each individual to take their case through the court system.  Together with the Department of Justice, we are offering an option for settlement under a unified claims process.

This process will include extensive outreach and notice efforts to Hispanic and women farmer communities so that all eligible farmers will be given an opportunity to participate.  We need your help to try to inform as many potential claimants as possible.   USDA employees will be critical in the success of this effort.  Please post the attached notice and fact sheet in your office and have copies available for potential claimants.  Please do not provide guidance to anyone who may want to file a claim, but instead instruct anyone who inquires about this process to either call 1-888-508-4429 or visit the claims process web-site at the Women and Hispanic Claims Program Web Site https://farmerclaims.gov/FarmerClaims/farmer.do

President Obama and I are committed to treating all farmers fairly and equitably.  And I know that the vast majority of our employees are as dedicated as we are.  You work hard, everyday, as part of this effort.

Secretary Tom Vilsack

 

Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) Cover Crop Decision Tool is now Available

The Cover Crop Decision Tool is now available for Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio on the MCCC website. The tool can be accessed from the MCCC homepage www.mccc.msu.edu by clicking Cover Crops Selector or directly at www.mccc.msu.edu/SelectorTool/2011CCSelectorTool.pdf. The Cover Crop Decision Tool is an initiative by the MCCC to consolidate cover crop information by state to help farmers make cover crop selections at the county level. Information for each state/province is developed by a team of cover crop experts including university researchers, Extension educators, NRCS personnel, agriculture department personnel, crop advisors, seed suppliers and farmers. The team reviewed and refined information from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) (http://www.sare.org) publication Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd edition (http://www.sare.org/publications/covercrops/covercrops.pdf) to refine application within their state/province. The information and ratings contained in the Cover Crop Decision Tool is the team consensus based on literature, research results, on-farm experience and practical knowledge.

 

Grants Advising for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

If you are a farmer who is a member of a historically socially disadvantaged group*, you are invited to use a grants advising service of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.

MFAI's GrantAdvisor can help you apply to grant and cost-share programs of your state or the federal government that could help you improve your farming business. These can be programs of any federal or state agency, not just the USDA. We will assist individual producers or associations of farmers who have never received a federal grant or cost-share before. We will also work with young nonprofits that are working directly with socially disadvantaged farmers to start or improve food-related businesses. We will also assist those working with disadvantaged youth involved in food or fiber production.

The Grants Advisor helps you decide whether a grant would be the best way to achieve your goals. If so, she will help you choose a grant program that fits your goals and help you outline a plan of work for you to follow to meet the application deadline and all proposal or application requirements. If not, she will suggest other resources you may choose to approach. The Advisor will help you identify local partners (agency staff, nonprofit organizations, or local volunteers with experience in grants and project management) to strengthen your project, to help you complete the proposal, and, if funding is awarded, to manage the project. The Advisor can assist you in preparing the proposal to ensure timely submission with necessary forms, attachments, and letters of support.

Most grant program deadlines are during the winter months, so please act now. Even for deadlines next fall or winter, it is best to start working now with the Grants Advisor. You can get your plan of work organized so that the next deadline does not sneak up on you. MFAI funds for this service are limited, so the sooner you contact the Grants Advisor, the greater the chance that you can use this service to advance your project or those you know who would qualify.

For more information please contact the Grants Advisor, Deirdre Birmingham, at (608) 219-4279 or deirdreb@mindspring.com.

This project is funded by Farm Aid.

* For purposes of this project, MFAI uses the USDA Risk Management Agency's definition: "A socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer, rancher, or agricultural producer is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."

While MFAI will consider the application of other producers, the funders of this project set a priority on serving socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

 

On-Farm Research Project Seeks Participants

URBANA - Dan Anderson, research specialist at the University of Illinois, is looking for 10 small-scale farmers to participate in an on-farm research project on sustainable vegetable production.

“Ideally, we will choose 10 farmers from across Illinois who have the potential to help us achieve the goals of this research: to improve the sustainability of small-scale, management-intensive vegetable farms through the facilitation of on-farm experimentation and utilization of cover crops during fallow periods,” Anderson said.

Farmers who are chosen, and who successfully complete the project, will be awarded a $500 honorarium.

“We’ll work with the farmers to design, implement and measure the effects of four different fallow treatments. This research builds upon previous experimental field trials to test cover-cropping strategies using on-farm research and farmer-to-farmer education,” Anderson said.

To be considered, complete the online application form at http://tiny.cc/fallowstudy or contact Dan Anderson (217-621-7974, ).

The mini-grant program is supported by funding from the C-2000 Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program at the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

 

USDA Small-scale Livestock Operations 2011 Study

Small-scale livestock operators with annual sales of agricultural products between $10,000 and $499,999 are the targets of a survey, Small-scale Livestock Operations 2011, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

A short questionnaire which covers marketing, management and biosecurity has been mailed to operators in all 50 states with cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, aquaculture species and other farm animals raised for home use or sale. Non-respondents will have an opportunity to participate via telephone. Data collection began March 14 and will end April 29, 2011.

The study seeks to increase knowledge about the characteristics and challenges faced by small-scale livestock producers. Information gained will be used by university researchers, Extension agents and producer groups to identify and focus on issues vital to small-scale operators. It will also help animal health officials, policymakers and industry members in making decisions on protecting U.S. agriculture and animal health. Without this kind of information, it is difficult to put together an effective program to help small farmers reach their farm goals. Those who participate will receive reports and information sheets so they can compare their operations to other small-scale operations.

 

USDA NRCS Organic Funding Still Available for Illinois Organic Producers

Apply by May 20, 2011 for consideration under this application period

Champaign, IL - Illinois State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bill Gradle today announced another funding opportunity for certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations. While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, the cutoff date for this application period is set for May 20, 2011.

Fiscal year 2011 marks the third year of USDA's Organic Initiative and in Illinois, nearly $1 Million  is available to help producers plan and install conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with organic production. For example, conservation practices might include planting cover crops, establishing integrated pest management plans, constructing seasonal high tunnels, or implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.

Eligible producers include those certified through USDA's National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic production, and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000.

Organic Initiative funding is provided through NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers may obtain additional assistance.

Producers interested in applying for EQIP Organic Initiative funding must submit applications through their local NRCS Service Center, which can be located online at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=IL. Additional information about other conservation solutions and program options is available online at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

NRCS seeks input on conservation policy issues

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. Feb. 25, 2011:  Natural resource policy issues are the topic of a series of regional forums being conducted across the country by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  The first forum will take place Thursday, March 3, on the campus of Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill.

As required by Congress in the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act, NRCS is to gather public input on natural resource conservation policy issues.  The overall goal of this effort is to improve delivery of conservation services to landowners and communities, as well as to expand participation in conservation programs.

The Rock Island meeting, which is 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will be in the Olin Technology Center on the campus of Augustana College.  At each regional forum, discussion will focus on three broad topic areas: water security, climate variability and landscape integrity.  A panel of invited speakers will present comments, followed by open discussion with forum participants.

Providing perspectives on water security at the Rock Island meeting will be Craig Cox of the Environmental Defense Fund; Roger Wolf of the Iowa Soybean Association; and David Saxowsky, North Dakota State University.  Discussing climate variability will be David Miller of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and two panelists to be announced.  Landscape integrity will be the topic for Martin Adkins of the Iowa NRCS, and two panel members to be announced.

There is no fee to attend the regional meetings but registration is required so that adequate seating can be provided.  To register, go to www.farmfoundation.org and follow the link from the item on the home page.

The regional forums are targeted to anyone with an interest in natural resource conservation policy issues.  The meetings are opportunities for the public to discuss major policy themes and points of consensus and divergence.  Input is sought on specific natural resource conservation issues and economic and public policy issues related to agriculture and rural America, including: 1) natural resource status and trends; 2) emerging challenges; 3) emerging opportunities; and 4) long-term impacts on natural resource conditions and food, fuel and fiber production.

Information from the six regional forums will feed into a national conference planned April 7-8, 2011, at the Marriott Metro Center, Washington, D.C.   The other regional forums will be:

Details on each of the forums are available on the Farm Foundation Web site, www.farmfoundation.org.

This project is organized by USDA’s NRCS in collaboration with Farm Foundation, NFP and American Farmland Trust.

For more information contact:
Patty Lawrence,
Daniel Mullarkey,
Sheldon Jones,
Mary Thompson, (630) 571-9393

 

FamilyFarmed.org and Whole Foods Market to Meet IL Fruit and Vegetable Farmers to Talk Sales and Aggregation!

Whole Foods Market, the nation’s leading natural and organic food retailer, is seeking to increase its selection of conventional and organic produce from farmers in Illinois and other nearby states. To do so, the Company is deepening its local procurement partnership with FamilyFarmed.org, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that has worked for more than a decade to build and utilize local food systems. Over the next month, the two organizations will meet with regional growers in the Peoria Area and Lake County to discuss new sales opportunities and the need for distribution infrastructure.

“We are thrilled to continue working with FamilyFarmed.org and to increase our relationships with local farms in Illinois,” says Michael Bashaw, Whole Foods Market Midwest Regional President. “We’re also developing new systems to allow farmers to sell directly to the stores. This will help smaller farms increase their business with us, as they may not have the capacity to support multiple stores’ needs.”

“These meetings are an opportunity for growers to talk directly with Whole Foods Market representatives,” said Jim Slama, President of FamilyFarmed.org. “This will expand support for family farmers, provide significant levels of economic development in rural communities, and provide more local, healthy options for shoppers.” To learn more, go to: www.familyfarmed.org/wholefoodsmarket.

At the meetings, FamilyFarmed.org will also facilitate discussions about new opportunities to create regional packing houses in Illinois to aggregate produce. Building for Growth:  A Business Plan for Illinois Pack House Facilities is a business development project undertaken by FamilyFarmed.org and funded by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The objectives of the project are to create regional pack house(s) in Illinois that aggregate, store, market and distribute produce from area farms to wholesale buyers, and to establish a network of Illinois fruit and vegetable growers committed to scaling up production for this market.

Two meetings for Illinois growers:

 Peoria Area: Monday, February 21, 2011, 2:00-5:00 PM at the Best Western Ashland House-Jefferson Room, 201 E. Ashland Street, Morton, IL 61550

 Lake County: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 2:00-5:00 PM at the Prairie Crossing Farm Business Development Center, 32400 N. Harris Road, Grayslake, IL 60030

 Please RSVP to FamilyFarmed.org, 708.763.9920, info@FamilyFarmed.org to reserve a space.

 

USDA Offers Conservation Funding to Organic Producers - Initiative in its Third Year

This just in from Washington DC.see links below for national NRCS news. Although the Federal Government is operating under a Continuing Resolution, the amount of funding Illinois NRCS expects to receive in fiscal year 2011 for this effort is just over $1 million in financial assistance.  To learn more about how EQIP works and how organic operations/operations transitioning to organics can protect natural resources, visit Illinois NRCS website at http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/organ-eqip.html.

Interest in organic crop systems by producers in Illinois is growing. Small operators, specialty crop growers, grass-fed cattle or goat operations can benefit from information available at NRCS and conservation practices that protect soil and water.

For more information, contact your local NRCS staff or send an email to Paige Buck, Public Information Officer at paige.buck@il.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, December 20, 2010 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced USDA will provide funding to help organic producers and those transitioning to organic production implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations.

"Increasing consumer demand for organically grown foods is providing new opportunities for small and mid-size farmers to prosper and stay competitive in today's economy," Merrigan said. "The 2008 Farm Bill calls for this assistance, and we want to help these farmers protect the natural resources on their land and create conditions that help foster organic production."

Fiscal year (FY) 2011 marks the third year of USDA's Organic Initiative, and up to $50 million is available this year for producers to plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with organic production. For example, organic producers may use the funding to plant cover crops, establish integrated pest management plans, or implement nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.

Eligible producers include those certified through USDA's National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic production, and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000. In FY 2010, NRCS obligated nearly $24 million through the Organic Initiative to help producers implement conservation practices.

Organic Initiative funding is provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation program administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. The 2008 Farm Bill provided for assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those converting to organic production.

Under Organic Initiative contracts, producers are paid 75 percent of the cost for the organic conservation measures they implement. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers are paid 90 percent. The program provides up to $20,000 per year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.

Producers interested in applying for Organic Initiative funding must submit applications through their local NRCS Service Center, which can be located through the Web site at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator
/app?agency=nrcs  Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, with the cutoff date set for March 4, 2011.

NRCS is celebrating 75 years helping people help the land. Since 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests.

 

Central Illinois Local Food Innovation Center

The Central Illinois Local Food Innovation Center is looking for local producers who may be interested in supplying a small amount of produce to Illinois State University Dining Services in 2011 as part of a pilot project.

ISU will be opening a processing center in 2012 that will enable them to accept much larger quantities of whole, unprocessed local produce for use in their dining centers. If all goes well, both ISU purchasing and local farmer produce sales will ramp up in 2012 and succeeding years--so this is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor.   

If you are a local farmer, please continue reading this email for additional details about this pilot program--and, if you think you might be interested in participating, please fill out our Producer Survey.  This will give us the information we need to start planning the pilot; however, it DOES NOT OBLIGATE YOU to participate.  If you are aware of other farmers who may be interested in this program, please forward this email to them and ask them to fill out the survey, too. 

Here is a list of produce ISU would like to include in the pilot:

The survey provides more information, including quantities needed, current prices, and other requirements--and it requests the following information from producers: 

Please note that the prices provided by ISU do not necessarily indicate the maximum price they are willing to pay.  They recognize the price of locally sourced produce may be higher, but they provided the price they were paying, as of September 2010, as a reference point.  In addition to the requirements listed for each product in the survey, ISU will require that any farmer supplying produce provide proof of liability insurance, as well as the following:

Here is a website  that provides more information on USDA standards used by ISU.

This pilot with ISU is part of a broader project to establish a processing center for locally grown food, where farmers can bring their produce for washing, peeling, cutting--or for value-added processing (salsas, jams, etc.).  If you are interesting in learning more about our Local Food Processing Center project, you can click here.  Let us know if you'd like to be added to our mailing list. 

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT!  If you have questions, suggestions, or comments about this program, please send us an email. 

 

Frontera Farmer Foundation Grant applications are now being accepted for 2011

The Frontera Farmer Foundation is committed to promoting small, sustainable Midwestern farms serving the Chicago area, by providing them with capital development grants. Small local farms, which often struggle financially, are more likely to promote biodiversity by planting a wide range of produce and operate using organic practices. By their artisanal approach to agriculture, the freshness of their product and the variety of their offerings, these farmers insure the highest quality food while they add immeasurably to the fabric of their local rural community.

Eligibility requirements

The Frontera Farmer Foundation will award grants for capital improvements of up to $12,000 to small and medium-size, individually owned farms that sell their food products to customers in the Chicago area at farmers markets and otherwise. Farmers must have been in business for at least three years and must demonstrate how the grant will improve both their farm’s viability and the availability of locally grown food products in the Chicago area. Grant applicants will be judged on the basis of demonstrated need, long-term dedication to sustainable farming, creative and business acumen, and commitment to sustainability.

You can download the application using the link below, or call Jeff Maimon at Frontera Grill (312-334-3661) to have an application mailed or faxed to you.

Deadline

Grant applications can be submitted by mail (Frontera Farmer Foundation, 445 N. Clark, Chicago, IL), email () or fax (312-661-1830). All applications must be received by February 28, 2011.

Awarding of Grants

Recipients of grants will be notified on or before March 15, 2011.

Click here to dowload the application

MOSES 2011 Organic Farmer to Farmer Mentoring Program- call for participants- December 20th deadline

This mentoring program links a new farmer with an experienced organic farmer, who are doing the same type of farming ( vegetables, dairy, crops, etc.) and provide an avenue for an exchange of information.  Farmers who have been farming for just a few years, or who are making the transition to organic agriculture are invited to apply for the MOSES Organic Farmer to Farmer Mentoring Program.  Experienced organic farmers who are willing to mentor these novice organic farmers, by visiting their farms and taking questions throughout the year are also encouraged to apply.  As a participant in the program, both mentors and mentees attend the 2011 Organic University and 2001 Organic Farming Conference as well as the 2012 Organic Farming Conference, at no charge.  Mentors receive a small stipend in addition to these free registrations and mentees are asked to pay a fee.  Questions about the program can be answered by Harriet Behar, MOSES organic specialist, 888-551-4769 or harriet@mosesorganic.org    The deadline for 2011 applications is December 20, 2010. Detailed information and applications can be found here.

 

NCR-SARE Announces 2011 Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals

The 2011 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals is now available online at http://sare.org/ncrsare/cfp.htm.

Graduate students enrolled at colleges or universities in the North Central Region can submit proposals for up to $10,000 to fund sustainable agriculture projects that will be part of their educational programs.

Funded proposals have contributed to farmer or rancher profitability, environmental quality, and the enhancement of the quality of life of farmers or ranchers, rural communities, and society as a whole. NCR-SARE strongly encourages students to involve farmers and ranchers in their Graduate Student Grant projects.

NCR-SARE expects to fund about 15 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region.

Potential applicants can contact Beth Nelson at or 612-626-4436 or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512. For information about Illinois SARE funded projects, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/sare/
Proposals are due in the NCR-SARE office in St Paul, MN by 4:30 p.m. CST, January 27, 2011.

2010 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Youth & Youth Educator Grant Call for Proposals is now available

These grants are a part of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. Their purpose is to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture.  Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable, and socially responsible. A total of approximately $34,000 is available for this program.

There are two options:

  1. YOUTH GRANTS. These grants are for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-18. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore Sustainable Agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about Sustainable Agriculture or attending a Sustainable Agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum.
  2. YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS. These are grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.

Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal at http://www.sare.org/NCRSARE/cfp.htm.

Proposals are due by 4:30 pm, Friday, January 14, 2011 at the NCR-SARE office in Jefferson City, MO.

Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, Associate Regional Coordinator and Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at or 573-681-5545 or 800-529-1342 or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512. For information about Illinois SARE funded projects, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/sare/ A hard copy or an emailed copy of the call for proposals is also available by contacting Joan Benjamin. We make slight revisions to our calls for proposals each year, which means it is crucial to use the most recent call for proposals.

Since 1988, the NCR-SARE program has awarded more than $40 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states.

 

Can Naturally Raised Beef Find its Place in the Industry?

URBANA – As consumer demand for naturally raised beef continues to increase, researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that naturally raised beef can be produced effectively for this niche market as long as a substantial premium is offered to cover additional production and transportation costs.

Naturally raised beef is produced without hormones or antibiotics, whereas traditional systems take advantage of technologies the industry offers such as ionophores like Rumensin® to improve feed efficiency and implants to improve gain and efficiency. 

“Producers are asking many questions about the value of natural programs and the premiums needed to remain profitable,” said Dan Faulkner, U of I professor of animal sciences. “Our goal was to find out the costs involved in natural systems focused on producing environmentally friendly, locally raised beef.”

Researchers studied the effects of finishing management (confinement versus pasture) and production system (traditional versus naturally raised) on performance, carcass and economic characteristics in a group of early weaned Angus x Simmental steer calves at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in Simpson, Ill. The calves were fed on fescue pastures or confinement feedlots.

The study revealed that naturally raised steers can be produced effectively in either confinement or with a pasture finishing system, but they require a substantial premium of $110 with today’s feed prices to justify the costs and returns.

Faulkner said that pasture finishing is $35 more profitable than confinement feeding using current feed prices, making it an attractive option for producers interested in raising locker beef for local markets with either natural or traditional production systems.

“I think this information will benefit smaller operations that would like to pursue a naturally raised market in a pasture finishing system, but may not be able to use a traditional confinement system,” Faulkner said.

In addition, naturally raised beef in either pasture or confinement settings resulted in beef with higher quality grades.

“There continues to be more interest in naturally raised beef because organic beef standards are so high,” Faulkner added. “We need to increase consumer education efforts because naturally raised beef is actually what many consumers are looking for these days.”

Both organic and naturally raised steers do not receive hormones or antibiotics. The major difference between naturally raised beef and organic beef is that organic beef comes from cattle that are raised on organic pastures that have not been treated with chemicals or chemical fertilizers.  In addition, these cattle can only be fed organic certified feeds. 

Faulkner also differentiated pasture-fed beef from grass-fed beef.

“Grass-fed cattle cannot be fed any concentrate – they can only receive roughage,” Faulkner said. “And that roughage must meet strict guidelines set by the USDA. On the other hand, pasture-fed cattle have access to a finishing diet and pasture.”

Pasture-fed cattle have carcass and meat characteristics that are the same as traditionally finished cattle, he added. The meat characteristics of grass-fed cattle are quite different than the average consumer is used to eating. 

Faulkner said naturally raised beef, regardless of finishing management, is a niche market that has great potential if consumers will pay premium prices.

“As producers, we need to be responsive to consumer demand,” he said. “Currently, naturally raised beef is a very small percentage of the market. But it is a market that is growing at several hundred percent a year, and has been identified as a niche that consumers are very interested in.”

This research, “Confinement vs. Pasture and Traditional vs. Naturally Raised Finishing Influences Performance, Carcass, and Economic Characteristics of Early-Weaned Steers,” was published in The Professional Animal Scientist. Researchers include Faulkner, Dan Shike and Frank Ireland, all of the U of I.

 

EPA Grant Opportunity for Undergrads Studying Sustainability

We are announcing a unique grant opportunity for college and university faculty and students - EPA's P3 - People, Prosperity and the Planet - Program. Through this hands-on design competition, student teams and their faculty advisors receive $15,000 grants to design scientific, technical, and policy solutions to sustainability challenges around the world. Projects can address a challenge in one or more of these areas:

Teams use the $15,000 grants to design and develop their projects in the 2011/2012 school year. Then in the spring of 2012, all teams will come to Washington, DC, to compete for EPA's P3 Award at the 8th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo. The students' projects will be evaluated by a panel of experts convened by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. EPA will use these recommendations to choose the P3 Award winners who may receive an additional grant up to $90,000 to further develop their designs, implement them in the field, and take them to the marketplace.

Deadline: December 22nd, 2010
Visit our Web site for more information and to see what past P3 teams have accomplished: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/p3/

For the official request for applications go to: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2011/2011_p3.html
Please join us to build a sustainable future!


Evaluate Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite Insurance Tool

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is seeking diversified farmers to assess the usefulness of a federally subsidized whole farm insurance product called Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite (AGR-Lite). NCAT has developed a user-friendly software tool that simplifies access to this relatively new kind of insurance that protects the revenue of the whole farm rather than the specific crops or livestock produced.

This tool is available in CD format from NCAT by calling 1-800-346-9140 and is the culmination of a three-year project supported by the United States Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency (RMA). Selected farmer evaluators will be paid for up to $280 for no more than six hours of work in evaluating the tool.

"One of the difficulties that prevent more farmers from using AGR-Lite is that it is a more complicated application process than standard crop insurance products. Many of the farmers who could use the farm insurance product are often those with smaller or highly diversified farms who do not produce only standard commodity products for which other insurance is readily available," Schahczenski said. " This new whole farm revenue insurance will especially serve the needs of beginning, socially-disadvantaged, specialty, organic and direct market farmers and ranchers. These are the farmers and ranchers NCAT has served for over 30 years." 

Because not all farmers have access to high-speed Internet connections, the tool is currently available in CD format. Beginning early next year, it will also be accessible in a web-based format. Besides seeking farmer evaluators, NCAT may be able to provide workshops demonstrating the tool. Further information on being an evaluator of the tool and hosting possible workshops centered on the opportunities for risk management based on AGR-Lite can be obtained by calling Schahczenski at 406-494-4572 or jeffs@ncat.org.

 

USDA Publishes New National Organic Program Guide

The first edition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's handbook for the organic sector was published on Sept. 2, 2010. Prepared by the National Organic Program (NOP), the handbook provides guidance about national organic regulations for those who own, manage, or certify organic operations. It is intended to serve as a resource for the organic sector to help participants comply with federal regulations. It is available online at  http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOPProgramHandbook Printed copies can be made available upon request to the Standards Division, National Organic Program, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2646-S, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, D.C. 20250-0268; telephone: (202) 720-3252; fax: (202) 205-7808.  The handbook provides guidance on the allowance of green waste and approval of liquid fertilizers in organic production systems; certification of organic yeast; processed animal manures in organic crop production; reassessed inert ingredients; and the calculation of dry matter intake to verify compliance with the NOP's pasture requirements. It also includes instructions concerning organic certification, such as recordkeeping, steps to certification, and organic certificates; accreditation procedures, such as how to apply to become an accredited certifying agent; international procedures, such as how USDA determines equivalence of foreign organic standards to those of the NOP; compliance and enforcement measures, such as how to handle complaints; and appeals procedures for certified operations or accredited certification agents. The handbook explains the difference between NOP regulations and guidance/instruction documents and outlines their purpose, legal effect, and the process by which the NOP authorizes, reviews, revises and disseminates them to the public.

 

New Publication Summarizes Health and Environmental Benefits of Organic Food Production

eOrganic certification group leader Jim Riddle and Bud Markart of the University of Minnesota recently released a 6-page publication entitled  What is Organic Food and Why Should I Care? which explains USDA National Organic Program requirements in simplified terms. It also presents footnoted summaries of scientific studies about the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming. The full publication is available at:  http://www.organicconsumers.org/documents/OrganicFoodhandoutforwebv.2final.pdf

 

WSU Research Finds Organic Farms Produce Better Fruit, Leave Healthier Soil

PULLMAN, Wash.—Side-by-side comparisons of organic and conventional strawberry farms and their fruit found the organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse.

"Our findings have global implications and advance what we know about the sustainability benefits of organic farming systems," said John Reganold, Washington State University Regents professor of soil science and lead author of a paper published today in the peer-reviewed online journal, PLoS ONE. "We also show you can have high quality, healthy produce without resorting to an arsenal of pesticides."

The study is among the most comprehensive of its kind, analyzing 31 chemical and biological soil properties, soil DNA, and the taste, nutrition and quality of three strawberry varieties on more than two dozen commercial fields – 13 conventional and 13 organic.

"There is no paper in the literature that comprehensively and quantitatively compares so many indices of both food and soil quality at multiple sampling times on so many commercial farms," said Reganold.

Previous Reganold studies of "sustainability indicators" on farms in the Pacific Northwest, California, British Columbia, Australia, and New Zealand have appeared in the journals Science, Nature, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

All the farms in the current study were in California, home to 90 percent of the nation's strawberries and the center of an ongoing debate about the use of soil fumigants. Conventional farms in the study used the ozone-depleting methyl bromide, which is slated to be replaced by the highly toxic methyl iodide over the protests of health advocates and more than 50 Nobel laureates and members of the National Academy of Sciences. In July, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked the EPA to reconsider its approval of methyl iodide.

Reganold's study team included Preston Andrews, a WSU associate professor of horticulture, and seven other experts, mostly from WSU, to form a multidisciplinary team spanning agroecology, soil science, microbial ecology, genetics, pomology, food science, sensory science, and statistics. On almost every major indicator, they found the organic fields and fruit were equal to or better than their conventional counterparts.

Among their findings:

The researchers also found the organic soils excelled in a variety of key chemical and biological properties, including carbon sequestration, nitrogen, microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and micronutrients.

DNA analysis found the organically managed soils had dramatically more total and unique genes and greater genetic diversity, important measures of the soil's resilience to stress and ability to carry out essential processes.

 

Annie's Homegrown Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program

Annie's Homegrown is pleased to announce we are again offering $75,000 in scholarship funds to students studying sustainable and organic agriculture.  Sustainable and organic agriculture is at the very root of our philosophy:  Planet to Food. Food to People. People to Planet. We believe healthy soils and healthy farms are the foundation for healthy foods, which help make healthy people!  Therefore, we're proud to support the next generation of farmers.  Undergraduate and Graduate students studying at an accredited US college or university are eligible to apply.  Please visit http://www.annies.com/doing-good  to learn more.  Our application is available at http://www.annies.com/doing-good.  The deadline to apply is December 15, 2010.

 

2010 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now available

Farmers and ranchers in the North Central Region are invited to submit grant proposals to explore sustainable agriculture solutions to problems on the farm or ranch.  Proposals should show how farmers and ranchers plan to use their own innovative ideas to explore sustainable agriculture options and how they will share project results. Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable, and socially responsible.

Projects should emphasize research or education/demonstration. Grants can range from $6,000 for individual farmers up to $18,000 for groups of 3 or more farmers. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 50 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call.

Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal at http://www.sare.org/NCRSARE/cfp.htm

Proposals are due on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. at the NCR-SARE office in Jefferson City, MO.

Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, Associate Regional Coordinator and Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at or 573-681-5545 or 800-529-1342 or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512. For information about Illinois SARE funded projects, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/sare/

A hard copy or an emailed copy of the call for proposals is also available by contacting Joan Benjamin. We make slight revisions to our calls for proposals each year, which means it is crucial to use the most recent call for proposals.

NCR-SARE has funded more than 700 farmer rancher grants worth more than $4,300,000 since the inception of this program.

 

Congratulations to Chad Wallace of Oak Tree Organics, 2010 winner of the R.J. Vollmer Sustainable Agriculture Farmer Award

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will present the 2010 winner of the R.J. Vollmer Sustainable Agriculture Farmer Award on Aug. 17 during Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair (ISF).  This year’s winner is Chad Wallace of Oak Tree Organics. Oak Tree Organics, located in Ashland, is a family owned and operated farm offering a wide variety of fresh produce, fruits and eggs.  Oak Tree Organics has been providing naturally grown produce to the local farmer’s market for the past six years and offers weekly deliveries to the Springfield and Jacksonville areas.  Oak Tree Organics is truly a family affair.  Wallace, his wife Dana and their three children all work on the farm.  Their oldest daughter, Amanda, takes care of the books and son, Kyle, works on the equipment.  Five year old, Erin, has worked on the farm, side-by-side with her dad since she was in a stroller. Wallace grew up on what is now Oak Tree Organics Farm.  When Wallace was a kid, the farm was a conventional corn and bean operation of several hundred acres but after Wallace’s father retired from farming, he embarked on a different path, converting 18 acres of the family farm to chemical-free fruit and vegetable production.

 

Animal Welfare Approved Announces 2011 Good Husbandry Grants

Animal Welfare Approved is pleased to announce that it will offer a third year of Good Husbandry Grants. AWA is seeking proposals for projects to improve farm animal welfare with a concentration on three areas: increased outdoor access, improved genetics and improved slaughter facilities. Animal Welfare Approved is a free third party certification for independent family farms raising animals humanely, outdoors on pasture or range. Current Animal Welfare Approved farmers and those who have applied to join the program are eligible for grants of up to $5,000. Farmers may apply for certification and for a grant simultaneously. Slaughter plants working with AWA farms are also eligible to apply but should contact Grants Coordinator Emily Lancaster to discuss proposed projects before submitting a proposal. Examples of projects funded in previous cycles include mobile housing, a mobile processing unit, infrastructure to facilitate humane handling and breeding stock adapted to pasture-based management.

The deadline for proposals is October 1, 2010. Guidelines, FAQ's, project profiles and an application form are available at www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org or by contacting Emily Lancaster at 919.428.1641 or .

2011 Good Husbandry Grant Highlights

* Funding Priorities: 1) Genetics: (listed in order of priority) poultry, hog, dairy and other ruminants, with priority given to projects which share genetics among multiple farms; 2) Outdoor Access (specifically mobile housing); and 3) Welfare Improvements in the Slaughter Process

* Eligible Costs: (including but not limited to) design fees; contractor costs (skilled labor only-i.e., an electrician or plumber); materials; slaughter equipment; new mobile housing; or incubators

* Application: Project proposals will only be considered if presented on an Animal Welfare Approved grant application form, available online at www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org. There are separate applications for farms and slaughter plants; please use the appropriate form for your operation

* Deadline for Proposals: October 1, 2010

 

2011 'Organic Farmer of the Year' Award

Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is seeking nominations for our 2011 'Organic Farmer of the Year' award.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to properly acknowledge the outstanding efforts of an organic farmer!  As in years past, the award will be presented at the Organic Farming Conference to be held next February 24-26, 2011 in La Crosse, WI.

Attached is a nomination form and press release for your convenience.  Or you can visit our website http://mosesorganic.org/foy.html  to learn more and download a nomination form directly.   To avoid duplication of nominees, previous award winners are:

The deadline for submitting your nomination is September 15, 2010.

Report Cards Are Out – Illinois NRI Gets Gold Star!

Report cards come out soon, putting kids and parents on edge. Luckily, in the ‘report card’ for Illinois’ natural resources, we made the Honor Roll according to newly released statewide data for the National Resources Inventory (NRI). The latest released and compiled NRI data from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) indicates the most current status and condition of Illinois land, natural resources and important long-term land use trends.  “The data confirms that Illinois’ private landowners work hard to protect our land and natural resources,” says Illinois NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle.  “It also shows us a few areas where we need to focus our attention and target both state and local efforts.”

The NRI is a statistical survey of natural resource conditions and trends on non-Federal land in the United States. NRI gathers and compares annual data samples at both the large major river basin level and the state level. “This state data guides state and federal decision-makers as well as private landowners because it offers a clear picture of what’s going on here at home,” says NRCS’ Resource Inventory Specialist James Johnson.

“I’m proud to report that the rate of soil erosion on Illinois cropland has steadily declined over the last 25 years,” says Gradle. Conservation practices and treatments, such as no-till planting, terraces, conservation tillage, strip-cropping, contour farming and conservation cover planted on highly erodible ground are all part of the reasons behind this positive trend. “We can thank Illinois’ conservation farmers and all our conservation partners for these productive and ‘green’ trends,” Gradle adds.

In 1982, before provisions of conservation compliance were required for producers working with USDA, Illinois’ rate of sheet and rill (water) erosion on cultivated cropland was at over 6.2 tons per acre annually.  The 2007 data sets a new low—3.9 tons per acre. Take a bow, IL farmers!

On average, sheet and rill (water) erosion rates on pastureland declined by 38 percent since 1982. At an average rate of less than 1.0 ton per acre per year, NRCS can say that soil erosion poses little threat to healthy pastureland productivity statewide. Pastureland managers and grazers, take a bow!

Illinois is home to ample acres of prime farmland soils. About 89 percent of these acres are cropped. Between 1982 and 2007, about 495,000 acres of prime farmland soils were converted (lost to) other/non-ag uses. “While this may sound like a small loss, it still indicates a loss of the best and most ideal use of Illinois’ rare and productive soils. It’s a figure and a fact we need to be mindful of,” says Gradle.   Learn more NRI data for Illinois and the nation, visit http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/index.html  today!

Other Notable Illinois NRI Data…

With new data, NRCS staff can compare a 10-year span of data from 1997 to 2007. Comparisons can also be made that consider data from as far back as 1982—pre Farm Bill days:

States with highest percentage of “developed” land:

  1. New York
  2. Ohio
  3. Michigan
  4. Pennsylvania
  5. Georgia
  6. North Carolina
  7. Florida
  8. California
  9. Texas
  10. Illinois

 

Cold Storage Facilities Now Eligible For USDA Facility Loan Program Producers Can Expand Market Opportunities, Build New Capacity

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced  that the Farm Storage Facility Loan program has been amended to allow producers to build cold storage facilities to store their fresh fruits and vegetables. This program is part of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative and uses discretionary authority provided by the 2008 Farm Bill authorizing the eligibility of cold storage facilities for fruits and vegetables.

"Expand the Farm Storage Facility Loan program will provide our nation's fruit and vegetable producers with new storage and marketing opportunities," Vilsack said. "On-farm storage may cost a lot to build, but it can help farmers to maximize profits. USDA's program will help these producers to finance the purchase, construction, or refurbishment of these important farm storage facilities."

USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. The effort builds on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides for increases and flexibility for USDA programs in an effort to revitalize rural economies through the promotion local food systems. Aimed at strengthening the connection between farmers and consumers, the initiative also supports local and regional food systems, to increase economic opportunities for local farmers and expand access to healthy food for Americans.

To be eligible, cold storage facilities must have a useful life of 15 years and include:

USDA will not make cold storage facility loans for portable structures, portable handling and cooling equipment, used or pre-owned structures or cooling equipment or structures not suitable for a fresh fruits and vegetables' cold storage facility.

The maximum loan amount for a Farm Storage Facility loan is $500,000 per loan. One partial disbursement of up to half the anticipated total cost is available when that portion of the structure has been completed. The final disbursement will be made when the entire structure has been completed and inspected by a USDA representative.

All Farm Storage Facility Loans require a down payment of at least 15 percent. Applications must be approved before construction can begin. Loan terms of 7, 10 or 12 years are available depending on the amount of the loan.

Loans applications should be submitted to the administrative FSA county office that maintains the records of the farm or farms to which the application applies. If the commodities are produced on land that does not have farm records established, the application must be submitted to the FSA county office that services the county where the facility will be located.

For more information on this program or other FSA farm programs please contact your local FSA county office or http://www.fsa.usda.gov

 

2009 - 2010 Illinois Organic Cost Share Program

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has funds available for the 2009 - 2010 Illinois Organic Cost Share Program through funds from the United States Department of Agriculture. The program will provide cost share assistance to organic producers and handlers receiving certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent commencing October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010. Under the Act, cost-share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer's or handler's certification costs up to a maximum of $750.00 per year.

To be eligible for reimbursement, an organic production or handling operation must be located within Illinois, comply with the USDA National Organic Program regulations for organic production or handling and have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent between the eligible dates.

One year of certification reimbursement is available:

Under Illinois' current agreement with the USDA, producers and handlers can make application for reimbursement to the Illinois Department of Agriculture by submitting the following documents:

  1. Illinois Organic Certification Cost-Share Program application
  2. W-9 form (Rev. 10/07)
  3. Proof of NOP certification issued or continued within the cost-share qualifying period, October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010 such as a copy of the certificate or continuation of certification document from the USDA-accredited certifying agency with effective date within eligible range of 10/1/09 and 9/30/10
  4. Itemized invoice demonstrating costs incurred for NOP certification such as a copy of your paid, itemized invoice from your certifier

Costs incurred for noncertification activities, such as, membership associations or farm/ operation inputs are not eligible for assistance through this program.

Based on the receipt of the completed application packet by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, reimbursements will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the limited program funds are exhausted.

For more information, contact Delayne Reeves at 217/524-9129 or delayne.reeves@illinois.gov.

 

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Research and Education Grant Program 2011 Call for Preproposals is now available online at http://sare.org/ncrsare/resedu.htm

NCR-SARE’s Research and Education program supports innovators with competitive Research and Education grants. Individual grants are not to exceed $200,000. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 8-12 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region.

Potential applicants can contact or 612-626-3113 or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512. For information about Illinois SARE funded projects, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/sare/

The deadline for preproposals is 4:30pm CDT, Thursday, June 10, 2010.

 

NCR-SARE Announces 2010 Call for Professional Development Program Preproposals

The 2010 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program’s (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Call for Preproposals is now available online at http://sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm

The PDP provides funds for professional development projects that provide sustainable agriculture training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system.

Projects can be two to three years in duration, and funding level is capped at $75,000 for each project, but projects requesting less than full amount are encouraged. Approximately $360,000 will be available for funding projects.

Any questions regarding the North Central SARE PDP program should be addressed to Linda Kleinschmit (LindaKL@ksu.edu, 402-254-3310) or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512.

The deadline for preproposals is 4:30 pm CDT on Friday, May 21, 2010.

 

2011 Illinois Specialty Crop Grant Program
Proposals Accepted until April 30, 2010 at 4pm
ILLINOIS TO RECEIVE INCREASE IN SPECIALTY CROP GRANT FUNDS

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will receive an additional $209,000 in federal block grant funds next year to improve the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry.  The department intends to use the funds to award “mini-grants” that expand markets for fresh produce grown in Illinois and is encouraging specialty crop growers to submit a proposal before the April 30 application deadline. More than $640,000 is available.

“I thank USDA for recognizing the importance of expanding access to nutritious, locally-grown foods and providing this funding increase,” Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. “The grants will raise awareness about the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that are available here and help consumers make food choices that improve not only their health, but also the health of their local economy.”

Proposed projects should accomplish one or more of the following industry objectives:

Projects that improve food access in underserved communities or expand local agricultural economies also are eligible for assistance. So, too, are advertising-related expenses to publicize farmers markets, as long as program requirements are met.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will accept grant applications until 4 p.m. on April 30. Funds will be awarded early next year. Application forms and instructions can be obtained on the department’s website at www.agr.state.il.us or by calling (217) 524-9129.

For more information:
Request For Proposal Packet

 

New USDA Data Offers In-Depth Look at Organic Farming

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2010 – The nation’s organic farms and ranches have higher average sales and higher average production expenses than U.S. farms overall, according to results of the 2008 Organic Production Survey released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

"This was USDA's first wide-scale survey of organic producers, and it was undertaken in direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, businesses, policymakers and others," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "The information being released today will be an important building block for future program and policy development."

The survey counted 14,540 U.S. farms and ranches that were either USDA certified organic or were exempt from certification because their sales totaled less than $5,000. These operations comprised 4.1 million acres of land, of which 1.6 million acres were harvested cropland and 1.8 million acres were pasture or rangeland.

While there were organic farms or ranches in all 50 states, nearly 20 percent of the operations were in California. California also led the nation in organic sales, with $1.15 billion - or 36 percent of all U.S. sales. Nationwide, 2008 organic sales totaled $3.16 billion, including $1.94 billion in crops sales and $1.22 billion in sales of livestock, poultry and their products.

The nation's certified and exempt organic farms had average sales and production expenses that were higher than those of U.S. farms overall. Organic operations had an average of $217,675 in sales, compared with $134,807 for all farms as reported in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. Production expenditures averaged $171,978 per organic farm, compared with the nationwide average of $109,359 for all farms.

Most U.S. organic producers sold their products locally, with 44 percent of sales taking place less than 100 miles from the farm. Nearly 83 percent of organic sales were to wholesale channels, including processors, millers and packers. Just over 10 percent of sales were direct to retail operations, including supermarkets. Only 7 percent of sales were direct to consumers, via farm stands, farmers' markets, community supported agriculture and other arrangements.

Survey respondents indicated that they face various challenges, including regulatory, production, management and marketing issues. Despite these challenges, more than 78 percent indicated that they plan to maintain or increase their organic production over the next five years.

Complete results of the 2008 Organic Production Survey are available at

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/
Online_Highlights/Organics/

 

NCR-SARE Announces 2010 Call for Graduate Student Proposals

The call for proposals is available on the NCR-SARE website (www.sare.org/ncrsare).Graduate students can submit proposals for up to $10,000 to fund sustainable ag projects that will be part of their educational programs; the work must benefit agriculture in the North Central Region of the U.S. at least as much as it benefits other parts of the world. We expect to be able to fund about 15 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region. Proposals are due in the NCR-SARE office in St Paul MN by 4:30 p.m. CST, January 28, 2010. If you or potential applicants have questions about the program, feel free to contact NCR-SARE at or 612-626-3113 or Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512.

Oral History of Illinois Agriculture Website Launched

Features 300 hours of audio and video interviews with more than 130 people

SPRINGFIELD – Anyone with a computer can now see and hear the history of Illinois agriculture told by the people who lived it. Today, during a news conference, the Illinois State Museum launched the Audio-Video Barn website http://avbarn.museum.state.il.us, featuring 300 hours of interviews with more than 130 people involved with agriculture in Illinois over the past 129 years.  The website is the culmination of a two-year Oral History of Illinois Agriculture project led by the Illinois State Museum and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. 

The interviews tell the story of Illinois agriculture from the people who know it best –

grain farmers, beekeepers, elk ranchers, 4-H kids, college professors, broadcasters and pumpkin growers, among others, from every corner of the state. A unique feature of the website is the ability to search the audio and video clips based on topic, name, date, or geographic location. The website also features educational resources for students and teachers, including instructional videos on how to do oral history interviews and lesson plans based on agricultural themes.

"The Audio-Video Barn website is rich with fascinating stories about Illinois agriculture. Visitors can search the website and find the answers to many interesting questions, such as ‘What was it like to farm with horses 100 years ago? How has agriculture changed since then? How are farmers coping with challenges to the family farm?’" said Robert Warren, Project Director and Curator of Anthropology at the Illinois State Museum.

The website is supported by a $564,651 National Leadership Grant to the Illinois State Museum Society from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The project recorded more than 70 new interviews throughout the state, many using digital video cameras.  Some are "walk-and-talk" interviews on location in the field, dairy barn, or orchard. The website also includes sixty interviews from old audio tapes archived in libraries at the University of Illinois at Springfield and Northern Illinois University. The oldest recalls memories from the 1880s.  The Randforce Associates LLC, University at Buffalo, State University of New York provided expertise in computer indexing to make all of the stories accessible in a searchable format.

"This collection will be a fantastic resource to anyone who wants to know more about the role agriculture has played in Illinois’ history and continues to play today. There’s something in this collection for everyone, be it a high school student, academic scholar, journalist, or curious patron," said Mark DePue, Director of Oral History for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.       

"This audio-video barn is a compilation of our state’s rich agricultural history," Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. "This resource will especially benefit our future Ag leaders, as they can now hear and see first hand accounts from generations past, and build upon that knowledge to maintain Illinois’ status as one of the strongest agrarian states in the nation."

ATPI Announces Outstanding Agritourism Business of the Year

The Great Pumpkin Patch of Arthur, IL

The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, IL has been named the 2009 Outstanding Agritourism Business of the Year. The award was presented to Bruce and Mary Beth Condill during the Agriculture Day luncheon and award ceremony at the Illinois State Fair on August 18, 2009. Numerous farm families and farm-related businesses were recognized for their excellence in the agricultural fields.

The Great Pumpkin Patch is a wonderful way to spend an autumn day. Visit them when open to the public from September 15 through October 31 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. The Patch features a corn maze, pick your own pumpkins or select from the pre-picked tables, tractor pulled wagon rides through the patch, a bakery with homemade goods for sale, farm animals, and much more! There are over eleven acres of displays and gardens with over three hundred varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. The Condill family has created a beautiful opportunity to connect with the land and nature. Through their work of love, they hope to inspire guests to learn new things and become better stewards of all things around us.

The Agriculture and Tourism Partners of Illinois (ATPI) is an association of tourism and agriculture organizations and businesses working to encourage, foster, support, and stimulate tourism development, especially Agritourism, in Illinois through support of existing businesses and development of new businesses. For more information on ATPI, visit www.agfun.com or call (217) 525-7980.

USDA Launches New Web Pages and On-Line Tools to Help Consumers Make Healthier Food Choices  
New Nutritional Tools Part of 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 2009-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today launched three new online tools that will help consumers make healthier food choices and gain a better appreciation of the role of American agriculture in food production from the farm to the table.

"Because more than 80 percent of our population lives in suburban and metropolitan areas, when we think of food, we more often think of the grocery store than the farm," said Vilsack. "There is a disconnect between the farmer and the food that consumers buy and we want to re-connect these long standing ties between the people who produce the food and those who purchase and prepare it. These new online tools will help do that."

Vilsack launched a broad new 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative on Sept. 15 to begin a national conversation about food and to help connect people more closely with the farmers who supply their food and increase the production, marketing and consumption of fresh, nutritious food that is grown locally in a sustainable manner. These three new online applications were designed by USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) to help consumers make healthier food choices and are part of that initiative. They are:

Growing a Healthier You: Nutrition From the Farm to the Table - Known for its MyPyramid food guidance system and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, USDA's CNPP has designed a companion initiative, "Growing a Healthier You: Nutrition From the Farm to the Table," with the launch of a new web page. This new web page links garden and farm produce to the nutritional well-being of the public and the significance of locally grown fruits and vegetables. This web page, located at www.cnpp.usda.gov/KnowYourFarmer.htm, will promote national initiatives, such as National Nutrition Month and feature interesting facts about specific fruits, vegetables and other foods. It will also feature What's for Dinner (or Breakfast or Lunch); Your Garden, Your Produce, Your Menus; and From Garden to Plate, Safety Matters.

MyFood-a-pedia - The much anticipated MyFood-a-pedia is a new online tool that gives consumers quick access to nutrition information for over 1,000 foods. The MyFood-a-pedia provides calorie count information on the contribution of the food to the five food groups people need to be healthy. MyFood-a-pedia, located at www.MyFoodapedia.gov, also provides the number of "extra" calories in foods from solid fats, added sugars, and alcohol.

10 Tips Series - "10 Tips" will feature a variety of topics under CNPP's Nutrition Education Series. The "10 Tips" begins with cutting back on salt and sodium, followed by tips for setting good examples to be a healthy role model for children, tips for following a vegetarian diet, and tips for making more environmentally friendly food choices. Other tips will be added regularly, and can be downloaded at http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

New Law Will Put More Locally-Grown Food on Illinois Tables
Illinois Ag Connection - 08/19/2009

Governor Pat Quinn Tuesday signed into law legislation that will help put more Illinois-grown food on Illinois tables. House Bill 3990, sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) is designed to increase demand for locally-grown food by building a reliable market for it at state agencies and facilities that receive significant state support.

"I salute Illinois farmers and business leaders who work hard every day to boost our state's economy." Governor Quinn said. "They have made Illinois one of the largest food-producing states in the nation. This legislation helps make sure that more of the food they produce is eaten in Illinois."

Key elements of the legislation include:

"The fact that an estimated 96 percent of the fruits, vegetables, and meats that Illinoisans eat are produced in other states or countries is an astonishing imbalance and presents us with an enormous opportunity," said Sen. Collins. "This legislation is an important step forward that will enable farmers in the state to produce and sell fresh food."

The legislation caps an effort by the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force to determine the potential for Illinois to grow and distribute food within Illinois and in neighboring states. A study released by the Task Force earlier this year revealed that only a tiny fraction of the approximately $48 billion spent by Illinoisans on food each year is grown in Illinois.

"This legislation is the first step in creating a fresh farm and food system in Illinois that will bring important benefits to every corner of our state," said Rep. Hamos. "New jobs will be created as the system to process and transport the food to local markets is developed. Those who live in Illinois and in adjacent states will benefit from the increased supply of fresh, locally-produced food."

Check Out New CSP

(Champaign, IL August 14, 2009)--It’s finally here—the re-tooled and long-anticipated Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has arrived. Agricultural operators nationwide can now learn what the new conservation program offers, how it works, and decide whether to enroll. CSP encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner and rewards them for it. Producers can review program details and enroll beginning August 10, 2009. Important to note is that sign-up for CSP is open nationwide and continuous, offering landowners plenty of time to look over program information, research program rules and goals to see if CSP is a good fit for their operation. IL NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle confirms NRCS teams are eager to launch the new national program. He encourages interested producers to review all applicant information and requirements at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html or visit your local county USDA Service Center today.

USDA ensures activity in the new program will reap beneficial improvements both on and off the farm.  Sustainable natural resource conditions, long-term land productivity, reduced non-point source pollution, improved air quality, and enhanced wildlife habitat will be the result. CSP applicants who achieve those results—and are willing to do even more--will be financially rewarded. CSP rewards conservationists for putting quality conservation on their land.

CSP has restrictive acreage levels for involvement. Beginning now through 2012, CSP will impact 51,076,000 acres nationwide—that’s just 12,769,000 acres per year for four years. The number of eligible acres Illinois operators can reward has not been announced.

New regulations for eligibility are highly specific. Listed here are important details Illinois producers should know:

Applicants who do NOT have these particular documents in order could seriously impact their 2009 eligibility—or delay it.

NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs Ivan Dozier confirms this. "Information must be documented in Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm records management system." This ensures applicant eligibility information for Adjusted Gross Income verification and it confirms compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions. In order to be eligible, all paperwork and conservation status must be in order.  "If you’re not ready right now, don’t worry. There’s plenty of time to update your information and check out the program—remember, this is a continuous and ongoing enrollment," Dozier adds.

In preparation for the new program, NRCS is developing a new electronic conservation measurement tool. They will enter data and information into the computerized tool which measures, calculates, and ultimately rates the performance and effect of conservation practices installed on the land. According Dozier, "This new tool will systematically and scientifically evaluate and rank CSP applications nationwide." The tool will be available for use at the local level in mid-September.

As for what the new CSP pays out, no definitive information has been released. However, CSP will offer two possible payment scenarios: One involves an annual payment for installing and adopting additional activities, and improving, maintaining, and managing existing activities. Compensation for on-farm research and demonstration activities or pilot tests will be made through this annual payment. The other payment scenario includes a supplemental payment for folks receiving annual payments who also agree to adopt a new resource-conserving crop rotation.

Nationwide, NRCS established a target to set aside five percent of CSP acres for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and an additional five percent for beginning farmers or ranchers. "This ensures CSP will be available to operations of ALL shapes and sizes!" Dozier adds.

Participants will create a ‘‘conservation stewardship plan,’’ using NRCS’ conservation planning process. This plan will document how producers address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner. The conservation stewardship plan contains a record of participant decisions on the schedule of conservation activities to be implemented, managed, and improved under CSP.  To learn more, visit your local NRCS office or visit the website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.

NCR-SARE YOUTH and YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS AVAILABLE

The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) , 2009 Youth & Youth Educator Call for Proposals is now available. You can find the Call for Proposals on the NCR-SARE website at: http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/cfp.htm

NCR-SARE Youth & Youth Educator Grants are intended to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region of the U.S. to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture. The North Central Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

This call is for youth, ages 8 – 18, and youth educators in the NCR-SARE North Central Region.

Applications are due at the NCR-SARE Office in Lincoln, NE by 4:30 pm (CDT), Tuesday, September 15, 2009. There is $34,000 available for this program. Projects must be finished and final reports submitted by December 31, 2010.

There are two options:

1. YOUTH GRANTS

Grants for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-18. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore sustainable agriculture issues and practices.
Education projects can involve teaching others about sustainable agriculture or attending a sustainable agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum.

2. YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS

Grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.

Please help us get the word out to FFA, 4-H, and other organizations you know of that work with youth and agriculture. Thank you for your help.

For more information, contact Joan Benjamin, Associate Regional Coordinator, 402-472-0809, or Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, SARE Coordinator, 217-968-5583,

Going organic
By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern
Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:09 PM CDT

CARBONDALE - When students hit the salad bar at Southern Illinois University Carbondale residence dining halls in the fall, the veggies they nosh on may have grown just a few miles away.

A new student organic garden project is growing an organic vegetable garden near the Vermicomposting Center on Pleasant Hill Road. The garden includes tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for the summer with vegetables such as squash, lettuce and broccoli planned for the fall. Students with SIU Local Organic Garden Initiative of Carbondale (LOGIC) are working with Food Service Chef William Connors to implement the goods into the dining halls.

Leah May, a senior in geography and environmental resources from Peoria, said the garden idea sprouted from the geography department's annual poster contest. The students behind the project won $500 from the contest and used the money to get the garden started.

"It's kind of a test pilot program for the next few years to see what the area is capable of," May said.

Jon Dyer, a senior in geography and environmental resources from Edwardsville, said the area is capable of some of the best locally grown food.

"Illinois has some of the greatest agricultural land in the country but we import about 80 percent of our food," Dyer said.

Everything involved in the project is local, including the compost, which is taken from waste at the dining halls and processed at the Vermicomposting Center. May and Dyer said that not only will students have healthier vegetables to eat, but getting them locally means less importing, creating a healthier alternative for the university as well.

"Just growing a small portion of the food local and organic are few small steps SIU can take to become more sustainable," May said.


618-351-5804

USDA Seeks Input to Improve Conservation Practice Standards
Comments Should Be Submitted by Aug. 11
Contact: Terry Bish (202) 720-5974

WASHINGTON, JULY 22, 2009—The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on its conservation practice standards to help improve the Nation’s delivery of conservation programs. The public comment period is open until Aug. 11.

"A public review of conservation standards, which is written into the 2008 Farm Bill, is critical to ensuring that conservation programs are available, adequate, and working for the Nation’s producers and landowners," said Dave White, NRCS Chief.

The 2008 Farm Bill maintains a strong commitment to locally led, voluntary conservation programs and the successful delivery and participation in these programs hinges on robust local input and involvement in the rule making process. Through the public comment process, stakeholders, including agricultural producers and private landowners and the general public, are able to include their input and priorities in the delivery of conservation programs.

NRCS conservation practices are diverse and very flexible and as such can be applied on many land uses. The public review of conservation delivery standards will ensure that conservation programs of the 2008 Farm Bill are relevant to local agricultural, forestry and natural resource needs including specialty crops like organics, native and managed pollinators, bioenergy crop production and forestry.

This broad public review will also help ensure conservation programs are less bureaucratic and more easily understandable by producers and potential applicants, delivered with sufficient technical assistance to complete conservation plans and implemented in an efficient, timely, and effective manner

All comments will be reviewed and considered for incorporation into final rules directing delivery of conservation programs. Public comments can be submitted online, by mail, via e-mail, in person, or by fax through Aug. 11. Contact information is listed in the notice. The notice can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13870.pdf

For more information about NRCS and conservation programs that may be available, go to: www.nrcs.usda.gov or visit the nearest USDA Service Center.

USDA - NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider. 

NRCS ~ Helping People Help the Land

Nominate the 2010 MOSES Farmer of the Year

Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is seeking nominations for our 2010 'Organic Farmer of the Year' award.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to properly acknowledge the outstanding efforts of an organic farmer!  As in years past, the award will be presented at the 21st Organic Farming Conference to be held next February 25-27, 2010 in La Crosse, WI.

Attached is a nomination form and press release for your convenience.  Or you can visit our website http://mosesorganic.org/foy.html  to learn more and download a nomination form directly.   To avoid duplication of nominees, previous award winners are:

The deadline for submitting your nomination is September 15, 2009.

Consumer Guide to Whole Animal Buying Available

Consumers interested in buying local beef or pork will want to take a look at a new publication created by the Iowa State University's Small Meat Processors' Working Group.

Funded in part by a SARE grant, "Beef and Pork Whole Animal Buying Guide" explains buying pork and beef as whole animals (or portions thereof) from local producers.

Producers may also consider using the publication to help clients make smart decisions and keep coming back. It explains marketing terms, information on storage and handling, meat inspection, meat cut out weight, and includes color photos of common retail beef and pork cuts by primal. This guide brings all the necessary pieces together in one easy-to-use resource. Free PDF available online. Hardcopies available in color ($6.50) and B&W ($1).

To download a free pdf or order a print copy, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store
/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=13056

New Ag Network - New Electronic Mail List

The New Ag Network has started a new electronic mail list. The purpose of the mail list is to provide a means for easy communication among farmers, educators, researchers, and others involved in organic and sustainable farming in the Great Lakes Region. Once you join the list, you may send and receive messages, and view the message archive.

To join the mail list, fill out the online form at:https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/new-ag-network

Or, join the list by sending an email. Send a message containing the single word 'subscribe' (without quotes) to:

new-ag-network-request at lists.purdue.edu

Once you sign-up, you will receive an email from new-ag-network-request at lists.purdue.edu asking you to confirm your sign-up by replying to the email. You will know you have successfully confirmed and joined the list when you receive a welcome message.

Hope to hear from you on the list!

If you just want to receive announcements about new articles on the New Ag Network, but don’t wish to participate in more general discussion, just sign up for the announcement only listserv at
http://www.new-ag.msu.edu/Listserv/tabid/63/Default.aspx. If you received announcements last year, you are already on this announcement list.

USDA PROVIDES CONSERVATION FUNDS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ORGANIC PRODUCERS
$50 Million in Funding Available Nationwide

Champaign, IL, May 6, 2009 – Speaking yesterday to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced that $50 million will support a new national initiative for farmers transitioning to organic agriculture or those who currently are certified organic to receive special assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This effort strives to meet conservation goals under new provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill. Here in Illinois, nearly $1.2 million will be available for eligible producers. Applications will be accepted between May 11 and May 29.

The initiative will be administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which administers EQIP and will set aside a separate pool of money to help organic farmers and those in transition to organic production. While EQIP has always been available for organic producers to treat resource concerns on their land, provisions of the new Farm Bill permit specific funds to be set aside to assist organic producers in natural resource protection strategies on the farm.

Applications for EQIP are taken continuously throughout the year; however, to be considered for this special sign-up and use fiscal year 2009 funds, producers must submit a signed application to their local NRCS office by May 29, 2009.

Bill Gradle, NRCS State Conservationist in Illinois, says Organic EQIP applicants must agree to implement certain “core” conservation practices in order to qualify. Core practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crops; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management. Illinois NRCS will consider using any appropriate practice that meets a resource concern on a particular operation. Most conservation practices available under "General" EQIP options are also available under the new Organic EQIP.

"Because organic operations often require increased costs and expenses, EQIP payments for organic core practices will be enhanced a bit," Gradle explains. NRCS hopes these funds and incentives motivate producers to embrace and adopt conservation solutions on organic farms. EQIP payments may not exceed $20,000 per year or $80,000 in any six year period.

Some participants are eligible to receive a higher payment rate; those are limited resource farmers, beginning farmers, and socially disadvantaged groups. For more information, go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/SLB_Farmer/ or visit your local NRCS office. For more information about NRCS options, visit http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

USDA TO CONDUCT FIRST WIDE-SCALE SURVEY OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
How It is Changing the Face of U.S. Agriculture

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2009 – This spring, USDA will conduct the first-ever, wide-scale survey of organic farming in the United States, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said today, to find out how the growth of organic farming is changing the face of U.S. agriculture.

"The Organic Production Survey is a direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, and businesses," said Vilsack.  "This is an opportunity for organic producers to share their voices and help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of organic farming in the United States."

2007 Census of Agriculture counted more than 20,000 U.S. farms engaged in organic production.

The survey will look at many aspects of organic farming during the 2008 calendar year – from production and marketing practices, to income and expenses. It will focus not only on operations that are currently engaged in organic production, but also on those making the transition to organic agriculture.

The results will help shape future decisions regarding farm policy, funding allocations, availability of goods and services, community development and other key issues. In addition, the information can help producers make informed decisions about the future of their own farming operations.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the survey in early May to all known organic producers in the United States, who are asked to respond by June 17. NASS will publish results in winter 2009.

Participants can mail back their forms or complete the survey online at www.agcensus.usda.gov. Survey participants are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U.S. Code) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals.

For more information about the Organic Production Survey, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540.

NCR-SARE Announces 2010 Call for Research and Education Preproposals

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program  (NCR-SARE) Research and Education Grant Program 2010 Call for Preproposals is now available online at http://sare.org/ncrsare/resedu.htm.

NCR-SARE’s Research and Education program supports innovators with competitive Research and Education grants. Individual grants range from $10,000 to $175,000. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 9-13 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region.

Potential applicants can contact or 612-626-3113.

The deadline for preproposals is 4:30pm CDT, Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

For more information contact, Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois State Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, , 217-968-5512

NCR-SARE Announces 2009 Call for Professional Development Program Preproposals

The 2009 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program’s (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Call for Preproposals is now available online at
http://sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm

The PDP provides funds for professional development projects that provide sustainable agriculture training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system. Projects can be two to three years in duration, and funding level is capped at $75,000 for each project, but projects requesting less than full amount are encouraged. Approximately $400,000 will be available for funding projects.

The deadline for preproposals is 4:30 pm CDT on Monday, May 22, 2009.

Any questions regarding the North Central SARE PDP program should be addressed to Paula Ford (, (785-532-5328), Linda Kleinschmit (, 402-254-3310) or Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois State Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator (, 217-968-5512)

Illinois Department of Agriculture to Plant Community Garden

Garden will be open to the public and located on Illinois State Fairgrounds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - If you are looking for a spot to try out your green thumb, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has just the place. IDOA is announcing the inaugural year of the Illinois State Fairgrounds Community Garden. The garden was created to give residents a space to grow fresh produce, herbs, or other flowers and plants, in a friendly and safe environment.

"Many people have indicated to us that they would like to have a garden, but they just don't have the space," Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. "We decided this would be a great opportunity for the Illinois Department of Agriculture to not only offer up a great location for garden plots, but also to help create a sense of community where growers can learn from each other."

Individuals, organizations and other groups will be able to lease one or two plots, depending upon availability. The garden plots are 12' x 12' and cost $10.00 each, with the money collected going straight back into the garden.

"This garden will offer opportunities for ongoing education, such as mentoring programs between growers and local schools," Jennings added.  "We also plan to offer hands-on training, through the U of I Extension Office, for everyone from novice to experienced gardeners."

Gardeners will have the opportunity to help out the community by participating in the Plant a Row for the Hungry program. By participating, growers will be able to donate some of the food from their garden to local food pantries.

"I think this is a year that a lot of people are going to need additional assistance," Master Gardener and Plant a Row for the Hungry Committee Co-Chair Barb Rogers said.  "We would be delighted to have individual growers make an effort to plant a little extra that could be donated to a local food bank."

Those interested in becoming part of the Community Garden are urged to attend a public meeting being held at the Illinois Department of Agriculture Thursday, March 19, at 7pm. Potential gardeners will be given all the information they need at this meeting, and organizers will be present to answer questions. Information will be available on the website after the March 19 meeting at http://www.agr.state.il.us or by calling
(217) 782-0777.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture building is located at the corner of Sangamon Ave. and 8th Street on the Illinois State Fairgrounds inside Gate 11. 

New Organic Agriculture Web Site Features Land-Grant University Research

ASILOMAR, California --A new Web site about U.S. organic agriculture production provides research, news and learning modules from land-grant universities nationwide. eOrganic will launch at regional organic farming and production conferences in January and February. It is one of many Web communities within eXtension (pronounced E-extension), http://www.eXtension.org, a national initiative of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System.

"This new resource is for anyone who wants to learn more about organic agriculture, one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture," Oregon State University vegetable specialist Alex Stone said. "eOrganic is designed for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking science- and experience-based information. Our goal is to be a reliable resource that is responsive to the changing information and technology needs of the organic industry and community. The site is focused on general organic agriculture, dairy production and vegetable production. We expect to continually expand the information available."

Organic farming systems use ecological practices that enhance and promote optimum health of soil, plants, animals and people, encourage biodiversity, rely primarily on natural inputs and largely exclude the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The new eOrganic site features:

Frequently Asked Questions: Organic agriculture experts from throughout the nation provide simple, clear answers on topics such as crop production, pest management, nutrient use, soil amendments and organic certification.

News and Upcoming Events: Organic agriculture continues to gain prominence in the news. eXtension eOrganic brings together news from land-grant universities. National, statewide and local organic events are listed.

Ask an Expert: Experts nationwide respond to individual organic agriculture questions within 24 hours of submission.

Video Clips: More than 100 video clips explain organic agriculture practices.

Articles and Lessons: Learn about organic agriculture, successful varieties, production system practices, government rules and regulations from more than 150 articles.

Extension organic agriculture specialists from across the nation compiled the content that goes through a review before it's released. Experts from Clemson University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Penn State University, University of Florida, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota and University of Vermont worked on the new site. Staff from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service also contributed.

"All across America, farmers and ranchers are seeking practices that enhance the long-term ecological, social and economic sustainability of agriculture. The Web content in the Organic Agriculture Resource Area offers a wealth of innovative strategies from the nation's most successful organic researchers and practitioners that can improve the bottom line. We believe this work will inspire others to make positive changes to improve the health of our natural resources, each other, and our planet," said Danielle Treadwell, Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Specialist, University of Florida.

The eOrganic site joins other eXtension sites at http://www.eXtension.org including information on the financial crisis; animal manure management; beef cattle; corn and soybean production; cotton production; dairy cattle; disasters; diversity across higher education; entrepreneurs and their communities; family caregiving; geospatial technology; horses; horticulture; imported fire ants; parenting; personal finance; science, engineering and technology for youth; and wildlife damage management.

eXtension is an educational partnership of more than 70 land grant universities helping Americans improve their lives with access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational opportunities. eXtension's interactive Web site,http://www.eXtension.org, is customized with links to local Cooperative Extension Web sites. Land-grant universities were founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that universities should teach liberal and practical subjects and share knowledge with people throughout their states.

Contact: Terry Meisenbach, 760-328-8260,

USDA Announces Amended Farm Bill Provisions and New Sign Up Deadline

Owners and operators of farms with 10 or fewer base acres now have the opportunity to receive payments for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program. On Oct. 13, 2008, President George W. Bush signed a bill that made amendments to the 2008 Farm Bill. These amendments apply to farms with crop acreage bases of 10 acres or less. These changes and clarifications allow some producers more flexibility in farming practices and create new sign-up opportunities with new deadlines for some farms. The amendments also apply to the new Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) Program.

Learn more.

NCR-SARE Announces Calls for Proposals

NCR-SARE announces the 2009 Calls for Proposals for both the Youth & Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants and the Graduate Student Grant Program.

Youth Grants are new part of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. The purpose of the Youth Grant Program is to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture.

YOUTH GRANTS: These grants are awarded to youth ages 8-21 for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore sustainable agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about sustainable agriculture or attending a sustainable agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum. Deadline: January 30, 2009.

YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS: These grants are awarded to educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum. Deadline: January 30, 2009.

NCR-SARE instituted the Graduate Student Grant Program for officially registered graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.) enrolled at accredited colleges or universities.

GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS: These grants are for graduate student projects lasting up to three years. Projects must benefit agriculture in the North Central Region. $10,000 maximum. Deadline: January 28, 2009.

The calls for both the Youth Grant and the Graduate Student Grant will be available on the NCR-SARE website in December 2008 at http://sare.org/ncrsare/

For more information about the Youth Grant Program contact NCR-SARE Associate Regional Coordinator, Joan Benjamin at 402-472-0809, 1-800-529-1342 or .  For more information about the Graduate Student Grant Program contact NCR-SARE Graduate Student Program Coordinator, Bill Wilcke at 612-625-8205 or . For additional information, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512.  For information about Illinois Graduate Student Grant Program recipients - http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/sare/

NCR-SARE Awards $100,000 Diversity Grant

For Barbara Norman, sustainable agriculture is more than an interest; it's a lifestyle.

Norman is a third generation farmer on her blueberry farm in Van Buren County, MI, and has been awarded the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program's (NCR-SARE) first ever Diversity Grant for $100,000.

The Diversity Research and Education Grant Program is a new NCR-SARE grant program. Its purpose is to fund people and/or projects that can help NCR-SARE reach and work with underserved audiences to improve agricultural sustainability in the region. Chaired by Robin Salverson, the NCR-SARE Diversity Committee was formed to respond to NCR-SARE's goal to reach and work with underserved audiences.

Norman has selected three specific areas to concentrate efforts for this project: Detroit, MI, Kankakee, IL, and the historical farms of Nicodemus, KS. Norman and Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) outreach coordinators targeted these three underserved communities based on demographic data and the potential to build on key relationships with service providers in those underserved communities.

Moving forward with the project, MIFFS outreach staff will meet with potential leaders and early adopters in the targeted communities, develop partnerships with service providers who are interested in working with the underserved communities, and establish this SARE sponsored project as a means to develop relationships among SARE, the leaders/early adopters, the underserved farmers, and the service providers.

To read more about NCR-SARE Diversity Initiative, go to http://www.northcentralsare.org/About-Us/Regional-Initiatives/Diversity

Illinois Department of Agriculture has Funds Available to Reimburse Certified Organic Producers and Handlers for Certification Costs

To be eligible for reimbursement, an organic production or handling operation must be located within Illinois, comply with the USDA National Organic Program regulations for organic production or handling and have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.

Under Illinois' current agreement with the USDA, producers and handlers can make application for reimbursement to the Illinois Department of Agriculture by submitting the following documents:

  1. Illinois Organic Certification Cost-Share Program application
  2. W-9 form (Rev. 10/07)
  3. Copy of the certificate or continuation of certification document from the USDA-accredited certifying agency
  4. Copy of your paid, itemized invoice from your certifier

Based on the receipt of the completed application packet by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, reimbursements will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the limited program funds are exhausted.

For more information, contact Delayne Reeves at 217/524-9129 or .

SARE Professional Development Call for Preproposals

The 2009 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program’s (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Call for Preproposals is now available online at http://sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm The PDP provides funds for professional development projects that provide sustainable agriculture training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system. Projects can be two to three years in duration, and funding level is capped at $75,000 for each project, but projects requesting less than full amount are encouraged. Approximately $400,000 will be available for funding projects.

The deadline for preproposals is 4:30 pm CDT on Monday, May 22, 2009.

Any questions regarding the North Central SARE PDP program should be addressed to Paula Ford (pford@ksu.edu, 785-532-5328), Linda Kleinschmit (LindaKL@ksu.edu, 402-254-3310) or Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois State Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator (cvnghgrn@illinois.edu, 217-968-5512)

National Small Farm Conference – Call for Presentations

URBANA – The 5th National Small Farm Conference will be held September 15 to 17 in Springfield. The deadline for submitting abstracts for presentations and posters is Friday, March 13. The conference is hosted by University of Illinois Extension.

Online submissions are encouraged. Visit http://www.conferences.uiuc.edu/
conferences/conferenceviewer2/view.cfm?conf=20033

If online submission is not possible, contact  Rosannah Taylor (202-720-9354; rosannah_taylor@nass.usda.gov ).

Proposals that address one or more of the topic areas below will be considered. Special consideration will be given to new insights, techniques, or approaches in addressing each of these general topics.

“The small farms conference takes place only every three to four years,” said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of Illinois Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture Extension Specialist. “Its goal is to strengthen collaboration and partnership among groups and provide an opportunity to share new ideas in research, extension and outreach.”

NCR-SARE Announces 2008 Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals

The 2008 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now available online at http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Multimedia/Videos-from-the-Field/Direct-Marketing-for-Farmers-and-Ranchers.

Farmers and ranchers in the North Central Region can submit proposals for grants to support sustainable agriculture project ideas initiated by farmers and ranchers. Projects should emphasize research or education/demonstration. Grants can range from $6,000 for individual farmers and up to $18,000 for groups of 3 or more farmers.

NCR-SARE expects to fund about 50 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call.

With this call, the Farmer Rancher Grant Program will now accept project proposals by email. NCR-SARE is now asking applicants to complete a brief budget narrative in their project proposal. Also, beginning farmers and/or youth may apply.

The deadline for proposals is Monday, December 1, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.

The NCR has funded more than 650 farmer rancher grants worth more than $4,300,000 since the inception of this program.

Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at or 402-472-0809 or Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Competitive Grants Program

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Competitive Grants program has developed several opportunities for stakeholders to provide input on program development and implementation.

These opportunities are listed on the CSREES website at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/
nea/ag_systems/in_focus/smallfarm_if_bfrcgp.html

Note that we are accepting input for the 2009 funding cycle until November 14, 2008.

Please take this opportunity to provide input and also share this announcement with as many people as possible to help us develop a program that will be of value to beginning farmers and ranchers.

Rodale Institute

At the core of the Rodale Institute is the idea that healthy soil=healthy food=healthy people. This rather simple idea is the foundation for all our research on nutrition, global warming and famine prevention.

By supporting the Rodale Institute, you join us in advancing the understanding of these critical issues, underwriting our research and boosting our impact. The Institute's research program helped launch today's organic movement and continues to direct cutting-edge trials documenting the ability of organic farming to reverse global warming. Our international program is providing locally-adapted solutions to the issues of nutrition, hunger, poverty and community degradation across the world. Our education and outreach programs welcome farmers, gardeners and concerned citizens alike to learn hands-on techniques for making our world more sustainable. Our operations crew keeps the farm running, the grounds maintained and our display gardens growing and available to the public. And our dynamic website offers free, online learning, mentoring and networking. Help us create organic solutions for the world we live in today and the world we want to see tomorrow. 

For more information please visit:
http://www.hero-farmers.org/

For the Crop Conversion Calculator please visit:
http://www.tritrainingcenter.org/code/farmselect/

For the Organic Transition Course Page please visit:
http://www.tritrainingcenter.org/course/

ATPI Announces Outstanding Agritourism Business of the Year
Learn Great Foods of Mount Carroll, IL

Learn Great Foods, an agri-culinary tour and retreat experience based in Mount Carroll, IL, has been named the Outstanding Agritourism Business of the Year.  The award was presented to Ann Dougherty, President of Learn Great Foods, during the Agriculture Day luncheon and award ceremony at the Illinois State Fair on August 12, 2008.  Numerous farm families and farm-related businesses were recognized for their excellence in the agricultural fields.  

Learn Great Foods offers day tours and weekend retreats that teach about the natural link that exists between sustainable farming, great cooking, and the environment.  Privately guided tours of local farms, cooking classes, food chemistry workshops, and dining are all a part of the experience.  Tour locations include Northwest Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Northern Michigan and are offered during the months of April – November.  To get more information, view a schedule, or register for a tour please visit www.learngreatfoods.com or call 231-758-3407.

2008 FARM BILL SIDE-BY-SIDE

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which governs Federal farm programs for 2008-12, was enacted into law in July 2008. ERS' side-by-side comparison of this new Farm Act with previous legislation is now available at www.ers.usda.gov/FarmBill/2008  Summarized but substantive, this comparison is a time-saving reference on farm bill provisions.

Twenty-first Century Systems Agriculture

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation have awarded a grant to the National Academies’ Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources for a 2-year study to identify the scientific foundations of sustainable farming systems and management practices, and the social, economic and political factors that influence their use and wide scale adoption by farmers in the US and abroad. The study will build on the findings of the Academies’ 1989 report, Alternative Agriculture that highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of what were at that time unconventional or “alternative” farming practices, such as conservation tillage, integrated pest management, and crop rotations. Many of these practices were relatively new at the time, but have since been widely adopted by producers in conventional agriculture in the United States, and have even had significant beneficial impact on small scale farming systems in the developing world. The new study will examine cutting-edge technologies and practices that have emerged over the past two decades, and will define key concepts and features of sustainable systems agriculture that will contribute to the Gates Foundation’s goals of improving the productivity and livelihoods of small scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The study is being conducted by a committee of 15 members appointed by the National Academies, including experts in food and fiber production; agribusiness; agricultural economics and social science; agro-ecology; federal farm, trade, international development, environmental, and regulatory policy; farm finance and marketing systems; public health-related aspects of agriculture; pest-protection, crop and animal science, agronomy and water-quality science, and systems-agriculture research.

In addition to fact-finding workshops and data analysis, the committee will use a set of case studies to examine farm operations that operate as integrated systems that pursue sustainable approaches to food and fiber production. Such farms attempt to maximize their efficiency while balancing social, environmental and economic values.

For more infomrmation, contact the National Acedemy of Sciences, Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources. http://www.dels.nas.edu/banr/.

Organic Crop Insurance Available

Organic growers can now insure their organically grown insurable crops.  Risk Management Agency (RMA) currently provides coverage for certified organic acreage, transitional acreage, and buffer zone acreage. 

To find a list of insurable crops, please visit: http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies/.

For more detailed information about organic crop insurance, please visit: http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/2010/organics.pdf. 

To locate a crop insurance agent, please visit:  http://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html.

Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) Farmer of the Year

MOSES is seeking nominations for our 2009 'Organic Farmer of the Year' award.

Don't miss this opportunity to properly acknowledge the outstanding efforts of an organic farmer! As in years past, the award will be presented at the Organic Farming Conference to be held next February 26-28, 2009 in La Crosse, WI.

Please visit our website to download a nomination form directly and view a press release with more information.

http://www.mosesorganic.org/foy.html

The nomination deadline is September 15, 2008.

Sustainable Agriculture Educational Materials (SAEM) Library

The Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) in conjunction with Mann Library at Cornell University is developing an online database of materials related to the teaching of Sustainable Agriculture called the Sustainable Agriculture Educational Materials (SAEM) Library. Most of the current materials; which include syllabi, lab manuals, and unpublished papers/presentations; were gathered during the Second National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education, but we would now like to open the database to submissions from anyone teaching or researching Sustainable Agriculture. We plan for this to be a growing resource and will be accepting submissions indefinitely; however, to ensure the success of the resource we would like to have a significant collection to start.

If you would like to submit a document to the collection please send a copy of it to Heidi Pettitt electronically at and sign the attached release form and mail it to the address below. Materials will be collected on the SAEM website and will be added as they arrive. For additional information, contact Heidi Pettitt, ITS Mann Library, Cornell University, 607-255-7626.

NCR-SARE Announces Grant Recommendations

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) has made public the lists of projects most recently recommended for funding for each of its four main grant programs: Farmer Rancher, Research and Education, Professional Development, and Graduate Student.

Go to the NCR-SARE website to find links to lists of the projects recently recommended for funding. NCR-SARE administers these four grant programs, each with specific priorities, audiences, and timelines. The focus for all four NCR-SARE grant programs is on research and education.

Funding considerations are made based on how well the applicant articulates the nature of the research and education components of their sustainable agriculture grant proposals.

NCR-SARE funds 50 to 75 cutting-edge projects every year in the four grant programs. NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the AC includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in the region. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, and nonprofit organizations.

In addition, regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and NCR agribusinesses, state agencies, and foundations sit at the table to distribute grant money.

The USDA's NCR-SARE program has awarded more than $30 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Clean Energy Farming: Cutting Costs, Improving Efficiencies, Harnessing Renewables

Across the country, as energy prices climb, farmers are turning more and more to clean energy practices. From energy-saving light bulbs to solar panels to fuels grown and processed on the farm, farmers are making their operations more profitable, efficient and cleaner.

"Clean Energy Farming: Cutting Costs, Improving Efficiencies, Harnessing Renewables" features innovative SARE-funded research and examples of farmers who are improving energy efficiency while saving money, implementing farming practices that both save energy and protect natural resources, and producing and using renewable fuels.

The publication is available online.

The 2008 Indiana Farm Sustainability Tour Series

The Indiana Farm Sustainability Tour Series will host nine tours will this year. During each of the tours, participants will have the chance to interact with the farm and facility owners and operators and to learn about their experiences, management styles and how they make important decisions. The tours vary from month to month and focus on topics such as business structure, keeping the family involved, agritourism and niche marketing. The tours also include a specialist from Purdue who will discuss the topic of the day and be available to answer questions. Not only will participants have the chance to speak with specialists and farm owners, but they will also have the opportunity to learn about available resources and network with others who are interested in diversifying their farms or rural enterprises.

The Indiana Farm Sustainability tours will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the dates and locations listed below.

For more information and to register, visit the Indiana Farm Sustainability Tours website. Each tour is $15 per person, which includes lunch, refreshments and materials. Individuals have the option to register for all of the tours or to select one or two at a time. Registration is due seven days prior to a tour.

The 2008 Indiana Farm Sustainability Tours are sponsored by the Purdue Small Farms Team, the Purdue New Ventures Team, Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

For questions and more information, please contact Jerry Nelson, New Ventures Extension educator and tour coordinator, at (812) 886-9582 or or Ballard at (317) 462-1113 or .

Mini-Grant Program to Help Farmers with Problem/Perennial Weeds!

John Masiunas and Dan Anderson announce a mini-grant program (up to $500 per applicant) for farmers who want to try organic or sustainable methods to manage problem perennial weeds. Our goal is to develop integrated management approaches and increase your knowledge of and skill in managing perennial weeds. Perennial weeds persist several years and spread by seed and structures such as roots, tubers, and rhizomes. They are some of the most difficult challenges for many farmers. Examples of perennial weeds are Canada thistle, quackgrass, Johnsongrass, and yellow nutsedge. Approaches might include cover crops, suppressive crop rotations, scouting and early removal, tillage, biological control, mowing, and livestock grazing.

The application process is simple! Fill out the on-line form HERE.

If you prefer a paper application contact us at (217) 333-1588 (Dan Anderson) or

John Masiunas
260 ERML
1201 W. Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL 61801

Everyone applying for mini-grants will be sent a packet of information on perennial weed identification, biology, and integrated management approaches for their control. We will choose a limited number of farmers to participate based on your current farming system, farm location, the problem weeds, and innovativeness of your approach (John Masiunas, ).

Livestock Grazing Education and Programming Survey to Plan Extension Programs

Author: Debra Levey Larson

URBANA - Taking a five- to ten- minute online survey will help University of Illinois Extension make informed decisions about livestock grazing education and programming, according to U of I Extension Assessment and Planning Director Pennie Crinion.

"U of I Extension staff has focused on providing livestock grazing education for producers through meetings, workshops, field demonstrations, websites and publications for the last few years," said Crinion. "We want to determine if the content of these educational efforts is meeting the needs of livestock producers and to identify additional educational needs."

Crinion said the survey only takes a short time to complete online and is appropriate for any livestock producers (beef, dairy, sheep, goats, poultry, horses, etc.) who have participated in Extension livestock grazing workshops or other activities.

The survey can be taken online at tinyurl.com/32sh9x.

Introducing the Illinois Small Farm Newsletter

Illinois Small Farm News is published by University of Illinois Extension’s Small Farm Program. This newsletter is designed to inform its readers (both the commercial small farmer as well as the small acreage landowner) about the latest small farm programs and about people and activities in the state of Illinois, as well as in the Midwest region and our nation. Edited and produced by Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant; designed by Kyla Kruse.

Winter 2008 Illinois Small Farm News ...

Illinois Sustainable Vegetable Farmer Named Finalist for National Sustainability Award

An Illinois farmer who values harmony with nature and community has won a national award, The Patrick Madden Award for Sustainable Agriculture in the north central region. Henry Brockman operates an intensive, multi-generational, highly-diverse and sustainable vegetable production in the Mackinaw River Valley of Woodford County, Illinois.

This $1,000 award for farmers and ranchers who raise food or fiber in ways that are profitable, good for families and communities, and beneficial to the environment is presented by the USDAs North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program.

NCR-SARE Announces 2008 Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals

Graduate students enrolled at colleges or universities in the North Central Region can submit proposals for up to $10,000 to fund sustainable ag projects that will be part of their educational programs. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 15 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region. Potential applications who can contact Bill Wilcke, Regional Coordinator for the NCRSARE Program at or 612-625-8205 or Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator at or 217-968-5512. The deadline for proposals is 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2008.

The New Faces of NCR-SARE

Dave Campbell of Maple Park, IL and Liz Stahl of Sherburn, MN, have been elected to serve as Administrative Council members for the North Central Regional Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (NCR-SARE). Stahl will fill the Minnesota extension position on the Administrative Council, and Campbell will fill the Illinois farmer/rancher position.

Dave Campbell is no stranger to Midwestern farms. He has spent most of his life living on farms in Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1967, his father's farm switched over to organic production, and Campbell was charged with raising rabbits for meat production which were marketed to a local health food store.

He continued to work on his father's dairy farm while he attended Western Illinois Univeristy where he received his bachelor's degree in education. He worked with his father until he began his own operation, Lily Lake Organic Farm in northern Illinois. Currently, Campbell serves on the Advisory Board of the University of Illinois Sustainable Ag Board and is active with the New Ag Network.

Liz Stahl has been a University of Minnesota Regional Extension educator and crops specialist since 2004, but has been involved in agricultural education since 1988. She received both her bachelor's degree in Agronomy/Weed Science and her master's degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota. Stahl is a Certified Professional Agronomist with the American Society of Agronomy.

NCR-SARE's Administrative Council represents various agricultural sectors, states and organizations. It sets program priorities and makes granting decisions for the region.

Grant Funding Program Seeks Innovative Ideas for the Farm and Ranch

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program is seeking innovative farmers or ranchers who want to implement a new, sustainable idea to improve their operation. NCR-SARE is currently accepting applications for their 2007 Farmer Rancher grant program.

NCR-SARE awards grants to farmers and ranchers for on-farm research, demonstrations, and education projects.  By providing funds ranging from $6,000 per individual grant to up to $18,000 for grants awarded to groups of three or more, NCR-SARE helps facilitate essential agricultural research and development.

NCR-SARE grants are awarded based on the applicants ability to describe how their project will be sustainable in terms of having long-term profitability, being good for the environment, producing healthy foods, being socially responsible and supporting their community.

Last year NCR-SARE funded 52 Farmer Rancher grants totaling $400,037.  This year farmers and ranchers throughout the North Central Region will once again have the opportunity to apply for roughly $400,000 in grant assistance.  The 12 states that comprise the North Central Region are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  The NCR-SARE program receives its funding through the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Grant proposals are due in the NCR-SARE office by December 3, 2007.  Interested applicants may contact Joan Benjamin with NCR-SARE at 402.472.0809 or ncrsare@umn.edu.  Illinois farmers can contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant at 217-968-5512 or cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu.

The current Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals application can be found on the NCR-SARE web site at http://ncr.sare.org/prod.htm. Previous project reports are made available through the national SARE web site at www.sare.org.

SARE's 20th Anniversary Conference Photo Competition

Theme: Groundbreaking Innovations, People and Partnerships in Sustainable Agriculture

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, we are excited to announce SARE's first-ever national photo competition. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message within your networks or posting the attached display ad in your newsletters.

We're looking for photos from all corners of the nation that depict groundbreaking innovations, people and partnerships advancing the frontier of sustainable agriculture in America.

The top four photos, one from each of SARE's regions in the United States, will receive grand prizes of free attendance and accommodations at SARE's 20th Anniversary conference, to be held March 25–27, 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Registration Open for Central Illinois Farm Beginnings

Registration is open for a training and support program for people interested in launching a farm business that is economically and environmentally sustainable. Central Illinois Farm Beginnings is a joint project of University of Illinois Extension and The Land Connection. Now in its third year in Illinois, Central Illinois Farm Beginnings links farmer trainees with successful entrepreneurial farmers via a comprehensive one-year program.

To apply online, visit http://central.illinoisfarmbeginnings.org/.

Read the press release

Call for Nominations for Illinois Farmer Rancher Position on NCR-SARE Administrative Council

We'd appreciate any help that you can give us in finding nominees for this position.

There is currently a vacancy on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council (AC) for a person who is an Illinois farmer or rancher. The person who is elected will be filling a vacancy and the term will end after the first NCR-SARE meeting in 2010. After the Illinois farmer rancher term is complete, the Illinois position will rotate to extension.

For more information about NCR-SARE AC responsibilities, elections, and election policy, see the NCR-SARE Leadership and Contacts or contact the NCR-SARE office in Minnesota ( or 612-626-3113). Basically, new AC members are elected by the current AC; the AC has a goal of having three or more nominees per position.

We would like to receive nominations as soon as possible, but no later than August 10, 2007 so that we can complete the election in time for the newly elected person to make plans to attend the November 13-14, 2007 NCR-SARE AC meeting in Des Moines.

For additional questions, please contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, SARE Coordinator, 217-968-5512 or .

The Land Connection Seeks Executive Director

The Land Connection (TLC) is seeking an Executive Director with strong development experience who is passionate about sustainable food and farm issues, and can work creatively with innovative programming. TLC was founded in 2001 and is now in a period of rapid growth, working on the ground in Illinois and the Midwest in the burgeoning field of local food system development. TLC programming focuses on organic farmland development and farmer training, educating people in urban and rural communities about local food systems, and making the important connections between producers and consumers. Our mission is to establish successful farmers on healthy farmland, helping to ensure an abundance of delicious, local, and organic foods.

Please send cover letter and resume to .

"How To Go Organic" Website Launched

The Organic Trade Association has launched HowToGoOrganic.com. This web site is for producers and processors transitioning to organic. The web site is designed as a clearinghouse of North American resources for farmers and businesses interested in becoming organic or in creating new organic enterprises. The web sites regional directories showcase transition resources unique to specific regions and states. Resource listings in the North American directory can be searched by topic and subtopic, by type of resource, or by state. The site also features profiles of farmers and businesses that have successfully become certified organic or that are working through the process.

Call for Nominations for Illinois Farmer Rancher Position on NCR-SARE Administrative Council

We'd appreciate any help that you can give us in finding nominees for this position.

There is currently a vacancy on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council (AC) for a person who is an Illinois farmer or rancher. The person who is elected will be filling a vacancy and the term will end after the first NCR-SARE meeting in 2010. After the Illinois farmer rancher term is complete, the Illinois position will rotate to extension.

For more information about NCR-SARE AC responsibilities, elections, and election policy, see the NCR-SARE Leadership and Contacts or contact the NCR-SARE office in Minnesota (ncrsare@umn.edu or 612-626-3113). Basically, new AC members are elected by the current AC; the AC has a goal of having three or more nominees per position.

We would like to receive nominations as soon as possible, but no later than August 10, 2007 so that we can complete the election in time for the newly elected person to make plans to attend the November 13-14, 2007 NCR-SARE AC meeting in Des Moines.

For additional questions, please contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, SARE Coordinator, 217-968-5512 or cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu.

NCR-SARE Call for Research & Education Preproposals

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) call for Research & Education preproposals is posted on the NCR-SARE website. Potential applicants can contact the NCR-SARE office in Minnesota (phone: 612-626-3113 or email: ) to get a copy of the call. You can also contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, SARE Coordinator, , 217-968-5512 for more information and assistance.

Note if you are interested in submitting a preproposal on the topic of bioenergy, that NCR-SARE has a position paper on the website (PDF) that should help potential applicants see the kinds of things that SARE is interested in funding.

Preproposals are due in the Minnesota NCR-SARE office by 4:30 pm, June 19, 2007.

Professional Development Grant Opportunities Are Now Available for Sustainable Ag Educators

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program (PDP) is requesting pre-proposals for professional development projects that provide training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system. The North Central Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

For more information, please read the NCR-SARE PDP Pre-Proposal press release.