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RESOURCES
AND NEWS ARCHIVES 2006
(2005
archives)
- RFA for Integrated Organic Program CSREES, USDA
PURPOSE: to solve organic agriculture issues, priorities or problems through the integration of research, education and extension activities.
Objectives for the Organic Transitions Program are to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. The Organic Agriculture Research & Extension Initiative targets enhancing the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. See the guidance for specific priorities for FY 2007.
Guidelines are available at:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1141
DEADLINE: December 18, 2006
- Small farm Trade Show Scholarships
Scholarships are available to encourage youth and farmers and ranchers to attend the National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference in Columbia, MO on November 2 – 4, 20006. We have 188 scholarships available that pay for one-day passes to the trade show and conference.
The scholarships help provide opportunities for youth and farmers and ranchers to attend the Farmers Forum and network with SARE grant recipients. At the Farmers Forum, farmers and ranchers share the results of their on-farm research and education projects with an audience of interested farmers and ranchers, educators, and consumers. Many NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant recipients will be making presentations at the Farmers Forum, which is held in conjunction with the National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference. To view the Farmers Forum schedule, please go to: http://www.smallfarmtoday.com/
For scholarship information contact Joan Benjamin at: jbenjamin2@unl.edu.
- The 6th Annual ISU Organic Conference scheduled for November 20 in Ames. This year's Iowa Organic Conference will include two new sessions: "How to Transition to Organic Farming" taught by farmers who have successfully made the transition, and the inaugural meeting of the Iowa Organic Association, which, along with the ISU Organic Ag Program, has been established to help transitioning and certified farmers with their educational and marketing needs. In addition, we will have presentations on organic grains, vegetables, herbs, fruits, livestock and incentives to get you started or enhance your marketing skills.
A trade show of organic products and services will be held during the conference with ample time for visiting. Our all-organic, four-course lunch will include delicious organic products from Iowa and the Midwest. See registration details.
See Information on Organic Ag at ISU.
- Organic Grants
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)is releasing an open request for proposals in all subject areas, but particularly encourages proposals in the following topic areas:
- organic livestock systems;
- economic constraints and opportunities relevant to the viability of small- and medium-scale organic farms and ranches;
- projects that investigate the interactions between components of organic systems and that take a systems-management (rather than an input-substitution) approach to solving production problems.
To apply, eight copies of a proposal must be submitted to the OFRF office by Dec. 15, 2006. For more details, please refer to the updated request for proposals on the OFRF website at http://www.ofrf.org/research/application.html.
- The Woodbury County and the Organic Grassfed Beef Coalition
present the 2nd Annual Organic Growers Conference
Bluffs Area Family Center
Sergeant, Bluff, Iowa
November 2nd - focusing on all types of organic systems including the Woodbury County Regional organic food systems
November 3rd - focusing on organic grass-based systems with Jerry Brunetti and Doug Gunnink
www.woodburyiowa.com or www .organicgrassfedbeef.org
Online registration will be available with online payment. $20 registration fee for 2nd Day.
Free Thursday night showing at the Orpheum Theater of The Real Dirt on Farmer John.
Great organic food, “planned” music, motivating speakers, and meet the organic food buyers.
For more information call: (712) 279-6609 Rob Marqusee or (605) 638-0748 Angela Jackson-Pridie.Featured speakers: Jerry Brunetti, Doug Gunnink, Dr. Kathleen Delate, Dr. Jerry DeWitt, and many other successful organic farmers.
Co-sponsored by Whole Foods Markets, Organic Valley, OCIA, ICI, American Natural Soy, Cherokee County, Plymouth County, and others.
Focusing on Farm Transition, building regional organic food systems, connecting with communities, and organic grass-based systems.
- Registration for the 6th Annual Iowa Organic Conference is now open. Register online today at: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/home.html
The conference will be held in Ames, Iowa on November 20, 2006! The Iowa Organic Conference is gaining a reputation in the Midwest as an excellent resource for individuals and organizations involved in organic agriculture. This conference is an excellent educational and networking opportunity for farmers, organizations, agribusiness professionals, students, and many others. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak and share ideas with key individuals in the industry!
- The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has issued a call for nominations for the 2007 "Organic Farmer of the Year" award. This noteworthy award is presented to organic farmers who have demonstrated innovation, excellence and leadership in organic agriculture. Those who
wish to nominate a farmer or farming operation for the award must complete
and return the Nomination Application form, available from the MOSES office
(715-772-3153) or at www.mosesorganic.org by the
deadline of September 1, 2006.
- Leopold Center Seeks New Research Proposals for 2007
Iowans with research and demonstration ideas for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture are invited to submit their pre-proposals by Aug. 14. Leopold Center director Jerry DeWitt says, "We are especially interested in pre-proposals across our three initiative areas that will help enhance Iowa's water quality and protect the state's water resources. The center places a high value on research that will help us move toward these goals." Investigators representing Iowa nonprofit organizations, agencies and educational institutions may submit pre-proposals. Learn more.
- Small Business Innovation Research
Research proposals are accepted in any of the following topic areas: 1) Forests and Related Resources; 2) Plant Production and Protection - Biology; 3) Animal Production and Protection; 4) Soil and Water Resources; 5) Food Science and Nutrition; 6) Rural and Community Development; 7) Aquaculture; 8) Industrial Applications; 9) Marketing and Trade; 10) Animal Manure Management; 11) Small and Mid-Size Farms; and 12) Plant Production and Protection - Engineering. The SBIR program exists in three phases. The purpose of Phase I is to prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the proposed research and development effort. Phase I projects typically are for 8 months. Phase I applications are due 1 Sep.
- Small Minority Producer Grant
Provides funds for cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide assistance to small minority producers and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of at least 75 percent minority members. Deadline 28 Jul.
- 2007 Farm Bill Workshop and Rally for a
Sustainable Agriculture Farm Bill Platform
August 14 - Olympia Resort and Spa - Oconomowoc, WI
Go to www.msawg.org for registration forms and other information.
Stay tuned to the Weekly Update for more details!
The national Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program conference
will take place at the same site August 15-17
(see www.sare2006.org).
- Farmers Market Resource Guide
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service recently announced publication of the Farmers Market Resource Guide. The Guide list grants, programs and other financial and information resources available from public and private organizations and gives details about more than 100 projects and grants available to help start or improve farmers markets. The Farmers Market Resource Guide is available online (a printed copy can be obtained by contacting the Agricultural Marketing Service, Marketing Services Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2646, South Bldg., Washington, DC 20250, 202-720-8317). from NCRLC Bulletin
- USDA Small Farms Report Released: USDA has released Making a Difference for America’s Small Farmers and Ranchers in the Twenty-first Century, prepared by the USDA Small Farms Coordinators. The report offers insights into efforts made by USDA to assist the small farmers and farm workers since the USDA National Commission on Small Farms published its report, A Time to Act, in January 1998. The report can be downloaded at www.usda.gov/oce/smallfarm/reports/pa_rpt3-MakingDifference.pdf
- The Organic Crop Improvement Association Research and Education, Inc. seeks applicants for a $1000 scholarship in organics.
The web site is www.ocia.org/ocia%20rne/english.html. The deadline is March 31st. The criteria and support letter information is also posted on the web site.
- Meetings to Assist Producers in Developing Markets
Producers interested in learning how to market to food service and retail distributors are invited to attend a “Bridging the Gap – Selling to Foodservice and Retail Distributors” workshop to be held throughout Iowa on March 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2006. Pre-registration is preferred by calling 515-294-0588 or printing and filling out a registration form available online at http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/calendar/valueaddedseriesbroch.pdf. The cost of the workshop is $25 or $30 at the door and includes lunch, breaks and materials. Meeting locations include: March 7, Fairfield; March 8, Atlantic; March 9, Sergeant Bluff and March 10, Waterloo.
- Overall Women, A Conference for Today’s Rural Woman. The conference will be held on February 10-11 at the Marriott Hotel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Register at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/overallwomen/home.html, or calling 800-262-0015. Early registration for the conference ends this Friday, January 27, 2006.
Spend time to benefit yourself, your family, your farm, and your community! Overall Women is for women involved in agriculture, whether it is managing their own farm operations, as business partners, or just wanting to learn more about today’s agriculture. The focus is on the issues, challenges and impacts of today’s agriculture.
- The Call for Preproposals for SARE Professional Development Program (PDP)
grants is up on the North Central SARE web page at: http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm
Deadline is March 22, 2006.
- Agroforestry Workshop
Announcing a 2 Day Course Woody Agriculture: Theory and Hazelnut Practices
Feb. 18 and 19, 2006
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, MN. Cost: $190 before Feb. 1; late registration fee $35, includes 1 night lodging and 5 meals, starting with breakfast on Saturday, Host: Badgersett Farm. For more information, contact BadgersettInfo@aol.com
- ATTRA¹S New Local Food Directory
The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, administered by ATTRA, has assembled an online database of local food directories, useful for producers and consumers alike. The Local Food Directory Resource, on the web at www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/localfood_dir.php, includes national, regional, state and community directory resources for all 50 states. If you know of a local foods directory that's not listed in the Directory, please contact Tracy Mumma at tracym@ncat.org
- Minnesota to Host NC SARE
The University of Minnesota has been selected to begin hosting the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE) as it nears its 20th year of activity. The program has been housed at the University of Nebraska since its inception and some operations will remain in Nebraska for a few years while the transition occurs. Bill Wilcke will continue to coordinate the program and continue to serve as a University of Minnesota faculty member. After the transition is complete, all of the staff will also be employed by or work under contract with the University of Minnesota. For more information contact:
North Central Region – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program ,
402-472-7081 or 1-800-529-1342, www.sare.org/ncrsare, ncrsare@unl.edu
- The 8th Annual Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference will be held January 27-28, 2006 in Eau Claire, WI. The theme will be Connecting You with Your Customers. Information is available at:
http://www.rivercountryrcd.org/valad.htm
- Transition to Organic
A study of transition to organic production on a large California farm showed that flexible management techniques and careful planning are keys to a smooth, successful transition, according to a University of California, Davis researcher. More information about this organic transition project is at http://www.sare.org/highlights/2005/organic_transition.htm.
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