New Urban Agriculture Manager promotes city farming and community gardens
Tara Tracy has been named the Urban Agriculture Manager at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, following a rigorous national search by the nonprofit based in Wilmington's Trolley Square neighborhood.
As head of Urban Agriculture, Tracy is responsible for developing and implementing food production and community gardening programs, including: TheDCH's Urban Farm at 12th & Brandywine on Wilmington's northeast side, the greater Wilmington area's Urban Farm Coalition; and 23 community gardens in New Castle County. With a BS in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Maine at Orono and a Master's Certificate in Geographic Information Technology with a soil science concentration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, the Certified Professional Soil Scientist has three decades of professional experience in farm planning, land preservation, and environmental policy with government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.
Tracy says she is thrilled to be managing the program.
"TheDCH is Delaware's leading horticultural organization," she said, "and this position fulfills my commitment to and passion for the close connection that locally grown food can create between people and their environment."
In her new position, Tracy says it is a priority to make the fruits and vegetables produced at the Urban Farm available in more community venues. In addition, promoting greater Wilmington's network of farmers and community gardeners - and others who aspire to produce their own food - is important, she said, so that the locally grown, organic movement continues to grow, literally and figuratively.
© Copyright 2011, Cecil Whig, Elkton, MD. Powered by Blox CMS from TownNews.com.
Selasa, 02 Agustus 2011
Minggu, 24 Juli 2011
City Farming
City farming produces an economic return from the unused or underutilized space that exists in many cities
Intensive methods of small-scale food production are potentially more efficient than the traditional farming methods used in rural areas.
City farming is critically important for making city more sustainable and less dependent on important supplies.
There is a huge demand for leafy vegetables as they accompany he tradtional maize porridge (ugla) as vitamin supplement.
Green spaces are maintained in otherwise completely built up areas
Open spaces are not encroached on easily but are respected by city dwellers. This helps to prevent the spread of unplanned squatter houses. Productive open spaces can serve as place-markers for alternative future uses.
A production site will hardly be turned into haphazard public dumpsites.
Home food production in city communities is more likely to supply needed nutrients (essential vitamins and considerable protein and calories) than the existing market system since he variety of food for sale is often limited and quality and freshness may be impaired
Many new migrants to cities come from farming areas and alread possess agricultural skills.
City food production activities can employ poor city residents generating incoome and fostering a sense of achievement and hope.
Benefits at Micro Level
Creative Pleasure
Highly tasty, nutritious, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Good Health
Eco-friendly, pollution free environment.
Optimal use of available space.
Recycling organic waste.
Reduces stress and brings peace and tranquility.
Benefits at Macro level
Waste management: Decreases urban waste management costs.
Environment: Improves urban environment
Economic: Increases economic and entrepreneurial activity in the city.
Powered by Pixel Web Ware
Intensive methods of small-scale food production are potentially more efficient than the traditional farming methods used in rural areas.
City farming is critically important for making city more sustainable and less dependent on important supplies.
There is a huge demand for leafy vegetables as they accompany he tradtional maize porridge (ugla) as vitamin supplement.
Green spaces are maintained in otherwise completely built up areas
Open spaces are not encroached on easily but are respected by city dwellers. This helps to prevent the spread of unplanned squatter houses. Productive open spaces can serve as place-markers for alternative future uses.
A production site will hardly be turned into haphazard public dumpsites.
Home food production in city communities is more likely to supply needed nutrients (essential vitamins and considerable protein and calories) than the existing market system since he variety of food for sale is often limited and quality and freshness may be impaired
Many new migrants to cities come from farming areas and alread possess agricultural skills.
City food production activities can employ poor city residents generating incoome and fostering a sense of achievement and hope.
Benefits at Micro Level
Creative Pleasure
Highly tasty, nutritious, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Good Health
Eco-friendly, pollution free environment.
Optimal use of available space.
Recycling organic waste.
Reduces stress and brings peace and tranquility.
Benefits at Macro level
Waste management: Decreases urban waste management costs.
Environment: Improves urban environment
Economic: Increases economic and entrepreneurial activity in the city.
Powered by Pixel Web Ware
Farming's big business, say Valley FCC pros
It's not all heirloom tomatoes, alpacas and farm markets; getting into agriculture takes money and solid planning
By Lexi Bainas, Citizen July 22, 2011
Farm Credit Canada.
If the name sounds familiar, it should.
They've been around for 50 years across the country and have had an office in the Cowichan Valley since 1998.
FCC is a federal crown corporation that offers financing for farmers, all the way from small operations just starting up to massive agri-businesses that have been around for generations.
The Citizen talked to FCC's relationship managers Barry Remus and Pat Durose at their office at 202-2700 Beverly St. in Duncan about financing, farming, and related subjects.
Remus and Durose both have long histories in farming and are proud of their corporation's traditional ties to one of Canada's most important communities.
FCC's roots are deep, according to Remus.
"When the Second World War veterans started to come back in 1945, the [federal government of the day] set up the Veterans Land Act. It helped veterans who wanted to buy a house or a farm or a business. The Veterans Land Act would actually lend them money at a good rate to do so, to get them started. It created employment when all the soldiers came back. Then, in 1961, the Farm Credit Corporation actually took over the Veterans Land Act and administered the portfolio and turned it more towards the direction it's taking today," he said.
FCC is national, with offices strategically placed throughout Canada and offers services to all kinds of farmers, not only those producing primary products like dairy and berries or chickens but also those working in areas that include processing, like vineyards and cheese plants, said Durose.
Prior to the late 1990s, FCC would send an account manager over from Abbotsford to handle Valley accounts and queries.
"He'd come over once a month or so and do a blitz, handling enquiries. But since October 1998 our doors have been open here," she said.
Remus said the Cowichan Valley office has grown from there.
"Even though it may seem that there's a lot of consolidation in agriculture and farms are getting larger, there are a lot of small operations starting out with five or 10 acres, which could be market gardens or whatever offering higher value crops. If you've been watching the farmers' market downtown, you'll remember there wasn't that much volume of product at the start but when you look at it today, you can buy almost anything there from homemade bread and baked goods to jams and produce. It's exciting," he said.
Vancouver Island is somewhat unique because there are many small parcels of land that can be farmed and the price of land itself here is also a factor, he said, agreeing that some of the Valley's farmland could also be described as the most appealing residential land in all of Canada.
Can farming pay enough to pay that price?
"I think that is a challenge that agriculture producers are faced with all across Canada. They try and establish an agriculture business in a rural residential area in competition with rural residents who don't look for production off the land to pay all their mortgages and bills. Basically, we [FCC] fill that gap. The nice thing about Vancouver Island is that we can grow 230-240 different agricultural crops whereas in the rest of Canada they're curtailed.
"Some areas can only collectively grow five or 10 crops plus livestock. People on the prairies aren't growing truffles or things like that; those are high value crops that are paying for high value land." Remus said.
Vancouver Island is a unique area. There are lots of different eco-systems. One person can grow something here and another person two miles down the road can't grow it, he said, adding that on the Island, the Cowichan Valley is one of three main pockets of agricultural land. The others are the Saanich peninsula and the Comox Valley; there's also a little area in the Parksville/Coombs region.
Both Durose and Remus said that agriculture is huge here in the Cowichan Valley and that knowing where food comes from is becoming more and more important to local residents.
Remus pointed out that films like Nick Versteeg's Island on the Edge have enhanced consumer support of agriculture on Vancouver Island by showing how little food supply is actually available here, if the offshore supplies ceased.
People are even looking at producing older varieties of fruits and vegetables on smaller farms and finding interest among buyers.
Remus said there are two sides to that and both can benefit.
"There is a reason for their popularity at markets. A lot of the heritage varieties were bred for taste, rather than shelf life. And nowadays, many varieties grown in big farms are bred for volume production to help pay for the price of land."
This is opening a window for a different kind of agriculture, for smaller operators, options that are even increasing on the prairies along with places like the Cowichan Valley.
So, how do clients find their way to FCC?
Durose said a lot of it is word-of-mouth. Everyone in the industry knows about the corporation. "We understand agriculture. We understand their business and we have access to resources."
Think tanks at FCC cover subjects like the beef industry, the poultry industry, and what's happening in wineries. There's a knowledge base there, and it's community-based within that special group, she said.
The Internet and booths at agricultural conferences, trade shows and other events also spread the word.
People trying to get into agriculture for the first time learn, while doing their due diligence, preparing a business plan, researching and talking to farmers in the area, that Farm Credit is around and helpful, Remus said.
"That's all we specialize in. Once you have a large enough critical mass, you can learn by experience. When you finance as much of agriculture as we do, you create your own understanding within the industry. There are other financial institutions that finance agriculture but it's our total focus and we believe we have an understanding of the area."
Durose agreed.
"We're known. We cater to our people, work from a farming perspective."
Still, one of the biggest challenges is helping people who've never been involved in farming before.
"It's because the market value of land and the amount of capital involved is so large. But we do offer some different programs. We have a transition program in which the vendor will carry some of the funding but we'll guarantee the funding to the vendor. That lets the new farmer start with enough equity. We have a number of different programs for people in different situations. But, at the end of the day, we're like all financial institutions: we lend out money and we expect to get it paid back," Remus said.
Are people able to move into agriculture in the Cowichan Valley if they want to?
It depends on the industry, according to Remus.
"Some industries are a lot easier. If people have the drive to do something, they will get there. It used to be that if you couldn't get a job, you could always go back to the farm," he said. "Well, those days are gone in agriculture. Now, it needs passion and drive."
Durose emphasized that there is plenty of planning needed, too.
Anyone who wants to get into farming really has to set it up like a business, with a business plan that shows where they are now, where they hope to be in five years time and how they are going to make that happen.
The Cowichan Valley is also attracting families or couples who want a career change and see farming as a viable opportunity.
"The capitalization, all the management strategies and techniques to be successful are no different than any other business out there. Agriculture's changing as fast as any other industry out there."
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By Lexi Bainas, Citizen July 22, 2011
Farm Credit Canada.
If the name sounds familiar, it should.
They've been around for 50 years across the country and have had an office in the Cowichan Valley since 1998.
FCC is a federal crown corporation that offers financing for farmers, all the way from small operations just starting up to massive agri-businesses that have been around for generations.
The Citizen talked to FCC's relationship managers Barry Remus and Pat Durose at their office at 202-2700 Beverly St. in Duncan about financing, farming, and related subjects.
Remus and Durose both have long histories in farming and are proud of their corporation's traditional ties to one of Canada's most important communities.
FCC's roots are deep, according to Remus.
"When the Second World War veterans started to come back in 1945, the [federal government of the day] set up the Veterans Land Act. It helped veterans who wanted to buy a house or a farm or a business. The Veterans Land Act would actually lend them money at a good rate to do so, to get them started. It created employment when all the soldiers came back. Then, in 1961, the Farm Credit Corporation actually took over the Veterans Land Act and administered the portfolio and turned it more towards the direction it's taking today," he said.
FCC is national, with offices strategically placed throughout Canada and offers services to all kinds of farmers, not only those producing primary products like dairy and berries or chickens but also those working in areas that include processing, like vineyards and cheese plants, said Durose.
Prior to the late 1990s, FCC would send an account manager over from Abbotsford to handle Valley accounts and queries.
"He'd come over once a month or so and do a blitz, handling enquiries. But since October 1998 our doors have been open here," she said.
Remus said the Cowichan Valley office has grown from there.
"Even though it may seem that there's a lot of consolidation in agriculture and farms are getting larger, there are a lot of small operations starting out with five or 10 acres, which could be market gardens or whatever offering higher value crops. If you've been watching the farmers' market downtown, you'll remember there wasn't that much volume of product at the start but when you look at it today, you can buy almost anything there from homemade bread and baked goods to jams and produce. It's exciting," he said.
Vancouver Island is somewhat unique because there are many small parcels of land that can be farmed and the price of land itself here is also a factor, he said, agreeing that some of the Valley's farmland could also be described as the most appealing residential land in all of Canada.
Can farming pay enough to pay that price?
"I think that is a challenge that agriculture producers are faced with all across Canada. They try and establish an agriculture business in a rural residential area in competition with rural residents who don't look for production off the land to pay all their mortgages and bills. Basically, we [FCC] fill that gap. The nice thing about Vancouver Island is that we can grow 230-240 different agricultural crops whereas in the rest of Canada they're curtailed.
"Some areas can only collectively grow five or 10 crops plus livestock. People on the prairies aren't growing truffles or things like that; those are high value crops that are paying for high value land." Remus said.
Vancouver Island is a unique area. There are lots of different eco-systems. One person can grow something here and another person two miles down the road can't grow it, he said, adding that on the Island, the Cowichan Valley is one of three main pockets of agricultural land. The others are the Saanich peninsula and the Comox Valley; there's also a little area in the Parksville/Coombs region.
Both Durose and Remus said that agriculture is huge here in the Cowichan Valley and that knowing where food comes from is becoming more and more important to local residents.
Remus pointed out that films like Nick Versteeg's Island on the Edge have enhanced consumer support of agriculture on Vancouver Island by showing how little food supply is actually available here, if the offshore supplies ceased.
People are even looking at producing older varieties of fruits and vegetables on smaller farms and finding interest among buyers.
Remus said there are two sides to that and both can benefit.
"There is a reason for their popularity at markets. A lot of the heritage varieties were bred for taste, rather than shelf life. And nowadays, many varieties grown in big farms are bred for volume production to help pay for the price of land."
This is opening a window for a different kind of agriculture, for smaller operators, options that are even increasing on the prairies along with places like the Cowichan Valley.
So, how do clients find their way to FCC?
Durose said a lot of it is word-of-mouth. Everyone in the industry knows about the corporation. "We understand agriculture. We understand their business and we have access to resources."
Think tanks at FCC cover subjects like the beef industry, the poultry industry, and what's happening in wineries. There's a knowledge base there, and it's community-based within that special group, she said.
The Internet and booths at agricultural conferences, trade shows and other events also spread the word.
People trying to get into agriculture for the first time learn, while doing their due diligence, preparing a business plan, researching and talking to farmers in the area, that Farm Credit is around and helpful, Remus said.
"That's all we specialize in. Once you have a large enough critical mass, you can learn by experience. When you finance as much of agriculture as we do, you create your own understanding within the industry. There are other financial institutions that finance agriculture but it's our total focus and we believe we have an understanding of the area."
Durose agreed.
"We're known. We cater to our people, work from a farming perspective."
Still, one of the biggest challenges is helping people who've never been involved in farming before.
"It's because the market value of land and the amount of capital involved is so large. But we do offer some different programs. We have a transition program in which the vendor will carry some of the funding but we'll guarantee the funding to the vendor. That lets the new farmer start with enough equity. We have a number of different programs for people in different situations. But, at the end of the day, we're like all financial institutions: we lend out money and we expect to get it paid back," Remus said.
Are people able to move into agriculture in the Cowichan Valley if they want to?
It depends on the industry, according to Remus.
"Some industries are a lot easier. If people have the drive to do something, they will get there. It used to be that if you couldn't get a job, you could always go back to the farm," he said. "Well, those days are gone in agriculture. Now, it needs passion and drive."
Durose emphasized that there is plenty of planning needed, too.
Anyone who wants to get into farming really has to set it up like a business, with a business plan that shows where they are now, where they hope to be in five years time and how they are going to make that happen.
The Cowichan Valley is also attracting families or couples who want a career change and see farming as a viable opportunity.
"The capitalization, all the management strategies and techniques to be successful are no different than any other business out there. Agriculture's changing as fast as any other industry out there."
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News
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Jumat, 15 Juli 2011
http://www.tomsrivernjonline.com
County touts environmental friendliness of Toms River facilities
By Toms River, NJ on Jul 14 2011
Filed under: Toms River Community, Toms River Politics
TOMS RIVER – From the lawns outside the historic Ocean County Courthouse on Washington Street to the plantings around the Ocean County Administration Building, the county’s Department of Buildings and Grounds takes an environmentally friendly approach in maintaining county properties.
“With attention focused on the use of fertilizer and its affects on our waterways and environment, we conducted a review of how Ocean County maintains its many properties throughout the county,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Buildings and Grounds. “Not only are we in compliance with recently passed legislation but we have been taking an environmentally friendly approach in maintaining our properties for many years prior to its passage.”
The legislation, signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Chris Christie, establishes statewide fertilizer standards, restricts the amount of nitrogen used along with fertilizer content.
“While this law outlines the dos and don’ts for the proper fertilization of properties, I am confident that in Ocean County we have been doing the right thing for the environment for many years,” Vicari said, noting the county implemented an Integrated Pest Management Program a decade ago.
“Our buildings and grounds staff are always looking at new and innovative ways to take care of the land around county facilities,” he said.
While groundskeepers still use pesticides and fertilizers to control pest populations, the current approach puts an emphasis on using products that are providing the nutrients plants need and not harming the environment.
“We now employ a variety of strategies including bi-weekly monitoring, rather than applications based on the calendar,” Vicari said. “By finding problems sooner, it makes control easier and less costly.”
Organic in nature, products used by the County for fertilizing lawns and for pre-emergent weed control are in compliance with the new legislation.
“We have been using these products long before the legislation was signed into law,” Vicari said. “This Board has always made an effort to be environmentally proactive and our groundskeepers have helped substantially in those efforts.”
Composted poultry manure, rock phosphate, sulfate of potash, ammonium sulfate and methylenc urea make up the county’s fertilizer, which encourages a buildup of a carbon foundation in the soil that allows for the reduction of excess fertilizer.
“The soil first approach improves biological activity, with a healthy soil, you will have healthy lawns and trees,” Vicari said.
Also, for the last decade, Ocean County has used corn gluten for weed control. The corn gluten acts as a non-toxic alternative to traditional chemical-based weed and feed products.
“This is yet another example of an organic and yet effective way of staying green and reducing our use of chemical based products to achieve our goals,” Vicari said.
He added another step taken by groundskeepers is to monitor watering.
“While we cannot control the amount of rain or humidity, we can use irrigation practices more effectively, reducing water cost by watering only when needed,” Vicari said.
In addition, the county uses biological controls like the Brachymeric Intermedia wasp to help in the control of gypsy moths.
“When we use less pesticides, natural predators are encouraged to do their job the natural way,” Vicari said.
The county also is taking steps to begin planting disease and insect-resistant varieties of trees and plants.
“Ocean County will continue to be proactive in maintaining its grounds,” Vicari said. “I want to commend Joseph LaManna and George Stryker, who lead our groundskeeping staff for their dedication to keeping the county green without reliance on harmful products. With more than 135 facilities throughout the county it is important we lead by example and we are doing just that.”
Short URL: http://www.tomsrivernjonline.com/?p=1609
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By Toms River, NJ on Jul 14 2011
Filed under: Toms River Community, Toms River Politics
TOMS RIVER – From the lawns outside the historic Ocean County Courthouse on Washington Street to the plantings around the Ocean County Administration Building, the county’s Department of Buildings and Grounds takes an environmentally friendly approach in maintaining county properties.
“With attention focused on the use of fertilizer and its affects on our waterways and environment, we conducted a review of how Ocean County maintains its many properties throughout the county,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Buildings and Grounds. “Not only are we in compliance with recently passed legislation but we have been taking an environmentally friendly approach in maintaining our properties for many years prior to its passage.”
The legislation, signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Chris Christie, establishes statewide fertilizer standards, restricts the amount of nitrogen used along with fertilizer content.
“While this law outlines the dos and don’ts for the proper fertilization of properties, I am confident that in Ocean County we have been doing the right thing for the environment for many years,” Vicari said, noting the county implemented an Integrated Pest Management Program a decade ago.
“Our buildings and grounds staff are always looking at new and innovative ways to take care of the land around county facilities,” he said.
While groundskeepers still use pesticides and fertilizers to control pest populations, the current approach puts an emphasis on using products that are providing the nutrients plants need and not harming the environment.
“We now employ a variety of strategies including bi-weekly monitoring, rather than applications based on the calendar,” Vicari said. “By finding problems sooner, it makes control easier and less costly.”
Organic in nature, products used by the County for fertilizing lawns and for pre-emergent weed control are in compliance with the new legislation.
“We have been using these products long before the legislation was signed into law,” Vicari said. “This Board has always made an effort to be environmentally proactive and our groundskeepers have helped substantially in those efforts.”
Composted poultry manure, rock phosphate, sulfate of potash, ammonium sulfate and methylenc urea make up the county’s fertilizer, which encourages a buildup of a carbon foundation in the soil that allows for the reduction of excess fertilizer.
“The soil first approach improves biological activity, with a healthy soil, you will have healthy lawns and trees,” Vicari said.
Also, for the last decade, Ocean County has used corn gluten for weed control. The corn gluten acts as a non-toxic alternative to traditional chemical-based weed and feed products.
“This is yet another example of an organic and yet effective way of staying green and reducing our use of chemical based products to achieve our goals,” Vicari said.
He added another step taken by groundskeepers is to monitor watering.
“While we cannot control the amount of rain or humidity, we can use irrigation practices more effectively, reducing water cost by watering only when needed,” Vicari said.
In addition, the county uses biological controls like the Brachymeric Intermedia wasp to help in the control of gypsy moths.
“When we use less pesticides, natural predators are encouraged to do their job the natural way,” Vicari said.
The county also is taking steps to begin planting disease and insect-resistant varieties of trees and plants.
“Ocean County will continue to be proactive in maintaining its grounds,” Vicari said. “I want to commend Joseph LaManna and George Stryker, who lead our groundskeeping staff for their dedication to keeping the county green without reliance on harmful products. With more than 135 facilities throughout the county it is important we lead by example and we are doing just that.”
Short URL: http://www.tomsrivernjonline.com/?p=1609
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Recent Posts
Toms River Little League 11 year old all-stars improve to 3-0
Toms River Little League knocked out of tournament by Holbrook
Swimming to resume this weekend at Manahawkin Lake
New bridge project announced for Holiday City at Berkeley
County unveils energy efficient upgrades at township facilities
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Jackson Township News News from Jackson Township
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John green on 26 arrested in underage drinking operation in New Brunswick
kat on Six hour stand off with police ends in suicide in Toms River
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Minggu, 26 Juni 2011
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware
Economy
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware
By Li Woke (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-06-27 10:51
Comments(0) PrintMail
Large Medium Small
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware
A mushroom growing room in the Beijing Leading Green Food Co Ltd in Tongzhou District, Beijing. The mushrooms are produced without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or chemical food additives, and are not genetically modified, the company said. [Photo / Provided to China Daily]
BEIJING - Xu Lei, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mother, decided to go organic by planting her own fruit and vegetables inside her apartment in downtown Beijing. She is now able to harvest a variety of produce, including tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and potatoes.
"I hope my husband and my little daughter can eat more healthily by planting our own dinner table food," said Xu. "Of course, if these vegetables are not sufficient for our family, then I will go to supermarkets for more organic food."
Organic food is produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, are not genetically modified, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.
In recent years, China has witnessed a surge in organic farming among ordinary people who advocate the use of traditional farming methods without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Many white-collar workers who live in downtown Beijing even travel to the suburbs, rent a plot of land and cultivate their own vegetables and fruit, spending weekends toiling over the soil.
"Organic food has become more and more popular in recent years," said a saleswoman called Wang at a Beijing Ito Yokado Store, which supplies a range of organic food from Xiaotangshan in Beijing's Changping district. "Sales of organic food are especially good during the weekend when people stay at home and have the time to cook their own meals."
Related readings:
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware Organic food sales growing
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware Food safety concerns drive Chinese back to the farm
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware A taste for organic agriculture
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware No benefits to organic?
According to Ursula Chen, a former consultant to the United States Agricultural Trade Office in Guangzhou, nearly all supermarkets on the Chinese mainland have doubled their shelf space for organic goods. Imported organic products are also available in some high-end retail stores.
The Chinese consumers are now believed to consume more than twice as much organic food as health-conscious Japan. The Chinese government statistics show the market is worth about 10 billion yuan ($1.55 billion), having quadrupled over the past five years.
The booming demand has driven many companies to try to corner the market. Beijing Leading Green Food Co Ltd is one of them.
An oasis in a Beijing suburb, the organic food company covers an area of 8.67 hectares, which is full of organic mushrooms.
"We invested 115 million yuan in the company and made a 20 percent net profit by selling mushrooms," said Li Dajiang, board chairman of Beijing Leading Green Food.
The company's annual output has reached 5 million kilograms, and sales revenue of the company is now 100 million yuan annually, Li said.
Most of the company's organic food goes to supermarkets in Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang and Shijiazhuang. But "if demand of organic mushrooms continue to climb at home and abroad, we will consider doing business overseas, of course".
According to the China Organic Food Certification Center, a top organic food certification agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, the country's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2006 (the most recent available data), and have continued to surge.
The country now represents 5 percent of global trade in such products. China now ranks third worldwide in organic farmland, after Australia and Argentina, up from 45th in 2000.
Fueled by the rising demand, an estimated 2 million hectares of farmland are under organic cultivation, while some 1,400 companies and farms have been certified organic.
According to the agency, most of the organic produce are shipped to closer markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. But organic soybeans, rice and other grains, along with frozen vegetables and fruit concentrate, also travel to the US and European markets.
Scholars believe that exports are the main driving engine behind the sector's growth. But Li from Beijing Leading Organic Food thinks the domestic market is playing a key role.
"Most of my counterparts and friends' orders come from Chinese retailers, and I believe the prosperity in the 'green' food industry will stay robust over the next decades."
| About China Daily | Advertise on Site | Contact Us | Job Offer |
Copyright 1995 - 2011 . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
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Registration Number: 20100000002731
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware
By Li Woke (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-06-27 10:51
Comments(0) PrintMail
Large Medium Small
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware
A mushroom growing room in the Beijing Leading Green Food Co Ltd in Tongzhou District, Beijing. The mushrooms are produced without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or chemical food additives, and are not genetically modified, the company said. [Photo / Provided to China Daily]
BEIJING - Xu Lei, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mother, decided to go organic by planting her own fruit and vegetables inside her apartment in downtown Beijing. She is now able to harvest a variety of produce, including tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and potatoes.
"I hope my husband and my little daughter can eat more healthily by planting our own dinner table food," said Xu. "Of course, if these vegetables are not sufficient for our family, then I will go to supermarkets for more organic food."
Organic food is produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, are not genetically modified, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.
In recent years, China has witnessed a surge in organic farming among ordinary people who advocate the use of traditional farming methods without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Many white-collar workers who live in downtown Beijing even travel to the suburbs, rent a plot of land and cultivate their own vegetables and fruit, spending weekends toiling over the soil.
"Organic food has become more and more popular in recent years," said a saleswoman called Wang at a Beijing Ito Yokado Store, which supplies a range of organic food from Xiaotangshan in Beijing's Changping district. "Sales of organic food are especially good during the weekend when people stay at home and have the time to cook their own meals."
Related readings:
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware Organic food sales growing
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware Food safety concerns drive Chinese back to the farm
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware A taste for organic agriculture
Organic food a growing biz for the health-aware No benefits to organic?
According to Ursula Chen, a former consultant to the United States Agricultural Trade Office in Guangzhou, nearly all supermarkets on the Chinese mainland have doubled their shelf space for organic goods. Imported organic products are also available in some high-end retail stores.
The Chinese consumers are now believed to consume more than twice as much organic food as health-conscious Japan. The Chinese government statistics show the market is worth about 10 billion yuan ($1.55 billion), having quadrupled over the past five years.
The booming demand has driven many companies to try to corner the market. Beijing Leading Green Food Co Ltd is one of them.
An oasis in a Beijing suburb, the organic food company covers an area of 8.67 hectares, which is full of organic mushrooms.
"We invested 115 million yuan in the company and made a 20 percent net profit by selling mushrooms," said Li Dajiang, board chairman of Beijing Leading Green Food.
The company's annual output has reached 5 million kilograms, and sales revenue of the company is now 100 million yuan annually, Li said.
Most of the company's organic food goes to supermarkets in Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang and Shijiazhuang. But "if demand of organic mushrooms continue to climb at home and abroad, we will consider doing business overseas, of course".
According to the China Organic Food Certification Center, a top organic food certification agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, the country's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2006 (the most recent available data), and have continued to surge.
The country now represents 5 percent of global trade in such products. China now ranks third worldwide in organic farmland, after Australia and Argentina, up from 45th in 2000.
Fueled by the rising demand, an estimated 2 million hectares of farmland are under organic cultivation, while some 1,400 companies and farms have been certified organic.
According to the agency, most of the organic produce are shipped to closer markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. But organic soybeans, rice and other grains, along with frozen vegetables and fruit concentrate, also travel to the US and European markets.
Scholars believe that exports are the main driving engine behind the sector's growth. But Li from Beijing Leading Organic Food thinks the domestic market is playing a key role.
"Most of my counterparts and friends' orders come from Chinese retailers, and I believe the prosperity in the 'green' food industry will stay robust over the next decades."
| About China Daily | Advertise on Site | Contact Us | Job Offer |
Copyright 1995 - 2011 . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263
Registration Number: 20100000002731
Minggu, 05 Juni 2011
Sawah di Bangka Barat Terkendala Irigasi
Sabtu, 04 Juni 2011 18:08 WIB
Komentar: 0
0 Like Dislike 0
MUNTOK--MICOM: Pencetakan sawah di Kabupaten Bangka Barat, Provinsi Bangka Belitung (Babel), terkendala saluran irigasi karena aliran sungai di daerah itu sangat terbatas.
"Untuk mengatasi kendala itu kami berencana membangun 10 embung (tempat penyimpanan air) yang dilengkapi saluran irigasi untuk mengalirkan air ke sawah, kata Kabid Pertanian pada Dinas Pertanian dan Peternakan Bangka Barat, Edi Usman di Muntok, Sabtu (4/6).
Ia menjelaskan, embung tersebut akan dibangun di areal pesawahan yang sudah dicetak dengan membendung air dari sungai-sungai kecil yang jumlahnya terbatas, lalu airnya dikumpulkan dan kemudian dialirkan ke sawah yang sudah ditanami.
"Jika pembangunan embung sudah selesai, pemerintah daerah tinggal membangun saluran primer dan sekunder untuk menghantarkan air ke hamparan sawah yang sudah dicetak, karena ini jalan satu-satunya agar tanaman yang ada di sawah nanti mendapatkan pasokan air.
Pemkab Bangka Barat, hingga 2010 baru mencetak seluas 99 hektare sawah dan tahun ini ditargetkan mencetak 200 hektare dengan perkiraan rata-rata produksi mencapai satu ton per hektare/tahun, untuk memperkuat ketahanan pangan.
"Sekarang ini sawah yang sudah dicetak tersebut belum bisa ditanami, karena belum ada saluran irigasi untuk mengalirkan air ke sawah dan diupayakan pada 2013 sudah bisa ditanami, setelah pembangunan embung berhasil diselesaikan," katanya.
Pemerintah daerah melaksanakan program pencetakan sawah dengan melibatkan para kelompok tani yang tersebar di hampir seluruh kecamatan daerah itu, dimana satu hamparan sawah dengan luas mencapai puluhan hektare dikelola satu kelompok tani.
"Ada sekitar 10 kelompok tani yang akan menggarap sawah yang sudah kami cetak tersebut, kami bina dan diberikan penyuluhan tentang cara menanam padi sawah dengan baik," ujarnya.
Menurut dia, program pencetakan sawah ini dalam upaya memperkuat ketahanan pangan mengingat hampir seratus persen kebutuhan beras di daerah itu didatangkan dari luar seperti Palembang dan Jambi.
Ia menjelaskan, luas lahan sawah potensial di Bangka Barat mencapai 793 hektare lebih yang tersebar di sejumlah kawasan seperti Kota Muntok memiliki sekitar 67 hektare lahan sawah potensial, Desa Simpang Yul 100 hektare, Desa Beruas 150 hektare, Desa Tuas 146 hektare dan lahan sawah potensial lainnya yang terdapat di sejumlah desa. (Ant/Ol-3)
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MUNTOK--MICOM: Pencetakan sawah di Kabupaten Bangka Barat, Provinsi Bangka Belitung (Babel), terkendala saluran irigasi karena aliran sungai di daerah itu sangat terbatas.
"Untuk mengatasi kendala itu kami berencana membangun 10 embung (tempat penyimpanan air) yang dilengkapi saluran irigasi untuk mengalirkan air ke sawah, kata Kabid Pertanian pada Dinas Pertanian dan Peternakan Bangka Barat, Edi Usman di Muntok, Sabtu (4/6).
Ia menjelaskan, embung tersebut akan dibangun di areal pesawahan yang sudah dicetak dengan membendung air dari sungai-sungai kecil yang jumlahnya terbatas, lalu airnya dikumpulkan dan kemudian dialirkan ke sawah yang sudah ditanami.
"Jika pembangunan embung sudah selesai, pemerintah daerah tinggal membangun saluran primer dan sekunder untuk menghantarkan air ke hamparan sawah yang sudah dicetak, karena ini jalan satu-satunya agar tanaman yang ada di sawah nanti mendapatkan pasokan air.
Pemkab Bangka Barat, hingga 2010 baru mencetak seluas 99 hektare sawah dan tahun ini ditargetkan mencetak 200 hektare dengan perkiraan rata-rata produksi mencapai satu ton per hektare/tahun, untuk memperkuat ketahanan pangan.
"Sekarang ini sawah yang sudah dicetak tersebut belum bisa ditanami, karena belum ada saluran irigasi untuk mengalirkan air ke sawah dan diupayakan pada 2013 sudah bisa ditanami, setelah pembangunan embung berhasil diselesaikan," katanya.
Pemerintah daerah melaksanakan program pencetakan sawah dengan melibatkan para kelompok tani yang tersebar di hampir seluruh kecamatan daerah itu, dimana satu hamparan sawah dengan luas mencapai puluhan hektare dikelola satu kelompok tani.
"Ada sekitar 10 kelompok tani yang akan menggarap sawah yang sudah kami cetak tersebut, kami bina dan diberikan penyuluhan tentang cara menanam padi sawah dengan baik," ujarnya.
Menurut dia, program pencetakan sawah ini dalam upaya memperkuat ketahanan pangan mengingat hampir seratus persen kebutuhan beras di daerah itu didatangkan dari luar seperti Palembang dan Jambi.
Ia menjelaskan, luas lahan sawah potensial di Bangka Barat mencapai 793 hektare lebih yang tersebar di sejumlah kawasan seperti Kota Muntok memiliki sekitar 67 hektare lahan sawah potensial, Desa Simpang Yul 100 hektare, Desa Beruas 150 hektare, Desa Tuas 146 hektare dan lahan sawah potensial lainnya yang terdapat di sejumlah desa. (Ant/Ol-3)
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Senin, 25 April 2011
Madison County Agriculture Weekly E-Newsletter
o Wind or Solar – Which Renewable Energy System is Right for Me
* Renewable Energy Beyond the Classroom
* In The News
o Budget cuts will affect agriculture
o Buckle Your Seatbelt: The Roundup Ready Patent Expires in 4 more years
o Carlucci: Give Restaurants Tax Credit For Buying Food From Local Farms
o Land Price Bump Strains Family Buyouts
o Support Madison County Agriculture, become a “member” of a farm today!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wind or Solar – Which Renewable Energy System is Right for Me?
This workshop will assist homeowners, farmers, and small business owners determine what renewable energy system (wind, solar photovoltaic, or solar hot water) is most practical and economically feasible for their location. RETC staff will guide participants through a preliminary site assessment for their property, including energy efficiency upgrades. This will be an intensive workshop that will include a quantitative analysis, the use of Microsoft Excel and free online resources.
Instructors: Ben Ballard and Phil Hofmeyer
Price: $300 reduced to $15 with scholarship provided through DOL CBJTG funding (eligibility verification required)
Location: RETC, 104 B Shannon Hall, Morrisville State College
Date: Saturday, June 25th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit http://retc.morrisville.edu/ for more information and scholarship details.
The RETC is funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Federal scholarships funds are available to any U.S. citizen or individuals otherwise authorized to work in the United States, with a Social Security number. Morrisville is an equal opportunity institution.
****
Renewable Energy Beyond the Classroom
For Science and Technology Teachers
The RETC invites science and technology teachers to join us for a two day hands on workshop exploring renewable energy and assembling real systems. Each session includes an introduction of concepts and use of the full-size systems and components in our labs and throughout campus. You will also be provided with curriculum and supplies to bring these modules back to your students.
· Electricity Basics
· Biodiesel
· Microhydro Installation
· Residential-scale Wind Energy
· Anaerobic Digestion
· Wood Gasification
Instructors: Ben Ballard and Phil Hofmeyer
Price: $450 reduced to $25 with scholarship provided through DOL CBJTG funding (eligibility verification required)
Location: RETC, 104B Shannon Hall, Morrisville State College
Date: Monday and Tuesday, June 27-28th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit http://retc.morrisville.edu/ for more information and scholarship details.
IN THE NEWS
****
Budget cuts will affect agriculture
Daniel Looker / Agriculture.com
04/12/2011
Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the compromise agreement to trim 2011 federal spending will speed up some cuts that the administration had already proposed for 2012 and will give his agency about six months to determine exactly how to put them into effect before the federal fiscal year ends in September.
Vilsack told North American Agricultural Journalists Tuesday morning that more than $3 billion of the cuts to this year budget will come from USDA. They include about $800 billion in conservation programs, he said, as well as cuts to the Forest Service for fire suppression.
Vilsack expressed frustration that some of the same members of the House who want to cut USDA spending had also asked for more money to deal with the pine beetle infestations in western forests, which are creating an even greater danger of fires.
Vilsack doesn’t disagree with the need to reduce federal spending, but said Congress isn’t asking the question of how important services need to be met by the private sector.
“Who’s going to do that work? Because it still needs to be done,” he said.
To continue reading visit: http://www.agriculture.com/news/policy/budget-cuts-will-affect-agriculture_4-ar15997
****
Buckle Your Seatbelt: The Roundup Ready Patent Expires in 4 more years
Farmgateblog.com
April 13, 2011
Mark your calendar for the fall of 2014, and prepare to sit back and watch what happens to the market for seed that carries the Roundup Ready gene. Monsanto’s patent on Roundup Ready genetics expires at that time, and the spring of 2015 could be an interesting time to see what happens to one of the most important developments in 20th Century agriculture.
Current federal law provides patent protection to Monsanto for Roundup Ready genetics for 20 years, but when that expires it could be “Katie bar the door” on what happens with the technology. RR beans and corn will be passé. Someone may try to create RR livestock and farmyard pets. Undoubtedly there will be a lot of seed companies offering their own brands because they did not want to sign Monsanto’s licensing agreements. Iowa State University law and tax specialist Roger McEowen says that will mean farmers will not have to pay the technology fee that has been charged for many years for products that are Roundup resistant.
But what about the RR2Y genetics? Those were released to the market and appear in 70 different varieties according to McEowen, who says there is not much difference in yield between the two, and if farmers have access to both, they would opt for the older technology because of the lower costs. But for some, or maybe many farmers, the big issue will be the ability to save soybeans for seed, and be able to plant their own Roundup Ready beans. Brown bag seed has been a rarity for quite few years because of Monsanto’s agreements for using their genetics. There could be a sea change, then again, maybe not. Time will tell.
What McEowen is concerned about is the big picture regarding sales of such soybeans overseas in markets that have controlled the importation of genetically modified seed. Those importation rules currently are strict, and because of the limited acceptance of RR seed, the genetic tests have to show purity. Will shipments of soybeans, some planted with brownbag seed, meet the genetic purity standards? If not, what happens to the cargo? Does it come back to the US for the crushing market? What will happen at the outbound port if testing shows increasing levels of something other than what European or Chinese inspectors will accept? So many questions, and 2015 provides so little time to get them answered. Fortunately, Monsanto has indicated it will continue its RR genetic registrations through 2021 to allow soybeans with pure RR genetics to enter foreign ports.
To continue reading this blog visit: http://www.farmgateblog.com/article/buckle-your-seatbelt-the-roundup-ready-patent-expires-in-4-more-years
****
Carlucci: Give Restaurants Tax Credit For Buying Food From Local Farms
Lawmakers says proposal would help support small, family-owned farms throughout New York.
By William Demarest | April 16, 2011
A new tax credit for restaurants could help New York’s small, family-owned farms survive, according to state Sen. David Carlucci, D-New City.
Gathering with other lawmakers and advocates of local farms at Dr. Davies Farm on Route 304 in Congers on Friday morning, Carlucci proposed that restaurants in New York be given a $100 tax break for every $1,000 of produce they buy from small farms within 100 miles in New York State.
“Preserving New York’s farmland and promoting our fine agricultural products is a top priority,” Carlucci said. “While New York farmers have risen to meet the many challenges they face in a globalized agricultural economy, they can still use the help that New York State can provide. The package of bills I have introduced will preserve farmland, promote the importance of locally grown produce and grow local farms throughout the State.”
Carlucci on Friday got the support of Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, for his proposal, along with support from well-known chef and restaurant owner Peter Kelly, members of the Rockland Farm Alliance and Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell.
To continue reading visit: http://nanuet.patch.com/articles/carlucci-give-restaurants-tax-credit-for-buying-food-from-local-farms
****
Land Price Bump Strains Family Buyouts
By Marcia Zarely Taylor
April 21, 2011
ELMER, N.J. (DTN) — Runaway farmland values are making it harder for young farmers to buy into the business. Just ask Mike Brooks, 29, an eighth-generation farmer who has purchased 300 acres from his parents in a state with the priciest land in the country.
Around Brooks’ home in Salem County, N.J. — about 45 minutes south of Philadelphia — bulldozers are running, and raw land still sprouts housing developments with $300,000 houses. Unable to compete with urbanites, Brooks needed his parents, Bill and Diane, to sell development rights to a state agency before transferring real estate titles to him. Typically, that knocks pure farmland values down to about $4,000 to $6,000 per acre.
Even with the discount, Brooks had to rely on an understanding lender and high-value crops such as processing tomatoes, potatoes and double-crop spinach to help service his Mount Everest-sized debts. On the 300 acres remaining in Bill and Diane’s estate, “I’ve told my parents, if I can rent land from my sisters, it’s cheaper than me owning it,” Brooks said.
LAND MAY NOT CASH-FLOW
Hyper-inflation hasn’t just priced farmland out of reach in the East. Farmland now commands $11,500 per acre in some parts of central Illinois with no peak in sight. Since last fall, Farm Credit Services of Illinois offices have plugged increases of 4% per month into their appraisals.
Corn and soybean operators can generate about $400 an acre to service principal and interest payments on land, said Gary Streit, an estate tax attorney with Shuttleworth & Ingersoll in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“The problem is $400 doesn’t go very far when cropland is selling for $8,000 to $10,000 an acre, as it is in east-central Iowa today. There’s a lot of tension in family discussions when trying to match the younger generation’s desires to purchase their parents’ land, and parents are trying to be fair to their other children,” Streit said.
Even with a 20-year installment sale at 3% interest, operators would need $538 per acre to buy out partners at the moment. Payments on a 10-year note would run $670. “It’s hard to structure a reasonable cash flow that an operator can handle when farm income is so unpredictable,” Streit said. As Congress threatens to revamp farm programs, and with commodity prices prone to booms and busts, this only complicates matters as parents attempt to design fair transitions.
Kevin Mills, a CPA with Kennedy and Coe in Garden City, Kan., agreed.
“If you don’t plan well, and heirs have to buy ground at today’s escalated prices, the cash-flow just doesn’t work. There’s a good chance the land will end up getting sold or the farm just ends up as a smaller operation,” Mills said.
“In an ideal world, operators would own all the farm assets, and off-farm heirs would receive an equivalent in non-farm property, such as stocks or the family home.
“But many times, land values have appreciated so fast that ag assets are worth far more than personal property. With some of the bigger farms we work with, the personal assets might be worth $1 million and farm assets $10 million. It’s just not possible to buy enough life insurance on a 60- or 70-year-old to equalize the estate.”
To continue reading this article visit: http://www.dtnprogressivefarmer.com/dtnag/common/link.do;jsessionid=10DED68704251C7DA4916398DDAA0DA8.agfreejvm2?symbolicName=/free/news/template1&product=/ag/news/topstories&vendorReference=4377d365-60ef-42c6-b468-f07bce00071b&paneContentId=3030&paneParentId=0
****
Support Madison County Agriculture, become a “member” of a farm today!
Spring has officially arrived and many Madison County farmers are already hard at work. Over the past decade, Madison County has witnessed a growth in farms that market their products throughout the community through farm membership, also known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). By participating in a CSA, the consumer pays a membership fee at the beginning of the season in exchange for a weekly share of the farm’s harvest. Madison County now has 8 CSAs from which to choose!
Each CSA works a little differently – some include fruit, meat, bread and other locally-grown and processed products – others include pick your own crops, and feature on-farm events for the whole family. At Common Thread Community Farm you get a variety of heirloom vegetables from their Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) pledge farm for pick up at their barn or at drop off locations throughout Central New York. Stone Brothers Farm & Greenhouse is launching their CSA this year and will provide members with hydroponically grown fresh vegetables during the colder season – including the earliest strawberries of the season. Sommer’s Harvest provides its members with stunning floral bouquets and Alambria Springs Farm has its own wood fired bread oven.
Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program recently interviewed one of Madison County’s newest CSA farm: Greyrock Farm. When asked what separates this CSA from others in the county, owner Matt Voltz replied, “Most CSAs in this area offer vegetables and sometimes eggs for the growing season, which typically means June to October or November. The Greyrock Farm CSA is year-round and includes grass-fed beef and lamb, pastured pork and chicken, eggs from pastured laying hens, and raw milk as well as seasonal vegetables and storage crops. Also, instead of giving members a box of food each week, members of the Greyrock Farm CSA get to pick and choose what they want to take and how much. In other words, CSA members get to customize their shares to fit their tastes.”
Being part of a CSA is a fun-filled experience for the whole family. Children can learn about how healthy fruits and vegetables are grown and work with their parents to cook and taste new recipes. To learn more about a CSA near you, please contact the farms below:
Farm Name
Address
Phone Number
Website
Alambria Springs Farm
834 Musician Road, Earlville
315-837-4769
www.alambriafarm.com
Common Thread Community Farm
3424 Lake Moraine Road,
Madison
315-893-7767
www.commonthreadcsa.com
Greyrock Farm
6100 East Lake Road, Cazenovia
484-888-6254
www.greyrockfarmcsa.com
Lucky Moon Farm
4976 Lincklaen Road, Cazenovia
315-655-2283
http://www.luckymoonfarm.blogspot.com/
Smitty’s Market Farm
4761 Old State Road, Morrisville
315-684-7779
Sommer’s Harvest
7 University Ave., Hamilton
315-527-3429
www.somersharvestfarm.com
Stone Brothers Farm & Greenhouse
3652 Milestrip Road, Canastota
315-655-3213
If you are interested in other ways to support local farms, Madison County has several farmers’ markets. The Village of Hamilton Farmers’ Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 7th. The hours of operation are from 8am-1pm. Cazenovia Farmers’ Market commences the same day and is open from 9am-5pm. The Town of Lenox Famers’ Market begins later in the season on July 9th and is open from 9am-2pm. More information on where to find locally-grown products can be found at www.madisoncountyagriculture.com.
OPPORTUNITIES & CLASSIFIEDS
************************
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Grant and Loan Information for New York Applicants
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) administers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Originally established in Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill, the program was re-authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill under Section 9007. For information on the Farm Bill, go to http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/farmbill2008?navid=FARMBILL2008.
** FY 2011 Updates **
- Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant and guaranteed loan applications are due by June 15, 2011
- Renewable energy feasibility study and energy audit & renewable energy development assistance grant applications are due by June 30, 2011
Who is eligible to apply for REAP funding?
The program supports agricultural producers and rural small businesses. An agricultural producer is an individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products that obtains at least 50 percent or greater of their gross income from their agriculture business. A small business is entity considered a small business in accordance with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small business size standards (using NAICS codes). SBA standards can be found at http://www.sba.gov/size/index.html. If a farm operation does not meet the program definition of an agricultural producer, it may apply as a rural small business, provided that it meets the applicable SBA standard.
· A private entity including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and a cooperative (including a cooperative qualified under section 501 (c) (12) of the Internal Revenue Code.)
An electrical utility, including a Tribal or governmental electric utility that provides service to rural consumers on a cost-of-service basis without support from public funds or subsidy form the Government authority establishing the district, provided such utilities meet SBA’s definition of small business. These entities must operate independent of direct government control. With the exception of the entities described above, non-profit organizations and public entities are excluded.
Determining rural areas
To determine if a small business is located in a rural area, go to the Rural Business Service property eligibility web site at http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu&NavKey=property@13
****
Beginning Farmer Institute
A Partnership between New England Farmers Union and National Farmers Union
New England Farmers Union is providing a unique opportunity for individuals who are contemplating starting a farm operation to receive valuable training through the Beginning Farmer Institute. The program is also open to those in our region who have been farming for less than ten years.
Beginning farmers face a seemingly unlimited number of decisions to make, from drawing up a business plan and arranging financing to learning what programs are available to make it easier to start up and sustain a successful operation. This program is designed to answer the questions new farmers have, and more importantly, to share expertise and address questions that people do not always think of asking when they begin farming.
Applicants accepted into the 2011 program will attend two separate education sessions, one to be held this summer, the other in September in Washington, D.C. The program will include topics such as business planning, understanding USDA programs, tax and record keeping, and marketing, and will blend classroom time with hands-on experience and tours to farms employing successful, innovative approaches.
Cost: There is no cost to apply. A $25 registration fee will be required of those who are accepted. The actual costs of the Institute will be covered by National Farmers Union (NFU) in partnership with New England Farmers Union (NEFU), with support from Farm Credit and SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education). Covered costs include materials, transportation, lodging and meals. Our intent is to provide each participant with educational experiences and materials that will prove to be invaluable.
Schedule: Will meet two times this year: Summer of 2011 (probably in the Midwest) and September of 2011 (Washington, DC). Each session will be 3 to 4 days.
Who can apply: Open to beginning farmers residing in any of the six New England states. The program is designed to provide opportunities for up to 10 participants who will come from New England and other parts of the US. The final number will be determined through the application process.
Who is a beginning farmer? Unlike other programs, we do not have set criteria for a beginning farmer but rather have an application process where the applicant can answer questions and tell us why he or she feels they are a beginning farmer. It could be a business person in Indiana who has the chance to change careers and establish a family farmers market. It could be a young man from Massachusetts whose grandparents are transitioning a farm to him. It could be a woman farmer from Vermont who has just completed an apprenticeship program on a CSA and is starting one of her own.
Is Farmers Union membership required? It is desired, but not required. Our goal is to provide educational training to those who want to farm. We all know that the number of farmers in the US is rapidly decreasing, and the average age continues to increase. NEFU and NFU believe agriculture is a great career and we want to support farmers who are starting out.
NFU/NEFU expectations: NEFU/NFU’s expectation is to have each New England graduate become an inspiration to and actively mentor similar individuals in New England, and/or to become engaged in their local boards and other community opportunities. NEFU/NFU plans to provide ongoing support to participants after they return to their farms.
Locations: Summer event location to be determined based on applications; The session on September 10-13 will be in Washington, DC.
Selection process: Those interested can download the application form fill it out, and return it. Applications will be reviewed by a panel with hands-on farming experience. Individuals and couples may apply.
Purpose: Specific course topics will vary according to participant identified needs. Overall, the institute will provide participants with a working knowledge of business planning, marketing, USDA programs, farm finances (I.e., How to sit down with your banker and ask for an operating loan), taxes and even training on how to be effective on a board of directors, such as at a local cooperative. Before the first session starts, we will survey our participants and tailor the agenda topics to their needs. This program will also include outside-the-classroom experiences such as tours of farms that set an example or found a niche and tours of cooperatives.
Deadline to apply: April 30, 2011.
For more information: contact John Ferris at (413) 548-6930 or john@newenglandfarmersunion.org
Filed Under: Agriculture, Madison County Agencies and Organizations
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* Renewable Energy Beyond the Classroom
* In The News
o Budget cuts will affect agriculture
o Buckle Your Seatbelt: The Roundup Ready Patent Expires in 4 more years
o Carlucci: Give Restaurants Tax Credit For Buying Food From Local Farms
o Land Price Bump Strains Family Buyouts
o Support Madison County Agriculture, become a “member” of a farm today!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wind or Solar – Which Renewable Energy System is Right for Me?
This workshop will assist homeowners, farmers, and small business owners determine what renewable energy system (wind, solar photovoltaic, or solar hot water) is most practical and economically feasible for their location. RETC staff will guide participants through a preliminary site assessment for their property, including energy efficiency upgrades. This will be an intensive workshop that will include a quantitative analysis, the use of Microsoft Excel and free online resources.
Instructors: Ben Ballard and Phil Hofmeyer
Price: $300 reduced to $15 with scholarship provided through DOL CBJTG funding (eligibility verification required)
Location: RETC, 104 B Shannon Hall, Morrisville State College
Date: Saturday, June 25th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit http://retc.morrisville.edu/ for more information and scholarship details.
The RETC is funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Federal scholarships funds are available to any U.S. citizen or individuals otherwise authorized to work in the United States, with a Social Security number. Morrisville is an equal opportunity institution.
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Renewable Energy Beyond the Classroom
For Science and Technology Teachers
The RETC invites science and technology teachers to join us for a two day hands on workshop exploring renewable energy and assembling real systems. Each session includes an introduction of concepts and use of the full-size systems and components in our labs and throughout campus. You will also be provided with curriculum and supplies to bring these modules back to your students.
· Electricity Basics
· Biodiesel
· Microhydro Installation
· Residential-scale Wind Energy
· Anaerobic Digestion
· Wood Gasification
Instructors: Ben Ballard and Phil Hofmeyer
Price: $450 reduced to $25 with scholarship provided through DOL CBJTG funding (eligibility verification required)
Location: RETC, 104B Shannon Hall, Morrisville State College
Date: Monday and Tuesday, June 27-28th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit http://retc.morrisville.edu/ for more information and scholarship details.
IN THE NEWS
****
Budget cuts will affect agriculture
Daniel Looker / Agriculture.com
04/12/2011
Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the compromise agreement to trim 2011 federal spending will speed up some cuts that the administration had already proposed for 2012 and will give his agency about six months to determine exactly how to put them into effect before the federal fiscal year ends in September.
Vilsack told North American Agricultural Journalists Tuesday morning that more than $3 billion of the cuts to this year budget will come from USDA. They include about $800 billion in conservation programs, he said, as well as cuts to the Forest Service for fire suppression.
Vilsack expressed frustration that some of the same members of the House who want to cut USDA spending had also asked for more money to deal with the pine beetle infestations in western forests, which are creating an even greater danger of fires.
Vilsack doesn’t disagree with the need to reduce federal spending, but said Congress isn’t asking the question of how important services need to be met by the private sector.
“Who’s going to do that work? Because it still needs to be done,” he said.
To continue reading visit: http://www.agriculture.com/news/policy/budget-cuts-will-affect-agriculture_4-ar15997
****
Buckle Your Seatbelt: The Roundup Ready Patent Expires in 4 more years
Farmgateblog.com
April 13, 2011
Mark your calendar for the fall of 2014, and prepare to sit back and watch what happens to the market for seed that carries the Roundup Ready gene. Monsanto’s patent on Roundup Ready genetics expires at that time, and the spring of 2015 could be an interesting time to see what happens to one of the most important developments in 20th Century agriculture.
Current federal law provides patent protection to Monsanto for Roundup Ready genetics for 20 years, but when that expires it could be “Katie bar the door” on what happens with the technology. RR beans and corn will be passé. Someone may try to create RR livestock and farmyard pets. Undoubtedly there will be a lot of seed companies offering their own brands because they did not want to sign Monsanto’s licensing agreements. Iowa State University law and tax specialist Roger McEowen says that will mean farmers will not have to pay the technology fee that has been charged for many years for products that are Roundup resistant.
But what about the RR2Y genetics? Those were released to the market and appear in 70 different varieties according to McEowen, who says there is not much difference in yield between the two, and if farmers have access to both, they would opt for the older technology because of the lower costs. But for some, or maybe many farmers, the big issue will be the ability to save soybeans for seed, and be able to plant their own Roundup Ready beans. Brown bag seed has been a rarity for quite few years because of Monsanto’s agreements for using their genetics. There could be a sea change, then again, maybe not. Time will tell.
What McEowen is concerned about is the big picture regarding sales of such soybeans overseas in markets that have controlled the importation of genetically modified seed. Those importation rules currently are strict, and because of the limited acceptance of RR seed, the genetic tests have to show purity. Will shipments of soybeans, some planted with brownbag seed, meet the genetic purity standards? If not, what happens to the cargo? Does it come back to the US for the crushing market? What will happen at the outbound port if testing shows increasing levels of something other than what European or Chinese inspectors will accept? So many questions, and 2015 provides so little time to get them answered. Fortunately, Monsanto has indicated it will continue its RR genetic registrations through 2021 to allow soybeans with pure RR genetics to enter foreign ports.
To continue reading this blog visit: http://www.farmgateblog.com/article/buckle-your-seatbelt-the-roundup-ready-patent-expires-in-4-more-years
****
Carlucci: Give Restaurants Tax Credit For Buying Food From Local Farms
Lawmakers says proposal would help support small, family-owned farms throughout New York.
By William Demarest | April 16, 2011
A new tax credit for restaurants could help New York’s small, family-owned farms survive, according to state Sen. David Carlucci, D-New City.
Gathering with other lawmakers and advocates of local farms at Dr. Davies Farm on Route 304 in Congers on Friday morning, Carlucci proposed that restaurants in New York be given a $100 tax break for every $1,000 of produce they buy from small farms within 100 miles in New York State.
“Preserving New York’s farmland and promoting our fine agricultural products is a top priority,” Carlucci said. “While New York farmers have risen to meet the many challenges they face in a globalized agricultural economy, they can still use the help that New York State can provide. The package of bills I have introduced will preserve farmland, promote the importance of locally grown produce and grow local farms throughout the State.”
Carlucci on Friday got the support of Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, for his proposal, along with support from well-known chef and restaurant owner Peter Kelly, members of the Rockland Farm Alliance and Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell.
To continue reading visit: http://nanuet.patch.com/articles/carlucci-give-restaurants-tax-credit-for-buying-food-from-local-farms
****
Land Price Bump Strains Family Buyouts
By Marcia Zarely Taylor
April 21, 2011
ELMER, N.J. (DTN) — Runaway farmland values are making it harder for young farmers to buy into the business. Just ask Mike Brooks, 29, an eighth-generation farmer who has purchased 300 acres from his parents in a state with the priciest land in the country.
Around Brooks’ home in Salem County, N.J. — about 45 minutes south of Philadelphia — bulldozers are running, and raw land still sprouts housing developments with $300,000 houses. Unable to compete with urbanites, Brooks needed his parents, Bill and Diane, to sell development rights to a state agency before transferring real estate titles to him. Typically, that knocks pure farmland values down to about $4,000 to $6,000 per acre.
Even with the discount, Brooks had to rely on an understanding lender and high-value crops such as processing tomatoes, potatoes and double-crop spinach to help service his Mount Everest-sized debts. On the 300 acres remaining in Bill and Diane’s estate, “I’ve told my parents, if I can rent land from my sisters, it’s cheaper than me owning it,” Brooks said.
LAND MAY NOT CASH-FLOW
Hyper-inflation hasn’t just priced farmland out of reach in the East. Farmland now commands $11,500 per acre in some parts of central Illinois with no peak in sight. Since last fall, Farm Credit Services of Illinois offices have plugged increases of 4% per month into their appraisals.
Corn and soybean operators can generate about $400 an acre to service principal and interest payments on land, said Gary Streit, an estate tax attorney with Shuttleworth & Ingersoll in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“The problem is $400 doesn’t go very far when cropland is selling for $8,000 to $10,000 an acre, as it is in east-central Iowa today. There’s a lot of tension in family discussions when trying to match the younger generation’s desires to purchase their parents’ land, and parents are trying to be fair to their other children,” Streit said.
Even with a 20-year installment sale at 3% interest, operators would need $538 per acre to buy out partners at the moment. Payments on a 10-year note would run $670. “It’s hard to structure a reasonable cash flow that an operator can handle when farm income is so unpredictable,” Streit said. As Congress threatens to revamp farm programs, and with commodity prices prone to booms and busts, this only complicates matters as parents attempt to design fair transitions.
Kevin Mills, a CPA with Kennedy and Coe in Garden City, Kan., agreed.
“If you don’t plan well, and heirs have to buy ground at today’s escalated prices, the cash-flow just doesn’t work. There’s a good chance the land will end up getting sold or the farm just ends up as a smaller operation,” Mills said.
“In an ideal world, operators would own all the farm assets, and off-farm heirs would receive an equivalent in non-farm property, such as stocks or the family home.
“But many times, land values have appreciated so fast that ag assets are worth far more than personal property. With some of the bigger farms we work with, the personal assets might be worth $1 million and farm assets $10 million. It’s just not possible to buy enough life insurance on a 60- or 70-year-old to equalize the estate.”
To continue reading this article visit: http://www.dtnprogressivefarmer.com/dtnag/common/link.do;jsessionid=10DED68704251C7DA4916398DDAA0DA8.agfreejvm2?symbolicName=/free/news/template1&product=/ag/news/topstories&vendorReference=4377d365-60ef-42c6-b468-f07bce00071b&paneContentId=3030&paneParentId=0
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Support Madison County Agriculture, become a “member” of a farm today!
Spring has officially arrived and many Madison County farmers are already hard at work. Over the past decade, Madison County has witnessed a growth in farms that market their products throughout the community through farm membership, also known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). By participating in a CSA, the consumer pays a membership fee at the beginning of the season in exchange for a weekly share of the farm’s harvest. Madison County now has 8 CSAs from which to choose!
Each CSA works a little differently – some include fruit, meat, bread and other locally-grown and processed products – others include pick your own crops, and feature on-farm events for the whole family. At Common Thread Community Farm you get a variety of heirloom vegetables from their Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) pledge farm for pick up at their barn or at drop off locations throughout Central New York. Stone Brothers Farm & Greenhouse is launching their CSA this year and will provide members with hydroponically grown fresh vegetables during the colder season – including the earliest strawberries of the season. Sommer’s Harvest provides its members with stunning floral bouquets and Alambria Springs Farm has its own wood fired bread oven.
Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program recently interviewed one of Madison County’s newest CSA farm: Greyrock Farm. When asked what separates this CSA from others in the county, owner Matt Voltz replied, “Most CSAs in this area offer vegetables and sometimes eggs for the growing season, which typically means June to October or November. The Greyrock Farm CSA is year-round and includes grass-fed beef and lamb, pastured pork and chicken, eggs from pastured laying hens, and raw milk as well as seasonal vegetables and storage crops. Also, instead of giving members a box of food each week, members of the Greyrock Farm CSA get to pick and choose what they want to take and how much. In other words, CSA members get to customize their shares to fit their tastes.”
Being part of a CSA is a fun-filled experience for the whole family. Children can learn about how healthy fruits and vegetables are grown and work with their parents to cook and taste new recipes. To learn more about a CSA near you, please contact the farms below:
Farm Name
Address
Phone Number
Website
Alambria Springs Farm
834 Musician Road, Earlville
315-837-4769
www.alambriafarm.com
Common Thread Community Farm
3424 Lake Moraine Road,
Madison
315-893-7767
www.commonthreadcsa.com
Greyrock Farm
6100 East Lake Road, Cazenovia
484-888-6254
www.greyrockfarmcsa.com
Lucky Moon Farm
4976 Lincklaen Road, Cazenovia
315-655-2283
http://www.luckymoonfarm.blogspot.com/
Smitty’s Market Farm
4761 Old State Road, Morrisville
315-684-7779
Sommer’s Harvest
7 University Ave., Hamilton
315-527-3429
www.somersharvestfarm.com
Stone Brothers Farm & Greenhouse
3652 Milestrip Road, Canastota
315-655-3213
If you are interested in other ways to support local farms, Madison County has several farmers’ markets. The Village of Hamilton Farmers’ Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 7th. The hours of operation are from 8am-1pm. Cazenovia Farmers’ Market commences the same day and is open from 9am-5pm. The Town of Lenox Famers’ Market begins later in the season on July 9th and is open from 9am-2pm. More information on where to find locally-grown products can be found at www.madisoncountyagriculture.com.
OPPORTUNITIES & CLASSIFIEDS
************************
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Grant and Loan Information for New York Applicants
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) administers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Originally established in Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill, the program was re-authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill under Section 9007. For information on the Farm Bill, go to http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/farmbill2008?navid=FARMBILL2008.
** FY 2011 Updates **
- Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant and guaranteed loan applications are due by June 15, 2011
- Renewable energy feasibility study and energy audit & renewable energy development assistance grant applications are due by June 30, 2011
Who is eligible to apply for REAP funding?
The program supports agricultural producers and rural small businesses. An agricultural producer is an individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products that obtains at least 50 percent or greater of their gross income from their agriculture business. A small business is entity considered a small business in accordance with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small business size standards (using NAICS codes). SBA standards can be found at http://www.sba.gov/size/index.html. If a farm operation does not meet the program definition of an agricultural producer, it may apply as a rural small business, provided that it meets the applicable SBA standard.
· A private entity including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and a cooperative (including a cooperative qualified under section 501 (c) (12) of the Internal Revenue Code.)
An electrical utility, including a Tribal or governmental electric utility that provides service to rural consumers on a cost-of-service basis without support from public funds or subsidy form the Government authority establishing the district, provided such utilities meet SBA’s definition of small business. These entities must operate independent of direct government control. With the exception of the entities described above, non-profit organizations and public entities are excluded.
Determining rural areas
To determine if a small business is located in a rural area, go to the Rural Business Service property eligibility web site at http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu&NavKey=property@13
****
Beginning Farmer Institute
A Partnership between New England Farmers Union and National Farmers Union
New England Farmers Union is providing a unique opportunity for individuals who are contemplating starting a farm operation to receive valuable training through the Beginning Farmer Institute. The program is also open to those in our region who have been farming for less than ten years.
Beginning farmers face a seemingly unlimited number of decisions to make, from drawing up a business plan and arranging financing to learning what programs are available to make it easier to start up and sustain a successful operation. This program is designed to answer the questions new farmers have, and more importantly, to share expertise and address questions that people do not always think of asking when they begin farming.
Applicants accepted into the 2011 program will attend two separate education sessions, one to be held this summer, the other in September in Washington, D.C. The program will include topics such as business planning, understanding USDA programs, tax and record keeping, and marketing, and will blend classroom time with hands-on experience and tours to farms employing successful, innovative approaches.
Cost: There is no cost to apply. A $25 registration fee will be required of those who are accepted. The actual costs of the Institute will be covered by National Farmers Union (NFU) in partnership with New England Farmers Union (NEFU), with support from Farm Credit and SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education). Covered costs include materials, transportation, lodging and meals. Our intent is to provide each participant with educational experiences and materials that will prove to be invaluable.
Schedule: Will meet two times this year: Summer of 2011 (probably in the Midwest) and September of 2011 (Washington, DC). Each session will be 3 to 4 days.
Who can apply: Open to beginning farmers residing in any of the six New England states. The program is designed to provide opportunities for up to 10 participants who will come from New England and other parts of the US. The final number will be determined through the application process.
Who is a beginning farmer? Unlike other programs, we do not have set criteria for a beginning farmer but rather have an application process where the applicant can answer questions and tell us why he or she feels they are a beginning farmer. It could be a business person in Indiana who has the chance to change careers and establish a family farmers market. It could be a young man from Massachusetts whose grandparents are transitioning a farm to him. It could be a woman farmer from Vermont who has just completed an apprenticeship program on a CSA and is starting one of her own.
Is Farmers Union membership required? It is desired, but not required. Our goal is to provide educational training to those who want to farm. We all know that the number of farmers in the US is rapidly decreasing, and the average age continues to increase. NEFU and NFU believe agriculture is a great career and we want to support farmers who are starting out.
NFU/NEFU expectations: NEFU/NFU’s expectation is to have each New England graduate become an inspiration to and actively mentor similar individuals in New England, and/or to become engaged in their local boards and other community opportunities. NEFU/NFU plans to provide ongoing support to participants after they return to their farms.
Locations: Summer event location to be determined based on applications; The session on September 10-13 will be in Washington, DC.
Selection process: Those interested can download the application form fill it out, and return it. Applications will be reviewed by a panel with hands-on farming experience. Individuals and couples may apply.
Purpose: Specific course topics will vary according to participant identified needs. Overall, the institute will provide participants with a working knowledge of business planning, marketing, USDA programs, farm finances (I.e., How to sit down with your banker and ask for an operating loan), taxes and even training on how to be effective on a board of directors, such as at a local cooperative. Before the first session starts, we will survey our participants and tailor the agenda topics to their needs. This program will also include outside-the-classroom experiences such as tours of farms that set an example or found a niche and tours of cooperatives.
Deadline to apply: April 30, 2011.
For more information: contact John Ferris at (413) 548-6930 or john@newenglandfarmersunion.org
Filed Under: Agriculture, Madison County Agencies and Organizations
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