Support the Next Generation of Sustainable and Organic Farmers and Ranchers!
Tell USDA to Stop Delaying Implementation of the CRP Transition Option
for Beginning and Minority Producers!
Change happens at the transition.  An aging farmer population, a new generation of farmers desperate for access to land, 4.2 million acres of land about to come out of the [...]

FARRMS Grant
This grant can be used for a variety of projects or expenses, but should be directly related to the farming operation, including but not limited to: fencing, computers, seed, irrigation, equipment, etc. The program is available to farms that are certified organic or actively transitioning into organic production; Non-certified projects on the organic [...]

Guide for Opening Farmers’ Markets on Federal Property
The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service released “Opening a Farmers Market on Federal Property: A Guide for Market Operators and Building Managers” (PDF/262KB). The publication was jointly published by the Urban Development/Good Neighbor Program of General Services Administration, which administers most federal buildings. This publication [...]

Ohio producers of fresh fruits and vegetables have an opportunity to attend a Listening Session to hear about the various groups who are working to address the proposed changes to how local food is produced in Ohio.  This listening session provides the opportunity for growers to hear from experts in the food safety arena.  Speaker [...]

A new report by the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) concludes that organic foods are better for you and contain less pesticides and nitrates, which have been linked to a range of health problems.  Findings include:

Organic plant products are more nutrient dense
Have higher levels of minerals
Contain more antioxidants
Organic animal products contain more polyunsaturated fatty [...]

Ohio Department of Agriculture Eat Local Challenge Sept. 13-19The Ohio Department of Agriculture challenges you to eat local! This week, plan and prepare one meal every day using foods that are made, grown or raised in Ohio.
Click on your county to accept the Eat Local Challenge!
http://www.agri.ohio.gov/apps/eat_local/eatlocal.aspx

EBT and Farmers Markets: Practical Advice from Successful Programs

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (ET)
This is a free webinar hosted by The Farmers Market Coallition.
Details and Registration

As food safety concerns continue to be topics of discussion among growers and policy makers, I thought I would pass along this following information.  There will be a hearing in Columbus on Oct. 6, 2009.  Details are below.

What does “local food” mean to you? As Bear wrote in SlowFood Columbus recently.  As big food industry scrambles to redefine their products as “local”, we must keep in mind the values we embrace as we support local food.
The locavore movement arose at a time when “local” meant not just “from nearby” but also “made [...]

Governor Pat Quinn recently signed into law legislation that will help put more Illinois-grown food on Illinois tables. The law is designed to increase demand for locally grown food by building a reliable market for it at state agencies and facilities that receive significant state support.  Read the Article