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Category Archives: Policy and Regulation
Waxman Food Safety Bill Introduced
On Wednesday, May 27, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (CA-30) released a discussion draft of his food safety bill, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. The bill is largely based on provisions in H.R. 259, the … Continue reading
Legislative Update – Federal Food Safety Bills
The following is an excerpt from a post in The Ethicurean. H.R. 875 is not likely to make it out of committee. The article points out a couple of other bills that are likely to get more traction and have … Continue reading
Cottage food expansion gets support at public hearing
On Wednesday, May 13th the ODA held the public hearing on expanding the list of “Cottage” foods (see that article). A number of farmer’s market managers and vendors spoke in support of the rule change. No one spoke in opposition. … Continue reading
NPR: City Folk Flock To Raise Small Livestock At Home
Urban Chickens are gaining in popularity as more locavores seek alternatives to industrially grown food. Municipalities are seeing more pressure from residents who want to keep backyard chickens, bees or even a mini-goat. “Whether from tighter food budgets or local-eating … Continue reading
ODA Considers Expanding List of Cottage Foods
Cottage foods are those that are allowed to be produced in a home without need of a commercial kitchen it allows food entrepreneurs to sell their goods without significant start-up capital. There will be a public hearing on Wednesday May … Continue reading
snopes.com: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009
Snopes sheds some light on HR 875 http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/organic.asp
Posted in Policy and Regulation
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H.R. 875 and the Food Safety Bills
The analysis below clarifies what the bill will and will not do. Mentioned is HR.759 which can cause some issues for small farmers including recordkeeping requirements for farms and safety standards for fresh produce. Link to HR.759 PDF Link to … Continue reading
What is the National Animal Identification System & Why It Should Be Rejected
Web Video of the Week: What is the National Animal Identification System & Why It Should Be Rejected. Part 1: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9oKmqQpD4&hl=en&fs=1&border=1] Make sure you view Part 2 here
Posted in New Farmers, Policy and Regulation, Urban Chickens
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The Columbus Dispatch : Ann Fisher commentary: City should welcome urban chickens
There has been alot of activity in Columbus lately regarding the urban chicken movement. At the center of the controversy are Worthington residents Andy and Lael Rozmiarek, who have asked Worthington City Council to change an 1973 ordinance that essentially … Continue reading
Posted in Policy and Regulation, Urban Chickens
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Interview with Vilsack, Obama’s pick for Ag Secretary
This entry by Brian Depew on Tue, 12/16/2008 on Blog for Rural America provides some insight on how Vilsack will fare on issues important to sustainable minded small farmers. It is encouraging. Although his enthusiasm for biotech is one of … Continue reading
