Miles McEvoy named National Organic Program deputy administrator

from: thepacker.com

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic program will have a new deputy administrator Oct. 1.

Miles McEvoy, who heads the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Food Program, will join the USDA National Organic Program responsible for regulating the U.S. organic industry and is scheduled to become an independent program within USDA, according to a news release

McEvoy “has worked in the field of organic agriculture for more than two decades and has a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the organic community,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release.

McEvoy has worked for the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Organic Food Program, one of the nation’s first state organic certification programs, for more than 20 years, according to USDA, and in 2001, McEvoy helped establish the state’s small farm and direct marketing program.”

Full Article Here

Safe, Local Ohio Food Launches Statewide Issue 2 Outreach

from: cattlenetwork.com

“Advocating for an ample supply of safe, affordable, Ohio-raised food and excellent care of the state’s livestock and poultry, leaders of Ohioans for Livestock Care today announced the first phase of the statewide outreach campaign in support of passage of State Issue 2. Issue 2 calls for the creation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (the Board) – a board of Ohio experts in animal care, veterinary medicine, food safety and farm management, as well as consumer and humane society members.

The campaign committee has purchased television advertising in media markets across Ohio, which is complemented with online advertising and the addition of a new campaign Web site, www.safelocalohiofood.org.

The ads and Web site feature Brenda Hastings, a mother of two and dairy farmer from Burton, Ohio, sharing her story about the role that responsible farm animal care plays in ensuring Ohioans have a safe, affordable supply of food raised in the Buckeye state. The Hastings family is a third-generation dairy farm family, and as a mother, Brenda knows the value that parents like her place on assuring food safety and maintaining excellent care of food animals.

“Without question, we want Ohio voters to understand that Issue 2 is about the relationship between how farm animals are cared for and how decisions about animal care can impact food safety, food affordability and food availability,” said Jamie Butts, campaign spokeswoman. “Issue 2 is a reasonable proposal to address that relationship, and that’s why creation of the Board through the passage of Issue 2 will make sure our farm animals receive the best treatment, and Ohioans have access to quality, food produced by Ohio farmers.”

Full Story Here

How Much Gas Do Cows Produce?

from: thedairysite.com

“Any calculation of the carbon footprint of a gallon of milk needs to include fuel used by tractors and trucks, as well as electricity consumed by milking machines and refrigerators. But how much gas is coming from the cows themselves?

That’s the question Purdue University researchers are investigating as they start a new study aimed at measuring greenhouse gases from dairy cows. Albert Heber, principal investigator and a professor of agricultural and biological engineering, said the study is part of an industry-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to fluid milk.

“The dairy industry understands that in order to adopt best practices that will help lower greenhouse gas emissions in the dairy supply chain, it must first know where the mitigation opportunities exist,” Prof Heber said.”

Full Article Here

More women farmers in Berks and across the state signal changes in agriculture

from: readingeagle.com

“Erica Lavdanski lives in two worlds.

She has a house in West Reading and a job waiting tables. But during the day, Lavdanski is getting her hands dirty in the rich earth of Caernarvon Township in Lancaster County, raising heirloom vegetables for farm markets.

For three years, Lavdanski has commuted to her second job just outside Morgantown, building her farm business.

Lavdanski has been a regular at the weekly West Reading Farmers Market, trying to connect with consumers who want to buy local produce.

But Lavdanski also represents a larger trend of more women starting their own farms.

“It is a dream of mine,” she said. “This is what I wanted to do. It just seems very natural to me.”

Full Article Here

In an Organic World, Price Still a Deciding Factor

from: supermarketnews.com

“With mainstream success, however, comes mainstream problems. Now that organics are common, or commoditized, consumers are going to make their purchase decisions based on conventional criteria. And that means price is going to reemerge as an overriding factor — if it ever disappeared in the first place.

Case in point: Not too long ago I ordered lunch at one of Manhattan’s myriad delis, waiting on line (typical) to pay for my ham and swiss on rye with extra mustard (very typical). The guy in front of me, a salesman or broker of some sort, was talking with the manager, trying to get the store to start stocking a new brand of organic iced tea he represented. The manager balked and suggested the salesman return another time when the owner was present.

As I stepped up to the counter, he looked after the guy and told me, “I like organic as much as the next person, but $2.99 for a bottle? It’s iced tea, fer cryin’ out loud.”

Full Article Here

Grass-fed beef An organic journey

from: denverpost.com

“Grass hugs much of the 595,000 acres of hills, valleys, and mountains that make up the Arapaho Ranch in north-central Wyoming. This sustains the thousands of cattle that live on the property, the largest organic, grass-fed cattle ranch in North America, a nearly 70-year-old enterprise on the Wind River Indian Reservation and run by the Northern Arapaho tribe.”

Full Article Here

Agroecology Fall Seminar Series (Univ. Wisc.)

from: today.wisc.edu

“Wisconsin Farmers: What to Eat

Speakers include Bill Bruins, Wisconsin Farm Bureau and dairy farmer near Waupun; Richard Cates, DATCP Agricultural Board and pasture-based beef farmer near Spring Green; Louise Hemstead, Organic Valley Coop and an organic dairy farmer near La Farge; and Tom Lochner, Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association. Introduction by John Shutske, associate dean, Cooperative Extension, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Reception to follow.”

More Info Here

Tracking Food Miles (VIDEO)

from: midwestagnet.com

Interesting video on how some retailers are including “miles travelled” on food labels.

Link to Video

Ag Secretary Vilsack Awards $1.4 Million To Help Small & Socially Disadvantaged Producers & Cooperatives

from: cattlenetwork.com

“Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has selected 10 organizations in eight states to receive $1.4 million in grants to assist small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and cooperatives in rural areas.

“These grants will help owners of family farms, cooperative members and small business owners to better market their products and services to add profit and efficiency to their operations,” Vilsack said. “President Obama and I believe in providing the stability and support these small-scale producers need to furnish fresh, locally produced goods to their customers, and these investments will help make that possible.”

This funding is being awarded through USDA Rural Development’s Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program, which is part of the Department’s ongoing effort to expand outreach to rural residents to ensure that all communities have equal access to USDA programs and services. Funding is being awarded to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives where at least 75 percent of the governing board or membership has annual gross agricultural product sales of $250,000 or less in the last three years. Grants can be used for product improvements, business plan development or economic development activities.”

Full Article Here

Added Value: Direct Marketing for Farmers and Ranchers (VIDEO)

from: cookingupastory.com

“This is the first in a series of “how-to” videos funded by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and produced by Cooking Up A Story. SARE is pleased to be part of this cooperative venture, and to share the rich heritage, knowledge, and individual stories of some of our past farmer grant recipients. As Jeanne Carver notes in the video, SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grants program provided critical assistance for them as they embarked on a new marketing approach.”

Full Article Here

A New Day at USDA

from: agweb.com

“It’s a brand new day at USDA,” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack told attendees at the American Agricultural Law Association annual meeting Sept. 25. He was referring to this administration’s thrust to support and grow rural communities. For farmers, the bottom line is a new focus on “value added, local, natural,” etc. and less emphasis on field crops and traditional commodity programs.

The administration’s cornerstones for rural development are broadband for rural communities, continued development of a next-generation ethanol industry, farm-grown energy, and encouraging local connections with consumers and institutions.

Asked about USDA support for ag research, he replied: “Ag research is important but its impact on rural areas is indirect.” USDA’s new National Institute of Food and Agriculture, headed by plant breeder Roger Beachy, will encourage research projects that will have an impact on rural America, he says. In addition, more of the funds will be distributed through competitive grants that “leverage” their impact, and less through earmarked projects at land grant universities.”

Full Article Here

Virtual World Dairy Expo

from: agweb.com

“World Dairy Expo starts Tuesday, Sept. 29, and even if you can’t attend in person, you can follow what’s happening at Dairy Today’s virtual World Dairy Expo coverage. There you will find articles, blogs, maps and schedules along with a sweepstakes entry where one winner will take home an Elite Producer Business Conference registration and other winners will receive one of three prize Expo-themed prize packages.”

Full Article Here

Ohio Animal Care Campaign Begins

from: hoosieragtoday.com

“The Ohioans for Livestock Care/Yes for Issue 2 campaign got its start on Saturday at Bowling Green University in Ohio. The weekend event was the first of 12 rallies scheduled to be held throughout the state through mid-October. State Issue 2 is a proposal on the November 3 state ballot to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. The 13-member board will be comprised of Ohio experts in animal care, food production, farm management and food safety who will establish standards governing care of the state’s livestock and poultry.

Campaign spokesperson Jamie Butts said, – these rallies are vital in building support among Ohioans for State Issue 2. Butts added, – we hope everyone who attends one of these events will become involved in the campaign and help us educate voters about why creating this board is so important for Ohio’s number one economic contributor – agriculture.

Organizers say passing Issue 2 will ensure excellent care of the state’s livestock and poultry and help maintain an adequate supply of safe, affordable, Ohio-raised food.”

Full Article Here

Pregnancy Checking Cows Can Save Money

from: thebeefsite.com

“Dr Anderson, Beef Extension Specialist from the University of Kentucky expects low pregnancy rates this year. He says that by carrying out pregnancy tests, producers can cut feed costs, apply better utilisation of feed management and increase interest of potential buyers.

Mr Anderson has observed lower reproductive rates on numerous farms scattered across the entire state of Kentucky. Pregnancy rates in the University’s cows have fallen about 10 per cent this year. Dr Anderson believes that the low pregnancy rates are a result of poor forage quality and low body condition. He says that the low nutrients (caused by drought) will have likely delayed many cows ability to recycle after calving even though they were subjected to protocols to induce estrus synchronization prior to either natural service or to artificial insemination (AI).

In reality, these cows probably did not start cycling until July when fertility is typically low and it is likely half the herd conceived on one day and only half of the remaining cows conceived to the bull.

Because of this, Mr Anderson is encouraging all producers to incorporate pregnancy checking into the annual management practice. Pregnancy status is the first criteria that should determine whether a cow is retained in the herd or culled, he says.”

Full Story Here

Organic Counts: Organic Valley Launches First Online Calculator to Measure Personal Impact of Food Choices

from: prnewswire.com

“Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands, today launched the first online calculator that shows consumers the toxic burden prevented by their choices of organic vs. non-organic and “natural” foods. The calculator is available at www.organicvalley.coop.

Much like an online shopping experience, the Organic Valley calculator invites visitors to put their favorite Organic Valley dairy products into a simulated shopping basket to weigh the positive impact of their organic food choices. As each food product is placed in the basket, the calculator automatically adds up and displays the amounts of pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers avoided by that product, as opposed to a comparable conventional product. The numbers are derived from a calculation of USDA conventional agriculture data compared with twenty years of parallel data from Organic Valley member-farms.”

Full Story Here