A 2 1/2 day workshop focused on business planning, identifying markets, and specialty crop production. Activities will include classroom instruction, a farm tour, and hands-on high tunnel construction experience.
Friday, July 12, 2013
through
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Registration is $65 and includes all meals for the workshop, workshop activities, educational resources, and local transportation.
Free lodging may be available at the nearby Christian Appalachian Project Service
Calling all State Association and Market Network Leaders: Please register for the FMC State and Network Leader webinar discussion on July 8th, at 4pm EST/1 PST. We will be discussing the Mobile Market App and any challenges that markets and networks face using smart phone technology. Darlene Wolnik, independent consultant to public markets, will be moderating. Please be ready to ask any questions or share comments during the call, or feel free to submit questions beforehand. This is meant to be a discussion among leaders, not an informational webinar.
Last month, several participants called in to the webinar via phone only. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of this technology, those participants were in ‘listen only mode’ and couldn’t speak or ask questions. If possible, join the webinar through your computer AND your phone, for optimum sound and participation!
However, these calls are recorded and notes taken so everyone can share after the call is over. If you are a network leader and have not received the invitation, email Liz at farmersmarketcoalition.org to receive a registration.
Here’s an opportunity to build a sustainable place with significant local food production and public/sales space in its center. I look forward to seeing the choices.
What would you do if you had the opportunity to design and build a new village or city? These opportunities do not come around often, so when one does we have to make the most of it!! The opportunities abound in Christchurch after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.
As part of the city rebuild a competition was established. It is called “breathe”—the new urban village project….. an international competition to design and build a new place for living in the Central City.
Introducing the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan from CCDU on Vimeo.
This came up on a listserve today. Thankfully by opening that email I was reminded of this page’s existence and reassured by the possibility of a stray elected official doing something right for all Americans.
The Dallas Farmers Market is an interesting version of a public market. Almost a decade ago, I was invited to Dallas for a set of public meetings (along with DC/Fresh Farm founder Ann Yonkers) to help the chefs, farmers and food entrepreneurs get to the next step in reorganizing this market.It seemed then that a lot of competing ideas were on the table and that to get it moving, they would need both deep design options and mission development. This news may signal that they have taken the necessary next step.
Great idea from the Cobblestone Farmers Market (coincidentally a market that I profiled in my Market Governance paper) about how to fundraise for incentives. This does more than just raise a bit of money; it also explains the deeper mission of the market to the general public and may also shake out more funders for the future.
Concert to raise money for EBT program – Winston-Salem Journal: Tidbits.
“Randy and Karen Sowers will forfeit $29,500 to the government. U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein accused the couple in mid-April of violating federal currency reporting requirements — known as structuring — by depositing money in increments of less than $10,000 so they would not have to fill out forms required under the Bank Secrecy Act. The statutes are meant to curtail money laundering.
The Sowerses have owned a farm off Bolivar Road in Middletown for more than three decades and have operated it as the South Mountain Creamery since 2001. They have maintained their innocence and said they learned what structuring was only when Treasury Department officials showed up at the farm in late February to question them about the deposits.
The couple deal with a lot of cash at farmers markets, they said, and the deposits totaled similar amounts every time.”
Creamery settles dispute with feds – The Frederick News-Post : Archive.
“By rejecting reforms and doubling down on mean-spirited cuts in nutrition and the SNAP program, a critical mass of people across the political spectrum couldn’t stomach this bill. The result was a strong ‘no’ vote, leadership looking embarrassed, and the House in disarray.”
This is one of the most detailed research papers about the campus market, which is another type of market to consider. Describing market types is an ongoing research project of mine (and others) and some of the most common market types can be found on my website by clicking here.
This subject is one that markets must consider as we turn to online accounting and data management systems. Selecting a good offline backup system may be as necessary as finding the right cloud storage or computing system.
Cloud computing is a trap, warns GNU founder | Technology | guardian.co.uk.
A friend to New Orleans, Mary Rowe gives an eloquent description of the natural organizing within a city as seen when passing through a period of destruction. The lessons of city work can certainly hold a mirror to the lessons of food system organizing.
Jim Lukens will be retiring soon as the Southern SAWG Executive Director,
and the Board of Directors is initiating a search for candidates for that position.
Position Announcement
Executive Director
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
http://www.ssawg.org
The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (Southern SAWG) is seeking to hire a new Executive Director. The Executive Director will be responsible for leading the organization in its work of empowering and inspiring farmers, individuals, and communities throughout the South to create a sustainable agriculture and food system. Whereas relocation to Arkansas is not necessary for the successful candidate, southern residence is required.
The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (Southern SAWG) has been one of the lead organizations working for the past 22 years to foster a more sustainable food and agriculture system throughout the Southern region – one that yields dignity and economic viability for farmers and farm workers, and provides safe and secure food for all, produced in harmony with nature. We are engaged in extensive outreach and education over a broad and diverse region, both geographically and demographically. Southern SAWG links more than 150 organizations and many individuals throughout the 13 Southern states of AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, & VA.
Ideal candidates for this position will:
Provide visionary leadership to a 22-year old dynamic and growing organization in the sustainable agriculture movement.
Be capable of effective resource development for and sound fiscal management of diverse income streams
Be an experienced and effective leader within a virtual and dynamic work environment that includes some travel.
Have exceptionally strong relationship-building skills.
Enjoy the complexity and rewards of leading a multi-faceted, regional organization covering a wide diversity of demographics and agro-ecosystems.
Be an effective manager of a dedicated team that is comprised of diverse professional staff and contractors.
Be able to effectively engage and work with the board of directors.
Understand the relationship of local and regional efforts to effect systemic change in the farming and food system, particularly where resources are scarce.
Be an excellent communicator dedicated to transparency and accountability for and within the organization.
Be computer literate, with proficiency using Microsoft Office, Internet and email.
Currently, Southern SAWG has an administrative office in Fayetteville, Arkansas. However, a majority of the staff and contractors operate out of their home offices.
For a full job description, see PDF. SSAWG is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every current and prospective employee. Substantial efforts are made to seek out potential candidates among women, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities.
To apply: Send a resume, a substantive cover letter highlighting why you would be good for this position and this position would be good for you, three writing samples that demonstrate the ability to write for differing audiences and handle the content with differing levels of technical detail, and contact information for three professional references to Southern SAWG Board President Stephan Walker at stepwalkfarm@live.com. Contact (870) 575-7237 for questions.
Application deadline is July 31, 2013.
Position start date is no later than April 1, 2014.
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Inc. (Southern SAWG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to promote sustainable agriculture in the Southern United States.
FOOD POLICY AND PROGRAM MANAGER
Background Information
The role of the Food Policy and Program Manager is situated within the larger Propeller Social Venture Accelerator program with a focus on food systems and land use. The two primary goals within the Propeller Food Systems sector are: 1) Providing access to healthy, affordable food to disadvantaged residents and communities in New Orleans, and 2) Equitable economic development for food-related entrepreneurs in New Orleans and the surrounding region.
Job Opportunities · Propeller.
(scroll down the page to find this listing)
Not a farmers market, but it has the same values of local sourcing, direct sales/education between producers and shoppers, educational activities and fun as the longtime farmers markets in the city. These folks have spread the gospel of sourcing locally with this and with their Eat Local Challenge each June. A great sister project to the Crescent City Farmers Markets, with which they work closely.
Locavore (sic) Market in New Orleans, held during this neighborhood’s Eat Local Challenge Month
Helping Farmers Markets Grow 