Watch Two Heartbreaking Videos About Upstate Farmers Affected by Irene.
Thanks to Kelly Verel of Projects for Public Spaces for sharing this link.
Author: D.W.
Oh, yeah-let’s remember to save the farmland…
The very idea that stories in relatively mainstream publications cover farmland issues is a testament to many organizers. However, the land keeps disappearing….
Northeast farmers warn of Irene pumpkin shortage
Northeast farmers warn of Irene pumpkin shortage.
Everywhere I go, I mention some of the shortages we can expect from natural disasters this year. It seems almost every time, people are surprised. How soon we forget…
So, it remains an important piece of work for market organizers to remember to continue to tell the story, long after the farmer may be tired of another shopper saying,”Why no pumpkins?”
Have you registered for the CFSC conference?
The 2011 Oakland Conference is coming up quickly. Looks like a good one…
Time Banking for Markets?
Next week, citizens in New Orleans will hold their first Time Banking informational meeting. For those new to the idea:
here are hundreds of TimeBanks around the world. TimeBanking is based on the belief that our communities work better when all of our contributions are valued. It rejects the notion that we belong in separate classes of “givers” and “receivers” and establishes a way to reward all types of work — caring for our children, elders, and others who need it, building community, helping out our neighbors.
TimeBanking is about spending an hour doing something for somebody in your community. That hour is counted as a TimeBank Hour that you can spend on having someone in the network do something for you. You earn TimeBank Hours for each service you perform. Instead of members “owing” the one person who helped them individually, we can choose to give and receive the many talents and skills of all the members.
TimeBanking connects you to the best in people because it creates a system that connects unmet needs with untapped resources. It provides ways for us all to contribute and benefit.
Timebanking can be a very effective way to bridge gaps across different demographics, bring people together as a community, build a resource base to solve problems or realize dreams, connect people with needed goods and services, and give people a way to feel valued and do what they like to do.
This seems like a natural fit for a market to take on for their own community or maybe even for the larger community they reside in. Anyone out there who has a Time Bank in their market, do let me know…
And for those who want more information, check out:timebanks.org
No time to hide your head…
Good news for champions of wild-caught seafood. The latest news on turtle-excluder devices (TEDs) shows a 90% drop in turtle deaths. This shows the importance of environmentalists and fishing families working together to solve problems rather than pointing fingers. “Our findings show that there are effective tools available for policy makers and fishing industries to reduce sea turtle bycatch, as long as they are implemented properly and consistently.” said Elena Finkbeiner, lead author of the report. Duke University and Conservational International worked together to analzye turtle bycatch data compiled by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
While at marketumbrella.org, I produced a series of films called “Go Fish” that showed innovation among fishers and markets. The one on bycatch reduction devices (BYRDs) is very useful for any market or direct-marketing fisher. All are found on their YouTube channel:
Go Fish
Santa Rosa dispute
Wow. This article gives some information on a dispute between vendors and management at a California market that has, sadly, gone to court. The article (which certainly needs more information from both sides) and the ensuing comments show that this issue has been coming for a while in this community.
Long ago, when I was learning non-profit management, I proudly related to my supervisor at the end of the day just how I had stopped an argument between 2 senior staff while the entire staff was driving to a site. I expected congratulations, but instead my excellent boss said to me: “Well, I’m glad you stopped it, but I would expect you to have seen the argument escalating long BEFORE that point and steered the conversation and tone to other directions before it got to inflammatory words that now everyone remembers throughout their day. So, next time plan ahead and try to orchestrate good interactions from the beginning. It’s your job to give everyone the best chance to succeed at their job and that also means reducing tensions that are unnecessary.”
Good advice still.
Local materials and expertise for farmers market shed
This shed was designed by architectural students at Virginia Tech, School of Architecture + Design seems to meet many of the requirements that open-air farmers markets should have for any facility-simple, properly scaled, used local materials…
Although this next line makes me wonder what fumes they were inhaling from the materials while building:
This market pavilion is the modern expression of timeless agrarian sensibilities.
Hey kids-it’s a roof.
Still, I like it and applaud the collaborative effort. Now, if they could get some farmers…
Shed design
Stepping in to help save a market
Great story on a small market in Oregon that was struggling to such an extent that it was about to close- until a market vendor stepped up to manage it. Interestingly, those interviewed seem to think that produce, although vital, needs to be balanced with a whole bunch of other items and educational events to attract and retain a large enough customer base. Sounds like a good track to me, but hey folks I might also look at the size, how space is used, parking and type of events offered already…
And take a look at how neighboring Oregon City Farmers Market manages the balance.
West Linn
Conservation incentives
According to a press release from The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition,
the Conservation Stewardship Program (which is outlined in the link below) offers support to farmers in exchange for better environmental practices, The Conservation Stewardship Program pays farmers for adopting “new conservation enhancements” and actively managing ongoing conservation activities. Those payments are calibrated directly to the environmental benefits derived from specific practices.
Each geographical region has its own unique agricultural challenges, which are addressed in a five-page section of data analysis. The data includes analysis of program participation by geographic region, land use type, commodity type, and the top conservation practices and enhancements chosen by farmers and ranchers who enrolled in the program.
Some of the important issues addressed by the program include water quality, wildlife habitat, soil quality and erosion. In some areas of the country, water conservation and air quality are also important considerations
Read more: More information here
National Farm to School Network Position Announcement
National Farm to School Network
Position Announcement: Associate Director (updated September 2011)
Deadline for Applications is September 15, 2011
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK: The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) http://www.farmtoschool.org sprouted from the desire to support community-based food systems, strengthen family farms, and improve student health by reducing childhood obesity. Comprised of eight Regional Lead Agencies, and 50 state leads, the NFSN coordinates, promotes and expands Farm to School at the state, regional and national levels.
POSITION SUMMARY: NFSN is seeking a committed, dynamic individual to join as Associate Director. The selected candidate will be actively involved in fundraising, and assisting the NFSN Director in administrative and programmatic tasks as necessary. The Associate Director will also work to ensure implementation of the NFSN strategic action plan in the priority areas of policy; media, marketing and outreach; training and technical assistance; information services; research and networking.
The selected candidate will be employed by the fiscal sponsor (to be determined in September-October 2011) of the National Farm to School Network with the option to work remotely from any location in the continental US. This position is funded full-time until August 31, 2012. Continued employment is based upon availability of funds.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist in overall management of the National Farm to School Network, working closely with the NFSN Director to:
· Connect with all NFSN staff, Regional Lead Agencies, State Leads and Advisory Committee members – reviewing existing roles and responsibilities, developing internal accountability measures, ensuring regular communication and team building.
· Communicate on a regular basis with the fiscal sponsor and others involved in NFSN to develop key decision-making protocols, staffing structure, and future plans.
· Foster external and internal partnerships and collaborations.
· Raise funds and assist with financial planning for NFSN, including grant writing and reporting.
· Assist with overall evaluation efforts of NFSN.
· Represent NFSN at conferences and meetings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Past experience and interest in Farm to School or other farm to institution initiatives, community food systems, public health, school nutrition, sustainable agriculture or related fields. Minimum of five years in program development and management.
Experience working with a diverse set of stakeholders, including groups from low-income communities, communities of color and business interests.
Expertise in a minimum of one of the following areas: procurement, food safety, curriculum development, organizing, research and/or trainings.
Excellent collaborator, able to successfully work with NFSN staff, regional and state leads, and national partners.
Ability to travel as needed, 8 – 12 trips per year.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strategic thinker.
Self starter.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
· Minimum of five years in management position, preferably in a national or regional
organization, including fundraising and financial planning experience.
· Experience working with farm organizations, nutrition groups, and school food
service.
· Ability to coordinate a conference team, with multiple national partners, planning
for over 800 attendees.
· Proven entrepreneurial skills, including successful grant writing
· Excellent coordination and organizing skills
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires at least eight hours or more per day either sitting at a desk (responding to emails, developing materials or being on the phone), attending meetings outside of the office, travelling within the US to attend conferences and workshops, and speaking at public forums. These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter: a basic office environment, visits to schools or farms, conference centers or hotels where events are being held. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation for this full-time position is in the mid fifties, and will include benefits – health, vision, life, and dental insurance; a retirement plan; vacation and sick leave.
APPLICATION: Send resume, cover letter, salary history, and contact information for three references to applytoNFSN.AssociateDirector@gmail.com
Deadline for applications is September 15, 2011, 5 pm eastern
National Farm to School Network is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions.
Anupama Joshi
Director, National Farm to School Network
Urban & Environmental Policy Institute, Occidental College
Tel: (323) 341-5095
rules on street vending
Using law students to create a framework of smart guidelines is the right thing to do in this case. If we want to encourage small businesses to flourish once again in the US, then we need to allow tiers for different types of businesses. I know most markets are not skirting laws, but wouldn’t it be smart to connect with law students in every region to assist markets too?
Helping Farmers Markets Grow 