I. Economic Development and Farm Viability Program The good The gaps Value-Added Producer Grants Proposes $30 million annual mandatory spending for Value-Added Producer Grants; includes a focus on small and medium size farms.  Still insufficient funding level (half the current level) to meet need. New Economic Development Programs a) Creates a preference within the Business […]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The Fat of the Land: Whom to help — wealthy cotton growers, or just about everyone else in the world? Farm Bill: Feast or Famine for Connecticut NEWS: Making waves in Dairyland Chinese imports are worrying PA apple growers NH state law making homemade goods safer, easier to sell Even with aid, […]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: An even better Farm Bill The 2007 Farm Bill: Cultivating saner policy Think global, grow local NEWS: Congress approves FY07 supplemental appropriations with CSP uncapped and MILC extended  Chesapeake provision included in initial draft of House’s Farm Bill Massachusetts announces agriculture grants Vermont egg farm pursues cage free niche EVENTS: 6/1-3: Strolling […]

Background: The Northeast has an unprecedented opportunity to shape the 2007 Farm Bill to be more responsive to our region. Groups from across the Northeast have been working together to agree on and advance ten “must have” policy priorities. These are parts 8, 9 and 10 of a 10-part series in which we look at […]

Background: The Northeast has an unprecedented opportunity to shape the 2007 Farm Bill to be more responsive to our region. Groups from across the Northeast have been working together to agree on and advance ten “must have” policy priorities. This is part 5 of a 10-part series in which we look at each priority in […]

• Does your organization want to get more involved in public policy advocacy? • Would you like to have a greater policy impact at the local, state or national level? • Would your board & staff like to get clearer on your policy priorities & activity options? NESAWG’s Building Advocacy Capacity can help groups working […]

Background: The Northeast has an unprecedented opportunity to shape the 2007 Farm Bill to be more responsive to our region. Groups from across the Northeast have been working together to agree on and advance ten “must have” policy priorities. This is part 3 of a 10-part series in which we look at each priority in […]

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOOD FOR THOUGHT: You Are What You Eat: 2006 and the Politics of Food NEWS: University of Maryland Center to protect nation’s food supply VT farmers received $17M in federal aid PA:state opens dairy incubator to nurture future farmers W.Va. leads nation in free breakfasts for kids CT state senator calls for […]

In 2002 the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) published Northeast Farms to Food: Understanding Our Region’s Food System. Northeast Farms to Food (NEFTF) provides a comprehensive look at the Northeast food and farming system from production through processing and distribution to consumption and diet. It includes over 100 charts and graphs, “farm and food […]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The buzz on bees NEWS: WIC programs seeks public input CDC investigating salmonella outbreak in 18 states, 7 of which in the Northeast Sales of raw milk growing in Pennsylvania New Vermont company promises fair milk prices Milk price slump crushing New York dairy farms Maine city folks turn up noses at […]

Navigating the Farm Bill Landscape… The good news is that there are many groups working on Farm Bill issues that are important to the Northeast. The not-so-good news is that it’s hard to track and figure out who’s advocating for what. Even harder is figuring out what actions to take, and when. In the months […]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The revolution will not be televised. It may, however, be streamed online. NEWS: Washington updates: CSP and WIC NY region’s spinach growers suffer because of fear over California’s crop. More college kids eating local farm fare. Heavy rains mean empty pumpkin patches on Massachusetts farms. Young farmers on the rise in New […]

Regional Strategies for Farm and Food Policy Innovation Imagine farms of all sizes and kinds thriving on diverse landscapes from Maine to West Virginia. Millions of Northeast citizens purchasing farm products grown and raised close to home. Communities embracing agriculture as welcomed economic development. Healthy foods available from our most rural corners to every urban […]

A Regional Framework for U.S. Food and Farm Policy (click here to download this document as a Word file) Good public policies solve problems, address needs, and direct progress. However, even good policies can result in inequities, inefficiencies, and undesirable outcomes if applied in a “one size fits all” manner. Often, one size does not […]