Home News & Events Alternative Agriculture News -- February '98

Headlines:
Emphasize Sustainable Ag, Small Farms Commission Recommends
Animal Waste is Major Water Pollutant, Says Senate Report
Positions
Maryland Governor Seeks Fertilizer Limits to Fight Pfiesteria
Oats Make a Comeback in Cash Crop Rotations
Comment Period on Organic Standards Extended Till May
EPA Seeks Public Comment on Pesticide Residue Brochure
Resources
Upcoming Events

Back Issues

This newsletter is also available to subscribers to the sanet-mg discussion group. To subscribe, send a message to: majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu. Leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type only: subscribe sanet-mg

Subscription information for the hard-copy version is available at the Wallace Institute website.

In addition to this monthly newsletter, the Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture publishes the American Journal of Alternative Agriculture, a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal of research on alternative agriculture. It is a scientific forum for disseminating technical, economic, and social research findings about the character and requirements of alternative agriculture systems.

The current issue (Volume 12, No. 3) six papers by Middle Eastern authors from the U.S.-Middle East Conference and Workshop on "Dryland Farming Systems and Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture," held in Moscow, Idaho in 1993. A group of 13 papers by U.S. authors was published in AJAA in 1996 (Volume 11, Nos. 2-3). The Middle Eastern authors' papers examine:

• Dryland farming in Jordan.
• Barley and wheat yields in Tunisia.
• Rainfed farming in Palestine.
• Agricultural development in Israel.
• Dryland research in Egypt.
• Dryland farming practices in Turkey.

Topics of other articles include organic dairy farming in Ontario, and management of natural Kentucky bluegrass-white clover pasture.

Subscriptions to AJAA are $44 for libraries; $24 for individuals; and $12 for students. Find more information about AJAA at he Wallace Institute website.

Emphasize Sustainable Ag, Small Farms Commission Recommends

One of the policy goals recommended in the USDA National Commission on Small Farms' report to USDA Secretary Dan Glickman, released in late January, is to "emphasize sustainable agriculture as a profitable, ecological, and socially sound strategy for small farms."

The pace of industrialization of agriculture "has quickened," according to the 120-page report, entitled A Time to Act. "The dominant trend is a few, large, vertically integrated firms controlling the majority of food and fiber products in an increasingly global processing and distribution system. If we do not act now, we will no longer have a choice about the kind of agriculture we desire as a Nation."

The Commission outlined eight policy goals for a national strategy for small farms in its report, and stated that "sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals -- environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Farming systems that simultaneously pursue these three goals hold great potential for maintaining the viability of small farms, and they contribute to the well-being of rural communities and stewardship of our natural resources."

To meet that goal, the Commission made 16 recommendations, including:

• The USDA Office of Communications should develop and conduct a communications campaign to inform farmers of the new farming systems, strategies, practices, and technologies emerging from the 10 years of SARE research.
  
  
• Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency field staff should identify places where small farms have particularly high reliance on pesticide and nutrient use, and provide those farmers with information on sustainable practices.
  
  
• The Office of Communications should develop an effort on organic farming to coincide with the publication of the final rule for the national organic standards.
  
  
• The USDA Office of Outreach should work with the President's Commission on Sustainable Development to link citizens interested in sustainable development with sustainable agriculture and farmers.
  
  
• The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service should encourage land-grant university colleges of agriculture to offer courses in sustainable agriculture and organic farming as electives for degrees in agriculture.

Another policy goal is to "dedicate budget resources to strengthen the competitive position of small farms in American agriculture," which includes a recommendation to increase appropriations for the SARE program by $10 million each year over three years to reach its authorized funding level of $40 million, and to fund the SARE Chapter 3 Professional Development Training Program at $10 million.

"We look forward to joining with you and others in helping to fashion policies, programs, and partnerships that will bring economic vibrancy to rural communities, wholesome and nutritious food for consumers, stability to our small farm enterprises, and an improved quality of life to our small farmers and our farmworkers," the members of the Commission wrote.

Appointed by Secretary Glickman in July, 1997, the Commission has 30 members, including two members of the Wallace Institute's Board of Directors: Commission Vice Chair Desmond Jolly of California, and Frederick Magdoff of Vermont. Its report is available from Jennifer Yezak Molen, (202) 720-0122; e- mail smallfarm@usda.gov; from the National Commission on Small Farms, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013; or on the USDA's Web site at http://www.usda.gov/news/news.htm.

Animal Waste is Major Water Pollutant, Says Senate Report

Agricultural runoff that includes nutrients from animal waste is the largest contributor to the pollution in 60 percent of rivers and streams that the EPA has identified as "impaired," according to a report released by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on the environmental problems caused by animal waste.

"Increasing concentration in the livestock and poultry industry has greatly increased the risk of large waste spills, and has produced huge volumes of manure that often exceed amounts that can be safely applied to nearby cropland," according to the report. During the past 15 years, it said, the number of hog farms has dropped from 600,000 to 157,000, but these farms produce a higher number of hogs.

"Nationwide, 130 times more animal manure is produced than human waste," according to the report. "Inadequate animal waste management practices often lead to water pollution, yet there are no Federal regulations for waste handling, storage, use or disposal. Waste spills occur when earthen manure storage lagoons collapse, equipment breaks, or people make mistakes -- and leaking lagoons and runoff from fields can cause chronic animal waste pollution of both surface and ground water."

Senator Harkin last year introduced the Animal Agriculture Reform Act (S. 1323) which would set environmental standards for animal waste handling by large livestock and poultry operations, and require those operations to follow waste management plans approved by the USDA. Congressional hearings on the bill are expected to be held this winter.

Positions

• Center for Rural Affairs seeks a project leader with its Research and Technology Policy Project; for announcement and application instructions, contact the Center, Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067; (402) 846-5428.
  
  
• University of California at Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, seeks an assistant professor in environmental policy to begin July 1; by March 1, send letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and names of four references to Chair, Environmental Policy Search Committee, Division of Resource Institutions, Policy and Management, 217 Giannini Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; contact Jeff Romm, (510) 642-6499.
  
  
• Drumlin Farm is offering internships in sustainable agriculture and experiential education, from March 15 to November 15; contact Stacy Miller, Drumlin Farm, South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773; (781) 259-9506, ext. 7700.

Maryland Governor Seeks Fertilizer Limits to Fight Pfiesteria

Maryland Governor Parris Glendening last month proposed mandatory farm-by-farm fertilizer limits as part of a statewide plan to control the toxic microbe known as Pfiesteria, which contaminated tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay last summer, killing 30,000 fish and making people ill. A citizens' panel last year concluded that excess nutrients, including agricultural runoff, encouraged last summer's outbreaks of Pfiesteria. The Governor's proposal aims to limit the amount of phosphorous that reaches waterways; current programs focus only on limiting nitrogen.

The plan would impose strong curbs on the practice of spreading chicken manure on fields, but would not require the major poultry producers in the state to take responsibility for the manure, or help pay the costs of disposing of the manure.

The plan would require farmers to adopt nutrient management plans by 2000 and implement them by 2002, or be subject to penalties. It would continue a $1.5 million ground cover program to limit runoff and take up nutrients from the soil during the winter, and allocate $1 million over the next three years to establish an Animal Waste Technology Fund to dispose of excess manure.

Oats Make a Comeback in Cash Crop Rotations

Oats are making a comeback among "profit-conscious farmers" because of their potential as a cash crop, according to an article in The Furrow (January, 1998). "Besides beating summer droughts, oats can disrupt weed and disease cycles, as well as improve soil tilth," the article says.

Farmers can also use oats to diversify corn-bean rotations that are troubled by infestations of extended-diapause corn rootworms or soybean cyst nematodes, or to replace winter-killed wheat stands.

According to a crop consultant who also works with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, "Given their yield potential and versatility, oats deserve a place in more crop rotations. Increasing oat acreage would have a beneficial trickle-down effect on rural economies and would improve the stability of U.S. agriculture."

Comment Period on Organic Standards Extended Till May

The deadline for public comment on the USDA's proposed national organic standards has been extended until May 1. Written comments may be sent to Eileen S. Stommes, Deputy Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 4007-S, Ag Stop 0275, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; fax, (202) 690-4632.

They can also be sent via the Internet through the National Organic Program Web page at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop, where the rules are posted, and other public comments are available for review.

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Pesticide Residue Brochure

The EPA is seeking public comment on a draft consumer brochure about the public's right to know about pesticides and food. Required by the new Food Quality Protection Act, the brochure is being developed by the EPA, USDA, Food and Drug Administration, and the public.

Public comment will be accepted until March 2 and can be sent to Public Response and Program Resources Branch (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, EPA, 401 M St., SW, Washington, D.C. 20460; by e-mail, oppdocket@epamail.epa.gov.

The draft brochure is available on the Internet under "Laws and Regulations" at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr or http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/CB/CSB_page/brochure

Resources

• "Urban Agriculture: An Abbreviated List of References and Resource Guide" is available from Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural Library, ARS, USDA, 10301 Baltimore Ave., #304, Beltsville, MD 20705; (301) 504-6559; or on the Internet at http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic.
  
  
• "The Future Agenda for Organic Trade," proceedings of the 1997 Organic Trade Conference, are $30 from IFOAM, fax +49-6853-30110, or e-mail ifoam@T-Online.de

Upcoming Events

For additional listings, see the Sustainable Agriculture Network's Calendar of Events.

• March 2-3, Eco-Ag/East, an Acres U.S.A. conference on ecological agriculture, will be held in Lancaster, PA; contact Acres U.S.A. at 1-800-355-5313.
  
  
• March 2-3, "Hello Dolly: The Biotechnology Revolution for Agriculture Has Arrived" will be held in Des Moines, IA; contact the National Forum for Agriculture, (515) 286-4965; information is available on the Internet at http://www.ag.iastate.edu/card/agforum.
  
  
• March 2-4, "Composting and Recycling: Meeting the Challenges to Expand Programs" will be held in Seattle, WA; contact BioCycle, 419 State Ave., Emmaus, PA 18049; 1-800-661-4905.
  
  
• March 5-7, "Building on a Decade of Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education: Sharing Experiences to Improve Our Agriculture," sponsored by the USDA SARE program, will be held in Austin, TX; contact SARE, 0322 Symons Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742; (301) 405-5270; e-mail vberton@wam.umd.edu.
  
  
• March 6-8, "Biointensive Sustainable Mini-Farming Workshop" will be held in Willits, CA; contact Cynthia Raiser Jeavons, Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood Road, Willits, CA 95490; (707) 459-0150.
  
  
• March 7, "New and Beginning Farmer Workshop" will be held in Harrisburg-Hershey, PA; contact Pennsylvania Farm Link, Inc., Point Shopping Center, #205, I-83 and Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111; (717) 558-7726; e-mail pafarmlink@redrose.net
  
  
• March 9-13, International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture in Tropical and Subtropical Highlands with Special Reference to Latin America will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; contact Dr. Irene Baptista de Alleluia, Instituto Nacional de Techologia, Ave. Venezuela, 82-sala 308-Centro, 20081-310 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; phone (+55) 21-296-6611, ext. 1308; e-mail int@riosoft.softex.br
  
  
• March 11-15, Natural Products Expo West 1998 will be held in Anaheim, CA; contact Natural Products Expo, 1301 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 939-8440; information is on the Internet at http://www.naturalproductexpo.com.
  
  
• March 12, Organic Day will be held at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA; contact Kelly Garner, Natural Products Expo, 1301 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 939-8440.
  
  
• March 14-15, "Biological Balance: Growing Healthy Farms, Folks, and Foods," the 19th Annual Conference of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, will be held in Dryden, N.Y.; contact NOFA-NY, P.O. Box 21, South Butler, N.Y. 13154; (315) 365-2299.
  
  
• March 17-21, 20th annual International Association for Landscape Ecology meeting will be held at Michigan State University; contact Chris Lepczyk, MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Resources Building, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222; (517) 355-4477; information is available on the Internet at http://www.fw.msu.edu/iale98.
  
  
• March 20-22, "Biointensive Sustainable Mini-Farming Workshop" will be held in Chambersberg, PA; contact Cynthia Raiser Jeavons, Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood Road, Willits, CA 95490; (707) 459-0150.
  
  
• March 20-24, 63rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference will be held in Orlando, FL; contact Wildlife Management Institute, 1101 14th St., NW, #801, Washington, D.C. 20005; fax (202) 408-5059.
  
  
• March 21, 5th annual conference on Providing Education Through Agriculture for Students will be held in Natick, MA; contact Stacia Caplanson, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts, (413) 245-7402; or Stacy Miller, Massachusetts Audubon Society/Drumlin Farm, (617) 259-9506.

Home News & Events Alternative Agriculture News -- February '98