Welcome to your October edition of E-news. Click here to view a version of this E-newsletter on the web.Thank you to everyone who took part in the E-news survey last month. We recieved great feedback and are working to implement your great suggestions. In this issue, read about the potential for local farms to feed the northeast; zoom in from space to see how climate change might affect different parts of the world with Google Earth's new tool; and join us in celebrating a good year for federal conservation funds.
Can Local Food from Local Farms Support Us?
The availability of local food from Maine to Virginia will be investigated by an upcoming study. The study, to be conducted by the United States Agriculture Research Service, will attempt to answer the question: can local food from local farms support the region? “Understanding the ability for people to have access to food from regional sources will provide a poignant view of how critically important farmland surrounding our populated regions really is,” says Julia Freedgood, Managing Director of our Growing Local campaign. “We can expect that the results from this study will echo the reality that the majority of our fruits and vegetables are grown on urban fringe farmland, which is at the highest risk for development.”
A Fluid Timeframe for Clean Energy Legislation?
The 2009 U.N. Conference on Climate Change is coming up in Denmark on December 7-18—a key meeting as countries struggle to address this global environmental issue that can have a significant impact on farms, farmland and opportunities for farmers. Next week the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the Kerry-Boxer Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act with anticipated markup in early November. We look forward to working with Senate leadership, Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and the Agriculture Committee, and members of the Senate to strengthen the legislation so agriculture can play an important role in protecting and restoring our environment.
What Climate Change Might Look Like
Was your summer cooler than normal? Will rain fall on the plain in Spain? Record snowfall predicted for your region this winter? Explore Google Earth’s new mapping tool that shows expected temperature and precipitation under different climate scenarios by using data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The Numbers Are In, and Farmland Benefits
“The news on federal conservation funding this year is good,” says our President Jon Scholl, referring to Congress’s commitment of $1 billion in conservation funding, a full $40 million dollars more than was allocated in 2009. In terms of protecting working farm and ranch land, Congress was able to preserve critical funding for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program at $150 million—the highest it has ever been. The news comes not a moment too soon. “State, county, local and private funds are strapped with requests from farmers who want to protect their farms. Waiting lists are growing,” said Scholl. In addition, the Conservation Loan Program, a program proposed by American Farmland Trust during the 2008 Farm Bill, locked in $150 million ensuring that it will boost national farmland protection and conservation efforts next year.
Around the Country
Two Michigan colleges are expanding their use of local food from area farms to save money and play a part in a local green economy.
Pennsylvania Senator Mike Brubaker spoke about the importance of protecting farmers and farmland while ensuring the success of restoring one of the nation’s most treasured waterways.
Find out more on farming issues and opportunities in and near urban centers at the Southwest Marketing Network Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The first of a three part webinar series in New York is now posted online. The webinar, “Creating a Voice for Local Agriculture,” offers a view into creating and utilizing agriculture commissions to promote local farms.
Sign-up to see what the scientific community is saying about agriculture and the environment at the Science to Solutions workshop in Des Moines, Iowa.
The New Partners for Smart Growth conference will be held in one of the nation’s greenest cities this year! So book your ticket to Seattle, Washington and register now for the conference.
Wisconsin Farmers and landowners can now submit Agriculture Enterprise Area petitions due to the new Working Lands Initiative, signed into law earlier this year.
Register now to attend a day-long training in Ashville, North Carolina next month on the Transfer of Development Rights planning tool.
Take action to protect a farmland protection tool and make sure that the Easement Tax Incentive doesn’t expire!
October 24th is International Climate Action Day! Check out what is going on around the globe.
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