| E-mail News Bulletin #17 |
May 2007 |
SCOAR is a collaboration of producers and
scientists whose mission is to plan and promote research and
information exchange for understanding and improving organic
agricultural systems.
Agency News
USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) releases
National Program Research Action Plan
Based on stakeholder input collected at an October 2006 "customer
workshop," this document summarizes the scope of ARS
research for the Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability
National Program (NP 216) over the next five years. The recommendations
include nine specific organic research topics under the general
areas of agronomic crop production systems, specialty crop
production systems, and integrated whole farm production systems.
Overall, the document illustrates how this program within
ARS is taking an interdisciplinary, systems approach to seeking
"holistic solutions" to agricultural production
problems as requested by their stakeholders. According to
Dr. Jeffrey Steiner, National Program Leader for NP 216, a
more detailed work plan for organic systems research will
be issued later this year.
The Action Plan and other information on ARS organic activity
is accessible at ars.usda.gov/research/programs/programs.htm.
Funding Opportunities
Southern SARE Invites Proposals for Graduate Student,
Research and Education, and Professional Development Grants
From SARE press release
Southern SARE invites proposals for the Research and Education
program, the Professional Development program, and the Graduate
Student grants. Submission deadline for all three calls is
June 1. Detailed information on applying
is available at southernsare.uga.edu.
Southern SARE Graduate Student Grants in Sustainable Agriculture
award a one-time project maximum of $10,000 for projects lasting
up to three years. The competition is open to full-time masters
and Ph.D. candidates at accredited colleges and universities
in the Southern Region.
Proposals Due Soon for Western SARE Research &
Education and Graduate Fellows Grants
From SARE information
Two of the five competitive grant programs managed by Western
region SARE have upcoming deadlines: applications to be a
Graduate Fellow in Sustainable Agriculture are due May 31,
and pre-applications to the Research & Education program
are due June 14.
The Graduate Fellows grants provide a maximum of $20,000
and may last for up to two years. Western SARE will consider
applications from full-time graduate students (masters and
Ph.D.) enrolled at accredited colleges or universities in
the Western region. For more information, consult the Graduate
Fellows in Sustainable Agriculture RFP: wsare.usu.edu/grants/docs/req_gs_08.pdf.
The Research & Education RFP is at wsare.usu.edu/grants/docs/req_re_08.pdf
For more information, visit the Western SARE website, wsare.usu.edu,
call 435- 797-2257, or send email to wsare@ext.usu.edu.
Job Opportunities
UC Davis Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture
Facility Research Manager
Edited from job announcement
The Research Manager is responsible for the management of,
participation in, and coordination with crop production personnel,
of research activities at the UC Davis Russell Ranch Sustainable
Agriculture Facility [includes Sustainable Agriculture Farming
Systems (SAFS) and Long Term Research on Agricultural Systems
(LTRAS) projects], including core data collection, archiving
and statistical analyses. The Research Manager works with
Principal Investigators (PIs) to write reports to granting
agencies and prepare papers for publication in scientific
journals. The Research Manager is encouraged to pursue personal
research interests within the framework of the SAFS project.
Salary is dependent on experience and ranges from $3,892 to
$5,033 per month plus benefits. Review of applications begins
May 15, 2007.
Qualifications: Ph.D. in agronomy, soil science, plant science,
pest science or agroecology or related field. Applications
will include a CV, three relevant published papers and names
and addresses (including telephone and email) of three references.
Applications can be sent as hardcopy or electronically (preferred)
to:
William R. Horwath, 3226 Plant and Environmental Science Building,
Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of
California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616-8627. Tel: (530)
754-6029; Fax: (530) 752-1552; email wrhorwath@ucdavis.edu.
NOFA/Mass Seeks Organic Dairy Technical Advisor
Edited from job announcement
The Northeast Organic Farming Association—Massachusetts
(NOFA/Mass) is looking to hire a person whose primary responsibility
will be to provide direct technical assistance to farmers
wanting to transition to organic or raw milk production.
Total compensation for this position is $2,500 including
expenses. Expected hours are between 5 – 10 hours per
week from June 1 through September 30, 2007. Possible grant
funding will increase position to 15 hours per week and will
continue the position into the future. NOFA/Mass consultants
are required to attend the annual board/staff retreat in February
and staff meeting in October and must be current NOFA/Mass
members.
To apply, please send a resume with three references to NOFA/Mass
Organic Dairy Coordinator, Kate Rossiter at krossiter@nofamass.org
(email preferred), 68 Elm Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370.
Questions, call (413) 625-0118. Deadline for applications
is May 15, 2007.
Research Agronomist/Research Ecologist/Research
Horticulturist with USDA-ARS
Edited from ARS job announcement
The USDA-ARS Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory in
Beltsville, Maryland, is seeking a permanent, full-time research
scientist who will conduct field research to support sustainable
and organic farming programs as well as systems analysis of
long-term agro-ecosystem studies. The incumbent will collaborate
in multidisciplinary teams to determine strengths and weaknesses
and potential tradeoffs between various cropping system alternatives
and identify systems with optimum production, economic, environmental,
and food quality characteristics.
Position Information: Full-Time, Permanent, GS-12, Salary
Range $66,767-$86,801 per year. Open Period: April
10-June 29, 2007. Job Announcement Number: ARS-S7E-0143.
See jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov
for details on qualifications and applying; or phone 301-504-1400.
Ecological Farming Association Hiring Executive Director
Edited from job announcement
The Ecological Farming Association (EFA), based in Watsonville,
California, seeks an experienced and dedicated executive director
to lead our organization in its next phase of growth and development.
We specifically seek an enthusiastic, outgoing, and visionary
individual skilled in strategic planning, fundraising, organizational
development, financial management, and building partnerships.
We are looking for a leader who will be a prominent spokesperson
for the organization and the movement. The ideal candidate
will have a sincere commitment to ecological agriculture and
food systems.
EFA is a 27 year-old non-profit corporation dedicated to
educating and informing farmers, policymakers and the public
about economically viable practices of ecological agriculture.
For a full job description and information on applying, go
to eco-farm.org/pdfs/Desc.pdf.
Field Production Manager, Center for Agroecology
& Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), University of California,
Santa Cruz
Edited from job announcement
The Field Production Manager provides agricultural and marketing
instruction and direction for trainees in the six-month University
of California at Santa Cruz CASFS Apprenticeship Program.
This person plans and manages the organic field, orchards,
and CSA garden sites for production, instruction, and demonstration,
and also oversees production for all the various markets and
all related instruction and supervision.
Initial review of application materials will begin on June
18.
The job announcement is on the web at jobs.ucsc.edu.
Product Development Specialist for Marrone Organic
Innovations
Edited from job announcement
Wanted: person with a BS, MS, or Ph.D. in an agriculturally-related
field to coordinate and conduct greenhouse and field trials
for new effective and environmentally responsible bioherbicides,
bioinsecticides and other biopesticide products. At least
2 years experience in agrichemical industry (or at university
conducting field trials for industry) is required. Send CV
to info@marroneorganics.com. For more information, please
see marroneorganics.com/employment.html.
State Horticulture Extension Specialist, Missouri
Edited from job announcement
The incumbent will provide statewide leadership for the production
of small fruits and vegetables by limited-resource farmers;
work as a team with Lincoln University Cooperative Extension's
(LUCE) other state specialists, develop and implement projects
for the benefit of the small producers; help establish community
gardens, provide technical assistance to the professional
staff at LUCE’s Satellite Offices, etc.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Horticulture with an emphasis
in vegetable and/or small fruit production. Two years of extension
experience and ability to secure extramural research funds
is desirable. Successful candidate will have good communication,
inter-personal and organizational skills and should have the
ability to work with diverse audiences, especially with African
American and Hispanic populations. Salary commensurate with
qualification and experience. Review of applications
will begin June 15, 2007, and continue until the
position is filled.
To apply, send a letter of application, a resume, a completed
Lincoln University Application for Employment form (can be
downloaded from lincolnu.edu/files/LUEmploymentapp.pdf),
transcripts, and three current letters of reference to: Human
Resource Services; Lincoln University, 101 Young Hall; 820
Chestnut Street; Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029. Lincoln University
is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.
In the Literature
Organic Fertilizer Sources may be Traced by Analyzing
"Nitrogen Signature"
Bateman, A.S., S.D. Kelly, and M. Woolfe. 2007. Nitrogen isotope
composition of organically and conventionally grown crops.
This article details efforts by a group of scientists in
the UK to measure nitrogen isotope composition of organically
and conventionally grown vegetables to determine if the differences
are characteristic enough to use for distinguishing conventional
produce that is being sold as organic. This study looked at
tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots and found that nitrogen isotope
signatures of organic tomatoes were distinct from that of
conventional tomatoes; however the differences between organic
and conventional lettuce and carrots were not as definitive.
The authors state, "N analysis of a 'test sample' will
not provide unequivocal evidence as to whether synthetic fertilizers
have been used on the crop but could, for example, in a situation
when there is suspicion that mislabeling of conventionally
grown crops as 'organic' is occurring, be used to provide
supporting evidence."
Another interesting aspect of the article is that it suggests
that, despite fertilizer industry claims that all forms of
nitrogen are indistinguishable to plants, plants do exhibit
different nutrient compositions based on the type of fertilizer
applied in their production.
Research Findings
New University of Minnesota Soybean Varieties Provide
New Options for Organic Producers
Edited from Univ. of Minnesota press release
Organic soybean growers will have increased ability to deal
with troubling soybean diseases by planting new soybean varieties
released by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.
These three new varieties have demonstrated excellent yield
potential in University of Minnesota trials. They were developed
by conventional breeding techniques and are classed as non-GMO
(genetically modified organism) soybeans since they have not
been genetically modified through biotechnology procedures.
The newly-released varieties vary in their maturity dates,
and all have good iron chlorosis tolerance and carry a gene
for phytophthora resistance.
These new soybean varieties are the latest releases from
the University of Minnesota Soybean Breeding Program led by
Jim Orf, professor of agronomy and plant genetics. Yield information
on the new soybean varieties is available at maes.umn.edu.
California Institute for Rural Studies Publishes
Report on Organic Farmer Entry and Exit
The report, Conventional, Mixed and “Deregistered”
Organic Farmers: Entry Barriers and Reasons for Exiting Organic
Production in California, was co-authored by Ron Strochlic
and OFRF Board member Luis Sierra. Through interviews with
70 producers, the authors describe the primary barriers to
entering organic production and maintaining certification.
They offer suggestions for a multifaceted strategy to recruit
and retain organic producers, using improved marketing of
organic products; financial support and incentives; research,
information, and technical assistance; and stimulating consumer
demand. The report may be read online at cirsinc.org/docs/organic_transitions.pdf.
Resources
Whole Foods Offers Low-Interest Loans to Local Producers
Whole Foods has launched a pilot version of their loan program
designed to increase capacity of local producers to provide
Whole Foods with product. The program is bankrolled initially
at $10 million per year, with loan amounts ranging between
$1,000-$50,000. Details on producer eligibility and loan terms
may be found here: wholefoodsmarket.com/programoverview.pdf.
The 6-page application form may be found here: wholefoodsmarket.com/application.pdf
Michigan Organic Survey Results Published
A new report jointly prepared by researchers at Michigan State
University and the Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance
(MOFFA) documents organic activity in that state, from organic
acreage to common production practices, and makes recommendations
based on information gathered through their statewide survey
of organic producers. Organic Agriculture in Michigan:
2006 Survey Report, by Jim Bingen, Carol Osborne, and
Emily Reardon, is available free on the web at moffa.org/f/Final_Survey_Report_March_2007.pdf.
Minnesota Guide to Organic Certification
A revised and expanded version of the 1998 publication Organic
Certification of Crops in Minnesota has been released
by the University of Minnesota's Institute for Sustainable
Agriculture. Co-authored by Jim Riddle and Lisa Gulbranson,
the new guide provides a detailed overview of the process
of becoming certified organic. While some of the details presented
in the guide are specific to Minnesota, this is a valuable
resource for producers in any state who want to learn more
about what organic certification involves.
The guide is available free online at misa.umn.edu/organic_certification2.html.
Printed copies are available upon request by sending an email
to misamail@umn.edu.
Meetings
Black Environmental Thought Conference
May 22-24, Tuskegee, Alabama
Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
and former mayor of Atlanta, will deliver the keynote address.
Presentations and papers will include a social history of
African American agrarianism; the political ecology of Booker
T. Washington; George Washington Carver's trail-blazing research
in sustainable agriculture; African American New Deal resettlement
communities; the agrarian dynamics of Gullah/Geechee culture;
art exhibits, musical
performances and more.
For information and registration, please go to blackenvirothought.org.
Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS)
and the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS),
Changing Ecologies of Food and Agriculture
May 30-June 3, Victoria, BC
The theme of these joint annual meetings, celebrating the
20th anniversary of the founding of both organizations, is
"Changing Ecologies of Food and Agriculture: Building
on 20 Years of Scholarship." For more information, go
to afhvs.org/2007call.html.
2nd National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable
Agriculture Education
July 11-14, Ithaca, New York.
This conference is a follow-up to the first one held in 2006.
The primary purpose is to promote and support sustainable
agriculture education. Organizers are soliciting posters and
displays from participants to share educational materials
and resources. Submissions are due June 1. For more details
on submitting and on the conference, visit hort.cornell.edu/SustAgEd/.
Educational Opportunities
Free Continuing Education Program in Sustainable Agriculture
Offered by SARE
This free online course for agricultural professionals provides
a detailed introduction to sustainable agriculture and what
it means for farmers, ranchers and communities. Perhaps most
important, it explains how sustainable concepts and principles
relate to the roles of educators as they try to improve farming
and ranching systems.
Learn more at sare.org/coreinfo/ceprogram.htm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the 17th in a series of occasional bulletins
providing selected information on organic research programs,
positions, funding, and reports, as well as news about SCOAR
itself. These reports are sent via email to registered SCOAR
participants. For previous bulletins, registration and other
information about SCOAR, see ofrf.org/networks/scoar.html.
Your feedback is welcomed. Send comments to jane@ofrf.org
|
