For more information, please visit CNY Bounty’s website at www.cnybounty.com <http://www.cnybounty.com> .

2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – Due May 17, 2010

The purpose of this program is to create partnerships, foster innovation, increase efficiencies and reduce costs; promote and develop new or existing markets; reach consumers in rural, suburban and urban communities; and ultimately, enhance the long term viability of New York’s specialty crop agricultural businesses and food systems.

There is a total of $835,000 available through this RFP.  Projects must enhance the competitiveness of New York specialty crops and benefit the industry, rather than an individual product or entity.  Government organizations, for-profit and not-for-profits, and educational institutions are eligible to receive funding, starting at $30,000 per project.

Awarded projects must address one of the priority areas identified by the industry.  Two-thirds of the funding will be for research and grower education, and one-third of the funding will be awarded to projects involving consumer outreach and market development.  Examples of eligible projects are included in the RFP.

A free informational webinar on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm will provide an opportunity for potential applicants to learn more about program requirements and the application process.  To register, contact Anne St. Cyr at (518) 485-0048 or anne.stcyr@agmkt.state.ny.us.

Applications for the 2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program must be received by the Department by May 17, 2010.  A copy of the RFP can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html or by contacting the Department at 518-457-7076

Regional “Buy Local” Campaign Development Program – Due June 3, 2010

As consumers become more educated and interested in the various benefits of buying local, many are seeking products that are produced as nearby as possible.  As a result, regional “buy local” campaigns have the potential to further raise the profile of local products within their region and offer an additional platform to expand the “buy local” movement by providing a range of services and/or activities to help local producers market their products and assist consumers in identifying local products.

This RFP seeks proposals for projects that will develop or enhance regional “buy local” food and/or agricultural campaigns in eleven distinct and defined regions. There is a total of $13,400 available for each region.  New or existing campaigns are eligible to apply.

The overall objective of this RFP is to support projects that will foster increased consumer awareness and recognition of locally produced specialty crops, ultimately leading to increased sales and economic development within each region.

Applications for the Regional “Buy Local” Campaign Development Program must be received by the Department by June 3, 2010.  A copy of the RFP can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html or by contacting the Department at 518-457-7076.

Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture), herbs and spices. A detailed list of commonly recognized specialty crops is provided in the RFPs and at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp.

New York State produces a wide range of specialty crops that include fruits and vegetables, wine, maple syrup, horticulture and nursery crops. Specialty crops generate $1.34 billion annually in New York and make up one-third of the State’s total agricultural receipts. They also rank high nationally in both production and economic value. For example, New York is the leading state in the nation for cabbage; second for apples; third for grapes, cucumbers, cauliflower and maple syrup; and fourth for tart cherries, pears, snap beans and sweet corn.

The meeting is this Sunday, March 7th at 10am.  Send an email to slowfoodcny@gmail.com for location information, we’d love to see you there!

SFCNY Board Meeting Agenda, 3/7/10

* Welcome/introduction of community attendees
* April Potluck Planning — Location, Slow Food intro (what to say/who will speak), assign roles for board members at event, discuss seed swap activity, Snail of Approval, other logistics
* SFCNY Annual Goals — brainstorming session

What a better time than to flip through seed catalogs and dream of green?  Just remember the Power of the Pocketbook when ordering!  To help you navigate seed ordering, we here at Slow Food Central New York have a few socially and environmentally conscious suppliers for you to consider when ordering:

FedCo Seeds

FedCo is a cooperatively owned seed company (and the only one in the US, they claim!).  They are located in Maine and produce seeds no GMO seeds, and have many heirlooms.  They also select for cold hardy varieties – perfect for our CNY climate!

Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Saver is not-for-profit company dedicated to selling and promoting heirloom seeds.  Become a member and access hundreds of rare heirloom varieties.  Even without membership, you have access to many beautiful and unique seeds.

Collected Seed

We just learned about this place through our Slow Food network.  This Collected Seed is located within New York State – on a farm just south of Albany.  If you want to support a local farm – this place is for you!  Order their heirloom seeds early as they are a small operation and may sell out.

WORK FOR NOFA-NY!
POSITION RE-POSTED!!!   APPLICANTS FROM FIRST POSTING ENCOURAGED TO RE-APPLY

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is the oldest and largest organization in New York devoted to organic and sustainable farming and gardening, and counts over 1100 farms among its 2200 members of farmers, gardeners, and eaters.

We are seeking an Education and Outreach Coordinator to work with the Executive Director and other staff to lead the organization’s farmer, gardener, consumer, and small business educational initiatives including the annual conference, field day series, and general education and outreach.

The position requires a self-starter who has a background in and/or experience in organic farming, event planning experience, and excellent organizational skills. The person must be passionate and knowledgeable about organic farming and gardening and have staff management experience. The Education and Outreach Coordinator is based in the new NOFA-NY office in Rochester, NY and reports to the Executive Director.

Specific Responsibilities
·              In coordination with the Executive Director and policy committee, sets annual education and outreach goals, develops strategies, and coordinates initiatives to meet these objectives.
·              Coordinates all details for the annual NOFA-NY winter conference for 1,000+ attendees.  Organizes over 80 workshops covering 10 interest tracks, coordinates the trade show, manages conference program ad listings, coordinates the silent auction, creates conference ads and manages the publicity, coordinates volunteers, etc.  Manages the conference budget and conference staff.
·              Coordinates all details for the NOFA-NY field day series across NYS.  Organizes over 25 diverse field days in all regions of NYS, and is responsible for expanding the series to be year-round.  Coordinates volunteers to help staff field days and manages event publicity.
·              Provides some technical assistance to farmers and gardeners through phone and email.
·              Manages general organizational education outreach to public.  Helps coordinate volunteers to support outreach efforts.
·              Works with Assistant Director to create education and outreach materials for the speakers bureau.
·              Notifies membership of educational events via the newsletter, e-news, listserves, and website.
·              Occasional public speaking.
·              In coordination with the Executive Director, hires and trains education and outreach staff and ensures that individual performance goals are met.
·              Assists in writing grants to support education and outreach work.

Compensation
Competitive salary, dependent on experience. We offer a full benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid medical insurance, 50% employer-paid dental insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

Qualifications
·              Education: Bachelor’s degree required.  Master’s degree preferred.
·              Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of organic and sustainable agriculture and the educational needs of farmers and gardeners.  Experience: Organic farming, event planning, and working with volunteers.
·              Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal, supervisory, planning, and training skills; excellent organizational skills; strong computer skills required; familiarity with database programs helpful, graphic design interest helpful, Spanish language skills helpful.
·              Capabilities: High energy and enthusiasm. Ability to work well with a wide range of people, work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis.
·              Conditions: Strong interest in and commitment to promoting the goals of NOFA-NY.  Some statewide travel required.  Must have a car.

How to Apply
Position open until filled. Please send cover letter, resume, three references, and a short writing sample to director@nofany.org by February 20, 2010.

NOFA-NY is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

At the winter’s annual conference (Jan. 22-24 in Saratoga Springs), there will be a Silent Auction. The 1000 attendees bid on everything from artwork, to gift certificates and books, to homemade crafts like soaps and knit items, also growing supplies such as seeds and tools, even fair trade coffee and chocolates!  Anything that might appeal to a bunch of ‘Foodies’ who tend to be eco-minded.

If you have an interest in donating an item to the auction yourself, or if you have a suggestion of a business that might be interested in donating, please get in contact with Nancy Grove of Old Path Farm.  Her email is vegetables (at) riseup.net and her number is 315-368-0788.

Thank you giving this consideration.

NOFA-NY’s 28^th Annual
Organic Farming & Gardening Conference

January 22 – 24, 2010
The Saratoga Hilton Hotel & Conference Center
Saratoga Springs, NY

Join us for more than 80 workshops, 3 keynote speeches, organic trade show, entertainment and

local organic meals!

Conference Workshops and Schedule at a Glance are posted above under Helpful Resources.

“NOFA-NY is the oldest and largest organization in New York devoted to organic and sustainable farming and gardening. We are an organization of consumers, gardeners and farmers creating a sustainable regional food system which is ecologically sound and economically viable.” For more information, please visit http://nofany.org/index.html

I haven’t read the book, so I don’t know if I agree with everything he says, but I heard a great conversation with Foer today on NPR’s On Point. And while his ideas may not be brand new, I think he brings a thoughtful approach to the issue of factory farming, appealing to the values most of us already have about how to treat animals and the environment, but are somehow willing to forget when it’s time to order a hamburger.

Where: Marshall Hall, Nifkin Lounge (Basement)
When: Thursday, November 12th 5p.m. – 7p.m.

In the interest of being as efficient as possible, please come prepared to discuss the following questions:

1. What is the mission of community gardening at ESF?
2. Where can we garden?
3. How will we manage the garden in terms of membership, maintenance, and resource support (technical, financial and otherwise)?
4. How can we effectively partner and add-to the efforts of other on-campus and off-campus organizations (SEAC, GCI, SyracuseGrows, SFCNY, etc.)?
5. How do we institutionalize a sustainable community garden project?

This project grows out of the work of many students already working on this issue (hat tip to SEAC…) and hopefully will bring together all interested parties in one room.  Please email the coordinator, Mike Dimpfl, directly at mdimpfl at syr dot edu if you have any other thoughts for agenda items. If not, please forward this information to friends and bring your enthusiasm and ideas…

From the Hobart, William Smith website:
Frances Moore Lappe is a democracy advocate and world food and hunger expert who has authored or co-authored 16 books. She is the co-founder of three organizations, including Food First: The Institute for Food and Development Policy, and, more recently, the Small Planet Institute, which she leads with her daughter Anna Lappe.

In 1987 she received the Right Livelihood Award (a.k.a, the “Alternative Nobel”). Her first book, Diet for a Small Planet, has sold three million copies and is considered “the blueprint for eating with a small carbon footprint since long before the term was coined” [JM Hirsch, Associated Press].  Her most recent book is Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad, awarded the Nautilus Gold/”Best in Small Press” award.

In June 2008, Getting a Grip and Diet for a Small Planet were designated as must-reads for the next U.S. president (by Barbara Kingsolver and Michael Pollan, respectively) in The New York Times Sunday Review of Books. Other recent books include Hope’s Edge, written with Anna Lappe, about democratic social movements worldwide, as well as You Have the Power and Democracy’s Edge.

For more information about the event, please visit: http://fli.hws.edu/workshops.asp