Copy
NEWS
USDA Offers Support for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
USDA announced new support for beginning farmers and ranchers as part of the 2013 Farm Bill.  One notable feature is the elimination of CRP payment reductions for new farmers. Previously, grazing on CRP lands resulted in a 25% reduction in payments.  Now, as long as grazing does not interfere with nesting and is done in accordance with the conservation plan and by a new or beginning farmer, full payment will continue.  

They also launched a new website, www.usda.gov/newfarmers for new and beginning farmers with information, including how to increase market opportunities, how to support conservation efforts, and how to increase access to land and capital. In addition to the new website, USDA efforts to support new farmers also includes waiving or refunding NAP enrollment service fees for the 2014 crop year. See the press release for more details.

Leaders from Across Meat Value Chains Gather
On July 20th, an eclectic mix of delegates, engaged in the producing, processing, butchering, cooking and eating of meat, gathered in Denver, CO to discuss what a national campaign around "less and better" meat might be.  The conference was held by Slow Food USA which promotes local food, preserving food culture, and protecting the environment. Keynoted by Allen Savory, the conference represented a first step toward pulling together the many disparate voices promoting sustainable meat production into a more cohesive whole.  The Pasture Project's John Fisk and Allison Van contributed the vision and some of the approaches the project is using to encourage farmers to take up grass-fed beef production.  

This is the beginning of multi-year strategy for Slow Food USA to organize more of a movement around sustainable meat production.  So far it's not clear what initiatives will move forward and how involved the Pasture Project will be.  Nonetheless, the excitement generated by such a variety of leaders coming together to explore possibilities was palpable and we look forward to learning what this excellent group might accomplish together.  An article about the event gives an idea of some of the early messages being developed by the Slow Meat organizers.    
 
Soil Health Renaissance Attracts Influential Groups
The soil health movement is getting bigger and more visible.  With larger influential groups paying attention to issues concerning soil health, the topic is likely to continue to gain traction. Bruce Knight writes about the Soil Renaissance Initiative, which is a partnership of the Farm Foundation, NFP, and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. The Initiative worked at the 6th World Congress to advance a comprehensive soil health strategy, seeking to increase awareness of the importance of soil health. 

Pasture Project's Allen Williams writes for MOSES
Allen Williams writes about the Pasture Project's financial analysis on grass-fed beef as well as key issues facing the beef industry as a whole and grass-fed beef in particular. Find the full article here.

Free Legal Guides
Farm Commons is offering free legal guides on hosting on-farm events and on food safety. Download the guides here and here.

Grant Opportunities
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Pre-Proposal Request
The Leopold Center's competitive grants target research and projects focusing on four areas, including soil health, biotic integrity, and managing agricultural vulnerabilities. Applications are open to any non-profit organization, agency, or educational institution in Iowa.  Pre-proposals are due July 8, 2014. See the Request for pre-Proposals here.

Ceres Trust Organic Research Initiative
Ceres Trust, which focuses on promoting sustainable and organic agriculture, is awarding competitive grants for their Organic Research Initiative. The awards are for up to $60,000 per year, with a maximum of three years. For more information and to see research areas, visit their website. Applications are due by September 25, 2014.

Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loans
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is offering up to $57.8 million in guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses looking to fund energy-efficiency improvements or install renewable-energy systems. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, and this cycle of applications ends July 31, 2014. See the news release for more information.
 
 

The Pasture Project seeks to increase the number of acres under sustainable management in the Upper Mississippi River Basin by expanding the region’s production of grass-fed livestock.
Upcoming Events

7-12, Festival of Farms
On July 12th, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota will host its annual festival of farms with tours of sustainable farms throughout the state.  A tour of Living Song Farm in Howard Lake, MN will feature rotational grazing.    

7-15, Pasture Walk
On July 15th from 10-12 with lunch, Kickapoo Grazing Initiative and Great River Graziers will be holding a Pasture walk on recent developments and strategies for effective managed grazing of beef and dairy herds near Coon Valley, WI. Contact Cynthia Olmstead to register.

7-18, Southern Illinois Beef Conference
The conference will be held on July 18th at Rend Lake College in Ina, Illinois. Pasture Project's Warren King will be presenting. For more information, to see the conference schedule, and to register, click here.

7-19, SW Badger Field Day
On July 19th, the Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development Council will hold a field day titled "Is Managed Grazing a Tool to Improve your Land?" from 8:30-11 at the Nature Conservancy's Barneveld Prairie off County Road K in Iowa County, WI. RSVP by July 14th to Laura Paine.

7-29, Pasture Walk
On July 29th at 10:30 am, David Anderson's Pasture Walk in Highland, WI will focus on establishing pasture and the benefits of managed intensive grazing for grassland bird conservation. Contact Cynthia Olmstead for more information.

7-30, Grassfed Exchange
This year's Grassfed Exchange is taking place in Columbia, MO from July 30th to August 1st.  Speakers include Dr. Don Huber, Janet McNally and Greg Judy.  Early registration discounts end June 30th.  

8-13, RavenCroftFarm with RiverCountry Grazing Network
On August 13th from 6-8pm, there will be a Pasture Walk on RavenCroftFarm in Glenwood City, WI, which practices multi-species grazing and is implementing high density grazing. Contact Brian@RiverCountryRCD.org for more information. 

8-14,15, SFA with Gearld Fry
The Sustainable Farming Association will be holding two events in August on cattle breeding with cattle expert Gearld Fry. On August 14th, the first event will be held in Morris, MN, and the second event on August 15th will be near Wadena. Contact Keep Cattle in Minnesota coordinator Wayne Monsen at wmonsen@gmail.com for more information.
 
For more information e-mail Allison Van at AVan@winrock.org
or visit the Pasture Project website at www.pastureproject.org

Copyright © 2014 Wallace Center at Winrock International, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email on behalf of the Wallace Center at Winrock International.
Our mailing address is:
Wallace Center at Winrock International
2121 Crystal Drive
Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202

Add us to your address book