Food & Farm Coalition Newsletter

The mission of the West Virginia food and Farm Coalition is to build, support and strengthen a statewide network of the many kinds of people involved in developing West Virginia's local food economies, with the intertwined goals of improving access to healthy, locally-produced food for all West Virginians and helping to viable food and farm businesses to grow. The Coalition was launched in 2010 by the West Virginia Community Development Hub with funding from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

We believe that as West Virginia farmers and food producers become more directly connected to West Virginia consumers, the results include healthier people, greater business opportunities, stronger communities, and a unique economy reflecting our state's proud heritage of self-sufficient food production.

The Coalition is guided by a 14-person Steering and Transition Committee which is helping to determine its future as an organization and to develop a more permanent, participatory leadership structure.

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The West Virginia Community
Development Hub is a statewide non-profit organization with the mission of engaging communities and providers in an intentional, aligned and continuous system of community development.

Greetings!

This newsletter provides a biweekly selection of news, events, resources, and ideas that are helpful to farms and food access projects in West Virginia. Whether you are a producer, consumer, nonprofit organization, educator, agency or food-related business, there may be something here to help you with your work. The information in this newsletter is compiled by the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, which is an initiative of the West Virginia Community Development Hub. In addition to this newsletter, we also offer updates on specific food and farm topics. To subscribe to special updates, go here and enter your email address.

West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition News

SNAP Outreach Pilot Program launched by the WVFFC Food Access Working Group
The new SNAP Outreach Pilot Program hopes to not only promote healthier nutrition for all West Virginia families, but also stimulate local economies. As a part of this pilot, the Barbour County Community Garden Market is starting a dollar-for-dollar matching program for SNAP EBT users, allowing each participant to double the value of their SNAP dollars at the market. The InterMountain reports here.

West Virginia Food News

WV Farm to School off to a great start this year

On Tuesday, students at Leon Elementary School in Mason County enjoyed a lunch consisting solely of items freshly harvested by local farms. Eight WV counties were provided grant money to get Farm to School programs off the ground this year, including Tucker County, which is using student-grown lettuce; Fayette County, which is serving strawberries; and Cabell County, which grew and served sweet potatoes in the spring and just harvested a robust corn crop. The Herald-Dispatch reports here.

Change the Future WV regional events promote health

Since 2010, Change the Future WV has been promoting healthy eating and physical activity in Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties. Change the Future WV has been holding meetings around the state to share their progess. The Register Herald reports here about the Beckley meeting on Monday. Click here to learn about the Sept. 5 meeting in Shepherdstown and the Sept. 17 meeting in Charleston.

National Food News

U.S. House proposes change to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program distributes free fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks to elementary schools that have a high percentage of low-income children. The U.S. House is suggesting adding frozen, canned and dried produce, while the Senate wants to keep the program limited to fresh produce. The Washington Post reports here.

KY, OH and IN agreement to protect water, support farmers

This agreement launches interstate water quality pilot trades in the Ohio River Basin, a program aimed to reduce the release of excess nutrients running off of farm fields into the network of waterways leading into the Ohio River. By offering a financial incentive for farmers in the Ohio River Basin to implement conservation practices while at the same time improving water quality and saving money, water quality trading is a win-win for all involved. The American Farmland Trust reports here.

Upcoming Events
in and near West Virginia

West Virginia Junior Master Gardener Leadership Training

September 1, 2012 1-3pm
Habitat for Humanity's Homeowner Education and Community Center, Charleston, WV

The Junior Master Gardener mission is to grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education. Join this free leadership training, sponsored by the Capitol Conservation District. Learn more here.

Vision Shared Entrepreneurs' Cafe Pilot Programs

Shepherdstown- September 6

Buckhannon - September 18

Clarksburg - September 19

Charleston - September 19

Williamson - September 20

Vision Shared will host a series of community based pilot programs throughout West Virginia called the Entrepreneurs' Cafe. The program aims to provide micro-funding awards to entrepreneurs at the local level. The program is designed to replicate a successful micro-funding program in Huntington, W.Va. called Cafe Huntington. Learn more here.

Webinar: Food, Farm and Nutrition Curriculum Connections

September 11, 2012 12-1pm

Join members of the Farm Based Education and Farm to School Communities across the country to discuss how to develop educational experiences on farms and in gardens that reflect classroom curricula goals. The webinar will discuss strategies for developing lessons and activities that reflect classroom curriculum and meet standards. You'll learn how to frame educational experiences as a part of a curriculum framework and we will walk through some sample activities. The webinar will also include information about the new Common Core Standards and recommended resources for you to take next steps! Learn more here.

Webinar: AGR-Lite-Understanding Whole-Farm Insurance for the Specialized, Diversified, and Organic Farm

September 13, 2012, 1-2pm

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will offer a one-hour webinar on Thursday, September 13, to explain Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite (AGR-Lite)- a unique, federally subsidized crop-insurance product that holds great promise to serve the needs of smaller, diverse, specialty crop, organic, and direct-market farmers. Farmers, crop insurance agents, agricultural lenders, and Cooperative Extension agents from states in the Northeast are especially encouraged to attend this webinar, which will be tailored to their needs. Learn more here.

Rock Lake Community Life Center Salsa Off

September 22, 2012 1-5pm
801 Lincoln Drive, South Charleston, WV

Rock Lake Community Life Center is hosting a Salsa Off to raise money for their fun, free, and exciting community programs. Free to enter and $5 for a taste ticket. Learn more about the Salsa Off here, and about Rock Lake Community Life Center here.

Farm Aid Concert
September 22, 2012
Hershey, PA

Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews headline a Farm Aid concert to bring together a wide variety of musicians, farmers and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on their land. Farm Aid is the longest running benefit concert series in America, raising more than $39 million to help family farmers thrive all over the country while inspiring millions of people to learn about the Good Food Movement. Learn more here.

It Takes a Region: NE Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's (NESAWG) Annual Conference

October 28-30, 2012

Saratoga Springs, NY

It Takes a Region is the conference for everyone doing food system change work! Together we'll build on exciting efforts underway in our region in production, distribution logistics, research, food access and nutrition, policy advocacy and more. The 12-state network of NESAWG includes WV. Learn more here.

Opportunities
(grants, awards, partnership ideas)
* Find a full grants calendar here, on our website!

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)- Phase I

Deadline: September 13, 2012

The USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program provides support for high quality, advanced concepts research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefit if successful. Past grantees have researched hydroponic technology, production and marketing, thermal storage, renewable energy, and produce traceability technology. Learn more here.

AARP Foundation InnoCentive: Drive to End Hunger Grants

Deadline: September 20, 2012

AARP Foundation will award up to $10,000 for the following:
Elimination of Food Deserts: Ideas related to the reduction and prevention of food deserts. Food Deserts are areas where low cost healthy food is not easily obtained without traveling long distances. Ideas should be long term self-sustaining solutions. Learn more here.

Sustainable Solutions: Ideas related to the prevention and reduction of food insecurity for older adults. Ideas or programs should focus on long- term, self-sustaining solutions that prevent/reduce food insecurity for older adults without the need for continuous funding from 3rd party providers. The solutions can be existing programs or new ideas that have not yet been implemented. Learn more here.

BALLE Local Economy Fellowship

Deadline: October 1, 2012

This fellowship is the premiere learning and leadership community dedicated to connecting the most innovative and visionary local leaders. A two-year program with relationships that last a lifetime, Fellows get the inspiration, knowledge and support they need to do their best work. The BALLE Local Economy Fellowship convenes eight, interactive retreats facilitated by world-renowned experts - and focuses on personal leadership and development, best of business models, economic strategies for key sectors and pathways for on-going mentorship, sharing and collaboration. Learn more here.

Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

Deadline: October 15, 2012

The primary objective of the VAPG program is to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of this program. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain, as defined in the Program Regulation. Learn more here. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition explores the VAPG program here.

2013 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)

Deadline: October 15, 2012

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative, on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Learn more here.

UnitedHealth HEROES Service-Learning Grants

Deadline: October 15, 2012

UnitedHealthcare is inviting schools and other community-based nonprofit organizations to Step into Service by applying for UnitedHealth HEROES grants. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for youth-led service-learning projects which aim to combat childhood obesity through walking, running or hiking programs. Project proposals must include an activity element where young people can count their steps, such as walking, running or hiking, as well as a service component which provides direct service, enables advocacy on behalf of a cause, or features youth philanthropy. A 4-H Club was a winner in 2012 for a nutrition education taste test program. Learn more here.

Job Opportunities

WVU Research Corporation Job Board

The WVU Research Corporation has recently posted many jobs. The Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic at the WVU College of Law is looking for a land use planner and supporting land use attorney(s). Other jobs include a Community Health Education Coordinator for the Appalachia Community Cancer Network and a Program Coordinator for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium. Visit the job board here.

Mingo County Diabetes Coalition (MCDC) Seeks Project Manager

Deadline: August 31, 2012

MCDC is searching for a Project Manager to hire and supervise community and clinical staff, as well as to ensure grant funds are spent and recorded appropriately. The Project Manager will be expected to develop a sustainability health and wellness plan which looks beyond the three year grant period by leveraging existing funds, securing additional grants and most importantly developing a comprehensive market driven strategy which will ensure long term impact of this program. Learn more here.

AmeriCorps: Farm to School Positions

Apply as soon as possible

Highrocks is taking applications for AmeriCorps Volunteers interested in serving farmers and educating students about local foods. These volunteers will serve in Cabell, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Pocahontas, or Wayne County. Placed with Nutrition Directors, they will help implement Farm to School programs in those counties. These positions involve coordinating relationships between farmers and schools, encouraging schools to buy local produce, and developing composting systems for cafeteria scraps. Volunteers will also develop production-oriented school gardens, teach students about the benefits of locally sourced foods, and coordinate field trips to farms. Learn more here.

Food for Thought
(fruitful reading, research & case studies)

Good Food on a Tight Budget:

A Guide by the Environmental Working Group

Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a first-of-its-kind guide that lists the most nutritious, most economical and least polluted fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy items. EWG reviewed government surveys and tests for nearly 1,200 foods and looked at food prices, nutrients, pesticides, environmental pollutants and artificial ingredients to pick the top 100 foods that ranked best on balance. The guide includes simple tips for eating well, quick lists of best foods, tasty recipes, easy tools for tracking food prices and menu planning and a blank shopping list to help you stay on budget. Explore it here.

Organic Guides for Fruit, Vegetables & Dairy

These organic production guides outline general practices for growing vegetable and fruit crops using organic integrated pest management techniques. Producers working in dairy settings will find the organic dairy cattle guide describes ways to manage external arthropod pests. Created by Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Integrated Pest Management, and NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets. View the guides here.

Farm to Preschool

The National Farm to School Network's Farm to Preschool Subcommittee recently conducted a survey of Farm to Preschool programs nationwide. They heard from almost 500 programs, reaching a total of over 160,000 children. An overview of the survey results is now available online here. Learn more about Farm to Preschool here.

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