Local Opinions on Access to Quality Food Sought During FSU Concern-Gathering Event

As part of a national data-gathering project on citizens’ concerns about access to quality food, members of the local community are invited to a “concern-gathering” session at FSU on Wednesday, April 20, at 10 a.m. in the Lane Atkinson Room (232). The program is part of FSU’s daylong Focus Frostburg annual day of learning on sustainability issues.
 
The region’s citizens have a unique opportunity to shape the national conversation on the topic of access to quality food, and diverse perspectives are being sought. Participants will be asked to describe what the topic means to them and to share their concerns. Results will be compiled into a National Issues Forum national issue guide.
 
This endeavor is part of 18-month-long learning opportunity for Dr. Elesha L. Ruminski and Christine Willingham, faculty in FSU’s Department of Communication, with the Kettering Foundation to learn best practices as moderators of citizen discourse with the goal of using deliberative processes to put the work of the community in the hands of citizens, as opposed to top-down solutions.
 
The ultimate goal of these efforts is to create a communication leadership lab at FSU, envisioned as a hub of project activity that enables students, faculty and regional citizens to navigate collectively the complexities and contradictions of the changing world through access to expert, developmental and technological resources on dialogue, deliberation, collaboration and communication leadership.
 
The Kettering Foundation focuses on research and facilitation that supports “democracy working as it should through the alignment of citizens who are civically engaged and can make sound choices about their future; communities of citizens acting together to address common problems; and institutions with public legitimacy that contribute to strengthening the work of citizens.” For info on the Kettering Foundation, visit www.kettering.org.
 
For info or to share perspectives if you cannot make this session, contact Ruminski, associate professor of Communication Studies and coordinator of Leadership Studies, at elruminski@frostburg.edu or 301-687-4480.

The latest version of the Mountain Top Ag News is hot off the press!  There are lots of great workshops, conferences, and other information in this edition.  Click here to download a copy. 

Error Correction: In the printed mailing that went to some homes, the price for the Appalachia Grows Small Farms Conference was incorrect.  The item has been corrected in the online version.  The correct price is:

$20 first adult
$15 additional adults
$10 children

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers to review available USDA crop risk protection options, including federal crop insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage, before the crop deadline of March 2016.  

Federal crop insurance covers crop losses from natural adversities such as drought, hail and excessive moisture. NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including perennial grass forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, bioenergy, and industrial crops. 

The following NAP application closing dates have been established for Garrett and Allegany Counties:

• September 1: Value loss or controlled environment crops, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, Christmas trees, ginseng, floriculture, mushrooms, and turf grass sod.
• September 30: Biennial and perennial forage crops, alfalfa, grass forages, mixed forages, and other forages.
• November 20: Perennial crops (other than those intended for forage) peaches, apples, cherries, grapes, and blueberries.
• December 1: Honey and maple sap.
• December 31: Potatoes
• February 15: Early spring vegetables with a crop reporting date of May 15th.  This includes, but is not limited to: asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, greens, horseradish, kale, lettuce, onions, peas, and radishes.
• March 15: All other yield based crops.
• USDA has partnered with Michigan State University and the University of Illinois to create an online tool at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap that allows producers to determine whether their crops are eligible for federal crop insurance or NAP and to explore the best level of protection for their operation. NAP basic coverage is available at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production, with higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price available, including coverage for organics and crops marketed directly to consumers. Crops intended for grazing are not eligible for additional NAP coverage.  

Federal crop insurance coverage is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. Agent lists are available at all USDA Service Centers or at USDA’s online Agent Locator: http://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/AgentLocator/#. Producers can use the USDA Cost Estimator, https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/Default.aspx, to predict insurance premium costs.
 
For more information on NAP, service fees, premiums and sales deadlines, contact the Garrett County FSA Office at (301) 334-6954 or the Allegany County FSA Office at (301) 777-1536 and toll free at (866) 723-6407.  Producers may visit the web at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap.

Annual Maryland Farmers Market Conference

March 15, 2016 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
$30 per person
Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401

Come and learn all about the best marketing tips for your Maryland farmers market, the new and exciting opportunities for markets in Maryland, and current regulations in preparation for the 2016 season. We will have a range of speakers, as well as training & certification for farmers for the WIC FMNP/SFMNP & FVC Programs, Scale Certification, SNAP sign up, and a locally sourced lunch! Space is limited to the first 90 guests to register and send in payment.
 
Also available will be training and certification sessions for farmers for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), and the Fruit and Vegetable Check (FVC) program, as well as sign up for farmers who wish to become eligible to accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If you are interested in the SNAP Sign Up, please see the SNAP information document.
 
Farmers can also bring their market scales in for certification by the Weights & Measures Department. Please read the additional information on how to do this in the agenda link or see the agenda below. 
 
Please note: Space is limited to the first 90 people to register and send in payment. **New this year - You now have the ability to register and pay online by credit card or check! 
 
See the agenda link (or agenda below) for more information.  Registration & payment link. 
 
Agenda Includes:

• 8:00 am - Conference Registration, Scale Certification & SNAP Sign-Up begins: 
  • Scale Certification by the Weights & Measures Office: Bring your market scales! For businesses that are registered with Maryland Department of Agriculture Weights & Measures, you need only to bring your certificate along with your scale. If you would like to renew your registration, we will accept payment that same day. New businesses that have not had their scales tested should contact Weights & Measures at the Maryland Department of Agriculture ahead of time, to ensure your scales are legal for trade models. Call them at 410-841-5790 or email weights.measures@maryland.gov. Once you have verified that your scales are legal for trade, you should bring them along with payment the day of conference. New this year, we can accept credit cards and eCheck/ACH payments in addition to paper checks. View payment process at the web portal https://egov.maryland.gov/mda/weightsandmeasures#/
  • SNAP Sign-Up Requirements: Picture ID (driver’s license or passport), Social Security Card (or other official document with your name and SSN) and a copy of voided check for bank account you will use to deposit funds. In order to receive FREE equipment, you will also need to complete the Farmers Market Coalition application, which can be found here: http://fmctoolbox.org.
• 9:00 am – Welcome Remarks - Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Joseph Bartenfelder
• 9:10 am – Farmers Market Pricing Program: Levi Geyer –USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Dave Wert – Ag Market News
• 9:25 am – Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Updates: Crop Insurance, Homegrown by Heroes, Farmers Market Signs & Maryland’s Best Programs: Stone Slade - MDA
• 9:50 am – Farmers Market Etiquette: Janna Howley – Grow & Fortify
• 10:30 am – FMNP Mobile Market Finder: Shelby Watson Hampton – MDA
• 11:00 am – Farmers Market Marketing Tips: Sandy Lawler – JFX Farmers Market Cheryl DeBerry – DeBerry Farm
• 12:00 pm - Networking Lunch
• 1:00 pm – Programs & Permits for Food Safety: Molly Gillingham– MDA & Lisa Staley- DHMH
• 2:00 pm – Maryland Farmers Market Association Update: Amy G. Crone – Director
• 2:25 pm - Farmers Market Insurance: Danielle Bauer – Farm Family Insurance
• 2:35 pm - Wineries/Breweries Update: Kevin Atticks – Maryland Wineries Association
• 3:00 pm - FMNP/SFMNP/FVC Training: Shelby Watson Hampton – MDA & Terri Buckler- DHMH
• 4:00 pm - Closing Remarks & Conclusion

If you have further questions after reading the agenda, or trouble with the registration link, please contact Shelby Watson-Hampton directly:

Shelby Watson Hampton 
Agricultural Marketing Specialist 
Maryland Department of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
Office - 410-841-5776
Cell - 240-304-8535
Email - Shelby.Watson@Maryland.Gov 

This issue has lots of great info on upcoming events, including the Appalachia Grows Small Farms Conference January 22-23! 

Click here to download a copy.

Are you a value-added producer or food entrepreneur having trouble getting off the ground? Or maybe you’re a farmer interested in adding an agritourism component to your business, or have already started? If so, please consider attending one of these upcoming listening sessions to help determine what some of the challenges and obstacles are, in helping your business thrive. More dates and locations for January 2016 to be added. For more information please contact Kelly Dudeck or Janna Howley: info@growandfortify.com

Visit www.AppGrows.com for more info.

Garrett County Economic Development  is working to learn about the local food system, assess needs of producers and consumers, and help increase the amount of local foods produced and consumed in Garrett County Maryland.  To do this, they are launching a survey process to gather information about the current state of food infrastructure in the county. To take the survey or learn more please visit www.garrettfarms.org/survey.

Garrett County has a strong agricultural and direct-to-consumer farming community that includes farmers markets, growers associations, agri-tourism businesses, and farm stands.   However, there is a lack of infrastructure for aggregating, storing, distributing, and marketing local food products.  Garrett County Economic Development is working on the development of a local foods development plan to help expand agricultural production and increase agribusiness development.  

As part of this project, Garrett County Economic Development, with the assistance of Downstream Strategies, a Morgantown WV consulting company, is launching a comprehensive survey of area producers, distributors, buyers (restaurants/stores etc.), food business service providers and food processors in order to better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in the county.

The survey collection began on August 6th, 2015 and responses will be collected through August 31, 2015.  If you are a food producer, distributor, wholesaler, food buying business, restaurant, or processor and are located in or around Garrett County, we are asking for your help! Please complete the survey(s) that apply to your business model.

You can find your survey at  www.GarrettFarms.org/survey or you can contact Cheryl DeBerry at Garrett County Economic Development for more information or paper copies.

All data will be aggregated and analyzed anonymously. Contact information is confidential but there is an opportunity to list your business on the www.GarrettFarms.org website if you would like your business to be added or updated.

For more information contact Cheryl DeBerry, Garrett County Economic Development at cdeberry@garrettcounty.org, 301-334-6968 or Emily Carlson, Downstream Strategies ecarlson@downstreamstrategies.com, 304-292-2450.