Henry A. Wallace Institute for
Alternative Agriculture
9200 Edmonston Road, #117
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301) 441-8777
E-mail: hawiaa@access.digex.net
World Wide Web: http://www.hawiaa.org
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If You Are Interested in Sustainable Agriculture...
In addition to this monthly newsletter, the Henry A. Wallace
Institute for Alternative Agriculture publishes the American Journal of
Alternative Agriculture, a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal of research
on alternative agriculture. It is a scientific forum for disseminating
technical, economic, and social research findings about the character and
requirements of alternative agriculture systems.
Alternative practices for managing plant-parasitic nematodes are
highlighted in an article in the newest issue of AJAA (Volume 13, No. 3,
1998). Other articles cover the impact of agricultural management on
nitrate concentrations in drainage waters; an assessment of legume and
non-legume ground covers on coleoptera; the agronomic and economic
performance of wheat and canola-based double-crop systems; soil
improvement following addition of chipped wood; and an examination of
microbiological and biochemical parameters in a long-term fertilization
trial. Subscriptions to AJAA are $44 for libraries; $24 for individuals;
and $12 for students; contact the Wallace Institute, 9200 Edmonston Road,
#117, Greenbelt, MD 20770; (301) 441-8777; e-mail hawiaa@access.digex.net
Table of Contents:
Biotechnology May Threaten Sustainable Farming, Says N.Y. Times, p.2
Research Initiative Deleted from Final Budget, p.2
Organic Papers Available on Web Sites, p.3
Wallace Institute Seeks New Executive Director, p.3
New Reports Examine Soil Quality, Industrialization, p.3
Resource, p.3
Civil War in Guatemala Results in Organic Farming Boom, p.4
USDA Creates Council on Small Farms, p.4
Jolly Names to Research, Extension Advisory Board, p.4
Positions, p.4
Upcoming Events, p.5
BIOTECHNOLOGY MAY THREATEN SUSTAINABLE FARMING, SAYS N.Y. TIMES
Though biotechnology is being heralded by industry as the tool to
"rescue the American food chain," that "version of sustainable
agriculture may threaten precisely those farmers who pioneered
sustainable farming," according to a cover story in The New York Times
Magazine (October 25, 1998). "Organic farmers are up in arms: the
widespread use of Bt in biotech crops is likely to lead to insect
resistance, thus robbing organic growers of one of their most critical
tools." By planting genetically altered plants, "we have introduced
something novel into the environment and the food chain, the consequences
of which are not -- and at this point, cannot be -- completely
understood." One unknown is the resistance problem, which industry
scientists say can be postponed for 30 years, but other scientists say
will come within three to five years.
In the article, author Michael Pollan interviews farmers who
plant genetically engineered potatoes, and a farmer who plants
organically grown potatoes, concluding that organic agriculture "doesn't
leave much room for the Monsantos of this world: organic farmers buy
remarkably little -- some seed, a few tons of compost, maybe a few
gallons of ladybugs." Organic farmers have also rejected the
"cornerstone of industrial agriculture" -- the economies of scale that
only a monoculture can achieve, according to the article. In addition,
the USDA has long been "hostile" to organic methods, Pollan writes.
"Like the silver bullets that preceded them -- the modern hybrids, the
pesticides and the chemical fertilizers -- the new biotech crops will
probably, as advertised, increase yields. But equally important, they
will also speed the process by which agriculture is being concentrated in
a shrinking number of corporate hands."
RESEARCH INITIATIVE DELETED FROM FINAL BUDGET
The proposed new federal Initiative for Future Agriculture and
Food Systems, slated to start in Fiscal Year 1999 as a five-year, $600
million competitive grants program, was deleted last month from the final
agriculture appropriations bill. Although the Senate had approved $120
million for the program, the House of Representatives deleted those
funds, and the final conference committee upheld the House vote. The
final USDA budget was included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill passed
by Congress. Here are the final appropriations approved by Congress for
several sustainable agriculture programs: SARE: $8 million appropriation
approved for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program,
the same as FY98. SAPDP: $3.3 million appropriation approved for the
SARE (Chapter 3) Professional Development Program, the same as FY98.
ATTRA: $1.3 million appropriation approved for the Appropriate Technology
Transfer for Rural Areas, the same as FY98. Organic Programs: Additional
funds above last year's appropriation of $500,000 were allocated for the
National Organic Standards Board, with the final amount to be determined
by the Secretary in consultation with Congress. The amount is expected
to include an increase of at least 50%. CFO: All funds deleted for the
Conservation Farm Option. FY98's appropriation was $15 million. EQIP:
$174 million appropriation approved for the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program, a decrease from the FY98 appropriation of $200
million. WRP: $90 million appropriation approved for the Wetlands
Reserve Program, a decrease from the FY98 appropriation of $219 million.
CFSA: $2.5 million appropriation approved for the Community Food Security
Act. FRA: All funds deleted for the Fund for Rural America. The Farm
Bill did not authorize any FRA funds for FY98.
ORGANIC PAPERS AVAILABLE ON WEB SITES
Three "current thinking papers" about the proposed regulations
for national organic standards are now available on two federal
government Web sites. The National Organic Standards Board asked the
USDA to prepare the papers to signal to the organic community the
potential direction of USDA actions. The papers, which were presented at
the NOSB's meeting late last month, cover three issues: paraciticide and
antibiotic use; livestock confinement; and revocation of certification
authority. They are available on the USDA's Web site at
http://www.usda.gov; and on the Federal Register Web site at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
WALLACE INSTITUTE SEEKS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Wallace Institute is seeking a new Executive Director to
start on June 1, 1999. Garth Youngberg, who has served as the
Institute's Executive Director since its founding in 1983, has resigned
as Executive Director, but will continue with the Institute in an
advisory and consultative role. A complete job description and
application instructions are available from the Wallace Institute, 9200
Edmonston Road, #117, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1551; (301) 441-8777; on the
Internet at http://www.hawiaa.org; or by e-mail hawiaa@access.digex.net
(put "Search Committee" in subject).
NEW REPORTS EXAMINE SOIL QUALITY, INDUSTRIALIZATION
Two new reports just published by the Wallace Institute examine
soil quality's contribution to environmental health, and
industrialization in U.S. rural communities. From the Ground Up:
Exploring Soil Quality's Contribution to Environmental Health, by Edward
Jaenicke of the University of Tennessee, investigates the current state
of scientific knowledge on soil quality and points out research gaps that
must be filled before soil policy can target potential social benefits.
The report describes several timely soil-quality issues, including the
potential for healthy soils to sequester vast amounts of atmospheric
carbon, which contributes to global warming; the need to incorporate an
understanding of healthy soil quality when increasing the efficiency of
farm inputs and profits through precision farming; and the benefits of a
healthy soil ecology for food safety.
Agricultural Industrialization in the American Countryside, by
Emery Castle of Oregon State University, offers an approach for rural
communities as they face conflicts resulting from the spread of
industrialization, particularly large confined animal feeding
facilities. These conflicts include farmer against farmer, rural
neighbor against farmer, rural townspeople against immigrant farm
laborers, environmental advocates against agri-business, and local versus
state governments. The report explains the concept of "rural capital
stock," in which natural, human, and social capital elements are used to
measure and evaluate the effects of industrialized farms.
Both reports will be available after November 6 on the Wallace
Institute's Web site at http://www.hawiaa.org; each is $10 from the
Wallace Institute, 9200 Edmonston Road, #117, Greenbelt, MD 20770; (301)
441-8777.
RESOURCE
"Greenbook 98: A Diversity of Tools" is available from Energy and
Sustainable Agriculture Program, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture, 90 W.
Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107; (651) 296-7673.
CIVIL WAR IN GUATEMALA RESULTS IN ORGANIC FARMING BOOM
An unexpected but beneficial result of the 35-year civil war in
Guatemala has turned out to be the growth of small-scale organic farmers
who are "capitalizing on the growth in the organic products market,"
according to an article in The Wall Street Journal (October 9, 1998).
During the civil war, farmers abandoned their land, which became jungle
again and purified of its pesticides. Wild native plants and spices
began to thrive at the same time farmers learned of "the comparative
advantages of selling organic premium-priced goods, making them some of
the country's first enviro-capitalists." For coffee and spices, organic
farming requires a shift away from large plantations to smaller farms,
which has helped the country's peasant farmers, according to the
article. These farmers cannot afford expensive chemicals or tractors,
but are now catering to the U.S. and European buyers who pay premiums for
organic produce. "Selling eco-sensitive produce into the global
marketplace offers Guatemala the chance to compete on something besides
price....Guatemala has a comparative advantage in organic coffee, cacao,
spices and natural dyes and can thus command premium prices."
USDA CREATES COUNCIL ON SMALL FARMS
In response to the recommendations of the Small Farms Commission,
the USDA last month created a new Council on Small Farms and a Small
Farms Office within the agency. The office will identify additional
opportunities for USDA involvement in small farms issues and develop a
strategic plan and organization structure to integrate a small farm
emphasis into USDA policies and programs. The council will assure
coordination of the development of policy as it applies to small farms
and the necessary follow-through to implement policy decisions. The
Small Farms Commission includes two members of the Wallace Institute's
Board of Directors: Commission Vice Chair Dr. Desmond Jolly of
California, and Dr. Frederick Magdoff of Vermont.
JOLLY NAMED TO RESEARCH, EXTENSION ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Desmond A. Jolly, a member of the Wallace Institute's Board
of Directors, has been named to serve a three-year term on the USDA's
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics
Advisory Board. Dr. Jolly, Vice Chair of the National Commission on
Small Farms and Director of University of California-Davis Small Farms
Center, is one of eight new members of the advisory board. The others
are John Clemmons, rancher, N.M.; Martin Massengale, president emeritus,
University of Nebraska Center of Grassland Studies; Walter Hill, Dean of
Agriculture, Tuskegee University, AL; Gerald Monette, President, Turtle
Mountain Community College, N.D.; Cynthia Dunn, director, Pennsylvania
Audubon Society; T. Michael Freeze, owner, Keo Fish Farms, AR; and
William Scouten, director, Utah State University Biotechnology Center.
The board advises the USDA Secretary and land-grant colleges and
universities on agricultural policy and priorities.
POSITIONS
Iowa State University seeks applicants for the Henry A. Wallace
Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture, a three- to five-year term
position; information about the Chair is available on the Internet at
http://www.leopold.istate.edu; application deadline is February 1, 1999;
send summary of education, research accomplishments, and other
professional activities, list of publications, and names of three
references to Dr. Dennis Keeney, Chair, Search Committee for Wallace
Endowed Chair, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 209 Curtiss
Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011; e-mail drkeeney@iastate.edu
Fires of Hope seeks a Grassroots Campaign Coordinator to promote
sustainable agriculture in Maryland; send cover letter, resume, and three
writing samples to Community Media Inc., c/o Vanguard Communications,
1019 19th St., NW, #1200, Washington, D.C. 20036.
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 5, Midwest Small Farm Conference and Trade Show will be
held in Noblesville, IN; contact Sustainable Earth, 100 Georgton Ct.,
West Lafayette, IN 47906; (765) 463-9366; e-mail sbonney@iquest.net
December 5-6, "Diversified Vegetable Production & Management for
Small & Large-Scale Organic Farmers"; January 16-17, 1999, "Biological
Principles of Organic Agriculture"; and February 20, 1999, "Creating
Successful Grower Marketing Cooperatives" will be held in Albany, NY;
contact Regional Farm & Food Project, 27 Elm St., Albany, NY 12202; (518)
426-9331.
December 7-8, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts' Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held in
Bloomington; contact Steve Humerickhouse, Government Training Service,
480 Cedar St., #401, St. Paul, MN 55101; (651) 222-7409; e-mail gts@mngts.org
December 8, "Risks and Opportunities for California Agriculture"
will be held in Sacramento, CA; contact Agricultural Issues Center,
University of California Davis, (530) 752-2320; e-mail agissues@ucdavis.edu
December 8-10, "Dairy Feeding Systems: Management, Components,
and Nutrients" will be held in Camp Hill, PA; contact Northeast Regional
Agricultural Engineering Service, 152 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853;
(607) 255-7654; e-mail NRAES@CORNELL.EDU
December 10, "Farming Profitably in a Changing Environment" will
be held in Urbana, IL; contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Agroecology Sustainable Agriculture
Program, (217) 968-5512; e-mail cavanaughd@ces.aces.uiuc.edu
December 10-12, "Tools of the Trade," an eco-farming conference,
will be held in Minneapolis, MN; contact ACRES USA, P.O. Box 8800,
Metairie, LA 70011; 1-800-355-5313.
December 15, "Passing on the Farm" workshop will be held in
Chambersburg; contact Pennsylvania Farm Link, Inc., Point Shopping
Center, #205, Harrisburg, PA 17111; (717) 558-7726; e-mail
pafarmlink@redrose.net
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