Table of Contents
Clinton's Pesticide Reform Stresses Prevention to Protect
Environment
Congressional Sustainable Ag Group Adds Members
Consortium for Sustainable Ag Research and Education Seeks
Members
Cropping Systems May Help Control Nematodes
Senate Committee Boosts House Figures for Sustainable
Ag Funding
Campaign for Sustainable Ag Emerges from Dialogue
Positions
Resources
Upcoming Events
CLINTON'S PESTICIDE REFORM STRESSES PREVENTION TO PROTECT
ENVIRONMENT
Pesticide reform legislation introduced by the Clinton
Administration "will help reorient our efforts to focus on
preventing problems at the source, through appropriate reduction of
pesticide risks," according to testimony of key officials from the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of
Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
last month before the House Subcommittee on Department Operations
and Nutrition of the Committee on Agriculture. "By stressing
prevention, we will be protecting health and the environment not
only for ourselves and today's children, but also for future
generations."
Before a standing-room-only crowd, 13 U.S. Representatives
heard joint testimony on the Administration's pesticide reform
proposal from Lynn Goldman, Assistant EPA Administrator for
Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances; James Lyons,
Assistant USDA Administrator, Natural Resources and Environment;
and Michael Taylor, Deputy FDA Commissioner for Policy. The bills
reviewed were H.R. 4362 and S. 2084, amending the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and H.R. 4329 and S. 2050, amending the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The goals of those bills, according to the Administration
testimony, were "to resolve the conflicts in current law with a
health-based standard for pesticides in food which also provided
full protection for the diets of infants and children, to ensure
that the regulatory system acted in a timely and appropriate manner
to eliminate unacceptable risks, and to make certain that the
producers have sufficient safe and efficacious materials to raise
their crops in a way that contributes to profitability and
sustainability." Their approach, the officials said, "will
complement our ongoing administrative initiatives, encourage the
development and use of safer alternatives...and streamline
regulatory programs to improve our ability to act promptly and
effectively." The Administration proposal was critically received
by both Republican and Democratic Members of Congress at the
hearing.
Among the other 24 witnesses testifying at the hearing was
Maureen Hinkle of the National Audubon Society, who said that the
Administration proposal "contains improvements over current law
that would benefit all parties," but cautioned that although the
proposal is "an important step forward, containing many essential
ingredients for EPA to accomplish its tasks," it "needs to be
strengthened." That view was elaborated upon by Albert Meyerhoff
and Jennifer Curtis of the Natural Resources Defense Council, whose
testimony said that the Administration's proposal "is opposed by
every major environmental, consumer, and labor organization in the
country" and "falls short of developing a nationwide program to
reduce the use of and reliance on pesticides....Both farmers and
the public deserve a comprehensive federal program that establishes
measurable goals for pesticide reduction, provides substantial
resources for technology transfer and cost-share assistance for
farmers, and requires federal agencies to take the lead in
pesticide reduction efforts."
Mark Maslyn of the American Farm Bureau Federation testified
that "the primary objective of this debate should be to resolve the
differences between FIFRA and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic
Act as they relate to pesticide registration and the tolerance
setting process." He also stressed that "it is essential that
newer, safer products and technologies be developed and approved
more quickly to replace those being lost." The Farm Bureau
supports the Lehman-Bliley pesticide reform bill (H.R. 1627); the
other pesticide reform bill introduced in Congress is the Kennedy-
Waxman bill (S.331, H.R. 4091) (see Alternative Agriculture News,
May, 1994).
CONGRESSIONAL SUSTAINABLE AG GROUP ADDS MEMBERS
The Congressional Sustainable Agriculture Working Group,
established by Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), now has 11 members, six of
whom are on the House Committee on Agriculture. The Working Group
was launched in May to provide Members of Congress with information
on the progress of the National Organic Standards Board,
implementation of USDA sustainable agriculture programs,
developments in research and education programs, and the objectives
of sustainable agriculture and the organic food industry in the
1995 Farm Bill. Members of the Working Group who also serve on the
House Committee on Agriculture are Reps. Sam Farr (D-CA), Charlie
Rose (D-N.C.), George Brown (D-CA), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Tim Penny
(D-MN), and Scotty Baesler (D-KY). Members who serve on the
Committee on Natural Resources are Reps. Peter Defazio (D-OR) and
Patsy Mink (D-HI). Other members include Reps. John Olver (D-MA),
who serves on the Committee on Appropriations; Wayne Gilchrest (R-
MD), who serves on the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries;
and Ronald Dellums (D-CA), who serves on the Committee on Armed
Services. For more information, contact Linda Delgado in Rep.
Farr's office, (202) 225-2861.
CONSORTIUM FOR SUSTAINABLE AG RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SEEKS MEMBERS
The Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education is inviting individuals, organizations, university
programs, and other bodies to join as members. Its "special
purpose is to bring university and agency employees of every stripe
and farmer/researchers together around issues of common concern,
and into better connection and cooperation with non-profit
sustainable agriculture organizations." Consortium members will
have opportunities to interact with supporters of sustainable
agriculture research and education outside their own institution,
gain information about others with mutual interests, and voice
their concerns and ideas to government agencies. For more
information, contact Elizabeth Bird, Center for Rural Affairs, P.O.
Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067; (402) 846-5428.
CROPPING SYSTEMS MAY HELP CONTROL NEMATODES
A team of university researchers, extension specialists, and
farmers is working to demonstrate the effectiveness and economic
benefits of selected cropping systems for low-input, sustainable
management of root-knot nematodes, which are a major limiting
factor in crop production in the southeastern United States. The
project, which is funded by the SARE program, is evaluating several
tropical crops and improved forages for managing nematodes,
including castor, velvetbean, sesame, American jointvetch,
partridge pea, sorghum sudan grass, cotton rhizoma peanut, and
improved bahiagrass. Rye will be planted as a winter cover crop
across all crops, plowed under, and followed by squash, peanut,
cotton, or soybean. Researchers will provide information on crop
yields, production costs, pesticide use, net returns, and financial
risks due to adoption of these alternative crops, and also
determine the biomass added to the soil by each crop and the
nitrogen mineralization following each crop. For more information,
contact project coordinators Dr. Don Dickson, Researcher,
Nematologist, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of
Florida, Building 970, Hull Road, 0740-IFAS, Gainesville, Fl 32611,
(904) 392-1901 ext. 135; Dr. Robert McSorley, same address, (904)
392-1901, ext. 137; or Dr. R. Rodriguez-Kabana, Nematologist,
Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849,
(205) 844-4714.
SENATE COMMITTEE BOOSTS HOUSE FIGURES FOR SUSTAINABLE AG FUNDING
The Senate Appropriations Committee last month increased the
appropriation levels for two key sustainable agriculture programs
in the Fiscal Year 1995 USDA appropriations bill from what the
House of Representatives had approved. It approved $8.8 million
for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program; the House had approved $7.4 million; the Clinton
Administration had requested $8.8 million for the program, whose
appropriation last year was $7.4 million. The committee approved
$4 million for the Sustainable Agriculture Technology Development
and Transfer Program (SATDTP); the House had approved $3 million;
the Clinton Administration had requested $5 million for the
program, whose funding last year was $3 million. Both the Senate
Committee and the House approved $15 million for the Water Quality
Incentive Program, whose appropriation last year was $18.5 million;
the Clinton Administration had requested a funding level of $15
million. Both the Senate Committee and the House approved $93.2
million for the Wetlands Reserve Program, whose funding last year
was $66.7 million; the Clinton Administration had requested $241
million for the program. The full Senate will vote this month on
the funding levels; the differences between the House and Senate
bills will then be worked out in a Conference Committee, also
expected to meet this month.
CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE AG EMERGES FROM DIALOGUE
The Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture has emerged from the
National Dialogue on Sustainable Agriculture (see AANews, February,
1994) and will advocate for fundamental reforms in federal policy
in the 1995 Farm Bill. Among the Campaign's commitments are "a
farm and food system which supports stewardship of the land and its
resources, combines economic viability with environmental soundness
and social justice, promotes family farm and rural community
economic opportunities...and optimizes the use of on-farm and
renewable resources." The Campaign involves hundreds of grassroots
and national organizations representing family farmers,
conservationists, consumers, environmentalists, animal protection
advocates, farmworkers, people of faith, and other concerned
citizens. The Campaign is coordinated through the National
Sustainable Agriculture Coordinating Council, of which the Wallace
Institute is a member. For information about joining the Campaign
and a copy of the policy options and concepts developed by the
Campaign, contact National Sustainable Agriculture Coordinating
Council, 32 North Church St., Goshen, N.Y. 10924; (914) 294-0633.
POSITIONS
Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society seeks an Executive
Director and a Western NE Project Organizer/Leader; closing dates
are August 1 for Executive Director, September 1 for Organizer;
contact NSAS, P.O. Box 736, Hartington, NE 68739; (402) 254-2289.
University of Illinois seeks a research specialist in soil
ecology and agricultural sustainability, and a graduate research
assistant for soil ecology; contact Dr. Michelle Wander after July
21, University of Illinois, AW 101, Turner Hall, Urbana, IL 61801-
4798; (217) 333-9471.
Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division seeks extension
educator/on-farm research coordinator; closing date is August 1;
contact Lavon Sumption, Extension Human Resources Office, UNL, 211
Ag Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0703; (402) 472-1577.
Center for Rural Affairs seeks a research and technology
policy project leader/co-director of the consortium for Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education; deadline is August 12; for full
announcement, contact P.O. Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067, (402) 846-
5428.
Michigan Integrated Food & Farming Systems Collaboration,
seeks a leader, a new position; send resume, letter, salary needs,
and three references to MIFFS Trustee Board, c/o Michigan
Agricultural Stewardship Association, 605 N. Birch St., Kalkaska,
MI 49646; for information, contact Tom Guthrie, (616) 623-2261; or
Oran Hesterman, (517) 353-0264.
Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture seeks a forage
specialist to support farmer and rancher cooperators; apply by July
31 by sending resume, transcripts, and three references to Joy
Chaplin, Kerr Center, P.O. Box 588, Poteau, OK 74953; (918) 647-
9123.
RESOURCES
1994 Membership Directory of the Carolina Farm Stewardship
Association is $5 from CFSA, 115 West Main St., Carrboro, N.C.
27510; (919) 968-1030.
MetroFarm: The Guide to Growing for Big Profit on a Small
Parcel of Land, 576 pages, is $29.95 plus $4 shipping/handling from
agAccess, 603 Fourth St., Davis, CA 95616; (916) 756-7177.
Proceedings from the 1993 International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movements conference on "Non-Chemical Weed Control" are
available from Association Colloque IFOAM, ENESAD-ENITA, BP 48, 21
802 Quetigny Cedex, France.
"Best Management Practices," a 30-minute video, is $20, checks
payable to Cashier, Dept. of Food and Agriculture, from Cashier,
California Dept. of Food and Agriculture, P.O. Box 942872,
Sacramento, CA 94271-2872.
Sell What You Sow, 304 pages, is $22.50 plus $2.50 shipping
from New World Publishing, 3701 Clair Dr., Carmichael, CA 95608;
(916) 944-7932.
"Plant and Soil Nematodes: Societal Impact and Focus for the
Future" is available from R.S. Hussey, Department of Plant
Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7274; (706) 542-
1254.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 21, 12th annual Field Day will be held at the Rodale
Institute Research Center; contact Field Day, RIRC, 611
Siegfriedale Rd., Kutztown, PA 19530; (610) 683-1427/1428.
July 23 (Prairie View Farm, Bellevue), August 6 (West Farm,
Hillsboro), August 20 (Dutch Creek Community Farm, Athens), August
27 (OSU/ODA Demonstration Farm, Reynoldsburg), Ohio Ecological Food
& Farm Association's 12th annual tour of Ohio farms and gardens
will be held; contact OEFFA, P.O. Box 02234, Columbus, OH 43202;
(614) 294-FOOD.
August 1-3, "Developing Sustainable Farming Systems: Social,
Economic, and Environmental Considerations," the meeting of the
North Central Branch, American Society of Agronomy, will be held in
Des Moines, IA; contact Steve Oberle, (515) 294-2421, or Doug
Karlen, (515) 294-3336.
August 4, "Sustainable Agriculture: People, Products, and
Profits," the fourth Annual Leopold Center Conference, will be held
in Ames, IA; contact Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture,
126 Soil Tilth Bldg., Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3120;
(515) 294-3711.
August 7-10, Agroforestry and Sustainable Systems Symposium
will be held in Fort Collins, CO; contact Kim Isaacson, USDA Forest
Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Center for Semiarid
Agroforestry, East Campus-UNL, Lincoln, NE 68583, (402) 437-5178,
ext. 13.
August 7-9, "Catch the Conservation Wave," the 49th annual
meeting of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, will be held in
Norfolk, VA; contact SWCS, 7515 Northeast Ankeny Rd., Ankeny, IA
50021; 1-800-THE-SOIL.
August 14-21, "Turtle Island Bioregional Gathering IV" will be
held near Louisville, KY; contact Shepard Hendrickson, 341 N.
Hamilton, Indianapolis, IN 46201; (317) 636-3977.
August 16-20, "Low-Cost Tools for Agriculture," a workshop,
will be held in Kalamazoo, MI; contact Peter Rice, Tillers
International, 5239 South 24th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49002; (616) 344-
3233.
August 26-28, "Roots for the Community" will be held in
Chicago, IL; contact Elizabeth Tyler, Chicago Botanic Garden, P.O.
Box 400, Glencoe, IL 60022; (708) 835-8254.