Archive for September, 2009
The Community Food Projects (CFP) Request for Applications for FY2010 is Out!
Post Date: Thursday, September 24th, 2009The Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program is the major funding source for community-based food and agriculture projects in the U.S. The Fiscal Year 2010 Request for Applications (RFA) was released September 23, with a deadline of November 19. The CFP Request for Applications describes what is funded and how to apply: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/community_food.html
There is no Letter of Intent process, so all applicants must submit a full proposal to be considered for funding. All proposals must be submitted electronically. If you plan to apply this year and are not already registered with grants.gov, it is important to start that process immediately, since it can take up to two months. More information and technical support contacts are available at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic.html.
If you are interested in applying for the CFP grant and want some help figuring out if your project is a good candidate and/or need some help putting your proposal together, Farm to Table can help. Contact Ilana Blankman at ilana.blankman@gmail.com or 505-473-1004 x 12.
Topics: Uncategorized |
New Food Safety Report
Post Date: Thursday, September 24th, 2009A new food safety report, “Bridging the GAPS: Strategies to Improve Produce Safety, Preserve Farm Diversity and Strengthen Local Food Systems,” was recently released by Food and Water Watch and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. This timely report shows how current government and industry protocols and regulations intended to promote food safety often have the opposite effect by placing unfair burdens on farmers, confusing consumers, damaging the environment, and hindering the growth of local food systems.
Topics: National News, Uncategorized |
USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative Launched Last Week
Post Date: Thursday, September 24th, 2009The Department of Agriculture recently announced a new initiative, “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food,” (KYF2) led by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan. According to the Department, this initiative “is the focus of a task force with representatives from agencies across USDA who will help better align the Department’s efforts to build stronger local and regional food systems.” This week alone, about $65 million in funding for KYF2 was announced. “Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than at any other time since most families left the farm,” said Merrigan. “‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ seeks to focus that conversation on supporting local and regional food systems to strengthen American agriculture by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and spurring economic opportunity in rural communities.”
Topics: National News |