Georgia on My Mind

While it was a bye week for the Georgia Bulldogs football there was plenty crunching of heads as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan held a roundtable discussion at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. Deputy Secretary Merrigan traveled to Georgia to discuss USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative.

The roundtable focused on ways to educate the next generation of farmers, ranchers and consumers, and let them participate in the national conversation about how to develop local and regional food systems to support small and mid-sized farms and reinvigorate rural communities. The Deputy Secretary was joined at the table by Dean Scott Angle, Terry Coleman (Georgia Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture), Hobby Stripling (Georgia State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency), Shirley Sherrod (Georgia State Director, USDA Rural Development), Bryan Barrett (Georgia Area Resource Conservationist, NRCS), University students and faculty and local agriculture leaders.

The University of Georgia is already actively promoting the principles of the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative through farm to school programs, their Center for Urban Agriculture, a Certificate Program in Organic Agriculture, service learning, and through the promotion of community gardens on campus. Beyond campus, the school is reaching out to farmers and ranchers across Georgia via the UGA sustainable agriculture website and a newsletter.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan emphasized the expertise that exists out in the countryside and made it clear that USDA wants to bring those ideas together because what works in one region may not work well in another and letting local communities determine what works for them makes the initiative stronger. Georgia recently received agricultural support through the Specialty Crop Block Grants and used part of the funding to invest in new crops. Georgia now boasts over 110 acres of olives under cultivation. The local leaders stated that they were witnessing the start of a new era of farmers, younger farmers that want to produce new foods and diverse crops.

Permalink  |  Posted: 01:57PM Oct 27, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Looking Back at the KYF2 Launch

There were many moving parts in the week-long launch of the USDA-wide initiative Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2). In this, my first blog entry, I review the week’s events. It was, in short, a whirlwind.

We gave a theme to each day of the week, which helped organize our announcements and reveal the major components of KYF2. Throughout, Secretary Vilsack and members of the Subcabinet were all on message: not every family needs an accountant, not every family needs a lawyer, but every family needs a farmer.

Sorry about the length of this posting – but I have a lot to tell you!

Creation of Rural Wealth

On Monday, September 14, our theme was creation of rural wealth. Local and regional food systems can help revitalize rural communities, oftentimes by more efficiently linking with urban consumers. Assuming such systems are desirable, it is natural to ask why they are almost non-existent. What structural barriers impede development of local and regional food systems and what can be done about them? Some of the challenges include lack of local slaughter, storage, and processing capacity, and a lack of cooperatives to help small farmers aggregate product. To begin to address structural barriers, we made a series of announcements:

Local slaughter capacity: The 2008 Farm Bill provided many boosts for local and regional food systems, not least among them a directive for USDA to establish a system whereby small slaughter facilities can gain Federal approval for shipment of meat across state lines. While that may seem counter-intuitive to local, at first glance, consider a small plant in Wisconsin near the border of Minnesota. Perhaps the “foodshed” (more on this term in a future blog) actually crosses state lines, but the meat from the plant cannot since it is only state-inspected. Strengthening the capacity of these small plants will also help specialty markets, such as slaughter of grass-fed beef. The interstate meat proposed rule was announced and put on display on OMB’s website. While this is just the first step in the rulemaking process, I expect we will be able to move quickly on this issue which is good for KYF2.

Local processing capacity: We also advertised the availability of funds under our Value Added Producer Grants program. This program supports farmers looking to add value to their product through processing, such as by turning milk into yogurt. If you’re an interested farmer, keep in mind that simply by marketing a product locally you can qualify for a Value Added Producer Grant. For more information click here.

Formation of Cooperatives: USDA announced $4.8 million in grants under the Rural Cooperative Development Program, which can be used to support the creation or operations of a cooperative. The Ohio State University Foundation, for example, will use some of their $200,000 grant toward technical assistance to farmers market managers around the state who came together to form a cooperative.

KYF2 Task Force: Maybe our most important announcement was that we have a USDA KYF2 interagency task force, which has been hard at work since May. Every agency at USDA is represented. This is important because the way government programs and people work in silos can, itself, prove to be a structural barrier to coordinating resources and joint problem solving. I have the privilege of chairing this KYF2 Task Force, which meets every two weeks. Over time I will blog about our various Task Force members, all of whom are enthusiastic and dedicated.

Farm-to-Institution

Our theme Tuesday, September 16 was Farm-to-Institution. As many of you well know, there is great interest in farm-to-school, but we want to think beyond that. Farm-to-healthcare and farm-to-college are among the institutional linkages that need to be encouraged because such relationships will help build local markets for farmers and ranchers.

To this end, we made three important announcements.

Local Procurement: In the 2008 farm bill, Congress directed the USDA to do a better job assisting schools to procure food locally with USDA resources. Last week we announced our intention to follow-through on this mandate and provide $50 million for schools to buy local. In future blogs, I will provide more detail on this exciting development.

Fresh in Schools: When I found out that local apples were rejected as USDA school lunch purchases because they were sliced and bagged – and therefore processed by a technical definition, I asked my USDA colleagues in FNS and our Office of General Council to reflect on the spirit as well as the letter of the law. The result: a broadened definition of what constitutes fresh for school nutrition programs. In future blogs, I will provide more details on this effort but for now, understand it means healthier school meals.

Farm-to-School Tactical Teams: The number of hoops a school’s nutritionist needs to jump through in order to get quality fresh, local food in their kids’ stomachs is surprising. To start, schools and farms are on entirely different schedules, with most of the prime growing months coming when kids are done for the summer. Stretched school budgets and simply not knowing how to reach local farmers makes it all the more difficult. In order to overcome these barriers, the USDA will be deploying Tactical Teams in various school districts in order to understand what works for farm-to-school programs, and then share these solutions around the country.

Healthy Eating

Wednesday our theme was healthy eating. How can we use local and regional food systems to improve the American diet? To begin to address this question, we made two announcements. First, we released our Community Food Projects grants. Many of these grants are aimed at providing greater food access in low income communities – many of which are food deserts. For example, in Portland, Oregon, nearly $300,000 will be awarded to Janus Youth Programs to establish community gardens in public housing as well as to foster local food-related entrepreneurialism and issue awareness. At the same time, we focused inward and took a good look at our own USDA cafeteria. Are there ways we can better incorporate the nutrition advice we provide the American public into what we do in our own building? To this end, we banned fried foods for the day, substituted fresh fruit for donuts, and posted signs on the soda machines asking people to consider water, juice and milk. All entries had calorie and other nutrition facts posted. And best of all, we had so much locally grown food! Sam Kass, assistant White House Chef and food policy initiative coordinator came and prepared a locally grown salad selection for USDA employees. We all felt special, dining in the mode of the First Family! While this was a pilot activity, we plan on working, in a comprehensive way, on improving our food practices here at Headquarters.

Direct Marketing

Thursday was a blast. I joined the First Lady and Secretary Vilsack at the opening of the Vermont Avenue Farmer’s Market, just a couple of blocks from the White House. The rain could not dampen our spirits. A huge and enthusiastic crowd formed and cheered our First Lady who delivered inspirational remarks and described how important it is to support farmers. Secretary Vilsack announced our Farmers Market Promotion grants – 86 of them across 37 states. And if you think farmers markets are just for yuppies, consider this: 18% of the USDA grant dollars announced are to support establishment of electronic benefit transfer capacity at farmers markets so that families receiving SNAP benefits can participate. Some foundations (Wholesome Wave, Fair Food Network) are working to double SNAP benefits at our markets so that every one dollar spent at the market yields $2 worth of food. So far, only a few markets are receiving this great boost, but what a great idea!

As well on Thursday, we announced what will be a multi-year Agricultural Research Service project to develop strategies to build local food systems along the northeast corridor. Teams from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Economic Research Service will analyze and model the region’s food chain in order better understand local food production and, ultimately, increase food security.

Ag is Back – join the conversation

The Secretary kicked off our week with a posting on YouTube inviting people to share their ideas and stories. Our subcabinet was also on the road all week, discussing KF2. For example, Ann Wright, our acting Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs, travelled to Illinois and spoke at the Chef’s Collaborative in Chicago and then the National Small Farms Conference in Springfield. And today I hosted the USDA's first live Facebook chat on KYF2. I’m looking forward to your help in shaping USDA’s KYF2 agenda.

Kathleen A. Merrigan, Deputy Secretary

Permalink  |  Posted: 04:56PM Oct 01, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [2]

FARMFRESH Market has Something for Everyone

On an early fall day when the rain refused to pass farmers and producers from the DC-metropolitan region gathered for the opening of the FRESHFARM Market by the White House on Vermont Ave. Federal employees, area workers and out-of-town visitors gathered for the festivities despite the weather and were excited for the new program.

In response to a lively crowd, First Lady Michelle Obama admitted, “I’ve never seen so many people excited about fruits and vegetables!”

At the event, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 86 awardees of the 2009 Farmers Market Promotion Program totaling more than $4.5 million to help continue the spread of farmer’s markets across the nation. “Fifteen years ago there were only 1,700 farmer’s markets and today we have more than 4,700,” said Secretary Vilsack.

Since 1996 USDA has hosted a farmer’s market at 12th and Jefferson Avenue, and Deputy Secretary Merrigan’s announcement yesterday of a pilot program to serve healthy and nutritious foods offers yet another opportunity to eat local for federal employees.

Farmer’s markets provide more than an opportunity to purchase healthy, local products and goods; they also allow you to connect with the community. Walking through the vendors, I recognized a familiar face that was the mother of a great childhood friend. It’s so easy to become distracted with busy schedules and to-do lists; why not take an hour to shop for local goods and become reacquainted with your community, new or old.

Beyond food, there was plenty for crafters and casual passerby. Loudoun County’s Solitude Yarns will be at the FRESHFARM Market through October selling yarns made and dyed locally. Bonus – they offered to help with my latest knitting project should I have any issues! Beautiful locally grown flowers lined the market, sure to catch anyone’s eye.

Secretary Vilsack acknowledged the Obama Administration’s commitment to health and agricultural issues but closed in saying “ With all do respect to my President, I love the commitment of the First Lady as she helped break ground at our People’s Garden and continues the message.”

Farmer’s markets allow local food to become a part of a community’s culture. Secretary Vilsack noted that many people know the importance of local and regional food systems, others simply like having a fresh and healthy alternative. We’re hearing a lot of great stories from people visiting the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food YouTube playlist. There have been a number of announcements this week and we’re looking ahead to a new web site to educate consumers and connect people more closely with the farmers.

To find a farmer’s market near you, visit the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service service here.

Permalink  |  Posted: 06:05PM Sep 17, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food News Coverage

Big plans for small farmers
Warriors in the battle for more local, sustainable food have long been suspicious of the Department of Agriculture and its relationship to large agricultural interests. But even the most dedicated political agrarian has to admit that the USDA is getting local food fever. This week, the top people at the USDA announced they would be handing out almost $65 million to help connect small farmers — especially those using sustainable practices — with people who want to eat local food. The money is part of their new “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” campaign which includes a series of programs to help farmers better market their food and the people who run large institutions buy it. (N.Y. Times Diner’s Journal blog, 9/15)

USDA launches "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative
Helping communities lift themselves by the economic roots is the thrust behind a new federal initiative called “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.” Details of the multi-million-dollar program, announced Tuesday in Washington by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, were outlined later in the afternoon here in Chicago at the Chefs Collaborative National Summit. “We believe everyone needs a farmer,’’ said Ann Wright, deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And that includes the White House, too. Wright said creation of a farmer’s market to be located outside the presidential mansion would be announced Thursday. (Chicago Tribune The Stew blog, 9/15)

USDA’s $65 million drop in the bucket
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is so fired up about local food economies that it’s coughing up $65 million for a new program called “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.” My first reaction: $65 million?! That’s all?! (Grist Magazine, 9/15)

USDA launches local foods blitz
I don't usually get calls from the USDA, let alone the deputy secretary, but there Kathleen Merrigan was on the phone from her car and it wasn't a prank. She wanted to talk about the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food campaign that the USDA launched this week, which centers on building buzz around local and regional food systems and "spurring economic opportunity." Merrigan is chairing the initiative, which comes not a moment too soon. The USDA has finally recognized how important and vital local and regional food systems are -- and is tapping into the vibrant activity already underway by making an effort to open up its doors and purse strings. (Huffington Post 9/15)

USDA promises to help school districts buy locally grown produce
The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to assist schools in a new initiative to encourage purchases of locally grown food. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said new farm-to-school initiatives will help school administrators’ transition to purchasing more locally grown foods in remarks about the just-launched “Know your farmer, know your food” initiative. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and the agency’s Food and Nutrition Service will participate in the farm to school tactical teams, according to a USDA news release. (The Packer 9/15)

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food…Know Your Tactical Team. USDA Announces Big Plans and $50 Million for Local School Lunches
With both the White House and USDA focusing on healthy eating and local sourcing, the paradigm shift in American agriculture is speeding the plow...Obama Foodorama visited Tree and Leaf Farm yesterday, with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan, for the kickoff of USDA’s new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative. To celebrate the big new project, there's a week of special USDA "surprises" and events planned. Today's "surprise" is terrific: Local foods for school lunches just got a big boost, with Dep. Sec. Merrigan's announcement of the Farm-To-School Tactical Teams. (Obama Foodorama blog, 9/14)

The USDA Wants You To “Know Your Farmer”
This morning I was fortunate to attend new media press event with Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. A small group of us took a short trip outside of Washing DC to Tree and Leaf Farm. Which is exactly 47 miles away from the Dupont Farmers Market in the city, according to co-owner Georgia O’Neal. The reason for this farm adventure was to launch a very special program for the USDA, called Know Your Farmer Know Your Food. The details of which are still coming out. DepSec Merrigan did clue us in on the plan which includes a weeklong series of programs, announcements, and events. With the culminating event being the official opening of a farmers market one block away from the White House. (A Clean Life blog, 9/14)

Visit our YouTube channel to watch videos and add your comments.

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:08AM Sep 16, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [8]