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From the Ground Up will keep you up to date on AMS work related to local and regional food systems from new information to highlights of grant recipients to relevant research, tools and data from our archives. Though we will send a few ad hoc announcements for timely news, this message will serve as a regular digest.
On August 17, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) published data collected through our joint NASS-AMS 2019 National Farmers Market Manager Survey. The results of the survey will help the farmers market sector and policy makers better understand direct marketing opportunities, activities and challenges from a farmers market manager’s perspective.
A sincere thank you to all the market managers that took time to participate in the survey.
AMS Local Food Directories are a great way to promote your market to potential customers. Make sure to add your market or login to make updates!
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health and social distancing mandates caused unprecedented shifts and disruptions for local and regional food systems (LRFS). AMS and the cooperating research team led by the University of Kentucky seek to enrich existing efforts within LRFS communities of practice who provide essential support to our nation’s local food producers. In order to provide innovations and best practices developed on the ground to support the local food sector, our team has partnered with 16 organizations that represent different marketing channels.
Last month, the team launched the Local Food System Response to COVID Resource Hub to share resources across the sector. Resources include topics such as adopting new technology, new market channel innovations, policy education, food safety best practices and more. There are resources for researchers, producers, extension personnel, government officials, technical assistance providers, and consumers.
Learn how CSAs and farmers markets are adapting in our innovation briefs highlighting virtual CSA Fairs and a market tracking tool.
Additional resources and research will be made available throughout the year. Join our listserv by visiting the Resource Hub and clicking on the “Join our Listserv” button at the end of the page to receive announcements when new resources are available.
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FSA Requests Nominations for County Committees on Urban Ag
Nominations are due October 2, 2020
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently announced county committees focused exclusively on urban agriculture. “County committees represent farmers and set priorities at the local level,” Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said. “Urban and suburban farmers are uniquely qualified to identify the needs of growers and their communities, especially when it comes to making fresh, healthy food accessible.” The committees are organized through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, and the first five will be located in: Albuquerque, NM, Cleveland, OH, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, and Richmond, VA. Five additional county committees will be announced this fall. FSA will begin accepting nominations for urban and suburban county committee members on September 8, 2020.
Make up listening session on September 30th at 6:00pm PT
As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress required the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to solicit feedback about improved crop insurance coverage options for farmers and ranchers selling to local food markets - including but not limited to farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), road-side stands, restaurants, retailers, schools, and institutions. This includes discussing how existing crop insurance programs can be improved, as well as exploring the possibility of a new crop insurance program. The feedback we receive will help us identify potential changes and/or additions to insurance options for producers supplying local markets.
Lettuce Talk Local with an AMS Grant Recipient
This month, we’re highlighting a Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant recipient. FMPP funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
Using FMPP FY18 funding, the Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development Inc. created three farmers market promotional films that highlight markets throughout Iowa. This year, the organization's film shows how Iowa Farmers Markets are adapting to and embracing the cultural shift of social distancing.
In the two-minute video, Beaverdale Farmers Market Manager shares her personnel connection to the market, and the challenges of transforming to a stop-and-go market where both sellers and customers must train themselves to, “Look, but don’t touch.” The film highlights Iowa’s adaptions and how shopping local strengthen supply chains affected by COVID-19.
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Subscribe to the USDA Farmers Market Newsletter
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the USDA Farmers Market.
The USDA Farmers Market is the Department's own "living laboratory" for farmers market operations across the country. The market supports the local economy, increases marketing opportunities for farmers and small businesses, provides access to an assortment of local and regionally sourced products, and increases access to healthy, affordable food in the District of Columbia's Ward 2.
Through the VegU program, viewers learn how to grow, pick, prepare and store a different fruit or vegetable.
Subscribe to the USDA Farmers Market weekly newsletter for market enhancing ideas, current topics in the farmers market industry, and to learn more about our unique educational program VegU.
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