Area farmers market receives a nearly $38,000 USDA grant

Check out this article about a USDA grant received by an Ann Arbor farmers market: http://bit.ly/SPtycW

$1 million worth of federal grants to help state agricultural projects

Specialty Crop Grants to Boost Michigan's Growing Food and Agriculture Industry

21 projects to receive more than $1 million in federally-funded grants

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams announced Michigan will receive $1.3 million in federal dollars to create, enhance, or expand agriculture development ventures across the state.

"Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture sector continues to play a critical role in our economic reinvention; and, these grants help fuel the continued development and expansion of specialty crop production in our state," said Clover Adams. "The response for these competitive grants was overwhelming and only illustrates the industry’s commitment to innovative processing practices and strengthening Michigan’s impact in the global marketplace."

The department received 39 proposals totaling $2.1 million with 21 proposals recommended to receive $1.1 million in grant funding with the remaining $200,000 allocated to MDARD’s domestic and international programs as well as grant administrative costs. Grant applications were evaluated, scored, and ranked by a Joint Evaluation Committee composed of MDARD and industry representatives not directly involved in any grant proposals.

Projects selected to receive funding are:

Lakeshore Environmental, Inc.                                             $56,555   

Michigan Apple Committee                                                   $75,000

Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program      $29,975

Michigan Bean Commission                                                  $75,000

Michigan Christmas Tree Association                                  $75,000

Michigan Farm Bureau                                                            $45,500

Michigan Food and Farming Systems                                  $51,390

Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association                   $62,260

Michigan Onion Committee                                                    $22,032
Michigan Potato Industry Commission                                 $40,000

Michigan State University (6 projects)                                   $300,600

Michigan Vegetable Council                                                  $52,993

The grants are used to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan specialty crops through processors, agri-businesses, producers, local units of government, and legislatively authorized commodity boards in Michigan; including, but not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

The goal of USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to promote and increase opportunities for specialty crop producers. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands received grants this year, totaling $55 million. Visitwww.ams.usda.gov/scbgp to review the 2012 project summaries and view a list of awards by location. 

Help for fruit farmers

Today, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a $15 million appropriation to help fruit farmers from throughout the state. The funds will be used to give farmers much needed financial assistance after weather conditions destroyed many of their crops.

Check www.heritage.com for more information, which should be posted later today.

Food safety grants

The Michigan Department of Agriculture received three grants from the Food and Drug Administration. Take a look at the press release below. 

 

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Awarded Multiple Food Safety Grants

Lansing, MI- The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has been awarded three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety grants that will provide funding for food and feed safety and animal health projects.

MDARD will use the funding to support activities in three areas.  The first grant will improve Michigan’s ability to coordinate emergency response actions when unsafe foods are identified. This builds on MDARD’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) Implementation Project, a multi-disciplinary team of specialists that respond to food and feed outbreaks.  The second grant supports MDARD activities to reduce antibiotic residue violations in dairy cattle, implement risk based feed inspection activities, and develop best practices for an emerging aquaponics industry.  The third grant will help MDARD to develop an electronic Learning Management System that will be used at the state and local levels to improve record keeping and ensure compliance with national food program standards.

“The FDA food safety grants awarded to MDARD demonstrate our dedication to improving food and feed safety practices to protect public and animal health,” said MDARD Director, Jamie Clover Adams.  “These grants will enable us to continue to work with local, federal, and other state agencies to improve these practices and our response to food emergencies.”

The grant activities will better integrate food, feed, and animal health best practices that reduce risk and protect human and animal health.  MDARD will share best practices and lessons learned throughout Michigan, the Great Lakes region, and across the country to benefit food safety and animal health efforts nationwide.

For more information about FDA’s national integrated food safety system, visit www.fda.gov/fsma.  For more information about MDARD’s food, feed and animal health programs, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard. 

Emergency haying and grazing on conservation land

Michigan Farm Bureau recently reported the United States Department of Agriculture is allowing emergency haying and grazing on conservation land. Take a look a the release below. 

LANSING, AUG. 24, 2012 — While recent rains have some grain farmers hoping for a season just shy of abysmal, high feed prices still have livestock and dairy producers concerned about keeping their animals well fed and healthy. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently cleared the way for farmers to make practical use of fields set aside as part of a widespread conservation program.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Christine White last week authorized emergency haying and grazing on acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for all Michigan counties.

Farmers looking to harvest feed grasses from their CRP acres don't have much time to waste; the authorization for emergency haying ends Aug. 31, and all hay must be removed before Sept. 15. Emergency grazing extends through Sept. 30.

"It's not a big window of opportunity, but it's better than no opportunity at all," said Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Farm Bureau's livestock and dairy specialist. "Farmers need to check in with their local FSA or Natural Resource Conservation Service office before cutting hay or turning out their animals on eligible acreage, and modify their conservation plan."

Only half of each hay field or contiguous field can be cut, and CRP acres cannot by hayed and grazed at the same time.

"Farmers need to know there are some small penalties for those who choose to take advantage of this," Birchmeier said. "But, because of the drought, the usual 25 percent penalty for haying or grazing on CRP land has been reduced to only 10 percent."

For more information or to request approval for emergency haying or grazing on CRP acres, farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office.

Cattle can "moo"ve into Wisconsin

Received this today from Michigan Department of Agriculture:

 
Wisconsin Opens Borders to Michigan Cattle Signaling Additional Market for State’s Producers

LANSING – Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams announced that Wisconsin will recognize Michigan’s recent bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Split State Status achievement from the United States Department of Agriculture, which reopens market opportunities for Michigan’s 17,000 cattle farmers.

“Our mandatory electronic identification is, and was, critical to Wisconsin’s decision to amend their importation rules,” said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams.  “For the first time since we began our bovine TB eradication efforts, Wisconsin acknowledges the difference in zones. This translates into more market opportunities to sell Michigan beef and continues to grow the economic footprint for our food and agriculture system.”

On August 1, 2012, the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection informed MDARD’s State Veterinarian Dr. Steven L. Halstead of new importation rules acknowledging Michigan's split state status.  Wisconsin now recognizes two bovine TB Zones in the State of Michigan.

“This is an important step forward,” said Dr. Halstead. “Michigan has worked very hard to preserve the value of its cattle herd and to protect trade partners from bovine TB.  This represents recognition of this hard work.”

Bovine from the Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) and the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone (MAAZ) fall under the same zonal rules for Wisconsin and may enter Wisconsin for exhibition as long as they follow all of the rules established by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. 

Wisconsin will not allow bison or cattle from Michigan’s federal TB MAZ (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda counties) or MAAZ (Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties) to be sold at a consignment sale or auction, but they may go to approved feedlots if they meet the testing requirements.

Feeder cattle from Michigan’s TB-Free Zone will need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection with complete physical destination address required, must have official identification, and may enter the State of Wisconsin as long as they are not involved in any TB-positive or exposed herd investigations. 

Rules for the different zones are listed on Wisconsin’s website: http://datcp.wi.gov/Animals/Animal_Movement/Cattle_Bison/Michigan/index.aspx 

Additional information about Michigan’s bovine TB eradication efforts may be found at: www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

Ouimet accepts AgriPac endorsement at local farm

Washtenaw County Farm Bureau release:

Washtenaw County Farm Bureau members gathered at a farm in Manchester to show support of Mark Ouimet, incumbent candidate for the Dist. 52 seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

A long-time resident of Scio Township, Ouimet recently received Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPac endorsement as a “Friend of Agriculture” in the Aug. 7 primary election.

AgriPac reviewed candidate questionnaires, voting records of incumbents and recommendations from county Farm Bureaus’ candidate evaluation committees.

“Mark has adopted a very sincere attitude about dialoguing with constituents, traveling to all corners of the district for town hall meetings and even one-on-ones with Farm Bureau members,” said Kenny Siler, president of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

“He listens to people, identifies their interests and issues, and acts accordingly. His voting record is impeccable and he deserves a chance to continue the excellent work he’s done so far.”

John Ochs, chair of the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committee, couldn’t agree more. He added that Ouimet voted with Farm Bureau policy 100 percent of the time, showing his support of agriculture isn’t just talk—it’s in his actions.

Ouimet said he was honored to receive the Friend of Agriculture endorsement and thanked AgriPac for their support of his bid for re-election as State Representative.

“Over the years, we have formed a great line of communication and friendship,” said Ouimet about his relationship with Washtenaw County Farm Bureau. “I value the insight the group provides and appreciate their support. I know agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and believe it’s the role of government to create the best environment for farms and agri-business to be successful.”

AgriPac is the non-partisan political action committee of the Michigan Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization encompassing nearly a half-million voters. Friends of Agriculture represent qualified candidates who have demonstrated basic beliefs and/or actions consistent with farmer-developed MFB policy.