The Farmstand: RAFI’s Blog

724 posts

GMO Contamination & Organic Farmers

December 11, 2011
When Michael Sligh testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee in the fall of 2011, he talked about the need for more corporate responsibility and government oversight on the issue of GMO contamination of non-genetically engineered crops, including organic crops.
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Workshops & Open Farm Events in the Western Piedmont – Part I

October 6, 2011
As the 2011 RAFI Farmer grant cycle draws to a close, folks are busy finishing their projects and organizing outreach events. One of the commitments that grantees make when receiving a grant is that they will find a way to share best practices and lessons learned with other farmers. Often they create events that are multi-faceted and open to the general public. Here are a few that you may want to attend.
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Hurricane Irene Damage in Eastern NC

September 1, 2011
RAFI-USA field staff Joe Schroeder and Julius Tillery traveled across eastern NC on Tuesday Aug. 30, to bring water and food to farmers and people in need from Hurricane Irene.
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Townsend Shuts Down NC Plant

August 10, 2011
A week and a half ago, Ukrainian buyer of Townsend announced that it was closing its two North Carolina processing plants. More than 150 North Carolina poultry farmers learned that their contracts will be terminated in 60 days.
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How & Why to Get a Farm Number

July 29, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's farm programs are administered on the local level through county-based Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. The FSA provides and administers farm loans, crop insurance, and disaster assistance compensation. You must register your farm with the FSA to be eligible for any of these programs.
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A Visit to Harold Wright's Farm

July 25, 2011
Last week, I traveled to Bladen county to document farmer Harold Wright's grant project-- a pastured poultry production expansion. I was amazed at how sandy the soil is, so close to the coast in southern North Carolina, compared to the red clay soil where I'm living. Harold and his family run Happy Land Farm.
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