1. CONSERVATION SECURITY ACT COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended the public comment period for the innovative new Conservation Security Program. Under the new time line, comments will be accepted through April 3rd. As this "working lands" farm conservation program is under funding attack, your support is much needed. Take a moment and send the NRCS a letter. Express your strong support for CSP as a full, nationwide entitlement program.

Let them know you understand this program rewards actual conservation benefits produced by farmers on their farms and provides incentives for farmers to address and solve critical environmental problems. Read background information on the issue,  and see a sample letter and comments. 

2. USDA TIGHTENS BIOPHARM CROP REGULATION

Last month the USDA announced that it was "tightening" regulations surrounding the field testing of biotech crops to be used for pharmaceuticals. The announcement came just as a host of environmental and family farmer organizations filed a 60-day notice letter of intent to sue the USDA to halt planting of such crops.

The notice cited USDA's "gross violations of law for allowing the field testing of biopharm crops without performing the required environmental safety studies." The letter also stated that the USDA failed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act in approving field trials of plants genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals and failed to meet the consultation requirements of the Endangered Species Act. 

3. R0DALE INSTITUTE INITIATES ORGANIC MARKET REPORT

Organic farming has come of age. Now organic growers can log onto the web and find out what organic produce is selling for on the west and east coasts. This new service initiated by longtime organic proponents at the Rodale Institute, pinpoints weekly prices for organic foods gathered through a comparison of terminal market, wholesale and selected large-scale retail prices. Though comprehensive info is not available on this still emerging market, the index is designed to use the best available data. It lists wholesale prices for certified organic fresh produce and grains, as well as emerging prices for certified organic dairy and self-identified sustainably raised meats. Wether you are an organic farmer wanting to stay up on prices, a conventional farmer looking to switch over, or a consumer who wants to compare organic with conventional prices, this website is a joy. 

4. WORLD TRADE STALLED OVER AGRICULTURE

Trade liberalization spread quickly on the heels of the multi-national corporate proliferation of the last century. Facilitated by corporate friendly "free-trade" policy makers, the golden rule of trade liberalization has been to remove so called trade barriers, even if it meant elimination of family farmers and reduced environmental regulations. Now, the recent Doha global trade round faces crisis as agricultural trade negotiators are expected to fail to agree on reform guidelines. At the heart of the disagreement are trade subsidies and according to observers, a breakdown in ag talks threaten paralysis in the broader World Trade Organization negotiations. The New York Times today said Robert B. Zoellick, the United States trade representative, said today that "he was disappointed in the deadlock but played down suggestions that this as another example of the widening gap between Washington and Europe during this time of war."

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