USDA eyes pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Friday, December 25, 2009
WASHINGTON-Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan recently announced a new pilot project under the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels-also known as hoop houses-to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.
“There is great potential for high tunnels to expand the availability of healthy, locally-grown crops-a win for producers and consumers,” said Merrigan. “This pilot project is going to give us real-world information that farmers all over the country can use to decide if they want to add high tunnels to their operations. We know that these fixtures can help producers extend their growing season and hopefully add to their bottom line.”
The three-year, 38-state study will verify if high tunnels are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers.
Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move. High tunnels are used year-round in parts of the country, providing steady incomes to farmers-a significant advantage to owners of small farms, limited-resource farmers and organic producers.
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the Agricultural Management Assistance program. NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm. High tunnels in the study can cover as much as 5 percent of 1 acre.
Participating states and territories are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Pacific Islands, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
To sign up or learn more about EQIP assistance for high tunnel projects, contact a local NRCS office. (USDA)
Showing posts with label Locally Grown Produce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Locally Grown Produce. Show all posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Nutritionist says ‘go local’
Nutritionist says ‘go local’
Monday, 09 November 2009 04:25 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
WHEN thinking about healthy foods, “go local,” said Dr. Lois Englberger, research advisor for Pohnpei’s Island Food Company, who spoke at the 10th Annual Guam Diabetes Conference held at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa in Tumon yesterday.
Englberger promoted the positive benefits of growing and eating more locally grown produce to reduce the skyrocketing rates of diabetes in the Micronesia region and endorsed the “Go Local” campaign.
Initiated in the 1980s by Bermin Weilbacher of Pohnpei, the “Go Local” concept goes beyond the idea of self production of food. It also promotes a range of objectives that includes culture, health, economy, environment and food security.
Research conducted in 1998 by Englberger confirmed foods grown in the FSM region such as Karat, giant swamp taro, breadfruit and pandanus contained high levels of nutrients such as provitamin A carotenoids, beta-carotene, riboflavin, zinc, calcium, iron, and fiber. These foods were found to protect against micronutrient deficiencies and certain non-communicable diseases.
A shift toward imported foods in the 1970’s has resulted in over half of FSM children under five-years of age suffering from vitamin A deficiency. While a U.S. Navy study conducted in 1948 cited no cases of diabetes in Pohnpei, a 2002 study by the World Health Organization found that 32 percent of adults in Pohnpei suffered from diabetes.
“We’ve got to eat right and have our physical activity right in order to avoid diabetes,” Englberger said. “Eating and controlling eating has to involve motivation to change. Motivation is the key. We can use information and knowledge to affect our motivation, beliefs, and attitudes.”
While foods rich in fiber help combat against diabetes, work by the doctor showed that carotenoid-rich foods helped fight against diabetes, certain forms of cancer, and heart disease.
Vegetables rich in carotenoids include most berries but also spinach, sweet potato, cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkin among others.
Englberger cited lessons learned from her study which highlighted the importance of motivation; utilization of various methods of promotion including multimedia; repetition of standard messages, social marketing, slogans and acronyms and supportive healthy food policies, as well as passion.
Monday, 09 November 2009 04:25 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
WHEN thinking about healthy foods, “go local,” said Dr. Lois Englberger, research advisor for Pohnpei’s Island Food Company, who spoke at the 10th Annual Guam Diabetes Conference held at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa in Tumon yesterday.
Englberger promoted the positive benefits of growing and eating more locally grown produce to reduce the skyrocketing rates of diabetes in the Micronesia region and endorsed the “Go Local” campaign.
Initiated in the 1980s by Bermin Weilbacher of Pohnpei, the “Go Local” concept goes beyond the idea of self production of food. It also promotes a range of objectives that includes culture, health, economy, environment and food security.
Research conducted in 1998 by Englberger confirmed foods grown in the FSM region such as Karat, giant swamp taro, breadfruit and pandanus contained high levels of nutrients such as provitamin A carotenoids, beta-carotene, riboflavin, zinc, calcium, iron, and fiber. These foods were found to protect against micronutrient deficiencies and certain non-communicable diseases.
A shift toward imported foods in the 1970’s has resulted in over half of FSM children under five-years of age suffering from vitamin A deficiency. While a U.S. Navy study conducted in 1948 cited no cases of diabetes in Pohnpei, a 2002 study by the World Health Organization found that 32 percent of adults in Pohnpei suffered from diabetes.
“We’ve got to eat right and have our physical activity right in order to avoid diabetes,” Englberger said. “Eating and controlling eating has to involve motivation to change. Motivation is the key. We can use information and knowledge to affect our motivation, beliefs, and attitudes.”
While foods rich in fiber help combat against diabetes, work by the doctor showed that carotenoid-rich foods helped fight against diabetes, certain forms of cancer, and heart disease.
Vegetables rich in carotenoids include most berries but also spinach, sweet potato, cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkin among others.
Englberger cited lessons learned from her study which highlighted the importance of motivation; utilization of various methods of promotion including multimedia; repetition of standard messages, social marketing, slogans and acronyms and supportive healthy food policies, as well as passion.
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