NEW American Planning Association Report 

Urban Agriculture: Growing Healthy, Sustainable Places

By Kimberley Hodgson, Marcia Caton Campbell, and Martin Bailkey 

Urban agriculture is rising steadily in popularity in the United States and Canada—there are stories in the popular press, it has an increasingly central place in the growing local food movement, and there is a palpable interest in changing urban environments to foster both healthier residents and more sustainable communities. From community and school gardens in small rural towns and commercial farms in suburbs to rooftop gardens and bee-keeping operations in dense cities, urban agriculture is sprouting up across the country. This report provides authoritative guidance for dealing with the opportunities and challenges faced by cities and counties of varying sizes, economies, and locations in supporting and expanding urban agriculture. Through case studies, the report illustrates the range of local government efforts, policies and programs both emerging and in place, and reveals the differences among local governments in their approaches as they respond to the needs of the urban agriculture community.

 For more information about this new report, visit http://planning.org/apastore/search/Default.aspx?p=4146.

Need Pesticide credits?

Check out the credit calendar, many approved pesticide applicator
recertification programs are listed.  You can view the calendar on our
web site at:

http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/cert/creditcal.shtml

The Maine Farm Business Loan Fund 

The Carrot Project is pleased to announce a collaboration with Coastal Enterprises, Inc., The Maine Farm Business Loan Fund is for small and midsized farms using sustainable or organic practices and serving markets within Maine or in nearby states. Funds can be used for working capital or capital needs for production or value-added enterprises. On-farm, value-added enterprises will be given preference. Loans will be for amounts up to $35,000 and for terms of 1–5 years.

Updated Small Dairy Resource Book Now Available  

SARE Outreach announces the release of its newly updated Small Dairy Resource Book, a thorough collection of resources for farm families interested in capitalizing on value-added dairy products. The Small Dairy Resource Book is available online only.

Download it for free at www.sare.org/publications/dairyresource.htm.

You can support local farms by buying locally.

Why support local farms?

• You are supporting the local economy, and help keep local farms in business
• You help the environment because the amount of energy it takes for you to drive to a farm, farm stand, farmers market, etc is far less then what it takes for that product to be packaged, and shipped from wherever in the world it is being produced. Thus, saving on waste and pollution.
• You know where your food is coming from.
• You get fresher product
•  The produce you buy is better for you. Produce loses nutritional value the more it ages.
• Opportunity to know the person producing the product being purchased, and to learn more about what goes into producing that product.

Your Farm Info could be listed here

WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO HAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS SEE YOUR FARM STAND NAME HERE?

Advertise with us to support local conservation while increasing the visibility of your farm.

If you are a farm and would like to sponsor the district by advertising with AVSWCD please contact Jane Heikkinen at 753-9400 x400.