Resources

"Since nature is full of emergent properties, sustainability is always an emerging concept. Sustainability is about maintaining something indefinitely into the future. Consequently, to be sustainable we have to anticipate and successfully adapt to the changes ahead. Sustainability is a process, not a prescription. This process always requires social, ecological, and economic dimensions. There is therefore, no simple definition. It is a journey we embark on together, not a formula we agree to." - Fred Kirschenmann

Resource Library

CONSERVATION

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (PDF) - Executive Summary
James River Foundation (PDF) - Building a Cleaner James River, Executive Summary
www.goochlandlandalliance.org - Goochland Land Alliance
www.chesapeakebayfoundation.org - Chesapeake Bay Foundation
www.jamesriverassociation.org - James River Association
www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org - Virginia Outdoors Foundation
States Purchase Agricultural Conservation Easements (PDF)
American Farmland Trust has released a fact sheet on the Status of State PACE Programs, reporting details on 27 state programs for purchase of agricultural conservation easements.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

www.vabf.org - Virginia Association for Biological Farming
www.attra.org - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
www.southernexposure.com - Southern Exposure Seed Exchange – Mineral, VA
www.soilandhealth.org - Soil and Health
Additional Resources for Growers (PDF)
Growing and Marketing Specialty Crops (PDF)
On-Farm Direct Marketing (PDF)
Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers (PDF)
Small Fruit in the Home Garden Pub 426-840 (PDF)
www.Free-RangePoultry.com Free-Range Production in a Nutshell
www.organicag.org The Science of Organic Agriculture
Goochland/Powhatan County Cooperative Extension Office
Chatham County Center – North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Promoting awareness, understanding and practice of sustainable agriculture.
Farmer's Share of Retail Food Dollar (PDF)
Did you know that farmers and ranchers receive only 20 cents of every food dollar that consumers spend on food at home and away from home? According to USDA, off farm costs including marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing account for 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States.
At First Blush, a Great Season
This article appeared on the front page of the Washington Post Food Section.
Scientific Findings about Organic Agriculture
What has the scientific community discovered about the quality, nutritional characteristics and production practices used in organic agriculture? Use the menu on the left to check out summaries, grouped according to topic, of peer-reviewed, scientific studies by international scientists and researchers regarding many aspects of organic agriculture.
Sustainable Farmer
Sustainable Farmer is dedicated to providing information about how to raise food and fiber mindfully, paying attention to the needs of the environment, especially the plants and the animals that sustain us.

SMART GROWTH

www.coalitionforsmartergrowth.net
The Coalition staff includes experts in land use, housing and transportation policy, grassroots organizing, media, internet and fundraising. Together with dedicated volunteers, we support community participation in growth and transportation decisions.
Partnership for Smarter Growth
Partnership for Smarter Growth is an education and advocacy nonprofit organization developed by and for citizens of Greater Richmond.
CarMax
CarMax Home Office Receives National Green Building Designation

GREEN GROWTH

www.longwood.edu/cleanva/rainbarrels.htm
Illustrated instructions for building your own rain barrel, including the tools and supplies you’ll need.
www.cbf.org/site/DocServer/rain_barrel_guide-web.pdf?docID=2868
Chesapeake Bay Foundation "Build Your Own Rain Barrel" PDF brochure.
www.myfootprint.org - Ecological Footprint Quiz
www.shopgreenduck.com – Compostable Tableware

LOCAL FOOD MOVEMENT

www.richmondfoodsystem.org - The Richmond Area Food System, Promoting a sustainable community food system in Richmond, VA
www.brookviewfarm.com - Brookview Farm, Manakin-Sabot, VA
www.bisoncentral.com - Wild T. Bison Farm, Dillwyn, VA
www.richmondfoodcollective.blogspot.com - Richmond Foodies Unite!
Eat Grub
What is GRUB?  1. grub is healthy, local, sustainable food for all.  2. grub is food that supports community, justice, and sustainability.  3. grub should be universal
Virginia Farm Bureau's Save Our Food Website
Check out the story that ABC’s Nightline did on this family
Little Homestead in the City - Enterprising Ideas: Growing Local, Eating Local
You know all about organic food -- now learn about the "buy local" movement.  Watch the Video
www.organicconsumers.org
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability.
www.sustainabletable.org
Sustainable Table celebrates local sustainable food, educates consumers on food-related issues, and works to build community through food.
Pedaling the Local Food Movement
Three D.C. Women Take a Three-Month Bike Trip to Montreal to Document Community Agriculture Efforts.
The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues (PDF)
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the Nation’s second largest food and nutrition assistance program. In 2006, it operated in over 101,000 public and nonprofit private schools and provided over 28 million low-cost or free lunches to children on a typical school day at a Federal cost of $8 billion for the year. This report provides background information on the NSLP, including historical trends and participant characteristics.
Farm to School Legislation- A State by State Listing (PDF)
Eighteen states have passed legislation regarding farm to school programs. Attached are summaries and links to the text of this legislation. This information should reflect legislation that has passed as of June 10, 2008.
What’s Driving Food Prices? (PDF)
Prices of virtually all food commodities have increased substantially over the past year. For many commodities, prices are at or near records. Why have commodity prices gone up so much?
States Purchase Agricultural Conservation Easements (PDF)
American Farmland Trust has released a fact sheet on the Status of State PACE Programs, reporting details on 27 state programs for purchase of agricultural conservation easements.
Where do your fresh fruits and vegetables come from?
U.S. supermarkets and restaurants sell fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world. This resource shows common origins of more than 95 different produce commodities that are shipped into or across the United States each year.

TRADITIONAL ARTS

www.artisanscenterofvirginia.org - Artisan Center of Virginia

HUMAN INTEREST

Educational Materials for Young People

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

Sustainable Agriculture

www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2008-10-23-sustainable-farms_N.htm
As sustainable farming takes root, green thumbs get greener…
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/30/AR2008093000487.html?hpid=artslot 
The Churning Point -Bobby Prigel says building an organic creamery will keep his farm alive. But preservationists say it will spoil the rural landscape.
http://slowfoodnation.org/press/press-releases/declaration-for-healthy-food-and-agriculture-unveiled-at-slow-food-nation  - Declaration for Healthy Food and Agriculture Unveiled
http://fooddeclaration.org
Roots of Change, an organizing force behind the statewide food system transformation in California, announced today the release of a national Declaration for Healthy Food and Agriculture, which will provide the good food movement a clear and commonly held framework for future action to educate citizens and policy makers.
www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5072472&acct=fr
The number of farmers markets in the United States continues to grow, reports USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), reaching a total of 4,685 in August 2008.

Local Food Movement

www.nercrd.psu.edu/Entrepreneurship/LocalFoodsBiblio.pdf
Publications on local food systems from the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.
www.foodroutes.org/ffarticle.jsp?id=11
Great video from Food Routes on the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign in Lancaster County, PA
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/10/07/ST2008100701683.html
At the Intersection of Eat Local and Good Taste - Sustainability invigorates a historic small-town store in Virginia.
www.dailypress.com/news/local/newport_news/dp-local_schoollunch_0901sep01,0,2272299.story
Schools Work to Keep Meals Healthy, Cheap - Before the first yellow buses pull up to the region's public schools Tuesday, cafeteria kitchens will hum with activity as food services workers prepare the first of thousands of breakfasts and lunches they will serve throughout the year. Behind the scenes, managers of the districts' food services departments are scrambling to keep costs down in a time of rising fuel and food prices.
www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/177073
Students to Sample Fresh Produce - Students at Critzer Elementary School in Pulaski County will get to taste-test fresh veggies and fruit during lunch and snack times this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave the school $5,634 to purchase the produce and find ways to encourage healthier eating habits.
www.saveourfood.org/Learn/CurrentNews/Pages/%27Top%20Chef%27%20Buys%20Local.aspx
'Top Chef' Contender uses Fresh, Local Food for his Restaurant - Earlier this year 27-year-old Spike Mendelsohn made his mark on the television program “Top Chef.” Today, Mendelsohn is making his mark in Washington with foods purchased as close as possible to his newly opened restaurant, Good Stuff Eatery.
www.c-snap.org/upload/resource/RCOHD_Report_Final.pdf - The Real Cost of a Healthy Diet
www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E8-19573.htm
FDA to Allow Irradiation of Spinach and Lettuce - In a Federal Register notice published August 22, the Food and Drug Administration announces that it is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for control of food-borne pathogens, and extension of shelf-life, in fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach. This rule is effective August 22, 2008. Written or electronic objections must be submitted by September 22, 2008.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/19/AR2008081900599.html
Field Studies in Exploring Culture, Politics and the Environment, Food Programs Hit the Academic Mainstream - This Sunday, 80 Yale University freshmen will take their first step toward higher education. But there'll be no reading list or, for that matter, showers. On the syllabus: digging up carrots, picking tomatoes and building chicken coops.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/15/AR2008081503587.html?wpisrc=newsletter
Goodwill, Self-Esteem Harvested in Community Garden Program - For troubled youths, sometimes the key to getting back on track is the opportunity to help something else grow and blossom. With that in mind, Stuart Younkin, youth programs coordinator for Loudoun County's parks and recreation department, started a community garden project last year for teenagers. www.mayorsinnovation.org/custom.asp?id=185
Mayors' Meeting Addresses Local Food Systems * Great Resources!
When the Mayors Innovation Project convened recently in Madison, Wisconsin, one of the topics on the agenda was local food systems. According to Isthmus, a weekly newspaper in Madison, mayors across the country are interested in urban agriculture and farm policies.
www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-08-18-organic-food_N.htm?csp=34
Organic Food Sales Feel the Bit from Sluggish Economy - High gas and food prices appear to be nibbling away at the high growth rates long enjoyed by organic and natural food makers and sellers. Sales growth has slowed but remains strong because of the loyalty of core organic buyers, some industry executives say.
www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/education/article/students_back_minus_dining_trays/26659
Students Back Minus Dining Trays - A student-led initiative at the University of Virginia is taking the trays out of the school’s dining halls. Scrapping the trays — effective this fall — is meant to reduce trash and conserve water. But it’s also something students and Aramark, the company that oversees UVa’s dining services, are adding to their ever-lengthening list of ways that university stomachs and environmental sustainability connect.

 

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