EPA Assisting Rural Communities to Participate in ‘Rural Advantage’ Programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited rural communities to apply for planning assistance of subsidized programs that will improve economic and environmental conditions, per the ‘Rural Advantage’ initiative enacted by the Obama Administration. This opportunity is meant to help communities in rural areas with the development of strategies for increasing food access, improving economic conditions, and supporting local healthcare facilities. Earlier this summer in Boston, EPA applauded Gloucester officials for the success of their own ‘Local Foods, Local Places’ program, which promoted the use of underutilized fish species as a way “to enhance and make the local economy more robust, to advance public health and nutrition, as well as revitalize the downtown”. Spread the word and check out application details here!

October is National Farm to School Month

In September the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it was accepting applications for the 2017, Farm to School Grant Funding! Since school districts invested “nearly $800 MILLION in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors” during the 2013-14 school year, published results from the USDA Farm to School Census have proved farm to school has a tremendously positive effect on child nutrition, food safety, and agriculture education. The theme of this year’s 2016 National Farm to School Month is One Small Step, which highlights the simple ways anyone can take small steps to get informed, get involved, and take action, to advance farm to school programs in their own communities and across the country. Visit the NFS network online here to learn more about the ways you can take action today!

Student Outshines Cornell’s Ties to Monsanto

The threats of Monsanto have been effectively brought to the mainstream, whether it be the risk of genetically modified food on our health or the devastating implications that eventual monoculture has on our environment. However, what is less often talked about, is the big money from bio-tech corporations that flow into educational institutions, which continue to propagate Monsanto. Except for this one amazing student from Cornell and his professors!