Dear Nahid,
Greetings from coastal South Carolina! We are happy to have the beach and the many local farms that provide fresh fruit and produce to what is known as the Grand Strand. This area extends over 60 miles and is home to several area communities that contribute to our veggie abundance through weekly farmers markets, roadside stands, and on-farm sales.
As I write this, we're only a few weeks into autumn, and there is a noticeable change in the air. The nights are getting cooler, the days shorter, and the pumpkin patches and corn mazes are open for business. Fall planting is behind us here on the coast with the cool weather crops eagerly anticipated and soon to be plentiful. One crop in particular, peanuts, will keep our Carolina farmers busy through November. The signs dotting the drive into the beach have changed from touting the biggest and best watermelons to the freshest, most delicious, boiled peanuts on the Strand. They are truly a beloved snack in my Palmetto state.
While there is sheer peanut elation from most, the 0.6% of the U.S. population that has a severe peanut allergy will be looking forward to the end of this legume season. In this month’s Expert Tip below, I take a look at food allergens on the farm and how we can have crop/production diversity, as well as food safety!
Cheers,
Kim
Kim Butz, CFSA South Carolina Local Produce Safety Coordinator
PS - CFSA is looking for a new team member! If you're experienced in fundraising and donor development, check out our jobs page for the development director position.
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 Can you believe that the 2021 Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Nov. 5-15, is less than three weeks away?
Here's how the 2021 gathering is shaping up:In addition to live workshops, there is plenty of on-demand content to watch at your convenience. There are also many ways to meet one another and have some fun:
- Networking: Beyond three big networking sessions, attendees can also connect in private video rooms and morning coffee breaks.
- Round Tables: We're hosting several themed discussions on topics like small ruminants, second career farming, and strategies on how to attract pollinators. These are facilitated conversations to connect attendees and experts that give everyone a chance to contribute.
- Meetups: As a substitute for meeting folks in the hallways between sessions or in line waiting for coffee, we're offering several meetups—such as first-time conference-goers, seed swap, cocktails with CFSA's policy team—to help you all connect. Plus, farmers can make connections with wholesale buyers during our Grower-Buyer Meetup (fill out this short form and get your conference ticket!).
- Q&As: 12 on-demand workshops have live Q&As so that attendees can speak with the speaker directly and ask questions about their presentations.
- Games: Have a competitive spirit? We have more than $3,000 in prizes to hand out in various challenges—think $250 Visa gift cards, farm and garden tools, gift certificates, and so much more!
- Virtual Trade Show: Connect with 30+ exhibitors to learn about the services and products that can take your farm, business, or garden to the next level.
- Share & Connect: There's a private social media feed just for SAC! Post photos, comments, and like discussion threads.
Attendees get access to the workshop recordings for three months, so you can attend as many workshops as you want and re-listen to your favorites.
Register for SAC 2021 now and save! It's more affordable and accessible than ever before! Save your seat before prices jump on Nov. 4, 2021.
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NEW: The 2021 conference program is live!
Who is speaking when? Download it here.
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When we think of farming, we rarely associate our farming practices with potentially life-threatening allergens.
Many of the farms I visit are undergoing preparation for their Harmonized GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification, and it is necessary to ask if allergens are present on the farm as part of the standard requirements. I often ask this question to my produce farmers while standing next to a chicken coop brimming with eggs or a picture-perfect peanut field. Commonly, I hear back, “no, no allergens on the farm.”
This is not surprising; many do not realize that six out of the top eight allergens can easily be found on a diversified Carolina farm. Continue reading. |
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USDA Grants Cover COVID-19 Adaptation Costs
There is an urgent deadline coming up for a USDA COVID-19 relief program that provides significant financial support.
Pandemic Response and Safety Grants provide grants to small farms, food processors, distributors, and farmers markets to cover COVID-19 response and safety costs incurred between Jan. 27, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021. Funding requests may range from $1,500 to $20,000, and approximately $650 million is available for grants for these grants. Deadline: Nov. 22, 2021.
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SAC 2021 On-Farm Intensives
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 Achieving Quality & Long Shelf Life Through Good Handling Practices
Nov. 15 | Durham, NC (Red's Quality Acre)
Organic No-Till for Small-Scale Farms
Nov. 15 | Chapel Hill, NC (Faithfull Farms)
Deep Dive Into Irrigation
Nov. 15 | Concord, NC (Lomax Research & Education Farm)
Hands-On Caterpillar Tunnel Construction
Nov. 15 | Monroe, NC (Union County Agricultural Center)
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Grazing Management & Pasture Health
Nov. 15 | Rougemont, NC (Caywood Farm)
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Growing Your Farm’s Potential With Agritourism
Nov. 15 | Cedar Grove, NC (Windy Hill Farm and Botanist & Barrel)
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Southeast Seed Growing
Nov. 15 | Leicester, NC (Franny's Farm)
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A huge thank you to some of our 2021 conference sponsors!
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