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| 6/26/09 |
| AFT Says Historic House Energy Bill Vote Will Usher in New Agricultural Era |
| With this step forward in addressing climate change with agriculture's participation, we are closer to being able to recognize real conservation gains, new farm income and a new era of American farm ingenuity. |
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| 6/26/09 |
| 11th Hour Agreement Secures $1 Billion in Climate Change Bill |
| An 11th hour agreement has secured an additional $1 Billion to recognize agriculture's efforts to sequester carbon. |
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| 6/25/09 |
American Farmland Trust Says "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" Could be Enormous Boost to Conservation
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| “The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 could be the most sweeping conservation legislation enacted in the 21st century,” says Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust |
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| 6/24/09 |
| American Farmland Trust Excited About Waxman-Peterson Deal to Move Climate Change Legislation |
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"It is critical that the legislation ensures U.S. agriculture can, on a widely accessible scale, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting new practices and technologies and by producing low-carbon renewable energy,” says AFT's Jimmy Daukas.
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| 6/19/09 |
| Markets Across the Country Vie to Be Crowned- "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" |
| American Farmland Trust is promoting the connection between fresh local food and the local farms and farmland that supply it through its "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" contest to find three of the country's most cherished venues." |
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| 6/18/09 |
| Small Town Sends Big Message on Agriculture |
| The small town of Hoosick, NY recently sent a big message to Congress on behalf of rural communities when its town board unanimously passed a resolution urging President Barack Obama and the United States Congress to increase federal support for dairy farmers who have been hit hard by rock bottom milk prices. |
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| 6/17/09 |
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State Farmland Preservation Efforts Off Pace in 2008
-AFT's Farmland Information Center
Releases Annual Statistics
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| According to new statistics released by American Farmland Trust’s Farmland Information Center, the efforts of state governments to protect agricultural land through purchase of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs slowed during 2008. |
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| 6/16/09 |
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New Food Movies Make for Great Dialogue
-But American Farmland Trust Says Consider the Farmland
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| Two recently released documentaries, Food, Inc., and Fresh, are increasing the dialogue about food and agricultural production in our country; however, they do not address all of the issues. |
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| 6/08/2009 |
| Conservation and Farm Groups Call on Congress to Address Dairy Crisis |
| Thirty-six conservation groups, farm organizations, local governments and others across the Northeast have joined together requesting that Congress and the Obama administration take quick action to address the crisis facing dairy farmers. |
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| 6/02/2009 |
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Agriculture Groups Outline Priorities for Cap & Trade Legislation
-AFT Says Maximize Agriculture's Participation & Minimize Costs
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AFT President John Scholl spoke to agricultural leaders and the press today as part of the Farm Foundation’s Forum on “Carbon Policy Options and Implications for Agriculture” in Washington, D.C. AFT and other key agricultural organizations also presented their priorities and concerns about the cap and trade section of the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009” to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other leaders.
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| 6/02/09 |
| Voting Has Opened to Select "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" |
| The on-line contest is a nation-wide challenge to see which of America’s 4,685 farmers markets can rally the most support from its customers. The goal is to promote the connection between fresh local food and the local farms and farmland that supply it. |
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| 5/29/09 |
| American Farmland Trust Applauds Rep. Mary Bono Mack on Taking Stand for Agriculture in Climate Change Vote |
| Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) took a stand for agriculture by voting yes on ‘The American Clean Energy and Security Act.' The legislation
will set a national limit of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and create a cap & trade system that will enable the sale of “carbon reduction” credits. |
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| 5/18/09 |
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| American Farmland Trust is pleased to announce its first vote for "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" contest. |
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| 5/15/09 |
| President Slashes Conservation Funding for FY 2010 |
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The President’s proposed budget would cut hundreds of millions of dollars from conservation programs that was promised under the 2008 Farm Bill.
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| 5/14/09 |
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Dedication Honors Preeminent Conservationist
Norman Berg Was USDA/NRCS Chief Emeritus and AFT Senior Advisor
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| At a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) tomorrow, Norman “Norm” Berg, NRCS Chief Emeritus and American Farmland Trust (AFT) Senior Advisor will be honored. |
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| 5/14/09 |
| AFT Applauds State Funding Awarded to Protect Farmland |
| New York State’s Farmland Protection Program has awarded $23 million to permanently protect 8,940 acres on 27 farms. Since 1996, the program has awarded more than $173 million to protect 303 farms encompassing 72,668 acres. |
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| 4/28/09 |
| American Farmland Trust and Texas A&M's Institute for Renewable Natural Resources Release 2009 Texas Rural Land Trends Study |
| A new study conducted for American Farmland Trust (AFT) by the Institute for Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) at Texas A&M University reveals that Texas lost 2.1 million acres of farms, ranches and forest land between 1997 and 2007. |
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| 4/22/09 |
| A Healthy Environment Because of Our Farms, Not in spite of Them |
| Don Stuart, Pacific Northwest Director opines on the positive relation between agriculture and our natural environment. You are welcome to run or reprint this opinion piece with attribution. |
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| 4/22/09 |
| Clean Water: Because of Our Farms, Not in Spite of Them |
| Jim Baird, Mid Atlantic States Director opines on the efforts of farmers to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. You are welcome to run or reprint this opinion piece with attribution. |
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| 4/21/09 |
| Agriculture Critical to Pelosi Delivering On Earth Day Pledge to Pass Climate Bill |
| John (Jay) Winthrop, Jr., Chairman of American Farmland Trust (AFT), participated in an Earth Day roundtable and press conference with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Chairman Waxman (D-CA), Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) to discuss climate change legislation efforts for the year ahead. |
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| 4/7/09 |
| AFT Says State Budget Makes Key Investments in Farms, Environment and Growing a Green Economy |
| The 2009-10 New York state budget approved by the state legislature and Governor Paterson includes important funding that will help farmers protect land and water while strengthening the state’s agricultural industry. |
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3/23/09
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Local School District Receives Grant
-Students and Community Volunteers Will Save Salmon and Farms
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| AFT's Pioneers in Conservation program has issued a Chehalis, Washington school district a grant that will
allow it to help save both salmon and a local farm. |
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| 3/17/09 |
Regional Conference to Highlight Local Opportunities to Grow Farms, Food and Energy
—Farmers, public officials discuss how to support a viable future for farms |
| American Farmland Trust will be joining farmers, local officials, environmental groups, economic development agencies, local food advocates and others from across Central New York to discuss plans to bolster Central New York’s agricultural economy and protect the land upon which farmers depend. |
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| 3/13/09 |
| Connecticut Press Conference and Rally |
| American Farmland Trust will be joining farmers, growers, consumers and chefs for a 'Speak Up for Agriculture' rally at the Connecticut state capitol on March 18, 2009. |
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| 3/10/09 |
| Farmers and Foresters Help Save Salmon and Farms Through Statewide Grant Program |
| The Pioneers in Conservation program makes salmon recovery grants available for farms that develop projects that save salmon while also strengthening the farm or forest business. |
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| 2/25/09 |
| American Farmland Trust to Offer Technical Assistance to Connecticut Municipalities Seeking Farmland Protection |
| AFT will assist town officials in helping to decide and develop farmland protection strategies appropriate for their community. |
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| 2/24/09 |
| American Farmland Trust Extends Congratulations to Dr. Kathleen Merrigan on Nomination as USDA Deputy Secretary |
| American Farmland Trust (AFT) President Jon Scholl extends congratulations to Dr. Kathleen Merrigan on her nomination today as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. |
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| 2/20/09 |
| John Hardin Named to American Farmland Trust Board of Directors |
| The Board of Directors of American Farmland Trust (AFT) has unanimously elected John D. Hardin, Jr., of Indiana to serve a three-year term as director. |
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| 2/18/09 |
| Governor Lauded for Focus on Working Lands |
| AFT applauds Wisconsin Gov. James Doyle for acting decisively to protect Wisconsin's working lands in the state’s biennial budget. |
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| 2/18/09 |
| Letter to the Editors of The Washington Post |
| In response to The Washington Post's recent articles on Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, this letter has been submitted to the editors and is currently under consideration. |
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| 2/11/09 |
| American
Farmland Trust Applauds Agriculture
Secretary Vilsack's Interest in Local
Food |
| “American Farmland Trust is helping farmers and communities work together to meet the burgeoning demand for local food,” says Julia Freedgood, managing director of the Growing Local campaign. “We applaud Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack for bringing a new level of interest in local food to the USDA, and we support his premise that we don’t have adequate infrastructure or distribution capacity to support the demand for local food in the United States.” |
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| 2/04/09 |
| AFT Comments on Decline in Land in Farms: Better Data Needed To Establish Farmland Protection Goals; Agricultural Land a Critical National Resource |
| AFT President John Scholl notes that the nationwide declince in land in farms "comes at time when there is much discussion about the importance of agriculture and agricultural land in meeting some of the biggest food, fiber, energy and ecosystem challenges our nation faces.” |
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| 1/23/09 |
| AFT Applauds Selection of New York's Senator Gillibrand |
| American Farmland Trust believes Governor Paterson has made an inspired choice in selecting Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to fill New York’s vacant Senate seat. |
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| 1/23/09 |
| American Farmland Trust Releases "9 for 09" Farm and Food Policy Recommendations for the Obama Administration |
| American Farmland Trust has issued nine farm and food policy recommendations to help guide the Obama administration towards implementing a progressive farm, food, energy and environment agenda. |
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| 1/19/09 |
| American Farmland Trust and State Agriculture Department Announce Next Group of Working Lands Workshop |
| AFT and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture have scheduled a new set of workshops for February and March, focusing on the future of Wisconsin’s working lands. |
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| 1/14/09 |
Urban Edge Communities Can Retain Agricultural Benefits
—AFT Partners with University of Nebraska-Lincoln on New Report
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| American Farmland Trust (AFT) has partnered with Dick Esseks and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to release Farm Viability in Urbanizing Areas,
a report regarding the long-term viability of agriculture in counties that are becoming increasingly urban.
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| 1/08/09 |
| Letter Submitted to the Opinion Editor of the Syracuse, NY, Post-Standard |
| This letter commending the Hourigan Dairy Farm and illustrating the NYS budget situation has been submitted to the Syracuse, NY, Post-Standard. |
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| 1/07/09 |
| Letter to the Editor of the Daily Gazette Regarding the Effects of New York State Budget Cuts on the Farmland Protection Program |
| American Farmland Trust sent a letter to the editor of the Daily Gazette in Schenectady, N.Y. concerning the state budget; the letter is currently under consideration by the paper. |
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