Archived Issues of ASAN Update (Quarterly Newsletter)

2020 FALL/WINTER

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• Statewide Farmer Needs Assessment: Calling all producers and aspiring producers!
• Join us for the Reimagined 2020 Food & Farm Forum, Dec 3-13!
• Apply — or Nominate Someone — to Join the ASAN board of directors
• Welcome to two new team members!
• ASAN Helps Provide Over $30K in COVID Relief to Farmers And Markets
• Thanks For Grazing Responsibly With Us — Now Keep It Going!

2020 SUMMER

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• COVID-19 Brings Widespread Disruption, and opportunities for Building Community Resilience
• ASAN offers COVID-19 Relief Funds for Farmers and Markets
• New Faces of ASAN Leadership — ASAN Board, Staff, and Youth Council
• Food & Farm Forum — Save the Date, and Propose to Lead a Session!
• Central Alabama CRAFT 2020
• No In-person Graze This Year — But Still Support your Local Farms and Restaurants!
• SSAWG Announces Closure
• Member Profiles Series: Joseph Battistella

2020 SPRING

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• Community Spirit Energizes Biggest Food & Farm Forum Ever!
• Get Involved With ASAN in 2020!
• Be Part of ASAN’s Youth Work in 2020!
• Central AL CRAFT Update
• FARFA Lawsuit: Produce Safety Rule Hurts Small Farmers
• Watch Out For Biosolid Sludge Labeled as “Fertilizer”
• Member Profiles Series: Joe Kemble
• Member Profiles Series: Allison and Kirk Creel, Blue Rooster Farms

2019 WINTER

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• Join Us on the Coast! Food & Farm Forum 2019
• Central Alabama CRAFT Network Kicks Off With a Bang
• Staff Changes at ASAN!
• Apply – Or Nominate Someone – To Join the Board of Directors
• Farm Food Collaborative Celebrates Farm-to-School Month
• Root Deep in Data! An Update From the Southeast Organic Partnership
• What a Way to Celebrate Five Years of Grazing in Birmingham!
• Member Profiles Series: Randi & David Carter, Owl Good Farm
• Member Profiles Series: Aubrey Gallegos, Camp McDowell

2019 FALL

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• First-Ever Graze: Huntsville Draws 500+ attendees!
• Graze: Birmingham Turns Five! Join us September 8
• C.R.A.F.T. Network Forms for Farmer Training and Networking
• Introducing the 2019 ASAN Youth Council
• What to Expect: 2019 Forum and Youth Forum
• Member Profiles Series: Doug Allen, Pelham Culinary Academy
• Member Profiles Series: Danica Abejon, Sweet City Micros
• ASAN Farmer Inventory and Winter Internships

2019 SUMMER

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• Propose a Session for this Year’s Forum / Youth Forum!
• Join us in July for the Inaugural Graze: Huntsville!
• Parkinson’s Disease and Pesticides: One Family’s Story
• Latest Updates on the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule
• New Additions to the ASAN Team
• Update from the Southeast Organic Partnership at Tuskegee University
• Is Organic Production for Me?  A Survey of Alabama Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Growers
• Member Profiles Series: Poarch Band of Creek Indians
• North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund Supports Small Businesses

2019 SPRING

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• Record Group Gathers for Amazing 2018 Food & Farm Forum!
• Tech Company Square Invests $2M to Save Leading Provider of Farmers Market SNAP Availability
• 2019 ASAN Outlook, and How to Get Involved
• Changes to ASAN Membership
• Gratitude
• Want to Help Organize this Year’s Youth Forum?
• Member Task Force Updates ASAN’s Core Belief Statements
• We’ve Got Hats and T-shirts!
• ASAN Forms Pilot Farmers Market Leadership Committee
• Farmers Markets: Join ASAN to Also Become a Member of the Farmers Market Coalition
• Member Profiles Series: Foster Dickson
• Member Profiles Series: Barbara Shipman

2018-19 WINTER

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• Outlook: 2018 Food & Farm Forum
• Save with the Alabama Renewable Energy Assessment Program
• Hometown Action and ASAN Launch Community Survey
• ASAN Attends US Food Sovereignty Alliance Assembly
• Introducing ASAN’s Newest Board Members
• Meet the Brilliant Young People Behind the Youth Food & Farm Forum
• September Showers Make for Great Grazing
• Member Profiles Series: Clif Joulian, the Nurse Farmer
• Member Profiles Series: Meg Ford
• “Growing Farm Profits” Scholarship Opportunity for Farmer-Mentor Teams
• Note About the Enclosed ASAN Organizational Documents
• Market Survey Seeks Feedback of Alabama Fruit, Vegetable, and Nut Producers

2018 FALL

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• Seed Saving 101: Tubers, and More about the Seed Bank
• Preview of the 4th Annual Graze: Birmingham
• Food & Farm Forum Important Dates and Deadlines
• Meet ASAN’s Staff!
• Member Profiles Series: Kamilla Holst Nelson, Happy Flappy Farm
• Member Profiles Series: Chef Thyme Randle, the Underground Cooking Academy
• Update from the Southeast Organic Partnership at Tuskegee University

2018 SUMMER

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• Farm Bill 2018: What You Need to Know (and Do!)
• Seed Saving 101: Storage
• Announcing our First-Ever Youth Food & Farm Forum
• ASAN Odds & Ends
• Member Profiles Series: Martha Daughdrill, Viperville Vegetable Farm
• Member Profiles Series: Marilyn Mannhard, Local Food Production Initiative
• Alabama Farmers and Ranchers: Please Complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture

2018 SPRING

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• 2017 in Review: “Cultivate ASAN” Strategic Planning Process
• 2017 in Review: Food & Farm Forum
• Seed Saving 101: Harvesting and Processing
• Member Profiles Series: Kristin Woods
• Member Profiles Series: Working Cows Dairy
• Many Thanks to Several Outgoing Board Members
• SSAWG Comes to Chattanooga
• Update from the Southeast Organic Partnership at Tuskegee University

2017-18 WINTER

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• Seed Saving 101: How to Ensure True-to-Type Seed – By the Sand Mountain Seed Bank
• Business Brainstorming with a Business Model Canvas – By Karen Wynne
• 2018 SSAWG Conference Comes to Chattanooga
• An “Outpouring” of Thanks for Another Fantastic Graze!
• Winter 2017-18 Conferences and Gatherings
• National Young Farmer Survey Releases Results

2017 FALL

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• ‘Tis the Off-Season: Marketing Through the Winter – By Karen Wynne
• Don’t Miss the 25th Blount County Solar Homes Tour – By Daryl Bergquist
• Welcome to Seed Saving 101 – By the Sand Mountain Seed Bank
• Join us September 17 for the 3rd Annual Graze: Birmingham!
• Thank you for helping “Cultivate ASAN”!

2017 SUMMER

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• New Office, New Staff!
• Good Post-Harvest Handling Methods Help Maximize Profit, Minimize Waste and Risk
• Enjoying Human and Microbial Community at Ferment Festival
• Save the Date for Graze: Birmingham!
• Share your Views and Help “Cultivate ASAN” This Year!

2017 SPRING

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• A Non-Spray Approach to Spotted Wing Drosophila – by Rod Havens
• The Food Turn-Up! Growing Food Literacy to Reduce Chronic Disease – By Natilee McGruder
• ASAN Outlook for 2017 – We Want to Hear from You!
• Help Us Welcome Seven New Members to ASAN’s Board of Directors
• ASAN Partners on Four-Year Organic Initiative
• ASAN Helps 17 Farmers Attend 2017 SSAWG Conference; 2018 Conference Moves to Chattanooga
• Reformatted Cost Share Program Makes Organic Certification Easier – by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
• How Sustainable Agriculture Advocates Can Take Action in 2017 – by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

2016-17 WINTER:

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• Water Stewards for Life – By Skye Borden
• Policy Corner: Food Safety Regulations – By Karen Wynne
• Balancing Increased Irrigation, Erratic Water Flows, and Inadequate Water Policy – By Mary Ignatiadis
• Regional Forums Rundown
• Grazing in the City: 2nd Annual Farm-to-Fork Picnic Showcases Friends Old and New
• Start with the Visceral: Afro-Vegan Chef Bryant Terry in Montgomery – By Natilee McGruder
• Don’t Miss the 2017 SSAWG Conference!
• As the Materials Flow: What is your community made of? – By Lindsey Lunsford
• Join, Renew, donate, or Give a Gift For ASAN this December!

2016 FALL:

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• Policy corner: Business Licenses and Sales Tax – By Sheree Martin
• Notes from the Field: How I Spent my Summer Vacation
  — Going Green in India – By David Meek
  — Collecting Soil, Bearing Witness to Lynching Victims – Madison Clark
  — Learning to Drive A No-Frills Alabama Made Tractor – By Caroline Grove
• Oggún Tractors – “An example for the world” – By Locky Catron
• The Regional Forums are Here!
• Another Great Year for Grazing
• Thanks to our Summer Intern Caroline
• Eat Drink Read Write Festival Returns to Birmingham – By Brandon Crawford Smith
• Cost Share Program Makes Organic Certification More Affordable
• Resources Available for Beginning Farmers

2016 SUMMER:

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• A Buyer’s Guide to Navigating Farmers Markets – By Katie Willis
• Coming Soon to Alabama: Industrial Hemp
  — New Law Legalizes Industrial Hemp Farming in Alabama, For Research Purposes Only – By McMillan Arrington
  — A Brief History of Industrial Hemp in the U.S. – Michael LaBelle
• Now Available: Comprehensive School Garden Curriculum for Alabama – By Lindsay Turner
• New Meat Processing Facility for Sustainable Farmers Needs Your Support
• Policy Roundup: Hunger Prevention and the Alabama Legislature – By Carol Gundlach

2016 SPRING:

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• Emerging Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture: Organic Grains – By Alice Evans, Michael LaBelle, Graydon Rust, and Allison Stewart
  — Profile: Windy Acres Farm in Orlinda, TN
  — Profile: To Your Health Sprouted Flour Company in Fitzpatrick, AL
  — Profile: Rye project with High Ridge Spirits (Union Springs, AL) and MightyGrow Organics (Fruitdale, AL)
• Deadline Approaching for Working-Farm Conservation Program (CSP) – By the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), compiled by Katie Willis
• Sustainability in the Black Belt – By Kayla Robinson
• Introduction of new members of ASAN Board of Directors
• Experienced Growers Wanted: Help Save the Sand Mountain Seed Bank- By Trae Watson
• Update on Alabama’s Beginning Farmer/Rancher Development Program – by Jayme Oates

2015-16 WINTER:

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• Food Policy Briefings – By Karen Wynne and Renee Maas (Trans-Pacific Partnership, DARK Act / GMO labeling, poultry processing regulations, Food Freedom legislation, FSMA / food safety, farm business roadmaps)
• Report-back from Community Land Trust conference – By Susan Diane Mitchell
• Regional Forums rundown
• Thoughts on youth and the future of sustainable ag in Alabama – By Natilee McGruder
• New resources for Alabama’s beginning farmers – By Jayme Oates

2015 FALL:

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• Emerging Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture: Garlic – By Michael LaBelle
• You Don’t Want to Miss Graze: Birmingham
• ‘Tis the Season for ASAN Regional Food & Farm Forums!
• “Nothing to Lose But Our Chains”: Envisioning Just Transitions – By Gabe Denton
• The Hows and Whys of Monitoring Water Quality – By Stephen Tsikalas
• Shepherd Bend Mine Proposal Defeated at Last – By Nelson Brooke
• Building #SouthernPeoplesPower in Uniontown and Beyond – By Susan Diane Mitchell
• Formation of Statewide Community Garden Network Underway – By Anne Randle
• A Big Win for Second Chances: Alabama Ends its Lifetime SNAP Ban – By Carol Gundlach

2015 SUMMER:

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• Adventures in Fermentation – By Pete Halupka and Lindsay Whiteaker
• Emerging Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture: Blackberries – By Michael LaBelle
• Resisting Monoculture to Embrace “Many Worlds Within One World” (writeup of Beehive Collective workshops) – By Robyn Hyden
• What’s Up with Edwin? – By Anne LaBelle
• High Tunnel Pest Exclusion System: A Much-Needed Innovation – By Ayanava Majumdar
• The Local Food System: Getting to Know Your Neighbor – By Natilee McGruder

2015 SPRING:

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• Emerging Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture: Bananas – By Michael LaBelle
• Huntsville Garden Collective Combating Food Injustice – By Jaleel Nash
• Getting “Off the Grid” in Blount County – By Wade Austin
• ASAN Board Transitions: Introductions and Farewells
• Don’t Miss the 1st Annual Tennessee Valley Farm Tour – By Karen Wynne
• Changes, Transitions, and Improvements AT ASAN!
• Rooted in the Land: Wisdom from Black Women Farmers in Alabama – By Natilee McGruder
• SSAWG Conference Wraps up stint in Alabama, ASAN gives 29 Scholarships – By Alice Evans

2014-2015 WINTER:

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• Emerging Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture Series: Shiitake Mushrooms – By Michael LaBelle
• Thoughts from A Visit from Joel Salatin – By Natilee McGruder and George and Becky Rogers
• Farm-to-School Spotlight: Dothan – By Michael Jackson
• Checking in on the 2014 ASAN Regional Food & Farm Forums
• Slow Money—What’s That?! – By LaTanya Millhouse
• Wallace State Community College To Launch Sustainable Ag Certificate
• Civil Rights at the Center of Farm Aid in Raleigh – By Michael Wall

2014 FALL:

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• Emerging Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture Series: Elderberries – By Michael LaBelle
• Rooted in the Land: Black Cultural Identity – By Natilee McGruder
• Learning from the Model of a Costa Rican Coffee Co-op – By Mary Ignatiadis
• “Train the Trainer” Workshops on Organic High Tunnels Planned in October
• Updated Small Farms Resource Guide Now Available
• The Year of The Horse: Learning to Farm with Draft Animals – By Joan Robertson
• ASAN Regional Food & Farm Forums are Back!
• FSMA: What is it, again? Why does it matter? And where are we now? – By NSAC Food Safety Team

2014 SUMMER:

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• Keeping Families and Farms Protected Forever – By Marie Bostick
• Water is Life: Alabama Needs a Sustainable Water Management Plan – By Cindy Lowry
• What’s in Store for Alabama? Expanded Access to Healthy Food – By Melanie Bridgeforth
• Sharpening a Vision for Grassroots Economic Empowerment at “Jackson Rising” Conference – By Rob Burton
• What is the Cost of Poverty in our Communities? – By Cynthia McKinney
• NC-Based Professional Sheep Shearer Visits Alabama Farms – By Charlie Meek
• Society of St. Andrew- Gleaning Alabama’s Fields, Feeding Alabama’s Hungry – By Mary Lynn Botts
• Druid City Garden Project Expands this Fall
• Potential Tar Sands Operation Poses Threat to Northwest Alabama Soil and Water – By Cindy Lowry
• ASAN Hosts Community Potlucks around the State
• Updates from Regional Food Policy Councils
• Food Policy Briefing: New Cottage Food Law Goes into Effect June 1 – By Kristin Woods

2014 SPRING:

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• An Off-Bottom Inspiration on the Gulf – By Jim Lancuster and Bill Walton
• What’s Going on in Your Soil?  The Basics of Soil Fertility – By Michael LaBelle
• Grassroots Efforts to Fight Hunger Take Root in Russell County – By Alice Evans
• Training a New Generation of capable, compassionate Farm Advocates – By Rita-Bennett Chew
• The Benefits of Using Silvopasture to “Stack” Livestock, Forestry, and Pasture – By Emily Stutzman Jones
• Deadline Approaches for Health Care Enrollment, While Groups Push to Close Alabama’s “Coverage Gap” – by Alice Evans
• Loan Fund Receives New Money to Fund Food-related Businesses – By Mary Ellen Judah
• Food Policy Briefings—updates on State and Federal Food Policy (Grocery Tax, Cottage Food Bill, and the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act) – by Carol Gundlach, Chris Sanders, Barbara Parsons, and Anita Daniel
• Updates from Regional Food Policy Councils
• ASAN Needs Survey Results
• All Hands on Deck — ASAN Needs Your Help!

2013-2014 WINTER:

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• After the Farm: Post-Production Challenges in the Local Meat Movement – By Tiffany Williams Woods
• Charting the Course for “A Garden in Every School” – By Alice Evans
• Getting Started with Crop Rotation – By Karen Wynne
• Jim ‘N Nick’s Supporting Local, Heritage Hog Production – By Alice Evans
• Snapshots from the 2013 Regional Food and Farm Forums
• Mobile Welcomes 2014 SSAWG Conference
• NARLF (North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund) Awards First Three Loans
• Policy Updates (Food Safety Modernization Act and Farm Bill)

2013 FALL: (click title to open PDF)

• A Different Path from Farm To Fork: Community Supported Agriculture in Alabama – By Mary Ignatiadis
• Cover Up! Cover Crops 101 – By Jan Garrett
• Regarding Cypress Creek Organic Farms
• Incubator Farm Program Is Growing Successful New Farmers – By Karen Wynne
• Cooking With the Seasons: Fall, Recipe for Caramelized Onion and Butternut Squash Tart – By Steve Bunner
• Cooking With the Seasons: Fall, Recipe for Pecan Pie – By Becky Rogers
• Getting Paid For Doing Good: Protecting our Water Supply – By Skye Borden
• “Grow your Voice” at ASAN’s 2013 Regional Food & Farm Forums

2013 SUMMER: (click title to open PDF)

• Opportunities and Challenges of Farm-to-Restaurant – By Alice Evans
• Why Not Pick Your Own? – By Mike Reeves
• Solarization CAN Help Rid Your High Tunnel of Diseases, Pests and Weed Seeds – By Victor Khan
• Black Belt Sewing Collective Launches Web Store – By Natilee McGruder
• Cooking With the Seasons: Summer, Recipe for Crazy Sista’s Shrimp Ceviche – By Lucy Buffett
• ASAN Farmers “Fly-in” to Speak To Congress – By Shavaun Evans
• Mr. Bowen Goes (Back) to Washington – By Mark Bowen
• Why Care About Policy? – By Alice Evans
• Updates from the Alabama Food Policy Council

More archived issues:  (contact us by email and we’ll send you a PDF)

2013 SPRING:

• The Lowdown on High Tunnels – By Victor Khan
• Jacksonville-Area Farmers Talk Regional Strategy
• Crop Mob Program Poised to Expand
• Beekeeping Goes Hand-in-Hand With Farming, but it ain’t Easy – By Roslyn Horton
• Profile: Cold Creek Honey Company
• Learning Network Helps Farmers Better Utilize High Tunnels
• ASAN To Host “Wholesale Success” Workshop in Cullman
• Collaboration Leads to Extraordinary Farm-to-Plate Journey – By Kathryn Strickland and Mary Lynn Botts
• Cooking With the Seasons: Spring Greens, Recipe for Mustard Greens Surprise – By Yawah Awolowo
• Cooking With the Seasons: Spring Greens, Recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprout and Radicchio Salad with Toasted Walnuts – Reprinted from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
• Seeds Bring Together a Community — Community Seed Swap in Huntsville
• Black Belt Farmers’ Produce Featured at “Farm to Table” Dinner – By Keisha Turner-Abrahams
• Update on Food Policy Work Around the State
• Alabama Farmers to Make their Case in Washington, DC

2012-2013 WINTER:

• Camp McDowell Lays Groundwork for New McDowell Farm School
• 2013 Southern SAWG Conference Is Coming Up Soon!
• A Primer on Hosting Farm Interns
• A Conversation with Andy Grace of “Eating Alabama”
• State Food Policy Council Presents Opportunities, Challenges – By Will Thomas
• Growing Under Cover: High Tunnel Production in Alabama
• North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund Now Accepting Applications
• Advanced Organic Training Held in North Carolina
• Fifth Annual Farm and Food Forum Brings Together Leaders From Around the State
• Getting Certified: The Certification Process, and Which Certification (If Any) Might Be Right For You
  • Certification that Supports Local Farmer Networks: Certified Naturally Grown – By Alice Varon
  • Understanding the Organic Certification Process – By Karen Wynne