Latest Temperate Agroforester Now o­nline
www.aftaweb.org/readcurrent.php

The latest issue of the Temperate Agroforester, AFTA’s quarterly journal, is now available for o­nline viewing. It is the first issue under the new editorship of Mike Jacobson of Penn State University. Contents include feature articles o­n an ecological study of a riparian buffer area in Colorado, a brief overview of water quality trading and how it could affect buffer plantings, and efforts to promote the chestnut for new markets in the Midwest.

Watch for Upcoming "Farm Bill Forums" in Your Area
http://www.nacdnet.org/FB/next.htm

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public discussion o­n farm policy considerations regarding the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in global and domestic markets; challenges facing new farmers and ranchers as they enter agriculture; appropriateness and effectiveness of the distribution of farm program benefits; achievement of conservation and environmental goals; and enhancement of rural economic growth and opportunities to expand agricultural products, markets and research. To this end, they will be hosting a series of Farm Bill Forums across the country throughout 2005. Anyone wishing to comment o­n the importance of agroforestry as a means to achieve both conservation and economic goals should attend a Forum. The NACD website will list forthcoming Forums. Comments may be submitted at anytime via the USDA Farm Bill Forums website at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill

Comment Period Extended for Conservation Security Program

The deadline for public comment o­n the amended interim final rule Conservation Security Program (CSP) has been extended from July 25 to September 9, 2005. The CSP provides financial and technical assistance to private producers who incorporate conservation practices such as windbreaks, riparian buffers and alley cropping in their farm management. Send comments by mail to Financial Assistance Programs Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, or by e-mail to FarmBillRules@usda.gov.

Legislation Proposed to Regulate Ginseng Harvest

Ginseng is a lucrative nontimber forest product in several regions of the US, including Appalachia and the Lake States. Wild harvested roots generally attract higher prices than do intensively cultivated (i.e. shade house) crops, and disputes over false advertising of origin have attracted the attention of legislators at both the state and federal levels. Proposed legislation in West Virginia seeks to monitor ginseng harvested both from the wild and under cultivation. It requires collectors and growers to certify their crops through the state Division of Forestry (see http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=1831). At the federal level, Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) has introduced the Ginseng Harvest Labeling Act to require country of origin labeling for all ginseng sold in retail markets (see http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.cfm?id=498&yr=2005).

International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/multi/journals/journals_ijas.asp

The International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (IJAS) is a multi-disciplinary, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to "advancing the understanding of sustainability in agricultural and food systems." Original papers are welcome that explores issues of sustainability within the major themes of agriculture-environment interactions, agriculture and rural economy interactions, institutional and policy issues, technology development, and food and consumer issues. Contents of past issues includes papers related to agroforestry.

Dryland Buffer Research at Pullman (WA) PMC

The NRCS Plant Materials Center at Pullman, WA is tackling the challenge of finding suitable species for conservation buffers that are adaptable to low rainfall and poor soil conditions in areas of south central Washington. The Horse Heaven Hills, a wheat growing region, averages 6 inches of annual rainfall and has highly erodible soils composed of volcanic ash. The PMC initiated several studies in 2004 to evaluate plant materials and establishment methods. o­ne trials is evaluated the effect of weed barrier fabric o­n the survival and growth of several shrub species. Another study is screening tall grasses for adaptation to low rainfall conditions, and a third project is testing different establishment methods for grass buffers along a state highway which is notorious for blowing dust. For a PDF copy of the 2004 Progress Report, email the PMC at pmc_nrcs@wsunix.wsu.edu.