As you know, producers are responding to skyrocketing demand for local food by increasing production, creating new markets, and launching new businesses. Locally marketed foods accounted for an estimated $4.8 billion in gross sales in 2008, whilethe number of farmers markets nationwide jumped 17 percent in 2011. Despite these growing opportunities, producers face significant infrastructure, [...] 
Department of Agriculture Announces Meat Processor License Suspension Facility in Strasburg no longer permitted to process, sell meat REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (February 10, 2012) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture has suspended the processing license of Olde Strasburg Meats located at 1317 N. Wooster Ave. in Strasburg, Ohio. The establishment’s license, ODA Est. #21, was suspended [...] 
An update from FMC, for farmers’ markets that accept SNAP: Earlier this year, IRS issued a final rule on “Information Reporting Requirements Payments Made in Settlement of Payment Cards and Third Party Network Transactions” (6050W for short). Many of you have been eagerly awaiting a final word regarding the reporting obligations of markets operating scrip [...] The USDA is currently collecting nominations for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. [...] A few short weeks ago, the Farmers Market Coalition became aware of a new Final Rule related to IRS reporting requirements for electronic transactions. This regulation, ‘Information Reporting for Payments Made in Settlement of Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions,’ (6050W, for short) requires that all payments, including EBT, debit, and credit sales, be [...] Ohio Action Alert Two weeks ago, the House passed its spending bill (“continuing resolution”) for Fiscal Year 11 – the year we’re in right now. Their bill would cut over $5.2 BILLION from agriculture – a disproportionate share of the budget! (a 22% cut, compared with 6% from other sectors.) While the bill does not [...] On February 14th, 2011, President Obama released his proposed budget for FY 2012. Despite more than $3.2 billion in proposed discretionary cuts to the overall USDA Budget, the President showed some Valentine’s Day love for farmers markets by including $4 million in his proposed budget for USDA Food and Nutrition Service for providing wireless POS [...] 
President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act today, after a long bout of legislative wrangling by local food advocates, small farmers and their allies for food safety rules that protect consumers without curbing the growing movement toward fresh, local and regional food. The food safety bill passed by the House in July of 2009 [...] Earlier today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2751 The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act with 215 voting for and 144 against. Ten Republicans voted for the bill (see Final Vote). This is the bill that the Senate passed by voice vote on Sunday, December 19th, with the Tester-Hagan amendment protecting small farms intact. [...] On Monday, December 13, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the release of TIP Net, an online tool to help link retiring farmers who have expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts with beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers who want to buy or rent land for their operations. Under the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), administered [...] |
 The Ohio Farmers' Market Handbook: Order your copy >>
Includes a planning guide on starting a farmers' market in your community plus regulation resources and best practices for growing and running a successful farmers market in Ohio.
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