Local Food Policies - Recently Updated Pages

Tools

mark — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:35:08 CST

Policy as a tool . . . more specifically a tool "or instrument of public action [which] can be defined as an identifiable method through which collective action is structured to address a public problem" (from Salamon, et. al. 2002, 19).

A means by which something is done;agency as in an actualorganization, a drink milk campaign.
One used to accomplish some purpose; a law, a condition, aclause, a program.
A mechanical implement; a publicly paid for waste holdingtank, a bulk tank.
Adevice for recording or measuring; especially such adevice functioning as part of a control system (could be ametric or using a metric as an eligibility criteria or athreshold).

Policy Tools can:

Embody certain features
Structure action, especially collective action
Operate alone
Or can operate as a “suite” of tools which, in turn can have both distinct individual action as well as interactive and/or collective joint action.

Examples of policy tools (from Salamon, et. al., 2002):

Social regulations
Economic regulations
Purchase-of-service contracts
Procurement contracts
Grants and gifts
Loans and loan guarantees
Vouchers
Government Insurance
Corrective taxes, charges, and tradable permits
Government corporations
Regulations
Tariffs
Payments
Price Supports
Public Information (e.g., research)
Education

(abstracted from a power point presentation by Chris Koliba, UVM-MPA Program, CDAE)

Farm Bill videos

mark — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:43:02 CST

In this 5-part series of conversations with Dan Imhoff, he explains how the farm bill has evolved, and what it has come to mean for farmers and the American public. If you think it's just politics as usual, you may be astonished at what you hear:

Farm Bill

mark — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:51:38 CST

ISSUE

The Farm Bill is up for renewal in 2007, Farm Bills have been in place for 3/4 of a century and are renewed every 5 years.

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

The Farm Bill is a multi-faceted set of policy tools which affects all parts of the food production cycle. It affects farmer's decisions about what and how much of a particular crop to grow. It affects the financial position of the farmer, and provides financial and educational resources to farmers. The Farm Bill also affects the price of commodities, which are purchased by processors. This then affects the price paid by the rest of the actors in the food cycle.

POLICY

2007 Farm Bill - Overall

POLICY TOOL

The various iterations of the omnibus Farm Bill over the last three quarter’s century have employed various policy tools, including:

• Direct Government: Direct Subsidies, other programs, price supports for farmers that grow commodity crops like corn, wheat, cotton, rise, sorghum, oats and barley and soybeans. Also provides domestic food assistance (e.g. food stamps)
• Public Information: Outreach, education, training programs, technical assistance, labeling
• Grants: US Govt. is single largest source of public agricultural research funding
• Loans, Insurance

SCALE

The scale of the impacts of the Farm Bill ranges from global to local. The price supports and subsidies can lead to retaliatory tariffs and can influence the ability of small farmers in other countries to compete on the global market.

Nationally, the Farm Bill influences food safety, cost and availability, and contributes to agricultural research for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the world.

Locally, the farm bill affects farmers, and thus local economies. In 1999, the largest 7% of farms received 45% of all government subsidy payments. The 75% of farms classified as small received only 14% of the subsidies.

ACTORS

Given the wide-scale impacts and policy tools involved in the Farm Bill, many actors are involved, and strange alliances have been formed. Generally speaking, the voice of small farmers is soft compared to that of agribusiness.

• U.S. Government, politicians from agricultural states
• Environmentalists, consumers, health advocates
• Farmers and ranchers of various size operations
• Agricultural exporters, producers, distributors, investors
• Fertilizer, pesticide, farm equipment producers
• Farm-dependent rural communities
• Economists
• Taxpayers
• Fiscally conservative groups

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

The Farm Bill was originally put in place as part of the New Deal with the goal of protecting farmers from risks inherent in farming, which include large scale price fluctuations caused by markets and crop fluctuations caused by weather. The bill evolved to include dollars for research on disease prevention, food borne illness prevention, resource conservation and environmental protection. Other goals of the bill include ensuring that the U.S. has safe, secure and affordable food, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy, providing more opportunities and support for new and beginning farmers, increasing global competitiveness, protecting the environment and enhancing rural communities.

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

The overall policy goal of the Farm Bill has been security. The bill has remained essentially unchanged in the last three quarter’s century. In recent years the policy tools used to meet these goals have been called into question, and analysis is required to determine if the original problems still exist and if the policy tools used are still appropriate.

Questions about global equity have also arisen as price supports and subsidies affect the ability of farmers in other countries to compete in the global economy. There are also equity issues between small and large farmers.

Efficiency has been a policy goal implicated as well. Researchers continue to look into the best way to produce the most food with the least inputs.

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Direct and visible in the budget. Very visible to the parties involved. 52 public forums were held to gather input for the 2007 Farm Bill.

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

The Farm Bills of the past primarily provided benefits to large-scale farming operations producing commodity crops. Small farmers did not receive much in the way of financial benefits from the bill, although the research and outreach may have been beneficial.

The price supports and subsidies in past bills have distorted the market and negatively impacted the ability of farmers in other countries to compete. However, the new bill will likely reduce or remove these subsidies, especially in light of the WTO restrictions.

Despite some potentially negative impacts of the bill on small farmers, the last farm bill did address sustainability issues included the Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs and Community Food Security Grants, and included funds for on-farm renewable energy systems, and a specialty crop purchasing program for school lunches and service institutions.

The 2007 Farm Bill is the process of being developed. Judging from the online commentary and public feedback, it seems that the issues that local and small farmers care about are gaining visibility. The commentary also suggests that there is awareness that the changing global economy, the financial position of farmers, and new technological advances necessitates changes in policy. There are recommendations that would assist new and young farmers with programs such as increasing loan limits, flexible repayment schedules, providing research, outreach and education to farmers in transition, and enhancing benefits of USDA risk management programs.

Overall, while the farm bills of the past may have done nothing to specifically help small farmers, and may have hurt them, it seems that there is potential for the 2007 Farm Bill to actually help them.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Farm Bill Web Site - Theme Papers discussing in user-friendly language the key issues for that theme, as well as other information on past farm bills and prep work for the 2007 bill.

This USDA site provides an overview of key issues that will inform the 2007 Farm Bill.

The FarmBill2007 blogbrings together some information on the topic.

An article on farm subsidies in relation to free trade arguments.

Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group website with info on the 2007 Farm Bill:

An article on Sustainable Ag in the 2007 Farm Bill from the UC-Davis Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

U.S. Food Policy - A blog on the U.S. food policy and economics from a public interest perspective.

The Farm Bill Debate - A report from Minnesota Public Radio.

FarmPolicy.com - A blog summarizing farm policy news.

Farm Policy Facts - A summary of farm policy news from American Agri-Women, American Sugar Alliance, Minnesota Corn Growers Associations, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cotton Council, National Milk Producers Federation, National Sorghum Producers, and USA Rice Federation.

OxFam America's take on the 2007 Farm Bill.

The Nebraska Center for Rural Affairs' take on the 2007 Farm Bill.

Organic Labeling

Trishdish — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:29:31 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

POLICY
Social Regulation

POLICY TOOL

SCALE

[International, National, State, Local, NGO, other]

ACTORS

[International, Federal/National, State, Local, NGO, Other]

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

[Security, Effectiveness, Equity, Liberty]

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

[Levels or extent of: Coerciveness, Directness, Visiblity, Automaticity, Certainty, and/or Flexibility]

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Organic Agriculture and the Farm Bill 2007 - some areas that will be addressed
1) Exemption of certified Organic Products from Assessments. If a market or producer only provides services under a National Organic Program they will be eligable to be excused from paying assessments for the national generic promotion prgrams. Organic growers had concerns about paying for a promotion that had little to do with their product.
2) National Organic Certified Cost-Share Program. This will provide $5 million to fund in the assistance for producers and marketers of organic foods to attain their certification. The producer/handeler will be redeemed 75% of the cost of the certification.
3) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative. Research including producing data on production, development of organic agricultural products, and breeding and processing methods. $15 million will be put aside, mostly going toward government organizations and higher education.
4) Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives. Data on organic production and marketing is pooled into the mainstream data collection on all agriculture.
Source and More Information: Organics in the Farm Bill

5. Retail/Consumer

mark — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:24:21 CDT

The Retail and Consumer section should contain information like:

Nutritional education
Public information / awareness
School food policies
Restaurant purchasing

The Organic Foods Production Act was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy in the 1990 Farm Bill and Organic Restoration Act, to counteract the rider that would have made certain standards less enforceable by the USDA. This made way for the USDA Organic Labeling and Certification program.

This program supports U.S. organic farmers because it increases the visibility of organic food and hopefully by extension communicates the benefits of this food, which thus increases market demand. Furthermore, the organic label adds value to the product (at least among a certain set of consumers.) Producers of less than $5000 per year do not need to be certified. The cost of becoming certified could be a barrier for some producers, but Senator Leahy also has a program to mitigate those costs. The fee-schedule is based on the gross sales of the operation. There is currently a federal program which will reimburse 75% of any certification feed paid by farmers and processors.

The USDA organic label comes into play during the purchase of the product, however, in order to become organic certain measures need to be taken during the growing and production of the product.

Organic food is the fastest growing segment of American Agriculture. NOFA has over 1000 members in VT.

This program address the problem of consumers knowing if their food is truly organic or not. Packaging can indicate something is 'organic' but these standards back up the label so that consumers know what they are paying for.

The benefit for consumers is security in the knowledge that what they are purchasing is truly organic. There is also security for food producers in terms of securing their ability to benefit from the consumer demand for organic products without being threatened by false claims from competitors.

Press release on the USDA Organic labeling program.

Under fair trade systems, importers and farmers must become certified through a fair trade certification organization such as FLO-CERT. Fair trade organizes farmers all over the world into unions and organizations that allow farmers to conduct business with companies willing to pay a livable wage for their produce, creating better working and living standards, and protect them from labor exploitation. In addition, fair trade business enables long-term partnerships between farmer and importer and investments in social and economic developments for local farmers.

Overall, fair trade is largely beneficial to practicing farmers, particularly to farmers in developing nations. Fair trade increases the farmers financial security and independence and promotes future development. While extremely beneficial in many ways, there are some short falls of fair trade that should be addressed. For one thing, the cost of becoming certified is approximately $660 hundred USD and many poor farmers will not have the resources to become certified. Also, fair trade ignores family farms as farmers must join a cooperative or union in order to be eligible for the certification. In addition, fair trade certifications and labels do not make a distinction between companies that engage in fair trade on a very minute level as opposed to companies that practice 100 percent fair trade. This is called "Green or Social Washing". Consumers may not be able to tell the difference between companies that say their goods are "fairly traded" vs those companies who are certified in fair trade. The former may not adhere to the same policies. For small farmers, this could mean not wanting to be a part of a fair trade agreement but rather have their purchases public information. Lastly, fair trade can fall short in accounting for wage disparities between nations and regions so farmers may in actuality still be earning less than the national or regional average. Despite these pitfalls, fair trade is a great system for poor farmers.

Localvores (as opposed to omnivores, herbivores and carnivores) are consumers who eat only or mainly locally produced/grown foods. Product certification has become important, and documentaries continue to inform the broader public.

Burlington School Food Project Report

Home

mark — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:13:50 CDT

This FoodPolicyWiki (FPW) was developed from a Public Policy class project of Fall 2006 at the University of Vermont. Each student researched current policy tools that impact some aspect of local food production in Vermont. Insights for the class project were provided by the Intervale Center which has a mission to develop farm-and land-based enterprises that generate economic and social opportunity while protecting natural resources.

The goal for this site is two-fold:

1. To provide a repository and/or portal for information about polices which affect local agriculture.
2. To encourage members of the community (you) to add what you know so that our community, as a whole, can benefit.

Obviously, this job is too big for a single person or organization to complete. Because policies and actors are always changing, please add what you know. Each section has places to add information on policies, policy tools, policy actors, and policy scope. Read this for assistance on using this technology.

When considering issues of research, it's important to have an understanding not only of the information you gather, but the reason you decided to gather it in the first place. Formal research expects certain key points and structures; items that will assist with the focus and flow of that research.

This site is divided into five major sections:

CYCLE

The Cycle portion of this site is sub-divided into five sections which represent the basic food/agriculture production process:

Natural Resources covers anything connected with the "pre-production" phases of agriculture including soil, water, seeds, etc.

Process covers the actual production process of the food or crop, as well as any value-added processing.

Transport/Distribute covers what happens after production but before consumption.

Wholesale covers direct sales by producers.

Retail/Consumer covers the involvement of "the middleman" whether a store, restaurant, etc.

GLOSSARY

Definition of terms.

POLICIES

List of current and pending policies that affect agriculture on a local or national level.

PROBLEMS

Listing of common problems that affect agricultural matters.

TOOLS

Listing of policy tools which can help to alleviate or solve the problems.

Initial content for FPW was analyzed by graduate students in CDAE, CRS, and MPA at University of Vermont.

USDA Processing Establishments & Inspection Workforce

mark — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:09:04 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Federal Inspection Regulations

POLICY

Processing Establishments & Inspection Workforce

POLICY TOOL

Information for and about FSIS inspectors who ensure the safety of America's food products and FSIS regulated establishments that produce the nation's meat, poultry, and egg products appears here. Public Information & Regulations

SCALE

International, National, State & Local

ACTORS

International - Homeland Security Advisory System
Federal - USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services, Food & Drug Administrations
State - Department of Health & Department of Agriculture

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Certification of Inspectors and nations ' products from the Federal Level down to the state level, including imports & exports

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security & Effectiveness

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Can be high visibility especially with imports/exports, can be coersive and direct. Low automaticity

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

Gives access to FSIS listing of meat, poultry and egg product inspection establishment. Access complete listing of foreign establishments certified to export meat, poultry and egg products to the US and Foreign Audit Reports. Information for and about F

ADDITIONAL LINKS

USDA FSIS Regulations and Policies for Processing Establishments and Inspection Workforce

Policy Template

mark — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:08:39 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

POLICY

POLICY TOOL

SCALE

[International, National, State, Local, NGO, other]

ACTORS

[International, Federal/National, State, Local, NGO, Other]

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

[Security, effectiveness,

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

[Coercive / Not Coersive; Direct / Indirect; Visible / Not Visible; High Automaticity / Low Automaticity]

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Policies

mark — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:00:56 CDT

Include a short explanation of what is available on this page, a link to the specific policy, and a link to the glossary for a definition of policy. If appropriate, use this template for the structure of any specific policy page.

U.S. Agriculture policies include:

U.S. Farm Bill 2002 (and 2007)
MILC
Organic Labeling
Farm Security & Rural Investment Act
Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
Wetlands Reserve Program
Federal Crop Insurance Act, Reform Act
Agricultural Risk Protection Act
Group Risk Plan, Dollar Plan
Risk-Based Assessment Programs
Freedom to Farm Act
Renewable Fuel Standard
National Animal Identification System
Morrill Act & Nelson Amendment (1862)
Smith-Lever Act
Hatch Act
USDA Regulatory Enforcements
USDA Processing Establishments & Inspection Workforce
USDA Inspection Announcements
USDA Emergency Management Policies
USDA Country of Origin
USDA Meat & Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness
USDA Regulations, Inspections, and Grading Standards

U.S. Environmental Protection
U.S. EPA Inspections and Evaluations
U.S. EPA Clean Water Act
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Integrated Pest Management
Pesticide Control Program

U.S. Labor and Immigration:
Fair Labor Standards Act
Occupational Safety and Health Act

Intermodal Safe Container Act of 1992

State Agriculture policies:

Vermont Statute Title 06: Agriculture
Control of Contagious Livestock Diseases
Premise Identification
Farmers' Protection Act (vetoed)
Farmers’ Right to Know GMO Seed Labeling Act
Voluntary labeling of rBST free products
Environmental Quality Incentive Program
Medium Farm Operation Rules (MFO)
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board Farmland Preservation Program
Vermont Land Use and Development Law
Noxious Weeds Quarantine Rule
Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
Health Requirements Governing the Admission of Animals
Food Safety and Consumer Protection
Total Maximum Daily Load
Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program
Vermont Guide to Inspections of Dairy Product Manufacturers
Vermont Meat Inspection Program

International/Global Agriculture policies:
Fair Trade Act
NAFTA
WTO

Research Outline

mark — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:56:17 CDT

Introduction

Why bother? Personal interest in topic + reasons for importance

Thesis statement

The Topic

Specified definition – key terms, metrics, etc.

Level of analysis – if more than one, indicate which ones and possible interactions

*Policy tools employed*

Ethical concerns

The Issue

Organize findings

Time (chronology, past, present, future, etc.)

Place (places, global issue, which state, in a locale?)

What do we know about the topic?

What do we need to know?

Urgency

Use graphics – maps, links

Conclusions

Where are we going?

What’s in store for the future?

Appendices

Annotated bibliography?

Extra materials

2. Process

mark — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:18:25 CDT

The Process section should contain information on topics like:

Farming best practices
On farm processing

Federal inspection regs.
State inspection regs.

Risk Management Programs:
Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) - extended to August 31st, 2007. Started in 2002 Farm Bill w/intent to keep small dairy farms in business. Arose out of demise of Northeast Dairy Compact. Senator Leahy's statement on Farm Policy and the MILC program.

This involves the financial position of farmers and producers, affecting their ability to stay in business and manage risk. Payments are made to producers when dairy prices fall below specified levels. Eligible dairy producers are those who, anytime from December 1, 2001, to September 30, 2005, commercially produce and market cow milk in the United States or produce milk in the United States and commercially market the milk outside the United States. There were $2 Billion in payments made to dairy producers from the program's inception to Nov. 2004.

Risk management programs are intended to mitigate risk for farmers including price, production, income, institutional and financial risk. Milk is a fragile commodity that cannot be stored until the market improves. Payments from the MILC program have been found by the GAO to have kept small and medium dairy producers in business, thought to help support local economies. VT Dairy Farms contribute $1 billion to state economy, according to a UNH study.

The risk management programs have the policy goal of increasing the security of the farmers in order to secure the food supply. Some argue that keeping small producers in business makes for a safer milk supply than if it were consolidated and thus an easier target for contamination or terrorism. Also, provides for security of local economies, etc. Efficiency can also be affected (in terms of market efficiency) by interfering with the market. Some say it does little to encourage development of more efficient practices.

In Vermont, the MILC program is supported by Leahy and the General Manger/CEO St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, Inc. MILC provides counter-cyclical support on the first 125 cows-worth of production so it is not favored by large producers. Because of this limitation, it favors small and mid-size producers of which there are a little over 1000 in VT. However, in the big picture, some economists argue that interfering in the market, as this program does, may have the unintended consequence of lowering milk prices. Furthermore, some argue that this program does not encourage efficiency. While this program is of immediate benefit to VT dairy producers, more research is needed to see if this program is truly in the best interest of small dairy producers or if there are better ways to manage risk while supporting small and mid-size dairy producers.

1. Natural Resources

mark — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:14:26 CDT

The Natural Resources section should include information on topics like:

Water quality
Zoning
Insurance
Premise ID
Repairent zones
Related environmental policies
Energy policies—ethanol; biomass
GMO seed liability
Farmer education

The biggest policy tool of them all:
The Farm Bill is a multi-faceted set of policy tools which affects all parts of the food production cycle. It affects farmer's decisions about what and how much of a particular crop to grow. It affects the financial position of the farmer, and provides financial and educational resources to farmers. The Farm Bill also affects the price of commodities, which are purchased by processors. This then affects the price paid by the rest of the actors in the food cycle.

1 tool is Educational resources. This tool is direct and automatic

The Farm Bill is due to be reenacted/revised in 2007 and there are many issues under consideration.

This is a blog about the 2007 farm bill which brings together some information on the topic.

If one is interested in an article on farm subsidies in relation to free trade arguments:

Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group

Sustainable Ag in the 2007 Farm Bill from the UC-Davis Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

See the 2007 Farm Bill Conservation Theme Paper for more information.

The Land Stewardship site provides information on eligibility and specific details of the program.

Cycle

doglover — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:35:27 CDT

The Food Cycle can be thought of as 5 components:

1. Natural Resources
2. Processing
3. Transport & Distribution
4. Wholesale
5. Retail/Consumption

Problems

doglover — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:26:39 CDT

Policymakers attempt to solve diverse problems through food and agriculture policies. Broadly, these problems fall into the following categories:

Food Quality
Food Safety
Disease
Meat
Plants
GMO and Cloning
Labeling

Food Availability
Hunger
Land Use
Climate

Economics
Price Fluctuations
Free Trade
Fair Trade
Interstate Commerce
Financial Risks

Environmental Concerns
Pollution
Water Quality
Erosion
Pesticides
Nitrogen/fertilizers

Worker Safety

Animal Welfare

Energy
Ethanol
Methane
Biodiesel

http://www.farmandfood.org/index.html

Vermont Meat Inspection Program

mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:06:24 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Physical Plant, others

POLICY

Vermont Meat Inspection Program

POLICY TOOL

Regulations, inspections, & grading standards

SCALE

International, State & Local

ACTORS

International: Government funding, training, and certification; State: Vermont Agency of Agriculture; Local: farmers & consumers

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

This is the only Meat Inspection program in all of New England, allows for state inspectors to be certified to perform both state and federal inspections, as well as the following: "Ante-mortem, post-mortem and processing inspection for meat and poultry offered for sale within the state (other than federally inspected products);" "Surveillance and inspection of all custom slaughter and processing establishments to maintain sanitary requirements and assure that meat products from such establishments are not sold commercially"; and "Compliance and evaluation inspection of retail markets to determine that only inspected, wholesome, properly labeled meat and poultry, prepared under sanitary conditions, are offered for sale."

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security & efficiency

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Very visible. Somewhat coersive. Very direct. Somewhat automatic.

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

This brings a unique feature to Vermont that allows for some intra-state sales only. The ease of inspection and the number and proximity of federally certified inspectors may be an aid to civic agriculture if focused in that direction.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.vermontagriculture.com/meat.htm#forms

Vermont Guide to Inspections of Dairy Product Manufacturers

mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:04:43 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Physical Plant, others

POLICY

Guide to Inspections of Dairy Product Manufacturers

POLICY TOOL

Regulations, inspections, & grading standards

SCALE

International, State & Local

ACTORS

International: FDA; State: defers to FDA regulations; Local: farmers & consumers

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Inspection & regulation regarding the proper sanitation and precautions taken at processing locations that produce dairy products, including but not limited to: milk, cheese, ice cream, custards, and butter: basically any product made from milk.

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security & efficiency

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Very visible. Somewhat coersive. Very direct. Somewhat automatic.

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

These regulations cover a wide area of food processing involving milk-based products. The documents seem to be geared toward mainly large-scale operations, but they language provided in this reference source was relatively easy to understand. These regulations are meant to enforce safety and sanitation practices and are presented in a way that may be more easily understood than the regulations and legislations themselves, but may hinder civic agriculture because of the strict, lengthy, explicit instructions and regulations for dairy-product processing.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/lakes/docs/lp_lctmdl-factsheet1.pdf

USDA Regulations, Inspections, and Grading Standards

mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:02:49 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Physical Plant, others

POLICY

Title 21 Food and Drug Act(s), Chapter 1, Subchapter B, Part 110

POLICY TOOL

Regulations, inspections, & grading standards

SCALE

International, State & Local

ACTORS

National: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA); State: Vermont generally defects to federal regulations and standards; Local: farmers & consumers

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Sanitation and proper precautions taken at processing locations that produce food for human consumption.

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security & efficiency, possible equity tradeoff.

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Very coersive. Very direct. Somewhat automatic. Not extremely visible.

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

These regulations cover a wide area of food processing for meat, poultry, and egg products. The documents are written in a way that are geared toward large-scale operations and do not recognize that there are alternatives for smaller operations or specifically for on-farm processing. This may hinder civic agriculture because the FDA does not seem to be taking into account the existence of small-scale civic agriculture.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=110

Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program

mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:00:59 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Physical Plant, others

POLICY

Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program

POLICY TOOL

Technical & financial assistance provided through educational programs, special funds, and grants.

SCALE

State & Local

ACTORS

State: VT Agency of Agriculture, VT Housing and Conservation Board, and other "state and federal agencies"; Local: "private entities and service groups," farmers, and consumers.

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

This program is meant to specifically aid small farmers and those who are involved in civic and sustainable agriculture. It is aimed at providing education and technical and financial assistance to this target group.

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security & efficiency

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Not coercive. Not very direct. Not automatic at all. Semi-visible.

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

This program is meant to support civic agriculture specifically. The state of Vermont recognizes the value of its local small farmers and has established this statute and program to specifically target those involved in civic and sustainable agriculture.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title=06&Chapter=209&Section=04710

USDA Meat & Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness

mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:58:57 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Transportation & Physical Plant

POLICY

Health Standards and Consumer Confidence

POLICY TOOL

Meat & Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness administered by USDA's Food and Safety Inspection Service

SCALE

International, National, State

ACTORS

International: Inspectors; National: USDA inspectors, Agency of Transportation; Local: farms involved in export/import; Interest groups

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Certifies that products meet standards expected by US trading partners

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security, Equity, Liberty and Efficiency

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Medium directness; high automaticity; high visibility; high coerciveness

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

Creates paperwork so increases cost therefore hinderance to civic agriculture; however encourages confidence in products so can create demand

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/export/documentation.htm

Intermodal Safe Container Act of 1992

mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:57:02 CDT

ISSUE

PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Transportation

POLICY

Highway Safety

POLICY TOOL

Intermodal Safe Container Act of 1992

SCALE

International, National, State

ACTORS

International: Inspectors, Agency of Transportation; National: USDA inspectors; Local: farms involved in export/import; Interest groups

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Attempts to reduce the number of overweight loads on nation's highways

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security, Liberty, Efficiency

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

High directness; high automaticity; low visibility; high coerciveness

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

Could hinder civic agriculture; limits amount that can be transported at one time

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/export/documentation.htm