Jenny Huston is a chef and food activist working on food systems issues in Oakland, California. Every week she painstakingly compiles a published list of issues related to food, nutrition and agriculture for our collective food community. We are proud to support her efforts by featuring her weekly update here at FarmersMarket.com! 

 

·      U of Minn economist measures nature’s benefits with dollars http://bit.ly/xhy2pk

 

·      Parasites turning California honeybees into ‘Zombie-like slaves’ http://yhoo.it/A06KuC

 

·      Big Corn, Big Sugar in bitter US row on sweetener (big corn spent $50 million to rebrand high-fructose corn syrup to “corn sugar”) http://bit.ly/tMegYh

 

·      NYT: The Fat Trap http://nyti.ms/rXnwmO

 

·      Livestock Groups, Egg Industry at Odds Over HSUS Deal http://bit.ly/tfVXI4

 

·      We’ve Lost Nearly All of Our Wild Foods – What Happened? And Whate Are We Missing? http://bit.ly/vN2Bln Fish are the last wild food that most of us will eat…

 

·      10 Most Horrifically Unhealthy Cereals http://bit.ly/vWBEEb Many popular cereals contain more sugar than a Twinkie or Chips Ahoy cookies. EWG’s Cereal Report http://bit.ly/t1es1q

 

·      San Francisco Uoki Sakai Market Closing: Japantown's Historic Grocery Shutters After 105 Years http://huff.to/tUDOHt

 

·      Rural Idaho - 10 years later: Farms are helping rural areas in Idaho persevere http://bit.ly/vEuo2W

 

·      NPR: The Average American Ate (Literally) A Ton This Year http://n.pr/uJFbuq

 

·      Group goes door to door (Oneida County, NY) with hydrofracking petitions http://bit.ly/uBy14n

 

·      They’re selling off the farmer: Foreign investors are buying into Australian agriculture companies in “worrying’ numbers amid warnings the nation’s food security could be “compromised” by overseas business. http://bit.ly/wthJxB and in similarly; Saudi firm buys dairy farm land in Argentina as anger grows from activists, farmers alike http://bit.ly/ry8Eu4 

 

·      Eaters, beware: Walmart is taking over our food system http://bit.ly/ueGdDt 25% of US grocery sales are at Walmart, and Walmart and labor; Walmart Blacklisted By Major Pension Fund Over Poor Labor Practices http://huff.to/wFBLkt

 

·      Neighbors Occupy Road, Blockade Sludge Truck (sewage sludge to be dumped on farm land, Prince George, BC) http://bit.ly/s5wfpu

 

·      Questions, perception prompt burger chains to ditch product (pink slime) http://argusne.ws/vkLQUq Attacks on ‘pink slime’ ammonia treatement stings beef processor (this is an incredible read, how about raising and processing safe meat, instead of having to process it with ammonia… )

 

·      Organic food is not always sustainable food http://bit.ly/svBsdp

 

·      A Living Wage, Long Overdue (NYC) http://nyti.ms/ssD9a1 remember, most food related jobs are low wage http://bit.ly/qu7OGT

 

·      Yeah, looks like fracking caused Ohio quakes http://bit.ly/yI5UrD

 

·      Guardian UK: Fracking will poison New York’s drinking water, critics warn http://bit.ly/xksMHT

 

·      Bittman: Beyond Elections: People Power http://nyti.ms/AiIas5

 

·      North East Dean Foods Settlement Payout http://bit.ly/tb2EGH, $01.9 per hundredweight. Dean food steals millions and pays the dairymen pennies. Insulting.

 

·      Ubiquitous bisphenal A (BPA) linked to adult obesity, insulin resistance http://bit.ly/yZIctA

 

·      NYC Food Stamp use up 23% at Greenmarkets http://bit.ly/ycpO6l

 

·      Gene-Blocking Non-GMO Corn Varieties Available for 2012 Planting http://bit.ly/twwirg

 

·      Asking The Right Questions About School Food “Miracles” of 2012 http://bit.ly/yD7T1B

 

·      Leading scientist says agroecology is the only way to feed the world http://bit.ly/sJUKWO

 

·      Japan Tsunami disaster site rehabilitated as robot farm http://bit.ly/AjGifl

 

·      You must be joking! Hospitals serving good food? http://bit.ly/yPLkuH

 

 

 

Occupy & ANONYMOUS

·      Occupy Oakland, 2012: Longview blockade of EGT (subsidiary of Bunge, grain conglomerate who is facilitating breaking the Longshorman’s Union ILWU) http://bit.ly/sudgYq

 

 

Government & Regulation

·      Iowa man question ag leases on public land http://trib.in/sqyobZ

 

·      NYT: After Three Decades, Tax Credit for Ethanol Expires http://nyti.ms/tSEdkQ

 

·      Black farmers angry at Obama administration (discrimination settlement) http://bit.ly/t2Kr59

 

·      Monsanto jurors must decide if Nitro residents should be tested for disease (illegal dioxin dumping) http://bit.ly/smtytX

 

·      Children’s Program at Hilltop Hanover Farm (Yorktown, NY) Spreads the Word http://bit.ly/yDOGaB

 

·      Oxford (UK) Farming Conference ‘sidelines small-scale agriculture’ http://bbc.in/zU19uY

 

·      FDA sued over lack of nanotech petition response http://bit.ly/tGa4lJ

 

·      NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation: NY State Fracking Comments http://1.usa.gov/nkS7O7  If you are a NYS resident you can comment on fracing policy in NYS.

 

·      Florida’s school cafeterias could get corporate sponsors http://bit.ly/xjMJH5

 

·      French authorities approve soda tax legislation http://bit.ly/y47eW1

 

·      Fresno, CA judge invalidate part of state’s greenhouse gas law http://bit.ly/ub2b14

 

·      National Fisheries Service Sued Over Bluefin Tuna Fishing Extension http://bit.ly/zSc0Gc

 

·      FDA Withdraws Longstanding Petition to Regulate Antibiotics in Livestock Feed http://bit.ly/zZftr2 and at the same time the FDA Restricts Use of Antibiotics in Livestock http://nyti.ms/z1MG7n I suspect the contradictions have to do with weather or not the antibiotics are in feed or not, and/or the class of drugs… and here is Tom Philpott on the subject http://bit.ly/AqZJhm

 

·      To Create Sustainable Food System, FarmsReach Focuses on Tools to Help Farmers Streamline Business Operation http://bit.ly/zOMcLA

 

 

GMOs/Cloning

·      Action Alert: Say No to Dow Chemical’s GE Petition http://bit.ly/sejM1j

 

·      Non GMO Project: The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. http://www.nongmoproject.org/

 

·      Genetic Food Labeling Efforts Taking Shape http://bit.ly/wn75tJ

 

·      Is Monsanto’s RoundUp Destroying Male Testosterone? http://bit.ly/y4ooPH and more here http://bit.ly/vZVltH

 

·      Video: The Famer who Bat Monsanto (Percy Schmeiser) http://bit.ly/ucqtF9

 

·      The risks of ‘pharm’ rice http://bit.ly/whV43V

 

·      No silver bullet, except GM http://bit.ly/z2xlcT (Gates Foundation, UK Dept. for International Development… )

 

·      Syngenta Corn Gluten Feed Held Up In Europe Over Concerns They Contain GMOs http://bit.ly/y2UKhJ

 

·      The Case for Universal Breakfast: It Really Is the Most Important Meal of the Day! http://bit.ly/zdNKF8

 

·      Book focuses on labeling GM food http://bit.ly/zYR4pl

 

·      Beekeepers occupy Monsanto France http://bit.ly/wI5YdA it will need translation from French, but it is worth it... A beekeeper German who found the presence of pollen from GM maize Mon 810 sued and the court found her honey unmarketable continues...

 

 

Healthy/Safe Food?

·      Why You May Be Drinking Soda That Contains a Dangerous Flame Retardant Banned in Europe and Japan http://bit.ly/rFbGHN  Some soda drinkers may be getting a dose of sytnthetic chemical called brominated vegetable oil, or BVO.

 

·      Cornell Researchers Find Listeria – Stopping Compound http://bit.ly/ypf5Q0

 

·      Speaking With… Dr. David Wallinga (antibiotics in ag issues) http://bit.ly/xC4DV8

 

·      EPA dioxin limit has National Chicken Council worried products could be declared “unfit for consumption” http://bit.ly/ABXVlH

 

 

Jobs/Internships/Apprenticeships

·      From: Roberta Friedman <Roberta.Friedman@yale.edu

Subject: job opening at Yale Rudd Center--please pass along

Dear Colleagues,
Happy new year!  We have a job opening<http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/who_we_are.aspx?id=17#Director_of_Advocacy_Resources> at the Rudd Center—please send along to anyone you think may be interested.  Many thanks,
Rob
---------------------------
Director of Advocacy Resources
General Purpose

Help guide the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity's rapidly-expanding work on food marketing to young people. Coordinate and lead the Rudd Center's work to educate and inform community organizations about issues related to food marketing, and develop resources to help identify and implement appropriate strategies for intervention.

Essential Duties

*  Develop a comprehensive advocacy liaison strategy for the Rudd Center,

    focusing on food marketing to children and adolescents, and communities

    of color.
*  Build and maintain advocacy relationships by identifying and serving as a

    liaison between community advocates and health- and child-related NGOs.
*  Educate advocacy groups about food policy and obesity, marketing, and the

    food environment via briefings, webinars, conferences, presentations, and

    other methods as appropriate.
*  Provide expert/technical assistance to advocates from community

    organizations pertaining to obesity and marketing issues, including

    creating strategic plans, agenda setting, message framing, policy options,

    etc.
*  Produce fact sheets, reports, and other written materials for distribution

    on the website and/or in written form; work with Communications

    Director to ensure website is up-to-date.
*  Represent the Rudd Center at meetings, conferences, and speaking

    engagements.
*  Monitor and analyze local and state legislation, policymaking, and

    regulatory activity regarding food marketing.
*  Work collaboratively with faculty and staff at the Rudd Center to carry out

    the Center's mission.

Education and Experience

Master's degree in a related field or law degree and two years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Abilities

*  Firsthand knowledge of advocacy processes.
*  Experience working with a wide range of groups, including low-income

    people and communities of color.
*  Familiarity with health care/nutrition issues.
*  Experience in public speaking/presentations.
*  Excellent writing skills.
*  Excellent public speaking skills for multiple audiences.
*  Ability to travel within and outside Connecticut.

Please apply for this position through Yale's job posting website<http://www.yale.edu/hronline/stars/application/external/index.html>.

You can search this position by the Requisition ID Number: 15190BR

...........................................................
Roberta R. Friedman, ScM
Director of Public Policy
Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity
Yale University
309 Edwards St.
Box 208369
New Haven, CT 06520
Ph: (203) 432-4717
Fax: (203) 432-9674
roberta.friedman@yale.edu<mailto:roberta.friedman@yale.edu>
www.yaleruddcenter.org<http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/>

·      Farm Manager, Berggren Demonstration Farm, Springfield OR http://bit.ly/y0aMs2

 

·      Apprenticeship, Esalen Farm & Garden, Big Sur, CA http://bit.ly/y0aMs2

 

·      Equipment Operator, Featherstone Farm, Rushford, MN http://bit.ly/y0aMs2

 

·      Multiple Volunteer Positions in Agriculture & the Environment Peace Corps International http://bit.ly/y0aMs2

 

·      Nutrition/Obesity Policy Job Opening at CSPI

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is seeking a Senior Nutrition Policy Associate who will work with the Director of Nutrition Policy to promote and support federal, state and local obesity, nutrition, and physical activity policies. Responsibilities include legislative lobbying, grassroots organizing and coalition building for related policies and programs. Key to this position is the ability to persuasively present the issues to policy makers, work with other organizations and advocates, and develop policy materials. The successful candidate will have excellent speaking and writing skills. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in health, policy or nutrition; or a Bachelor’s degree in one of these areas, plus at least 5 years of state or federal legislative or policy advocacy experience.

CSPI is a nonprofit health-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on improving nutrition, food safety, and public health. CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter, the nation’s largest-circulation nutrition newsletter. CSPI provides valuable, objective information to the public; represents citizens’ interests before legislative, regulatory, and judicial bodies; and ensures that advances in science are used for the public good. CSPI is supported largely by the 850,000 subscribers to its Nutrition Action Healthletter and by foundation grants.

To apply, please send a cover letter indicating relevant experience and interest, résumé, and writing samples, to mailto:hr@cspinet.orghr@cspinet.org; or mail to:

Center for Science in the Public Interest
Attn: SNPA
1220 L Street, NW, #300
Washington, DC 20005

CSPI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package along with a healthy working environment. CSPI is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Margo G. Wootan, D.Sc.
Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest
1220 L Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-777-8354
202-265-4954 (fax)
mwootan@cspinet.org
www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy

Make your voice heard on important health and nutrition issues! Join CSPI's online action network at my.cspinet.org.

 

·      Farm Manager, Petaluma Bounty, Petaluma, CA http://bit.ly/xM18i7

 

·      Research Assistant Professor – Organic Agriculture, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Design, West Virginia University http://bit.ly/xM18i7

 

·      FIG: Farm Incubator Grower & Apprentices, Mavrick Farms & Appalachian State Univ., near Boone NC http://bit.ly/xM18i7

 

·      3 Positions @ Lowcountry Local First, Charleston, SC http://bit.ly/xM18i7

Apprentice Position, Incubator Farmer Position, Mentor Position

 

·      HealthCorps Coordinators for High Schools Nation-Wide

From: Jessica Anders <Jessica.Anders@healthcorps.net>

Hello,

 

HealthCorps, a comprehensive health education program founded and developed by host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” heart surgeon, and bestselling author, Mehmet Oz, is seeking dynamic, proactive, and engaging individuals to teach its school curriculum and coordinate community health education events. Coordinators will be a part of a national initiative launched in response to a drastic decline in the health of our nation. Based upon a “Peace Corps” model of employment, Coordinators serve two years in a designated high school and community.  The mission of HealthCorps is to increase individual awareness and to create a generation of self-empowered individuals today, for a healthier America tomorrow.  Positions available nation wide.  Salary and health benefits provided.

 

Learn more about the position here along with details on how to apply: http://www.idealist.org/view/org/xWfJktZPz3xd/

 

Deadlines to Apply:

1st Application Deadline--January 16th, 2012

2nd Application Deadline--March 12th, 2012

 

In Health, Jessica Anders

 

JESSICA ANDERS, West Coast Regional Supervisor

HEALTHCORPS 

www.healthcorps.org

Jessica.Anders@healthcorps.net 

828-776-3594

 

·      General Farm Manager, Bio-Logical Capital, Maui, HI http://bit.ly/zQhPVp

 

·      Regional Farmer Training Program Coordinator & Young Farmer Training Program Teaching Assistant, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Raleigh, NC http://bit.ly/zQhPVp

 

·      Inters: The Farm, San Francisco Bay Delta, CA http://bit.ly/zQhPVp

 

·      City College of San Francisco has an opening for a part-time Instructor in Horticulture. The person who takes this job will be filling the big shoes of Pam Pierce, author of Golden Gate Gardening -- but don¹t let that scare you away! She reports that City College hasn't received enough applicants to find a replacement (see her full note below)

The job description is attached. It can also be found on their site:
http://jobs. ccsf.edu/ (under Academic jobs | Faculty | "Horticulture
Instructor")

Education

·      Washington State University Extension: Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurs Farm Business Planning, 12 week course, Tuesday evenings January 17 – April 17, 6pm – 9pm, WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Courgar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 -128^th St. SE, Everett, WA, registration http://bit.ly/xyCfse. Planning for sustainability Key to Profitable Farming http://bit.ly/AqsTJ2
 

Events

·      LI forum looks at farming topics: Grown on Long Island, January 12th & 13^th, Suffolk Community College, Riverhead, NY http://bit.ly/vn4mjF, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County