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Author Archives: Honesta Romberger
Big Island agriculture hit hard by volcano
Honesta Romberger June 8, 2018Via Hawaii Tribune-Herald KAILUA-KONA — A week and a half after the earth split open in Puna and the hazards of Kilauea began devouring and toxifying everything in their path, 67-year-old Garuda Johnson looked out his window. Seeing through the sulfur dioxide-laced haze of vog — which has measured quantities of SO2 as high as…
USDA reopens application period for producers recovering from disasters
Honesta RombergerMEDIA RELEASE – May 31, 2018 Signup Begins June 4 for Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4 from agricultural producers who suffered livestock, honeybees, farm-raised fish and other losses due to natural…
UPDATE: Small Wins in Senate for Farmers Markets
Honesta Romberger June 6, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Specialist | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org With the Senate Appropriations Committee’s recent approval of the FY 2019 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, the farmers market industry received a piece of good news. Key federal farmers market programs such as the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, and both the WIC and…
What does the House Farm Bill ‘No’ Vote Mean for Farmers Markets?
Honesta Romberger May 24, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Specialist | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org Last Friday, the House of Representatives voted down a draft of the farm bill, with thirty House Republicans joining all of the Democrats in voting ‘no’ on the bill. Thanks to YOU and our allies in food and farming who made their voices heard through visits, emails,…
Farm Bill Update: Uncertainty Looms as Bill Heads for Vote
Honesta Romberger May 16, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Specialist | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org The fate of the House farm bill is still unclear, but over 100 amendments have been proposed, mostly from Republicans, as the bill heads for a possible vote by the end of the this week. Democratic leadership has asked their members not to propose any amendments —…
Why Arizona Democrats, Republicans Agree (Mostly) On Welfare Bill
Honesta Romberger May 11, 2018Via: 91.5 KJZZ It’s not often you hear bipartisan support at the state Capitol to increase spending on social welfare. But it’s happening. Supporters say the program will provide low-income Arizonans with more nutritional food and boost the bottom lines for local farmers. Farmers Markets And Food Stamps On a recent Saturday morning at the…
Introduction to Recordkeeping and Farm Service Agency Programs – May 19, 2018
Honesta RombergerIntroduction to Farm Recordkeeping and Farm Service Agency Programs | Saturday, May 19 • 9 a.m.–noon Presented in collaboration with County of Hawai‘i and USDA Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program North Hawai‘i Education Research Center, 45-539 Plumeria St, Honoka‘a, Hawai‘i Island Agricultural producers are invited to participate in this free workshop to learn recordkeeping essentials and…
Farmers Market Coalition Statement of Opposition to House 2018 Farm Bill
Honesta Romberger May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities, has joined more than 370 organizations in opposition of the House 2018 Farm Bill. While FMC is pleased by the increased support for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program,…
Farm Bill Update: Our Best Opportunity for Action
Honesta Romberger April 27, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Specialist | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org Last week, the House Agriculture Committee passed a version of the farm bill on a strict party line vote. The Committee entertained very few amendments, and as a result, the bill that now goes to the House floor is little changed from the original version introduced by…
Arizona-grown produce bill good for families in poverty
Honesta Romberger April 25, 2018Via Arizona Capitol Times SB1245 provides a state funding match for a privately funded pilot program successfully operating in urban and rural areas throughout our state. The program targets populations who are on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The program offers more choice and increased access to healthy foods, specifically,…
