Dear friend,
As Spring settles over us, we’re seeing waves of energy ripple throughout our networks. Registration is open for the Local Seafood Summit, the FSNE 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge is just a week away, the USDA has several grant applications available to seafood harvesters, and so much more. This month there are several funding opportunities, so be sure to check them out at the bottom of the newsletter.
If you haven’t already, please register for the FSNE 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. The Challenge has become an integral part of NAMA’s commitment to racial equity. Fisheries policies are rife with inequities that in many ways are rooted in a cultural history of racial inequities. These historical roots link communities around the world resulting in inequitable access to healthy, clean, fair food choices. It’s not a comfortable conversation, but I’m inviting you to lean into discomfort so that we can begin to transform our food systems by talking about and addressing instances of overt, covert, and systemic racism that exist throughout our land and sea-based food systems.
Keep Swimming,
Jen Halstead
Community Organizer - Outreach & Communications
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In July 2020 NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) found that NOAA should take the lead on creating a government-funded National Seafood Council to research, educate, and market the benefit of U.S. seafood. As the federal process stalled, the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) formed their own task force and released their report in December 2021, with one glaring omission: the focus on promoting domestic seafood had been dropped. Really, this isn’t too big of a surprise, as many of SNP’s donors sell imported seafood, so a narrative promoting domestic seafood wouldn’t be in their own interest. |
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SNP’s messaging to just eat more seafood is detrimental to America’s seafood harvesters and producers. By reinforcing consumer behavior to just buy any seafood, they’re more likely to purchase imported products. If the National Seafood Council gains the necessary funding, it is imperative that small-scale fishing interests have a seat at the table and the council only promote US seafood, in line with MAFAC’s original recommendations. |
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Sign on Alert!
Repeal EO 13921 & Halt Factory Fish Farms!
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Deadline: March 24
Executive Order 13921: Promoting Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth was issued by the Trump Administration on May 7th, 2020, and is still in effect today. The Biden Administration has fully or partially revoked over a quarter of the Trump-era executive orders, but not EO 13921.
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EO 13921 directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be the lead on promoting offshore finfish aquaculture. It calls on NOAA to identify farm sites and fast-track a regulatory process, while the Army Corps of Engineers issues permits nationwide. This EO specifically opens the gateway for industrial fish farms to populate our waters without any Congressional Oversight. |
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Local Catch Network's 4th Local Seafood Summit |
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Local Catch Network is thrilled to invite innovative, inclusive, and collaborative speakers to submit proposals for the 4th Local Seafood Summit to be held in Girdwood, Alaska on October 2-3, 2022. Proposals for the summit will be accepted through Sunday, April 17, 2022. Presentations and sessions are encouraged to provide tangible learning takeaways and practical skills, tools, and strategies for summit attendees, and align with the summit theme, Building the Future of Local and Regional Seafood Systems. Submit a proposal here. |
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Join the Local Catch Network for the 4th Local Seafood Summit on October 2-3, 2022 in Girdwood, Alaska! Seafood harvesters, businesses, and allied partners from across North America will gather for an immersive two-day summit to network with like-minded peers, exchange best practices, and work together to identify and elevate key and emerging issues and opportunities to Build the Future of Local and Regional Seafood Systems.
Space is limited and early registration is strongly encouraged. Receive early registration rates until June 1, 2022. Visit the LCN website for more information about the summit and discount details for travel, lodging, and more.
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Calling Young Fish Harvesters of New England! |
Funded by the USDA's Farmer's Market and Local Food Promotion Program grant opportunity, the New England Young Fishermen’s Alliances has received a 3-year grant to develop this much-needed Alliance in northern New England and hold three annual Deckhand to Captain training programs! Check out their Facebook for updates!
Sign-ups for the first 2022 Deckhand to Captain Training Program are open until March 30. Apply here.
Eligibility requirements: Young Fishermen and Women 18-45 yrs old; Fishing in the commercial fishing industry for 5 yrs minimum; 1 personal and 1 industry reference; A strong desire and vision to move from Deckhand/Sternman to the Captain's wheelhouse.
Message NE Young Fishermen's Alliance on Facebook or email at neyoungfishermen@gmail.com for more info.
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Fishery Friendly Climate Action |
The Fishery Friendly Climate Action campaign was launched by several New England fishing organizations with advice and support from friends in Alaska, to help unify fishermen around climate solutions that work for fisheries and not at their expense. We are looking to make this a truly bicoastal initiative that can amplify fishermen-led advocacy for climate solutions at the federal level as Congress eyes pathways to achieve needed greenhouse gas emissions on a timeline that can avert catastrophic global warming. Check out their website for more information.
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Join FINE's Network Advisory Council |
Applications due March 31
Farm to Institution New England (FINE) is seeking applications from individuals to join the FINE Network Advisory Council (NAC), which serves as their overarching advising and governing body. They are looking for individuals who represent a diversity of New England communities and who have experience in roles connected throughout the farm to institution ecosystem. Growing the NAC to reflect the full spectrum of farm-to-institution stakeholders is one example of their ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. If you're interested in exploring this opportunity, please fill out an application or contact Peter Allison, FINE's Executive Director, at peter@farmtoinstitution.org
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Reminder: Register for the FSNE Racial Equity Challenge |
The Challenge is a self-guided learning journey for individuals and groups for examining the history and impacts of racism and inequities and how they are connected to our food system. NAMA has a long history of connection with the challenge having been part of the FSNE team that designed it over 8 years ago and we have participated every year since. It has been a critical part of the way we are living up to our racial equity commitment.
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USDA LAMP Grant for the Seafood Sector Forum |
Join the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Local Catch Network on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, from 2-5 PM ET for a virtual forum that will bring together stakeholders from across the seafood sector who are working to strengthen local and regional seafood systems. Find more information and register here.
The USDA LAMP Grant Forum will provide opportunities for past grantees and prospective applicants to connect, and share learned experiences to better understand, develop and implement successful Farmers Market Promotion Program, Local Food Promotion Program, and Regional Food Systems Partnerships program projects. The Forum will offer support to current and prospective grantees by facilitating knowledge sharing and network building between and among attendees, panelists, and USDA Grants Management Specialists. For more information, please visit the Local Catch Network website.
We highly suggest that attendees register for and review the USDA FMLFPP and RFSP webinars prior to the Forum. Registration is free but required.
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Recordings to Catch Up On |
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Seafood-to-Institution Webinar |
In case you missed it, here is the recording of the Local Catch Network’s first Meet and Greet webinar focused on “Seafood to Institution”. NAMA is providing backbone support for this exciting series and we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our panelists, Jenny Devivo, Alan Lovewell, Tina White, and John Stoddard, in addition to attendees who contributed to a lively discussion. You can also access the session on the LCN webinar page. Keep your eyes peeled for more to come!
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NAMA Special Guest to Launch Racial Equity Challenge |
Last week we felt deeply honored to take part in the Food Solutions New England’s online launch event to kick off the Racial Equity Challenge. We had an insightful conversation and in case you missed it, you can watch it here. Plus sign up for the challenge here. |
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Seafood Sovereignty and Ocean Health |
Earlier this month NAMA and Real Food Media co-presented “Sea: the Struggle for Sovereignty” that featured some amazing speakers including Carl Wassilie with the Block Corporate Salmon campaign plus Peleke Flores who is working to resist the agrochemical industry in Hawaii. Watch the recording here. Discussion topics ranged from sea vegetables to shellfish to fish to the cultures that depend on these animals and to the threats and what folks are doing to protect what they love.
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Center for Science in the Public Interest |
Deadline: April 1
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has invited NAMA’s networks to apply for its first round of 2022 grantmaking. CSPI seeks to support communities as they explore local, state, and federal policy interventions to elicit systemic change and advance a just and equitable food and living environment. Check out their Grant Opportunities Page for more information.
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Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment |
Deadline: March 31
The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment is accepting unsolicited Grant Proposals from 501(c)3 organizations for up to $25,000.
The Foundation is accepting proposals for any subject areas, types of programs, and geographic. The opportunity is only available for organizations with 501(c)3 status and organizations that have not received Foundation funding in the past.
Visit the Foundation's website for more information. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2022 at 8 p.m. ET.
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Value-Added Producer Grant Applications are Now Open |
Deadlines:
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Electronic Submission: April 25
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Paper Applications: May 2
USDA Rural Development announced the availability of $19.75 million in total funding for Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) projects. The VAPG program devotes funding to producers and harvesters to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.
We encourage you to learn more about the program by visiting the VAPG webpage, watching the USDA LCN VAPG webinar recording, and connecting with your RD State Office. Electronic applications must be submitted by Monday, April 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET through grants.gov or paper applications must by postmarked by May 2, 2022.
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USDA LAMP Grant Applications are Now Open |
USDA announced the availability of $97 million in total funding to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and local food enterprises. There are three LAMP grant programs producers, organizations, and businesses can apply for including the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships (RFSP) program.
For more information about grant eligibility, the applications process, previously awarded projects and frequently asked questions, visit the AMS FMPP webpage, LFPP webpage or RFSP webpage.
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NAMA is a fishermen-led organization building a broad movement toward healthy fisheries, and fishing communities.
We build deep, and trusting relationships with community based fisherman, crew, fishworkers, and allies to create effective policy, and market strategies.
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