Great Health Education Info

Myths About Black Women & Heart Disease
http://blackdoctor.org/39/myths-about-black-women-heart-disease/

Urban Agriculture Ordinance

Here is a summary of the proposed changes to the Municipal Code: 

 

1. Vegetable gardens would be allowed in front, back, and side yards.

2. Community gardens and urban farming would be allowed.

3. Up to 6 hens (not roosters) would be allowed in backyards.

4. Greenhouses, rainwater harvesting, and roof gardens would be allowed.

5. Backyard composting would be allowed.

This ordinance was passed unanimously by the Planning Commission.  Now it moves on to City Council.  Here are the three ways your organization can help:

 

1.   Encourage everyone to contact the Mayor and their City Council member!  To reach the Mayor, call 297-2424 or email mayor@okc.gov.  For Ward 7, call John A. Pettis Jr. at 297-2402 or email ward7@okc.gov.  This is by far the best way for everyone to make a big difference on whether this ordinance gets passed by City Council!  We will send out an email, post on facebook and market through National Women In Ag. Association's electronic communication tools.   

 

2.  Attend the December 17 meeting of City Council.  These meetings tend to be long and boring, but for anyone who has the time and interest, your presence is very welcome.  This is the meeting at which the public will be invited to comment on the ordinance.  As we discussed on the phone, it would be wonderful if you would be willing to address the Council on behalf of your organization.  Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele plans to attend the council meeting on and speak on December 17, 2013, to support this much needed health ordinance.  

 

3.  Several organizations around the city are endorsing our effort to support this ordinance.  If Women in Agriculture would like to endorse us, please reply with an official endorsement, contact name and number, and a .jpg or .png of your logo, as soon as is possible.  Our official title of the organization is:  National Women In Ag. Association ("NWIAA"), contact person:  Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, Executive Director, (405) 317-8110 - business cell number; email address: womeninag@gmail.com. 

Fresh Roots Market

INCREASE Oklahoma Agriculturalist and Farmers

Good Afternoon and Happy Holidays to All:

As soon as possible, we are encouraging everyone to contact the Mayor and their City Council member!  To reach the Mayor, call 297-2424 or email mayor@okc.gov.  For Ward 7, call John A. Pettis Jr. at 297-2402 or email ward7@okc.gov.  This is by far the best way for everyone to make a big difference on whether this ordinance gets passed by City Council!

Here is a summary of the proposed changes to the Municipal Code: 

1. Vegetable gardens would be allowed in front, back, and side yards.

2. Community gardens and urban farming would be allowed.

3. Up to 6 hens (not roosters) would be allowed in backyards.

4. Greenhouses, rainwater harvesting, and roof gardens would be allowed.

5. Backyard composting would be allowed.

This ordinance was passed unanimously by the Planning Commission.  Now it moves on to City Council.  By you helping contact the above referenced individual(s); (telephone numbers and email addresses were provided above), these are ways you can help.  

Thank you in advance for helping making a difference, in agriculture and ultimately a difference for healthy lifestyles for many...

Respectfully, 

Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele

(405) 317-8110

Women Lead the Way in Sustainable and Organic Agriculture

G (Image: Locally grown via Shutterstock)

 According to the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, the number of women-operated farms more than doubled in the 25 years between 1982 and 2007. In fact, female farmers now make up the fastest-growing sector of the country's changing agricultural landscape and nearly 1 million women - approximately one-third of total domestic farmers - list farming as their primary occupation. The National Women in Agriculture Association calls it "breaking the grass ceiling." It's that and more.

Read More

Update on Farm Service Agency Operation

Due to a lapse in appropriations for the Farm Service Agency as of October 1, the Farm Service Agency has initiated the process of orderly shutdown of nonessential operations. You can view USDA’s plans for a lapse in appropriations at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans.

We understand the uncertainty that the current circumstances present for Americans that USDA serves every day, as well as our many partners around the country.  Effective today, most Farm Service Agency staff will be furloughed pending reinstatement of funding by Congress. These staff will not be available by phone or email, and cannot carry out work for the Agency, until funding is restored.

In the Farm Service Agency, this means that many services will be delayed or interrupted for farmers, ranchers, and associated customers.  For example, this includes, but is not limited to, FSA's commodity price support activities and commodity loans, farm loans, disaster assistance, and conservation programs.

We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible, within the limits of current circumstances.

Sincerely,

Juan Garcia, Administrator

Shelly Bilderback

Public Relations Outreach Specialist | Oklahoma

Farm Service Agency

United States Department of Agriculture

Phone: 405.742.1041 | Fax: 405.742.1177 

www.fsa.usda.gov/ok  | shelly.bilderback@ok.usda.gov

East Knoxville: Farmers' market takes root off MLK Boulevard

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/east-knoxville-farmers-market-takes-root-off-mlk/

Update on Rural Development Operations

Due to a lapse in appropriations for Rural Development as of October 1, Rural Development

has initiated the process of orderly shutdown of nonessential operations. You can view 

USDA's plans for a lapse in appropriations at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-

plans.

We understand the uncertainty that the current circumstances present for Americans that 

USDA serves every day, as well as our many partners around the country.  Effective today, 

many Rural Development staff will be furloughed pending reinstatement of funding by 

Congress. These staff will not be available by phone or email, and cannot carry out work for 

the Agency, until funding is restored.

In Rural Development, this means that many services will be delayed or interrupted.  For 

example, Rural Development will not be able to make any new loans or grants; the only 

exceptions will be for emergency purposes and to protect the Government's interest.  

Automatic disbursements for previously obligated Rental Assistance (RA) funds will 

continue, but no RA contracts will be renewed or issued.

We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible, within the limits of current 

circumstances.

Sincerely,

Doug O'Brien

Acting Under Secretary

USDA-Rural Development

71st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)

We are excited to announce the call for papers for the 71st Professional Agricultural 

Workers Conference (PAWC) at Tuskegee University, AL from December 8-10, 2013. The 

theme for the 71st PAWC is "Women and Youth: Changing the Landscape of Agriculture”. 

Papers and posters are currently being accepted. A limited number of scholarships are 

available for small farmers, rural business owners, youth, and community based 

organizations.


PROFESSIONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS CONFERENCE (PAWC) 
100 CAMPBELL HALL 
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY 
TUSKEGEE, AL 36088 
pawc@mytu.tuskegee.edu


www.pawc.info



For additional information contact: 
Dr. Tasha M. Hargrove, PAWC Co-Chair, 334-724-4524
Dr. Robert Zabawa, PAWC Co-Coordinator, 334-727-8114 

http://www.pawc.info/conference/conference-location

NWIAA Youth Leaership Team 2013

We start them young; busy doing something! 

Ivory Williams - "Independent Living" UPDATE

Her garden is gowing very well and is beautiful.

 

Farmers' Market continues through August

YWCA's Giant T-shirt and Towel Sale

YWCA's Giant t-shirt and towel sale on this Saturday, August 10, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. here in our community at the YWCA, 1701 N. Martin Luther King Avenue, Oklahoma City,   Kindly be advised that most items are only $.50 (fifty cents)!!

Also indicated on the flyer ALL proceeds will go to the YWCA for battered women.  

This is great sale to help citizens of this community.  We appreciate any assistance you can provide.       

Please help get the word out!

NWIAA Farmers' Market Grand Opening

"Know Where Your Food Comes From."

Ivory Williams - "Independent Living"

Thanks to Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, National Women in Ag President and the Central Alabama Women in Ag group are now partnering with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Set-Aside Program, First Tuskegee Bank and the City of Montgomery to provide opportunities for homeowners to become producers of fresh vegetables.

Georgia State Meeting

https://www.facebook.com/events/204886153000919/

NWIAA Farmer's Market 2013

Please help us get the word out!  

Individuals over 60, please stop by the YWCA front desk at 701 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., OKC at NWIAA's Headquarter office and pick up an application for FREE farmers' fresh locally grown vegetables at NWIAA's Community Farmers' market.  Please share with any all community members (church members and others over 60 on a fixed income).  

NWIAA Farmers' Market begins July 5, 2013. from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  every Friday in July 2013.  However, any and all farmers are welcome to come sell their vegetables any day or time at the YWCA/NWIAA Headquarter office under NWIAA's Pavilion next to Jade's Fruit Ice.  

Your one page application needs to be turned back into:  Zach Root, OKDHS Aging Services Division, 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 (405) 522-3121

Thank you, 

Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele

Breaking the grass ceiling: On U.S. farms, women are taking the reins

http://grist.org/food/breaking-the-grass-ceiling-on-u-s-farms-women-are-taking-the-reins/?utm_campaign=weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&sub_email=story.teller%40mac.com

USDA Summer Food Service Program 2013: The Children in Your Community Need Your Help

The Children in Your Community Need Your Help

The USDA provides free or reduced price lunches to 21 million children during the school year through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). However, during summer break only 3.5 million of those students participate in the summer feeding program. The program helps fill the summer food gap for low-income children by reimbursing organizations that serve children meals at feeding sites during summer months. Schools, churches, recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, clinics, and camps can provide summer meals in neighborhoods with high percentages of low income families, making a positive impact on the lives of hungry children.
A critical component to the effort is promoting access to and participation in Summer Meals. Our goal is to reach all children in need and for Summer 2013 we are working with partners to increase in service by 5 million additional meals and to achieve a 10% growth in targeted states of Arkansas, California, Colorado, Rhode Island and Virginia. We’d like to increase participation in Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas, but every State is important to ensure children are provided nutritious meals throughout the Summer months.

We’re asking your help in:

• Sponsoring or operating a Summer Meal site

• Promoting the “Summer Food Rocks” flyer to the community to educate and enhance awareness of the Summer Food Service Program. The flyer provides a toll-free number to help connect parents and children to sites that serve Summer Meals. The flyer in English is on the web at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/library/SFSP_Promotional_Flyer.pdf; a Spanish-language version is at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/library/sp-SFSP_Promotional_Flyer.pdf

Additional SFSP Resources To Get You Started

The Summer Food Service Program website is located at http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp. The Summer Food Service Program links below offer an expanded view, highlight the importance of the program, provide administrative guidance, connect to SFSP informational webcasts, offer suggestions in overcoming challenges, and provide contacts for further work with FNS Regional and State offices.

SFSP Toolkit: These handbooks offers tips and strategies to help sponsors and sites raise awareness of their programs among families in need. The toolkit in English is on the web at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/library/SFSP_toolkit.pdf; a Spanish-language version is at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/library/sp-SFSP_toolkit.pdf.

FNS Regional Office Contacts: This link provides contact information for FNS regional leadership, in case you would like to raise issues specific to certain States: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-regional-offices. The Special Nutrition Programs (SNP) Director has lead responsibility for summer feeding, but you should also feel free to contact the Regional Administrator directly.

State Agency Contacts: Contact information for the agencies responsible for summer feeding programs in each State are available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/office-type/child-nutrition-programs. (Click on State to find contact information; check the “Office Website” column to the far right to confirm that it is the office that operates SFSP.)

SFSP “Food, Fun and Sun” Promising Practices: This link – http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/contest/default.htm -- highlights, in stories and photos, examples of innovative and highly successful summer feeding programs.

SFSP Webcasts: FNS series of SFSP informational webinars covered a wide range of topics, from faith-based organizations supporting SFSP, to eliminating transportation barriers in SFSP. Recordings are available here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/outreach/webinars/summer.htm

SFSP Handbooks: The links below will increase success in supporting SFSP for those engaging media, being a sponsor, or hosting a feeding site:

• Administrative Guidance for Sponsors: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/library/HandBooks/AdminGuideSponsors.pdf

•  Monitor's Guide: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/library/HandBooks/MonitorsGuide.pdf

•  Nutrition Guidance for Sponsors: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/library/HandBooks/NutritionGuide.pdf
•  
• Site Supervisor's Guide – English: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/library/HandBooks/SiteSupervsGuide.pdf

• Site Supervisor's Guide – Spanish: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/library/HandBooks/sp-SiteSupervsGuide.pdf

SFSP "Tips for Success - Rural Programs" Fact Sheet: The Fact Sheet provides tips for entities in rural areas thinking about becoming providing summer food on how to overcome transportation problems associated with rural programs. It is on the web at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/library/SFSP_Rural_Programs_Tips.pdf

USDA wants to provide Oklahoma Tornado Victims Relief!

 If you or your farmland have been a victimized by of one of the tornadoes or severe storms that have ​recently torn through the state of Oklahoma, please fill out the form on the NWIAA website to receive some assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture.
 www.nwiaa.org
womeninag@gmail.com

NWIAA receives a "special thanks letter" from the Mayor of Oklahoma City! Mayor Mick Cornett

NWIAA receives a "special thanks letter" from the Mayor of Oklahoma City!  Mayor Mick Cornett

NWIAA - "WORD of the WEEK"

Acts 9:36
King James Version (KJV)

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

FREE Master's Program at Wake Forest University

Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marketing
Room 3139 Worrell Professional Center
Babcock Graduate School of Management
Wake Forest University
1834 Wake Forest Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27109-8758
E-mail: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu
Website: http://mba.wfu.edu/Phone: (336) 758.4475
Toll-free: (866) 925-3622
Fax: (336) 758.4514

Message from Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D.:

Greetings, I wanted to let you know about a great opportunity here at Wake Forest where you can get a FREE education and get PAID while you're doing it. Our Dean of the Schools of Business is the former CEO of PepsiCo and very committed to diversity. He's gone around to his CEO friends, who have agreed to donate a bunch of money to pay tuition and fees, provide a stipend, and a job, to diverse students. The details are below. The problem is, response to the program has been dismal! As a faculty member, I would be embarrassed for him to have to tell his CEO friends, "thanks so much for your donation, but unfortunately I have to give it back because we couldn't find Any students who wanted it." So, I need your help. Please contact me if you, or ANYONE you know is interested in the program. I want to help out as many young scholars as I can. Don't worry about whether or not you (or they) have taken the GMAT, etc. All you need to do at this point is JUST APPLY.
About the Program: The Master of Art in Management program is designed specifically for liberal arts majors only. The MA degree program is a 10 month intense study of the basic functional areas of Business. After graduation and working for approximately two years, all MA graduates are eligible to apply to Wake Forest as part of the MA/MBA joint degree program and get the MBA in one year. The new Dean, Steve Reinemund, has created a new scholarship for diverse students pursuing the MA degree called the Corporate Fellowship.
The Corporate Fellowship provides full tuition and a $21,000 stipend to cover living expenses. Additionally, each Corporate Fellow will participate in a practicum. The practicum has two components, educational and professional development. Each student will be assigned a mentor that is a high level executive with their sponsor corporation. The mentor will oversee an educational project covering 4 of the functional areas of business using their own corporation as the subject.
The student will visit the corporation 3 - 4 times during the program to present his/her results of their research project. Additionally, the "professional development" component of the fellowship provides career coaching and leadership development for the students.
The goal for the corporation is to be able to groom and hopefully, hire a top candidate from a diverse background for their organization. Of course, there is no obligation that the students accept any offer of employment. Still, the student benefits, even if they are not ultimately hired by their sponsor corporation in that they have the MA degree and the type of experience that will make them more marketable.

3rd Annual Symposium Feedback

Two weeks ago I had never heard of NWIAA. This past weekend at the national conference in Jackson MS I was awed by the heart and spirit of this organization! Such wonderful women from around the country! I learned so much but more important I was embraced and welcomed! It was fantastic! Thanks for such a wonderful experience and I will be in ATL!Two weeks ago I had never heard of NWIAA. This past weekend at the national conference in Jackson MS I was awed by the heart and spirit of this organization! Such wonderful women from around the country! I learned so much but more important I was embraced and welcomed! It was fantastic! Thanks for such a wonderful experience and I will be in ATL! - Stella R. Payton