Hospitals across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia have been working to support local farmers, the local economy, and the healthier diets of their patients through increased purchasing of local foods. More than 40 institutions are regularly purchasing fruits and vegetables in season while nine have stepped up to also source meat and poultry locally.

Existing campaigns, such as the “Buy Local Challenge” in Maryland, have helped to pilot these new purchasing initiatives.

How will the  graying of the farm population impact the future of agriculture? The shift in age of farm owners and operators was the  topic of a recent radio news story from California’s KQED.  In the Golden State, nearly 20 percent of farmers are older than 70 years old. Explains Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, owner of Sierra Orchards and president and founder of the Center for Land Based Learning:

It’s a problem. The transition of land that will be occurring in the next decade will be very much a concern to our nation.

McNamara was joined by other California farmers and leaders to discuss ideas for addressing the aging of America’s farmers, including utilizing urban edge agriculture and finding ways to draw younger populations back to rural areas.

Listen to the full story at KQED .

The Land Contract Guarantee Program, authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, became available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) on January 3, 2012. The program helps to reduce the risk of retiring farmers selling their land to beginning farmers.

Read more about the program or contact your local FSA office for more information.

On December 16 and 19, American Farmland Trust, Wholesome Wave, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group and New England Farmers Union hosted two webinars to help Northeast farm, food and conservation advocates better understand the 2012 Farm Bill reauthorization process. Speakers included Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), both of the House Agriculture Committee, as well as state and regional agricultural leaders.

View webinar recordings and access the presentations.

As the dust settles from the derailment of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction—aka the “Super Committee”—perhaps you are left wondering, “What’s next for the farm bill?”

The work of the Agriculture Committees as part of the Super Committee process appears to be a good starting point for mapping out the next farm bill. While the text of the leadership’s proposal has yet to reach the public, many details have emerged, and more has been learned in conversations with the committee leadership and their staff. Here’s our take on what has been revealed so far.