A weekly roundup of news and events concerning food, farms, the environment, local communities- and anything else that may catch our eye. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack gave the keynote address at the 2010 Farmers Union Convention, where he advocated for climate change and energy legislation that will benefit U.S. farmers. "USDA is committed to helping Congress design and implement a carbon offsets market that will provide significant income opportunities to America's farmers and ranchers," said Vilsack. Vilsack also alluded to AFT’s work to improve water quality in the Ohio River basin. A press release about his speech can be found by clicking here.  AFT President Jon Scholl was part of a panel presentation on the effects & opportunities on farmers of clean energy and climate legislation or regulatory schemes. Brownfield blog reporter Julie Harker reported on Wednesday that Vilsack also told reporters that his administration has been working to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit after Congress let it expire last year. At LancasterOnline.com, Jack Brubaker reported that Lancaster County’s reserve board has doubled in size to keep track of existing easements. As new easements are added, the preservation team must put in the extra hours to closely monitor existing easements. March 14-20 is National Ag Week, and Saturday the 20^th is National Ag Day in Washington, DC. The Agriculture Council of America, which sponsors the event, has put together a great website with event ideas, fun facts about agriculture, and links to their blog and Twitter feed. As Maryland celebrated Agriculture Week, SouthernMarylandOnline.com posted a list of seven ways non-farmers can get involved with Maryland Agriculture. Their tips include serving a meal made with locally grown food and visiting a local winery. Last but certainly not least, Change.org announced last Monday that American Farmland Trust’s idea No Farms No Food: Save the Land that Sustains Us finished in the top ten Ideas for Change in America. AFT is immensely grateful to all those who voted!