Protecting our farmland requires an array of strategies from a variety of stakeholders.  A recent post from JustMeans.com detailed the diversity of tactics being employed to protect farmland for use in sustainable agriculture. From investments through Farmland LP to urban and suburban farming, the opportunities to reclaim the land continue to grow. Farmers and ranchers in the Gulf region are being asked to flood their fields to welcome migratory birds, reported the Los Angeles Times.  Through the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will compensate agricultural landowners to convert 150,000 acres to wetland habitats as a means of attracting birds whose nesting grounds have been damaged by the oil spill. Efforts continue to be made both locally and regionally to mitigate farmland loss. The Working Lands Initiative in Wisconsin has made recommendations for protecting 200,000 acres of land in the state through an agricultural enterprise designation. As a means to address obesity and scarcity of healthy food, the city of Baltimore has hired a food policy coordinator.  The role of the city’s “food czar” will be to increase access to fresh, nutritious food, particularly in neighborhood food deserts.  Innovative programs are already being implemented so keep an eye out for more unique initiatives happening in this progressive city. A recent survey conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that the state’s cranberry growers are increasingly using sustainable farming practices.  With more than 17,000 acres dedicated to cranberry production, the attention to improve nutrient management and pest control will make a significant impact in protecting the environment. The New York Times reported this week on a House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee panel decision regarding proposed cuts for energy and conservation in the omnibus Agriculture spending bill. The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.