Organic Farmers of Year Dedicated to Soil-Building, Healing with Herbs

Artisanal Grains Farmers’ Vision Potato Research Work-Life Balance Page 5 Page 7 Page 9 Page 13

Volume 28 | Number 1 Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service January | February 2020

Organic Farmers of Year dedicated to soil-building, healing with herbs By Bailey Webster “The reason I’m alive (my mission statement) is to cultivating plants and quickly discovered that they really connect people to nature for their health and the shared a vision of having a family farm. health of the planet,” said Jane Hawley Stevens. “The Living in Dallas, Jane missed the four seasons, so more people use plants for healing, the more they will she decided to move back to Wisconsin. About six trust nature and develop a relationship [with it]. It will months later David followed her when he was accepted make people become better stewards of the Earth.” into graduate school at UW-Madison. Before they Jane and her husband, David Stevens, are the married, Jane purchased the farm that would become MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year. It’s immediately Four Elements Organic Farm. They had their first apparent that they are deeply passionate about the child in 1987, and Jane left her off-farm job to be home work they do. Jane and David own Four Elements with her son, Forrest. She continued to grow and sell Organic Herbals, a 130-acre farm in North Freedom, herbs from their farm. Wisconsin, about an hour northwest of Madison. They As a baby, Forrest would often have earaches, have been growing organic herbs and marketing herbal particularly when he was teething. Jane was looking products for the past 32 years. They’re committed to for an alternative to the medication she was getting good stewardship of their land, quality of life for their from the doctor, so she turned to herbs for a solu- employees, and improved health for their customers. tion. In spite of specializing in herb cultivation, Jane Jane is originally from Oconto on the shore of Lake had never tried an herbal remedy before. With a Michigan’s Green Bay. She has a bachelor’s degree healthy dose of skepticism, she looked up a remedy in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin- for earaches. The herb book she used said to add some Madison. David was born on Long Island and raised mullein flowers to olive oil, heat the oil to body tem- in northern Virginia, where he enjoyed working on perature, and put a couple of drops in the ear canal. vegetable farms in his youth. He has a bachelor’s To her amazement, his earache healed with no further degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech. Jane Hawley Stevens and David Stevens of Four Elements treatment. Jane was hooked! When Jane graduated from college in 1981, she Organic Herbals are the Organic Farmers of the Year. The “I was so impressed that it’s become my passion was asked to install an herb garden as her first job out couple have been certified organic since 1989, and grow herbs and my path to learn more and more about plants and of school. She found that she really enjoyed growing and flowers for a variety of wellness products. They’ll receive healing,” she explained. “For common ailments, you herbs, and that became her specialty. their award at the opening of the MOSES Organic Farming can’t beat herbs for self-care. Using herbs causes you Conference Thursday, Feb. 27. The couple met in Texas when they were both Photo by Stephanie Shanks to engage with your own health, to pay attention to working for the Dallas Arboretum. They each loved Organic Farmers of Year continues on 10 Soul Fire Farm founder talks farming strategy, vision for future of food movement By Molly Rockamann Leah Penniman presents the Friday keynote, for New York State, Richard Ball, to discuss the needs a place of commitment to spiritual activism, of soul “Uprooting Racism; Seeding Sovereignty” at this year’s of black farmers, and just finished up a meeting with force, and the fire refers to the passion we have for MOSES Organic Farming Conference. A true farmer-hero Susan Zimet who is the Hunger Policy Coordinator for making positive change in the world. to me and many others, Leah recently talked with me about New York State about food justice, so there’s quite a bit her farm, her experiences, and some exciting changes she’s of that type of work. I’m getting ready to head out to Can you tell us more about your farm? collaborating on in the organic farming movement. Philadelphia tomorrow to keynote the Pennsylvania It’s in Grafton, New York (about 3-1/2 hours north Women’s Agricultural Network Conference. In the of New York City). We have 80 acres, of which we You lead a very full life and seem to be constantly on summer, of course, it looks more like hands-on farming intensively manage about 7 acres in annual and peren- the move speaking and leading workshops. When you’re and teaching farming; in the wintertime, a lot more nial crops, and the remainder is managed woodlot. home on the farm, goodness knows the work never ends. policy, advocacy, and coalition-building. The soil is Buckland gravelly clay. It is very dense and Can you tell us about “a day in the life of Leah”? difficult to work. It does retain water and nutrients There really is not a typical day for me here at Soul I was struck by the story of your farm’s beginnings. You very well, so that’s a blessing. However, there are Fire Farm. The past couple days have included a lot were living in a part of Albany, New York, considered to always issues with flooding and waterlogging, and of policy work which characterizes the winter. For be a food desert. Your neighbors found out that you and heavy equipment doesn’t get along too well with the example, I had a meeting with the commissioner for ag your husband had farming experience and asked whether soil we have here. you’d start a farm. So you did. We know that land access is one of the greatest hurdles for young farmers. Can you Leah Penniman, tell us how you overcame this major hurdle? the author of Farming We were living in the South End of Albany where While Black, will it was very difficult to get fresh food for our children, present a keynote at despite our educational privilege and our knowing the 2020 MOSES of how to farm. We did want to start a farm that Organic Farming embodied the principles of “to free ourselves, we must Conference. feed ourselves” and to take responsibility for our community food security. Photo by Capers Rumph Land certainly is a challenge. The way we overcame that is that we purchased land that is marginal. The USDA ranks land in terms of its suitability for farming What crops do you grow and what animals do you raise? on a scale of 1 to 13 with 1 being the best; ours is 13, We have about 5 acres of silvopasture, a herd of being least suitable and that’s why it cost $2,000 an acre. Katahdin sheep, 50 layer chickens, about 300 broilers It’s also quite far from markets. But that’s what we could (Freedom Rangers), honeybees and 30 hogs. We also afford and we were able to purchase the land with the have a couple acres of perennial agroforest—an inter- savings from my public-school teaching job. crop of crops like hazelnuts, apples, raspberries, black- berries, blueberries together with perennial herbs. And, I love the name of your farm. Can you tell us why you then another acre of annual crops—vegetables like chose that name? tomatoes, peppers, onions, and so forth, and two 80-foot The name Soul Fire Farm actually comes from a high tunnels that also have hot-season annual crops. Lee “Scratch” Perry song called “Soul Fire,” and it PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Spring Valley, 339, PO Box resonated with us because we really do the work from Conversation with Leah Penniman continues on 6 TM Board promotes Langworthy to lead MOSES By David Perkins, MOSES Board President Volume 28, #1 January | February 2020 The MOSES Board of Directors is excited to announce the promotion of Lauren Langworthy to Lauren Langworthy Editor Audrey Alwell Executive Director of MOSES. The Board is proud is the new Executive of MOSES’s wonderful past contributions to our Director of MOSES. Advertising Coordinator Tom Manley farm community; however, it recognizes the need to Photo by Audrey Alwell Digital Content Producer Stephanie Coffman reinvigorate and refocus its efforts to meet the needs of new generations of farmers. Lauren is part of the new generation; she is dedicated, passionate, accessible and eloquent, and so is well-positioned to carry the organization into the future. For this reason, the Board Organic BroadcasterTM The is a bimonthly voted unanimously in November to make Lauren the newspaper published by the Midwest Organic & organization’s leader. cultivate new leadership for that organization. In 2018, Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), a nonprofit that provides education, resources Formerly the Program Director at MOSES, Lauren was elected to represent her district on the and practical advice to farmers. Lauren had stepped up to serve as Interim Executive board of the Wisconsin Farmers Union for a three- Director in March following a board-directed change year term. Opinions expressed by the authors do not in leadership. Over the past nine months, she has Lauren has a bachelor’s degree from Luther College necessarily reflect those of the publisher. demonstrated exceptional expertise in managing the in Decorah, Iowa. Since joining the staff at MOSES in Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply nonprofit’s inner workings and relationships in the early 2015, Lauren has completed the International endorsement of a product. We reserve the right to wider organic agriculture community. She has helped Organic Inspectors Association NOP Organic Crops refuse inappropriate advertising. the organization weather a challenging year with skill Standards Training, served on the Land Stewardship and diplomacy. She has proven herself to be an adept Project’s Federal Farm Policy Steering Committee, © 2020 MOSES and practical leader, ensuring that MOSES carries out and advocated for farmers on Capitol Hill with our Content may be reprinted with permission. its mission of educating, inspiring, and empowering partners in the National Organic Coalition, National Contact [email protected]. farmers to thrive in a sustainable, organic system of Farmers Union, Land Stewardship Project, and the agriculture. In other words, she really impressed us all! Organic Trade Association. She has also participated Display & Classified Advertising: The board chose to hire internally rather than in racial justice and diversity trainings, and brings a [email protected] or 888-90-MOSES undergo another national search following so closely strong commitment to providing programming and on the heels of the 2016 executive director search. We services that are equitable and inclusive. Content Submissions or Inquiries: wanted a leader who is familiar with the organiza- “Just as it is in our fields, diversity in our com- [email protected] tion, its staff and board, our partners, our farmers, munity is a strength we can actively pursue to improve and the unique attributes of organic agriculture. We future resilience,” Lauren told the board recently. “We Free Subscription: believe that Lauren’s experience at MOSES and her can make a welcoming space for organic, sustainable, mosesorganic.org/sign-up or 888-90-MOSES background and continued role in farming contribute regenerative, transitioning, questioning, and curious greatly to her credentials as the organization’s new farmers and community members of all identities. We executive director. can communicate the value of our work to this broad Lauren and her husband, Caleb, own a 153-acre spectrum of people and invite them to join us in creat- MOSES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit qualified to grass-based farm in Wheeler, Wis. They rotationally ing a better future for food and farming.” receive tax-deductible donations. graze a 150-ewe flock of sheep and a small herd of Please join us as we welcome and thank Lauren for Highland cattle. Prior to investing in livestock, they accepting the challenge of leading MOSES into this Support resilient organic, sustainable, had a certified organic vegetable operation for six new decade. years. In 2017, they were selected as Wisconsin’s repre- and regenerative farms by donating: sentatives to the national Farmers Union Enterprises David Perkins is the president of the MOSES Board of leader development program, a one-year training to Directors and a longtime organic farmer. MOSES, P.O. Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Online: mosesorganic.org/donate MOSES Team: Board of Directors: Lauren Langworthy, Executive Director | [email protected] David Abazs | Round River Farm, Minn. Audrey Alwell, Communications Director | [email protected] Mike Bollinger | River Root Farm, Iowa Chuck Anderas, Organic Specialist | [email protected] MOSES educates, inspires, Sylvia Burgos Toftness | Bull Brook Keep, Wis. and empowers farmers to thrive in a Sarah Broadfoot, Project Manager | [email protected] Dela Ends | Scotch Hill Farm, Wis. sustainable, organic system of agriculture. Sophia Cleveland, Administrative Coor. | [email protected] Clare Hintz | Elsewhere Farm, Wis. Stephanie Coffman, Presentation Coor. | [email protected] Charlie Johnson | Johnson Farms, SD Lisa Kivirist, In Her Boots Coordinator | [email protected] David Perkins | Vermont Valley Farm, Wis. Tom Manley, Partnership Director | [email protected] Molly Rockamann | EarthDance Farm School, Mo. Jennifer Nelson, Land Access Navigator | [email protected] Sara Tedeschi | Dog Hollow Farm, Wis. Cathy Olyphant, Office Assistant | [email protected] Darin Von Ruden | Von Ruden Family Farm, Wis. On-Farm Organic Specialist Team | [email protected]

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Real Organic Project add-on label helps farmers show organic values By Dave Chapman, Real Organic Project There has been growing dismay in recent years But even if we pass it, will it be enforced or will it over erosion of the integrity of the National Organic languish beside the Pasture Rule as a good idea that is Program. The Real Organic Project was created in INSIDE ORGANICS often ignored? 2018 to address this crisis. We see a widening gap Hydroponic production is now embraced by the between the traditional meaning of “organic” and the NOP, despite the 2010 recommendation from the USDA’s reinvention. Most of the farms certified by Viewpoints from members of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) that the USDA are really organic, but much of the certified the organic community hydroponic should not be allowed. Hydroponic pro- food now sold in stores is not. duction is dominating the organic tomato and berry Organic farming began as a movement in Europe markets. There is a pending lawsuit from the Center in the 1940s. Albert Howard had a belief that farm- for Food Safety claiming that certifying hydroponic ing should be based on soil health, and that all good Fast forward from those prophetic words and violates the Organic Food Production Act. With stron- things would come from that. J.I. Rodale brought where are we today? The integrity of the National ger standards, the EU continues to prohibit hydro- Howard’s ideas to the U.S., and our organic move- Organic Program seems to be crumbling, even as ponic as organic. Virtually all of the U.S. “organic” ment was born. As these ideas slowly caught on business is booming. Large corporations have become hydroponic production was started after the NOSB with farmers and eaters, demand grew. American the power brokers of the National Organic Program. recommended banishing hydroponic from organic. certification began in Maine with the Maine Organic Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are The NOP has ignored the last 20 recommenda- Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) in the norm in poultry, making up over 80% of the certi- tions from the NOSB. When asked about this by 1972, and in California with CCOF in 1973. MOFGA fied eggs in America. Much of this malfeasance would Congressman Rodney Davis in Congressional hearings, started out certifying 27 farms. CCOF began with 54 have been stopped with the passage of the Organic Undersecretary Gregg Ibach’s final response was that grower members. The first MOSES Organic Farming Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) animal wel- the USDA was looking forward to picking different Conference in 1990 drew 90 farmers. fare reform, but that ruling was rejected by the Trump members for the NOSB. And they will certainly get that An international movement has grown out of these USDA the first day they took office. The weight of these opportunity, with five seats just filled and another five humble beginnings. Annual U.S. retail sales of organic huge CAFOs is dragging the organic brand down into seats coming up for change in the next year. products reached $52.5 billion in 2018 and sales in the the mud. There are several lawsuits against the USDA European Union exceeded $41 billion. Organic food for its rejection of the OLPP. About Real Organic Project is grown all over the world, and much of it is sent to Jesse LaFlamme, owner of Pete and Gerry’s Out of these many failures in the National Organic America. Organic Eggs, has written, “What consumers want, Program, the Real Organic Project (ROP) was born. Organic in America began as a movement of and what should be enshrined in our market economy, From the very beginning it has been farmer-led. Twelve family farms. At first scorned by the USDA, many is a choice. Consumers should be free to choose the of the 15 ROP Standards Board members are farmers. innovative farmers had a vision of a different kind of product in accordance with their values, and pay Four of five Executive Board members are farmers. farming from the reigning chemical model. At the for the associated cost of its production accordingly. Fourteen of the 25 Advisory board members are farm- time Secretary of Ag Earl Butz was saying, “Get big or Consumers expect to pay more for an organic tomato ers. We are farmer-led and will remain that way. get out,” some farmers were turning to organic to get than a conventionally grown one because they know Our goal is to make sure that eaters are getting smaller. Everything about chemical farming seemed to that it costs more to produce it. It’s the same with eggs.” honest choices in the marketplace. We want to recon- encourage farms to get bigger and bigger. Everything Dairy CAFOs are rapidly driving organic family nect organic farmers with the people who care. about organic seemed to reward smaller farms that farms that pasture their animals out of business. The Certification is simple. We are an add-on label to treated their soil with care. Consumers responded to milk markets are flooded with cheap CAFO milk the USDA organic program, so NOP certification is the lack of pesticides and superior taste as well as the grown in the desert. USA Today published a story that a requirement. Such add-on labels are common in ideal of food grown by people instead of by corpora- six Texas CAFOs outproduced ALL of the 453 certi- the EU, where farmers want to offer their customers tions. As people became more uneasy about what they fied organic dairy farms in Wisconsin combined. It more choices. ROP is as much of a movement as it is a were having for dinner, they turned to organic. is a mystery how the NOP allows these confinement brand. Remember when organic wasn’t just a market- In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Food operations to violate the Pasture Rule. And now we ing scheme? We are so much more than a label, but Production Act. At that time organic was still small struggle to pass the Origin of Livestock rule. Again. we also want to provide consumers with a label that business, and a real effort was made to protect the means what they think it means. integrity and transparency of an organic label. After In the tradition of organic in Denmark, ROP cer- 10 years of thrashing around, the National Organic We see a widening gap between tification is free. In Denmark, the organic program is Program (NOP) was created in 2001, and with it, the traditional meaning of “organic” entirely paid for by the government, which is commit- organic certification became the business of the USDA. ted to transforming the food system. They believe that “Getting the feds and organic farmers together in and the USDA’s reinvention... Our goal organic farming is something that benefits everybody, 1990 wasn’t easy,” said Roger Blobaum in the keynote is to make sure that eaters are getting regardless of what food choices they make when speech at the 1993 MOSES Conference. “It certainly shopping. Real Organic Project is supported by many wasn’t love at first sight. It had many of the character- honest choices in the marketplace. generous people and foundations who care deeply istics of a shotgun wedding and when it was over, there We want to reconnect organic farmers about our food system, and are unhappy with USDA’s was no honeymoon. Although these two have tried oversight of the program. ROP certification is strong to work things out, they have been on the verge of a with the people who care. in the Midwest. With only a year and a half since breakup ever since.” Inside Organics continues on 8

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“I’m applying for certification for the first time in 2020. good records, but don’t worry if you haven’t kept perfect What should I do now to prepare?” records during your transition. Get together what you Answer by Organic Specialist Chuck Anderas can from the past three years. Your inspector will look it over and report to the certifier what you have and Organic certification has four big steps each year: what is missing. There are some records that you need application, initial review, inspection, and final review. to have that your certifier will ask you to send in after Now is the time to start on the first step. It is the most your inspection. For example, you will need receipts for work in the first year—from the second year on, most of all seed purchases for the entire transition period. If you the information will carry over from the year before. The have missing seed records from 2017 until now, you can learning curve in the first year may be intimidating, but MOSES Organic Specialists answer your questions probably get these records from your seed supplier. Your it levels out pretty quickly after that. about organic production and certification. certifier will let you know if other kinds of records are Start by selecting a certification agency. The MOSES missing, like if you forgot to record a cultivation. Your CALL: Organic Answer Line fact sheet “Organic Certification & Tips for Choosing certification letter at final review will help you learn 888-90-MOSES (906-6737) a Certifier” suggests questions you can ask to help you what is missing for next year. find a certifier that’s suited to your operation. The fact SUBMIT: Click “Ask a Specialist” button sheet is #19 at mosesorganic.org/ Transition your animals. at mosesorganic.org/ask. organic-fact-sheets. Browse the The 36-month transition period for land doesn’t Midwest Organic Resource Directory READ: Browse answers to questions apply to livestock. Different kinds of animals and animal for information about certification at mosesorganic.org/ask. products have specific requirements to be eligible to be agencies in this region. It’s online at certified. Dairy animals have to be managed organically mosesorganic.org/organic-resource- DOWNLOAD: Fact Sheets at mosesorganic.org/ for one year before you sell organic milk. They can be organic-fact-sheets. directory or available in print by transitioned on third year transitional feed from your calling the MOSES Organic Answer farm during this transition. Any purchased feed must be Line, 888-90-MOSES. certified organic. the fields that will be certified this year? Your field must Animals meant for organic slaughter cannot be tran- Contact your certifier early. pass 36 months since the last application of a prohibited sitioned. They have to be managed organically from the This will help you make sure you are on the right material, such as herbicide or synthetic fertilizer, before last third of gestation all the way through their slaughter path. If you’ve ever asked a certification question at a you harvest any organic crop. That means if you or the and packaging. Brood animals can come in and out of field day or conference workshop, you heard “ask your previous manager applied herbicide on 6/14/2017, then organic management. Poultry must be managed organi- certifier.” While this may seem like a cop-out, it is actu- your field would be eligible for organic production on or cally from their second day ally the best answer for context-specific questions about after 6/14/2020. If you have a later transition date, make of life whether they are for certification. If you are wondering if you are allowed to sure to plant a crop with a harvest date after the transi- meat or eggs. do a specific practice within your system, the certifier tion date. You can plant crops intended to be sold as For a more thorough has the ultimate say on whether it is allowed or not. Even organic before your transition date—the only thing that explanation of certification if you’re pretty sure an input is allowed, check with your matters with the transition date is the harvest. rules for livestock, see the certifier first. They are only a phone call away. If you have managed the land for the past 36 months, 32-page Guidebook for Make sure that you get your application in with you can document your own management of the land. Organic Certification. It’s enough time to spare before you need to sell organic If someone else managed the land for some or all of the online at mosesorganic.org/ crops. This should be a minimum of 90 days before last 36 months, the previous manager needs to sign a guidebook-for-certification. harvest (or you may have to pay a fee to expedite your document with some information about how they man- inspection). aged the land. Note that land ownership is irrelevant in Talk to a MOSES Organic Specialist. Have the certifier send you an application in the mail, organic certification—certification is of both the land MOSES has a team of Organic Specialists to help or sign up on their online application system early. and how it is managed. Certifiers have forms that will answer your questions about organic production and help you gather the information you need to document certification. We can help you answer questions that Document your transition date. your transition date. your certifier can’t—certifiers are not allowed to help When was the last prohibited material applied to you overcome barriers to certification. They can tell you Collect and organize your records. the fields you want to certify? What are you planting in what the rules are and they can tell you if what you want As a certified organic farmer you will have to keep to do is allowed or not, but they can’t give you advice on what to do. If you are a dairy farmer, your certifier can tell you that your cows need at least 30% of their dry matter intake from pasture during the grazing season. They can tell you whether or not you are currently meeting that requirement, but they can’t help you to improve your grazing plan. You can call us through the Organic Answer Line, 888-90-MOSES, or email us at specialist@ mosesorganic.org with your questions.

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Distillery partners with farmers to grow heirloom grains for spirits By Chuck Anderas La Crosse Distilling, a craft distillery founded in estimated “it will take a mini- 2018, operates a tasting room and restaurant just down mum of three years before we the road from the MOSES Organic Farming Conference make a profit off it.” Yet, seeing in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Their certified organic spirits the optimistic direction the are made from local or regional organic grain (and group is heading, McHugh is potatoes) that they contract with farmers to grow. ready to grow more and more “There really is a future for farmers in distillery acres of specialty grain for the grains, and no one has really shown a light on that distillery in the years to come. yet,” said La Crosse Distilling co-owner Nick Weber. Pricing open-pollinated, He and his business partner, Chad Staehly, decided to heirloom, organic grain is a buy local, organic grain for their spirits from the very unique challenge for the farm- beginning. ers selling their grain direct to “It’s about restoring the land,” Weber said. “We the distillery. I reached out to really wanted to bring back open-pollinated heirloom some agricultural economists grains, and it just so happens that they have deeper for insight into the economic flavor profiles that are better for aged spirits.” difference for farmers selling They have spent the last few years developing specialty grains versus on the relationships with growers in the area and testing out commodity market, and it is an new open-pollinated varieties of barley, corn, rye, and unsurprisingly understudied wheat. For one of their spirits, they tried about 100 dif- area. There are not weekly ferent varieties of corn before they found just the right price reports on organic on- one—an heirloom red corn that will remain nameless farm stone-ground heritage due to the immense amount of work that went into red fife whole wheat flour, for Patrick McHugh grows organic, specialty rye, wheat, and corn for La Crosse Distillery. identifying it. When one of their local growers had example. But, because there is Photo by La Crosse Distillery a crop failure of that variety due to a hailstorm, they so much value in the heirloom were only able to locate one other grower, in Ohio, who varieties, and because value is added to the grain by track of the details—particularly your labor. Put a fair had it. extensive cleaning, the crop clearly should be priced labor rate on what your time is.” Each variety that one of their farmers grows is most higher than your typical feed-grade organic grain sold Food-grade distilling grains have a high standard likely a new variety to that farmer. “It’s been a learning to the local co-op. of cleanliness. The farmers that grow for La Crosse curve for both [the farmers and us], but it’s been awe- Halee and John Wepking of Meadlowlark Organics Distilling have different ways of achieving this stan- some,” Weber said. in Ridgeway, Wisconsin, also contract to grow grain dard based on the rest of their marketing strategies La Crosse-area farmer Patrick McHugh, who has for the distillery. While they know their production and relationships. McHugh said that he had to buy a been growing grain for the distillery from its launch, costs, it is still “really difficult to determine what your seed cleaner/separator to separate the seed according said that to grow open-pollinated heirloom varieties, grain is actually worth,” explained John Wepking. The to test weight. “If there is any disease, I’m able to seg- you need “patience with learning how to take care of Wepkings approach price-setting with buyers less as a regate with air volume of the higher quality seed.” He a specialty crop that doesn’t generally have as much negotiation and more as a conversation to find a price said he has only had to remove about 1-2% of the crop vigor as newer varieties do.” that is fair and mutually beneficial to both parties. so far. As the owners grow their distillery business, they McHugh said that he reached out to the few other The Wepkings have also invested in grain clean- are expanding the amount of acreage they contract distilling companies around the country that work ing equipment that helps them achieve their desired each year. Their first year, they had 50 to 80 acres with open-pollinated hybrid grains to see what a fair consistency of product. The Wepkings both come under contract, and nearly 400 this past year. price might be. “I’m not afraid to ask questions,” he from high-end restaurant and bakery backgrounds, “We’ve enjoyed buying directly from the farmers,” added. “I gave [La Crosse Distilling] an estimate of and that experience helps them see their product Staehly said. He and Weber have a goal to offer farmers prices—quite a range” in their negotiation. He said from the buyer’s point of view. To visualize the level of above-market pricing eventually, just as their friends that he priced it out by the pound “because people cleanliness needed, the Wepkings said that grain sold do at Kickapoo Coffee in Viroqua. Because of the chal- not in agriculture aren’t used to bushels.” McHugh to a distillery or bakery needs to leave the farm clean lenges of growing food-grade heirloom grain, McHugh encouraged other farmers to “document and keep Distillery-Farmer Relationship continues on 8

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Conversation with Leah Penniman — from page 1

What do you consider to be the most important soil- 20 boxes and go ahead and distribute those to their resources. This seems to be a pivotal step in American building practice of your farm? patrons. agriculture. Do you have any advice for groups inter- No-till. Instead of using heavy equipment to till, we ested in working on this in the Midwest? use a combination of tarping to manage the weeds as In the intro of your book Farming While Black, you This is very, very exciting. The Northeast Farmers well as building up the soil over time instead of dig- share your background as a person of color in mostly of Color Network, and specifically the land trust, are ging down. We’re adding heavy mulches, cover crops, white spaces like farming conferences, and how that working very hard on land rematriation, which means compost, and then managing that with our tarps or affected your view of what type of work and activism land returned to indigenous people and also to black paper mulching as a weed barrier. you were “supposed to do.” With Soul Fire Farm’s farmers. Right now, we have a map that actually covers programs and with your book, you’re helping to change much of the country that matches up people of color What are some of the greatest insect or weed challenges that for other young people of color who might also doing land-based work with folks who have resources. you’ve faced on your farm, and how have you handled find inspiration and their life’s work in agriculture and It’s called Reparations Map. And we’ve had over 30 them? the food system. Are you seeing changes in those same successes, matching people in that way to resources We definitely have our share of insect challenges, spaces and conversations? Do you see more leadership that they need. but I would say that they’re not so bad because we have and voices of people of color reflected? The land trust is still in the process of getting its a very diversified operation with a lot of intercropping Absolutely, things are certainly changing. One of paperwork approved by the government so that it can and crop rotation. Our past challenges have been the most powerful things is that I’m seeing more vis- actually hold land. But, we have a number of donors pretty manageable; occasionally we’ll lose the chard to ibility of the powerful black- and brown-led farming lined up who want to give their land back so that’s very leaf miner. We had a problem with root rot nematode organizations that have existed for a really long time. exciting for us. And, we are certainly open to sharing in the alliums a couple years ago, but those seem to be When I was coming up, I didn’t know anything about all of our founding documents and strategic work with isolated and then manageable. the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. I didn’t anyone in the Midwest who might be interested in Weeds are definitely a huge issue because we’re know anything about Operation Spring Plant, which is doing something similar because our vision is a net- committed to no-till. We’ve lost some whole beds of a food hub in the South. I didn’t know about the Land work of these community-based land trusts all around crops to weeds when we don’t get the timing quite Loss Prevention Project. So, it’s been really powerful to the country. I recommend also checking out the work right with the tarping. We just continue to refine our see some of these organizations getting more visibility of the Agrarian Trust, which is a collaborating organi- methods and we’re confident that next year will be a and us as younger farmers coming into the market zation that provides a lot of technical assistance. good year. It’s just never, ever letting that soil lie bare being able to connect with these elders to learn from and exposed; it’s got to always be in some type of them. Is there anything else you’d like to share? opaque mulch, and then we’re good to go. There are also a number of newer organizations To remember that when we talk about justice in that have sprung up, including BUGS (Black Urban the food system we need to be thinking about the From what I can tell, your farm’s main distribution Growers) and organizations like the Black Farmer fact that the vast majority of the labor that’s done on model seems to be a sliding-scale CSA. This is something Fund in New York and Northeast Farmers of Color. It’s farms is done by people of color and around 85% of that I think, for many farmers, seems great in theory been great to see spaces where our leadership and our farmworkers are Latino or Latinx, while only about 2% but difficult in practice. Can you tell us how you’ve voices can really be heard and we can make sure that of managers are people of color. So, a big part of justice made it work? What are the biggest limitations and projects really benefit our community. is going to look like how we support these really expert greatest opportunities of such a model? farmers—who sometimes have decades of experi- Yes, in 2019 our farm’s main distribution model Last year, you led a workshop at the MOSES Conference ence—in becoming producers and entrepreneurs was the sliding-scale CSA. We did this for nine years. that was my favorite one. Your way of weaving together that have the autonomy associated with running their We are shifting out of it, not because it didn’t work—it history and acknowledgment of ancestral practices own businesses. And also, to make sure that laws are actually works great. We’re just shifting focus to better with how we can do better for each other right now was in place to treat farmworkers well, so supporting the meet the needs of our community. We had 110 mem- incredible. Most especially, I was very moved by where Fairness for Farmworkers Act. bers with doorstep delivery; people paid what they you said you were headed afterwards—to meet people could afford. who are from the tribe whose land you are on. Can you Molly Rockamann is Founding Director of EarthDance What’s great about it for the farmer is with 100% share more about that? Organic Farm School in Ferguson, Missouri. She serves CSA you can really predict and manage the amount of Yes, right after the conference I went up to the on the MOSES Board of Directors. crop you need to grow, and there is almost no waste. Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Reservation in Bowler, Everything is bought ahead of time. Also, we found Wisconsin. We are collaborating in a number of ways that doing doorstep delivery actually is less time- with the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican people who intensive than doing something like a farmers market, are the original stewards of the land that is Soul Fire. with more guarantee that you’re actually getting your One of those ways is by growing some of the seeds that crop out there. they originally domesticated such as bee balm, which So a lot of the things work really well; I think one of they call #6, their medicine, and the Calico popcorn. the challenges is that for very low-income people, who We grow out the seeds and when we sell the seeds all are maybe less familiar with the CSA model, there’s the proceeds go to the reservation. We also are in the quite a bit of communication necessary and back and process of drafting a cultural respect easement which forth and modification to make the program work, will allow tribal members to use the land of Soul Fire which can be labor-intensive on the administrative Farm for wildcrafting and for ceremony. So that’s a side. So that’s something that needs to be taken into negotiation that we’re having right now. Feb. 27-29, 2020 consideration. One of the ways we surmounted that is Acknowledging that the U.S. food system was built La Crosse, WI we made relationships with some institutions in the on stolen land and stolen labor, you are part of the community that support distribution—organizations Northeast Farmers of Color Network claiming your like the Refugee Welcome Center that will take 10 or sovereignty and calling for reparations of land and

where farmers grow

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Farmers tell buyers their concerns, vision for organic marketplace By Audrey Alwell At the Organic & Non-GMO Forum in story in the November Organic Broadcaster at moses- consider as they negotiate with farmers. Minneapolis in October, a panel of organic grain organic.org/kernza.) “For us, the biggest thing is relationships— producers shared their stories to help the grain buyers He said his rotation has always been a bit of a work- relationships matter when we’re marketing,” Olson and food manufacturers at the event understand why in-progress. “It has continually evolved and when said. She explained the importance of getting to know organic farmers have a multi-crop rotation and need I look at the potential again for peas and Kernza, I buyers and “what makes them tick.” Then when buyers a market for everything they grow, not just corn and think we’ve got a whole new story on this rotation,” he call and name their price, her husband will call around soybeans. Lauren Langworthy, MOSES Executive added. to make sure it’s a fair price. “He’s calling around and Director, moderated the panel, which featured Schwagerl runs an 800-acre split operation, with everybody knows that. He wants to work with every- Minnesota farmers Carolyn Olson of Olson Organics, half in non-GMO soybeans, which are “far and away body, but he wants it to be fair for everybody as well. Carmen Fernholz of A-Frame Farm, and Peter the best marketing opportunity for us,” he explained. That has worked really well for us.” Schwagerl of Prairie Point Farm. On their organic acres, they run a four-year rotation Olson outlined how they’ve set up a unique mar- Olson and her husband, Jonathan, have 1,100 acres with corn, field peas, soybeans, and a small grain. He keting structure with one of their buyers to include of organic row crops and small grains. They just added said he’ll be planting a long-term crop, either alfalfa or both a set contract and a flex contract. “Then we’re not an alfalfa mix to make more of an “ideal” rotation, but Kernza, for weed control and building soil health. locked in if the price happens to be low in January. If are concerned because there’s not a market in their “We’re going to be playing around with those the price of corn for us could be higher later, we do area for alfalfa since there are so few dairy farms now, perennial crops as a base that we can strip till and have the option to flex a part of that contract. So that she explained. They are growing alfalfa largely as a plant our row crops into that living cover,” he said. has worked for us,” she explained. cover crop to improve soil health, she added. Olson Schwagerl, who transitioned to organic within the She said they prefer short-term over long-term offered a digestible explanation of their six-year rota- last seven years, explained some of the barriers they contracts. “We like to work with our buyers and get tion, adding it’s not all one crop one year and another needed to overcome. the best for all of us because we want them to stay in crop the next. “We went through a particularly difficult time to business. And, we want them to buy our crops, too,” “One-third of our acres is going to be corn, one- transition just because the conventional margins right she added. third will be soybeans, and one-third will be a small now are so incredibly tight,” he explained. “Farmers Olson pointed out that contracts are important grain and the alfalfa mix,” Olson said. Within their are being pretty risk-averse. They can see that in the for farmers who take out crop insurance. “Sometimes various fields, the crops grown change each year, end, once they can get to certification, there is finan- you need a contract in hand to be able to insure it for except for the alfalfa, which they leave in for two to cial benefit to their farm. But it can be a very risky a price point,” she explained. “For us this year, crop three years. transition period. That’s why for us, we’ve had to rely insurance has been very important.” “We have a lot of different varieties that we grow, more on the [non-GMO] soybeans.” Schwagerl said he prefers the stability of annual which is why we don’t say we just grow wheat. We He also said that it can be tough to go organic if all production contracts, based on acreage, that are drawn grow a lot of seed for Albert Lee Seed. That’s been a the neighbors are non-organic. “You can’t just go to up in January. Even if they could get more for their really great relationship for us. We’ve been in the seed the nearest co-op and find answers to your agronomy organic grain later in the year, they prefer the security growing business since the late 1930s on our farm. or marketing questions,” he said. “You have to find of a contract set before the production year starts. And, that kind of dictates what varieties of soybeans a completely new network of suppliers and markets, “That works well for us as beginning farmers and small grains we grow. And then our corn, we and that can be very intimidating, I think, for a lot of because we might not have the resources or capital that market to Prairie Organic for vodka.” people who are trying to transition.” some of the more established farmers have,” Schwagerl As soon as the small grain comes off, they plant Fernholz, who also serves on the MOSES Organic explained. “We’re willing to just take a set price ahead cover crops and then corn will go in that field. The Specialist team and handles organic grain calls on of the production season because it allows us to have next year, soybeans will follow the corn, and the fol- the Organic Answer Line, said he frequently gets calls some economic security and plan our cash flows for lowing year, it might be alfalfa or a small grain mix from farmers asking about transition and the organic the upcoming year.” again. market. The main question he hears is, “How do I Working on annual contracts also has given his “It’s called a six-year rotation, but each field will deal with weeds?” He said most younger conventional farm the chance to work with different buyers, giving have either the corn, the soy, or the small grain every farmers have “probably never sat on a cultivator or them a sense of where they’d like to establish longer- third year,” she explained. “It’s a three-year system, but probably never used a rotary hole or a tine weeder. term relationships. it’s six crops.” So, it’s a whole new system for them.” He added that On his non-GMO operation, Schwagerl has found Fernholz has been following a similar rotation for the conversations always include questions about he’s limited to soybeans because he can’t find a market the last 20 years. mechanical equipment, what to use and when. for specialty crops. “Part of that is just our farm’s “When I introduced alfalfa into the rotation, it “Today’s transition is probably not as big of a chal- location,” he explained. “The logistics and freight costs changed the farm,” he said. “I didn’t have any live- lenge as it was 10 or 15 or 20 years ago because there on those lower-value, non-GMO crops just haven’t stock, but alfalfa changed the operation. Alfalfa serves are a lot more experienced people out there that can worked.” not only as a soil-building crop, but is a terrific weed- tell you some of the shortcuts you can take. So, con- He’s able to grow a wider variety of crops for the management tool, and this is of primary importance in sequently, there isn’t really the yield hit either during farm’s organic side. “We’re very willing to try new an organic system.” He said he tried growing field peas transitioning,” Fernholz explained, especially when crops—that’s just part of the fun of being a farmer,” years ago, but there wasn’t a market for them. Now, you can learn from what others have done before you. he added. “It has been difficult for us to market some Puris Foods is renovating a plant in nearby Dawson, of the field peas that we wanted in our rotation for soil so he expects to be growing field peas once again. He Marketing Crops benefits. We’re excited about the new players that are also mentioned he has been participating in research Langworthy asked the farmers to share how they to breed out a perennial wheat, called Kernza. (See the market their crops and what they’d want buyers to Organic Farmers’ Vision continues on 12

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Inside Organics — from page 3 getting started, we already have over 250 farms across welfare is required. Regular access to the outdoors and heads. Instead, let’s take action and protect organic. the country, and over 60 of those are in the Midwest. pasture is required. (See www.realorganicproject.org/ Get certified. Sign up for email updates at realorgan- Our goal is to reach 2,000 ROP-certified farms in the provisional-standards.) icproject.org. There is a wealth of information on the next three years. We are not here to replace the organic program. website. Tell your friends about ROP. Make a donation. The ROP standards are quite simple. They address We are here to save it. As farmers look to new terms Sign the petition. We can do this. Please join us. In the the failures of the USDA program. CAFOs and hydro- for the same concepts, such as regenerative and agro- words of one of ROP’s farmers, “If not us, who? If not ponics are prohibited. Parallel production (organic ecological, we think it is worth saying, “No” to the now, when?” and non-organic of the same crop) is prohibited. theft of the original term we all spent years building. A soil-building program is required. Basic animal It is remarkably easy to sit back and shake our Dave Chapman runs Long Wind Farm in Vermont and is the Executive Director of the Real Organic Project.

Distillery-Farmer Relationship — from page 5 enough that it is “ready to go into a bulk bin at a more from the farmers they already work with. co-op, ready to eat.” They see their goals as a company as mutually To be food-grade, grain has to have less than beneficial to the farmers who grow crops for their one part per million of deoxynivalenol (DON), spirits. They want to be leaders in their industry, commonly referred to as vomitoxin, and be free buying quality grain at a competitive price while of straw and weed seeds. John Wepking said that helping small family farms stay profitable. The their wheat may have “1.6 DON off the combine” owners of La Crosse Distilling have a deep respect but after cleaning can be brought down to below for farmers and are committed to leaving this one ppm. Above one ppm and the grain must be world “better than we found it,” Weber explained. sold as feed-grade for a significantly lower price. Investing in grain cleaning equipment has allowed Chuck Anderas is MOSES Organic Specialist. them to “capture the value” of their grain. The Reach him through the Organic Answer Line: Wepkings also said they can only grow food-grade 888-90-MOSES. small grains on the parts of their farm that are wind-swept, well-drained ridgetops. In their Patrick McHugh grows Abruzzi rye for La Crosse Distillery. La Crosse Distillery hosts a farmers social and area, the higher moisture levels of lower fields Photo by La Crosse Distillery show after the MOSES Conference Saturday, Feb. make growing food-grade small grains nearly 29 with advance tickets priced at $17. See ad impossible. anything, and then “you have to pay a lot more atten- below for details. Because the distillery lacks on-site storage space, tion” to insect control and moisture levels as the year the grain must be delivered in small quantities spread goes on. Because a farmer selling direct makes many out over the course of the year. Because of their dis- smaller deliveries rather than a few trips to the eleva- Workshop: tilling process, they also need the grain delivered in tor, you have to keep the grain in good condition for Niche Markets 50-pound bags. This means that the farmers that sell to up to nine months. for Artisanal them have to focus on post-harvest handling, includ- McHugh said post-harvest handling is where labor Grains ing bagging and storage strategies that will maintain costs can cut into profitability. “You have to get the Friday 3:30 p.m. the quality of their grain over several months. seed out of the bin, clean it properly, then into another Patrick McHugh, McHugh Farms McHugh delivers truckloads of grain to nearby storage bin, then bagged from there, and stored again,” Halee Wepking, Meadowlark Organics seed company Foundation Direct Seeds, and they put he explained. “The amount of time handling the Nicholas Weber, La Crosse Distilling Company his crop into 50-pound bags as required by the distill- grain until you get it in a finished product is new to ery. Some of these bags are stored at Foundation Direct me. I haven’t cleaned seed in my entire life. Once you Brewers and bakers are creating niche markets for while the rest is stored at his farm. start getting the tricks figured out, then you can start artisanal and heirloom grains. We’ll discuss how The Wepkings have invested in a bagging line and figuring out your efficiencies. You don’t want to be a these crops can fit into rotations and market options grain bins on their farm. They said post-harvest han- Jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. You have to be for specialty grains. dling is one of the biggest differences between growing a master of all your trades as a farmer.” feed- and food-grade grain. For food-grade grain, you As La Crosse Distilling continues to grow, they will Register at mosesorganic.org/conference. have to clean the grain bin really well before you store look to partner with more farmers and plan to buy TM mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSES | 9

Farmers, researchers team up to trial potato varieties for organic production By Ruth Genger & Marie Flanagan When Maria Carter’s parents emigrated from the organic seed potatoes, and to learn about and engage conditions allowed for earlier planting and harvest, Netherlands to America in 1956, they brought with in the on-farm selection of potato breeding lines from and weed pressure was low. them knowledge about how to grow seed potatoes. As true potato seeds. Planting tubers that were set aside for the following they put down roots in North Dakota, they put down year at Paradox Farm and at the White Earth Land tubers to start their new seed potato farm. They knew Trialing Minitubers Recovery Project, another participating farm, gave that healthy seed potatoes were a necessity for potato Their initial on-farm trials used “minitubers,” yields comparable to potato crops planted with pur- growers, and they knew how to produce them. produced in greenhouses to avoid insect vectors of chased certified seed potatoes. Results from these trials Potatoes are usually grown from the eyes of tubers disease, as planting stock. The trials took place at five suggest that more intensive management of potato rather than seeds; growers replant the whole potato diversified organic vegetable farms. Field production crops grown from minitubers, including mulching and or pieces of it. These tubers are referred to as “seed from minitubers generally resulted in low yields, hand weeding, may be required to make this a viable potatoes,” even though they are not true seeds. likely due to weed competition with the less vigorous method for seed potato production. Additionally, While the Carters primarily produced conven- plants that typically emerge from minitubers. An while conventional production uses minitubers of tional certified seed potatoes for more than 50 years, exception occurred at Paradox Farm in Minnesota, 0.5-1 inch diameter, larger minitubers produce more they had become interested in growing seed potatoes where use of the Ruth Stout method of heavy vigorous plants and may be more successful in organic under certified organic conditions as well—some- mulching resulted in good yields. Production from production. times referred to as “double-certified” seed potatoes. minitubers was also successful in hoophouse plots at Only a handful of farms in the U.S. produce double- Snug Haven Farm in Wisconsin, where the protected Foundation Seedlots certified seed potatoes—both certified organic Foundation seed potatoes (seed potatoes tested to and certified free from yield-limiting diseases, an ensure that disease levels are below a strict thresh- important factor since tubers can carry several potato old) were planted in trials at 16 farms in Wisconsin, diseases. In the Midwest, Vermont Valley Community Minnesota, and North Dakota across three years of Farm in Wisconsin has produced doubled-certified trials. Farmers planted foundation seedlots alongside seed potatoes since 2003. their production fields and provided samples of har- When the Carters first tried growing organic seed vested tubers to Genger for disease testing. potatoes, they had little success. Then, at the 2017 Genger’s research team tested tubers for the most MOSES Organic Farming Conference, Maria Carter common disease that limits seed potato production met Ruth Genger, a researcher at the University of in Wisconsin, Potato Virus Y (PVY), which is spread Wisconsin who organizes on-farm and research- by aphids and infected tubers. PVY stunts plants and station organic variety trials to select for potato reduces yield, and some strains of the virus can dis- varieties that excel under organic management. From color tuber flesh. Certified seed potatoes must have less their conversation, Carter and Genger saw a need and than 5% incidence of PVY and other viruses. an opportunity to create a regional network of farm- Across the three years of trials, 74 seedlots out of ers to grow desired specialty varieties for organic seed 107 tested seedlots had low enough levels of PVY to potato production. achieve certification. Farms located in regions with Since new potato breeding line evaluations rarely large-scale potato production were more likely to have include organic production environments, Genger a high incidence of PVY in their seedlots. Participants and Carter talked about using a regional network of growing smaller acreages of potatoes more isolated farmers to evaluate and select outstanding lines from from large-scale potato production had lower or no crosses between existing varieties. With support from incidence of PVY, potentially due to isolation from a $199,106 NCR-SARE Research and Education grant, sources of viral inoculum. they went about turning this vision of participatory breeding and organic seed potato production into a Potato Breeding reality. This cross between Huckleberry and Red Endeavor was To begin the breeding project, Genger crossed one of the potatoes seelected by farmers for the potato potato varieties that were good performers in previous In addition to Carter, 15 farmers across the region variety trials. and on tribal lands teamed up with Genger between Photo by Ruth Genger organic variety trials, including several with resistance 2014 and 2018 to trial production of high-quality Potato Research continues on 14     Natural Fish Fertilizers  for    &  Organic Sustainable   Crop Production   Extremely &   high levels of available   

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Organic Farmers of Year — from page 1 your body and how you are spare time, he grows and feeling and realize you are preserves a large portion part of the healing process.” of the family’s food, makes She’s careful not to disparage maple syrup and raises traditional healthcare—for pastured poultry. serious illnesses, she still The six employees who turns to Western medicine. work for Four Elements are Jane continued to experi- indispensable, Jane said. ment with herbal remedies Most work four days a week for her family. She found and several are mothers of that they were “cheap, easy, young children. Having beautiful, and effective, with The staff at Four Elements Herbals is key to the business’s success, say owners Jane Hawley Stevens and David Stevens started a business when no side effects.” Her interest (center). she had young children, in how herbs promote heal- Photo by Marlys Closser Greenhalgh Jane has always offered ing grew. flexible scheduling for her At around the same time, the organic movement Arboretum as the curator of their living collection of employees so they can prioritize their families’ needs. was picking up steam. She had been indoctrinated 4,000 woody plants. During the summer, he also puts Having spent some time in Europe, she appreciates into the chemical fertilizer approach through her in full-time hours at the farm. the culture that puts family first and work second. It’s horticulture studies and didn’t know another way. “David is the soil builder,” Jane said. “He’s created a principle she believes in and has built her business Still, she was intrigued by the organic approach to soil excellent fields and has reduced the weed seed bank around. health. She saw a connection between the health of through good organic practices. I feel like an artist Jane praised her staff as being “on the ball and her soil and the efficacy of her remedies. After about walking out into a clean palate to do my beautiful dynamic,” really owning their piece of the operation. a year of contemplation, she decided to go for organic artistry.” This has freed up Jane in recent years to do more certification in 1989 and has been certified organic David is the unsung hero of the farm. Along with teaching and writing. “It is my job to connect people since then. handling the production field’s fertility and cultiva- to nature as their source of wellness,” she added. Jane and David had been growing and selling tion programs and acting as head mechanic, he also In terms of her own work-life balance, Jane potted herbs, but without the chemical fertilizer they oversees the 130-acre farm as a whole. Over the years, acknowledged that “the boundaries are fuzzy if you were accustomed to using, the herbs languished. he has reforested an abandoned 20-acre field and have your business where you live.” She and David Organic certification was very new at that time, and established a prairie restoration organically. In his often work through the weekends, and Jane frequently there really weren’t any organic fertility options for travels to teach and sell their products. They try to potted plants. Jane had signed up to sell plants at make time to get off the farm about once a month, to several different markets, and all of her plants were connect without all of the work around them. Last fall dying. She quickly realized she needed to pivot if she they took a trip down to Decorah, Iowa to visit Seed was going to have anything to sell. Savers Exchange. Pivot she did! Using the herbs in her fields (which The farm has about three acres of herbs in produc- did not have the same fertility problems), Jane began tion. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many unique making herbal remedies to sell at the markets—the varieties of herbs they grow, but Jane estimates the same remedies she found so effective in caring for her number is over 200. Jane’s first love is cultivating own family. The rest, as they say, is history. plants, particularly in the greenhouse. Jane has been on the farm full-time since then, They also use a lot of herbs that are wild-harvested managing the entire business, Four Elements Organic on the farm, and that provides a special connection to Herbals. The company’s products are now in hun- the land. The wild plants include jewel weed, chick- dreds of stores in over 40 states. Products include teas, weed, dandelion, prickly ash, and many others. “It salves, tinctures, creams, lip balms, sprays, and, of makes you feel so ‘in the right place’ when you can be course, Mullein Flower Ear Oil. harvesting wild plants for medicine.” Jane is quick to point out that the farm wouldn’t Herbs flourish under heavy mulch at Four Elements Organic Four Elements Organic Herbals’ business model is Herbals Farm near Madison, Wisconsin. be what it is without David and her dedicated staff. Photo submitted unique in that it’s vertically integrated. The supplies David works full-time at the University of Wisconsin Organic Farmers of Year continues on next page

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Organic Farmers of Year — from previous page they can’t produce on the farm, they purchase directly “I just really want to congratulate every organic from the source. Most herbal companies buy on the farmer that they are part of the solution,” Jane said. New award honors emerging leaders world market, which is very unstable because of tariffs “Through organic farming, you’re helping to improve By Audrey Alwell and customs, Jane explained. There are also a lot of the planet.” testing requirements. Four Elements’ herbs are “super In keeping with the name of her business, Jane The MOSES Board of Directors, 10 dedicated effective and potent because we can manage every- thinks of regenerative practices on the farm in terms individuals who are deeply connected to the thing from field to function,” she said. of the four elements: Earth—improving soil health by organic movement, have been selecting an Jane and David are feeling the effects of climate increasing organic matter and soil microbial diversity; organic farmer or farm family from community change. A lot of the plants they grow are perennials, Water—organic practices reduce the number of chem- nominations to honor as the Organic Farmer of which makes mulching an essential part of managing icals getting into the water supply, and increased soil the Year for the past 18 years. Along with this weeds and soil organic matter. Because of the erratic health improves water absorption; Air—soil-building “lifetime achievement” award, the board has weather this spring, they were never able to get into practices sequester carbon dioxide in the soil; Fire— discussed ways to recognize individuals or groups the fields to mulch properly. Similarly, they were reduced chemical use helps to preserve the ozone layer, whose leadership benefits farmers even if they unable to establish summer and fall cover crops, so which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation themselves are not actively farming or who go from the sun. above and beyond their farm work to break down After 32 years of farming, Jane barriers and empower others in the community and David show no signs of slowing to farm in ways that are environmentally respon- down. They don’t have plans to retire sible, socially just, and economically viable. anytime soon. None of their three As a result of this discussion, the board devel- children has expressed interest in oped a new award this year—the Changemaker farming. Their daughter, Savanna, Award—to recognize people in the organic farm- has some interest in the business side ing and food movement who are creatively over- of things, and their youngest, Sylvie, coming systemic challenges to nurture a thriving who is 15 years old, loves being on agricultural future for all. Board members David the farm. Abazs, Dave Campbell, Clare Hintz, and Sara Four Elements Organic Herbals produces a variety of wellness products, One of the things that Jane and Tedeschi honed the criteria and narrowed the including salves, tea, soaps, and lip balm. David are proudest of doesn’t have field of candidates recommended by MOSES Photo submitted anything to do with the business or staff and other board members for the award this profitability. The first summer on initial year. The full board then selected the 2020 they ended up utilizing the weeds as cover, frequently the farm, they noticed that they had bobolinks nesting Changemakers: mowing to minimize seed development. in their hay fields. The bobolink is a small blackbird • Steve Acheson, Peacefully Organic Produce, Jane knows people who source herbs from all over native to North and South America. A ground-nesting S. Central WI Hemp Producers Coop, the world, and “farmers are telling them there is no bird, the bobolink population has been rapidly declin- Veterans for Compassionate Care, High normal in the world anymore.” ing since the early 1960s due to habitat loss and is at Ground Veterans, Veggies for Vets She said she sees the Farmer of the Year award as risk. Jane and David observed that if they cut their hay • Bad River Food Sovereignty Program, an opportunity to encourage other organic farmers. after the 4th of July, it allowed the young bobolinks to represented by Loretta Livingston, Bad “I want to help empower organic farmers to know fledge and leave the nest. By altering this one practice, River Tribe, and Joy Schelble, University of that we are part of the solution,” Jane said. “As organic the farm’s bobolink population has remained robust. Wisconsin-Extension farmers we can help sequester carbon and mitigate The MOSES Board of Directors will present Jane • Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Regenerative climate change.” and David with the 2020 Organic Farmers of the Year Agriculture Alliance, Peace Coffee, Main Jane and David believe in the concept of regenera- award Thursday, Feb. 27, at the kick-off to the MOSES Street Project tive agriculture and attempt to nurture their entire Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. These honorees each receive a $500 hono- farm’s acreage. They hope that receiving this award rarium and complimentary admission to the will help empower other organic farmers to know Bailey Webster writes about farming issues from her MOSES Organic Farming Conference, where that, while times can get tough, their ethic of growing farm in Prescott, Wisconsin. they’ll receive their awards at the conference kick- organically and keeping crops in the soil is really help- off Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Look for profiles ing the health of the planet. of these amazing Changemakers in the March edition of the Organic Broadcaster. 12 | January | February 2020 TM

Organic Farmers’ Vision — from page 7 really ramping up. So, we’re excited to get back into that realm because we think there’s a lot of benefits for our farm if the market side now is catch- ing up to that.” Fernholz, who has been growing organic grains for over 40 years, said he has come to understand that he’s not a good marketer—he’d rather focus on farming and leave the marketing to someone else who is better at it. “I am too connected and too bonded with my corn or soybeans or wheat to be able to be objective about it,” he said. Carmen Fernholz (second from right) explains why he markets his grain through OFARM. Fernholz was part of a producer panel at the 2019 Organic “So, I ask somebody else—a & Non-GMO Forum in Minneapolis last fall. Lauren Langworthy (left), Executive Director of MOSES, moderated the panel, which also included third party—to go to work for Carolyn Olson and Peter Schwagerl. Photo by HighQuest me on that crop. Let them be objective about it. And, they can find the markets. That person can spend 100% of especially those with triple bottom line goals (finan- “We’re building a new paradigm here, right?” their time searching out the markets and searching cial, social, and environmental), should take into Langworthy added. “We want to create something that out where the best crops will be this year, next year, consideration how much organic farmers already are supports both the buyers and the consumers as well as and the year after, so that I can plan my evolving doing to be good environmental stewards. farmers so that we can maintain rural communities rotation accordingly.” “Our organic seal already covers a lot of the envi- and our environment.” The challenge with growing organic grains is ronmental aspects that many companies, I think, are balancing the production with the market, Fernholz looking at right now,” Olson said. She recently had Audrey Alwell is the Communications Director for said. “If one gets ahead of the other, we are in trouble.” a buyer present a contract with environmental and MOSES. He’s excited to see the market interest in Kernza and social justice aspects that weren’t realistic. “If we were expects more acreage will be planted in 2020. to implement that, our farm might not be profitable Fernholz likes the diversity of crops he grows— and live to fight another year,” she said. “Some of the diversity that’s integral to an organic system. He finds asks that are being put on farmers in these situations, soybeans to be the most challenging to grow, “simply without a price increase, are prohibitive.” because the neighbors can see quite readily how good Fernholz agreed and suggested that if companies or how bad you are in managing weeds.” really “want to be green,” they should convey their Olson, who grows out seed for Albert Lea Seed, is reasons to their consumers so they can justify paying able to grow some unusual varieties. farmers more for the raw product. “Triticale, I think, is the most fun because it looks “We, as organic producers today, have to be fully like wheat until it looks blue—when it’s planted next engaged in protecting the markets that we have,” to a wheat field, it has a blue cast to it. We get a ton of Fernholz said. “That is going to determine where calls from neighbors going, ‘What is that?’” organics will be in the future. Because if we look at Farmers need some flexibility when it comes the conventional system, and we start moving down to contracts with buyers, the panelists said. There that direction, we will be in the same predicament in can’t be a “one-contract-fits-all” mentality. Buyers, organic as my conventional friends are today.”

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Carving out time for family, social life helps farmer create work-life balance By Mike Bollinger I didn’t grow up on a farm, my parents keynote presentation at the MOSES did. Their South Dakota farm was located 2018 conference. (Watch the keynote on about seven miles from the border with YouTube at bit.ly/BlanchardKeynote.) North Dakota. It took almost six hours to Joking aside, having worked side by travel there every holiday break and the side through every agricultural enterprise handful of other times we would go to see with Katie, we have been through times my grandparents each year. At the time, I where we felt like we had it all figured out didn’t think much about the fact that we and times when one or both of us were were always traveling to see my grand- ready to throw in the towel. I definitely parents and rarely was it the other way didn’t have it figured out the year I got around. I was focused on whether or not home from an early morning delivery run I was going to get to ride the four-wheeler to Katie making breakfast for the kids only around the farm, or if they were going to to realize several hours later that it was open up the school gym so I could shoot her birthday. I also didn’t have it figured baskets. I was also concerned with how out the day I came in after a long day, long it would be until we were headed back ate dinner, sat down on the couch to ask home to the city. the kids a couple of questions about their At family gatherings, sitting around the school day and literally fell asleep before table sharing stories about times past, we The Bollingers (Oliver, Mike, Katie, Adeline) enjoy biking in the mountains in they had a chance to answer. I woke up to would often replay stories that would bring Jamaica in December. Katie sending me a video of me passed out Photo submitted us to tears as we laughed. One of those snoring on the couch. And to bring the stories we like to recount is a time my story of my grandpa full circle, the time I grandfather came home and went down to the base- to finish husking the corn and wheel the old stalks came in for the day and just took a nap right on the ment to take a shower and clean up, as was his usual out and dump them on the compost pile, and while living room floor! routine after long hours working on the farm. When I am out there, I should take a fork and pitch over While I could go on, I’d like to shift gears. To do dinnertime came and he hadn’t come back upstairs, the weeds…” The list of things he ought to do that this, it makes sense to go back to Maine, and more my Mom asked me to go down and get him. Before I day lasts for more than seven pages. The story ends specifically to the Nearings and our first real deep saw him, I heard him. I came around the corner and because he notices it is getting dark out and that he dive into living with intention. In Living the Good saw him sawing logs on his favorite chair. But, what better get started. At the close of the essay, laughter Life, they wrote, “We were fairly hopeful of the future, gets my sister teary-eyed laughing, was how he was breaks out amongst the group. Understanding the but inexperienced in the ways of subsistence living sleeping on the chair—bent over with his head rest- realities of the coming season and the work that will and somewhat uncertain as to how we should pro- ing where you normally put your rear end. As non- pile, the simple outburst of laughter acknowledges ceed. After due consideration and in the spirit of the farmers and grandchildren, we found that hilarious. that one will never be all caught up, there is always times, we drew up a 10-year plan.” They continued, For him as a farmer with countless hours of work, something to be done—we all have come to terms “This plan was not made out of whole cloth, all at that position gave him a place to rest his head and put with that. once. It was flexible, but in principle and usually in his aching back at ease. It has been almost 15 years since our time in practice we stuck to it.” Almost a decade later, I was on a farming adven- Maine, but that time solidified our passion for agri- To the Nearings, a “good life” provided equal value ture with my new partner in life, Katie. We were culture. Since then, we’ve had many opportunities: as and time to bread labor, avocational pursuits, and to stewarding the small homestead of back-to-the-land workers for the Chicago Botanic Garden, as manag- civic and social engagement. Their bread labor was gurus, Helen and Scott Nearing, on a beautiful small ers, as agricultural consultants, as co-founders of a their work—time in the garden, chopping wood, cape in coastal Maine. We were living in a com- greenhouse company, and, for the last several years, building projects, and saleable crop production. Of munity of incredibly inspiring people—farmers, as owners of River Root Farm in Decorah, Iowa. equal value to work was personal time. For Helen, blacksmiths, carpenters, artists. As is the case with At the outset, it was just the two of us with our this was often music, but it could be anything. Self- entrepreneurs and small business owners, they always abundant energy, time, and a drive to pursue our care is important because it nourishes the body and had projects they were working on and, for that passion for agriculture. Since we’ve had two children, mind, feeds creativity, and is in direct opposition reason, we usually just waved in passing. Except for Oliver (11) and Adeline (9), we bought and sold to the stress we often experience in work. The third Wednesdays. Wednesday was sauna and potluck day. a farm, moved our farm infrastructure, explored equally valuable tenant was the importance of civic Basking in the heat of the sauna, rinsing in a pond wholesale markets, farmers markets, and tried a and social engagement. In this regard, they wrote, or a spring, and eating abundant homemade dishes winter CSA. Now that the dust has settled, we seem to “The chance to help, improve, and rebuild was more made by each person attending felt like a luxury. have found our niche selling wholesale salad greens, than an opportunity. As citizens, we regarded it as an The original intention was to carve out one time microgreens, herbs, florals, and spring plant starts. assignment.” Although Katie and I have not designed a week to step away from work, spend time in com- our daily activities to function in the same manner, munity, and, of course, to bathe. Mealtime was always Work-Life Balance I do find myself coming back to these basic tenants a joy. In the midst of real-time conversation, jokes, I don’t claim to be an expert on work-life balance. regularly. stories about “that one time when…,” there were also In fact, since being asked to write this article, I’ve Over the years we’ve engaged in a myriad of farm moments that seemed like ritual to us, one of which tried to be a quick study. Wikipedia was a good place enterprises. We have always had the mindset that was the reading of E.B. White’s essay “Memorandum” to start. Forbes wrote a good article outlining the art. the farm needed to suit our family, the needs of our each spring. His essay is essentially an endless list of And, if the Organic Broadcaster handled multimedia, community and the needs of our regional markets. things he ought to do on his farm that day. “I ought I would replace this article with Chris Blanchard’s Work-Life Balance continues on 14

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Potato Research — from page 9

to potato viral diseases or late blight, and tolerance to her farm is the second farm producing organic certified potato pests such as Colorado potato beetle and potato seed potatoes in the region. leafhopper. Parents included popular yellow varieties “It has been a gift to do this project with Ruth,” Carola and Yukon Gold, red varieties Red Endeavor Carter said. “We’d been trying to grow organic seed and Chieftain, specialty varieties Spartan Splash, potatoes on and off for about 10 years. Of course, I had Barbara and Picasso, and heirloom varieties from the a lot of potato knowledge and background, but we Seed Savers Exchange collection such as Huckleberry didn’t have enough information to do the organic and Aylesbury Gold. potatoes. Ruth solidified some things for us with Potato berries—small green fruits that resemble her knowledge and varieties. We’ve been selling our unripe tomatoes but are not edible—were collected, organic seed potatoes using the internet, and last year and the seed was extracted and distributed to par- was a fantastic year for us; we’ve reached our goals and ticipating growers. Since none of the participating then some. I have a son attending North Dakota State growers had ever started potatoes from “true” potato University, and he is looking forward to coming back to seeds (TPS), Genger guided farmers through the be involved in our organic seed potato business line.” process of preparing the seeds. Potato seeds, which Learn more about this potato project on the SARE are similar to but smaller than tomato seeds, germi- project reporting website. Search by project number nate best in slightly warmer conditions of around 75 Researchers at the West Madison Agricultural Research LNC14-358 at projects.sare.org/search-projects, or degrees Fahrenheit in the day and 60-70 degrees at Station trial potato varieties for organic production. contact the NCR-SARE office for more information. night. Temperature spikes over 80 degrees can delay Photo by Ruth Genger Read more about Genger’s potato breeding research germination. in this article from a 2015 Organic Broadcaster: moses- Seedling vigor can be quite variable in breeding Genger’s organic potato variety trials at West Madison organic.org/organic-potato-varieties. populations, and the most robust seedlings can be Agricultural Research Station in 2019. Three of these selected and potted up to individual pots when the lines, derived from crosses between the varieties Ruth Genger has been researching organic seed potato seedlings are 2-3 inches tall. Participating growers Huckleberry, Picasso, and Red Endeavor, yielded well production and variety selection since 2007 at the Uni- transplanted potato seedlings into field or garden plots in comparison to standard varieties. The fourth, from versity of Wisconsin-Madison. when they were 30-40 days old, ideally before plants a cross between Spartan Splash and Red Endeavor, had begun to produce tubers. Since potatoes do not gave lower yields of particularly attractive multicolor Marie Flanagan is the Communications Specialist for breed true, each TPS-derived plant produced a unique tubers and may be suited to garden production. North Central Region SARE, one of four regional offices tuber type. Participants in this research are working to prove that manage a nationwide grants and education pro- Growers observed plant characteristics such as that farmer-selected lines from potato breeding gram to advance sustainable agriculture. vigor and pest tolerance and selected their favorite populations can equal or out-perform parental lines. individuals at harvest based on tuber yield and appear- Zachary Paige is working with TPS to select potato ance. Zachary Paige, with the White Earth Land lines suited to his growing conditions. He is currently Recovery Project, saved tubers from five populations collaborating with the Organic Seed Alliance and five to replant. Paige commented that eating quality from other growers in his region to evaluate the economic your source for quality seed potatoes his selected lines was as good as the parent potatoes. feasibility of certified seed potato production and other Wide selection of certified organic products: He continued to save and replant his favorite line, a seed enterprises. This project is funded by an NCR- Certified seed potatoes, garlic, shallots, cross between Yukon Gold and Chieftain, for another SARE Partnership grant. As part of the project, Paige cover crop seed, fertilizers, inoculants, sweet potato slips, allium transplants, two years. is facilitating educational workshops on seed saving as heritage grains, and flowers. Four lines selected by two other participants well as selling seed for a range of vegetables. Reasonable prices and volume discounts! (Paul Whitaker of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Pat Maria Carter was able to identify optimal varieties 207-717-5451 www.mainepotatolady.com [email protected] Dunn of Middleton, Wisconsin) were included in for her growing conditions in North Dakota, and now

Work-Life Balance — from page 13

Although we started out as a diverse market-style morning, it’s quiet and I can make a coffee and take learning to ask for help and being OK with needing farm growing a multitude of crops, we quickly real- time to think about the things we need to accomplish help. For whatever reason, farmers often have this ized it wasn’t a model that was going to work for that day. It also gives me time for any prep that needs “I can do it all’ mentality, and it’s just not necessary. us. We were in a small rural community filled with to be done before the staff comes in, so, when our Partnerships and community-building make us talented vegetable growers that were already going employees are here, we get the most of their effort as more resilient and provide the opportunity to live to the farmers market, and already providing CSA well. By the afternoon, it’s usually hot and I am not as more fulfilling lives. And, to quote Scott Nearing one memberships. We explored local and regional mar- productive. This also suits the desire to spend more more time, “An act repeated makes a habit; a habit, kets and determined early on that the best approach time with our kids. They are home at 3:30 each after- repeated, makes character.” And, I would add, it for us was going to be to focus on wholesale markets noon and most days Katie and/or I call it a day. makes community. and a handful of high-value crops. We weren’t going We’ve also made a conscious effort to engage in to be getting top dollar, but we were going to be able activities that have nothing to do with the farm. Mike Bollinger farms at River Root Farm in Decorah, to save a considerable amount of time. We stream- Katie regularly attends yoga classes. I’m in a bowling Iowa. He serves on the MOSES Board of Directors. lined our systems with efficiencies around a small league. I’m not a great bowler, but I look forward to number of crops. We sent our availability, received those Wednesday nights. A few years ago, my parents orders, then harvested, packed, and shipped without moved to a nearby lake town. Any chance we get in the added time associated with farmers market and the summer to spend time playing in the water we CSA models. do. In fact, their park and rec summer program has a We have also worked hard to constrain our work sailing camp and our kids are learning to sail. hours to a limited number of hours in a day. Chris The final key component, which is at the heart of Blanchard talked about this in the keynote presen- our ability to do any of this, is community—all the tation I mentioned. By constraining the number people who have worked for us over the years both of hours we work on the farm each day, we force as employees and as volunteer weekend waterers. ourselves to be focused and to make the most of our Without this community of hard-working people, peak productivity hours. I am an early riser. In the our farm would not exist. The biggest hurdle here is

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Grants-advising program can help farmers accomplish business goals By Danielle Endvick Farmers need a broad skillset. From animal care- “Once we help identify taker to agronomist, marketer to veterinarian, we wear which grants might fit a our fair share of hats. One role that rarely comes to project, a key step is help- mind for most, though, is grant writer. ing people think about I was working as an intern at a statewide agricul- how to frame what they’re tural newspaper in 2008 when I first stumbled upon asking for,” Bailkey said. the alphabet soup of grant opportunities available Bailkey helps applicants to farmers: EQIP, REAP, FMPP, VAPG, etc. At that identify appropriate pro- time, the idea of writing a grant seemed daunting and grams, assists in drafting beyond my reach, certainly something to be left to the thinking points, and professionals. It ended up being over a decade before reviews proposal drafts. I finally set foot into my local NRCS office and set the He also manages a list-serv ball in motion on some conservation-focused grant that informs recipients opportunities for my farm. of upcoming application That hesitant mindset is something the Michael periods and deadlines. Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) has set out to Prior to serving on change. The nonprofit, based in East Troy, Wisconsin, MFAI’s staff, Krome The Endvicks are working with their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office offers a grants-advising service that is working to worked on appropriations to get funding for fencing and a watering system for their grass-fed beef herd. Danielle empower farmers by linking them with grant and for the Sustainable Ag recommends working with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute grants advisor, Martin cost-share resources that can help them attain their Coalition and Midwest Bailkey, to write successful grant and conservation program applications. farming or ag-related business goals. Sustainable Ag Working Photo by Danielle Endvick “We don’t write the grants for people, but do help Group (which later review proposals and navigate the world of resources merged into the National available to help grow their farm or business,” said Sustainable Agriculture Coalition). In those roles, she Krome said. Margaret Krome, MFAI policy program director. saw a need for grant-writing training and educational The free service, available to farmers, farm orga- resources for farmers and other rural stakeholders. Best-Kept Secret nizations and institutions in the Upper Midwest, is “It was clear to me that especially immigrant MOSES In Her Boots Coordinator Lisa Kivirist is supported by Farm Aid, Wisconsin Farmers Union, farmers and historically underserved farmers needed one of many farmers who has taken advantage of the and North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture more than just ‘here’s how to write grants,’” Krome MFAI Grants Advising program. She calls it a best- Research and Education (NCR-SARE). said. “We realized we needed to offer help navigat- kept secret. Martin Bailkey, MFAI’s grants advisor, said a key ing resources and to help them think through how “It’s a great free resource that helps farmers stop aspect of the program is educating about what grants to develop a good project, stakeholder partners, and grant chasing and instead take a strategic look at fund- can and cannot do. assets so the project stands the best chance of being ing opportunities that meet the needs of their farm “There are a lot of grants out there that cover a lot successful.” and business vision,” Kivirist said. of ground,” said Bailkey, a seasoned grant writer and Among the grants MFAI frequently recommends Kivirist’s advice for other farmers is to start the proposal reviewer. “But they don’t necessarily repre- to clients are opportunities offered through the U.S. grant-writing process early, building in enough time to sent easy money for someone who wants to renovate Department of Agriculture, State Departments of review and improve upon the initial draft with feed- their barn, buy farmland, or cover the costs of daily Agriculture, State Extension Offices, and foundations. back from the MFAI advisor. operation for a farm.” While he sympathizes with folks “There are many opportunities out there, especially “We can all cooperatively tap into these resources seeking such resources, especially given the current for farmers interested in conservation,” Krome said. to help our farming community,” Kivirist said. “These economy, Bailkey often points such inquiries toward “We encourage folks to connect with their local programs are not just about funding one specific thing USDA low-interest loans. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office on your farm; they’re about bigger solutions for every- MFAI’s service helps potential applicants craft to learn more about things like the Environmental one. Talking to someone like Martin can help put that proposals around a bigger picture. “The intention Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the lens on it.” behind most grants is not to make one lone farmer Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which are Do yourself a favor, and don’t wait a decade to take more profitable, but rather to leverage outside funds intended to support working farmers who are using advantage of MFAI’s grant resources or to walk into for the benefit of a larger group,” Bailkey said. “A lot good conservation practices.” your local NRCS office. Make 2020 the year you set of the bigger USDA grants are really community- Given recent climate challenges and difficult mar- your farm up for success. focused. Some are also targeted at the larger causes of ket conditions for many agricultural commodities, Learn more at michaelfields.org/grant-advising- community food systems, conservation, or sustainable now may be the ideal time to think about how a grant resources. For more information and to sign up for the agriculture practice.” or low-interest loan could help you rethink certain MFAI list-serv for program announcements, contact aspects of your farm business. Martin Bailkey at 608-698-9478 or martinbailkey@ Framing Your ‘Ask’ “We want people in this period of tough finances to gmail.com. Common mistakes in grant proposals include not despair that they can’t get a conventional loan but applicants not fully following application instructions instead go meet with the Farm Service Agency staff Danielle Endvick is the Communications Director for or a failure to align a proposal with the intended out- and explore what other kinds of funding are available,” Wisconsin Farmers Union. comes of that particular grant program.

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MOSES Conference Organic University The 31st Annual MOSES Organic Farming Farmers, homesteaders, and ag professionals will Conference takes place Feb. 27-29, 2020, in La Crosse, find in-depth education at MOSES Organic University, Wisconsin. This event brings together farmers of all Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, just prior to the MOSES kinds to learn the latest organic production methods Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. CEUs are avail- and build a supportive community with resilient able; find information at mosesorganic.org/ceus. organic and sustainable farms. The conference offers Registration is open through Feb. 18. See descriptions 60 workshops total with topics in 10 categories, includ- of these classes at OrganicUniversity.org: ing business and marketing, certification, field crops, Conservation Programs to Support Organic Farms livestock, market farming, and homesteading. More Chuck Anderas, Mark Doudlah, Karin Jokela, than 170 vendors will be in the 2-floor trade show and glass mugs as well as “I choose organic!” stuffable Kevin Mahalko, Brian Pillsbury providing supplies, buyer connections, and services to shopping bags. help farmers grow. The bookstore is located on the top floor of North Financial Impact of Organic Grain Transition Author and farmer Leah Penniman (featured Hall. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday for the open- Paul Dietmann, Jim Munsch, Farmer Panel on page 1 of this issue) presents the Friday keynote, ing evening of the conference, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Five Steps to a Fair Farm “Uprooting Racism; Seeding Sovereignty.” Visionary Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Elizabeth Henderson & Luke Zigovits economist John Ikerd presents “Reclaiming the Future Get a free “Thank a Farmer” wooden spoon with a of Farming” for the Saturday keynote. $50 purchase or a wooden cutting board with a $100 Healthy Small Ruminants The conference also offers roundtable discussions, purchase. Bookstore sales fund farmer education— Gianaclis Caldwell open meetings, an organic research forum, film something you won’t get at any other book retailer! Highs & Lows of Growing CBD Hemp screenings, and many more opportunities to connect Dylan Bruce, Patrick McHugh, Leah Sandler, with your farming peers. Shelby Ellison Registration is open through Feb. 18. On-site Manage Your High Tunnels for Long-Term Success admission will be available starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, Hallie Anderson, Julie Grossman, Anne Pfeiffer, Feb. 27. Find details at mosesorganic.org/conference. Cary Rivard Books on Farming Managed Grazing for Healthier Dairy & Beef Herds The MOSES Conference bookstore stocks a wide Greg Brickner selection of books on farming, the food system, and Rotations for Reduced Tillage & Resilience eating. The selection includes hard-to-find titles, Dave Campbell, Brian Luck, Erin Silva, such as Before You Have a Cow and The Northlands John Wepking Winter Greenhouse Manual. There are also books by conference presenters, including Gianaclis Caldwell Start a Producer-Owned Cooperative Kelly Maynard, FL Morris, Rod Ofte and Leah Penniman—Penniman will sign copies of These titles and dozens more will be available in the her book, Farming While Black, after her workshop bookstore at the 2020 MOSES Organic Farming Conference. Strategies for Successful Organic Tree-Fruit Production in Midwest Friday afternoon. Photo by Stephanie Coffman The store also offers MOSES Conference T-shirts Rami Aburomia & Peter Werts

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MOSES Conference Workshop Change National Organic Standards Board Presenters Eduardo Rivera and Sammi Ardito The USDA has announced five new members for Rivera of Sin Fronteras Farm & Food aren’t able to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). attend the MOSES Conference. In place of the work- Nathaniel Powell-Palm of Cold Springs Organics in shop about their operation, Reginaldo Haslett- Belgrade, Montana, will serve in a farmer seat. Marroquin of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance NEWS BRIEFS Kimberly Huseman from Pilgrim’s will serve in a will present “System-Level Strategy to Decolonize handler seat, as will Gerard D’Amore of Munger Agriculture.” The workshop, offered Saturday, Feb. 29 Farms. Eastside Food Co-op Grocery Manager Mindee at 8:30 a.m. will share the alliance’s strategy to acce- Organic Grain Learning Hubs Jeffery will serve in the retailer seat. Wood Turner with larate production models designed for scale across Through our partnership with OGRAIN, MOSES is Agriculture Capital will serve in an environmental five emerging sectors. Hear about this whole-system organizing farmer-led groups to build communities of protection and resource conservation seat. These new approach that builds on Indigenous wisdom and support for organic grain farmers around the Midwest. members will serve five-year terms beginning in traditions as a foundation to deliver what the market These farmer-led groups will be able to share ideas and January 2020. The NOSB is made up of 15 members needs while decolonizing the methodology of sys- practical knowledge, and provide opportunities for representing the organic community. Learn more tems change. collaboration. about the NOSB at www.ams.usda.gov/ To join an Organic Grain Learning Hub, complete rules-regulations/organic/nosb. In Her Boots Podcast the short signup form at bit.ly/OGRAINhub. This The MOSES “In Her Boots” podcast currently information will help us form groups based on loca- Value-Added Producer Grants features interviews with Barb Perkins of Vermont tion. Interest so far shows potential for groups in Farmers and farmer-cooperatives may apply now Valley Community Farm, a pioneering CSA in the Duluth/North Shore, western Wisconsin/Twin Cities, for USDA Value-Added Producer Grants. These grants Midwest. Host Lisa Kivirist talks with Barb about SE Minnesota, western Minnesota, eastern Iowa, support farmers looking to expand opportunities by the CSA model and ways Barb involved members central Illinois/western Indiana, and SE Wisconsin. producing and marketing a value-added agricultural in the farm plus how Barb and her husband, David, Spread the word in your area to create a viable group. product. Planning grants of up to $75,000 may be used managed to retire from farming. New episodes post to conduct feasibility studies and develop business every Friday. Find the In Her Boots podcast wherever Organic Workshops in Iowa plans for processing and marketing the proposed you get your podcasts or listen at mosesorganic.org/ The Iowa Organic Association and regional part- value-added product. Working capital grants up to in-her-boots-podcast. ners will host workshops for agriculture service pro- $250,000 may be used for processing costs, marketing viders and farmers interested in organic transition. and advertising expenses, and some inventory and Farming Jobs These full-day workshops will provide information salary expenses. Paper applications are due by March The MOSES Farm Job Postings page is bursting about the National Organic Program, organic certifi- 10, 2020; electronic applications are due to Grants.gov with opportunities to join the crews at farms across cation and transition, organic standards and produc- by noon EST March 5, 2020. See www.rd.usda.gov/ the Midwest. Find your next job at mosesorganic.org/ tion practices and insight into current organic market programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. job-postings. trends and demands. The workshop schedule is: Farmers: Add your farm’s job openings to this Tuesday, Feb 4—Mason City Farmer Letter on Climate Change Solutions popular page—posts are free! Thursday, Feb 6—Ames The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Tuesday, Feb 11—Fairfield which includes MOSES, has created a sign-on letter for OGRAIN 2020 Conference Tuesday, Feb 1—Council Bluffs farmers and ranchers to express their concerns to Discussions, networking, and presentations about Cost is $20 and includes lunch. See details at www. Congress about climate change and share the solutions successful diverse organic small grain production will iowaorganic.org/calendar or call 515-608-8622. agriculture offers. This letter will be sent to be offered at the 2020 OGRAIN Winter Conference Congressional members and leaders at the U.S. Friday and Saturday January 24-25 on the University Perennial Crops Department of Agriculture in the spring of 2020. The of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Hosted by the The Savanna Institute has a new series of free “Key letter does not endorse specific policy proposals but Organic Grain Resource and Information Network Perennial Crop” information sheets in collabora- broadly calls for investments in agricultural solutions (OGRAIN), the event includes keynotes from New tion with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for to the climate crisis, including soil health, farmland York farmer Thor Oechsnerand and Iowa farmer and Integrated Agricultural Systems and the USDA-SARE conservation, on-farm renewable energy, sustainable philosopher Fred Kirschemann. Information and program. They cover 12 key Midwestern agroforestry livestock production and more. To learn more about registration is online at ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events/ crops: aronia, Asian pear, black currant, black walnut, this effort and access the link to sign the letter, go to ograin-winter-conference. OGRAIN is a project of Chinese chestnut, cider apple, elderberry, hazelnut, sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/campaigns/ UW-Madison Organic and Sustainable Cropping honeyberry, northern pecan, pawpaw, and service- emerging-issue-climate-change-and-agriculture. Systems Lab, CIAS and MOSES. berry. See www.savannainstitute.org/tree-crops.html.

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Fair Competition Rules for Livestock Solar Leases for Farmers After years of farmer advocates highlighting the The National Agricultural Law Center has pub- need for stronger rules governing the meatpacking lished two guides to help landowners navigate solar industry and poultry contracts, a proposed change to leases. “The Farmland Owner’s Guide to Solar the language of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 Leasing” helps landowners understand solar energy is now open for public comment. USDA’s Agricultural NEWS BRIEFS development and the solar leasing process. Marketing Service introduced four criteria aimed at “Understanding Solar Energy Agreements” provides making it easier to determine whether a meatpacker’s information for landowners considering and negotiat- actions could be interpreted as providing an “undue participants through a series of questions, allowing ing leases. See nationalaglawcenter.org/center-publica- or unreasonable preference or advantage” to one them to customize the details, including rent, mainte- tions/renewableenergy. producer over another. The rule does not address nance, insurance, chemical use, conservation ease- harm to competition, retailiation, or a farmer’s right to ments, and more. See farmlandaccess.org/ Pilot Insurance Coverage for Hemp Growers speak out against undue preference concerns. Public farm-lease-builder. USDA’s Risk Management Agency is offering a pilot comment on the proposed rule will be accepted until crop insurance option for hemp growers in 2020. The March 13, 2020. See the Federal Register rule at bit.ly/ Farm Viability Circles insurance will provide Actual Production History MeatpackerRuleChange. Angelic Organics Learning Center is setting up coverage under 508(h) Multi-Peril Crop Insurance for Farm Viability Circles for farmers in northern Illinois, eligible producers in designated counties in Alabama, FSMA Produce Safety Rule Trainings southern Wisconsin, or Chicagoland. Circle members California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, University of Minnesota Extension has cre- learn about the basic farm financial statements, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, ated a resource to explain who and what is cov- receive one-on-one support with completing annual New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North ered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. “FSMA farm financials, participate in winter workshops, and Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Produce Safety Rule: How does it apply to my have the option to meet in small group settings on a Virginia, and Wisconsin. The coverage is for hemp farm?” is a seven-minute video that describes what regular basis to share business successes and chal- grown for fiber, grain, or CBD oil. For details, see the the rule covers and who is “qualified exempt.” lenges with other farmers. There is no cost to sign up. news release at bit.ly/RMA-cropinsurance-hemp. Watch it online at extension.umn.edu/news/ For details, see www.learngrowconnect.org/fvc or call video-how-fsma-produce-safety-rule-applies-farm. 815-389-8455. South Dakota Regenerative Farm Directory UMN is hosting one-day trainings across the The Natural Resources Conservation Service in state. In Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin- South Dakota has assembled a directory of agriculture Madison Division of Extension is collaborating with and local foods producers in that state who can talk to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer others about using regenerative practices. The 35-page Protection on trainings. See dates and locations on the directory that lists more than 160 volunteer-mentors Community Calendar on page 20. by county, giving their contact information along with a synopsis of their soil health-building experience. Farmland Lease Template Join our family of growers who share our passion for cultivating goodness. We’d like you to grow with us. Request your free directory by contacting any of the Vermont Law School’s Center for Agriculture and partners or visit your local USDA Natural Resources Food Systems recently relased a new tool to help farm- Pulses | Soybeans | Flax | Cereal Grains | Corn Conservation Service or conservation district office. ers and landowners create a fully-drafted lease ready To receive a directory, email [email protected] for legal review. The Farm Lease Builder guides or call 605-352-1200.

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EQUIPMENT LIVESTOCK For Sale: Equipment from organic row crop farm. JD 4430 Organic Herd! We are selling our whole herd (young stock tractor, Quad Range, bolt-on duals. Good paint, low hours. CLASSIFIEDS too). 20 years experience. Jersey/Holstein/Norwegian Red 25’ International field cultivator with tine harrow. Shovels breeds. Herd averages: over 50% conception rate, #48/day, tight. 12’ Miller offset plowing disk. Good shape. 25’ CIH 490 SCC 220, Protein 3.18, butter fat 4.1. 75 Cows ages 2-7 for tandem disk. Hydraulic wings. Very nice shape. Call Nathan at Place an ad at Organic Classifieds $1000-$1700. 10 Springing Heifers $1800. 20 Bred Heifers 815-297-2790 or email [email protected] or call 715-778-5775. $1100-$1400. 25 8-12 month heifers $600-$850. 25 under 8 months $100-$500. Jim call/text 920-988-6404. For Sale. Buffalo Cultivators and Planters. 320-221-2266. mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds Cows for Sale. Due to selling organic farm, looking for a 12 row 30’’ flamer,folding toolbar, red dragon skid units good home ASAP. 18 very gentle Natural Black Angus/Her- new in 2015. Has cart with two 1000 gallon tanks to pull eford mix cows. Bred to registered Black Angus bull. Phone behind. $18000. 701-640-3476. Kaye 507-896-4620 Houston, MN. Place your ad to be seen by 15,000 readers! Retired vegetable farmer selling cultivator parts from $20 for up to 30 words; $5/additional 10 words Farmalls and Allis Chalmers. Pictures available. Contact MISCELLANEOUS [email protected] mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds Organic Transition Operating Loan: Sick and tired of lend- Pixall BH100 green bean picker. Ready to work next field ers not understanding organic transition? Finally a loan with season! $15,000. 715-413-1369. Classified Ad Placement fair terms. Only pay when you’re net profitable, 3 year grace period, free technical assistance, and free crop marketing. Reach 15,000+ organic-minded readers. www.theperennialfund.com. 508-930-0885. FARMS/LAND Includes free listing in the Online Organic Classifieds at Onion Plants - yellow and red storage, candy, chippillini, Land rental Jefferson Co. WI. 27 miles SE of Madison. 15+ mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds. leeks. Email us at [email protected]. Check our web site acres, some certified in 2019. Some equipment. Pesticide, her- gitsfresh.com for order form or call us at 563-379-3951. Submit ads online or write out your ad and send it bicide free since 1977. Former CSA, 19 years. Price negotiable. with this mail-in form and payment to: [email protected] MSU Organic Farmer Training Program: Make your farm MOSES, PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 dreams a reality! 50/50 mix of field and classroom activities, Find more land for sale or lease at mosesorganic.org/ Ads must be submitted by the 25th of the month prior to including hands-on activities on the 15-acre MSU Student land-link-up. Organic Broadcaster publication date. Organic Farm in Michigan. Visit 20+ farms and write your own Name: Farm Business Plan. Mondays 9am to 5pm March to Novem- ber. $3,900 for 33 weeks, scholarships available! Apply now! FORAGES Address: Info at www.msuorganicfarm.org/organic-farmer-training- program. Email [email protected]. Organic Wheat Straw, small square bales. Organic City: stubble hay, large round bales. Roodhouse, Illinios ORGANIC FISH FERTILIZER 15-1-1, 100% dry water soluble, State: Zip: 217-248-9254. 5-7 times more nutritious than liquid fish. Will not clog drip Phone: irrigation. One lb., 5 lb. or 55 lb. packaging. Humates OMRI- Organic 2019 alfalfa hay. 3x3x7 squares, second and certified, liquid and dry. Can be shipped anywhere via UPS. third cutting. Large round net-wrapped bales, first and Email: Frommelt Ag Service, Greeley, IA, 563-920-3674. second cutting. Test results and delivery available. Wolf Creek Ranch LLC, South Dakota. (605)870-5662. $20 up to 30 words; $5/each additional 10 words. For Sale: Tempered, insulated, double-pane glass. Large panes for sunrooms, solar homes, ag buildings, greenhouses Certified Organic Hay for sale.Dry and silage bales; Place my ad in (price is per insertion): or ??? One hundred fifty thousand sold since 1979; 32” x 1st, 2nd, and 3rd crops. Delivery available. Sno Pac Farms, January - February July - August 74” x 1” double-pane only $69.00. We will be moving Arctic Caledonia, MN 507-725-5281. Glass to Roberts, Wis. If you need glass now would be a March - April Sept. - Oct. good time! Arctic Glass, www.kissourglass.com. Call Sandy at May - June Nov. - Dec. 507-259-6351. GRAINS Word rate x number of insertions = ______TOTAL OMRI 15-1-1 & 7-7-7 dry soluble fertilizers. 3-3-3 clean For Sale: Organic corn. Will grind. Hay, big bales wrapped. PAYMENT INFORMATION: liquid organic fertilizers. Sold by the ton, tote and tanker. Oats. Can deliver. Darlington, WI 608-574-2160. I’m enclosing a check made out to MOSES. Call 616-566-0307. Largest Producer of Organic Fertilizers. Nature Safe Fertilizers. Please charge $ JOBS Card # Make sound financial Visa | Mastercard | Discover | American Express decisions to improve Dairy Jobs: Grazing/Organic farmers in MN, MO, NY, PA, VT Expiration: (mm/dd/yy) CVV: and WI are hiring fulltime employees to work and gain skills Signature: your profitability ! needed to become dairy farm managers and owners. Visit www.dga-national.org. $19.95 | 270 pages This form good through December 2020. Many more job listings at mosesorganic.org/job-postings! mosesorganic.net

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Webinars: Beginning Poultry Farmer Workshops OEFFA’s 41st Annual Conference: A Climate for Change January 22 | 6:30 p.m. | $5 | Online February 13 - 15 | $ | Dayton, Ohio January 27 | 6:30 p.m. | $5 | Online Learn more at www.oeffa.org/conference2020.php. January 27 | 6:30 p.m. | $5 | Online COMMUNITY For the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program, OFA Webinar: How Corn and Soy Imports Impact US these courses provide information regarding such topics as Production husbandry practices, housing, records maintenance, biosecu- CALENDAR February 13 | 1 p.m. | Online rity, and more. Register at ucanr.edu/sites/poultry. Register at organicfarmersassociation.org/webinars. Find details and event links online: Eco-Farm Conference Northeast Minnesota Farmer-to-Farmer Gathering January 22 - 25 | $ | Pacific Grove, Cali. mosesorganic.org/community February 14 | 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Fleetwood, Minn. To learn more, call 831-763-2111. Connect with fellow fruit and vegetable growers in Minnesota and learn about ongoing research in fruit and vegetables. Organic Agriculture Research Forum FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Contact Kelsey with questions at [email protected] or January 23 | $ | Little Rock, Ark. January 30 | 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $35 | Rogers, Minn. 218-404-8466. This day-long forum is for scientists, organic farmers and ranch- February 11 | 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $35 | Grand Rapids, Minn. ers, extension agents, non-profit organizations, and more to February 26 | 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $35 | Farmington, Minn. Indiana Organic Grain Farmer Meeting explore the latest research and science-based grower educa- April 9 | 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | $35 | Winona, Minn. February 19 & 20 | $ | Lafayette, Ind. tion for the Southeast. 831-426-6606. April 14 | 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | $35 | Lamberton, Minn. Call 765-494-8491 to learn more. Fruit and vegetable farms that are not exempt must attend Grassworks Grazing Conference FSMA training. 651-539-3648. Insight Summit Conference January 23 - 25 | $ | Wisconsin Dells February 20 - 21 | $ | St. Paul, Minn. Email Heather at [email protected] to learn more. Fellowship of Preparation Makers Gathering University of Minnesota hosts this summit that will help you to Jan. 30 - Feb. 2 | $ | East Troy, Wis. learn new ways to market your small, ag-based business in an Emerging Farmers Conference Hosted by Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. 262-642-3303. online environment . Call 785.532.3504. January 23 - 25 | $ | St. Paul, Minn. To learn more, call 651-433-3676. LSP Farm Transition Planning Workshop MOSES Organic Farming Conference February 1 | $ | Red Wing, Minn. February 27 - 29 | $ | La Crosse, Wis. OGRAIN Winter Conference February 22 | $ | Red Wing, Minn. This is the country’s largest educational event on organic January 24 & 25 | $ | Madison, Wis. March 14 | $ | Red Wing, Minn. farming. It features 60 workshops over six sessions, 10 full-day Call OGRAIN at 608-890-1503 for more information. Network with other farmers and landowners and hear from classes, a two-floor trade show, organic meals, and round-table professionals regarding financial, tax, and legal implications of discussions plus more opportunities to network. Whether Blazing Trails Workshop farm transitions. 612-722-6377. you’re certified organic, using organic practices on your January 24 | Free | Grand Marais, Minn. sustainable farm, or considering the switch to organic, you’ll January 27 | Free | Sartell, Minn. FACT Webinar: Pasture Management with Sarah Flack find the latest information, the best resources, and the right January 28 | Free | Cold Spring, Minn. February 4 | 11 a.m. | Free | Online connections to help you succeed. 888-90-MOSES February 5 | Free | Eagan, Minn. February 18 | 11 a.m. | Free | Online February 5 | Free | Little Falls, Minn. March 3 | 11 a.m. | Free | Online Annual Design with Nature Conference February 18 | Free | Detroit Lakes, Minn. Join grazing expert Sarah Flack for a 3 part series on pasture February 29 | $ | St. Paul, Minn. February 22 | Free | Isanti County management strategies. Go to foodanimalconcernstrust.org/ Call 612-293-3833 or email [email protected]. “Blazing Trails through the Jungle of Food Regulations” is a webinars. project to bring a half-day training workshop about local food Midwest Soil Health Summit regulations to every county in Minnesota. Questions? Call Jane Sustainable Farming Annual Conference March 5 | $ | Elk River, Minn. 218-670-0066. February 8 | $ | St. Joesph, Minn. This summit will take place at the Oliver Kelley Farm. Ques- To learn more call 844-922-5573. tions? Email [email protected]. Science of Plant Propagation Workshop Series: Cuttings, Grafting, and Soils 2020 Local Food Fair Indiana Small Farm Conference January 25 | $ | Chaska, Minn. February 8 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Stevens Point, Wis. March 5 - 7 | $ | Danville, Ind. February 1 | $ | Chaska, Minn. Farmshed’s premier outreach event, bringing together produc- For more info contact Small Farm Conference at kkalbaug@ February 8 | $ | Chaska, Minn. ers, consumers, local businesses, and educators. 715-544-6154. purdue.edu or call 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636). Minnesota Landscape Arboretum hosts these workshops that are designed to make college-level plant science accessible to LSP Farm Crisis Workshop FACT Webinar: Managing Pig-Poultry Rotational Grazing all. 612-624-2200. February 12 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Free | Goodhue, Minn. March 12 | 1:30 p.m. | Free | Online Create a vision for your ag communities during this economic Presenter Lee Rinehart of NCAT/ATTRA will discuss how to Farm Succession and Estate Planning Workshops farm crisis. Light meal provided. To learn more call 507-523- manage your pigs and poultry in a rotational grazing system. January 27 | $20 | Dodgeville, Wis. 3366. Go to foodanimalconcernstrust.org/webinars to learn more. January 28 | $20 | Marshfield, Wis. January 29 | $20 | Menomonie, Wis. 10th Organic Seed Growers Conference Midwest Organic Pork Conference January 29 | $20 | Kewaskum, Wis. February 12 - 15 | $ | Corvallis, Ore. March 13 & 14 | $ | Dubuque, Iowa January 29 | $20 | La Crosse, Wis. For more information, contact Cathleen at cathleen@seedalli- The Iowa Organic association hosts this conference, presenting February 26 | $20 | DePere. Wis. ance.org the best resources and information available to help expand The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension is opportunities for organic pork production and distribution. hosting workshops in seven locations providing information Farm to School Workshop Get details from Kris Winter, Conference Coordinator, at and resources on farm succession and estate planning. Learn February 13 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Free | Grand Rapids, Minn. 515-276-6010. more at farms.extension.wisc.edu/programs/cultivating. This workshop covers farm to school concepts, food safety, culinary skills, schoolyard garden best practices. Call Kara at FACT Webinar: Livestock Compass: A Profit Management FACT Webinar: Host a Farm School for Adults 280-310-0527. Tool for Livestock Producers January 28 | 6 p.m. | Free | Online March 18 | 11 a.m. | Free | Online Learn about registration processes, pricing, advertising and LSP Farm Crisis Workshop Presenters John Hendrickson and Jim Munsch will show how promotion, programming, and evaluations. February 13 | 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Free | Preston, Minn. to use this tool for your livestock operation. Go to Go to foodanimalconcernstrust.org/webinars to learn more. Special guests Dr. Richard Levins and Dr. Joe Neaten speak on foodanimalconcernstrust.org/webinars to learn more. the crisis in dairy farming. Light meal provided. To learn more, call 507-995-3541. Wyoming Bee College Conference March 20 - 22 | $ | Cheyenne, Wyo. For more info call 307-514-6051.

March 5 Best Practices for Pollinators Summit 2020 PRAIRIE ORGANICS to March 6 March 23 | $40 with lunch | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | St Anthony, Minn. KEYSTONE CENTRE Learn more at www.pollinatorfriendly.org. BRANDON, MANITOBA 2020 FACT Webinar: Trees for Livestock Food and Medicine EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION March 25 | 11 a.m. | Free | Online TO JANUARY 30, 2020 Presented by Steve Gabriel. Go to foodanimalconcernstrust. org/webinars to learn more. COUPLES: $350 ONE DAY: $110 Soil Health Innovations TWO DAY: $200 March 30 - 31 | $ | Bozeman, Mont. Contact Sandra at [email protected] or call 406-494-4572 to WWW.PRAIRIEORGANICS.ORG learn more. 204.871.6600 Soil Health Academy School March 31 - April 2 | $ | Belgium, Wis. Instructors Gabe Brown, Ray Archuleta, Rudy Garcia, Will Allen, and Shane New provide insights on regenerative farming practices. Scholarships available. Call 256-996-3142 or email info@ soilhealthacademy.org for more info.