Commodity System Creates Persistent Losses

Farm Labor Farm Work Farmstead MOSES 2019 Laws Management Creamery Highlights

Page 4 Page 7 Page 9 Page 10

Volume 27 | Number 2 Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service March | April 2019

Community works on collective vision of organic future By Lauren Langworthy More than 100 changemakers joined and ideas of the crowd,” said Sylvia Burgos forces to create a path forward for organic Toftness, one of the forum participants. farming into the year 2050 and “Farmers and ranchers, policy makers, econo- beyond during Organic 2051, mists, marketers, and consumer a forum held in conjunction advocates put their heads together with the 2019 MOSES Organic over thorny and complex chal- Farming Conference in La lenges. They identified key Crosse, Wis. opportunities, drilled down to Through dialogue, facilita- the major obstacles, and worked tion, and art, these community to express possible strategies.” members shared how they want Former board member and our food systems to evolve to long-time farmer friend of support the world’s population MOSES, Audrey Arner acted as as it grows past the year 2050, facilitator for the day. Groups when it’s expected to reach 9.8 gathered into 15 issue areas, billion. Small groups worked including climate change, rural together to define gaps, brain- community revitalization, mar- storm resources, and develop ket infrastructure, and more. action steps. At the end of the day, many “Organic 2051 was people shared that they appreci- emblematic of what MOSES ated the space and facilitation to does every year, at every event express and hear diverse perspec- and conversation—tap the wisdom, energy, tives on these topics. Commodity system creates persistent losses To Organic Future on page 6 By Ken Meter & Megan Phillips Goldenberg This article is based on the MOSES 2019 workshop, “Strengthening Community-Based Food Systems,” Chart 1 presented by the authors. Here, they explain the context in which organic growers operate—the prevailing commodity system. In the next issue, the authors will focus on organic markets. Some data have been updated since the conference, as more complete data sets became available.

To begin with, let’s consider the economic context all organic farmers operate within. Setting the terms under which we farm, this dominant, conventional commodity economy both creates the potential for organic farmers to thrive, and simultaneously limits it. Chart 1 shows the history of U.S. farming over the past century. On this chart, the orange line shows the cash receipts earned by all farmers since 1910. As you can readily see, there have been tremendous increases in the sales of farm commodities. However, the maroon line shows that production expenses have

Source: USDA Economic Research Service Farm Income Balance Sheet data risen just as fast. The red line on Chart 1 shows the net commodity production, but these encourage the cash income of the farm sector—production expenses market conditions that lead to persistent losses. These subtracted from cash receipts. While farm families results are both a testimony to the fragility of all farm have other ways to earn income, this red line shows enterprises—due to farmers’ dependence on the how profitable it is to raise crops and livestock. weather and other uncertainties—and a caution about A quick glance at this chart shows that there has the actual efficacy of public policy. been no sustained growth in net cash income for Yet it is also important to consider this same data more than 100 years. In fact, at the time this data set from a slightly different perspective. The value of the was compiled, the net cash income for all farmers U.S. dollar has declined over the past century as a was nearly zero for 2016-2018, after a few peak years result of inflation. This means a dollar earned in 1910 in which prices rose to abnormal levels. In an earlier was worth about $25 today. So we like to adjust this compilation, the one we showed in our workshop, ERS data for inflation to show what these same trends look showed negative net cash income for U.S. farmers in like in today’s dollars. That adjusted data is shown in 2015. For reasons we are not clear about, this estimate Chart 2. has now been changed. Visible in Chart 2 are several periods of prosper- Thus, the nation that claims to feed the world ity for the U.S. farm sector: a) the “Golden Age” of PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Spring Valley, 339, PO Box has created extensive supports and incentives for To Commodity System on page 8 TM Board of Directors announces leadership change By Audrey Alwell, MOSES Communications Director Volume 27, #2 March | April 2019 Earlier this month, after much delibera- tion, the MOSES Board of Directors ended Editor Audrey Alwell John Mesko’s tenure with MOSES. “The MOSES Board recognized the need Advertising Coordinator Tom Manley for a leadership shift to move MOSES for- Digital Content Producer Stephanie Coffman ward in line with its mission, vision, and values,” said David Perkins, Board President. The Board has tapped Program Director Lauren Langworthy to be the The Organic BroadcasterTM is a bimonthly Interim Executive Director. newspaper published by the Midwest Organic & Langworthy has been with MOSES four Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), a nonprofit that provides education, resources years. She has been deeply involved in all and practical advice to farmers. aspects of the organization’s work, especially the annual MOSES Organic Farming Opinions expressed by the authors do not Conference. necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply “We’re confident in her abilities to endorsement of a product. We reserve the right to assume the leadership role,” Perkins said. refuse inappropriate advertising. Langworthy and her husband, Caleb, own a 153-acre grass-based farm in Lauren Langworthy addresses the audience at the recent MOSES © 2019 MOSES Organic Farming Conference. The MOSES Board of Directors has Wheeler, Wis. They rotationally graze a named Langworthy the nonprofit’s interim executive director. Content may be reprinted with permission. 200-ewe flock of sheep and a small herd of Photo by Laurie Schneider Contact [email protected]. Highland cattle. Prior to investing in live- Display & Classified Advertising: stock, they had a certified organic vegetable [email protected] or 715-778-5775 operation for six years, marketed through wholesale also engaged in graduate studies pertaining to accounts and direct-to-consumer. nonprofit management and board governance. Content Submissions or Inquiries: In 2017, the Langworthys were selected as the state “I’m looking forward to continued work with [email protected] representatives to the Farmers Union Enterprises our partners in the organic and sustainable farm- leader development program, a one-year training to ing community to encourage farmers’ success,” Free Subscription: mosesorganic.org/sign-up or 715-778-5775 cultivate new leadership for the organization. In 2018, she said. Lauren was elected to represent her district on the Perkins also expressed confidence in the full board of the Wisconsin Farmers Union for a three- MOSES staff. year term. “We are fortunate to have 10 very talented staff MOSES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofitqualified to Langworthy has represented the MOSES commu- members who are dedicated to the organization’s receive tax-deductible donations. nity of farmers at multiple meetings in Washington mission,” he said. “Their skills ensure MOSES con- D.C., and takes a keen interest in policies that tinues to be a vital organization helping to shape a Please support our programs and this advance organic and regenerative farming. She is better future for farmers.” FREE publication with a donation:

MOSES, P.O. Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 MOSES Staff: Board of Directors: Online: mosesorganic.org/donate Lauren Langworthy, Interim Executive Director | [email protected] David Abazs | Round River Farm, Minn. Audrey Alwell, Communications Director | [email protected] Mike Bollinger | River Root Farm, Iowa Sarah Broadfoot, Data & Registration Coor. | [email protected] Sylvia Burgos Toftness | Bull Brook Keep, Wis. MOSES educates, inspires, and empowers farmers to thrive in a Sophia Cleveland, Development Coor. | [email protected] Dave Campbell | Lily Lake Organic Farm, Ill. sustainable, organic system of agriculture. Stephanie Coffman, Presentation Coor. | [email protected] Dela Ends | Scotch Hill Farm, Wis. Lisa Kivirist, In Her Boots Coordinator | [email protected] Clare Hintz | Elsewhere Farm, Wis. Caleb Langworthy, Organic Specialist | [email protected] Charlie Johnson | Johnson Farms, SD Tom Manley, Account Service Coordinator | [email protected] David Perkins | Vermont Valley Farm, Wis. Jennifer Nelson, Organic Specialist | [email protected] Molly Rockamann | EarthDance Farm School, Mo. Stacy Shealey, Office Assistant | [email protected] Sara Tedeschi | Dog Hollow Farm, Wis. On-Farm Organic Specialist Team | [email protected] Darin Von Ruden | Von Ruden Family Farm, Wis.

Norfolk, NE 800-345-5073

www.henkebuffalo.comFacebook “f”Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f”Logo CMYK / .ai

A Global Equipment Company, Inc. TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 3

Study shows pesticide levels drop dramatically after 1 week of eating organic By Kendra Klein, Ph.D., Friends of the Earth Can eating organic really reduce levels of pesticides policy favors pesticide-intensive agriculture while in our bodies? A new peer-reviewed study published failing to provide adequate incentives to farmers to in the journal Environmental Research found that INSIDE ORGANICS transition to organic practices. As a result, pesticide- switching to an organic diet significantly reduced the intensive agriculture is subsidized to the tune of bil- levels of synthetic pesticides found in all participants lions of dollars while organic programs and research in just one week. On average, the pesticides detected Editorials by members of are woefully underfunded. This misdirection of public dropped by 60.5% after six days of eating an all- dollars makes pesticide-laden food the norm and is a organic diet. the organic community significant reason why many people across the country The study was led by researchers from the still don’t have access to, or can’t afford, organic food. University of California-Berkeley and Friends of Friends of the Earth, along with over 40 organiza- the Earth. We found families that didn’t typically a main driver of massive pollinator and insect losses, tions across the country, believe that we all have the eat organic food in four cities across the country leading scientists to warn of a second “silent spring.”11,12 right to food that is free of toxic pesticides. The farmers —Minneapolis, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Oakland. Levels of pyrethroids were halved. Exposure to this and farmworkers who grow our nation’s food, and their (MOSES was the partner organization for the class of pesticides is associated with endocrine disrup- communities, have a right to not be exposed to chemi- Minneapolis study. The Birchwood Cafe, a local, tion, adverse neurodevelopmental, immunological and cals linked to serious health problems. And the way we organic restaurant, prepared organic meals for the reproductive effects, increased risk of Parkinson’s and farm should protect rather than harm the biodiversity, family for the family’s week on an organic diet.) sperm DNA damage.13,14,15,16 soil and water that sustain all life. The study lasted 12 days. During the first six days, Finally, 2,4-D dropped by 37 percent. 2,4-D is We can work together to pass laws in our cities, each family ate only conventional foods and beverages. one of two ingredients in the Vietnam War defoliant states and nationally that decrease pesticide use and During the second six days, each family ate only organic Agent Orange. It is among the top five most commonly expand organic farming. We can change the national food, all the way down to oils and spices. To ensure that used pesticides in the U.S.17 and is associated with Farm Bill and can advocate for policies that support they were able to eat a completely organic diet, each endocrine disruption, thyroid disorders, increased risk fair pricing and fair contracts for family-scale farmers family wrote up a grocery list and research assistants of Parkinson’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, devel- in order to support the increase in organic farming shopped for them; dinners during the organic week opmental and reproductive toxicity and damage to the that we need to provide organic food for all. We can were prepared by licensed chefs. All of the organic food liver, immune system and semen quality.18,19 tell food companies and grocery stores to end the use was provided free of charge to the families. of toxic pesticides in their supply chains and expand Each participant provided a urine sample every Small Exposures Matter organic offerings. And we can support farmers mar- morning. These were shipped to labs at the University Although we used to believe that “the dose makes kets, CSAs, and independent retailers and food compa- of California at San Francisco and the Québec National the poison,” in recent decades, science has shown that nies that source from local, organic growers. Institute of Public Health. These labs looked for 18 dif- even extremely small exposures to pesticides matter. Together, we can demand that our leaders step up ferent pesticides and the chemicals that pesticides break Consider the fact that chemicals prescribed by doctors and shift support, research, and policies to create a down to in our bodies, called metabolites. to alter behavior, like the drug Ritalin, are active at system where organic is for all. The solution is here— Our study was designed to assess whether an levels that are the same or lower than some pesticides we just have to grow it. For more information and ways organic diet could reduce exposure to pesticides, not to detected in children’s bodies. We now know that small to take action, go to www.OrganicForAll.org. provide insight on the health risks associated with the amounts of pesticides can act like drugs and alter our pesticides in our diets. But we chose the pesticides we brain development, hormones, immune systems, and Kendra Klein is senior staff scientist for Friends of the Earth. tested for because they’re among the most commonly more. Chemicals that affect our hormone systems, used in U.S. agriculture and because they have been called endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can be espe- 1 Hertz-Picciotto, I., Sass, J.B., Engel, S., Bennett, D.H., Bradman, A., Eskenazi, B., associated with harm to human health. cially problematic at very low doses. Lanphear, B. and Whyatt, R., (2018). Organophosphate exposures during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment: Recommendations for essential policy reforms. PLoS The most significant declines in our study involved We’re also increasingly understanding that even medicine. 15(10), p.e1002671. organophosphates, a class of highly neurotoxic if the level of each pesticide is below legal limits, 2 Ibid. 3 UC Berkeley. Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children in Salinas. pesticides linked to brain damage in children. We mixtures of pesticides can have an additive “punch” Online.cerch.berkeley.edu/research-programs/chamacos-study found a 95% drop in levels of malathion, a probable in total toxicity. Various studies have sought to assess 4 Le Couteur, D.G., McLean, A.J., Taylor, M.C., Woodham, B.L. and Board, P.G., human carcinogen, a nearly two-thirds reduction in this cumulative exposure, including one that looked (1999). Pesticides and Parkinson’s disease. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 53(3), pp.122-130. chlorpyrifos, and a 70% drop in DAPs metabolites that specifically at organophosphates and found that if you 5 World Health Organization. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Monograph represent exposure to organophosphates as a class. consider the totality of U.S. children’s exposure from 112: Evaluation of five organophosphate insecticides and herbicides. Online. www-prod. Organophosphates are so toxic to children’s develop- diet, approximately 40 percent may be exposed to levels iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MonographVolume112-1.pdf 6 Recio‐Vega, R., Ocampo‐Gómez, G., Borja‐Aburto, V.H., Moran‐Martínez, J. and ing brains that scientists have called for a full phase that exceed benchmarks for neurological harm like Cebrian‐Garcia, M.E., 2008. Organophosphorus pesticide exposure decreases sperm out.1 Organophosphate exposure is associated with ADHD and learning disabilities.20 quality: association between sperm parameters and urinary pesticide levels. Journal Other recent studies show that reducing pesticide of Applied Toxicology, 28(5), pp.674-680. endocrine disruption, autism, learning disabilities, 7 Cimino, A.M., et al. (2017). Effects of Neonicotinoid Pesticide Exposure on Human reduced IQ, attention disorders, delayed motor devel- exposure by choosing an organic food can improve Health: A Systematic Review. Environ Health Perspectives. 125(2): p. 155-162. opment, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, decreased sperm health, suggesting that the pesticide residues on our 8 Hoshi, N. et al. (2014). Insight into the mechanism of reproductive dysfunction 2,3,4,5,6 caused by neonicotinoid pesticides. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 37(9), quality, and cancers. food matter. One study found a 25% reduction in pp.1439-1443. The neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin dropped cancer risk for participants who ate the most organic 9 Science Daily. 2018. Neonicotinoids may alter estrogen production in humans. April 21 26. Online. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180426125939.htm by 83%. Neonicotinoids are among the most commonly food. Another study found fertility benefits for 10 7 22 Cimino, A.M., et al. 2017. Effects of Neonicotinoid Pesticide Exposure on Human detected pesticide residues in baby foods. They are women who ate organic food. Health: A Systematic Review. Environ Health Perspectives. 125(2): p. 155-162. associated with endocrine disruption and changes in 11 Bittel, J. (2014, July 9). Second Silent Spring? Bird Declines Linked to Popular behavior and attention, including an association with Organic For All Pesticides. National Geographic. Retrieved from news.nationalgeographic.com/ 8,9,10 news/2014/07/140709-birds-insects-pesticides-insecticides-neonicotinoids-silent-spring/ autism spectrum disorder. Neonicotinoids are also Organic works. But the U.S. government’s food 12 New York Times Editorial Board. (2017, October 29). Insect Armageddon. New York Times. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/2017/10/29/opinion/insect-armageddon- ecosystem-.html 13 Go, V., Garey, J., Wolff, M.S. and Pogo, B.G., 1999. Estrogenic potential of certain pyrethroid compounds in the MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line. Environmental health perspectives, 107(3), p.173. 14 Quiros-Alcala, L., S. Mehta, and B. Eskenazi, 2014. Pyrethroid Pesticide Exposure and Parental Report of Learning Disability and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in U.S. Children: NHANES 1999–2002. Environ Health Perspect. 15 Beyond Pesticides. Pesticides Trigger Parkinson’s Disease. Online. www. beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/gateway/health%20effects/ parkinson%27s%20cited.pdf 16 Jurewicz, J., Radwan, M., Wielgomas, B., Sobala, W., Piskunowicz, M., Radwan, P., Bochenek, M. and Hanke, W., 2015. The effect of environmental exposure to pyrethroids and DNA damage in human sperm. Systems biology in reproductive medicine, 61(1), pp.37-43. 17 US Environmental Protection Agency. 2017. Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage: 2008 – 2012 Market Estimates. Online. www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/ documents/pesticides-industry-sales-usage-2016_0.pdf 18 Beyond Pesticides. Pesticides that Disrupt Endocrine System Still Unregulated by EPA. Online. www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/gateway/ health%20effects/endocrine%20cited.pdf 19 Beyond Pesticides. Chemical Watch Factsheet: 2,4-D. Online. www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/pesticides/factsheets/2-4-D.pdf 20 Payne-Sturges, D., Cohen, J., Castorina, R., Axelrad, D.A. and Woodruff, T.J., 2009. Evaluating cumulative organophosphorus pesticide body burden of children: a national case study. Environmental science & technology, 43(20), pp.7924-7930. 21 Scutti, Susan. 2018. You can cut your cancer risk by eating organic, a new study says. October 22. www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/health/organic-food-cancer-study/index.html 22 Chiu, Y., et al. 2018. Association between pesticide residue intake from consumption of fruits and vegetables and pregnancy outcomes among women undergoing infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology. JAMA internal medicine, 178(1), pp.17-26. 4 | March | April 2019 TM

Understand employment law to get farm help you need By Kelli Boylen For farms to grow, farmers often need to hire get to and from work, but you can require they have A free sample employee manual is available on additional labor, turning farmers into employers. As reliable transportation. It is not ok to inquire if some- the Farm Common website at farmcommons.org/ employers, farmers must know and follow employ- one has children, but it is ok to explain your late and resources/sample-farm-employee-handbook. ment laws. absentee policy and ask if that would be an issue for an “There are a lot of legalities,” said Ariel Pressman, applicant. Worker Classifications who recently farmed at Seed to Seed Farm, a 13-acre When in doubt remember that any requirements of Employers sometimes prefer to classify those work- certified organic vegetable farm located near Balsam an applicant must only relate to their ability to do the ing for them as an independent contractor because it Lake, Wis. If you follow the laws, you can avoid enor- job, they both cautioned. is not required to pay workers compensation or take mous risks, he added. “In general, it is only ok to ask things that are spe- out taxes. In general, farm independent contractors set “Keep people happy and keep them safe,” said cific to the job,” Pressman said. It is acceptable to ask their own schedule and are hired for a project, are not Rachel Armstrong, founder and head of Farm someone you hire to obtain a doctor’s ok that he or she permanent and aren’t performing core tasks. Farmers Commons, a nonprofit legal education organization can physically perform the job, but only if you make cannot direct the means or tasks the independent dedicated to empowering farmers with business law. that a requirement for all new hires. contractor uses to accomplish a broad objective, Armstrong grew up on a dairy farm and is now an Make a list of questions to ask all candidates, and Armstrong said. attorney specializing in ag business. avoid “trick” questions, he said. Ask situational ques- Armstrong used the example of hiring someone to Armstrong and Pressman shared their insights tions in an interview; instead of asking how someone keep a vegetable field weed-free. If the farmer directs about employment law for farmers at the 2019 MOSES deals with stress, ask the applicant to tell you about a how the work is done and when it will be done, that Organic Farming Conference. time they felt stressful and how they dealt with that. person likely should be classified as an employee. If a farmer hires someone to keep the field weed-free and Seeking Applicants Onboarding says they don’t care when the person works or how the Pressman encouraged farmers to set a reasonable “The number one reason for quitting a job is that job gets done, the hired person supplies their own tools budget and spend money advertising open positions. the job was not what the person expected,” Pressman and offers that same service to others, then that person “A good job description is meaningless unless it’s seen said. A good first step to keep employees happy is is likely an independent contractor. by the right applicants.” writing a brief, to-the-point job description that details If you are hiring someone as an independent con- He recommended placing job postings on multiple every aspect of the job. This should always include tractor be sure they understand they are not covered venues, and tracking which venues bring you the most the specific wage, hours and seasonal commitment. by worker’s comp and that you are not taking taxes out applicants so you know where to best spend your He advised against saying “pay based on experience,” of their payment. money in the future. recommending instead to state what the base pay is If you misclassify someone, Armstrong explained, When hiring employees, it is against federal law and that wages may be higher based on skills. you can be responsible for back wages, back taxes, and discriminate on the basis of: He noted that within the first few weeks of employ- penalties. • Race, color, or national origin ment many people decide how long they want to work Legally, the definition of employing someone is to • Religion there and how much effort they are going to put in. “permit” a person to work for your operation, so an • Sex, disability “Remember communication is incredibly impor- intern has the same minimum wage, overtime, and • Age or genetic information tant,” he added. Be sure to check in with a new salary rules in most cases. The only exceptions to this State law may protect against discrimination on employee often and make sure to answer all of his or are when it is an educational environment designed for additional grounds such as sexual orientation. her questions. the student’s benefit; there must be no displacement of Armstrong discouraged checking out potential “Recruitment is expensive, it is important that paid workers and no or little benefit for the employer. employees on social media. The easiest way to avoid employees feel they are treated fairly,” Armstrong said. The presenters noted that waivers or agreements being accused of discrimination is not having infor- Although an employee manual is not required with interns cannot override the law. mation about someone’s race, religion, or other pro- legally, Armstrong and Pressman said the establish- “If you have interns who are not paid, be very care- tected status, she explained. ment of consistent, clear policies will make life ful,” Pressman cautioned. Pressman said that while it is not ok to ask someone easier for you and your employees. They did caution, Another classification to be aware of is the H-2A their age, you can ask if the person can lift a certain however, to keep in mind that an employee manual Temporary Agricultural Worker program, the federal amount of weight if the job requires lifting. It is not should not accidentally create a contract, but it should program that allows farmers to bring foreign nationals ok to ask if someone has a disability, but you can ask instead be a good reference to make sure things are to the U.S. to fill temporary agricultural jobs. if they are capable of working up to 10 hours a day understood by the employee. Armstrong said a poorly in all types of weather. You cannot reject someone written contract can cause issues so it is important to To Employment Law on page 12 because they do not have a car or a driver’s license to do it well. Wherever your path leads, WE’RE WITH YOU.

Finding a lender or crop insurance agent who really understands organic farming can be challenging. We’re equipped with the financial expertise, resources and solutions to meet the unique needs of organic producers. Let’s get started today.

Sai Thao Lending Officer (612) 597-4086 [email protected]

COMPEER.COM/EMERGINGMARKETS | (844) 426-6733 Paul Dietmann Sr. Lending Officer (608) 963-7763 [email protected] Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider. ©2018 All rights reserved. TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 5

Pioneering CSA farmers retire, encourage others to share connection to land through CSA By Chris McGuire One of the region’s oldest community supported the share boxes agriculture (CSA) farms, Vermont Valley Community packed while Farm in Blue Mounds, Wis., delivered its last CSA David oversaw share in December. Owners Barb and David Perkins field production ended the thriving CSA so they could retire after 24 and maintained successful seasons. Their farm story highlights the equipment and many layers of community in organic farming. They infrastructure. hope their success inspires current and upcoming Like many pro- generations of CSA farmers. duce growers, Over the past two decades, the Perkinses have the Perkinses pioneered best practices for CSA management and found they efficient vegetable production, generously sharing their needed to bring knowledge with other growers through workshops and outside labor field days. They developed innovative models for subsi- onto their farm. dizing CSA memberships for low-income families and “When we donated thousands of pounds of produce each year to began farming, schools, community centers, and food pantries. we did not fore- Barb and David started their farm in 1994, near the see the labor beginning of the CSA movement in the Midwest. They needs we would came to their new farm with clear goals: first, they had to have as the farm discover if the core concepts of CSA were real; second, grew larger,” they would farm only if it worked financially since both Barb said. were leaving city jobs behind and expected to earn simi- “Labor manage- lar incomes as farmers. They also set a third goal: they ment was not would only grow food for their members organically. our strength, The Perkins family has had a successful CSA program at Vermont Valley Community Farm for 24 years. They have been certified organic by MOSA since 1999. and we needed Now, they are retiring from CSA, but encourage others to pursue the CSA model. Pictured from left: “I was drawn to CSA because I wanted to see if it to learn quickly Eric, Jesse, Jonnah, Becky (with grandson, Felix), David, and Barb. Photo submitted would work for the farmer,” explained David, who had as we became grown up on a traditional, diverse crop and livestock managers of farm in southern Wisconsin. “The traditional com- more and more employees each year.” The farm’s labor and wanted to accomplish. modity markets don’t work for the farmer,” he added. force was diverse including workers shares, family “It was a gift that our children worked with us on David and Barb had an initial goal to grow their members, full and part time employees, and a seasonal the farm for so many years,” Barb said. “They are not CSA membership to 500 shares in five years. They contract crew. letting us down by not continuing the CSA.” achieved their five-year membership target and contin- The three Perkins children—Jesse, Eric, and Becky The Perkinses started a worker share program their ued to grow their farm beyond that. Their CSA mem- —each gravitated to different roles on the farm. Jesse second year and had as many as 60 worker shares a bership expanded rapidly, more than doubling between was heavily involved in all aspects of field work and year working on the farm in return for their CSA share. 2005 and 2009 when it reached its peak at 1,280 weekly equipment management. Eric directed produce wash- Barb developed effective methods for managing the shares with over 2,300 member families. Demand for ing and packing. Becky cooked for the farm crew. worker shares and in turn they proved to be a fantastic CSA was very high in this period, partly because sev- Jesse’s wife, Jonnah, joined the farm in 2009 and took addition to the farm. eral HMO insurers in the Madison area subsidized the over much of the CSA member communications and “The worker shares expected to be closely managed. cost of CSA memberships for their health plan mem- other office work. They didn’t come with vegetable farm experience but bers. The HMOs gradually withdrew their rebate pro- Although Eric, Jesse, and Jonnah were all deeply wanted to learn and be productive,” she explained. Barb grams. Membership at Vermont Valley and other area involved with the farm through 2018, they have had high expectations and worked together with the farms declined, but the Perkinses were able to continue decided not to continue the CSA. When Barb and crews, giving detailed, clear instructions, correcting to maintain a profitable livelihood from their farm. David started their farm, they had no expectation that mistakes and having fun. Overall, Barb views their On the farm, Barb was responsible for greenhouse their children would join them, let alone take over the worker share program as extremely positive. management, supervising workers, harvest and getting farm. CSA was something they felt passionate about To Successful CSA on page 12

From our Farm to Yours 715.675.5856 237502 County Road W • Wausau, WI 54403 www.HsuGrowingSupply.com COMPOST • MULCH • SOIL Organic Fertilizers • Seed Starting Soils Bio-insecticides & Fungicides • Plug Trays And So Much More!

gift when you mention this ad before May 1st when ordering your soils. No minimum purchase. Valid on new orders only.

PICK UP OR DELIVERY AVAILABLE 6 | March | April 2019 TM

Organic Future — from page 1

As participants mull their conversations from the and our food systems that we developed at Organic 2051 The illustrations on this page and the front page forum, and as those conversations and information is very powerful. Together, the long-standing MOSES show some of the work that happened at the forum. The spread throughout our community, we hope that every- community—and the new partnerships we have yet to Organic 2051 website, mosesorganic.org/organic2051, one will find places where their skills, talents, knowledge, cultivate—have the power to create lasting and impact- has links to all of the groups’ original worksheets, which and networks fit into the grand vision. None of us can do ful change. MOSES staff is organizing into a road map for the this work alone—the community is stronger when we all organic community to move forward. We’ll keep you leverage our unique capabilities. Lauren Langworthy is the Interim Executive Director of updated as we move forward with this project. The shared vision of a better future for agriculture MOSES. TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 7

Management ‘wall’ creates efficiencies, reduces labor costs for market farm By Hallie Anderson When I read The Lean Farmby Ben Hartman a we erase the first crop, add a tick mark on the couple of years ago, I was completely floored by the left side of the bed, then write in the new crop. inefficiencies I could see in our farm operation. We This way we know on the fly how many crops we have spent the last 2 years adapting to new processes, have been planted per bed over the course of the but by far, the way we changed how we managed our season. We can also identify empty beds that are time—both within a single task and over the course of waiting to be planted. a season—has had the biggest impact on our bottom As we go through the season and this map line and the overall stress on the farm. changes, we take a picture of it every Friday as a Our farm, 10th St. Farm & Market, is a diversified record of that week. This picture is automatically vegetable farm serving a four-season CSA, wholesale uploaded to a folder (Google Cloud) and stored markets, and a well-attended farm stand in Afton, chronologically so it is easy to access Minn. When we started farming 8 years ago, our when needed. goal was to build an efficient, sustainable farm that We have three movable un-heated high two of us could run to serve our local community. tunnels and one heated stationary tunnel on Hallie Anderson uses task sheets to keep track of each worker’s Efficiencies were on our mind from day one and our farm so we do a lot of bed turning over the daily chores. The tasks correlate to specific beds, which are also governed how we set up our markets. We thought we course of a year. With the movables, timing marked on this sheet. Photo by Hallie Anderson were fairly successful in our farm endeavor, utilizing is key. This map helps bridge the gap between our resources well, keeping costs as low as we could, the plan on paper and what is actually planted. and expanding each year. The biggest waste of space and time we can make is to Adding these task sheets allowed people to get But when I got to The Lean Farm chapter titled move our tunnels over a crop that does not gain value their jobs done efficiently, in less time. The sheets also “Ten Types of Farm Waste,” I was struck by #2, from that structure. allowed people to manage themselves rather than “Waiting.” I started writing down all the ways our In our heated tunnel, we want to make sure that we me having to check on them. This allowed me to get operation was plagued by this type of waste: waiting are not waiting a single day on an empty bed since we my jobs done. Before this system, I spent a lot of time for the days’ schedule, produce waiting to be washed, are spending the money to heat it; being prepared to answering questions or delegating, fixing issues, and time spent looking for a hoe, or taking the time to replant a bed the day it is harvested is key. Also, having problem-solving while my list never really got done. answer interns’ questions about their tasks while mine a visual of our fields in real time allows for meaningful Now I have a list in my pocket so when I get inter- went unfinished. decision-making to happen quickly rather than having rupted, which does not happen as often anymore, I After making this long list of “waiting wastes,” it to walk the farm or hope the paper plan is up-to-date. pull my list out and get back on track. Another benefit dawned on me that we had set up management from The next thing we did was add a whiteboard for the to these task sheets is figuring out how long it actually a manager’s perspective and not from a job-is-done week’s schedule next to our maps. This became our takes to get specific tasks done. As soon as we started perspective. The manager-farmer, who wants to spend morning meeting place where everyone could look using them, we rarely worked overtime because we time farming, was doing a lot of managing tasks while at the week’s list and the day’s tasks and could share were able to schedule the right amount of time for each the jobs themselves got done in the nick of time with a in the responsibility to get it done. It also meant that task and could assign tasks to the right people, utiliz- little luck and a lot of sweat. We wanted to re-think our everyone could anticipate and plan for the whole week. ing each person’s skills effectively. system so that the jobs got done on time, the right way, This board also became a convenient place to write We then added all sorts of “cheat sheets” to our decreasing the stressful part of the manager role. down notes and reminders in the middle of the work- management wall, out in the greenhouse, and in our The first thing we did was make a large map of day without actually interrupting the flow of the job high tunnels. This made it easy for everyone to have our fields. We laminated it for use as a whiteboard to have a conversation. This meant two things started the right information in the right place so tasks were and mounted it on the wall. Every bed is labeled on happening: 1) meaningful conversations happened not interrupted by looking up an answer in a book or this map, making it easy to reference in our planting before or after the work was done; and, 2) important doing some “quick” math. We learned that people can schedule and when explaining a task. ideas and tasks did not get forgotten. either think or do, but doing both at the same time On this map, we write what is in the ground and The third item we added to our management wall took way more time. The cheat sheets took the think- the planting date. When we pull a crop and re-plant, was the task sheet. These sheets are small (4x5 inches) ing out of the equation. and have the same map of our fields as our wall. They We saw results across the farm. Greenhouse have room to write down the jobs to accomplish that transplants germinated better, and we had the right day. At the top is a line for the name of the worker and amount—not too many or too few. Plantings in the date. the field were spaced correctly and our yields were I fill these out every day, one for each person on the dependable. It was amazing how many little mistakes farm including myself. Each task and the bed where made on a weekly basis had impacted our bottom line that task will happen is highlighted in the same color. and how a simple thing like hanging up a reference That way, no one is confused about where they need to sheet solved the problem. go even if it is their first day on the farm. I also write After implementing this management system, I down any tools they need and any other relevant notes then put myself on a strict schedule of planning out to get the job done efficiently. Each person takes these the following week’s schedule on Fridays. This was the sheets to the field with them so if they have a question difference between planning on being successful and they do not have to come and find me or go back to the hoping to be successful. I would do a farm walk, write This wipe-off chart maps out what’s growing in each bed. barn, they can reference their sheet. At the end of the down all the field tasks that needed to be done next Photo by Hallie Anderson day, everyone puts them into a folder hung on the wall. week, then factor in our harvest and sales schedule. To Management Wall on page 14

Our Team: Official Dealers Andy Moore Kirk Moyer James & Andy Miller Territory Manager, Tennessee, Territory Manager, Michigan & 181 N Country Rd. 000 Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana E Arthur, IL 61911 Alabama, Louisiana 1.269.762.0508 (Call or Text) [email protected] 1.901.483.2587 (Call or Text) [email protected] [email protected] Sean McDonald Earthwise Organics Carlos Toro Sales Agronomist, Washington, 13081 State Highway 172 Territory Manager, Texas Oregon, Idaho La Ward, TX 77970 1.512.987.3605 (Call or Text) 1.360.988.3032 (Call or Text) 1. 956.207.0500 [email protected] [email protected] Cory Runyon Stephen Pryor The Ahimsa Alternative, Inc. Keep It Clean Territory Manager, Arizona, Territory Manager, Central Usha Rao Imperial Valley CA, New Mexico California Bloomington, MN 55437 1.623.688.6448 (Call or Text) 1.805.788.8167 (Call or Text) 1.952.943.9449 [email protected] [email protected] Jerry Romine ® Territory Manager, Iowa & TerraNeem EC Missouri For all other regions, questions or dealer inquiries, 1.515.709.9049 (Call or Text) please contact: Insecticide/Miticide/Nematicide/Fungicide [email protected] Jonathan Coody Shannon Nauss Liebreich Territory Manager, Georgia, Director of Agriculture/Channel Sales & Marketing Florida, S Carolina 1.360.988.3850 (Call or Text) Available in the following package sizes: 12 x 1 quart, 4 x 1 gallon, 2 x 1.229.457.1512 (Call or Text) [email protected] 2.5 gallon, 200 liter drum, 7, 275g tote. [email protected] 8 | March | April 2019 TM

Commodity System — from page 1 1910-1914 when the U.S. dominated global commodity not to lasting prosperity for the farm sector. great concern to organic growers and their families. markets and living costs were low. This era is still Chart 2 shows only the income that farmers earn As one example, let’s consider the aftermath of the viewed as the standard for farm prosperity, and was from selling crops and livestock and does not include prosperity bubble that commodity farmers enjoyed followed by more robust sales, spurred by World other common sources of farm income. These include in 1973-1974. After the Soviet Union began growing War I, that lasted to 1920; b) the period during and government subsidies, renting out land, and doing grain for itself again, it stopped buying from the U.S. immediately after World War II when wartime and custom farm work for a neighbor (for example, har- Commodity farmers were left with immense stocks of recovery-era sales and new technology combined to vesting their corn crop for pay). Incorporating these corn and wheat they could not sell. While following boost farm income; c) the OPEC oil crisis of 1973-1974, additional forms of incomes does make this picture a the advice of Agriculture Secretary Earl Butts, who when the U.S. sold massive shipments of grain to the bit brighter, but not significantly. had exhorted farmers to “plant fence row to fence row” USSR in order to retrieve its dollar supply; and d) the The USDA also compiles data covering nonfarm in order to meet what he claimed was rising global global housing debt crisis of 2008-2011 when specula- sources of income, but unfortunately these are only demand, farmers produced record crops. Suddenly no tors’ bidding up grain prices and rising ethanol use available for 1960 and later years. These data (USDA one was buying. Country elevators stored huge piles conspired to create a commodity price bubble. ERS Farm Household Income and Characteristics, of grain in the open air on their properties. Given this What this adjusted chart shows is that the only adjusted for inflation) show that in 1960 farm families surplus, grain prices plummeted. truly prosperous periods for U.S. agriculture were due earned about $40,000 per year, $20,000 each from Meanwhile a new enzymatic process was introduced to global market power (a), which was lost in mid-cen- farm and nonfarm sources. Today, more than $90,000 that allowed for the low-cost production of high-fructose tury as other nations became competitive producers, is earned off the farm, while farm income has barely corn sweetener. Since corn was cheap, it became quite or to external shocks (a-d). Overall, net cash income risen, to $24,000 per household, despite the fact that easy for food processors to switch to High Fructose has trended downward, reaching levels lower than farmers have more than doubled productivity. Corn Syrup (HFCS) as a primary product. Corn sweet- the Great Depression (1932) in 1983, 2000, and 2018. The ups and downs in farm income inflict steep ener use increased rapidly from 1974 to 1985. Moreover, each of these bubbles led to further decline, consequences for health, as well. This is obviously of This had health consequences for U.S. consumers. Chart 3 shows that in 1974, just as HFCS was 600 introduced, the number of youth who were overweight Chart 2 Adjusted Net Cash Income for U.S. Farms, 1910 - 2018 began to increase. Chart 3: Overweight U.S. Youth — Percent by Age 500

400

300

200 Source: National Center for Health Statistics US$ billions (2018 dollars) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 Chart by Melinda Hemmelgarn 100 Obesity is only one of several health conditions related to sweeteners. Today, one in every 10 U.S. residents (more than 30 million people) has been 0 diagnosed with diabetes (Centers for Disease Control

1910 1913 1916 1919 1922 1925 1928 1931 1934 1937 1940 1943 1946 1949 1952 1955 1958 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, 2017). The American Diabetes Association calculates

-100 that the total medical cost of treating diabetes in the Cash Receipts Production Expenses Net Cash Income U.S. has risen to $327 billion per year, which is equal Source: USDA ERS Farm Income Balance Sheet data, adjusted for inflation to 2018 dollar values to 86% of all the cash receipts earned by U.S. farmers through the sale of crops and livestock. These medical costs, along with the costs of other diet-related medical conditions and environmental debacles (such as VIKING PURE & ULTRA-PURE SEED CORN the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico and the decline of bee and insect populations), are only some of the external costs that are not taken into account when USDA calculates the production expenses of farming. Start Pure, Stay Pure. Finally, ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan captured a humbling trend in his new book, Food From the Viking offers the industry’s first non-GMO purity guarantee. Radical Center (2018). Nabhan found that despite four decades of government intervention to protect our pre- cious environmental resources, including actions for protecting clean water, protecting clean air, remediat- ing brownfields, and levying fines on polluters, public support for environmental concerns has actually diminished. Citing Gallup Polls, he states that in 1991, 78% of all U.S. adults considered themselves environ- mentalists. By 2016, that figure had fallen to 42%. He continues by saying that what is actually working to % % bring people together to protect the environment are community-based conservation initiatives, more effective and less polarizing than broad federal programs. 99.9 (Nabhan does not argue, nor do we, that federal pro- 99NON-GMO NON-GMO tections should be eliminated, since they are essential policy tools. Yet they have not in themselves increased support for environmental protection). NON-GMO PURITY GUARANTEED We’ll focus on community-based food systems in the next issue of the Organic Broadcaster, highlighting how organic growers are creating resilient markets.

Ken Meter is with Crossroads Resource Center in Minne- apolis. Megan Phillips Goldenberg is with New Growth Associates in Saline, Michigan. (800) 352-5247 www.alseed.com [email protected]; 612-385-8664 [email protected]; 906-869-0372 TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 9

Vegetable CSA farm expands business with farmstead creamery By Rachel Henderson If you were at the MOSES Organic Farming Since then they’ve been milking up to 20 cows at a Conference this year, you may have noticed Rama time, and have grown to making about 8,000 pounds Hoffpauir running around to make sure volunteer of cheese per year. For reference, the FDA designates a posts were staffed. If you live in the Twin Cities area, small creamery as those making less than one million you may have known Hoffpauir and her husband, pounds of cheese each year. Hoffpauir refers to their Josh Bryceson, for years as the Turnip Rock CSA veg- operation as a “micro dairy,” a term that doesn’t have etable farmers from Clear Lake, Wis. Now, Hoffpauir an official definition. and Bryceson are becoming locally famous for the The CSA model remains the primary vehicle artisanal cheese they’re making in their farmstead Hoffpauir uses to market cheese. Their existing creamery, Cosmic Wheel. CSA was a big part of what helped them make their When Hoffpauir and Bryceson started milking creamery successful: it gave them an income stream cows, they planned to ship milk off-farm and make that helped as they developed their dairy, and allowed cheese. Once they saw the way things are going in the them an instant market for the finished product. Since dairy industry and after talking to buyers, they real- their vegetable farm was already well established, ized that selling milk wouldn’t help them meet their they also had the confidence of experienced farmers financial goals. to make a budget that they could have faith in, and a Groups such as Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) Rama Hoffpauir and Josh Bryceson, pictured with their kids, knowledge of what they could sell. have been working to address the causes of the current Otto and Sadie, run a vegetable CSA and recently started Turnip Rock has mostly marketed their vegetables crisis, and believe that it’s not only possible but essen- making artisanal cheese. They’ll host a MOSES Organic directly to consumers, so marketing wholesale has been tial to have a dairy industry that supports farmers, Field Day May 23 to share how they started their farmstead a new world for Cosmic Wheel. As their cheese busi- processors, and consumers. Their current initiatives creamery. See mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days. ness has grown, they’ve looked to wholesale to keep it explore solutions based on supply management and viable. Twin Cities co-ops, specialty cheese shops, and a stable pricing. few restaurants have been receptive customers, excited WFU Policy Associate Bobbi Wilson said, “While dairy economy for family farmers and rural com- about their product and story. They also have a handful the overall state of Wisconsin’s dairy economy is munities,” Wilson said about Farmers Union’s current of customers who love the cheese so much they buy bleak, direct market creameries are keeping some multi-state initiative. “Specifically, we are looking at whole wheels at a time at wholesale pricing. farms afloat by offering higher prices than farmers can federal policy options to manage overproduction and find through conventional channels. Creameries like return a fair price to farmers.” Cheesemaking Education Cosmic Wheel occupy a niche in the marketplace by Wisconsin, with its identity rooted in dairy, is appealing to consumers’ love for the family farm and Dairy Beginnings the only state that requires a license to make and sell desire for locally sourced artisan cheeses.” Hoffpauir and Bryceson started farming as Turnip cheese. For Hoffpauir, getting that license amounted Clearly most dairies in Wisconsin don’t have the Rock Farm in 2009 with their vegetable CSA, but to required coursework on cheese making and sanita- option to suddenly become artisan creameries, but had a vision for a farm and business that included tion through UW Dairy Learning Center, Center for Cosmic Wheel represents something to be optimistic more. They had an interest in grass-based livestock Dairy Research, and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers about when it comes to the state of our cheese. that stemmed from Bryceson’s work with Heifer Association, as well as an apprenticeship with Castle Aside from the advantages that come with direct International, a global nonprofit that distributes Rock Dairy in Osseo, Wis. With farm and family marketing, many see grass-based dairy farms, like animals and provides training for agriculture-based already taking a lot of time, she said it took about 5 Cosmic Wheel, as a way of staying in the marketplace community development. Working for them in years to get through it all. During that time, she also by managing costs. In a 2009 study, the Center for Arkansas, he developed a love for livestock, and saw engaged in informal education, doing research and Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of a potential for real balance on farms that include ani- reaching out to organizations. The Wisconsin Artisan Wisconsin-Madison identified high-quality pasture mals on pasture. The fertility complements a vegetable Cheesemakers Guild and American Cheese Society as the least expensive feed source for dairy cows, in a farm, and the benefits of having a diversity in markets were helpful, and she also worked with consultants. business where feed is the biggest share of expenses. At seemed essential for a family farm. They found that the state doesn’t have a clear Cosmic Wheel, they only produce cheese during the He spent a season milking at Poplar Hills Farm in path or web of resources for really small-scale dairy. grazing season, with the exception of some hay in the Scandia, Minn., to gain some direct dairy experience, Instructors in all of the courses wanted to be helpful, early spring. They see their farm as a complete ecosys- and learned more about grazing through MOSES but they seemed perplexed by the extremely small tem, with each part interdependent on others. workshops, Grassworks, and UW Extension. They scale. It was challenging to figure out how to take some While their small farmstead creamery can feel like both spent time talking to other dairy farmers, visiting of the rules that are geared toward an industrial scale a world apart from the turmoil of the dairy industry small-scale farms, and reading all they could. and apply them to a farmstead creamery. Working in Wisconsin, Hoffpauir said she feels the heartbreak Meanwhile, on their own farm they started with directly with other small farms, who are doing what of the consolidation that’s happening all around them one family cow, then three, making cheese for fun they were striving for, provided some of the best and feels allied with other family farms. beginning in 2010, and developing recipes. At the information. “The other small farms in our area are important time, they had 5 full-time employees and used cheese Enrolling in some of the required courses, to our survival,” she explained. “Finding hay, et cetera, to help feed the greater farm family, and for gifts. They Hoffpauir was surprised that there was a handful of doesn’t happen unless there’s other small farms—hav- continued developing this hobby dairy until they other very small producers interested in farmstead ing families in our town with children in the schools, could gather the financial resources to put in a licensed artisan cheese. She found herself in the minority, but and all the other things we want in a thriving small creamery. definitely not alone. A growing interest in this type of town.” These sentiments tie into WFU’s work. Cosmic Wheel was born when Turnip Rock started “Dairy Together is a movement to rebuild a viable offering Cheese Shares as part of its offerings in 2015. To Farmstead Creamery on page 14

natural & Organic Fertilizers and soil amendments Start spring strong with Safe and effective seed establishment, planting and spring side-dress. Proven to enhance the yield, quality and profitability for any crop in a variety of growing zones.

Suståne, Known worldwide as... simply the best.

Soil & Growing System Analysis Contact Travis Veiths - [email protected] High Quality, Economical Organic Nutrients www.sustane.com | (507) 263-3003 Custom Blends • Co-Granulation 10 | March | April 2019 TM

Collaboration, connections key to successful 2019 MOSES Conference By Audrey Alwell Sandwiched between snowstorms, the 30th Annual next generation of organic farmers. The speakers for the Saturday keynote each have MOSES Organic Farming Conference brought over “Be empowered to experiment on your own farms,” stepped up in their own way to encourage organic 2,800 people to La Crosse, Wis., to share ideas, Ford said. “Be involved in organic organizations—we farming. Dayna Burtness Nguyen shared how she and discover new resources, and make connections to really need you.” her husband, Nick, are paying it forward by launch- improve the success of their farms or businesses. Riddle offered similar advice when he spoke as part ing an incubator farm on their property to help two “MOSES lights a spark in me every year that of the Friday keynote panel, “Upholding the Legacy.” beginning farmers get started. Dairy farmer Danny reinforces I am on the right career path,” said Hana He encouraged young farmers to be engaged in policy Borgerding put a drop of food coloring in a MOSES Tanberg of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux as well as farming and to pay attention to what the Conference mug to illustrate how one person can Community in Minnesota. “I believe in organic and organic label means. have an impact, especially when “we shake things up farms that value our earth, and realize that we need to “There aren’t a lot of industries that go to D.C. a bit.” Micro-farmer Alicia Razvi explained how her do a heck of a lot collaborating if we are ever going to and say, ‘please regulate us,’ but we did,” he said as he husband’s battle with cancer launched her into organic compete with the machine.” explained how the growing organic community in the gardening and then into sharing what she grew through Collaboration was evident not only in the work- 1980s sought uniform national standards and a unified CSA, and also into a community through participation shop presentations, but also in the conversations organic label. “Stay true to our roots, and continue to in Wisconsin Farmers Union, where she’s now her throughout the dining and exhibit halls. It also showed own this word!” district director. in the list of sponsors of the conference. The keynote panel, moderated by MOSES board The Organic Farmer of the Year presentation and “We have an outstanding group of longtime spon- member Sylvia Burgos Toftness, featured five people, conference keynotes are on the MOSES YouTube chan- sors who are the backbone of this conference,” said in addition to Riddle, who have had major roles in the nel at www.youtube.com/mosesorganic. Tom Manley, MOSES Account Services Coordinator. organic movement: George Siemon, Audrey Arner, The MOSES Conference includes the Organic “The financial and food support we receive from Francis Thicke, Faye Jones, and Atina Diffley. They Research Forum and a juried poster session. This Organic Valley is crucial. Sitka Salmon returned to shared insights from the years they worked to expand year’s winner is Hannah Philips from the University help us with an awesome dinner on Friday, and Blue organics and helped a new generation of farmers of Minnesota with her research on using chickens to River Organic Seed continued their consistent sup- understand what went into creating the organic label reduce flies in organic dairy pastures. Claire Flavin port. We also had several new companies—Patagonia, and the MOSES Conference. Hodge, also from the University of Minnesota, took Kubota, and Valent, to name a few—join us to show- When Atina Diffley explained how she and second place, and Dylan Bruce from the University of case their shared values. We couldn’t put on an event her husband, Martin, started Gardens of Eagan in Wisconsin took third place. of this size without that kind of support, and I want Minnesota, she emphasized how much they learned by The conference provided the chance to remem- to thank all of our sponsors for all that they do to help sharing information with other farmers, adding, ber long-time conference planner and presenter us host this community. We can all thank them by “that’s why we’re all here today [at the MOSES Chris Blanchard, who passed away late last year. His looking to them first for the products and services we Conference]. We don’t see this in other parts of memorial scholarship has collected over $10,000 all need to grow successfully.” Links to all the sponsors agriculture; we don’t see this in other parts of our to send farmers to the annual MOSES Conference. are online at mosesorganic.org/sponsors. American culture, this concept of sharing knowledge Additional donations can be made at bit.ly/ At the Conference Kick-Off, David Perkins, MOSES and that we’re all in this together.” ChrisBlanchardScholarship2MOSES. board president, presented the Organic Farmer of the Audrey Arner picked up on that theme, saying Audio recordings of conference workshops are avail- Year Award to Jim Riddle and Joyce Ford of Blue Fruit the MOSES Conference was first organized because able at mosesorganic.net—the MOSES online store. The Farm in Winona, Minn. These pioneering farmers organic farmers were “so yearning for the sharing of MP3 downloads are $5 each. The complete set of work- have had a “profound impact on organic agriculture, information that was not available in the conventional shop recordings comes on a USB drive for $75. This not just as farmers, but also as educators, policy advo- farm information networks.” year, many presenters also shared their PowerPoints, cates, and advisers,” Perkins said. “They have worked The panelists shared personal stories of how they making the audio recordings even more informative. at local, state, and national levels to promote organic created change through their farms and in their com- The PowerPoints are posted online at mosesorganic.org/ agriculture, and helped shape the country’s founding munities. They encouraged the audience to carry the conference/workshops. organic standards in the 1990s. In essence, they’ve movement forward. The MOSES Organic Farming Conference will been front and center in nearly every aspect of the “Step out of your comfort zone,” Faye Jones said. return to La Crosse Feb. 27-29, 2020. If you have sug- organic world.” “Make phone calls. Develop a relationship with your gestions for workshops or presenters, submit those Riddle and Ford shared their farm story and high- representatives... Because we aren’t going to really online at mosesorganic.org/conference. lights from their years of travel and work to promote effect the kind of change we all want, we all believe in, organic farming, interspersed with wise advice to the unless more people step up.” Audrey Alwell is the Communications Director for MOSES.

Built on Farmer Relationships

PURCHASING CONTRACTS FOR ORGANIC: • CORN • OATS • WHEAT • BARLEY • RYE 800.370.7979 blueriverorgseed.com

grainmillers.com | 952.983.1269 TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 11

Above: Organic Farmers of the Year Jim Riddle and Joyce Ford share their farm story. Top left: Young farmers express enthusiasm for the MOSES Conference. Top right: Kubota’s tractor catches farmers’ eyes. 2nd row: Patagonia brought its new line of hemp workwear for people to try on. Hannah Phillips from the University of Minnesota shows off her first place research poster. Elders in the organic movement talk about the early years in organics and the start of the MOSES Conference. Middle left: Synister Dane plays before the keynotes. Left: The Organic Pheromones rock the crowd Thursday night. Bottom: Dancers learn the steps at the Friday night square dance. Photos by Laurie Schneider 12 | March | April 2019 TM

Employment Law — from page 4

It’s a great way to get qualified farm workers, always be above minimum wage for each hour worked types of policies typically result in the injured person Pressman said, but there is a lot of paperwork, and the if the minimum wage is required. having to sue the insurance company for payment. “I government closely monitors the program to avoid thought it ethically better to purchase workers’ comp,” exploitation of the migrant workers. Workers must be Workers Compensation he says. temporary (not year-round), and must be provided Workers Compensation was originally set up to Asking employees if they have their own health free housing, meals, workers comp, and at least the protect employers, Armstrong said. Generally, employ- insurance is not a good option. Some private insur- equivalent of minimum wage. Using this program ees are prohibited from suing a farmer who is carrying ance companies will not cover injuries at work. Being may be too expensive for smaller operations, but may workers compensation for the employee’s work-related injured on the job often can result in lawsuits; health be a good option for larger farms that need a reliable injuries. insurance policies may not cover lost wages or perma- option for field work and harvesting. Compensation laws vary from state to state, so it nent disability. is important to learn about the laws for your location. Minimum Wage Some states require it for agricultural employment and Resources Many states do not require a minimum wage some do not. Even if you aren’t legally required to have There are many free resources for agricultural for farms, but this only applies to farm labor, not it you still need insurance for worker injuries. employers online at www.farmcommons.org, includ- value-added, processing, or ag-tourism. That said, Rates differ for different sized farms, Pressman ing guides to managing risks of interns and volunteers, Armstrong added that paying a livable wage can said. Covering up to $100,000 worth of wages cost his classifying your workers, knowing the basics of farm help in the long run by retaining reliable, trained farming operation about $5,000 annually. Workers employment laws, and OSHA and migrant worker fact employees. Comp insurance can be purchased through many sheets. Salaries or per-piece payments are not a way to insurance companies. skirt minimum wage, she said. An hourly wage can go It is possible to purchase a different type of insur- Kelli Boylen is a freelance writer who lives on a home- up or down based on salary or per-piece, but it must ance to cover employees, but Pressman said those stead in Iowa.

Successful CSA — from page 5

She enjoyed working with the CSA members, and The CSA Model workers, and CSA members. Most CSA farms grow the program embodied their overall CSA philosophy, The Perkinses firmly believe that CSA is an out- diverse vegetable crops with complicated planting which was to “involve as many people as possible as standing model for agriculture. schedules, so organization and time-management skills much as possible” in their farm. “For the farmer, CSA creates meaningful purpose are essential. Farmers need to recognize their strengths From the beginning, Barb and David set financial and financial reward,” David said. “For the committed and weaknesses and design their farms accordingly. expectations the farm needed to meet. But, David member, CSA re-establishes a heartfelt connection to a Barb and David see a bright future for CSA. added, “We were willing to fail.” If the farm did not pay place; the land, the labor, their food.” Although demand for CSA has decreased recently in enough, if the CSA model did not work, they agreed From an economic standpoint, “CSA cannot be the Madison area, a strong core of dedicated CSA they would discontinue the farm. Clear goals, combined beat,” he added. The farmers set their price, choose supporters has remained and actually is now with an exit plan, prevented them from being mired their products, set a delivery schedule, and receive increasing. down for the long term in an unsuccessful venture. prepayment. “And this is not some theoretical model. It “As society moves faster and faster, and people lose David and Barb were deeply involved in the works. There are real-life farms out there doing this, their connection to solid, tangible things, they will Fairshare CSA Coalition, which began as a group of making a living.” increasingly seek the connection that CSA offers,” Barb community activists in the Madison area that brought He cautioned that it’s not enough to just grow a forecasted. Neither large-scale corporate organics nor the CSA concept to southern Wisconsin farmers and product, even a great product. CSA members seek a home delivery services such as Blue Apron will be able eaters. Within the coalition, they benefitted greatly direct connection to their farm and that’s part of what to duplicate the connection that CSA provides, she from collaborative marketing and knowledge sharing they pay for. CSA farmers must “sell” their farm to added. between farms. members, he explained. The Perkinses said they will watch with interest as “We could not have done what we did without the Vermont Valley Community Farm did an excep- other CSA farmers innovate. Customized CSA boxes, coalition,” David said. “Other CSA farms were not our tional job of connecting CSA members with the farm. farmers market pickups where members choose their competition. The coalition works collectively to build They held seven organized member events each year, produce, and non-vegetable items such as meat and the CSA movement.” which were very well attended. Many hundreds of fruits are all possibilities for boosting consumer inter- Barb and David concentrated on CSA from their members participated in their worker share program est in CSA. But Barb and David firmly believe that farm’s beginning. Brief trials with farmers markets and over the years. providing eaters with a direct connection to a farm will wholesale marketing convinced them to stick with Another positive aspect David sees in the CSA remain an essential part of CSA. their initial CSA plan. model is that each farm is marketing their own unique In the coming years, Barb and David will live on the “We put all of our energy into our members, and farm experience, not a generic commodity, which farm and manage the land. David will continue to work our members felt how much time and energy we put reduces competition between farms. at the family’s organic seed potato business with their into them,” Barb explained. “As a CSA farmer, your farm is your product, and so son, Jesse. The farm will remain connected with the They did add an organic seed potato business to the your product is unique,” he explained. “You’re compet- organic agriculture movement. farm, partly to complement the CSA and secondly, ing with yourself, not other farms.” with the passage of the federal organic rule, to fill the Barb and David both recognize that CSA is not Chris McGuire is an organic specialist with MOSES. He need in the Midwest for good organic potato seed. suitable for every farmer. People skills are essential: and his wife have a CSA farm near Madison, Wis. CSA farmers need to interact with employees, farm

Manufactured from animal proteins like feather meal, meat meal and bone meal, Nature Safe is one of the ORGANIC FERTILIZER largest organic fertilizer manufacturers in North FOR ALL YOUR CROP’S Ameria offering dry pelleted and wettable powder FERTILITY NEEDS solutions for your crops. Use Nature Safe as a starter fertilizer or a topdress — for any crop you are growing. Nature Safe offers high organic nitrogen and phosphorous formulations that can meet your agronomic or economic fertility challenges. Nature Safe’s all-organic products are listed by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) and are allowed under National Organic Program (NOP) guidelines, validating its unrestricted use in the Practical, reliable production of organic certiﬁed crops.

Avaliable in bulk, totes and bags. and friendly organic certication services 616-566-0307 naturesafe.com

Your Choice for Soil and Plant Nutrition MOSAORGANIC.ORG | 608-637-2526 TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 13

Lender explains what’s needed for smooth loan processing By Joshua Rynes As I sat at my desk formulating how to attack the really see anything different happening this year so upcoming year projection, and banking details (loan day, I received an email with an interesting question: let’s just use last year’s numbers.” Jane would then renewals, existing interest rates, new money needs). “What would you like to see a farmer bring to the table hand me a shoe box full of various check stubs for Along with the agenda, Jane hands me a completed when making a loan request?” income they generated along with all of the billing balance sheet, income/expense statement, and a pro- In all honesty, a lender wants to take as little risk statements and receipts for the year’s expenses. jection. This allows us to actually talk about the busi- as possible while making the most money possible. To get the production information from the previ- ness rather than just gather data. Sometimes I even get Farmers need to show they are a safe bet to repay the ous year, John would run out to the barn and grab the numbers ahead of time so I can review and make loan—that they are good at farming and keeping all of the bulk tank slips and feverishly add them up. sure any questions I have are answered. Before I leave, records. The difference between an approved loan and He would then guess as to how many cows he aver- John and Jane negotiate the new loan rate and terms. I a denied loan can be as simple as how a farmer pro- aged milking for the year to get production per cow. am able to commit to a one-week turnaround time. vides the farm’s financial information for the lender For crop production, he would figure out how many As John and Jane have become more experienced to review. Here are a couple of scenarios to help you wagonloads of each crop he harvested and guess the farmers, they’ve also become better business manag- understand what your lender needs for a loan request. capacity of each wagon to get a number. ers. By following their second example of providing John and Jane Doe are in their mid-40s and have They had now provided me with all of the informa- good documentation, you will have a better chance of been customers of the bank for many years. They grow tion I needed to do the renewal and provide operating getting a loan. In times where margins are tight and crops and keep dairy cows. Jane also raises vegetables money for the year. As I gathered my things, they credit isn’t as readily available, you need to be able to to sell at the farmers market and is in charge of the asked the most dreaded question a banker wants show your lender that you know your business. Just finances for the entire farm. to hear, “So how long before you have the new loan being a good producer doesn’t mean what it used to 10 Each year I schedule a meeting with them to dis- approved?” Based on the simplicity and size of the years ago. cuss their business and financial needs for the upcom- request, one would expect a decision to be made and ing year. My goal for this meeting is to walk out with a have the loan closed within the week. However with Joshua Rynes is the vice president of the Wisconsin Ag fiscal year-end balance sheet, production information, how they had provided numbers, it ended up taking 3 Business Banking Team at Bremer Bank. income and expense numbers, a list of any assets weeks. bought or sold in the year, and a projection for the Why so long? I had to build a balance sheet in the upcoming year that would also include any potential format that is accepted by the bank and the ag lending new loan requests. community from the numbers John and Jane had pro- FARM MANAGEMENT In the first few years, I would come out to the farm vided. I had to sort out all of the items in the shoe box Organic and Conventional and sit down at the kitchen table. After an hour of and categorize them to the best of my ability. This had sharing stories and pictures I would start asking for to be done just to build a projection for the upcoming FARM BROKERAGE the information needed to complete the annual loan year. Once all of this was done, I would have questions Buy & Sell request. We would start with the balance sheet. John for John or Jane to answer, which would typically take would reach into his pocket and pull out a crumpled a day or two for them to respond. Professional Farm Management up paper towel stained with iodine from teat dip. On Once I was confident that I had all of my questions Including Organic Farming this paper, John had all of his cattle numbers. answered I would tell John and Jane what the terms Next I would ask John about any inventories they of the new loan were to be. In those early years John had at year end. John would write down the number always griped about the high interest rate we were of piles of feed he had and the dimensions of the silos, charging and the time it was taking to get the loan. and guesstimate how many hay bales were wrapped up Fast forward 20 years and here is how our annual out in the field. meeting happens: Jane sends me an email around Next I would provide him a machinery list which the holidays giving me dates that they are available Kent Kraft, AFM Rob Woodrow, AFM he would glance over and agree that everything was to meet, noting they’d prefer to meet right away in Managing Broker Managing Broker the same as last year. Jane would estimate how much January. A few days before the meeting, Jane has me cash was in the checkbook. For the debt, she would say email her any items I would like on the agenda and 320 South Crossing Road - PO Box 69 they made all of their payments so the balance at year includes the financial statements. I show up to the Sherman, Illinois, 62684-0169 end should be the prior year balance minus the pay- meeting and am handed an agenda that lists time to Office: 217-496-3500 FarmlandSolutionsLLC.com ments they made. catch up on news, recap of the previous year (produc- For the projection, John would say, “Well, I don’t tion, prices, projects, income and expense statement),

Join our family of growers who share our passion for Natural Fish Fertilizers cultivating goodness. We’d like you to grow with us. Pulses | Soybeans | Flax | Cereal Grains | Corn for & Organic Sustainable Let’s cultivate goodness, together. Call 844-275-3443 or visit HFIfamily.com remely e Crop Production Ext vai&labl els of a high lev Our HFI family: SK Food International Hesco Suntava Heartland Flax alcium C orus Phosph

PASTURE ROW CROPS PRODUCE

920.684.0227 DRAMM® Manitowoc, WI • U.S.A. Fax: 920.684.4499 www.FishFertilizer.com ORDER 800.258.0848

Management Wall — from page 7

If I found that there was more on the list than could be With the cheat sheets, a whiteboard, and a couple of compost applications, plant varieties, etc. I organize accomplished in five days, I would have Saturday and other organizing tools our investment grand total was them once a month into a paperclip, put a sticky note Sunday to get caught up to be on-schedule or ahead of $225 to save $7,000. on top with the month they represent and place them the game come Monday morning. The real impact of the management wall, though, in a shoe box in my office for easy reference later. Being on schedule becomes the norm and allows is how much stress is lifted when the farm is always on When you are making a profit on your farm, it is me to have most weekends off. If I wait until Sunday schedule. I have the freedom to spend time with family very easy to think you are doing everything as well as night or Monday morning to plan, I find I operate all and friends in the middle of the season, and the farm you can. But, as Ben Hartman explains in his book, we week in catch-up mode. When that happens repeat- has better cash flow to buffer emergency expenses or need to continuously improve; fix it and fix it again! edly, it becomes much harder to get back on track. to grow when it needs to. It has also become a record- Our management wall was step one. Efficiencies are Our new management system has decreased our keeping system, that in a way, keeps itself. I don’t have compounding, and I am looking forward to building labor costs significantly. In 2017, we spent almost to spend extra time keeping records; I am collecting upon them this next season and seasons to come. $18,000 in hired labor costs compared to $11,000 in that data in tandem with planning my week’s schedule 2018 while producing the same amount. Our printed and task list. My task sheets have a detailed record Hallie Anderson owns and operates 10th St. Farm & maps cost $80, the task sheets were $75 for 1000 sheets. of what happened each day, by whom, amendment/ Market, a diversified vegetable farm in Afton, Minn.

The full “Management Wall” at 10th St. Farm & Market includes laminated (wipe- off) field maps that correspond to maps on individual workers’ task sheets for each day. At the end of the day, workers return the completed task sheets to the folder on the left, providing a record of everything done in each row. The cheat sheets on the right side of the photo outline how to do specific tasks, cutting down on time the owner needs to spend explaining tasks.

Photo by Hallie Anderson

Farmstead Creamery — from page 9

farming brings with it a network of support – small avoid stepping on each other’s toes too much and each creamery is not large enough to support much more dairies that help each other answer questions, share could focus on one aspect of the operation during the production. Hoffpauir said they feel good about the resources, call each other with licensing questions or intensive learning process. size of their business. Her goals for the future are to when they’ve suddenly run out of supplies. As they To maintain a healthy balance among their distinct continue to improve recipes, tweak their markets, and experienced with vegetable farming, this was an farm enterprises, Hoffpauir emphasized the need to make sure they can make wonderful cheese and raise important resource to help them in the early stages. communicate well and often. happy cows. Adding a creamery to their farm brought new “Ok, are we pumping milk or not? How much is in Far from seeing their niche industry as fiercely complexity to the business. Like many farm couples, the tank? Do we have to take a cow out of production? competitive, Hoffpauir is excited about connecting Hoffpauir and Bryceson started out sharing all of the We keep working on getting better at that,” she said. with other cheesemakers. Thinking about the potential work on their farm. As it grew to include livestock, “Making peace with our roles can be challenging, but for more farmstead creameries in Wisconsin, she Hoffpauir assumed that would continue. is getting easier the more we embrace where we are.” urges people considering it to really focus on potential “I wanted to milk the cows! Then I realized I’d have markets, since that was one of the most important to worry about cross-contamination,” she said, talking Future Plans ingredients in Cosmic Wheel’s success. about going in and out of their cheesemaking facility. With their commitment to producing high- Now Hoffpauir is in charge of anything cheese related, quality, grass-based, artisanal cheese, Cosmic Wheel Rachel Henderson is an organic specialist for MOSES. while Bryceson takes care of all of the livestock, as well is unlikely to get much bigger. They see themselves She and her husband have a certified organic orchard as managing the vegetable production. This way, they as “at capacity” on their available pasture, and their and raise pastured livestock.

Cowsmo Compost ELITE CORN FROM GREAT

Compost and Potting Soils HARVEST ORGANICS

Great Harvest certified organic corn hybrids offer exciting performance from elite genetics ranging from 93 to 115-day relative maturities. We select only the best performing hybrids for the organic environment, combined with the highest yield, and place them specifically for your farm. Find the elite genetics you need for your organic operation with Great Harvest Organics.

Visit GreatHarvestOrganics.com or call 800.937.2325 for our full list of

products, subject to availability.

608-626-2571 [email protected]

www.cowsmocompost.com TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 15

Farmer shares challenges, costs, results, of pastured pig demonstration project By Harry Hoch At Hoch Orchard, we have been experimenting December of Year 3 (2018). However, as is often the the apricots. Apricot trees always drop a lot of fruit with animal rotations in our fruit plots for several case in life, things did not go as planned. during harvest so the pigs have a lot of fruit to glean. years. We strive to create a perennial fruit system Fall of Year 1 went well. Our intern worked with Their powerful jaws crack through the pits and all. that mimics nature with animals feeding on plants the harvest crew after apples were picked and got Then the pigs move to the plum block and finally to and stimulating the biology in the soil. Our goal is to almost all of the main runs of fence put up. We saved the summer apples. strengthen the soil, break fruit-pest life cycles, and money on posts by nailing multi-species woven wire In Year 3, October had record rainfall and the most produce high quality meat without taking land away fence to the windbreaks that divide the fruit plots. challenging harvest of my entire career, with daily from human food production. Then things went downhill. rounds of mud, rain-soaked workers, and stuck trac- In 2016, we received a grant to focus on this project While our animal production intern did a great job tors. When we wrapped up harvest, it was far too wet from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s her first year, she had some life challenges in Year 2, to auger holes and build H braces to hang the gates. Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant making the responsibility of animals difficult. Piece When it finally did dry off, we put the entire crew Program. Our project was more of a “proof of concept” by piece, we moved her animal responsibilities to on fencing and built one last run and hung two gates than a research project that tests specific practices. We others. We did not have time to install the corners and to make two completely fenced plots. As soon as we hoped to demonstrate the viability of adding animals gates, and had to use portable fencing to close off the finished, the temperature dropped below average and to perennial fruit production, and believed this con- paddocks and use as gates. Even still, the permanent stayed there. The wet ground froze like concrete so no cept could be applied to any perennial system or even woven wire fence along the windbreaks made it much more gate posts would go in the ground in 2018. a mixed annual and perennial vegetable system. easier to set up temporary paddocks. We had big plans to finish the corners and hang Project Results Infrastructure gates after harvest. That’s when the weather became The main lesson we learned form this project is Although we had been rotating animals through a roadblock. Harvest ran late and an early hard frost that sometimes you can’t control things that impact a our fruit plots prior to the grant project, we found made fence work impossible. schedule. While we had a good project, we fell short on many problems with our system that limited the scale Year 3 presented similar challenges. In March, our good luck. Ours is a cautionary tale for other farmers; of animal production on our farm. Our property is cider salesman moved away, leaving me to manage it only takes a few bouts of bad luck or bad timing to set up with a 10-foot woven wire deer fence enclosing cider sales and animal production. I sold off most of really throw off a project. Fortunately, our project was about 60 acres of land. Just inside that deer fence is the feeder pigs in the spring and did not order any intended to be a demonstration, not strict research. a high-tensile electric fence creating a ring pasture poultry in order to streamline the animal project. We Even though we did not get all the data we had hoped around the perimeter of the farm. went into the summer with a manageable group of to collect, we were able to demonstrate how our con- We used the ring pasture to move animals around feeders and a small flock of sheep. cept could work. the farm without having to go through the fruit plots. I moved the pigs a few times during the summer We have data for two years of pasturing hogs in our We used the pasture fence to power temporary ribbon using electric mesh fence as gates and filler where rotational system. We tracked the time to feed, water, or mesh fence when we put animals in the fruit plots. fences were not finished. Moving animals only took a and move the pigs, including time to set up and take The system’s drawback was the time required to set few minutes where the new fencing was in place. down portable fencing, and chase loose pigs. up the temporary fences. We also had a lot of trouble In August, our part-time farmhand who had helped Year 1 with animal escapes and fences failing. with fencing and animal chores announced he was 310.75 hours to maintain pigs on pasture For the grant, we laid out a good schedule and had leaving for a full-time warehouse job the first week of 46 total moves a good crew in place to set up fencing. Our plan was: September. That left us short on experienced workers 31 pigs consisting of 4 sows and 27 feeders Year 1 - Collect data on time required to rotate hogs who could rotate the pigs through the fruit plots. So I 240 days on pasture using temporary fencing. Erect permanent fencing and set up a small run for the pigs just outside the animal 10 hours of labor per pig over the season track time needed. shed. They could get outside to graze and root a little, .041 hours per pig per day Year 2 – Finish fences and install gates. Track time but got all their nutrition from waste fruit dumped in needed for rotations using permanent fencing. Host a the feed trough. We had a good crop of apples and lots Year 2 field day through MOSES, focused on livestock fencing. of cider pumice and grade outs so the pigs got all the 255.7 hours to maintain pigs on pasture Year 3 – Install water lines, track rotations, have final fruit they could eat. 33 total moves field day, and create a report comparing temporary In a typical year, we would move the pigs as fruit 54 pigs consisting of 6 sows and 48 feeders fencing with permanent fencing. Also report on the ripened. The raspberries finish in August, so we would 205 days on pasture income per hog and the cost of raising a hog on pasture. flash graze through the patch to clean up the last 4.73 hours of labor per pig over the season This all seemed simple and easily managed. We over-ripe berries and take out some of the weeds. From .023 hours per pig per day expected everything to be done by November or there, they moved to the cherry trees and then on to To Fencing Project on page 16

COG Pro | Organic Certification… Simplified

COG Pro is quick to respond to 800-347-1566 anything specific our farm needs www.fertrell.com “ when we need additional records. New! Tech support questions are dealt Dry Cow Mineral with very quickly. ” Available in 50 lb bags

A balanced mineral blend for both dry cows and bred heifers. Contains essential Now vitamins and minerals COG Pro with GAP Harley Soltes Try it for FREE at records! as well as probiotics www.cog-pro.com Bow Hill Blueberries to ensure good health Bow, WA during gestation. 16 | March | April 2019 TM

Fencing Project — from page 15

In 2018 (Year 3), we moved our one small group of fashioned low-tensile welded wire. High-tensile wire Hogs are a different story. A mid-size feeder pig or pigs about five times. No time was spent catching loose can be stretched tight like piano wire and still have adult hog can get his snout under the wire and push it pigs. Less than 10 hours was spent putting up tem- some give. A tree falling on the fence or a tractor up enough to slip under. By spacing posts 10 feet apart, porary fencing to complete the perimeter of partially driver misjudging the width of the wagon can break there is not enough slack for a pig to get under. fenced blocks or to act as gates. Moving animals into posts and knock down long stretches of fence. Woven A literal interpretation of the National Organic paddocks was less than a half hour per move. wire can be pulled back up when the broken posts are Program rule is no use of treated posts in any new There is a huge savings of time when utilizing replaced. Old-style welded wire kinks and breaks and fence construction or the replacement of broken posts. permanent fencing. After all the fences are complete requires much more time to replace and repair. A certifying agency may require a 24-inch buffer with gates, we should be able to get the average time The wire we used has 8 horizontal wires spaced between treated posts and the organic livestock. I have spent per animal down to under an hour each over the closer near the ground and wider higher up. The been told I have to fence off my corner posts so the season—a tenfold reduction in hours. vertical wires are one foot apart. The height is only 42 animals cannot contact the treated posts. inches, but we figured we could add a single wire on I have been using metal T-posts for line posts and Fencing Costs, Recommendations top if we needed more height. That top wire could be cedar for the end posts and H-braces. In some cases, We already had a perimeter fence in place and hung with insulators and be energized. the certifying agency may allow treated posts for pad- nailed 8-42-12 woven wire to windbreak trees. This One problem I found with the wire we chose is that docks that are used for flash grazing. This is contrasted lowered fencing costs quite a bit. We spent $3,118.81 on small feeder pigs under about 50 pounds could hop with fencing that is used for corrals or feedlots where materials and had 119.5 hours of labor to install 4,870 up to the wider horizontal wire and squeeze through. the animals are near the posts for extended periods of feet of fence, creating 12 paddocks averaging four acres We have found that pastured pigs that are getting time or in regular contact with the posts. A farm that each. We did not install gates and have been using por- most of their nutrition from the pasture are hungry is transitioning to organic production will most likely table energized mesh fence to close off the paddocks. most of the time. They have to eat a lot of high-fiber, have the existing field fences grandfathered in, but The amount we spent on fencing simply serves as low-calorie food to grow. They will pressure the fence cannot use treated wood to replace broken posts. an example of how much cheaper fencing can be when a lot more than a grain-fed “pastured” hog. We should Always talk to your certifier before you install using existing materials such as our windbreak. The pric- have spent a little more money and gone with either fencing with treated posts. If you do install new treated ing research I did is worth sharing to help other farmers an 8-42-6 which has twice as many verticals and costs posts and don’t get caught right away, don’t expect estimate the cost to add fencing for pastured livestock. $.60 a foot, or a 13-48-12 which has horizontal wires to plead ignorance if you get caught years later by a The prices here reflect the cost of materials when much closer together and costs $.68 a foot. stricter inspector. If you install treated posts after you I started the project three years ago, although fence Five-inch diameter seven-foot-long treated posts have started your transition process you are out of costs have not changed very much since then. The are a good strong option for making pasture fence. compliance and could end up having to re-fence or cost of a straight run of fence is not very high; it’s the This size can be pounded in without shattering or can abandon a pasture. corners and gates that increase the price considerably. be augered in. This is a very common size that is often If you work out an agreement with your certifier A good rule of thumb if you are not planning to install on sale at farm stores and lumber yards. Metal T-posts to use treated posts in paddocks that are only flash the fence yourself is to double the materials cost. A can also make good line posts. Their advantage is they grazed, be sure to get your agreement in writing. Some professional will charge about as much for installation are cheaper than wood; you can often find used ones of the larger certification agencies have a lot of staff as materials. at farm auctions for a low price. T-posts can be put in turnover. Just because one certification specialist told Woven wire is $.45 per foot and the posts are $9 fairly quickly with just a post pounder. you that your posts are not a problem, doesn’t mean each. 1,000 feet of fence is $1,350 or $1.35 per foot. One T-posts have a few disadvantages. Installing the those same posts won’t be a problem for a new special- corner requires three posts in the ground and two woven wire can be trickier when you are stretching ist, certifier, or executive at your certification agency. posts for the top of the H-brace. Hardware for corners it and attaching it to metal posts than wood posts. is about $10. One corner adds $55.00. This style of fence should be anchored at one end Harry Hoch and his wife, Jackie, own Hoch Orchards A gate requires an H-brace on each side. That is then stretched with a clamp system and a tractor on and Gardens in La Crescent, Minn. another six posts, hardware, and about $150 for the gate the other end. Sliding the wire past a smooth round (depending on size) and its hardware. One gate adds post works well, but sliding wire against a T-post can $214. snag. The job will require a few more sets of hands. A site that is not square and requires many extra Attaching the wire to the T-post also requires a special corners is going to be more expensive. In fact, some- clip or cutting thousands of pieces of malleable wire Improve and protect your times it is cheaper to run a longer fence than putting in that can be twisted tight on the post. Attaching the organic farming profits three corners to go around an obstacle. Farmer ingenu- wire to wooden posts just requires pounding a few Sustaining organic producers by coordinating ity can reduce costs. Using an oak tree as a corner, or simple U-nails. the efforts of marketing groups. running up to an existing barbwire or electric fence Posts should be spaced with the type of livestock in Oren Holle, president 979 Second Road will save some money. mind. High-tensile woven wire fence can be stretched Bremen KS 66412 We used a moderately priced high-tensile woven tight and will not break if cattle or other heavy animals 785-337-2442 wire designed for multiple species. I can’t emphasize lean on it or push into it. You can space your line posts [email protected] www.ofarm.coop enough the value of knotted woven wire over old as far apart as 24 feet for some grazing animals. TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 17

Women in Sustainable Ag Conference NOSB Meeting MOSES is organizing this year’s conference for The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) women in sustainable ag. The event will be Oct. 17-19 meets April 24-26, 2019, in Seattle, Wash. This is the at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel in semiannual meeting for the board to hear comments downtown St. Paul, Minn. Details will be available from the public about substances used in organic soon at mosesorganic.org/WISA. NEWS BRIEFS production. Written comments and requests for a speaking time at the meeting must be received by In Her Boots Podcast April 4. Speaker slots are limited and are filled as The MOSES “In Her Workshop for Women Landowners in Wisconsin requests are received. The NOSB also will hold public Boots” podcast currently Are you a Wisconsin woman who owns agricultural comment webinars April 16 and 18. The NOSB has features interviews with acreage but doesn’t live there? This event can help you posted proposals and discussion documents online at Erin Schneider from learn how to care for your land. www.ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards- Hilltop Community Farm Do you rent from a female landowner? Please share board-nosb-meeting-seattle-wa. in LaFarge, Wis., where this opportunity with your landlord. she grows wide range of The MOSES In Her Boots project is again partner- National Organic Coalition Meeting vegetables, herbs, flowers, ing with the Natural Resource Conservation Service The National Organic Coalition (NOC) will and perennial fruit. New episodes post every Friday. (NRCS) and the Women, Food and Agriculture meet April 23, the day prior to the National Organic Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher, or listen at mosesor- Network (WFAN) in a unique Women Caring for the Standards Board (NOSB) meeting in Seattle. The ganic.org/in-her-boots-podcast. Land workshop that specifically targets women absen- meeting will cover the Farm Bill and organic policy tee landowners, helping this group learn about soil updates, a Q&A session with Jenny Tucker (head of New Organic Resource Directory health and conservation principles as well as connect the USDA National Organic Program), strengthening MOSES just published the 11th edition of the to federal and local programs that can fund conserva- enforcement of the organic standards domestically and Midwest Organic Resource Directory. The 80-page tion projects. internationally, regional updates from organic farmers, book lists buyers, processors, This free workshop will be held March 24 in a discussion of sanitizer use in organic, and other topics. suppliers, certification agencies, Madison and May 1 in Elkhorn. Two sessions will be RSVP at www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/events. consultants, resource organiza- offered each day at each site—a breakfast or lunch ses- tions, state and federal agen- sion—offering identical programming to give women NOSB Openings cies, and university programs. scheduling options.The workshop includes breakfast or The USDA is accepting nominations for five open Suppliers are broken out by tools, lunch. The program is free but registration is required. seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), soil inputs, livestock products, See mosesorganic.org/in-her-boots/events. the 15-member board which makes recommendations pest control, season extension, on the production, handling, and processing of USDA and seed to help you find the Donation from Salmon Shares certified organic products. Each member serves a five- supplies you need quickly and Sitka Salmon Shares, a major sponsor of the year term and represents specific sectors of the organic easily. The directory is available MOSES Conference, has donated over $600 to community. Current openings include one seat each for online as a free PDF download MOSES for farmer education. The funds were raised an environmental protection and resource conservation at mosesorganic.org/organic-resource-directory. To through the company’s give-back program—25 mem- representative, organic farmer, and organic retailer, and request a printed, spiral-bound book, email info@ bers of the MOSES community purchased seafood two seats for organic handlers. Nominations are due by mosesorganic.org or call 888-90-MOSES. shares during the one-month special offer. May 17, 2019. See bit.ly/NOSBopenings. ,�e•>:i=t•> NOW INTRODUCING Become a leader. Let us show you how mechanized harvesting can put you and BRÛLÉE BUTTERNUT SQUASH your business at the top of the industry! • Mini butternut with Brix levels akin to Honeynut • Exceptional yields from vigorous plants Organic Certification Lead, don't • Earlier, longer storing, and with stronger follow! PM tolerance than Honeynut With People You Trust Get your crops • Uniform ripening with traditional butternut color to market faster without sacrificing Crops, Livestock, Processing/Handling, Wild Crops quality. Gentle harvesting produces a 608-637-7080 premium www.naturesinternational.com product in much less In Nature there is abundance, with Nature there is success oxbo.com 800.628.6196 highmowingseeds.com 'Mention this ad when calling for a quote and we will send you a gift!

THERE’S SULFUR. AND THEN THERE’S SMART SULFUR.

SO4 is Smart Sulfur. Pelletized. Spreads evenly. Ideal solubility. Meets plant needs all growing season.

Ask your local crop advisor about SO4, or visit calciumproducts.com/SO4

00883_CalciumProducts_SO4_GrowerAds_10x4_JC_Finals_Print.indd 1 2/4/19 10:53 AM 18 | March | April 2019 TM

Food Hub Opportunity for Farmers tips on working with crop insurance agent. Reducing Fresh Picks Farmer Alliance, a collaborative food Risks Through Best Soil Health Management Practices hub network of organic and sustainable produce, meat in Organic Crop Production explores research on best and dairy farmers selling into Chicagoland, is seeking soil-building practices for resilience in the face of additional farmers. The Alliance has three anchor climate change. Both publications are free online as hubs: Springdale Farm in Plymouth, Wis., PrairiErth NEWS BRIEFS PDFs at ofrf.org/reports. Farm in Atlanta, Ill., and All Grass Farms in West Dundee, Ill. To learn more, email shelly@freshpicks. Managing Birds on Farms com or call Shelly at 847-410-0595. about these events and register online. Wisconsin Wild Farm Alliance has published a new resource, Farmers Union members are invited to join a group Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds, Organic Corn Research bus trip to participate in these events. to educate farmers on how they can use birds to aid in Organic corn growers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Links to more information: farm production. It includes information about using Wisconsin can contribute to research on genetic Heartland Forum: heartlandforum.splashthat.com birds as a part of pest control, creating on-farm habi- diversity of U.S. corn. Cathleen McCluskey, a graduate Farmers Bill of Rights: www.farmaction.us/fbor tats for beneficial birds, and increasing biodiversity student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is Register for the WFU Bus Trip: and farm resilience. See www.wildfarmalliance.org/ interviewing farmers to better understand how they wisconsinfarmersunion.growthzoneapp.com/ bird_resource. perceive and manage genetic diversity on their farms. maincalendar/details/heartland-forum-bus-trip-94562 Growers will receive a $100 stipend in exchange for Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions their time. To be considered for this research, email Wisconsin Pollinator Research The Organic Trade Association has launched its [email protected]. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin- Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program, which Madison are looking for grower collaborators in establishes a framework for businesses to continuously Heartland Forum & Farmer Bill of Rights Rally Wisconsin for a pollinator research project in the improve internal programs for achieving organic On March 30, the Heartland Forum and Farmers summer of 2019 and 2020. The project will evaluate integrity throughout their associated supply chains. Bill of Rights pre-forum rally will be held at Buena the impact of pollinator habitat on the wild bee com- For details, see /ota.com/news/press-releases/20518. Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. The Heartland munity, crop pollination, and yield. Farms must have Forum seeks to surface new, high-impact ideas established pollinator habitat and be willing to grow Documentary on Regenerative Farming for revitalizing America’s heartland communities. cucumbers and melons. For information, contact A new documentary series, “Farmer’s Footprint,” Presidential contenders are asked to present visions Dr. Hannah Gaines Day at [email protected] or showcases the grassroots regenerative agriculture and policy agendas designed to reverse rural and 774-392-0498. movement. The first film, “Farmer’s Footprint: The small-town issues ranging from agricultural consoli- Beginning,” showcases the lessons learned and gratify- dation and collapse of manufacturing to the disap- Risk Management Resources ing victories of the four-generation Breitkreutz family pearance of local journalism. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, The Organic Farming Research Foundation of Stoney Creek Farm in Redwood Falls, Minn., as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. John Delaney, and Rep. (OFRF), in cooperation with USDA-Risk Management they navigate away from conventional practices to Tim Ryan join HuffPost, Open Markets Action, the Agency, recently published two guidebooks: regenerative agriculture—just a few years of embrac- Iowa Farmers Union, and members of the Storm Lake Introduction to Crop Insurance for Organic and ing regenerative practices has healed their land while Times community to discuss issues of rural life and Transitioning Producers explains how crop insurance cutting their costs. See farmersfootprint.us. corporate power in America’s heartland. Learn more works for organic and transitioning farmers, as well as

PREMIUM West Star GROWING MIX Organics Serving the Upper Midwest •Balanced Nutrient Blend for Short & Long Term Growth Ensuring Organic Integrity Since 2002 •Beneficial Microbial Life for Maximum Nutrient Uptake •Disease & Pest Inhibitors for Healthier, Stronger Plants Organic No preorder required Certification Available when you need it - year round • HANDLERS Centrally located near Madison, WI - Delivery available • PROCESSORS Available by the Batch, 1+yd Tote, or 2+yd Tote • PRODUCERS • WILD CROP Approved for Organic Production • LIVESTOCK

local Made for Organic Growers responsive by an Organic Grower committed to service MINNESOTA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 1900 HENDON AVE, SAINT PAUL MN 55108 weststarorganics.com • 608-347-4346 855-213-4461 www.mciaorganic.org

INNOVATIVE, EFFECTIVE, MECHANICAL WEEDING SOLUTIONS FROM THE SPECIALISTS!

Camera Guidance

Next ‘G’eneration DUO

717-984-8980 [email protected] www.kult-kress.com Finger weeder TM mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 19

EQUIPMENT JOBS (continued)

Small grain, grasses and cover crop seeders to save a Looking for hard working, I mean hard working, trip. Gandy and Valmar models, multiple sizes. Starting at CLASSIFIEDS individual or individuals, who want a career in organic $2900. Call Paul at 763-286-2037. crop farming. Not looking for an employee, looking for a business partner. Excellent earning potential. Northern Place an ad at Organic Classifieds Farmall Super C with sidedress attachment. Very Illinois. [email protected] good condition. Also have 3 pt. mist sprayer with blower, or call 715-778-5775. like new. Iowa, 319 559 0373 mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds LIVESTOCK For Sale: JD 430 Rotary Hoe, 30 ft. folding, HD Stone Certified organic, grass fed Black Angus cows:25 Guard & Warning Flashers, $7500. Lilliston 6200 Bean head bred to Black Angus bull. Due to calve April- May. Combine, Sund Pickup Head, 16” Lift, $3500. David at FORAGES Northeast Iowa. 515-494-5204. [email protected] [email protected]. 989-430-3461. 90 round bales need to move. Mixed grass, certified Certified Organic, Grassfed Black Angus calves. 20 Wildcat Compost Turner. Model FX700,3 point model. organic, 600-700# average. Southwest Michigan. Delivery head. Weight: 500-600 #. Northeast Iowa , Cresco. 515-494- Requires110 HP tractor to operate. $8,000 or make offer. possible. (773) 680-8397. 5204. [email protected] Call for info. 715-284-2606. Certified Organic Alfalfa Hay in Bloomfield, IA. 5X6 Looking for 12-24 feeder cattle around 800# to 12 row 30’’ Red Dragon row crop flamerwith twin Round bales. Shedded. Test results available. Range purchase in April to finish on grass. Preferably Angus but 1000 gallon propane tanks on a gooseneck cart. Units 140-167 RFV depending on cutting. Doug Schock at willing to consider others. Please contact Mike at and tanks new in 2015 $17,500. 12 row 30’’ Bourquin weed 641twozeroeight0273 or [email protected]. [email protected]. puller new in 2017 $26,000 Vertical fold toolbar. Homebuilt 12 row 30’’ in row weeder has Lilleston cutaways and Lely GRAINS MISCELLANEOUS tine weeder units over the row $2500. 701-640-3476. Certified organic oats and succotash:Feed quality We Stock Dr. Paul’s organic approved Animal Health FARMS/LAND good test weight, 600 bushel of each. Northeast Iowa. Call: Products including Health Tinctures, Boluses, Aloe Pellets 515-494-5204. [email protected] with Garlic, Immune System Boosters, Calf Health Products, Farmland Auction-320 ac. Bureau Co., IL. Organic farm De-wormers and more. We sell wholesale and retail. Also offered in 3 tracts with house, and 10,000-bushel grain bin. Open Pollinated Corn Seed. Early Varieties 75, looking for dealers to stock our organic certified kelp meal, Tract 3 had 7700 ft. of tile installed in Spring 2018. Auction 85,87,90,105,110, and 120 Day Field corn. Sweet corn and Sea 90 Salt, Reed Sedge Peat (feed grade humated), etc. being held March 13, 2019 at 10 a.m. Deer Valley Banquets, pop corn. Free Catalog. Green Haven Open Pollinated Sunrise Seeds Plus, LLC. Topeka, Indiana 260-463-0380. Deer Grove, IL. Capital Agricultural Property Serv. by Timo- Seed Group. 607 566 9253. www.openpollinated.com thy A. Harris, IL auctioneer, 815-875-7418, timothy.a.harris@ Organic Onion Plants, Sedona, Redwing, Candy, White pgim.com or www.capitalag.com. Organic rye for sale. Feed quality. Sno Pac Farms, Wing, yellow and red Cipollini, and Leeks. Other varieties Caledonia MN. 507-725-5281. available upon request. $7 per 100, 1000 plant minimum, Organic Apple Orchard, contains 200 trees, plus cherry, certified by MOSA. Glen 563-379-3951 gitsfresh@gmail. peach and pear. Includes house with attached garage, JOBS com large shed, and walk in cooler. Asking $250,000. Contact Jeanette Scholtes at 507-261-0226. Seasonal Positions: Hiring now for seasonal positions to ORGANIC FISH FERTILIZER 15-1-1, 100% dry water start in June: mushroom worker, production lead, picker/ soluble, 5-7 times more nutritious than liquid fish. Will Farm For Sale -Take our Central WI farm forward: 20 acres, packer, and farmers market vendor. Cherry Tree House not clog drip irrigation. One lb., 5 lb. or 55 lb. packaging, new garage with attached kitchen, a four-bedroom two Mushrooms (aka Northwood Mushrooms) is a small farm can be shipped UPS. Frommelt Ag Service, Greeley, IA, bath remodeled farm house, pole shed, barn, greenhouse, near the Twin Cities specializing in log-grown organic 563-920-3674. fruit and nut trees, 10K solar system, walk-in cooler mushrooms. Benefits include free housing and mush- and fenced for rotational grazing. The farm has used rooms, $12 to $14 per hour. Find more details at north- For Sale: Tempered, insulated, double-pane glass. regenerative practices for years. Randy [email protected] woodmushrooms.com or call Jeremy at 612-205-8599. Large panes for sunrooms, solar homes, ag buildings, 715-305-5670. greenhouses or ??? One hundred fifty thousand sold FARMER Looking for organic, regenerative permaculture since 1979; 32” x 74” x 1” double-pane only $49.00. We For Sale: Chicken barn on 15 acres. Holds 20,000 farmer (raised beds/no till) northeastern soil, to manage will be closing or selling Arctic Glass in 12 months. If you chickens. Good business opportunity. 2 years old. Asking and expand farm and markets for growing farm and need glass now would be a good time! Arctic Glass, www. price $950,000 or make good offer. 618-516-2828 or retreat center on over 300 acres in Hudson Valley, New kissourglass.com, 715-639-3762 or [email protected]. [email protected] York. Experience with collaborative planning, budgeting. Interest in developing destination location and educational Nature Safe Fertilizer. We manufacture our own OMRI For Sale or Rent: 80 acres certified organic standing programs. Housing offered (if requested). Salary based on listed Amino Acid 15-0-1, a dry powder water soluble grass hay near Curtis, Wis. Jim at 715-255-9236. experience. Resume to [email protected] fertilizer. Use in your sprayer, drip irrigation or pivot. Sold by the ton in 55 lb. bags, super sacks. www.naturesafe.com Dairy Jobs: Grazing/Organic farmers in MN, MO, NY, PA, 616-566-0307. Place your ad to be seen by 15,000 readers! VT and WI are hiring fulltime employees to work and gain $20 for up to 30 words; $5/additional 10 words skills needed to become dairy farm managers and owners. mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds Visit https://www.dga-national.org.

The Ahimsä Alternative, Inc. HUMATES For all things Neem & Karanja Liquid

5, 15, or 55 gallon 100% Cold Pressed, Wild Harvested Neem Oil, Karanja Oil, Neem & Karanja Cake Dry super sacks-2400 Ibs. BIOLOGICAL INSECTICIDE

100% Cold Pressed Neem Oil (3750 ppm azadirachtin) OMRI certified

Controls Aphids, Army Worms, Beetles, Stink bugs, Caterpillars, Leaf hoppers, Leaf miners, Whitefly, Mealy bugs, Midges, Nematodes, Spider mites, Weevils, Other dry water soluble Scale, Thrips. www.nimbiosys.com 7-6-4 16-0-0 TerraNeem®EC Biological Insecticide, Miticide, Fungicide, Nematicide Cold Pressed Neem Oil Ready to Use Frommelt Ag Greeley, IA For Organic & Sustainable Use 4-hour REI Zero days to harvest Order @www.neemresource.com or call 1-877-873-6336 563-920-3674 20 | March | April 2019 TM

Deep Winter Greenhouse Field Day MFA Field Day: Asparagus April 4 | $ | Cold Spring, Minn. May 18 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | $20 | Marine of St. Croix, Minn. Check out Green Winter Gardens’ DWG and learn about UMN Learn the basics of asparagus production in Minnesota, includ- horticulture, economics, and design research projects concern- COMMUNITY ing site selection, ground prep, sourcing crowns, equipment ing this exciting and emerging production system. There will needs, installation, care, harvest, and markets. Taught by also be hands-on DWG production training for those interested experienced asparagus farmers and extension educators, class in growing in their own DWG in the near future. Green Winter CALENDAR includes planting asparagus at Big River Farms. Light lunch Gardens 320-363-4401 or Greg Schweser 612-625-9706 provided. Contact Laura at [email protected], or Find details and event links online: call 651-433-3676. The Herbal Apprentice: From Self Care to Community April 6 & 7 | $ | North Branch, Minn. mosesorganic.org/community OTA Organic Week WEI (Women’s Enviromental Institute) presents a workshop on May 20 – 23 | $ | Washington, D.C. the intuitive art and solid science of botanical medicine with Organic Trade Association hosts members and others for 3 Master Herbalist Gigi Stafne. 651-583-0705 days of advocacy to advance organic policy priorities. ota.com MFA Farm Tour: Season Extension & Farm Efficiency – LSP Workshop: Farm Dreams 10th Street Farm & Market MOSES Organic Field Day: April 7 | $ | Minneapolis, Minn. April 27 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | $20 | Afton, Minn. Begin a Farmstead Micro-Creamery Farm Dreams is a four-hour workshop designed to help people Hosted in partnership with Land Stewardship Project. 10th May 23 | Free | Clear Lake, Wis. clarify what motivates them to farm, get their vision on paper, Street uses a combination of low acreage-high production Cosmic Wheel Creamery is a micro-dairy that processes the inventory their strengths and training needs, and get perspec- farming methods, organic practices and extended season tools milk from 20 grass-fed cows on the farm into artisan cheese tive from an experienced farmer. Each registration fee covers to grow their CSA, wholesale, and farm stand customers. Light that is direct marketed via CSA and farmers markets. We invite up to two people per family or farm. snacks & refreshments provided. To register contact Laura at you to see their farm and creamery, discuss how they decided To register call 507-523-3366. [email protected], or call 651-433-3676. the best way to integrate the dairy into their existing business, the legal and regulatory requirements to start a value added MFA Class: Organic Fertility & Pest Prevention MOSES: Women Caring for the Land dairy, marketing, and their decision to milk seasonally and once April 10 | 5:45 – 8 p.m. | $20 | Marine of St. Croix, Minn. May 1 | 8 – 10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Madison, Wis. a day. 715-778-5775 or mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days/ This class will discuss strategies farmers can use to make smart The 2019 workshopsare uniquely tailored for women who decisions around fertility and also will discuss the organic own farmland but do not live on it. These landowners will inputs used at Big River Farms, and demonstrate how to safely learn about conservation resources and how to best work with and correctly apply them. Finally, review how to document farmer tenants and management companies. 715-778-5775 or usage for your records and Organic Certification. To register call mosesorganic.org/in-her-boots/events Organic Field Peas 651-433-3676. OMRI Inoculants MFA Class: Irrigation OMRI Seed Treatments Yellow Field Peas Meat Goat Workshop May 1 | 5:45 – 8 p.m. | $20 | Marine of St. Croix, Minn. Green Field Peas April 13 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Clear Lake, Minn. Learn about the different irrigation options for small-scale Lentils Grower Learn about grazing goats for profit, kidding and goat health, vegetable farming and the pros and cons of each, including a Faba Beans feed and marketing strategies, and farm security and more. hands-on demonstration of how to install a drip-tape system. Cowpeas Inquiries Lunch is included. [email protected] or 612-810-0534. To register and find out about scholarships and multi-class Forages Welcome! discounts, contact Laura at [email protected], or Cover Crops Oyster Mushroom Cultivation call 651-433-3676. Wildlife Blends Custom Seed Blending April 13 | $ | North Branch, Minn. WEI (Women’s Enviromental Institute) presents a workshop Bismarck, ND www.pulseusa.com 701-530-0734 on growing oyster mushrooms year-round on straw, coffee grounds, and other media using low-tech methods. Partici- pants will take a small bag of inoculated substrate home to fruit. 651-583-0705

Homegrown Minneapolis Community Food Forum April 17 | 5 – 7:30 p.m. | Minneapolis, Minn. Program to feature Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremy Schroeder, University of Minnesota professor Anu Ramaswami, and Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council and staff. 612-673-3553.

The Sun Hive – Making a Biodynamic Beehive April 20 | $ | North Branch, Minn. WEI (Women’s Enviromental Institute) presents a workshop on The Sun Hive, a biodynamic beehive made of rye straw. This uniquely shaped hive is comprised of two skeps (baskets), held together by wooden support structures and uses top bar hive frames. This is a hands-on workshop and students will focus on the craft of weaving. 651-583-0705

MOSES: Women Caring for the Land April 24 | 10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Elkhorn, Wis. The 2019 workshops are uniquely tailored for women who own farmland but do not live on it. These landowners will learn about conservation resources and how to best work with farmer tenants and management companies. 715-778-5775 or mosesorganic.org/in-her-boots/events