Volume 23 | Number 3 Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service May | June 2015

High consumer demand makes Sunn hemp gains popularity as stress-tolerant cover crop ancient wheats hot commodities By Audrey Alwell Sunn hemp is a fast-growing, By Steve Zwinger and Elizabeth Dyck nitrogen-fixing soil builder that The ancient wheats—einkorn, emmer, Midwest growers are just starting to and spelt—are “trendy” right now thanks to appreciate as a cover crop. Like other demand by increasing numbers of consum- cover crops, sunn hemp (Crotalaria ers. There is something intriguing about eat- juncea L.) suppresses weeds, reduces ing grains that were domesticated in ancient erosion, and improves soil tilth. It’s this times—at least 10,000 years ago in the case legume’s ability to thrive in poor soil of einkorn and emmer, while the more “mod- conditions and withstand drought, heat ern” spelt has been part of the human diet for and wind while producing tons of bio- thousands of years. For a number of reasons, mass that is getting growers’ attention. the renewed interest in these grains may be Sunn hemp is a warm-season not just a passing fad, but a lasting part of both annual that grows upright and tall, healthy diets and sustainable cropping systems. reaching a height of 4 to 6 feet in 60 Sunn hemp has bright yellow flowers that bloom at about 60 days. Research shows that these crops, when days. It has simple, oblong-shaped Due to its rapid growth and nitrogen-fixing capability, sunn hemp is eaten as whole grain or whole grain flour leaves that are 2.5 to 5 inches long. gaining popularity as a cover crop in the Midwest. can deliver significant nutritional benefits. Branching occurs about 2 feet from the Photo by Molokai Seed Company All three ancient wheats tend to be higher in ground or higher if planted in a thick mineral content and protein than many com- stand as a green manure crop. The plant has a crop also can be rolled down to create an effective mon wheat varieties. The yellow-gold color of strong taproot and well-developed lateral roots ground cover. While reported totals vary, sunn einkorn kernels and flour is due to high con- with branched and lobed nodules. Research has hemp can produce as much as 6,000 pounds of centrations of lutein, a carotenoid that reduces shown it suppresses parasitic nematode popula- biomass and 145 pounds of actual nitrogen per risk of “aging” diseases, such as high blood tions in the soil. acre in 60 days. pressure and macular degeneration. Emmer To use as a green manure, the Natural Sunn hemp has been used to improve soil in has a lower glycemic index than common wheat Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recom- tropical regions for centuries. In countries such as and may be of special value for diabetics. Some mends mowing and plowing it under at bud or India and Bangladesh, farmers grow sunn hemp consumers also report that these grains are early bloom stage (around 60 days) when the for livestock forage—the leaves are 30% protein— more easily digested than common wheat. nitrogen content is high and decomposition will and fiber, since the plant has a fibrous stalk when be rapid. If sunn hemp is left to grow longer it allowed to mature. To Ancient Wheats on page 12 becomes fibrous and difficult to turn under. The To Sunn Hemp on page 6

Group finds advantages in working together to serve market By Jody Padgham There’s a growing market for grass-fed, locally Bob Rice of Muskeg Ridge Farm near Iron River raised poultry, but access to processing and the recently joined the group. All of the operations are high cost of quality feed create challenges for diversified, with some full-time and others part- Don’t miss an issue! small-scale poultry operations. The farmers of time farmers. PPP provides processing, joint pur- Check the date in the address box below. Pasture Perfect Poultry (PPP), an LLC operating chasing and marketing to its members. PPP will Renew online or call Carly at 715-778-5775. near the southern shore of Lake Superior outside sell over 3,000 pastured broilers and 250 turkeys of Ashland, Wis., have found a sustainable way to this year to customers throughout the region. overcome these challenges by working collectively. Chris said the group’s goals from the beginning Picked up this publication at an event? “There is lots to be gained in working have been to enable individual farmers to stay together,” claimed founding member Chris Duke. in production, make enough money for poultry to Subscribe now — this free newspaper “Each member has skills that they bring to the be worthwhile and sustainable, and stay friends. group that helps to make it strong.” Numerous long discussions and a well-crafted comes out 6 times/year in print and online. Pasture Perfect Poultry was created in 2007 operating agreement, based on a model created by by three neighboring farmers as a solution to a Jason, (who is the area’s Agricultural Extension mosesorganic.org/sign-up lack of poultry processing facilities. The farmers, Agent), have been key. Chris and his family of Great Oak Farm near “It seemed like a lot of work at the time. After Mason, Jay Cablk and Carrie Linder of Vranes all, we’re just friends, working together,” Chris

Farm near Benoit, and Jason and Melissa Fis- remembered. “But now I’m really grateful. The chbach of Wild Hollow Farm outside of Sanborn, operating agreement provides the organizational (all about 15 miles apart) were each raising small framework.” numbers of pastured poultry and selling to neigh- The operating agreement describes how new bors and friends. farmers can buy into the group, and how a farm can Eau Claire,Eau WI PERMIT # 203 “We all came to the same crux,” Chris leave. Production practices are detailed, and the NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID explained. “We could sell every bird we raised, financial end of things is laid out. The agreement is but we struggled with access to able and consis- revisited every year, and revised if needed. Annual tent processing.” meetings, held each fall, are used to discuss the Each had explored a diversity of processing year’s outcomes and hash through any issues. options, including driving three hours to an inspected plant, but found none were sustain- Solving the Processing Dilemma

able. Efficient poultry processing equipment is The group’s first joint activity was to solve the available, but not cost-effective for small-scale processing dilemma. After doing research, the producers. Chris and Jason started talking, and group decided to set up a mobile processing plant quickly recognized that there was more to be that the farmers could take from farm to farm, gained by collaborating than competing. Jay was and agreed to each contribute labor to run the Please renew beforePlease your subscription expires! it soon brought into the conversation, and the three plant. While able to utilize some equipment Chris farmers began exploring how they could work already had, they decided to buy a really nice, together to overcome obstacles. thermostatically controlled rotary scalder with a Nine years later, Pasture Perfect Poultry is a timer from PoultryMan equipment in Pennsylva- 715-778-5775 | mosesorganic.org 715-778-5775 PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Spring Valley, 339, PO Box thriving group with five farm members—Brian nia for over $3,200. Clements of Northcroft Farm in Moquah and To Poultry Processing on page 8 Notes from the TM Executive Director’s Desk Volume 23 #3 May | June 2015 Spring is here and it’s hard not to get excited when the sun is warm, Executive Director Faye Jones there’s green grass and everything is springing to life with new growth. Managing Editor Audrey Alwell The MOSES staff is busy planning field days and our summer activities—we’ll have them up on our field day webpage soon. Find Contributing Editors Harriet Behar Organic Field Days at mosesorganic.org under the Events tab. We’ve Jody Padgham also listed our summer field days on page 9 in this issue. This year Advertising Coordinator Eric Hatling many of our field days feature cover crops; cover crops have gone from organic to mainstream in just a few years. Every agricultural paper I read has something on cover crops. Online Coordinator Carly Stephenson Greg and Mary Reynolds of River Bend Farm, the 2015 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year, are hosting a field day on Sept. 15. They grow a diversity of fresh market vegetables and have extensive cover crops to The Organic BroadcasterTM is a bimonthly build soil health. Greg has been saving and selecting seed that work well on his farm. You can see Greg’s newspaper published by the Midwest Organic talk from the 2015 MOSES Organic Farming Conference on our website conference page. and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), a In addition to our own field days, we are proud to sponsor Practical Farmers of Iowa’s (PFI) field day nonprofit that promotes organic and sustainable agriculture through education, resources and program featuring over 50 events this summer. The PFI field day schedule comes out later in May—watch practical advice. for updates on our online community calendar (also under the Events tab). That’s where you can find many other summer trainings, field days and workshop to help farmers learn more about successfully using Opinions expressed by the authors do not organic and sustainable farming practices. necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply A wide range of topics are covered in this issue—everything from growing ancient wheat to using endorsement of a product. We reserve the right fermented grape extract to de-worm lambs. (They used organic Pinot Noir!) Don’t miss the story on the to refuse inappropriate advertising. poultry farmers who found an interesting way to overcome issues with processing and marketing. The © 2015 MOSES “Inside Organics” column on the next page also is worth your attention. Once again, Harriet Behar dives into a topic that many of us might not be aware of, and makes the case for fixing it. Content may be reprinted with permission. Contact [email protected]. After reading the cover story on sunn hemp, I’m excited to try it as a summer cover crop on my farm. It grows rapidly and is stress tolerant—both great features for summer cover crops. A group of us in the Display Advertising: MOSES office are going to buy seed together to share and compare our results growing it. [email protected] or 715-778-5775 Sharing is what MOSES is all about—just about every resource we’ve created for farmers is available free on our website to read, download, and share. There’s so much knowledge packed into that website, and Content Submissions or Inquiries: more people than ever are accessing it. I hope you’ve found help there, too, or through our Organic Answer [email protected] Line (715-778-5775). MOSES exists to help you farm. Browse our website 24/7 or call us weekdays to get Free Subscription: answers to your farming and certification questions. mosesorganic.org/sign-up or 715-778-5775 Wishing you all a productive and safe farming season. ~ Faye Jones, MOSES Executive Director

MOSES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit qualified to receive tax-deductible donations. MOSES Staff: Board of Directors: Please support our programs and this FREE publication with a donation: Faye Jones, Executive Director | [email protected] David Abazs, Treasurer Round River Farm, Minn. MOSES, P.O. Box 339,Spring Valley, WI 54767 Audrey Alwell, Communications Director | [email protected] Mike Bollinger | River Root Farm, Iowa Harriet Behar, Organic Specialist | [email protected] Online: mosesorganic.org/donate Sylvia Burgos Toftness, Vice President Sarah Broadfoot, Registration Coor. | [email protected] Bull Brook Keep, Wis. Dave Campbell | Lily Lake Organic Farm, Ill. MOSES educates, inspires, empowers Eric Hatling, Business Relations Coordinator | [email protected] farmers to thrive in a sustainable, Darlene Coehoorn Lisa Kivirist, Rural Women’s Project Coor. | [email protected] Viewpoint Organic Acres, Wis. organic system of agriculture. Cathy Olyphant, Administrative Assistant | [email protected] Carmen Fernholz, President A-Frame Farm, Minn. Jody Padgham, Financial Director | [email protected] Melinda Hemmelgarn, Secretary Carly Stephenson, Communications Coor. | [email protected] Food Sleuth, LLC, Mo. Nick Olson | Prairie Drifter Farm, Minn. 715-778-5775 • mosesorganic.org Carla Wright | Savanna Hill, Wis.

2 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 INSIDE ORGANICS

Let’s get serious about taking ingredients off §205.606 What are the barriers to producing this ingredient By Harriet Behar in an organic form? While most organic producers are aware of 1. Is there insufficient raw organic agricultural produc- the National Organic Program’s National List Commercially available: tion within the necessary proximity of the main of prohibited natural and approved synthetic manufacturing facility? Shipping costs are not to be substances, many may not be aware of the last The ability to obtain a production input in an part of the consideration. section 205.606. This section allows agricultural appropriate form, quality or quantity to fulfill 2. What proximity constraints are in place for either a manufactured or raw agricultural commodity ingredients that are not organic to be included an essential function in a system of organic in “organic” labeled products (usually 95 percent in organic form? Examples include perishability, or more organic agricultural ingredients) at any production or handling, as determined by the political climate (war zone) of the area where the amount if “commercially available” organic ingre- agricultural production occurs or the location of the certifying agent in the course of reviewing the manufacturing facility. dients cannot be found. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) must place these “not organic plan. 3. Are there other manufacturing facilities that may commercially available as organic” agricultural have organic agricultural raw ingredient production products on the National List. nearby, or could be enticed to produce this ingredi- ent in an organic form? Organic certification agencies or food proces- without having a clear volume price to be paid sors cannot determine non-commercially avail- and a solid buyer contracting to purchase this 4. If raw agricultural production is required in a spe- able status on their own. Even if the agricultural ingredient. Are there no organic growers and cific climate or soil type where there currently is no ingredient is on §205.606, organic processors are processors of chipotle chile peppers? There is organic production and prospects for organic pro- supposed to annually prove to their certification organic celery, what is the barrier to producing duction are difficult, has production in other areas of the world been researched and work begun to agencies that they are searching for the ingredi- organic celery powder? I know many people grow- develop new sources of organic crop production of ent in an organic form. Since these ingredients ing organic elderberries; why aren’t the buyers of the source ingredients for this product? are on the National List for five years until they the elderberry juice color working with the color hit their sunset review date, it is important that manufacturers to source organic elderberries? 5. If there is only non-organic production near a manu- certifiers continue to require this search in case The NOSB has reviewed and clarified the facturing facility, what are the barriers to having these producers transition some or all of their pro- an organic form becomes available during that protocols for farmers to meet both the letter and duction to organic? five-year period. spirit of the law when they use non-organic seed If a food manufacturer wants to use a non- in organic production under the “commercial 6. Has the petitioner or users of this §205.606 ingredi- organic agricultural ingredient that is not on availability” exemption. The same clarification ent worked with both the manufacturing facilities 205.606—even if it is less than 5 percent of the and consistency of implementation has not been and pools of growers in the area to develop a supply of raw organic crops to produce this ingredient? product—the finished product will move down done for materials used in processing, which the organic labeling hierarchy, and the product are also subject to a “commercial availability” 7. Is the demand for this ingredient across the organic would be in the “made with organic” category. requirement. It is time to provide these protocols, industry sufficient to meet the minimum manufac- When the organic regulation was implemented to petitioners for new items to add to the §205.606 turing production run? in 2002, there were quite a few ingredients that list as well as items up for renewal under the 8. Have all possible manufacturers of this ingredient were considered not commercially available as sunset review process. been researched to determine their minimum pro- organic. Hops was on this list for 10 years, and All barriers to the production of an organic duction runs and regions where the raw agricultural organic beer was produced with non-organic hops, alternative must be comprehensively reviewed by ingredient or ingredients are grown? using this allowance for non-organic ingredients. the NOSB, beyond just making a few phone calls 9. Can the ingredient be manufactured from not only Hops is no longer on the list, and organic beer and not finding the product available. Only after raw agricultural ingredients, but possibly a secondary now contains this important ingredient in an it is clearly shown that the barriers to commer- manufactured ingredient, such as beet color made organic form. cial availability are insurmountable should the not only from raw organic beets, but also from a Organic production worldwide has expanded non-organic agricultural ingredient be allowed on preprocessed beet juice or beet powder that could to the point that just about anything that can §205.606 as not being commercially available. be obtained in an organic form? Another example be grown or produced non-organically, could be Agricultural ingredients are subject to many would be instant nonfat dry milk powder made not just from liquid organic skim milk, but from non- produced organically. As the number and toxic- different types of production and manufacture instant organic nonfat dry milk powder. ity of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides used norms. There are minimum production runs in on non-organic crops increase, it becomes more order for a manufacturer to consider the produc- 10. Is the process under which this product is manufac- important that this list of non-organic ingredients tion of an organic equivalent, making it difficult tured patented, and if so, is the manufacturer willing allowed in organic foods shrinks at a much more to source small amounts. However, if handlers to produce an organic equivalent? rapid pace than what we are currently seeing. worked with others—even their competitors—to 11. If the ingredient is of limited quantity due to manu- Consumers expect their purchases to support consolidate orders to meet the minimum run facturing constraints other than lack of availability of the human and environmental health benefits of requirements, it may become possible to produce raw organic crops, what are these constraints? organic farming, and when we allow these non- that same ingredient organically, making it com- 12. If there is an exclusive-use agreement with select organic ingredients in organically labeled foods, mercially available. buyers that effectively removes access to an organic organic consumers are not getting what they Another roadblock might be the need to con- or §205.606 ingredient by their competitors, causing assume they are paying for. In addition, organic tract for agricultural production of organic crops them to request a different ingredient to be put on farmers are not reaping the benefits of selling necessary for manufacturing a product. Unless §205.606 as a replacement? Is this market constraint more raw organic agricultural products to the growers know there is a market for a particular agreement transparent and considered an accept- marketplace. The National Organic Program crop, they will probably not grow it. A contract able reason for inclusion on §205.606 by the NOSB? must implement systems that would result in with a buyer can help overcome that barrier. A 13. If this §205.606 ingredient is a fraction of another more aggressive development of organic equiva- consistent checklist should be developed to help agricultural ingredient, such as wheat germ from lents for the non-organic ingredients on §205.606. the NOSB determine not only if the ingredients wheat, has the availability of this organic frac- Eighteen of the items on §205.606 are colors on the National List are available as organic, but tion been requested? Have the manufacturers of derived from agricultural products, items such also identify the stumbling blocks to producing it the whole agricultural product been approached to see if they can produce the required organic as elderberry juice color or pumpkin juice color. organically. sub-ingredient? Other items include celery powder, chipotle chile See the box for examples of questions that peppers, and whey protein concentrate. should be answered by all new petitioners and 14. If the non-organic ingredient is typically a crop that It has been said that listing an item on the NOSB when reviewing both new and sunset is grown mostly or wholly on contract, and may be a §205.606 is an advertisement to manufacturers items for §205.606. Ingredients listed in §205.606 perennial, such as hops, has the petitioner explained to the satisfaction of the NOSB, why pre-contracting that there is a market for an organic version of should not only be currently unavailable in the with organic producers for the ingredient is impos- this ingredient, but this is somewhat naïve. Buy- marketplace in an organic form, but also have sible or extremely difficult? ers, who are now allowed to purchase and use the barriers to its production that are difficult-to- lower-priced non-organic ingredients, need to do impossible to overcome. Depending on the ingredient, there may be other barri- more to stimulate the production of these ingre- ers to organic production that are not listed above, and dients as organic—more than just “being ready the petitioner, as well as the NOSB should be researching these barriers and deciding if they are sufficiently difficult to buy them” if and when they are produced. In Harriet Behar is the MOSES Organic Specialist who that these non-organic ingredients must be put on the represents MOSES on the National Organic Coalition and the manufacturing world, most processors will National List. not take the chance on making a new product National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 3 Manage seasonal cash shortages with farm operating loan By Paul Dietmann and Ron Bula Most farm operations encounter months in you might encounter during the year. Your line- needs to be completely paid off within one year. which the money coming in from sales of milk, of-credit should cover that amount, plus a bit One unique feature of an operating loan is that livestock, produce or other products is not quite more. there usually is not a required monthly payment. enough to cover all of the bills. Hopefully, the The month-by-month projection should start The farm makes payments on the operating loan farm’s checking account balance is enough to with the amount of cash on-hand on the first as cash becomes available. Loan payments are carry it through until cash flow turns positive of the month. To that amount, add all expected first applied to cover accrued interest and then to again. But what if the checking account runs dry? income each month (including non-farm income) pay down the principal balance. The flexibility of What will the farm family do to get by? and subtract all cash expenses being paid out not having a set monthly payment is nice but it is Often, the first move when cash runs short is each month. The monthly cash outflow should important to have the discipline to pay down the to slash family living costs such as health insur- include all operating expenses, scheduled princi- operating loan as soon as you are able. You don’t ance. Next, decisions are made about which bills pal and interest payments on loans, and family want to reach the end of the year and suddenly absolutely must be paid and which can be pushed living expenses. The bottom line will be a predic- have to pay back the entire operating loan in one off for a month or two. Some farms may opt to tion of that month’s ending cash balance and the lump sum. use vendor financing programs at 7-10% interest beginning cash balance for the following month. After your first year of successful experience rates, or pay bills with credit cards that accrue with your farm operating loan, you may be able to interest at 18% or more. We once worked with a Tip: Badgerland Financial offers a fillable spread- renew it for a term longer than one year. farm family that dealt with negative cash flow by sheet to help you project your month-by-month cash The benefits of having an operating loan avail- taking a loan with a household finance company flow. Go to badgerlandfinancial.com/en/Pages/ able for your farm’s use are obvious. However, at an interest rate in excess of 30%! Any of these Resources.aspx and select “Simple Cash Flow an operating loan also carries its own risks. The strategies can potentially damage a farmer’s Projection Worksheet” under the fourth bullet. biggest risk is the possibility of not being able to credit rating and make it more difficult to operate pay it off within a year. This sometimes happens in the future. Going through a month-by-month cash flow when the operating loan is used to purchase farm There is a better way to deal with periodic projection is a very valuable planning exercise equipment or other capital assets. That can be cash flow shortages but it requires some planning for any farm of any size. After reviewing the rectified by shifting the equipment off of the oper- ahead. If you wait until you run short of cash, it’s projection, you might decide to make changes in ating loan to a longer term loan. A more serious likely too late. The best way to prepare for sea- your farm enterprises that will smooth out the situation is when the operating loan is used for its sonal cash shortages is to establish an operating farm’s cash flow. Maybe you’ll decide to build up intended purpose—short term cash expenses— loan for the farm. the farm’s working capital reserves during good but there isn’t enough cash flow during the year An operating loan is essentially a short-term months to reduce the need for a line-of-credit. to pay off the loan. reserve fund held by a lender that is available for Perhaps you’ll choose to work off-farm at certain A rise in interest rates is another potential the farm to use when cash flow is tight. Interest times of the year to supplement farm cash flow. risk with operating loans. Often, an operating rates are typically less than vendor financing or Applying for an operating loan is similar to loan will have a variable interest rate, which credit cards. Interest charges only accrue when applying for any other type of farm loan. Your means the rate can possibly change each month. funds from the line-of-credit are being used, and lender will need a recent, detailed balance sheet Some lenders offer operating loans that are tied stop accruing when the funds are paid back. If that lists all of your farm’s assets and liabilities. to an index such as the prime lending rate or the the operating loan is never used, it generally He or she will also need several years of tax London Interbank Offer Rate (Libor), which can won’t cost you anything to have it available just returns and will want a copy of your month-by- reduce the risk associated with a potential inter- in case you might need it. Once the operating month cash flow projection. The underwriting est rate increase. loan has been established, funds can be accessed process will include a check of your credit bureau There are many tools that farmers can use to quickly with an electronic transfer to the farm’s report. accomplish tasks on the farm. Consider an operat- checking account or other means. The first time you take an operating loan, the ing loan to be a helpful financial tool to include in To establish an operating loan, you first must lender will likely ask for collateral to secure the your toolbox. decide the maximum amount of operating credit loan in the event that you are not able to pay it the farm might need to have available. The best back. The collateral might be a security interest Paul Dietmann is the Emerging Markets Specialist and way to make this decision is with a month-by- in crops or livestock, machinery, or other assets. Ron Bula is an agriculture lender at Badgerland Financial, month cash flow projection that covers at least Because an operating loan is only intended to be a member-owned Farm Credit System institution in one full year. Look for the biggest monthly deficit used for short-term cash flow needs, it typically southern Wisconsin.

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4 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 ASK A MOSES SPECIALIST

crops. You can ask your certifier what the agency’s rinse again. Poly tanks are porous so you may policy is on OMRI-listed brand name products need to repeat this procedure a few times. to help you when deciding which products to Replace all rubber parts including hoses, purchase. washers, and nozzles with new ones, as these are Since product formulations may change period- very difficult to clean completely. ically, certifiers will want you to update each year Many certifiers require that once you have con- what inputs you are purchasing and using, so verted this piece of equipment from non-organic they can check that they have current ingredient to organic production, you can no longer use it for information to verify the product is still in compli- spraying prohibited materials. In other words, if ance with the organic regulations. you are sharing this piece of equipment with a MOSES Organic Specialists answer your questions It can be frustrating to know that some certifi- non-organic farmer, or you manage split produc- about organic production and certification. ers accept a product and others may not. However, tion on your own farm, you may need to dedicate the National Organic Program is currently work- this sprayer, once cleaned, to organic and not go CALL: Organic Answer Line ing with the National Organic Standards Board back and forth between organic and non-organic 888-551-4769 or 715-778-5775 to develop procedural guidelines for certifiers and use, even if you perform this cleaning activity organizations like OMRI, who review and approve each time. Check with your certification agency SUBMIT: Send us your question— click these inputs for organic producers. Once these on its policy for sprayer use to see if it mandates the “Ask a Specialist” button at guidelines and NOP oversight are in place, this dedication to organic. mosesorganic.org/ask. should provide a level of confidence between certi- fiers where they feel comfortable allowing the use READ: Browse answers to previously of brand name products that have been reviewed asked questions at and approved by another certifier who has met mosesorganic.org/ask. these NOP guidelines.

DOWNLOAD: Organic Fact Sheets at mosesorganic.org/publications/ “I would like to purchase an older sprayer that had been organic-fact-sheets. used with prohibited synthetic materials. Can I do this and use this sprayer to apply products approved for organic production?” “My neighbor is certified organic by a different agency Answer by Harriet Behar than I am. He uses a blended fertilizer product on his Yes, you can purchase and use this sprayer. certified organic land. Can I use the same fertilizer on my However, you will need to perform some cleaning organic land?” and refurbishment activities and document these Answer by Harriet Behar before you may use it on organic land. Since the materials you use are part of your Most certifiers recommend a clear water rinse specific organic system plan, you must verify with first. Completely fill the tank and spray it until your own agency if it has reviewed and approved empty on non-organic land. Second, fill the tank this product before you apply it to organic land again with diluted household ammonia, such as or crops. Some, but not all, certification agencies one quart of ammonia per 125 gallons. Run this will accept any OMRI-listed products, but you through the sprayer again on non-organic land. still must inform your agency if you choose to add Perform another clear water rinse as above. If you an OMRI-listed product to your Organic System continue to smell the residues of the prohibited Plan’s list of inputs used on your organic land or chemicals, do another ammonia and clear water

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mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 5 Sunn Hemp — from page 1 Researchers in the U.S. first looked at sunn While Molokai Seed’s Tropic Sun is the only “It grew well in our mix and I really liked the hemp for production here in the 1930s, but aban- certified organic sunn hemp seed available in the way the stalks stood over winter,” Bakehouse doned it when they found the plant won’t set seed U.S., other seed sources are available. Cover Crop said. He said they did have some trouble with above 28 degrees N latitude—only Hawaii, the Solutions out of Pennsylvania sources untreated the stalks wrapping around the closing wheels Florida peninsula and southern Texas are below non-GMO sunn hemp seed out of Asia and sells it when directly planting beans into the stubble, but that latitude. Today’s Midwest farmers find sunn under the brand name Tillage Sunn™ through a nothing that would prevent him from planting hemp’s inability to form seed appealing—it’s non- system of distributors nationally. Tillage Sunn™ it again. He noted that it’s definitely a summer invasive and easy to control in the field. is another line of Crotalaria juncea. Cover Crop cover crop. In the early 1980s, the NRCS and the Univer- Solutions also offers sunn hemp as part of its “It needs some good growing days, and is sity of Hawaii collaborated on a sunn hemp culti- TillageMax™ mix with sorghum sudangrass and expensive, so we don’t usually include it in our var called “Tropic Sun.” Seed from the Tropic Sun Tillage Radish®. fall-planted covers,” he added. Sunn hemp seed cultivar can be produced consistently in the U.S. Several members of Practical Farmers of Iowa can run from $2 to $5 a pound, depending on the only in Hawaii. Molokai Seed Company, owned (PFI) experimented with sunn hemp both by quantity ordered, making it cheaper than alfalfa and operated by Bradley Sakamoto, is a 35-acre itself and as part of diverse cover crop mixes in or clover, but more expensive than other legume farm in Hawaii that has been growing Tropic 2013 and 2014. They sourced non-organic seed cover crops. Sun organically since 2011. The farm was certi- from Green Cover Seed in Bladen, Neb., which fied organic in 2014. Sakamoto said Tropic Sun is sells sunn hemp sourced from South Africa. PFI Planting, Growing Sunn Hemp the only sunn hemp cultivar that has research to released a four-page fact sheet in March detailing Sunn hemp grows best on well-drained soils prove it’s nontoxic to livestock. the farmers’ experiences with “quick turnaround with a pH from 5 to 7.5. The NRCS recommends “Other species of Crotalaria contain poison- cover crops.” (See bit.ly/QuickCovers.) In general, planting it in early June when the soil is at least ous alkaloids and, under certain conditions, can the plant germinated well and provided good 65 degrees or up to eight weeks before the first fall be toxic to animals,” he explained. “Forage guys biomass and nitrogen. frost. The seed requires a cowpea-type inoculant are quickly realizing that animals will eat Tropic Rick Hartmann of Small Potatoes Farm near to ensure effective nodulation, as some soils may Sun virtually over any other crop. This is a huge Minburn, Iowa participated in the “quick turn- not contain the correct Bradyrhizobium strain. potential for cattle, goat, sheep, and rabbit farm- around” project. He compared sunn hemp with The NRCS recommends a broadcast rate of ers, or even guys just wanting to grow a food plot several other cover crops on his vegetable farm 40 to 60 pounds per acre, using the higher seed- for deer.” and said he liked it. ing rates when the crop will be turned under in Dion Puzon, Jr., the CEO and publisher of “It is a good summer cover crop and one of the 30 to 45 days or when weed pressure is expected Organic Producer magazine, has just begun a few to fix nitrogen,” Hartmann said. He recom- to be severe. Cover Crop Solutions, the source for three-year trial of Tropic Sun on OrgPro Farms mended it for vegetable growers. Tillage Sunn, recommends drilling from ½ to 1 near Spring Green, Wis. He’s growing sunn hemp Jon Bakehouse, of Maple Edge Farms near inch deep for good seed-to-soil contact. The recom- on a half-acre plot to compare it with a half-acre Hastings, Iowa, planted sunn hemp on his own mended seeding rate with drilling is 15 pounds plot of clover. as part of an eight-species cover crop mix after per acre. “It’s not necessarily a scientific study,” Puzon harvesting rye in early July 2013. Rather than said. “I just want to see how the stuff grows.” He’s turning it under in the fall, he left it in the field Audrey Alwell is the Communications Director for MOSES hoping the sunn hemp will improve his field’s over the winter. and Managing Editor of the Organic Broadcaster. “marginal” soil. “It’s generally sandy soil around here, and takes a lot of work to improve.” Identi ty Preserved Ingredients Certi fi ed Organic & Conventi onal Non-GMO Sunn Hemp Resources

Service Second to None Tropic Sun™ (origin Hawaii) ORGANIC CERTIFICATION Contact us with your current availability and Molokai Seed Company contracti ng interest for food grade www.molokaiseedcompany.com • Handlers • Soybeans • Peas & Lenti ls 808-658-9979 • Dry Beans • Mustard Certified organic seed • Processors • Wheat • Barley • Producers • Millet • Buckwheat • Sunflowers • Corn Tillage Sunn™ (origin Asia) • Wild Crop • Safflower • Flaxseed • Livestock Cover Crop Solutions  High premiums paid. www.covercropsolutions.com  Spot sale or forward growing contracts offered. LoCAL 800-767-9441  Shipping and storage options available. Supplies Tillage Sunn and TillageMax mix. ReSPoNSIve CoMMItted to SeRvICe Thank you for “growing with us” for more than 20 years. Site includes fact sheet about using 4666 Amber Valley Parkway • Fargo, ND 58104 USA sunn hemp as a cover crop. Minnesota Crop Improvement Association 701.356.4106 TEL • [email protected] • www.skfood.com 1900 Hendon Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 Distributors 1-855-213-4461 / www.mciaorganic.org Grow with us! (more at www.covercropsolutions.com) Albert Lea Seed www.alseed.com | 800-352-5247 Johnny’s Selected Seeds www.johnnyseeds.com | 877-564-6697 Prairie Creek Seed www.prairiecreekseed.com | 877-754-4019

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6 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 BOOK REVIEW

French shepherds’ methods, wisdom offer inspiration to farmers raising sheep, goats By Jody Padgham Scanning my dry pastures mid-summer last more so!) to the reasons for sequencing forages in year, I pondered the feasibility of wandering with Acres U.S.A. specific order. The two shepherds delight in shar- my small sheep flock about my rural neighbor- 434 pages ing how goats and sheep are alike and different. hood, allowing them to graze the still lush road- The idea for this book originated with a pro- side ditches. The appeal of becoming a roaming $30 posal from the Behavioral Education for Human, shepherd was strong—the animals would benefit Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem Management from a diversity of plants to choose from, and I Support organic— network (behave.net), an association of “research- would gain from the tranquil wandering along get it from the ers, livestock farmers, and private- and public- the quiet roads. Lacking a herding dog and the MOSES Store: land managers from across five continents” with vast amount of unscheduled time I’d need to mosesorganic.net a goal to “stimulate sharing of scientific and make my dream a reality, however, I never put experimental knowledge about how to nurture my plan into action. Probably all the better, as my the health of soil, plants, animals, and people cow dairy neighbors would most likely not have by interacting more skillfully with animals and been as excited by the activity as I was, and the to create enough appreciation for the skills and people and more respectfully with soil, plants and sheep perhaps more excited than I could handle. benefits of shepherding that new people decide the environment.” This desire to wander with my sheep drew me to learn and take up the occupation so that flock BEHAVE’s mission is a strong and noble one, to The Art and Science of Shepherding: Tapping owners can hire them, creating alternatives to and this book represents their commitment to the Wisdom of French Herders, published in 2014 fenced flocks. keeping important agricultural practices thriving. by ACRES U.S.A. “With this book we hope to As I browsed through this book what came out “With growing concerns over the high costs and raise awareness of what’s possible if people rely is how much the herders know about and under- consequences of technology, the practices of shep- less on fences and grazing systems and more on stand their animals, and how valuable that infor- herds represent another way to manage livestock, rekindling our relationships with livestock and mation can be to other sheep owners. Although wildlife and landscapes. Their approach is apro- landscapes, linking soil and plants with herbi- the direct context of this book is most relevant for pos given the rising interest in managing grazing vores and human beings,” the editors outline in sheep owners in mountainous regions with open intensively and using stockmanship to move and the introduction. I opened the dense 430-page rangeland, I do think that anyone interested in place animals,” the editors inform us. book with much anticipation. My excitement sheep, or even other grazing animals, would be A surprising combination of science and art, heightened as I saw that 34 authors were listed— fascinated by the information presented. While this book takes a serious look at all aspects of indulging my love of collective wisdom. most of us won’t be quitting our jobs or taking shepherding. Not a nostalgic, biblical, or third- Digging into the book I realized that my basic down fences so we can follow our sheep all day, world-only pursuit, this age-old occupation is premise for taking it up was incorrect. While I there are things we can learn from the shepherds. given the recognition and study it deserves. Any- learned a few things that will be relative to my Several chapters involve scientists working one with a passion for understanding sheep, an own operation, the majority of what I took away directly with shepherds to quantify exactly what interest in French ways or access to enough land was a deep appreciation for the revered occupa- they are doing to manage their sheep. While the to consider taking on some elements of herdsman- tion of “shepherd,” most specifically as it functions language can be tedious, the results are inter- ship will want to take a look at this book. There in the French Alps. I am not disappointed by this esting as flock flow and grazing patterns are is a lot to digest and thrill over. twist, as this book presents interesting back- discussed. One of these days I just might take my little ground, meaning, impact and stories about this The most interesting part of the book for me flock down the road. I’ll be watching their grand occupation. was Chapter 7: How to Stimulate Animal’s Appe- behavior a little closer as I do. The presentation of 11 “categories” or ways to tites. “Shepherds move livestock from meal to be involved with sheep and goat herding indicates meal during the day and across a landscape in Jody Padgham, the Financial Director for MOSES, raises the reverence with which this book treats the ways that stimulate appetites, thus improving sheep and poultry on her 60-acre grass-based farm near subject. From the history of the French rangeland the nutrition, health, welfare and production of Boyd, Wis. areas to description of modern day French schools the animals. By designing daily grazing circuits, dedicated to training new people in the craft a skilled shepherd can stimulate appetite of indi- of shepherding, (four of them!), this book offers viduals by encouraging the flock to use different depth of understanding from all angles. forages from a mix of plants, some highly palat- The editors, Michel Meuret, an animal sci- able and others less palatable.” ence researcher who became enamored by French Editor Meuret interviews two experienced shepherds early in his career, and Fred Provenza, shepherds about their observations on how, what a well-known advocate of behavior-based manage- and why sheep and goats eat. Reported in a con- "After using one for a year I will never farm again without it." ment of livestock, wildlife and landscapes from versational way, the dialogue wanders from the -H. Eichelkraut, Jr. Belleville, WI Utah, explain that their goal with the book is palatability of dogwood (very!) and acorns (even *call for detailed documentation

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mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 7 Poultry Processing — from page 1 Finding the finances for start-up expenses available fresh (at limited times) or frozen. 90% of the 10-week old turkeys were killed by a for a group like this, especially from generally Joint marketing under a unified label led to lightning strike. cash-strapped new farmers, can be burdensome. the need for standardized production practices “When we realized we were not going to be Exploring financing options, PPP was thrilled to so customers could expect a consistent product able to get folks their Thanksgiving turkeys, we secure a $2,500 flexible-term micro-loan from the no matter which farm produced it. Production refunded them their down payments. That way, area food co-op. The loan covered the majority of standards for PPP are laid out in the operating the farmer was not out the money from the sales, the expense, with the farmers each able to put in agreement and encompass issues such as time in PPP was – PPP had paid for the chicks and feed,” a few hundred dollars instead of over a thousand brooder (3 weeks), access to pasture (full access Chris said. “Since we don’t get paid until the end dollars. The business was able to pay off the co-op from 4 weeks to butcher via day-range or indi- of the season, the loss was shouldered equally by loan from profits over the next two years. None vidual pen), the number of birds allowed per pen each producer – it could have happened to any one of the farms was in a position to put over $1,000 (75) and acceptable finish weights (4-6 lbs.). Indi- of us!” In another instance, Jay was out for a sum- into additional infrastructure. Without this loan, vidual farmers make their own decisions about mer because of a broken leg. Members stepped in handling the processing would have been a real production style and equipment, based primarily to take Jay’s birds onto their operations and com- sticking point, Chris said. Other costs, such as on predator pressure. Broiler batches are gener- plete production, insisting Jay still take 50% of the marketing, bags, propane, ice, etc. are paid out of ally 300-325 birds at one time, with two to three net income from each bird. PPP’s portion of the sales income. batches per year, depending on the farm. Starting with three farms, growing demand The group constructed a mobile processing The group found it was easiest and most eco- and the 1,000-bird limit led Pasture Perfect Poul- unit on a 16-foot snowmobile trailer with a ply- nomical for Pasture Perfect Poultry to purchase try to take on a fourth farm in 2014 and a fifth for wood deck. It holds the scalder, a picker, stainless the chicks, poults (young turkeys) and certified the 2015 season. Each of these new farms have steel processing tables, and (now 2) bulk tanks to organic feed, with bagged feed delivered by the been taken on with great care, as PPP members hold ice for chilling the processed birds. pallet to a centrally located place rather than want to be very careful to maintain quality stan- “With a five-person crew, we can process, chill, shipped by the bag to each farm individually. This dards. The two new farmers had each helped on pack, and label, 325 birds in under 10 hours,” year the LLC will also purchase brooder bedding the other farms over the years, and had some Chris noted. The processing trailer (and PPP- and grit by the pallet. With the LLC “owning” experience raising poultry. Current members member crew) are brought to each member farm the inputs in the production, each farmer opera- visited the new farms and looked at every aspect when a batch of birds is ready. Customers come tor contributes the equipment, land, utilities and of the operations, asking questions and making in the late afternoon and early evening to pick up labor. Each farm also provides one laborer to recommendations to ensure that the PPP stan- pre-ordered processed birds. Each farm has chest work on each processing day, joining the crew as dards would be met. freezers for storing late-season birds, and PPP the unit moves from farm to farm. Processing One advantage of the group is allowing flex- has a walk-in freezer at one of the member farms dates are planned well in advance each spring, ibility in an individual farm’s production year. that the LLC uses for longer term storage. taking into account vacations and family commit- Overall production levels for Pasture Perfect Wisconsin law limits operations that process ments. Each PPP farmer is responsible for attend- Poultry are decided at a spring planning meeting. and sell on-farm to 1,000 birds per year, and so, ing each processing date, or hiring a replacement The largest producers are raising three batches for the time being, none of the farms can go over in case of illness, etc. of 325 birds per year (under the 1,000 bird limit). this amount. Any growth in production would The financial aspect of the LLC has been well Those who wish to take a vacation or need time off necessitate adding more producers. This year thought out. The goal is to pay farmers $20 per for other reasons can opt out of their “quota” and the group has begun exploring what would be hour for their labor. “In 2014 at our farm we made allow others in the group to take on more produc- involved in putting up an inspected brick- and- $21.09 per hour!” Chris added. The $4.69/lb. they tion. The two newer members have started out mortar processing facility to expand their capac- currently charge (for broilers and turkeys, fresh with fewer birds and will be refining, improving ity, but for now the mobile plant serves them well. or frozen, not certified organic but fed organic and expanding into full production capacity, allow- feed), allows each farmer to be paid $2 for each ing room for Pasture Perfect Poultry’s growth. Economies of Scale processed bird that meets the weight expectations. Pasture Perfect Poultry presents a wonder- Early on, the group recognized the value in Each farmer also gets paid $200/day for each pro- ful model of how producers that could poten- joint marketing the processed birds. Customers cessing day, unless they can’t contribute labor, and tially be competitors can turn things around to purchase a Pasture Perfect Poultry broiler or tur- then the farmer pays PPP $200 so replacement become strong collaborators. The benefits of group key, and buy through the PPP website, or through labor can be hired. If birds are processed that are decision-making and combining skills adds up an area CSA (Bayfield Foods), with pick-up on damaged or don’t meet the weight parameters (4-6 to a successful business that is good for both the the member farms or at the CSA drop-off sites. lbs.) the farmer must pay a $5 processing fee and eating community and the farmers. The keys to All birds are labeled with the PPP label, and then can take the bird home to eat. this group’s success are clearly the well thought Farmer payments at this point are once a year out operating agreement, a careful commitment when the season is over so that any adjustments to quality as well as the needs of the individual for mortalities can be considered. The group is producers, and the commitment to maintaining talking about ways to modify this to payments friendships. Even those not raising poultry after each processing/sales day to help with each should look closely at what this innovative group farm’s cash flow. has done. “Overall, Pasture Perfect Poultry seems to be More than $$ serving both customers and farmers well—it’s Another benefit of this shared production a work in progress, but we really think this is a model is the group’s agreement to share each good model for others to use!” Chris concluded. farm’s risk. Because PPP “owns” the chicks and Learn more at pastureperfectpoultry.org. feed, which are the major inputs for poultry, the group decided that it only made sense that they Jody Padgham, the Financial Director for MOSES, raises all share in the financial implications of any sheep and poultry on her 60-acre grass-based farm near disasters. Chris related one farm’s tragedy when Boyd, Wis.

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8 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 Organic Processing Institute digs into poultry processing issues By Elena Byrne Organic Field Days Producers of relatively small numbers of smaller organic batches due to protocols for poultry have indicated that access to processing cleaning and sanitizing processing equipment. 2015 plants, especially those offering organic process- However, two processors included in OPI’s con- MOSES Organic Field Days give farmers the ing, are a limiting factor. versations indicated that small batch size is not a chance to see what’s working on other farms, During 2014, the Organic Processing Insti- barrier provided that daily base quotas were met. learn about research trials, and talk to other farm- tute (OPI) engaged in conversations with poultry ers and MOSES Organic Specialists. Producer Commitment producers, processors, retailers and personnel Registration will open soon; see Organic Field from regulatory, academic and extension agen- Processors indicated that working with small Days under the Events tab at mosesorganic.org. cies in Minnesota and Wisconsin regarding the producers involves challenges if the producer Call 715-778-5775 to request the event brochure. issues and barriers in building capacity to sup- can’t commit to delivering specific quantities or These events are free unless noted. port regional, small-flock pastured poultry pro- bird weights at specified times. This is thought duction, processing, and sales. to be due to complicating factors such as com- 2015 Schedule: munication difficulties, procrastination on behalf Friday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Scale of Production of the producer, or variable yields and higher Harold Wilken, Janie’s Farm, Danforth, Ill. Poultry processors face dual challenges in mortality in pasture-raised systems. The bottom Topics: Organic feed and food-grade small grains, determining scale of production. Operating line is that producer-processor communication is edible beans, corn and forages, how to transition under capacity is costly, but increasing volume critical so that processors can set their schedules to organic, value-added organic flour mill startup may require additional and more qualified labor, and plan for equipment and labor. With University of Illinois Extension & Illinois new or improved equipment, greater water capac- OPI has worked to increase awareness about Organic Association ity, and provisions for the disposal of increased the limited numbers of certified organic process- Thursday, July 9, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. quantities of waste. Maintaining a reduced scale ing facilities for both meat and poultry, includ- Margaret Smith & Doug Alert, Ash Grove Farm, of production may be a more sound financial ing with colleagues on the Wisconsin Organic Hampton, Iowa decision in spite of concomitant market outlet Advisory Council, universities, certifiers, and Topics: Organic no-till cover crops , row crops, harvesting and storing small grains, and landlord- restrictions. businesses. For regional poultry production to tenant relations in organic production Because the supply of organic and pastured better meet the region’s needs, inspected pro- MOSES-sponsored Practical Farmers of Iowa event poultry is lower in the winter for processors serv- cessing integrated with distribution and retail ing small-scale organic and pastured poultry is needed. Communication will continue to be Tuesday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harriet Behar & Aaron Brin, Sweet Springs Farm producers, these processors operate at a deficit important: producers need to communicate with Gays Mills, Wis. off-season or compensate by serving larger, non- their processors, request organic certification, Topics: Standard and unusual cover crops, living organic producers. Also complicating processing talk with each other, and ask consumers—and mulches and rolled rye mulch with organic veg- scale and scheduling is the influx of game ani- retailers—what they need to make better use of etable production, soil health mals during the fall hunting season. local, organic poultry. Friday, July 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Katy Dickson, Christensen Farm, Brownton, Wis. Small Batches Elena Byrne works for the Organic Processing Institute. In Her Boots workshop: $50 (includes lunch) One problem revealed in previous studies is Contact her at [email protected]. Topics: Rural CSA, cover crops management, that processing flows do not easily accommodate working with your kids, choosing affordable and efficient equipment Thursday, Sept. 10, 1 to 4 p.m. Christine Mason, Standard Process, Palymra, Wis. Topic: Using cover crops to enhance large-scale production of vegetables, field crops and forages Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1 to 4 p.m. (tentative) Greg Reynolds, Riverbend Farm, Delano, Minn. MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year Topics: Fresh market organic vegetables, seed production and saving, efficiency and soil health Whole Foods Market is proud to support local farmers and food artisans. As a company Whole Foods Market is committing up to $25 million in low-interest loans to help small producers who need a hand, not a handout, to help heritage prairie farm Nutri-Sil la fox, illinois make their dreams a reality. local producer loan recipient FORAGE INNOCULANT learn more and apply online at: wholefoodsmarket.com 1 lb of Nutri-Sil treats 1 ton of forage.

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mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 9 Record number attend 2015 MOSES Organic Farming Conference By Audrey Alwell Just over 3,500 people “biointensive” methods are helping small-scale Minnesota climate. “packed their plaid” and farmers in 151 countries yield more using less The keynote presentations are posted on You- participated in the 26th water and resources, making organic farming truly Tube (www.youtube.com/mosesorganic). Audio MOSES Organic Farming sustainable. He told the packed auditorium, recordings of all of the workshops are available Conference Feb. 26-28 in La “Organic agriculture is a major step in the right through our online store at mosesorganic.net or Crosse, Wis. Feedback shows direction, but we need to keep walking.” by mail—the order form is on the next page. participants enjoyed the Long-time organic farmers Greg and Mary Contact information for all of the exhibitors, high-energy event and Reynolds of Riverbend Farm in Delano, Minn., sponsors and presenters from MOSES 2015 is brought home innovative received the 2015 MOSES Organic Farmers of included in both the Program (mosesorganic.org/ ideas, cool tools, and new the Year award at the conference. The Reynolds conference), and in the MOSES Conference App, knowledge to apply on their grow vegetables and small grains on their certi- available free to download through iTunes and own farms or support their fied organic farm, selling to restaurants, co-ops, Google Play. quest to start a farm. nursing homes, hospitals, and schools. They are Keynote speaker John Jeavons, executive direc- building resilience in their systems by selecting Audrey Alwell is the Communications Director for MOSES tor of the nonprofit Ecology Action, shared how his seeds from crops that fare best in the changing and the Managing Editor of the Organic Broadcaster.

Workshop suggestions? Photos by Laurie Schneider Photography Submit by May 15: mosesorganic.org/conference

Scenes from MOSES 2015: Farmers gather new ideas in workshops (left). In his keynote speech, John Jeavons carves an apple to show the portion of the Earth that is farmed (bottom left). Visitors arrive early to the Arena Exhibit Hall (below). Dancers of all ages join in the Friday night square dance (above right). Singer/songwriter Susan Werner shows her ‘best’ side during her entertaining show at the Conference KickOff (above).

Save the date: 27th MOSES Conference Feb. 25-27, 2016 in La Crosse, Wis.

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10 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 MOSES Conference has big impact on Nigerian farmer By Kelli Boylen The 3,500 people who participated in the 2015 “Organic in training students and staff of Springboard on MOSES Organic Farming Conference had their farming is very organic farming. Since I returned to Nigeria from own unique experiences based on the workshops important in this conference, I have shared my learning experi- they attended, the activities they joined in, and the my country ence with my network of organic farmers and it is people they met. For one participant from Nigeria, to safeguard certain that practices will improve on our farms the conference had an “enormous” impact. the health of this year. And I am happy to share it everywhere “Seeing thousands of organic farmers renewed the people and I go in Africa. Attending MOSES conference has my hope and strength in what I do,” said Lawrence protect our boosted the credibility of what Springboard does Afere, a Nigerian “agripreneur” who attended the environment,” and stands for,” he added. conference for the first time this year. Afere is a he explained. Afere said he enjoyed many things at the confer- farmer and the founder of Springboard, an organi- “More so, as ence, including the meals, the people he met, and Lawrence Afere is helping Nigerian the workshops. zation that combines organic farming and entrepre- farmers learn to farm organically. more and more neurship training to create practical and integrated young Nigeri- “All the workshops I attended had a strong Photo submitted learning for unemployed youth in Nigeria. ans begin to impact; I gained so much information from being “I was motivated to attend because I read that take interest there. The workshop presenters are down to earth over 3,000 organic farmers would attend the confer- in farming, it is ideal to introduce them to organic with their teachings and they are highly knowl- ence and there would be 67 workshops on organic farming before they get used to the traditional edgeable in this field. farming,” Afere said. “Before the MOSES Con- farming practices. Springboard is committed to “I went away with new ideas for farming, new ference, I had never attended any conference on making this happen.” friends to support my project and a renewed sense organic farming. Also, I wanted to see organic farm Nigeria has 84 million hectares of arable land, of purpose to keep on with the springboardnig.com inputs, products and services exhibited at the con- but less than 3,200 hectares are in organic agricul- project,” he added. Afere received a scholarship to ference. It was a huge exhibition. I had seen how ture. Afere explained the biggest hurdles are lack attend the conference. In his thank-you letter he organic farming has been practiced in the U.S. on of awareness, lack of training on best practices in said, “Please note, your support has not only helped the internet, but attending the MOSES Conference organic agriculture, output marketing issues, and organic farmers and farming in the U.S., it has made me witness it live!” non-availability/ high cost of inputs. impacted organic farming all over the world.” While he was at the conference, Afere led a “My knowledge of organic farming was practi- meeting on the “Challenges and Opportunities for cally enhanced and boosted at the MOSES Con- Kelli Boylen is a freelance writer with a farming background. Agricultural Development in Sub Sahara Africa,” ference,” he said. “Now, I will be more effective She lives with her family on a homestead in Iowa. which about 30 people attended. He explained that the world faces a major agricultural challenge. “We must, over the next few years, find ways 2015 MOSES Conference Audio Recordings to deliver nutritious, safe, and affordable food to a For descriptions, see MOSES Store at mosesorganic.net. growing global population,” he said. Sub-Saharan CDs & MP3s are available through the online store. Africa has not been coming anywhere close to pro- Please complete form and mail to MOSES, PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 or fax to 715-778-5773. viding their own food needs, but Afere says that Keynotes ___ Foliar Feeding Plant Nutrients (Destree) more than 50 percent of the world’s unused fertile ___ Farming for the Future Now: Optimizing ___ Increase Your Compost’s Power (Jeavons) land is located there, and less than 2 percent of its Organic Farming (John Jeavons) ___ Keyline Design for Your Farm (Krawczyk|Schultz) water resources are in use. ___ Saving Seed to Thrive in a Variable Climate ___ Restoration Agriculture: Can I Make Any Money at This? (Shepard) (Greg Reynolds) ___ Rethinking Your Farm with Cover Crops (Mason) “Sub-Saharan African agriculture can be revo- ___ Use Less Water Per Pound of Food (Jeavons) lutionized, thus feeding itself and contributing to Business, Market and Certification ___ Vermicomposting for the Cold Climate Farm (Biernbaum) global food and nutritional security. For this to be ___ Basics of Organic Certification (Menken) ___ When Weeds Talk (McCaman) ___ Build a Strong Farm Business with the Law on Your Side (Armstrong|Duke) realized, the global stakeholders in agriculture ___ Generate More Income through Diversification (Ivanko|Kivirist) Livestock must collaborate with African farmers in terms of ___ Navigating Finance Options for Success (Bishop|Joannides) ___ Animal Welfare in Context (Burton) training, provision of new skills, direct investment ___ Scaling Up to Meet the Demand for Local Food (Day Farnsworth|Pfeiffer) ___ Are Goats a Good Choice for Your Farm? (Ends) and mentoring.” ___ Time and Productivity Management for Farmers (Blanchard) ___ Beginning Beekeeping (Brin) ___ What Matters Most: Leaving the Paycheck Behind (Dietz) ___ CowSignals® (Karreman) Afere is personally doing all he can to ensure ___ Why Your Financial Numbers Matter (Chase) ___ Does it Pay to Irrigate Pasture Here? (Kriegl|Onan) this happens. Since 2008, his organization, ___ Whole Farm Revenue Protection for Organic Producers (Schahczenski) ___ Ergonomic, Affordable Milking Parlors (Haugen) Springboard, has built a model of engaging young ___ Fencing: Getting it Right (Cutler) Education, Environment and Emerging Issues ___ New Developments in Dairy Genetics (Burton|Dettloff) Nigerians in sustainable agribusiness. Each year, ___ Benefits of Organic Food and Farming: ___ Organic Grass-fed Beef Success (Ofte|Williams) Springboard trains young people to start their own On and Beyond Our Plates (Hemmelgarn) ___ Organic Pasture Management for Dairy Production (Renz|Silva) organic farms and also form a cooperative of farm- ___ Farmer Land Rights & Energy Infrastructure Conflicts (Diffley) ___ Organic Pastured Poultry: Lessons Learned (Maro) ___ GMO - What Do We Know? (Benbrook|Porter) ___ Practical Approaches and Research Studies with Swine (Frantzen) ers in their communities. ___ Origins and Evolution of the Organic Farming Movement (Blobaum) ___ Where’s the Beef in Animal Product Quality? (Benbrook) On the Springboard farms, he said, they grow ___ Postcards from the Edge: Iran and Dominica (Riddle) plantain, banana, vegetables and maize and also ___ Say What? A Guide to Evangelize Organics (Zweber) Market Farming and Specialty Crops produce plantain chips. By 2025, Springboard ___ Solar Options for Farmers (McGuire|Udelhofen) ___ Are You Making Any Money in Your High Tunnel? (Montri) ___ The Food Safety Modernization Act - Past, Present, ___ Art and Science of Vegetable Fermentation (Hollstadt) plans to have over 1,000 members in its network of and the Road Ahead (Kruszewski) ___ E.U. Organic Vegetable Production Innovations (Delate) organic farmers who work to ensure food and nutri- ___ USDA Organic Update (Rakola) ___ Homemade for Sale: Increase Farm Income with tional security in Nigeria. Value-added Products (Ivanko|Kivirist) Field Crops ___ Identifying and Controlling Vegetable Diseases Organically ___ New Cultivation Tools & Technology (Martens|Morter|Wagner) (Gevens|Kazmar|Silva) ___ Organic Row Crops for Beginners (Fernholz) ___ Introduction to Vegetable Seed Saving (Plunkett-Black) ___ Pest Management in Organic Grain Crops (Delate) ___ Managing Fire Blight without Antibiotics ___ Protecting Organic Corn (Kutka) (Granatstein|Johnson|Shade) The Most Economical Way ___ Quality Hay Production (Dallefeld) ___ Medicinal Herbs: Use them, Grow them (Hawley Stevens) ___ Small Grains in Organic Crop System (Martens) ___ Opportunities for Organic Flower Farming (Trott) To Build Soil Health ___ Organic Potatoes: From Starts to Storage (Genger|Rouse) Healthy Soils and Farming Systems ___ Paradise Gardening with Under-used Fruits (aND) ___ Basic Soil Microbiology and Soil Structure (Philo) ___ Productive Packing House (Blanchard) ___ Building Resilient Organic Seed Systems (Podoll) ___ Tools for CSA Planning and Recordkeeping (Becker|Schultz) ___ Climate and Agriculture: Our Evolving Understanding (Bland) ___ Vegetable Crop Planning: Keep Planting! (Strader) ___ Conservation Cropping System to Regenerate Soils (Fisher) ___ Walking Tractors for Small Market Growers (Abazs) ___ Dealing with Pesticide Drift and Misapplication (Dietmann|Horan) ___ Would Stone Fruits Be a Good Addition to My Farm? (Hoch) ___ Farm Conservation to Stand the Test of Time (Lee-Mäder)

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mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 11 Ancient Wheats — from page 1 However, a couple of cautions are in order: types of emmer and einkorn should be planted large-seeded types, e.g., black winter emmer, 1. Varieties or landraces [farmer-developed] of at the optimum dates for winter wheat planting may be necessary to achieve adequate stands. these grains can vary widely in nutritional con- in your area. Northeastern growers report win- Broadcasting and incorporating hulled seed is tent—we need more research to identify those ter spelt to be considerably more tolerant of late also an option. with optimal nutrition; To avoid lodging in ancient wheats, planting 2. Despite claims on the Internet, none of these rate and N fertility rate need to be lower than grains are safe for those with celiac disease. those for common wheat. A rule of thumb for Nevertheless, these wheats are likely to have fertilizing these crops is to apply 50-75% of that staying power in the American diet, not only needed for common wheat. Current data for because of their nutritional benefits, but—as spring types in North Dakota suggest a seeding chefs, bakers, and consumers are finding—they rate of 100 lb/ac for hulled emmer, einkorn, and also taste really good. spelt. If planting under conditions of high fer- tility and moisture, the rate should be lowered Growing Ancient Wheats to 65-75 lb/ac for emmer and 75 lb/ac einkorn. The ancient wheats turn out to be adapted Spelt, which is less susceptible to lodging, to a wide geographic area and range of growing should remain at 100 lb/ac. Experimentation conditions. Already in 1901, the wheat innova- with winter types of emmer and einkorn, which tor M.A. Carleton praised emmer’s “ability to has largely taken place on Northeast farms, make a good crop with almost any condition of suggests that planting rates of 60-75 lb/ac may soil or climate.” Einkorn, emmer, and spelt also be sufficient, but more research is needed. are especially suited to organic management, requiring fewer inputs than common wheat and Dehulling Ancient Wheats showing greater tolerance to stress, such as Unlike modern wheat, the seed of the ancient drought, disease, and saline soils. Given rising wheats usually retains its hull through the com- costs for fertilizer and extremes in weather bining process, requiring special equipment to due to climate change, the ancient wheats look The kernels from ancient wheats are larger than remove the hull to produce food-grade products. promising as lower risk crops for current and today’s wheat. The ancient wheats vary in their ease of dehull- future rotations. Photo by Linda Schuster ing: a rule of thumb is that spelt is most easily Research on the ancient wheats, ongoing dehulled, emmer is more strongly retained in at the Carrington Research Extension Center the hull and more susceptible to breakage, and in North Dakota for over 10 years, has been planting than winter wheat, although timely einkorn can be difficult to dehull without damag- expanded through collaboration with the North- planting is still recommended to optimize plant ing the seed. However, more research is needed ern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society stand. on dehulling efficiency in ancient wheats—initial (NPSAS) and Northeastern universities and It is best to plant seed in the hull, which pro- studies in North Dakota show that varieties and farmer organizations as part of the “Value- tects the seed both in storage and the ground. landraces can differ by 10% or more in terms of added grains for local and regional food systems” This is essential for einkorn seed, which can dehulling efficiency. Disease incidence, harvest project (funded by NIFA/OREI). Although more easily be stripped of the germ during the dehull- conditions, and humidity conditions when dehull- work is needed, results to date can provide ing process. Comparison of dehulled and hulled ing can also affect dehulling efficiency. guidance to farmers interested in experiment- emmer from the same seed lot has also shown Lack of dehulling infrastructure in the U.S. ing with these grains. a reduction of more than 25% in germination has proved a bottleneck for growers. However, in The ancient wheats can be grown with field from the dehulling process. However, care the last several years, options are increasing. equipment used for wheat or oats. They should has to be taken to avoid bridging in the plant- Larger-scale impact dehullers, which dehull be managed as for common wheat in terms of ing cups of the drill due to hairs and awns on by flinging the grain at high velocity against a rotation—avoid planting after wheat, barley, the hulled seed. Running the seed through a hard surface, are manufactured by several U.S. rye, or corn (especially when tillage practices debearder, which knocks off hairs and awns and companies, e.g., Codema and Forsberg. These leave corn residue at the field surface) to mini- breaks up doubles, can reduce plug problems at dehullers were designed for other crops, such as mize the risk of scab infection. As with all small planting. Growers may also have trouble meter- oats and sunflowers, but can dehull spelt and grains, spring types should be planted as early ing out enough seed of lightweight (35-38 lb/ emmer. (Further experimentation with einkorn as soil conditions permit in the spring. Winter bu) hulled grain. Double planting of especially is needed). A range of dehullers are available for import from Europe, including abrasion types that rub the hull from the seed. These options are suitable for growers willing and able to make large capital investments—the cost for a dehuller and the equipment needed to remove empty hulls and undehulled kernels from the dehulled seed (which usually includes an aspirator and a grav- Natural Fish Fertilizers for ity table or other separation device) is likely to range upwards of $20,000. Larger-scale growers Organic Crop Production To Ancient Wheats on page 14

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Research shows organic fermented grape extract works as natural dewormer in lambs By Kimberly Cash Gastrointestinal nematode parasitism is one of fed a diet without CT.3 Other data revealed sig- seven-day (D7) intervals, 2) the same dose at the greatest threats to economic sheep production nificantly lower nutrient intake by sheep fed diets 14-day (D14) intervals, or 3) control (oral dose of in the United States. With increased incidences of containing CT than those without CT, but weight 30 mL water at 14-day intervals). anthelmintic resistance and constraints of organic gain was higher in sheep fed either a CT diet over Condensed tannins were extracted, purified, production, there is increased interest in alterna- the no CT diet.3 Grape products have therefore and standardized from the organic Pinot Noir by tive natural dewormers, such as plants containing been suggested as an alternate parasite manage- the Protein-Precipitable Phenolics method and condensed tannins (CT). Condensed tannins have ment in sheep. found to have a concentration of 0.20 mg/mL. been shown at certain levels to produce benefits in Sampling procedures and analysis included fecal reduction of nematodes and increased protein Effect on Animal Performance egg counts, BCS, FAMACHA© and weight every absorption.3 The drive to find organic, natural, The widely accepted explanation for positive seven days. Fecal material was collected rectally, and sustainable practices to maintain healthy effects of CT protein digestion and metabolism is with eggs counted using a modified McMaster livestock is crucial in providing global food secu- that CT-protein complexes escape ruminal degra- procedure. Data was expressed as eggs per gram rity. Early research suggests that phyto-therapy, dation and the protein is available in the lower (EPG) of feces. the use of plants high in polyphenols, as a natural tract. The CT, in moderate levels of 20 to 40 g CT/ The goal was to maintain animals above anthelmintic should be evaluated.3 kg of DM, bind to protein by hydrogen bonding at health thresholds for the duration of the study. near neutral pH (pH 6.0 – 7.0) in the rumen to Egg counts and PCV data were analyzed as a Sources of Condensed Tannins form CT-complexes, but dissociate and release randomized design using repeated measure anal- Many types of forages are high in CT such as bound protein at pH less than 3.5 in the aboma- ysis with treatment and time. Pre-trial and trial chicory, birdsfoot trefoil, sainfoin, and sericea sum.3 Research found that when sheep consumed periods were analyzed separately using SAS (SAS lespedeza, and although they can be used in pro- high CT it facilitated protection of protein from Institute, Inc). The study was conducted from duction agriculture the amount of CT consumed degradation by rumen microbes, which minimized October 2014 to December 2014. by grazing animals is difficult to measure. the effects of internal parasites.4 It was also found Results of various research suggests these plants that it affected overall gastrointestinal nematode Results reduce fecal egg counts and worm burdens com- (GIN) numbers and increased animal perfor- Fecal egg counts were lower (P = 0.05) at the pared to animals fed a diet containing low levels mance in ways that involved a direct effect on the end of 63 days and packed cell volumes or red of CT, but the amount needed to have significant parasite and an indirect effect through improved blood cell counts were increased (P = 0.05) for D7 results is still being examined.3 Research also protein supply. 3 Protecting dietary protein against and D14 lambs compared to control lambs. Body suggests that fruits with dark skins such as red degradation in the rumen and subsequently condition scores and FAMACHA© scores did not grapes and blueberries have a high level of CT.1 increasing amino acid supply to the abomasum differ (P ≥ 0.05) across treatments. Vineyard by-products available for the producer to and small intestine resulted in improved nutri- To Proof Positive on page 16 purchase in liquid form, such as juice or fer- tional status of the animal and possible improved mented product, or in the dry form, such as grape production. Effects of organic fermented grape extract on parasite level in Katahdin pomace consisting of skin, seeds, stems, and pulp, Effectslambs. of organic fermented grape extract on parasite level in Katahdin lambs Methods 1 all contain high levels of CT. The use of these Treatment CT-rich products could make small ruminant This study used 45 Item C D7 D14 SEM2 Contrast3 production in the U.S. more sustainable by using Katahdin ewe and ram Start FEC4, eggs/g 43.0 39.6 48.7 8.11 ns End FEC4, eggs/g 50.6 28.1 24.7 9.57 W fewer synthetic anthelmintics and by reducing lambs (23.13 kg ± 0.60) 4 FEC change, eggs/g 10.5 -13.1 -18.5 10.82 W instances of parasite resistance. naturally infected with Start FAMACHA©5 1.6 1.4 1.8 0.60 ns GIN. For the duration of End FAMACHA©5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.12 ns ©5 Why Grapes? the 63 day project, lambs FAMACHA change -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.20 ns Start PCV6,% 34.2 31.4 33.4 1.31 ns Previous research has shown that grape pom- were grazed on fescue End PCV6,% 36.3 37.0 36.8 1.05 ns ace from the wine industry has efficacy against pasture with ad libitum PCV6 change,% 2.2 5.6 2.2 1.19 X larval helminth life stages. Grape pomace also access to fresh water and has efficacy against egg hatchability and larval organic-approved mineral 1Treatments C = Control. 2 development. The overall effect of different treat- supplements. Lambs were D7 = Oral dose of organic Pinot Noir every 7 days. ments on eggs per gram of feces of individual stratified by fecal egg D14 = oral dose of organic Pinot Noir every 14 days. 2SEM Pooled standard error of the mean. lambs revealed time as well as dose as a depen- count, weight, and sex, 3 Contrasts W = mean of control lambs compared with the mean of Day 7 and Day 14 dent response. Additional data revealed a gradual and were allocated ran- lambs (P ≤ 0.05); X = mean of Day 7 compared with the mean of Day 14 lambs reduction in fecal egg counts, which differed sig- domly to one of three (P ≤ 0.05); lowercase letters represent statistical tendencies (P ≤ 0.10); ns = no nificantly from 60 to 120 days as compared to the treatments: 1) an oral significant difference (P > 0.10). 4FEC Fecal egg count, number of eggs per gram of feces. day 0 values in sheep fed diets supplemented with dose (10 mL per 4.54 kg 5FAMACHA© Mucus membrane of the eye, color system based on a scale of 1 to 5; 1 –best CT both at 3 percent and 2 percent levels. No of BW) of fermented Pinot color to 5 –devoid of all color, near death. difference was shown in fecal egg counts of sheep Noir grape extract at 6PCV Packed cell volume.

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mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 13 Ancient Wheats — from page 12 also have the option of sending their grain to a 2013-2014 Organic Spring Grain Yields dehulling facility. However, because currently Central North Dakota Trial Means (6-Site Average) Additional Information there are few dehulling facilities in the Mid- Results of cultivar testing by the west, growers need to factor in transport costs Value-Added Grains project: when assessing this option. https://plbrgen.cals.cornell.edu/research- A third dehulling option, which is better extension/small-grains/cultivar-testing suited for smaller-scale growers and those who want to experiment with production and test Agronomic trials in North Dakota: markets before investing in expensive equip- http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/CarringtonREC/ ment, is to modify or use existing equipment agronomy/crop-index or to build a dehuller. Several growers report success in dehulling ancient wheats using burr Farm Breeding Club: http://npsas.org mills in which one or both of the burr plates eOrganic webinars on ancient wheat: is replaced with rubber—essentially turning http://bit.ly/AncientWheat the mill into an abrasion dehuller. Debearding 100% of the kernels were extracted by hand, the and roller machines can also be used to dehull. hulls accounted for ~20% of the yield weight. Plans for a farmer-made abrasion dehuller: Finally, a couple of small-scale dehuller proto- Fortunately, the ancient wheats in the hull http://bit.ly/Dehuller types have been built for which design and con- make excellent animal feed, and the empty struction details are available. (See “Additional hulls excellent bedding. Currently, the market Report on development of a low-cost information.”) demand for dehulled seed, and the many prod- emmer dehuller by Cornell students: ucts that can be made from that seed—includ- Contact Elizabeth Dyck at [email protected] Yield Potential & Markets ing whole berries, flour, bread, other baked Research in North Dakota on spring types goods, crackers, matzo, pasta, breakfast cere- Seed availability: www.ogrin.org shows that einkorn, emmer, and spelt in the hull als, malts, distilled liquors—is unmet. Organic yield comparably to wheat (see graph). retail prices for whole berries of these wheats In the Northeast, research also shows winter range from $1.30-$7 per pound (with emmer and spelt in the hull to yield similarly to winter einkorn fetching the highest prices). Given the wheat. More research is needed to determine nutritional value, tastiness, and sustainability the yield potential of winter emmer and einkorn of these crops and with further consumer educa- varieties and landraces. When assessing yield tion and product development, there is excellent potential for food-grade seed, it is important to potential for the current market to grow. remember that that no ancient wheat can ever be 100% dehulled—a percentage of seed (perhaps Steve Zwinger conducts organic research at the NDSU 10-40%) will remain in the hull depending on the Carrington Research Extension Center. Elizabeth Dyck crop type and the dehulling system used. More- coordinates the Organic Growers’ Research and over, in experimentation with emmer, even when Information-Sharing Network (OGRIN).

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14 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 On-farm composting works best on small-scale farms By Anne Lupton At its simplest, composting is gathering plant The organic regulations are very specific about He also made a distinction between structural materials in a large pile or container, letting the process for creating compost to use in organic carbon and metabolic carbon, and the balance them decompose, and using the final product to production, which is why most organic farmers of each of these in an ideal cold composting pile. condition soil. In actuality, managing compost choose to bring in suitable compost. If composting Structural carbon includes such things as cellu- to improve soil fertility in something larger than is done at all it usually comes in the form of “slow lose and lignin, significant components in mature a backyard garden or urban farm plot is much roasting” piles of vegetative matter and manures straw and other fibrous plant material. Metabolic more complex and challenging. for long, unattended periods of time, often for a carbon includes sugars and starches, found in At the recent MOSES Conference, John Jea- year or more. immature leaves and stalks. He recommends vons, author of How to Grow More Vegetables, But, in smaller farming situations (think tending toward more structural carbon than talked about the nitty gritty of compost produc- urban agriculture) active composting is not only metabolic carbon in cold composting. tion in the workshop “Increase Your Compost’s feasible but necessary to maintain soil fertility. Slightly more soil is also used in this approach. Power.” Talking about carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, Riverview Gardens in Appleton, Wis., once a A bit of soil in any composting pile is a good way pile construction, microbes, soil health, and cold mid-city golf course, is beginning its fifth year of to inoculate the pile with a good mix of native composting, Jeavons explained how composting operation as an urban CSA farm and community bacteria and fungi that are prone to start decom- is done at his Biointensive research farm in Cali- space. The farmers there have been in transition posing your dead plant material faster. But, in fornia. He went over the methods they’ve worked to organic for the past three years and have just the cold pile it’s beneficial to add a bit more soil— out over the years to promote soil fertility for applied for organic certification. Emily Hoffman, approximately twice as much as in a typical com- maximum vegetable production. Because their farm operations manager, said compost produc- post pile. In his experience, he said this gets the research gardens are relatively modest in size, tion is an essential part of their operation. pile decomposing a little faster. the amount of compost they produce occurs in “We work with a combination of wood chips The whole process should take about three small batches—1 to 2 cubic yards at a time. The from the city, field waste from our own opera- to four weeks (in the warm California climate), process is nicely laid out in his book. tion, and food waste from a local food shelter,” with minimal water added over that time. The Composting in small batches speeds up the Hoffman explained. With six acres and 16 hoop pile should not be turned, and simply left to do its process, but many organic farmers have found houses in vegetable production, the flow of work in the structure it was initially built in. that the challenges outweigh the benefits when it compost materials keeps coming all summer. It should be noted that there are several comes to making their own compost. The farm has one employee that is more or less things in the cold composting approach that are Claire Strader of Fair Share CSA Coalition dedicated to managing the mixing of materials, not allowed under organic standards (205.203). found this to be true. She experimented by set- monitoring and recording the temperatures, and First, the initial carbon-nitrogen ratio should ting up a half dozen compost bins on the north turning the piles when appropriate. Along with a be between 25:1 and 40:1, which means a more side of the greenhouse on her farm. After adding small amount of purchased vermicompost, their nitrogen-rich initial input. Also the temperature all the materials from on-site sources, adequately site-made compost is their sole source of soil fer- of the pile needs to be maintained (and docu- watering it, covering it with hardware cloth (for tility inputs. mented) to be between 131°F and 170°F for 3 days rodent protection) and waterproof fabric, the bins “using an in-vessel or static aerated pile system,” took “forever” to make suitable compost. Finding Cold Composting or for 15 days if using a windrow system. time to turn the piles was the stumbling block. In his conference workshop, Jeavons touted With only hand tools, the job of forking over the benefits of “cold composting”—building and Carbon, Nitrogen, Water, Microbes, Air materials often got put off, effectively making maintaining a pile that’s slightly higher in car- With managed compost, the process of decom- the compost operation a passive one. To make the bon with a minimal amount of water to discour- position can be tightly controlled. Knowing which process easier, Strader said she’d welcome a tech- age the internal temperature from getting too materials are carbon heavy or nitrogen heavy is nology that’s something between a shovel and a high. His belief is that this less-warm composting the first step in building a pile that really heats front end loader. process will leave more undecomposed bits of up with fast microbial activity or takes its time to “Having a method and tools that work at hand organic material in the compost that will transfer break down materials at lower temperatures. The scale, but is less than a windrow would definitely to the soil and continue the process slowly within University of Illinois Extension’s “The Science of help,” she explained. the soil itself, which is better for the growing Composting” provides the following tips. Active compost management requires a signif- plants. He has found that a carbon-nitrogen ratio Generally materials that are higher in carbon icant amount of time and attention, requiring fre- of about 45:1 in the initial mix produces the best are mature and dried (or drying). Straw and quent temperature monitoring and pile turning. final product. wood chips/shavings are the classic examples of OrganicBroadcasterREV_D15.pdf 1 4/20/15 11:43 AM carbon-rich plant material. These are sometimes referred to as “browns” as, generally, plant material that is brown has built up more carbon in its structure. Plant materials high in nitrogen are some- SOIL CONDITIONER FROM THE GROUND UP times referred to as “greens.” And, yes, plants that are green and vigorously growing tend to be much higher in nitrogen. Grass clippings, weeds (before they’ve gone to seed), and most food waste and To Compost on page 16

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mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 15 ProofEffects ofPositive organic fermented — from grapepage extract13 on performance in Katahdin Effectslambs. of organic fermented grape extract on performance in Katahdin lambs needed to determine the This project was supported by the Ceres Trust Graduate

Treatment1 most accurate dose of con- Grant program and conducted at the Lincoln University Item C D7 D14 SEM2 Contrast3 densed tannins needed to Allen T. Busby Farm, one of the largest university owned Start BW, kg 23.8 22.7 23.4 1.06 ns see the most benefit, the organic farms in the central U.S. The fermented organic End BW, kg 28.0 28.2 28.9 1.05 ns 4 dosage timing and how it Pinot Noir grape extract was provided by Badger Start BCS 2.9 2.9 2.7 0.14 ns End BCS4 2.5 2.6 2.5 0.11 ns works with the nematode Mountain Winery in Kennewick, Wash. BCS4 change -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.13 ns life cycle, and the bioactivity ADG, kg 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.006 W of the CT that are required References: Gain, kg 4.2 5.4 5.2 0.39 W to produce the best results. 1 King, A. and G. Young. 1999. Characteristics an occurrence of phe- nolic phytochemicals. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. An increase in total weight 99: 213-218. C = Control. gain and average daily gain 2 LeShure, S. 2014. Efficacy of Naturally Occurring Anthelmintics 1Treatment D7 = Oral dose of organic Pinot Noir every 7 days. in Fruit By-Products to Control Intestinal Parasites in Small Rumi- D14 = Oral dose of organic Pinot Noir every 14 days. suggests an added benefit of nants. North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and 2SEM Pooled standard error of the mean. CT’s ability to bind to pro- Education Field Notes. Graduate Grant GNC12-161, pg. 1-11. 3 Min, B. R. and S. P. Hart. 2013. Tannins for suppression of internal W = mean of control lambs compared with the mean of Day 7 and Day 14 lambs tein causing a by-pass pro- parasites. Journal of Animal Science, 81: 102-109. (P ≤ 0.05); X = means of Day 7 compared with the mean of Day 14 lambs (P ≤ 4 3Contrasts tein effect. The results Reed, J.D. 1995. Nutritional toxicology of tannins and related poly- 0.05); lowercase letters represent statistical tendencies (P ≤ 0.10); ns = no phenols in forage legumes. Journal of Animal Science, 73: 1516-28. significant difference (P > 0.10). answered the initial ques- 4BCS Body condition score based on a scale of 1 to 5; 1 -thin to 5 -obese. tion of “Does it work?” Yes, it does. But, as with many Average daily gain and total weight gain were research projects, with that answer comes many greater (P = 0.02) for D7 and D14 lambs compared more questions that need further exploration. to control lambs. Conclusions Kimberly Cash is a graduate student in the Department of Fermented grape extract can be an effective Natural Sciences at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. organic and sustainable strategy for controlling This research poster was presented as part of the Organic nematodes and increasing lamb performance in Research Forum at the 2015 MOSES Organic Farming an organic pasture setting. Additional research is Conference. It received second place.

Compost — from page 15 fit this category. The more of these kinds of mate- a good handful. If there are still larger pieces in rials you have in the pile, the more it will heat up. the mix, the pile can be sent through a sifter, and With the right amount of moisture and air, the larger pieces sent back through the process in mesophilic (medium-temperature-loving) microbes the next pile. This wonderful finished material can start colonizing first. As the temperature creeps either be worked into the soil, spread around as a up, thermophilic microbes start to take over. Any top dressing, or soaked in water to make a com- of the microbes (bacteria, fungi, or actinomycetes) post tea to spray onto vegetable leaves. The mix of that work on these materials use the carbon in nutrients and active microbial life imparts a con- the pile as their energy source and the nitrogen as siderable health advantage to growing plants. building blocks for their own proteins. Take away too much air (down to less than 5 percent oxygen) Sources of Compost Organic Crop Improvement Association MN #1 and the conditions start to become anaerobic, When active compost management isn’t fea- Organic Certification through OCIA International producing useless organic acids and unavailable sible, farmers can find plenty of sources of com- forms of nitrogen, as well as stinky compounds mercially produced compost. Managing your own like hydrogen sulfide and putrescine. Turning the active compost is definitely a challenge, especially pile ensures that an adequate amount of oxygen in the context of a certified organic operation. As • FARM gets to the good bacteria. other growers have found, it just may be worth it • LIVESTOCK When finished, the final product should have to outsource it. • PROCESSORS an earthy smell to it with just enough moisture content that you can barely squeeze a drop from Anne Lupton owns Blue Egg Farm in Green Lake, Wis. Join us today

“Personalized support & education through your local member led chapter” 2609 Wheat Drive, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 218-253-4907 for more than a century. Always as promised... www.ocia.org • www.mnocia.org Lorri Ann Hartel, Chapter Administrator DeEtta Bilek, Education Coordinator ORGANIC Certi ed Since 1995

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16 | Organic Br oadcaster ­— May | June 2015 NEWS BRIEFS

NOSB Nominations that exemption still applies where those sales Research Laboratory. The 67-page document The USDA is seeking nominations to fill five occur off-farm through a roadside stand, CSA includes the chart showing growth cycles, plant vacancies on the National Organic Standards drop-off site, farmers’ market, or “other such architecture, and relative water use, plus addi- Board (NOSB), the advisory group that assists in direct-to-consumer sales platforms.” tional details such as seeding depth, pollination developing standards for substances to be used in characteristics, and forage quality. Download the organic production. Openings on the 15-member Agricultural Coexistence chart at bit.ly/CoverCropsChart. For recommen- board include: two farmers, two consumer/public The USDA has added another extension to its dations on choosing cover crops based on the interest representatives, and one USDA-accred- comment period on agricultural coexistence with desired outcomes, see “How to Choose Cover ited certifying agent. Appointees will serve a genetically engineered (GE) crops, giving more Crops,” a free Organic Fact Sheet available at 5-year term of office beginning Jan. 24, 2016. farmers the chance to weigh in on issues they’re mosesorganic.org under the Publications tab. Written nominations with cover letter, resume, having with contamination. The economic and and a required form (available online at bit.ly/ management burden to prevent contamination Farm Breeding Projects NOSBNominations), must be postmarked on or currently falls on the non-GE farmer. See the The Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society before May 15, 2015. MOSES Take Action page (mosesorganic.org/ (NPSAS) Farm Breeding Club is looking for grow- policywork/take-action) for details and the link to ers in northern states to collaborate on these Organic Checkoff the USDA’s comment page. Comments can be breeding projects: early paste tomato, early orange The organic check-off continues to be a topic for made through May 11, 2015. tomato, and early, disease-tolerant zucchini. discussion in the organic community. (See the NPSAS has a few hundred seeds of F2 generations Organic Broadcaster Sept|Oct 2014 for the com- Restaurant Alma ready to be planted out for evaluation and selec- plete story.) The Organic Trade Association (OTA) During the month of May, Restaurant Alma in tion. Participants typically grow about a dozen has introduced a draft proposal (version 6) of the Minneapolis will donate $1 from every three- plants and save some seeds for NPSAS. To partici- Generic Research and Promotion Order for course tasting menu purchased to MOSES to pate, email Frank Kutka at [email protected]. Organic (GRO). It describes the representation of support programs that help farmers succeed in the proposed check-off board, who will be pay into organic production. Restaurant Alma is a casual Terminating Cover Crops with Sheep the check-off, and who will vote on the proposal fine dining restaurant in a historically preserved A study at Montana State University is finding once it has been submitted to the USDA for con- building on University Avenue. The restaurant that using domestic sheep to terminate cover sideration. Four areas will share funding from specializes in tasting menus that allow patrons to crops in an organic farming system can enable the pool of money equally at 25% per category: select any three dishes for $52. The menu farmers to save money, reduce tillage by more research, information, promotion and discretion- includes handcrafted dishes with fresh, seasonal, than half, manage weeds and pests, and reduce ary. See www.unitedformoreorganic.org for organic and local ingredients. MOSES Organic the risk of soil erosion. The research farms also details and to comment on this proposal. For Farmers of the Year Greg and Mary Reynolds are made money on lambs sold for processing. The information about opposition to a check-off, see among the farmers supplying those ingredients. results are from the first two years of a long-term www.nodpa.com/checkoff_opposition.shtml. For the menu and driving directions, see USDA research, education and extension project www.restaurantalma.com or call 612-379-4909. involving researchers from agronomy, weed ecol- Cover Crop Survey ogy, animal and range sciences, entomology, com- Farmers with all levels of experience with Certified Organic Operations munity development, soil science and more. cover crops are being asked to complete a Data from the USDA National Organic Pro- national survey (bit.ly/CropSurvey) on cover gram shows that the number of domestic certified No-Spray Signs crops. Data from this year’s survey will be com- organic operations increased by more than 5 MOSES sells 18x24” UV-resistant, pared to previous survey results to identify percent over the last year to 19,474 operations in corrugated plastic signs farmers can trends in cover crop practices or attitudes toward the United States. post on fence lines to discourage pes- cover crops. Farmers who complete the question- The USDA is developing an Organic Integrity ticide/herbicide spraying of organic naire are eligible for a drawing for one of two Database, a modernized certified organic opera- fields. The bright orange signs are $7 $100 Visa gift cards. The survey is conducted by tions database that will provide accurate informa- each, $6 for five or more. See mosesorganic.net. the Conservation Technology Information Center, tion about all certified operations that is updated Farmers without internet access may call the and is sponsored by USDA’s Sustainable Agricul- on a regular basis. The modernized system will MOSES office at 715-778-5775 to order. ture Research and Education (SARE) program, allow anyone to confirm organic certification the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) status using the online tool, support market Gardens of Eagan and Corn+Soybean Digest. research and supply chain connections, allow The Wedge Co-op, which acquired Gardens of international verification of operator status to Eagan in 2008 from the Diffley family, recently Food Safety Rule streamline import and export certificates, and announced it is placing the 126-acre property on The FDA has published a proposed rule to establish technology connections with certifiers to the market, but plans to continue operations amend the Food Safety Modernization Act provide more accurate and timely data. The through this growing season. The Northfield, (FSMA) that includes a definition of “retail food initial launch is planned for September 2015. Minn. farm employs a staff of 20 during peak establishment” to clarify that manufacturing and season, and just completed the organic certifica- processing operations co-located on farms are Cover Crop Comparison Chart tion process. Availability of organic produce from exempt from registration when the majority of Easily compare 58 crop species with a new the growing number of local organic farms is one sales by that operation is direct to consumer, and cover crop chart from the Northern Great Plains reason behind the sale.

mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 17 NEWS BRIEFS

Lawsuit about ‘Sunset’ Process OCIA Scholarship Winner Minn., have produced the Minnesota Hops Grow- A coalition of 15 organizations in the organic The Organic Crop Improvement Association er’s Guide. The guide is written for commercial- community filed a lawsuit in federal court last has awarded its 2015 Research and Education scale, homebrewers and backyard hops gardeners month, maintaining that the USDA violated the Graduate Scholarship to Utsala Shrestha from to learn new techniques that will make for better federal rulemaking process when it changed the University of Tennessee. Utsala’s research yields and tastier hops. The guide covers every- established procedures for reviewing the allowed focuses on the carbon- thing about local, sustainable hops production: synthetic and prohibited natural substances used nitrogen ratio of organic design, install, planting, management, harvest, in producing organic food. The group asked the soil amendments as a and postharvest handling. It is available free at court to require the USDA to reconsider its deci- non-chemical approach to www.MightyAxeHops.com/category/grow-hops. sion on the rule change and reinstitute the agen- control soil-borne patho- cy’s customary public hearing and comment gens and weeds. She is Foreign Teaching Opportunities process. At issue in the lawsuit is a rule that originally from Nepal, a Twin Cities-based Land O’Lakes is sponsoring implements the organic law’s “sunset provision,” country that is feeling the US Agency for International Development’s which since its origins has been interpreted to the impacts of climate Farmer to Farmer (F2F) Program in the Middle require all listed materials to cycle off the change and water scar- East and North Africa, which provides short-term National List of Allowed and Prohibited Sub- city, and is interested in technical support to farmers, farm organizations stances every five years unless the National sustainable agricultural and agribusinesses in the developing world in Organic Standards Board (NOSB) votes by a practices. For more information about her order to build capacity in the agriculture sectors two-thirds majority to relist them. In September research or the OCIA scholarship program, see in those countries. Volunteers travel to the host 2013, the USDA changed the rule so that a mate- www.ociaresearchandeducation.org. countries for 2+ weeks; travel expenses and rial can remain on the National List unless the arrangements are taken care of by Land O’Lakes. NOSB takes initiative to vote it off the List. Podcasts For more information, see bit.ly/F2Farmer. Chris Blanchard, market farming veteran, Survey on New Crop Insurance educator and popular MOSES Conference pre- Soil Samples The National Center for Appropriate Technology senter, has started the Farmer to Farmer Podcast The National Soil Project is looking for soil (NCAT) and the Rural Advancement Foundation interviewing other farmers. Recent episodes of samples from farms to evaluate humic acid, fulvic International-USA (RAFI) are conducting a the hour-long show featured some of the present- acid and humin content. Farmers can receive free survey to assess farmers’ experiences with ers—Lisa Kivirist, Steve Pincus, and Allen results of the analysis. Learn more and download Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, a pilot crop Philo—who familiar to MOSES-goers. Shows the sample submission form at bit.ly/SoilProject. insurance policy available for 2015 that offers cover topics such as soil fertility, business plan- coverage based on a farm’s five-year revenue ning and managing for profit, managing employ- Organic in Wisconsin history, and covers multiple crops with one policy. ees. See www.farmertofarmerpodcast.com. Wisconsin leads the nation in organic dairy and By completing the survey (bit.ly/FarmRevenue), beef production, according to Organic Agriculture pilot participants will help RAFI, NCAT, and Hops Guide in Wisconsin: 2015 Status Report, prepared by the other organizations advocate for changes that The growers at Mighty Axe Hops, one of the University of Wisconsin Center for Integrated improve Whole Farm Revenue Protection. farms in the Sandbox Cooperative in Ham Lake, Agricultural Systems and the Wisconsin Depart- ment of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protec- tion. The report says the state has 1,257 certified organic farms, making it second in the country in terms of organic farming; California is first. The report includes additional statistics about organic agriculture in the state, plus opportunities and challenges facing the state’s organic farmers. See the full report at bit.ly/2015StatusReport.

Organic Research Report Ceres Trust’s 2015 report on organic research and outreach in the North Central Region shows that 1,970.17 acres of university land are being used for organic research in the region. The report lists key contacts and describes academic courses, degree programs, and hands-on learning opportunities in the region. Find the report under Current Research at mosesorganic.org/projects/ organic-research-forum.

18 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015 CLASSIFIED ADS

EQUIPMENT Online Classifieds, 20’ Long tined weeder, $2,500 or best offer. East Job Postings, Land Link-Up: Central Wisconsin, 920-904-4962. Find these at mosesorganic.org Living Row crop Flamer for sale, 8 row, used one year, under the Farming tab. electronic ignition. Reason for selling, I quit row crops. I can deliver. 701-336-7509 or 701-321-1580, LIVESTOCK potting soil southern North Dakota. Livestock Guardian Dogs: Protect your pastured For Sale: 20’ long tine weeder, 3 point, excellent poultry, goats and/or sheep from aerial and ground for Organic condition. Phone 920-904-4962. predators. Started and trained dogs available, free training advice. $250-$550. wonderacres@yahoo. Walk-in cooler. Exterior 14’ 3” by 7’ 8”, with 5 com, 608-477-1981. Growers glass doors on one side. Service door on one end. Includes refrigeration equipment. Bought new, used 10 Bred Certified Organic Angus Beef 5 years, stored since. Delivery possible. $900 OBO. Heifers: Vet Preg checked, vaccinated and ready 320-632-4691 or [email protected]. to fall calf. $3200 each. Coon Valley, WI, Call Rod @ 608-452-2861. Red dragon row crop flamer unit model 6-RU 6 row, 3 point attachment. Excellent condition. Used Organic grass-fed feeder beef cattle. Red Angus, one season. $12,000 OBO. Greg Dongvillo – LM Hereford, shorthorn crosses. GAP certified. Available 269-267-8527. May to August. Weigh about 500# now, 750-800 in August. Pot load western SD. 605-685-3376. Mark- [email protected]. FARMS/LAND MISCELLANEOUS Money Maker!!!! Located 50 miles from Chicago, 74 802-223-6049 tillable Certified Organic acres of farmland, updated Bovine Basics - composted cow manure 100 year old Sears home plus out buildings on 4.5 available in bulk, totes and bags. Contact Ed Montpelier, Vermont acres. Refurbished commercial wean to finish swine Rudberg at 952-212-6576 or [email protected] vermontcompost.com complex w/rental lease and manure income on and visit us at www.bovinebasics.com. We are a 6.5 acres. Opportunity for quick payback, just add bio-based certified product. labor. Asking $2.1 million. Will separate. Contact: Ted Weydert 815-739-3062 or [email protected]. For Sale: ORGANIC FISH FERTILIZER 15-1-1, 100% we speak organic dry water soluble, 5-7 times more nutritious than I have 133 tillable Acres for Rent In 2016 in Arcadia, liquid fish. Will not clog drip irrigation. 1 lb or 55 Wis, would like to do long term contract. Can be lb packaging, can be shipped UPS. Frommelt Ag certified organic, was in CRP, call Jim 608-863-3895. Service, Greeley, IA, 563-920-3674.

Agricultural Grade Local Compost. 50 lb. N, 120 lb. FORAGES P, 60 lb. K per ton plus micronutrients and organic Classified Ad Placement matter. Minimum purchase: 20 tons. Suståne Natural Organic Alfalfa and Alfalfa/grass 3x3x8 square Fertilizer (Kenyon, MN), 507-263-3003, Email: kylel@ Reach 11,000+ organic-minded readers with a classified ad in this newspaper. bales. Test results available. Good quality and fairly sustane.com. ***OMRI certified granular, dry, priced. Delivery available. Located in Linton, ND. organic fertilizers also available. Dave Silbernagel Organic Farms 208-867-9939. Includes free listing in the BMR84 Seed Corn For grazing under $40 per 50 Online Organic Classifieds at For sale: organic hay, round bales, dry and silage pounds. Go to www.pageseedcorn.com for seeds- mosesorganic.org/farming/organic-classifieds. bales, 1st, 2nd and 3rd crops. Also oats straw. Deliv- man nearest you and prices. No computer? - call Submit ads online at organicbroadcaster.org. ery available. Sno Pac Farms, Pete, 507-725-5281. 507-645-6218. Or, complete this form and mail with your ad to: MOSES, PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Organic dry heifer hay for sale. There was no rain Smart Organics offers 4 products to the Organic on these medium square bales. One lot of 1100 Farmer that are approved by the FDA and produce Ads must be submitted by the 10th of the month prior to bales at 115 RFV, another lot of 57 bales at 136 RFV. a superior Non-Chemical alternative to Antimicrobi- Organic Broadcaster publication date. Moorhead, MN, Lee Thomas 218-790-0236. als, Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Folier Sprays. Takes the place of Toxic Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, Name: Certified Organic alfalfa hay/baleage for sale. 165 Algicides and Preservatives. For Dairy a Non-Toxic Address: to185 RFV 18 to 24 pro. Located in NW MN. Delivery Teat Dip that dramatically lowers Somatic Cell Count available. 580 tons available. For questions call Kyle and replaces iodine. [email protected] or 414-732-7017. City: 218-779-6894. OPPORTUNITIES State: Zip: Organic Baleage - Single wrapped 3x3x6 big squares. RFQ of 110 to 150. Priced from $104 to $162 Help Wanted: Central Illinois small turn-key Phone: a ton depending on quality and moisture. Nelson, acreage seeks person(s) to produce for local markets WI 715-495-1058. Planting/care of vegetable beds, flock of laying hens Email: and miscellaneous property maintenance. Honest, 1st Cutting hay for sale. Certified Organic, No self-reliant person tolerant of outdoors. Food/gas $15 up to 30 words; $5/each additional 10 words. rain, Net wrapped 4x6 round bales. $200 ton. stipend, lodging in primitive cabin or renovated Place my ad in (price is per insertion): Doreen, [email protected], 810-531-6823. silo. Owner assisted input costs. No firearms, illegal You may text, call or e-mail. substances, no pets. Transportation and health January - February July - August insurance preferred. References. website at http:// March - April Sept. - Oct. For Sale: organic wrapped and dry hay big www.renewalacres.com. bales, shelled corn, roasted soybeans. Can deliver, May - June Nov. - Dec. 608-574-2160. Driftless Organics is a 50 acre vegetable farm lo- Word rate x number of insertions (above) = ______TOTAL DUE cated outside of Viroqua, WI. We are seeking hard working individuals to join our crew. Must be PAYMENT INFORMATION: GRAINS able to work full time (M-F). Potential for year round I’m enclosing a check made out to MOSES. work and opportunities for advancement. Visit our Please charge $ Non-GMO oats, wheat, barley, rye feed mix website to learn more: www.driftlessorganics.com. (untreated/cleaned) suitable for all livestock, Card # $125/ton semi loads available. 507-373-3161 or Business for sale in Lanesboro. A rare opportunity Visa | Mastercard | Discover | American Express 800-352-5247. exists for the right person/family in the heart of bluff Expiration: (mm/dd/yy) country, 45 minutes from Rochester, MN. This lovely We buy organic: corn, wheat, soybeans. community has a small “local foods” grocery on main Signature: Delivered to: Cromwell, IN. Contact: John 414-704- street available for purchase. If you are interested in 1344, [email protected]. learning more, please contact [email protected]. This form good through July 2015. mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775 | 19 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Women Caring for the Land Workshops that proper food safety practices can mitigate risk and May 5 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Altoona, Wis. See more on the Community Calendar promote farm health, and the need moving forward to May 6 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Medford, Wis. under Events at mosesorganic.org. plan for food safety. bit.ly/1cE00Ag May 7 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Marshfield, Wis. Organized by the MOSES Rural Women’s Project and Spring Elderberry Workshop, Farm Tour & Plant Sale WFAN, these workshops teach women landowners how adding goats or sheep to their sustainable food produc- June 6 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Scandia, Minn. to assess and improve the health of their soils through tion system or those who want to manage their small Minnesota Elderberry Cooperative presents a free work- cover crops, no-till and strip-till, and other conservation ruminants more holistically. bit.ly/1NJYuxp shop on growing elderberries. Topics include planting, practices. mosesorganic.org/projects/rural-womens- management, soil health, weed control, pest control, project/events Webinar: Energy and Climate Change irrigation, varieties, harvesting and market potential. May 21 | 12 p.m. Central | Free Includes a walking field tour and hands-on experience. Webinar: Decoding Organic Feed and Supplement Presented by NRCS and Oregon Tilth, learn about using minnesota-elderberry.coop/upcoming-events.html Requirements for Livestock leguminous cover crops, compost, and other organic- May 5 | 2 p.m. Central approved materials for fertility management to decrease Beginning Farmers Explore Production, Business Join Oregon Tilth and NRCS to learn the breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions on your farm. bit.ly/1GAcBBl and Marketing the livestock feed standards and how they apply to spe- June 9 | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Free | Freeman, S.D. cific systems; an overview of feed supplements, includ- Basic Chicken Processing Workshop FarmStarts is designed to help beginning farmers learn ing how they are classified and regulations for use; and May 30 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | $50 | Gerald, Mo. more about organic dairy and organic grain produc- guidelines for ensuring that your animals’ nutritional June 6 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | $50 | Gerald, Mo. tion. Open to conventional and organic producers, needs are being met while remaining compliant with Join Stuart Farm for this hands-on 3-hour class. Students workshops cover grain marketing, farm structure and the standards. tilth.org/event/event-thats-upcoming-3 will learn the basics of slaughtering and butchering a budgeting, fertility and weed control, certification rules, chicken. stuartfarm.com/our-classes/ and more. nfo.org/FarmStarts Aquaponics Master Class May 7-9 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Montello, Wis. Raising and Processing Meat Chickens Midwest Farm Energy Conference 3-day comprehensive course intended for anyone seri- May 31 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $140 | Gerald, Mo. June 17-19 | Morris, Minn. ously considering getting into aquaponic food produc- June 7 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $140 | Gerald, Mo. Hosted by WCROC, learn about optimized and cost- tion, or those already doing aquaponics who want to Join Stuart Farm to learn how to successfully raise and effective energy systems for dairy, swine, and crop pro- learn more about the technology. process your own meat chickens. The class will consist of duction. Conference includes several speakers, practical aquaponics.com/calendar a short lecture and hands-on processing. Handouts will information for Ag producers, and a Renewable Energy cover all of this information for future reference. bus tour. Learn more and register. Agritourism Workshop stuartfarm.com/our-classes/ May 13 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Free | Chanhassen, Minn. Comprehensive Elderberry Workshop & Field Tour May 19 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Free | Coon Rapids, Minn. North American Agroforestry Conference: June 18-19 | Jefferson City, Mo. Hosted by the Minn. Dept. of Health, explore the human Agroforestry as a Catalyst for On-Farm Conservation Hosted by River Hills Harvest, learn about traditional and environmental health issues at agritourism events and Diversification culture, marketing workshops and harvest and post-har- and operations, including farm tours, apple orchards, May 31-June 3 | Ames, Iowa vest handling of the fragile elderberry fruit. Pre-register pumpkin patches, and farms that host the public. Topics A pre-conference agroforestry field tour will visit a va- before June 7. will include petting zoo safety, food licensing and han- riety of agroforestry systems. The main conference fea- dling requirements, and more. For questions, contact tures keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, tours and MOSES Row Crops Field Day [email protected]. field demonstrations, and poster sessions. bit.ly/1Oo0wyg June 26 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Danforth, Ill. Farm host Harold Wilken will explain how he tran- Webinar: Using Case Studies to Facilitate Farmer Webinar: Mitigating Soil Disturbance in Organic sitioned his farm to organic, growing small grains, Conservation Decisions Systems livestock feed, edible beans, corn and forages. He’ll May 14 | 1 p.m. Central June 2 | 2 p.m. Central also show his value-added organic flour mill. Extension Join NRCS to learn how to use case studies of producer Oregon Tilth and NRCS present production practices agents from the University of Illinois will be on hand to experiences to facilitate conservation decision-making. that can offset the negative impacts of tillage in organic discuss on-farm research opportunities. Emphasis will be placed on using case studies that re- systems, including the use of cover crops, compost mosesorganic.org/events/organic-field-days flect representative types of farms/producers who have and other additions of organic matter. tilth.org/event/ had a range of experiences. The training will highlight mitigating-soil-disturbance-in-organic-systems/ Livestock & Orchards Field Day how to describe the complex ways that conservation June 28 | 1-4 p.m. | La Crescent, Minn. activities intersect with farm business, household and Women Caring for the Land Workshop Hosted by the Land Stewardship Project, learn about in- personal resources and goals. bit.ly/1DIeF7K June 3 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Verona, Wis. tegrating livestock with organic perennial fruit produc- Learn how to protect and improve their property and tion from the owners of Hoch Orchard. Learn more by Companion Planting Workshop make local connections. The workshop includes an contacting Dori Eder. May 14 | 6-8 p.m. | $15 | Stevens Point, Wis. informational morning session followed by lunch and a Hosted by Farm Shed, Jen Zach and Sue Anderson will bus tour to see farms in the area that use conservation Soil Sisters: Celebration of Wis. Farms and Rural Life teach the fundamentals of companion planting; practices. womencaringfortheland.org/wisconsin/ July 31-Aug. 2 | Southern Wis. providing a hands-on, thorough overview of For 3 days and with 5 unique components and involv- maximizing your garden. farmshed.org/events Webinar: Food Safety and Mitigating Risk ing more than twenty farms, the jam-packed Soil Sisters June 3 | 3 p.m. | Free culinary event celebrates Wisconsin’s family farms and Introduction to Small Ruminant Husbandry Join the Farmer Veteran Coalition as they discuss major rural life in and around the farming communities of May 16 | 1-5 p.m. | $80 | Ashby, Minn. components of a food safety plan, as is required for the Monroe and Brodhead. soilsisters.wix.com/soilsisters Hosted by SFA, this workshop is for anyone considering Homegrown By Heroes label. They will review the ways

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20 | Organic Broadcaster ­— May | June 2015