July | August 2019

Forage Crisis Green New Deal Conservation Vote for Programs Workshops Page 5 Page 10 Page 13 Page 15

Volume 27 | Number 4 Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service July | August 2019

National conference to bring together women working in sustainable ag By Lisa Kivirist Women from across the country will gather committed to sustainable agriculture to gather together to exchange ideas, find resources, and network at and share ideas, resources and visions for the future,” the National Women in Sustainable Agriculture cultivate explained Mary Peabody, program director for the Conference this October in St. Paul, Minnesota. connections, friendships, support Women’s Ag Network (WAgN) at the University of MOSES hosts this year’s event, which serves as the Vermont. “As the number of women farmers committed only national conference that brings together farmers, to conservation and sustainability continues to grow, educators, activists and others who are committed to your skills,nourish your strengths, your self it is inspiring to see the WISA Conference continue women in sustainable agriculture. and bring more voices and perspectives to the table.” “MOSES is excited for the opportunity to bring Peabody will present workshops at the October confer- together a diverse agenda focused on women connect- ence on negotiation and growing successful teams. ing, leading, and working together to grow a larger movement of sustainability within the food system,” grow! WFAN Collaboration said Lauren Langworthy, Interim Executive Director MOSES has been organizing the 2019 WISA at MOSES. “We’re looking forward to putting out the WOMEN IN Conference in partnership with the Women, Food and welcome mat for women from different regions and Agriculture Network (WFAN). The MOSES In Her backgrounds as we cultivate an event for powerful SUSTAINABLE AG Boots Project has teamed up with WFAN on various peer-to-peer learning.” projects over the years, including facilitating Women The event will take place Oct. 17-19, 2019 at the CONFERENCE Caring for the Land sessions. InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel in Oct. 17-19, 2019 | St. Paul, MN “So much of our work at WFAN focuses on downtown St. Paul, Minn. Tickets are $240 for the encouraging women to speak up and to speak out, to conference and $150 for full-day intensives on Oct. mosesorganic.org/wisa-conference take on leadership positions within their communi- 17. Single-day tickets also are available. Registration ties, and to join foundational conversations to create opens Aug. 1. A block of rooms at a group rate is avail- change within the food system,” said Sherri Dugger of able at the InterContinental hotel. See mosesorganic. WFAN and a farmer herself running Dugger Family org/wisa-conference. Farm in Indiana. “Conferences like WISA offer these female farmers, food producers, advocates, and activ- WISA History ists a chance to turn inward, to take a break from the Over the past decade, different organizations have outside world, to reflect on and share the good work hosted this national conference, known as the WISA they do, and to find inspiration and renewed energy Conference (Women in Sustainable Agriculture). The from a wonderful community of smart, powerful, first WISA conferences on the east coast were hosted Extension hosted the event in Portland. Attendance and respected women. As the newly minted executive by the University of Vermont Women’s Agricultural runs about 200-350 women. director of Women, Food and Agriculture Network, Network (WAgN) and the Pennsylvania Women’s “The WISA Conference today serves the same goal I feel really lucky to have the opportunity right out of Agricultural Network (PA WAgN). The most recent as it did when we started organizing these events over the gate to participate in WFAN’s collaboration with WISA conference took place in 2016 when Oregon a decade ago: to provide a national forum for women To WISA Conference on page 6 Mandatory labeling of GMOs expected to expand market for non-GMO, organic crops By Peter Golbitz and Jacob Golbitz The food landscape in America is being reshaped synthetic pesticides or grown and processed without the about the safety of consuming GMO foods and the by shifting consumer preferences driven by a younger use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), antibiot- potential negative impact of their use on the environ- demographic that values transparency, sustainable ics or questionable food ingredients or additives. ment. These groups initiated various voter referendums farming practices, and humane treatment of animals. First, there was the USDA Organic seal. Consumers focused on labeling GMOs and also pressured state This dynamic is causing millennial and Gen Z consum- who wanted to enjoy foods grown and processed legislatures to write laws requiring mandatory labeling ers—as well as aging baby boomers who helped set the without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides could simply of foods containing GMOs. stage for these products—to seek out foods that can purchase foods that carried the USDA Organic label. In 2011, for example, the Center for Food Safety, a be identified as having been produced without toxic Next, came the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. national nonprofit public interest and environmental Shoppers looking to avoid foods that contained ingre- advocacy organization, submitted a formal legal peti- dients derived from genetically engineered crops could tion to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) look for products that carried the Non-GMO Project asking that the FDA require mandatory labeling of Verified label. Now, we have a new USDA labeling genetically engineered foods. Other groups, such as Just program about to roll out, the National Bioengineered Label It and the Organic Trade Association, began to Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), that instead of get involved in similar initiatives, and by 2013, a num- identifying products that are not genetically engi- ber of state legislatures passed the first wave of GMO neered, will actually identify foods that do contain labeling laws. Eventually, 54 bills were introduced in 26 GMO crops or ingredients. states. But it was the Vermont law, passed in 2014 and For many consumers, there already has been which was set to go into effect July 1, 2016, that finally mounting confusion about organic and non-GMO made a national rule more imperative. The idea of a product claims: about how they’re different from one patchwork of differing state regulations requiring the

another, and in some cases, how they overlap. Now add labeling of GMO foods was a nightmare scenario for to this a new mandatory label that uses radically differ- the food industry. ent terminology and threshold levels to describe which With the Vermont law pending, and after additional foods contain, or may contain GMOs, and we have the public input and debate among congressional lead- makings of a major disruptive event for the food indus- ers, the U.S. Congress passed an act, which President try. And any major disruptive event that impacts food Obama signed into law July 29, 2016, requiring the processing and marketing has the potential to have a USDA to develop a new rule that would require food direct impact on the supply, demand, and pricing for manufacturers to disclose the content of genetically organic and non-GMO crops, foods, and ingredients. engineered ingredients in packaged food products. The The development of the new rule came about after law gave authority for the development of the rule to years of pressure on the USDA and FDA from con- the USDA and required that the agency conduct a study PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Spring Valley, 339, PO Box sumer and environmental groups that were concerned To GMO Labeling Impact on page 8 TM From the Executive Director Volume 27, #4 July | August 2019 To say it has been from different perspectives were needed to get us here. a tough year so far is a There is still a long way to go, but this enforcement Editor Audrey Alwell severe understatement. step was crucial. We need to keep flexing our muscles It has been really of community to get where we ultimately want to go. Advertising Coordinator Tom Manley rough for farmers of That’s why I think it’s important for us all to look Digital Content Producer Stephanie Coffman all stripes across the around the industry, our neighborhood, and our per- country. As we came sonal networks to find where there is common ground. out of a long winter As we develop and strengthen partnerships, we also into an unforgiving spring, we found winterkill in develop and strengthen power. There is a snare in the our alfalfa, unforgiving markets, and fields too wet road called “division;” it’s easy to get caught up in it. The Organic BroadcasterTM is a bimonthly to plant. When times get tough, it becomes essential It’s easy to identify where we disagree and to dwell newspaper published by the Midwest Organic & to gather and to share. It’s painful to talk about the on differences. However, our power comes when we Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), problems, but if enough of us can engage, we can find identify what reality we want and choose to pool our a nonprofit that provides education, resources our areas of common cause and work together on efforts in growing the needed change. I might come to and practical advice to farmers. solutions. a solution on an entirely different path than someone This spring, I went to D.C. a few times, sharing sto- else, but our underlying reasons do not negate our Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. ries from farmers who talked with me at the MOSES common goal. Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply Conference, what I heard at spring meetings, topics of I’ve always felt that we should work together on our endorsement of a product. We reserve the right to calls into the MOSES Organic Answer Line, and words common goals first and sort out our differences later. refuse inappropriate advertising. from fellow farmers in my own network. Even though There will be times we don’t align and conversations MOSES is an organization focused on education, not we’re not ready to have. But, by avoiding the trap of © 2019 MOSES advocacy, we feel it’s important to share the stories we divisiveness, we can earnestly work together and build hear from our farmer community so that your voices the capacity we need to shift the trajectory toward our Content may be reprinted with permission. can be amplified. We talked about the dairy crisis, shared vision. Contact [email protected]. issues of corporate consolidation and rising costs When weather, economics, and division threaten impacting farmers, and the importance of clarity in our core values, a strong and welcoming community Display & Classified Advertising: the National Organic Program to ensure that everyone becomes our most essential tool to advance our cause. [email protected] or 888-90-MOSES is “playing by the same rules.” Sometimes, it feels like MOSES’ strength comes from the huge network of you can talk about these issues until you’re blue in the organic and regenerative farmers and partners who Content Submissions or Inquiries: [email protected] face and nothing changes. leverage our resources and relationships to push for- Then something amazing happened. I heard ward a vision for the future of agriculture where Free Subscription: Dr. Jenny Tucker from the National Organic Program we can all thrive. mosesorganic.org/sign-up or 888-90-MOSES say, “As a result of directives on unannounced inspec- Join me in actively seeking common ground tions and residue/GMO testing, 180 operations (60%) with those who aren’t yet part of our community on in the Black Sea region have lost certification.” After topics such as grazing, soil health, farm economics, years of work by lots of amazing people throughout pollinators, water quality, nutrition and health, food the organic community, concrete enforcement steps security, climate change, tradition, a desire for thriving MOSES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit qualified to had begun to address the import fraud issues! This communities, and both social and economic justice (to

receive tax-deductible donations. offers a huge opportunity to domestic producers to fill name just a few). These bonds are opportunities and, that market demand. It’s also an opportunity to revive when you start to look, you can see them everywhere. Please support our programs and this some lost trust in the organic label. A lot of voices ~ Good Courage, Lauren Langworthy FREE publication with a donation:

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

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Nonprofit supports farmers with resources, access to organic farming research By Vicki Lowell, Organic Farming Research Foundation Organic agriculture has been shown to alleviate Weed Management: An Ecological Approach many of the pressing environmental issues we face Tillage and weed cultivation can disrupt soil life, today, such as climate change. However, given the INSIDE ORGANICS degrade organic matter and tilth, and accelerate erosion. small amount of land under organic production, its While there is no magic formula or recipe to follow, true impact has yet to be realized. That’s why it’s criti- there is this guide, which offers practical tips for taking cal to invest in research, education, and policies that Viewpoints from members of an ecological approach to weed management, including encourage more farmers to transition to organic. the organic community tools that reduce the need for soil disturbance. The goal of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), a nonprofit organization founded Practical Conservation Tillage in 1990, is to advance organic agriculture through on top. The findings of this report not only informed In addition to physically disturbing the soil and scientific research. As a champion of organic farmers the research projects we selected for funding, it led exposing it to the elements, excessive tillage accelerates across the U.S., we work to foster the improvement us to develop a comprehensive educational series of oxidation of soil organic matter and increases carbon and widespread adoption of organic farming systems guidebooks and webinars designed to help organic dioxide emissions, disrupts the soil food web, and by cultivating organic research, education, and federal farmers and ranchers enhance soil health and the diminishes the soil’s capacity to hold water and nutri- policies that bring more farmers and acreage into overall resilience of their operations. ents. This guide offers useful ideas for reducing tillage organic production. Through these efforts, we are Organic agriculture has long emphasized healthy, in organic systems. working to create a more resilient and sustainable living soil as the foundation of sustainable and suc- agricultural system that values healthy environments cessful farming. Through research, we now have a Cover Crops: Selection and Management and healthy people. better understanding of soil dynamics, soil organic Over the past 30 years, cover cropping has emerged So much has changed since we began nearly 30 matter (SOM), and soil health. Since 2002, over 100 as a key soil health and resource conservation practice years ago. Back then, organic farming research was USDA-funded organic agriculture research projects for annual crop production. This guide offers a how-to not a well-studied field, and the USDA was more than have addressed soil health and soil management, the on selecting the best cover crops, and management a decade away from certifying organically grown findings of which largely validate the four NRCS man- methods for soil health, including crop rotations and products. Here we are today with a Farm Bill that agement principles for soil health: cropping system biodiversity. makes significant investments in organic agricul- • Keep the soil covered as much as possible. ture—including $395 million for organic research and • Grow living roots throughout the year. Plant Genetics: Plant Breeding & Variety Selection education over the next 10 years. • Use plant diversity to enhance soil microbial life. Crop cultivars can make an important contribution This increase in federal funding for organic • Avoid disturbing the soil. to soil health by making it easier to farm sustainably research makes OFRF’s support of innovative work OFRF’s Soil Health and Organic Farming series and by building or protecting the soil directly; however, at the early stages more critical than ever. Our seed includes nine guidebooks and webinars that help most cultivars have been bred and selected to perform grants enable researchers to collect the data they farmers select the best practices for their particular well in conventional farming systems. This guide pro- need to leverage much larger federal funding to circumstances based on scientific research. Each guide vides an exploration of plant breeding and variety selec- continue to work at a larger scale. One example is the begins with tools and practices set in the context of tion for performance in sustainable organic systems. research project led by Dr. Carol Shennan and Dr. Joji the challenges and opportunities identified by organic Muramoto at the University of California-Santa Cruz producers in the 2016 NORA report. The guides also Water Management and Water Quality to examine organic management of soilborne diseases include reviews of USDA-funded organic research, Successful farming depends on effective manage- in strawberry production. This project, initiated with future research priorities, and scientific literature ment of water resources when water is both scarce and $28,000 in OFRF grants, eventually received $2.8 references. The series includes the following titles. plentiful. Organic systems have the ability to enhance million in USDA funding. water use efficiency and reduce the need for irrigation, OFRF is committed to supporting the research Building Organic Matter for Healthy Soils largely by improving and maintaining soil health. This needed to meet the current challenges of organic farm- A soil health 101, if you will, the first topic in the guide includes best management practices for water ing and grow the number of organic acres in the U.S. series provides a discussion of the attributes of healthy management in organic production systems. In 2016, OFRF updated its National Organic soil, the central role of organic matter, and how to Research Agenda (NORA). The report, based on an monitor and enhance soil organic matter and soil Nutrient Management for Crops, Soil, Environment online survey and listening sessions with over 2,000 health in organic production. The guide summarizes Organic producers replenish organic matter and organic farmers, provided a comprehensive analysis of research findings on SOM and soil health in organic nutrients with compost, manure, legume cover crops, the challenges facing today’s organic farmers and the farming systems, and outlines some practical applica- top priorities for future research—soil health emerged tions for organic producers. To Inside Organics on page 12 VIKING PURE & ULTRA-PURE SEED CORN Start Pure, Stay Pure. Viking offers the industry’s first non-GMO purity guarantee.

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“How do certifiers decide if my crop rotation is allowed?” If you want to do a rotation that leans more heavily Answer by Organic Specialist Chuck Anderas on row crops, your certifier will probably ask you to show how your rotation meets the standard. You may Many of you have probably spent a lot of this spring be able to do this through your recordkeeping. Your waiting on the weather. Cold and wet conditions have records should include your fertilizer and pesticide made some fields unworkable until it has been too late use, cultivation, yields, and soil tests. You might be to plant certain crops. Some areas have experienced able to show that your rotation is working if you aren’t flooding. Certifiers often allow changes to your rotation needing more of these field activities and inputs to for a year with special circumstances like this one. maintain yields or soil organic matter levels. If they This leads to a broader question—how do certifiers have concerns, they may ask you to submit annual soil decide if a crop rotation is compliant with the rule? MOSES Organic Specialists answer your questions tests to track changes in your soil organic matter or You may have called your certifier looking for a clear about organic production and certification. other forms of records. yes or no answer on your crop rotation plans, and you Your annual inspection is the main way certifiers may have heard “well, it depends” in response. Here are CALL: Organic Answer Line monitor your crop rotation. If the reviewer has con- some things to keep in mind about how they go about 888-90-MOSES (906-6737) cerns about your crop rotation, he or she may instruct making a certification decision about your rotation. your inspector to take a close look at specific fields for Typically they’ll point you to the rule itself. So let’s SUBMIT: Click “Ask a Specialist” button weeds, disease and insect pests, erosion, and the health start with what the crop rotation practice standard at mosesorganic.org/ask. of the crop, and to talk to you specifically about your (§205.205) actually says: goals for your crop rotation. Your inspector should be The producer must implement a crop rotation READ: Browse answers to questions familiar with the growing conditions in your area, and including but not limited to sod, cover crops, at mosesorganic.org/ask. may have seen other farms like yours over the course green manure crops, and catch crops that provide of the season. You’ll most likely have the same inspec- the following functions that are applicable to the DOWNLOAD: Organic Fact Sheets at tor for more than one year who will get to know what operation: mosesorganic.org/publications/ to expect on your farm. Each year, your inspector will (a) Maintain or improve soil organic matter organic-fact-sheets. gather the information the reviewers need to make a content; determination on your crop rotation. (b) Provide for pest management in annual and Ultimately, it is your responsibility to make sure perennial crops; and not in another. There is a pretty wide range of that your rotation is building your soil, managing pests (c) Manage deficient or excess plant nutrients; and acceptable crop rotations. So how do certifiers decide if and nutrients, and controlling erosion. It may also be (d) Provide erosion control. yours is allowed? up to you to prove to your certifier how your rotation The crop rotation standard has two basic parts. The Some rotations don’t raise any red flags. A typical meets the standard. Keep in mind that certification first is that you have to rotate your crops. The second is dairy rotation is corn, soy, oats/new seeding, and hay is more about continuous improvement than rigid that your rotation has to provide the “functions” listed for three or more years. You won’t struggle to get that enforcement. Certifiers want to see that your practices above—maintain or improve soil organic matter, man- rotation approved. But, you may not have animals or a are improving your land. As always, contact your certi- age pests and nutrients, and control erosion. Certifiers market for hay, so your rotation might be more depen- fier if you have specific questions about your rotation’s understand that there are special circumstances and dent on row crops. You might want to do two or even compliance with the National Organic Standards. local conditions, and sometimes field-specific condi- three years of corn, or rotate corn and soy year after tions, that would make a rotation work in one place year. Rotations like that will probably get a closer look. To Ask a Specialist on page 12

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Looming forage crisis requires farmers to take action to survive By Dan Olson We are in the middle of a developing forage crisis. Make every day count. That is a really low-cost crop to grow and will give us While it is definitely acute in 2019, it really started We are on the clock as far as growing forage in up to 6 tons of forage dry-matter per acre. We either a few years ago when the Dairy market started its 2019. That means that we need something growing make baleage or chop them. decline. While dairy has been operating at or below on every acre, every day of the year. If you have small cost of production, dairy farmers have been forced to grains for grain, you have the opportunity to grow a Consider a lower forage diet. operate lean to survive. This, in many cases, has meant lot of forage in the fall. Cool season annuals like forage Historically organic farmers have fed much higher consciously reducing feed inventories. oats, annual rye grass and brassicas will grow well forage diets than their conventional counterparts. This Low inventories put more pressure on every into the fall and help shorten the winter. By planting may be a unique year where we should rethink that growing season to be a success. But, 2018 was below warm- and cool-season annuals in sequence we can strategy. There are other sources of digestible fiber like average for hay production in much of the Midwest. maximize every day we have. soy-hulls and oats that can be used to stretch forage. A late spring delayed and hampered yields. Excessive rain to severe drought prevented much of the rest of Build fence. Value high-fiber crops. the country from producing dairy-quality feed the Whether it’s a fourth crop that isn’t quite worth If you are buying high-dollar forage, it is impor- rest of the year. 2019 has opened with nearly zero harvesting or a field of corn stalks, it is amazing tant to make every pound count. Good grass has on inventory, widespread winter-damaged hay fields, the how many “animal days” we can get off of fields that average twice as much digestible fiber as alfalfa. This latest planting dates we’ve seen in decades, and record we normally wouldn’t consider using as pastures. means that your cows will increase in feed efficiency number of prevent-plant acres. Electric perimeter fence is cheap and can pay for and make less manure. This same concept applies to Organic farmers are not immune to this crisis and, itself very quickly. BMR sorghum, BMR Sudangrass, millet and pre-head in some ways, could feel even more pressure. Organic small grains. Don’t value your forage based on RFV, dairy farmers rely on pasture for much of their hay Get creative. RFQ or Nel. Instead multiply the NDF by the NDFd30. needs through the growing season, but many were Consider planting a cover-crop in corn fields at last This number will let you know how much of the forced to graze too early and aggressively because they cultivation to graze this winter. Maybe plant a bushel forage is digestible fiber. Average alfalfa may be 36% were out of feed this spring. This will have a very nega- of oats with your cereal rye after silage. The oats will fiber [NDF] and the digestibility of that fiber is only tive effect on pasture productivity the remainder of give more yield this fall and the rye will be there next 45% [NDFd30]. That means that the average alfalfa the summer. Forage inventories in the spring of 2020 spring to give you some early forage. has about 16% digestible fiber. An average grass may will likely be even lower than this year; organic forage have 50% NDF and an NDFd30 in excess of 60%. This could be largely unavailable after the first of the year. Plant annuals vs perennials. means that the percentage of digestible fiber would be On our grass-based livestock farm in Lena, Wis., Because they don’t need to over-winter, annuals are over 30%. This number is key when we are trying to we’ve been doing everything we can to ensure we can inherently more productive than perennials. Instead of maintain performance and reduce intakes. survive this forage crisis. Here are some tips to help summer-seeding a new alfalfa crop consider an annual your farm survive as well. cocktail mix. Use your manure now. If you have storage or are composting, this may be Sell unnecessary animals. Look past corn. the year to shorten up that process and get that work- Try not to keep more replacements than you are Everyone gets excited about corn silage yields, but ing for you now. Surface-applied manure can really going to need. Look at improving your milk price by in reality, there are forage species that grow many jumpstart grass hay fields or pastures and annual aggressively culling for low components, high somatic more pounds of forage than corn silage. Corn silage crops like sorghum-Sudan will respond aggressively cell counts, etc. Find out your true cost of production averages about 45% grain by weight. That means that to it. and possibly cull low producers. At 15+ cents a pound a field that yields 18 ton silage [at 65% moisture] only for forage, the cost of production really goes up on high had a little over 3 tons of dry matter forage. Crops In summary, this with be a challenging 12 months. forage diets. If you are under a quota, it will be almost like sorghum, sorghum-Sudan, and oats or triticale The sooner we put a plan in place for our farms and impossible to justify shipping more than your base. can yield 5-8 tons of forage per year when grown in execute it, the higher our chances of success will be as sequence. we head into 2020. Make every acre count. On our farm we are using a combination of BMR This is not the summer to fallow ground. What are sorghum-Sudan, Italian rye grass, and red, berseem Dan Olson is the seventh generation running Norsk your least productive fields? Why are they that way? and crimson clover. This mix gives us 3 cuttings of Farm in Lena, Wis., raising grass-fed beef, lamb, Whether they need fertility, renovation or a different very high-quality forage. We are growing a photo- poultry, and hogs. He serves on the board of directors species, this is the year to get something out of them. sensitive sorghum-Sudan for dry cow and heifer feed. for GrassWorks.

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WISA Conference — from page 1

MOSES to organize the 2019 WISA Conference.” The WISA Conference will kick-off Thursday, the WISA program. A meet-up will offer opportunity WFAN’s annual conference this year will be com- Oct. 17 with four intensives that offer time and space to learn more about SARE granting opportunities and bined with the WISA Conference in St. Paul. With a to focus on topics and encourage deeper learning talk to grant recipients. strong commitment to women’s leadership develop- and experiences. These include bus tours to related One such Farmer Forum workshop will be on ment, WFAN directs the “Plate to Politics” program, businesses. The four sessions will be on resilience “How to Launch a Value-Added Bakery Business from training women in sustainable agriculture to run for and managing the stressors of farming, women rais- Your Farm Kitchen,” featuring a NCR SARE Farmer office and take on larger change-agent roles. WFAN ing meat, urban agriculture, and the WFAN Plate to Rancher project where a team of Wisconsin women will add its expertise to the leadership sessions at Politics on women’s leadership. farmers developed a toolkit with recipes and resources WISA, including a Plate to Politics intensive. Plate to to help farmers add a baking business out of their Politics germinated between WFAN, MOSES, and Vote Farmer Forum home kitchen under their state’s cottage food law. The Run Lead and today has a permanent home at WFAN. North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture recipes specifically focus on using one’s farm-grown Research Education) will host a Farmer Forum at the produce in baked goods such as pumpkin or zucchini Workshop Lineup WISA Conference. The Farmer Forum brings various to create value-added products that showcase farm With an expert lineup of workshop sessions, four SARE grantees together to share and present their produce and meet moisture-level guidelines to qualify day-long intensives, keynotes, exhibitors and more, research, demonstration, and education projects that as “non-hazardous” to be legally sold from home WISA offers attendees a deep dive into a variety of top- promote profitable practices that are good for the envi- kitchens. ics related to women in sustainable agriculture, from ronment and community. The projects highlighted in “I’m looking forward to sharing our project with farming-specific knowledge to business pragmatics to the Farmer Forum presentations are funded by grants other women as selling baked goods can be a natural advocacy and activism. from SARE, a USDA-funded program that supports diversification fit for women like myself who both love “We are really excited about the workshop content and promotes sustainable farming and ranching to farm and bake,” said Dela Ends, who runs a bed & and the presenters we have lined up,” said Stephanie by offering competitive grants and educational breakfast as part of her operation, Scotch Hill Farm Coffman, MOSES presentation coordinator. “The opportunities. and Innisfree Farmstay. “The spirit of our baking presenters come from a variety of backgrounds and “This National Women in Sustainable Agriculture project and the SARE Farmer Forum strongly reflects offer diverse perspectives and experiences.” Conference is an ideal Farmer Forum venue as it both the goal of the WISA Conference, that we as In addition to workshops, the conference will also brings together farmers to share challenging issues women in sustainable agriculture work so collabora- offer “meet-up” sessions—smaller breakouts on specific and solutions that can then be helpful to other farm- tively together and realize we are all stronger by shar- topics that enable attendees to engage more with each ers,” explained Beth Nelson of North Central SARE, ing our learnings and insights. After all the challenges other and presenters. The conference also will include which covers a 12-state region in the Midwest. “The we faced and overcame in court to finally make home demonstrations on equipment maintenance and projects showcased at workshops at this conference baking legal in Wisconsin, I want to help every single soil testing. Participants can browse exhibit booths are a great example of how people, in this case women, baker I can have a successful home-baking enterprise.” featuring local resources and the MOSES bookstore come together to creatively and collaboratively solve a on Thursday and Friday. And, participants can get to problem and share information that add up to a stron- Lisa Kivirist coordinates the MOSES In Her Boots project know each other better through 3-minute presentations ger future for sustainable agriculture.” and has been involved in the WISA Conference since during lunch where women can share who they are and Sessions highlighting SARE speakers will be identi- the initial event. what they do in the world of sustainable agriculture. fied as Farmer Forum specific workshops throughout WISA Conference is funded in part by a USDA-RMA grant.

New study to recommend improvements to crop insurance for organic growers By Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology Limited crop insurance options have historically farmers. The final report is going to help insurance that work together and are adapted to the farm’s put organic farms at a disadvantage: reducing their professionals understand organic farming just as much situation. ability to access loans and survive disasters and also as it helps organic farmers and advocates understand On the flipside, organic farmers and advocates have discouraging conventional growers who would other- the world of crop insurance. their own misconceptions. People don’t understand wise want to transition to organic production. The report’s recommendations will include tweaks how hard it is to create insurance policies that work for The National Center for Appropriate Technology to existing policies; improvements to data collection organic producers. It’s not easy to write rules, set pre- (NCAT) is about to release the results of a five-year and dissemination; and targeted education campaigns mium levels, and make the numbers work, especially research project called “Is Organic Farming Risky?” for insurance agents, adjusters, and growers who need given the limited data on organic crops. The USDA Funded by the Organic Agriculture Research & crop insurance the most. On the whole, the study Risk Management Agency (RMA) has made huge Education Initiative of USDA’s National Institute of found that organic farmers are just as interested in strides in the past few years, and coverage options have Food & Agriculture, the study asked whether and crop insurance as conventional growers, and partici- gotten a lot better. how a lack of high quality crop insurance is limiting pation rates are high among organic grain and legume A prime example of this improvement is Whole- the growth of organic farming in the United States. farms, along with most other field crops. But rates are Farm Revenue Protection insurance, which has been Research included national surveys of organic growers low for most specialty crops, and there are clear areas available since 2015. MOSES has done a great job and crop insurance agents. The project team included of unmet need, waiting to be filled. educating farmers about WFRP, so most readers know representatives from MOSES and other experts from A lot of agents and adjusters are still unclear what that it allows you to insure any crop at its full value, around the country. organic farming and certification mean, and told us including high-value organic crops. A single policy The project’s main accomplishment was find- they wanted an Organic 101 training. We also noticed provides revenue protection for an entire farm. And ing actual evidence to correct misconceptions and a tendency to think about organic farming as a single crop diversification is rewarded with lower premiums. answer questions about the insurance needs of organic practice instead of an integrated system of practices This has been a great option for lots of organic farmers, but not all. In the report, we make several suggestions for improvement. Ok, so is organic farming risky? My short answer would be that it’s not as risky as a lot of people think. But really, it depends on how you look at risk. Insurance companies tend to look at one farm and one growing season at a time. But if you take a broader view, there’s no question that organic farming is inherently risk-reducing. Over the years, organic farms not only become more resilient, but also improve water quality, reduce runoff and pesticide usage, sequester carbon, and so on. All of these benefits reduce health and climate-related risks for surrounding communities and the general public. The report,Is Organic Farming Risky? Improving Crop Insurance for Organic Farms, will be available in the early fall on NCAT’s ATTRA website (www.attra. ncat.org).

Mike Morris, Ph.D., is a regional director at the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). He has been the project leader for the USDA-RMA-funded research on the risks of organic farming. TM mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSES | 7

Illinois farmer finds success growing, milling organic grains By Jody Padgham “Farming, like lots of things, is a balance of theory Market Opportunities and reality. This year is a good lesson in reality,” While dedicated to the soil-building qualities of claimed Harold Wilken, north-central Illinois organic the farm’s diverse crops, Wilken was led to many of farmer, at a recent OGRAIN field day highlighting his the specific crops he grows through opportunities in diverse organic field crop operation. the market. Through one of his many connections, Of 2,900 acres usually planted at Janie’s Farm he learned that bakers in Chicago were looking for Organics outside of Danforth, Illinois, 900 were too locally produced wheat and corn. One inspiration has wet to plant in 2019. Farmers can talk about and make been the Grand Prairie Grain Guild (look for them on plans based on theory, Wilken noted, but must adapt Facebook), a coalition of farmers, millers, bakers, and and deal with the reality life throws at them. “We can consumers started in 2014 with help from University have grandiose plans, but Mother Nature always has of Illinois Extension. Comfortable looking outside the last word.” Wilken, who farms with his son, Ross, the typical box, Wilkin’s philosophy of “We want to and nephew, Tim Vaske, relies on diversity in both the grow what consumers, our customers are demanding,” field and marketing to adapt to reality. moved him forward. The needs of these bakers and While acres and acres of corn and soybeans tend to chefs led him to success growing a number of wheat be the norm in Illinois, coming into Iroquois County varieties, from hard red winter wheat to soft white about 60 miles south of Chicago, fields start to look a winter wheat and hard red spring wheat. little different. Here the farmers of Janie’s Farm Wilken has developed relationships with research- Organics show some influence. Fields of attractive ers and breeders from the Midwest and beyond with 5th-generation farmer Harold Wilken showcases his farm’s tossing heads of hard or soft red winter wheat alternate interest in creating locally adapted varieties. Older, organic wheat variety trials at a recent field day. with new plantings of specialty Shumei soybeans, open- heirloom genetics are being crossed with modern Photo by Harriet Behar pollinated flint corn, Ruby Red popcorn for milling, wheat varieties to create a new gene pool. Field trials and thick cover crops of red clover. Each field has a and in-field selection create improved varieties with planned multi-crop and multi-year rotation, tweaked old flavors and improved vigor and yield that do well as needed in response to the year’s weather pattern. under organic management. This year at Janie’s Farm Milling Grains Transitioning his first organic land in 2002, Wilken several varieties of wheat are being trialed, as well as Serving the growing demand for locally produced is now known in the area as the farmer willing to man- five types of rye and open-pollinated corn. Warthog is grains, it was a logical step for Wilken and his farm age conventional land through an organic transition. a high-protein wheat popular with bakers for cookies partners to develop a milling operation. His com- Farmers come to him, asking to have their conven- and sweets, while Glenn wheat makes delightful bread, mitment to discovering grain products the bakers, tional acres taken over. he shared. brewers, and distillers desired led him to explore what “We start by planting cover crops, which make a it would take to put up a mill. huge difference in regenerating conventionally man- Food-Grade Production Challenges The first plan was to build a mill on the home farm aged soil,” Wilken said. Not long into organic manage- Growing food-grade grains takes a specific dedica- property, but the $1.6 million price tag and limited ment, the roots, worms, manure, and microbes start tion to management both in and after the field, Wilken space soon cooled that idea. Further exploration led to working together. “With our class 2-3 heavy, wet, clay said. Fusarium head blight (scab) is a problem in some the purchase of a 15,000-square-foot warehouse with soils, a plow down of 6-8” red clover will put a lot of of the wheat fields this year, causing a reduction in a 70x70 ft. heated cement floor in the small town of good residue into the soil, put a lot of nitrogen back in.” yield. Organic fungicides are an option, but expensive Ashkum, only 3 miles north of the farm. Wilken and his neighboring farmers are pleased by and offering mixed results—“the exact timing needed Ross Wilken did the research and plant design the improved soil structure and nutrient- and water- to succeed is tough to meet; I haven’t seen success” in that led to the opening of the mill in 2017. Housing holding capacity organic management will bring. using the products, Wilken said. He plans to manage two, Danish-sourced, custom-built mills with 3-foot Wilken also stands by rotations. Sticking to a solid the situation by harvesting, color sorting (the infected horizontal grinding stones, the mill has a capacity of crop rotation is essential to keeping weed, insect, and kernels are pink) and using a fanning mill to separate producing 1,000 pounds of flour per hour. The self- disease problems at bay, he explained. out the lighter weight infected grains. “We might not contained vacuum-based mills emit very little dust “We use a grass-legume-grass-legume rotation to make it to food grade, but at least we’ll get some crop.” and are supported by sifters with three screens and avoid conventional ag pitfalls,” he explained. “If we Fusarium in food-grade soybeans, especially those a bagger. A mixer allows the production of mixed- stray from our rotation, we might see weed or disease grown for the specialty Japanese market, creates variety combination flours. Integral grain cleaning problems.” One typical rotation on Janie’s Farm might troubles as well. They’ll need a lot of cleaning to sort equipment was bought from an old mill just 3 miles be one year of cover crop, fall-planted wheat, then corn. out the discolored beans to reach quality standards. down the road. Or, soybeans, or another food-grade dry bean followed “Food-grade is not a haphazard crop,” Wilken cau- Mill manager Jill Brockman Cummings clearly by wheat and then a few years of alfalfa to clean up the tioned. “The requirements are very stringent and hard enjoys creating quality milled grains for her local field. to meet.” On-farm storage and drying capacity are customers. “Milling is an art as well as a science,” she Wilken believes in keeping seed from his fields, needed to be ready to sell “when the opportunity hits.” claimed. While conventional, mass-produced flours planting year after year “until it doesn’t work anymore.” Wilken shared that growing food-grade wheat are extremely uniform in protein and moisture, the Buying in seed can potentially bring in weed seeds makes it a challenge to use any rye species for cover grains run through Janie’s Mill are alive and variable. and be a nightmare to manage for years, he advised. crops. “The rye is a good crop before soybeans in a “We produce a different flour than you can generally Seed that has adapted to your specific conditions and rotation, but the buyers of food-grade don’t want any find in stores. Ours uses a whole grain with living management over time will work the best for you in the volunteer rye mixed into the wheat grain. We can’t enzymes, with bran and germ. They have nutrients long run, he added. guarantee that if it’s in the rotation,” he cautioned. To Growing Organic Grains on page 14 8 | July | August 2019 TM

GMO Labeling Impact — from page 1 on labeling options, and seek public comments on a Reactions, Expectations proposed rule within two years. In addition, the law Peter Golbitz is co-chair Upon release of the final rule, many industry and prohibited any state from developing their own manda- of the Organic & Non- consumer watchdog groups came out strongly against tory GMO labeling law, which had the immediate effect GMO Forum, which will the regulation. of preventing Vermont’s law from being implemented. take place in Minneapolis, “Specifically, we are deeply disappointed that the On May 4, 2018, after the USDA Agricultural Oct. 29-30, 2019. Todd final rule does not clearly require the disclosure of all Napolitano of Mérieux genetically engineered ingredients including highly Marketing Service (AMS) received and reviewed over NutriSciences will present 112,000 responses to 30 questions it posted to the “There’s a New Sheriff in refined sugars and oils, and new GMO techniques like public and industry for input, AMS posted a proposed Town: Understanding the CRISPR and RNAi,” said Gary Hirshberg, Chairman rule for final comment. The final rule was then released National Bioengineered of Stonyfield Farms and who chaired the Just Label It and published in the Federal Register Dec. 21, 2018. The Food Disclosure Stan- campaign that brought together companies and groups implementation date for voluntary compliance of the dard.” MOSES is a forum that were asking for mandatory labeling of foods that rule is Jan. 1, 2020, but for small food manufacturers it sponsor and leads the contained GMOs. In addition, Hirshberg added, “The has been extended to Jan. 1, 2021. Mandatory compli- producer panel. rule fails to require that foods be disclosed using terms ance for all regulated entities begins Jan. 1, 2022. See ONGforum.com for that consumers understand, like ‘genetically engineered’ One major aspect of the new rule is that it essen- the full schedule and or ‘GMO.’” tially redefines the term that has been commonly registration details. With the new rule requiring mandatory disclosure used to describe genetically modified organisms, from of bioengineered ingredients, many food companies GMO to “bioengineered” or “BE.” The rule defines will now be facing critical decisions regarding whether bioengineered food as “A food that contains genetic Non-GMO Project or other third-party certifiers. The or not to see this as an opportunity to educate the con- material that has been modified through in vitro Non-GMO Project requires that for a food or ingredi- suming public about their use and support of genetic recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques ent to be considered non-GMO, the original crop that engineering of food, or remove all GMO ingredients and for which the modification could not otherwise be the ingredient is derived from must also be non-GMO from their products in order to avoid using the new obtained through conventional breeding or found in and verified as such to be 99.1 percent free of genetic “Bioengineered” or “Derived from Bioengineering” nature.” In essence, the rule only covers what has been modifications, and meet or beat the 0.9 percent toler- labels. The other, but more costly option, is to source commonly described as transgenic modifications, or ance threshold. Under the Non-GMO Project’s rules, organic ingredients only. when DNA from one organism, say a soil bacterium, is soybean crushers and oil refiners needed to use non- And while the implementation of this new law is less introduced into a different organism such as a soybean GMO soybeans to produce a non-GMO soybean oil. than half a year away, it appears that many food proces- to give it new attributes like herbicide resistance. This Under the new USDA regulation, soybean oil from a sors have yet to begin taking action to understand how would mean that CRISPR or other new gene editing GMO soybean will not need to be labeled as “BE” or consumers are likely to react to the new food label or techniques that do not introduce DNA from one organ- “Bioengineered” (GMO) because there is no presence of decide if they should consider changing some of their ism to another would not need to disclose that the food modified DNA in the oil. ingredient sources. is “bioengineered.” “The companies that are waving off the need to do Higher Thresholds for Inadvertent Contamination anything about this rule at this time are to be shorted List of Mandatory Crops Another aspect of the new rule that is not aligned for the future,” said Todd Napolitano with Mérieux The rule also created a list of bioengineered foods with current U.S. food industry practices is the higher NutriSciences, one of the leading global food testing that require mandatory disclosure as “bioengineered” allowable threshold of up to 5.0 percent inadvertent and certification companies. “Food products that unless testing of the food confirms the absence of or technically unavoidable BE presence. Currently, companies produce are signs of their greater corporate modified genetic material; or, the food has undergone the Non-GMO Project and other third-party certifiers culture,” Napolitano explained. “Companies can endear a refinement process that makes the modified genetic require that inadvertent contamination of a non-GMO themselves to consumers by rolling out products that material in the food undetectable; or, the food is certi- product be no higher than 0.9 percent. reflect their consciousness about health, or not. From fied as organic under the National Organic Program. This wide variance in tolerance levels is certain to our vantage point, we see that the race is on for organic The list of foods requiring disclosure includes alfalfa, create some issues for buyers, but at the same time, certification.” apple (Artic™ varieties), canola, corn, cotton, eggplant according to the USDA, the 5.0 percent threshold aligns (BARI Bt Begun varieties), papaya (ringspot virus- the new U.S. rule with a number of the U.S.’s major Impact on Farmers resistant varieties), pineapple (pink flesh varieties), trading partners such as Canada, Indonesia, and Japan. For farmers, this new regulation is likely to pro- salmon (AquAdvantage®), soybean, squash (summer), duce both opportunities and challenges. Will the and sugarbeet. Organic Exemption regulation push more companies to move to non- Products certified by the USDA National Organic GMO and organic crops and ingredients, or will the Refined Ingredients Program (NOP) as organic are exempted from the “Bioengineered” labels’ wider use make consumers One of the more controversial aspects of this new rule as organic production does not allow the use of more comfortable with, and eventually embrace, bio- law is that it will not require the labeling of highly- any genetically modified seeds, inputs, or ingredients engineering as a technology? Will companies currently refined ingredients produced from GMO crops, such as in products labeled organic. As such, the organic label sourcing non-GMO ingredients upgrade to organic in oils or sugars, as long as no modified genetic material is is sufficient for a marketer to make claims about the order to avoid the costs and hassle of testing inbound detectable in the final food. This is quite different than absence of bioengineering in the food without the need ingredients? Will the wider threshold (5 percent) for the current understanding of what would be considered for additional testing or certification. inadvertent contamination of GMOs reduce the costs a GMO food or ingredient based upon the rules of the and increase the supply of non-GMO ingredients? What will consumers prefer to see on their food labels, and how will they weigh this against the cost and value of the product? “We may continue to see a market split between organic and non-GMO as many CPGs (consumer packaged goods) have been successful in creating demand for both products,” said Erin Heitkamp, Senior VP of Agriculture and Public Affairs at Pipeline Foods, a Minnesota-based supplier and processor of non-GMO and organic grains and ingredients. “But the new rule will now make it a bit more complicated, as will the regenerative initiatives and other issues that are coming to organic.” Regardless of one’s opinion of the new regulation, it is quite likely to create an increase in demand for both non-GMO and organic crops and ingredients. Given the necessary three-year transition required to convert conventional farmland to organic, there should be two years where some of the crops, particularly canola, soybeans, corn, and alfalfa can gain a non-GMO premium on the way to organic certification. Peter Golbitz is president of Agromeris, an advisory firm with a focus on organic, non-GMO and sustainable supply chains. His brother, Jacob, works in research and consulting spanning the global food and agribusiness supply chain. TM mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSES | 9

Thriving farmer looks to mentorship to increase production, efficiency By Tony Ends It’s an incredibly soggy, late season for many growers across a broad region, but Lovefood Farm’s spring greens and herbs laid out in their farmers market stand look beautiful. It’s growers David and Abby Bachhuber’s 5th year in business in the Madison area of Wisconsin. Their Lovefood Farm’s herbs and vegetables are in four stores, three weekly markets, more than 100 subscribers’ shares and a dozen restaurants. So why would David pay now to be mentored by another grower through MOSES? “I’m 41, so I know I can learn a lot by experience,” said David, answering questions between conversations with customers at Madison’s Eastside farmers market. “But if I mentor with someone, I can cut years off the learning process. A single tip that increases production by one percent or increases efficiencies by 5 minutes on a task, over the course of my farming career, the $350 fee is negligible. Truth of it is, I’ve probably already made it back.” Since the $350 cost of the MOSES Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring Program David Bacchuber (left) of Lovefood Farm near Stoughton, Wis., persuades shoppers to buy his organic greens at the Madison Eastside Farmers Market. Steve Pincus (right) prepares a field for carrots at Tipi Produce near Evansville, Wis. also covers admission to the annual MOSES Organic Bachhuber has signed up for the MOSES Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship to gain insights from Pincus. Farming Conference at both the start and end of the Photos by Tony Ends mentorship—a $600 value—the mentor program is a wise investment, he added. Steve, Beth, and their staff grow organic vegetables but mostly general purpose,” Steve said. “We’ve added David’s mentor through the MOSES program on 45 acres. To accomplish that work, Tipi Produce skilled employees and trained them up. At one point this is Steve Pincus, who, with his wife, Beth Kazmar, keeps a payroll of 25 people busy tending and harvest- past week we had five tractors running at the same time.” operates Tipi Produce just south of Evansville, Wis. ing fresh produce enough to pack more than 500 CSA Heavy rain well into June delayed planting and MOSES honored Steve and Beth as Organic Farmers of subscription boxes. Equipment and storage techniques transplanting all around the Midwest. Yet Steve’s farm the Year in 2016—the 40th anniversary of their own focusing on 15 crops, especially root crops and cab- equipment and a capable staff to use it helped Tipi growing operation. bage, keep Steve and Beth busy almost year-round Produce catch up the instant the weather broke. This is Steve’s third time to mentor a grower with wholesale accounts, too. “We filled up 8 acres with the transplanter, and through the program, which aims to help build “The best thing somebody who wants to do this can did a lot of cultivating,” Steve said. “We started on a strong organic communities throughout the Midwest. do is go to work on a successful farm, ask lots of ques- Thursday afternoon, worked Friday, Saturday and then MOSES makes mentorships available in Wisconsin, tions, spend time there,” Steve advised. “Arrange life the rest of the week. It only took part of the crew to do Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North so you can do that. Take advantage of the information it. With the right equipment and the right people to Dakota, and South Dakota. Learn more at mosesor- that’s available now. Go to workshops and conferences. operate it, you can get a lot done.” ganic.org/mentor-program. “The current state of organics available to a person Steve’s new mentees, the Bachhubers, worked very Mentors help guide new organic farmers as they with a fresh start and ability to absorb information hard at professional jobs in Madison and transitioned modify their operations to meet organic standards. quickly in an area like Madison is that you can make it from the work into farming. These incomes helped Mentors share practical information about organic work. Interest is there; markets are there for support- them capitalize their initial operation. They also farming methods and USDA regulations. They offer ing local, high-quality food.” shrewdly took advantage of an incubator project at the insights that come from years of experience. Experiencing the scale and infrastructure neces- Farley Center, which shepherds young growers in the “I’ve got to pass this on, and not just to folks doing sary to meet such a market self-sufficiently can help Dane County area of Madison into farming. Community Supported Agriculture,” Steve said. “I’ve a young grower more than visualize a personal Through the farm incubator, aspiring farmers get always been very committed to wholesale. We want vocational future. It can help him or her experience support with land, tools, education, and marketing to see these food co-ops keep going. We want to see important survival skills in a changing climate. assistance in the county’s only farm incubator. All farmers big enough and efficient enough to supply “We have nine active tractors, three for cultivating, wholesale markets (with produce).” To Farmer Mentorship on page 16

As a MOSES follower, you TRANSITIONING TO ORGANIC? understand the importance of soil health and have likely put in the work to advance your 3 Days • 5 Unique Components • 20+ Farms operation toward sustainable and Create Your Own Farm and Culinary Adventure ALREADY FARM ORGANICALLY? regenerative agricultural practices. If you are considering the next Bus Tour of Farms step to organic transition, The Friday, August 2 & Sunday, August 4 Enjoy a guided bus tour showcasing a diversity Andersons is here to support you. of women-owned farms. Ticketed event. Since 2016, we have worked to Green Acres Workshops EITHER WAY, Friday, August 2 to Sunday, August 4 build a robust program of products Learn how to launch your own farm, make cheese, and services to meet your needs: spin fiber, preserve the harvest and much more! YOU DESERVE Ticketed events on various farms. • A line of organic nutrients Taste of Place including NPK, soil amendments, THE BEST. granular micronutrients and more. Friday, August 2 A local food & drink celebration. • Transition consulting services Farm-to-Table Dinner MADISON to help you master your Saturday, August 3 SOIL SISTERS certification plan. Farm-to-table dinner at Dorothy's Range in Blanchardville featuring heritage meats. Ticketed event. • Grain marketing expertise for Dine Fine at Restaurants feed and food-grade corn, beans Friday, August 2 to Sunday, August 4 and small grains. Sample “locavore” specials throughout the weekend. Talk with a member of our organic team today and discover how we August 2 - 4, 2019 www.soilsisterswi.org can support your organic and non-GMO needs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AndersonsOrganics.com 419-891-2785 10 | July | August 2019 TM

Green New Deal presents opportunity for farmers to help steer ag policy By Katherine Paul “No figure is more endearing and enduring in agriculture co-chairs. resolution, introduced in both the House and Senate than the lonely plowman out there on the horizon who “Climate change impacts us all—whether we’re on Feb. 7, 2019, by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raises himself by his own bootstraps to financial success. food producers or food consumers—and we must find (D- N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), respec- Only problem is, there is no occupation more dependent ways to work together, to each take a seat at the table, tively. Non-binding resolutions are voted on, but not on the cooperation of society and nature to achieve success and to find a solution to the many climate-related signed into law by the president. Many non-binding than farming.” challenges we face,” said Dugger, who is also co-owner resolutions, such as in the one passed in 2008 that ~ Gene Logdson, “The Myth of the Self-Made Yeoman” of Dugger Family Farms in Morristown, Indiana, apologized for America’s history of slavery, are merely executive director of Women in Food & Ag Network symbolic. Judging by the state of the U.S. farming industry, and a member of the Indiana Farmers Union. “The In general, a non-binding resolution passed by neither society nor nature is behaving kindly right Farmers and Ranchers for a Green New Deal coalition Congress is viewed as a commitment by Congress to a now toward farmers. Torrential rains have ravaged offers our nation’s food producers the opportunity to general goal or set of goals. So far, the Green New Deal millions of acres of Midwest farmland, hitting farm- lead this charge.” has been endorsed by 104 members of Congress, includ- ers at a time when farm bankruptcies are already at a Francis Thicke, who runs Radiance Dairy, a 236- ing most candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic 10-year high. acre grass-fed based dairy farm in Iowa, seconds that presidential nomination. The twin resolutions intro- As for society, U.S. farmers operate in an industry sentiment. “The Green New Deal is a great vision for duced by Ocasio-Cortez and Markey have not yet been dominated by a shrinking number of increasingly the future, but we as organic farmers need to become voted on by the House or Senate. In March, the U.S. powerful agribusiness corporations that call the shots involved in championing the role that agriculture Senate did vote on and reject an identical but separate on everything from how much farmers have to pay can play, so we can get regenerative organic farming resolution, introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell for seeds, to what kinds of herbicides they have to use, incorporated into Green New Deal policies,” Thicke (R-Ky.). That vote, seen largely as a public relations stunt to the contract terms they must agree to in order to said. “Since we started farming in the upper Midwest, aimed at quelling the media attention and the building conduct business. we have lost about half of the organic carbon content momentum behind the Green New Deal, had no real How did big corporations come to have so much of our soils. We can reverse that through regenerative impact on the resolutions previously introduced, which power over the lives of independent farmers? They did farming practices that mimic the ecological systems are still subject to a vote in the future. so by using their profits to employ high-paid lobbyists that created our soils.” The Green New Deal resolution outlines an who make sure that ag policy laws are tipped in favor ambitious set of goals, including achieving net-zero of agribusiness corporations, not family farmers. Green New Deal Explained emissions by 2030 and ending poverty and income Until recently, farmers hoping for better policy Let’s first talk about what the Green New Deal isn’t. inequality in the U.S. It’s described by its authors as a support have had to beg for scraps once every five It’s not a law. It’s not a bill. It’s not a policy. “10-year national mobilization” plan. Others describe years when Congress revisits the Farm Bill. With the So when critics say, “I don’t see how it helps farm- it as “an umbrella term for a set of policies and pro- Green New Deal, farmers have a unique opportunity ers—the language pertaining to food and ag is too grams that will rapidly decarbonize our economy, to transform the U.S. industrial agriculture system by vague,” they miss the point. And when someone get all of us off of fossil fuels and work to stop the lobbying for policies that support farming practices who identifies as a Republican or Libertarian or climate crisis in the next 10 to 12 years.” Modeled in that build soil health, produce healthier food, revital- Independent automatically rejects the resolution sim- part after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal—a series ize rural economies, foster local and regional food ply because it was introduced in the House and Senate of programs, public work projects, financial reforms security—at the same time positioning farmers as by Democrats, they miss the potential of the Green and regulations enacted by then-President Roosevelt climate-solution leaders while also improving their New Deal to jump-start transformational change in between 1933 and 1941 and credited with restoring own chances for economic success. the food and farming sector. prosperity in the U.S. following the Great Depression To turn that opportunity into reality, farmers need The Green New Deal has already succeeded in forc- of the 1930s—the Green New Deal has also been to get involved. One way to do that is to join Farmers ing politicians, including 2020 presidential candidates, called a “massive policy package” (though the policies & Ranchers for a Green New Deal, a national bipar- to address several intertwining and critical issues, have yet to be written) and a “framework.” tisan coalition that aims to ensure that agriculture including climate change, the economic deterioration policy is front and center in the climate conversation. of rural economies and the growing number of farms Farmers & Green New Deal “The Farmers and Ranchers for a Green New Deal being forced out of business. To reject it because of The Green New Deal specifically calls for “elimi- coalition offers food producers a chance to tell their partisan politics or “farting cows” is akin to throwing nating greenhouse gas emissions from the manufac- stories, to speak their truths, to guide and influence the baby out with the bathwater. (See www.organic- turing, agricultural and other industries, including legislation, and to work—collectively—toward a consumers.org/blog/farting-cows-factory-farms-and- by investing in local-scale agriculture in communities future where safe, fresh, and healthy food will be avail- climate-crisis-we-need-green-new-deal.) able for all,” said Sherri Dugger, one of the coalition’s What the Green New Deal is is a non-binding To Green New Deal next page Gempler’s is Proud to Partner with MOSES

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Green New Deal — from previous page across the country.” It also calls for funding “massive National Coalition regenerative agriculture to draw down and investment in the drawdown of greenhouse gases.” In an article he penned for “The Hill,” Randy sequester carbon, and revitalize rural economies. And it calls for access to healthy food, and clean air Dugger, vice president of the Indiana Farmers Union • Help educate consumers about the difference and water for all Americans. and co-owner with his wife, Sherri, of Dugger Family between good food and cheap food, and how The Green New Deal also addresses one of the most Farms, wrote: “In the Farmers Union, we have a say- regenerative farmers and ranchers can play a role critical issues facing independent family farms—cor- ing that we regularly share with the many farmers we in improving the quality of air, water, and soil. porate monopolies—calling for “ensuring a commer- represent: ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re probably • Identify and build support for a new USDA cial environment where every business person is free on the menu.’ The Green New Deal brings all of these secretary of agriculture who will represent the from unfair competition and domination by domestic important points to the table. It calls for support of interests of the coalition, not multinational agri- or international monopolies.” As Sen. Bernie Sanders independent family farms, sustainable farming, and business corporations. (D-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both healthy land practices and food systems. As indepen- To get involved, farmers, ranchers, and organiza- competing for the Democratic Party’s nomination dent family farmers, that’s something we can all sink tions should sign the letter to Congress online at for president and both strong supporters of the Green our teeth into.” us.netdonor.net/page/9832/petition/1. All letter sign- New Deal, have recently pointed out, current agricul- To that end, Regeneration International, in col- ers will be consulted on policy questions and USDA ture policies give an unfair advantage to agribusiness laboration with the Sunrise Movement, Organic secretary nominations, and will be invited to help in corporations. And the failure to regulate mergers and Consumers Association and other organizations, education and lobbying efforts. acquisitions has only exacerbated that problem. recently launched the Farmers & Ranchers for a Green The Green New Deal’s overarching goal is to “Today a farmer can work hard, do everything New Deal coalition to empower farmers and ranchers solve the climate crisis via a just transition to a new right — even get great weather — and still not make it,” to take an active role in transforming U.S. food and ag economy, a transition that includes moving away Sen. Warren said recently. “It’s not because farmers policy. from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and away from today are any less resilient, enterprising, or committed Farmers & Ranchers for a Green New Deal is a manufacturing and agriculture practices that spew than their parents and grandparents were. It’s because bipartisan national coalition of rural and urban farm- climate-warming emissions and degrade soil, air, and bad decisions in Washington have consistently favored ers and ranchers, and organizations that represent water quality to those that reduce emissions, heal the interests of multinational corporations and big farmers and ranchers. Coalition members share a the environment and provide fair wages to workers, business lobbyists over the interests of family farmers.” commitment and work together to advance food and not just massive profits to corporations. These goals The latest plan for Revitalizing Rural America agriculture policies that support organic, regenerative, present farmers who are willing to roll up their sleeves (berniesanders.com/issues/revitalizing-rural-america) agroecological, and biodynamic food production and and get involved with an unprecedented opportunity from Sen. Sanders echoes Warren’s call for leveling the land-management practices. to rewrite farm policy in ways that will drastically playing field. “With the right support and policies, we The coalition was formed for the purpose of improve their chances of economic success. can have rural communities that are thriving econom- ensuring that farmers and ranchers—not just cor- “The Green New Deal and the regenerative food, ically and ecologically,” he said. “The following policies porate agribusiness lobbyists—have a voice in future farming, land use, economic, social and energy poli- will drive a transition in our agricultural system away agriculture-related policy reforms that could be part of cies that it calls for are the key elements in solving from a consolidated, profit-driven industrial model to the Green New Deal. It aims to include and represent our life-or-death Climate Emergency, public health one that rebuilds and restores rural communities.” the interests of rural and urban farmers and ranchers crisis, environmental crisis, economic crisis and the The combination of the popularity of the Green working across all food production sectors—including overall crisis of Democracy,” said Ronnie Cummins, New Deal (a recent poll suggests majorities of both vegetable and grain production, meat and dairy and co-founder of Regeneration International and Organic parties support it) along with heightened concern fiber—from all regions of the U.S. Consumers Association. “Building up the Farmers and around the plight of America’s farms and rural com- Coalition members will be invited to participate in Ranchers network for a Green New Deal is absolutely munities, plus the increasingly dire warnings about any or all of these activities: necessary if we are to gain mass public support and climate and its impact on farmers in the Midwest, is • Collaborate on and build support for legislation political power and implement a Green New Deal, not responsible for shining the light on how current food (including fair pricing, supply management and just for urban America, but for rural America as well.” and farming policy is failing farmers, consumers and the end of corporate agribusiness’ stranglehold Farmers and ranchers have nothing to lose—and the climate, and on how better agriculture policies can of U.S. farm policy) that supports farmers and everything to gain—by pulling up their chairs and provide solutions to multiple and intensifying crises. ranchers engaged in or transitioning to regenera- claiming their rightful place at the table where policies It has also provided a challenge to farmers: Get tive practices. to meet the Green New Deal goals will be written. involved early to make sure new policies provide the • Participate in farm tours, Congressional hearings right support or leave it to the politicians and lobbyists, and/or Capitol Hill briefings aimed at educating Katherine Paul is the U.S. national director of the who without input and pressure, will likely remain loyal members of Congress about the potential of Organic Consumers Association. to big corporations, not America’s family farms. 12 | July | August 2019 TM

Inside Organics — from page 3 and natural mineral fertilizers, relying on soil life to web and provides research-based guidance on organic Transitioning Producers provides an overview of release crop-available nutrients. This guide explores the practices and NOP-approved inputs for improved soil coverage types and record-keeping best practices, as role of soil health and the soil food web, including practi- food web function. well as what to know when working with crop insur- cal guidelines for adapting soil-test-based nutrient rec- The response to these resources makes it clear that ance agents. Sample forms for record-keeping are also ommendations (especially nitrogen) for organic systems. accessible science-backed information on best organic included. practices is in high demand. To date, the guidebooks Reducing Risk through Best Soil Health Organic Practices for Climate Mitigation, have been downloaded over 16,000 times and the Management Practices in Organic Crop Production Adaptation, and Carbon Sequestration webinars have been viewed more than 6,000 times. offers practical tools and research on best practices Farmers and ranchers have a major stake in curb- The guidebooks are available to download free from to build soil health and resilience to extreme weather ing further climate change and enhancing the resil- ofrf.org; the webinars are on YouTube (search by title). conditions, such as drought and flooding ience of their operations to climate disruptions already Both of the guidebooks are available to download underway. This particularly timely guide examines New Tools to Manage On-Farm Risk free from ofrf.org and the webinars can be viewed on research related to the capacity of sustainable organic Crop insurance programs can provide an impor- YouTube (search by title). systems and practices to sequester soil carbon and tant safety net. This year, OFRF also introduced two OFRF puts farmers first—we do not charge an minimize nitrous oxide and methane emissions, with guidebooks and webinars created in cooperation annual membership fee and all of our resources are advice on reducing an organic farm’s carbon footprint. with the USDA-Risk Management Agency to help available for free. Sign up for our newsletter at ofrf.org organic and transitioning growers manage on-farm to get the latest news. Understanding and Managing Soil Biology for risk through crop insurance programs and sound soil Soil Health & Crop Production health management. Vicki Lowell manages communications for the Organic This guide examines the functions of the soil food Introduction to Crop Insurance for Organic and Farming Research Foundation (OFRF).

Ask a Specialist — from page 4

“How can I control weeds in my fields this wet year?” Sometimes the “hassle factor” of adjustment can be be harvested or grazed on prevented planting acres Answer by Organic Specialist Carmen Fernholz just enough to make the operator overlook even a maybe even as early as September 1. minor adjustment that could be significant in weed The bottom line on managing weeds in less-than- This spring and early summer of 2019 will no doubt management for the current season and years to come. ideal conditions is twofold. Instead of a fallow seedbed be long remembered for the extreme wet and subse- Another consideration: Plan ahead for manual you want something growing in the field. It is impor- quent weed pressure challenges for organic grain and labor to walk the crops especially the soybeans as weed tant to remember that soil microbes need to be fed row crop farmers. Because we operate with limited pressure will be heavier in wet years. with plant roots not to mention the risk of severe soil options for fertility and weed management, our deci- Be prepared, if possible, to cut and harvest small erosion if a field isn’t planted. sions need to be quite fluid from week to week. grains as early as possible, especially if you have a full Finally, be in touch with your crop insurance agent The first tool to really pay close attention to is floor aeration bin for air-drying the grain. Harvesting early on. Unfavorable weather conditions causing crop weather forecasting. Download one of the many apps small grains at 15% moisture is a good idea but will loss due to weed pressure from prevented timely prac- available and watch it closely. There are many out there need the aeration capability. tices is a very legitimate reason for filing a claim. Try so investigate and then decide on one for its accuracy. If it happens that you were unable to get a field to make the decision early so if you need to destroy Learn to interpret its style of forecasting and how it fits planted because of wet conditions, or you missed out the crop you can do so before the weeds set seed. Crop your geographic area. on timely tine weeding (rotary hoeing is not very adjusters should understand the logic especially in Next come the mechanical tools that you have effective in wet soils) or cultivating, and weeds won an organic system. I have experienced this scenario available. In a wet year, all effective use of any equip- out, don’t plan to manage weeds with multiple till- several times myself. ment will be day to day with lots of operator creativity. age passes. Use cover crops, especially large leafed, I have purposely not talked about specific pieces of Whatever equipment you have, make sure it’s all in top fast growing species like purple top turnips or tillage equipment and how to use them as this can get quite performing condition. With high soil-moisture levels, radish after August 1. Peas are always an excellent challenging and space would not allow a good expla- equipment effectiveness can be severely compromised. choice because they are a legume. Weeds do make a nation. So if you have specific questions about specific The other thing to remember about any of these pieces good cover crop so consider mowing them a time or equipment or anything else that I may not have talked of equipment is to make adjustment capabilities as two to keep them from setting seed ahead of a late about here, please feel free to be in touch with me convenient as possible. Given the season, chances summer tillage followed by a planted cover crop. And through email or through the Organic Answer Line are high that you will already be rushing things. check with your local FSA office about crops that can (888-90-MOSES). Improve and protect your organic farming profits Sustaining organic producers by coordinating Accurate. Responsive. Easy. the efforts of marketing groups. Oren Holle, president 979 Second Road Bremen KS 66412 785-337-2442 [email protected] www.ofarm.coop

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Organic farmers access conservation programs to steward their land By Caleb Langworthy With over 1,300 certified farms in Wisconsin, the Doudlah has transitioned over 1,700 acres to organic enables us to get more uniformity on the cranberry state is second in the nation for the number of organic production and attributes his success to the use of bed when we do irrigate.” operations. The state’s organic farms are as diverse multi-species cover crops. Many organic farmers have found that their farms as Wisconsin agriculture; each farm has unique fac- “The really cool part is how NRCS has actually are good candidates for the Conservation Stewardship tors that influence management of the operation. To helped and allowed us to do conservation practices, Program (CSP), a program that works to incentivize address natural resource concerns on their land, some like cover crops,” he said. “Had we not made that enhancements on farms to enhance their stewardship. of these farmers seek help from the USDA Natural connection of cover crops and organic practices with Servais of Hamburg Hills found CSP helpful, enrolling Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS the help of NRCS, we wouldn’t be here today. Organic both his pasture and cropland into a program that provides on-the-ground technical and financial sup- is all about cover crops for me.” Utilizing the EQIP coincides well with national organic standards. The port for diverse practices that can benefit the farm program, Doudlah was able to plant cereal rye on all of Holms found that CSP enhancements were easy to operation, address environmental concerns, and sup- his transitional acres. accomplish, marking fence lines for wildlife and ret- port continued stewardship. “We planted cereal rye on all our corn acres. I knew rofitting their stock tank to provide a wildlife escape. Doran and Mariann Holm of Holm Boys Dairy in I needed to transition to organic, but am farming Doudlah is using the CSP program to install over 60 Elk Mound, Wis., have worked with NRCS since they one-third highly erodible land,” he explained. “After acres in pollinator habitat on his field borders to act as purchased their farm 20 years ago. learning about crimped cereal rye, I thought we could the buffer required for organic production. “They helped us utilize all of the farm,” Doran said. do it.” “The yearly CSP payments help protect pollinators “We have a great working relationship.” Their local To help other farmers who are considering rye in and also helped us invest in the right equipment to NRCS office partnered with the Holms soon after their rotation, Doudlah offered this advice: “Getting plant cover crops successfully on our farm,” Doudlah they purchased their farm to improve soil health and cereal rye in timely in the fall right after harvest is key. explained. “It allowed us to plan and save for five years pasture productivity by providing financial assistance The cereal rye provides a nice thick mat, which armors to get the tools for this to work.” when the farm installed a perimeter fence on the farm, the soil from further erosion the rest of the year, con- NRCS works with a broad spectrum of farming interseeded pastures, and added on an erosion-control serves the moisture and feeds the biology a slow feed operations and landowners across Wisconsin provid- project behind their barn. The Holms have been very of carbon long-term. The root system of the rye is what ing technical and financial assistance to maintain happy to work with their local conservationists. typically feeds the soybean that year. The biomass and improve the natural resources of the area. Doran “They are hard-working people who are proactive above ground feeds the soil as it decomposes.” Holm added that the NRCS has “practical programs working with producers,” Doran added. “When they Doudlah said he found NRCS to be a good partner with hard-working people willing to do conservation were working behind the barn to control erosion, in the switch to organic production. “Transitioning work with us.” A quick phone call to your local USDA Tammy was out here every day to make sure the proj- 1,750 acres has been a tremendous undertaking and Service Center can be the best way to see how your ect was done correctly.” a steep learning curve,” he said. “In the transition farm can benefit from NRCS programs. To find the The Holms also worked with NRCS on a Grazing years, you are using organic inputs and getting con- nearest center, see offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. Management Conservation Activity Plan (CAP 110). ventional prices. So financial and technical assistance The system designed for them helped improved forage from NRCS through EQIP and CSP (Conservation Caleb Langworthy is a MOSES Organic Specialist work- across the farm and their ability to rotationally graze Stewardship Program) can help. Fundamentally, I ing with the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Ser- with just one person. “They have been great to work believe in organics, so we are all in.” vice to educate agents on organic production practices. with,” Mariann explained. “Being organic, we have a Conserving water resources was the goal of John common goal of improving the soil health on our farm.” Stauner when he bought James Lake Farms and began Tim Servais of Hamburg Hills Dairy also worked to transition 65 acres of cranberry marsh and 1,540 with NRCS to install fencing on his farm near support acres to organic. He worked closely with an Stoddard, in addition to installing cattle lanes and NRCS Resource Conservationist under a contribu- access roads. tion agreement with the Wisconsin State Cranberry “We’re so glad we went organic,” said Servais, Growers Association, which completed an assess- who ships milk to Organic Valley. “The cattle are less ment of the operation’s current irrigation system and stressed and are able to graze. My dad worked with developed an irrigation management plan. That plan NRCS, and I kept on following through on those con- included recommendations for run times to provide servation efforts.” he explained. Servais grows corn, adequate moisture for the crop. Stauner also worked corn silage, and hay on farm and worked with his local with NRCS to upgrade the irrigation system on the conservationist to install contour strips to prevent farm. erosion in his fields. “This marsh was the first in Wisconsin to have a “We recently marked out a couple hundred acres of solid set irrigation system in the 1950s—the same Practical, reliable contour strips at Hamburg Hills,” Servais said. “We’ve irrigation system that was here when we first pur- modified some of the existing contour strip widths and chased the farm back in 2006,” Stauner explained. “It and friendly organic made them a bit wider and more uniform.” Servais was in serious need of rehabilitation.” Working with also has used the NRCS Environmental Quality his resource conservationist and utilizing the EQIP certication services Incentives Program (EQIP) to finance cover crops. program, he was able to update his system to a high- “I use cover crops, like winter rye, to combat ero- efficiency sprinkler system and replace 6,800 feet of sion and help with weed suppression, since we farm undersized, leaky above-ground irrigation with buried MOSAORGANIC.ORG | 608-637-2526 organically,” he explained. pipeline. “The upgraded systems, with the help of Mark Doudlah also tapped EQIP for cover crops. NRCS, saves us a lot of water usage,” he added. “It also 14 | July | August 2019 TM

Growing Organic Grains — from page 7 that our bodies can digest and utilize.” Both the miller opportunities passed up because there was a risk, and income for his multi-family operation. Janie’s Farm and the bakers must adapt to these differences and people are not willing to look at it. Be looking for the Organics is a great example of a successful intersection respond to the living variations in the grains and the next opportunity. When it presents itself, study it well. of theory and reality in rural Illinois. flours. Don’t reject it right off until you really look into it and Learn more at www.janiesfarm.com or While embracing the differences of their grains, see where it might take you,” he advised. www.themillatjaniesfarm.com. Wilken and Brockman Cummings also respect the Wilken points out that five years ago he wasn’t need for consistency and high quality in product even thinking of owning a mill, and now here he is, About OGRAIN expectations; they ran practice batches of milled grain successfully growing a wide diversity of grains, and OGRAIN (Organic Grain Resource and for several months before officially starting product serving needs of bakers, brewers and distillers, as well Information Network) is a collaborative effort of the sales. They now sell both wholesale and retail packages as consumers, in his local region. “As things change, UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural of dozens of grains in various forms, including corn- as local markets expand, get involved. There are more Systems, UW-Madison/UWEX Organic and meal, polenta, grits, spelt, buckwheat, hard and soft restaurants, more food stores, more bakers and brew- Sustainable Cropping Systems lab, and MOSES, sup- wheat, rye and more. Bakers have told them that they ers looking for what we raise. You might as well take ported by a grant from the USDA Beginning Farmer find the flavors noticeably different and really enjoy advantage of it as anybody.” and Rancher Development Program. For more infor- baking with them. Looking from the outside, it is obvious that Harold mation on events and organic grain resources, visit Wilken and his team have created an important part- ograin.cals.wisc.edu. Words of Wisdom nership with the local market, playing an integral role Wilken is clearly an innovative and forward in providing high-quality, nutritious, fresh, distinc- Jody Padgham is an outreach specialist at the Univer- thinker, shown in the wisdom he passes on from tive-tasting and consistent grain products to discern- sity of Wisconsin-Madison working with OGRAIN. his experiences. “There have been lots of good ing consumers, while also creating a stable market and

Take time to learn from farming peers at these upcoming field days Organic Row Crops in Soil Sisters Weekend rotational grazing, and discuss their farrow-to-finish South Dakota August 2 – 4 | Southern Wisconsin swine operation. MOSES co-sponsors this Practical Aug. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take classes, savor farm-fresh goodies, and tour Farmers of Iowa field day. Johnson Farms, Madison, SD women-owned farms during this jam-packed, award- Tour by bus a 2,800- winning culinary event celebrating rural life in the Add Unusual Fruits to Your Farm acre organic farm, show- farming communities of south central Wisconsin. Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Blue Fruit Farm | casing organic methods for Winona, Minn. growing corn and soybeans. Learn about weed man- In Her Boots: Diversifying with Flowers, Pizza, MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year, Jim Riddle agement and soil-building strategies. MOSES sponsors and Summer Camps and Joyce Ford, showcase how they grow all things this event, organized by Northern Plains Sustainable Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Ladyfern Farm & Two Pony blue. Focus is on unusual fruits, overhead netting, Agriculture Society. Field day includes lunch. Garden | Long Lake, Minn. native plants, and mechanical weed control for Glean insights and inspiration from a trio of orchards. Lunch will be provided. In Her Boots: women farmers who run several businesses out of Success Strategies from the Soil Sisters the same farm. This broad-based workshop includes Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Riemer Family Farm | tips on growing, harvesting, and arranging flowers, a Sept. 18 | Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm | Waukesha, Wis. Brodhead, Wis. look at on-farm conservation practices, plus great tips Learn about soil health and low-impact cultivation This workshop features several farmers from the on ways to expand farm income. This MOSES In Her and see a variety of tools for precise mechanical weed “Soil Sisters” group that hosts the annual farm tour Boots workshop costs $25 and includes lunch. control in both crop and vegetable fields. See in-field weekend in southeast Wisconsin. (See the next listing demonstrations of specific weed management equip- for details.) The workshop will focus on how to raise Cultivating Resilience for a Changing Climate ment. MOSES sponsors this event, organized by The a variety of livestock for meat as well as offer insights Aug. 16, 1 to 4:30 p.m. | Rosmann Family Farm | Land Connection. to help women get started in farming. This MOSES In Harlan, Iowa Her Boots workshop costs $25 and includes lunch. The Rosmanns, the 2018 MOSES Organic Farmers NOTE: Tips from our field day on starting a micro- of the Year, will highlight how they work small grains creamery are posted here: mosesorganic.org/ into their field crop rotations, use cover crops for farmstead-micro-creamery.

3rd Annual Midwest Mechanical Wherever your path leads, Weed Control WE’RE WITH YOU. FIELD DAY Wednesday, Sept. 18, 8:30 - 4:00 Finding a lender or crop insurance agent who really understands organic farming can be challenging. We’re Learn all about equipped with the financial expertise, resources and Weeding Machines for Vegetables & Row Crops solutions to meet the unique needs of organic producers. Hear from national and international Let’s get started today. experts on weeding tools and techniques Meet with farmers from all over the Midwest and Canada See most cultivation tools made today exhibited, speak with company reps, and see extensive field demos Learn about new and retro-fitted camera-guided cultivators and see them operating in the field

Learn more and REGISTER at Sai Thao https://thelandconnection.org/event/MechanicalWeedControl2019 Lending Officer (612) 597-4086 Presented by: [email protected]

COMPEER.COM/EMERGINGMARKETS | (844) 426-6733 Paul Dietmann Sr. Lending Officer (608) 963-7763 For questions, or to collaborate, please contact [email protected] Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider. ©2018 All rights reserved. Sam Hitchcock Tilton at (414) 213-5337 TM mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSES | 15

2020 MOSES Conference Workshop Planning Survey Help us focus in on the workshop topics you’d like covered at the 2020 MOSES Organic Farming Conference. Voting runs through July 31, 2019. You may select up to 6 workshops per category. Take the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020workshops or vote here and mail your completed survey to: MOSES, PO Box 339, Spring Valley, Wis., 54767.

Field Crops Soils Industrial hemp Understanding organic amendments and fertilizers Leadership, Justice, and Community Issues Re-carbonizing row crop soil Biochar production and use A global view of food production Row cropping in extreme weather patterns Compost science and utilization Diversity and Inclusion training (for ag. communities) Weed indicators and control Tools to assess your soil Gleaning Interseeding, companion, and relay planting On-farm composting History of race in farming and farming systems Food-grade small grains Korean Natural Farming Urban farming general Organic no-till including crop termination Reversing compaction Farm to School Programs Cover crops Using plastic mulch or biodegradable plastic mulch Food sovereignty Emerging implement technology Beginner Soil Science Indigenous food systems Interpreting soil tests Family Farm Defenders Livestock Working with living soils Domestic fair trade Silvopasture Biologicals for better early crop growth Farming after the first 5 years - how to stay in Year-round watering systems for livestock Selecting cover crops for specific functions Pastured broilers Mycromediation of contaminated soils Health & Homesteading Pastured pork On-farm meat processing Managed grazing techniques Business, Marketing, and Management Farming with horses Holistic small ruminant or cattle health Farm financial management 101 Wild foraging Beef gentics and production Marketing and selling for specialty wholesale Mite-combating, self-sustaining bee yard Egg production Creating cash flow budgets Sustainable/alternative building methods Multi-species grazing and fencing Selling farm products online Healthcare solutions for the farmer Integrating crops/cover crops and livestock Social media marketing Linking healthy soil, healthy food, and healthy people Low-stress livestock handling Creating a brand Indoor urban farming with a vertical living wall Land access for organic production Beekeeping Market Gardening Pricing your farm product Agrotourism Perennial fruit production for a market farm Writing successful grant proposals Re-purposing on the farm Deep winter vegetables Developing healthy farm partnerships & estate planning Fruit tree grafting Employee management Specialty Crops Companion vegetable planting Employment law for farmers Growing mushrooms Small-scale vegetable farming Economics of organic fruit production Herbs - medicinal or culinary Berries in high tunnels Strategies to protect your farm assets and manage taxes Tree Crops Regionally adapted seeds Farm business planning for disaster resilience Hybrid hazelnuts Perennial polycultures Garlic - production and business Small farming tools and methods Organic Certification & Labeling Hemp production - CBD or Fiber High tunnel vegetable production Transition for commercial-scale farms Growing hops organically No-till organic vegetable production Organic certification for veggies Saffron Production Food safety with composting and animal manure Writing an organic systems plan Weed control in perennial and long-season crops Crop rotation during transition Farming Systems Small-scale vegetables The debate about hydroponics and aquaponics in organic Small farm infrastructure hacks, how to repurpose, reuse Incorporating value-added Food safety/GAP/FSMA Farming outside the industrial model Increasing efficiencies and good record keeping Regenerative organic labels Regenerative practices Pest control in organic apples Blockchain technology and organic integrity High-residue cultivation CSA - Customer convenience/customization Organic international trade update Creating pollinator habitat with native plants CSA - Start-up 101 Organic Consumer Trends Water management (keylines, field contours)

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Farmer Mentorship — from page 9 production is certified organic through Midwest markets by storage over the growing season and on business,” Steve said. “He’s got to get the farming Organic Services Association. An adjacent neighbor into winter. Portions of an 8-acre cover crop of oats are down now if he wants to grow. He’ll need to spend contributes an additional 10 acres that came into worked up on a precise schedule, timed for the cover time here gaining experience with equipment in the production and cover crops in 2010. to break down, then plant to carrots with firm, reliable coming year.” At the Farley Center, aspiring entrepreneurs farm harvest dates. For his part, David greatly appreciates his mentor’s on about 16 acres. The growers cultivate a variety of An 80-inch Maschio rotavator with a roller/soil deep experience. vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs, including many firmer provides finishing. It crumbles the clods after “You can make money when you are small, direct Latino and Asian specialty crops. Steve works up the ground initially with a chisel plow. marketing and doing most of the work yourself,” he “I also hired [a consultant] for help with marketing The soil firmer sets depth for smooth transplanting or said. “But then comes the ‘trough of despair,’ and you and labels through a USDA value-added producer planting. With sections of carrots 50 feet wide and 600 want to grow past this in as short a period of time as grant for planning,” David said. “It helped us study feet long, such mechanization is vitally important. possible without falling apart.” Also known as the feasibility to grow from tiny to totally self-sufficient Steve keeps up with the latest in equipment for trough of sorrow or trough of disillusionment, it’s with raw vegetables and fresh herbs for grocery stores. specialized uses through workshops and the trade the crash most growers feel following that inflated “We’re searching for that ideal gross that yields show at the annual MOSES Conference. “The new initial enthusiasm or exhilarating expectations when a enough for a good quality of life, and balance out for European cultivating tools are amazing; Kult Kress, novice must wade through ineptitude, fatigue, and the risks. The first-year volume was $18,000, the second German-engineered fingerweeders, in particular, are mistakes that come with a startup business. was $26,000, and it doubled every year after that. very good,” he added. David recommends the MOSES mentoring pro- We’re in our 5th year now.” On his farm mentoring visit, Steve also went over a gram to other beginning growers, adding that it helps Being able this year to grow crops on a single soil test for the Bachhubers’ new place. They reflected new farmers through the climb to profitability and property, which they now own near Stoughton, the together on the history of the land. Steve gave them productivity by minimizing the pain of punishing Bachhubers have already received the first visit from ideas about where to go for organic soil amendments mistakes faced alone. their mentor. that Steve and Beth have found to be effective, as well “We talked about soil fertility a lot and Steve’s as fair in price. Tony Ends and his wife, Dela, have been growing for strategies that have and have not worked over the “David’s got an impressive herb packaging and CSA and markets for years at Scotch Hill Farm near years,” David said. “We talked about a super simple distribution system. I think he’s got a great sense of Madison. farm layout and workflow. We bought a 4-wheel drive tractor this year, and we talked a lot to Steve about tooling and implements.” Steve recognizes that it is his growing and soil improvement skills of more than 40 years that can best help David aspire to higher volumes and scales of production. Wholesale crops that are his and Beth’s specialty are very different from those the Bachhubers grow. “His focus on herbs and more perennials is quite different,” Steve explained. “We focus on a very small percentage of perennials and herbs. He’s packaging herbs with a nice label. We let stores do the merchandising. “I’ve advised him to start mechanizing—cultivating, transplanting; what’s appropriate to now and to where he wants to be in the future and how long it’s going to take to get there. I’ve talked to him about how to plant cover crops, spread compost from cattle and leaves.” ELITE WHEAT FROM GREAT For carrots, for instance, Steve staggers planting and harvest for both CSA subscribers and wholesale HARVEST ORGANICS Great Harvest certified organic wheat seed offers organic farmers the outstanding yield, plant health, and standability necessary to be successful. Learn more about increasing the yields on your organic farm with Great Harvest Organics wheat selection.

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Women in Sustainable Ag Conference an organic grain farmer in Registration opens Aug. 1 for the bi-annual Women western Minnesota who has ORGANIC in Sustainable Ag Conference, Oct. 17-19 at the been certified since 1975. ANSWER LINE InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront hotel. MOSES is Two additional special- organizing the event this year, which will include a ists, Caleb Langworthy and 888-90-MOSES “Plate to Politics” track spearheaded by the Women, NEWS BRIEFS Jennifer Nelson, work on Food and Ag Network (WFAN) in lieu of the annual specific projects forMOSES . WFAN conference. Workshops, demos, and network- Caleb is educating agents ing opportunities will support women from all aspects Margaret Krome, policy director for Michael Fields from the USDA-Natural Get answers to your of sustainable agriculture, providing essential infor- Agricultural Institute and interim coalition director Resource Conservation questions about farming mation on leadership skills, for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and Service on organic produc- and organic rules. empowerment, and farm busi- WOMEN IN Iowa farmer Hannah Breckbill. New podcast episodes tion practices. Jennifer is ness success. See the agenda and SUSTAINABLE AG post every Friday. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher, or working as a Land Access more details at mosesorganic. CONFERENCE listen at mosesorganic.org/in-her-boots-podcast. Navigator for our partner- org/wisa-conference. ship with Renewing the Organic Resource Directory Countryside. Save the Date The Midwest Organic Resource Directory is avail- To access the specialist team’s expertise, call or The 31st Annual able as a free, 80-page spiral-bound book or online as a text the Organic Answer Line (888-90-MOSES) dur- MOSES Organic Farming PDF. The directory lists buyers, processors, suppliers, ing business hours or submit your question online at Conference will be Feb. certification agencies, consultants, resource orga- mosesorganic.org/ask. You may also email chuck@ 27-29, 2020, in La Crosse, Wis. Early Bird registration nizations, state and federal agencies, and university mosesorganic.org. opens Dec. 3. Don’t forget to vote for the workshop programs. See mosesorganic.org/organic-resource- topics you’d like covered at MOSES 2020. Click the directory or call 888-90-MOSES. Pollinator Habitat Establishment button on the main conference page: mosesorganic. Farmers may be interested in viewing one of the org/conference. Or, mail in the form on page 15. Support our Community of Farmers webinars MOSES has organized for agents from Voting ends July 31. With the severe impact this spring has had on the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service farmers across the country, we didn’t think it was (NRCS). “Establishing Pollinator Habitat on Organic Free Admission to MOSES 2020 appropriate to send out our annual spring appeal Farms” will explain how to establish pollinator habitat It’s your last chance to enter the letter since many of our loyal supporters are farmers on organic farms using NRCS programs. MOSES annual MOSES Conference photo themselves. Our focus instead has been on helping Organic Specialist Caleb Langworthy and Karin Jokela contest with the grand prize of the farmers impacted through our Organic Answer from the Xerces Society present this webinar Tuesday, FREE admission to the full confer- Line, providing individualized advice to help them July 30 at 10 a.m. The webinar will be recorded and ence (a $300 value)! The winning make it through this year. MOSES relies on individual available online at mosesorganic.org/nrcs. See this photo will be featured on the cover donations to do this good work. If you’re able, please webpage for the complete list of webinars and on-farm 2019 of the MOSES 2020 Program. PROGRAM invest in organic farming through a donation today to trainings for NRCS agents. Every entrant will receive 888-90-MOSESa free • PO Box 339, Spring Valley, Wis. 54767 • mosesorganic.org Guide to the MOSES Organic Farming Conference & Directory of Exhibitors, Sponsors, Presenters MOSES at mosesorganic.org/donate or by mail at PO mug at the conference, and the Box 339, Spring Valley, WI, 54767. Together, we can Training for Ag Service Providers winner also gets a conference T-shirt along with free support farmers through these difficult times. The Organic Agronomy Training Series (OATS) is admission. Submit scenic shots of your farm, crops, a collaboratively managed, science-based train-the- livestock, or equipment in action. See details and entry MOSES Specialist Team trainer program for agricultural professionals working form at mosesorganic.org/photo-contest. Enter by Chuck Anderas with organic or transitioning producers in the U.S. Aug. 30, 2019. recently joined the Two-day trainings are offered across the country. MOSES team as an OATS Central will be Aug. 14-15 at the Radisson Hotel MOSES 2019 Workshop Recordings organic specialist. in La Crosse, Wis. Cost is $85, and includes daytime Multitask while you’re in the field this season by Chuck has a degree in meals and a bus tour to a certified organic farm. See listening to audio recordings of MOSES Conference agricultural education oats.brownpapertickets.com. workshops. The MP3 downloads are just $5 each. The from the University of complete set of workshop recordings (on a USB drive) Minnesota. Before join- Organic & Non-GMO Forum is only $75. This year, many presenters also shared ing MOSES in June, he Registration is open for the fifth annual Organic & their PowerPoints, making the audio recordings even worked at MOSA as a Non-GMO Forum Oct. 29-30, 2019, in Minneapolis. more informative. See related presentation slides at certification specialist and inspector. He has worked This event is the source for conventional food and ag mosesorganic.org/conference/workshops. Order audio on small-scale organic fruit and vegetable farms in businesses to learn about opportunities in the organic recordings at mosesorganic.net. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida. He lives in Green and non-GMO industry, and for those in the field Bay, Wis., with his wife and two young children. Their to discuss its challenges and advantages. This event, In Her Boots Podcast urban homestead includes chickens, a large garden, which has grown three-fold, promises unique insights The MOSES “In Her Boots” and a greenhouse. from leading experts, and unparalleled networking podcast currently features Chuck leads our team of on-farm organic special- opportunities. Tickets are $799 but farmers in the interviews with Alicia Razvi, ists who can answer your farming questions through MOSES community may use the following discounts: Wooly Thyme Micro Farm— the MOSES Organic Answer Line. This team includes producers with more than 5,000 acres under organic or one of the young farmers fea- Rachel Henderson, whose expertise is organic fruit transitional production use the code MOSES to reduce tured in the Saturday keynote and livestock; Kevin Mahalko, who is an organic registration to $650; those with fewer than 5,000 acres at the 2019 MOSES Conference. Recent guests include dairyman and grazing expert; and Carmen Fernholz, use code ORGFARMER to reduce registration to $499.

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Fall NOSB Meeting Grazing Field Map for South Dakota The fall meeting of the National Organic Standards South Dakota Soil Health Coalition has created a Board (NOSB) will take place Oct. 23-25, 2019, in new online portal that connects livestock producers Pittsburgh, Penn. This is the semiannual meeting for with people in the state who have cropland or forage the board to hear comments from the public about available to graze. The website is a free, publicly acces- substances used in organic production. Written NEWS BRIEFS sible map, developed through a grant agreement with comments and requests for a speaking time at the the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. meeting must be received by Oct. 3. See www.ams. See sdgrazingexchange.com. usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board- maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s nosb-meeting-pittsburgh-pa. National Organic Program. Eligible expenses include Organic vs. Conventional Farming Costs fees for the application, inspection, equivalency agree- A cost/return analysis published in Agronomy Regenerative Farming Fellowship ment and arrangements, inspector travel expenses, Journal compares production costs, yield and net The Regenerative Farming Fellowship is designed user fees, sales assessments, and postage. Producers can returns for conventional versus organic crop rotations. to support medium-scale farmers in the Northern apply for a maximum of $750 per certification scope. The study revealed that the longest, most diversified Plains or Great Plains who are committed to adopt- Apply for fiscal 2019 funding by Oct. 31 at USDA Farm organic crop rotation was the most financially secure ing regenerative agricultural practices. Training and Service Agency county offices. cropping system, noting that lower yields for organic meetings will take place in winter/spring of 2019-2020 crops were offset by higher premiums. Five cropping in N.Y., D.C., and Minn. Travel support and stipends FEAST Local Foods Network systems were measured: three organic rotations, all are available. The fellowship is a partnership between Aug. 31 is the Early Bird deadline to apply for tilled with a moldboard plow (2-year corn-soy, 3-year the Stone Barns Center, National Young Farmers a booth at the 6th Annual FEAST! Local Foods corn-soy-wheat, 6-year corn-soy-wheat-alfalfa), and Coalition, and Arizona State University, with support Marketplace, which takes place Dec. 6 and 7 in two conventional rotations either chisel tilled, or no- from the General Mills Foundation. For more infor- Rochester, Minn. The event presents the 2019 FEAST! till (3-year corn-soy-wheat). Overall production costs mation, see www.stonebarnscenter.org/rff. Local Foods Marketplace is an opportunity to meet were about the same across the systems, but where with buyers, network with peers, and introduce prod- the money was spent differed for conventional versus Guide to Disaster Assistance ucts to the general public. Organizers are looking for organic systems. Across the nine-year study, the six- Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) recently food businesses that utilize locally grown ingredients year organic rotation accumulated the highest returns. published the first two volumes in its series of guides in their products and include features like gluten-free, on the rules for federal disaster-assistance programs. grass-fed, and organic. See www.local-feast.org. Perennial Farming Map Volume 1: Emergency Conservation Program and PerennialMap.org is an interactive, online map Volume 2: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Illinois FarmLink that features farms raising perennial crops (including Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) are The new Northeast Illinois FarmLink helps farmers pasture for livestock), supply and service providers, available free online as PDFs. See www.flaginc.org/ looking for land in 10 northeastern Illinois counties food markets, and research and education resources. topic/disaster-assistance-and-risk-management. find land to rent. See www.illinoisfarmlink.org. The Farmers and service providers can post their loca- website also features information on topics related to tions and servicest on the map to connect with others Organic Certification Cost Share finding farmland, leasing, negotiating, and more. involved in perennial agriculture. Partners include the Funding is available through the Organic MOSES Land Link-Up also connects farmers with Savanna Institute, University of Wisconsin, University Certification Cost Share Program to reimburse available farmland. See mosesorganic.org/land-link-up of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, The Greenhorns, producers up to 75 percent of the cost of obtaining or for current listings from around the Midwest. Agrarian Trust, and University of Illinois.

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EQUIPMENT JOBS 2018 Oggun Tractor with 20hp Honda gas engine, hydro, Tomato Mountain Farm is a certified organic farm located front & rear 3pt hitch. Roll bar, seat belt, front & rear lights, CLASSIFIEDS 20 miles south of Madison. Responsibilities range from har- toolbox, footstep. $11,500 obo. Jang TDR-U Seeder for vesting, washing, planting, weeding, and packing vegetables larger seeds w/sweet corn and blank plates, $800 obo, like to assistance with maintenance and upkeep. We’ve got a new. K.U.L.T. Kress Parallelogram Cultivator with medium Place an ad at Organic Classifieds great maintenance/field manager who needs someone (yellow) finger wheels, spring upgrade, toolbar, $850 obo, like or call 715-778-5775. reliable to help keep things in order. Looking for a motivated new. 507-413-2235 or [email protected]. person, with a good attitude and solid/steady work ethic. mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds Check us out at www.tomatomountain.com or contact Chris Farmall Cub belly/rear mount cultivators, side dresser. at 608-712-1585 or [email protected]. $2000. Buddingh Finger Weeder, 1or 2-row $1750. Corn Planter 400 Cyclo 4-Row $1350. 1-Row Juko Potato Dairy Jobs: Grazing/Organic farmers in MN, MO, NY, PA, VT Harvester, hydraulic bunker incl. New main web.$10,500. and WI are hiring fulltime employees to work and gain skills Farmall 560 w/front loader. $3500. Irrigation Pump $500. For Sale: 297 acre Organic Farm in Houston, Minnesota. needed to become dairy farm managers and owners. Visit 1-Row Mechanical Transplanter $500. Collapsible bins, Certified since 2008. Longer driveway provides an abun- www.dga-national.org. 4-6 inches tall $5/piece or 20/$80. 2006 Dodge Sprinter dance of beauty & privacy. 3-5 bedroom foam/block energy efficient home, built in 2002. Large wrap around deck with 3500, extended dually w/ refrigeration unit (needs work) LIVESTOCK $4500. [email protected] or 651-343-2595. spectacular view! 4 car garage, large steel framed machine shed, cattle shelter, grain bins, & more. 126 acres tillable, 14 Bulls For Sale. TLC Pinzgauer - Hollandale, WI is selling 2 Red Dragon Flaming Cultivator Model 8VBF. 20 foot. 2015 rotational grazing pastures, with 5 wire high tensile fencing, Austrian Fullblood Pinzgauer Bulls for $1,600.00 each. They model used very little. SER#61416. Price $10,750 or best offer. that can serve 45 cow/calf pairs. Woodland, and 5 ponds. 19 were born May/June 2018 and will be registered. Pinzgauer Call Rocky at 870-347-6077 or [email protected]. very gentle Black Angus/Hereford cows with 9 calves so far, are known for their fertility and exceptionally docile nature. and machinery available that could be purchased with the They also would be a great addition to your herd for cross- For Sale: Buffalo Cultivators and Planters.320-221-2266. farm. Please call 507-896-4620. breeding. Call or text David at 608-574-0622.

Einboch 6-row 30” cultivator with finger weeder and Gavin Bros. Real Estate for Sale. F523 Wonewoc. Turn-key camera guidance. $40,000 obo. Also Einboch 15ft. tine weeder. organic egg facility w/50x500 building that holds 36,000 MISCELLANEOUS $4000. Both 4 years old. Cuba City, WI. 608-732-3807. laying hens. 112 acres w/approx. 65 acres of organic tillable HEIRLOOM HUE is a creative consulting business for farm- ground. Property includes 2 homes, 50x50 shop, 50x110 ers, florists, gardeners, makers, etc.Do you need help Potato Equipment for sale. Equipment is field ready and machine shed & barn. Additional land available. #1857126. with digital content, web and branding/identity to stored inside. Lockwood 603 Accumatic planter, Spunik 6-row Call for further details. 608-524-6416. better connect to your audience? Design|website|social power-hiller, Elmers 6-row cultivator V-plow hillers, Troyer media|photography|videography. Contact me by e-mail at planter filler, Lockwood 4500 digger belted primary C-flex Farm For Sale. Take our Central WI farm forward: 20 acres, [email protected] to learn more! throughout, Harriston 40ft. weeder, dirt conveyor, FMC 18 new garage with attached kitchen, a four-bedroom two bath row band-sprayer or 54ft high pressure. John 218-779-6737. remodeled farm house, pole shed, barn, greenhouse, fruit Aronia Berries, MCIA Certified Organic. 2334 bushes are and nut trees, 10K solar system, walk-in cooler and fenced for loaded for easy picking. Acreage is mowed weekly! Flat rotational grazing. The farm has used regenerative practices terrain, easy access, on blacktop county road. Harvesting will FARMS/LAND for years. Randy [email protected] 715-305-5670. begin August 23- September 15. 9499 Wilton Bridge Road 19-acre Northern Illinois farm (previously certified organic) Waseca MN. 56093. 507-327-9513. for sale. 300+ 5-year-old hybrid hazelnuts (from Mark FORAGES Shepard). Black walnut grove. 3-acre pond, stocked with We Stock Dr. Paul’s organic approved Animal Health crappie, bass, cat, bluegill. 2 streams. Apple, pear trees, black Certified Organic Alfalfa For Sale.4x5 round bales, and Products including Health Tinctures, Boluses, Aloe Pellets raspberries, elderberries, mulberries. Adorable chapel. 800s.f., 3x3 square. One semi load of 4x5 organic round grass bales with Garlic, Immune System Boosters, Calf Health Products, 2-3 bed/1 bath cottage, central air. Generator. Carriage house. available, nice color. Tim Cada. Clarkson NE. 402-750-1414. De-wormers and more. We sell wholesale and retail. Also Near Paw Paw. 1 ½ hours to O’Hare. $399,900. 815-988-2628 looking for dealers to stock our organic certified kelp meal, or [email protected]. Organic Hay, Straw, Corn and Oats For Sale. Ellingson Sea 90 Salt, Reed Sedge Peat (feed grade humated), etc. Elevator, Spring Grove, MN. Delivery available. Call or text Sunrise Seeds Plus, LLC. Topeka, Indiana 260-463-0380. Hilltop farm for sale/lease with option to buy. 150 acres (40+ Travis Schullo 563-419-1848. tillable). Owner financed, land contract. Prefer organic farmer. ORGANIC FISH FERTILIZER 15-1-1, 100% dry water soluble, Adjacent to lower Kickapoo River Wildlife Refuge, Crawford GRAINS 5-7 times more nutritious than liquid fish. Will not clog drip County, WI. 3/4 mile private drive. Hunting, native plants, more. irrigation. One lb., 5 lb. or 55 lb. packaging, can be shipped Call/text: 210-363-8201 or [email protected]. Certified Organic Roasted Corn. Feed test available on UPS. Frommelt Ag Service, Greeley, IA, 563-920-3674. request. $320/ton. 608-574-5066. Heirloom Apple Orchard near Madison WI. 4 acres with For Sale: Tempered, insulated, double-pane glass. Large about 200 organically managed (primarily cider) apple trees. Organic rye for sale. Feed quality. Sno Pac Farms, Caledonia panes for sunrooms, solar homes, ag buildings, greenhouses 100 + varieties. Cider press, large barn including 1500 sq ft MN. 507-725-5281. or ??? One hundred fifty thousand sold since 1979; 32x74x1” climate controlled space and bathroom. Will consider leasing double-pane only $69.00. We will be moving Arctic Glass to trees, barn and or equipment. 815-543-3078 or albionprairief- Open Pollinated Corn Seed. Early Varieties 75, Roberts, Wis. If you need glass now would be a good time! Arc- [email protected]. 85,87,90,105,110, and 120 Day Field corn. Sweet corn and tic Glass: www.kissourglass.com. Call Sandy at 507-259-6351. popcorn. Free Catalog. Green Haven Open Pollinated Seed For Sale 960 Acres Irrigated farm land. Certified organic Group. 607 566 9253. www.openpollinated.com. Nature Safe Fertilizer. We manufacture our own OMRI listed 6/1/2019 in SW South Dakota near Vetal. With 6 pivots and Amino Acid 15-0-1, a dry powder water soluble fertilizer. Use homestead. 605-680-2608. in your sprayer, drip irrigation or pivot. Sold by the ton in 55 lb. bags, super sacks. www.naturesafe.com 616-566-0307.

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Lansing Farm Tours Midwest CRAFT: Post-Harvest & Winter Storage July 22 | $ | Ada, Mich. August 21 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | $ | Naperville, Ill. Michigan State University Farmer Field School is hosting a tour Learn about season extention at Green Earth Harvest. Call of 3 – 4 farms from the Capitol city’s urban core out to its rural COMMUNITY 815-389-8455. surroundings. Call 616-885-7776 or email Katie at brandtk7@ msu.edu Student Organic Seed Symposium CALENDAR August 22 – 25 | $ | Dodgeville, Wis. Supporting Farm Youth through Understanding and For scholarships, email [email protected]. Intervention Find details and event links online: July 22 | Free | 9 a.m. – Noon | Willmar, Minn. Dreaming of a Vetter World: Intended for teachers, school counselors, school administra- mosesorganic.org/community August 27 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Free | Crystal Lake, Ill. tors, 4-H leaders, FFA advisors, youth pastors, social workers, Screening with filmmaker Bonnie Hawthorne. 815-337-9502. mental health professionals, health care professionals, and others who work with farm youth. Call 651-201-6012. Women Caring for the Land: Fenn’s Folly UW Arlington Extension Organic Agriculture Research August 8 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Ferryville, Wis. Field Day Safe Wisconsin Produce Field Day Tour Amy Fenn ‘s farm, developing a savanna/silvopasture and August 29 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Arlington, Wis. July 23 | $ | Spooner, Wis. building an off-grid home. Call Deb at 715-590-2130. Learn about organic research conducted at the University of Learn if your vegetable farm is ready to meet nationwide pro- Wisconsin, focus on organic no-till production. 612-868-1208. duce safety regulatory standards and attend an open house Midwest CRAFT: Grazing and Regenerative Agriculture view vegetable variety research plots. Call 608-224-4511. August 9 | 12 – 8 p.m. | East Troy, Wis. Farm to Flavor Learn about internal water, fence line, a milking parlor, farm September 12 | 6:30 – 9 p.m. | $ | Madison Agritourism Farm Tour store, and mobile hen houses.. Call 815-389-8455. Dinner features dishes from several of Madison’s premier chefs July 23 & 24 | $ | Minneapolis, Minn. using local, organic food. Email [email protected] Learn from operators and innovators in the agritourism SFA Garlic Fest to register. industry at 13 different tour stops. www.agritourismfarmtour. August 10 | $5 | Hutchinson, Minn. com/register Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event for lovers of Midwest CRAFT: Hemp Production in Illinois garlic, great local foods and good times! 844-922-5573 or email September 13 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | $ | Dixon, Ill. Supporting Farm Youth through Understanding and [email protected] Presentation on the production of hemp and hemp policy in Intervention Illinois. Call 815-389-8455. July 25 | Free | 9 a.m. – Noon | Detroit Lakes, Minn. In Her Boots: Diversifying with Flowers, Pizza, and Sum- Intended for teachers, school counselors, school administra- mer Camps Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day tors, 4-H leaders, FFA advisors, youth pastors, social workers, August 13 | $25 | Long Lake, Minn. September 18 | $ | Waukesha, Wis. mental health professionals, health care professionals. Call This broad-based workshop includes tips on growing, harvest- See tools for precise weed control. Call 715-778-5775 or go to 651-201-6012. ing, and arranging flowers, a look at on-farm conservation mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days. practices, plus great tips on ways you can diversify your farm Grazing Management in Northern Climate Workshop income. Call 715-778-5775 or go to mosesorganic.org/organic- Women Caring for the Land: Greenleaf Fireman’s Park July 27 | $10 | Duluth, Minn. field-days. September 19 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Greenleaf, Wis. Join SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg for a Tour local farms that use cover crops and no-till practices to discussion on soil health in a northern climate. 844-922-5573 Organic Seed Alliance On-farm Experiments Field Day improve soil health and water quality. Call Deb at 715-590-2130. or email [email protected] August 14 | Free | Cannon Falls, Minn. Hghlighting on-farm experiments with peppers and toma- Cottage food producer food safety training LSP Farm Beginnings Field Day: Getting Started with toes and unique conservation efforts in commercial organic September 25 | 5 – 8 p.m. | Duluth, Minn. Permaculture and Regenerative Agriculture vegetable production. Call Cat McCluskey: 360-472-0247. Training requirement of the Minnesota Department of Agri- July 28 | $10 | Spring Grove, Minn. culture to register as a cottage food producer. 612-624-1222. This field day will focus on permaculture practices and regen- Organic Agronomy Training Series (OATS) erative agriculture at Nettle Valley Farm. Call 507-523-3366. August 14 & 15 | 85$ | La Crosse, Wis. Acidified Foods Training for Licensed Food Processors Organic production systems and USDA-NOP regulatory October 1 & 2 | $ | St. Paul, Minn. Midwest CRAFT: Using Hand Tools compliance training for extension staff, agency personnel, Training which will provide certification to supervisors of July 31 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Reeseville, Wis. consultants, educators, technical service providers and thermally processed acidified food facilities. Email Theresa at Learn how to use various hand tools: featuring paper pot farmers. Contact Anders. Call 612-868-1208. [email protected]. transplanters, in-row torsion weeders, and other hand transplanting tools. Call 815-389-8455. Cultivating Farm Resilience for a Changing Climate Midwest CRAFT: Urban Ag August 16 | 1 – 4:30 p.m. | Harlan, Iowa October 2 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | $ | Chicago, Ill. Organic Row Crops in South Dakota See practical steps to build farm resilience. Call 715-778-5775 or A tour and full day of discussion about urban farming, land August 1 | 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Madison, S.D. go to mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days. access, and small-scale farming. Call 815-389-8455. Tour Charlie Johnson’s large-scale organic farm. Call 715-778- 5775 or go to mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days. Flame Weeding Workshop Midwest CRAFT: Fall Biodynamic Prep August 19 | 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | $ | Ithaca, Neb. October 5 | 1:30 p.m. – evening | Free | Elkhorn, Wis. In Her Boots: Success Strategies from the Soil Sisters Learn how to do proper flaming to control over ten major Experience hands-on learning and make biodynamic prepa- August 2 | $25 | Brodhead, Wis. Midwestern weeds in seven agronomic crops. Call Stevan at rations at Zinniker Family Farm. Call 815-389-8455. Meet the Soil Sisters who run meat operations and take a de- 402-584-3808. tailed, behind-the-scenes farm tour of Riemer Family Farm. Call Women in Sustainable Ag Conference 715-778-5775 or go to mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days. Grand Rapids Farm Tours October 17 – 19 | $ | St. Paul, Minn. August 19 | $ | Greenville, Mich. For women with roles in all aspects of sustainable agriculture, Soil Sisters Weekend Michigan State University Farmer Field School is hosting a tour from farming to education to food-system activism. Call 715- August 2 – 4 | Southern Wisconsin of 3 – 4 farms from around the Grand Rapids, Mich. area. Call 778-5775 or go to mosesorganic.org/wisa-conference Network with women farmers from some of the farming com- 616-885-7776 or email Katie at [email protected] munities in southern Wisconsin. Call Lisa 608-329-7056. Upper Midwest Seed Summit Add Unusual Fruits to Your Farm October 17 & 18 | $ | Madison, Wis. LSP Farm Beginnings Field Day: Cut Flower Farming August 21 | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Winona, Minn. Regional seed leaders meet to learn, connect and identify August 7 | 6 – 8 p.m. | $10 | Prairie Farm, Wis. Focus is on unusual fruits, overhead netting, native plants, and opportunities to advance the regional organic seed system in Learn more about how Maggie and Ben of Green Light Farm mechanical weed control for orchards. Call 715-778-5775 or go the Upper Midwest. Contact Cat McCluskey at 360-472-0247. started their farming operation, their production, and how to mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days. they market their product. Call 507-523-3366.

JOIN CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Bringing together handlers, buyers, farmers, and processors to discuss the growing demand for organic and non-GMO products. Hear from industry leaders and join the discussion about innovations on the farm, organic grain prices, transitioning acres into organic, certification challenges, and more. OCTOBER 29-30, 2019 IN MINNEAPOLIS

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