Volume 21 · Number 3 The Bi-Monthly Periodical of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service May - June 2013 Farm Dream Becomes Reality for Farmer from Mexico By Joe Pedretti Rodrigo Cala was born in In 2005, following their Mexico City. His father was dreams to own a farm, Ro- a teacher and his mother drigo joined the Minnesota was a farmer. “We grew up Food Association for sup- on a small farm. Our home port. There he participated In This Issue was in one place and the and successfully completed farm was a little farther the Big River Farms Immi- News From MOSES....................2 away. We raised spinach, grant & Minority Farmer chard, broccoli and Mexican Training Program, Organic Inside Organics............................3 herbs. We also raised pigs. I Farming Training and GAP Crop insurance changes really learned farming from training over the course of my mother,” explained Ro- three years. A major com- Determination Yields Acres........4 drigo. ponent of the training pro- Transitioning to organic cropland gram is getting started by In 2001, Rodrigo’s younger Rodrigo Cala heads into the fields renting land and working Poetry Slam.................................5 brother, Juan Carlos, made at Cala Farms Origenes with experienced farmers. Two selections the economic decision to By the time Rodrigo was move to the United States for work. He found finished with the program, he was raising pep- MOSES Field Days & Events.......6 Several choices work at a factory in Stillwater, Minn., where pers, tomatoes, chard, spinach, Mexican herbs they make plastic milk bottles. Juan Carlos and summer squash–all organically, which was Proof Positive...............................7 talked Rodrigo into moving to Minnesota in a new concept to him. “In Mexico, we did con- Raising dairy steers 2004, to work at a horseshoe manufacturing ventional farming, but I became really fasci- plant in Forest Lake, Minn. “At the time, the nated with organic farming, and that is a main PuraMaize Corn..........................9 factory job was good work,” noted Rodrigo. “My focus of the MFA program,” noted Rodrigo. He New tool for organic growers brother and I tried to find herbs for Mexican mainly sold to two accounts–Chipotle Restau- dishes, but they were very hard to find in Min- rant and a community supported agriculture Ask a MOSES Specialist!...........10 nesota, and the quality was very bad when we (CSA) program serving the Minneapolis/St. Rental pasture, planting stock did find them in the grocery stores. This really Paul market. During this time he maintained New Farmer Corner...................12 got us thinking about getting a place to raise his full-time job at the horseshoe factory. Incubator farms our own produce.” To Farm Dream on page 8 Rural Women’s Project..............15 Recent award News Briefs................................16 Estate Planning Classifieds..................................18 Plan Now to Preserve Farm for Next Generation By Karen Thimke, University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin Organic Grain Report..............19 Note: The following is intended as an overview lifestyle and diet), religion or a sense of land Calendar....................................20 of some options that may help when creating stewardship. Because the benefits gained an estate plan. This is not legal advice. Every from sustainable farming, especially organic situation is unique, and these options may not farming, can be lost if the land is used for be available in your state or for your farm. another purpose, farmers may wish to take You should consult an attorney in your state steps to maintain the farm’s organic status. for legal advice on whether any of these options may be appropriate or legal in your unique Problems Caused by Incomplete Estate situation. Planning Farmers wishing to pass their organic or What obstacles do organic and sustainable sustainable farms to future generations Eau Claire,WI PERMIT # 203 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. PAID POSTAGE farmers face if they want to preserve their should plan ahead. A well-designed and farm for the next generation? implemented estate plan can ensure that the deceased’s wishes are carried out upon his What methods are available for an organic or her death. Failure to make a solid estate and sustainable farmer to transfer the farm at plan can lead to property division, sale of the the farmer’s death in a manner that continues farm, and family strife, all of which will pose his or her farming practices? a serious threat to the organic or sustainable survival of the land. What are the benefits and drawbacks of these various methods? While the law provides methods for an estate to transfer to surviving family members if a This article will attempt to answer these farmer dies without an estate plan, this may questions and give an overview of the best not happen as the farmer expected. In some ways to preserve an organic or sustainable circumstances, leaving everything to state farm for future generations of farmers. law may result in a distribution unpleasing to all, and to property going where the farmer Farmers may choose organic and other never intended. This can often be a problem if sustainable farming methods for a variety of the farm is divided between multiple children. reasons, including environmental benefits, One child may want to farm the property but PO Box 339 Box PO WI 54767 Spring Valley, personal motives (such as a healthier To Estate on page 14 ORGANIC News From MOSES Without a calendar at hand, it’s been darn In other MOSES news, we’d like to introduce ROADCASTER tough this year to figure out what month it is. two new members of the MOSES Board of Di- B Normally my neighbors would be in the fields rectors: David Abazs and Nick Olson. Volume 21 · Number 3 about now, getting ready to seed. This year we all just have to shrug, as there is still a few David is from Finland, Minn., where he and his May · June 2013 inches of snow covering much of the ground. family own the solar- and wind-powered Round Editor It’s happened before, and will happen again. River Farm, a 50-share CSA. David also man- Jody Padgham—[email protected] Perhaps this is why we all like farming–it is ages Wolf Ridge Organic School Farm, which never boring or predictable! supplies produce for Wolf Ridge Environmen- Organic Broadcaster Mission tal Learning Center. Nick is an organizer with The Organic Broadcaster provides farmer One thing that is predictable is the outpouring Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings -focused, current news and information of enthusiasm around the MOSES Organic program, and with his family owns and operates that assists farmers in successful organic Farming Conference. For 2-1/2 days at the Prairie Drifter Farm, a certified organic diversi- production and offers relevant updates end of February 3,349 folks from 42 states fied vegetable farm in Litchfield, Minn. about the organic community. and 5 countries poured into La Crosse, Wis. to listen to 130 speakers give 70 workshops David and Nick recently got their MOSES feet Advertising/Classifieds and 3 keynote presentations. Over 14,500 or- wet at a 2-day board meeting in mid April. With Support the Organic Broadcaster and reach ganic meals were served, and 85 volunteers their acceptance of three-year terms, the board over 10,100 readers through three advertis- made sure things went smoothly. Scholarships is growing from nine to ten members. We are ing options: Support the Broadcaster through a busi- were given to 188 attendees, (a value of over grateful for their, and the entire board’s commit- ness Patronage Package. Contact Luisa at $31,000), and 169 exhibit booths showcased ment to the organization. 715-778-5775 or [email protected] for large quantities of information and resources. more information. Vast amounts of fun, learning, exchange and It is also time to say goodbye and express great Display Advertisers: Rates and size op- good eating were enjoyed. appreciation to Atina Diffley for her six years of tions are available at www.mosesorganic. service to MOSES as a board member. Atina’s org/ad_rates.html or by contacting the of- This twitter comment from a participant sums it wisdom and willingness to work hard and take fice at [email protected]. Dis- all up: “My brain overfloweth with information. her responsibility seriously did much to move the counts for multiple issue placements. My cheeks are sore from smiling. Thank you organization forward. We wish her the best with Classified Advertising: 25 words for MOSES for another great conference.” the next chapter of her life, and congratulate her $12.00, 15 more words for an additional for well deserved success with her recent book, $6.00. Submit ads online by going to www. Be sure to save February 27, 28 and March Turn Here, Sweet Corn. mosesorganic.org/ad_rates.html and click- 1, 2014 to help us celebrate the 25th Organic ing on “online form.” Or, mail in the clas- Farming Conference! Good luck with your planting, sified ad form found on page 18 with your Jody Padgham, Organic Broadcaster Editor payment. What is MOSES Worth to You? Events/Calendar Items MOSES will publicize events that are of What if you woke up Monday morning and day morning, doing what we do best: edu- interest or relevance to our community. To discovered MOSES was gone? Would you cating, inspiring and empowering the farm- submit an event, go online to www.moses- organic.org/eventform.php or e-mail a notice mourn the end of a quarter century of ex- ers that bring us the best food in the world. to [email protected].