April 2019 Organic Link

NRCS Conservation Practices

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is evaluating its conservation practice standards used in programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. The NRCS is seeking public comments on ways to increase flexibility in its requirements for farmers and ranchers while still ensuring natural resource benefits. To share your ideas or experiences with these programs, submit a comment by April 25, 2019 at http://bit.ly/Comment2NRCS.

Conservation Programs in Farm Bill Appropriations 

Nearly 150 organizations (including MOSES) signed on to a letter to urge full funding of conservation programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations process. The letter stressed the value of Farm Bill conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), in conserving water, protecting farmland and wetlands, creating fish and wildlife habitat, and producing abundant food and fiber. The letter also pointed out that demand for EQIP and CSP consistently exceeds available dollars by at least two to one, and encouraged full funding in the FY 2020 appropriations bill. House and Senate Appropriations Committees and Subcommittees will be working on appropriations bills in the coming months. FY 2020 begins Oct. 1. For updates on the appropriations process and key issues related to farming, see the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's blog.

NOSB Meeting

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meets April 24-26, 2019, in Seattle, Wash. This is the semiannual meeting for the board to hear comments from the public about substances used in organic production. The NOSB has posted proposals and discussion documents online. 

National Organic Coalition Meeting 

The National Organic Coalition (NOC) holds a public meeting April 23, the day prior to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting in Seattle. The meeting will cover the Farm Bill and organic policy updates, a Q&A session with Jenny Tucker (head of the USDA National Organic Program), strengthening enforcement of the organic standards domestically and internationally, regional updates from organic farmers, a discussion of sanitizer use in organic, and other topics. 

NOSB Openings 

The USDA is accepting nominations for five open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the 15-member board which makes recommendations on the production, handling, and processing of USDA certified organic products. Each member serves a five-year term and represents specific sectors of the organic community. Current openings include one seat each for an environmental protection and resource conservation representative, organic farmer, and organic retailer, and two seats for organic handlers. Nominations are due by May 17, 2019. 

OGRAIN Conference Videos

Presentations from the 2019 OGRAIN Winter Conference are now available on YouTube. Topics include organic no-till, new equipment for row crop and cover crop management, organic crop rotations, and management of diseases. OGRAIN is a collaborative effort of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC), UW-Madison/UWEX Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems lab, and MOSES.

Fundraiser for MOSES Conference Scholarships 

A group of students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout is raising money to send farmers to the 2020 MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wis., by holding a benefit concert and silent auction Friday, May 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brewery Nonic in Menomonie, Wis. Two local bands will perform. Cover charge is $5. 

Runoff Risk Advisory Tool

An updated version of the Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast offers new tools for Wisconsin farmers. Now allowing users to search for conditions closer to home, the forecast shows short-term runoff risk for manure and other nutrient applications. This new version provides soil temperatures and saturation, and features improved computer models to make planning easier for farmers. 

Radio Series on Managing Farming Stress 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Red River Farm Network (RRFN) have created a new radio series called TransFARMation to increase awareness and reduce inhibitions about acknowledging farmer stress while highlighting sources of support.  The 60-second, prime-time radio stories can be heard on all of RRFN’s 20 stations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota starting the week of April 8. The series also features in-depth podcasts. 

Farm Job Openings 

The MOSES Jobs page has a large number of job postings at farms such as Harmony Valley in Viroqua, Wis., Roots Return Heritage in Carver, Minn., and Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. See all the opportunities at mosesorganic.org/job-postings.