August 2020 Organic Link

Grower Groups on Mental Health

In our discussions with our farmer-led grower groups, we've talked about the need for a farmer-led support group focused on mental health. If you are interested in guiding a group with this focus, please take this short survey to let us know of your interest and the kinds of resources you'd like us to develop. The survey is open to anyone who lives in a rural area or has connections to farming. 

USDA Proposal for Strengthening Organic Enforcement

The USDA just published a proposal to amend the national organic regulations to protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic control systems, improving farm-to-market traceability, and providing robust enforcement of the USDA organic regulations. MOSES will publish an analysis of the proposal and its impact on organic farmers in the next issue of the Organic Broadcaster newspaper (out Sept. 21). The USDA is taking comments on the proposal through Oct. 5, 2020.

Farm Transfer Resource

The Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota has upgraded its AgTransitions web-app to make it easier for users to collaborate with family members and advisors more efficiently on tablets and large-scale handheld devices. Since its launch in 2010, the app has helped thousands of American farm and ranch families streamline the complex task of transferring their businesses from one generation to the next. The free web-app offers users a guided transition plan template along with a sample transition plan to increase understanding of the transition process.

USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

There’s still time to apply for the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) direct payment plan for farmers. The application period runs through Aug. 28. The USDA recently expanded the list of eligible commodities, including many specialty crops. CFAP can help farmers offset price declines and additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. You don’t have to struggle with the application. Contact the CFAP Call Center at 877-508-8364. An expert from USDA will provide one-on-one support with the CFAP application process from start to finish.

Online Pasture Management Course

The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently launched an online pasture management course based on the UW-Madison Farm & Industry Short Course content. This course will cover pasture establishment, cool-season grass and legume growth basics, and pasture nutrient management. The course also discusses how to manage nutrient needs, water systems, grazing dairy cows, and pasture-raised beef, sheep, and goats. The final project is to develop a managed grazing plan for your farm (real or imagined). The online class consists of 11 hour-long video-recorded lectures that students can view in their own home at their own pace. Scholarships are available. 

FairShare CSA Fun Fundraiser

Wisconsin-based FairShare CSA Coalition hosts its first-ever Routes to Roots summer adventure to raise funds to support FairShare’s critical work of helping families access food while helping local farmers thrive. They’ve created an app for exploring Southern Wisconsin food hotspots through biking, walking, and driving tours. The app includes a variety of route lengths, a calendar of activities through September, audio commentary from local farmers, fundraising opportunities, and more. The choose-your-own-adventure foodie fun will culminate in a virtual celebration Sept. 20, 2020. 

Digital Crop Doc

The University of Minnesota Extension crops team has launched a new online program called MN Digital Crop Doc to help farmers diagnose disease in crops such as corn, soybean, small grains, sugarbeet, and alfalfa.