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Training, resources, and practical advice to help you grow. |
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COVID-Related Resources for Farmers The latest update to our COVID resource page includes a link to a blog by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition outlining the new government aid package with funds for farmers and ranchers. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program signed into law April 24, 2020, will provide $16 billion in direct payments for commodity growers, specialty crop farmers, and livestock and dairy producers based on actual losses where prices, markets, and supply chains have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will be run through the USDA Farm Services Agency. The blog explains some of the issues with the program and suggests action steps to help ensure the aid package goes to farmers and ranchers actually impacted by the pandemic, including organic and diversified farmers and those who sell into local/regional markets. |
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Organic Farming Podcast In our new podcast's fifth episode, Beef & #DairyTogether during the Pandemic, Organic Specialist Chuck Anderas talks to Bobbi Wilson from Wisconsin Farmers Union and organic dairy farmer Kevin Mahalko about current issues facing dairy and livestock farmers and ways to build more resilient farms and supply chains. We post new episodes on Thursdays. Search "MOSES Organic" in your podcast app to find the show. The podcast is sponsored by Gempler’s, the online farm and home store providing professional-grade tools, equipment, and supplies to make hard work easier. To support farmers in these challenging times, Gempler's offers 20% off your gemplers.com order with code GEMORG04. Offer expires 5/15/20. Discounts are off "Each" price and do not apply to tax and shipping charges, special or custom products, and some brands including but not limited to Carhartt, Columbia, DeWalt, GPS units, Generac, Keen Utility, Leatherman Multi-Tools, Lifetime Sheds, Muck Boots Co, Timberland PRO, YETI or Under Armour. Respirators are not eligible for discount offers. |
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We're hosting Zoom chats for farmers to speak directly to our podcast guests, ask questions, and share how they're handling the current topic. Next week, the chat focuses on the April 16th episode, Produce Safety and COVID-19, with produce safety expert Annalisa Hultberg from the University of Minnesota Extension and MOSES Organic Specialist and organic fruit farmer Rachel Henderson. The one-hour chat is Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. Join in by phone or computer (with or without a webcam). Sign up in advance to get into the chat. The following week, May 13 at 2 p.m., we'll host a farmer chat with Mimo Davis and Miranda Duschack, co-owners of Urban Buds City Grown Flowers, to follow up on the podcast episode we're posting later today, Social Media & Your Farm Business. Sign up now to participate in that chat. |
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'In Her Boots' Podcast The MOSES "In Her Boots" podcast currently features interviews with Betty Anderson, whose southern Wisconsin farm includes a diverse mix of livestock. She talks to host Lisa Kivirist about how she got into farming and how she balances her various farm responsibilities while finding time for herself. We post new episodes every Friday. Search "In Her Boots" on your podcast app. |
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MOSES Organic Field Days—Online To protect the health of our farm hosts, our team, and field day participants, we're pivoting from on-farm field days this summer to online events. Each virtual field day will include several short videos posted in advance to showcase what's growing on the farm and the production choices the host farmers have made. We may also bring in additional experts on specific topics. On the date of the virtual field day, we'll gather on a Zoom call for a recap from the farmers and other presenters and give participants the chance to ask questions, providing the interaction that farmers have found so valuable in our traditional field days. Please "tune in" for these events: Do The Numbers: Organic Dairy
June 24 | Bossie Cow Farm | Random Lake, Wis. Do the Numbers: Organic Crop Transition
July 8 | Jovaag Family Farm | Austin, Minn. Kernza Trial Results
July 22 | A-Frame Farm | Madison, Minn. Organic Row Crops in South Dakota
July 30 | Johnson Farm | Madison, S.D. Medicinal Herb Production
August 1 | Four Elements Organic Herbals | North Freedom, Wis. We'll post virtual field day content, including registration links for each event, on our field day webpage. |
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Award Nominations Shine the spotlight on an outstanding organic farmer by nominating someone you admire for the MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year award. This prestigious award recognizes organic farmers for outstanding land stewardship, innovation, and outreach. You can also recommend an emerging leader or advocate to receive the new Changemaker award. This award honors those who are finding creative ways to build a more just, organic, sustainable, and diverse agriculture/food system for all. The 2021 award winners will be selected from nominations by the MOSES Board of Directors and announced in January 2021. |
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COVID-19 Risk Management for Fruit & Vegetable Farms Extension at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota teamed up with FairShare CSA Coalition to create a template farmers can use to identify risks on their farms and then use some of the suggested practices to reduce those risks. The template is set up in Google Drive, allowing farmers to download and adapt to their specific operation. |
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Virtual Produce Safety Visits Wisconsin produce farmers can now have virtual On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR) to assess produce safety practices to ensure they align with federal FSMA regulations. Learn more about this program offered through the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). |
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Value of Conservation Practices Implementing conservation practices costs money for benefits that are not immediately tangible. A research team at the University of Minnesota is trying to articulate the benefits in dollar terms. To estimate how much farmers value improvements in soil health, the researchers have developed an online game and survey for farmers that takes about 15-20 minutes to “play.” Participants will receive a $20 gift card electronically for project participation. Email researcher Dojin Park to receive a link to participate. |
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Resource for Media Outreach Amplify Our Voices: Connecting Organic Women Farmers with the Media is a new resource with tips and advice on communicating with journalists. With farming an essential service during COVID-19, women farmers play a vital role in helping consumers make the connections between healthy soil, land stewardship, and the food on their tables. Over 25 women farmers, educators, and communications experts shared their experiences and advice on how to work with the media. The resource was created by Renewing the Countryside with support from Organic Valley CROPP Cooperative. |
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Silvopasture Resources The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota has created new resources on silvopasture and agroforestry, including four webinars and a Silvopasture Resource Manual, a starting place to quickly and easily connect with information and people to improve understanding and implementation of silvopasture. |
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Free ATTRA Resources All the technical support materials offered on the ATTRA website are now available for free downloads. These include fact sheets on a variety of farming topics. In addition, NCAT/ATTRA staff have produced a video series that offers ideas for building food security and resiliency. |
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NOSB Open Positions The USDA seeks nominations of qualified individuals for five open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Each member serves a five-year term and represents a specific sector of the organic community. Current openings for positions beginning January 2021 include:
- Two individuals who own or operate an organic farming operation, or employees of such individuals;
- Two individuals who represent public interest or consumer interest groups;
- One individual who is a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
Nominations are due by June 1, 2020. See details here. |
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Organic Research Survey for Farmers The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) are collaborating with the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) to identify the research needs of organic producers and ensure that the increased funding for organic research secured in the 2018 Farm Bill addresses those needs. The project includes two national surveys—one for certified organic producers and the other for producers transitioning to organic certification. Both surveys are voluntary and confidential; they take about 30 minutes and can be completed in multiple sittings. Upon completion of the survey, you can enter to win a $100 gift card to REI. Results will be published in updates of OFRF’s National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) report and OSA’s State of Organic Seed (SOS) report. The survey is open now through June 1. |
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Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
PO Box 339 | Spring Valley, Wisconsin 54767
1-888-90-MOSES | info@mosesorganic.org |
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