October 2020 Organic Link

Anti-Racism Farmer Groups

Many farmers in our network have expressed interest in working with MOSES on racial justice in food and farming. If you'd like to be part of farmer-led groups focused on anti-racism, please complete this survey. If you have questions about this work, please email MOSES Organic Specialist Chuck Anderas.

Beginning Farmer Program

MOSES has received a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to help new, intermediate, and more experienced beginning farmers find success in organic production. We will be working with partner organizations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois to hold one-day New Farmer U trainings over the next three years. Scholarships also will be available through the grant to help beginning farmers access our Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring Program.

Certification Cost Share

Certified organic producers and handlers may apply now for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) to request reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the certified organic operation’s eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per scope. Eligible expenses include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage. Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020. Apply through your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) or your state department of agriculture.

USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) continues through Dec. 11, 2020. CFAP 2 provides eligible producers with direct financial assistance due to market disruptions and associated costs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers and ranchers who participated in the first round of CFAP may complete a new application for CFAP 2. The new round includes many more specialty crops. See an explanation of the program in this 2-minute video.

Through the CFAP Call Center (877-508-8364), you can have a USDA staff member provide one-on-one support with the CFAP application process from start to finish.

National Organic Standards Board Fall Meeting

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meets online Oct. 28-30 to vote on the continued allowance of over 50 substances currently allowed on the National List as inputs in organic production and handling. For the complete list, see the meeting agenda, proposals, and discussion documents on the NOSB website.

New NOSB Appointments

The USDA has appointed five new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). New members to the 15-member volunteer board will serve five-year terms beginning in January 2021. New members are:

Amy Bruch is a sixth-generation farmer and president of Cyclone Farms, an organic family farm in Nebraska. She will serve in a Farmer seat.

Logan Petrey is the southeast organic ranch manager of 2,000 acres for Grimmway Farms and on the board of Florida Organic Growers. She will serve in a Farmer seat.

Kyla Smith is the Certification Director for Pennsylvania Certified Organic. She will serve in the USDA-accredited certifier seat.

Dr. Carolyn Dimitri is an applied economist at New York University and worked more than a decade at the USDA Economic Research Service. She is on the board of the Organic Farming Research Foundation and is a scientific advisor to the Organic Center. She will serve in a Public/Consumer Interest Seat.

Brian Caldwell has operated an organic farm since 1978 in West Danby, New York. He is a founding member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York and worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Cornell Organic Cropping Systems project. He will serve in a Public/Consumer Interest Seat.

Farmer, Rancher Grants

NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant Program supports farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 50 projects in the 12-state North Central region worth a total of $720,000. Watch the grant-writing webinar to get pointers on writing a strong proposal for the innovative idea you'd like to try to further sustainable farming. Applications are due by Dec. 3, 2020.

Livestock Grants

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is accepting grant applications for livestock and poultry farmers who want to expand animal welfare, build capacity, or improve pasture for their animals. Grants of up to $2,500 are available for projects such as building mobile housing, constructing fences, and laying water lines on pasture. Applications for FACT's Fund-a-Farmer grants are due by Dec. 1, 2020. 

Organic Farming Business Management

The University of Minnesota in partnership with state-level farm business management (FBM) programs is looking for organic farmers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota to participate in FBM training and the Organic Benchmarking Project. Organic producers of dairy, alfalfa, corn grain, corn silage, hay/haylage, soybeans, or wheat can receive reduced tuition for FBM now through 2022. Each participating farm will receive individualized benchmark reports, financial analysis, and cash flow reports while working with their FBM instructor to enhance management and financial capacity on their organic farm. See more details and contact information here.