August 2021 Organic Link

Organic Farm Financial Comparison

The University of Minnesota and partner colleges working on the Organic Farm Financial Benchmarking Project have published a report that highlights 2020 financial data from organic crop and dairy farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The report shows that organic farms with 251-500 crop acres had some of the strongest farm financial benchmarks and ratios when analyzed at the whole farm level.

Opportunity for Farmers
The benchmarking project is ongoing and is looking for additional organic farms to participate in the research. Through the project, certified organic crop or dairy farmers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota can receive funding for individualized help with enterprise analyses, cash-flow planning, projected profitability statements, and farm management decisions. The customized help comes through university-based Farm Business Management programs. Farmers can receive 25-50% cost-share for the annual cost of farm business management instruction through the Organic Farm Financial Benchmarking Project. Read more about the project in this Organic Broadcaster story.

Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Losses

Producers of swine, chickens, and turkeys who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing can apply for compensation from the USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Assistance can cover 80% of the loss and the cost of depopulation and disposal, based on a single payment rate per head minus CFAP payments or EQIP reimbursements for that animal. Apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) through Sept. 17, 2021.

Disaster Aid for Drought

USDA has announced Disaster Designations for counties in Wisconsin and northern Illinois due to drought. In Wisconsin, the counties are Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock, and Waukesha. In Illinois, the counties are Boone, Lake, and McHenry. Farmers in those counties are eligible for emergency loans to meet recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or the refinance of certain debts. Contact your local Farm Service Agency to apply.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has made zero-interest loans available immediately for Minnesota farmers whose operations are suffering from a lack of rain. See details about the Disaster Recovery Loan Program here. 

Producers in other states impacted by drought can see if they qualify for aid by visiting www.farmers.gov/recover/disaster-tool.

In addition, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized authorizing emergency procedures to help agricultural producers impacted by extreme drought conditions. Producers should contact their crop insurance agent as soon as they notice damage. The insurance company must have an opportunity to inspect the crop before the producer puts their crop acres to another use.

2022 Ag Census

In preparation for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, USDA is asking farmers to sign up to make sure your farm is counted. It is especially important for organic and regenerative farms to be counted. Several rural assistance programs use census-derived data in formulas that geographically allocate funds among eligible recipients. 

Comment Period on Meat Processing Investment

USDA is seeking input on how to invest an estimated $500 million of American Rescue Plan funds to improve infrastructure, increase capacity, and hasten diversification across the meat processing industry. Read more about the issue from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Comment to USDA by Aug. 30, 2021.

Comment Period on Racial Justice 

USDA has extended the deadline to Aug. 14, 2021 for public comment on how the department can advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities. 

Organic Valley Grant

Farmers Advocating For Organic, a grant program funded by voluntary contributions from Organic Valley farmers, has announced its next grant cycle with letters of interest due Sept. 1, 2021. Nonprofit organizations and academic/research institutions may apply for awards of $5,000-$50,000 for research, education, and advocacy projects that protect and promote the organic industry and the livelihood of organic farmers.

Survey on Bees for Crop Pollination

The University of Wisconsin-Madison asks Wisconsin farmers to complete a short survey about using or not using managed bees for crop pollination in the state. Researchers want to project where crops may be most vulnerable to changes in honey bee availability. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and will take less than 5 minutes. 

New CSA Decision-Making Tool

Five CSA farmers have teamed up to create a video series and workbook to help other farmers evaluate if CSA is the best model for their farm. The tools also can help existing CSA farms plan and set goals. Lauren Rudersdorf of Raleigh’s Hillside Farm, Kat Becker of Cattail Organics, Bethanee Wright of Winterfell Acres, Kelly Lagman of One Seed Farm, and Jonnah Perkins of Vermont Valley Community Farm applied for and received a grant from North Central Region SARE to complete the project.