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Training, resources, and practical advice to help you grow. |
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February 2021 Organic Link |
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The Growing Stronger Collaborative Conference on Organic & Sustainable Farming is just two weeks away! The event features more than 90 workshops and roundtables plus over 100 exhibitors, providing the content you need for a successful growing season. If you haven't registered yet, take the opportunity now—join your friends at the 5-in-1 virtual event! KEYNOTES: Farming in the Time of Climate Change
Monday, February 22, 10:30-Noon Farming advocates Jim Goodman, Erin Schneider, and Lea Zeise will share their unique perspectives on farming and climate, exploring ways of addressing one of the greatest challenges we face as a species and how farming can put people and the planet first. The conversation will focus on the connections and contributions we can make across farming systems, as communities and as individuals. Shifting the System
Saturday, February 27, 10:30-Noon What can we do as farmers, as consumers, and as a country to shift our food system to one that’s more resilient, environmentally responsible, and socially just? We’ll hear key recommendations from Former Vice President Al Gore, Onika Abraham from Farm School NYC, Slow Money’s Woody Tasch, Ronnie Cummins from Organic Consumers Association, economist John Ikerd, Patagonia’s Vincent Stanley, and concerned farmer-activists who took part in the Real Organic Symposium. We’ll also hear from U.S. Senator Cory Booker, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Then, Real Organic Project’s Linley Dixon sits down with David Bronner from Dr. Bronner’s and Iowa farmer and organic advocate Francis Thicke to talk through action steps to regenerate the organic movement from the national level right down to our own kitchen tables. Evening sessions includes an hour with humorist Michael Perry, a crucial conversation with Vandana Shiva, and a social hour with live music from the La Crosse Distillery. See all the details here. Show off your farm or share a farming tip through a Farmer Speed Presentation during the Growing Stronger Conference. These 5-minute videos can be as simple as a virtual farm tour or a demonstration—video or a series of photos—of an innovative growing practice or farm hack. Don't be shy. Show off what you're doing on your farm! |
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Organic Farmer of the Year Liz Graznak runs Happy Hollow Farm, growing certified organic vegetables amid a sea of conventional row crops in rural Moniteau County, Missouri. Through Graznak’s hard work, vision, and magnetism, Happy Hollow is the gravitational center of good food and good community for rural neighbors, customers, and fellow farmers. In recognition of Graznak’s outstanding organic practices and her efforts to expand awareness of organic food and build community around it, she has been named the Organic Farmer of the Year by the MOSES Board of Directors. She will accept her award Feb. 22 at the kick-off of the Growing Stronger Collaborative Conference. |
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Changemakers The MOSES Board of Directors is recognizing the work of three individuals as Changemakers: Andrew Ruggiero Van Gorp and Lindsay Zimmerman of Sustain DuPage near Chicago, and Hannah Breckbill of Humble Hands Harvest in Decorah, Iowa. The Changemaker award celebrates emerging leaders in the organic farming and food movement who creatively overcome systemic challenges in order to nurture a thriving agricultural future for all. Click on their names to read more about the work they are doing. They will receive their recognition Feb. 22 at the kick-off of the Growing Stronger Collaborative Conference. |
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Wisconsin Women Farmers, Landowners Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) connects women landowners with each other and with state and local conservation experts who can help them learn about conservation practices to improve their land and the environment in the state. The program is led by Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with MOSES, Renewing the Countryside, Wisconsin Farmers Union, and E Resources Group. Two online workshops, March 2 and April 6, 2021, will cover details about Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs to support conservation practices. Click on the link above to learn more and register for one of these workshops and sign up for the WiWiC newsletter. |
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Farm Financial Workshops The University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management is partnering with MOSES to present the Empowered Farm Financials workshop series. The workshops will focus on topics and tools developed to help farms of any size manage their financial situation and plan for the future. The tools include farm financial planning, financial analysis, business and transition planning, land rental agreements, and more. The free workshops take place at noon CT on these dates: March 10: Planning for the road ahead: business and transition planning March 17: Taking charge of your finances March 24: Navigating farm financial information March 31: Negotiating land rental arrangements |
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Peer-Led Mental Health Group for Farmers The farmer-led group, Growing Wellness, meets monthly to provide a safe place to discuss mental health issues. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. CT. Laura Sylvia and Chris Frakes will share information about Project Recovery. Register here. Learn more about Growing Wellness and how to join the listserv focused on farmer mental health. About Project Recovery: Project Recovery provides community-based support to anyone in Wisconsin who is experiencing stress due to the pandemic. Trained outreach workers offer free, anonymous emotional support, stress management training, and resource navigation to members of the agricultural community. Connect with the program at 833-FARM-HELP (833-327-6435) toll-free or click on the link above. |
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Current Podcast Episodes The MOSES Organic Farming Podcast currently features a 2-part series exploring the seven principles of cooperatives. Host Chuck Anderas talks with Kelly Maynard from the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives and Angela Dawson and Kheph Rakhu from 40 Acre Cooperative. Subscribe to the MOSES Organic Farming Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. |
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Origin of Organic Livestock MOSES has signed on to a letter written by our partners at the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Association, Western Organic Dairy Producers Association, Organic Farmers Association, and the National Organic Coalition to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging him to take the immediate actions necessary to finalize "Origin of Livestock" (80 FR 23455), to establish a consistent and fully enforceable standard regarding the origin of dairy for organic production. The proposed Rule would clarify that: “After completion of a one-time, 12-month transition period of an existing conventional dairy herd (or livestock to form new organic dairy operations), all new dairy animals milked on the organic dairy farm would need to be managed organically from the last third of gestation.” |
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Virtual Lobby Days for Organic The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) hosts virtual lobby days March 22-25 to give farmers the chance to meet with members of Congress about issues important for organic. OFA will group farmers by district, and provide talking points and training to make the most of these virtual visits. To participate, you need to be an OFA member. Membership is based on a sliding-fee scale. Learn more here. |
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Renewable Energy Grants The USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loans to farmers and rural businesses interested in improving energy efficiency. The program supports the purchase of wind, solar or other renewable energy systems, and provides grants to help farmers with renewable energy development. Grant applications are due March 31, 2021. |
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Grasslands CRP Signup USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the application period for the Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is March 15 through April 23, 2021. |
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Fact Sheet on Meat Labeled 'Not for Sale' The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has published information to help livestock producers and consumers understand labeling of meat from custom-exempt processors in the state. Click on the image to view the PDF. |
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Zoom Meetings on New App-Based Recordkeeping Tools Big River Farms and AgSquared have partnered to create a series of new app-based recordkeeping tools to help farmers of color, immigrant farmers, and other beginning growers keep the records needed for organic certification and to better understand their farm businesses. They are looking for incubator farms and other farmer service providers to involve in the project. They're hosting Zoom meetings on the first Friday of the month, February through April, to discuss the project. |
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Organic Operations USDA has published its annual count of certified organic operations based on data from the National Organic Program's Organic INTEGRITY Database. There were 28,454 certified organic operations in the U.S. in 2020, an increase of 280 operations since the previous year. |
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Pandemic's Impact on Organic Sales 2020 organic produce sales were 14.2% higher than the previous year, according to the 2020 Organic Produce Performance Report put out by the Organic Produce Network. The report reflected the pandemic's impact on consumers’ grocery shopping habits. Nine of the top 10 organic sales and volume categories saw double-digit growth. The top four categories were packaged salads, berries (strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries), apples, and herbs and spices. |
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Guide to Crop Insurance The Center for Rural Affairs recently published Conversations from the Field: Crop Insurance for Organic Operations to shed light on the crop insurance process and options available for organic grain producers. The guide features interviews with seven crop insurance agents who have experience with organic operations, and seven organic farmers from across the Midwest. Topics covered include insuring the higher value of organic crops using contract prices, the claims process, prevented planting, the crop insurance timeline over a given year, and advice for finding an agent. |
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Urban Ag Advisory Committee USDA is seeking members for a new advisory committee on urban agriculture. The 12-person committee will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well as identify barriers to urban agriculture. The committee will include producers and representatives from Extension or higher education, a nonprofit, and a supply chain business. Nominations are due by March 5, 2021. |
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Ecological Farming & Living Workshops Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is offering a new workshop series for small-scale farmers and gardeners. Organic Apple Tree Management, presented by Deirdre Birmingham of the Cider Farm, runs from 9 to noon CT Saturday, March 6. Cost is $30 and includes mailed apple rootstock. Future workshops include Starting Your Own Seeds at Home (March 20) and Whole Garden & Farm Planning (April 17). |
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Find a CSA Share FairShare CSA Coalition hosts a virtual "Find Your Farm Event" Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 4-6 p.m. CT. FairShare staff and farms will answer questions, talk about their operations, help you find CSA pick-up locations, discuss on-farm events, and help you choose your share. Most of the farms/pick-up sites are located near the Twin Cities or central and southern Wisconsin. |
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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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