MOSES Organic Link

Training, resources, and practical advice to help you grow.

May 2021 Organic Link

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On-Farm Field Days

We're heading back in the field to see how things are growing on organic farms! Since the first event is in a high tunnel, it will be offered online only; the rest are in-person events following public health safety guidelines.

Mhonpaj’s Garden
June 2 | 2 p.m.| Online
Learn more about season extension for vegetables with MOSES Organic Specialist Mhonpaj Lee.

Organic Row Crops plus Prairie Restoration
July 22 | 8:30 a.m.| Johnson Farms | Madison, S.D.
The Johnsons host their annual farm tour to showcase what it takes to grow large-acreage row crops in an organic system. Also, learn about the organic oat trials on the farm and a project to restore grassland to its native prairie state.

Creative Land Access and No-Till Vegetable Research
July 31 | 2 p.m.| Humble Hands Harvest | Decorah, Iowa
2021 Changemaker Hannah Breckbill and her farm partner, Emily Fagan, explain the farm's cooperative business model, the no-till organic vegetable system, and their plans for perennializing their 22 acres.

Medicinal Herb Production
Aug. 7 | Noon | Four Elements Herbal Organics | North Freedom, Wis.
The 2020 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year, Jane Hawley Stevens and David Stevens, give you a tour of their farm and discuss medicinal herb production, including planting, harvesting, drying, and cover crops.

Systems Approach to Organic Farming
Aug. 18 | 11 a.m.| Cala Farm Origenes | Turtle Lake, Wis.
MOSES Organic Specialist Rodrigo Cala shares the systems approach he uses on his organic farm for rotationally grazed sheep and pastured poultry.

Silvopasture for Livestock & Pollinators
Aug. 21 | 9 a.m.| Mary Dirty Face Farm | Menomonie, Wis.
Learn about species selection, installation, and weed management for tree strips that provide forage/shade for livestock and food/nesting for pollinators. Co-hosted with The Xerces Society.

Sustainability through Community Engagement with the Land
Sept. 18 | 11 a.m.| Sustain DuPage | Wheaton, Ill.
2021 Changemaker Sustain DuPage is an educational nonprofit that promotes sustainability and community in the Chicago suburbs through an educational organic garden and grass-roots projects.

Winter Vegetable Production in Missouri
Oct. 4 | 9 a.m.| Happy Hollow Farm | Jamestown, Mo.
Learn more about fall crop harvesting and winter high tunnel and caterpillar tunnel production for vegetables in Missouri from 2021 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year Liz Graznak.

Annual Report

We just posted our 2020 annual report, which highlights some of the ways we adjusted our work to better serve farmers amidst the pandemic and provides insights on the number of farmers who rely on MOSES for information and practical advice. The report also mentions the launch of our Grower Groups, which are open to everyone in our community.

Conservation Summer Camp Lunch Series

Women farmers and landowners from across Wisconsin are invited to a virtual “summer camp” series through Wisconsin Women in Conservation, a program led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Renewing the Countryside, MOSES, and Wisconsin Farmers Union. The lunch series will combine expert advice on conservation practices with the opportunity to connect with each other around the virtual campfire. The sessions run on the last Thursday of the month, May through August, from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Topics include pollinator habitat, healthy soils, native habitat, and regenerative agriculture. Click here to learn more about a session and RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

Growing Stronger Conference Recordings

Registered participants’ access to recorded sessions from the conference ends soon. Speed presentations by farmers, researchers, and industry experts expire May 19. Workshops, roundtables, and keynotes posted Feb. 22 through Feb. 27 expire May 22-27. Click the button on the conference website to log in and view recordings. You'll receive a text and email with a verification code to complete your login.

Current Podcast Episodes

The MOSES Organic Farming Podcast currently features a series with Artisan Grain Collaborative on food-grade grains. The collaborative includes farmers, millers, distillers, bakers, and other people across the value chain who are creating opportunities to grow grains for people, not livestock or fuel. In the latest episode, grain advocate, Andy Hazzard and Jeff Hake about on-farm grain milling. Subscribe to the MOSES Organic Farming Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Continuous Improvement, Accountability in Organic Standards

Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rodney Davis (R-IL), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO) to the House April 30. The bill requires USDA to advance and implement recommendations from the organic industry in a timely manner and to ensure the continuous improvement of organic standards. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) offered unanimous support for the bill during the board's semi-annual meeting last week. See the Organic Trade Association's background piece about the act.

National Organic Standards Board Openings

The USDA is accepting nominations for four open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member volunteer advisory board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, considers public comments and makes recommendations on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, and other topics involved in organic agriculture. Each member serves a five-year term beginning January 2022 and represents specific sectors of the organic community. Nominations are due by June 1.

Read the Inside Organics column from the Organic Broadcaster where current NOSB Chair Steve Ela explains what it's like to serve on the board that shapes organic standards.

Aid for Farmers Impacted by Pandemic

Signup remains open for the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) with an expanded list of eligible commodities. Grants are based on a farm's 2019 production or head of livestock. Apply through your local Farm Service Agency.

The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture has recorded webinars in English and Spanish with more information to help producers apply for aid.

USDA Listening Session

Beginning organic farmers: The USDA just announced a virtual listening session May 6 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. CT to learn how COVID-19 impacted beginning farmers and ranchers and get their feedback on USDA assistance. Join in to let USDA know what organic farmers need.

Agriculture Resilience Act 2.0

The Agriculture Resilience Act 2.0, introduced on Earth Day last month by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), offers climate solutions that are farmer-driven in order to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by 2040. The act supports the work sustainable farmers are doing to build soil health, sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make their farms resilient to a changing climate.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has created a Take Action post that farmers can use to encourage their Legislators to cosponsor the bill.

Strengthening Local Processing Act

The Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) has shared information about a bill recently introduced in the House that would increase slaughter options for local livestock and poultry producers, assist smaller facilities as they adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, and help consumers access locally raised meat and poultry. See details and recommendations on contacting your Representatives.

Wisconsin Bill to Support Organic Farming

The Wisconsin Assembly is considering a bill that would fund education and assistance related to organic farming practices and stimulate interest and investment in organic production. The bill also would allow the state's Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to provide grants to organic producers to help create organic farming plans and assist farmers in transitioning to organic farming. Find contact information for your Representative here.

Second EQIP Signup in Wisconsin

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a second signup period for conservation funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are due by May 21 for funding in 2021. Applications are being taken at all USDA Service Centers in Wisconsin.

EQIP is the primary program available to farmers and landowners for farm and woodland conservation work, offering payments for over 120 basic conservation practices. If you don't farm in Wisconsin, check your state NRCS website to see when EQIP signup is open.

COVID Toolkit for Essential Workers in Farming

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has published a toolkit farmers can use to inform farmworkers about steps to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. The FDA's toolkit includes posters in multiple languages on shared housing, handwashing, using shared tools, and more.

Additional Resources:

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) has a resource section with COVID-19 vaccine information and practical tips.
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and Worker Justice Wisconsin are running a campaign to encourage vaccination among African American and Latinx communities. As part of that work, they could help arrange for mobile vaccination clinics on farms with larger groups of farmworkers.
The coalition, Dignity at Work, has videos in English and Spanish to inform workers of their rights regarding a safe workspace.

Farmer-Labor Podcast

Wisconsin Farmers Union has launched a new podcast covering the intersection of farming and labor. The Farmer-Labor Podcast is a documentary-style series that explores power in the farm economy: how farmers build it, how workers build it, and why they need to continue to work together.

Beginning Farmer Training

Land Stewardship Project is accepting applications now through Sept. 15 for its Farm Beginnings course. This year-long training focuses on the goal setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. The course uses a mix of farmer-led sessions and an extensive farmer network. Classes will take place online from December through March, with on-farm educational events to follow later in 2022. Scholarships are available as well as a Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit for the cost of the class (for Minnesota residents).

Pesticide Impacts on Beneficial Invertebrates

Researchers at the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth U.S., and the University of Maryland just published a review of nearly 400 studies finding that pesticides harmed beneficial, soil-dwelling invertebrates including earthworms, ants, beetles, and ground-nesting bees in 71% of cases reviewed. The review points out that the Environmental Protection Agency does not require impact on soil organisms, which are critical to soil health, in the risk analysis of a pesticide.

Quick Links

Women Farmers Facebook Group

Beginning Farmers Facebook Group

Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
PO Box 339 | Spring Valley, Wisconsin 54767
1-888-90-MOSES | info@mosesorganic.org

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