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Training, resources, and practical advice to help you grow. |
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November 2018 Organic Link |
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Farmer Mentoring Over the past 10 years, the MOSES Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring Program has connected more than 500 individuals with experienced organic farmers who have helped them advance their farming skills. We're taking applications now through Nov. 15 for the 2019 program. Farmers who want to transition to organic or add a new enterprise can gain insights from a mentor. Mentees pay $350 to participate in the program, which runs from January 2019 to February 2020, and includes admission to the MOSES Organic Farming Conference in both years (a $450 value). |
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Registration opens Nov. 29 The 30th Annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference takes place Feb. 21-23, 2019 in La Crosse, Wis. The conference includes six sessions with a total of 60 workshops, 9 intensive Organic University courses, a 2-floor exhibit hall with more than 170 vendors, plus great organic food. Early Bird registration opens Nov. 29. Applications for farmer scholarships (preference given to farmers who've not yet attended the conference) open Nov. 15. Conference guides will be available in late November. |
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Call for Research Posters The Organic Research Forum at the 2019 MOSES Conference includes a juried poster session documenting completed and ongoing research projects related to organic agriculture. Researchers, academic faculty and staff, graduate/undergraduate students, and farmer researchers may submit a poster proposal for consideration by Dec. 14, 2018. Space is limited to 25 posters. All accepted poster presenters receive full conference admission. |
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Forum on Future of Farming The application period for Organic 2051 closes Nov. 30. This forward-thinking forum on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 (the day before the MOSES Conference) in La Crosse, Wis., brings together 100 change-makers to identify current resources and opportunities to advance organic farming practices. The day will feature plenary speakers, guided group discourse, and small-group collaborations. Participants receive free admission, lodging, and meals. A committee will review applications and select the 100 participants. The participant list will be published Dec. 10. |
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Memorial for Chris Blanchard Chris Blanchard passed away Sunday, Oct. 28. Through his Farmer-to-Farmer Podcast, consulting, and workshops, Chris had a huge impact on the market farming community. Chris served on the MOSES board, coordinated conference workshops, and co-directed the MOSES Organic Farming Conference for several years. Read more about Chris's contributions to organic farming and his legacy scholarship here. Friends and family will gather to celebrate his life Saturday, Nov. 10 in Madison, Wis., at Olbrich Botanical Gardens from 4-7 p.m. Gatherers are encouraged to wear purple or Hawaiian shirts to honor Chris. Questions about the celebration can be emailed to Katie Bishop. |
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Grants Advising Michael Fields Agricultural Institute offers a free grants advising service to farmers and farmer groups in the Midwest. Services include help with specific federal, state and private grant proposals, periodic grant writing workshops for larger groups, and grants advising "pop-ups" at conferences. Grant advisors Martin Bailkey and Kitt Healy help applicants clarify and articulate ideas, assess which grant program might fit their needs, and help farmers craft a high-quality proposal. |
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In Her Boots Podcast The MOSES "In Her Boots" podcast currently features marketing advice from Diahann Lohr, owner of Adunate Word & Design. New episodes of the podcast post on Fridays on iTunes, Stitcher, and our In Her Boots webpage. |
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Online Data on Vegetable Production Practical Farmers of Iowa has created a new Vegetable Yield and Production Data webpage where farmers can share yield and production data. Users can view the entire data set or filter by specific crops, varieties, harvest dates, production zones, states and infrastructure used. |
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New NOSB Officers The National Organic Standards Board elected new officers at the end of its meeting last week in St. Paul, Minn. NOSB Chair is Harriet Behar, who has been on the board in an environmentalists/resource conservationists seat since January 2016. Behar worked as a MOSES Organic Specialist for more than 10 years, and now works with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. NOSB Vice Chair is Steve Ela, who has been in an organic producer seat on the board since January 2017. Ela is a tree fruit grower from Colorado. Scott Rice, who has been in the certifying agent seat since January 2016, is now Board Secretary. Rice works for the Washington organic certification program. |
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NOP Virtual Town Hall The National Organic Program (NOP) will hold a virtual town hall meeting Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, to get input for designing a new online Organic Integrity Learning Center. The center will provide professional development and continuing education training for organic certifiers, inspectors, reviewers and professionals serving a compliance and enforcement role in organic control systems. It is set to launch in winter 2019. |
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Farm to School Grants USDA Farm to School Grants can help farmers, schools, agencies, and other organizations create programs to improve access to local foods in schools. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service plans to award planning and training grants up to $50,000, and implementation grants up to $100,000 with a 25% match. Applications are due by Dec. 4, 2018. |
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Midwest Organic Pork Conference The Midwest Organic Pork Conference, the first U.S. conference on organic and natural pork production and distribution, will be March 8-9, 2019, in Waterloo, Iowa. The Iowa Organic Association hosts the event. For more information about conferences and other events to help you grow, see the MOSES Community Calendar. |
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Virtual Conference for Beginning Farmers The National Farmers Union presents a virtual conference for beginning farmers and ranchers Dec. 3-6, 2018. The free Growing for the Future event includes webinars, live Q&A sessions, a discussion board, an online resource center, and free giveaways—including free registration to the 2019 MOSES Organic Farming Conference! |
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Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
PO Box 339 | Spring Valley, Wisconsin 54767
(715) 778-5775 | info@mosesorganic.org |
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