What's New in Michigan Organics? NEWS 1. NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB) DECISION TODAY ON "ORGANIC" FISH SETS DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO GUT USDA ORGANIC PROGRAM. 2. SWEET CORN IPM ONLINE SURVEY NOW OPEN. 3. E-NEWS FROM MOSES (MIDWEST ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION SERVICE) 4. ORGANIC - IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO Launch Tools for Uniting the Organic World EVENTS 5. HOOPHOUSE WORKSHOP IN SUTTONS BAY 6. HOOPHOUSE WORKSHOP IN MONTAGUE, MI 7. LEARN ABOUT OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO HIGHER SOYBEAN YIELDS AT MSU EXTENSION PROGRAM 8. ONE-DAY SEMINAR TEACHES FARMERS HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR MANURE NEWS 1. NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB) DECISION TODAY ON "ORGANIC" FISH SETS DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO GUT USDA ORGANIC PROGRAM. WASHINGTON—Consumers Union today derided the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) decision to accept the recommendations for "organic" fish production that will allow fish to carry the USDA organic label—despite being raised under conditions that fail to meet fundamental USDA organic principles. The NOSB recommendations allow: · Fish to be fed food other than 100% organic feed—the gold standard that must be met by other USDA-certified organic livestock; · Fishmeal used to feed farmed fish from wild fish—which has the potential to carry mercury and PCBs; and · Open net cages to be used—which flush pollution, disease and parasites from open net fish farms directly into the ocean, adversely impacting wild fish supply, sustainability and the health of the oceans. The recommendations have been transmitted to USDA, which will issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANRP) immediately. "To slap a 'organic' label on this fish is deceptive and undermines the entire organic program," said Urvashi Rangan, PhD, Senior Scientist and Policy Analyst at Consumers Union. "If enacted, this gutting of the organic standards will not only allow sub-par organic fish to be sold with a premium, but will undermine consumer confidence in the entire organic marketplace." Furthermore, it was clear at the NOSB hearing that USDA advised NOSB to circumvent the regulations to lower the organic standards bar for fish, standards clearly not wanted by the American public. Just this week, a Consumers Union Poll revealed that 93 percent of Americans think that fish labeled as "organic" should be produced by 100 percent organic feed, like all other organic animals. Nine in 10 consumers also agreed that "organic" fish farms should be required to recover waste and not pollute the environment and 57 percent are concerned about ocean pollution caused by "organic" fish farms. Nearly 30,000 signatures have been collected in favor of maintaining strong standards for the organic label for fish. Some members of the NOSB expressed that they were under pressure from the aquaculture industry to push a substandard through, with the chair of the Livestock Committee, Hue Karreman, claiming that he's trying to "jumpstart" an industry by finding a middle ground. "The action taken today by the NOSB illustrate their misunderstanding of their own mission and underscores their willingness to let down the American consumer in favor of industry," said Rangan. "The NOSB is not a marketing or promotional agency. It is an agency designed to create and maintain strict standards that meet consumer expectations." The push to allow non-organic fishmeal—which can be contaminated with mercury and PCBs and environmentally polluting production systems—organic feed and to ensure that waste from farms does not pollute the surrounding environment. The Board said that some "organic" fish that don't eat 100 percent organic feed receive a "qualified organic" label—something entirely out of line with the law and the goal of the organic program to provide a consistent standard across products in the marketplace and to prevent any adulteration of the USDA organic claim. 2. SWEET CORN IPM ONLINE SURVEY NOW OPEN. Regional sweet corn pest management survey – Hanna Stevens Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources(586-469-6440) or [log in to unmask] & Jim Jasinski OSU Extension, 937-484-1526 or [log in to unmask] The Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group (GLVWG) wants to know what YOU think about pest management in sweet corn! The GLVWG is composed of nearly 150 university research and extension specialists who work in vegetable production in IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, NY, OH, Ontario, Canada, PA, and WI. This group is looking to understand the adoption patterns of pest management tactics of sweet corn growers over the entire region. The research is being conducted by Ohio State University in cooperation with Michigan State University. By completing this survey, you will help the working group identify future research and educational priorities in sweet corn production by Michigan and trends throughout the region. Although the survey is aimed primarily at fresh market growers who are 18 or older, processing growers are also encouraged to take it, though a few questions may not seem appropriate for that production system. The survey is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes and is divided into 8 short sections, including educational, record keeping, and field oriented activities. There are no questions about annual sales, profitability, or other economic data. There is an opportunity after each section for input if you have comments or additional information to add. Please know that this survey is voluntary and that any information given will be used to guide future IPM research and Extension program delivery. Your name, home address, or e-mail will not be asked for in this survey. Every effort will be made to protect your responses and your confidentiality. Any public reports of study findings will be based on grouped data and will not reveal individual responses. Results of this study may be used for publications, presentations, or shared with grower groups, industry, or agri-business. For the first 50 growers who complete the online survey in Michigan, there is a code at the end of the survey which will allow you to receive a free copy of the just released "Sweet Corn Pest Management and Identification" pocket guide, a $15 value. This guide contains 100 color pages of insect, weed, disease, and herbicide injury images plus horticultural guidelines. Without the code, you will not be eligible for a pocket guide. Please contact Sheila Callicoat (937-484-1526) at Ohio State University Extension concerning the sweet corn ipm survey and give her the code displayed at the end of the survey. She will then take your mailing address and send you the pocket guide. Here is the link to the Sweet Corn Pest Management Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=NeTTF3Q19u2AAYGy3K5Xdw_3d_3d We expect to have the results of this survey summarized by the fall of 2009, and posted on our website at http://glvwg.ag.ohio-state.edu/. If you would like more information about the survey, please contact Jim Jasinski, OSU Extension, 937-484-1526 or [log in to unmask] 3. E-NEWS FROM MOSES (MIDWEST ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION SERVICE) The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) serves farmers striving to produce high-quality, healthful food using organic and sustainable techniques. These farmers produce more than just food; they support thriving ecosystems and vibrant rural communities. LEARN MORE AT: WWW.MOSESORGANIC.ORG September 2008 In this Issue: MOSES Launches NEW Website, SAVE THE DATE! Annual Organic Farming Conference, and other Upcoming Events. 4. ORGANIC - IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO Launch Tools for Uniting the Organic World "Equitool and IROCB "Equitool is intended to allow people making decisions on organic sourcing to assess whether organic standards for production and processing in one part of the world, where one set of local socio-economic and agro-ecological conditions apply, are equivalent (though not identical) to standards elsewhere, whether other conditions apply. "It includes assessment criteria, and emphasises reference to two international standards for organics: IFOAM's basic standards and Codex Alimentarius Commission's guidelines on production, processing, labelling and marketing. "IROCB – pronounced 'eye-rock-bee' – is designed to enable recognition of organic certification bodies around the world. It includes performance requirements for certification, and is based on ISO 65 (general requirements for bodies operating product certification systems)." http://www.ap-foodtechnology.com/Publications/Food-Beverage-Nutrition/FoodNavigator/Financial-Industry/IFOAM-and-UN-unveil-tools-to-smooth-organic-trade/?c=ErCGrKuNw8RcZId6cn4X4g%3D%3D Guide for Assessing Equivalence of Organic Standards and Technical Regulations (EquiTool) An initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Bonn EQUITOOL: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/aj282e/aj282e00.pdf 10/6/2008 8th meeting (Geneva) Guide for Assessing Equivalence of Organic Standards and Technical Regulations Presentation Equitool PowerPoint Presentation: http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/ITF-organic/meetings/itf8/ITF_EquivTool_present_Geneva.pdf International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies (IROCB) IROCB: http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/ITF-organic/meetings/itf8/IROCB_0809%20.pdf 10/6/2008 8th meeting (Geneva) IROCB - International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies Presentation IROCB PowerPoint Presentation: http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/ITF-organic/meetings/itf8/IROCB_update_ITF8th.pdf OTHER PowerPoint Presentations and documents available at: http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/ITF-organic/material1.asp IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO Launch Tools for Uniting the Organic World Oktober 10, 2008 IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO Launch Tools for Uniting the Organic World The International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF) has completed its work and launched two practical tools to facilitate the trade flow of organic products worldwide. Led for six years by a partnership of IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO, the ITF sought solutions for barriers to trade in the organic sector due to a multitude of organic standards, government technical regulations and certification performance requirements that now characterize the sector. Governments and private certification and accreditation bodies can now depend on one set of instruments for assessing the equivalence of standards, technical regulations and certification requirements. Equivalence will ease trade barriers and foster organic market development worldwide. EquiTool, which facilitates the equivalence of standards for organic production and processing, includes assessment criteria and emphasizes reference to the international standards of IFOAM and Codex. IROCB (International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies) will enable the recognition of organic certification bodies worldwide. Based on ISO 65 (General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems), IROCB (pronounced eye-rock-bee) also includes performance requirements specific to organic certification. The ITF Tools were launched by IFOAM Vice President Urs Niggli, UNCTAD Director General Supachai Panitchpakdi and FAO Assistant Director General Alexander Mueller at a public session following the 8th ITF meeting. The final ITF meeting was held on 6-7 October at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. "The growth of organic agriculture presents a very good opportunity for farmers to participate in trade", noted the FAO Deputy Director during his remarks at the public session. "Market demand is strong and consumers know that the quality of organic products is high and the production system is environmentally friendly." "The food supply and price crisis have called to attention the problems in agriculture. The way that the world grows its food will have to change radically to meet these changes, and organic agriculture is an approach with strong potential to address the problems," observed the UNCTAD Director General. "The sector is growing rapidly and presents opportunity for producers. Organic agriculture is particularly well suited for smallholder farmers. It preserves traditional knowledge and reduces dependence on external inputs. Constraints include the requirements to obtain organic certification for different markets. To address these constraints, the public and private sectors should embrace the ITF findings and tools." "Now we have another result in the organic sector from a public-private cooperation, stated IFOAM's Vice President. "The cooperation of FAO, UNCTAD and IFOAM on the ITF has produced two important tools to support organic market development. ITF is one of the rare successful examples of public-private partnership. It is of utmost importance to intensify and enhance the partnership of IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO." Participants in the ITF praised the tools. Some participants, such as those from the EU Commission and IFOAM, committed to using these tools in their systems, and others committed to advocating in their own regions for their adoption. Contact: Diane Bowen [log in to unmask] Home page of the International Task Force on Harmonisation and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF) http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/ITF-organic/welcome1.asp Lessons for all: Results of Consultations EquiTool Development Results of Consultations: • Less Background - More "Tool" • Less jargon - More plain English • Less redundancy - More efficiency • Less technical comparison - More objectives clarification • Less rigid - More flexible (framework) • Less "formal agreement" - More assessment • Less idealistic - More realistic http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/ITF-organic/meetings/itf8/EquiTool_Development.pdf Slide 3 Mary Anne Mary Anne Verleger Course Manager Institute for Food Laws & Regulations Michigan State University 404 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824 Telephone: (517) 355-8295 Fax: (517) 432-1492 web: http://www.iflr.msu.edu email: [log in to unmask] EVENTS 4. HOOPHOUSE WORKSHOP IN SUTTONS BAY. Some of you on this list may be interested in the Get Farming! Hoop for the Future! Hoophouses for Season Extension or Year-round Farming free one-day workshop on Wednesday, December 3rd at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, MI. Please visit http://localdifference.org/downloads/hoop_house_flyer_draft.pdf for more information or call Jim Sluyter at 231-889-0199 5. HOOPHOUSE WORKSHOP IN MONTAGUE, MI For those who may be interested, there will be a Hoophouse Workshop on Thursday, December 18 in Montague, MI that will have both an indoor educational morning segment and a hands-on experience afternoon portion. Check out the flyer for more information: http://www.miffs.org/media/Hoophouse%20Workshop%20121808.pdf or call MIFFS office at (517) 432-0712 to RSVP. Space is limited, so call early to save your spot! 6. LEARN ABOUT OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO HIGHER SOYBEAN YIELDS AT MSU EXTENSION PROGRAM EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Average soybean yield increases in Michigan have not kept pace with yield increases for other major crops, such as corn and wheat. To help farmers increase their yield numbers, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is offering an educational program titled "Overcoming the Barriers to Higher Soybean Yields" at two Michigan locations this winter. The free program will be held Feb. 4 at Cabela's in Dundee, and Feb. 5 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. Participants will learn new information about yield-limiting factors and management practices for overcoming them. The program is part of the Soybean 2010 project, a collaborative effort to improve soybean yields and profitability in Michigan. Topics to be covered include an overview of the Soybean 2010 project and resources, critical soybean growth stages and how they affect yield potential, Iowa State University research and recommendations for increasing soybean yields, highlights from the Michigan soybean yield contest, an introduction to the STARS (strip testing at regional sites) programs, recommendations for improving soybean nodulation, and a presentation on past, current and projected soybean production costs and market prices. The program will feature two speakers from Iowa State -- Mark Westgate, a soybean physiologist, and Palle Pedersen, one of the leading soybean agronomists in the United States. Presenters from MSU include Kurt Thelen, bioenergy cropping system agronomist; Jim Hilker, agricultural economist; and Tim Boring, graduate research assistant. Michigan Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator recertification credits and certified crop adviser credits will be available. The registration deadline for both events is Jan. 28. To register for the Feb. 4 program, call the Monroe County MSU Extension office at 734-240-3170. For the Feb. 5 program, call the Saginaw County MSU Extension office at 989-758-2500. There is no charge -- the program is sponsored by the Michigan Soybean Checkoff. For more information about improving Michigan's soybean crop, visit the Soybean 2010 Web page at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/soybean2010/. Soybean 2010 was developed to help Michigan growers increase soybean yields and farm profitability by 2010. Funding is provided by MSU Extension; Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs), the plant industry initiative at MSU; and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. 7. ONE-DAY SEMINAR TEACHES FARMERS HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR MANURE EAST LANSING, Mich. – Skyrocketing energy costs and increasing fertilizer prices have farmers looking for ways to minimize their time and input costs. "Manure $ense: Making the Most with your Manure" will discuss how farmers can find multiple ways to get more value from manure. The meeting, to be held in three locations around the state, will feature educational information from Michigan State University (MSU) experts. Topics include composting, making energy on the farm, future opportunities in the carbon market, conserving nutrients in livestock diets, conserving manure nutrients during storage, and optimizing fertilizer and manure applications. Natalie Rector, MSU Extension nutrient management educator, says the information that will be shared during the one-day seminar isn't just for livestock producers. The seminar will also show how crop farmers and livestock producers can work together to make the most of the nutrient resources from animal manure. "These topics aren't limited to people who have animals," she says. Rector anticipates that farmers will be especially interested in ways they can decrease their feed and fertility costs. "Bringing down the cost of fertilizer is a big consideration for farmers. There are valid ways to do that, and several of them will be discussed during this seminar." Manure $ense will be presented in three locations: • Feb. 3 at the RESA Center in St. Johns. • Feb. 17 at the Farm Bureau Building in Bad Axe. • Feb. 25 at the Howard Miller Library in Zeeland. The meeting will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at each location. The registration fee is just $40 for the first person from a farm, with a discounted $20 registration for each additional person from the same farm or business. Lunch is free with registration. Learn more, including how to register, at www.animalagteam.msu.edu, or call Faye Watson at (517) 353-3174. Attendees can earn Phase I credits from the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). 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