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I think that since conventional farming is so destructive to our health and the health of the plane that any stroner regulations for anything should be pointed in that direction. -----Original Message----- >From: Danielle Craft <[log in to unmask]> >Sent: Dec 9, 2008 1:11 PM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: What Happening in Michigan Organics? > >What's New in Michigan Organics? > >NEWS >1. Action Alert: Support Strong Rules for Organic Pasture >2. Cooperator Farmer Contracts program >3. USDA Seeks Public Comment on Deregulation of Genetically >Engineered Corn > >JOB OPPORTUNITIES >3. Business Development Specialist > >EVENTS >4. Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo Thursday Dec 11, 2008 >5. Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Agriculture Conference > >NEWS > >1. Action Alert: Support Strong Rules for Organic Pasture >Comment now to USDA-Comment period closes December 23, 2008 >The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) released the long anticipated >proposed rules tightening the >pasture requirements for organic livestock on Friday October 24, 2008. >This is a strong proposal >that guarantees that organic milk production meets consumer expectations. > >The proposal needs to be improved to remove overly prescriptive >language that will cause problems for the health and safety of >animals, might have negative impacts on the environment, and place >extensive record keeping burdens on farmers. This can be done while >preserving the requirement that organic ruminants be on pasture as >much as possible during the grazing season. > >Please submit your comments ASAP - see below for detailed instructions > >See the NOC website, www.nationalorganiccoalition.org or >http://www.nodpa.com/rule.shtml for more detailed information and a >suggested re-write of rule language. Suggested key points for >comment: > >Support the requirement for a minimum 30% dry matter intake (DMI) from >pasture, averaged over the full growing season, with the growing >season ranging from 121-354 days, but substitute "grazing season" for >"growing season," to take into account the reality of the grazing >season in different areas. > >Require that ruminants are managed on pasture only during the grazing >season, (not year round) to take into account different farming >conditions, to protect pastures from damage, and to protect the health >and safety of the livestock during adverse weather conditions. > >NOP must provide needed exemptions or ruminants from pasture and >outdoor access during period of inclement weather and to protect soil >and water quality. > >Revise the definition of "inclement weather" so that any condition >that cause's physical harm to animals is a valid reason for limiting >pasture and outdoor access. > >Dry lots and feed lots, where animals are confined and there is little >or no vegetation, should be explicitly banned for ruminants. However, >clean well-managed feeding pads (barn yards) are essential facilities >needed for exercise and outdoor access during the non-grazing season, >and as a supplement to pasture during the grazing season. >Modify the definition of "sacrificial pasture" to indicate this can be >used during the non-grazing season to provide outside access, and make >use of this practice optional, as the practice may be detrimental to >the environment, including to soil and water quality, and to animal >health when operations do not have well drained land that is >accessible for livestock or during winter weather or excessive rain >conditions. > > Streamline the proposed record keeping requirements for livestock >operations so that farmers can document their pasture feed rations in >various ways that are acceptable to certifiers. > >NOP must drop proposed language regarding replacement dairy animals. >As proposed, it will allow certain farms to buy non-organic animals, >and require others to buy or raise only organic young stock. The NOP >must move quickly to publish a Proposed Origin of Livestock Rule that >has one criterion for dairy replacement animals for all operations: >"Once an operation has been certified for organic production, all >dairy animals born or brought onto the operation shall be under >organic management from the last third or gestation. >Permit grain finishing of beef slaughter stock, such that these >animals may be exempt from the 30% pasture DMI requirement during the >finishing period not to exceed 120 days, but must not be denied access >to pasture during the period. >Remove "bee" and "fish used for food" from the definition of >"livestock" until proposed standards are issued for those production >systems. > >Please also demand that USDA NOP enforce the current regulation in >regards to pasture while the proposed rule goes through the process of >becoming a Final Rule > >Once in effect and with implementation by 2010, we urge NOP to enforce >the new regulation and work with producers and certifiers to educate >them on the requirements of the new rules. With these changes, a final >rule can be written that can safeguard the long-term integrity of >organic farming. > >How to submit comments: >Give your name, farm name (if appropriate), location and the reason >for sending comments (consumer, producer, advocate etc.). >There are three ways to submit comments: > >1) Mail. Written comments must be received (not postmarked) by Dec. >23, 2008. They must be identified with, "Docket Number AMS-TM-06-0198; >TM-05-14" at the heading of the document. Mail written comments to: >Richard H. Mathews, Chief, Standards Development and Review Branch, >National Organic Program, Transportation and Marketing Programs >USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW. >Room 4008- So., Ag Stop 0268 >Washington, DC 20250. > >2) Online. Visit the Regulations web portal: www.regulations.gov. Use >the search terms "organic pasture." Comments must be submitted online >by Dec. 23, 2008. Do not leave it to the last moment to submit >comments to the site as it tends to get overloaded at the end of >comment periods. > >3) Send to NOC Mail, fax or email your comments to Ed Maltby by >12/19/08 and he will forward them to the NOP. By mail: Ed Maltby, >NODPA Executive Director, 30 Keets Rd, Deerfield, MA 01342. Fax: >866-554-9483. Email: [log in to unmask] > >2. Cooperator Farmer Contracts program >As part of the pasture based dairy project at KBS a Cooperator Farmer >Contracts program has been developed to support on-farm, farmer driven >research, demonstration, and outreach activities. Please circulate >this information to any dairy producers that may be interested in >participating in the program and to any individuals or groups that >have contact with dairy producers. Project proposals are due by >January 16 and funds will be available by March. Additional >information can be found on the pasture dairy web site >(http://www.kbs.msu.edu/farm/dairy/pastureresearch.php) or by >e-mailing ([log in to unmask]) or calling (269-671-2360) me. Thank you for >your help in distributing this information and let me know if you have >any questions. >Mat Haan >Pasture-Based Dairy Project Coordinator >Michigan State University >Kellogg Biological Station >3700 E. Gull Lake Drive >Hickory Corners, MI 49060 >[log in to unmask] >269-671-2360 (office) >269-671-2351 (Fax) > >3. USDA Seeks Public Comment on Deregulation of Genetically Engineered Corn > >http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/11/deregcorn.shtml >The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection >Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on a petition to deregulate >corn genetically engineered (GE) to produce a microbial enzyme that >facilitates ethanol production. The petition for deregulation, >submitted by Syngenta Seeds, Inc., is in accordance with APHISʼ >regulations concerning the introduction of GE organisms and products >and is available for public review and comment. Following the comment >period, APHIS makes a determination of nonregulated status if it can >conclude that the organism does not pose a plant pest risk. If APHIS >grants the Syngenta Seeds, Inc., petition for deregulation, the GE >corn and its progeny would no longer be regulated articles. The >product could then be freely moved and planted without the requirement >of permits or other regulatory oversight by APHIS. Comments may be >submitted online or by mail until January 20, 2009. > >Job Opportunities > >4. Business Development Specialist >Posted: Nov 17, 20008 >Deadline: Dec 12, 2008 > >Supervisor: Jennifer Fike, Executive Director, Food System Economic >Partnership (FSEP) and the Business Innovation and Networking >Committee >Location: Food System Economic Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI > >I. Purpose & Responsibilities >In an independent contracting position reporting to the FSEP Executive >Director, and working as a facilitator of the Agri-food Regional >Skills Alliance (RSA) and member of the Business Innovation and >Networking Team, this professional works collaboratively with the FSEP >Business Innovation and Networking Committee, FSEP Leadership Team, >and RSA partnering organizations to provide business planning services >to maintain and grow the regional agricultural economy and make >agriculture a thriving component of communities in Southeast Michigan. >II. Specific Job Functions > >Coordinate the Agri-food RSA, where FSEP and the Business Development >Specialist serve as a catalyst, convener, intermediary, and advisor in >the creation of the Agri-Food RSA in Southeast Michigan. The goal of >the Agri-Food System RSA is to expand business planning services for >agri-business entrepreneurs and assist farmers in the conversion of >agriculture commodities into consumer products or services to create >and expand jobs in the region. There are four components of this >position: > >1) Catalyst: Help bring about: a) change in the agricultural >economy of Southeast Michigan through creating connections between >food system entrepreneurs and to increase job creation in the >agriculture sector. > >2) Convener: Assist in bringing together key stakeholders for the >RSA including Michigan Works! agencies, economic development >organizations, business owners, farmers, community organizations, >farmers, food distributors, and all others involved in making the >transition to more locally produced food purchasing and consumption. > >3) Intermediary: Serve as the conduit for services related to >agricultural business planning services; work with entrepreneurs >interested in creating agri-food businesses and assist them in the >development of business plans > >4) Advisor: Advise other key stakeholders on insights knowledge >gained, effective practice, policy impacts, etc. Key Stakeholders >include funders, the private sector, the public sector, policy makers, >nonprofits, and business owners. > >III. Specific Expectations: > Goal 1: > Provide business planning services to potential entrepreneurs and >existing business owners. >Tasks: >1) Identify potential food business entrepreneurs and existing >businesses through outreach at MSU Extension offices, job fairs, >Michigan Works! Centers, community colleges, etc. >2) Conduct survey of employers within RSA to determine business needs >3) Select entrepreneurs and existing businesses to engage in business planning >4) Perform market analysis with entrepreneurs >5) Perform feasibility studies with entrepreneurs >6) Develop business plans; set goals/objectives > >Goal 2: >Conduct outreach to potential entrepreneurs in Southeast Michigan to >promote business planning services offered by Agri-Food System RSA. >Tasks: >1) Create Agri-RSA council to provide linkages between employers and >Michigan Works! Agencies >2) Conduct outreach at employment agencies, Eastern Market, community >colleges, and chambers of commerce to promote services > >Goal 3: >Conduct outreach to farmers/producers in Southeast Michigan to promote >Agri-Food System RSA >Tasks: >1) Conduct direct mail campaign to farmers/producers and issue press releases >2) Conduct outreach to farmers at farmers' markets >3) Update FSEP website to add services >4) Conduct outreach at Farm Bureau offices > >Goal 4: >Provide seed funding through Agri-Food System RSA to potential entrepreneurs >Tasks: >1) Determine methodology for awarding funds >2) Determine feasibility of business venture >3) Reach agreement with entrepreneur >4) Apply for grants to support funding > >Goal 5: >Develop and implement marketing plan to increase consumer demand for >local foods to develop markets for agri-food businesses >Tasks: >1) Define targets, goals, and dates of implementation >2) Create marketing materials >3) Implement plan including mail, radio, print campaigns >4) Measure success of plan > >IV. Key Knowledge & Skills >A. Project management/leadership and or start-up nonprofit experience. >B. Strong facilitation skills with demonstrated results as an >intermediary working with cross-sector collaboration. >C. Knowledge of and interest in local food systems and economic development. >D. Strong leader with an active leadership style >E. Effective oral and written communication skills. >F. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in team settings, as both >a leader and team member. Strong interpersonal skills in a >professional context: working collaboratively, motivating and >inclusive leadership style, and excellent facilitation skills. >G. Demonstrated ability to work effectively without day to day supervision. >H. Excellent skills in the use of computer technology for word >processing and a variety of forms of electronic communication. > >VI. Ideal Qualifications >A. Bachelor's degree in business, agriculture, communications, >community organizing or related field preferred. Master's degree >preferred. >B. Demonstrated ability to develop leadership in the agriculture >community. Ability to manage multiple and varied tasks required. >C. Experience with group facilitation. >D. Business experience working with entities that have budgets, >boundaries, expectations, and profit motive. >E. Two years of work experience in business, community, or economic >development. > >Position requires travel using personal vehicle to program sites in >five county region of Southeast Michigan, as needed. Compensation >commensurate with experience. Estimated start date is January 5, >2009. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The Food System >Economic Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. To apply, >please email or fax (734-222-3990) a cover letter and resume to >Jennifer Fike at [log in to unmask] You can also mail your >information to FSEP, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645, >Attention: Jennifer Fike. > >EVENTS > >4. Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Exop 2008 > >The 2008 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo December >11, 2008, DeVos Place Convention Center Grand Rapids, MI. Thursday >events include Tasting of the Winning Ciders: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m., Trade >Show: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., EXPO Registration: 8:00 a.m. - noon, >Education Program: 9:00 a.m. - Noon, Education Program: 1:00 - 3:30 >p.m., and >Fruit Irrigation Systems Workshop: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. > >Thurday at 9 A.M. Organic Production and Certification. Vicki Morrone, >Outreach Specialist for Organic Fruit and Vegetable Growers, MSU >Certification: will be one of the speaker presenting the topic To Be >or Not To Be - That is the Question. Visit this link to see the >complete schedule http://www.glexpo.com/program.php?id=47. > >Special Thursday Registration Fee >A special registration fee of $30 is available for admission to the >EXPO's trade show and education sessions on Thursday. This is good for >Thursday ONLY – if you pre-register for this reduced rate and decide >to attend the EXPO on Tuesday or Wednesday, you will have to pay the >full on-site registration fee. The trade show will be open from 8 a.m. >to 1 p.m. on Thursday. The special registration fee does not include >membership in the Michigan State Horticultural Society or the Michigan >Vegetable Council and the free subscription offers that are included >with membership. >Visit the Expo's website for more details http://www.glexpo.com/index.php > >5. Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Agriculture Conference >Contact: Jack Gurley, 410-472-6764, [log in to unmask] >Future Harvest – CASA's 10th Annual Conference Connect Locally: Food, >Farms and Communities January 16 and 17, 2009 Frederick, Md. > >Eldersburg, Md. — On January 16 and 17, 2009, aspiring, transitioning, >and experienced farmers will come together with regional buyers, >backyard gardeners, parents, students and others interested in local >foods to share information and learn about sustainable agriculture at >the 10th Annual Conference of Future Harvest – A Chesapeake Alliance >for Sustainable Agriculture (CASA). The 2009 conference theme, >"Connect Locally: Food, Farms and Communities," emphasizes making and >sustaining connections between producers and consumers. > >Nina Planck, farmers' market maven and "real" food enthusiast, will >present the keynote address. After growing up in Virginia selling the >ecological foods from her family's farm, Ms. Planck started the >successful London Farmers' Markets in the U.K. and now runs the >producer-only Local Food Markets in Washington, DC. Her recent book, >Real Food: What to Eat and Why, explores the nutritional and cultural >significance of traditional foods. > >Seminars, panels and round table discussion groups on Friday will >cover agri-tourism, soil fertility, farm-to-school and hospital >programs, and raising healthy food. Saturday's workshops will cover >the nuts and bolts of sustainable agriculture, specialty crops, >cultivating new farmers through mentorships, grass based systems, >profitable grain production, and market gardening. Meals will feature >locally-grown food, showcasing the region's great local food options. > >Future Harvest-CASA is an educational non-profit organization >dedicated to promoting profitable and environmentally sustainable food >and farming systems in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, >Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware. For more information, visit >www.futureharvestcasa.org. If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html