 |
 |
Michigan Organic Listserv
March 14, 2018
Center for Regional Food Systems @ MSU
Desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])
Sharing knowledge and resources to help you grow your business
Not intended to be promotional of products or private businesses
News of and for the National Organic Program (NOP)
Recent
Decisions by NOP about regulations of animal handling and hydroponic plant systems
Interview
with Harriet Behar- Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Expert
Organic
Grain Prices and Market Changes
Hoophouses
learning session in Petoskey
Good
Food Summit seeks break-out sessions by you
National Organic Program (NOP)-Recent Decisions
USDA Decides Not to Impose Additional Regulatory Requirements for Organic Producers and Handlers
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published on January 19,
2017. The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers. The withdrawal becomes effective May 13, 2018.
Significant policy and legal issues were identified after the rule published in January 2017. After careful review and two rounds of public comment, USDA has determined that the rule exceeds the Department’s
statutory authority, and that the changes to the existing organic regulations could have a negative effect on voluntary participation in the National Organic Program, including real costs for producers and consumers.
“The existing robust organic livestock and poultry regulations are effective,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Program Undersecretary Greg Ibach.
“The organic industry’s continued growth domestically and globally shows that consumers trust the current approach that balances consumer expectations and the needs of organic producers and handlers.”
According to USDA reports for 2017, the number of certified organic operations increased domestically by seven percent and globally by 11 percent. Industry estimates show that organic sales in the
United States reached almost $47 billion in 2016, reflecting an increase of almost $3.7 billion since 2015.
The Department carefully considered public comments and the relative costs and benefits for both producers and consumers of imposing the proposed additional regulations.
More information on the OLPP final rule is available in the March
12, 2018, Federal Register, and on the USDA National
Organic Program web page.
An interview with Harriet Behar,
Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Expert
NOSB member, Harriet Behar been working extensively in the organic industry for 27 years as an organic farmer, advocate,
teacher and technical specialist. She shares her thoughts on the current state of organic, working with the NOP and NOSB’s work plan for hydroponics.
OPN Connect: Your many years in the Industry
give you a good perspective on the movement. How do you feel organic is doing in 2018?
What re the challenges and opportunities we face?
I tend to be an optimistic person. I just came from a two day conference called OGRAIN which was focused on organic grain production. We had people from 11 states and two-thirds of
those people were in transition or newly organic with only one-third of the group already in organic production.
There was a lot of discussion about organic as a production system and not just input substitution. It’s about looking at
your entire ecosystem, the environment, asking what more you do to meet that basic definition of organic which is about conserving biodiversity and recycling nutrients. The attendees really got it!
When you can reach out to the farming community and at least half of the people in the room are under 35 years old, there
is a lot of hope for the future.
More farmers can see that organic offers a long term solution, not just to their economic plight but to improving their
long term resiliency on their farm. By learning the foundational organic production practices, they provide themselves with the tools they need for extreme weather events, market fluctuations, protection of soil and water quality. As well as passing along
a stable farming system to future generations.
On the downside, while the NOP states they consider enforcement to be a priority, there continues to be numerous instances
and negative publicity surrounding incidents of fraud on imports, lack of pasture compliance on dairies, fraudulently labeled organic pineapple and more. We as an industry cannot tolerate fraud in the marketplace, and the resulting degradation of consumer
trust in our label. The vast majority of organic producers meet or exceed the standards. It is a great disservice to these operations who meet the rule, to not have a label that protects their hard work and commitment
The community is strong and passionate and wants the best for the label. At the federal level, their bureaucracy and lack
of enforcement and protection of organic integrity is having an impact.
OPN Connect: You have served on the NOSB
since 2016. What changes do you see from this administration USDA/NOP?
They are many empty seats at the NOP; Miles McEvoy and several other people have left the program. They have held interviews
but haven’t hired anyone- so that’s distressing- We have an acting AMS administrator who is doing other jobs, so she doesn’t have adequate time to put into the program. Everything is moving extremely slowly as a result.
We don’t have a replacement for Francis Thicke’s’ producer seat so the board only has 14 people. The Secretary of Ag hasn’t
appointed anyone for that seat so I am concerned. We have work to be done and all 15 seats are important. I feel that stakeholders are getting short changed.
In essence they aren’t providing us with the institutional help we need to do our job. They should prioritize having the
NOP at full staff; they have the money allocated by Congress to do it.
OPN Connect: You were recently elected
to be Vice President of the NOSB after a much divided vote on the Hydroponics issue. What are the ramifications of this vote to the organic community?
We want to look at artificial lights, recycling of containers, use of petroleum based mulches etc. Right now there is an
uneven implementation between different certifiers, regions and companies who are using these production methods. One reason hydroponics was so divisive is this new system of farming was allowed without clear standards, we are looking at aspects of both container
and field production that are not currently reviewed differently by various certifiers to bring consistency to our label.
We are behind the industry as it’s developed and that’s what caused the division. Rather than have a willy-nilly thing let’s
get standards with feedback form the community that’s practical, enforceable and verifiable.
The NOP has stated they will review the NOSB recommendation to prohibit aeroponic production as certified organic, but has
not given a timeline for that possible implementation.
OPN Connect:
What next steps will NOSB take up to clarity the hydroponics issue? Is a labeling solution on the work plan?
We did start talking about labeling but the NOP was reeling from the controversy and as far as I’m concerned it should be
discussed. NOP basically told us not to work on labeling of these production methods. So the NOSB has interest but the NOP has not been encouraging us not to go down this path. It is something that may come up again in the future.
OPN Connect: What’s the most important
message you have for organic farmers who want to be involved in the NOSB process?
Consumers, retailers, environmentalist should all get involved. If you have a passion for organic you bring something valuable
to the table. Your public comments DO matter, we read them and NOP reads them too. We rely on your wording and comments to inform what we are doing on the board. We encourage more engagement rather than less.
Producers pay attention to their certifier’s communications that gives advice on changes coming on allowed materials or
practices. They have good information to keep you informed.
Below is an extract of the Jacobsen Newsletter :
https://www.thejacobsen.com/
This is very good news, organic grains for organic farmers and those in transition to organic, who produce feed grain. Higher
prices in some worlds means growing With Typically, wheat has been grown primarily for a rotation crop since its prices has been so low. Since organic focuses on a strong Integrated Pest Management System wheat or other small grain is included in the rotation.
Protecting the Validity of ‘Organic’ at Your Market
As farmers market prepare to start up for the season make sure all vendors who say they are organic, comply to the NOP!
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/can-any-farmer-use-the-word-organic/
by Harriet Behar,
Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Expert
The use of the word “organic” on a label in the U.S. is regulated by law, which is managed by the National Organic Program (NOP) within the USDA. Farmers
who are certified organic or those who sell less than $5,000 a year of organic products can use the word “organic” or phrases such as
“grown using organic methods” to describe products. Even though farmers who sell less than $5,000 are exempt from NOP certification,
they still must meet all other requirements of the law, such as use of organic seed when available, certified organic transplants, and documenting
all
farming activities.
At farmers’ markets, where these exempt-from-certification growers often sell products, labeling can become an issue. It is unfair to producers who
go through the strict requirements to achieve organic certification to see the label misused. In many cases, misuse is a result of ignorance, not malice. But,
it can cause bad feelings between growers at a market, and impact a market’s reputation if patrons see “organic” being used loosely.
To ensure that vendors at a farmers’ market are using “organic” correctly, managers can ask
them to sign a statement that they have followed organic rules. This not only makes vendors aware of the standards they must meet, but also satisfies certified organic farmers that their market neighbors are meeting the same strict rules.
The statement below covers many of the requirements that a smaller scale grower or livestock producer must meet in order to sell organically labeled
products as a noncertified (“exempt”) organic farmer. It provides information on what practices and inputs are allowed in order to use the organic label,
and can be a valuable educational tool. Farmers’ market managers should feel free to modify this statement and have it reviewed by their own legal
counsel. This type of statement should be updated each year to keep current with changes to organic regulations.
Statement for Exempt From Organic Certification Producers
who are Using the Word “Organic”
I am a producer that is not certified organic, but I use the word “organic” to describe my products or practices in the marketplace. The list below describes many of the requirements in the
organic law that I follow in order to use the word “organic.” I have also read and follow the full U. S. organic regulation which is located at www.ams.usda.gov/nop
I verify that…
1.
I sell less than $5,000 annually in organically labeled products.
2.
I have not planted any seeds that had synthetic treatments, such as fungicides or insecticides.
3.
I have planted all organic seeds if they were available in the variety and quantity I required.
4.
I have either grown transplants myself using only OMRI* or organic certifier organically approved potting mixes and other inputs or I have purchased certified organic transplants.
5.
I have only applied fertility, pest, disease and weed management inputs that have either been approved by OMRI or by an organic certification agency. I understand that
there are numerous agricultural input products that make organic claims that are untrue and I have gone the extra step to verify what I am using meets the organic law.
6.
I have implemented a soil building rotation on my farm, where annual crops of the same type are not grown in succession in the same field. I also use plant and livestock
based materials such as cover crops and compost to continually improve my soils.
7.
I have not applied manure to my fields growing crops for human consumption any sooner than 90 days before harvest for crops that are not in contact with soil (i.e. sweet
corn), or 120 days before harvest for crops that are in contact with soil (root crops, tomatoes, peppers etc.).
8.
I have documentation that compost containing livestock originated components used on my farm meets the requirement of having a Carbon to Nitrogen ratio of between 25 to
1 and 40 to 1, has had a temperature maintained of 131 to 170 degrees F for 15 days and has been turned 5 times, or if in a static vessel, had this temperature maintained for 3 days.
9.
All mammalian livestock has been managed organically from the last third of gestation of their mother to the day of slaughter. All poultry has been managed organically
from the second day of life. Organic management includes 100% certified organic feed.
10.
All livestock has had access to the outdoors, with ruminants receiving 30% of their nutrition from pasture during a minimum 120 day grazing season. All animal health products
and feed supplements have either been OMRI approved or approved by an organic certification agency.
11.
I have maintained documentation that verifies what I have stated above.
Farmer Name_____________________________
Farm Name________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
Phone________________________ Email____________________________________________
Signature__________________________________________ Date___________________________
*OMRI=Organic Materials Review Institute www.omri.org
Download
the form as a Word Doc here.
Organic Feed Grain Prices are Rising
activity is modest, and feed prices continue to remain elevated with bids seen at $9.0, for pick up at the farm, and offers seen near $10.0, for Q2. There is a 10-15 cent carry for Q3. Supply is still
robust as the lack of whole corn imports has been offset somewhat by domestic supply. Farmers appear to be holding off with the hope of having their offers lifted. Organic corn prices at the port of Oakland are bid at $10.35 and offered at $11.50 per bushel.
Mid-west train rates from Nebraska to Fresno for organic corn are approximately $1.60 per bushel. Trucking transportation is also becoming more expensive due to new electronic logging of time. Despite the rally in conventional corn, NON-GMO yellow #2 CIF
is trading from par to a $0.10 premium over conventional for Q2. Organic feed wheat has edged higher, driven higher by corn, and is now bid $7.50 with offers coming in near $8.0.
Mid-west organic soybean trading activity is steady and moving higher. Bids are seen near the $17.50 handle and offers are up at $18.25. There appears to be steady activity in the organic soybean food space. East coast organic food prices are bid at $23.5
with offers near $24.5. West coast organic food prices are bid near $21 and offers are seen near $22. Mid-west train rates for organic feed soybean from Nebraska to Fresno are approximately $2 per bushel. NON-GMO soybean for new-crop for Q2 activity is slow
as market participants continue to search for fair value. Bids are seen near $1.25 premium to conventional while offers are near $1.50. Organic bean meal activity has edged higher in tandem with organic soybean to
the 800 level. The oil share continues to favor meal which is weighing on organic bean oil which has bounced slightly back to the 42 cents per pound level.
It’s not too late to register for the hoophouse mini-conference next Saturday, March 17th, in Petoskey. Are you interested in learning or improving your management
of hoophouses? This is a half day course offered by Crosshatch in Petoskey, MI. Hear some great presentations, chat with business advisors and talk with fellow farmers about what's working in hoophouses. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a business
councilor if you like.
Saturday, March 17, 2018, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
North
Central Michigan
College, HESC (Science) building, Petoskey, Michigan
1:00 Registration
1:15 Speakers:
•
Rachel
Cross,
Spirit of
Walloon; Diverse specialty
crops in
the hoophouse.
•
Dion Stepanski, Presque Isle Farm; Salad
/ lettuce
mix production
systems in
Hoophouses
•
David
Coveyou,
Coveyou Scenic
Farm.
Using geothermal
and solar technologies.
4:15 Farmer
forum
Register here:
(http://bit.ly/hoophouses)
Fee: $20
For more information call or email Larry Dyer: 231-881-2784 or
[log in to unmask]
The mini-conference is a collaboration with Crosshatch,
www.crosshatch.org, and the Local Food Alliance with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency, and support from MSU Extension,
the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE Tip of the Mitt Chapter.
Macomb County-All About Food From Farm to Fork
Tues March 20, 8 am -4 pm
Located at: Macomb County Family Resource Center
196 North Rose St. Mount Clemens, Ml 48043
[log in to unmask]" v:shapes="Straight_x0020_Connector_x0020_2">To
Register go to: ln fo @m a c o m b fo o d .or g
|
Topic Areas:
Abstracts should relate to the theme of this year’s conference, Amplifying Voices for Equity. Consider these guidelines when preparing your abstract.
|
Position Opening for Exchange (Food Hub) Manager at Allen Neighborhood Center
Established in 1999, Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) is a non-profit community development agency serving the northeast quadrant of the Capital City and beyond. Signature projects
of ANC include the Allen Farmers Market (lively, year-round, SNAP-friendly), Incubator Kitchens (promoting food entrepreneurism), the Hunter Park GardenHouse (a hub for urban gardening/farming education), the Exchange (a food hub linking growers and food producers
to commercial and institutional buyers) and the Veggie Box program (a multi-farm CSA providing worksite delivery).
Minimum Qualifications
Compensation
Full-time position (40 hours/week) to begin in April.
Salary commensurate with experience; benefits available.
Cover Letter & Resume due by
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Submit to: Joan Nelson, Executive Director
Allen Neighborhood Center
1611 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
Joan Nelson, Director
Allen Neighborhood Center
1611 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
517-999-3912 (direct dial)
Internship in South Whidbey Tilth Association
Tilth is seeking apprentices to work and
learn on its 11+ acre sustainable agriculture campus. It is a nonprofit
educational organization with a seasonal farmers’ market, community garden
plots, a native plant facility, compost facility and forest and meadow
restoration projects. Volunteers hold workshops and classes about food growing
and stewardship of the natural world, publishes a newsletter and holds
community-building social gatherings.
As part of the Grow Whidbey apprenticeship program in partnership with the
South Whidbey School Farms and the Good Cheer Food Bank, apprentices will be
participating in classes, workshops and field trips specifically designed to
support their practical, hands-on learning and service.
The focus of the apprentice will be on the Tilth campus at 2812 Thompson Road
off State Route 525 on South Whidbey Island.
Goals of Tilth project include:
• Increase public awareness of the Farmers’ Market to attract vendors and
customers
• Develop the campus as a training center for sustainable food growing,
marketing and land resource conservation practices.
• Create a network of cooperation with other sustainable agriculture projects
through the project leaders and apprentices on Whidbey Island.
Training includes:
• Leadership skills such as nonprofit project management, volunteer
coordination, outreach and publicity, working with varied age groups, teaching
and public speaking.
• Ongoing mentoring and regular check-ins to support the professional and
personal growth and development of the apprentice.
• Classes and workshops through South Whidbey Tilth and partners to learn
sustainable agriculture practices such as soil cultivation, planting,
irrigation, harvesting, produce management, crop rotation, composting and
vermiculture, record keeping, limited and supervised use of power tools and
small machinery.
Scope of Duties
1. Promote and manage the Tilth Farmers’ Market, open May to October on
Sundays; recruit more vendors to sell at the market
2. Promote cohesion and cooperation among other Tilth community gardeners to
maintain their plots and common areas, including fruit trees, etc.
3. Participate in work parties around the campus, usually Thursdays 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. and some Saturdays, as well as occasional participation at Good Cheer
Gardens on Wednesdays and South Whidbey School Farms on Tuesdays
4. Keep personal garden plot under continual cultivation and maintain a garden
journal
5. Meet weekly with designated supervisor to review program schedule and
report at least quarterly to the governing council of trustees with strategy
suggestions; maintain a weekly timesheet
6. Sharing the responsibility of gleaning produce for the Good Cheer Food Bank
from the Bayview Farmers’ Markets on some Saturdays and from Tilth on Sundays
7. Choose one or more personal project(s) to fulfill, such as:
a. build and implement a volunteer base with a skills inventory to call
upon for successful work parties and classes
b. research and implement a native plant salvage facility
c. research and implement a farm stand as well as manage campus produce
production, including fruit and nut trees
d. develop and carry out promotional material for the newsletter, press,
website and social media to increase participation through the market, classes
and events
e. maintain a landscape that welcomes teaching opportunities for the
public
f. other
Time commitment:
• April through mid-October 2018
• Workdays are a flexible 35 hours a week, including 5+ hours for Sunday
market days, 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Five days vacation is encouraged with sufficient notice.
Compensation:
• a stipend of $400/month. Worker’s compensation is also provided as part of
the Washington State Farm Internship Project.
• a plot in the community garden (20 by 20 feet)
• use of some farming tools and materials
• a no-fee vending space at the South Whidbey Tilth Farmers’ Market
• access to the classroom/office with internet
• homestay housing
• food is available from the gardens and the Good Cheer Food Bank.
Skills and Experience desired:
• eagerness to learn
• experience growing food
• desire to work well with people of different ages
• ability to motivate others under difficult conditions
• good communication and organizational skills
• in good physical condition — able to lift 50 pounds
• hard working, practical, resourceful and creative
Preferred:
• knowledge of many aspects of farming, including but not limited to animal
husbandry, beekeeping, nursery work, composting and/or vermiculture,
irrigation systems, carpentry and farmers’ marketing
• selling at or operation of a farmers’ market
• knowledge of native plants
• ability to write well
• computer skills using spreadsheets and graphics
Note: a car is useful, but a bicycle may be sufficient for transportation.
Tilth and the other gardens are accessible by bus, except on weekends.
Application Process
To successfully apply and be considered for this position you must submit the
following required application materials by mail or email:
1.Submit a cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum and preferred
qualifications. Please explain a little bit of your background in agriculture,
your motivation for applying, why you are a good candidate for this position,
and how this apprenticeship fits into your future goals.
2. Provide a current resume along with three references.
3.Deadline: Open until filled
Materials may be submitted using one of the following options:
EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
MAIL: South Whidbey Tilth Association
P.O. Box 252
Langley, WA 98260
Questions can be directed to the email above or call Prescott, president, at
360-682-8642.
Interview process: Final applicants will be interviewed in person or by Skype
or Facetime
Vicki Morrone
Organic Farming Specialist
Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-282-3557