 |
 |
Michigan Organic Listserv 5/23/18 By Vicki Morrone, MSU’s Center for Regional Food System Send your thoughts and upcoming events that can help others to: [log in to unmask] Note that information here is for sharing to help you with your business, not intended to sell products or goods. This Farm Bill Can Make or Break Organic Farmers This is one perspective to inform you but please note, the Farm Bill did NOT pass in the house this week and that is a good thing as many programs for organic farmers were cut from the Farm Bill. IF you would like to read a report on why it was good it failed here is a journal article that explains what it would could have meant if it passed. ( https://civileats.com/2018/05/23/what-the-failure-of-the-house-farm-bill-means-for-good-food-advocates/). If you would like to share your thoughts of what is important for the new Farm Bill you can contact Senator Stabenow’s office at 517-203-1760 or Senator Robert’s office at 202 224-4774. May 07, 2018 Allison Johnson<https://www.nrdc.org/experts/allison-johnson> The federal Farm Bill has a powerful impact on the cost of farming—both organic and non-organic. A version of the bill introduced by the House Agriculture Committee would cut existing programs for organic farmers and increase their costs, while at the same time continuing to use taxpayer dollars to artificially lower the costs of non-organic food. Organic farmers shoulder expenses<https://www.nrdc.org/experts/allison-johnson/commit-grow-organic> that their conventional counterparts push onto the public, like the costs of keeping air and waterways clean and protecting wildlife. Organic farmers also pay certifiers to verify their compliance with the strict National Organic Program rules. At the same time, non-organic farmers benefit from many years of public investment in commodity crop subsidies, insurance, technical assistance, breeding, and research. This helps keep conventional food cheaper, leaving organic farmers to play catch up and the public to bear the burden of harms resulting from non-organic agriculture. Recent Farm Bills have funded critical programs that help organic farmers cover some of their disproportionate costs, while protecting the environment and our health. This year, not only are those programs at risk, but Republicans are actively targeting the stakeholder processes that ensure organic standards stay strong. To top it off, the pending version of the bill continues to disproportionately favor conventional production. Existing Farm Bill programs at risk include: * The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program<https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/occsp> reimburses a portion of inspection and certification fees annually, making organic certification more accessible for small and transitioning organic farms. The pending version of the Farm Bill would cut funding for this program and the related Agricultural Management Assistance program. * The Conservation Stewardship Program<https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/> pays farmers to reduce erosion, protect drinking water, and preserve wildlife habitat. This program is on the chopping block. The U.S.’s organic rules were built to evolve with public input; this Farm Bill threatens that process. The House’s bill also targets the foundation of the U.S.’s organic industry, sending a clear signal that health and transparency are not top priorities. The Organic Foods Production Act (enacted as part of the 1990 Farm Bill) set the framework for our organic rules, and it established a diverse stakeholder group—the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)—to oversee the rules on an ongoing basis. The 15-member NOSB<https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/current-members> represents a wide range of interests in the organic food chain: it includes organic farmers, processors, and a retailer, environmentalists, consumers, a scientist, and an organic certifier. In order to protect the integrity of organic foods, the NOSB reviews and advises on materials allowed under the organic rules. In general, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are prohibited and natural farming inputs are allowed, with a few exceptions. Certain nonorganic materials may also be used in organic handling and processing. The NOSB weighs in on every potential change to the lists of allowed and prohibited materials and revisits each material every five years. Changes require thorough evaluation of ecological and health impacts, availability of alternatives, and “compatibility with a system of sustainable agriculture.” The public normally has a strong voice<https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/meetings> in this process, but policies proposed for this Farm Bill could cut the public out. A provision allowing expedited review of certain materials could allow more substances to slip onto the “allowed” list. And a provision that gives other federal agencies a stronger hand in the review process may interfere with public participation and steer the NOSB away from holistic materials review. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s version of the Farm Bill, in progress right now, may pose even greater threats to organic integrity. Our Farm Bill should nourish us by stepping up investment in resilient farming, curbing pesticide<https://www.nrdc.org/experts/rebecca-riley/dont-poison-farm-bill-or-endangered-species> use, and increasing access to organic food. While the House bill preserves some existing organic programs<https://app.box.com/s/mz1wf5ac3kaql0ll9ldxrwwkn4ah3i7x>, its attacks on organic are on the long list of poison pills<https://www.nrdc.org/experts/mae-wu/hyper-partisan-house-farm-bill-should-be-plowed-under> that will prevent it from moving forward<https://www.nrdc.org/experts/lara-bryant/house-republicans-waste-their-chance-farm-bill>. The Senate must do better to protect our nation’s organic farmers, and consumers’ access to safe, healthy food. | http://www.cultivatingsuccess.org<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.cultivatingsuccess.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=nE__W8dFE-shTxStwXtp0A&r=eGU42KErkdd3t2QFeuLhJQ&m=78PkRM5bxUnoMdU97iYKNBPyqomIl4hPPssg5gezYYA&s=Y9DYV7cRbGYGtXgNwoAbOWRBpHbKbWbvLBgIanS7wdc&e=> Should we have an organic referendum? From the point of view of Tom Karst, Senior Editor of “The Packer” https://www.thepacker.com/article/allow-organic-referendum The U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled the plug on the proposed organic marketing board<https://www.thepacker.com/article/usda-puts-brakes-national-organic-checkoff> before the drama of a referendum could unfold. In so doing, has the agency turned back the momentum of the organic movement? A 3-month public comment period that ended in April 2017 garnered more than 14,700 comments, according to a USDA news release. The USDA cited specific concerns expressed in those comments, which led to its decision to not pursue the program: * A majority of organic growers in the U.S., earning less than $250,000 a year, would be exempt; * How organic promotion would affect other commodities; * The method of assessing imports, and tracing imported products; * The financial burden on small producers; * The burdens of paperwork; and * The methodology used in voting. Was the decision fair? Why not test the true support for the organic marketing board with a referendum? A statement by the Organic Trade Association cast the USDA as unwilling to embrace the growth of organic agriculture. The group said the USDA’s action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a national research and promotion program for organic “reflects a pattern of holding back forward progress on organic by USDA.” Saying the $50 billion organic sector offers opportunities for U.S. organic farmers, “it makes no sense that the agency is continuing to take steps to cut it off at the knees.” “This announcement comes within days of a smiley face GMO disclosure logo, which is bound to cause confusion for consumers and reveals that USDA is not being even-handed,” Laura Batcha, CEO and executive director of the Organic Trade Association, said in the release. Batcha said the association was certain about the quality of the proposal, which she said was crafted over the course of five years. “We submitted comments with 1,358 public endorsers named, including over 1,230 certified organic operators,” she wrote. She called it “unfathomable” that organic stakeholders will not be given the chance to cast their vote and decide for themselves regarding the checkoff. The USDA decision to end the quest for a national organic marketing board will resonate for several years. In my opinion, even though the debate would have been messy, the market would have been served by a referendum. Without the clout of industry assessments, it will be difficult for organic marketers to have a substantial message about the value of organic certification. How will the consumer value the USDA organic seal in coming years, given that the confusing labeling of food with “free from” labels will only increase? “Non-GMO” seems to have emerged as a competing label, which surely must frustrate organic operators. The USDA has put the brakes on the national organic checkoff, and also may have pumped the brakes on consumer momentum toward organic food. Tom Karst is The Packer’s national editor. E-mail him at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. From the Point of View of Organic Trade Association https://www.ota.com/resources/organic-check The Organic Check-off open comment period closed on April 19. Thank you to the thousands of organic stakeholders that submitted a comment in support of the program. From January - April 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sought public comments on the GRO Organic Check-off proposal. The period for submitting public comments in response to the proposal for an organic research and promotion check-off program is over. The Organic Trade Association submitted comments with 1,358 public endorsers named, including over 1,230 certified organic operators. These organic farmers, ranchers and business stakeholders were joined by over 11,000 supporters who commented directly on the proposal. The complete text of the proposal<https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=AMS-SC-16-0112-0001> is available for review on the Federal Register, or you can find a summary of the program and an excerpt of the proposed regulation here.<http://ota.com/sites/default/files/indexed_files/GROOrganicCheckoffPropsedRule.pdf> Now it is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s duty to cull through the thousands of comments received, and to determine which ones are substantive and which ones reflect input from organic stakeholders. The next step will be the publication of USDA’s final proposal, followed by a vote on the proposed program by the organic sector. It’s time for organic stakeholders to cast their vote, and to decide for themselves if they want to implement an organic check-off. We urge USDA to advance the process. Please contact OTA ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or 202.403.8520) with questions, or if you are interested in speaking with a member of the GRO Organic Core Committee. Educational Program to Help you Grow Your Businesses Using Social Media to Grow Your Farm Business Click on this link to sign up for the webinar: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5440968864718491393 Fri, May 25, 2018 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT This webinar will discuss how you can use social media for your farm business to grow your customer base and market your products. We will provide an overview of the most popular social media platforms for farms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and we will discuss strategies for creating content and how to engage with customers. This webinar will serve as a good introduction if you are wondering how to get started with social media on your farm or are looking for ways to improve your social media skills. We will be hosting additional webinars that will dive deeper into specific social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram. This webinar is funded by USDA-NIFA-AFRI-2014-050471 Field School – For Summer and fall offered by Cross Hatch- Hands-on, full-day, on-farm conferences are coming this year. Visit: http://www.crosshatch.org/ Cross Hatch builds strong communities through the intersections of art, farming, ecology and economy. formerly Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND) Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology envisions communities that are grounded in place: where people connect through stories, music, art, shared work, and food, and where the economy and culture are rooted in restoration of the earth and its people. Field School - Summer<http://www.crosshatch.org/events/fieldschool-summer> * Saturday, July 21, 2018 * 8:30 AM 5:30 PM * Providence Farm and CSA (map)<http://maps.google.com?q=5691%20Michigan%2088%20Central%20Lake,%20MI,%2049622%20United%20States> Hands-on, full-day, on-farm conferences are coming this year. In addition to workshops with expert teachers, Crosshatch Field Schools will include one-on-one consulting with farm experts, a local food lunch, and a post-workshop social networking hour. Registration is open! Field School - Fall<http://www.crosshatch.org/events/fieldschool-fall> * Saturday, September 22, 2018 * 8:30 AM 5:30 PM * 9 Bean Rows (map)<http://maps.google.com?q=303%20North%20Saint%20Joseph%20Street%20Suttons%20Bay,%20MI,%2049682%20United%20States> Hands-on, full-day, on-farm conferences are coming this year. In addition to workshops with expert teachers, Crosshatch Field Schools will include one-on-one consulting with farm experts, a local food lunch, and a post-workshop social networking hour. Specific workshop topics to be announced soon. Registration will open in June. MSU Student Organic Farm Workshops ________________________________ * Cut Flowers for Weddings & Events @ Seeley Farm: Sunday, July 15, 9am – 4pm with Alex Cacciari of Seeley Farm and Amanda Maurmann of Gnome Grown Flower Farm * Adding Value to your On-Farm Marketing - Webinar, Tuesday, August 21st from 6 - 7:30pm with Trent Thompson from Green Gardens; Jill Sweetman and Nate Lada from Green Things Farm, Corie Pierce from Bread & Butter Farm * Crop Fertility - Sunday, October 7, 9am - 4pm; Lee Arboreal from Live Edge Farm and Joel Clifton from Morgan's Composting * DIY Greens Dryer & Bubbler Build @ Tilian Farm Development Center near Ann Arbor; November, Location & Date TBA * Farmer Brain Trust - December 11, 10am - noon, FREE * Peak CSA Roundtable - December 11, 1 - 3pm, FREE To Register Click Here<http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/ffs-registration.html> or for more information about each workshop MSU Agriculture Innovations: Focus Fruit and Vegetable Technologies The third annual MSU Agriculture Innovation Day: Focus on Fruit and Vegetable Technologies will take place June 28 at the MSU Southwest Research and Extension Center at 1791 Hillandale Road in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The 2018 event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and wrap up around 5 p.m. The event is free and includes lunch. Consumers and the farmers who grow the produce they eat want similar things: sustainably and safely raised fruits and vegetables. That’s why Michigan State University (MSU) is bringing together experts to share how new technologies in spray, water, high tunnels and drones, and new strategies for pollinators and disease and insect management will change the shape of the industry, exceed consumer expectations and improve growers’ bottom line. The morning program will focus on topics affecting the overall fruit and vegetable industry: * The Latest Buzz about Bees. Incorporating non-crop flowers can improve health and reproductive potential of managed and wild bees that pollinate fruits and vegetables. * Create Your Own Climate Change with High Tunnels. High tunnels can create microclimates that increase production and reduce weather impacts in vegetables, berries, wine grapes and tree fruits. * Drone Technologies: What Growers Need to Know. Drone and sensor technologies can assist in crop management. Growers will see firsthand the differences in technologies to assess the best technology for their operations. * Optimizing Sprayer Coverage. New technology can optimize sprayers for better coverage, less waste, and maximum pest and disease control. * Getting the Most from Your Irrigation Inputs. Adjusting irrigation strategies can ensure efficient water application to maximize production and minimize economic inputs while protecting ground- and surface water. During the afternoon, producers will have the opportunity to choose from three tracks focusing in-depth on vegetables, fruit or grapes. Vegetable focus * Making Cover Crops a Priority. Incorporating diverse cover crops into vegetable production systems at various times throughout the year can maintain and build soil health. * Managing Diseases for Higher Profitability and a Safer Environment. Management strategies are available to tackle Phytophthora capsici, a persistent soil mold that kills plants and causes fruit rot. * Insights on Fine-tuning Your Vegetable Irrigation. Comparing nutrient flow and potential movement in soil using various drip systems and soil moisture sensors can improve water use efficiency. * Niche Market Vegetables: High Tunnels, High Yields. High tunnels enhance productivity and increase harvest windows and crop quality for warm-weather vegetables and cut flowers. Fruit Focus * Precision Management of Tree Fruit Orchards: Integrating bio-regulators, predictive models and technology. New tools are available to manipulate plant development, vegetative growth, and fruiting to improve efficiency and profitability. * Taking a Narrow View: Precision Stone Fruit Orchards. New stone fruit production technologies include improved varieties with bacterial spot resistance, potentially dwarfing rootstocks, fully or partially mechanized orchard tasks (such as mechanized blossom thinning, hedging and worker/picker platforms), and climate modification. * New Techniques for Outwitting Insect Pests in Tree Fruit Orchards. New tactics that manipulate insect behavior can create improved and environmentally sound insect pest management in orchards. * Can High Tunnels Make Berry Growing More Profitable? High tunnels can make berry growing more profitable by using multirow integrated systems to improve production and labor efficiency. Grape focus * Tuscany on Lake Michigan: High Tunnels and Wine Grapes? High tunnels can open up new possibilities for fully ripening classic, long-season, cold-hardy vinifera wine grape varieties such as Nebbiolo and Petite Verdot. * Canopy and Cluster Zone Management. Mechanical removal with compressed air can serve as a practical canopy management tool that can result in incremental reduction in rot and vineyard management costs. * Vineyard of the Future. MSU’s vineyard of the future study looks to increase the efficiency of Concord vineyards using rootstocks, new training systems and mechanical pruning strategies to increase yields. * Vineyard Mechanization. Mechanization of traditionally manual tasks in vineyards can reduce labor costs and maintain grape quality and vine health. * Registration for MSU Agriculture Innovations: Focus Fruit and Vegetable Technologies is open<https://events.anr.msu.edu/register.cfm?eventID=D68BCB6F71D4A225®isProcessID=8F0BF5F008823CA9>. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 24, 2018. Service Opportunity LANSING URBAN FARM PROJECT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS Please spread the word to help us find great candidates to lead the Lansing Urban Farm Project! The Lansing Urban Farm Project<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__lansingurbanfarmproject.wordpress.com_background_&d=DwMGaQ&c=nE__W8dFE-shTxStwXtp0A&r=LCpcFQu7hX8JT5YgAYtPXA&m=wWFiXJGto49Tr_CJjhccYWpzxhYDUUgGqlP2UBBCtHY&s=6T1pQS-KRa5bXI4R7TKc6RoAqIe6oQPXgIxprvHYYXY&e=> (501c3) has been recognized as a model for urban agriculture in the Lansing area since 2010. Recently, its Board of Directors has refocused LUFP’s mission to address the collective needs of small-scale Lansing farmers and thereby strengthen the city’s food and farming system – economically, culturally, and ecologically. To this end, LUFP seeks to expand its Board of Directors to lead the organization through the next phase of its important work. We are looking for people with energy and ideas from across Lansing who can help shape innovative LUFP programming and carry a new mission forward. We seek people who are dedicated to the Lansing area with expertise, experience and/or interest in urban agriculture, local and sustainable food systems, and social responsibility. Those with data management, website design, and marketing skills are especially welcome to apply. Applications are due by June 1st for consideration to join the Board by summer 2018. For more information about what a Board position requires and for an application, please contact Laura B DeLind, Board President, at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Employment Opportunities Organic Farming Instructor position in Moscow, ID. University of Idaho For more info: https://uidaho.peopleadmin.com/postings/21219<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__uidaho.peopleadmin.com_postings_21219&d=DwMFaQ&c=nE__W8dFE-shTxStwXtp0A&r=eGU42KErkdd3t2QFeuLhJQ&m=78PkRM5bxUnoMdU97iYKNBPyqomIl4hPPssg5gezYYA&s=OEIw9PrIX6RaR_T6qhHovVWKl_rUeiM6iEzt4eTCnro&e=> Position Summary: This position is responsible for teaching and advising to support the B.S. in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) degree program in the Department of Soil and Water Systems (SWS). A focus of this appointment is dedicated to teaching undergraduate courses within the SFS curriculum. The position will be responsible for teaching both face-to-face and online courses, and serve as the academic advisor for students within the SFS major. This also includes supervising students who are growing organic crops on the farm as part of their curriculum. This position involves maintaining farm conditions during the academic year to allow for experiential learning at the campus organic farm (which serves as an outdoor classroom for students in the SFS degree program). The appointee will have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, and practical experience in the broad area of organic farming, including knowledge of the organic certification process and methods used to produce vegetable crops. Amanda Snyder | Associate in Community Food Systems & Small Farms University of Idaho Extension | 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2338 | Moscow, ID 83844-2338 Phone: 208-885-0984 | Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>Outreach Specialist The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is seeking a highly motivated, creative individual with experience and a passion for connecting with current and future clients. Put your education and experience to work That passion comes through as he/she engages with clients and staff. The Outreach Specialist will identify new clients, coordinate and manage the promotion of goods and services produced by NCAT. The successful applicant will demonstrate competency in all areas of outreach and the promotion of technical services and educational materials. Special emphasis will be placed on internet promotion through social media. NCAT is a national, private non-profit organization whose work includes nationally recognized projects in food, agriculture, and energy. The position will be located at NCAT’s Headquarters Office in Butte, Montana. QUALIFICATIONS: This is an excellent opportunity for the candidate who has a combination of education and experience in community outreach, marketing, and promotion. Because the position will promote NCAT’s agricultural materials and services, a knowledge of commercial agriculture is preferred. The position requires the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in communications or marketing or related field plus a minimum of four years’ experience working in promotions, outreach or marketing through both traditional and online mediums. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who can use creative means to advance NCAT’s mission and have experience in collaborative efforts with diverse partners. Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, writing, editing and research skills are very important in this position. Preference will be given to applicants with background and experience in agriculture, energy and rural development. Some travel will be required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • Commitment and passion for the NCAT mission; • Understanding of non-profit organizational structure; • Strong written and verbal communication skills; • Robust writing and editing skills; • Thorough understanding of promoting work on social media and web platforms; • Commitment to customer service & community engagement; • Ability to develop new concepts through curiosity, creativity, and problem solving; • Adaptability and willingness to be flexible; • Aptitude to optimize content and technology. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Work directly with senior management and project specialists to drive awareness of NCAT and its mission; • Increase the visibility and understanding of NCAT's mission; • Develop sales, marketing and social media materials; • Strengthen relationships with current partners and communities, and initiate new partnerships and/or projects of mutual interest; • Promote content through traditional media, social media and other digital mediums; • Create advertising schedules, placement and budgets for advertising and promotional materials in traditional and social media; • Compile, track and analyze promotional efforts, and report progress to management; • Work with the communications team to maintain an inventory of photos, artwork, videos and other materials necessary for the preparation of marketing materials; • Seek out opportunities to create connections between NCAT and communities we serve; • Plan and execute outreach activities that support NCAT needs and objectives; • Assist with event planning; • Maintain an understanding of the latest digital marketing trends; • Creation and publishing of relevant, original, high-quality content; • Plan specific, timely marketing campaigns. SALARY AND BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a salary range from $32,000 - $38,000 annually depending on skills, qualifications, and experience. Excellent benefits include paid leave, holidays, health insurance, 401(k), life insurance, Long Term Disability, dental and vision plan options, and a pleasant office environment in which to work. APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will be accepted through June 22, 2018 or until a suitable candidate can be identified. Early applications are encouraged and applications will be considered as they are received. All persons interested in being considered for the position must submit a cover letter highlighting their experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications, a current resume and a completed NCAT application. Incomplete applications or reference on the application to “see resume” will not be considered. Applications and more information about NCAT can be accessed by visiting our website at www.ncat.org. The website provides a gateway to projects and other websites developed by NCAT staff. You may find an employment application under the Jobs tab. NCAT’s mission is to help people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to promote healthy communities, reduce poverty and protect natural resources. Our work brings together diverse partnerships and communities to help reduce poverty and protect our natural resources. We strive to be a multicultural organization that embraces the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio- economic status, age, physical ability, religious or political belief and marital or veteran status. Diversity creates healthy communities. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are reflective of the communities that we serve. For additional information about NCAT please visit our website at www.ncat.org. Vicki Morrone Organic Farming Specialist Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University 480 Wilson Rd East Lansing, MI 48824 517-282-3557 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu<http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu> 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