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Whats on the docket…
Part 2
What’s the
scoop on manure use in the eyes of
food safety?
I have gleaned this article from a Food Safety news feed and want to share with you. Also here is the link if you would like to read the approach the Food Safety of FDA and USDA are taking to conduct
their own investigation and how they plan to develop guidelines for Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in the future.
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/05/no-quick-or-easy-answers-for-using-raw-manure-
on-food-crops. (6/1/18)
What about now? What are the rules and guidelines to use manure or crops harvested
for fresh consumption according to the FDA?
So what’s a farmer to do in the meantime? Turns out that the FDA has some “indirect” advice on this. And it turns out that certified organic farmers were ahead of the game.
Samir Assar, director of FDA’s Division of Produce Safety, put it this way, when asked about minimizing the chance of contamination from raw manure: “ . . . we believe it would be prudent for farmers
to comply with the USDA’s National Organic Program’s standards related to raw-manure use while the research and risk assessment is ongoing.”
The standards call for a 120-day interval between the application of raw manure for crops in contact with the soil and 90 days for crops not in contact with the soil. And no waiting time will be required
for properly prepared compost.
The California Farm Bureau took a similar tack in its comments about this: “History does not demonstrate a problem with the NOP’s 120-day interval; if it did, we would see a greater incidence of contamination
in organic produce, which we do not. Given 15 years of following this standard without major problems, it is reasonable to assume, as numerous studies state, that this standard is suitable.”
Or as Michele Jay-Russell, microbiology researcher at University of California at Davis’s Western Center for Food Safety, said: “There’s no evidence that it isn’t working.”
However, she also said that there are still questions about whether the National Organic Program standards will work in all climates and with all farming practices and in all soil conditions, to name
just some of the variables involved. And that’s why the USDA has funded a wide array of research projects in various parts of the country, some of which she’s participating in.
In the end, said Jay-Russell, “We’re hopeful that it (any future ruling on soil amendments) will fit the needs of public health and be flexible enough for farms.”
Anne Schwartz, an organic farming pioneer who farms in Western Washington, said that for organic farmers, raw manure is a good source of organic matter and fertility for the soil.
“It’s a wonderful tool,” she said.
She’s pleased that as part of FDA’s risk assessment that research on this will be conducted.
“Right now, the organic standards do seem reasonable,” she said. But I’m pleased to hear about the research that’s being done. It’s absolutely good for farmers to have solid information. They don’t want
their customers to get sick.”
Food safety attorney Bill Marler said that following the NOP standards won’t protect farmers should someone become sick from eating produce from their farms.
“If the product makes someone sick, they could be sued,” he said, highlighting how important it is for farmers to be diligent about following food-safety practices throughout the entire growing, harvesting,
packing, storing and transportation food chain.
Another tip: Farmers need to calculate the runoff risk of manure when applying it to their fields. Water quality is an important factor in this. Ditches leading to streams and rivers and/or irrigation
systems could transport the pathogens to other locations that are growing crops. (Some state regulations don’t allow any runoff at all.)
Are you seeking additional customers of your agriculture
produce or products?
The Michigan Organic Food and Farming Alliance is a volunteer organization to serve and promote organic farmers, those that are certified and those that follow organic practices. great service they offer
is their online and printed version of the Michigan Organic Farm Directory. So whether you are direct sales, CSA, farm stand or however you sell your produce and organic products you may want to list your farm FREE in their directory. You can then have the
directory available at your booth or farm stand for customers so that your listing and others in Michigan are at their finger-tips! Here is the internet link to set up your entry. http://www.moffa.net/farm-guide.html.
Or if you want, I can help you, just contact me at [log in to unmask] (Vicki
Morrone.
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Fruits and Nuts for Northern Michigan,
Saturday, July 14, 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Gabriel Farms, 2800 E Mitchell Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770
Join us at picturesque Gabriel Farms to hear the story of how they established their diverse fruit crops, get an update on the dreaded spotted wing Drosophila, and hear about the potential for chestnuts in Northern Michigan.
· Duke Elsner, MSU Extension; Understanding and managing spotted wing Drosophila.
· Dennis Fulbright, MSU professor emeritus; Potential for
chestnuts in Northern Michigan.
· Kristi Schuil, Owner, Gabriel Farm; Establishing and managing diverse fruit crops: apples, grapes, haskaps …
What’s a haskap? You’ll have to come to the field day to find out!
Fee: $20
For more information call
or email Larry Dyer: 231-881-2784 or [log in to unmask]
This field day is a collaboration with Crosshatch, www.crosshatch.org,
and the Local Food Alliance with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency.
The USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider
Upcoming 2018 Farmer Field Workshops
Farmer Field School Workshops with Michigan State University Student Organic Farm
1. 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
2. [WEBINAR]
Adding Value to your On-Farm Marketing
Tuesday, August 21, 6-7:30pm
Cost: Free
Location: Webinar
Speakers: Trent Thompson
from Green Gardens; Jill Sweetman and Nate Lada from Green Things Farm, and Cory Pierce of Bread
& Butter Farm in VT.
Learn from growers selling produce and flowers through farm stands, on-farm dinners and hosting weddings on their farms.
3. Crop Fertility
Sunday, October 7
Cost: Sliding Scale $45 to $150 (See registration)
Location: MSU
Student Organic Farm, 3291 College Rd, Holt MI 48842
Speakers: Lee Arboreal of Live
Edge Growers and Joel Clifton of Morgan's
Composting.
See creative cover crop rotations at the MSU Student Organic Farm, make biochar and learn about how to amend soil nutrients and enliven your soil food web.
4. DIY Greens Bubbler & Dryer
November 2018 - (Date & Time TBA)
Cost: Sliding Scale $30 to $75 (See registration)
Location: Tilian
Farm, 4400
Pontiac Trl.
Speakers: TBA
Learn how to build a greens bubbler and how to convert a new washing machine into a greens dryer.
5. Farmer Braintrust
Tuesday, December 11, 10am to noon
Cost: Free + Free Lunch at Noon
Location: TBA
Farmer Field School presenters, participants and advocates will meet to plan Farmer Field School 2019 and other ways to collaborate.
6. Roundtable Discussion: Peak CSA
Tuesday, December 11, 1pm - 3pm
Cost: Free + Lunch from Noon to 1pm
Location: TBA
Join beginning and experienced farmers as we take a close look at how to use creativity to sell all your farm products and CSA shares.
For Farmer Field School Workshop Information, Questions & Help:
Go to - www.msuorganicfarm.org/farmer-field-school.html
Or contact - Tom Cary [log in to unmask] 616-916-9823
Morgan Compost Annual Soil Health Seminar
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Plan to join us on Thursday, August 16 at Morgan Composting in Sears, Michigan (just west of Clare Mi off Rt 10) for a full day of speakers focusing on changes in small farming and agriculture and how
you can thrive in uncertain times.
Learn how to diversify your business to expand your markets, extend your selling seasons, and create continual cash flow through our speakers and breakout sessions.
We will also provide lunch, tours of our compost windrows, vermicomposting, and liquid manufacturing setups, and a social hour with a wine tasting booth!
This event is a great chance to learn, meet with others in your field, and support the agriculture programs that make Michigan great.
This year’s Keynote Speaker is John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door.
Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) of Lansing, MI is seeking candidates for three full-time AmeriCorps positions. The AmeriCorps term
is October 15, 2018 – September 25, 2019. Resumes and cover letters are due to Andrea Villanueva by August
7 at 5 pm. Please note in your cover letter that you are interested in applying for a position at ANC and
include which position(s) you are most interested in. AmeriCorps service
delivers rich experiences in community-building! You may email your resume and cover letter to: [log in to unmask].
If you have questions about any of ANC's positions, please don't hesitate to call Joan Nelson at 517-999-3912.
Position Descriptions for 3 openings at Allen Street Neighborhood Center, Lansing Michigan.
Volunteer
and Pantry Coordinator
Food
and Fitness Education Coordinator
AmeriCorps is
a national service program that offers members a small living stipend and education award in exchange for a term of service, and is commonly known as the “domestic Peace Corps.”
Vicki Morrone
Organic Farming Specialist
Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-282-3557 (cell)
sorrone11 (skype)