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Michigan Organic Listserv
October 5, 2018
News to Help you Grow-Organically
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
Shared by Vicki Morrone, Organic Farming Specialist ([log in to unmask])
Intermediate Wheatgrass
Field Day
Cover crops and Intermediate
Wheatgrass Field day
Student Organic
Farm Workshops
ATTRA-An online source for organic and
sustainable farming
Farm Apprentice Learning Program
(North Carolina)
News Impacting NOP and Organic Production Practices
What is happening with the USDA Farm Bill??
Life Without a Farm Bill: Expiration Day Arrives
October 1, 2018
http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/path-to-the-2018-farm-bill/
National Sustainable Ag Coalition
On Monday, October 1, the thing that family farmers, sustainable agriculture supporters, and farmer advocates across the country have been working over a year to prevent happened: the 2014 Farm Bill expired.
It’s not the first time that Congress has failed to pass a bill on time, but ag-advocates – including the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) – had worked
especially hard to prevent the delay of the 2018 bill and the resulting shut down of dozens of agriculture, food, research, and conservation programs to new applications and contracts.
Over the last months NSAC has brought dozens of farmers to Capitol Hill to speak directly with their legislators about the importance of farm bill programs to their work and sustainability. NSAC, and
many of our allies in the sustainable food and farm movement, have also produced in-depth analyses showing the potential
impact of farm bill expiration – with deep dive pieces highlighting the particularly devastating impact to conservation
programs and the farm bill’s “tiny
but mighty” programs.
Despite the best efforts of the farm bill coalition, today marks the second farm bill cycle in a row in which an existing farm bill was allowed to expire without
an extension in place. Though this is a disappointing day, it is not the end of our fight for the farm bill. We have been in this scenario before and still come out with major wins for America’s family farmers
and rural communities, and by working together and not losing steam with can do so again in this farm bill cycle.
With prospects for a short-term extension of the 2014 Farm Bill gone and Congress unlikely to return to Washington, D.C. before the November elections, the focus of advocates must now shift to trying
to help pass a good, bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill later this year. To minimize the negative impacts of letting the 2014 Farm Bill expire without an extension and to get the programs farmers, researchers and consumers rely on up and running in the new year, we
must keep the pressure on Congress to finalize a bill ASAP – but only if it is a good bill, one based largely on the bipartisan bill passed by the Senate with the most votes for a farm bill in history. Indeed, even a farm bill extension, while depressing,
would still be better than adopting a bad bill. Now is the time to rally around adopting a new bill, this year; one that adopts the non-ideological and bipartisan path put forward by the Senate. For NSAC’s recommendations for farm bill conference, click here.
More than 500 organic operations, from organic fruit and vegetable growers, grains and oilseed farmers, livestock and poultry producers, dairy farmers, organic processors, and food makers across 45 states,
participated in a comprehensive farm bill survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association. They all agreed that the next farm bill must include policies that promote a healthy organic marketplace, ensure that organic farmers continue to be successful, and
expand organic production. By Organic Trade Association (https://www.ota.com/news/issues/2018-farm-bill-updates)
Intermediate Wheatgrass- The Crop that is ALSO a Cover Crop
Two great field days to choose. We will put the cows on the pasture of intermediate grass to see their reaction to grazing on this multi-purpose crop. Join us as we jump in the pit at Randy’s to check
out the roots of this awesome crop/cover crop!
Field Day 1.
October 9, 2018 in Kingston, MI at Hampshire Farms, 7300 Leggs Rd, Kingston, MI.
We will host a field day of the Intermediate wheat grass and Kernza, the flour made from the grain of this crop.
Cows will be eating the grass while we eat delicious cookies made from the flour!
It is a perennial plant that has roots as deep at 25 feet after it is established in a field.
Randy Hampshire will have a pit dug for us to see the roots in action!
Come and join us for this educational fun!
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Field Day 2.
Intermediate wheatgrass and Cover Crop Fall Field Day
Kellogg Biological Station-Hickory Corners
3700 E Gull Lake Dr, Hickory Corners, MI 49060 (look for Field Day signs when you get close)
November 1, 10-2 pm
Event is FREE and lunch is included!!
The annual KBS Cover Crop Field day offers a chance to see the crops in the field and talk to the researchers about this research.
NOTE: For those interested in the Intermediate wheatgrass! We will be taking the cows to pasture to see how they like the intermediate wheatgrass to graze. Kernza cookies will be served. See how
the crops is valuable to 1. Feed cows. 2. Provide great flour 3. Holds soil in place
The field day will be from 10-12 with lunch following, and is free to attend. Optional tours to other fields / plots will be available after lunch.
Here is the plan for the Field Crop Field Day…
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Upcoming 2018 Farmer Field Workshops
Sponsored by MSU Student Organic Farm part of the Organic Farming Training Program (OFTP)
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.
DIY Greens Bubbler & Dryer
November 12, 2018 1-5 pm
Cost: Sliding Scale $30 to $75 (See registration)
Location: Tilian
Farm, 4400 Pontiac Trail.
Speakers: TBA
Learn how to build a greens-bubbler and how to convert a new washing machine into a greens dryer.
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.
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.
Visit
here to get details and register for these events
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)