Michigan Organic Listserv
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
This info is to share and help you farm. Questions contact Vicki ([log in to unmask])
Wishing you and your family good health and sharing of info during this challenging time
April 16, 2020
What’s on offer?
A program to support farmers and other food producers, PPP federal program
Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program Loans (PPPL)
PPPL is designed to help small businesses keep their employees paid through this difficult period. PPPLs are open to most businesses
under 500 employees, including non-profits, the self-employed, startups and cooperatives. There are some exceptions to the 500 employee limit and businesses should reach out to their lender to verify eligibility.
For eligible businesses, PPPL provides loans of up to $10 million to cover 2.5 times the average monthly payroll costs, measured over the 12 months preceding the loan origination date, plus an
additional 25% for non-payroll costs. Payroll costs include salaries, commissions and tips; employee benefits (including health insurance premiums and retirement benefits); state and local taxes; and compensation to sole proprietors or independent contractors.
Non-payroll costs include interest on mortgage obligations incurred before Feb. 15, 2020, rent under lease agreements in force before Feb. 15, 2020, and utilities for which service began before Feb. 15, 2020.
The real highlight of the PPPL however, is that the portion of the loan that covers eligible expenses within an eight-week period after the loan origination, is forgivable, as long as the
company maintains staff and payroll. More information related to the information required in order to qualify for loan forgiveness is still forthcoming. To see whole article:
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Media/Paycheck%20Protection%20and%20Economic%20Assistance%20Overview%204-13-20%20-%20final%20.pdf
Our next “Physical Distancing Fridays with Socially Connected (Organic Grain) Farmers” Zoom call will occur this Friday, April 17, at 9:30 am EDT / 8:30 am CDT. This week, Léa
Vereecke and Erin Silva will lead a discussion on spring cover crop management - which could include experiences and best management practices with rye and soybeans, or some of the other topics that have been
discussed on the Listservs over the past couple of weeks, such as cover crops to encourage beneficial insects and pollinators. We’ll spend some time during the later portion of the call for general field updates, any updates or changes related to COVID-19
pandemic impacts, and Q&A.
Zoom connection information follows (you can join by internet or by phone). Log-in info is below. If you are prompted for a password,
it is “organic”. Erin has been shifting settings along with zoom updates for security, so email Erin at [log in to unmask] if
you are having problems joining.
These calls are being organized and hosted by the teams at UW-Madison OGRAIN, Purdue Extension-Organic Agriculture, and The Andersons. Hope to “see” many of you on Friday!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/2929954402?pwd=bndjUHNlMEM1Q20zVUtwditFSEJwUT09
Meeting ID: 292 995 4402
Password: organic
How Do I Make It Work Now? Looking at cash flow during Novel
Coronavirus?
Did you miss the online program, How Do I Make It Work Now? Looking at cash flow during Novel Coronavirus? We have added the resources discussed in our webinar and the recording
to our resources page at https://migoodfoodfund.org/covid-19-business-resources/. Look for
the resources like the cash flow spreadsheet on the last slide of the presentation. Our Michigan Good Food Fund technical assistance and financing providers are here to help. We will continue to offer webinars and share opportunities on Facebook and the resources
page.
Seeking how to establish a Community Supported Ag (CSA)
market?
The MSU Product Center team is offering a webinar series that may be of interest to you as well. Each Food and Farm Business Sales Channel Deep Dives webinar will feature a different
sales channel opportunity for your business. The first webinar will focus on developing a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Register here:https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/food-and-farm-business-sales-channel-deep-dives-csa-development.
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Watch a virtual farm tour with southeast Iowa cover croppers Mike and Mark Jackson.
Learn how and why they use cover crops and see some of the machinery they use to get it done.
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Deep Dive Into Selling to Retail Grocery
Friday, April 17 at 1:00 ET
The next webinar in the Food and Farm Business Sales Channel Deep Dives Series will focus on selling to retail grocery
In this webinar we’ll cover:
Speakers:
Register for this Zoom webinar.
About the webinar series
The novel coronavirus is changing how food and farm businesses can sell their products. The ‘Food and Farm Business Sales Channel Deep Dives’ webinar series will provide you with
insight into industry adjustments to novel coronavirus and considerations for selling through that venue. Each deep dive will start with 30 minutes of presentation, followed by 30 minutes Q&A.
Building Soil Health in Organic Systems Friday, April 17, at 1 p.m. EST Offered by The Organic Center's
This webinar will address our new research conducted in partnership with the University of Maryland on the benefits of organic
farming to soil health and climate change mitigation, and specific organic soil-building practices to illuminate strategies
that have the biggest impacts on soil health. Presenters: - Kate Tully, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Agroecology, University of Maryland - Amber Sciligo, Ph.D., Associate Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center MSU’s free virtual classes on gardening and houseplants are green-thumb therapy
The first session of "Cabin Fever Conversations" will be devoted to the topic of seed saving. | Photo by Abigail Harper By [log in to unmask]">
Emily Bingham | [log in to unmask]
With many people stuck at home and still adapting to social distancing, Michigan State University Extension is launching a line of virtual classes aimed at sharing the joy of gardening -- regardless of your gardening experience
and whether or not you even have a yard.
Each session in the new weekly “Cabin
Fever Conversations” from MSU Extension will feature a guest speaker on a different gardening-related topic, such as seed saving, container gardening, flower bulbs, and caring for house plants.
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Fruit Trees At A Discount
This nursery is a supplier to Midwest Organic Fruit Growers Association and the time has come to clean out the cooler! Please
email me if you see something off this list you would like to order. Everything is 20% off and we are shipping FedEx on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of April.
We hope you are staying healthy and safe in this crazy time we are living in.
Veronica Carl- Director of Operations and Sales
CopenHaven Farms Nursery- 503-985-7161
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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)