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Michigan Organic Listserv May 2, 2020 Important news regarding farmer support during COVID-19!! The EIDL program is NOW OPEN for APPLICATION- FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS ONLY! · The EIDL, or Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available now but the money will go quick as it did the last round. If you are interested in learning more about it or applying go to this site: www.SBA.gov/Disaster<http://www.SBA.gov/Disaster>. Farm Commons has prepared several resources to help farmers fill out the application. In preparation to fill out the application, review our webinar on EIDL<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/farmcommons.org/economic-injury-disaster-loans-farmersranchers-affected-covid-19__;!!HXCxUKc!ntSHLDHxfN3LuqHJNVBoy5PNnUGBJKZzfVhg1dxW1bbmoFv5aIOUmVjnif13jA$> and reference this helpful tutorial video<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/vimeo.com/399334577?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery__;!!HXCxUKc!ntSHLDHxfN3LuqHJNVBoy5PNnUGBJKZzfVhg1dxW1bbmoFv5aIOUmVgNIEfkdw$> that walks through the application process, step by step. SBA (Small Business Association) is encouraging all eligible agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees wishing to apply to begin preparing their business financial information needed for their application. · The SBA will begin accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only, in order to provide unprecedented relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. The application is available at: www.SBA.gov/Disaster<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.sba.gov/Disaster__;!!HXCxUKc!ntSHLDHxfN3LuqHJNVBoy5PNnUGBJKZzfVhg1dxW1bbmoFv5aIOUmVhP52d2CQ$>. · The new eligibility is made possible as a result of the latest round of funds appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. o Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)). · At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received. · For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will process these applications without the need for re-applying. · For more information or to apply, please visit: www.sba.gov/Disaster<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.sba.gov/Disaster__;!!HXCxUKc!ntSHLDHxfN3LuqHJNVBoy5PNnUGBJKZzfVhg1dxW1bbmoFv5aIOUmVhP52d2CQ$>. Electronic Organic Import Certificate Now Available The 2018 Farm Bill called for technological enhancements to improve the ability of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to oversee imported organic products. The electronic organic import certificates envisioned in the Farm Bill will provide critical organic import data and make it easier to monitor organic imports. The NOP and CBP are pleased to announce that at the end of April 2020, the electronic organic import certificate (or "message set") is deploying in CBP's primary import system, known as the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This organic certificate is being launched as an optional filing step, not as required. The electronic organic import certificate is expected to become required with the publication of the Strengthening Organic Enforcement final rule. Information for Organic Community Proposed requirements related to the electronic organic import certificate are described in the Strengthening Organic Enforcement proposed rule<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjkuMjA3Nzc0NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbXMudXNkYS5nb3Yvc2l0ZXMvZGVmYXVsdC9maWxlcy9tZWRpYS9OT1BTT0VUcmFkZUZBUS5wZGYifQ.9p5dPlP_SXIk002CwaxvLxkwr6ILH6jGSMFTen6vPWY/br/77977117800-l__;!!HXCxUKc!naGlEobD0eEUdFA3Ce7kxuqtq8iGSrOMTinEotVNCklre7ItuatESHlznVXOyw$>. We invite public comments on the rule once published. While the NOP electronic organic import certificate is not currently mandatory, U.S. importers who wish to request the NOP Import Certificate<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjkuMjA3Nzc0NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbXMudXNkYS5nb3Yvc2l0ZXMvZGVmYXVsdC9maWxlcy9tZWRpYS9OT1AyMTEwLTEucGRmIn0.J47bQTiu8fxv36DAyHRDbFDrzE3hMWhRvj3OADfMOHo/br/77977117800-l__;!!HXCxUKc!naGlEobD0eEUdFA3Ce7kxuqtq8iGSrOMTinEotVNCklre7ItuatESHlTeW0iFg$> from exporters and include in their import filings may do so at any time. Trade filers wishing to begin using and piloting this new feature should work with their software vendor on its availability. The NOP will conduct outreach and initiate pilot tests of the electronic organic import certificate in the coming weeks. Information for Trade Filers Importers and customs brokers who file entries in ACE may start receiving filing requirement notifications for the new Organic HTS Code flags. Once the electronic import certificate becomes mandatory in ACE, the flags will let filers know what commodities will require the use of the certificate. Requirements are being phased in and full implementation is expected in 2021. Automated Broker Interface, or ABI, software vendors are actively engaging with NOP to ensure that updates to their applications are compliant and available well in advance of the full regulation implementation. Keeping Farmers on the Land During COVID-19 Webinar Recording Available On Friday, April 17, 2020, American Farmland Trust and National Young Farmers Coalition hosted a discussion about the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on farmers and farmland protection. This webinar looked at the challenges that producers are facing as a result of the rapidly unfolding crisis; provides an update on federal agriculture relief efforts; and offers examples of ways AFT, National Young Farmers Coalition, and land conservation organizations are assisting farmers and ranchers in their communities. View the webinar recording and slides here<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/farmlandinfo.org/media/keeping-farmers-on-the-land-during-covid-19/__;!!HXCxUKc!mWcCHmc_TqhlY114EcLY27quusHyfp3JqSNL9Pt2CK709JExOhI9u5LyitAFNQ$>. MOSES Organic Field Days—Online To protect the health of our farm hosts, our team, and field day participants, we're pivoting from on-farm field days this summer to online events. Each virtual field day will include several short videos posted in advance to showcase what's growing on the farm and the production choices the host farmers have made. We may also bring in additional experts on specific topics. On the date of the virtual field day, we'll gather on a Zoom call for a recap from the farmers and other presenters and give participants the chance to ask questions, providing the interaction that farmers have found so valuable in our traditional field days. Please "tune in" for these events: Do The Numbers: Organic Dairy June 24 | Bossie Cow Farm | Random Lake, Wis. Do the Numbers: Organic Crop Transition July 8 | Jovaag Family Farm | Austin, Minn. Kernza Trial Results July 22 | A-Frame Farm | Madison, Minn. Organic Row Crops in South Dakota July 30 | Johnson Farm | Madison, S.D. Medicinal Herb Production August 1 | Four Elements Organic Herbals | North Freedom, Wis. We'll post virtual field day content, including registration links for each event, on our field day webpage<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Tcabed982-93f2-40f5-83dc-04e37b7eb5c0/b82bff91-4c0b-46ab-89d0-bdecaf04d701__;!!HXCxUKc!lBJ41JtFz_H440W6OjxOUXNojogibXTpDQhlEWeoGTfNp_Ytr4_--D515OWXCQ$>. Organic survey deadlines extended Chris Koger<https://www.thepacker.com/guest-author/chris-koger> May 3, 2020 07:20 PM The Organic Farming Research Foundation<https://www.producemarketguide.com/company/400247/organic-farming-research-foundation-ofrf> and Organic Seed Alliance<https://www.producemarketguide.com/company/401807/organic-seed-alliance> have extended the deadlines for surveys seeking input from organic producers, and those transitioning land to organic. The new deadlines are June 1, according to a news release. The surveys are part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project to learn about challenges and research priorities for organic farmers and ranchers. The surveys are administered by Washington State University, and responses are confidential, according to the release. The deadline change is to give more producers the opportunity to submit their opinions. “During these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that farmers and ranchers make their voices heard,” according to the release. The survey for organic growers and ranchers is at www.opinion.wsu.edu/organicproduction/<https://www.opinion.wsu.edu/organicproduction/>. The survey for producers transitioning to organic, is at www.opinion.wsu.edu/transitionproducers/<https://www.opinion.wsu.edu/transitionproducers/>. * Home Vegetable Garden Program Expansion Increased food insecurity due to Covid-19 is hitting low-income seniors and people who struggle with illness and disability particularly hard. Getting to a grocery store or food pantry is more difficult and these individuals need more support. With your generous contributions, our Home Vegetable Garden program is responding to this need by expanding to 20 more households. Supporting New Home Gardeners' Specific Needs This expansion is tailored to the specific needs of our participants and will accommodate gardeners who struggle with mobility and physical limitations. We're building customized garden beds for those using a walker or wheelchair, and providing containers for those who don't have outdoor space suitable for planting in the ground. We'll use social distancing guidelines to deliver their customized beds and materials to participants. We'll also assign each participant a garden mentor and check in with them virtually for one-on-one support. If you or someone you know would like to apply for our Home Vegetable Garden Program expansion, fill out an application here<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U1_n2ngG13m-DMj0Dm-fyqnyU_Vdozu6uz_LxWxugkyejxmbo2S9DyMX1zJs2JLRfoNxy8YbsATRD61p-gW5lmk6ANtfQT_XiBc3EOCK5d-z2Tt85Ktq5zC96Oc7MWMkEcN8GCFaZdnXTptcDAq-AbHAKrJoTEDWbVHLE2wysSYZ6e4KI9R5dbC_GGDBL1aT_X7KZLTwHE_4Rz0SW1mtLZseTeqg1jn6ldUOK_d-iUXpqy683DijRUDiIUFnyCka&c=4hyOjd5WL93fmYazv3kdW58oYl-fqSFJNWrNrJZU9uj2rJOivbXuuA==&ch=JwvzmxDQbc3aXv18Y4WueQ2SVLU6t8kzfB0xp0TyKAEqo3-EXwK4kg==__;!!HXCxUKc!lk3PKX_PKbR_kxrv0JHIuTmSmakH9n7Vvyq79mE55o10YttYgZZ-IseeqAbCLw$>.Contact Liz at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> with any questions. [signature_366972226] 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) [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu<http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu> sorrone11 (skype) Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard. 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