Michigan Organic Listserv

September, 2020

From the desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])

Center for Regional Food Systems

 

What’s Up?

 

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National Organic Standards Board
Fall 2020 Meeting

Comment Period Open

The public comment period is now open for the NOSB Fall 2020 Meeting. Interested parties are encouraged to review the online meeting materials and provide feedback on topics included on the agenda.

Deadlines: To be considered during the Fall 2020 Meeting, written comments and requests for oral comment speaking slots must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, October 1, 2020.

Details on how to comment are available on the NOSB Fall 2020 Meeting webpage.

View the Fall 2020 Meeting webpage 

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Organic Cost Share is Now Available

 

What is organic cost share? This is a partial reimbursement for the cost of NOP organic certification to farmers across the US. Michigan has joined this reimbursement program.

 

Where does the money come from? The National Farm Bill

 

Can I apply for cost share for each scope of certification (eg. Poultry and vegetables)? Yes

 

How much can I get reimbursed per scope? This year the amount is less, $500 or 50% of cost of certification per scope. It is for reimbursement of costs for this past year’s certification (for payments made between 10/1/19 and 9/30/20).

 

When is the application due for the NOP organic cost share: Oct 30, 2020

 

Can I apply after the deadline? Late applications will be accepted and filled if funds are available. (Note if you have this year’s payment receipts and certificate from last year you can apply using these documents too).

 

How do I apply? Go to your local Farming Service Agency (FSA) office and bring your receipts for payment of NOP certification, your organic certificate and a voided check. Your reimbursement will be deposited directly. The FSA office will copy your documents with you at the office and help you fill out the application, which is a single page.

 

Where is the FSA office that I can go to for the application? Each county has an FSA office assigned to serve farmers. Here is the link to find which office serves your county. https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=mi&agency=fsa

 

When will I get the money? Typically, you will see the money deposited into your bank account between 2-4 weeks after you submitted your application.

       

 

For the full scoop from the USDA visit this press release: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/2020/usda-accepting-applications-to-help-cover-costs-for-organic-certification

 

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Midwest Cover Crop Council is proud to announce that the revised Cover Crop Selector decision tool - now available on the web!

 

Here are a few highlights of what the new tool offers:

  • North Dakota and South Dakota added
  • Updated seeding dates and info for OH, MI, ON, WI, MN, IA, IL
  • Updated climate data from NOAA
  • ADA compliant
  • Mobile-friendly

 

Check it out here: http://mccc.msu.edu/selector-tool/ along with a video tutorial and invitation to our Q&A webinar with our programmers Babak Saravi, Ian Kropp, as well as Dean Baas and myself. 

 

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the project and to Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and Grain Farmers of Ontario for financial support!

Webinar on cover crop decision tool

Learn about and how to use the decision tool

 

Wednesday, September 23rd at Noon Eastern / 11:00 am Central - 12 noon Eastern

 

Join us for an in-depth look at the revised decision tool with Babak Saravi, Ian Kropp with the Decision Support and Informatics Lab of Michigan State University and Dean Baas and Anna Morrow with the Midwest Cover Crops Council.

Midwest Cover Crop Council is proud to announce that our revised decision tool is available on the web!

  

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the project and to Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and Grain Farmers of Ontario for financial support!

 

This webinar will be recorded and posted on the web for later viewing.

Register Here

 

Anna Morrow, Program Manager, Midwest Cover Crops Council

317-392-6417  - [log in to unmask]

1600 East State Road 44, Suite C, Shelbyville, IN 46176

http://www.mccc.msu.edu

 

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Registration is now open for the 

2020 Michigan Good Food Virtual Summit!

 

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The 2020 Michigan Good Food Virtual Summit will celebrate achievements, explore new directions, and launch a renewed effort to advance a good food system in Michigan that promotes equity, sustainability, and thriving economies.

 

·         Learn about the updated 2020 Michigan Good Food Charter and how you can get involved to advance good food for all

 

·         Share tools and resources to enhance progress towards healthy, equitable regional food systems

 

·         Network with others from around the state and across the food system

 

·         Hear stories of success and opportunity taking place in Michigan

 

Registration Rates

Flexible rates and scholarships are available for those who may not be able to afford the full summit registration.

 

EARLY BIRD

Register by 9/30/20

·         Flexible rate: $15

·         Full Price: $40

NORMAL RATE

Register by 10/05/20

·         Flexible rate: $20

·         Full Price: $50

SCHOLARSHIPS

Apply by 10/5

 

 

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The official schedule will be available soon! These are the topics our presenters will be covering:

www.michiganfood.org/summit

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Great Lakes Expo features new session for Beginning Farmers!

            Save the Dates!  Tuesday, December 8-Thursday, December 10, 2020 – Three days of ONLINE programming from 9 am – 9 pm each day with 1 hour meal breaks and 10 min coffee breaks.

Of course, the whole program will be virtual - but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an exciting line up of speakers and great topics!!

Sessions will address:

Vegetable crops including Asparagus, Cucumbers, Tomato eggplant and peppers, and Vine crops

Management practices including; Irrigation, Food Safety, Protected Cultivation, and Mechanical Cultivation

Organic production sessions include; Large scale organic, Organic opportunities, Beginning Organic Production, and Organic Vegetable Production

Beginner farming is a new session and we will offer it in the evening to allow those working day jobs to attend.

To keep up to date as the schedule develops visit: www.GLEXPO.com

 

 

 

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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)

[log in to unmask]

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.

 

 

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