Michigan Organic Listserv
Oct 5, 2020
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
Desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])
What’s on Offer?
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Organic
Cost Share Application Process (due Oct 31)
News for Organic Farmers
The Organic Cost Share Program
is now accepting applications
What this means is…
If you paid for NOP organic certification you can be reimbursed up to $500 or 50% for each certification scope (for each organic system you have certified and have a certificate).
What you need to participate in this program: Your receipts of payment for certification, a copy of your recent certificate(s) and fill out the form. It is easiest to complete this process
at your local FSA office (Soil Conservation District office). They will provide the application and walk you through the process. It should only take tops 30 minutes to complete. Payment is direct to your checking account so no worries about the cows eating
the check. Bring a voided check (yes from your account) and your certificate(s) and receipts. They will make copies there and return originals to you during your visit.
For more information on organic certification and regulations, visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s
organic website.
Process to apply
Producers and handlers may submit OCCSP applications to FSA county offices or they may apply through participating State agencies.
To apply visit your local FSA county . Find the address at
Service Center Locator. The FSA OCCSP application form is available at
USDA's eForms site, by selecting "Browse forms" and entering "OCCSP" in the "title or keywords" field on the search page. OR the FSA office will have the forms at their office for you to complete.
CERTIFIED ORGANIC Producers/growers/processors may apply for cost share assistance for organic certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020. Applications are due the next business
day after Oct. 31, 2020.
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Organic news
shared by the Organic Center
Virtual organic field day video shows long-term organic corn-soybean rotation is outperforming its conventional counterpart
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2020 Michigan Good Food Virtual Summit
Moving Forward with Equity & Resilience
October-November 2020
Presented by the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
Registration for
the 2020 Michigan Good Food Virtual Summit is now open!
This event will take place during the week at various times in October and November. Having this meeting virtually allows a more flexible time table and hopefully
you more opportunity to participate. Check
out the Schedule at a Glance for the times and topics.
Since 2010, people across the state and country have gathered at the Michigan Good Food Summit to network, share, reflect, and learn about good food work happening
in Michigan.
The 2020 Michigan Good Food Summit is a series of virtual gatherings that will bring together people from across Michigan to celebrate achievements and launch a renewed
effort to advance good food systems in Michigan that promote equity, health, sustainability, and thriving economies.
This event is valuable opportunity for youth, individuals, businesses, and organizations to collaborate and set the stage for the next 10 years of good food systems
in Michigan!
We'll discuss
·
What’s the most significant change in Michigan food systems over the last 10 years?
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How are individuals, communities, and organizations in Michigan advancing good food systems that promote equity, health, sustainability, and thriving economies?
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What impacts, opportunities, or issues you are seeing in the food system as a result of the coronavirus pandemic?
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How do we create educational opportunities that support individuals and communities to shape their food systems?
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How can institutions like schools and hospitals use their substantial purchasing power to affect positive changes in the food and agricultural systems?
·
What can we do to ensure that everyone can equitably participate in decision-making in our food systems?
·
What are the top 3 food and farm policy issues you see facing Michigan as we head through 2020 and beyond?
·
How can people take action for good food?
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Educational Events
Food Animal Concerns and Trust (FACT) offers free educational webinars…
Scaling Up Pastured Poultry Production
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join FACT and expert presenter Bruce Hennessey of Maple Wind Farm for this interactive webinar that will provide you with the tools necessary to make informed farm scale decisions based on both financial viability and quality of life goals. Topics will include
cost-benefit analysis, cash flow analysis, and holistic decision-making. We hope to see you there!
> Register
Please scroll down for other upcoming webinars.
Upcoming Webinars
Please join us for one or all of these free sessions.
October 7: Scaling
Up Pastured Poultry Production
Are you evaluating a major change to your poultry business model such as scaling up or dropping an enterprise? Presenter is Bruce Hennessey, co-owner/operator of Maple Wind Farm in Vermont, will discuss cost-benefit analysis, cash flow analysis, and holistic
decision-making. >
Register
October 26: Designing
Silvoculture Plantings
Part 1 of a 3-Part silvoculture webinar series. Our presenter is Steve Gabriel from Wellspring Forest Farm in NY. He is also an agroforestry extension specialist for the Cornell Small Farm Program. >
Register
November 2: Why
Trees Die in Silvopasture (and how you can help save them!) Part 2 of a 3-part silvoculture webinar series. Our presenter is Steve Gabriel from Wellspring Forest Farm in NY. He is also an agroforestry extension specialist for the Cornell
Small Farm Program. >
Register
November 9: Choosing
the Right Animal, for the Right Place, at the Right Time This is the third and final part of a three part silvoculture webinar series. Our presenter is Steve Gabriel from Wellspring Forest Farm in NY. He is also an agroforestry extension
specialist for the Cornell Small Farm Program. >
Register
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FACT Fund the Farmer Grants
This is a competitive grant for up to $2500 for farming with animals.
Visit:
https://foodanimalconcernstrust.org/grants to find application and learn the details.
In summary:
FACT awards competitive grants of up to $2,500 to working, independent family farmers located in the U.S. who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or
turkeys. Before submitting your
online application, please read the complete set of eligibility guidelines below.
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59pm CT on December 1, 2020 to be considered for this round of funding. Grants will be awarded in February 2021.
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North Central SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant Applications are now being accepted
https://northcentral.sare.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/farmer-rancher-grant/
The 2021 Farmer Rancher Program call for proposals is now available. Proposals are due December 3, 2020. Read the call for proposals (instructions for applying), and then start your proposal.
This grant offers funds for farmers to try out a new approach or system on their farm. The farmer can work solo or with a group. As a group the approach is tried out in more than one farm and it offers a higher amount of support. This is an annual grant program
and aims to bring farmers together to try approaches that will approve the environment, the bottom line and their ease of performing an operation.
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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)
Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.