Marbleseed Annual Report | 2022

2022 Impact

Supporting the Midwest’s regenerative and organic farmers for over 30 years.

This pasT year marked change, growTh, and a recommiTmenT To The values and ideals ThaT founded This organizaTion.

In late spring we re-branded and became Marbleseed. The new name is a metaphor for how we continue the legacy of over thirty years of work; we continue to be Midwest focused, farmer-led, and rooted in organic, regenerative practices. We chose a name that could not be co-opted. We are bringing shared meaning to this lesser-known prairie plant, the Marbleseed, that is resilient but takes care and extra steps to germinate. Consistent with our origin story, we exist to support an organic movement with farmers at the center. It was a radical notion when a national organic standard was created. In the face of corporatization of organic, consolidation in our food system and climate change, a radical approach is still needed today.

With a deep understanding of our values, a new moniker and a vastly improved website, 2022 was full of opportunities and challenges. We hosted the Organic Farming Conference in the midst of an emerging COVID variant. Navigating a postpandemic world of gathering community will be an ongoing challenge. “Cultivating Community,” the 2022 conference theme, focused on production topics as well as alternative economies for a more just food system that pays farmers for cost of production.

We also came to recognize that, although the Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse is still the largest of its kind, rising costs and the hesitancy to attend a large event indoors in the winter will impact our general operating funds into the future.

Despite the dark cloud of the ongoing pandemic, the energy and attendance in La Crosse indicated that younger, more diverse farmers did feel comfortable gathering. With an

estimated 40% of America’s farmland likely in ownership transition in the next 15 years, we need to reach the next generation of farmers and find ways for them to afford to farm.

The organization that emerged as Marbleseed this past year embraces and honors the experiences and legacy of the early certified organic farmers, while engaging a broader community of farmers that bring Indigenous knowledge and the diversity that make organic systems vibrant and possible.

It has been said many times that the pandemic laid bare the inequities and fragilities in our supply chains, food and farming systems. Marbleseed stepped into roles to address these challenges in 2022. I promised at the conference in La Crosse that our efforts would focus on capitalizing and resourcing farmers directly.

In 2022 we laid the foundation for this way of being, collaborating in new ways on several grant applications and field days. We had partnership conversations that deepened relationships. With an abundance mindset and a commitment to be of service to the organic food and farming community, we strove to measure our impact on farmers and their production and market access.

Several of our programs this year addressed beginning farmers and access to land and capital. We hosted a New Farmer U, created a mini-grant program for beginning and historically underserved beginning farmers, and we hosted meet ups for affinity groups and beginning farmers at the conference in La Crosse.

Although we will always be a source of information and education for organic, human-scale farmers, we recognize that access to land, funding, markets, and farmer peer support are all critically important. These challenges will create opportunities for 2023 and beyond.

Lori Stern, Executive Director

sTill farmer-led, sTill rooTed in organic.

Marbleseed’s 2022, by the numbers.

This year we’ve chosen to shine a spotlight on the statistics that resonate deeply with our community.

The Organic Broadcaster reached 14,500 subscribers

11,300 people recieved Marbleseed’s online newsletter

Over 1,500 farmers, homesteaders, and food system professionals attended the 33rd Annual Organic Farming Conference in LaCrosse, Wis.

Marbleseed paired 12 mentors and mentees through the Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program

40 beginning farmers attended Marbleseed’s 2022 New Farmer U

Marbleseed Organic Field Days showcased 8 successful organic farms to 181 attendees

$95,369.05 was raised for farmer-led events, programs, and publications

Farmer-led education

Through Marbleseed’s diverse programs and initiatives, we aim to bring organic farmers together, foster sustainable agriculture education, and create a vibrant network of individuals passionate about nourishing both the earth and their neighbors.

organic field days

Our 2022 on-farm field days showcased 8 successful organic farms, drawing 181 farmers, who gleaned ideas to improve their farms. Topics included urban agriculture, crop rotations on large-scale organic farms, on-farm dairy processing and firstgeneration farm start-up operations.

“The event was incredibly impactful! Exceeded my expectations and I gained a lot of new insights, particularly the cultural connection to the land the people of the programs have. I am so grateful.” — L.B., Minneapolis, Minn.

“I learned more about possible scenarios of land changing hands, what can work with careful measures for both parties, and ensure the party moving onto the land is not overwhelmed and has time to know this will work for them + their purpose. I lease to new/ emerging farmers.” — L.C., Carver, Minn.

“Fabulous! The storytelling brought tears to my eyes. So many inperson connections from Zoom calls over the last couple of years. Very special.” — E.R., Vergas, Minn.

wisconsin women in conservaTion (wiwic)

Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Renewing the Countryside, Marbleseed, and Wisconsin Farmers Union. A five-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners to learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities. As of the end of 2022, this project has had engagement with over 2000 women and is growing! Every year WiWiC hosts Fall and Spring Learning Circles, and a summer field day, in addition to several webinars and conservation educator networking meet-ups and annual conference.

“Thank you for your time and effort put into this wonderful networking and educational afternoon! I appreciate so much your organization, which is new to me!” — Ellen Butler, Half Moon Farm

Image Credit: Stephanie Coffman, Gitigaaning (left), Justine Bursoni (right)

cultiVatinG communitY

Reflecting on the 2022 Organic Farming Conference.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we gathered for a safe and socially distanced conference in La Crosse in February 2022 with more than 1,500 farmers, homesteaders, and food system professionals to connect, learn, and grow organic. We hosted over 60+ workshops, 8 Organic University Classes, and countless opportunities for networking and connection. Conference attendees walked away with increased knowledge on regenerative food systems, new connections, and a greater perspective on how we can work together to build stronger, more resilient farms and food systems. We were overjoyed to cultivate community and start the 2022 growing season invigorated and recharged.

Image credits: Justine Bursoni

“loTs of perspecTives and insighT from academics and farmers. useful informaTion was shared.” – 2022 Organic Farming Conference Attendee

neW Farmer u

In October of 2022, 40 beginning farmers from Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin gathered in Urbana, Ill. for a 2-day retreat focused on farm business management. The 2022 event was supported by the USDA NIFA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program and was hosted in partnership with the Land Connection. New Farmer U is designed for farmers 2-6 years into their farming business and folks in that range as well as aspiring farmers attended the 2022 event. Attendees chose between two full day course options for day one: Fearless Farm Finances, based on the Marbleseedpublished book and taught by author Paul Dietmann along with Andy Larson from Farm Finance Institute, and Accessing New Markets Through Distribution. In the evening attendees gathered for dinner and networking.

Day two offered four workshop sessions all taught by a combination of seasoned farmers and ag professionals:

• Federal Insurance Options for Beginning and Specialty Crop Growers

• Labor Challenges and Solutions

• Keep your Customers Coming Back

• Traditional and Non-traditional Financing Options

This smaller, more intimate gathering provided an opportunity for farmers to really get to know each other and learn about each other’s farming operations. At the hotel where attendees stayed, they were up until the wee hours chatting in the lobby.

We offered 19 scholarships, and all attendees who filled out the evaluation reported a gain in knowledge of farm business management while 92% reported that they plan to add or change at least one of their farm business management practices based on what they learned at New Farmer U.

of attendees reported that they plan to add or change at least one of their farm business management practices based on what they learned at New Farmer U.

“New Farmer U was an incredible experience. It felt like they were very intentional and provided us with incredible resources to set us up for success. I could tell that they were really passionate about supporting new farmers. I also REALLY appreciated seeing the diversity of participants in the room. It gives me great hope for the future of farming!” — Ro K., Missouri

“A great program for beginning and intermediate farmers.” — Charlie W., Ohio

“I was extremely impressed by the facility the conference was held in (absolutely beautiful). The accommodations from transportation to food was fantastic. The presenters as well as support staff were so engaging and I felt they had a personal investment in my learning experience and individual farming goals. My faith in my ability to achieve my farm goals was renewed because I now know who my community is comprised of and know that i can reach out for mentorship and assistance.” — Cathy S., Ohio

“A great program for beginning and intermediate farmers.”

Image credit: Justine Bursoni

Celebrating 15 years of Marbleseed’s Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program.

In its 15th year, the 2022 Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program paired 12 newer farmers with 12 more experienced farmers in Mich., Wis., Minn., and S.D.. Two of this year’s mentors had previously been mentees in the program. The mentorship program kicked off at the 2022 Organic Farming Conference where the outgoing mentorship program group joined with the incoming participants to share about their experiences as well as tips and challenges they experienced in the program. The most common piece of advice mentees shared was “don’t be shy to reach out to your mentor. They want help you.” Mentors in the room echoed that sentiment.

mentor/mentee pairs were connected by Marbleseed’s Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship program in 2022.

At the beginning of the program, mentees work with their mentors to identify achievable goals for the program year. Mentorships focused on a wide variety of topics including urban vegetable farming, a livestock farmer learning the ins and outs along with licensing required to sell at farmers markets (that farmer will start selling at a farmers’ market in the 2023 season), organic fruit production, early stages of a medicinal herb farm, and more.

Gratitude to our supporters

The 2021-2022 year proved to be a big one for the Marbleseed community In many ways, it marked the return to normalcy as we got back to in-person field days and gathered in La Crosse for the 2022 MOSES Organic Farming Conference. After nearly two years of virtual gatherings, these opportunities to be together again throughout the year evoked an incredible sense of community.

In other ways, 2022 was also a year marked change as we embarked on an organizational rebrand from the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) to Marbleseed and launched a brand-new website. We have been grateful every step of the way for all the kind words and encouragement we’ve received from so many of you—and for the patience and understanding from those who are still warming up to it. To the whole MOSES-to-Marbleseed community, thank you for riding the waves of change with us.

We also want to share our heartfelt gratitude to those of you who made a one time or reoccurring donation in the 2021-2022 year. This year, 577 donors gave $95,369.05 for farmer-led events, programs, and publications. As a 501c3 nonprofit, we rely on individual donations, as well as grants, and strategic partnerships with mission-driven businesses and foundations, to keep our work forging ahead. For over 34 years, your donations have continued to directly support Marbleseed’s free and low-cost, farmer-led resources and programs that help farmers grow organically, nourishing their farm businesses and strengthening the organic farming movement.

We are grateful to everyone who donated this year to support the development of Marbleseed’s resources that empower farmers to grow organically and regeneratively, using practices that promote healthy soils, clean water, thriving pollinator communities, and heal the planet. We are especially grateful to our Engaged Donors who gave $300 or more and to our monthly Sustainers of $15 or more:

Amy Alpine and John Grump

Sophi Ellison and Chris Gentine

Katherine Betz

Dave and Mary Campbell

Janaki Fisher-Merritt and Anne

Dugan

Russell Groves

Emelie Haigh

Robert Haraden

Todd Huffman and Lin Jennewine

Huffman

Charlie Johnson

Steve Pincus and Beth Kazmar

Kelly and Steve Lagman

Doree Maser

Paula and Steven Mines

Kate and Kenneth Muth

Doug Nopar and JoAnn Thomas

Gordan and Linda Olson

Thank you to our major funders!

These organizations and agencies support our work through major grants and gifts that provide dependable funding for Marbleseed’s trainings, resources, and the practical advice farmers need to succeed in organic production. We hope you spend some time reading and learning more about these allied partners:

Albers Kuhn

Artisan Cheese Exchange

Ciranda

Clif Bar Family Foundation

Compeer Financial

Farm Aid

Jonathan Schroeder

Mikol Sesker

Leslie Shein

F. Sommers

Claire Strader

Patricia and Gene Thomas

Michael Welber

Jacek Haciak

Mrs. Penny Molina

Renee Morris

David and Barb Perkins

Tim and Betsey Pierce

Brian Schneider

Lori Tauring and Renee Tierney

Heidi Doering

Sarah Hannigan and Rod Graf

Anne and Jim Patterson

Marci Strack

Catherine Peltz

Lakewinds Food Co-op

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Regenerative Agriculture Foundation

Outpost Natural Food Co-op

Whole Foods Co-op

Funding

Board of Directors

Katie Bishop – PrairiErth Farm, Ill.

Dela Ends – Scotch Hill Farm, Wis.

Clare Hintz – Elsewhere Farm, Wis.

Charlie Johnson – Johnson Farms, S.D.

David Perkins – Vermont Valley Farm, Wis.

Darin Von Ruden – Von Ruden Family Farm, Wis.

Kattia Jimenez – Mount Horeb Hemp, Wis.

Dylan Bruce- Circadian Organics, Wis

Dan Cornelius – University of Wisconsin - Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center, Wis

Eliana Pinilla – The Common Market, Wis

Cover Image Credit: Genuine Faux Farm, Tripoli, IA