Organic Broadcaster | July 2021 | Volume 29, Issue 4 by marbleseed

By Phillip Alberti wasn’t (and currently still isn’t) a definitive or reliable “how-to” guide for growing hemp in the Midwest. Principle among the many questions facing new hemp growers is the issue of what cultivars to grow based on environmental factors, regulations, production goals, and potential market University-publishedoutlets.resources for cultivar perfor mance and best management practices for producers in the Midwest had not been developed due to prior federal regulation. Specifically, recommendations for planting methods, fertility requirements, rotational impacts, and cultivar selection, among others, were non-existent. Additionally, many of the resources developed for hemp production are coming from states with vastly different growing conditions than those in this part of the country. Cultivar recommen dations and production strategies developed in more experienced hemp growing states (Colorado, Oregon, and California, for example) do not always perform well in the conditions experienced by Midwestern growers. However, a new project is beginning to fill some of those knowledge and production gaps across theInregion.2020, a collaborative effort consisting of researchers, grower-cooperators, and private labora tories was formed to better understand production methods being used in addition to the relative per formance of hemp cultivars. In short, participation in this program provided hemp growers an exciting opportunity to receive discounted cannabinoid analy sis in exchange for data collection and data sharing. The data from these efforts was fed into an online website known as the Midwestern Hemp Database (MHD). Built with the intent to provide future grow ers and regulators a reliable resource when making

Consumers may have seen retail prices slide a bit, but prices have remained high enough for many folks to stick with their affordable and effective ibuprofen, valerian tincture, and arnica for relief from various ailments that CBD is also known to address. In short, some in the supply chain are raking in the cash, while some others (farmers) are losing money to offload a slowly degrading raw product.

“I started growing CBD hemp in 2018, the first year it was legal to do so in Wisconsin,” said Kattia Jimenez

Despite exactly when you jumped into the hemp industry, where, and what size you are now, very few CBD producers and companies have not been affected by the sudden oversupply of raw product and drop in prices almost immediately after the rise of COVID-19.

production decisions, this information was deposited into a publicly available and interactive data visualiza tion tool. Collaborators included university research ers (University of Illinois Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan State University Extension, and Purdue University) and private labo ratories (Rock River Laboratory, Pride Analytics on Consulting, and ACT Laboratories).

Growing CBD Hemp continues on 6

Farmers find CBD hemp industry’s first years rocky, but hang onto hope for future

July | August 2021Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service ServicesEcosystemToolPage5 Volume 29 | Number 4 TM 54767WIValley,Spring339,BoxPO Hemp Database continues on 8

By FL Morris New FarmerPageU7 SystemsFarmingTrialPage10

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 legalized hemp production (grain, fiber, and cannabinoids) in the United States. Despite the initial promise of sure-fire profitability, the hemp industry and its growers have had significant growing pains. Many growers learned tough lessons growing hemp, given the challenges associated with producing this crop. More akin to a vegetable crop, hemp often requires significant input costs to take the crop successfully to harvest, infrastructure to process it properly, and connections to turn it into a sellable product. Unfortunately, there Certified organic CBD hemp grows really well in our region—you could almost say it grows like a weed. Since the 2018 Federal Farm Bill allowed the produc tion and distribution of hemp products with a limit of 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) for the first time in more than 50 years, the marketplace has exploded, but not to the benefit of farmers. After the farm bill was signed at the end of 2018, there was a year of absolute frenzy in Wisconsin, where I live and farm. This sudden change in federal law was accompanied by big risks taken by bold entrepreneurs, including Midwestern organic farmers. Throughout the growing season of 2019, I witnessed long-time and would-be farmers of all kinds assem bling in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois by the hun dreds. The atmosphere was always rich with questions, ranging from topics of hemp production, post-harvest handling, processing, products, marketing and sales, regulation, organic certification, and how the plant affects the human and animal body. The answers were lessNowcommon.it’sthe summer of 2021 and what has unfolded in the country, specifically in the Wisconsin hemp industry, is disappointing to many small farmers and start-up businesses, but also all too predictable. Farmers are officially getting pennies on the dollar while many manufacturers, distributors, and retailers enjoy handsome profits. Sound familiar? One could say the hemp industry’s story has taken a similar path as that of the dairy industry, except that the many decades of poor policy, greedy corporate behavior, and removal of farm subsidies has been compressed into 18 months.

Photo by Rebecca Jaworski FL Morris inspects hemp whichCooperative,WisconsinSouthcropShebefore2020,consin,nearGrassrootsgrowingplantsatFarmMonroe,WisinAugustamonthharvest.marketsherthroughtheCentralHempsheheads.

New project helps fiber hemp growers, researchers share production data

Citizen Science Despite having a year (in some cases, two) of pro duction under their belt, growers and researchers sim ply did not have resources to determine what was or was not working in the region. In many cases, growers and researchers have foundational data to build off, but that was not available at the time. Knowing that so many growers were going to be doing this production regardless of what data they had in front of them, the MHD team wanted to use their expertise, their skill, and learn from them as well. By combining university research protocols with crowdsourcing of grower-collected data, this project pulled in a large amount of information in a short period of time. The MHD reveals common agronomic practices throughout the region, as well as how differ ent hemp cultivars performed in terms of flower devel opment, cannabinoid content, and overall yields. In its first year of operation, 130 growers participated in the research effort, providing over 750 sample submis sions; the data interface is updated weekly throughout critical sample submission and flowering periods. A report summarizing the 2020 growing season findings and associated project details are all available at the project website, go.illinois.edu/HempDatabase.

By Lori Stern, MOSES Executive Director

MOSES

Chuck Anderas, Program Specialist | chuck@mosesorganic.org

Jenica Caudill, Dir. of Development & Marketing | jenica@mosesorganic.org

Stephanie Coffman, Presentation Coor. | stephanie@mosesorganic.org

Sarah Broadfoot, Project Manager sarahb@mosesorganic.org Sophia Cleveland, Administrative Coor. | sophia@mosesorganic.org

I always look forward to summer solstice, the lon gest day. After December, it feels like a steady walk toward light. And this past year, the winter darkness was accompanied by the pandemic and so much loss. For me, it made the shortening darkness palpable, as the promise of vac cines and eventually a pandemic contained. At MOSES, we had decisions to make this spring regarding in-person gatherings. We listened to public health guidance, watched COVID case numbers, and finally made the call: in-person field days, in-person conference 2022! As farmers, we are often a solitary lot. We joke that we have been social distancing for years. But even the most introverted among us are longing for human interaction and shared experiences. Our recent confer ence survey told the tale; over 80% wanted to be back together in La Crosse. The summer will be our first foray into gathering as a community post-pandemic. It is a nice transition, to start where we feel comfortable, on farms and in fields. Outside but together. Taking space and sharing it at the same time. This summer’s field days have a diversity of per spectives and offerings. Veggies and livestock, business models, and conservation practices—all bookended by high tunnel production methods. Two of our field days feature our Changemaker awardees. Hannah Breckbill’s Iowa CSA vegetable farm is a cooperative that began with a communitybased effort to save farmland. Humble Hands Harvest is a diversified organic vegetable, livestock, and tree crop farm utilizing a no-till organic vegetable system. During this field day, Hannah will share her farm journey along with her farming methods. The sec ond Changemaker field day is with Sustain DuPage in a suburb outside of Chicago. As an educational non-profit, Sustain DuPage promotes sustainability and community. With productive gardens, nearby wildlife, creative expression opportunities and a bit

Sylvia Burgos Toftness Bull Brook Keep, Wis.

Jennifer Nelson, Land Access Navigator | jennifer@mosesorganic.org Sarah Woutat, Farmer Advancement Coor. | sarahw@mosesorganic.org On-Farm Organic Specialist Team | specialist@mosesorganic.org Board of Directors: of political activism, they are growing so much more than food. MOSES Organic Specialist and beekeeper Beatrice Kamau also will be on hand to talk about the International African Women in Beekeeping network sheThreecofounded.fielddays are on farms run by Organic Farmers of the Year. We’re heading to 2013 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year Charlie Johnson’s farm in South Dakota July 22. Charlie and his relatives run an exemplary large-scale row crop operation. Jane Hawley Stevens and David Stevens are the 2020 honorees. Their operation, Four Elements Organic Herbals, produces herbal teas, body products, and tinctures. Their herb production field day was virtual last year and had over 180 attendees! Already, a large group has signed up to tour their beautiful farm and learn more about growing medicinal herbs. Liz Graznak, a CSA vegetable farmer from Missouri is the current MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year. Liz will focus on winter vegetable production. This field day on Happy Hollow Farm is in collaboration with EarthDance Organic Farm School and former MOSES board member Molly Rockamann.Threeofthe field days will cover livestock on pas ture. They all share a commitment to conservation and integrating animals for truly regenerative farming. Addressing forage, pollinator habitat, and silvopasture, these field days will enable us to walk pasture and experience the embodiment of organic farming as a complex, symbiotic system. To take advantage of these field day offerings, go to mosesorganic.org and click on the field day photo. Or, call us at 888-90-MOSES to complete your registration.Fieldday season is also an incredibly busy time on farms. MOSES is so appreciative to the farmers that open their land and share their experiences of stewardship through organic methods. Hopefully, we can all find the time to learn from each other and the plants and animals on our farms this growing season. And come the last field day in October, as the days continue to grow shorter, they will be moving us toward time together in La Crosse, and another journey toward summer’s light.

Charlie Johnson Johnson Farms, SD

Lori Stern, Executive Director lori@mosesorganic.org

Dela Ends Scotch Hill Farm, Wis.

Clare Hintz Elsewhere Farm, Wis.

Regi Haslett-Marroquin Northfield, Minn.

Darin Von Ruden Von Ruden Family Farm, Wis.

Tom Manley, Partnership Director | thomas@mosesorganic.org

Audrey Alwell, Communications Director | audrey@mosesorganic.org

Volume 29, #4 July | August 2021 Editor Audrey Alwell Advertising Coordinator Tom Manley Digital Content Producer Stephanie Coffman The Organic BroadcasterTM is a bimonthly newspaper published by the Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), a nonprofit that provides education, resources, and practical advice to farmers. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of a product. We reserve the right to refuse inappropriate advertising. ©2021 MOSES Content may be reprinted with permission. Contact Audrey@mosesorganic.org. Content Submissions or Inquiries: Audrey@mosesorganic.org Display Advertising: Thomas@mosesorganic.org or 888-90-MOSES Classified Advertising: Sophia@mosesorganic.org mosesorganic.org/organic-classifiedsor Free Subscription: mosesorganic.org/sign-up or 888-90-MOSES MOSES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit qualified to receive tax-deductible donations. Support resilient organic, sustainable, and regenerative farms by donating: MOSES, P.O. Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Online: mosesorganic.org/donate MOSES educates, inspires, and empowers farmers to thrive in a sustainable, organic system of agriculture.

Sara Tedeschi Dog Hollow Farm, Wis.

Field days bring us together in our comfort zone: farm fields Team: Mike Bollinger River Root Farm, Iowa

David Perkins Vermont Valley Farm, Wis.

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The Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) is in its 20th year and remains committed to representing producers and their interests. NODPA was created in February 2001 at a summit meeting of organic dairy producers in the Northeast after one processor arbitrarily lowered its farmgate price and farmers’ future pay price was threatened. These pro ducers came together to discuss critical issues within the organic dairy industry: maintaining a sustainable milk price, the National Organic Program, alternative milk markets, and building effective communication lines between fellow producers in the Northeast and beyond.NODPA is independent and is supported by pro ducers and service providers. It does not pool milk and sell it because that could be a potential conflict of interest in balancing the pay price of producers against the necessities of the marketplace. Also, it does not act as an agent for its producer members since they prefer to negotiate their individual contracts and memberowner agreements so NODPA has no loyalty to any one brand or company. It does run a regularly updated website with a deep set of archives including market prices and pay price news, regular e-newsletters, bi-monthly printed newsletters, and maintains the ever-popular ODairy listserv for news, views, and animal health advice. In addition, NODPA organizes and facilitates annual field days, meeting at different locations throughout the Northeast. NODPA belongs to and plays an active role in the Organic Farmers Association and the National Organic Coalition, plus is a member of the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition. NODPA uses these channels to represent producer interests in Washington and at the USDA. After 20 years of work, what lessons have been learned in representing the core interest of those that actually produce the raw material for organic dairy products? The majority of organic dairy producers have no alternative but to sell on the wholesale mar ket. Some try other alternatives in direct marketing but risk capital, their property if they are sued, and a reasonable lifestyle. Buyers of organic raw milk at the farmgate operate as a monopsony (a single buyer substantially controlling the market) that allows little leverage in pay-price negotiations. There is no Federal subsidy or guaranteed price. Organic dairy producers need to maintain the integrity of the organic seal to ensure their livelihood. Organic dairy has been a key entrance point for many organic consumers but, unfortunately, is now seen as a loss leader by many retailers. Private label/ store brands have replaced long-standing brands as leaders in the retail market. Organic dairy is a com modity and is in a race to the bottom in competing for large retail contracts. The larger handlers of milk compete against large, vertically integrated organic dairy operations to satisfy the demands for low-priced packaged milk. The pay price in 2021 reflects the cost

INSIDE ORGANICS Viewpoints from members of the organic community

Organic standards Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement—that’s what the industry needs. But first, we need regulations that are clear, can be applied consistently, reflect the core integrity of organic production (soil-based), and can be legally enforced (that word again!). Without those ingredients, there is no integrity within the label. With no integrity, there are no com mitted consumers. Without committed consumers, there is no market. during the grazing season. By advocating at the National Organic Standards Board meetings, provid ing extensive comments on the proposed regulation, plus holding numerous meetings with leaders in Washington D.C., producers were able to assist in developing language on the pasture requirement that was fair, practical, and easy to implement. For a layperson, access to pasture would seem to be enough of a definition to consistently regulate a common standard. However, those large and small dairies that did not have productive pastures would be allowed by certifiers to interpret that requirement simply by being outside or in an exercise yard. The coordinated efforts of producers, milk buyers, and nonprofits brought about a regulation that defined the access to pasture in terms that could be supported in a court of law. While USDA invested in a blitz of education about the regu lation soon after its adoption in 2010, there were still many cases of abuse and inconsistent interpretation by certifiers 10 years later when USDA launched their Strengthening Organic Enforcement program.

NODPA’s work has concentrated on maintaining the integrity of the organic seal and fighting for organic standards that are practical, soil-based, focused on animal welfare, and consistently enforced across all certifiers and geographic areas. As for “market premium” for organic dairy producers, there is none. That premium paid by consumers goes to retailers, marketers, and proces sors. Conventional dairy farmers are paid, on aver age, 50-60% of the retail price of their fluid product. Organic dairy farmers are paid, on average, 30-35% of the average retail price. The higher pay price reflects increasedChangescosts.infederal regulations take time and concerted effort. NODPA led the way in organizing stakeholders to correct the abuses of those organic dairies that were not primarily grazing their animals

Inside Organics continues on 12 of production of large operations that have economies of scale, not the production and living costs of the small to medium-sized operations. Organic milk companies have been sold many times or have wellrewarded executives. So, how can the playing field be leveled to allow operations of all sizes to thrive and sustain local communities? NODPA’s work has concentrated on maintain ing the integrity of the organic seal and fighting for organic standards that are practical, soil-based, focused on animal welfare, and consistently enforced across all certifiers and geographic areas.

In the search for more profit or to maintain their status quo, businesses will look for loopholes in regula tion. Some regulations have so many loopholes that abuse of the intent dominates the implementation of the rule. The Origin of Livestock (OOL) regulation is one such situation. All species of organic livestock have to be organically managed from the last third of gestation, with a few exceptions. In order to build a domestic organic dairy herd in 2002 when the National Organic Program (NOP) was launched, an exception was created for transitioning a conventional dairy herd to organic. Instead of three years, the transition could be accomplished in one and there was an allowance for using transitioning land to grow feed plus allowing a mixture of non-organic feed in a final ration. The 80-20 mixing of organic feed was stopped in 2008 after a lawsuit, but at the same time, USDA NOP introduced guidance on different ways of transitioning conventional dairy animals to organic which added to the confusion. This institutionalized a two-track system for transition, plus many different interpretations by certifiers as to what made up a dairy herd and whether the transition had to be completed within 12 months. In 2013, a report by the USDA Inspector General highlighted the inconsistencies in the implementation of the transition allowance; in 2015, USDA introduced a Proposed OOL Rule. This coincided with a shortage of fluid milk and the transition of many dairies to organic plus a rapid expansion of large dairies using the continuous transition loophole. As winter follows fall, the shortage of organic milk became a glut, and the pay price plummeted by as much as 30%. The glut of milk was caused primarily by the rapid expansion of large dairies continuously transitioning conventional animals to organic. for more information call (800) 352-9245 or visit www.sustane.com

| 3mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM By Ed Maltby, NODPA Dairy alliance advocates for tighter standards to bolster integrity of organic label

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§205.206 Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard. (f) The producer must not use lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials for new installations or replacement purposes in contact with soil or livestock.

MOSES Organic Specialists answer your questions about organic production and certification.

Ask a Specialist continues on 12 and silvopasture strategies can enhance drought protection.Somefarmers in drier soil regions also integrate irrigation options; there is some practical pasture irrigation equipment available. Soil health and higher organic matter will act as a sponge to retain moisture and prevent rapid runoff. We want to retain as much precipitation as possible. Livestock may need shelter, shade, fans, and cool ing strategies in hot conditions. and we have many ways to integrate livestock with natural environmental protection. Planning and preparation help build these natural and constructed infrastructure solutions. Keeping an inventory of reserve forage and a sensible number of livestock can provide some peace of mind. Overstocking can damage pastures and result in everdeclining production. If you’d like my advice with particular issues on your farm, you can reach me through the Organic Answer Line (888-90-MOSES) or by email at kevin mahalko@mosesorganic.org.

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Get answers to your questions about organic certification! Free in print or online: bit.ly/CertificationGuidebook

CALL: Organic Answer Line 888-90-MOSES (906-6737)

Dr. Jim Heavens, Heritage Equity Nutrition, Dyersville, Iowa

Trellises in High-Density Orchards

All this means that if wood is treated with a pro hibited substance then it can’t come in contact with organic apple trees (including the roots). While posts in a fence may be far enough away from the root zone of your trees, a trellis won’t. To save yourself headache and money later on, it’s always a good practice to check with your certifier early in the certification process.

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DOWNLOAD: Fact Sheets at organic-fact-sheets.mosesorganic.org/

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4 | July | August 2021 TM

SUBMIT: Click “Ask a Specialist” button at mosesorganic.org/ask.

READ: Browse answers to questions at mosesorganic.org/ask.

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Note that it says “new installations.” This means, basically, once you’re certified if you put in some posts with treated wood they can ask you to remove it. The other standard that applies here is this:

By Rachel Henderson Modern apple orchards favor high-density plant ings of dwarf trees, grown on a trellis. These small trees bear fruit quickly, are easy to access for pest control, and require less labor for harvest. One com mon question when planning a high-density orchard is what to use for trellises. Trellis designs vary, but to have a sturdy system to support trees and their fruit, the end posts must be very strong and substantial, while line posts offer much more flexibility in material, since they will bear less load and can be replaced more easily.This is especially relevant for farmers looking to transition their orchard to organic production who have established their orchards using treated wood.

Drought Management for Grazing, Hay Production By Kevin Mahalko 2021 is turning into a challenging year in terms of drought management and dry conditions in much of the country. Here in Wisconsin, we had limited snow fall and an early snowmelt followed by a long cold and dry spring. This meant a slow start to pasture growth and a period where a stressed crop was stunted by freezingThereconditions.aremanystrategies to protect the pasture and promote the greatest possible seasonal growth. One of the biggest keys is to allow pastures opportunity to develop necessary leaf surface and root depth. This provides the most possible cover, and capability for canopy to retain moisture, and roots to access moisture in the soil. It is especially important to introduce livestock to pasture in a balanced way that recognizes plant condition and production in the grazingMeasuringrotation.dry matter and having a good estimate of livestock needs will help in decisions of when and how to feed supplemental forage. Over time, you will develop a “grazing eye” to help manage this balance and have actual data for making these deci sions. A grazing plan can provide a big picture look at resources and help you match livestock and crop needs.Pastures and hayfields do the best with a diversity of grasses and legumes that handle a range of condi tions. Maintaining 40% legumes helps feed grasses nitrogen; in drought years, the benefit of red clover, white clover, or alfalfa is very noticeable. Planting red clover in early spring will show a benefit in the sum mer or when conditions are dry. Protecting the soil surface from direct sun with a plant canopy prevents rapid soil moisture loss and reduces surface temperatures. Grazing and hayfields benefit by this cover, which keeps the soil as cool as possible and promotes high biological activity in the soil for as much of the season as possible. Grazing and mowing strategies that leave a residual leaf area promote more rapid regrowth. Mowing equipment with sharp knives and proper cutting height and angle help. Hay equipment with flotation tires help reduce compaction. Rapid movement and multiple moves of livestock also helps prevent surface compaction. This is important in keeping the soils in condition to infiltrate rain when it comes. When the crop is getting stressed, it is important to monitor for pests. We’ve had many calls to the Organic Answer Line about insect pests. Generally, the best organic strategy is to graze or mow to disrupt the pest cycle. Diverse plant species help provide a habitat balance between insect populations. Grassland birds and pollinators are also keystone indicators of resilience. We notice that wooded border fields also have a microclimate effect of shade and moisture retention. Long-term windbreaks,

The most commonly used wood posts in agricultural trellising are treated with preservatives that easily leach into the soil. The National Organic Standards say a couple things that certifiers use as guidance on treated wood in orchards. First:

§205.201 Organic production and handling system plan. (a) (5) An organic production or handling system plan must include a description of the management practices and physical barriers to prevent contact of organic production and products with prohibited substances.

What can you use instead of treated wood? Wood that has a natural resistance to decay will, in general, not have nearly as long a useful life as treated lumber, but there are some options. The species most valued for rot resistance is Black Locust, which can be diffi cult to source and extremely heavy and hard. Another commonly used species is white cedar, which is not nearly as resistant to decay as treated lumber.

On 40 lush acres perched above the St. Croix River Valley in western Wisconsin, Common Harvest Farm buzzes with life and the season’s activities. To onlookers, it’s clear the farm’s own ers and stewards, Dan Guenthner and Margaret Pennings, work hard to ensure their farm benefits their local community and economy. But there is even more to the farm than meets the eye. Guenthner and Pennings, longtime active MOSES participants, have introduced a wealth of practices to foster a healthy natural environment and generate ecological benefits. Common Harvest Farm is not just a homogenous swath of planted fields; it features a diverse mix of agriculture, pas ture, vernal ponds and wetland, and woods. This approach to agriculture profoundly affects ecologies both above and below the ground. Above, prairie strips around the farm create a refuge and food source for pollinators and beneficial insects. Below, the soil teems with life, absorbing nutrients and carbon and storing them safely under our feet. How can we, as a society, value this kind of agriculture beyond just the cost of the produce? This question has long stymied us because it requires a shift from the single-minded, economic mentality of short-term growth and efficiency to a broader valuation of long-term sustainability and resilience. And, it requires producers to track their practices—a tall order for folks juggling a full season’s activities, even more so for beginning farmers who are, as Guenthner described, “dealing with the realities on the ground of getting products out of the field to customers.” But here’s the rub: without measuring and tracking those practices, it’s hard to communicate or market a farm’s environmental impacts. This is especially true for small, diversified farms, includ ing many organic operations, for whom agricul tural carbon markets aren’t a good fit. What’s more, many such operations often aim to do much more for natural ecosystems than just sequester carbon. These kinds of holistic practices can be tricky to measure and communicate because of their com plex and intertwined impacts. This is where Farm 2 Facts comes in. Farm 2 Facts is a nonprofit at the University of WisconsinMadison that helps farmers and farmers markets succeed by collecting meaningful data that can be used to tell their stories of community and eco nomic impacts. We’ve been working closely with producers like Guenthner and other experts across the U.S. to create a streamlined new Ecosystem Services tool that collects data about a farm’s environmental impacts, including the ways they’re working to reduce climate change. The Ecosystem Services tool translates data into customizable marketing materials that By Catie DeMets

direct-market producers can use to tell the holistic story of how their practices are enhancing the natural environment. Through a 15-minute assess ment, the tool asks producers about six key areas of practice: soil health, biodiversity, livestock, infrastructure, alternative power, and transporta tion. Farms can track their responses from year to year to benchmark and build on their improvements.Guenthner,who has collaborated on the tool’s development, pointed out, “We’re all going to need to know in a lot more detail how our farm prac tices are contributing to climate change and envi ronmental health, and the tool gives us a snapshot of that. It gives us an indication of where we are at this moment in time, and…once we’ve established that, we can get some indication of what progress looks like, what movement in the right direction looks like. Without establishing a benchmark, that’s very difficult to do.” For instance, he explained, “Many farmers talk about nagging practices that are bothersome, whether too much tillage or purchasing of an input we know is not in concert with our values. The Ecosystem Services tool helps us recognize and name those things and then figure out a way to move forward. It adds openness and transpar ency to our reflection. I’m excited about that. I like being self-aware to the point of knowing that our farm can be better. And in our case, we have this supportive community that wants us to keep striv ing to do Indeed,better.”oneof the tool’s main purposes is to support farmers in communicating and market ing their environmental stories to their consumer communities. Guenthner expressed his hope that the Ecosystem Services tool will enable farmers to “start being recognized and paid for what they’re able to sequester rather than just what they’re able to produce. I hope that we can start thinking about farms not just as primary units of production, but for their conservation value and for [their value in achieving] larger societal and global goals.” He added that farmers are “in a unique posi tion in that we own land, or we are the managers of land, and we have the opportunity to make changes to meet these goals on a real scale. That’s very, very exciting! There’s something about owning a farm now that seems more timely and important than any other time we’ve been farming. For me, every day, climate impacts are real— but the opportunities to do something about them are equally real, and that’s very exciting. [Climate change] is not some hypo thetical discussion that’s removed from our lives and comfortably compartmentalized. This is real, and we’re all trying to figure out how we deal with it…And we need partners and more help doing that.”

Farm 2 Facts helps by highlighting producers’ hard work to benefit natural ecosystems through the Ecosystem Services tool, which will launch in late summer at farm2facts.org.

| 5mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM

Ecosystem Services Tool continues on 14

Farm 2 Facts also offers a comprehensive suite of reporting metrics suitable for farmers markets looking to use data to more effectively market their story to their community and complete custom grant applications and reports. For more infor mation on becoming a member and gaining full access to Farm 2 Facts’ suite of services, visit farm2facts.org or contact info@farm2facts.org.

Margaret Pennings and Dan Guenthner own Com mon Harvest Farm in western Wisconsin. They’ve been working with the University of Wisconsin’s Farm 2 Facts project on its Ecosystem Services tool that tracks a farm’s environmental impacts, includ ing the practices in place to mitigate climate change. Photo by Chloe Surdell New tool helps farms track practices that improve environment

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lacksmarketfolksborhoodHemphardfromhemp-relatedoptimistic,Midwesterngo$50/test.sionalaspx):(https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/Hemp.website•Paya$250initialsamplingfeeforeachlotsampledbyDATCP.•Paya$300samplingfeeforeachremediatedlotsampledbyDATCP.•Paya$200retestfeeforeachlotwhereanewsampleisnotrequired.ACBD/THC/fullcannabinoidtestfromaprofesthird-partytestingcompanyisrunningaboutIt’sworthrepeatingthatwehavealongwaytotocreateanequitable,reasonable,safe,andfairandU.S.CBDhempindustry.Iamasweseemoreprogressthansetbacksinnewsofthepastfewmonths,atleastacropregulatorystandpoint.Iamoptimisticthatwork,collaboration,anddiligencewillpayoff.isabridge-builder,politicallyandontheneighlevel.Inmyworld,hemphasproventobringtogether,despiteahighlycompetitiveandvolatileandachallengingregulatoryenvironmentthatlong-termresearchtoguideit. Hemp’s Unique Traits For us, growing certified organic CBD hemp was not a marketing decision as much as a default produc tion approach to growing any crop, and a lifestyle. Learning more about the unique traits of the CBD FL Morris hangs CBD hemp to dry in her high tunnel at Grassroots Farm in southern Wisconsin. The crop, harvested in September 2020, was sold as biomass. Photo by Rebecca Jaworski Growing CBD Hemp continues on 8 877.323.3003 | GreatWesternSales.com Organic GemTM is an all-natural liquid fish fertilizer that works with your soil biology to promote growth and development, while improving overall soil Nurturehealth. your Na ture MOSAORGANIC.ORG | 608-637-2526 Practical, reliable and friendly organic certi cation services

• Poor customer service from hemp PPCs

• FDA regulations on CBD medical benefit claims

Cooperative Model Certified organic CBD hemp products can be sold at much more affordable prices at the same time farm ers and other supply chain partners can be paid fairly. We know this because we are living the numbers at South Central Wisconsin Hemp Cooperative (“South CentralSouthHemp”).Central Hemp was formed as a cooperative in Wisconsin by 5 co-founders, including me, Steve Acheson, Steph Krueger, Sam Guttierrez, and James Cassidy on Feb. 14, 2019. We could see the avalanche of out-of-state competition and poor-quality and expensive CBD products populating shelves. My experience has shown that not unlike smallscale vegetable production, the key to a financially successful certified organic CBD hemp operation is a strong business-to-business relationship and/or stra tegic product development for direct sales and niche marketing.Theco-op model takes a shared need and mission and puts it into a collaborative, efficient democratic decision-making setting. In our case, co-marketing CBD hemp products under one brand offers strength in numbers and the benefits of shared resources. South Central Hemp would like nothing more than to achieve its goal of bringing more producer members into the fold.

• Restrictions in working directly with local banks and credit unions, website hosts, and many national PPCs

6 | July | August 2021 TM

• Sudden and permanent “blacklisting” by PPCs for (often inadvertently) violating their terms and conditions

Growing CBD Hemp — from 1 of Mount Horeb Hemp, LLC. “Growing hemp and selling it to a processor was our goal. Cut to 2021, I am now in the retail business due to oversaturation of bio mass, and lack of infrastructure and FDA regulation.” Currently, all federally legal markets are limited by the fact that CBD sits in a gray area somewhere between supplements, medicine, and food. While the USDA was quick to regulate farmers and their crops, the FDA has been turtle-slow at regulating the actual products created with CBD. We are all waiting for the FDA to wrap up its research and discussions about CBD—with hopes they deem it safe for infusion into food, beverages, and pet products.

“Wisconsin Farmers Union calls upon DATCP [the state agency tasked with regulating hemp production] to increase the allowable THC content of hemp, as tested in the farmer’s field, from 0.3% to 1.0%, with the exception of hemp destined for raw flower sales direct to the consumer. In order for hemp with 0.3%1.0% THC content to comply with the current federal standard, THC can be removed or diluted to federal compliance levels through state-certified extraction processes,” the policy stated. There has been some progress in THC threshold compliance within the revised USDA Hemp Final Rule. However, farmers are still taking a big risk at the mercy of nature, science, government regulation, and seed suppliers to grow this crop with under 0.3% THC content. Farmers, through their state or tribe’s Hemp Program, can now follow a federally approved remediation process on-farm with hopes to achieve a compliant THC test and avoid destroying their crop. Remediation and further testing are optional after a failed compliance test of the part of the plant with the highest THC Wisconsinconcentration.Departmentof Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)’s hemp program guidelines now include the ability to mix the harvested components of the plant (flower tops, secondary flow ers, and leaves or simply chopping the entire plant stem and all) to help lower overall THC in test results. Below is a snapshot just of the fees for testing—there are addi tional fees to produce hemp—from DATCP’s

• Inflated fees This is the reality of an unpredictable, evolving new market previously under prohibition, and it’s part of our co-op’s DIY story to still be working on getting our products available to the online consumer a year later. The challenges of online sales is one of the reasons Deb Tuttle of Glacial Loam Farm, LLC, in Evansville, Wisconsin, stopped growing hemp this season. “I decided not to grow in 2021 because my current inventory is still high,” Tuttle explained. “This is due to a combination of COVID-19 and the challenges of marketing a product in a new industry, not to mention the roadblocks of CBD online sales.”

Roadblocks Something I wouldn’t dream of leaving out of a hemp industry update is the complicated, pricey, and downright unfair behavior of online payment process ing companies (PPCs) for small and start-up CBD hemp operations. Setting up your business to sell legal CBD products online is nothing like jumping onto your farm website and adding a pre-generated piece of code and button to sell a dozen eggs or a CSA share. I’ve done that many times; it takes about 5 minutes per item. Our co-op co-founder, marketing director, and 2020 MOSES Changemaker recipient Steve Acheson could write a substantial book at this point about the saga of establishing online payment processing for the co-op. Without a lengthy explainer, allow me to list a few of the issues small CBD hemp companies face:

Many may also remember hearing farmers cry foul on the intense regulation of our hemp crops in the field. In terms of THC-level compliance, nearly all of the risk in production still falls on the producer. It’s important to note that, despite THC content in a hemp plant, all cannabinoids (the name for unique plant chemicals produced exclusively by the cannabis family that includes THC, CBD, and countless others) can be isolated and/or removed during processing and manu facturing steps. Wisconsin Farmers Union addressed this in its 2021 Policy.

The Farmer Advancement Program offers a career pipeline to support beginning farmers and ranchers throughout their different levels of development. This program focuses on the development of peercohorts of new, intermediate, and more experienced beginning farmer units based on experience level. It also pairs beginning farmers across these experience cohorts to help them support and mentor each other in the challenging lifestyle and financial risks they will all face Additionaldaily.components of the Farmer Advancement Program focus on our Farmer-toFarmer Mentoring Program, now in its 14th year. This year-long, one-to-one mentorship for farmers with at least one or two seasons of running their farm business aims to help them focus on specific production methods or business goals with the help of a more experienced farmer. The program starts and ends in February at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference—program participants receive free admission to the conference. The application period for the 2022 Farmer-toFarmer Mentoring Program is open now. Learn more at mosesorganic.org/mentor-program. Sarah Woutat is the Farmer Advancement Program Coordinator for MOSES.

It’s exciting to start a farm. You come into it with a passion, sure that you are READY! You’ve worked on other farms to learn the ropes, attended confer ences and field days, read dozens of books, and lis tened to podcasts and webinars. Now, you’ve secured some land and can’t wait to jump in. All that zeal gets channeled into an over-the-top first season. You order 250 chicks to be raised on pas ture (but haven’t yet priced out feed), select 50 types of vegetables to grow and sell through a 50-member CSA, pick up two dairy cows (just for fun!), order 100 apple trees, seed pasture for 10 hogs to be sold by the whole or half, and order bees—of course, you need bees! You do all your planning in a spiralbound notebook that falls into a puddle as you run to save the chickens from a raccoon that got into your perfectly designed chicken tractor three days before they’re scheduled to be butchered, losing all your notes, plans, and records, not to mention chickens. After three or so years, you’ve climbed a pretty steep learning curve while hanging onto your sanity by the skin of your teeth, and you’ve whittled things down a bit. You sold those dairy cows. You decided not to raise chickens, at least until you’ve really run the numbers on them. You already put the work and money in those apple trees and have decided to invest in an irrigation system for them because you now know that you’re on sandy soil. But how much money will you make on those apples? How will you market them? Is it worth the investment in an irriga tionYou’vesystem?also found that you do a better job of growing certain vegetables than others, but it’s not quite enough variety to supply a CSA. You’d like to start selling wholesale, but all the recordkeeping for food safety and traceability seems like too much to manage. And, how do you even approach a whole sale buyer? It turns out that local honey is a highly sought-after product in your area with few others doing it—should you step up your bee enterprise? You have two seasonal interns living on the farm being paid the agriculture minimum wage, with funds taken out for lodging. Is that legal? You have an Instagram account and tons of beautiful photos of the farm that you know can help your business, but how do you manage social media on top of farm chores? You want to transition your farm from leased to purchased land. How can you make that happen? These are the kinds of questions answered at New Farmer U, a weekend training organized by MOSES and partner organizations. We have offered four of these trainings in the past, geared toward beginning farmers who were just starting out. With feedback from farmers in the MOSES community, we’ve developed a new training oriented more toward “intermediate” beginning farmers—those with a couple years of farming under their belts—focused on business and financial management. New Farmer U takes place Oct. 29 and 30, 2021, at Camp One Heartland in Willow River, Minnesota. We’re planning this training in partnership with Renewing the Countryside. In 2022, we’ll work with The Land Connection to host New Farmer U in Illinois, and come back to Wisconsin in 2023 in partnership with Wisconsin Farmer’s Union. All farmers, regardless of experience level, will find the information shared at New Farmer U useful, and all areNewwelcome!Farmer U in Minnesota this fall is a two-day event, starting with an optional half-day “Fearless Farm Finances” class. The fee for this class is $25, which includes a copy of the MOSES-published book, Fearless Farm Finances. To get the most out of the short class, participants will receive worksheets to complete prior to the class. They’ll receive custom ized advice from the instructor, Paul Dietmann of Compeer Financial, who is one of the book’s authors. Participants will have the chance to get to know one another and share their farm stories at the Friday evening dinner and social. There will also be a preevent Zoom meeting to learn more about the event and start Saturdayintroductions.atNewFarmer U will include three workshop sessions with multiple offerings. Topics include Developing Wholesale Markets and Institutional Sales, Income Diversification, Land Access and Financing, Online Marketing, Farm Employment Law, and Whole Farm Recordkeeping. Some workshops will include preliminary work to help participants get the most out of the workshops. The training also will feature a panel of estab lished farmers who will answer questions and share how they’ve managed growth and profitability on their farms.

New Farmer U builds strong foundation for beginning farmers’ success

• Best practices for your type of operation;

COST: $350 (scholarships available) Program runs 1 year, starting & ending with FREE ADMISSION to the MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, WI.

Applicants must have farmed at least one year. Farmer Advancement

| 7mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM

Oct. 29-30, 2021 • Willow River, MN Workshops on: • Land access & financing • Wholesale markets • Employment law • Recordkeeping & more Just $50! Includes onsite lodging Friday night, Friday night supper & social, Saturday workshops, plus breakfast and lunch. Scholarships available. NewFarmerU.orgbusinessBoostyourfarmskills! Half-day class with Fearless Farm Finances author Paul Dietmann Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 • Willow River, MN Just prior to New Farmer U–sign up for both! $25 (includes the book) See details at NewFarmerU.org.

• How to get your farm ready for certification; • Tips to move your farm forward ! Get 1-to-1 guidance from an experienced organic farmer who can show you: Farme r-to-Farme r Mentoring Program

The USDA defines beginning farmers and ranch ers as “those who have operated a farm or ranch for 10 years or less.” Within those 10 years lies a wide variety of experience levels. With the support of a NIFA Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program grant (BFRDP), MOSES has launched the Farmer Advancement Program, targeting beginning farmers in different stages of their careers: the new beginning farmer in years 0-3, the intermediate beginning farmer in years 4-6, and the advanced beginning farmer in years 7-10.

By Sarah Woutat apply by Nov. 15: mosesorganic.org/mentor-program

FL Morris grows CBD hemp at Grassroots Farm in southern Wisconsin and is a founding member of the South Central Wisconsin Hemp Cooperative.

Hemp Database — from page 1 questionsORGANICANSWERLINE888-90-MOSESGetanswerstoyouraboutfarmingandorganicrules.NEW FREE ONLINE COURSE Financial Risk Management for Specialty Crop Producers This self-directed course covers: •Financial Analysis & Planning •Accessing Capital •Accessing Farmland •Insurance •Business Management •Long-term Planning VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND START THE COURSE https://thelandconnection.org/course/ﬁnancial-risk-management-course/TODAY!

Expanding Research Efforts

8 | July | August 2021 TM

In addition, there is currently a great deal of variation regarding sample collection, preparation, and analysis across the United States, due to variable definitions across state, federal, and tribal hemp programs. This variation is leading to a great deal of disparity among laboratory results, which has problematic implications for growers wishing to use non-state-approved laboratories to track can nabinoids across the season. In response to these concerns, participating MHD laboratories also will contribute to a “proficiency program” designed to tests will be used to compare across laboratories and shared via the MHD to help mitigate concerns over inter-laboratory variation within the program. As the project expands, more state-approved laboratories are to join the program to help evaluate and establish sample preparation and analytical methods across the region.

Science Informing Policy In addition to allowing cultivators to make edu cated decisions on cultivar selection, the database is also useful for processors and regulators. In its final rule on hemp, the USDA cites data from the MHD in a few important areas including THC test ing and negligence, laboratory Drug Enforcement Administration certification, and harvest windows. Specific references to the Midwestern Hemp Database being used to help inform policy change can be found throughout the final rule. Given that it typically takes a few years to gather this much information, this new project has had a significant impact on the way in which data can be collected and shared. Refining and expanding this program will improve a greatly underdeveloped knowledge base for hemp in our region and continue to allow science to impact policy. The resources and partnerships developed will continue to enable informed decision-making by building on the com bined experiences of researchers and other growers. Laying the groundwork for a successful future, this project will continue in 2021 and beyond.

Unfortunately, as a result of the under-regulated CBD hemp products market, coupled with the general lack of enforcement dollars, many CBD companies are falsely using the term organic on product labels with out certification. Organic production of CBD hemp is a consumer safety issue.

The grower-submitted data is just one component of a larger effort. This year, in addition to continuing with the MHD project, the university extensions are partnering with 16 growers across the Midwest to facilitate regional field trials. This program utilizes a “Mother and Baby” approach to conducting on-farm participatory action research. Using this approach, university staff at research stations are conducting “Mother Trials,” which represent the usual replicated experimental design with high-level management and data collection. These trials will be supplemented by smaller, simplified “Baby Trials,” which are con ducted by grower-cooperators across the Midwest; these on-farm trials take advantage of grower engagement and experience while instilling prin ciples of scientific methodology for data collection. These trials include a subset of cultivars that showed the most promise (compliant, highCheck Program, provides growers firsthand experi ence growing cultivars that have shown promise in the region. Funded via a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Partnership Grant, this project will continue its efforts through 2023. For these on-farm trials, growers were provided seed, shipping materials, and costs of cannabinoid testing for each cultivar at multiple time points. Cultivars placed into the check program will be examined in greater detail with the intention of giv ing growers recommendations on cultivar selections soon. Given the amount of variation seen from year to year, and within seed lots from the same company, this project will help establish cultivars that produce consistently year after year. Additional areas of focus include evaluating how fast cannabinoid content and concentrations develop over time, allowing for cultivators to determine more suitable testing and harvest windows. Data generated from public grower submissions, the Cultivar Check Program, and coordinated university research trials across the Midwest will all be integrated into the MHD to strengthen its decision-making power.

From the MHD, growers can find out, for example, if specific cultivars tested above the 0.3% THC regula tory limit or when common production practices (such as planting, testing, and harvesting) occurred. As needs change and more information is gathered, the project will evolve to best fit the needs of the stakeholders for which it is intended to serve. During an unpredictable 2020, this ended up being a perfect project to take on, a truly unique effort that has allowed the universities to fast-track information collection with minimal physical contact in the midst of COVID-19. Taking advantage of public networks and generous partnerships with laboratories across the region was key in getting the project off the ground.

Phillip Alberti is an educator with University of Illinois Extension based in Freeport. Contact him about the Midwestern Hemp Database at palberti@illinois.edu or 217-300-7392.

Inequity A glaring injustice of the U.S. hemp and cannabis story, be it CBD or THC, is the demographics of who is making money now in cannabis and hemp (majority white male-identified), juxtaposed with those who have been historically and disproportionately incar cerated for marijuana-related crimes (People of Color, namely male-identified). Add my voice to the choir asking that the federal prohibition of cannabis be lifted and that we move forward with reparations-minded, equitable cannabis policies. However, as it stands, many individuals, including farmers, are permanently barred from participating in the new legal hemp industry due to past felony drug charges. It’s important to acknowledge with any “hemp update” that there is much work to be done on all levels to create equity in hemp and cannabis in this country. I’ll close with the following thoughts. Many skep tics have cautioned against believing CBD hemp to be a silver bullet for small farm profitability. These first couple years of the developing industry, for many, are proving that sentiment true. That is, until the red tape lifts and the markets stabilize. My personal, nonmonetary takeaway from this last few years’ experi ence is realizing the power and capacity of cooperation throughout the full supply chain—co-op to co-op, producer to worker to consumer—that’s the real silver bullet.

Growing CBD Hemp — from page 6 hemp plant further solidifies the necessity of organic production practices, as the entire cannabis family of plants are “bioremediators.” They absorb chemicals and other toxins from the soil directly into the body of the plant—which makes me wonder if three years without chemical application on land is enough to keep residues out of CBD hemp plants. In my opinion, this is an urgent question for researchers to solve. “Consumers would benefit from more education about the importance of Certified Organic CBD Hemp production and products,” Glacial Loam Farm’s Tuttle said. “There is so much to know it can be overwhelming. However, they have the power to impact what products and practices succeed by how they spend their dollars.”

Hemp also presents an undeniable opportunity to physiologically clean up polluted soils. CBD hemp’s cousin, fiber hemp, could aid in removing chemical residues and heavy metals from fields at a large scale and be used in markets and products that do not com promise consumer safety.

MOSES takes new approach to farmer-led Grower Groups

By Chuck Anderas For a little over a year, MOSES has had a program to organize groups of farmers for the purpose of farmer-to-farmer education, mutual support, and community building. The work is funded by a grant from North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE). The proposal was written pre-COVID, and when we wrote it we had in mind organizing groups of farmers in local areas where they weren’t already organized. With the onset of the pandemic, we had to shift our thinking about how these groups would form and what their meetings would be like. We had envisioned sitting on straw bales in a barn and potlucks. What we got was Zoom meetings and email listservs. They have also shifted from being primarily geographically based to being mostly about common interests. The first group to form has been a farmer mental health group called Growing Wellness. Other groups at various stages of their development focus on sup porting farmer-researchers, farmers who have valueadded enterprises, farm managers with employees, and others. The function of these groups is to connect farmers with each other for information and advice. “Historically, farmers openly shared ideas and practices,” said Gene Schriefer, a grazier and an agent for University of Wisconsin-Extension. “Conventional producers are becoming more tight-lipped about what they’re doing and sharing. Somehow, that trend seems to diminish and weaken us all.” Traditionally, farmers connected with neighbors and nearby family. With organic agriculture, a beginning farmer or farmer looking to transition to organic might not know any other organic growers in their own neighborhood or personal networks. “It can be hard to find someone two miles down the road,” said Kevin Mahalko, an organic dairy farmer and MOSES Organic Specialist. “We saved so much time in the early years just from visiting other farms on pasture walks as part of grazing networks. In the beginning, it saves you up-front mistakes, and then as you progress, it helps you fine-tune your system.” Today’s successful organic farmers, like Mahalko, reached this point by helping each other improve their operations. Schriefer explained that “this notion of coopera tion and collaboration is alive and well within the grazing community,” and is a marker for what makes the organic and grazing communities stand out. Schriefer continued, saying that farmer networks “help farmers to associate with other positive people who are solutions-focused. You have to find ways to associate with those people when they’re not your neighbor.” In Schriefer’s experience, “successful grazing networks provide a group of like-minded people asking each other ‘why?’ Then you get into the habit of asking yourself why you’re doing something beyond ‘this is how we’ve always done it.’”

Participating in groups has been positive for group leader and participant Hawthorn McCracken. McCracken’s involvement in the groups has been in organizing the Growing Wellness group. The main benefit has been “being able to bring folks together and make some new connections and knowing that I wasn’t the only one that was lonely and struggling due to COVID, especially among other rural folks,” theyCOVIDsaid. has weighed heavily on a rural mental health system that was already very limited before the pandemic. In many rural places, mental health professionals are few and far between. McCracken appreciates the group because it gave them a feel ing of connection that had lacked when normal social opportunities were no longer available. When McCracken got a full-time job, they found it difficult to continue organizing meetings, which included speaker presentations. As a result, the group meet ings have fallen by the wayside. “I feel bad about it, but my capacity was maybe six months of being able to devote multiple hours a week to it,” McCracken said. The Grower Groups were designed to be farmerled from the beginning, providing ownership to the group while relying on the volunteer effort of the members to manage meetings. As we take another look at this approach, we appreciate seeing how the Growing Wellness group unfolded. The meetings were well-received, clearly demonstrating a need for this kind of connection. To give more farmers access to previous meeting content, we posted the presen tation portions on the MOSES YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/MOSESorganic) in the Growing Wellness playlist. The topics include empowered decision-making, protective factors for mental health, and responding to someone with thoughts of suicide. Another factor impacting our approach to Grower Groups came from conversations with our newest board member, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin. You might have heard him speak at the recent Growing Stronger Conference about democratizing agricul ture. His critique of the Grower Group program was that, while it was great that the groups can organi cally form and decide their own purpose, there was little coordination of how these groups intersected with each other and how their role integrated into the rest of MOSES’s work. He pointed out that the groups have been mostly focused on secondary issues to a farmer’s day-to-day decision-making. The groups have been challenged by their periphery to farmers’ livelihoods, without solid structure and leadership and without a strong connection between the pur poses of each group to the larger mission of MOSES. These conversations have helped us develop a new direction for the Grower Group program that’s closely tied to planning workshop content for the annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference and will build from there. To convene these groups, we surveyed the MOSES community for interest in participating in workshop planning based on farm ers’ various identities—whether that be their type of production or marketing or other marker of identity. Starting with production-based groups and led by our Organic Specialists, farmer board members, and staff with personal experience with that kind of production, we hope to have regularly scheduled, periodic meetings where farmers can connect, share struggles, successes, and innovations, and give insight into the kinds of educational and organiza tional support each group needs. Planning workshop topics for the 2022 MOSES Conference will pilot this new format for the groups. The groups will also continue to serve the role of farmer-to-farmer support, education, and community as originally intended, but the kinds of education and training that result from the ideas of the group will be much better connected to the other groups and with the other resources MOSES and its partners can use to meet those needs. The role of MOSES staff will be to listen to the groups, find commonalities and connections between groups, and develop programs based on the ongoing conversa tions across numerous groups of farmers. The existing Grower Groups will continue, and they will also be given the opportunity to shape the kinds of work we do in the future. For example, another organization approached MOSES with the opportunity to partner on a grant with mental health work earlier this year. From Growing Wellness group conversations in the past year, we saw a strong desire for more one-on-one connection and support from other farmers and experienced the barriers that kept us from making that happen. As part of the group, I made connections with many farmer mental health advocates and professionals around the Midwest, and I learned from them about some interesting models of peer-to-peer support that can overcome those barriers. The main idea for the grant proposal came from the conversations and the connections of the Growing Wellness group. Before starting to write the proposal, I met with members of the Growing Wellness group to get their feedback on the idea. The group was enthusiastic, and they provided mean ingful insights that changed the way we wrote our proposal.Inthis way, MOSES will be accountable to the needs and driven by the inspiration of the groups. We are hopeful that this new approach will create groups of farmers that contribute to each other’s suc cess through deep connections and mutual support, expanding our efforts to build a healthier food and agricultural system in our region. If you’d like to participate in a production-based farmer group, email Chuck@mosesorganic.org or call the Organic Answer Line (888-90-MOSES). If you would like to join an existing group, please visit mosesorganic.org/grower-groups or email me. Chuck Anderas is the MOSES Program Specialist.

| 9mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM

Connecting with other farmers is about more than just sharing technical information. Farming can be an isolating occupation. With the downward trend in rural populations over the last several decades, support for organic farmers can be hard to come by.

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— Tim Byom, Ettrick, WI Blue River Dealer and Farmer since 2005

WHY BLUECHOSEWERIVER.

By Margaret Wilson Farming Systems Trial continues on next page

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In 1981, Rodale Institute had been researching the benefits of regenerative organic practices for over 30 years. But the world at large still scoffed at the idea of organic agriculture—the idea that farm ers could feed the world without harsh chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, or other inputs. That’s why Bob Rodale, son of Rodale Institute founder J.I. Rodale, began an experiment to compare organic and con ventional grains—crops that make up a majority of America’s agricultural commodities. He called it the Farming Systems Trial (FST), and over time, the results surprised a food community and contributed to the codification of what we know as organic agri culture2021today.marks the 40th year of the Farming Systems Trial. The FST is located on 12 acres at Rodale Institute’s headquarters in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. There are a total of 72 experimental plots. Since its inception, the FST has compared three core systems: a manure-based organic system, a legume-based organic system, and a chemicalinput-based conventional system. In each, corn and soybeans are the focus. In 2008, each core system was further divided into traditional tillage vs no-till plots. At that time, genetically modified seeds were also introduced into the conventional system to mirror common practice.

When you purchase Blue River organic seed, you receive a promise of high quality and performance in the field. At Blue River, we take the organic label seriously and are dedicated to the integrity of the organic label and management practices it represents FOR THE BEST ORGANIC SEED, CHOOSE BLUE RIVER. CORN SILAGE ALFALFA SOYBEAN FORAGES 1-800-370-7979 | blueriverorgseed.com

Results For 40 years, Rodale Institute researchers have col lected data measuring differences in soil health, crop yields, energy efficiency, water use and contamina tion, and nutrient density of crops grown in the FST. Our decades-long research has shown that organic systems produce favorable results in soil health, yields, nutrient density, water quality, and more. Soil Health Data from the FST show that organic matter, and thus soil health, in organic systems continuously

only a few years can’t measure longer-term weather effects, like drought, that will inevitably occur, or biological changes to the soil, which can happen slowly. We need long-term studies to find real solutions to problems affecting the future of global food production.

Organic Manure: This system represents an organic dairy or beef operation. It features a long rotation of annual feed grain crops and perennial forage crops. Fertility is provided by leguminous cover crops and periodic applications of composted manure. A diverse crop rotation is the primary line of defense against pests.

Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial compares organic and conventional production in sideby-side strips. 2021 marks the 40th year of this compelling research, which includes a total of 72 experimental plots. Photo by Rodale Institute increases over time. Soil health in conventional systems has remained essentially unchanged. (See the chart on the next page.) Due to improved soil health, 15-20% more water percolates through the soil in organic systems, replenishing the ground table and helping organic crops perform well in extreme weather. More organic matter also means more total microorgan isms that make nutrients available to plants for strong growth. Yields Results from the FST have shown that not only are organic yields competitive with conventional yields after a 5-year transition period, but they can also produce yields up to 40% higher in times of drought. (See the chart on the next page.)

At 40-year milestone, Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial demonstrates benefits of organic production

“We were looking for a legitimate source of organic seed and a company committed to organic quality. That’s why we choose Blue River.”

Organic Legume: This system represents an organic cash grain system. It features a mid-length rotation consisting of annual grain crops and cover crops. The system’s sole source of fertility is leguminous cover crops; crop rotation provides the primary line of defense against pests.

Synthetic:Conventional This graintypicalrepresentssystemaU.S.farm. It relies on syn thetic nitrogen for thattermbylong-termExtension.CooperativeUniversitybyrecommendedappliedselectedherbicidesbyareandfertility,weedscontrolledsyntheticandatratesPennStateTheFSTisastudyintent.Short-studiestakeplaceover

10 | July | August 2021 TM

The Farming Systems Trial shows an increase in organic matter over time in the organic systems and little change in the conventional system.

The long-term comparison trial model has proven effective in measuring the impacts of regenerative organic management on grain cropping systems. Because of this method’s ability to compare systems in the exact same conditions, Rodale Institute has adapted this model to answer one of the biggest ques tions about organic agriculture: is it healthier? So far, it seems so. Organic oats grown in systems utilizing legume cover crops in the FST contained significantly greater total protein concentration along with a suite of essential and non-essential amino acids. We also found significantly greater soil carbon and nitrogen (the building blocks of proteins) in both organic systems compared to the conventional system.Fornon-grain systems, the Vegetable Systems Trial (VST) was started in 2017 and plans to run for more than 20 years, pulling inspiration from the FST to compare organic and conventional fruit, leaf, and root crops for nutrient density. The site of the Vegetable Systems Trial has been managed organically for more than 40 years. We expect to observe a degradation of soil health in the conventional systems that are a part of the VST—similar to what has happened in much of global food production since the advent of chemical agriculture. Our controlled experiment gives us the unique opportunity to see if and how degraded soil health affects the chemical composition of food. Climate Change The four decades of the Farming Systems Trial have demonstrated that regenerative organic agricul ture is a concrete solution to climate change, capable of sequestering carbon, backed by peer-reviewed research and the observations of agronomists working around the Throughoutworld.the FST, soil carbon concentration has differed significantly between organic and conven tional systems. Soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), active carbon (PoxC), and water extractable carbon (WEC) were all higher in the organic manure systems, compared to the conven tional system, while SOC and MBC were higher in the organic legume system than the conventional system. To harness soil carbon sequestration and its cobenefits, farmers choose interlinking management strategies that increase biodiversity above and below ground. A systematic review of over 50 international studies found nearly 60% more biomass from soil microorganisms in organically managed farm sys tems versus conventional. This is not surprising, as most organic systems, and all regenerative systems, are built on interlinking practices designed to increase biodiversity and support soil health. An abundance of biodiversity above ground results in greater soil health and soil carbon sequestration below ground. Equally as important, the FST has shown that organic systems use 45% less energy and release 40% fewer carbon emissions than conventional systems. Agriculture contributes to increased warming—farming and deforestation account for a quarter of global green house emissions—and any way we can collectively reduce emission is a strategy that should be considered. Water Quality Recent results reveal that conven tional farming systems leach atrazine, an herbicide known to disrupt human and animal endocrine systems, in amounts between 1 and 3 parts per billion into the water table. Replicated controlled studies on frogs have shown that exposure to atrazine at just 0.1ppb causes significant changes to male frogs’ hormonal profiles, rendering them hermaphroditic. Humans may tolerate higher levels of atrazine than amphib ians, but the chemical’s marked effect on animals and ecosystems at levels lower than previously thought is cause for concern. Organic systems, which do not rely on synthetic inputs, leach zero atrazine. In 2018, Rodale Institute began a new study in partnership with Stroud Water Research Center to explore and educate the public on connections between farming practices and clean water. Named the Watershed Impact Trial, this research measures pesticide residue in water, infiltration rates, runoff characteristics, and more to determine the connection between farming systems and water quality over time.

Follow @RodaleInstitute on social media for the latest updates on regenerative organic agriculture.

Comparison of Soil Organic Matter

In 2016—a drought year—both organic systems produced higher yields than the conventional system. The Farming Systems Trial has shown that organic yields, following the transition years, are competitive with conventional.

Graphic by Rodale Institute

2016 Corn Yields in Organic vs. Conventional System

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The report also will include an expanded economic analysis of regenerative organic farming, showcasing the financial benefits for farmers who transition to organic and the advantages these practices can have for our food system. To connect with Rodale Institute, access edu cational resources, or sign up for Rodale Institute’s email newsletter can do so at RodaleInstitute.org.

Margaret Wilson is the Content & PR Manager for Rodale Institute.

| 11mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM Farming Systems Trial — from previous page *10 % discount for any orders placed by July 31st. Restrictions Apply PRODUCER OF NATURAL & ORGANIC FEED SUPPLEMENTS & FERTILIZERS CALL FOR A COPY OF OUR CATALOG: 800-347-1566 | WWW.FERTRELL.COM

Nutrient Density

It’s Time To Fertilize Fertilize strawberries and brambles after the last harvest with Berry Mix 4-2-4 one time between July-September before you mulch the plants. The fertilizer will be more readily available to the plant roots if allowed to be absorbed directly into the soil while protected by the mulch. For strawberries, after harvest apply 8-10 lbs per 100 row ft. For brambles, apply 6 lbs per 100 row ft. Berry Mix 4-2-4 For blueberries especially, between JulySeptember we recommend a one time application of Holly Care 4-6-4 to provide a high phosphorus fertilizer with sulfur to give plenty of time for the roots to absorb them. Apply 10 lbs. per 100 row foot. Can also be used on hollies, dogwoods, gardenias, marigolds, rhododendrons, azaleas, ferns, hydrangeas and all other acid loving plants. Holly Care 4-6-4 In 2016, our no-till organic manure systems produced 200 bushels of corn per acre—a recordbreaking yield for our county that was almost twice the conventional no-till system.

Impact The findings of research projects like the FST pro vide scientific backing for the benefits of regenerative organic agriculture and have helped Rodale Institute build dynamic farmer training and education pro grams available to organic and transitioning farmers everywhere.Aneconomic analysis, which has been expanded in the last decade of the FST, originally showed that organic farmers are three to six times more profitable than conventional farmers. This finding encouraged Rodale Institute to empower farmers to transition to organic and build their businesses. Through our Organic Crop Consulting service, we help farmers interested in transitioning part or all of their land to organic or regenerative organic practices by develop ing a plan tailored to their individual operation. Rodale Institute also operates online courses on organic certification and regenerative organic that are available worldwide, as well as webinars,

Graphic by Rodale Institute online workshops, and print resources like white papers to help organic farmers learn about the latest innovations.

Looking Forward Rodale Institute plans to release the FST 40 Year Report this fall, outlining the latest research initia tives including advances in nutrient quality and density, crop yields, soil health evaluations from the Soil Health Institute, a closer examination of till age vs. no-tillage practices, and more data around soil organic carbon origins and chemical structure.

of fruit, you

Gain control of your farm’s finances! • One-of-a-kind resource packed with instructions, tips, and tools for setting up and managing a farm’s financial system • Real-life examples from successful farmers plus sample data to show how forms and records should look Make sound decisions to improve your farm’s profitability “A not-so-newformust-havenewandfarmers.” $19.95 | 270 pages Get your copy today: mosesorganic.net Ask a Specialist — from page 4

Ed Maltby is the Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance. Cereal Corn One way to improve the life of cedar posts is an old method of charring. In our orchard, we have used locally-sourced cedar and charred the area of the bottom of the post where it’s in contact with the soil line. The charring helps slow biological activity and increases the longevity of the wood. Using a larger diameter post than would otherwise be necessary will also increase the lifetime of untreated wood trellises. Treated lumber posts are often 4-6 inches in diameter. Since wood decays from the outside, using 8 or 10 inch diameter posts before charring will extend their life, making cedar a more viable option. Wood is by far the most favored material for trellis posts for many reasons. It’s inexpensive and easily found locally, which means you don’t have to plan as far in advance or worry about shipping. It can also be cut to custom lengths and easily adapted for setting up a trellis, drilling holes, or attaching hardware. There are also metal options. Several orchard and vineyard supply companies offer either pipe steel or rib-back steel end posts. They cost considerably more and are not commonly carried at local stores, so they must be shipped. On the other hand, they have a longer life than treated lumber, and can be ordered pre-drilled for running wire, saving time for installation.Pre-stressed concrete posts are a new alternative that are not at all easy to find in the U.S., but seem to be increasing in popularity in Europe and may be something to watch for in the future. Another inno vative approach is stainless steel sleeves for wood posts. These fit around the posts where they go into the ground, preventing decay. As with many things, following the organic standards as the apply to posts requires a little extra research, some time finding sources, and creativity! organic management can reach me through the Organic Answer Line at 888-90-MOSES, ext. 708, or by email at rachelhenderson@mosesorganic.org.

If you have questions about

NODPA and others have asked for clarity, consistency, and regulatory enforcement in how a conventional dairy herd can be transitioned to organic production. There has to be a level playing field for all organic dairy producers, no matter the size of their opera tion, location, certification agency, or ownership. The regulation must stop continuous transition and stop the two-track system that has caused an uneven eco nomic playing field for how dairy producers can move to or grow their organic production. The one-time transition must happen over a 12-month period and under the supervision of a certifier as part of the pro ducer’s Organic System Plan. Transitioned animals are not organic from the last third of gestation and cannot be sold, gifted, or transferred to another operation as organic. The one-time transition exemption must be tied to the “responsibly connected person(s)” to fulfill a primary goal of the proposed rule—to prevent organic dairies or individuals from transitioning multiple conventional herds or groups of animals. The Final OOL Rule must preclude producers or operations from circumventing the one-time exception to a very basic rule of organic livestock regulation—animals can only be organic if they are under organic production from the last third of gestation. No other species have this exception.Organic regulation must not reflect the needs or capacity of individual businesses or the market oppor tunities available. It must reflect the core values spelled out under OFPA (the Organic Foods Production Act). Retaining the integrity of the label is more important than the dollar growth in an organic market. Without that integrity, the label will die and the sweat and financial equity of many farm families will have been wasted.NODPA has brought its experience to the devel opment of this Rule over 15 years as it did to the development of the Pasture rule and numerous NOSB recommendations. This rule needs to be tough and as tight as possible. There will be loopholes that will be exploited, but we must not be afraid of stating a strong case for strict enforcement, even if it causes hard ship to some potential farms looking to transition to organic production. The Final OOL Rule must prevent the one-time transition of a non-organic dairy herd from being a convenient tool to undermine the organic dairy market by allowing the transition of large num bers of conventional dairy animals when there is a shortage of organic milk.

With pay price settling at a level below produc tion costs, the Trump administration mothballed the Proposed OOL Rule. The ability to continually transi tion a large number of conventional milking cows to organic production with the support of some leading certifiers ruined many small to midsize organic dairies.Now, with a new administration has come a revival of the 2015 Proposed OOL Rule. It was re-opened for comments to ensure that any new regulation can be legally enforced. (The comment period closed July 12.)

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12 | July | August 2021 TM Inside Organics — from page 3

LET’S MAKE

Sai Thao Sr. Lending Specialist (612) 597-4086 Sai.Thao@compeer.com

To be eligible for any EQIP conservation project funding, there must be a resource concern growers are trying to address on the landscape. “A high tunnel would help promote additional growing days in the spring and addi tional growing days in the fall. So, we can usu ally look at it from a plant health standpoint,” SipplFarmexplained.hostLee said she has seen high tunnels ranging from $7,000 to $12,000 to construct, which makes EQIP assistance very attractive. “This year, after applying a few years—and being very patient—we did receive an NRCS grant to get one of our high tunnels located in Hugo.” The Lee family operates from two sites, one at Big River Farms and a 20-acre farm in Hugo, Minnesota. They have sourced kits for their high tunnels through Zimmerman’s (zimmermanshightunnels.com) and FarmTek (www.farmtek.com). The Lees grow “high-value” crops, including many heirloom tomato varieties, in their high tun nels. With high tunnel tomato production, her family hasn’t had problems with blight that they did grow ing tomatoes in the open air. During the field day, Lee offered advice and insights from personal experience. She touched on rotations, cover crops, pest control, varietal selection, irrigation, mulching, and market-related experiences. USDA Support

PLANS A TOGETHER.REALITY, Field day answers questions about high

| 13mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM Whether your farm is a non-traditional operation marketing directly to consumers – or through local and regional food systems – our dedicated and experienced team can provide financial solutions designed to help you succeed. And we’ll guide you every step of the way. COMPEER.COM/EmergingMarkets Compeer Financial can provide assistance with financing and operations based on historical data and industry expertise. Compeer Financial does not provide legal advice or certified financial planning. Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. ©2020 All rights reserved.

production, funding assistance

Paul Dietmann Sr. Lending Specialist (608) Paul.Dietmann@compeer.com963-7763 (844) 426-6733 #CHAMPIONRURAL YOUR tunnel

If you have high hopes of adding high tunnel production to your farm, check out the recording of the recent MOSES virtual field day from Mhonpaj’s Garden. It will ground your high tunnel ambitions with grower experience and insight into USDA fund ing and assistance, which has helped build nearly 10,000 high tunnels across America since 2009. High tunnels or hoop houses are simple, plasticcovered structures over bare ground, without the elaborate heating and cooling systems of a green house. They rely on passive solar heating, with ven tilation provided by rolling up the side walls and/or vents along the ridge or end walls.

The first step to get EQIP high tunnel assistance is to contact NRCS or FSA in your closest county office.

MOSES Organic Specialist Mhonpaj Lee answers farmers’ ques tions during a virtual field day from her family’s operation at Big River Farms. Lee and her family grow a variety of vegetables, bedding plants, and herbs for Community Supported Agricul ture subscriptions and market sales. Photo by Chuck Anderas “Work with them through their eligibility pro cesses,” Sippl advised. “Right now, I anticipate roughly Oct. 1st of 2021 for a signup date for fund ing for 2022 projects. Typically, our funding cycles run Oct. 1 through Sept. 1; so, that’s usually a good starting point or a good timeframe to get in touch with your NRCS representative or your FSA repre sentative to start the eligibility process.” Sippl also pointed out that historically underserved clients also have access to “another pot of funds” to help pay for a high tunnel. Once the high tunnel structure is installed, the producer comes back to NRCS for reimbursement. An NRCS agent will go to the farm to verify the installation and measurement of the high tunnel, Sippl explained. “We pay based on the square foot age of the high tunnel installed,” he added.

Vegetable grower and MOSES Organic Specialist Mhonpaj Lee hosted the virtual field day in a high tunnel her family has at Big River Farms in eastern Minnesota. The event was supported by a grant from North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE). USDA agents, John Sippl of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS) and Heather Kirkpatrick of the Farm Services Agency (FSA), also participated in the field day. Sippl walked par ticipants through the high tunnel grant application process to obtain NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. Kirkpatrick explained the application forms that FSA requires in that funding process. “Our competition for high tunnels has been pretty fierce the last couple years,” Sippl said. “It seems there’s been a lot of interest in getting high tunnels, and our funds keep dwindling as well.” NRCS started helping growers construct high tunnel greenhouses on a 3-year trial during President By Tony Ends Barak Obama’s first term. It was part of the “Know your farmer, know your food” initiative Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak first led under Obama.Interest in extending growing seasons as well as protecting crops from wide swings in tem perature and climate change has only intensified in the 12 years since the NRCS first helped grow ers construct high tunnel greenhouses. Farmers in Missouri, Alaska, Michigan, Kentucky, and Wisconsin have made those states the top five using agency help to construct high tunnels. In total, the EQIP program has contributed $56.8 million to high tunnel construction nationwide.

Watch the recording of the field day: Season Extension at Mhonpaj’s Garden See mosesorganic.org/mhonpajs-garden-june-2. Available in English, Hmong, and Spanish Questions about growing in a high tunnel? Contact Mhonpaj Lee, MOSES Organic mhonpajlee@mosesorganic.orgSpecialist888-90-MOSES,ext.716 High Tunnel Field Day continues on 14

14 | July | August 2021 TM Ocean Minerals with Trace www.Sea-90.comElements(770) 361-6092 Give our team a call today! Agriculture Mineralizer boost nutrient availability! Foliar Mineralizer Improve nutrient density, flavor, protein, & RFV! Naturally replace the minerals and trace elements depleted from soils and unlock the full potential of your plants and animals! Your Supply Chain Solutions Partner • Buying organic & non-GMO grains • Selling high-quality organic & non-GMO food and feed ingredients • Providing organic transition solutionsContact us today! pipelinefoods.com | 763-999-7667 Beyond serving individual producers, the Ecosystem Services tool will enable Farm 2 Facts member markets to aggregate responses to tell the story of their vendors’ collective environmental impacts. Through this, the tool aims to raise aware ness and connect farmers and consumers around their shared goals to support a collective movement towards environmentally beneficial practices. This, it turns out, is key to building mutually ben eficial relationships with consumers. As Guenthner explained, many consumers “see themselves as being Ecosystem Services Tool — from page 5 The owners are expected to maintain that high tunnel for 4 years after the installation. “That’s the life expectancy of the plastic,” Sippl explained. FSA’s Kirkpatrick provided more detail about the forms necessary for an application. “When you enroll in EQIP, there are three different forms you’re going to fill out with the FSA,” she said. “The first one is a CCC 941, and that’s going to be your adjusted gross income. It’s basically taking your average adjusted gross income from the previous three tax years, and you’re just certifying whether or not you make less than or more than $900,000 a year. That is an annual certification, so we do that once a year.”

Catie DeMets is in the doctoral program in the De partment of Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is working on the Ecosystem Services tool with Farm 2 Facts.

Tony Ends is a writer-editor for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. He and his wife, Dela, own Scotch Hill Farm near Brodhead, Wisconsin.

A series of high tunnels at Big River Farms in Minnesota protects high-value crops from the elements and allows for early and late-season growing. MOSES Organic Specialist Mhonpaj Lee hosted a virtual field day in June from her family’s operation at Big River Farms. Photo by Chuck Anderas EQIP program; all we’re really verifying on there is that you’re a U.S. citizen or a legal alien and that you are over the age of 18. So that one’s a pretty straight forward form as well.” FSA also offers some lending services for conservation additions such as high tunnels. “If you call the office, they can talk you through some of those options,” Kirkpatrick said. “They do offer anywhere from very small loans called microloans up to large farm ownership loans, and there’s some different eligibility pieces there, but it’s very individual to your situation.”Alongwith watching the field day recording, you can find additional information in the SARE publication “High Tunnels and Other Season Extension Techniques.” This fourpage, free publication provides an overview of high tunnel types and construction, offering tips on manag ing fertility, pests, and watering. It is available at techniquestunnels-and-other-season-extension-sare.org/resources/high-orbycalling301-779-1007.

Applicants then must complete Form 80-10-26, certifying that they are willing to comply with conservation practices. “That means you’re agreeing that you’re not going to fill in a wetland or drain a wetland or clear woods to put in agricul tural land unless you get permission from NRCS,” Kirkpatrick added. “The third form you’re going to fill out is called a CCC 902 farm operating plan for purposes of the High Tunnel Field Day — from page 13 part of creating a new agriculture. They want to be part of something bigger than just access to organic produce for their own personal wellbeing. Any place where there’s an interface between the farm and the person eating the farm’s goods, people are seeking out deeper connections to not only the land, but the farmers, too.” He added, “We as farmers have a lot of hard ques tions about our future, and more and more people want to be part of a solution. In the end, we’re all in this together and we all need to do our part—and that part can be a small plot of land in an urban farm or it can be a thousand-acre organic wheat farm—but we are all part of the same transforma tion of our food system.” Hopefully, the Ecosystem Services tool, too, can play a part in facilitating this transformation.

| 15mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM

Collaborative Agritourism

Producers are selected for their ability to grow deli cious, nutrient-dense foods while using agricultural practices that regenerate soil health, protect water quality, and manage livestock humanely. By creating meals grounded in taste, seasonality, and geog raphy, the restaurant attracts diners from across Wisconsin and Minnesota. “I’ve seen how the Farm Table works with businesses, farms, and other orga nizations to draw visitors and build understanding about our roots in farming, and about where and who we are,” Isakson added. Growing Effort A webpage is not a magic wand. By itself, it cannot create a revenue stream or an identity. It is, however, an important component for outreach, building rela tionships, boosting business activity, and inviting action. Now that Amery’s agritourism page is live, other farms/businesses are showing interest. Some of these enterprises are eager to cross-market not only with other farms, but with downtown busi nesses and organizations. The webpage is emblematic of cooperation across sectors that share a sense of place and an appreciation of our visitors throughout the year. It acknowledges the area’s farms and agribased businesses as an economic engine that’s only begun to gather steam.

Knowing your farmer has always been central to natural food cooperatives, a sector of the food retail landscape vibrant in the Twin Cities metro area for over 40 years, and connected to Wisconsin farms since the very beginning. The network of stores, farms, restaurants, and consumers is strengthening andForexpanding.thelastdecade, a dozen or more Twin Cities natural food co-ops have collaborated on an annual event called the Eat Local Co-op Farm Tour. This year’s event took place July 10. Tour organizers pro duced a colorful map for self-guided tours of dozens of farms within roughly an 80-mile radius of the Twin Cities. In 2019, this one-day event prompted over 4,000 people to tour farms, sample foods, enjoy rides, listen to live music, and meet their farmers. Once again, our farm—Bull Brook Keep—was one of the dozens of stops on the tour map. Over the last few years, we’ve enjoyed hundreds of pasture walk conversations, learned about consumer needs and fears, and made sales in connection with the tour. I’ve seen how farms working together can attract and serve visitors to our area. I’m a big fan of collaborative tourism efforts and believe they can help a city, like Amery, become a more clearly definedGettingdestination.peopleon the land, hands in the soil, and in relationship with farmers are also foundational ideals to the Farm Table Foundation and Restaurant. Now in its seventh year, the Amery-founded nonprofit is all about demonstrating the linkages between agriculture, cuisine, and social culture, and through them, the economic and social vitality of the AmeryLocatedarea.on Amery’s main street, the Foundation has repurposed and redesigned older buildings to create a welcoming 100-seat restaurant, a gallery space that features pieces by professional and student artists, and a teaching space where hundreds of adults and young students have taken cooking, baking, and agricultural classes. Its programs often incorporate partnerships with the nearby hospitals, schools, and socialTheservices.nonprofit restaurant sources 80% of its ingredients from farms within a 40-mile radius.

Good Timing Why did Amery leadership move so quickly on this project? Mayor Isakson said he saw Polk County’s economy stay strong in 2020 despite COVID limitations and restrictions. “I wanted us to be ready for the 2021 travel season and felt our area farms would both benefit and contribute,” he explained.COVID was, and continues to be, felt by every shopper and farmer in the U.S. As shelves emptied and food shortages emerged during the early days of the pandemic, more and more consumers began trav eling to secure vegetables, fruit, and meat. My phone started ringing off the hook. The calls for my grassfed-grass-finished beef came from existing customers and worried families hundreds of miles away.

By Sylvia Burgos Toftness

Sylvia Burgos Toftness raises grass-fed beef with her husband on their farm near Amery, Wisconsin. She serves on the MOSES Board of Directors.

Find buyers, sellers, suppliers, and more. Free download or print copy: organic-resource-directorymosesorganic.org/460listings!

David Toftness and Sylvia Burgos Toftness own Bull Brook Keep near Amery, Wisconsin, where they produce 100% grass-fed beef. Their farm is on the new agritourism site the city developed with the help of Burgos Toftness.

News stories showed rivers of fluid milk dumped on the ground, shelves bare of meat, and signs stating that eggs would be rationed at the checkout counter.Consumers bought chest freezers, scrambled for CSA shares, and traveled distances to buy what they needed. They experienced the fragility of the conventional food system and sought alternatives. They learned how to contact and negotiate directly with a farmer.

Small city in Wisconsin promotes local farms through tourism website

The planets were coming into alignment. Or several trends—the growth of sustainable and organic acreage, consumer demand for organic food, and larger public awareness of the environmental and livestock costs of confinement operations—were coming together to form a mightier wave. And, then there was the pandemic with its own effects on con sumer thinking and buying habits. Faced with these and other factors, this past winter Paul Isakson, mayor of Amery, Wisconsin, population 2,902, felt it was time for his town to take action. Born and raised in this farming community an hour east of the Twin Cities, Isakson owned and operated the town’s hardware store for over 35 years. He knows the people and has lived through commu nity“We’rechanges.still a farming community, but the types of farms have changed over the years,” Isakson said. “We used to have mid-sized dairies right to the city limits. But today, lots of newer farmers have come into the area, and they’re selling directly to customers locally and for delivery into the TwinIsaksonCities.”believed this farming com munity could become “a real economic engine for the entire city,.” he explained. “I thought that if we could help area farms and ag-businesses increase their sales and tourism, it might boost the economic vital ity of all Amery businesses and residents.” Amery is a city of lakes, rivers and creeks, and the city has capitalized on these natural attributes by grooming hiking and biking trails, building boat landings, and offering evenings of free musical entertain ment throughout the summer. Isakson and dozens of local farmers consider the area’s agricultural diversity and direct contact with consumers as signature qualities in this section of the St. Croix River watershed. City’s Website Isakson determined that the City of Amery website would develop a page to spotlight farms and agriculturally based businesses within 20 miles of the city’s downtown shopping district. In December 2020, he assembled a small team for the challenge. I was glad to answer his call, and met with him; Paul Shafer, the Director of the Amery Economic Development Corp; Debbie Elmer, social marketing; and Ben Jansen, Amery IT. Our objective was to create an annotated list of farms/businesses. This involved my developing an online questionnaire that could provide the City’s website managers with the information needed to create the listings. In this instance, I used an upgraded version of SurveyMonkey to reach out to farms and businesses I knew, as well as to organiza tions that might provide additional candidates. The key criteria were: local production, direct sales, and operating within 20 miles of the city. Other questions probed agritourism and overnight accommodations. Many local farms welcome visitors by appointment, others invite visitors for scheduled events, and a few encourage visitors almost any time. It was heartening to see the responses come in quickly. The farmers and businesses were eager for this opportunity to increase sales and welcome visi tors to their farms. The new page, www.amerywisconsin.org/703/ Agritourism, was launched in May. Each listing includes the farm’s name, location, contact informa tion, website address, a quick list of major products, a statement about visiting/overnight stays, and a summary paragraph. The easy-to-navigate listings include many smaller-scale sustainable and certified organic farms, as well as businesses such as Amery Ale Works, Z-Orchard, and Legacy River Coffee Roasters.

Photo by Catherine Burgos

16 | July | August 2021 TM Experience the Benefits of Membership ofarm.2005@gmail.com ofarm.org • 785-337-2442

Farmers create cooperative to market perennial crops

Aside from actually marketing the grain itself, the real mission of the co-op is perennialization of the landscape and how that can be achieved with such crops as Kernza while simultaneously remain ing a viably marketable crop. With this in mind, the co-op is structured to continue serious collaboration with the University as its Forever Green Initiative advances other perennial and winter annual crops including winter camelina, pennycress, perennial flax, hazelnuts, perennial sunflowers, winter peas, and winter Ultimatelybarley.the goal is to generate value not only for the grain but for the ecosystem services across the landscape that are achieved as a result of these crops. At the same time, it is the intent of the co-op and the University that the success of Kernza and the other developing crops become the primary respon sibility of the farmers who grow them; a responsibil ity that includes protecting their social, economic, and environmental promises. Already, municipali ties are seeing the budget savings of planting Kernza in well-head protection areas. The co-op feels that a significant part of the economic benefits derived from these ecosystems services should be passed on to the farmers who are growing the crop itself. And finally, the co-op realizes that success is dependent not only on the loyalty of its members but on reaching out to other grower groups across the country to build a national network to protect the value or promise of Kernza and eventually the other developing crops. To find out more about the co-op or become a member contact me at Fernholz001@gmail.com or 320-598-3010. Carmen Fernholz is a MOSES Organic Specialist, OFARM member, and a founding member of the Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative. Phase one of Organic Valley’s dairy life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluated on-farm greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms in a diverse range of climates using different management practices. The results show that farming practices of Organic Valley farmers have a measurable benefit for the planet. University of Wisconsin-Madison’s assessment reveals that, on average, the dairy farms of Organic Valley’s members have a smaller carbon footprint than average U.S. conventional and organic dairy overall. Including carbon sequestration in the LCA reduced the net farm emissions of the cooperative’s dairy farms by an average of 15%. Organic Valley farmers report engaging in 50% more pasture grazing than that required by the National Organic Program, and the LCA results are impacted by this significant difference. In 2022, the full LCA will be completed, and Organic Valley will publish the overall environ mental impact of the cooperative’s organic milk. In light of the study, the cooperative is committing to a carbon-neutral supply chain by 2050, aiming for 15% of the way to being carbon neutral by 2030 and 30% by 2035. Organic Valley is taking a direct, hands-on approach to carbon neutrality, as it plans to achieve its climate goal without purchasing external carbon credits. Instead of offsetting emissions with credits like many U.S. companies, the cooperative’s efforts will reduce or eliminate emissions in the first place and maximize carbon sequestration on Organic Valley family farms across the country.

By Carmen Fernholz A new cooperative, Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative, will help farmers market the new wave of perennial crops, including Kernza®. The Co-op’s mission is to actualize the promises inherent in a perennialized agriculture, which ultimately trans lates into a perennialized food system. Kernza is a potentially significant game changer in agriculture, providing many ecosystem services like soil health, carbon sequestration, clean water, and continuous living cover, as well as being a third crop to enhance plant diversification across the landscape. I first planted Kernza in 2011, and in 2018 planted 15 acres with a new variety, MN Clearwater, that showed significant improvement in productiv ity, indicating that serious Kernza development was beginning to have possibilities of reaching critical mass, enough so that it could in fact be a viable new alternative crop in agriculture. From years of farming experience, older farmers have come to realize that markets are their lifeline. At the same time, university researchers and plant breeders know that the success of any endeavor involving new crops, in this case Kernza, depends solely on the marketability of the end result of their research and breeding. With experience in cooperative marketing as a farmer and my long working relationship with the University of Minnesota, it was apparent to me early on that expecting farmers to find viable markets for Kernza was not going to be an option. Growers need to be focused on the evolving agronomic questions relating to the Kernza grain: how to plant, harvest, and store it. They don’t have time to be searching for a market for an unproven new crop. Throughout much of my farming career, I have been involved in organizing farmers around a coop erative collective marketing concept. I have come to realize that any success with such a new grain with new and unique agronomic characteristics, especially its perennial quality and yield being based on pounds per acre instead of bushels, would be a major hurdle to overcome especially when it came to per-acre gross revenue. It is one thing to sell corn at $3 to $4 per bushel on 150 to 200 bushels per acre and gross anywhere from $600 to $800 per acre. The market has already functioned in these parameters. Apply that same idea to Kernza on a per-acre basis and the numbers are totally different. Yields on Kernza are in pounds per acre. So when pricing Kernza, a competitive price would need to start at a minimum of $2 to $3 per pound when average marketable yields are going to be 100 to 300 pounds per acre. Kernza income potential must be relative to that of corn or soybeans to even attract growers. Understanding this market uniqueness imme diately indicates that there would need to be a significant cooperative effort on the part of the Kernza growers if success were to be reached with this crop. University personnel also realized that there would need to be a collaborative effort with farmers if research were to move forward on Kernza development.Afteraseries of calls and Zoom meetings with current and potential Kernza growers, we have formed a steering committee and, at this point, have Articles of Incorporation ready to be signed. Bylaws are being drafted and memberships are being accepted. Membership fee will be $100 per year. The co-op also will generate operating revenue by assess ing a marketing fee per marketing transaction, the amount to be finalized in the bylaws. Several grants we secured are helping the co-op contract with someone to focus primarily on market feasibility. Simultaneously, we are coordinating with university personnel in food science as well as private entrepreneurs in expanding the various ways that Kernza can be used in baking and cooking as a unique food ingredient.

Elizabeth McMullen is a Public Relations Specialist for Organic Valley. Assessment shows Organic Valley farms have low carbon footprint By Elizabeth McMullen

nectonTheCountryside,Instituteevent-details/explore-regenerative-agriculture.www.wiwic.org/WiWiCisledbytheMichaelFieldsAgriculturalinpartnershipwithRenewingtheMOSES,andWisconsinFarmersUnion.summercamplunchseriescombinesexpertadviceconservationpracticeswiththeopportunitytoconwithotherwomenlandowners/farmers.

Retirement of Broadcaster Editor DearThisReaders,isthelast issue of the Organic Broadcaster that I’ll produce for you. I am retiring from MOSES next month, after working here 10 years and in the com munications field four decades. It has been rewarding to work on this publication. I have appreciated hearing from you when you’ve found stories especially mean ingful as well as when you disagreed with something in the newspaper. The team at MOSES will continue to welcome your feedback and story ideas. You may send them to broadcaster@mosesorganic.org. My best wishes to you, Audrey Alwell, Organic Broadcaster Editor

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has announced dates for its semiannual meeting: Oct. 19-21 in Sacramento, California. The meeting will be webcast live as well. Public comments on agenda topics can be made at the meeting in Sacramento and during the webinars leading up to the meeting. To be consid ered, written comments and requests for oral comment speaking slots must be received by Sept. 30, 2021. See details at https://bit.ly/NOSB_Fall21.

Farm Service Agency County Committees

Norfolk,NE AGlobalEquipmentCompany,Inc. www.henkebuffalo.com 800-345-5073

Conference Workshop Proposals The 2022 MOSES Organic Farming Conference will take place Feb. 24-26 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Do you have a workshop you’d like to present at MOSES 2022? Our presenters are farmers, researchers, and other experts. What’s your expertise? Submit your workshop idea or presenter recommendation at OrganicFarmingConference.org. The proposal dead line is July 31.

Conservation Summer Camp Lunch Series

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations/applications for county committees through Aug. 2, 2021. Committee members contribute to how the local FSA carries out disaster programs as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, and other agricultural issues. This presents an opportunity for organic, sustainable, and under served farmers to impact local farm programs. FSA county committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Nominations are open to farmers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in an area with elections this year. This includes those who have provided infor mation about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nomi nate candidates. Contact your local FSA office or go to elections/index.www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/county-committee-

MOSES Organic Field Days

Livestock Registries

Shine the spotlight on an outstanding organic farmer or farm family you admire by nominating them to be the MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes organic farmers for exemplary land stewardship, innovation, and outreach.

Community-based food systems are the focus of a two-part series currently on the MOSES Organic Farming Podcast. The first part features excerpts from a MOSES Conference workshop presented by Ken Meter and Megan Goldenberg that provides the back ground and data to understand how community food networks can succeed. Part two is an interview with Meter about his recently published book, Building Community Food Webs Subscribe to the MOSES Organic Farming Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

We’ve organized nearly a dozen field days this season to showcase organic and sustainable practices and provide inspiration for your farm. The upcoming field days are listed with the MOSES favicon on the Community Calendar on page 20 and on our website at mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days.

The July lunchtime presentation from Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) focuses on strate gies to manage invasive species while supporting natives in a healthy ecosystem. The presentation runs from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 29 on Zoom. Learn more and RSVP at restore-native-habitat.www.wiwic.org/event-details/“ExploreRegenerativeAgriculture”isthetopic

Organic Livestock & Poultry Practices Rule

Wisconsin was the first state to mandate livestock premises registration back in 2004. Many other states now require similar registration to provide faster containment of disease outbreaks in livestock. Any location where livestock congregate—farms of any size, backyard flocks, veterinary clinics, haulers, etc.— must register for a unique location number. For details about the Wisconsin law, see ContactPrograms_Services/PremisesRegistration.aspx.datcp.wi.gov/Pages/yourstateDepartmentofAgriculturefor the program in your area.

The USDA has directed the National Organic Program to “begin a rulemaking” on the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule (aka the Animal Welfare Rule that was withdrawn under the Trump Administration) and include a proposal to disallow the use of porches as outdoor space in organic production over time. As the process of rulemaking moves forward, USDA will call for comments on how rigorous these animal welfare requirements should be in this iteration of the OLPP rule. Watch for news about that comment period on our social media channels and our monthly enews, the Organic Link.

The MOSES podcast also includes a trailer for the “reboot” of the In Her Boots Podcast with new host Tiffany LaShae. LaShae—a Black woman farmer, researcher, educator, and activ ist—interviews women of color in agriculture from around the Midwest about their experiences. The trailer includes clips from the first three episodes of the season. The first guests are Dani Pietros and KaZoua Berry. The theme of the new season is “Bootless,” based on a quote from Martin Luther King Jr when he said “it’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.” LaShae reflects with her guests this season on what it means to be “bootless” farmers in the Midwest, giving a platform for voices that are not often heard. Find the podcast by searching “In Her Boots” in your podcast app, or by visiting mosesorganic.org/ in-her-boots-podcast. LaShae can be contacted about the show at tiffany@mosesorganic.org. Empowered Farm Financials MOSES partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management on a series of four webinars that explain software and apps farmers can use for farm business planning, recordkeeping, financial analysis, transition planning, land rental agreements, and more. The webinars are posted at mosesorganic.org/farm-finance-workshops and on the MOSES YouTube channel: www.youtube. com/MOSESorganic. Organic Farmer of Year Nominations

National Organic Standards Board Meeting

NEWS BRIEFS

Current Podcast Episodes

The 2022 award winner(s) will be selected from com munity nominations by the MOSES Board of Directors. The board will present the award at the 2022 MOSES Organic Farming Conference Feb. 24-26 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. See mosesorganic.org/organic-farmer-ofthe-year for the nomination form.

of the August lunchtime presentation at noon Thursday, Aug. 26. See details and RSVP at

| 17mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM

New Headquarters for Dramm

Climate Solutions for Farmers

Record Year for Organic Sales

Conservation Program Guides

Disaster Designations Due to Drought USDA has announced Disaster Designations for three counties in Wisconsin due to drought. Farmers in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties and the contiguous counties (Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock and Waukesha) are eligible for emergency loans to meet recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. Contact your local Farm Service Agency to apply. Producers in other states impacted by drought can see if they qualify for aid by visiting www.farmers.gov/ recover/disaster-tool.Inaddition,theUSDA Risk Management Agency has authorized authorizing emergency procedures to help agricultural producers impacted by extreme drought conditions. Producers should contact their crop insurance agent as soon as they notice damage. The insurance company must have an opportunity to inspect the crop before the producer puts their crop acres to another use.

Appeal of Hydroponics Ruling

Lauren Rudersdorf of Raleigh’s Hillside Farm, Kat Becker of Cattail Organics, Bethanee Wright of Winterfell Acres, Kelly Lagman of One Seed Farm, and Jonnah Perkins of Vermont Valley Community Farm applied for and received a grant from North Central Region SARE to complete the project. See the results at csa-starts-here.https://www.csainnovationnetwork.org/

Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Losses Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to pro cessing can apply for assistance from the USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Assistance can cover those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. Livestock and poultry producers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) July 20 through Sept. 17, 2021.

Executive Order to Improve Ag Economy President Biden recently signed an Executive Order to more than a dozen federal agencies to promptly tackle some of the most pressing competition problems across the U.S. economy. The Order directs USDA to consider issuing new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act, making it easier for farmers to bring and win claims, stopping chicken processors from exploiting and underpaying chicken farmers, and adopting anti-retaliation protections for farmers who speak out about bad practices. The order also directs USDA to consider issuing new rules defining when meat can bear “Product of USA” labels. Additionally, the order directs USDA to develop a plan to increase opportunities for farmers to access markets and receive a fair return, including supporting alternative food distribution systems like farmers markets and developing standards and labels so that consumers can choose to buy products that treat farmers fairly. It also encourages the FTC to limit manufacturers’ restrictions on DIY repairs—as when tractor compa nies block farmers from repairing their own tractors.

Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has opened the appli cation period for reimbursement of costs related to organic certification through the USDA National Organic Program. Wisconsin farms and businesses that produce, process, or package certified organic agricultural products are eligible to be reimbursed for 50% of certification-related costs (up to $500 per cat egory or scope) for expenses paid from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021. The application period ends Oct. 31, 2021. See https://bit.ly/WI-Organic-Cost-Share. The cost-share program in Minnesota opens in September. Check with your state’s Department of Agriculture or Farm Service Agency to learn about your local cost-share program.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has published an 8-page issue brief outlining the potential problems of carbon markets, noting that carbon mar kets should not be a substitute for strong federal pro grams that bolster conservation practices currently in place on organic and sustainable farms. “Policymakers should invest in programs with the longest successful track record of addressing on-farm stewardship—the farm bill conservation, research, renewable energy, and rural development programs— as the primary strategy to advance and scale up cli mate beneficial farming practices,” the brief explains. “These programs support farmers and ranchers who implement a wide array of practices from increasing crop and livestock diversity, managing nutrients, and producing on-farm renewable energy.” See https://bit.ly/NSAC-on-carbon-markets.

The Center for Food Safety (CFS), along with a coalition of organic farmers, certifiers, and organic stakeholder groups, has appealed a district court’s ruling issued this March that authorizes the USDA to continue certifying soil-less hydroponic operations as organic under the Organic label. The appeal cites the federal Organic Foods Production Act, which requires crop farmers to build soil fertility in order to be certi fied organic, in its challenge to the district court’s ruling that USDA can exempt hydroponic crop pro ducers from the mandatory duty to build healthy soils.

New CSA Decision-Making Tool

The Center for Rural Affairs has published resource guides on federal working lands conservation pro grams. Available in English and Spanish, the free, downloadable resources provide details on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Both offer financial and technical assistance to pro ducers who want to improve their natural resources, including soil, water, and wildlife habitat, without taking land out of production. See implementing-conservation-practices.publications/fact-sheets-what-know-about-www.cfra.org/

The Organic Trade Association’s annual Organic Industry Survey showed organic food sales in 2020 surpassed $56 billion, up 12.8%—the highest rates recorded in organic in well over a decade. Organic non-food sales totaled nearly $5.5 billion, up a strong 8.5%.Pandemic-driven pantry stocking contributed substantially to this growth. As locked-down families took to bread making and cookie baking, sales of organic flours and baked goods grew by 30%. Sales of sauces and spices pushed the $2.4 billion condiments category to a growth rate of 31% , and organic spice sales jumped by 51%. Within specific categories, fresh organic produce sales rose by nearly 11% with sales of $18.2 billion. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables also jumped with frozen sales alone rising by more than 28%. Including frozen, canned and dried products, total sales of organic fruit and vegetables in 2020 were $20.4 billion. More than 15% of the fruits and vegetables sold in this country now are organic. Sales of organic meat, poultry, and fish, the smallest of the organic categories at $1.7 billion, grew by nearly 25%. For more details from the survey, go to ota.com/ resources/market-analysis.

Five CSA farmers have teamed up to create a video series and workbook to help other farmers evaluate if CSA is the best model for their farm. The tools also can help existing CSA farms plan and set goals.

Organic Livestock & Pasture Management

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites farmers to audit the fall-semester course on organic management of livestock and pasture. For details, contact Nadia Alber at nalber@wisc.edu or 608-265-6437.

The Dramm Corporation is building a new head quarters in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where it has been located since it started in 1941 as a basement opera tion. The company now has 93 employees. The new 98,000 sq. ft. headquarters will include a research greenhouse for testing and demonstrating products from Dramm’s four business segments: Commercial Greenhouse Equipment, Retail Gardening Products, Drammatic Organic Fertilizer, and DRAMMwater for greenhouse water treatment systems. For more infor mation about Dramm, see www.dramm.com.

Wide selection of certified organic products: Certified seed potatoes, garlic, shallots, cover crop seed, fertilizers, inoculants, sweet potato slips, allium transplants, heritage grains, and flowers. Reasonable prices and volume discounts! 207-717-5451 www.mainepotatolady.com info@mainepotatolady.com your source for quality seed potatoes

NEWS BRIEFS

Organic Certification Cost Share

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| 19mosesorganic.org | 888-90-MOSESTM Organic Fish Fertilizer 15-1-1, 100% dry water soluble, 5-7 times more nutritious than liquid fish. Will not clog drip irrigation. One lb., 5 lb. or 55 lb. packaging. Humates OMRIcertified, liquid and dry. Can be shipped anywhere via UPS. Frommelt Ag Service, Greeley, IA, 563-920-3674. For Sale: Tempered, insulated, double-pane glass. Large panes for sunrooms, solar homes, ag buildings, greenhouses or ??? One hundred fifty thousand sold since 1979; 32” x 74” x 1” double-pane only $69.00. If you need glass, now would be a good time! Arctic Glass, www. kissourglass.com, 612-860-8083. Check the Jobs page at mosesorganic.org/job-postings for farm-related posts. Newest postings include 2 AmeriCorps VISTA openings: • New Roots Farm Developer, Dilworth, Minnesota • Farming and Operations Coordinator, Feed Iowa First, Linn County, Iowa For Sale: Sheep flock. 20 -25 Lincoln, Leicester longwool, and Romney crosses. White and natural colored. Lambs, yearlings, ewes, and rams. High quality wool and meat. Includes used equipment and supplies. Ewekidding@ gmail.com For Sale: Certified organic and grass fed Brown Swiss cows and heifers. 40 cows all ages and stages. 40 heifers 6 months-shortbred. 618-267-7417 Custom Weed Zapping. Self propelled 60 ft wide weed zapper. Much less crop damage then 40ft zappers. Uses 14,000 volts to kill almost anything it touches. Espe cially effective on waterhemp, ragweed, lambsquarters, pigweed, and many others. Kills volunteer corn. $50 to $75 an acre. Call or text Andrew at 7159214911. For Sale: Oroboost organic spray adjuvant; WSDA registered; $34.50 per gallon; call (785) 477-6096 or (785) 336-3997. Certified Organic, Grass Fed Beef: Where’s the Beef??? Green Acres of Wisconsin!!! Current products available: 85% and 90% lean ground beef in 1 lb packages. Summer grilling special: 12 lbs for $75. Free delivery for orders over $100 and within 100 miles of Menomonie, WI. Order infor mation with Jeff & Denise Vick: contact@greenacresofwi. com or 715-235-1433. Beef halves available this fall. OMRI 15-1-1 & 7-7-7 dry soluble fertilizers. 3-3-3 clean liquid organic fertilizer. Sold by the ton, tote and tanker. Call Dan Beck at 308-940-2020. Nature Safe Organic Fertilizers. CLASSIFIEDS Place an ad online or call 888-90-MOSES. mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds

For Sale: Organic corn stalk round bales, baled dry, 5’X5.5’, $50/bale, trucking available. Morton, MN 56270. Call Gary at 507-317-1331. OneCert certified organic alfalfa and alfalfa/orchard grass hay for sale 3×3 square. 150-240

For Sale: 12R30” flame weeder. Homemade, wellengineered, 250gal tank. $25,000 OBO. 4R30”Buffalo 4630 cultivator. $800 OBO. Kilbros auger wagon and portable hyd pump. Call/text for pictures: 319-269-2489.

RFQ. Price is based on quality point. Barn stored or tarped. Northeast Nebraska. Josh 402-336-8130. Jim 402-336-8139. For Sale: MCIA Certified Organic hay. Small square bales ($4) and 5x6 round bales ($45). Alfalfa grass mix. Maiden Rock, WI. Call/text Chris at 320-232-5269. FARMS/LAND MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT JOBS This form good through December 2021. Classified Ad Placement Reach 15,000+ organic-minded readers. Includes free listing in the Online Organic Classifieds at mosesorganic.org/organic-classifieds. Submit ads online or write out your ad and send it with this mail-in form and payment to: MOSES, PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Ads must be submitted by the 25th of the month prior to Organic Broadcaster publication date. PAYMENT INFORMATION: I’m enclosing a check made out to MOSES. Please charge $ Card # Visa | Mastercard | Discover | American Express Expiration: (mm/dd/yy) CVV: Signature: Place my ad in (price is per insertion): State:City:Address:Name: Zip: Email:Phone:Word rate x number of insertions = TOTAL $20 up to 30 words; $5/each additional 10 words. January - February March - April May - June July - August Sept. - Oct. Nov. - Dec. The Ahimsä Alternative, Inc. For all things Neem & Karanja INSECTICIDEBIOLOGICAL 100% Cold Pressed Neem Oil (3750 ppm azadirachtin) Controls Aphids, Army Worms, Beetles, Stink bugs, Caterpillars, Leaf hoppers, Leaf miners, Whitefly, Mealy bugs, Midges, Nematodes, Spider mites, Weevils, Scale, Thrips. www.nimbiosys.com100%ColdPressed,Wild Harvested Neem Oil, Karanja Oil,Neem & Karanja Cake TerraNeem®EC Order @www.neemresource.com or call 1-877-873-6336 Biological Insecticide, Miticide, Fungicide, Nematicide Cold Pressed Neem Oil Ready to Use For Organic & Sustainable Use 4-hour REI Zero days to harvest FORAGES MINNESOTACertificationOrganicCROPIMPROVEMENTASSOCIATION1900HENDONAVE,SAINTPAULMN55108855-213-4461www.mciaorganic.org•HANDLERS•PROCESSORS•PRODUCERS•WILDCROP•LIVESTOCK Serving the Upper Midwest Ensuring Organic Integrity Since 2002 committedresponsivelocal to service LIVESTOCK

For Sale: Combine JD7700t with 6row30 corn head and 220 bean head $10,000.; Planter JD7100 corn/bean 6row30 $4,000.; Cultivator MF 6row30 with rolling shields $300.; Gravity boxes (2) 200BU @ $600.; Grain dryer GTtox-o-wik370 $750.; Grain auger 6”x 25’ on wheel stand $400. Near Menomonie, WI. 715-556-6289. Please leave message for Mike. For Sale: 8 Row Yield Pro Planter. Plants multiple crops with the correct seed plates - easy to swap. Large 3bu hoppers, flat-fold markers. Ground drive, with air for seed plates. 3 pt. rigid, model year 2018. Less than 300 acres. Stored inside, excellent condition. $32,500. 515-835-8023 Call or text – Rory. For Sale: Yetter Rotary Hoe, 6 row, 21-foot, 5x7 inch tool bar, in good condition. $500 OBO. Used on organic farm only. Phone 319-288-0995 275 organic certified acres with about 200 tillable for sale/rent. Certified since the early 90s. Includes fully functional dairy barn, outbuildings, potential for house rental, and tillage equipment. Please call 920-539-2876 or email jriegleman@gmail.com. Looking to rent. Looking for organic row crop farmland to rent in Northwest Iowa or extreme Southeast South Da kota. Been farming organically for 20 years. 712-229-0161 Certified Organic Hay For Sale. Multiple types and quali ties. Small squares are in bundles of 9, 18, or 21. Rounds and big squares also available. Sold individually or by the semi-load. Brian@suttoncattle.com

Lily Springs Field Day August 21 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Osceola, Wis. Savanna Institute visits Lily Springs Farm to learn more about the varieties of elderberries they are trialing, and how they manage pest and diseases for this up and coming crop. Call 608-448-6432 or email info@savannainstitute.org.

Soil Health Field Day featuring Kernza® August 25 | Free | Arlington, Wis. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, in collaboration with the Arlington Agricultural Research Station, will feature Kernza® at their annual field day. Register online at: go.wisc.edu/a32g16 or call 608-262-0485.

Farm and River Tour

Methods of Pastured Pork and Poultry Production Aug. 21 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Spring Grove & Caldonia, Minn. Pastured pork and poultry can be a viable method for produce growers to add the fifth principle of soil health, Integrating Livestock, into their practices. These methods of production are often overlooked in soil health programming and educa tion. Part of SFA’s soil health programming. Call 844-922-5573 or email info@sfa-mn.org.

Summer Camp Conservation Lunch Series – Online July 29 | Noon | Care for natives while safely battling invasives August 26 | Noon | Explore regenerative agriculture Join women landowners from across the state who share your passion for stewarding the land on a virtual “summer camp” series bringing together expert advice and opportunity to con nect and network. Learn more at wisconsin-women-in-conservationmosesorganic.org/projects/orcall888-90-MOSES.

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Sustainability through Community Engagement with the Land September 18 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Wheaton, Ill. Come see 2021 Changemaker Sustain DuPage is an educa tional nonprofit that promotes sustainability and community in the Chicago suburbs through an educational organic garden and projects. Register: mosesorganic.org/sustain-dupageseptember-18 or call 888-90-MOSES.

July 28 & Aug. 4 | 2 – 4 p.m. | Online Hosted by Farm Commons. Training for ag providers to help farmers move forward from legal questions with confidence. Also develop a new network of agriculture professionals to connect with on legal topics. Learn more at farmcommons. org/workshops/guiding-resilience.

Riparian Forest Buffer Webinar and Discussion Series

Soil Health Field Day at Kaleb Anderson’s Farm July 28 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Goodhue, Minn. Tour Kaleb Anderson’s farm and discuss his experiences grow ing wide row corn with cover crops, planting soy and alfalfa with cereal rye, and growing/grazing the perennial grain Kernza®. Call 651-334-3366 to learn more.

August 18 | 11 a.m. | Turtle Lake, Wis. Join MOSES Organic Specialist Rodrigo Cala as he shares the systems approach he uses on his organic farm – everything from his sheep production system incorporating rotational grazing to a perennial system used to raise chickens, and more.. Register: mosesorganic.org/cala-farm-august-18 or call 888-90-MOSES.

Systems Approach to Organic Farming

The Power of Food: Cultivating Equitable Policy Through Collective Action September 20 – 22 | $ | Kansas City, Mo. The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) is orga nizing the first-ever in-person national forum for food policy councils and similar groups. Info: foodpolicynetworks.org/ events/the-power-of-food. Pasture Walk at Holm Girls Dairy September 28 | 3 – 7 p.m. | Elk Mound, Wis. Organic farmer and conservationist Mariann Holm will cover pasture renewal, grazing as conservation, and grazing livestock on pasture with trees. Box lunches will be served. This field day is part of the Wisconsin Women in Conservation series. Info: jennifer@mosesorganic.org.

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Pasture Walk: Establishing New Pastures, Pasture Lanes, and Watering Systems

Hazelnut Field Day September 10 | 1 – 3 p.m. | Online Hosted by University of Minnesota Extension. Learn about planting, caring for, and harvesting hazelnuts and discuss cur rent market efforts for Midwest hazelnuts. Register: https://bit. ly/Hazelnut_FD.

July 23 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Spring Green, Wis. Savanna Institute hosts a farm tour, followed by a paddle down the river with the River Alliance of Wisconsin. Call 608-4486432 or email info@savannainstitute.org.

Great Harvest certified organic wheat seed offers organic farmers the outstanding yield, plant health, and standability necessary to be successful. Learn more about increasing the yields on your organic farm with Great Harvest Organics wheat selection. Visit GreatHarvestOrganics.com or call 800.937.2325 for our full list of products, subject to availability.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Find details and event links online: mosesorganic.org/community Organic Row Crops and Native Prairie Restoration in South Dakota July 22 | 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Madison, S.D. Join the Johnson family for their annual farm tour to see this great example for large-acreage row crop farmers and in addi tion, your will hear about their second year of organic oat trials and also from fellow South Dakota farmer Tracy Rosenberg about her work to help restore South Dakota grassland to it’s native prairie state. Register: mosesorganic.org/johnson-farmsjuly-22 or call 888-90-MOSES.

September 9 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Brandon, Minn. SFA and the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship are hosting a pas ture walk series in summer 2021. Info: Angie at 320.815.9293 or angie@sfa-mn.org.

Silvopasture for Pollinators and Livestock August 21 | 9 a.m. – Noon | Menomonie, Wis. Evaluate recently-planted silviculture strips and learn about species selection, installation, and weed management on MOSES Organic Specialist Rachel Henderson’s farm. Co-hosted with The Xerces Society. Register: ture-for-pollinators-livestock-august-21mosesorganic.org/silvopasorcall888-90-MOSES.

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Pasture Walk August 24 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Verndale, Minn. SFA and the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship are hosting a pas ture walk series in summer 2021. Discussion about Alternatives for raising calves on pasture, and fencing and panels used to raise calves. Info: Angie at 320.815.9293 or angie@sfa-mn.org.

Indicates MOSES event WHEAT FOR EVERY ORGANIC ACRE.

Regenerative Grazing Field Day September 8 | 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | $30 | Gays, Ill. The Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District, The Land Connection, University of Illinois Extension, and The Pasture Project at the Wallace Center this field day that will feature five stations that small groups of participants will rotate through for a hands-on learning experience. Call 217-840-2128 to learn more.

August 7 | 12 – 4 p.m. | North Freedom, Wis. The 2020 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year, Jane Hawley Stevens and David Stevens, open their farm for a tour and presentation about medicinal herb production, covering herb identification and wellness uses, planting, harvesting, drying, and cover crops. Register: mosesorganic.org/medicinal-herbproduction-august-7 or call 888-90-MOSES.

ACRES Healthy Soil Summit August 25 & 26 | $ | Online The annual Healthy Soil Summit is built for farmers, growers and ranchers searching for an advantage in today’s market place. Instructors are real farmers who practice what they teach, including detailed tactics to build soil resilience, increase water storage capacity and decrease costly inputs and pro grams. Email Rachel Wobeter at events@acres usa.com or call 970-392-5627.

Guiding Resilience: Legal Workshop for Ag Service Providers

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August 10 | 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Online September 14 | 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Online Discussion on the lessons from implementing a watershedwide riparian forest buffer program in the following Ecological Provinces in the Midwest: Laurentian Mixed Forest / Midwest Broadleaf Forest / Prairie Parkland / Central Interior Broadleaf Forest. Register: nar-series-session-1-3.bwsr.state.mn.us/riparian-forest-buffer-webi

Midwest Regional Seeds Field Day: Selecting, Saving, and Selling Regionally Adapted Varieties on Your Farm September 1 | 3 – 6 p.m. | Delano, Minn. Learn how seed saving farmers make selections to improve or maintain crop varieties, and how working with seed companies and universities can strengthen your farm operation. Hosted by OSA and Greg Reynolds of Riverbend Farm. Questions? Contact michael@seedalliance.org.

NODPA Annual Field Days at Wolfe’s Neck Center Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 | $ | Freeport, Maine This year features research on PFAS on Maine farms, cow health, grazing, OPENteam, and more, including a trade show, and social time. Call 413-772-0444. Winter Vegetable Production in Missouri October 4 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Jamestown, Mo. Learn more about fall crop harvesting and winter high tunnel and caterpillar tunnel production for vegetables in Missouri from 2021 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year Liz Graznak. Co-hosted with EarthDance Organic Farm School. mosesorganic.org/winter-vegetable-production-october-4Register: or call 888-90-MOSES.

Creative Land Access Model and No-Till Vegetable Research July 31 | 2 p.m. | Decorah, Iowa Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan of Humble Hands Harvest, a diversified organic vegetable, pastured pork, grass-fed sheep, and tree crop farm, will share their community-centered land access story and cooperative business model. The farm tour will highlight their development of a no-till organic vegetable system as well as their plans for perennializing their 22 acres.