News Briefs

On July 8, 2021, organic and non-GMO grain buyer Pipeline Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Earlier this year, the company’s bankruptcy proceeding, was finalized by a court in Delaware. Unfortunately, for some organic farmers who sold to Pipeline, this situation is still not behind them. This summer, some farmers have received “clawback” letters from a law firm in Minnesota serving as the trustee for Pipeline Foods’ liquidation. Unfortunately, this seems to be a legitimate part of the bankruptcy process. There are a few things you could do if you receive one of these letters. Here are some things you can do if you have received one of these letters: Gather information about your history with Pipeline Foods, contact an attorney, let OFA know if you have received one of these letters. They will try to keep people updated and share resources about ways to respond. You can email Kate Mendenhall, OFA Executive Director, kate@organicfarmersassociation.org or fill out a short survey about your situation. Knowing how many farmers have been affected will help us strategize on the best way to help you as a whole. https://tinyurl.com/28x2k6es

More information about the online submission system can be found in the call for proposals. Farmer Rancher grants are for ideas initiated by farmers and ranchers and are offered as individual grants ($15,000 maximum) or team grants for two or more farmers or ranchers who are working together ($30,000 maximum). NCR-SARE expects to fund about 40 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call. A total of approximately $720,000 is available for this program. Farmer Rancher grants are for ideas initiated by farmers and ranchers and are offered as individual grants ($15,000 maximum) or team grants for two or more farmers/ ranchers who are working together ($30,000 maximum). Projects may last up to 23 months. About 40 projects are funded each year. Grants support producers who are protecting natural resources, enhancing communities, and boosting profitability. Outreach and networking multiply farmer and rancher project results. NCR-SARE uses an online grant application system for this program. More information is available in the call for proposals. The NCR-SARE Administrative Council makes grant-making decisions. Applications are due December 1. https://tinyurl.com/37av663n

USDA values public comments as a vital step in the rulemaking process. Public comments offer key insights to help USDA best understand and balance needs across the organic sector. In response to stakeholder requests, USDA is extending the public comment periods for the Proposed Rule on Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) and the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on inert ingredients in pesticides for organic production. Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards: Proposed Rule. This rule would change provisions in the USDA organic regulations for livestock handling and transport for slaughter; avian living conditions; livestock care and production practices; and mammalian living conditions. The comment period is being extended by 30 days. The submission deadline is now November 10, 2022. Inert Ingredients in Pesticides for Organic Production: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This notice asks the public to comment on options to update how the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) references inert ingredients in pesticides allowed for organic production. The comment period is being extended by 60 days. The submission deadline is now December 31, 2022. https://tinyurl. com/3tfcnp6r

Dicamba is an herbicide that is notorious for getting picked up by the wind, drifting miles from the intended target – even days after it’s sprayed. When these dangerous chemicals land, they can wipe out crops on neighboring farms and create toxic impacts for surrounding communities. Dicamba has been linked to several types of cancer, harm to wildlife and serious damage to any crops that aren’t engineered to be dicamba-resistant. PIRG’s campaign is called Ban Destructive Dicamba and they’re building a coalition of farmers, agricultural scientists, victims of herbicide drift, and other stakeholders to call on the EPA to ban dicamba. Learn more here: https://tinyurl. com/4rhprzme.

People’s Gardens grow fresh, healthy food and support a resilient, local food system; teach people how to garden using sustainable practices; and nurture habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and greenspace for neighbors to gather and enjoy. People’s Gardens all: Benefit the community by providing food, beautification, arts, wildlife habitat, education, green space, tree canopy, recreation, volunteer opportunities, Are a collaborative effort involving neighbors, co-workers, food pantries, master gardeners, conservation districts, USDA agencies, veterans, youth organizations, seniors, faith-based groups, or others, Incorporate sustainable practices such as rain barrels or micro-irrigation, composting, cover crops, pest management, bat houses or insect hotels, and/or native plants, and Educate the public about sustainable practices and the benefit of local food systems through signage, classes, events, outreach materials, websites, and youth field trips. https://tinyurl.com/ mur47ecu

USDA is offering a new grant program focused on addressing labor shortages in agriculture, reducing irregular migration through expansion of legal pathways, and improving labor protections for farmworkers. The grant program will use up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide support for agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards to promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from Northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program. https://tinyurl.com/yy3j44zt.

The Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit provides tax credits for the rent or sale of farmland or a variety of farm assets to beginning farmers. This includes incentives for the sale of farmland. A Beginning Farmer is defined as: a Minnesota resident (Residency Fact Sheet, PDF) who is seeking entry, or has entered into farming within the last 10 years, a farmer who will provide the majority of the labor and management of the farm that is located in Minnesota, a farmer who has

adequate experience and knowledge of the type of farming for which they seek assistance from the Rural Finance Authority, a farmer who can provide positive projected earnings statements, a farmer who is not directly related to the owner of the agricultural asset. This includes parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, spouses, children, and grandchildren. Legal adoption shall be considered in full effect, or a farmer who has a net worth that does not exceed the limit provided under section 41B.03, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2). This limit is $903,000 in 2022. The beginning farmer may need to participate in an approved financial management program. Costs of financial management programs up to a maximum of $1,500 per year (for up to 3 years) may also be eligible for a tax credit. The financial management credit need not be tied to any agricultural asset sale or rental. Read more: https:// tinyurl.com/t884c6cp

Heirs’ property is family-owned land that is jointly owned by descendants of a deceased person whose estate did not clear probate. The descendants, or heirs, have the right to use the property, but they do not have a clear or marketable title to the property since the estate issues remain unresolved. Land is passed down without a will or deed to prove ownership. Each successive generation generally results in more heirs being added to the land inheritance. The absence of the deed or will becomes more complicated and grows by generation as time and people pass. Without proof of ownership, it may become difficult for heirs to obtain federal benefits for farms and could also force partition sales by third parties. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized alternative documentation for heirs’ property operators to establish a farm number. A farm number is required to be eligible for many different USDA programs, including lending, disaster relief programs, and participation in county committees. Learn more about heirs’ property in this “Ask the Expert” interview with Farm Service Agency’s J. Latrice Hill: https://tinyurl.com/c6zv8vsv

Marbleseed Mentor and Mentee Applications are open! Apply for the 16th year of the Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program. You will gain, 12 months of mentorship, 1:1 guidance from an experienced organic farmer near you, learn best practices for your type of farming operation, learn how to prepare your farm ready for organic certification and get free registration to the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. Cost to be mentored is $350 and includes complimentary admission to the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference at the start and end of your mentorship. Payment is due upon acceptance into the program. Applicants must have been operating their farm business for at least one year. Learn more and apply: https://tinyurl.com/yh8u6n47

Carmen Fernholz, a pillar of Minnesota’s farming community, was recently honored with the Rodale Institute’s 2022 Organic Pioneer Award. Recognized for his leadership in “changing the landscape of regenerative organic agriculture for the better,” he is one of four recipients this year. Carmen is also one of Marbleseed’s Organic Specialists. Carmen has been growing certified organic grain and forage crops at A-Frame Farm in western Minnesota since 1975 and has a wealth of knowledge on production, cover crops, and weed and fertility management. Carmen is involved with research at the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Sally, were the 2005 Marbleseed Organic Farmers of the Year. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/ mtyzcmkk.

We are thrilled that Marbleseed is the recipient of a Professional Development grant from NCR-SARE, The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. We were awarded $88,978 for “Educational Methods for Farmer Self-Organizing.” NCR-Sare’s Professional Development Program competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators in extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, non-profit organizations, and other public and private sector organizations. NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the AC includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in the region. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, Universities, Federal Agencies, and non-profits organizations. “This project will enable Marbleseed to share skills and understanding of popular education methods that center farmers as learners. Honoring the experience of farmers in our educational programs is a way to democratize our work. In every interaction the ‘teachers’ also become learners.” Marbleseed will be providing training in these methods to ag professionals starting in early January. Additionally, registration to the annual Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference will be provided for Group Leaders.” Read more about the other projects recommended for funding here: https://northcentral.sare.org/grants/applyfor-a-grant/2022 ENC projects for Marie.xlsx (sare.org)