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Pennsylvania Certified Organic Quarterly Newsletter Fall 2015

PCO Member Day 2015 page 2 World Renowned Speakers at FarmFest page 9 Organic Production Field Day page 11

Organically Speaking Organic Survey Shows Strong Growth in Organic Farm Sales duction. The top five organic commodities in the U.S. were: Milk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.08 billion Eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.20 million Broiler chickens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.72 million

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the results of the 2014 Organic Survey, which show that 14,093 certified and exempt organic farms in the United States sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, an increase of 72 percent since 2008.

Pennsylvania remains a powerhouse of organic production, maintaining its number three ranking with $3.13 million in organic “farmgate” sales, an increase of 47 percent. New York comes in at number seven with $1.64 million. In number of organic farms, New York ranks 3rd, with 917, and Pennsylvania is 5th, with 679.

Additionally, the survey shows the potential for more growth with approximately 5,300 organic producers (39 percent) reporting that they intend to increase their organic production in the United States over the next five years.

Another 688 farms with no current organic production are in the process of transitioning into organic agriculture pro-

Lettuce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.64 million Apples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 million

Pennsylvania is the top producer of organic eggs and is second behind California in production of organic broiler chickens. Pennsylvania also ranks second, slightly below California, in organic mushroom production, and fourth in crop production. New York and Pennsylvania are third and fourth respectively in organic maple syrup production and fifth and sixth in organic apple production Organic is local! The vast majority of organic agricultural products sold in 2014 were sold close to the farm with the first point of sale for 80 percent of all U.S. organic products being less than 500 miles from the farm.

It’s important to note that the survey only measured sales of farm products at the farmgate. It does not include sales of milk, meat, or eggs at the retail level, nor does it reflect the value of organic processed foods, such as dairy products,

frozen or canned vegetables, and prepared foods or beverages. The overall value of organic food and agricultural products sold in the U.S. is approximately $39 billion.

As we approach the end of our 19th season as an organic certification agency it’s amazing to think of the phenomenal growth we’ve experienced. We can only wonder what the future will bring and prepare for it the best way we know how.

We are honored to work with the best farmers in the world.

Fall is a great time to think about volunteering and if you’d like to become more involved with the best farmers in the world consider serving on the PCO Advisory Board. Application forms are available at paorganic.org/2016-boardnominations or by calling the PCO office.

I’ve received great feedback (and several calls) from members who appreciated having my direct cell phone number. I love to hear from members, so do not hesitate to call (or text) me at 814-404-6567.

My direct email is leslie@paorganic.org, if you prefer to contact me that way.

Enjoy the beauty and bounty of autumn.

Mike and Terra Brownback, owners of PCOCertified Spiral Path Farm, receive the Organic Pioneer Award from The Rodale Institute.

The survey is part of the Census of Agriculture program and was conducted by NASS in conjunction with USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to provide objective information to serve the organic industry. Survey results are available at agcensus.usda.gov.

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Top left: Leslie meets Eleanor Goodman, 80, Ambassador for Amy's Kitchen, a recipient of The Rodale Institute’s Organic Pioneer Award.

www.paorganic.org

Organic Matters Fall 2015

features

stories

columns 17 Produce Perspectives

2 2015 PCO Member Day and Annual Meeting

14 The Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest

Exceptional speakers, hot topic discussions, and awards ceremony highlight event

18 President’s Message 19 Conservation Corner 20 Dear Aggy 21 Recipe Corner 22 Organic Updates Certification Legislative Materials Standards & Policy Fond Farewell

Andre Leu, Leslie Zuck, and Gary Zimmer

25 Organic Marketplace

9 World Renowned Speakers Captivate FarmFest Attendees

26 New Members

Andre Leu, Gary Zimmer, and Dr. Kristine Nichols converged at FarmFest to present on key issues in organic agriculture

29 Calendar 33 PCO Order Form

11 What Makes An Exceptional Farmer?

Innovation and practice at Peachy’s Organic Production Field Day

Fabulous FarmFest volunteers Cover photo: Leslie Zuck

OFFICERS PRESIDENT

David Johnson Provident Farms VICE PRESIDENT

Mail: 106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875

Jeff Moyer Rodale Institute TREASURER

Phone: 814-422-0251

Clifford Hawbaker Hamilton Heights Dairy Farm & Emerald Valley Farm

Lia Sandoval Administrative Assistant

Nicole Lawrence McNeil Membership & Development Specialist

Ciro Lo Pinto Conservationist

CERTIFICATION TEAM

April Fix Public Relations Coordinator

Brian Magaro Independent Organic Inspector Mathew Moore Ag Choice Farm Credit

Tony Marzolino Marz Farm

Cadie Pruss Ewe Win Farm

Email: pco@paorganic.org

SECRETARY

Ken Rice Organic Unlimited

Web: paorganic.org

Chris Firestone DCNR, Bureau of Forestry

Fax: 814-422-0255

facebook.com/PAorganic

Charlie White Penn State University

Jeff Mattocks The Fertrell Company

www.paorganic.org

Mary Barbercheck Penn State University Dave Hartman Penn State Extension

INSPECTIONS TEAM

Liz Amos Inspections Manager

Reva Baylets Program Assistant

Amanda Birk Staff Inspector

Sandie Elder Program Assistant

MATERIALS TEAM

Marissa Pyle Compliance Manager/ Certification Specialist

STAFF

Colleen Scott Certification Specialist

Leslie Zuck Executive Director

Adam Seitz Certification Specialist

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Tess Weigand Certification Specialist

ADVISORY BOARD OUR MISSION: To ensure the integrity of organic products and provide education, inspection, and certification services that meet the needs of our members. PCO provides services to operations based in Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Heather Donald Certification Specialist

Sabine Carey Materials Specialist

Stephen Hobaugh Certification Specialist

MANAGING BOARD CHAIR

twitter.com/PAorganic

Kyla Smith Certification Director

Diana Underwood Director of Operations

QUALITY TEAM

Matthew Bogdan Quality Systems & IT Manager Garrick McCullough IT Specialist

EDUCATION & OUTREACH TEAM

Elizabeth Leah Staff Accountant

Lee Rinehart Director of Education and Outreach

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2015 PCO Member Day and Annual Meeting at PA Organic FarmFest Exceptional speakers, hot topic discussions, and awards ceremony highlight event Lee Rinehart, Director of Education and Outreach

It was a beautiful summer day in Centre Hall, PA, for a gathering of friends as PCO hosted its 2015 Annual Meeting and Member Day at FarmFest 2015. The venue provided a casual setting for getting together, enjoying good food, and recognizing those who have contributed so much to advancing organic farming.

Summer is a new time for PCO’s Annual Meeting and FarmFest was the perfect place to celebrate our award winners and come together to discuss emerging issues that impact the organic sector.

It all started early Friday, August 7th, with a business meeting and presentation of an Annual Report, PCO’s Strategic Plan, and a Financial Report. Members discussed a bylaws change to consider the geographic scope of PCO’s operations.

World renowned keynote and plenary speakers, including Gary Zimmer, President of Midwestern BioAg; Andre Leu, President of the International Federation of Organic Farming Movements; and Dr. Kris Nichols, Chief Scientist at the Rodale Institute, inspired PCO Member Day attendees with talks on Soil Health, The Myths of Safe Pesticides and Regenerative Farming. See pages 9 & 10 for more details on their talks. In addition to enjoying speakers and FarmFest activities, members had the opportunity to gather with PCO board and staff members to discuss three important issues that have emerged and that may impact organic farmers and suppliers.

PCO Member Discussions To get a better handle on the broad scope of emerging issues, PCO held a series of picnic table discussions to look into the inner working of non-GMO labeling, the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Farmer Advisory Council (FAC), and the shortage of organic grain in the marketplace. These discussions yielded solid, insightful information that the

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Pennsylvania Executive Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Smith, addresses PCO Member Day attendees.

PCO Education and Outreach Committee and Board of Directors will utilize when prioritizing initiatives for 2016 and beyond.

Among the issues addressed was the relation between organic and non-GMO. Participants noted that organic is more than just non-GMO. Certified Organic is a whole process verification that looks into not only non-GMO seed and feed, but also soil management, livestock wellbeing, and much more. It’s a “seed to table” verification based on a strict procedure and implemented with honesty, integrity, and trust; something that needs to be communicated to consumers.

A verification of non-GMO is what consumers are looking for and thus there is pressure put upon organic farmers to identify somehow as non-GMO. These

issues have been discussed strategically

by PCO, and have been developed into an action plan to launch a consumer education campaign that addresses “organic = non-GMO” and more. Specifically, PCO offers our members guidance documents and language to communicate GMO issues, which can be accessed on our website at paorganic.org/non-gmoresources.

The Organic Trade Association has been a point of discussion and members had the opportunity to weigh in on the organic check-off and the Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC). As you may know, the check-off is an organic version of conventional commodity check-offs proposed for organic research and education. The FAC provides the OTA with continued on page 32

www.paorganic.org

PCO Annual Awards presented by PA Department of Agriculture Officials Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Hannah Smith-Brubaker led the awards ceremony followed by a keynote presentation by Executive Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Smith, who spoke on organic food and products in the marketplace, trends for organic and local food, and opportunities and state initiatives that assist market and infrastructure in local and sustainable food.

The 2015 PCO Awards lineup consists of exceptionally motivated and engaging individuals. This year’s awards include:

Larry Szrama

Outstanding New Organic Farmer For attentiveness throughout the certification process, innovative management, and dedication toward creating and maintaining a successful organic plan.

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resources and has plans to build a zeronet-utility manufacturing facility within the next 5 years. “We hope you enjoy our organic chocolates and we look forward to continuing to produce high quality, delicious, sustainable organic chocolates!”

Noah & Rebecca Peachey Der Sond Hof, Watsontown, PA

Noah and Rebecca Peachey are newly certified farmers with PCO in 2015. They run Der Sond Hof, an organic produce operation in Watsontown, PA, with about 20 acres in certified land. Noah exhibited an incredible attention to detail during the certification process and continued dedication toward meeting the organic standards. He worked with great keenness to understand different aspects of certification including micronutrient restrictions and labeling regulations.

As a new applicant, Noah worked with PCO on a near daily basis to ensure that he was maintaining the correct documentation for his cropland. His attentiveness to the regulations and commitment to following through on all paperwork is noteworthy. Since his certification was issued, Noah has continued to keep the channels of communication open with PCO. Requesting approval for marketing signs and clarifying the organic status of materials prior to use or purchase are some of the ways he continues to show a proactive involvement with his certification.

No discussion of Der Sond Hof would be complete without a mentioning the 19 dairy camels under Noah’s husbandry.

Though his hump-backed friends are not certified organic, their presence on his farm shows that Noah is a unique farmer.

Thanks for your hard work and pleasant demeanor, Noah!

Outstanding New Organic Processor For attentiveness throughout the certification process, innovative management, and dedication toward creating and maintaining a successful organic plan.

www.paorganic.org

Landies Candies Buffalo, NY Like any good story, this one has humble beginnings. A long time ago, back in 1965, at the tender age of 5, Larry Szrama would help his Grandfather and Grandmother dish out penny candy at the family-owned deli in Buffalo, NY. Larry’s Dad and Mom continued the family food business and operated larger supermarkets during the 70s and 80s. Larry Szrama and his good friend Andy, started making and selling chocolates in the family supermarket and eventually incorporated Landies Candies in 1985. By the way, that is where the name comes from Larry and Andy: “LANDIES.” Over the years, Landies has shipped sweets and treats all across America and several countries. In more recent years, Landies saw the growing demand for chocolates produced responsibly and sustainably. Today Landies is proud to say they make USDA-Certified Organic Chocolate Treats! Their chocolate is made with Fair Trade organic cocoa beans and Fair Trade organic cane sugar. The Landies facility has dedicated organic processing areas to maintain the integrity of its organic chocolate products. Landies also acknowledges the earth’s limited ■

Sara & Ned Fogleman

Going the Extra Acre For sharing knowledge and expertise with fellow farmers and the organic community. Great systems are built on collaboration.

■ Sara & Ned Fogleman Cedar Spring Farm, Mifflintown, PA Ned and Sara Fogleman, along with their daughter and son-in law, Becky and Keith Meifert, and grandchildren, Garrett and Macks, farm 390 organic acres in Mifflin and Juniata Counties. They raise about 50 Jersey dairy cows as well as all the hay they need to produce grassfed milk for shipping to PCO-certified Trickling Springs Creamery. It is a collaborative family effort; Ned and Sara focus on raising the hay to feed the animals while Becky and Keith, with their two sons, handle the milking and pasture rotation.

Ned and Sara have been farming “all our lives” yet they feel that there is always something new to learn. They believe firmly in organics and strive to continue their education. They share their knowledge happily with other farmers; their continued on page 4

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phone starts ringing at 5:30am and doesn’t stop until bedtime. Ned’s response to the many farmers asking for advice or help through the transition/certification process, “I’ll help you. I’ll stop by.”

Their outreach extends beyond farmers to young children and their families through a school garden project Sara and Becky lead. They volunteer their time, expertise, and resources, such as soil and organic fertilizer, to help children from a local school raise, harvest and enjoy organic vegetables. Sara feels that the garden project has a big impact on the children. She’s heard from several parents that their children have insisted they purchase organic vegetables at the grocery store because “it tastes better and we don’t want chemicals on our food.”

The Joseph Family

Sustainability For furthering the sustainability of farms, families, communities, and the environment.

■ The Joseph & Meck Families Maple Hill Creamery, Stuyvesant, NY In 2009, organic dairy farmers Tim and Laura Joseph founded Maple Hill Creamery in Little Falls, NY. Tim saw that creating a “value added” product — in this case, yogurt — would be key to longterm stability, and recognized the opportunity for 100% grass-fed products. Tim’s sister, Julia Meck and her husband, Pete Meck, joined the Joseph family business in 2010, and the family worked hard to craft, market, and sell their hallmark CreamLine yogurt, eking out a firm toehold in grocery aisles.

Over the last two years, Maple Hill Creamery has grown from a regional 4

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yogurt producer to a national dairy brand, currently on shelves in over 5,000 retailers across the US. Grass-fed dairy is no longer niche — both large and small retailers are quickly adding grass-based dairy products.

As Maple Hill’s business continued to grow, Tim worked with PCO to develop the first third-party 100% Grassfed Certification for dairy, ensuring the integrity of grass-fed label claims. MHC has differentiated their product mix with drinkable yogurts, Greek yogurt, and several varieties of cheese.

Approximately 40 farms are now selling milk exclusively to MHC, and the company has also developed a milkshed for certified organic milk, which provides a stable market for organic farmers to transition to 100% grass-fed over time.

While MHC’s premium pay prices are attractive to farmers, a view to the larger picture — one of a producer who above all else values long-term benefits for farmers, cows, and the environment — has been instrumental in bringing new farms to the company. Maple Hill Creamery’s success is securely rooted in the commitment to 100% grass-fed dairy products — a model they believe can only succeed when each and every farmer is consistently well paid for their milk, receives ongoing support and education to optimize their grass-fed herds’ health and output, and is a fully valued member of the Maple Hill Creamery family.

Matt Steiman, Jenn Halpin, and Leslie Zuck

Organic Research and Education For furthering the cause of organic farming through research and education.

■ Dickinson College Farm Boiling Springs, PA

Embedded in the mission of the 60-acre Dickinson College Farm is the desire to continually explore new practices and systems that aim to improve the overall function and longterm health of the land. As a result, fields and pastures at the College Farm serve to support both production and research goals for staff, students and faculty, as well as public agencies and farm advocacy groups. Students are immersed in the day-to-day demands of what it takes to raise certified organic produce and pastured livestock on a diversified farm with strong educational roots — supplying the college dining hall, campus CSA and local farmers’ market. The Dickinson College Farm program assists with innovative research like silvopasture investigations, American toad migration patterns, beneficial insect habitat hubs and the establishment of a newly planted educational riparian buffer.

The Dickinson College Farm is close to achieving its goal of a net zero carbon emissions. The full integration of photovoltaic systems and on-farm production of both biogas and biodiesel help minimize the need for off-farm energy inputs. Tractor conversions from gas to electric and other hands-on projects involve students in every step. In the classroom, farm staff engage with faculty and students in labs, coursework and on research that blend academics with agriculture. Most notable is the successful development of a webbased data logging system aimed to assist farmers with improved record keeping called FARMDATA. The open-source code for FARMDATA has been downloaded over 1000 times worldwide.

The Dickinson College Farm is proud of its student graduates, many of whom are active participants in changing the food system; from advocacy work on Navajo reservations in New Mexico and research at the Land Institute to running their own farming operations in urban, rural and suburban communities.

“Our students keep us energized and committed to the cause of progressive organic farming. We love what we do and feel lucky to have the opportunity cultivate the next generation of sustainable growers.” Matt Steiman and Jenn Halpin, Farm Managers of the Dickinson College Farm www.paorganic.org

everyone. While they officially opened in 2015, they have been chipping away at the farm for the past 10.5 years. Their motivation and excitement to grow and promote organic and local foods shines through, from their soil records and paperwork, to their market stand and customer care.

Joe & Joseph Conklin

Inspector Appreciation For excellent management, thorough records, positive attitude towards the inspection process and exceptional effort in creating and maintaining a successful organic plan.

■ Joe & Joseph Conklin Conklin Farms, Newville, PA Joanne and Joseph Conklin purchased a 65-acre Newville farm (circa 1865) in 2004 in anticipation of opening an organic farm someday. That “someday” occurred in 2015 and Conklin Farms is now producing organic vegetables, small fruits, broilers, turkeys, eggs, and pork.

Conklin Farms is a family operation with father and son, Joseph and Joe, holding the reins. Joseph was a finance professional turned farmer with a passion for vegetables and sustainable agriculture. Joe is the head farmer and is responsible for most of the day-to-day farming operations. Joseph says, “We are two guys with one dream...build a healthy soil, produce nutritious food and there will be more happy people.”

The Conklins’ farming philosophy begins with the soil, where they strive to increase organic matter and protect the living organisms. They utilize cover cropping, crop rotation and livestock pasturing in their field management. The Conklins are committed to “respecting Natures law that includes being good stewards of the soil and having respect for God’s creatures.” The benefits are many and include amazing food, a simpler and healthier lifestyle, and satisfying work.

The Conklins are working to create a risk managed, bio-diverse farm that is as efficient as possible toward a goal of making organic foods more affordable to www.paorganic.org

Paul Profeta

Staff Appreciation For special dedication to the organic certification process and use of innovative practices.

■ Profeta Farms Neshanic Station, NJ Paul Profeta has owned and faithfully stewarded 350 acres of prime farmland and mature forest for more than thirty years. At present, Profeta Farms utilizes their land as well as 600 acres of leased land to raise vegetables, pigs, broilers, laying hens, and beef cattle. They plan to incorporate a bovine dairy herd as well as milk processing and USDA- inspected livestock slaughter facilities next year.

They are in the process of transitioning the entire farm to organic with an ultimate goal of opening a brand new 25,000 square foot farm store where customers can buy a full range of fresh, certified organic produce, meat and dairy products that have been raised and processed on the farm itself.

Paul credits his wife and daughter for his inspiration toward organic farming.

Paul’s wife, Joanne Malino, is a certified nutritional counselor and his daughter is one of the first integrative medical doctors in New Jersey. Because of their influence, Paul became extremely focused on his health, his environment and the food that he was eating. He also became interested

in locally grown foods in order to eradicate the carbon footprint of shipping internationally or cross-country. These thought patterns lead to the genesis of Profeta Farms.

Paul Profeta has had a very diverse life.

He started his career as a commercial real estate investor. Later on in his life he founded the Profeta Urban Investment Foundation and partnered with Rutgers Business School to help launch minority businesses in Newark. That Foundation has now launched twelve businesses and has four more queued up for launch this year. Paul sought out PCO as the certifying agent for his most recent visionary project of Profeta Farms because he shares PCO’s commitment to the importance and integrity of organic certification. Profeta Farms hopes that this venture is a success and will become a template for other agricultural efforts across the country.

Profeta Farms truly believes this is the way the country should feed itself.

Scott Sechler

Outstanding Organic Producer For exceptional commitment to high quality organic production, promoting organic products and supporting the integrity of organic goods in the market.

■ Farmer’s Pride, Inc./Bell & Evans Fredericksburg, PA Scott Sechler grew up on a family farm in Kempton, Berks County. At a very young age, he started growing capons and selling them to neighbors. And even at that young age, he was passionate about doing the right thing. Scott shared his plan on growing chickens with his father, whose response was, “If you raise chickens like that, no one will be able to afford continued on page 6

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Trickling Springs is committed to growing sustainable organic farming. Earlier this year they launched a Farmer-forLife™ program to encourage farmers to make the transition from conventional farming to organic farming. This program incrementally pays farmers for each step they make along the journey towards being certified organic. Today, Trickling Springs purchases milk from 27 certified organic dairies, 7 FarmFriend (non-GMO and grassfed) dairies, 10 FarmFriend goat dairies, and 1 certified organic goat dairy.

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them.” Scott replied, “Well, if I can’t raise them that way, I won’t raise them at all.”

In 1984, Scott purchased Farmers Pride, Inc., in Fredericksburg, PA, from Senator Clarence Manbeck. Two years later, he purchase the well known, premium chicken brand, Bell & Evans, and merged the two companies in 1988. At that time, he pioneered and implemented his natural chicken program: No animal by-products, no bakery by-products, and only extruded and expeller-pressed soybeans. In 1998, he received USDA approval to start selling chickens as Raised without Antibiotics.

Continuing to innovate, Scott first introduced organic chicken into the Bell & Evans’ product mix in 2008 with the assistance of PCO. While there are clearly defined USDA organic standards, he persisted in going above and beyond those requirements. Sourcing domestically grown organic corn and soybeans is one such commitment, while also pledging to never import grains from China. All Bell & Evans’ chicken houses are cleaned and disinfected after every flock. 2006 brought the expansion of the 100% Air Chill system, eliminating the use of iced chlorinated water through the chilling process. In 2011, he implemented the first Slow Induction Anesthesia (SIA) system in North America, working closely with humane animal welfare expert, Temple Grandin.

Today, Bell & Evans processes 1 million chickens per week with approximately 25% of those raised and sold as USDA certified organic. Key organic customers, such as Wegmans and Whole Foods Market, continue to demand more organic products, and Scott is focused on expanding organic production. A wide variety of organic further-processed items made at the new Bell & Evans “Esther’s Facility” is planned for launch later this fall.

Scott resides on his family farm, with his wife Monica, their daughter Margo, and son, Scott, Jr., where he raises Haflinger horses. Margo and Scott, Jr., are also involved in the day-to-day operations at Bell & Evans.

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Trickling Springs organic farmer, Clifford Hawbaker

Outstanding Organic Processor For exceptional commitment to high quality organic production, promoting organic products and supporting the integrity of organic goods in the market.

■ Trickling Springs Creamery Chambersburg, PA Tricking Springs Creamery was founded in 2001 by two friends, Gerald Byers and Myron Miller, with the goal of processing premium milk from local farmers for their local community. Gerald and Myron established high standards for their farmers in the following areas: what they feed their cows, how they care for their animals, and how they take care of their land. The standards include giving the cows access to pasture year round and feeding a grass intensive diet. All Trickling Springs dairy products are minimally processed using low-temperature pasteurization, simple ingredients, and no additives in to their whole milk and creams.

In 2002 Trickling Springs became certified as an organic processor and started selling organic products throughout the greater Mid-Atlantic region. As their reputation for quality organic grass-fed dairy products grew they were privileged to expand distribution across the eastern seaboard region. “I never could have imagined the growth we experienced since we started 14 years ago,” says Gerald Byers. “We are very thankful to our retailers and consumers for the support they’ve shown us. Customers remind us daily that they expect us to hold to the values we started with and deliver only the best; we continually strive to meet that expectation.”

Dr. Eric Burkhart

Outstanding Volunteer For contributing to PCO as a whole and supporting of our mission to ensure the integrity of organic products in the marketplace.

■ Dr. Eric Burkhart Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center Petersburg, PA Dr. Eric Burkhart is a temperate ethnobotanist who works with the herbal industry on topics pertaining to husbandry, conservation and supply chain advances surrounding native medicinal forest plants originating from the eastern United States. He holds degrees in Economic Botany (B.A, Idaho State University), Horticulture (M.S., Penn State University), and Forest Resources (Ph.D., Penn State University) and is currently Plant Science Program Director for Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and faculty instructor for the Penn State Ecosystem Science and Management Department.

Working with partners such as the Pennsylvania Department of Conservawww.paorganic.org

tion and Natural Resources (DCNR), Eric conducts research on important nontimber forest products (NTFPs) including American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and ramps (Allium tricoccum) and offers practical guidance in forest farming of NTFPs through related workshops and publications. His research program in Pennsylvania is focused on developing sustainable wild crop management and production systems through the use of agroforestry and plant husbandry.

Eric has been instrumental in establishing PCO’s Forest Grown program. He has volunteered countless hours to developing program standards, facilitating PCO staff and inspector trainings, organizing producer meetings, and educating interested farmers and consumers on sustainable production practices of NTFPs. In addition, Eric has worked tirelessly to connect and facilitate interaction among all stakeholders the whole way up from producers and herbal companies to government agencies and PCO. Eric has truly served as the driving force behind PCO’s Forest Grown program and in turn, the success of non-timber forest producers, the promotion of sustainable NTFPs farming practices, and the conservation of wild crops.

2015 PCO Hall of Fame For continuous, extraordinary dedication of time and energy to furthering the mission of Pennsylvania Certified Organic.

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Al Johnson Independent Organic Inspector Titusville, NJ

Al is no stranger to organic farming. Al says “I can’t buy non-organic food with a clear conscience.” But he doesn’t stop there. Instead, Al’s organic pursuits are extensive and longstanding. He has taught workshops on organic gardening as well as organic crop and livestock farming for 39 years. Al was the first Educational Coordinator for the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) in Vermont where he initiated a program of on-farm workshops and organized what may have been the first organic winter conference in 1980. Al managed organic farms and market gardens from 1977–1989, including www.paorganic.org

Al Johnson

Brian Magaro

two years in the tropics as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Al chaired NOFA-NJ’s organic standards development committee in 1989 and served as a member of the its Standards/Policy Committee until the New Jersey Department of Agriculture took over the program in 2007. He administered NOFA-NJ for three years, served as its treasurer for five years and was member of both the NOFA Interstate Council and the Northeast Interstate Certification Committee. Al is a member of NOFANJ’s Board of Directors, and has been since 1986.

Al began performing organic inspections in 1990 and has broadened his scope to include Certified Humane, GlutenFree and Non-GMO inspections. He is a founding member of IOIA (International Organic Inspector’s Association) and has been accredited by them for Livestock, Crop and Processing Inspections since 1996. Al is currently the Chairperson of two IOIA committees, By-Laws and Peer Field Evaluations.

Al has been inspecting for PCO since its inception and has been a member of PCO’s Standards Committee since 1998.

Clearly with Al’s broad experience and dedication to organic agriculture, he is an invaluable asset to PCO and we are grateful for his many years of service.

the 1970s into the 1990s his passion for working with the land was extended as he grew organic vegetables with his father in Enola, PA. For the last 20 years, Brian has worked as a consumer advocate in the organic food industry while conducting inspections for numerous certification agencies.

Brian has been a part of PCO since its humble beginnings in 1997. He served on the original Board of Directors for PCO for the first three years of its existence.

Brian was PCO’s first-ever independent organic inspector and has continued inspecting with PCO to this day. Brian has served as a key member on PCO’s Standards Committee since its inception 17 years ago. In addition, Brian served on the International Organic Inspectors Association Board of Directors for 6 years; three of those years as chair.

Prior to becoming an inspector, Brian had extensive background in business management through owning several retail food establishments and as a Licensed Pennsylvania Auctioneer. He is passionate about farming and loves tending to his gardens and greenhouses. Hats off to Brian for his contributions to PCO and the organic community.

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Brian Magaro Independent Organic Inspector Enola, PA

Brian Magaro began farming and gardening at the age of 12 while working on his uncle’s farm earning $.25/hour. From

PCO extends our congratulations and expresses our deep appreciation for the commitment and vision of these extraordinary individuals. Without the engaged involvement of people like our award winners we would not be where we are today.

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Thank You to Our 2015 Annual Meeting Sponsors and Contributors!

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www.paorganic.org

World Renowned Speakers Captivate FarmFest Attendees Andre Leu, Gary Zimmer, and Dr. Kristine Nichols converged at FarmFest to present on key issues in organic agriculture

Stephen Hobaugh, Certification Specialist

The Myths of Safe Pesticides Explored The 2015 PCO Member Day welcomed Andre Leu, tropical food farmer, president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), and author to the stage to discuss the message of his recent book, The Myths of Safe Pesticides. Leu, a native to Australia, provides an international voice to the organic community both in his speaking events and his written publications and PCO was lucky enough to host him across the ocean in the small town of Centre Hall, PA, at the 4th Annual Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest.

The Myths of Safe Pesticides was an exposé of recent FDA and EPA findings on the presence of pesticides in human food and the levels at which these chemicals are toxic to the human body. Leu maintains the same opinion on pesticides in the human body as the World Health Organization, both of whom disagree wholly with the FDA and EPA opinions.

That is to say, synthetic pesticides found in the human body are unsafe at any level.

The average consumer of organic foods in the USA has a top priority when it comes to purchasing food: Their health.

This means they are selecting the certified organic food option because they know it has been produced without the use of prohibited pesticides, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation to name a few.

So if the EPA and FDA claim pesticides are safe for human consumption at certain levels, why are more American consumers choosing the certified organic option? Leu says the EPA and FDA testing is flawed, relies on biased sources of information, and does not go through peer review, a process reputable scientific

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Andre Leu

sources would. He further disagrees with their acceptance of lower levels of pesticides in the human body, what the FDA and EPA refer to as the “pesticide tolerance level.”

Every pesticide contains an active ingredient in some formulation with adjuvants and solvants, which in totality make up the commercial product available for farmers. Leu points out that of the 1400 or so federally recognized and commercially available pesticide formulations in the USA alone, not one of those was tested in its entirety for the pesticide tolerance level. Instead the EPA and FDA relied on scientific studies that looked exclusively at the toxicity levels of the active ingredient. This research method is an incomplete understanding of the effect these chemicals have on human beings, argues Leu. Many of the more than 200 chemicals studied have been found in multiple studies to infiltrate the human placenta.

Organophosphates disturb the mental and nerve cell development of newborns.

Most USA consumers intake organophosphates from their food. “What’s your child’s health worth?” Leu posed to the audience. “Is it worth the price hike from conventional food to organic food?”

Leu also faults the EPA and FDA for the scientific studies they source for their pesticide tolerance level analyses. He found from his research that many of these studies lacked peer review and were funded by conventional agriculture industry groups. One such study sponsored by “The Glyphosate Task Force,” determined glyphosate to be safe for human consumption at a certain potency.

Leu and the World Health Organization dispute the findings of this report and instead maintain that glyphosate is a carcinogen. The flaw with this study was in the type of exposure measured. Leu beckons the audience to consider an analogy to asbestos.

“You can eat asbestos and you won’t get cancer, but get one speck in your lungs and you will get mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis,” Leu says. The same analogy applies for cigarettes, says Leu. At levels below the pesticide tolerance levels established by the EPA and FDA, levels in the parts per trillion or billion, certain pesticides can begin to act in the same way a hormone in the human body would. Hormones are responsible in part for activating and deactivating genes during the development of fetuses and children. This phenomenon, called endocrine disruption, causes or contributes to breast cancer and prostate cancer. The endocrine continued on page 10

During the Q & A after Leu’s presentation, an attendee asked about how organic approved pesticides compare to the conventional pesticides in their toxicity towards humans. Leu explained that organic approved pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. biodegrade in a way that the conventional pesticides do not. Since the organic pesticides biodegrade, there is no residual chemical lingering in the human body.

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Speakers continued from page 9

disruption also contributes to issues of metabolism within the human body.

Leu provided a solution for these problems.

“The solution is to just eat organic food,” Leu said matter-of-factly, “The basics. Good wholesome organic foods.

Do that not just to feed your families but to make the world a better place.”

Gary Zimmer

Soil Health means Human Health Gary Zimmer, the Wisconsin born “Biological” farmer, has travelled the world to present his methods of dairy nutrition and thoughts on organic agriculture. Zimmer brings energy and excitement to any speaking engagement and his PCO Member Day plenary talk on soil health was no exception. His message that healthy people start with healthy soils inspired the audience of PCO Member Day and FarmFest attendees alike.

Reflecting on his youth, Zimmer recalls it was during the 1960s when he first began questioning the conventional systems of agriculture that he was so used to. It was around this time he transitioned from studying dairy veterinary sciences to dairy nutrition. Through his studies of soils and dairy nutrition he asked himself another question about agriculture, “How do you raise cows sustainably?”

“Soils are very similar to the digestive system of a cow,” says Zimmer. Before studying the cow’s digestive system and

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One member of the audience, a new farmer with a hay operation in southeastern Pennsylvania asked about how burning crop residues on your field could work in a no-till system. Dr. Nichols warned farmers that burning crop residue will burn off valuable soil nutrients and plant food which would otherwise be a healthy addition to your soils.

the soil from which the feed grows, Zimmer had never considered the concept of a living soil and the complex, subterranean soil systems that are constantly at work.

By questioning his methods of agriculture and applying his research in dairy nutrition, Zimmer was able to redefine his definition of sustainable agriculture to a soil-focused agricultural system he calls “Biological” or “Eco-Intensive” farming.

Organic farmers are constantly seeking more sustainable practices, whether it is the economic sustainability of their farms or the biological sustainability of their soils. Systems of farming upon which all organic farmers rely — like crop rotation, cover cropping, rotational livestock grazing, and promoting the general health of their soils in every action they do — have influenced the broader agricultural community. Conventional farmers are starting to adopt practices organic farmers have been using for decades now.

“Organic is much bigger than your farm and you. We have to be models and leaders. Clean air — clean water — clean food; you can’t take that away from us,” Zimmer said in a breath of exasperation.

Conventional farmers do what they do because they were taught to do it that way, Zimmer says. Organic farmers are pioneering new systems of sustainable agriculture, which will help teach and shape new generations of farmers from all methods of agriculture.

Building homes in your soil During her plenary talk Dr. Kristine Nichols, Rodale Institute Chief Soil Scientist, reasoned that in order to have a healthy soil biology, you have to implement farming practices that promote the healthy growth of root systems, bacteria, fungi, and the many other organisms which populate your soil.

Dr. Kris Nichols

In her clinical, scientific manner Nichols asked the audience, “How do we create systems of agriculture which both promote soil health do not rely on chemical inputs?”

Dr. Nichols suggests looking at the entire system and implementing a biodiverse cover-cropping program on your land, exploring no-till or reduced tillage practices, and using crop rotation. There are billions of microorganisms in the soil.

Using these practices you can help build lasting homes for them. The more varieties of uninterrupted root structure, the greater amount of soil biology can exist, and in turn healthier soils and crops.

The Rodale Institute continues to work on a long-term study in no-till field crop production including the use of a tractor implement called a roller-crimper.

Rodale seeks to make the no-till process more efficient by minimizing the amount of tractor passes needed to use the system.

Tillage practices break the root systems, expose the underground soil, and reduce the healthy storage of water and nutrients, all of which destroy the healthy living conditions — “the homes” — of the microorganisms that help crops thrive.

“In the USA we lose 2 billion tons of topsoil every year which is primarily due to haphazard tillage practices,” suggests Dr. Nichols. “We are not maintaining enough carbon in our soils, we need to diversify our crop rotations, maximize the living roots in the soil, and keep an armor on the soil to prevent this erosion.”

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What Makes An Exceptional Farmer?

Innovation and practice at Peachy’s Organic Production Field Day

Lee Rinehart, Director of Education and Outreach

You couldn’t ask for a better day for a farm field day. August 25th saw the gathering of over a hundred farmers at Alvin Peachy’s farm in Allensville, PA, at the third annual CROPP Organic Valley Field Day. This year’s event emphasized organic crop and forage production and producing high quality forages to meet the needs of productive livestock.

Among the lineup of experts was Dr. Silvia Abel-Caines, Ruminant Nutritionist with Organic Valley, who gave an informative and hands-on demonstration in feeding nutrient dense crops, paying particular attention to nutrient requirements of lactating cattle. Jeff Moyer, Director of the Rodale Institute and long time farm manager of the Institute’s certified organic farm, led participants on a crop walk discussing organic crop production methods.

Field day goers enjoyed a pasture and crop walk with Alvin Peachy, owner of the Peachy Farm and David Miller of Advancing Eco-Agriculture, where attention was paid to a soil pit demonstration, focused on soil management in the root zone of growing crops and the benefits of diverse cropping systems to advance the biological capacity of soils for sustainable cropping.

As always, PCO was on site to discuss organic transitions and certification requirements. PCO engaged established farmers, particularly the many dairy producers who are cuurently making the transition to organic production. A highlight of PCO’s presentations and discussions was the Transition Membership Program, a high demand initiative designed to assist producers through the transition process with one-on-one support through farm visits, technical assistance, and materials review.

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The late morning and afternoon sessions included breakout workshops and discussions, demonstrations, and crops walks focused on technical information and innovative practices, where participants could have conversations with presenters and each other. The day was given a kick start with a keynote presentation by John Kempf, the founder and CEO of Advancing Eco-Agriculture, who set the stage with an in-depth discussion of the difference between an “good farmer” and an “extraordinary farmer.” What ensued was a journey into farming practices from the perspective of a well-traveled consultant and expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming.

“It’s all in your head” John began his career farming in the Amish community, where he developed a

broad approach to farming substantiated on plant immunity and how plants interact and respond to mineral nutrition based on soil microbiology. His own farm was his learning environment, and now John shares his knowledge with others.

John’s observations have given him some insight into what takes good farmers to the level of extraordinary farmers.

When we think of what separates the good from the extraordinary we usually talk about practices — what the farmers does or the inputs he buys to make his crops or livestock perform extraordinarily. “But,” says John, “one piece we don’t talk about enough is how we think as farmers.” The big differences are most often not related to agronomics but how the farmer thinks and how the farmer manages. continued on page 12

Rodale’s Jeff Moyer leads discussion on organic crop production.

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An Exceptional Farmer continued from page 11

So, how do extraordinary farmers think differently? Consider two farms side by side with the same soils and crops that consistently yield different results. This happens all the time. John suggests that the farm with better results is farmed by someone who spends most of his time thinking about management while cultivating an attitude that fosters adaptability, flexibility, and the expectation of change.

Every year the extraordinary farmer looks at his list and ask the same questions over and over, and there are some key points in this activity of reflection that points the way to being extraordinary.

Extraordinary farmers think differently about money. They focus on gross revenue; the top line without spending extreme amounts to do so, and their rule of thumb is a minimum 3X return on gross expenditures. John notes that so many farmers are focused on cost and how to save money, but “you cannot save yourself successful,” says John.

“Perfection is not optional,” says John.

“When you face life without a challenge

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5 MINERAL DEFICIENCIES THAT REDUCE PHOTOSYNTHESIS • Manganese (#1 in priority) is used in energy transfer (ATP) and decreases disease susceptibility. When pH is above 6.8 you will have a deficiency of manganese, and 80% of fungal and bacterial diseases can be traced to manganese deficiency.

• Magnesium is used by the plant for greening and photosynthesis • Plants can be deficient in iron, even if your soil test might say you’re high in iron. Iron in the soil profile occurs in various forms. Plants can’t use oxidized iron, rather they need the reduced form of ionic iron. Use liquid iron chelate, and you will visually see a growth response.

• Phosphorus isn’t directly involved in photosynthesis but is important in energy transfer.

• Sulfur is an important nutrient in plant protein synthesis.

you need to make one, and this will get you to the next level of production. So when in doubt, think. The applied and passionate human mind is the rarest thing today.” The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself, John says. There’s plenty you can do about production and income if you are willing to do it, he says.

“But if you think something is impossible, it is then impossible for you. It’s all in your head.”

Producing high energy forages Consider this story. A farmer has grain-fed Holsteins and wanted to switch

to 100% grassfed in one year. Everyone knows this is a steep learning curve and if not done thoughtfully can result in a train wreck. What John experienced and learned on farms switching to grassfed are the some principles that hold true for forages, corn, and other crops as well.

First, protein is never a problem on a grass farm. It’s energy that is deficient.

Energy is expressed and measured in terms of sugars, but another component that is often undervalued is fat content.

Through some farm consultations, John became interested in seeing how a farmer could increase sugar over time by measur-

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ing brix. Instead of applying soil amendments he used foliar applications every 24 weeks throughout the summer to boost sugar content. What he found is that foliar applications are essentially a “ratchet” to increase the growing potential of plants throughout growing season.

Micronutrient foliars are designed to increase the photosynthetic rate of plants, and over time you can get a sugar production spike of 6–8, up from a baseline of from 2–3 on the brix scale.

In five to ten days after a foliar application the sugar drops down to its baseline, maybe around 2 or 3 on the brix scale. As foliars are applied throughout the growing season, John notices when the sugars decrease the base line is a bit higher, perhaps at 4. After another application, the brix reading goes up to 12, then back to 6. This ratchet effect results in increasing sugar content over time, making the baseline higher and higher throughout the growing season. Depending on soil quality and consistently of applications it can take from months to years to increase the sugar content baseline of forages (and other crops).

John attributes this sugar increase in plants to the foliar application’s ability to

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A living solar panel, converting carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into sugars, benefiting the plants, the soil microbiology, and livestock. Photo: Alvin Peachy

ramp up the plant’s photosynthetic rate.

As the plant becomes more efficient at photosynthesis, through having adequate nutrient and mineral nutrition, more sugars are produced. The benefit is not merely increased forage quality, though that is a key goal, but the long term health and resiliency of the soil.

When plants make more sugar than they need, sugar is partitioned through

the plant to leaves, fruit, and roots. Most importantly for soil health, half of the sugars that are portioned to the roots are exuded into the soil to feed soil microorganisms. Having a healthy crop, says John, is the best way to build soil organic matter. Crops that are healthy, having been managed in this manner, become stress proof and resilient against insect and disease invasion.

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The Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest With close to 5,000 attendees, this year’s FarmFest was the biggest yet, with the promise of growing more each year, extending the reach of PCO, organic farmers, and organic companies to a dedicated and enthusiastic audience.

Phyliis VanAmburgh, of Dharma Lea Farm, accepts the Sustainability Award on behalf of Maple Hill Creamery at the PCO 2015 Annual Awards Ceremony.

PCO Member Tait Farn Foods tempts passersby with samples of their locally produced shrubs in the Browsing Barn.

With knitting circles, crocheting, spinning and weaving demonstrations, wool processing displays, and artisan vendors the Wool Village offers many opportunities for fiber enthusiasts!

Serving up scrumptious pies for all the lucky tasters participating in the Friends & Farmers People’s Choice Pie Contest, a delicious way to supports the community-owned cooperative!

A FarmFest Fun Run participant smiles proudly at the race’s end.

Full Circle Farm’s beautiful bouquets, one of the many Homemade and Homegrown Market items available for purchase at FarmFest.

The famous FarmFest draft horses, Alta and Bess, getting dressed for the big occasion — the FarmFest parade!

Homemade and Homegrown Market vendor, Simon Leach shows the art of wheel throwing during one of the many FarmFest demonstrations.

Leslie Zuck, PCO Executive Director, and Michael Pipe, Centre County Commissioner and FarmFest Parade Grand Marshall, lead the parade while the children, ponies, heifers, dancers, and musicians follow behind.

The Organic Valley Family Arena offers a wide variety of educational opportunities and fun activities for children and parents alike — here local storyteller and author Robin Moore shares Native American stories.

Good Seed Baking Company, one of many wonderful vendors in MOM’s Organic Food Court, displays their organic and gluten free savories and sweets- delicious!

1st place winner in the Fertrell Organic Produce Contest flower category, Full Circle Farm! Tamarack Farm and Patchwork Farm took 1st place in the vegetable group and single vegetable categories, respectively. Congratulations!

The Book Nook, a nice quite place to sit and relax, listen in on author readings, or engage with speakers and presenters.

Bob Vernon demonstrates the blacksmithing techniques of drawing and bending for hook making. Up next, horse shoeing!

ul r wonderf anks to ou graphers! th l a ci e A sp photo FarmFest volunteer y Engle, C rey, ynd Sabine Ca , and Carl Schaad ayes Lindsay H

The FarmFest MOM’s Organic Food Court tempts festival goers with local, organic deliciousness!

New to the Organic Valley Family Arena, the Ashburn’s Animals on a Mission Petting Zoo — a popular place for families and animal enthusiasts!

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Produce Perspectives

Protecting Your Organic Apple Orchard Scouting and biological control to prevent red mite infestations Tianna DuPont, Penn State Extension Sustainable Agriculture Educator

Untreated infestations of red mites can eat enough chlorophyll out of the leaves of apple trees that the trees can’t store enough energy, resulting in smaller fruit and a reduced fruit bloom the following season. Luckily we don’t often see red mite infestations due to a successful story of biological control in Pennsylvania. Dr. Dave Biddinger explained how to scout for red mites and maintain a successful biological control program at a Young Grower Alliance training session on July 16.

A little history…

In the 1980–2000s growers had to spend $50 to $100 an acre to control European red mites. With 10 to 12 generations in a year and the ability to go from eggs to adults in 18 days, red mites required frequent sprays. But, Dr. Biddinger explains, “The best way to take out a mite is to use another mite.” The first bio-control used for red mites was Stethorus punctum, a small black lady beetle. It was voracious but it would not even fly into the orchard until red mite levels were at least 8 per leaf and, at that level, some injury had to be tolerated. Later they found T. pyri and Amblyseius fallacis predatory mites. A. fallacis is more efficient than T. pyri. It is a pure predator, and if it runs out of food it will leave the orchard canopy and go to the ground cover. T. pyri on the other hand, is an omnivore. It eats red mites but it can also live on other things such as fungi, pollen and other insects. It does not retreat to the orchard floor, but always stays on the apple tree where it can immediately respond to pest mite buildup.

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Left: Injured leaf with reduced photosynthetic activity. Photo: Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension.

Right: Adult European Red Mite. Photo: Scott Justice.

Scouting for red mites in the early spring • Look for presence or absence of red mites.

• Look at the underside of leaves on 10 random trees of a susceptible variety in a block.

• Generally you can tolerate 2.5 red mites/leaf until the middle of June.

• Generally you can tolerate up to 5 mites per leaf after that until mid-July and up to 7.5 mites per leaf in August through harvest.

Scouting for beneficial mites • Sample several trees in each block by examining the underside, mid-veins of 25 leaves/tree for fast-moving, tear-drop shaped mites with a hand lens (10 to 15X lens).

• They will appear to be clear or slightly reddish and tear drop in shape, but not red or bright yellow in color or have spots.

• If you have a ratio of predator to prey of at least 1:10, biocontrol will do the job.

At 1:20 it will still most likely do the job.

Make sure not to wipe out beneficial mites Bio-control is likely the best alternative for controlling red mites. Be careful what

sprays you use and think about timing in order to avoid injury to beneficial mite populations. A single application of an approved pyrethrin can kill beneficial mite populations. Pyrethrin can also stimulate red mites to reproduce more rapidly and increase the number of generations they have in a season. “You can end up with more than 80x more over-wintering red mite eggs after a pyrethrin spray in the late summer or fall,” Dr. Biddinger explains. Be sure to check with your certifier before using a spray for mites to ensure you are using approved substances.

How to get beneficial mites in your orchard You can inoculate your orchard with beneficial mites by bringing in spur leaves from an orchard with well-established populations such as the PSU Fruit Research & Extension Center. May to June is the best time to do this. Place 2 sets of spur leaves on every 6th tree in high density plantings and every 3rd tree in normal plantings.

For more information 1. Penn State Biological Control of Pest Mites in Apple, extension.psu.edu 2. Penn State Organic Crop Production Guide 3. ATTRA Organic Tree Fruit Resources attra.ncat.org/organic.html#fruits

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dave Johnson, PCO Advisory Board President

I live in an area where we work around rolling terrain and property lines that were laid out by a bureaucrat at a desk. There are few fields that fit the ideal of nice neat rectangles with parallel sides. As crop farmers, we try to lay out strips that come close to contours, but alas, the shape of these strips combined with the side hill drift of tractors and tillage equipment inevitably leave us with pieces that look like a very skimpy piece of pie, and the “crust” end is too narrow to bother planting any partial rows of the cash crop.

As organic farmers, we know that bare ground invites weeds and erosion, so not being able to cultivate the pie sliver, we use a 3pt pendulum spreader to get some annual ryegrass and clover on immediately

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to provide quick cover. When you try to limit spreading seed in a 10-foot strip, a fair amount lands in the 2 or 3 edge rows of the cash crop.

So where am I going with this rambling? Well it appears at this point in the season, the heavy cover crop that landed in the corn is doing a great job of suppressing weeds, and doesn’t seem to hinder the growth of the corn by stealing nutrients or moisture. Maybe this year some moisture theft would be a welcome crime, but could there be more benefit than harm by the competition, or maybe even symbiosis of this cover crop?

For several years, we have been underseeding a lighter rate of annual ryegrass and clover into corn after last cultivation to provide cover after corn comes off, but it usually remains small and spindly in the canopy, and the weeds seem to fair better.

In contrast, the ryegrass that spilled into the corn when I planted that bare slice of pie is thick and vigorous by the time the

canopy was filled. Could it be that a little extra fertilizer along with cover crops planted at the same time as the cash crop could provide the greater net return that could push organic farming practices to a new level? While I would like to try this, my pockets aren’t that deep, so I wouldn’t mind if someone else volunteered to do the experiment on their dime.

I hope some of you were able to enjoy the festivities and seminars at Farm Fest. I usually need a week or a month to assimilate the wealth of information that Gary Zimmer can drop in a 1 hour session, so I hope your recovery period is not too exhausting! It is always great to be able to honor some great individuals in the organic community and our appreciation goes out to those outstanding farmers, processors, inspectors, volunteers and PCO staff that make such a difference.

See page 3 for more details on our outstanding award winners. continued on page 32

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CONSERVATION CORNER Gwendolyn Crews, USDA NRCS

USDA Funding Available to Pennsylvania Organic Producers Funding is available for the installation of conservation practices on Certified Organic operations as well as operations transitioning to Organic Certification through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. The Organic Initiative funding is available to help Pennsylvania producers implement soil and water conservation practices, like planting cover crops, establishing or improving grazing systems, or installing diversions, waterways or terraces on organic or transitioning agricultural operations. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year.

Eligible producers include farmers who are certified organic, transitioning to certified organic, or organic exempt according to USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. Under an Organic Initiative

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contract, producers are paid a practice payment rate for each implemented practice. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers are paid at a higher practice payment rate. The program provides up to $20,000 per fiscal year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.

The 2008 Farm Bill provided for assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those transitioning to organic production; the 2012 Farm Bill continues this assistance. Organic Initiative funding is provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation program administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality.

Producers interested in applying must submit applications through their local USDA Service Center, which can be located online at offices.usda.gov. Additional information is available online at pa.nrcs.usda.gov or by contacting the area NRCS offices: • Harrisburg .................. 717-237-2218 • Bloomsburg ................ 570-784-4401 x 6 • Clarion ........................ 814-226-8160 x 4 • Lebanon ...................... 717-274-2597 x 5 • Somerset .................... 814-445-8979 x 6

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Dear Smell E. Pit,

during the anaerobic phase of manure decomposition. If you would like to use manure treatments, they must be reviewed for compliance by PCO before you use them. PCO will need to verify that any microbial ingredients are nonGMO, and that other ingredients are non-synthetic. You’ll find approved manure treatments on PCO’s list of Approved Materials under the Crop Production Aid — Compost/Manure Additives Category.

Yes, you can use manure pit additives from PCO’s Approved Materials List.

Manure pit additives are a popular way to not only decrease odor from stored liquid manure, but also stabilize nutrients and liquefy it for easier handling.

Pit Additives generally consist of a combination of bacteria and enzymes that liquefy solids and decrease ammonia levels

Off-Farm Manure Substances added by the supplier of off-farm manure are not restricted by the organic regulations. Manure from offfarm sources must not contribute to contamination of crops, soil or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances (see NOP § 205.203(c)

Our manure pit is so stinky! Is there anything allowed by the organic regulations that we can use to cut down on the stench?

— Smell E. Pit

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5

I

SPR

S

PA

Manure Pit Additives Dear Aggy,

NG M IL L

DEAR AGGY — Readers’ Letters

1 6 87

Got a question for Aggy?

• Email to: pco@paorganic.org • Fax to: 814-422-0255

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RECIPE CORNER Debra Deis, PCO Advisory Board Vice President

Candied Honey Jalapeno Slices If you like hot peppers in the least, these gooey and tangy jalapeno rings will become a staple for you. If you grow your own jalapenos, wait until they turn red (but pick promptly or they may soften). Green jalapenos are also delicious, but not as attractive. My favorite use for the preserved jalapenos is in watermelon and feta salad — just top the salad with a few jalapenos along with some syrup from the jar. As a drinking person, I also like them as a garnish for margaritas. They are great on crackers with cream cheese or as part of a relish tray. When made with an all sugar syrup, these last a full year in the refrigerator…

I don’t know how long the honey version will keep. It might be possible to can these, but I just store them in the refrigerator. Makes 3 cups 1 qt red jalapeno slices (see note) 1

1⁄2

cups honey

1⁄2

cup sugar

3⁄4

cup cider vinegar

2 tsp salt Optional: 1 Tablespoon black mustard seeds 1 stick cinnamon

able. With a slotted spoon, transfer into a hot quart jar. Bring the syrup back to a boil, then pour into the jar. Cool, then refrigerate for at least a day. This allows the jalapenos to absorb the syrup.

• Drain the syrup back into a saucepan and simmer until reduced by at least a third.

The syrup foams up at this point. Pour this while still hot over the jalapenos and, when cool, store in the refrigerator.

1 tsp turmeric Notes: Ground black pepper • Combine honey, sugar, vinegar and salt (and the optional mustard seeds and cinnamon) in a large saucepan and bring to a slow boil. Add the jalapeno slices and bring back to a simmer. Simmer two minutes — the slices will become slightly pli-

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I have access to giant jalapenos and they weighed 1 pound after prepping. Smaller jalapenos would weigh more.

Start by slicing from the tip into 1⁄4” rings, stop where it gets seedy and use an apple corer to get out most of the seeds or cut in half and seed with a spoon. Then slice.

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Organic Updates Certification Update PCO 100% Grassfed Certification Program Expansion Kyla Smith, Certification Program Director PCO has expanded its offering of our 100% Grassfed certification program to any operation that is certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program regulations, not only organic operations certified by PCO. This expansion became effective on August 1, 2015.

This program applies to producers of ruminant livestock and to handlers of meat and dairy products derived from ruminant livestock that wish to market these products as PCO 100% Grassfed.

If you are interested in applying for PCO’s 100% Grassfed certification program please contact the PCO office at 814-4220251 or via email at pco@paroganic.org. You can also check out the PCO 100% Grassfed Certification page on the PCO website at paorganic.org/grassfed.

Don’t Leave Home Without It… Make sure you take or send along your most up-to-date certificate and organic product verification when selling your organic product. Your buyer, whether that be an organic mill, produce distributor, egg packer or cookie processor needs to have current organic documentation for all product or ingredients coming into their organic facility available at their inspection in order to maintain compliance for their organic certification. This is especially important when lots or loads are being combined. The organic mill or milk company does not want to risk the contamination of their product because the organic documentation accompanying your product is missing or out of date.

PCO issues an organic operation a certificate when certification is initially granted. This certificate is valid unless surrendered, suspended or revoked. It is also updated when the operation has added or removed a scope of certification (e.g. crops, livestock, wild crops and handling). So if an operation was originally certified in 2007 it is quite possible that this operation still has the organic certificate issued to them in 2007.

PCO issues Organic Product Verifications (OPV) at least once annually. This document lists the specific products that an operation is certified for and includes an expiration date. PCO updates OPV’s after annual updates are received, as initial reviews are being conducted, and always before the expiration date (usually 5/31 of the current year). OPV’s are also updated when new products are requested to be added and are reviewed and approved by PCO. Buyers of organic product need both your organic certificate and your current organic product verification on file. So for example, if you are selling grain to a mill on October 15, 2015, please be sure that the OPV you give or send along with your product has an expiration date after 10/15/15.

PCO is more than happy to provide additional copies of these documents. Please contact the PCO office at 814-422-

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0251 prior to product being shipped so not to delay delivery onsite while your buyer awaits the proper documentation.

Legislative Update US-Switzerland Equivalency Arrangement Kyla Smith, Certification Program Director On July 9, 2015, the USDA National Organic Program entered into an organic equivalency arrangement with Switzerland. As a result of the arrangement, U.S. organic products certified to the USDA organic regulations may be sold as organic in Switzerland and Swiss organic products certified to Swiss organic standards may be sold as organic within the United States.

This is the fifth organic equivalency arrangement for the United States. Other arrangements include Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Korea.

Organic Crop Insurance USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) published a new report outlining progress on developing organic price elections for improving federal crop insurance for organic crops. The 2014 Farm Bill required USDA to establish organic price elections for all organic crops by the 2015 crop insurance year, which began in July 2014. Although this goal has not been met, this report, which was submitted to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, shows that progress has been made. There are currently 26 crops with organic price elections, including 10 new elections added for the 2015 crop year. RMA notes that it offers crop insurance policies for over 120 crops. Organic price elections are available for about 25 percent of the commodities for which RMA offers crop insurance coverage, up from just four percent in 2011.

Materials Update Material Review Status Changes Adam Seitz, Cetification Specialist Please note the following status changes for materials reviewed by PCO for use by certified operators.

PROHIBITED — Operators must immediately discontinue use of these products unless otherwise indicated.

• Nutrigain Organic Gold (Nutrigain) prohibited as a crop fertilizer and soil amendment • Per Ox Liquid Sanitizer AFCO 4325 (Alex C. Fertusson, Inc.) prohibited as processing food contact sanitizer and antimicrobial • Genesys Bio N 7-0-0 (Genesys Specialty Group, LLC) prohibited as a crop fertilizer and soil amendment • Golden Pest Spray Oil (Stoller Enterprises, Inc) prohibited as crop invertebrate pest control

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Organic Updates • Holganix Blend 66AG CT — Super Concentrate (Holganix) prohibited as crop fertilizer and soil amendment. Existing supply may be used until January 31, 2016.

• Holganix Blend 60T HG YCA — Tree and Shrub (Holganix) prohibited as crop fertilizer and soil amendment. Existing supply may be used until January 31, 2016.

• Holganix Blend 66L CT — Super Concentrate (Holganix) prohibited as crop fertilizer and soil amendment ALLOWED — The following products are allowed.

• Vitamin A D Injection (Durvet, Inc.) allowed as livestock medical treatment • Calcium Drench Plus Vitamins (Durvet, Inc.) allowed as livestock medical treatment • First Arrival® w/Encrypt® Lamb and Kid Paste (DBC Agricultural Products) allowed as livestock medical treatment • CMPK Gel (AgriLabs, Inc.) allowed as livestock medical treatment • Nemasys (Becker Underwood, Ltd.) allowed as crop invertebrate pest control • Nemasys M (Becker Underwood, Ltd) allowed as crop invertebrate pest control • Compost (D’Amico and Sons Farming) allowed as crop fertilizer and soil amendment • Spent Mushroom Compost (Laurel Valley Soils, Inc.) allowed as crop fertilizer and soil amendment Attention Manufacturers! Manufacturers that would like to advertise products as approved for use in organic production are encouraged to register products with the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) (www.omri.org, 1-541-343-7600).

Suppliers of livestock and processing products can use the PCO Discount Code APP410346 to receive both a free OMRI Application Kit and a 15% discount off their first product application fee. (Crop materials are not eligible for this program.)

Standards & Policy Update 2015 Sunset Review Published Kyla Smith, Certification Program Director USDA is renewing three substances for crop production (sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, aqueous potassium silicate, and sulfurous acid) and two substances for use in organic handling (gellan gum and tragacanth gum).

Biodegradable Biobased Mulch Film Update On July 24, 2015, the National Organic Program (NOP) issued a memo to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) related to biodegradable biobased mulch film.

The memo announced the availability of a new summary report on biodegradable biobased mulch film. The NOP commissioned the report following the publication of a January 2015 policy memo clarifying the review requirements for biodegradable biobased mulch film under the USDA organic

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regulations. Stakeholders have indicated that no products on the market currently comply with the requirements for biobased feedstocks. The memo to the NOSB requests that the NOSB review the report and determine if additional action is recommended.

PCO Membership Votes on Policy Revisions • Outdoor Access Areas for Organic Livestock — Membership voted in favor of allowing partial enclosures around outdoor access areas, provided that the area still received sunlight, shade, and fresh air.

• Living Conditions for Organic Poultry Raised on Pasture — Membership voted in favor of enforcing living conditions for organic poultry flocks raised primarily on pasture to be in line with existing organic regulations for all animals.

• Kelp in 100% Grassfed Livestock Feed — Membership voted in favor of allowing organic kelp as a feed supplement for livestock certified to PCO’s 100% Grassfed standard.

Fall NOSB Meeting October 26–29, 2015 The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will hold its fall meeting October 26 through October 29 in Stowe, Vermont, at the Stoweflake Conference Center. NOSB will meet to discuss and vote on whether to renew the large majority of crop, livestock, and handling inputs due to sunset from the National List in 2017. It is critical that NOSB hear from certified farmers and handlers on whether these inputs are consistent with and essential to organic production, or whether there are other effective natural or organic alternatives available. PCO will continue to help engage members in the comment process. Look for more information in the coming weeks with detailed guidelines on how you can participate.

Full versions of the documents referenced here are available electronically on the NOP website (ams.usda.gov/nop) or in hard copy by contacting the PCO office. continued on page 29

Advertise in Organic Matters Organic Matters is the quarterly newsletter of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, a non-profit organization serving growers, processors and handlers of organic products. Issues contain articles on the latest news and research in the organic industry, often highlighting our certified members. Approximately 1,000 copies of each publication are distributed directly to members and those requesting information about organic agriculture, and made available to the public at conferences, exhibits and educational programs in the Mid Atlantic region.

Contact the PCO office for details: 814-422-0251.

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Stay in touch!

Visit paorganic.org

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www.paorganic.org

Organic Marketplace

FOR SALE

pre-cut, some very good quality. Forage tested. near Milton, Pa. Bucky, 570-412-3094. Montour County.

CROPS Dairy quality Organic baleage, corn & Organic soybeans. OEFFA Certified. Forage test results available, we can do local deliveries. We custom dry and store Organic grain. Call 570-412-1392.

Union County.

PCO Certified Organic baleage. Individually wrapped. 4x4 mixed hay, 1st and 2nd cutting. $40 dollars a bale for 1st cutting. $45 dollars a bale for 2nd cutting. Jim Hepp: 570-746-1651.

Bradford County.

Organic roasted soy beans, $1000 per ton in totes. Organic Hay, Oatlage, and Sorghum-Sudan grass baleage out of the field. Delivery available contact Ned Fogleman, 717-994-4630. Central Pa. Juniata County.

Organic Baleage. Individually wrapped round bales. 1st and 2nd cutting. Alfalfa and mixed hay.

717-471-9438. 1 Mile of I78 in northern Berks County.

2015 PCO certified Alf/grass baleage and oat/ pea baleage. 1st and 2nd cuttings, 3x3x6 also PCO certified rye, cleaned and bagged, $17.50 per bushel. John S. Dietz. Evenings, 717-4241228 or mrdnine@juno.com. York County.

Organic alfalfa/grass round bale baleage, 4’x4’,

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PCO Certified Organic dry hay. 3rd cutting from 2014. Large square bales. Test available upon request. Contact Dennis at 717-865-7158. Cambria County.

REAL ESTATE FARM — 69 acre certified organic grass fed beef farm. Owners are looking for someone to pick up the soul of this farm and improve on it as only a younger person/s can do. Lots of potential here.

Included is a 23.5 KW Solar system, a full line of farm machinery, and a closed herd (for 20 years) of 55 beef cattle that have been acclimated, bred, and thrive on this farm. Third party certifications on this farm are PCO, AWA and AGA. A five bedroom brick/frame house, barn and out buildings are situated on this Central Pennsylvania Conservancy preserved farm.

Owner financing as well as mentoring can be negotiated, so that this farm can continue to provide nourishing food to a growing group of loyal customers. Owners make hay on some 80 acres of certified organic hay fields nearby for winter forage. Contact: jstoltz@pa.net or 717-536-3618.

Perry County.

Historic 1847 brick home in rural Juniata Co. sits on 14 PA Certified Organic acres! Features wood floors, 4 bedrooms, 6 fireplaces, front & rear stairways, open foyer. Potential for lg family or a B&B! $235,000. MLS#10253973 http:// 3857rt35s.c21.com. Contact Kristen at 717-9946627. Juniata County.

SERVICES Ag plastic recycling — I can use black and white bunker covers, bale wrap, plastic twine, clear stretch film, greenhouse covers, flats, and pots.

Call for details. 717-658-9660. Franklin County, PA.

WANTED Organic Raw Milk ACF Organics, LLC, d/b/a Amish Country Farms located in Totowa, NJ is looking to procure certified organic raw milk from farmers in PA. Ken Tensen: 800-990-3447 x202.

TO ADVERTISE Contact the PCO Office for information on advertising in the Marketplace. Call 814422-0251 or email pco@paorganic.org

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PCO Welcomes 4th Quarter New Members!

CERTIFIED MEMBERS

James Barrett

Stephen W. Fisher

Levi D. Hostetler

Amos L. Lapp

Sylvanus E. Peachey Jr.

Fisher Farm Elizabethville, PA

Salisbury, PA

Allenwood, PA

Belleville, PA

Bellair Farm Charlottesville, VA

Josiah Kauffman

Melvin E. Lapp Jr.

Matthew Peters

John L. Fisher

Wyalusing, PA

Elizabethville, PA

Veritiv Corp (Unisource) Mechanicsburg, PA

Henry J. Brenneman

Brunnerville Farm Paradise, PA

John R. King

Nathan Layton

Millersburg, PA

Hershberger Heritage Farm Sellersville, PA

Meyersdale, PA

Mervin Gardner Greg Buckwalter

Muncy, PA

Nest Fresh Greencastle, PA

Justin C. Geisinger

Willie R. Byler

Levi King

Edward Pomicter Teeny Tiny Spice Company, LLC Singers Glen, VA

Lititz, PA

Wallie L. Lee

Air Hill Acres Chambersburg, PA

Abner S. King

Pleasant View Farm Dewittville, NY

Melinda & Michael Roberts

Isaac Z. Glick

Eli Ray King

Dan Miller

River Sun Farm Sattesville, NC

Glick Farm Herndon, PA

King’s Kreamery Lancaster, PA

Jesse Graber

Elmer D. Kinsinger

Joseph R. Conklin

Waterloo, NY

Conklin Farms Newville, PA

Maple Hill Farm Meyersdale, PA

James P. & Tina Haman

Joshua Crissinger

Plain View Dairy Fort Plain, NY

Lititz, PA

Bombay, NY

Frances M. Como Sorrentino Family Warrington, PA

Elizabethville, PA

Gratz, PA

Spring Hill Farm Gilbertsville, NY

Larry Finnerty

Jeff Horn

Finnerty Farm Gouverneur, NY

Horn O Plenty Manns Choice, PA

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Leroy Miller Bainbridge, NY

Abram E. Stoltzfus Kirkwood, PA

Eli L. Stoltzfus Manheim, PA

Reuben J. Miller Gerald Kraybill Spring Lane Farm Dillsburg, PA

David M. Haynes Moses S. Esh

J & L Hay Farms LLC Friedens, PA

Daniel E. Krug Jr. Krug Farm Amsterdam, NY

Steven L. Lapp Dornsife, PA

Rippling Brook Farm Guilford, NY

Sam U. Stoltzfus Jr.

Mark Nuneviller

Kevin Swenk

Nuneviller Family Farms Collegeville, PA

Joe Van Gogh Coffee Hillsborough, NC

Alan Parker

Menno S. Yoder

To-Jo Food Products, Inc. Avondale, PA

Sunny Slope Farms Garett, PA

Williamsport, PA

www.paorganic.org

PCO Welcomes 4th Quarter New Members!

Vernon Yoder

Ed & Matt Fry

Fultonville, NY

Fair Hill Farms Chestertown, MD

TRANSITIONING MEMBERS

Joseph S. Hoover Varvon, PA

Jonathan Jeffries

George & Jeanette Swingle Swing Valley Farm Lake Ariel, PA

Solomon Meyer

ADVOCATE MEMBERS

CROPP–Organic Valley Loysville, PA

Tony Roland Spring Mills, PA

Aaron L. Miller Robert & Linna Walz Harpers Ferry Family Farm Purcellville, VA

Fort Plain, NY

BUSINESS MEMBERS

Mill Hall, PA

William J. & Mary Ann K. Oyler

Steve Beckley

McCuteon Apple Products Biglerville, PA

John Allgyer

Loganton, PA

Amos A. King

Jesse J. Yoder

Elizabethville, PA

Grantsville, MD

Sharpsburg, PA

Ciro Lo Pinto

William Lichty Melvin J. Beiler

Mansfield, PA

Fort Hill Farm Lodi, NY

Edward Martin Canonsburg, PA

Matt Bomgardner Blue Mountain View Farm Annville, PA

Kelsey Bower 20-20 Farms Hughsville, PA

Andrew Batdorf

Ray McMillen

Hollow Brook Dairy Niagua, MO

McMillen Dairy Farm Hannibal, NY

John Charles

Wade Benedict Chambersburg, PA

SUSTAINER MEMBERS

Old Stone House Farm Danville, PA

Cadie Pruss

Jeremy Rowland

Lewistown, PA

Bion Evvironmental Technologies, Inc. Denver, CO

Mike Puglisi Puglisi Egg Farm Howell, NJ

Don R. Weaver Homestead Nutrition, Inc. New Holland, PA

Ryan Stahl David F. Hoover

Costas Foods, Inc. Pottsville, PA

Halston Maierle

LaVere Stump

Lewisburg, PA

Selingsgrove, PA

Samuel E. Stoltzfus

Amos M. Martin

Johnny S. Zook

Quarryville, PA

Turbotville, PA

Myerstown, PA

Beaver Pond Farms, LLC Clarks Summit, PA

James Hess Havpak, Inc. Malvern, PA

Penn Yan, NY

Patrick Spillane

Glasbern Inn Fogelsville, PA

Liberty, PA

Lancaster, PA

Michael Roosa

Albert L. Granger

Eden Hall Farm Chatam University Gibsonia, PA

Box 361, 119 Hamilton Place Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-531-1038 Certified Organic Feed, Seed & Livestock Products from Northeast organic farmers for Northeast organic farmers ❖ www.lakevieworganicgrain.com

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Calendar October ■ OCTOBER 9

9:30am–12noon Organic Crop Grower Network Meeting Millmont, PA bat12@psu.edu 570-988-3950

Webinar extension.psu.edu/events ■ NOVEMBER

3, 10, 17 & 24 10am–3pm Farm$en$e Slippery Rock, PA extension.psu.edu/farmsense 814-863-8645

■ OCTOBER 20 & 21

■ NOVEMBER 9–13

Bovine Health Series Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA Rodaleinstitute.org 610-683-1400

IOIA Basic Training Johnston, Iowa Ioia.net 406-436-2031

November ■ NOVEMBER 2, 9, 16,

23, & 30 11am–12pm Using QuickBooks to Manager Your Farm Business

■ NOVEMBER 12

1pm Adopt-A-Highway Centre Hall, PA lia@paorganic.org 814-422-0251 ■ NOVEMBER 13

Forest Botanicals: Working Together to Build a

New Supply Chain Front Royal, VA Unitedplantsavers.org 740-742-3455

■ DECEMBER 24 & 25

Holiday: PCO Office Closed Spring Mills, PA ■ DECEMBER 1

■ NOVEMBER 14

Forest Botanicals: Working Together to Build a New Supply Chain Abingdon, VA Unitedplantsavers.org 740-742-3455 ■ NOVEMBER 26 & 27

Thanksgiving: PCO Office Closed Spring Mills, PA

December ■ DECEMBER 15 & 16

Growing PA’s Organic Farms Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey in Harrisburg, PA gpofconference.org see display ad on Page 30 for more details!

7–8pm PASA Webinar Renewable Energy for PA Farms 412-365-2985 pasafarming.org ■ DECEMBER 8 & 9

ACRES Eco-Ag U Advanced Study Pittsburgh, PA 1-800-355-5313 acresusa.com/events ■ DECEMBER 9–11

ACRES USA Conference Pittsburgh, PA 1-800-355-5313 acresusa.com/events

continued from page 23

Fond Farewell Johanna Mirenda, PCO’s former Policy Director, is now serving as the Organic Material Review Institute’s (OMRI) Technical Director. Johanna’s new responsibilities include providing training and education, overseeing OMRI’s policies and standards, and managing special projects including Technical Reports for the National Organic Program (NOP). The Technical Director also plays a leadership role as a member of OMRI’s five-person Management Team.

According to Johanna, “I am thrilled to take on the role of Technical Director at OMRI, an organization that I have admired for many years. From my experience at (PCO) a certification organization, I know first-hand how valuable OMRI’s technical services are to the organic community. I look forward to working with OMRI’s talented staff and upholding OMRI’s gold standard of material review!”

We are thankful for Jo’s contributions to PCO during her 6 years of service and wish her well in her new endeavor with OMRI!

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2nd Annual Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Winter Conference December 15–16 Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey • PA Keynote address

by PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding Marketing Sessions: • Lela Reichart, PDA Bureau Chief of Markets, Brian Moyer, PSU Extension, and PSU Meats Specialist Dr. Jonathon Campbell.

Dairy and Livestock Sessions: • Dr. Silvia Abel-Caine, Organic Valley Veterinarian, dairy feed rations and milk quality • Mr. Jeff Mattocks, Fertrell Co, organic poultry nutrition

Vegetable and Fruit Sessions: • Dr. Keith Yoder, Virginia Polytech Institute, organic control of fruit diseases • Abby Seaman, Cornell University, biopesticide use for organic vegetables

Field Crops Sessions: • Dr. Matt Ryan, Cornell University, weed management and cover crops • Dr. Heather Darby, University of Vermont, organic grain and forage production, soil health, and nutrient management

Register at www.gpoconference.org

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www.paorganic.org

Employment Opportunities

Come join the PCO Team!

Want to work with people committed to ensuring the integrity of organic products?

For a full description of duties and qualifications, visit paorganic.org/jobs.

■ Materials Program Manager This position will oversee PCO’s material review program, including the publication of PCO Materials Lists, developing policies relevant to material review under the organic regulations, and will actively perform material review. The ideal candidate will have education and experience in the following areas: knowledge of materials used in organic production and processing, familiarity with regulatory compliance and organic certification, knowledge of organic standards. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania; telecommuting will be considered. The planned start date for this position is Dec 2015.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Salary range: $45,000–55,000, depending on experience.

Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.

■ Certification Program Manager This position will oversee PCO’s certification programs, including compliance and enforcement. This position will also be responsible for maintaining policies to be consistent with federal regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have education and experience in the following areas: familiarity with regulatory compliance and organic certification, knowledge of organic standards. We are looking for a well-organized and selfmotivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania (on-site preferred; telecommuting considered). The planned start date for this position is Dec 2015.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Salary range: $45,000–55,000, depending on experience.

Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.

www.paorganic.org

All above positions will remain open until filled. Full job descriptions are available at paorganic.org. To apply please send resume and cover letter to lia@paorganic.org.

How to apply for these positions: Please submit a resume and cover letter to (electronic submissions preferred): Lia Sandoval • lia@paorganic.org • 814-422-0251 ■ Interested in volunteering?

PCO relies on its outstanding volunteers to help with organic outreach and education. Volunteers have assisted PCO by participating in one of the following areas: PCO Committees, staffing an exhibit, FarmFest; and much more. Support Pennsylvania Certified Organic by volunteering to contribute to our organization’s mission; email: pco@paorganic.org, call 814-4220251, or visit paorganic.org for more information.

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President’s Message continued from page 18

Since I wrote my last column, the OTA has submitted a proposal for an organic research and promotion program (ORPP) also known as the “organic check-off.” The USDA is currently weighing that proposal, along with alternate proposals, and will present some hybrid for consideration. With several alternate proposals on the table, it is evident there are many different viewpoints on this subject. Between domestic and foreign producers and processors, and those buying, selling, and trading organic, with so many different players in the organic field, it may be difficult to find consensus on what an ORPP looks like, or who benefits.

Consider your stakes in this check-off program. Explore all the facts, all the proposals, and be ready to weigh in when the time comes for public comment. Many farmer groups, certifiers, environmental groups, watchdog groups and trade groups, which some of you are members

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of, have information and websites presenting their proposals and point of view, such as: www.nodpa.com and www.ota.com With all this talk about stakes and stakeholders, I do believe summer is a time for steaks on the grill and my plate is an anxious steak-holder. Sorry, vegetarians, but enjoy some summer food on the grill nonetheless!

2015 PCO Member Day

weeks of local organic grain supply, on an annual basis. Most farmers are not aware of this shortage of organic grain and broad outreach was identified as the best way to address the issue, by providing information on transition finances and yield, alternative transition enterprises, transition strategies, and marketing alternatives for transition grain. Comprehensive outreach is key here, and PCO is excited to be a part of the initiative to provide support to farmers making a transition to organic grain production.

continued from page 2

input from small and medium sized organic farmers on matters related to the growth of organic agriculture. Members were able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, and developed talking points that will provide input to PCO for providing crucial information to members on OTA initiatives.

Lastly, a group of farmers and grain processors brainstormed ways for PCO to address the shortage of local organic grain.

It was noted that the U.S. has roughly 3–4

Stay in touch!

Visit paorganic.org

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www.paorganic.org

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Non-Profit Org US POSTAGE PAID CENTRE HALL, PA PERMIT NO. 33

106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875