MDA Growing Together Community Garden

First Lady, Director of Agriculture Proclaim July as Local Foods Month and Presents the Department of Agriculture’s Growing Together GardenFriday, First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon and Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Growing Together Garden and proclaimed July as Local Foods Month.

The community garden, located and maintained at the Department of Agriculture, is the first garden of its kinds on the grounds at the Agriculture Department and serves as a showcase of Missouri’s agricultural products.

“Community gardens are popping up in many cities across the U.S. especially in urban areas. These gardens are a reminder of where our food comes from, improve neighborhoods and provide access to fresh produce for communities,” said First Lady Nixon. “Community gardens develop teamwork, encourage healthy initiatives providing physical and social benefits to employees as well as aesthetically improve the grounds.”

Produce from the garden was donated to the Samaritan Center in Jefferson City. Other picked produce has been given back to Department of Agriculture employees for a donation to the Department’s Activities and Recreation Committee.

Community gardens provide health benefits as well as economic, social, cultural and educational opportunities. These gardens also promote environmental awareness and provide community education. Many community gardens sell their produce at local farmers’ markets. The Growing Together Garden features tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, green beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, raspberries, fruit trees and a wide variety of flowers and herbs including parsley, dill, oregano, chives, basil, sage and thyme.

“Our Growing Together Garden has given Department employees a chance to work together while also benefiting from fresh, local produce and giving back to our community,” said Dr. Jon Hagler. “We thank First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon for her commitment to locally grown foods and agriculture.”

During the ceremony, garden sponsors were recognized for their commitment to the garden including Morgan County Seeds, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Central Missouri Master Gardeners, Signature Homes, Lowell Mohler, Schnieders Brothers Excavating, Brian Fleischmann, Stark Bros Nursery, Foster Brothers and Schaeperkoetter Sales. Other event sponsors included Chez Monet Bakery Café and Kenny Anderson.

For more information regarding community gardens, farmers’ markets or the Growing Together Garden, visit mda.mo.gov.

View a slideshow of photos from the event here.

(PHOTO: First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon and Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler pictured above.)

Department of Agriculture Offers Specialty Crop Growers Funds

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking grant applications from organizations or groups of individuals interested in enhancing the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry. Grant applications are due on July 31, 2009.

Applications will be considered on a competitive basis. Selected applications will be included in the Missouri specialty crop state plan and reviewed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture. Some examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops are research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, food safety and security, plant health, education, "buy local" programs, addressing environmental concerns and developing cooperatives.

In 2009, 15 projects were awarded. Those projects varied from promoting farmers’ markets statewide, to establishing local community gardens and after school-garden clubs, to researching the performance of seedless watermelons and establishing a voluntary online registry to help producers of pesticide-sensitive crops alert applicators to the crop’s location.

An application packet and program details for the specialty crop grant are available at mda.mo.gov or by contacting Tony Anderson at (573) 751-2969.

(PHOTO: Greater Polk County Farmers' Market in Bolivar.)

Missouri State Fair Farmers' Market

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is looking to source local fresh products throughout the Missouri State Fair, August 13-23, at the on-site farmers’ market stand in the Agriculture Building.

We are beginning to place orders with producers for products such as tomatoes (all varieties), melons cucumbers, peppers, onions, sweet corn, potatoes, herbs, squash, zucchini, berries, green beans and much more!

Besides produce, the market will feature meat and eggs as well. If you are interested in featuring your product at the Missouri State Fair Farmers’ Market please contact Tony Anderson, MDA Marketing Specialist at 573-751-2969 or via email at Tony.Anderson@mda.mo.gov.

All products will be displayed with the producer/farm name, contact info and website. The MDA also provides a complete brochure listing to consumers of the locally sourced products at the fair and how to buy local in Missouri.

White House Organic Garden

A garden at the White House…now that’s what I like to hear! Not since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II has there been a garden at the White House, according to the New York Times.

The organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at a time when obesity and diabetes have become a national concern.

Read the entire New York Times article here.

Victory Gardens are popping up everyone across Missouri as well. I've received 7 calls just last week with folks that are interested in starting community gardens.

Organic Producers Offered New Ideas for Growing Their Small Farms

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is sponsoring an upcoming event for organic producers to learn more about sustainable agriculture and how to add more value to their small family farms.

The Missouri Organic Association’s annual conference will be held Sat. Feb. 21, 2009 at the Carver Farm – a research farm and extension of Lincoln University located in Jefferson City, Mo. Topics during the conference will include organic dairy, organic corn and soybeans, improving soil fertility and becoming organic certified.

Read the entire story here.

Governor Nixon Names Jon Hagler Director of the MDA

Governor Jay Nixon announced his intention to appoint Dr. Jon Hagler, of St. James, Mo., to the position of Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Hagler, a lifelong horseman, continues to operate a small farm near St. James, where he raises, trains and sells Missouri Fox Trotters, the Missouri state horse. Over the past three years, Dr. Hagler served as Gov. Nixon’s principal adviser and liaison on agriculture issues and was instrumental in drafting the Governor's agricultural and environmental policies.

“I am honored and excited to serve as Gov. Nixon’s Director of Agriculture,” Dr. Hagler said. “Missouri agriculture is at a crossroads, and we have a real opportunity to help all our farmers and producers expand their operations and open new markets. Missouri farmers are among the most innovative and productive in the world, and I look forward to working with folks in every corner of the state to move agriculture forward.”

Dr. Hagler, 41, was raised on a horse farm in Dent County and has maintained his own operation, Cheyenne Farms, since 1997. Since 2005, Dr. Hagler has met with farmers in every corner of the state on Gov. Nixon’s behalf to learn about their operations, assess their needs and develop the Governor's agriculture policy.

Prior to becoming Gov. Nixon’s agricultural adviser on the campaign, Dr. Hagler served as the senior corporate development officer for the University of Missouri-Rolla (now, Missouri University of Science & Technology). In this capacity, Dr. Hagler served as the university’s point of contact with numerous agricultural science and research corporations and developed a comprehensive corporate-partnership strategy. From 2001 to 2003, Dr. Hagler was executive director of governmental and external affairs at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Calif.. As a key adviser and member of the president’s senior executive management team, Dr. Hagler managed international outreach and partnership programs for the university and directed all international, federal, state and local government relations. He also served as the president’s staff representative and adviser on matters concerning the university’s internationally recognized W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center.

Dr. Hagler’s tenure at Cal Poly followed several years of service on the staff of the Missouri State House of Representatives. From 2000 to 2001, Dr. Hagler was chief of staff to the Speaker, overseeing a staff of more than 300 House employees and helping define and advance the Speaker’s legislative agenda. He served as chief of staff to the Speaker Pro Tem from 1996 to 2001, as a research analyst in the Missouri Senate and in a variety of other administrative roles prior to that.

A summa cum laude graduate of Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., Dr. Hagler holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a doctorate in the same subject from Washington University in St. Louis.

The Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture determines department policy and serves as a liaison to state legislators, the agriculture community and the public. In addition to the divisions of Business Development, Animal Health, Grain Inspection and Warehousing, Plant Industries and Weights and Measures, the Department of Agriculture also includes the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority, the Missouri State Fair Board, the State Milk Board and the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. The Director is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate.

Missouri Organic Association 2009 Conference

Missouri Organic Association 2009 Conference
“Organic Opportunities for Rookies and Veterans”
Saturday, February 21, 2009Lincoln University’s Carver Farm
Jefferson City, MO

Track: Experienced and Veteran Farmers (50 minutes each)
8:30 am Room A
Organic Dairying, Scott Poock, DVM, PhD, MU State Veterinary Medicine Extension Specialist

9:30 am Room A
Raw Milk & Raw Cheese Marketing Regulations, Rachel Bax, Missouri Milk Board

Room C
Organic corn and soybeans, Joel Gruver, PhD, Western Illinois University

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Room A
Improving Soil Fertility, Joel Gruver, PhD, Western Illinois UniversityTrack: Prospective and Beginning Farmers Track (25 minutes each)

All in Room B
8:30 am Programs for Prospective and Beginning Farmers, Lane McConnell, Marketing Specialist, MO Department of Agriculture

9:00 am Grow Your Farm, Dean Wilson, MU Extension, Jefferson County

9:30 am Small Farmers’ Outreach Program, K. B. Paul, PhD, Lincoln University

10:00 am Growing Growers and Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture (KCCUA), Katherine Kelly, Executive Director

10:30 am Break and Networking Time

10:45 am EarthDance Organic Farming Apprenticeship Program, Molly Rockamann, EarthDance, Ferguson, MO

11:15 am Organic Certification, Sue Baird

Joint Sessions
11:45 am MOA Business Meeting

12:15 pm Lunch

1:15 pm Marketing Opportunities (7 minutes each)
A. Grains and feed ingredients - Nancy Birch, All Star Trading, Perry, MO
B. Farm-to-School and Farm-to-Childcare, Randy Wood, Missouri Farmers Union
C. Coops, Walt Gregory, Midwest Organic Farmers Coop, Dow, IL
D. Farmers’ markets, Lane McConnell, Marketing Specialist, MDA
E. Whole Foods, Krista Durlas, St. Louis
F. Whole Foods, Kansas City
G. St. Louis University, Michael Milster, Manager, Fresh Gatherings Café

2:15 pm Break and Networking Time

2:45 pm Room A - Vegetable Grafting, Sanjun Gu, PhD, Lincoln University, State Horticulture Specialist

2:45 pm Room B - Improving Compacted and Waterlogged Soils, Bob Kremer, PhD, USDA Agricultural Research Services

3:45 pm Adjourn

Registration
$20/person with $10 extra for lunch$30/couple with $20 extra for lunch$15 for student/scholarship includes lunch

Trade Show
$50 per booth which includes an 8 foot table and two chairs. Electricity available upon request prior to the conference.

MOA members receive a 20% discount on a booth. Registration will be available online soon at http://www.missouriorganic.org/

New Year...New Opportunities

Happy New Year!

Only 3 ½ months until the growing season offically begins for the 2009. As winter rolls on here in Missouri there are many opportunities for farmers to take advantage of to learn new innovative growing techniques. January and February are usually the busy time for conference and meetings around the state and this year is no exception.

Schedule of Events:

January 8-10 Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference - St Joseph

January 13-15 Mid America Fruit Growers Conference – Columbia

January 16-17 Missouri Agritourism Conference and the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association Annual Meeting - Lake Ozark

January 20 Missouri Farmers’ Market Workshop on Food Safety - Columbia

January 27 Missouri Farmers’ Market Workshop on Salesmanship - Blue Springs

February 1-7 NAFDMA- Savannah, GA

February 10 Missouri Farmers’ Market Workshop on Food Safety - St. Peters

February 16-18 Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference - Springfield

February 21 Missouri Organic Association Conference - Jefferson City

March 6 Missouri Farmers’ Market Workshop on Growing for Market – Springfield

The Missouri Department of Agriculture will be represented at all these upcoming events. Hope to see you there.

Learn Innovative Trends at Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference

Addressing current and trend setting topics, the 2009 Great Plains Vegetable Conference will be held Jan. 8-10, 2009 at the Fulkerson Conference Center at Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, Mo. The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) Ag Business Development division is a sponsor of this event that will stress innovation and will feature over 50 presentations on subjects related to the production and marketing of vegetables, cut flowers and small fruit. The conference and trade show is a collaborative effort of growers associations and extension services from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota that each year draws hundreds of producers from all regions.

Attendees will have the option to attend a High Tunnels Workshop or a Community Supported Agriculture mini-school on Thurs., Jan. 8. The following days will include presentations on small fruit, farmers’ markets, cut flowers, greenhouse production, ethnic markets and more. Lane McConnell, marketing specialist, and Sarah Gehring, AgriMissouri member services coordinator, both employees of MDA, are speakers at the conference.

“The conference organizing committee strives to include current and trend setting topics,” said John Quinn, regional horticulture specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. ” We have added tracts focusing on farm business, energy conservation and greenhouses.”

For more information or to register for the event, contact Katie Cook at cookkm@missouri.edu or (816) 279-1691 or visit http://extension.missouri.edu/buchanan/GPVGC.html to learn more.

Missouri Department of Agriculture Announces New Agritourism Survey

Agritourism, a relatively new sector in Missouri, provides farms an opportunity to add revenue to their current farm operation by providing Missourians an agricultural experience on a working farm. Until now, statistical data has not been taken for agritourism in Missouri regarding the number of farms engaged in this value-added sector. AgriMissouri, a program within the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), in partnership with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Missouri, are now conducting a survey among agricultural producers to determine how many farms are hosting visitors and the number of visitors that visit their farms each year.

“We encourage everyone engaged in agritourism to take 10 or 15 minutes of their time to complete this short survey. The results of the Missouri Agritourism Survey will help the Department of Agriculture understand the producer benefits associated with agritourism such as increased revenues for farmers and community development,” said Don Steen, director of MDA. “These results will provide valuable information that the department will be able to use to assist new and existing agritourism locations with the guidance they need.”

Anyone who hosts the public on their farm for an agricultural experience is encouraged to complete the Agritourism Survey. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an AgriMissouri membership or one of two AgriMissouri gift boxes.

“Agritourism is a benefit to farmers and also to the rural communities. Visitors not only visit the farm and purchase local products but they are also stopping in the communities for gas or a meal and adding economic benefits to communities,” said Sarah Gehring, member services coordinator with AgriMissouri. “I strongly encourage all farmers who are engaged in agritourism to complete this survey. This will show us how large the industry is and will help to impact the future of Missouri’s agritourism industry.”

Farmers can complete the survey online at http://www.agritourismsurvey.org/ or request the printed version by contacting (573) 882-4299 or via email agritourism@missouri.edu.

Individual responses to the survey are kept confidential and will not be distributed to any individual, organization or company. For more information about the Missouri Agritourism Survey, contact Sarah Gehring at (573) 522-9213 or Sarah.Gehring@mda.mo.gov.

Get Registered for the Small Fruit & Vegetable Conference

The 2009 Missouri Small Fruit & Vegetable Conference “Sustainable Family, Food and Farm” is taking registrations online. The conference will be held February 16-18 in Springfield at the Clarion Hotel.

The keynote address will be from Dr. Joe Kovach on Modular Ecological Design: A Fruit and Vegetable Polyculture System

The conference is sponsored by the Missouri State University, University of Missouri, Lincoln University, and the Missouri Dept of Agriculture.

For additional information please contact:
Pamela Mayer PMayer@MissouriState.edu
Conference Facilitator
417-547-7533
Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station
9740 Red Spring Road
Mountain Grove, MO 65711-2999

Department of Agriculture Offers Specialty Crop Growers Funds to Enhance their Competitiveness

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today that organizations or groups in Missouri interested in enhancing the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry are asked to submit grant proposals. Some examples of these proposals can include research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs and education.

The one-year grants are administered by MDA through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block grant program.“Specialty crops continue to be an important and growing segment of our state’s agriculture industry,” said Don Steen, director of MDA.

“By seeking new ways to enhance the competitiveness of those markets, Missouri farmers can look for new ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, address environmental concerns, increase food safety or increase marketing. We encourage groups to collaborate and partner with producers, industry groups and other organizations to maximize the use of the funds available.”

Approximately $90,000 total is available for the grants. Collaboration and partnerships between groups submitting proposals are encouraged and will be given priority. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Jan. 5, 2009.

USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). For more information about eligible specialty crops, grant applications or guidelines, visit www.mda.mo.gov or call (866) 466-8283.

6th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast

Celebrating fall harvest season has never been more fun.

Missouri’s agricultural specialty products will be front and center at the sixth annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, Saturday, Oct. 18, at the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Mo.

The roast, sponsored by the MU Center for Agroforestry and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, features fall family fun with chestnuts as the main ingredient. Activities include samples of fire-roasted, Missouri-grown chestnuts, live bluegrass and Caribbean/Spanish guitar music, displays and sales of Missouri specialty agricultural products, farm tours and cooking demonstrations with chestnuts.

The Center for Agroforestry supports the nation’s most comprehensive research program for developing the Chinese chestnut as a nut crop to bring the chestnut back to the nation’s dinner (and dessert) plates. Mike Gold, UMCA associate director, explains that the American chestnut was almost wiped out in the early 20th century due to blight. However, closely related Chinese chestnuts grow well in Missouri soil and are increasingly in demand as gourmet restaurants and food stores discover their versatility.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The Ironweed Bluegrass Band and Eco Gitano, a group specializing in a blend of Caribbean and Spanish guitar, will provide musical entertainment. The New Franklin High School Athletic Booster Club will operate a concessions stand offering grilled elk, buffalo and beef products for sale.

Craig Cyr, executive chef of The Wine Cellar and Bistro in Columbia, and Eric Cartwright, executive chef at MU Campus Dining Services-Plaza 900, will prepare recipes that incorporate chestnuts and local foods during cooking demonstrations. Attendees can watch the creation of and taste these one-of-a-kind chestnut creations.

Vendors will feature a variety of locally grown agricultural specialty products including chestnut, pecan and walnut products; wines and specialty beers; ice cream; mustard; goat cheeses; tomato products; meat products; and elderberry products.

The Missouri Chestnut Roast is a kid-friendly event. Children will have plenty to keep them busy, including a live bat presentation by the U.S. Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, at 12:45 p.m.; Missouri Chestnut Roast Fact Hunt; and a straw bale maze.

The Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center is the site of the 1819 Thomas Hickman house, one of the state’s oldest intact brick houses, which is currently undergoing an historic rehabilitation. Tours will be available throughout the day.

There will be guided bus and walking tours of the research center for those interested in learning more about agroforestry practices.

The event wraps up National Chestnut Week, which runs Oct. 12-18.

Admission to the Missouri Chestnut Roast is free. Most activities will take place under tents for comfort rain or shine. Service animals are permitted at the roast, but pets are not allowed.For directions and a schedule of the day’s events check out the website or contact Julie Rhoads at 573-882-3234 or rhoadsj@missouri.edu.

Ag Department Offers Organic Certification Reimbursement

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today that through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program, the department is helping to provide cost-share monies to Missouri producers. The cost-share program provides assistance for qualified organic producers in the areas of crop, wild crop or livestock and handlers of agricultural products who obtain certification under USDA’s National Organic Program.

This program will allow MDA to reimburse each eligible producer up to 75% of their certification costs, not exceeding $750. Since funds are limited, MDA will process applications in the order received until all funds are consumed.

For organic producers to qualify, applicants will be required to complete a signed application and supply a copy of their organic certificates, with an invoice documenting their cost of certification. To obtain an application and complete guidelines, visit the MDA website.

For more information, contact Lane McConnell, marketing specialist, at (573) 526-4984 or via email at Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov.

Grants Offered to Missouri Farmers to Help Add Value to Agricultural Products

Furthering Missouri’s rural communities and creating added opportunities for farmers, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) announced today that it is currently accepting proposals for the Missouri Value-Added Grant program.

The objective of these grants are to provide funding for the creation, development and operation of rural agricultural businesses that add value to Missouri agricultural products and aid the economies of rural communities.

“The Value-Added grants give Missouri farmers an opportunity to explore opportunities that will add value to their commodities and farms,” said Don Steen, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “Farmers are encouraged to make in effort in helping offset their increasing cost of producing food and fiber by participating in this program.”

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be considered individually and judged on the following criteria: economic development potential for the agricultural industry, credibility and merit, probability of near-term commercialization and practical application of project results, presence, source and level of matching funds and where the project will have an economic impact.

Applications for the Missouri Value-Added Grant program are due on or before Sept. 30, 2008. For more information and a copy of complete guidelines and application, visit http://www.mda.mo.gov/ or call (573) 751-2129.