His Crop Runneth Over

A twelve year old in Cameron, Texas seems to be a model farmer the way he is raising and marketing organic produce from a one acre neighborhood plot. He began it as a summer job at his dad’s suggestion. The soil is too heavy for crops so the first thing they did was construct raised beds. He produced and marketed a variety of vegetables but found tomatoes sold best so will focus heavily on them this year. Last year his eight year old sister also tried her hand at raising herbs. Both sold their crops at a vegetable stand near their dad’s law office and to local restaurants. They did well enough they have plans to be back this year and the customers are already waiting for them.

Read the entire story here.

$1.5 Million available for MO Organic Transition

Reminder that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $1.5 million to assist Missouri farmers produce organic products. Missouri landowners have until May 29th to apply for the funds available through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The funds are intended to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production.

For those producers in their transition to organic production they will need to develop a “Transition Plan. The attached file describes the process and the scope of this financial assistance. NRCS technical point of contact is Paul Duffner, Resource Conservationist. He can be reached at (573) 876-0908. His email is: paul.duffner@mo.usda.gov. Information about the financial incentives offered through EQIP can be directed to Darlene Johnson, Resource Conservationist, by calling (573) 876-0914. Her email address is: darlene.johnson@mo.usda.gov

Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition Criteria
(acres and/or animal units)

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.

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.

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

Farm Bill Offers Incentive to Go Organic

The new farm bill could help feed America's appetite for organic food by enticing more farmers to switch from conventional agriculture, according to a news story from the Jackson Sun.

The legislation, which passed earlier this year, offers farmers as much as $20,000 a year to cover the cost of converting their farms to organic agriculture. There also is money to offset certification costs and new funding for organic research.

"It's definitely the nudge that has been missing" to get conventional farmers to switch to organic, said organic farmer Bill Horner, president and chief executive of Naturally Iowa, a dairy based in Clarinda.

The provisions make the legislation the most organic-friendly farm bill since the 1990 version required the Department of Agriculture to establish a program for standardizing and certifying organic products. As a result of that bill, organic foods now bear a familiar green and white "USDA" seal.

The latest farm bill means that organic agriculture will be a permanent fixture among farm programs, said Ferd Hoefner, policy director for the Washington-based Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

But extra money won't always be enough to get conventional farmers to convert to organic or to get organic growers to expand.

Mike Albers, who grows organic corn, wheat, oats and hay on 200 of his farm's 900 acres near Waverly, Iowa, is reconsidering plans to convert another 100 acres of the farm to organic production. Prices for organic corn and soybeans are at least double the price of conventional versions - organic corn has been going for $11 a bushel; organic soybeans are worth about $25 a bushel.

But Albers struggled to control weeds in his organic fields after this spring's torrential rains.
Conventional farmers can arrange for fields to be doused with herbicide.

For organic farmers, controlling weeds often means keeping rows cultivated - which can be hard to do when the fields are too soggy for a tractor - or torching the weeds with a propane burner. At one point this summer, Albers hired 30 people to cut weeds.

Among the farm bill provisions regarding organic agriculture:
Organic farmers will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 a year, or a maximum of $80,000 during a six-year period, to cover the cost of transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture. The payments would come through the Agriculture Department's Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which offsets the cost of measures that prevent pollution and conserve water and soil.

Farms lose money while moving to organic agriculture. Crop yields drop, and growers can't sell their crops as organic - and get organic prices for them - for three years. Farmers also have to start rotating corn and soybeans with lower-value crops such as wheat, oats and hay to help with soil fertility and pest control.

The government can pay up to 75 percent of a farm's certification fees, up to a maximum of $750. Both private companies and state agencies run certification programs, and fees can vary. In one example, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship charges fees averaging about $600 to $700 per farm, said Maury Wills, who oversees the state certification program.

The bill requires spending $78 million on organic research from 2009 through 2012. Additional funding of $25 million is authorized but not required. The bill also authorizes higher budgets for the Agriculture Department's organic standards program and the department's price-tracking service for organic crops.

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.

Missouri Organic Handbook

Intern Charlotte Jackson has been busy working on a Missouri Organic Certified Handbook for producers interested in becoming organically certified. The handbook will cover many topics of interested to producers transitioning into organic agriculture.

Some of the topics covered include, but are not limited to: registration and certification requirements, processing and handling, certification process, organic crop and livestock production, marketing and National Organic Program Standards.

Be looking for the manual in early September from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Foodservice Takes Advantage of Organics

With the increased interest in organic foods, many organizations are taking a look at switching from providing conventional foods to organic foods in their breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Costs for shipping keep rising, so business owners are looking at the most efficient way to provide a high quality product, and that way just may be organic.

Despite Risks, Organics Gain Ground in Foodservice

With food, fuel, labor and other costs on the rise, some operators are taking a second look at going organic.

That doesn’t mean consumer demand has diminished, however.Interest from operators looking to open organic restaurants continues to grow steadily, said Kevin Moll, chief executive officer of National Restaurant Consultants Inc., Denver.

“I’m going to guess that because of the organic-driving market, we have maybe 25% to 30% of our clients are now opening or involved in organic restaurants,” he said. “That’s almost a 40% increase over our organic clients from last year.”

Whether or not that translates to more sales of organic produce to foodservice is unclear, said Lloyd Ligier, vice president of business development for Pro*Act, Monterey, Calif.

“Even though consumers may be demanding organics, operators are thinking ‘I need to weigh the cost differential before I jump into this,’” he said. “People are rethinking organics. That’s not to say they’re getting away from them.”

Frank McCarthy, vice president of marketing for Bridgeport, N.J.-based Albert’s Organics said his company has seen strong foodservice demand.

“Demand has grown about 20% year over year due to growth in the lunch counter/deli business at independent natural food stores, colleges and universities and gourmet restaurants,” he said.

Higher-end restaurants could suffer in this economy, he said.

“We have yet to see any weakness, but I would imagine that there is some risk in the gourmet restaurant sector,” he said.

Read the entire story here.

Field Day in Lexington to Focus on Specialty Crops and Extending the Growing Season

The specialty crop industry continues to grow across Missouri. On June 23, Fahrmeier Farms in Lexington, Mo. will host a farm field day to promote specialty crops and provide education to producers about the crops. Director of Agriculture Katie Smith will be in attendance as a guest speaker as well as Brandon and Bret Fahrmeier, Robin Franks of Netrafim Irrigation and Ralph Carmer of HayGrove.

"Many specialty crops including fruits and vegetables, tree and dried nuts and nursery crops in Missouri are grown on small farms and on less land than traditional crops," said Katie Smith.

"Specialty crops are a great way for young farmers to begin careers in agriculture allowing them to return to the farm. It is important that we give encouragement and assistance to the next generation of Missouri farmers. The Fahrmeier Field Day is the perfect opportunity to learn from their operation and hear from others about what has worked and what has not in the industry."

The specialty crop field day will be held on June 23 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (registration begins at 9 a.m.) Cost for the field day is $10 per person if pre-registered and $15 for registration at the event. Registration includes lunch. The Fahrmeier Farm is located at 9374 Mitchell Trail, Lexington, Mo.

The day will focus on creating awareness of education in the Midwest for specialty crop growers, provide an overview of the types of specialty crops that produce well in high tunnels and provide information on irrigation techniques for specialty crops.

"In its second year, we began the field day event to give back to growers willing to learn about the industry and to thank growers that have shared information with us in the past," said Brandon Fahrmeier. "We try to be very progressive and find it beneficial to share knowledge as well as learn from other growers. High tunnels have changed our business and made us better growers making it easier to grow high quality products for local farmers’ markets and grocery stores."

Fahrmeier Farms was started in 1947 as a diversified livestock and row crop farm. The entire Fahrmeier family lives in Lafayette County; the majority are farmers and ranchers. The operation currently consists of greenhouses, vegetable production, a winery and diversified livestock including cattle, goats and hogs.

In addition, the Fahrmeier family farm will also be host to a demonstration grape vineyard this year, as part of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Project - a joint partnership between the Missouri Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry and the Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology.

To pre-register for the field day, contact Charlotte Jackson at (573) 526-2061 or Charlotte.Jackson@mda.mo.gov. To learn more about specialty crops, visit www.mda.mo.gov.

Missourian Gets an Organic Makeover

In our very own Lee's Summit, Missouri, one family has the opportunity to completely become an organic-eating family. In a national contest for an "organic makeover," Jennifer Boaz and her family proved they wanted to start eating organically and change their lifestyle.

Missouri Family Wins National Organic Makeover Contest

Go Organic! for Earth Day™, a national campaign that educates and increases consumer awareness of the benefits of organic food and agriculture, today announced the winner of its national organic grocery makeover contest. Jennifer Boaz and family of Lee’s Summit, Mo., will receive a full pantry, refrigerator and freezer makeover and cooking lesson with "Mom-a-licious" chef Domenica Catelli on June 30.

Go Organic! for Earth Day kicked off this year’s campaign by giving families nationwide an opportunity to win an organic grocery makeover. Contestants submitted photos of their family, pantry, refrigerator and freezer, and provided a brief explanation of why they needed a fresh new start. Entries were judged on the family’s desire to adopt organic and the opportunity to make a significant change in the food they eat.

Read more of the story here.

Farm Bill Will Help Organic Producers

After many months of deliberations and mishaps the 2008 Farm Bill has finally passed. One article was omitted in the copy presented to President Bush due to a clerical error, but all other parts of the bill are now in working order.

This passing means good news for organic producers--a raise in the reimbursement provided through the Organic Certification Cost-Share Program. This article from Minnesota Public Radio shares mixed feelings on the affects the Farm Bill will have on organics, but I believe the Farm Bill can have some great positive results for those in organics.

Farm Bill is Mixed News for Organic Growers

The farm bill is one way the federal government guarantees farmers can make it through hard times. In southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin organic growers have certainly faced those in the last year.

The 2008 Farm Bill designates more resources to organics than ever in the form of an increase in the Organic Certification Cost-Share Program. But organic growers won't find relief from one of their thorniest problems: renting land.

Read the entire story here.

Parents Push for Organic School Lunches

In Iowa, some are seeing the value in organic foods being served to people of all ages and backgrounds. Parents are coming to the forefront in organic lunch promotion in schools so their children can live the healthiest lifestyle possible. The Des Moines Register shows in this article that there are farmers are willing and able to provide the organic foods affordably to schools.

Parents push for organic school lunches

Nearly 300 Iowa City parents have signed a petition to get more organic, locally grown food into their youngsters' school lunches.

Food service coordinators for three Iowa school districts say they are trying to buy more local food, but organic fare is nearly impossible without drastically increasing meal costs.

"There needs to be a reality check," said Diane Duncan-Goldsmith, director of food services for the Iowa City school district. "Is this something schools can do? Maybe if we want to have $4 or $5 lunches."
Other school districts nationally are offering organic foods, with one district dropping desserts in order to offer the fare.

The Better Iowa City School Food committee will deliver its petition to the Iowa City school board Tuesday, said Deirdre Egan, an Iowa City mother of four.

The petition asks the board to implement a wellness policy requiring the district's schools to use fresh, locally grown and organic ingredients "to the extent possible."

Parents in the group have a range of goals, including cutting the use of sugar and processed meats, Egan said. However, "if we had to make a list of priorities, organics are probably in our top five."

Read the entire story here.

All Things Organic Show

I’m blogging from the Windy City for the next three days…Chicago that is.

Missouri companies are headed to Chicago this weekend to exhibit their businesses at the U.S. Food Export Showcase and All Things Organic Trade Show, April 27-29, at the McCormick Place under the Missouri Pavilion sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Ag Business Development Division and AgriMissouri™. For the first time, the U.S. Food Export Showcase will be combined with The Fancy Food Show and All Things Organic becoming the Global Food & Style Expo. This new event creates the largest display of specialty, ethnic, natural, organic and American ready-to-export products in the U.S.

“Missouri agribusinesses will have a great opportunity to meet with domestic and international buyers and potentially expand their exports,” said Sarah Gehring, member services coordinator with AgriMissouri™. “Educational seminars offer valuable insight into rapidly expanding global markets and Missouri businesses can learn current issues and trends in the food industry. AgriMissouri™ has been a sponsor of the Missouri Pavilion for three years.”

Four Missouri companies will be among over 1000 exhibitors offering over 56,000 products at this year’s show including AgriMissouri™ members Missouri Northern Pecan Growers and Berhanu Organics as well as American Botanicals and Flax Organics. In addition, AgriMissouri™ member Hendrickson’s Inc. will be showcasing their salad dressing at the expo.

“This will be our fifth year to display at All Things Organic in Chicago. This is our most important show of the year giving us valuable national and worldwide exposure. It has resulted in many orders from across the U.S., England, Dubai and other countries,” said Drew Kimmell, managing partner with Missouri Northern Pecan Growers. “The attendees vary from mom and pop health food stores to ingredient buyers to national chains and offers very important face to face time with buyers.”

Farm Bill Extended Until April 18

Farm Bill talk is always an interesting discussion. I’ve received some phone calls and emails from Missouri farmers asking about “where we are on the Farm Bill and how it will affect them.” Well, it seems like the Farm Bill should be finalized by now, but unfortunately it’s not.

The Farm Bill was extended again from March 15 until April 18 for more discussion between the Bush Administration and leadership from the Agriculture, Finance, Budget, and Ways and Means Committees figure out how the Farm Bill is to be funded, which programs will receive funding, and which committees in Congress have jurisdiction.

Many farmers and consumers stand to benefit from new farm bill policies that advance local food systems, organics, the environment, nutrition assistance, specialty crops, and beginning and socially disadvantaged producers. These programs are worth hundreds of millions and, in some cases, billions of dollars each year. They represent small, distinct wins that would be squandered if the 2002 bill is extended or the new bill is vetoed.

I’ve been saying this for awhile now, but if you want support of a specific program it’s time to get on the phone and call your Senator and tell them (your needs as producers). Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

(PHOTO-Acting Secretary, Chuck Conner, speaks to and answers questions from the media at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in Kansas City, Missouri on 14 November .

Supply costs squeeze organic farmers

Here is a story from the Des Moines Register that I found of interest this morning.

Supply costs squeeze organic farmers
Facing sky-high crop prices, some in the organic food industry are borrowing an idea from their conventional counterparts.

CROPP Cooperative, best known for Organic Valley milk, seeks organic grain growers willing to sign three-year contracts to supply feed to the La Farge, Wis.-based co-op's livestock farms.

Such vertical integration is common in the conventional meat industry and parts of the organic business, but it runs counter to the independent spirit of many organic farmers.

Read the entire story here.

Resistance to Ohio milk labeling restrictions grows

Resistance to Ohio milk labeling restrictions grows
By Shane Starling

Industry pressure continues to mount on Ohio legislators to curtail plans that would restrict how milk derived from cows treated with growth hormones can be marketed.

At a public hearing hosted yesterday by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), several organizations presented evidence highlighting the negative effects of a mooted rule change that would prohibit or restrict claims citing 'free from hormone-treated cows'.

Read the entire story here.

Don't Blame the Farmer

We hear lots today about rising food costs in America and people's blame sometimes turns to our farmers. But, won't many Americans don't realize is that the USA spends the least amount of its incomes on food, compared to the rest of the world.

Here is an article from the Springfield News Leader that I found interesting from Charles Kruse, President of Missouri Farm Bureau and a fourth generation farmer from Stoddard County.

Don't Blame the Farmer

Much is being written and said today about rising food costs. It can't be denied ... poultry, milk, meat and other agricultural products are increasing in cost, up about 5 percent in Missouri during the last few months. Farmers, however, are not the ones receiving a majority of the extra money consumers are spending.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, farmers receive 22 cents of every $1 consumers spend on food (which is down from 47 cents in 1950 and 31 cents in 1980). The other 78 cents goes primarily for processing, packaging, transporting and retailing the food.

Obviously these costs are going up faster than the agricultural products themselves.

But don't assume the 22 cents farmers receive represents their profit. Farmers use the proceeds from their sales to pay for fertilizer, fuel, farm machinery and other expenses, some of which have increased 300 percent this decade alone. Only after these expenses are paid can farmers determine their profit.

According again to USDA, 3.5 percent represents the average farmer's profit on all his gross receipts. So do the math ... out of every $1 consumers spend for food, 22 cents represents the portion farmers receive; however, less than 1 cent represents the farmer's profit (3.5 percent x 22 cents). This 1 cent is the farmer's "take home pay" used to support a family, provide housing, pay for college, put food on the table and pay for other living expenses. It is often said that farmers, unlike many other businesses, are "price takers, not price makers."

Most farmers and ranchers are unable to set a price for their commodities; they accept the market price regardless of whether that price will provide them a profit. That itself makes it a risky business, not to mention weather uncertainties, foreign competition, government regulations and market cycles.

Food prices are increasing but don't blame our nation's farmers. In fact, be mindful the percentage of disposable income Americans spend for food is still the lowest in the world, and the quality, availability and safety of the American food supply is unparalleled.