farmers, researchers share insights on rolling rye in ...organic farming practices can feed the...
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July | August 2017
To Managing Weeds on page 14
Farmers, researchers share insights on rolling rye in organic no-till system
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service
Farm Bill Expectations
10
Farm Cash Flow
5
Equal Shares for All Heirs
15
Training for New Farmers
7
Versatile rye, hardiest of the small grains, has found feed, forage, and cover crop uses in farm-ing for centuries. Yet rye straw as a rolled-down mulch for no-till drill grain could be its greatest purpose yet. Mechanically suppressing cover crops like winter rye could greatly reduce herbicide use in non-organic systems, and could work well to control weeds in organic systems.
No-till use with non-organic soybeans increased from 34 percent to 44 percent of acre-age planted between 2002 and 2006. More recent government surveys indicated 67 percent of corn producers also used no-till or minimum tillage on 90.6 million acres in the 2014 cropping year.
The non-organic no-till system isn’t reducing herbicide use, however. More than 50 million acres of soybeans received glyphosate alone or with one or more other herbicides in 2012. Herbicide use has risen from 61 million pounds in 1996 to 133 million pounds in 2012 (USDA Agriculture Statistics Service).
In the organic no-till alternative, producers roll over their winter rye in spring with a heavy drum configured with blunt metal blades. The blades have been variously and innovatively arranged horizontally, angled or in a spiral pattern. They crimp the cover crop’s stems. This prevents the rye from re-sprouting and slows its decomposition, prolonging its cover.
Flattened into this dense mulch, the crimped rye suppresses weed growth. Yet it allows drilled cash crops like soybeans to rise up through the mat.
Just this past May, University of Wisconsin-Madison plant pathologist Erin Silva and Iowa State University horticulture professor and researcher Kathleen Delate published “A Decade of Progress in Organic Cover Crop-Based Reduced Tillage Practices in the Upper Midwestern USA”
By Tony Ends
Market farmers share their favorite methods to thwart weedsBy Bailey Webster
To Roller-Crimping on page 8
Volume 25 | Number 4
life cycle, minimize competition with our crops and prevent spread through seed production or vegetative structures?” Colquhoun’s “integrated approach” includes many techniques, including stale seedbedding, competitive planting arrange-ments, crop variety selection, resource placement to favor the crop (such as side dressing rather than broadcasting fertilizer), mechanical and hand cultivation, weed-free mulches, and mowing nearby weeds to prevent seed production and spread.
Timing is everything when it comes to weed management, and planning ahead is essential. Here’s how several market farmers manage weeds on their farms.
Tipi Produce
Steve Pincus and Beth Kazmar own Tipi Produce, a 76-acre organic vegetable farm in Evansville, Wis. They have a 500-member CSA and wholesale accounts in Madison and Milwaukee. The farm has been in operation for 40 years, so you can bet that they have seen their share of weeds. There is a consensus among farmers that weed management is a dynamic and ever-evolving system unique to each farm—and, Tipi Produce is no exception.
(www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture). With more than 40 references, the document summarizes the research of CCBRT practices with organic corn and soybean production. The current research examines roller crimping rye’s economics, labor, and fuel savings. It also addresses the practice’s challenges in organic rotations, fertility manage-ment, and, of particular importance, timing for cash crop planting requirements.
“A decade of CCBRT research,” conclude Silva and Delate, “has demonstrated that CCBRT can provide a strong management tool for organic farmers aiming to improve their weed manage-ment practices while minimizing soil erosion risk, building soil organic matter, and incorporating further crop diversity into their rotations.”
Anyone who has spent any time farming knows that weeds are one of the primary challenges of the job. For a ¼-acre urban farm plot or a several-thousand-acre row crop farm, the task is the same: manage weed pressure with as little time and labor as possible.
This can be especially challenging for market farmers who grow dozens of varieties of vegetables. Each vegetable type has its own unique charac-teristics, including germination time, size, growth habit, and canopy. Some vegetables germinate and canopy relatively quickly, making them fairly easy to keep weed-free. Others germinate very slowly, and are outcompeted easily by weeds. Some vegetables grow long vines, which makes mechani-cal cultivation virtually impossible after a certain point. To make matters even more complicated, each weed species has its own growth habits and method of reproduction, which must be taken into account.
Jed Colquhoun, a researcher at the Horticulture Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains it this way: “There are no silver bullets in organic fresh market weed management, so I advise an integrated approach that starts well before the current growing season and is based on ‘how weeds are built.’ In other words, what techniques can we use that interrupt the weed’s
Rolled rye forms a mat that helps suppress weeds in soybean rows.
Photo by Francis Thicke
Soil health has been dominating the sus-tainability conversation lately. For graziers, that topic has focused on winter bale graz-ing, touted by many as a great way to add nutrients to the soil through spent hay litter left behind after the cattle are done grazing. In recent years, we’ve learned cattle do fine when we ask them to walk out to the pasture get their winter feed, but the soil does much better when we simply allow the spent hay litter, manure, and urine to recycle onsite together.
I’ve heard many presenters at winter con-ferences make comments to the effect, “With what bale grazing can do for your soils, you can afford hay at almost any price.” At these events, I’ve often asked if anyone has any data which can reinforce those claims, but, none has been produced.
In the north country, making hay is an essential component of producing cattle on grass, and the cost of winter feed is gener-ally considered the largest expense for most graziers. The need to make that feed on the farm often limits the size of the grazing herd. If hay could be affordably outsourced, grass-fed herds could grow larger as most or all of a farm’s land could be grazed.
When considering the need to expand operations to bring in the next generation or transition to a farm successor, one of the best ways is to either add an enterprise onto the existing land base, or expand an enterprise. If we can demonstrate that purchased hay, affordably brought in from off the farm, can allow more animals to be grazed on the same farm, then we can see where farms can expand productivity without expanding land base. If grass-fed herds could grow in size, then expanding enterprises to absorb the next generation into farming, or adding a grazing livestock component to a soil-health-building farming protocol, would result in added sustainability benefits.
Study examines true cost, benefits of winter bale grazingBy John Mesko
To Winter Bale Grazing on page 6
Volume 25, #3 July | August 2017
Executive Director John Mesko
Editor Audrey Alwell
Advertising Coordinator Tom Manley
Online Coordinator Hailey Melander
The Organic BroadcasterTM is a bimonthly newspaper published by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), a nonprofit that provides education, resources and practical advice to farmers.
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From the Executive Director
Organic farming practices can feed the world. The kind of farming
we all want to see is vibrant, healthy, and responsible. The practices we
promote at MOSES, and the tools we offer, which includes this Organic
Broadcaster, are tools anyone can use to farm—even garden—better.
In the Midwest, there is plenty of room for organic farming to grow.
Demand has not met supply. Farmers, particularly grain farmers,
are now being courted by many with opportunities to partner for rapid expansion. Processors, food
companies, and investors are aware of the opportunities available to those who can effectively bridge this
supply-demand gap. It’s an exciting time to be an organic farmer.
At the same time, these opportunities for rapid expansion come with some cautions that are giving
longtime proponents of organic agriculture pause. Read Harriet’s “Inside Organics” column on the next
page for more about that.
Forever, we in the organic community have benefited from the supply-demand gap which has resulted
in a higher price for our products. As more entities become involved in the process of growing and
distributing organic food, some of the price available will be shifted toward those entities, which could
effectively reduce the benefits to farmers. Also, “rapid expansion” of organic production sounds a little like
turning organic food into a commodity. Most of us would not care to see our brand of agriculture become
a commodity.
We are at a very interesting time in the evolution of our industry. Regardless of where things go
from here, we can safely assume things will not look the same a year from now as they do today. And
you, Organic Broadcaster reader, can assume MOSES will continue to do our best to serve the organic
community, support organic farmers, and carry on our long tradition of quality education.
Our educational events (aka “field days”) are in full swing for the summer. We hope to see you at one
of these on-farm events, many of which focus on transitioning to organic grain production. Please also tell
your non-organic neighbors about these events—they’re a great way to see how organic works. You can
see the full list of upcoming field days on page 7.
Enjoy this issue.
~ John Mesko, MOSES Executive Director
MOSES Staff:
John Mesko, Executive Director | [email protected]
Audrey Alwell, Communications Director | [email protected]
Harriet Behar, Senior Organic & Policy Specialist | [email protected]
Sarah Broadfoot, Data & Registration Coor. | [email protected]
Lisa Kivirist, Rural Women’s Project Coor. | [email protected]
Lauren Langworthy, Project Director | [email protected]
Tom Manley, Account Service Coordinator | [email protected]
Hailey Melander, Communications Coordinator | [email protected]
Jennifer Nelson, Organic Specialist | [email protected]
Cathy Olyphant, Donation Coordinator | [email protected]
Jody Padgham, Financial Director | [email protected]
Bailey Webster, Events Coordinator | [email protected]
Board of Directors:David Abazs, TreasurerRound River Farm, Minn.
Mike Bollinger | River Root Farm, Iowa
Sylvia Burgos Toftness, PresidentBull Brook Keep, Wis.
Dave Campbell, SecretaryLily Lake Organic Farm, Ill.
Dela Ends | Scotch Hill Farm, Wis.
Carmen Fernholz | A-Frame Farm, Minn.
Melinda Hemmelgarn | Food Sleuth, Mo.
David Perkins | Vermont Valley Farm, Wis.
Molly Rockamann | EarthDance, Mo.
Darin Von Ruden | Von Ruden Family Farm, Wis.
Carla Wright, Vice PresidentSavanna Hill Farm, Wis.
| 3mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775
By Harriet Behar
Protecting organic integrity: Too little, too late?Recently, there have been numerous negative
articles questioning the integrity of organically labeled products in the U.S. marketplace. The Washington Post did in-depth investigative reporting on three topics: imported livestock non-organic feed grains that were sold as organic; a dairy producing a significant amount of organic milk that was not providing pasture as required by the organic regulation and their certification agency, which was not doing its due diligence in oversight; and, algal oil DHA that is still allowed in organic milk products even though 7 years ago the National Organic Program stated its use may not meet organic regulations. No further informa-tion has been provided since then by the NOP and this algal oil is still present in organic milk.
Those of us in the organic world never want to see these types of articles. The vast majority of organic producers using the USDA organic seal are following the rules, and should be proud to own an organic certificate. We are rotating crops, providing healthy pastures, providing pollinator and beneficial insect habitat, protecting soil and water quality, keeping up with the paperwork and working diligently to continually improve our operations to leave them in better condition for the next generation.
It should not surprise us, since the non-organic food system suffers from poor supply management and faltering growth leading to lower prices, that some may be see the organic label as “easy pick-ins” for committing fraud.
For many years, MOSES and other organiza-tions have been pushing the National Organic Program to both tighten up its enforcement capabilities and its accreditation program. This accreditation covers both the organic certifiers as well as the oversight of the National Organic Program itself.
It is true that the NOP has greatly improved review time of the ever increasing number of complaints that come into its office. However, it has not improved its overall system, especially in detecting fraud without a specific complaint.
It is time to recognize organics is a big enough player in the food system that we are an attractive target for fraud because our systems are not tight enough to prevent it.
In Europe, there has been an Anti-Fraud Initiative since 2007 (www.organic-integrity.org). Its members include all sectors of the organic supply chain, from farmers to proces-sors, manufacturers and distributors, as well as certification bodies. The members have met around the European Union for 10 years to create awareness within the trade of how traceability of products and transparency of certification activi-ties and audits improve organic integrity. This group stresses that the entire supply chain holds
INSIDE ORGANICSJoin the discussion:
mosesorganic.org/policywork/inside-organics-blog
To Inside Organics on page 15
responsibility for protecting the organic market-place from fraudulent sales of organic products. The development of various controls, management and oversight across numerous countries and languages has been a challenge, but the discus-sion and education on this topic has increased verification and accountability.
The U.S. trade and the NOP have known about this initiative for many years, and even though we are one of the largest organic markets in the world, we did nothing to address the issue of fraudulent organic products in our country.
It is time for the organic community and the National Organic Program to
reassess current oversight of fraud, and rebuild the system of
accountability to reflect the fact that organic is a ripe target for those who want to make an extra buck without
doing the work to deserve it.
membership and discussions unfortunately are not open to the entire organic community, nor is it clear how it will develop recommendations. OTA can do a better job by following the transparent nature of the EU organic integrity network. The NOP should work with the National Organic Standards Board on this issue, which would bring public input and transparency to the process.
The NOP is considering electronic certificates to provide real-time verification. This type of organic import certificate has been required for many years by the EU and other countries. The U.S. customs agents at our port of entries have little to no understanding of organic standards.
When there are unusual trends, such as large shipments of imported organic corn and soybeans taking over the U.S. organic marketplace within a year, no one at the NOP seems to notice—even when it is brought to their attention! A large organic dairy appears not to be meeting the organic pasture regulation, and its certifier pro-vides little to no oversight even after the operation was cited for not meeting the NOP rules.
It is time for the organic community and the National Organic Program to reassess current oversight of fraud, and rebuild the system of accountability to reflect the fact that organic is a ripe target for those who want to make an extra buck without doing the work to deserve it.
There are numerous activities the NOP could implement now, and others that will take some time. The electronic certificate system for organic verification should be as tight as technology will allow. If the accreditation of an organic certifier is revoked by another accreditation body, such as the EU, the NOP must immediately review this action and follow suit if warranted. This has not occurred in the past and is something that the NOP could implement on its own. When there is a surge of imports, or any other marketplace anomaly, it should trigger an automatic investiga-tion. Again, this is something the NOP can do now without approval by congress.
There are other partners within the U.S. gov-ernment that could be leveraged to help the NOP ensure organic integrity. The Global Agricultural Trade System, operated by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, must be updated to track imports of all organic products, instead of the few it does now.
Without current data, trends and anomalies cannot be tracked. At our borders and ports of entry, there are automated tracking systems that provide information to personnel on each type of import. These need to be updated to include organic-specific information and questions that must be answered before imported products are sold as organic in the U.S.
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The Organic Trade Association announced recently, after the Washington Post’s articles, that it will be convening an anti-fraud task force to develop a best-practices guide for importers to use when verifying international imports of organic goods. While it’s good to address this weak link in our organic food supply chain, perhaps at some point this group will also look at the domestic supply chain and develop strategies for verifying organic integrity there as well.
There are many instances where buyers and sellers of organic produce, grains, meats, dairy and more could have more transparent and trackable documentation. Systems that provide trust that the documentation is legitimate also need to be imple-mented. Hopefully, this OTA task force will look to the work of the European group, and learn from its decade-long discussion on this topic, especially since we seem to be coming late to the show.
While it is a good thing that the trade is tak-ing some responsibility for this, the task force
“What are the requirements for organic certification regarding water to wash my produce or irrigate my vegetable fields? ”
Answer by Harriet Behar
Water that comes in direct contact with human food in post-harvest handling must meet the clean water drinking act requirements of “potable” or drinkable water. This means it cannot contain E. coli or coliforms. A $10-$18 water test can prove this drinkability.
If you are getting water from a hydrant or a faucet, heat the end of the pipe to kill any bacteria before you take the sample to send to a government or private testing laboratory. The sample needs to get to the lab within 2-3 days. There are many testing laboratories—ask your local extension agent or call MOSES to find a lab in your area.
The water also cannot contain more than 4 parts per million chlorine per liter, which can also be tested. If you have recently shocked your well with chlorine, you should definitely get a test. Typically, municipal water is not over this amount of chlorine. Water from a creek, river, pond or other “surface waters” will typically have a bacteria count that is too high to be used for washing veg-etables meant for human consumption. Water from a cistern should be tested more often than from a sealed well, since risk of bacterial contamination is greater from this source. If you have a gas motor mounted on your well, make sure no gas or oil leaks on the ground around the well.
Water used for irrigation is not addressed in
the organic regulation. However, organic certifiers may assess risk of organic land contamination, especially if you’re irrigating with surface waters. Consider what is occurring upstream from your organic operation. Is the time of year that the water is used the same time that many prohibited materials are being used upstream? Is there a risk that livestock upstream could be polluting the water so food safety is at risk?
You should be prepared to answer these ques-tions so the organic certifier is satisfied that you are aware and can protect the organic integrity of the land and food you are growing. A larger creek or river, due to the continual movement of the water, would have less risk than a farm pond where the water from non-organic fields accumulates.
Pesticide and herbicide tests are expensive, and are usually not requested by certifiers. Instead, they look at the situation and assess the risk before they decide if that specific water source can be used to irrigate organic land.
Lastly, with the upcoming implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), irrigation water testing may be required, depending on the size of your operation and how far your crops travel to market. These rules are not yet finalized—MOSES will provide that information once we have it. In general, greater care regarding food safety should be taken with crops that are eaten raw from the field versus those that will be cooked.
“What should I be doing to prepare my animals for breeding season on my farm?”
Answer by Lauren Langworthy
While it may seem early to be thinking about breeding season, it’s actually a good time to start getting your plan in order to so that you and your ruminant livestock can be fully ready when the time comes.
The most important factor to consider when thinking ahead to breeding season is nutrition. You’ll want to make sure that the ladies are in good body condition as breeding approaches (body condition scoring is also known as BCS). Underweight or obese livestock may have trouble conceiving, carrying a fetus to term, or giving birth. To get off to a good start, you’ll want to make sure that everyone is healthy, even a little plump, but not obese. This might mean that you have to separate your herd into multiple manage-ment groups to reduce competition for feed, or supplement or restrict the diets of certain groups.
Achieving an optimal weight is also important for your breeding males. If they are underweight, they will not have the stamina they need to do their job and stay healthy. If overweight, they might not be successful or could cause injury when mounting females.
A quick check-up for the whole herd is
4 | July | August 2017
MOSES Organic Specialists answer your questions about organic production and certification.
CALL: Organic Answer Line 888-551-4769 or 715-778-5775
SUBMIT: Click “Ask a Specialist” button at mosesorganic.org/ask.
READ: Browse answers to questions at mosesorganic.org/ask.
DOWNLOAD: Organic Fact Sheets at mosesorganic.org/publications/ organic-fact-sheets.
generally a good idea before breeding season arrives. You may want to trim and inspect hooves, do a little clean-up shearing, or sort out young stock that won’t be bred this year. This can be a good time to make sure that small issues with your livestock don’t turn into larger problems when their body has high demands from the pregnancy. It is of particular importance to check hooves and leg joints before turning everyone out for breeding. Males can be hampered by injury or infection. Females will be responsible to carry additional weight during breeding and pregnancy. Small issues with joints, legs, and hooves can be aggravated and become much larger issues at a more critical time for your animals if they are not treated now. Make sure to plan this management early enough that your herd has time to recover from the stress of handling before you’re turning them out for breeding.
Another important consideration is breeding soundness. You can have a veterinarian out to check your males about 30 days before they’ve been turned out with your females. A few tests can help make sure that your leading man will be able to play his part effectively. Farmers and ranchers might consider having a back-up male available in the event there are last-minute issues. You can also put this male out just after your lead male should have completed his job. This “clean up” male can be good insurance, but may complicate your recordkeeping. Make sure that you record the dates that each male entered and exited the herd so that you can manage your breeding lines effectively.
Depending on the species you’re working with and your particular breed and management style, there may be some things that you can do with nutrition or management that will help promote a good and tight breeding window for your flock or herd. For example, a fence line exposure with a male can help induce estrus in your females. You’ll want to be sure you have strong fences if you employ this tactic. Also, “flushing” is a term that refers to feeding your females high quality feeds prior to breeding to improve their performance. While you want to make sure that you don’t induce obesity, this high-quality feed can increase ovulations and promote multiple births in many species.
No matter what your protocol for heading into breeding season, you want to make sure that your animals are in good condition and good health. Breeding and pregnancy can be taxing on animals that are in poor condition, obese, or dealing with other health issues. To ensure all of your animals have a successful year, plan time for observation, management, and treatment of little issues that could expound later when animals have more demands on their bodies. The work that you do to prepare your stock for breeding will pay dividends later in your season.
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Reduce stress by sorting out your farm’s cash flowBy Paul Dietmann
For some farmers, cash flow management con-sists of paying bills until the checking account is empty, running credit cards up to their limits, then hoping the mail carrier delivers a check or two instead of just more bills. If handling your farm’s cash flow by the seat of your pants is stressing you out, cash flow planning and analysis will help to ease your anxiety.
Cash flow planning starts with a month-by-month projection of the cash flow you expect to see in the year ahead. The projection can begin on January 1 and follow the calendar year. Or, it can start when something big is expected to happen that will impact the farm’s cash flow such as a purchase of land, construction of a new building, or taking on new debt payments.
A cash flow projection is a prediction of all of the cash that is likely to flow into and out of the farm operation during a given period of time. On the cash inflow side, it includes money generated from the sale of farm products, government program payments, machinery and breeding livestock sales, income from off-farm employment, and proceeds from new loans. Cash outflow includes operating expenses, principal and interest payments on loans, funds used for capital purchases, income tax and Social Security payments, and family living draws taken by the farm owner.
An annual cash flow projection is a very useful tool for a farm. You plot out on a month-by-month basis when cash income will be received and when cash expenses will need to be paid. The projection will help you anticipate in which months your cash inflow will not meet your needs. Most importantly, you will be able to plan ahead to cover cash short-falls without tapping credit cards, leaving bills unpaid, and possibly wrecking your credit score.
Nearly every farm will have months—possibly even years—when cash flow from operations is negative. Summer is often a time of year when farm cash flow is poor. The bills for seed and other crop inputs have been paid, there might be bills for machinery repairs, and there isn’t much to sell until later in the year.
If you develop a cash flow projection and predict that cash flow is going to be short in some months, you have several options to cover the shortage. Maybe you can build up your cash reserves during
good months. Maybe you could change your farm enterprises and add one that brings in cash flow during months you would otherwise fall short. Perhaps you could pick up some off-farm work at key times of the year. You might be able to re-schedule the payments of some bills or loan pay-ments to more closely match your cash flow. You could set up a line of credit with a lending institu-tion, which can be tapped in lean months and paid off in good months.
It’s awfully tempting to get through a few months of tight cash flow by using the handiest source of short-term credit: credit cards. With their high interest rates, credit cards are the worst way to cover cash shortages unless you diligently pay them to zero every month. If you decide to use short-term credit to bridge your low-cash months, work with a reputable lender and apply for a farm operating loan or line of credit. The terms will be much better than paying credit card interest rates of 18 percent or more.
Over the long run, the farm operation should generate enough positive cash flow from operations to pay all of its operating expenses, make loan payments, pay the farm owner a decent draw, and have enough cash left to replace some capital equip-ment and put a bit into cash reserves.
If the operation consistently runs negative cash flows, you should undertake a more in-depth financial analysis and consider making structural changes to your farm business. This sort of analy-sis is done at the end of the year, and looks back at the farm’s actual cash inflows and outflows.
To analyze cash flow, break it out into three distinct categories: 1) cash flow from operations; 2) cash flow from investing activities; and, 3) cash flow from financing activities. Breaking out the farm’s cash flow will tell you if the farm opera-tion paid its own way or was subsidized by other sources of cash such as off-farm income, proceeds from new loans, or with sales of capital assets such as equipment or breeding livestock.
Cash flow from operations includes all of the dollars that flow in and out of the farm in normal, day-to-day activities. Cash comes in from sales of milk, cattle, grain, vegetables, and other products. Cash might also come in from government pay-ments and custom work. Cash flows out as you pay
for seed, feed, fertilizer, fuel, and other operating expenses. We want cash flow from operations to be positive every year.
Cash flow from investing activities refers to capital investments in the farm, not the dividends you received from investments in mutual funds. Cash inflow in this category generally comes from sales of machinery, breeding livestock, or land. Cash flows out to pay for purchases of these capital investments.
Cash flow from investing activities—whether positive or negative—can offer clues to other aspects of farm management. For some farms, cash flow from investing activities might be posi-tive because the farm does a great job with heifer calves and always has excess breeding stock to sell. For others, it might be positive because machinery is being sold to cover shortfalls in cash flow from operation and nothing new is being purchased. Cash flow from investing activities might be nega-tive because the farm is using positive cash flow from operations to make capital improvements, which is good.
Cash flow from financing activities considers funds provided by lenders as well as funds made available by the farm owner. Cash inflow comes from new loans and from off-farm income. Off-farm income is included because it’s money that could be tapped by the farm if needed. Cash flows out to make principal and interest payments on loans and to provide for cash withdrawals by the farm owner.
It’s helpful to look for patterns in cash flow from financing activities. Are loan payments being made on time? Are principal balances being paid down faster than new loans are taken out? If the farm has an operating loan, is the balance being paid down or only the interest being paid? Is the owner able to take a regular cash draw out of the farm, or is he or she putting more money into the farm?
The farm operation should generate enough positive cash flow from operations to pay all of its operating expenses and have enough cash left to replace some capital equipment, make loan pay-ments, and pay the farm owner something back for his or her investment in the farm. If cash flow is coming up short, a more detailed cash flow analysis is in order. Ultimately, positive cash flow is what will keep you farming for years to come.
To learn more about cash flow, see chapter 11 of Fearless Farm Finances: Farm Financial Management Demystified, available in the MOSES Bookstore at mosesorganic.net.
Paul Dietmann is the Emerging Markets Specialist with Badgerland Financial, a Farm Credit System institution. He and Craig Chase from Iowa State University will present two Fearless Farm Finance workshops this year: Nov. 10 in Iowa, and Dec. 8 in Illinois. For details, see mosesorganic.org/fearless-farm-finances-workshop.
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6 | July | August 2017
Winter Bale Grazing — from page 1
In an attempt to know the true cost and benefit of purchased hay in a bale grazing scenario, we must somehow measure the benefit of that hay litter on the pasture in subsequent years. After taking all costs and benefits into consideration, what is the value of spent hay litter from purchased hay? How much can farmers afford to pay for hay to be brought on to their farm to be used in winter bale grazing?
A couple of years ago, I set out to assess the value of spent hay litter remaining onsite after winter bale grazing on my farm, Lighthouse Farm in central Minnesota. At the time, our herd of grass-fed beef was pushing the limits of our farm’s capacity for pasture and reserved grassland for making hay. Our cattle numbers were increasing. In considering our options for expansion, I wondered if the good relationships I had built with neighbors could be parlayed into a reliable source for purchased hay. Being a cost-conscious farmer, I knew relying on purchased hay would increase our costs. But, I also knew from experience that bringing nutrients onto the farm in the form of purchased hay would increase our productivity over time as well, which would allow us to graze even more animals.
After hearing data-less admonitions to “Just Bale Graze,” I developed an on-farm research project I called the Minnesota Bale Grazing Study to determine the change in productivity on the site after bale grazing, and by extension, the true value of purchased hay. Obviously, the most sustainable beef production model would likely not include purchased hay being brought in from off the farm. However, many soils that are being converted to grazing lands from row crop produc-tion are depleted and need to be rejuvenated in order to reach a sustainable system. In order to boost productivity quickly, and to be able to pro-duce enough beef to be economically viable, some form of purchased hay may be the best course, at least in the short term.
After the first year of a two-year study, the ini-tial results of the Minnesota Bale Grazing Study are promising. Baseline soil tests taken in the spring of 2016 on Lighthouse Farm report average soil fertility and soil health. Forage tests from 2015 hay production and 2016 hay production are in the table below.
While forage quality improvements from 2015 to 2016 are impressive, it should be noted that the
2016 samples were taken shortly after the hay was made, and the 2015 samples were taken a few months after baling.
The bale grazing site was grazed from Sept. 5, 2016 through Sept. 25, 2016 (20 days) by 14 year-ling steers and heifers. Calves averaged 725 lbs. at the time they were turned out, and after 20 days averaged 755 lbs. The average daily rate of gain was 1.75 lbs. This number is lower than what we normally achieve on our farm. We think part of this is due to the regrowth being too short to really allow for efficient grazing, and we think part of this is due to the fact that we split the yearlings off from the rest of the herd, and there was a day or two of stress on the yearlings from being separated. They may have delayed getting right at grazing immediately. Subsequent grazing this year will help us determine the impact of these effects.
Lessons Learned
1. We put bales out in 2015-16 too far apart. In the spring, the hay litter was not covering completely, which has resulted in spotty regrowth. I expected the cattle to scatter the hay further than they did. In the winter of 2016-2017, we put the bales much closer together, averaging only 8 feet or so between bales. Also, we fed more bales at each feeding. This had the effect of scattering more hay faster, as the cattle went from bale to bale, looking for the best hay to devour first.
2. In some instances, we used small square bales as well. These need some kind of feeder to prevent waste. We’ve actually used round bale feeders for feeding square bales, which works well.
3. We’ve put out as much as 3 weeks of feed at a time with little “wastage.” Could an entire winter’s worth of hay be fed at once? That won’t be a part of this study, but it would make a change in how overwintering cattle could be handled.
Preparing for Bale GrazingThe smart move is to purchase winter feed
right out of your neighbors’ fields as they are mak-ing it—when it’s cheapest. Farmers who make and sell more hay than they feed are well aware of the price fluctuations and are content to move hay to a central location to store it until the price moves upward, usually in mid- to late winter.
When you buy bales now, you can move them directly to your winter bale grazing site, and pre-position the bales. You want to move bales as few times as possible. In addition to costing time and fuel, each time a hay bale is moved, its quality degrades. Lifting the bale loosens the strings or wrapping, opening the bale up to tak-ing on more moisture and increasing the likelihood it may fall apart dur-ing subsequent moves. Introducing
a “hole” in the bale with the bale fork has an additive effect on bale degradation. Finally, the lightweight “fines” in the bale, particles which are typically high in protein and other nutrients shake loose each time a bale is moved, leaving the bale in lower condition, and wasting precious nutrients that could benefit your animals and soil.
Moving hay in the summer is always preferred to moving it in the winter. Why not include in the purchase price of the hay that the seller trans-ports and moves it to the intended bale grazing site and pre-positions the bales? At the right price, the hay seller should be happy to remove the hay from the storage yard or field borders in June or July, rather than risk cold temperatures and snow to move hay in December or January.
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Photo above taken in May shows litter from bale grazing December ‘16 through March ‘17. Below, areas where cattle grazed in winter ‘16 continue to show lush regrowth in May ‘17.
Cattle graze haybales in the field at Lighthouse Farm in Central Minnesota.Photo by John Mesko
Photos by John Mesko
To Winter Bale Grazing on page 12
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Register or see more details and driving directions at mosesorganic.org/organic-field-days.
OGRAIN: Diversified Organic RotationsJuly 21 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Free | Bickford Organics & Meadowlark Farm | Ridgeway, Wis.Farmers Paul Bickford and John Wepking talk about large-scale small grain production, processing, and marketing, and explain how they design crop rota-tions to market their whole rotation.
OGRAIN: Artisanal Grain ProductionJuly 24 | 1 – 4:30 p.m. | Free | Hazzard Free Farm | Pecatonica, Ill.Farmer Andrea Hazzard covers everything from seed selection and planting to harvesting, drying, and cleaning corn and small grains for specialty markets. Ellen King, co-owner and artisan baker of Hewn Bread in Chicago, shares buyer’s insights.
In Her Boots: Realize Your Farming DreamAug.4 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $50 | Circle M Market Farm | Blanchardville, Wis.The Wisconsin Soil Sisters share their seasoned perspectives to answer your questions and help you gather resources for your farm launch. This event is offered in conjunction with the annual Soil Sisters weekend of farm tours.
In Her Boots: Field to Plate Perennial FruitAug. 9 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $50 | Blue Fruit FarmWinona, Minn.Experience organic berry growing at peak harvest time, and learn what it takes to nurture these fruits from field to plate.
Movable and Fixed Fencing for LivestockAug. 17 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | $15 | Hoch Orchard & Gardens | La Crescent, Minn.Learn about livestock fencing to maintain pastured pigs in an orchard.
In Her Boots: Market Farming in SuburbsAug. 24 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $50 | Radical Root Organic Farm Libertyville, Ill.Learn how to grow a successful farm business in an urban/suburban setting.
OGRAIN: Adding Organic to Large-Scale FarmsAug. 24 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Free | Wallendal Supply Grand Marsh, Wis.Learn about crop rotations, managing a parallel operation (conventional/organic), strip tilling, navi-gating the organic transition process, cultivation and fertility practices, and on-farm research.
Soil Fertility in Organic Grain ProductionAug. 30 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Free | Oak Ridge Farms Pendleton, Ind.Focus in on transitioning to organic and managing risk during the switch.
Opportunities in Organic FarmingSept.8 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Free |PrairiErth Farm | Atlanta, Ill.The MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year, the Bishops, showcase their diverse livestock, crop, and vegetable operations, sharing their organic management practices and on-farm research..
Organic Vegetable ProductionSept. 16 | 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Free | Open Hands Farm Northfield, Minn.Farmers Ben Doherty and Erin Johnson, and Annalisa Hultberg, U of M Extension Food Safety Educator, discuss food safety in organic vegetable production in the field and packing shed.
By Jennifer Nelson
Weekend training announced to boost beginning farmers’ skills
Jumpstart your farm business with New Farmer U, the all-in-one beginning farmer conference. Hosted by MOSES along with part-ners Renewing the Countryside, New Farmer U offers the farmer education expertise of the larger MOSES Organic Farming Conference in a smaller setting where you can ask all your burn-ing new-farmer questions. Two New Farmer U weekend events will take place later this year: one in Iowa and one in Illinois.
Farmers continue to face challenges as they engage in the rewarding, increasingly important career of farming. Climate-change-fueled erratic weather events and the political and financial environment of our modern world present new and changing challenges for all farmers, beginning and seasoned. New Farmer U can give you the skills, resources, and contacts needed to do the important work you love. New Farmer U is created by sustainable farmers for farmers, and offers the education and networking opportunities you need in the exciting realm of organic farm business.
Whether you’re in the very beginning dream-ing stages of planning your farm or already have a couple of years under your belt, New Farmer U can help you learn about both the field and finan-cial aspects of farming from experienced farmers and experts in the field of agriculture.
New Farmer U kicks off Friday night with beginning farmer networking opportunities, and goes through Saturday and Sunday. The weekend training includes your choice of 12 hands-on work-shops plus roundtable discussions facilitated by experienced farmers and experts in the agriculture community. Topics range from Farm Resiliency and Marketing Your Farm Product to Soil Fertility and Land Access. The general session includes a panel of experienced beginning farmers answering the question, “What would you do differently or keep the same in your first five years?”
Local and national organizations providing service and tool resources for beginning farmers will be onsite exhibiting products and services, and answering all your questions. And, farmer networking opportunities will abound with a Saturday night social and peer-to-peer discussion groups.
Cost of New Farmer U is $125, which includes all this education and networking, along with lodging and local, organic meals. There is a $25 discount for farm partners to attend. It’s designed to be a great value for all beginning farmers. Those with limited capital may apply for a schol-arship. See details at newfarmeru.org.
Over 100 new farmers converged for the first New Farmer U in Lanesboro, Minn. in October 2016. They learned from “rock star” organic farm-ers and agriculture experts about a variety of farming best practices. Here’s what farmer folks said after attending the NFU:
“It is a great venue to network with others, share experiences and really ask questions.”
“This has been an extremely helpful course. We feel so much more confident starting a farm now!”
“New Farmer U was fantastic! I learned so much! It was so worth it and very affordable. Food and housing were included in the registration, which made it extremely affordable.”
New Farmer U is supported by a grant through the NIFA, USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
Finance, Food Safety TrainingsTwo additional day-long trainings open to
seasoned farmers as well as beginners are offered the Friday leading up to New Farmer U. Fearless Farm Finances will be taught by experts Paul Dietmann of Badgerland Financial and Craig Chase of Iowa State University. Food Safety train-ing will be taught by Harriet Behar of MOSES.
Each of these courses is $50 and includes a book. Farmers participating in New Farmer U may add one of these courses for just $25.
Jennifer Nelson is an organic specialist and coordinates the New Organic Stewards program for MOSES. She also owns Humble Pie Farm, growing cut flowers.
MADISON
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August 4-6, 2017 www.soilsisterswi.org
3 Days • 5 Unique Components • 20+ FarmsCreate Your Own Farm and Culinary Adventure
Tour of Farms Sunday, August 6Visit numerous women-owned farms in the Monroe and Brodhead areas. Free.
Green Acres WorkshopsFriday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6Make cheese, ferment the harvest, be a farmer for a day and much more! Ticketed events.
Taste of PlaceFriday, August 4A local food & drink celebration at Cow & Quince in New Glarus. Ticketed event.
Farm to Table DinnerSaturday, August 5Farm-to-table dinner at Dorothy's Range in Blanchardville featuring heritage meats. Ticketed event.
Dine Fine at RestaurantsFriday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6Sample “locavore” specials throughout the weekend.
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to move your farm forward!
$125 for training, lodging & meals$25 discount for farm partners | scholarships available
IOWA NOV. 10-12, 2017Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat Center, Montour, Iowa
ILLINOIS DEC. 8-10, 2017Streator Baptist Camp, Streator, Illinois
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Montour, Iowa Nov. 10, 2017Streator, Illinois Dec. 8, 2017
Two all-day courses: Choose 1 for $50 (includes book!)
mosesorganic.org/events
8 | July | August 2017
Roller-Crimping Rye — from page 1
To Roller-Crimping on page 12
Iowa and Wisconsin producers working with Silva and Delate are helping refine roller-crimp-ing cover crops into effective systems and strate-gies in the field. Together, they hope to widely help other producers cope with today’s increasingly erratic weather, rising production costs, and vari-able prices.
The farmers themselves have been contribut-ing mightily to developing a body of knowledge and reliable systems for using roller-crimping rye in tandem with drilled grains.
“I mostly have used rye as a cover crop, especially for rolling-crimping before planting soybeans,” said Francis Thicke, who’s been farm-ing with his family near Fairfield, Iowa since 1995. “Several years ago, I started saving some rye acreage for harvest, so I have my own rye seed source. It is a VNS (variety not stated) rye, but it has performed well, and it’s nice to have my own seed source. I plan to try growing some of the earlier-maturing rye varieties in the future,” Thicke added.
Iowans and surrounding states have for years followed progress of the Thicke family’s Radiance Dairy. Primarily running a dairy farm, the Thickes also raise cash crops, including soybeans, corn, wheat, pumpkins, field peas, triticale, and rye. The whole farm is certified organic, and it has grown from 176 acres in 1995 to 736 acres today.
Generations of farmers turned to rye when hilly conditions and thin soils limited production of other crops. Thicke found rye a strong ally in his commitment to restore and reclaim over-worked ground. Much of his land has steep slopes. Much of it has been badly eroded and has low fertility and soil quality from past abuse. Thicke has been applying manure to the land before planting rye.
“I try to plant the rye early in the fall in order to get a high level of rye biomass for rolling down,” he said. “Planting rye early results in more tiller-ing of rye, creating a thicker stand. So, the earlier you plant, the lower the rye seeding rate you need. Conversely, the later in the fall you plant rye, the higher the seeding rate you need.
“I have been using a roller-crimper for three years. My roller is 15.5 feet long, which works well with my 15-ft no-till drill. I have found it impor-tant not to roll-crimp the rye too early; it will tend to want to stand back up.
“The recommendation is to roll-crimp rye at anthesis (flowering), but I prefer to wait until rye is in the milk stage. It is more likely then to remain flattened after rolling-crimping. Also, the thicker the rye (more biomass) the more likely the rye will remain flat after rolling-crimping. Thin stands of rye like to pop back up after rolling.”
Thicke drills soybeans into the standing rye with a no-till drill. He rolls and crimps the rye
afterward. “I find it easier to see where I am going with the planter if I plant before rolling,” he said. “Also, that allows you to plant earlier than anthesis, and wait until after anthesis to roll/crimp. I have tried rolling both before and after planting soybeans; I do not think it matters which one you do first.
He has planted soybeans into rye for three years. “The first two years, everything seemed to go perfectly. As long as I had enough rye bio-mass, there were very few weeds,” he explained. This year (my third year) I had to replant the soybeans. It appeared that some worms, possibly army worms, ate the soybean seedlings just as they were emerging from the soil. I am not certain exactly what happened, but only a few soybean plants from the first planting survived. That is something I will watch for more closely in future years.”
Thicke has experimented on a small scale with using the roller-crimper on hairy vetch and plant-ing corn into it. “A couple of years ago, I planted two acres to hairy vetch, with some oats included, in the fall. I intended to plant corn into the hairy vetch the following spring,” he said.
“Over the winter, the field was covered by a sheet of ice. By spring, it appeared that the hairy vetch had been winter-killed, so I decided not to plant the corn. However, in mid-June I drove by the field and saw that on half of it the hairy vetch had not only recovered, but was in full bloom with lots of biomass,” he said.
“I planted corn into the hairy vetch in about the third week of June. The corn in the half of the field with a poor stand of vetch was weedy, stunted, and nitrogen deficient. But the corn on the half of the field that had thick vetch looked good and had very few weeds—that corn did not show signs of nitrogen deficiency. The hairy vetch killed easily with the roller-crimper, probably because I had let it go so far to maturity.”
A friend tried the same experiment on 40 acres and found it nearly impossible to kill the hairy vetch at corn planting time, Thicke added. “Perhaps the difference was that I had planted the corn so late that the vetch was at a much later stage of maturity,” he said. “Actually, the corn planter (it was not a no-till planter) surprised me in that it easily cut through the mature vetch biomass without plugging up.
“Planting through the standing vetch pretty much flattened and killed the vetch. I did roll-crimp the vetch after, but that was probably not necessary. I think that the lesson here is that hairy vetch matures late for planting corn into it. Perhaps an earlier-maturing variety of hairy vetch would work better.”
Thicke believes the practice of rolling-crimping cover crops has tremendous potential for con-ventional farmers. “Most conventional farmers
who use cover crops are quick to kill them with herbicides in the spring,” he said. “It seems to me that they could just as well allow the cover crops to grow much longer, plant into the cover crops, and roll-crimp the cover crops. That would likely require a lot less use of herbicides, but since they are conventional farmers, they could still use her-bicides if needed. This would also be a good way for conventional farmers to transition to organic.”
More farmers are becoming interested in using a roller-crimper to plant into cover crops. “The roller-crimper I have was the first one made in a particular machine shop here in Iowa last year,” Thicke said. “I have heard that the same machine shop has filled orders for 12 this year.” Thicke’s farm field day last month drew 70 people, many seeking information on planting into cover crops. Likewise, there was a lot of interest in the work-shop and Organic University course he taught with Iowa State’s Delate at this year’s MOSES Organic Farming Conference.
After 10 years of organic no-till research in the Midwest, Delate is still looking at best practices for planting organic soybeans into rolled rye.
“I believe in its promise, but it is still not a perfect system,” she explained. “We have shown higher soil quality in organic no-till systems, as the cover crop adds more carbon and microbial biomass. It should never be compared to conven-tional no-till, which can have consistent results because of the use of glyphosate to totally kill the cover crop.
“The roller-crimper Rodale has promoted works well on flat ground, pushed in front of the tractor, with a no-till planter pulled behind the tractor in a one-pass operation,” she said, of Rodale’s pioneering roller-crimper design and use.
“In addition to having a good planter, weather is the most critical factor for success,” she added. “If you plant and get no rain, the thick mulch can hurt and slow emergence. Wet weather is no bargain either, as it leads to slow cover crop decomposition. That invites moisture-loving insects, like seed corn maggot and army worms—which several growers had issues with this year. In typical organic tilled conditions, the ground is exposed, dries out somewhat, and is less prone to insect problems,” she said.
Dawn Equipment rollers that Delate has used in research employ individual rollers. They are set up on planter rows so that six rollers are needed for a six-row planter. This implement exerts more downward pressure due to hydraulics, Delate said, unlike the Rodale roller. Its extra weight comes from filling it with water. The Dawn roller is also more flexible for rolling rye on hillier ground, due to its articulated design, Delate said.
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Researcher explains factors to consider when rolling-crimping rye
University of Wisconsin Organic Cropping Systems Specialist Erin Silva has a long list of important factors to consider when rolling-crimping rye, derived from more than 10 years of research. Timing is key, particularly with the wide swings in weather we’ve experienced this year.
Silva will share tips for rolling and crimping rye as a mulch for drilling cash grains at the university’s Arlington Research Station organic field day, Thursday, Aug. 31. She’ll also talk about the method at Mark Doudlah’s farm field day Aug. 3 near Evansville in Rock County, Wis. Here are some of the tips she’ll be sharing.
In addition to an earlier planting date, a heavier seeding rate of rye (3 bushels per acre) also helps achieve adequate biomass to suppress weeds. The dry biomass of the cover crop should be in the range of 8,000 to 10,000 pounds per acre, providing a physical barrier during early crop growth to prevent sunlight from reaching the soil surface and weed seeds from germinating. To achieve this, cereal grain cover crop planting should occur by Sept. 15, but at least by Sept. 30.
The cover crop must be terminated at a very specific stage of cereal grain growth – at anthesis (flowering). The growth stage of anthesis is easily observed in the field when pollen is visible on the cereal grain heads. Crimping before or after this growth stage risks cover crop re-growth after termination.
Terminate the cover crop (either by rolling-crimping or sickle-bar mowing) perpendicular to the direction of cover crop seeding. This helps achieve the best ground cover by the mulch, pre-venting sunlight from reaching the soil surface.
It pays to take the time to adjust and/or modify your equipment. No-till drills and conservation planters can both work in this system. The no-till drill set on 7.5 inch rows allows for quicker canopy cover. The wider 30-inch row spacing allows for a mid-season cultivation if weeds break through the mulch and become an issue. There also is some evidence that using a conservation planter may allow for more precise seed placement, creating a better stand of soybean.
Seeding rates of soybean should be higher than in the typical organic system (approximately
By Tony Ends
225,000 seeds per acre or higher). Recent recom-mendations from Cornell University state 300,000 seeds per acre.
To achieve an earlier planting date for soy-beans, planting soybean into the standing rye cover crop prior to termination is also an option. This earlier soybean planting date can be particu-larly advantageous in regions with shorter grow-ing seasons. Soybeans can be planted or drilled into the standing rye in mid-May, approximately 3 weeks prior to rye anthesis. After the soybean reaches the V1-V2 stage, and the rye reaches anthesis, the rye can be terminated either by rolling-crimping or mowing, crimping over the emerged soybeans.
A word of caution: there is less replicated research on this technique in Wisconsin, although 2 years of data at the Arlington test plots, as well as farmer experience, demonstrates this option has potential advantages.
Timing of rye termination depends on both soybean stage, which at V1/V2 allows for resil-ience against tractor and roller-crimper traffic, and rye stage, which must still be at anthesis to ensure effective termination. Terminating cereal rye may be less uniform using this technique. Use caution if this is integrated into a rotation using cereal grains to be sold off-farm, where contami-nation with rye seed may be of greater concern.
Strategic tillage and diversified rotations, particularly by including an alfalfa phase, can help reduce risk of building up perennial weed populations.
Summary of No-till Organic Tips1. Start small. Organic no-till is a significant
change for many organic farmers and non-organic no-tillers alike. Try it out on a small scale to minimize risk.
2. Choose wisely. Choose fields where you can get in early to plant a cover crop in the fall and with appropriate weed pressure – avoid perennial weeds.
3. Don’t skimp. Get cover crops in the ground on time (cereal rye: mid-September to early October) and at recommended seeding rates (3 bushels per acre for cereal grains). Successful weed suppression requires a dense mat of cover
crop residues.4. Alter planting strategies for cash crop.
Bump up the seeding rate of soybeans (225,000 seeds per acre). Be sure to spend time setting an appropriate depth on the planter. Add extra weight to equipment if needed.
Silva is willing to answer farmers’ questions. Email [email protected], or call 608-890-1503.
Tony Ends is a certified organic farmer and writer who lives near Madison, Wis.
Organic Cropping Systems Specialist Erin Silva shows off the carpet of rolled-and-crimped rye flanking virtually weed-free rows of Honey Bear squash at the University of Wisconsin West Madison Research Station plots.
Photo by Tony Ends
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2018 Farm Bill offers chance to encourage sustainable, organic farmingBy Sarah Hackney
10 | July | August 2017
To Farm Bill next page
It’s that time again—time for Congress to begin working on a new federal farm bill. This process takes place roughly every five years and sets the ”rules of the road” for much of our food and farming system, including many sustainable and organic farming policy issues.
The 2014 Farm Bill under which we’re operat-ing today contains policies, programs, and funding levels that affect everything from who is eligible for farm loans to what types of organic crops can be insured, as well as support for farmers markets and food hubs. While formal debate is unlikely to begin before early 2018, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have already begun listening sessions in the field and hearings in Washington D.C. to inform the next bill, which must be passed by September 2018 to avoid major disruptions to food and farm programs.
The road to a new farm bill is likely to be a winding one. Early indications suggest that the key players in the process—House and Senate Republicans and Democrats on the Agriculture Committees, the White House, and Congressional leadership—have different perspectives on the highest-cost components of the bill, including SNAP (food stamps), crop insurance, and com-modity programs. Billions of dollars will be at stake, not just for these major programs, but also for initiatives that help farmers conserve natural resources, expand their operations, transition to organic production, and much more.
When it comes to organics, there are likely to be a whole host of specific proposals, includ-ing: improving how working lands conservation programs (like EQIP and CSP) work for organic producers; improving crop insurance options for
organic producers; increasing funding for organic research; encouraging organic transition with certification cost-share, and more.
Here’s a broad preview of key issues for sustain-able and organic ag likely to come up during the farm bill debate in 2017 and 2018—and how you can have a say in the process.
Comprehensive Conservation Title ReformPrivately-owned crop, pasture, and rangeland
account for nearly half of land in the U.S. Given the enormity of agriculture’s footprint—combined with the fact that these “working lands” intersect with shared natural resources like rivers and lakes—it makes sense that farmers and ranchers would have a significant role to play in sustaining our nation’s natural resources. The new farm bill is an opportunity to invest in programs that help farmers and ranchers implement and enhance conservation systems on their operations—and make sure these programs are increasingly acces-sible, transparent, and outcomes-based. Through the next farm bill, we have an opportunity to ensure that federal conservation programs and requirements:• Expand program access to serve farmers of all
types, sizes, and geography, including small and mid-sized farms and organic, diversified, and rotational grazing operations;
• Enhance impact by targeting dollars to the most effective conservation activities;
• Increase support for planning and outreach to assist farmers and create smoother links between programs, and practice delivery and implementation;
• Increase effectiveness and efficiency through
enhanced monitoring and evaluation of pro-gram outcomes.
Beginning Farmers and RanchersOur nation’s farmers and ranchers are aging,
and many of them will reach retirement without a succession plan in place that ensures the ongoing viability and vitality of their operations. At the same time, aspiring farmers nationwide are fac-ing significant barriers to success in agriculture, including the limited availability of affordable and desirable farmland, difficulty in obtaining credit and financing, and inadequate access to hands-on training and risk management tools.
Nearly 100 million acres of farmland (enough to support nearly 250,000 family farms) is set to change hands over the next five years—during the course of our next farm bill. To keep our agri-cultural economy strong, we must facilitate the transfer of skills, knowledge, and land between the current and future generations of family farmers. We must also ensure that our federal policies create an agricultural system that not only feeds families at home and abroad, but also feeds farmers by providing them with a sustain-able career option that can support their families, rural communities, and our natural resources for generations to come. The farm bill can help—we need it to:• Expand beginning farmers’ access to affordable
farmland;• Empower new farmers with the skills to suc-
ceed in today’s agricultural economy;• Ensure equitable access to financial capital and
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federal crop insurance;• Create a new generation to steward our land by
incentivizing conservation from the start.
Investing in Regional Food EconomiesConsumer demand for local and regional
products is on the rise, and this growing inter-est in the “farm to fork” pipeline is opening new markets and economic opportunities to farmers and food producers across the nation. These have long been part of the social and economic fabric for some American communities, but today interest in developing these systems is more widespread than ever. With the American farm economy in down-turn and commodity prices at historic lows, family farmers nationwide have increasingly found that local and regional food pipelines can help them create big economic opportunities close to home.
Despite the serious potential created by this growing consumer demand, many would-be food and farm entrepreneurs struggle to enter the local/regional marketplace. A lack of infrastruc-ture (e.g., storage, transportation, and processing capacity) and technical links (e.g., marketing and business planning) have made it difficult for many farmers and producers to update their businesses to reach these new customer bases. By helping to connect the dots between producers and local customers, the next farm bill can:• Help farmers reach new markets through
outreach, cost-share, and technical assistance programs;
• Increase access to fresh, healthy, local food among low-income groups and communities in need;
• Develop new and strengthen existing infrastructure that connects producers to consumers.
Securing SeedsEverything in agriculture starts with seeds.
Seeds are the building blocks of our food system, and farmers require seed stocks that are region-ally adapted to meet their needs and farming conditions.
Historically, control over our national seed stocks and breeding research laid in the hands of our country’s farmers and land-grant institu-tions. However, over the last several decades, the
development of our seeds stocks, the foundation of our national food supply, has become increas-ingly consolidated and privatized. Innovation and growth has been stifled and our national seed stocks and breeding research have become less diverse. Farmers are natural innovators and know best what kind of performance and traits they need from their seeds and crops. By support-ing farmer-driven plant breeding research, we can better ensure that all farmers have access to high performing, locally-adapted seeds—no mat-ter where they farm or what they grow. The farm bill can help to:• Encourage research and crop diversity to
ensure the security and sustainability of the American food system;
• Expand quality seed options, giving farmers the freedom to choose what and how to grow;
• Improve coordination and transparency among research and breeding programs to make more informed and strategic public and private investments.
Crop Insurance ReformBecause of the important role farming
plays in our lives and our economy, it is in the public interest to help protect farmers against risk. There are many approaches to managing risk, including crop, enterprise, and market diversification, plus investing in soil health and conservation. However, current federal policy on agricultural risk management focuses primarily on taxpayer-subsidized crop insurance. In fact, subsidized crop insurance is now the largest federal farm safety net program.
Federal crop insurance is an important cornerstone of the farm safety net, but it must be improved to better serve all of America’s farmers equitably. Currently, the federal crop insurance program excludes many types of farms and farmers, discourages sustainable practices, and encourages farm consolidation that further depopulates our rural communities.
As we gear up for the 2018 Farm Bill, we have an opportunity to include improvements to the federal crop insurance program that will make it more effective, efficient, and transparent. These changes include: • Expand access to serve all types of farmers
based on their risk management needs.• Actively promote conservation by eliminating
barriers to sustainable farming practices and rewarding practices that protect our land, water and health.
• Reform the structure of the crop insurance program so that it no longer provides unlimited subsidies that fuel farm consolidation or unduly influences farmers’ planting decisions.
• Improve the delivery of the crop insurance program to make it more transparent and efficient.
What You Can DoFarmers and the broader food and farm move-
ment have a huge role to play in the coming farm bill. It will take all of us speaking up for positive change to make it happen. To start, you can:learn who your legislators are. If any of your Senators or Representative sits on an Agriculture Committee, he or she will be taking a leading role in drafting the next bill and needs to hear from you.
Attend field hearings and Town Halls— members of Congress will be on recess for all of August and again for Labor Day, and are likely to hold Town Halls and other public events. Show up and ask for a farm bill that includes issues that matter to you!
Share your story. Have you benefited from a farm bill program on your farm, or at your orga-nization or business? Consider sharing your story with your members of Congress and asking them to support the program that has helped you. For example: did EQIP help you install improved fenc-ing? Did a Farmers Market Promotion Program grant help your market increase sales? These are great stories for your member of Congress to hear.
Call your legislators! MOSES, NSAC, and many other organizations will be putting out the call to action as soon as this fall for folks to call their legislators’ D.C. offices in support of a farm bill that invests in sustainable and organic agri-culture. Calling takes only 90 seconds and makes a real difference. Stay tuned for many more opportunities to get involved.
Sarah Hackney is the Grassroots Director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
Farm Bill — from previous page
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“Planter design and set-up is also critical, so having extra down pressure on the planter is help-ful in getting good seed-to-soil contact through the rolled mulch,” she explained. “Plant at least 160,000 seeds per acre. If weeds get through the mulch too much, be prepared to cultivate with a high-residue cultivator, such as a Hinniker.
“As one farmer told me, ‘Better to only cultivate once and get that carbon-rich rye crop in your ground, than doing four normal organic tilled weed management tillage operations.’”
Delate said a good planter should have good pressing wheels and steel furrow closing wheels with adjustable down pressure to get the soil firmed after planting and to pull the rye mulch over the row.
“We will be monitoring two organic soybean plantings in rolled rye fields this year: one planted June 1, in a one-pass Dawn roller operation with adequate rain, and one planted June 9, with a two-pass operation, and no rain following planting (beans still not all the way up),” she said.
UW’s Silva has also been investigating roller-crimping rye with no-till grains for a decade. She works in tandem with six Wisconsin organic producers in trials and applied research.
One of those producers is Mark Doudlah, a fourth-generation farmer in a family operation near Evansville, 20 minutes south of Madison. Doudlah farms 1,750 acres organically and is working to complete certification on all his land this year. The farm produces cash grains, seeds, pastured and organically raised poultry, eggs, turkey, and grass-fed pork sold now under a FarmRite Organics trade mark. The farm also sells cover crop seeds.
Doudlah has been employing roller-crimping rye cover crops for 4 years. He believes it is very important to start with a variety that maximizes above ground biomass. For Doudlah, that variety is Aroostook Cereal Rye.
“You have to have enough fall nitrogen to maximize growth and leaf width,” he said. “Crimp at 75 to 100 percent anthesis (flowering). Use the roller-crimper in the fall to level the ground, mak-ing for a uniform crimp in spring easier.
“Uncouple the crimper from the planter and plant beans 7 to 10 days prior to crimping. Then crimp when the rye is ready,” he added.
Using Aroostook Cereal Rye will gain another 7 to 10 days of growing season because it reaches anthesis early, he said. “It is possible to gain more than 2 weeks of growing season through the use of Aroostook Cereal Rye and planting ahead of the crimper. It is critical to reach 7,000 to 10,000 pounds of above-ground biomass for satisfactory crimping and weed control.
“Drill or row beans at higher seeding rates to ensure crop competition and canopy closure. We have been unsuccessful using an airplane to
aerial seed rye to get the uniformity of the rye for weed control,” he added.
Doudlah uses a 40’ RiteWay Crimper. The roller has 4” angle irons welded on to the drum with the angle iron back exposed to crimp the rye. This unit is 550 pounds per foot, nearly double the Rodale/I&J chevron design, Doudlah said.
“These crimpers both have their unique advan-tages,” he said. “The I&J has less blade engage-ment with the ground at any one time compared to the RiteWay. That allows for a lighter machine and very good crimping action.” He added that the RiteWay can be used in place of culti-packer for land rolling seed-to-soil contact and sizing clay soil clods.
“We prefer to seed ahead of crimping to gain growing season and also feel it is easier to get the seed into the soil by not having to cut through that 7,000 to 10,000 pounds of above-ground biomass,” Doudlah said.
Doudlah will host a field day on his farm from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 3 to showcase roller-crimping for dark red kidney beans. UW’s Erin Silva will speak on roller-crimping cereal rye.. Dr. Don Huber of Purdue will discuss herbicide inter-actions. Joel Gruver of Western Illinois University will speak about diversity of cover crop seeds. Paul Dietmann with Badgerland Financial will talk about finances, marketing and the organic transition years. An organic lunch, ice cream social and networking are part of the field day, which costs $20. For reservations, call 608-490-0925 or 608-490-0926.
Tony Ends is a certified organic farmer and writer who lives near Madison, Wis.
Roller-Crimping Rye — from page 8
McFarlane Manufacturing in Sauk City, Wis. tests its spiral reel stalk chopper at Doudlah Farms. The side wings are raised to exert more pressure on the central roller. The sharp-edged chopping reels can penetrate thick covers to ensure a good crimp up the plant stalk. This multi- purpose implement can be used for tilling or crimping.
Photo by McFarlane Mfg.
Distributed by
Winter Bale Grazing — from page 6
Strings or wrapping should be left on to keep bales in good shape and allow for moving them again in an emergency. These can be removed in November or December just ahead of the bale grazing season, but before snow and ice make the job more challenging. It’s also much easier to remove wrappings without animals present, especially if you have to keep a wary eye on your bull.
Bale RingsLarge bale rings have been used for years to
contain hay coming off round bales so it doesn’t get “wasted.” Winter bale grazing operates on the premise that spent hay litter has value, and should not be confined to a bale ring, but rather should be spread about. Cattle eat through a bale selectively, and will do a wonderful job of distributing hay litter as they rummage through what is left behind after the core of the bale is consumed.
Depending on the size and grade of the bale ring, moving it can be difficult by hand and a potential safety issue. Often, a tractor is needed to lift bale rings that are packed in with snow, ice and hay litter. The one use we’ve found for hay rings is when we occasionally feed small square bales. Small squares are much more easily turned into bedding, and if there is any wind when feeding, can be spread too far too fast, resulting in scattered hay which just doesn’t get eaten.
John Mesko owns Lighthouse Farm, a grass-fed beef operation in Central Minnesota, and is the executive director of MOSES.
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New workbook makes recordkeeping do double dutyBy Kelli Boylen
For many, recordkeeping is the least favorite chore on the farm. Yet good records are essential for organic certification as well as insurance claims. Now, thanks to teamwork between MOSES and a crop underwriting manager with an insurance company, there is a free resource available to make recordkeeping easier.
Harriet Behar, Senior Organic Specialist for MOSES, and Roxann Brixen, Great American Crop Insurance, had worked together on a confer-ence presentation and webinar about a new type of insurance policy called Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP). They started talking about records and realized much of the information required on organic farms and what is needed for a claim for this type of insurance policy are the same. Behar said she remembers thinking that making a claim would be easy for an organic producer since they need to have everything docu-mented anyway.
“Organic producers already keep track of plant-ing dates, input costs, scouting for insects and all the other things they do on the farm,” she said. “About 90 percent of the needed records appeared to be the same.” Producers who file a claim for crop insurance need to prove that they did every-thing necessary to produce a crop. Records kept for organic certification can provide this proof.
So Behar and Brixen started working with some organic producers and compiled a list of all the needed records—they included every possible thing the entire team could think of as being useful.
“Recordkeeping is a very big deal,” Behar said. “We tried to simplify it and be concise, with every-thing you need in one place. We encourage people to give it a try.”
“This workbook can serve as a guide to show an organic producer or a whole farm insured which information they need to track and have available. It is also a comprehensive ‘storage area’ to keep this data throughout the growing season and the rest of the year,” Brixen said.
Behar and Brixen designed the recordkeeping system for organic certification and crop insur-ance reporting, but they soon realized it would also be a very useful tool for filing taxes.
“It’s an easy and user-friendly set of record-keeping forms.” Behar explained. “It wasn’t
designed for doing taxes, but it does have that added benefit. If you fill it out as you go along throughout the year, the extra work you usually have at tax time will already be done.”
Brixen said that producers using this record-keeping system would also have the added benefit of having the data available to evaluate for them-selves, such as which fields are producing higher yields and which fields may need additional organic fertilizers, etc. “Overall, it would give them a sense of what yields were being produced and which activities or practices brought on those better yields.”
She added that the records they suggest keep-ing in the workbook are all important, from actual practices performed to the variety of seed used to the production from each field. “I can’t think of anything in the book that is NOT important.”
Behar and Brixen included everything that they thought may be useful, but they also left space for producers to add on any other informa-tion they wish.
Information on the spreadsheets not only include tracking of inputs and activities, but also monitoring the health of the crop, and any pest and disease issues and what was done to deal with these problems.
Whole Farm Revenue ProtectionWFRP is a crop insurance plan that was made
available through the USDA’s Risk Management Agency beginning in 2016. It is the first subsi-dized crop insurance plan available in every state and county. Coverage is based on five recent years of tax records and the yields and prices a farmer expects to receive for the current year. It provides a safety net for all commodities on the farm under one policy. Brixen noted that the policy was designed with organic producers and other diverse and specialty farms in mind.
If a producer needs to make a claim under WFRP, having the recordkeeping workbook com-pleted will make the claim go much faster, Behar pointed out.
Brixen added, “As someone who is aligned with the crop insurance industry, I think we have our bases covered for needed information for any crop insurance policy.”
The team believes the recordkeeping work-sheets should make tracking inputs and activi-ties easy for producers transitioning to organic systems, too. It shows them which records need to be kept. It will also make it smoother for current producers to meet with organic inspectors because all the information is in one place.
Behar and Brixen started working on the proj-ect last winter and had it completed in time for the MOSES Conference in February. Hundreds of the workbooks were distributed there. Behar will be explaining the workbooks at MOSES field days this summer.
She said that, although they are pleased with the recordkeeping aid that they produced, they would love to get feedback from producers who are using the forms so they can fine-tune them if necessary. Behar can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 715-778-5775.
Kelli Boylen is a freelance writer who lives in Iowa.
Both the book and individual forms are available under the Publications tab on the MOSES website: mosesorganic.org.
Request a printed workbook by calling the MOSES office at 715-778-5775.
Forms in the workbook:· Field Locations· Crop Rotation and Input History by Field · Five Year Individual Field Activity Log· Supplemental Organic Integrity Documents· Storage Record· Sales Record· Estimated and Actual Individual Crop
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To GMO Controversy on page 16
Managing Weeds — from page 1
Even with 40 years of farming under his belt, Pincus is trying new things. He recently pur-chased a Treffler Harrow, a new cultivating imple-ment from Man@Machine in the Netherlands. Pincus saw it exhibited at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference earlier this year. Man@Machine chose the conference to introduce the tool to the U.S. market.
Pincus just received his harrow and already is impressed with how it works. “It’s a really good tool,” he said. “It’s worth the extra money and complexity.”
tension can both be adjusted. And once it’s set up, it is very easy to use, Pincus said.
He is also really excited about another new cultivator: a KULT-Kress finger weeder from Germany. He purchased the finger weeder at the beginning of this season. By June 20, he had recouped the cultivator’s purchase price through savings on labor for hand weeding.
A finger weeder has discs with “fingers” that turn and essentially scrub small weeds from the root zone of the larger crop plant. The discs are mounted on a spring-loaded arm, allowing them to cultivate at a constant depth. Pincus uses the KULT-Kress finger weeder on transplanted crops 7-10 days after transplanting, once the roots have established. He also uses the finger weeder in combination with another KULT-Kress imple-ment, the Duo. This is a 3-row weeder with gauge wheels, cutting discs, and side knives. On very small direct-seeded crops, such as carrots, he uses the Duo first, leaving a 3-4 inch band of weeds around the seedlings. Then, when the crop is larger, he goes through with the finger weeder to get closer to the plants.
PrairiErth FarmHans Bishop runs a vegetable CSA with his
wife, Katie, as part of PrairiErth Farm, his family’s multi-generational, 400-acre integrated organic farm in Atlanta, Ill. The family received the MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year award at this year’s MOSES Conference.
Bishop acknowledges that weed management is a “work in progress” on their farm. He is quick to point out that weather conditions dictate prac-tices to a large extent. They have a many-pronged approach to weed management.
Much of their approach centers on planning and bed prep before the crops are even planted. They use the stale seedbed technique, which involves preparing beds a week or more before planting and allowing the weed seeds that are brought to the surface to germinate. Right before planting the crop, the bed is cultivated lightly to kill the weed seedlings, without bringing more seeds to the surface. This technique saves time and labor spent weeding later on, and is essential for direct-seeded crops, such as carrots and beets, that have a hard time competing with weeds.
The Bishops have been careful to set up a system that works. They need to be able to use the
same equipment on everything, so their beds are spaced consistently, with 1-, 2-, and 3-row spacing. Their transplanter, seeder, and cultivators are all set to the same spacing, so they don’t have to waste time adjusting when they switch from one crop to another. They have a lot of equipment, and they “use the full arsenal of tools” they have available.
Another area that the Bishops focus on is transplants. “Plants that are strong and healthy can outgrow the weeds,” Bishop said. They grow healthy transplants in their greenhouse, have a good mechanical transplanter, and irrigate right away so that the transplants have good root establishment.
This winter, Bishop built his own finger weeder, which is mounted on an Allis Chalmers Model G. He said they’re using it everywhere they can this season. The Bishops also have a KULT-Kress Duo, and like Pincus, use it on direct-seeded crops to get within an inch or two of the crop. They also have a Steketee finger weeder from the Netherlands. In addition to finger weed-ers, the Steketee has sweeps and knives that can be lifted up so the implement can be used as a regular cultivator.
Another favorite piece of cultivating equip-ment is their Eco Weeder from Univerco, a PTO-powered 3-point attachment with a seat and handles so that an operator can manually control the cultivating attachments (discs with short tines that spin). Bishop said this works well for plants with in-row space between them—the operator moves the cultivators in and out to go around the plants and meet in between. Bishop also particularly likes using an offset cultivating tractor with belly-mount cultivators. There are many attachments that can be used, including as sweeps, discs, knives, and tines.
For the times when hand weeding is inevi-table, the Bishops have a few favorite hand tools. They like the Japanese hand hoe, which can be used very close to the plants with some practice. Another favorite is the trapezoidal hoe from Johnny’s, which has a beveled shape to get under the edges of plants, and sharp corners to cut through roots. They also use a collinear hoe, which is specifically designed for use in an upright position with a thumbs-up grip, riding collinear with the soil surface. It works well with
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The tines on the Treffler Harrow from Man@Machine maintain consistent pressure over rough ground.
Photo submitted
The Treffler Harrow is a tine weeder similar to the well-known Lely cultivator from Holland. Tine weeders are blind cultivators, which means they go over the weeds and the crop indiscriminately. They are best used on robust crops that can take a bit of rough handling (usually transplants), when the weeds are barely germinated or just at the “white thread” stage. On a Lely, there are very few parts. Each tine wraps around in a circle at the top where it attaches to the implement, essen-tially acting as its own spring. The Treffler, on the other hand, is much more complex. Each tine has its own spring mechanism with a tensioner, so that no matter what the conditions of the field are, the force of each tine is the same. The tines are also highly adjustable. The depth and downward
To Managing Weeds on page 16
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Farm Transfer: Plan so all heirs get equal shareBy Teresa Opheim
Darrell Mohr put a lot of miles on a Farmall F-14 tractor while growing up on a 120-acre Southwest Iowa farm. Today his daughter, Amber, and her family run Fork Tail Farm, selling pasture-raised meat, vegetables and flowers on a portion of that farm that Darrell inherited and remembers so fondly.
DarrelI and his wife, Chris, also have two non-farming children. In a farm legacy letter that Darrell wrote, he specifies that he wants “my immediate heirs to receive to the best of my abil-ity equal economic value.” Chris agrees. Both also say “harmony in the family is important as well as all recognizing the value of this farm.”
Darrell and Chris are typical in their desire to divide their assets equally among their children. Most lawyers have experience drafting legal structures that will accomplish that goal. In the Mohrs’ case, for example, their attorney helped them set up the farm in the Ernest W. Mohr Trust, with Amber and her siblings as equal trustees. Amber and her husband, Jeremy, rent from the trust.
“If in the future they would want to expand their business and add more land to it, I would hope our other children would be supportive,” Chris said. “Amber has told me that she might be living there but she sees it as the ‘Mohr Farm’ and her siblings can be a part of it at any time.”
If you have farming and non-farming heirs and want to treat all of your heirs financially equally, here are some questions and tips to consider:
Have you adequately compensated your farming heir?
For example, Amber and Jeremy are making many improvements to the farm, such as restor-ing farm buildings, renovating pastures and regenerating soils. Have they been reimbursed by the trust for those costs? Would it be fair to reduce the rental rate as they spend their days making farm improvements?
Has the farming heir been adequately compensated for labor?
Jolene, a Minnesota organic farmer, has been working on the family farm for 30 years, but has never received a salary. Only occasionally has she received the proceeds from the sale of a steer, and her parents have given her no ownership inter-est so far in the equipment or land. She is just expected to help out. (No wonder she has started her own farm nearby, while still helping Mom and Dad on their farm.)
Are you leaving your farming heir the flexibility needed to run the business?
According to John Gilbert, who runs a diversi-fied crop-livestock farm in Central Iowa with his
family, his “folks didn’t want to think their ‘life’s work’ was going for naught.” They wanted the farm and dairy to continue, as well as the family, John said. One of the steps they took was to split the farming operation into two corporations in the 1990s.
“Primarily my father was trying to figure out how to give my brothers an interest in the farm without being part of the major corporation. Then Bev and I would end up with farming without so many entanglements,” John said. With this approach, his father ensured that there was never “an issue of my brothers interfering…. It was essentially Dad and me making decisions on the day-to-day operations.”
Do you have a buy-sell agreement for your farming heir?
The Farm Journal Legacy Project consid-ers this probably “the most important tool for maintaining the integrity of the business entity in succession planning.” The buy-sell agreement gives your farming heir the right (but not the obli-gation) to buy farm property if the non-farming heirs decide they want out. It is binding on your non-farm heirs and gives your farming heir a definite and reasonable purchase price and terms for buying farm assets.
Plan early. The earlier you plan, the more likely you are to be successful providing both your farming and non-farming heirs with an equal inheritance. Jolene’s mother has a $250,000 life insurance policy; her financial advisor has recom-mended she designate her non-farming son as ben-eficiary on that, while leaving farm assets to Jolene. The Gilberts have used gifting to transfer shares in their farm corporation over several generations.
Communicate often, and hire good help. If you don’t communicate, you cannot clear up misper-ceptions and expectations, and you may leave a legacy of family strife—no one wants that.
“Every farm and family is different. Parents all have different objectives, which affects how they want assets shared,” John said. “The critical point is for the parents to explain their wishes to all their descendents, and have the important parts in writing with a lawyer. The money spent with professional guidance is the best investment a family can make. If parents don’t want to spend the money, then the heirs need to assume the costs to make sure things are done right.”
Teresa Opheim is Senior Fellow working on farm trans-fer topics with Renewing the Countryside and Practical Farmers.
Join the farm transitions discussion list: www.renewingthecountryside.org/farm_transitions
Domestically, oversight of certifiers and the NOP’s accreditation program, as well as its own operations needs to be tightened up as well. True oversight mandated in the Organic Food Production Act and the NOP regula-tions through a Peer Review Panel should be implemented. This should include continuous oversight from year to year, and accountability that deficiencies are transparent to the public and the corrective actions are taken.
Accountability like this is required of all certified organic operations, and must be imple-mented by everyone from the bottom to the top of the organic supply chain. This oversight should be embraced by the NOP now—we no longer have the luxury to procrastinate. Certifiers must be held accountable to consistent implementation of all aspects of the regulation, and the NOP cannot let items languish while the marketplace questions the legitimacy of ingredients or activities on organic operations.
Those of us who have been certified organic for many years on our own operations have seen both the standards and the accountability required by our organic certifier become tougher and more comprehensive each year. We should expect no less of the National Organic Program.
Continuous improvement must be incorpo-rated into all the NOP and USDA do. The status quo is failing the organic sector and must be changed. Consumer trust in the organic label is one of our most important assets. All sectors must do everything they can to overcome this bad press by moving ahead with comprehensive solutions.
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Inside Organics — from page 3
16 | July | August 2017
low-lying crops such as head lettuce, because it slices through weeds without throwing soil. In their high tunnel, where it isn’t possible to drive a tractor to cultivate, the Bishops use wheel hoes with 5-, 8-, and 10-inch stirrup attachments.
In addition to cultivation practices, the Bishops use cover crops and plastic mulch to control weeds. They plant a lot of oats and peas in the fall, which winter-kill ahead of early direct-seeded crops such as carrots and beets. They also plant rye as an early cover crop before planting fall brassica transplants. They use plastic for long-season crops like tomatoes and sweet potatoes, which are hard to cultivate between when they grow past a certain size. According to Bishop, it’s important to get the weed seeds to germinate and die off under the plastic before punching holes and planting into it, otherwise weeds will grow up through the holes along with the crop, and must be hand weeded out.
The Bishops will host a MOSES organic field day at PrairiErth Farm Sept. 8, where several of the cultivators listed here will be demonstrated. See page 7 for details.
They try to stay on the tractor, doing mechani-cal cultivation, for as long as possible. Then they use hoes and weed standing up for as long as they can. Hand weeding is used only as a last resort.
Paul has a particular soft spot for old imple-ments manufactured in the mid-20th century. His favorite implements are a Buddingh basket weeder, Buddingh finger weeder, and steel paddles called “weed commanders,” which act as a hilling tool for small crops like onions. They use combinations of implements to get the job done. For example, they start with the basket weeder, which is followed by the finger weeder to clean up in between the plants, and finally the “weed commander” to hill around the plants. Most of the equipment they use are no longer being manufactured, but can some-times be found used at auctions.
The Burkhouses are big fans of cover crops, using multiple successions of fast-growing crops like oats and peas, Japanese millet, and buckwheat to reduce the annual weed seed bank. They also use cover crops effectively to suppress perennial weeds such as quack and thistle.
Paul’s advice to new market farmers is to “get ahead of the game in June because July can be a nightmare.” He also suggests that it’s possible to be too fastidious about weeds. “If they are not interfer-ing with your crop and/or going to seed, they are a good cover, and they add nutrients and organic matter to the soil,” he explained. “Production impresses me, but a squeaky clean field does not.”
FairShare CSA CoalitionClaire Strader is a former longtime vegetable
farmer and now works as a Small-Scale and Organic Produce Educator for Dane County University of Wisconsin-Extension and the FairShare CSA Coalition. She has experience growing vegetables on a small scale without mechanical cultivation, and has done some research on weed management. She has a number of strategies to recommend for weed management on a market farm.
Strader says it’s important to plan your crop rotation such that crops that are easier to keep clean are planted before crops that are harder to keep clean. This will help to reduce the weed seed bank and keep weeds from going to seed. She also recommends spacing crops carefully to allow access to adequate sunlight, nutrients, and water. Crops that are strong and robust more easily outcompete weeds, and provide canopy to inhibit weed germination.
Weeding shallowly keeps weed seeds from com-ing to the surface and germinating. “Rogueing” is the technique of pulling large weeds that are threatening to go to seed before the harvest is over—this keeps them from adding new weed seed to the seed bank. Similarly, mowing off the crop and the weeds immediately post-harvest
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Managing Weeds — from page 14
helps to reduce deposits to the seed bank.Another good weed management technique
is planning a managed fallow year every fourth or fifth year. Cover crops should be used during the fallow to reduce the seed bank and improve the soil. At a small scale, where most things are done by hand, it’s especially important to keep the soil covered to minimize weed seed germination. Strader particularly favors marsh hay mulch, which is weed-free and particularly good for cool-season crops such as brassicas as it keeps the soil temperature down. She has also successfully used clover as a living mulch, interseeding it between the vegetable plants.
Although Strader was at one point interested in mechanical cultivation, she decided that her scale was too small for it to be worth it. She would have had to also use mechanical transplanting and seeding, so she decided she “preferred to keep spacing tight and do things by hand rather than using up space to accommodate the tractor and all its implements.”
One of her favorite hand tools is the Valley Oak wheel hoe, which she used for paths and widely-spaced crops. She also likes the Johnny’s hand hoe for close in-row weeding, as well as Johnny’s stirrup hoe as an in-between tool.
Strader’s advice to beginning market farmers is to “grow fewer acres of vegetables, keep the acres you do grow very clean, and use that extra land to grow more cover crops!” As she gained experience farming, she found herself using less and less land more and more efficiently, going from 3.5 acres to 3 acres with the same produc-tion. “With fewer acres in vegetables, there was less land I had to keep weeded, so overall the crops were cleaner (which helped them to produce more).”
There are some tried-and-true rules of thumb for weed management, but there are as many practices as there are individual farms. There is so much variability from farm to farm, from the soil type and microclimate to scale and seed varieties used. Weed management will inevitably involve a lot of trial and error on each farm. While there is much to learn from other farmers, at the end of the day each farmer has to decide for him/herself what works for his/her farm.
UW’s Jed Colquhoun described his favorite implements as a rolling finger weeder and a brush hoe, but then said, “In all practicality, however, I like the cultivator with the custom welds of a seasoned grower, improved with multi-generational modifications.” It’s a great metaphor for the whole farm system—successful farmers aren’t afraid to make modifications and try new methods. And, who doesn’t love a custom weld or two?
Bailey Webster is the Events Coordinator for MOSES, and an organic vegetable farmer.
The departments of agriculture in both Missouri and Arkansas have issued a temporary ban on sales or use of Dicamba.
The bans are the latest regulatory setback for Monsanto, which sells its dicamba-and-seed system under the Xtend name. The company invested more than $1 billion in a dicamba plant in Louisiana, and expected U.S. soybean acres planted with the Xtend trait to more than double from 20 million this year to about 55 million in 2019.
Just in 2017, Missouri’s Bureau of Pesticide Control has received more than 130 pesticide drift complaints that are believed to be related to Dicamba, which has allegedly damaged thousands of acres of crops. Arkansas has logged nearly 600 complaints of crop damage, according
to the Arkansas Agriculture Department. Both state’s have called for immediate cessa-
tion of on-farm applications of Dicamba products. Meanwhile the Tennessee Department of
Agriculture reports that it “is working closely with producers, industry representatives, manu-facturers and the University of Tennessee to address complaints of potential off-target move-ment of dicamba in West Tennessee.”
Preventing, Reporting DriftMOSES offers a fact sheet on how to protect
your organic land from pesticide drift. You can find that publication along with steps to take if drift occurs (including links and phone numbers to report drift) on the MOSES website at mosesorganic.org/pesticide-drift.
Two states temporarily ban DicambaBy Audrey Alwell
Photo by Katie Micetic Bishop
Hans Bishop manages weeds in a multi-pronged approach that keeps fields like this one in good shape.
Foxtail FarmChris and Paul Burkhouse own Foxtail Farm,
a winter CSA farm in Osceola, Wis. They have been farming for 25 years, and ran a 300-member summer CSA for much of that time. They grow 15 acres of vegetables, and have many old tractors and implements that Paul keeps in working order. The Burkhouses use many of the techniques described above, but like all seasoned farmers, have their own spin on things.
They, too, focus on strong transplants to get a 2-3 week head start on the weeds, and find the size differential makes it easier to cultivate aggressively. They try to cultivate before they see the weeds. They also try to time it to cultivate when the soil is starting to dry out after a rain. “Cultivating before a rain just replants the weeds,” Chris explained.
| 17mosesorganic.org | 715-778-5775
NEWS BRIEFS
Farmer of Year Nominations The nomination period is open for the 2018
MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year. The award recognizes a Midwest certified organic farmer or farm family for practicing outstanding land stewardship, innovation and outreach. It will be presented at the 2018 MOSES Organic Farming Conference Feb. 22-24 in La Crosse, Wis. The nomination form is online at mosesorganic.org/organic-farmer-of-the-year. Deadline for nomina-tions is Sept. 15, 2017.
In Her Boots PodcastThe MOSES Rural Women’s Project has
launched a podcast that shares wisdom from women who farm. The “In Her Boots” podcast has 10 episodes so far, featuring interviews with organic pioneer Dela Ends, and hosts of the 2016 In Her Boots workshops: Kathy Zeman and Rachel Hershberger. New episodes post weekly. The show is available on iTunes and Stitcher. Learn more (and listen in) on the MOSES website at mosesorganic.org/in-her-boots-podcast.
Urban Women Caring for the LandMOSES will offer a unique Women Caring
for the Land workshop Thursday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the USDA NRCS office in Madison, Wis. The workshop targets women who live in urban areas and own rural land, giving them information on conservation prac-tices and programs they can access to improve their land. See details at mosesorganic.org/rural-womens-project/events.
Free Admission to MOSES ConferenceYou could win a
free pass to the 2018 MOSES Organic Farming Conference if you enter and win the program cover photo contest—even if you don’t win the coveted spot on the program, you’ll still get recognition for your amazing farm when we show your photo before the keynotes. You also give MOSES authentic farm photos to use to promote organic farming. Farms must be certified or transitioning to organic. See mosesorganic.org/photo-contest.
Intellectual Agrarian PodcastMOSES Executive Director John Mesko
was interviewed in the July 10 episode of The Intellectual Agrarian Podcast, a new show by Terrance Layhew, an organic inspector who was raised on a Wisconsin farm. They discuss MOSES, Mesko’s grass-fed beef operation, and the Amazon/Whole Foods deal. Find the podcast at bit.ly/intellectualagrarian.
MOSES StaffHailey Melander has
joined our staff as the Communications Coordinator, working with our communica-tions team to help promote MOSES’ programs and
services for farmers. She lives on a small hobby farm in Wilson, Wis.
Food Safety SurveyThe Local Food Safety Collaborative has
created a survey to assess farmers and food processors basic understanding of food safety so the collaborative can create materials to help farmers and processors comply with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. After completing the 20-minute survey, participants may enter a raffle for a $100 gift card. Survey responses will be kept confidential. The survey is online at www.localfoodsafety.org/survey.
Workshop Audio RecordingsGet up to speed on FSMA-compliant harvest handling while you’re in the field by listening to Chris Blanchard’s “Practical Food Safety” workshop from MOSES 2017. Or, ponder how to “Access New Markets” while packing your produce. Battling weeds in your corn or wheat? Get help from “Effective Weed Management” or “Innovative Weed Control.” Explore all the work-shop topics from this year’s conferece by clicking on “Conference Audio Recordings” in the MOSES Bookstore (mosesorganic.net). Workshops from prior conferences also are available.
FSA Loan ResourcesThe world of farm loans and finances can seem
daunting, but finding confidence to enter that world can help you grow and strengthen your farm business. MOSES has created resources to help farmers navigate the loan options available through the Farm Service Agency. New tools on the MOSES website (mosesorganic.org/FSA) include on-demand webinars and worksheets you can download to create a strong, fundable loan application.
Farm Service Agency’s many loan programs are designed to help farmers who have difficulty accessing commercial credit as they improve their farms for the future. Through the webinars and worksheets MOSES has created, you’ll explore the different types of loans, their eligibility require-ments, the ‘lingo’ that you’ll encounter through the USDA programs, and the basics of building a business plan and gathering the documentation you’ll need to apply for a loan through FSA.
Wisconsin Women in Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Week: July 31 – Aug. 6, 2017
Governor Walker has officially proclaimed July 31 through Aug. 6 as “Wisconsin Women in Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Week.” This proclamation showcases the growth and impact of women farmers in Wisconsin, as women now represent approximately 11 percent of pri-mary operators on all farms in Wisconsin. This week also coincides with the annual “Soil Sisters: A Celebration of Wisconsin Farms and Rural Life” weekend event Aug. 4- 6 in the Green County area, the largest women-farmer-led event in the nation, with a variety of workshops, culinary events, and tours. The weekend kicks off with the MOSES “In Her Boots” workshop Friday, Aug. 4 at Circle M Farm in Blanchardville, Wis. For the Soil Sisters event guide, see www.soilsisterswi.org.
Agricultural Youth Work GuidelinesSeveral children have died this summer due
to skid steer accidents, prompting the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety to release both a warning and new safety guidelines for children and youth. The guidelines were created based on the latest scien-tific research, and can assist parents and supervi-sors in determining which tasks are appropriate for youth ages 7-16, with varying degrees of supervision. Find the new guidelines plus more information about how to keep kids safe on farm at mosesorganic.org/child-farm-safety.
GMOs in WisconsinA free forum Monday, July 24, 2017 from noon
to 2 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will focus on the complex issues surrounding GMOs, especially relevant in Wisconsin as the university’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is at the forefront of GMO-related research. Panelists for “Science and Civics: GMOs
and Wisconsin” include university researchers, MOSES Executive Director John Mesko, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte, and Margaret Krome from Michael Fields Agriculture Institute. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required: bit.ly/UWtalkGMOs. The forum is organized by the Aspen Institute Citizenship and American Identify Program as part of their efforts to increase both civic and scientific literacy in the U.S.
Iowa Small Grains Business DirectoryThe second annual Small Grains Business
Directory has been released by Practical Farmers of Iowa. Despite their versatility and value, small grains are a challenge to market, and the direc-tory aims to address this issue by listing contact information for seed buyer, grain buyers, and seed cleaners, as well as the small grain species they buy. More information is available at bit.ly/smallgrainsdirectory.
Organic Trade Association Leadership AwardThe Organic Trade Association’s 2017
Leadership Awards Celebration will be Sept. 13, 2017, in Baltimore, Maryland. Robert Anderson of Sustainable Strategies LLC, who serves as Senior Trade Advisor for OTA, was selected for the Growing the Organic Industry Leadership Award. The 2017 Organic Farmer of the Year Leadership Award will be presented to Phil LaRocca of LaRocca Vineyards in California, an organic farming advocate and farmer for more than 40 years. Peggy Sutton of To Your Health Sprouted Flour will receive the Rising Star Organic Leadership Award. For more information about the recipients, see bit.ly/organictradeaward.
Organic & Non-GMO ForumThe Organic & Non-GMO Forum: Oilseeds
& Grains at the Crossroads takes place Nov. 6-7, 2017 in St. Louis. This event brings together producers, handlers, buyers and processors to address the challenges of meeting the growing demand for organic and non-GMO products, plus emerging opportunities for specialty production. Sessions cover the latest information regarding opportunities for producers while addressing processors’ production needs. Tickets are $799, but farmers in the MOSES community may use the following discounts: producers with more than 5,000 acres under organic or transitional produc-tion use the code MOSES to reduce registration to $650; those with fewer than 5,000 acres use code ORGFARMER to reduce registration to $499. See www.ongforum.com.
Feast! Local Foods MarketplaceIf you own a food or beverage business from
Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota, consider apply-ing to attend the 4th annual Feast! Local Foods Marketplace Dec. 1-2, 2017 in Rochester, Minn. All exhibitors are jury-selected, and more than 100 will have the opportunity to show, sample, and sell their artisan food products to wholesale buyers at the Friday trade show, and to consum-ers during the Saturday festival. The early-bird application deadline is Aug. 15. Apply online at local-feast.org/exhibitors_2017.
“Organic” Grain ImportsIn response to the discovery of fraudulent
imports of soybeans and corn from Turkey that violated federal organic regulations, USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) has revoked the organic certification of Beyaz Agro, a major Turkish grain exporter. The Organic Broadcaster newspaper has included several stories recently with concerns over the huge rise in organic grain imports and the possibility of fraud: “Organic production shortfall in U.S. encourages imports, creates risk,” and “Organic imports hurt U.S. organic grain producers” pro-vide insights on this topic. Find those stories at mosesorganic.org/archives.
18 | July | August 2017
Organic Best Management Practices SurveyA group of researchers from Purdue and other
U.S. universities is studying best management practices for enhancing post-harvest quality and safety of organic produce/vegetables. Researchers are asking producers to take a 25-minute survey at bit.ly/purdue_survey.
Organic Leadership AwardsThree recipients of the Organic Trade
Association Awards have been selected for their organic leadership, innovation, and advocacy. The recipients are: Robert (Bob) Anderson of Sustainable Strategies LLC—Advisors in Food and Agriculture, who serves as Senior Trade Advisor for the Organic Trade Association, was selected for the Growing the Organic Industry Leadership Award. The 2017 Organic Farmer of the Year Leadership Award will be presented to Phil LaRocca of LaRocca Vineyards in California, an organic farming advocate and farmer for more than 40 years. Peggy Sutton of To Your Health Sprouted Flour will receive the Rising Star Organic Leadership Award. The Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Leadership Awards Celebration will take place September 13, 2017, in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information about the recipi-ents, visit bit.ly/leadership_awards_organic.
Organic OnionsResearch published in American Chemical
Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that flavonoid levels and antioxidant activity in organic onions are higher than in conventional onions. The six-year study tested two varieties of onions and showed that antioxidant activity was higher for both varieties in organic onions, and flavonols in organic onions were as much as 20 percent higher. Find the pub-lication here: bit.ly/organic_onions.
Deep Winter GreenhousesA Deep Winter Greenhouse (DWG) is a pas-
sive solar greenhouse that enables small-scale farmers in northern regions to grow cold-hardy crops year-round without additional lighting. DWGs feature a south-facing glazing wall that is designed to maximize solar energy, which is then stored in an underground thermal mass. Crops well suited to DWG production include a variety of lettuces, herbs, brassicas, asian greens, and sprouts. University of Minnesota Extension just added construction plans to its webpage of DWG resources: bit.ly/deep_winter.
MISA Board Nomination The Board of Directors for the Minnesota
Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is seeking nominations (you may nominate yourself or someone else) for individuals to serve a three year term. The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural
community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. The application or nomi-nation form is due to the MISA office by August 10, 2017. For more information about MISA, an application/nomination form, roles and responsi-bilities of Board members, and desired character-istics of Board members, see bit.ly/MISABoard.
Pollinator Seed Mix RecommendationResearchers from the Iowa State University
Extension and Outreach have developed a diverse seed mix of perennials that provide a varied habitat for monarch butterflies and bees. The perennials in the mix are all native to Iowa, and different flowers in the mix bloom throughout the growing season, providing nectar and pollen sources from the early spring through late fall. Iowa State University is not directly selling the seed mix, but offers the free publication, Monarch Seed Mix High Diversity, with recommendations: bit.ly/pollinator_seed.
NOSB NominationsThe USDA is taking nominations for the
environmental protection and resource conserva-tion seat on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The seat has a 5-year term running January 2018-2023. The USDA also is taking nominations for a pool of candidates to serve out the remainder of a 5-year term should unexpected vacancies occur in any of the seven positions. Written nominations must be postmarked by Aug. 7, 2017. See details at ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/nomination-process.
NOSB Fall MeetingThe next NOSB meeting will be Oct. 31
through Nov. 2, 2017 at the Omni Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida. The draft agenda has been posted on the NOSB website. Details from the spring meeting are online at www.ams.usda.gov/event/2017-national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting.
Ancient GrainseOrganic has released a new video featuring
the ancient hulled wheats: einkorn, emmer, and spelt. These wheats are prized by chefs and indi-viduals for their flavor and nutritional properties, and are marketable at a higher price per pound
NEWS BRIEFS
than modern wheat. The video was created by members of the NIFA OREI-funded research proj-ect, and discusses the dehulling process for these wheats, and the characteristics that make them compatible with organic and sustainable farming. View the video here: bit.ly/ancient_grains.
Potato GrowersUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison researchers
are asking potato growers in Wisconsin and neighboring states to send in soil samples from organic or non-organic fields to study how soil microbial communities respond to farm manage-ment practices. They need 2-cup soil samples from fields currently in potato shipped to the lab within 1 week of sampling--the university will cover shipping via UPS. For more details, email Richard Lankau at [email protected] or call 608-262-3084.
Spotted Wing DrosophilaProducers battling Spotted Wing Drosophila
can find information online about the organic management of this invasive pest . The resources include websites, videos, and publications based on a multi-state NIFA OREI research project. Many of these publications are open-access, so you don’t need a journal subscription. Topics covered include using high tunnels and exclusion netting to reduce pressure in raspberries, the effects of non-nutrative sugars, border spray and between-row tillage, and more.
Hay-Buying ScamsFarmers have let MOSES know that there’s a
hay-buying scam afoot. Farmers should take care when selling hay or livestock online, and should contact their local law enforcement agency if they believe that they have been targeted by a scam. Warning signs of a possible scam include: a buyer who refuses to speak by telephone, is vague about transportation arrangements, or a buyer who suggests mailing a check in excess of the price, then requests that the seller mail the additional amount in cash back to the buyer. Farmers can limit their exposure to such scams by writing up a contract that protects both buyer and seller.
Leopold CenterAs of July 1, the Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University has lost state funding that was established when it began in 1987. The long-running grants program will cease, but the Leopold Center will remain as a unit, and a task force will be estab-lished to gather ideas for the future of the center. The center has an account with donated money that is managed through the ISU Foundation, but it is not enough to sustain the Center as it has existed. Go to leopold.iastate.edu/ for updates and more information.
www.cornucopia.orgSupporting the Organic Broadcaster as an excellent resource for organic farmers.
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For Sale: Certified organic alfalfa with some grass, 1st cutting 2017, tested and stored inside, 605-460-1545.
Certified organic alfalfa & straw 3x3x8 & 3x4x8 bales. 2016 and 2017 crop years. Antelope Valley Farms Ravenna, NE 308-380-3311.
GRAINS
For Sale: Organic oats, corn, hay. Wrapped and dry big bales. Can deliver. 608-574-2160.
Organic High Moisture Corn for sale in the fall. Delivery possible. 20,000 bu available. Looking for commitments. Osceola Wis, 715-294-3104, email: [email protected].
MISCELLANEOUS
ORGANIC FISH FERTILIZER 15-1-1, 100% dry water soluble, 5-7 times more nutritious than liquid fish. Will not clog drip irrigation. One lb., 5 lb. or 55 lb. packaging, can be shipped UPS. Frommelt Ag Service, Greeley, IA, 563-920-3674.
For Sale: Tempered, insulated, double-pane glass. Large panes for sunrooms, solar homes, ag buildings, greenhouses or ??? One hundred fifty thousand sold since 1979; 30” x 74” x 1” double-pane only $69.00. Arctic Glass, www.kissourglass.com, 715-639-3762 or [email protected].
CW Farm Tax and Accounting. We specialize in bookkeeping, payroll, tax planning and preparation, annual and quarterly financial reports, and business planning. Bloomer, WI 715-568-9880.
LIVESTOCK
Livestock guard puppies-Great Pyrenees. Ready for homes @ 8 wks. June 29th. 3 males, 7 females. 3 with badger markings. $250. [email protected] or 608.397.4979.
Red Devon Herd Bull (7yrs), Red Devon Bull (2 yrs), Red Angus Bull (14 mo.), 5 cow/calf pairs. Freezer Beef and grass finished steers available, all 100% grass-fed. Witzig Organic Farms, Gridley, IL. 309-747-2423.
Standing Forage 120-240 acres of Organic Alfalfa/Grass mix 2nd and 3rd crop standing forage available after July 3rd. Near Rushford, MN. Hay can be round baled and delivered as well. Sold on a per ton basis. Call Chris at 507-884-9706
800-plus certified organic small square bales, alfalfa grass mix. First cutting. Dry, under shelter. Delivery may be possible for smaller quantities. Dis-count for self pick up. Cashton area. (608) 461-2541.
For Sale: 2017 Organic Hay. 3x3x8 large squares of dry hay. 3x3x5 ½ large squares baleage. MOSA certified. Wonewoc, WI. Transportation available. 608-553-1136.
For Sale: 2017 Organic Wheat or Barley Straw. MOSA certified. 3x3x8 large square bales. Wonewoc, WI. Transportation available. 608-553-1136.
New ads posted daily online:• Equipment• Farms/Land
mosesorganic.org/farming/organic-classifieds
• Livestock• More
CLASSIFIEDSPlace an ad at Organic Classifieds
or call 715-778-5775.
mosesorganic.org(under Farming tab)
EQUIPMENT
For sale: Massey Harris 22 tractor, 3 point, hydrau-lic outlets, good tires, runs very good, has a 2-row cultivator; also 2-row cultivator for Farmall Super C. NE Iowa, 319-559-0373.
FARMS/LAND
For Sale or Rent: 80 acres certified organic stand-ing grass hay near Curtis, Wis., 715-255-9236.
7.8 acre organic egg farm for sale. Includes several acres tillable for produce and energy efficient 3-4 bedroom home with original wood floors and cabi-nets. Total capacity 9,500 layers. Includes contract to grow eggs for established regional brand. Asking price $325,000 for real estate and equipment. Layers to be sold separately. Pictures at, TeasdaleRealty.com. Call 608-574-5066 for more information.
Young dairy owners looking for turn-key grazing farm. Looking to relocate with long term manage-able rent or seller finance options. Open to ideas, Chaz at 715-441-0362 or [email protected].
For sale: established CSA with farmland. Located in SE South Dakota. Rich, organic, productive soil. Includes 2 greenhouses, walk-in cooler, retail distri-bution area, and full line of farm field equipment. Partially irrigated. Owner is veteran production agronomist/eco-farmer. Will train young, ambitious couple. Contract for deed an option if necessary. Owner retiring for health reasons. Visit heikesfamily-farm.com. Call Sam Heikes: 605-222-3949.
FORAGES
Transitional organic boot-stage oat hay available in June/July. About 100 large round bales will be ready for pick up in Lake Mills, WI. Contact Lisa if interested at 262-501-7257.
Organic hay alfalfa, grass mix, big rounds or squares, can ship from central Iowa, call Mark, 515-338-0151.
Certified organic alfalfa- new seeding this year. Buyer to do cutting & bailing of choice. Price nego-tiable. Available after mid-June for 1st crop. 24 acres near Plain, Wis, 757-660-9291, Mary.
In search of wheat for the upcoming season? Great Harvest Organics offers three elite varieties of certified organic
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20 | July | August 2017
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Find details and event links online: mosesorganic.org/community
Farm Tour: Liberation FarmAugust 13 | Free | 1 - 3 p.m. | Almond, Wis.Tour a CSA farm, permaculture education and direct trade coffee business rolled into one. Call Mary: 715-544-4859
Women Caring for the Land Field Day: Blue Ox FarmAugust 15 | Free | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Wheeler, Wis.Join Lauren Langworthy, co-owner of Blue Ox Farm, for this woman-centered field day. Call Deb: 715-590-2130
Practical Farmers Small Grains ConferenceAugust 17 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Ames, IowaPractical Farmers of Iowa is hosting a small grains conference. Call PFI: 515-232-5661 Wisconsin Farmers Union Summer ConferenceAugust 17 | Chippewa Falls, Wis.Summer conference and County Presidents Meetings. Call WFU: 715-723-5561
Movable & Fixed Fencing for LivestockAugust 17 | Free | 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | La Crescent, Minn.MOSES field day - See details at mosesorganic.org/community.
Flame Weeding WorkshopAugust 18 | $100 | 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Concord, Neb.Presenting results from the 7 years of research conducted by the teams of Dr. Stevan Knezevic and Dr. George Gogos. Call Dee Foote: 402-584-3837
Graze River Country: Midtling Pasture WalkAugust 19 | Free | 10 a.m. | Wilson, Wis.This pasture walk will take place at the farm of Brad Midtling. Call Deb at 715-590-2130
Upper Iowa Organics Field DayAugust 19 | Free | 1 - 3:30 p.m. | Decorah, IowaFarm owner Marty Grimm transitioned his land out of CRP into organic cropland and utilized EQIP grants to help grow his farm. Call Toby: 515-608-8622
Pasture-Raised Meat, Eggs, & Raw Dairy in ChicagoAugust 20 | $20 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Dundee Township, Ill.Tour the diverse operations of All Grass Farms, a 150 acre farm on leased public land located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Call Angelic Organics: 815-389-8455
Hoop Full HarvestAugust 21 | Free | 6 - 8 p.m. | Detroit, Mich.Email today to reserve your spot in this free exciting work-shop: [email protected]
Master Class in Permaculture Teacher TrainingAugust 23-27 | $650 - $750 | Fountain City, Wis.Learn with guidance and input from other students and the instructor. Call Kinstone: 608-687-3332
In Her Boots: Market Farming in SuburbsAugust 24 | Free | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Libertyville, Ill.MOSES field day - See page 7
Adding Organic to Large-Scale FarmsAugust 24 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Grand Marsh, Wis.MOSES field day - See page 7
Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council TourAugust 25 | Free | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Staples, Minn.Open house at the CLC agricultural center and tour of its Byron Township site. Call SFA: 844-922-5573
Diversified Organic RotationsJuly 21 | 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | free | Ridgeway, Wis.MOSES field day - See page 7
Farm Tour: Whitefeather OrganicsJuly 22 | Free | 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Custer, Wis.Whitefeather Organics is a diverse farm offering CSA shares, eggs, meat (chicken, turkey, pig), tours, workshops, and pizza night! Whitefeather Organics: (715) 252-2051
Beekeeping: Mite Control July 23 | $35 | 1 - 4 p.m. | North Branch, Minn.Methods of testing and treating for mites will be demon-strated in this course. Women’s Environmental Institute: 651-583-0705
Farm Dreams WorkshopJuly 23 | $20 - $40 | 1 - 5 p.m. | MinneapolisClarify what motivates you to farm, get your vision on paper, inventory strengths and training needs and get perspective from an experienced farmer. Dori Eder: 612-578-4497
Artisanal Grain ProductionJuly 24 | 1 - 4:30 p.m. | Pecatonica, Ill.MOSES field day - See page 7
GMOs & Wisconsin Panel DiscussionJuly 24 | Free | Noon - 2 p.m. | Madison, Wis.Expert panelists cover a range of perspectives related to GE crops. Call Michael Fields Agricultural Institute: 262-642-3303
Women Caring for the Land: Brooks FarmJuly 25 | Free8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Waupaca, Wis.Join Zoey Brooks at her family’s state-of-the-art dairy farm. Lunch is a potluck. Call Deb: 715-590-2130
Webinar: Drought and Urban ForestsJuly 25 | Free | 1 p.m. | Online
Webinar: Hiring Farm EmployeesJuly 26 | 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. | Online
Webinar: Native ThistlesJuly 25 | Free | 1 p.m. | Online
Webinar: Disease Update for Fruit and VegetablesJuly 31 | 9 - 9:30 a.m. | Online
Webinar: Organic-Focused Conservation GrantsAugust 1 | Free | Noon - 1 p.m. | Online
Women Caring for the Land: Autumn Moon FarmAugust 2 | Free | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Belleville, Wis.Learn how Becky and Steve Olson transitioned their dairy operation into a new niche with specialty grains and on-farm processing. Call Deb: 715-590-2130
Webinar: High Tunnel SystemsAugust 2 | Free | 1 p.m. | Online
In Her Boots: Realize Your Farming DreamAugust 4 | $50 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Blanchardville, Wis.MOSES field day - See page 7
Soil SistersAugust 4-6 | $ | South Central Wis.This event, presented by South Central Wisconsin Women in Sustainable Agriculture, celebrates Wisconsin’s family farms and rural life. Call Lisa: 608 329-7056
Mighty Axe Hops TourAugust 5 | Free | 1 - 3 p.m. | Foley, Minn.Tour Minnesota’s largest hop farm, Mighty Axe Hops! Call Mighty Axe: 952-201-4227
Grazing Skills & Pasture Management Field DayAugust 6 | Free | 1 - 4 p.m. | Finlayson, Minn.Tour the farm, and discuss beginning infrastructure and strategies for establishing and maintaining a high-quality, diverse pasture. Call LSP: 612-722-6377
Farm Tour: Nami Moon FarmAugust 6 | Free | 2 - 4 p.m. | Custer, Wis.Tour the farm to see poultry, pork, vegetables and more. Call Mary: 715-544-4859
Dirt Rich: Building Soil Health ExpertsAugust 8-9 | $80/100 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Faribault, Minn.Spend time with soil health experts digging deeper into soil health opportunities, challenges, and monitoring. Call SFA: 844-922-5573
Women Caring for the Land: Glacial Lake CranberriesAugust 9 | Free | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.Conservation is at the heart of this 6,000-acre operation, where cranberries have been produced on the property since 1873. Call Deb: 715-590-2130
Soil Health & Cover Crops Field DayAugust 9 | Free | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Blooming Prairie & Austin, Minn.
In Her Boots: Field to Plate Perennial FruitAugust 9 | $50 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Winona, Minn.MOSES field day - See page 7
Grazing Field DayAugust 10 | Free | 4 - 8 p.m. | Starbuck, Minn.Shane and Jessica Blair will share information on fencing, watering systems, utilizing cover crops and grazing native pastures. Call LSP: 612-722-6377
How to Save Tomato SeedsAugust 10 | $50/65 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Chaska, Minn.Learn to produce your own true-to-type tomato seeds while also learning the basics of seed saving. Call the Min-nesota Landscape Arboretum: 612-301-1210
Dirt Rich: Building Soil Health ExpertsAugust 10-11 | $80/100 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Blue Earth, Minn.Spend time with soil health experts digging deeper into soil health opportunities, challenges, and monitoring. Call SFA: 844-922-5573
Graze River Country: Mittag Pasture WalkAugust 12 | Free | 1 - 3 p.m. | River Falls, Wis.This field day will take place at the farm of Randy and Liz Mittag. Call Deb: 715-590-2130