MOSES Organic Farming MOSES

OrganicVoices


	Preserving the Oral History of the Organic/Sustainable Community since 1992

OVsm2

Call Us 952-432-3079	Listen to featured Organic Voices	Organic Reality Check	Heritage Gardens who we are in the summer	Blogs, Websites
Small Farm Today Conference featuring Mark Kastel, John Ikerd Kelly Klober, Neal Kinsey, Greg Judy	New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference featuring Jon Clements, Rich Bonanno, Sandy Arnold, Jude Boucher	MN Organic Conference featuring David Vetter, George DeVault, Atina Diffley, Chris Blanchard	NOFA-NY Farming & Gardening Conference featuring Shannon Hayes, Elizabeth Henderson, Sally Fallon Morell, intensive seminars, workshops for farmers, gardeners & consumers	Missouri Organic Association Conference 2/5-6 featuring John Ikerd, Gary Zimmer, Melinda Hemmelgarn Sue Baird
Ohio Ecological Food & Farming Assoc Conference 2/13-14 featuring Joel Salatin, Chef Ann Cooper, 60 workshops	Wisconsin Grazing Conference	MOSES Organic Farming Conference featuring CHUCK HASSEBROOK, MARGARET MELLON, John Biernbaum, Jeff Moyers Joel Gruver, 60+ workshops	Below are short video clips that are informative, stimulating, challenging and entertaining... just click on a pic to view	Want to feature something on OrganicVoices, contact us!

Organic Voices while you are on the go

Dr. Vandana Shiva “Agriculture for Life: Beyond Industrial Farming & Globalised Agriculture”

Dr. Vandana Shiva is trained as a Physicist and did her Ph.D. on the subject “Hidden Variables and Non-locality in Quantum Theory” from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. She later shifted to inter-disciplinary research in science, technology and environmental policy, which she carried out at the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, India. Dr. Shiva is one of the world’s most renowned environmentalists. Time Magazine identified Dr. Shiva as an environmental “hero” in 2003 and Asia Week has called her one of the five most powerful communicators of Asia. Dr. Shiva has pioneered the organic movement in India and established Navdanya, the country’s biggest network of seed keepers and organic producers. Dr. Shiva has authored many books including “Soil Not Oil”, “Earth Democracy”, “Stolen Harvest”, “Staying Alive”, “Water Wars” and “Biopiracy”. Among her many awards are the Alternative Nobel Prize (Right Livelihood Award, 1993), Order of the Golden Ark, Global 500 Award of UN and Earth Day.

Dr. Alan Greene “Why Farmers Are My Heroes”

Dr. Alan Greene is devoted to giving real answers to parents’ real questions. Alan is an electrifying public speaker, and has personally touched many during his talks in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Dr. Greene is the Chair of the Board for The Organic Center and on the Advisory Board of Healthy Child Healthy World. He is a founding partner of the Collaborative on Health and the Environment. He also consults for the Environmental Working Group. In 1995, he launched DrGreene.com, cited by the AMA as “the pioneer physician Web site” on the Internet. His award-winning site receives over 50 million hits a month from parents, concerned family members, students, and healthcare professionals. Dr. Greene is the author of “Raising Baby Green” (Wiley, 2007), as well as several other parent guides. Dr. Greene also appears frequently on TV, radio, websites, and in newspapers and magazines around the world. He loves to think about challenging ideas, he only eats certified organic, wild, or home grown foods, and he wears green socks!

Healthy Soils Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session)

PARTNERING WITH YOUR ECOSYSTEM

Strength in diversity is the approach for Nature’s Acres farm, where Jane and David Stevens have taken a holistic approach to farming their 130 acres. Join Four Elements Organic Herbals’ Jane Hawley Stevens for a look at how integrating native species in their farmers market stand, value-added business, and home has created both interest and income.

HOORAY FOR ROOTS!

If you grow a great root system, the root system will grow a great plant. Join the University of Minnesota’s roots guy Bud Markhart to learn about the factors that influence the growth of a plant’s root system, and how to grow robust roots under a variety of environmental conditions.

THE ART OF TILLAGE

This workshop will explore how careful tool selection, adjustment, operation and strategic integration with other practices will help you to accomplish important tillage objectives while minimizing the negative effects of tillage. Soil scientist and agroecologist Joel Gruver’s photos, diagrams and videoclips will provide an inside look at how tillage tools perform under a range of field conditions.

COMPOST FOR MID-SIZED FARMS

Compost provides a perfect source of food for your living soil, but whether you purchase compost or make your own, it also comes with a lot of questions. Join Michigan State University’s John Biernbaum for a down-to-earth look at tools and techniques for making great compost on the mid-sized farm, as well as the tools, techniques, and criteria for evaluating and deciding how to use farm-made or purchased compost.

ADVANCED MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIC SOIL FERTILITY

Soil organic matter forms the basic of soil quality, but its decomposition is necessary in an organic system to provide enough nitrogen and other nutrients required for quality products and high yields. Join Michigan State University soil scientist Sieg Snapp and organic extension educator Vicki Morrone for this advanced exploration of the biology, chemistry, and physical science of organic soil management.

SOIL BIOLOGY BASICS

In an organic farming system, the soil is a living, dynamic community that is the product of a variety of factors. Join University of Wisconsin agriculture and natural resources agent Mark Kopecky for an introductory look at the life in the soil and how you can manage that life to your best advantage.

DESIGNING AN ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEM

We all want loose crumbly soil with lots of earthworms and other soil life, high levels of minerals and fast growing beautiful healthy crops with few or no insects, diseases, or weeds. Join MOSES’s 2008 Organic Farmer of the Year Gary Zimmer for a look at how to put together a production system that works for you from tillage and amendments through rotations and green manure crops.

PRACTICAL METHODS FOR INCREASING BIODIVERSITY

The diversity of life expands at the edge of ecosystems, but the effects of these edges can be difficult to manage on a farm. Farm manager Jeff Moyer will discuss the techniques used at the Rodale Institute to harness the potential of biodiversity while mitigating the negative components, both above and below ground.

BIODYNAMICS IDEAS ANY FARMER CAN USE

The Biodynamic method is one of the original organized approaches to organic and sustainable agriculture dating back to 1924. Open the Biodynamic Tool Box with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute’s Janet Gamble and biodynamic farmer Jim Fullmer to learn about the strategies commonly utilized by the Biodynamic farmer to achieve the development of a living farm organism as well as the short term and long term advantages of this approach.

OUTSMARTING YOUR WEEDS

Knowledge-based ecological weed management entails understanding how weeds operate as organisms and controlling them by exploiting their biological weaknesses. Join author and longtime organic vegetable farmer (and weed manager), Steve Gilman to learn about weed reduction and control strategies including managing the weed seed bank, reducing birth rates and reproduction, and increasing the death rates at different stages of growth

ORGANIC NO-TILL

Organic no-till production of corn and soybeans has the potential to provide multiple environmental and economic benefits, but does it work in the Upper Midwest? Iowa State University researcher Kathleen Delate and Wisconsin farmer Tom Miller will share their experiences and research results about this innovative crop production technology.

MANAGING SOIL NUTRIENTS FOR OPTIMUM CROP PERFORMANCE

While nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are essential for crop growth and yield, other nutrients are equally important. Join biological and organic soils consultant Bob Yanda for an in-depth discussion of trace minerals, how they interact with major nutrients, and their importance in crop production.

Field Crops, Small Grains Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session)

CONSIDERATIONS FOR ORGANIC VARIETIES

Organic crop production systems can produce yields equivalent to conventional production, but because they lack the same corrective tool box, proper variety selection can play an even bigger role in a crop’s final outcome. Join Albert Lea Seedhouse’s Mac Ehrhardt and Blue River Hybrids’ Maury Johnson for this look at the traits you should consider for optimum production in organic field crops.

CONVERTING FALLOW TO FERTLE

The transition of fallow crop land and CRP land to organic crop production has many challenges, from soil fertility and remineralization concerns to grants and transitional marketing opportunities. Join Lancaster Agriculture Products’ Reuben Stoltzfus and Organic Valley’s Marty Grosse for strategies you can use to maximize the potential of your crops on formerly fallow ground.

SUCCESSFUL ORGANIC CROP FARMERS

Our panel of successful organic crop farmers - Carmen Fernholz, Mary-Howell Martens, Klaas Martens, Keith Wilson, and Stan Schutte - will bring years of knowledge and experimentation to share with you the successes and challenges they have experienced over the years through the many challenging climatic conditions we have faced. Unique systems and equipment will be discussed as well as crop rotations that have been successful over time.

COVER CROPS AND ROTATION FOR WEED CONTROL

Cover crops can play a valuable role in building soil fertility, especially on farms with limited access to animal manure. Join veteran organic crop farmer Carmen Fernholz for insights into organizing your crop rotation around the twin functions of soil building and weed control.

ORGANIC SEED INDUSTRY

Organic seed has seen tremendous progress in recent years, but the organic seed industry faces continued challenges as demand grows. Join Blue River Hybrids’ Maury Johnson and Albert Lea Seedhouse’s Mac Ehrhardt as they examine the state of the organic seed industry for forage and field crops.

MANAGING SOIL FERTILITY FOR ORGANIC GRAIN AND FORAGE CROPS: YIELD, ECONOMICS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Kevin Shelley, outreach educator with the University of Wisconsin Nutrient and Pest Management Program, will provide an overview of the University of Wisconsin Extension soil fertility recommendations, including soil sampling and analysis, soil nutrient credits for on-farm and other organic sources, and estimating field and farm nutrient budgets.

UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEMS APPROACH TO CROP PRODUCTION

Crop production involves much more than just planting and harvesting, and the organic farmer needs to understand the relationship between soil nutrients, soil biology, and the physical properties of the soil to develop a long-term systems approach that results in yield gains and quality crops. Biological and organic soils consultant Bob Yanda will outline the importance of understanding the whole system and the benefits of managing each segment to achieve maximum crop achievements.

Market Farming Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session)

IRRIGATION: A GROWER’S ROUNDTABLE ON DESIGNING A SYSTEM TO FIT YOUR SCALE AND RESOURCES

Join market farmer Dan Guenthner and irrigation specialist Bill Zahrqewski for this roundtable discussion of irrigation systems, including equipment choices, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting when things go wrong. Evaluating your needs and the pros and cons of different systems will be a focus of this workshop, as well as steps you can take to mitigate your irrigation needs.

FILLING THE GAP: HOW A PASSIVE SOLAR GREENHOUSE PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE THROUGH A NORTHERN WINTER WITH A MINISCULE CARBON FOOTPRINT

Join Garden Goddess produce farmers Carol Ford and Chuck Waibel for this detailed look at how they fill their weekly CSA shares from October to April. Carol and Chuck will share their uniquely efficient passive solar greenhouse design, as well as how and what they grow during the winter.

GRAFTING FRUIT TREES

Join long-time orchardists Harry Hoch and Tom Galazen for a demonstration and discussion of grafting techniques and tools, including summer bud grafting, topworking old trees, and dormant grafting. This workshop will include opportunities for hands-on grafting experience, and will be followed by additional grafting time and a scion-wood exchange hosted by the Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network

ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION

Orchardist Harry Hoch has been raising strawberries for sale for twenty years. Join Harry for an exploration of the alley cropping system he uses among apple tree, blueberries, and raspberries, as well as a look at his experiments with weeder geese, poultry for pest control, day-neutral cultivars, delayed summer planting, and a low-input organic spray program

DECISIONS AND DIRECTIONS

The economic benefits of hoophouses depend on what you grow and how you grow it, as well as how much you invest in the structure itself. This practical workshop with Michigan State University’s John Biernbaum will explore the techniques and yields of intensive production, investment options and returns in greenhouse construction and automation, and the effects of the learning curve on hoophouse economics.

THE MARKET FARM

Food safety begins before the seed hits the ground. A variety of inputs and practices can adversely impact the overall safety of any type of crop whether it is organically or conventionally grown. Join Iowa State Extension’s food safety specialist Sam Beattie for a look at a variety of issues associated with unsafe production and processing practices.

ANIMALS ON THE MARKET FARM

Using draft animals on the market farm has become more enticing to growers reassessing what it means to be sustainable in a fossil fuel powered economy. Join instructors from Tillers International to learn what resources are available in your own back yard and how you can get started safely using oxen and horses.

CUT FLOWER SELECTION, PRODUCTION, AND MARKETING

From selecting appropriate varieties and planning a sunflower succession to harvest, post-harvest handling and sales, cut flower production comes with its own set of unique challenges. Join 24-year veteran cut flower grower Carol Larsen to learn how to make the most of your passion for flowers.

Livestock Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session)

FARM ANIMAL WELFARE

As producers, we are all responsible for animal welfare and how we are perceived by the consumers we serve, so it is imperative that we treat our animals well and with compassion. Join Organic Valley’s animal husbandry specialist Wendy Fulwider for a look at how you can treat your animals right and make consumers aware of what you are doing.

EXTENDING THE GRAZING SEASON

Grazing shouldn’t be just a “growing season” thing! Forage grazed in November can be just as profitable as May pasture! Veteran graziers understand that every additional day their stock are out grazing is an extra day of profit, labor savings and herd health benefits. Join Graze editor and publisher Joel McNair along with organic dairy graziers Cheyenne Christianson and Art Thicke for strategies that can keep forage available and livestock grazing when conditions are less than ideal.

FREE-CHOICE NUTRITION FOR LIVESTOCK

The internal balance of minerals in livestock is more important than what’s on the mineral bag tag. Join Helfter Feeds’ Senior Veterinary Consultant Richard Holliday for a discussion of what may cause cows to eat dirt, chew on wood and drink urine and some other symptoms of mineral deficiency or imbalance.

ENERGETIC MEDICINE FOR ORGANIC LIVESTOCK: BASIC PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO ANIMAL HEALTH

Join long-time holistic veterinarian and organic dairy farmer Marta Engel as she discusses basic information about energetic healing using techniques from homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and veterinary spinal manipulation. This workshop will include examples of how to get started in a simple-to-use format, as well as ample time for participant interaction.

HOW TALL IS TOO TALL AND OTHER PASTURE MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS

How tall should that grass be when the cows enter a paddock to graze? How much residual should be left after they leave? How quickly should the cows return to this paddock to graze again? Join Graze editor and publisher Joel McNair along with organic dairy graziers Cheyenne Christianson and Art Thicke for a look at how to find the correct answers depending on your specific situation and goals.

ORGANIC MILK PRODUCTION COSTS

Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance’s Ed Maltby joins Wisconsin organic dairy farmer Darlene Coehoorn for a look at the variety of costs that directly affect the bottom line on an organic dairy, whether seasonal, all-grass, or grazing mixed with corn supplementation. Darlene and Ed will share data that questions long-held ideas about the differences in regional production costs, as well as exploring how you can determine where your bottom line is, and how you can improve it.

GOT GRASS? THE ULTIMATE ORGANIC CHOICE!

High quality grass can provide a least-cost production method for livestock production, plus high-quality animal products, carbon sequestration, and improved mineral, water, and energy cycles in the soil. Join certified organic grazier Douglas Gunnink for a discussion of the characteristics of high quality grass, the important factors in monitoring and managing pastures, and feeding your cows without grain.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR CATTLE AND READING THE BOVINE HAIR COAT

Dr. Paul Dettloff will cover the ten veterinary tools for alternative treatments in the organic system in this informational workshop, as well as providing an introduction to the science of reading the bovine hair coat as a way to gain insight into a cow’s inherited characteristics and glandular status.

REPLACING CORN AND BEANS IN LIVESTOCK RATIONS

The decision to replace corn and beans in your livestock rations depends on a number of factors, from the performance needed to the nutritional needs of different species at different life and production stages. Join nutritional consultant Keith Cuvelier to explore the decision-making process and alternatives to the traditional corn and bean combination.

ORGANIC HOG PRODUCTION

Join sixth generation family farmer Jude Becker for a strategic discussion about the choices you need to make before you start raising and marketing hogs, as well as the varied effects on farm economics and cash flow. Jude will help you think through production and marketing options to get to the practical details of raising organic pork.

Marketing/Biz Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session)

POSITIONING YOUR FARM FOR PROFITABILITY

Financial sustainability needs to be managed just like you manage for other results. Join long-time teacher and consultant to farmers and small business (and organic beef farmer) Jim Munsch for a discussion of how to do that. This workshop will focus on what information you need and how to use the information to make good decisions.

MEDIA 101: HOW ORGANIC FARMERS CAN WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH THE MEDIA

Organic agriculture needs more farmers to serve as media spokespeople, sharing your authentic, personal story and experiences to help grow this movement. Come for a crash course in media relations from Lisa Kivirist, Roger Blobaum, Melinda Hemmelgarn, and Greg Leaf.

SEE JANE GROW: HOW WOMEN ECOPRENEURS ARE LEADING AMERICA’S RURAL RENAISSANCE

From farmers to fiber artists, from cheesemakers to innkeepers, women launching farm-based businesses prioritize more than profit; they see their business as a tool to transform the world. Join innkeeper and MOSES Rural Women’s Project director Lisa Kivirist, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Aimee Witteman, and Food Sleuth columnist Melinda Hemmelgarn to learn about this rural women’s ecopreneur movement. (Join women farmers, activists and ecopreneurs for a networking reception immediately following the workshop. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate and grower - or just starting to plot your own business - come for inspiration, ideas and networking.

BOOKKEEPING ON THE ORGANIC FARM

As though there wasn’t enough to do on the farm, the IRS wants you to keep track of your money, too – plus, knowing where your money comes from and where it goes is a critical part of operating a profitable farm enterprise. Tricia Bross, longtime farmer and tax preparer, will guide you through the information you need to make things easy on your tax preparer, as you track the coming and going of money on your farm.

A HISTORY OF THE LOCAL ORGANIC FOOD MOVEMENT IN THE TWIN CITIES

Join Co-op Partners Warehouse buyer and former organic fruit and vegetable grower Rhys Williams for a brief history of how the Twin Cities became a national leader in local organic food and what can be done to ensure its continued success in an uncertain future.

PUMP UP YOUR VOLUME:TACTICS TO TELL YOUR STORY, MARKET YOUR BIZ, GROW THE ORGANIC AG. MOVEMENT, AND TRANSFORM T WORLD

Lisa Kivirist

PRICING AND MARKETING ORGANIC ROW CROP COMMODITIES

While the agronomics of growing organic grain crops is certainly important, marketing with wisdom and skill can often determine long-term success. Join Mary-Howell Martens, Klaas Martens, Lowell Rheinheimer, and Mike Schulist a s they discuss marketing programs.

Deciding What to plant: Clues from Your Soil, Market, Equipment, Land and Climate.

Join Long time organic farmer Atina Diffley for a look at the assortment of elements to consider and investigate the fundamental decisions that will help shape your farm’s crop mix.

GREENWASHING: MEDIA LITERACY TOOLS TO EMPOWER CONUMERS IN HE MARKETPLACE

Advertising Age reports that 78% of people surveyed in nine countries like to buy “green brands that have an “eco-conscience .” But what does “Green” really mean? Melinda Hemmelgarn

Organic Certification Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session)

HOP ON NOP: HEAR OF PROGRESS ON THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM

What changes have occurred at the NOP during the last year? What changes can we expect under the new Administration? Come hear two leading experts on the USDA National Organic Program - Jim Riddle, UMN, former chair of the National Organic Standards Board, and Emily Brown Rosen, Policy Director for Pennsylvania Certified Organic - explain changes to the regulation, and discuss where the National Organic Program is headed.

THE ABC’S OF NOP 4 U & ME: ORGANIC CERTIFICATION FOR NEW APPLICANTS

Becoming Certified Organic is not easy, but it is definitely worth it - and Midwest Organic Services Association’s Jackie Von Ruden and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic’s Jim Pierce will provide insights that will make it easier, from choosing a certifier and understanding the certification process to maintaining a good farmer-certifier relationship.

Miscellaneous Workshops (1CD/MP3 for each session

HEALTHY HONEYBEES AND POLLINATORS

The recent highly-publicized decline of European honey bees has made pollinator diversification a critical issue for growers who require bees for crop production. Join beekeeper and author Ross Conrad and the Xerxes Society’s Eric Mader to learn about the latest science-based conservation practices for native pollinators, allowing them the reduce (or even eliminate) their dependency on managed honey bees.

STATE OF ORGANIC RESEARCH

Increased federal funding is providing new opportunities for expanded organic research. The Organic Farming Research Foundation President Steve Ela joins OFRF’s Senior Policy Analyst Mark Lipson for an overview of how the Post-Farm Bill context of USDA research and education agencies is morphing into something new.

NATIONAL ORGANIC ACTION PLAN UPDATE

In nearly three years of meetings and workshops around the United States, hundreds of participants have helped develop goals, mechanisms, and benchmarks to ensure organic integrity and a marketplace for US family farm agriculture, as well as to provide access to healthy food for all income levels. Join the National Organic Action Plan Project organizer Liana Hoodes and University of Minnesota’s Organic Outreach Coordinator Jim Riddle to hear the early results of a vision that will form the basis for a United States National Organic Action Plan.

BEYOND THE FARM BILL: ORGANIZING A POLITICAL RESPONSE TO OTHER POLICY CHANGES THAT WOULD IMPACT ORGANIC AG. IN THE MIDWEST

Organic policy extends beyond the Farm Bill, to issues at both the federal and the state levels. Join Washington insiders Roger Blobaum, Steve Etka, and Zachariah Baker for an exploration, including the proposed national sustainable agriculture standards and other controversial initiatives that would impact organic farming.

GMO IMPACTS ON ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Genetically modified crops are a major threat to the integrity of organics. Modified crops have contaminated organics causing organic farmers to have crops rejected and lose premiums. The Organic & Non-GMO Report’s editor and publisher Ken Roseboro will provide an overview of GM crops currently in production, the issues GMO contamination have created, and strategies to prevent contamination.

FARM TO SCHOOL: SELLING LOCAL FOOD TO SCHOOLS

Join Great Lakes Farm to School Network coordinator Sara Tedeschi for a panel presentation outlining the opportunities, challenges and available resources for farmers interested in selling to schools. Hear directly from a farmer and food service director about what it takes to make a farm to school connection work, including how small- and medium-sized farms can meet emerging food safety guidelines required by most institutional buyers.

NEW FUNDING IN THE 2008 FARM BILL FOR SUSTAINABLE AND ORGANIC FARMERS AND RANCHERS

There is more money in the new farm bill for organic and sustainable agriculture than ever before. The Center for Rural Affairs’ Traci Bruckner, Land Stewardship Project’s Adam Warthesen, and the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Aimee Witteman will give detailed information about the 2008 Farm Bill program wins that support organic farming, conservation, and beginning farmers and ranchers, and how farmers can participate in the new programs.

ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

From student gardens and experiential learning to travel courses and innovative classroom strategies, universities and colleges across America are taking new interest in and new approaches to sustainable agriculture. Join veteran sustainable agriculture teacher and researcher Mary Wiedenhoeft to share your school’s successes and challenges in teaching organic and sustainable agriculture.