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MOFFA
P.O. Box 36
Tracy’s Landing, MD
20779
BECOME A MOFFA MEMBER!Annual MOFFA Dues (per farm or family)
Make checks payable to MOFFA & mail to MOFFA, P.O.
Box 36, Tracy’s Landing, MD 20779
One Year $25. Two Year Membership $45.
Yes, I prefer to receive newsletters via email.
Yes, I am interested in volunteering.
MOFFA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization.
Our mission is to bring together growers, consumers and
retailers in Maryland to advance ecological organic agricul-
ture.
Name & Farm Name
Street
City
State / ZIP
Phone Number(s)
Even though the 2008 Farm Bill has expired, NRCS is
still offering financial assistance!
Highlights:
The National EQIP Or-
ganic, Energy, and High Tun-
nel Initiatives - High Tunnel
purchase, installing conserva-
tion practices, farm energy
audits, energy-saving conser-
vation practices
Livestock producers -
Manure storage, stream pro-
tection, heavy use areas, nutrient management
planning, and manure management systems
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Pro-
gram for irrigation-related practices
Upcoming deadlines are 2/15 & 3/15. For more info, go to
http://www.md.nrcs.usda.gov
MOFFA NEWSLETTERMOFFA NEWSLETTERMOFFA NEWSLETTER Maryland Organic Food & Farming Association
www.marylandorganic.org Winter 2012 - 2013
INSIDE: Organic Farms Can Feed The World! .………... 1 Contract Growing To Feed The Hungry …...... 1 USDA Micro Loans………………………………….….. 1 Farmer’s Opportunity………………………….…….. 1 MOFFA Board………………………....................… 2 The Fiscal Cliff & The Little Farmer …..….……. 2 Magic Mushrooms ………….…….….……….….……2 MOFFA Winter Mtg. Info. & Agenda .…....….. 3 Become A MOFFA Member…………..….…….…. 4
John Block's "A Reality Check for Organic Food Dreamers" (op-ed, Dec. 24) incorrectly states that "organic farming cannot produce the amount of food that is de-manded in today's world," and that it "stands in the way of progress." While most studies show that certain organic crops, such as corn, would have slightly lower yields and lower total production than conven-tional crops, the studies also show organic farming can feed the world, and in developing countries organic methods would increase food produc-tion and self-sufficiency. A recently released nine-year study in Iowa shows tradi-tional Midwest farms can ben-efit from adopting methods commonly used on organic farms. By extending the con-ventional two-year corn-soybean rotation to a more diversified three-year and four-year rotation, corn and soy-
bean yields rose, chemical ni-trogen fertilizer and herbicides fell 80%, herbicide-related fresh-water toxicity was 200 times lower and genetically modified (GMO) seed showed no advantage over conven-tional seed in the extended rotations—while profits per acre remained similar in all three systems. These findings strongly sug-gest that organic farming can reduce chemicals, increase yields per acre and simultane-ously maintain profitability. In addition, organic farming could build healthy diversity into our diets and increase re-silience and security in our na-tion's food supply. What Mr. Block states are the strengths of American agri-culture—constantly improving equipment, technology and genetics—apply equally to organic farming where such advances also reduce depend-
(Continued on page 2)
Organic Farms Can Feed The World! Nick Maravell
Nationwide, there are a growing num-ber of initiatives that contract farmers to grow for food banks and food pan-tries. Farming 4 Hunger, the brain-
child of Bernie Fowler, Jr., works with farmers in Southern Mar-yland. The farmers involved receive funds to farm their land, as well as to cover insurance, fertilizer, seeds, plants, irrigation, fuel and administrative costs. The feeding programs receive fresh produce that is often in short supply. In 2012, this amounted to a whopping 400,000 pounds. Arrangements such as these are a boon to feeding programs and pantries, enabling them to plan in advance for storage and distribution needs. Utilizing local farms cuts down on transportation costs, and food bank clients get really fresh vegetables. The Michi-gan Farm to Food Bank operates a similar program. In Au-burn Maine, The Good Shepherd Food Bank worked with 20 local farmers in 2011 to distribute about 1 million pounds of local food to hunger-relief organizations across the state. Some projects have been funded through the USDA National Insti-tute of Food and Agriculture’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP). One of its goals is ‘to create innovative marketing activities that benefit both agri-cultural producers and low-income consumers. Clearly, these projects are a win-win. In the words of David Robinson (Serenity Farms, Charles County, MD): Being able to help the hungry, while also helping [our] family farm sustain [itself] during difficult times, is rewarding.
22nd. ANNUAL MOFFA WINTER MEETING
February 16, 2013 Maryland Dept. of Agriculture, Annapolis, MD
Details Page 3
Farmers Opportunity 6.5 million people live in the Washington metropolitan re-gion, and that figure is expected to increase to 7.5 million with-in the next two years. That’s a lot of mouths to feed. And, according to Brian LeCouteur, Washington Council of Govern-ment environmental planner, only 1% of the food sold here is produced locally.
Contract Growing To Feed The Hungry
C. Raskin
1
New USDA Micro Loan Program
If you’ve wanted to expand your operation, but are short on funds, check out the USDA’s new micro loan program. Micro loans up to $35,000 will be available to help small farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers. The interest rate is a low 1.25%. These loans, available through FSA, can be used to buy land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and supplies, or be used to construct buildings and make farm improvements. For more info., contact your local FSA office, at www.fsa.usda.gov
MOFFA
Board of Directors
Holly Budd, Chair [email protected]
Val Bolger [email protected] Julie Bolton [email protected] Doug Britt [email protected]
Karine Bouis [email protected]
Michel Cavigelli [email protected]
Joanne Flynn [email protected]
Liz Reitig [email protected] Eric Rice [email protected]
Alternate:
Jim Coleman [email protected] Ex Officio:
Nick Maravell [email protected]
Claudia Raskin, Editor
Submissions Welcome!
To contribute an article or information and
for classified and display ads, call or email
Claudia Raskin, (301) 785-2936,
[email protected]. We reserve the right to
edit submissions.
Advertising Rates
Business Card Size @ $10 Half Page @ $40
Quarter Page @ $20 Full Page @$80
MOFFA Members receive a 50% discount on ad
rates and may place one free 15-word classified ad
per issue. (Editors reserve the right to refuse /
edit all ads.)
Support MOFFA. Become A Member!
We need your support for grower and consumer
education, organic certification, helping to shape
public policy, and membership networking. See
page 4 for details.
MOFFA is a non-profit educational organiza-
tion. Our mission is to bring together the
community of growers, consumers, and retail-
ers in Maryland to support organic and ecolog-
ical farming and local food production. We
publish this newsletter, sponsor workshops,
field days, and related educational activities,
and speak on behalf of organic agriculture.
At the very end of the year, in the midst of fiscal cliff madness, Congress passed a controversial farm bill extension. Maybe you saw headlines like this one from the Northeast Organic Agriculture Association, “USDA Throws Organics Under the Bus” and the Center for Food Safety, “Congress Passes Damaging Farm Bill Extension in “Fiscal Cliff” Package”. The extension of the farm bill contained many disappoint-ments and has left the sus-tainable and organic agri-culture community with lots of work to do. Programs that were left out include funding for or-ganic research and organic cost share. While this was a huge blow to activists work-ing to improve the farm bill, it does give us an opportuni-ty to get organized. Since the extension only goes 9 months, groups will get to work immediately to make sure the real 5 year farm bill extension is much better. Personally, I have to admit I was pretty surprised by the news. We know that public opinion is so strongly be-hind organics and local farms, even our awesome
First Lady is advocating for healthy foods and gardens. As a country, I thought we were making clear progress. But until public opinion is reflected in national legisla-tion, progress for organic farmers will slow to a crawl. I think it is time for MOFFA to get serious as advocates for organics na-tionwide. I know we are all super busy and our organi-zation is volunteer led, but I think we have to figure out how we can do more. There is grant money out there and many other statewide organic organizations man-age to have staff. We are closer to Washington DC than most other organic ag-riculture organization. We don't have to do it alone. We can form coali-tions with groups like Fu-ture Harvest CASA, PASA, NOFA and MOFGA to de-velop a stronger voice that we can deliver to Washing-ton in time for our next chance to influence the farm bill, which, by the way, starts now. Let’s talk about this at the winter meeting. Tanya Tolchin is a farmer (Jug
Bay Market Garden) and writ-
er. Her blog is ‘On The Lettuce
Edge’.
The Fiscal Cliff and the Little Farmer
ence on petroleum-based chemical inputs. For this reason, the Agriculture Department invests more than $25 million annually in organic research benefiting both conventional and organic farming. Much has changed about our knowledge of organic farming since the early 1980s when Mr. Block was secretary of agriculture. Organics is now a $30 billion-a-year industry representing the fastest growing sector of our agriculture. Nick Maravell’s letter was published 1/8/13 in the Wall Street Journal. Maravell is a former MOFFA board member and current
representative on the National Organic Standards Board.
(Continued from page 1)
MAGIC MUSHROOMS! According to Paul Stamets, the mushroom wizard: Mushrooms can be used to clean up oil spills. Using a pro-cess called mycoremediation, they transform toxic compounds into harmless ones. Mush-rooms can be an alternative to chemical ferti-
lizer. Mycorrhizal fungi acquire nutrients that “act as an ex-tension of plants’ root systems, drastically reducing the need for phosphate fertilizers.” Oyster mushrooms can help with gar-bage disposal. They eat cellulose, a main ingredient of paper.
2
22nd. ANNUAL MOFFA WINTER MEETING Saturday Feb 16, 2013
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis
What organic methods can I use to be a good steward of the land and increase my produc-tion and profits? How do Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety Regulations affect my organic farm and food? Find out at the MOFFA Winter Meeting.
POTLUCK LUNCH: Highlighting why MOFFA works for ecological farming and local food production. MOFFA farmers will pre-pare home grown main dishes. We invite all attendees to contribute (not required) main, side and especially deserts. Beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish featuring your farm’s products or a family specialty (enough for 12 is suggested). AUCTION: The Suzie Harrison Memorial Auction is an annual fund-raiser for MOFFA. Please contribute home grown, home baked, hand crafted items, agricultural related or not. Prior contributions have included paintings, a hand knit sweater, organic feed, cook books, gardening tools or services. SEED SWAP: Bring seeds to share - leftovers, everyday varieties, or something special you’ve saved. Please put seeds in clearly labeled envelopes or baggies. LITERATURE AND DISPLAY TABLES: Members may bring display materials; table space is available in exchange for silent auction item donations. VOLUNTEERS: To volunteer prior to or during the meeting or help with publicity, please contact Holly Budd [email protected] REGISTRATION & COST: Registration will be at the door. To expedite the process, forms can be downloaded from our website at ww.marylandorganic.org. Cost: $5/members, $20/non-members. Membership is $25 for one year, $45 for 2 years. SNOW: If in doubt, check the web site (www.marylandorganic.org) or call Holly Budd directly at 443-975-4181. Generally if three inches or less is predicted for Annapolis, the meeting will be held. Snow Date: Saturday, February 23rd.
8:00-8:30 Registration 8:30-9:00 Welcome and Announcements 9:00-9:30 Deanna Baldwin MDA and Organic GAPs training 9:30-9:45 Coffee Break, Silent Auction, Seed Swap Break into separate rooms
12:00-1:30 Potluck Lunch, Silent Auction, Seed Swap, & Networking 1:30-1:40 Board Elections & Announcements 1:40-2:40 Arianne Lotti, Mike Tabor, Deanna Baldwin: Food Safety Legislation 2:40-2:50 Coffee Break Last Chance for Silent Auction & Seed Swap 2:50-3:35 Tom Harbold, Sophia Maravell: Panel Discussion - Environmental Education 3:35-4:30 Laura Lengnick Climate Change and its Impact On Agricultural Systems 4:30-5:00 What Retailers are looking for from Organic Producers
Room A
9:45-10:30 Ray Weil and Natalie Lounsbury, UMD:
Innovating with low residue winter-killed
cover crops, oil seed radish
10:30-11:15 C.R.R. Hooks, J. Hinds, K.-H. Wang, A.
Rosario-Lebron, & M. Lekveishvili: Making
summer and winter cover crops a part of
organic vegetable production
11:15-12:00 Guihua Chen: Effects of tillage systems on
soil nitrogen and weed dynamics, growth
and yield of organic eggplants
Room B
Shirley Micallef, UMD: Research concerning GAP
and organic
Donna Pahl, UMD: Training and one to one assis-
tance for farmers in implementing GAP
Margaret Morgan Hubbard: Eco City Farms
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AGENDA
UMD Professor Ray Weil & The Giant Radish
