Missouri Alternatives Centers Bimonthly Electronic Newsletter 800-433-3704 AG OPPORTUNITIES Jan-Feb 1999 (Vol 9 No 4) * Small Farms * New Family Farms * Agricultural Alternatives Steps and Methods for Successful Certified Organic Field Crops (by Curtis Bennett, Organic Field Crop Farmer) Farming without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides can be challenging, rewarding, and frustrating. When done properly and timely, your fields will look no different than your conventional neighbors. Though some years the weather can make it extremely difficult to follow the steps and methods I'm suggesting. First, you must know about the "it won't work syndrome", as I call it. Your neighbors, your banker perhaps, crop insurance brokers, and yes, even your own family will tell you "it just won't work! You'll lose everything you've got". I can't assure you that you won't, but I have seen far more successful "Organic Farmers" than non-successful ones. So, for the first year or two follow closely these proven methods before adapting your own. I want everyone to be successful. Opportunities will come often to those who stick it out, unlike our conventional counterparts. For those who diversify and value add their organic commodities, small acreage is all that is needed. I believe this is truly the single best thing that can save the small family farm. Starting out may seem difficult the first year. It is like the Scout's motto says, "you must be prepared." There are several things you must have: 1) Certifiable land - Certifiable land is land that has been free of non-allowable materials for 36 months prior to harvest. CRP land usually instantly qualifies. 2) A soybean contract 3) Machinery 4) Grain storage Most soybean contracts are written in January or February, before you plant. Reasons for this include buyers who want you to grow specific varieties. Usually the buyer will help you locate the seed. You will contract by the acre and not by the bushel. Grow only clear hilum soybeans for food grade. (No dark spot on the bean.) Popcorn and other specialty grains may also be contracted in advance in the same way. It is risky not to contract in advance. Also, it is nice to have a signed contract to show your banker if you need operating capitol. Brokers have been known, in the past, not to be all that trustworthy. Check all buyers out before signing a contract. Ask for several farmers as references. Call them and ask questions, such as, how good they pay, when they pickup the crop and how soon after you deliver the crop do you get paid? Some will pay in advance. Machinery needed, will be a tractor, disc, planter, rotary hoe, row cultivator, and a combine. For starts, you need to match your equipment. For example: A tractor large enough to pull your disc, 4 row planter, 4 row rotary hoe, 4 row cultivator, and a combine with a 2 or 4 row corn head. It is easier and causes less compaction when you match your equipment. Small or large, whichever you prefer. Most of the implements can be found idle in fence rows, and purchased for little money. Get your machinery up in good shape before you need it! Timing is very important when you perform these tasks. My observations of others and my own studies lead me to believe that fall tillage 6 to 10 inches (I prefer an offset disc right behind the combine) will increase the following crops yield and reduce the amount of weed pressure. By turning in that residue immediately, while the sugars are high and before they become hard and woody, the microorganisms in the soil can easily break them down for the next crop as readily available fertilizer instead of tying up those nutrients. Follow with cover crops to protect the soil over winter and turn it in for green manure at least 2 weeks prior to planting in the spring. Shallow tillage may work best for spring, less weed pressure has been observed after tilling only 2 inches verses 4 to 6 inches. Planting is very critical to the organic producer. Row spacing and seed population can help control weeds as well. Poor plant population will surely invite weeds in the row where you can not cultivate. Weeds are not a problem if they do not reduce yield or stain the bean at harvest. I like to see 8 to 10 seeds per foot. Do not plant for pounds per acre. Many new organic farmers make that mistake. Organic soybeans usually are much larger typically 1,600 to 2,200 seed per pound versus the average conventional soybean at 2,800 to 3,400 seeds per pound. Set your planter at 150,000 to 160,000 seeds per acre, and then check to be sure you have 8 to 10 seeds per foot. Eight plants per foot will quickly canopy, helping to control weeds. Do not plant deeper than 1 inch. Food grade soybeans do not emerge well below a 1 inch depth. Organic farmers control weeds primarily with the rotary hoe. Although some use a drag harrow or a flame weeder. Select a hoe with sharp pointed teeth, not dull rounded ones. This is your best defense for controlling weeds in the row. Timing is critical when you should hoe. Keep in mind, plants and weeds will germinate and emerge at the same time, which is why hoeing is so important. You should hoe at 5 mph, 3 to 5 days after planting row crops and again at 7 to 9 mph 7 to 10 days after planting or crop emergence whichever comes first. The rotary hoe will destroy some of your crop, another reason why plant population is so important. Stop all other operations to get this job done on time. It is that important! For controlling weeds between the rows, we use a row cultivator. You'll want your cultivator to have rolling or stationary fenders to protect small crops from being covered by dirt. First cultivation should be made when the crop is 2 to 4 inches tall. I prefer a Danish tine cultivator, because it doesn't plow up chunks or clods like older more ridged cultivators do. One to 2 inches in depth is all that is necessary if you cultivate on time. Going deeper than that only causes more weed seed to germinate and pushes more dirt up into the row making harvest more difficult. Sharpen shovels with a grinder every 30 acres or so to improve your weed kill. Another excellent cultivator is the Buffalo. It has 1 large sweep in the center of the row, a disc up close to the row and long fenders to protect young crops. The discs can be adjusted to pull dirt away from the crop at first cultivation then reversed to push the dirt back at second cultivation. A level soybean field will increase the amount of beans you can harvest. If you push a lot of clods and dirt into the row when cultivating and mix dirt, clods and beans in the combine it will cost you about $6 a bushel (The difference between organic food grade and organic livestock feed). So cultivating also is very important. The last necessary piece of equipment is the combine. I have seen more organic farmers either lose their crop while waiting for or have it ruined by a hired combine. Conventional farmers, for some reason, will not lift the head on the combine out of the dirt. You have to sacrifice some beans for Quality! Again, if you dirt or weed-stain while harvesting, it will cost you dearly. Some tips for harvesting are: 1. Never ever combine after dusk. Moisture comes up in the soil and weeds, making it easier to stain. 13% moisture is considered dry for a soybean. Food grade soybeans seem to dry down extremely fast, so keep a close watch on them. If I have good weed control, I like to harvest at 15% to 17% moisture, you'll have less damage to the soybean. I put them in the grain bin and blow air on them until I get the moisture down below 13%. 2. Keep your cylinder speed as slow as possible, You'll have less splits, and the concave just tight enough to rub the beans out of the pods. Replace all sharp flighting, (Augers) this will cut the beans. Run the unloading auger full and at idle. Never fill the grain tank above the clean grain auger. This wears out the auger, splits beans and if you have any dirt or weed seed it will mix and stain the beans. Another area where new farmers have trouble, is grain storage. Rarely do buyers pickup your crops out of the field. Without proper storage, you may have to discount your price in order to entice buyers to pick it up at harvest. Used bins can be purchased at less than half the cost of new. Ask around and you'll find someone who trades and installs used bins. You'll need an auger to load and unload your bins. Again, no sharp flighting and run it slow and full while loading and unloading. I have a #44 rotary screener made by DMC. It cleans out the weed seed as I'm putting the crop in the bin. Weed seed can get hot and spoil the crop, so check your bins often. Select an area for your bins that will be accessible for a semi to get in and out loaded. Check your bins after snows. Blowing snow often enters bins around the roof and melts, spoiling the crop. These steps and methods will get you started and hopefully keep you from making a lot of mistakes and learning the hard way, like I did. I recommend going to Organic Field Days and pickup different ideas beyond these basic steps that you think might work for you. Two Days of Great Learning and Networking! March 23 - AgriExpo '99, Holiday Inn Select, Columbia, MO - The first annual AgriExpo '99 sponsored by USDA Rural Development, University Outreach and Extension and the MO Dept of Ag, is designed to provide farmers and entrepreneurs with the latest information on starting a value-added business. Eight educational tracks will be featured: 1) Adding Value to Livestock; 2) Adding Value to Crops; 3) Food Products and Processing; 4) Business Development; 5) Computers, Internet and Business; 6) Marketing; 7) Community Food Systems; 8) Government Programs and You. A trade show is also included. Registration is $15. For more information or to register, call 573-882-1150 or 1-877-ValuAdd. March 23 - Local Foods Reception, Newman Center on the University of Missouri campus, Columbia, MO - After AgriExpo '99 join in on the local cuisine sponsored by the Sustaining People through Agriculture Network and the Columbia Area Food Circle. The reception will begin at 5:00 pm and will feature a bounty of delicious Missouri-grown foods, prepared by local chefs. Guest speaker, Kathy Lawrence from Just Food in New York City will share success stories about Community Supported Agriculture. Registration is $10.00 before March 9, 1999 or $15.00 after this date. For more information or to register, call 573-882-1905 or 800-433-3704. March 24 - Second Annual Sustaining People through Agriculture Network Conference, Stephens College, Columbia, MO - Sponsored by the Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program of the University of Missouri and Lincoln University, Missouri Alternatives Center, MO Dept of Ag and the Bonnie Clark Fund for Sustainable Agriculture, this farmer-to-farmer sharing and networking conference is a must for farmers who want to explore a wide range of profitable, environmentally sound, socially responsible alternatives to sustaining people through agriculture in Missouri. Dick Thompson from Thompson Research Institute in Boone, IA and a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa will be the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions will feature farmer panels. These sessions include: 1) Mulches and Cover Crops; 2) Marketing Beef Cooperative; 3) Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs); 4) Growing Grain Crops without Herbicides; 4) Grass-based Dairying; 6) Farmers Markets; 7) Soil Nutrient Management; 8) Dick Thompson on various topics. A farmer poster session will also be featured. Cost is $10.00 by March 9th or $15.00 after that date (includes lunch). Stephens College Dorm Rooms are available for the nights of March 22, 23, and 24 for a cost of $20.00 a night for single and $30.00 a night for double. For more information call 573-882-1905 or 800-433-3704. Southwest Missouri Spring Horticulture Conference Saturday, March 20, 1999, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Southwest Research Center, Mt Vernon, MO Topics include: Fruit varieties for southwest MO Advanced vegetable gardening Soil nutrient management Landscaping with native MO wildflowers Apple and blackberry culture Lawn and turf care Hanging baskets for summer Shiitake and oyster mushroom cultivation Gardening for market Organic pest control options for home gardeners Grafting nut and fruit trees Raised bed gardening Cost is $7.00/person which includes lunch. Attendance is limited, therefore pre-registration is recommended. Sessions will be held indoors and out, so dress appropriately. For more information call 417-466-2148. Sponsored by University of Missouri's Southwest Research Center; Southwest Missouri State University's State Fruit Experiment Station; Ozark Chapter of the North American Fruit Explorers; Southwest Missouri Nut Growers Association; and University Outreach and Extension. *** In the News *** University Outreach and Extension and the MO Dept of Ag are currently working to develop a database which will offer fruit and vegetable growers the opportunity to market their crops on the world wide web. During the fresh produce season, county extension offices and horticulture specialists across the state, get calls from people who are looking for a source of fresh produce. By listing fruit and vegetable producer names and crops in this database, it will be easier to provide such information. The Organic Farming Research Foundation has increased its maximum research grant from $5,000 to $10,000 and increased total amount of research money to be granted from $70,000 last year to $125,000 this year. The OFRF board is especially interested in weed management strategies, because so many farmers listed threat as a priority in the 1997 National Organic Farmers Survey. The next deadline for research proposals is July 15. To receive a copy of the procedures for grant applications, contact OFRF at PO Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 831-426-6606, research@ofrf.org, http://www.orfr.org Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced that certain meat and poultry products will be allowed to carry a label indicating that they are certified organic. Meat and poultry products will be labeled "certified organic by (name of the certifying entity)" if processors seek prior approval from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the claim meets certain basic criteria. Specifically, to use the claim in labeling, processors will need to show that products have been certified as organic by an authority or entity that certifies products as "organically" produced. That entity must have standards that define "organically produced" and a system for ensuring that products it certifies meet those standards. There are 33 private and 11 state organic certification entities, as well as a number of smaller entities that provide self-certification. The new policy is effective immediately. More information for producers is available on the FSIS homepage at www.fsis.usda.gov and from the Labeling and Additives Policy Division at 202-205-0279. The USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program in the North Central Region invites producers to apply for competitive grants to research, demonstrate or educate others about profitable, environmentally sound, socially responsible agricultural systems. A total of $250,000 is available for grants of up to $5,000 for individual producers and up to $15,000 for groups of three or more producers investigating any sustainable practice or concept. Additional funding specifically earmarked for agroforestry projects is also available as a result of a National Agroforestry Center initiative. Funds from this program are available to assist farmers and ranchers who want to implement innovative practices to help generate more income and share that information with other producers. Applications are available from the North Central Region office beginning February 1, 1999. Applications are due April 30, 1999. Funding decisions will be made in late-June 1999. Funds will be available in mid-fall for the 2000 crop production season. Call 402-472-7081, email to sare001@unlvm.unl.edu for an application. You can also find the application at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/. Harboring beneficials reduces chemicals-tilling, planting, cultivating and harvesting on farms can kill off beneficial insects that prey on crop pests. Planting companion crops, such as herbs and flowers, can draw helpful insects that prey on insect pests that damage a producer's primary commodities. Researchers in Michigan found grass "refuge" strips next to major crops resulted in savings of $6-$10 an acre in reduced spraying costs. (BioOptions, Summer 1998) *** In Print *** *How to Establish Goals: A Group Project for Farmers and Their Families* for whole farm planning, is $3 from The Minnesota Project, 1885 University Ave West #315, St Paul, MN 55104, 651-645-6159. *LandWorks* a land use subscription service for professionals, includes on-line discussions, publications, and a private Website for $125/ year. Contact American Farmland Trust, One Short St, Northampton, MA 01060, 1-800-370-4879; email LandWorks@farmland.org USDA's Farmer Direct Marketing Web Page, providing resources and information about direct marketing, is at http://www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing *Alternative Farming Systems: Economic Aspects* and *Vegetables and Fruits: A Guide to Heirloom Varieties and Community-Based Stewardship, Annotated Bibliography/Resources Organizations/Historical Supplement* are available from Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Blvd, Beltsville, MD 20705, 301-504-6559; afsic@nal.usda.gov; on the Internet, http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic *A Guide to USDA and Other Federal Resources for Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Enterprises* Free. Features information on federal programs that spearhead innovations in agriculture and forestry. Addresses resources in value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry, sustainable land management and community development. Written for farmers and ranchers, entrepreneurs, community developers and conservationists. North Central Region SARE Office, 402-472-7081, sare001@unlvm.unl.edu, http://www.attra.org/guide *IPM Practitioner, November/December 1998* Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC). This issue provides a directory of least-toxic pest control products and pest control companies. Ranges from insect management to plant disease management to vertebrate management. $35 for individuals, $60 for institutions, businesses and libraries. Contact BIRC, PO Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707, 510-524-2567, birc@igc.org, www.birc.org/birc. *Adding Value for Sustainability Guidebook* will help farmers, ranchers, processors and other food-related businesses to develop and market high-value products. The guidebook outlines the struggles, opportunities, and lessons learned by four successful processors. Food safety, financing, marketing, product development and legal issues are clearly presented. Available for $11.50 from PASA Adding Value, PO Box 419, Millheim, PA 16854, 814-349-9856. Considering a nontraditional livestock enterprise? Check out the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Livestock Specialty Enterprises Web page containing information and links on bison, goats, llamas, rabbits, ostriches and emus, and aquaculture, http://www.ianr.unl.edu/ianr/lanco/ag/livestok/livespec.htm. *Community Food Security News* Varying rates. Quarterly newsletter promotes comprehensive systems-oriented solutions to the nation's food and farming problems. Community Food Security Coalition, PO Box 209, Venice, CA 90294,310-822-5410, asfisher@aol.com. *Organic Dairy Farming* Includes chapter on herd health, cropping systems, certification and marketing. Produced by Kickapoo Organic Resource Network. Available by calling 715-772-3153. $6.50. *** Calendar of Events *** Feb 24-26-MO Aquaculture Assn Annual Meeting and Conference, Columbia, MO. Call 573-526-6666. Feb 25-27-Midwest Stocker School, Olathe, KS. Call The Stockman Grass Farmer, 800-748-9808. Feb 27-Adding Value: Promoting Health, Generating Wealth: the Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, Aurora, NE. Contact Cris Carusi, 402-471-0817. March 5-6-10th Annual Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, Sinsinawa, WI. Call Faye Jones, 715-772-6819. March 6-Reclaiming Our Food System from the Corporate Giants A Symposium Adding an Ethical Dimension to Eating, Overland Park, Kansas. Sponsored by Sierra Club. Contact Craig Volland, hartwood@gvi.net, 913-334-0556 March 2-3-Illinois Small Fruit and Strawberry Schools, Mt Vernon, IL. Contact Jeff Kindhart, 618-695-2444 or jkindhar@uiuc.edu. March 12-13-State Sustainable Farming Association Annual Meeting: Making the Connection Between Producers and Consumers, St Paul, MN. Call DeEtta Bilek, 218-445-5475 or deebilek@wcta.net March 13-MO State Beekeepers Assn Semi-Annual Meeting, Moberly, MO. Call 573-888-1301. March 13-14-20th Annual Conference of Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association, Wilmington, OH. Call 614-267-3663. March 17-18-Sheep and Goat Shearing School, Jefferson City, MO. Call Helen Swartz, 573-681-5537. March 20-Southwest Missouri Spring Horticulture Conference, Southwest Research Center, Mt Vernon MO. Call 417-466-2148. March 23-AgriExpo '99: A Value Added Agriculture Conference, Columbia, MO. Call 1-877-ValuAdd. March 24-Sustaining People through Agriculture Conference, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-1905 or 800-433-3704. March 24-26-Agricultural Marketing Outreach Workshop for Limited Resource Farmers, Memphis, TN. Call James Bunch, 225-775-6280. March 27-28-Great Northern Botanicals Assn Annual Meeting: Growing Herbs - Small to Large Acreages, Ronan, MN. Call Bruce McCullum, 406-752-1141. May 15-Fiber Fair, Marshfield, MO. Call Gladys Gaeke, 417-859-2914. May 29-30-MO KAN Dairy Goat Show, Sedalia, MO. Contact Rhonda Goddard Hamby hds@ponyexpress.net June 5-Sheep Fitting Workshop, Boonville, MO. Call 660-882-2021. June 11-13-MO Forest Products Assn Spring Technical Session, Branson, MO. Call 573-634-3252. June 12-16-6th Conference on Agroforestry in North America: Sustainable Land-Use Management for the 21st Century, Hot Springs, AR, tclason@agctr.lsu.edu; http://www.missouri.edu/~afta/Sixth_Conf.html June 14-25-International Training Program in New Crops: Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, West Lafayette, IN. Call 317-494-7220. Aug 4-8-North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Assn Summer Tour, Nova Scotia, Canada. Contact Charlie Touchette, 888-884-9270. Aug 12-22-MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO. Aug 20-22-Herbfest 99, (Frontier Herbs) Norway, IA. Call 800-669-3275. Sept 23-27-Annual International Bedding Plants Conference and Trade Show, Denver, CO. Call 800-647-7742. Sept 24-25-Midwest Forest Industry Show, Cape Girardeau, MO. Call 573-634-3252. Oct 12-15-National Small Farm Conference: Building Partnerships for the 21st Century, St. Louis, MO. Call 202-401-4900 or 573-681-5550. "University Outreach and Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs."