Missouri Alternatives Center's "AG OPPORTUNITIES" Bimonthly Electronic Newsletter March-April (Vol. 12, No 5) 800-433-3704 * Small Farms * New Family Farms * Agricultural Alternatives Marketing "Organic" under the National Organic Program On December 21, 2000 the National Organic Program (NOP) became the official law in the US for marketing and labeling of all organic products. At that time, it was decided to allow a grace period of eighteen months to bring labels into compliance with the NOP. The end of the eighteen-month grace period is quickly coming to a close. October 22, 2002 will begin the enforcement period for this regulation. Following are some important points you should know so that you can adhere to this law. 1. All organic producers that gross $5,000 or more in combined organic products must be certified by a USDA accredited certifying agency. 2. There are five categories of organic products. Each of these five categories has specific labeling requirements: A. "100% Organic" - All ingredients and processing aids must be from certified organic ingredients. Both the USDA and certifying agency seals are allowed to be displayed on the package. B. "Organic" - 95% or more of the ingredients and processing aids must be from certified organic ingredients. The remaining 5% ingredients may be from non-organic sources if organic ingredients are not commercially available. No prohibited substances or methods may be used in either the organic or non-organic ingredients. Both the USDA and certifying agency seals are allowed to be displayed on the package. C. "Made with Organic **** Specified Ingredients" - 70% or more of the ingredients and processing aids must be from certified organic ingredients. Total of percentage of organic ingredients may be listed on the package. All organic ingredients must be identified in the ingredient statement. Certifying agency seal may be displayed, but USDA seal is prohibited from display. D. "Less than 70% Organic Ingredients" - The total percentage of organic ingredients may be listed on the package. Organic ingredients must be identified in the ingredient statement, if total percentage is listed. No certifying agency or USDA seal may be displayed. E. "Exempted Organic" - these are products that are produced by NOP Standards under the less than $5,000 gross sales exemption. All agricultural ingredients and final products made with those ingredients grown by the original producer may be direct sold as organic. A certified processor may NOT use these ingredients in their final product without it loosing its organic integrity. There can be no references made to being certified and no certifying agency or USDA seals can be displayed. If you have any further questions concerning the organic regulations, contact: Sue Baird MO Dept of Agriculture Organic Program PO Box 630 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone Number: 573-751-2148 Sue_Baird@mail.mda.state.mo.us Manufactured Organic Product Sales Show Strong Growth OMRI Update, Fall/Winter 2001/2002 Sales of U.S. manufactured organic products grew 38 percent during the past year, manufacturer members of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) have reported. This rate far surpasses the estimated 20 to 25 percent annual growth for the organic market in general and the conventional grocery industry's annual growth rate of 3 to 5 percent. Fastest-growing categories between 1999 and 2000 were soyfoods and other meat/dairy alternatives (215 percent growth), meat and poultry and eggs (64 percent growth), miscellaneous canned and jarred products (51 percent growth) and dairy (40 percent growth), according to results from OTA's "2001 Manufacturers' Market survey." The survey projects continued strong growth in the industry with an overall rate of 38 percent from 2000 to 2001. Individual projected growth rates for 2000 to 2001 are: soyfoods and other meat/dairy alternatives (94 percent growth), fiber (53 percent growth), meat and poultry and eggs (59 percent growth), miscellaneous canned and jarred products (45 percent growth), and dairy 41 percent growth). Manufacturer member companies reported an average annual growth of 36 percent during the past five years. "This survey reaffirms the strength of organic manufactured products in the marketplace, and is heartening news," said Katherine DiMatteo, OTA's executive director. In addition to the categories covered in a 1998 survey, this latest study included organic fiber products as well as herbal and food-based supplements and pet food using organic ingredients. Besides product category growth, the survey tracked retail outlet penetration for branded organic products. One of the most dramatic changes, when compared to the 1998 results, was the shift to mass-market channels. In the 2002 study, less than half (49 percent) of organic food manufacturers' products moved through health and natural food stores, down from 62 percent in 1998. Mass-market groceries, meanwhile, accounted for 45 percent of organic food product sales in 2001, compared to only 31 percent in the 1998 survey. The 2001 survey also includes an analysis of barriers to growth mentioned by participants. Copies of the 86-page Organic Trade Association's 2001 Manufacturers' Market Survey may be ordered from OTA (phone: 413-774-7511, Ext. 12; fax: 413-774-6432; email: info@ota.com). The price is $50 for OTA members, and $100 for non-members. New Regulations for Eggs In an effort to prevent Salmonella poisoning, the Food and Drug Administration has instituted new regulations for egg producers. The regulations, which took effect Sept 4, apply to eggs that have not been treated to destroy Salmonella organisms. Handlers and retailers must keep eggs refrigerated at 45 degrees or lower during transportation and storage. The following statement must be printed either on the label or inside the egg carton: "Safe Handling Instructions: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep eggs refrigerated; cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly." Eggs discovered by an inspector that are not in compliance can be seized or required to include the statement. The regulations can be found at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/-lrd/fr001205.html (Growing for Market Dec 2001) Missouri Meat Inspection Curing hams is a family tradition for Leslie and Kelly Wilt, a husband-and-wife team that raises hogs in Shelbina. Now, a new state meat inspection program will help them access additional markets for their pork products. Their business, County Line Hams, is the first meat processing plant to be inspected under the MO Dept of Ag's Meat and Poultry Inspection Service, recently approved by the USDA. The state meat inspection programs is identical to the federal inspection programs but is geared toward smaller producers who are looking to market their meat within the state. Before the state program began, meat processors had to have a federal inspection to retail their products. Otherwise, they were limited to selling their goods to individual consumers on a custom-exempt basis. Custom-exempt refers to meat or poultry that a plant processes for use by local individuals rather than commercial uses. "We have been looking for ways to help family farmers add value to their products, and this new state meat inspection program is a step in the right direction," said Ed Gladden, a program coordinator with the inspection program, which is housed within the department's Division of Animal Health. "Our program will not replace federal inspections or employers, but will make it easier for small producers to obtain inspections that will allow them to sell their goods at the retail level." State-inspected meat and poultry cannot be shipped across state lines. The program will also reinforce food safety measures for small meat processors and livestock producers. Under the voluntary program, state inspectors will monitor plants involved in retail sales for facility sanitation, slaughter, methods, product freshness, truthful labeling, and compliance with standards to reduce food-borne illnesses. State animal health officials will be responsible for monitoring more than 150 custom-exempt meat processing plants throughout the state, but will not examine facilities that the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service already inspects. The MO Dept of Health and the MO Assn of Meat Processors have expressed support for the program. Contact the Missouri State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, 573-522-1242. (Small Farm Today, January/February 2002) Southwest Center Launches Medicinal Herb Research on Black Cohosh A major horticultural study on black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) was initiated in 2001 under the auspices of the Center for Phytonutrient and Phytochemical Studies, a research consortium between the Univ of MO-Columbia and the MO Botanical Garden. The consortium is funded by a substantial grant from the US National Institutes of Health. Our experiments are being conducted at two geographically different sites in MO: the Southwest Research Center, Mt. Vernon, and the Shaw Nature Reserve of the MO Botanical Garden, Gray Summit. A steel cabling, and woven shade cloth has been erected at each site for the study. Black cohosh is an attractive perennial herb in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to the midwestern and eastern United States. The species has been documented as occurring in 30 Missouri River. It is generally found growing in rich, fertile soils as an understory plant in deciduous forests, suggesting that the species may be suitable for cultivation under tree crops in an agroforestry-type setting. Black cohosh has become a very popular and costly medicinal herb in recent years, with consumer demand increasing in North America and Europe. The root has been shown to have estrogenic activities, and has been used historically to treat a variety of human ailments including sore throat, rheumatism, menstruation and uterine difficulties, menopausal and premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and as an astringent, diuretic, anti-diarrhea, cough suppressant, and diaphoretic. Presently the herb is commonly used in hormone replacement therapy to treat menopausal symptoms. A number of phytochemical compounds from black cohosh are of medicinal interest, including actein, acetyl-acteol, cimifugoside, cimicigenol, formononetin, and caffeic acid. Much of the black cohosh being marketed is wild-harvested, with very few plants under managed cultivation. While the plant is not considered rare, it is by no means abundant. Natural populations of the species do not presently appear to be threatened, but over-harvesting of wild plants and poaching in parks and nature reserves may soon become an important issue. This entire scenario underscores the need to study the cultivation and propagation of black cohosh. The plant appears to be fairly easy to cultivate and may be well-suited as a horticultural crop for MO farmers wishing to diversify their operations, but very little information is available for those interested in growing it. We therefore initiated two experiments in 2001 to study and document the horticultural requirements of black cohosh in MO. The first experiment will answer questions about when and under what conditions (including stress) certain phytochemicals are produced and in what quantity. Plant roots of known age will be harvested annually over three to four years. We will document production of the phytochemicals of interest from plants grown under the various shading regimes, and at what age specific phytochemicals become most abundant. 'This experiment was planted July, 2001 and the first harvest will occur in autumn, 2002. The second experiment is a more general horticultural-type study and was planted in Oct, 2001. We hope to learn which shading regimes and plant spacings produce the healthiest plants, the largest and most desirable roots, and maximum yields of desirable phytochemicals. Other data useful to growers, such as insect and disease prevalence and seed production under the various shading the spacing regimes will also be documented. Harvest is anticipated in fall, 2003 or 2004. Additional experiments may be conducted later, for example, to determine the suitability of black cohosh in an agroforestry-type setting in order to further refine recommendations for MO farmers. (by Andrew Thomas, Southwest Research Farm, Univ of MO) Marketing Research Reports Now Available A major marketing research report is now available on the Internet. The report (entitled "Attracting Consumers with Locally Grown Products") summarizes the initial findings of a telephone survey of 500 households in the states of NE, IA, MO and WI. The primary grocery shopper in the household was surveyed for their attitudes and opinions on locally grown and produced food, organic and all-natural food and meat purchasing behaviors. Some of the many highlights include: 70% of the respondents said that it was very or extremely important that their purchase supported a local family farm and was locally grown or produced; the top three reasons for purchasing locally grown or produced products were freshness, better taste, and the opportunity to support local farms; 55% of the households have purchased meat direct from a farmer or a farmer's market; among those who purchase chicken, nearly 11% have heard of pastured poultry, while 4.6% have purchased the product, 35% of the households have heard of free-range chicken, while 11% have purchased it; and among those who have not purchased pastured poultry or free-range chicken, 51% were very or extremely interested in purchasing a product like this. The report can be downloaded as a Word or PDF file on the food marketing and processing (FoodMAP) clearinghouse website at http://www.foodmap.unl..edu or may also be accessed at the North Central Initiative for Small Farm Profitability web site at http://www.farm profitability.org Grocer Offers Advice to Farmers (By Katherine Houston Brown) In 1988 Mark Pluhacek's family bought Broadmoor Market, a neighborhood grocery store with a history of catering to three generations of shoppers in an upscale Omaha, Nebraska, neighborhood. Several years into the business, the family decided to steer the store's inventory to natural and organic foods because of their own interests and the public's growing desire for healthier foods. This change of emphasis led to dealings with local growers because their produce is fresher than what the store can get through conventional distributors - usually by as much as three weeks, says Mark. Mark's family has been able to work with local growers while they learn the ins and outs of supplying a retail market's needs. Mark says that it's probably easier for Broadmoor to work with local growers; bigger stores are more departmentalized with management decisions being made off premises. Here is Mark's advice to grocers and growers who want to do business together. · "The key is communication." Set aside time to talk before the planting season so each can learn the other's needs. By identifying what moves off the shelves well, and what quantity and quality is needed, the grocer can help the grower decide what to plant and how much. Together they can decide on new products to try with the store's clientele. · Timing is everything for a grocer. Mark appreciates it when local growers contact him ahead of time each week or so (if they don't have a regular delivery schedule) because he will put in his orders to his conventional wholesale distributors up to four days ahead unless he hears from his growers. If something comes up and a grower can't deliver, Mark needs to hear about it right away, especially on stock items like potatoes and green beans. · Just showing up with a truck of beautiful fresh produce usually won't work because the store may already have filled its shelves with that item. It's better to call ahead so the grocer can let the grower know what, if anything, he can use. · It helps if growers bring in some samples ahead of time so the grocer can see the quality of their wares and they can get to know each other face-to-face. · Charge enough; local growers need to have confidence in the value of their produce. Mark shares with growers the wholesalers' price and the store's mark-up and asks them to set their price accordingly so they don't burn out over the long haul. This practice is just good business for the grocer says Mark. "Local produce sells well, Because it looks better, I can get more for it, so it's worth my while to work with growers' prices," he said. (Growing for Market, Jan 2002) The Enterprising Individual An enterprising individual has a positive, flexible and adaptable disposition towards change, seeing it as normal, and as an opportunity rather than a problem. To see change in this way, an enterprising individual has a security, born of self-confidence, and is at ease when dealing with insecurity, risks, difficulty and the unknown. An enterprising individual has the capacity to initiate creative ideas, develop them, and see them through into action in a determined manner. An enterprising individual is able, even anxious, to take responsibility and is an effective communicator, negotiator, influencer, planner, and organizer. An enterprising individual is active, confident, purposeful, not passive, uncertain and dependent. The following lists describes entrepreneurial or enterprising attributes: · Initiative · Strong persuasive powers · Moderate rather than high risk-taking · Flexibility · Creativity · Independence/autonomy · Problem-solving ability · Need for achievement · Imagination · High belief in control of one's own destiny · Leadership · Hard work (Marketplace Newsletter, Summer 2001) *** In the News *** Certified-organic growers must be in compliance with the new federal organic standards by October 21, 2002, when the law finally takes effect. One of the issues facing growers right now is whether to buy organic seed. The law states that organic seed is required, unless the same or equivalent variety is commercially unavailable. What that means exactly is subject to dispute, but here's some advice from the Organic Broadcaster, newsletter of the Upper Mississippi River Organic Certifying Associations: "Although there seems to be some confusion as to what 'commercially available' and 'equivalent variety' in 2002 means, the answer seems to be that if you can document that you have made a valiant effort to find organic seed of the variety/kind you want from at least two sources, you can use non-organic seed. But you must make the effort and you must write down as you do it all information about who you contacted (dates, phone numbers, etc.) in your search for organic seed." In any case, don't use treated seed, even if it's left over from last year. If you have a question, call your certifying agency. Concentration is increasing in all agricultural markets except ethanol production, according to a new, updated study by Mary Hendrickson and William Heffernan of the Univ of MO. Their study found that the top four beef packers control 81 percent of the market; four pork packers control 59 percent; and four poultry processors control 50 percent. Three companies-Cargill-Continental Grain, Archer Daniels Midland, and Zen Noh-have an "incredibly high level of control" in corn exports, with 81 percent, and soybean exports, with 65 percent. The report, "Concentration of Agricultural Markets," which was commissioned by the National Farmers Union, is at www.foodcircles.missouri.edu and also www.nfu.org. *** In Print * * * *The Bio-Integral Resources Center has established an Online Organic Database at the web site http://206.169.52.116/birc/search.htm. The OOD "is meant to help organic farmers and others find solutions to their pest problems. It is meant to be user friendly and is organized around the crop and the common name of the pest. From this database, you can find published papers about your problem, and suggested solutions, including biocontrol agents." You can search the database by entering the name of a particular crop or pest, or both. (HortIdeas, Dec 2001) *Organic Information Resources: What Are They? Where Are They? How Can I Find Them?* available at www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/ofp/orgfind.htm, or from Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural Library, 301-504-6559, afsic@nal.usda.gov. Organically Produced Foods: Nutritive Content, a bibliography is available from Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Ave Rm 304, Beltsville, MD 20705-2551, or at www.nal.usda.gov/afsic *Biointensive Integrated Pest Management* and *Resource Guide to Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production* are among the new publications available at www.attra.org; or from ATTR A, 1-800-346-9140. *www.spiderweb.fmc.com has interactive 360 degree photos of common crop pests. Also at the site a Virtual Pest Library and maps showing the ranges of pest infestations. (HortIdeas, Dec 2001) *Adding Value Through Environmental Marketing, proceedings of a 1999 conference are available at www.iatp.org/labels/envcommodities/ *Healthier Farms, Healthy Kids: Evaluating the Barriers and Opportunities for Farm-to-School Programs, 2001 by Andrea Missako and Andrew Fisher describes seven farm-to-school projects from around the country and includes an analysis of federal policies related to nutrition and local food systems, CFSC, PO Box 209, Venice, CA 90294, 310-882-5410, $16.00. *Attracting Consumers with Locally Grown Products* a consumer survey from the North Central Initiative for Small Farm Profitability, is available at www.farmprofitability.org; or from MO Alternatives Center, 800-433-3704. *What's Eating You About What You Eat? A Survey of Madison Residents' Likes and Dislikes* a 74-page report from the Madison Food System Project is available at www.wisc.edu/mfsp, or from Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning, Univ of WI, 608-262-1004. *Martindale's Desk Reference claims to have over 15,000 calculators online at www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/RefCalculators1.html. There are dozens on topics on soil, seeding rates, yields, budgets and more. The topics run from agriculture to wind chill. *Subscribing to Change: Starting and Sustaining a Vegetable Subscription Service: The Story of Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance* $7 from Kansas Rural Center, PO Box 133, Whiting, KS 66552, 785-873-3431, ksrc@rainbowtel.net. *Day Range Poultry: Every Chicken Owner's Guide to Grazing Gardens and Improving Pastures* $22 from Good Earth Publications, 1702 Mountain View Rd, Buena Vista, VA 24416, 540-261-8774, GoodEarth@ntelos.net. (In Print continued) *Farm to Market: A Journey of Change and Independence* a 20-minute video, $20 from Jerry DeWitt, 515-294-7801, jdewitt@iastate.edu; or from ISU Extension, 109 Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA 50011-1050. *From Farm to Table: Making the Connection in the Mid-Atlantic Food System* $17.50 from Capital Area Food Bank, Health and Food Systems Dept., 645 Taylor St NE, Washington, DC 20017, 202- 526-5344 x 298, horam@foodbank.org; www.clagettfarm.org/fromfarmtotable.html *Compost calculators can be found at www.mastercomposter.com/ref/orgmat1.html (formulas for Carbon: Nitrogen (C:N) ratio and information on a huge variety of "compostables") and at www.klickitatcounty.org/SolidWaste/fileshtml/organics/compostCalc.htm (where you plug up to three ingredients into a calculator to have it calculate C:N for you). The virtual pile at www.compostinfo.com/cn/Default.htm lets you drag ingredients into a bin with your mouse for a more fun, but not necessarily as useful, estimate of C:N in your compost mix. *** On the Calendar *** March 13-14-Sheep & Goat Sheering School, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5551. March 15-16-Northeast MO AgriExpo, Kirksville, MO. Call 573-522-9213. March 15-17-Fiber Retreat, Jefferson City, MO. Call 417-682-5931. March 22-23-Pastured Poultry Conference, Nampa, ID. Call Mandi Thompson, 208-332-8535, mthompson@agri.state.id.us March 22-23-Sustainable Greenhouse Design and Year-Round Food Production Workshop, York, PA. Call Steve Moore, 717-225-2489, sandcmoore@juno.com. March 29-30-Meat Goat Short Course, West Plains, MO. Call 417-256-2391. March 30-31-Success with Horses Tour, Columbia, MO. Call 800-642-3335. April 6-Goat Cheese and Meat Conference, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5551. April 6-MO Spring Horticulture Conference, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-926-4105. April 13-Beekeeping Workshop, Hermitage, MO. Call 417-745-6767 April 20-21-Llama Classic Show and Sale, Springfield, MO. Call 417-581-6692, beesongm@aol.com May 19-25-International Natural Dye Conference, Ames, IA. May 20-24-Conservation Easement Short Course, Poteau, OK. Call 918-647-9123. May 30-June 1-Heart of America Fiber Festival, Butler, MO. Call 816-697-2104. July 28-Aug 4-Textile Tides Convergence, Nevada, MO. Call 417-448-1212. Aug 8-18-100th MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO. Dec-Southeast MO AgriExpo, Sikeston, MO. 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.