Ag Opportunities Volume 17, Number 4 April 2006 Direct Farmer-to-Consumer Relationships Gain Popularity By Chuck Adamson Senior Information Specialist Extension & Ag Information When Rebecca Graff and Tom Ruggieri left their white-collar jobs to start Fair Share Farm several years ago, they didn’t realize that the only factor limiting their growth would be their capacity to produce. Two years ago they started their first network of 25 families and singles in the Kansas City area who purchased memberships in the farm. Each member is entitled to a portion of the seasonal harvest from the Kearney, MO, farm that grows crops without the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Last year Fair Share had 50 members, with 40 more on a waiting list. This season they’re planning to accommodate 75. "When we first started, we spent a lot more time putting out flyers and doing paid advertising. This year it seems like it would just be a waste of money," Graff said. "We definitely have been able to fulfill the memberships that we offer. That is the least of our worries. We need more farmers." The farming concept, called Community Supported Agriculture, CSA for short, is simple, and it’s a growing trend across Missouri and the nation, said Mary Hendrickson, a University of MO rural sociologist. Members pay an annual fee, or in some cases a series of fees split into weekly payments over a harvest season. A seasonal fee typically is several hundred dollars for a single person and up to $400 to $500 for a family portion membership. The fee buys weekly produce allotments, often of a half-dozen or more varieties of fruits and vegetables at a time, during the farm’s four-month harvest period. In bad years, farmers still get paid. In a bumper crop year, members reap the rewards. Most CSA farmers use natural or organic growing methods. Hendrickson, director of MU Extension Food Circles Networking Project, has teamed with the MO Rural Crisis Center on the Show-Me Local Food initiative. One part of the new project is to aggressively promote CSAs as a way to build predictable markets for small MO farmers and educate the public about agriculture. "Our goal is that more food is sustainably produced in Missouri and consumed in Missouri," Hendrickson said. The project is building on the emerging demand for local food, including the proliferation of CSA groups, which so far has happened mostly through word of mouth and grassroots organizing, she said. "Across the country there are a lot more CSAs now than there were 15 years ago. They really, really grew fast in the late 1990s. The movement leveled out around 2000 and now it’s picking up again," Hendrickson said. "People are yearning for that experience and the connection around food that a CSA brings. You get great-tasting, high-quality food from farmers in your community." Members visit farms during harvest, exchange recipes and educate their children on farming through firsthand exposure to crop production. In Fair Share’s case, members are required to work a day or two each season helping cultivate and pick crops. "They really get it when they come out and work with us," Graff said. "They understand what it takes to grow their food more than if they just bought a box with their food in it." Tricia Wagner, MU Extension local foods specialist in St. Louis, said more produce growers are needed on the state’s east side. She said crops like lettuce, which grows well in MO, are trucked 2,000 miles or more before making it into a MO grocery store. Buying fresh and local appeals to consumers, Wagner said, but there aren’t enough local products to go around. "In the past two years there have been four new farmers’ markets started in the St. Louis area. It’s spreading the growers very thin," Wagner said. "There are just not enough farmers to keep up with the demand." For more information on the Show-Me Local Foods project and signing up with a MO CSA in your area, log on to foodcircles.missouri.edu. Sources: Mary Hendrickson, 573-882-7463 or Tricia Wagner 314-225-8348. ************************************************************************ Meat-goat Business Still Growing in US and Region By David Burton Civic Communications Specialist There is a still growing and profitable market for goat meat in the US. "Imports from our largest importer, Australia, increased from approximately 3 million pounds in 1990 to 17 million pounds in 2003. At a 40 pound carcass weight, that’s 425,000 goats imported annually from just Australia," said Dona Funk, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Goat meat, or Chevon, is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world. It has a flavor similar to beef and venison. It also has less fat than chicken or any of the red meats commonly consumed in the US. "Goat fat doesn’t marbleize inside the muscle so it can be trimmed off easily. Although goat meat is low in fat, studies indicate this fat contains a higher percentage of cholesterol than chicken or beef fat," Funk said. Those same studies also show that goat meat is much lower in saturated fats than other commonly consumed meats, including chicken with the skin off. Goat meat also has an excellent ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fats making it a very healthy choice. The USDA stopped tallying nationwide goat numbers years ago but trade publications and breed associations estimate there are over 1.9 million meat goats in the US and the goat market is growing at more than 10 percent annually. Experts estimate there are not enough goats produced in the United States to meet domestic goat needs. Although some 65,000 live goats are exported from the US annually, about 1.5 million pounds of goat meat is imported every week. "Much of the demand for goat meat is generated by the changing ethnic face of America. About 63 percent of the red meat consumed worldwide is goat. Most of the goat meat demand in the US comes from ethnic groups that include Middle Eastern, Asian, African, Latin American and Caribbean heritage," Funk said. According to Funk, large-framed Boer goats are the most well known breed. A Boer is a large, double muscled animal developed in South Africa specifically for meat and hardiness. They can produce more muscling in less time than other breeds of goats. "It may still be a while before goat meat is available in every market in America, but it is on its way. With a growing market, the meat goat industry has great potential for farmers and ranchers wanting to explore alternative enterprises," Funk said. Contact: Dona Funk, livestock specialist, headquartered in Cedar County, 417-276-3313, funkd@missouri.edu ************************************************************************ Sales by Farmers at Farmers Markets You’ve decided you want to start growing or raising on your land and you’d like to sell at the local farmers’ market. What do you need to know about charging tax? The following frequently asked questions are answered at www.dor.mo.gov/tax/business/faq/farmers.htm. *How do I register with the Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax? *Are processed foods and fresh foods subject to the same sales tax? *Should state sales tax be reported quarterly or annually? *Does a producer who travels to multiple markets in multiple cities have to charge the local sales tax rate in each city? *When do I need to file my returns? *I sell produce, crafts and bakery items. How do I charge and pay taxes on those items? *I’m a farmer and I sell produce. I didn’t think I had to pay taxes. Farmers that take their grain to market don’t have to pay taxes at the elevator. *My children have a produce business and they sell at our local farmers’ market. Do they to pay or charge taxes? *My husband and I sell our extra produce at the farmers’ market. We only make about $2,000 per season. Do we have to charge or pay taxes? *I sell processed beef. I take orders at the farmers’ market, take the beef to the processor and then deliver the beef to the customer’s home. How do I handle taxes? *I buy produce at auctions and from neighbors and resell the produce at a farmers’ market. *Do I need to pay taxes on these products? If so, how do I do so? *I sell honey at the farmers’ market. What is the sales tax rate? *Is the farmer’s stall at the farmers’ market considered a "regular stand or place of business away from this farm"? *If a farmer grows produce at home and sells it at farmers’ markets or along the roadside, should taxes be charged to the customer and remitted to the department? *Do I have to pay local sales tax on the sale of jams, jellies or baked goods that I process on my farm? ************************************************************************ Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease 1. Keep Your Distance. Restrict access to your property and your birds. Consider fencing off the area where your birds are to form a barrier between "clean" and "dirty" areas. The clean area is the immediate area surrounding your birds, and the dirty or buffer area must be considered to be infected with germs, even if the birds appear healthy and disease free. Allow only people who take care of your birds to come into contact with them. Your caretakers should not attend bird shows or other events where birds are present. If visitors to your property want to see your birds, be sure they wash up first and clean their shoes. Better yet, keep clean boots for visitors to wear. If your visitors have birds of their own, do not let them near your birds at all. Game birds and migratory waterfowl should not have contact with your flock because they can carry germs and diseases. If your birds are outdoors, try to keep them in a screened area. 2. Keep It Clean. You wouldn’t think of tracking dirt and disease into your house, where it could infect your family. Don’t do that to your birds either! Germs can be picked up on shoes and clothing and moved from one area to another. To keep your birds "germ-free," keep a pair of shoes and a set of clothes to wear only around your birds. Many people keep these clean clothes in a covered pail at the entrance to their bird area. Or, clean and disinfect your shoes and launder your clothes before you check on or work with your birds. Scrubbing your shoes with a long-handled scrub brush and disinfectant will remove droppings, mud, or debris. Clothes should be washed in a washing machine with laundry detergent. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, water, and a disinfectant before entering your bird area. Keep cages, food, and water clean on a daily basis. Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in contact with your birds or their droppings. That includes tools such as feed scoops, shovels, rakes, and brooms. All manure must be removed before disinfectant can work, so clean surfaces with soap and water first. Properly dispose of dead birds by burial or incineration or take them to a landfill. Check on local ordinances for acceptable disposal methods. 3. Don’t Haul Disease Home. Car and truck tires, poultry cages, and equipment can all harbor "germs." If you travel to a location where other birds are present, or even to the feed store, be sure to clean and disinfect these items before you return to your property. Taking some of your birds to a fair or exhibition? Keep those birds separated from the rest of your flock and watch them for at least 2 weeks after the event to ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease. New birds should be kept separate from your flock for at least 30 days before putting them with the rest of your birds. To prevent disease, it is best not to mix young and old birds or birds from different species or different sources. 4. Don’t Borrow Disease From Your Neighbor. Do not share birds, lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect them before they reach your property. And remember to clean and disinfect borrowed items before returning them. Never share items such as wooden pallets or cardboard egg cartons because they are porous and cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected. 5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird Diseases. Many bird diseases can be difficult to diagnose. The list below includes some of the things to look for that signal something might be wrong with your birds. Early detection of signs is very important to prevent the spread of disease. *Sudden death *Diarrhea *Decreased or complete loss of egg production; soft-shelled, misshapen eggs *Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing *Lack of energy and appetite *Swelling of tissues around eyes and in neck *Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs *Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, incoordination, complete paralysis 6. Report Sick Birds. Do not wait to report unusual signs of disease or unexpected deaths among your birds. Call your agricultural extension agent, local veterinarian, the State Veterinarian, or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services office. USDA operates a toll-free hotline (1-866-536-7593) with veterinarians to help you. USDA wants to test sick birds to make sure they do not have a serious poultry disease. There is no charge for USDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct a disease investigation. Early reporting is important to protecting the health of your birds! Disinfectants Cleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important steps you can take in practicing backyard biosecurity. Below are some examples of disinfectants available on the market. Follow the directions on the label carefully for the best results. Thoroughly clean and scrub objects before applying disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work on top of caked-on dirt and manure, so thoroughly wash surfaces before disinfecting. Apply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. Allow adequate contact time (follow manufacturer’s instructions.) Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations. *Examples of Disinfectants *Roccal ®: Mix _ fluid oz of Roccal per gallon of water. *Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 fluid oz of Nolvasan per gallon of water. *Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix _ cup of household bleach per gallon of water. *Lysol ® spray for footwear *Purell® hand pump for hand disinfection Note: Trade names mentioned here do not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty of these products. USDA bears no responsibility resulting from the use of the described products. These procedures are not guaranteed to prevent highly contagious diseases from affecting your birds; however, they will reduce the risks. Why Be Concerned? An outbreak of a bird disease such as exotic Newcastle disease or highly pathogenic avian influenza could not only harm or kill your birds, it could spread quickly and kill other nearby birds. Early detection and reporting is the most important step in eradicating a disease outbreak. Don’t be afraid of "crying wolf." State and Federal veterinarians want to hear about sick and dying birds. There is no charge for USDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct a disease investigation. Call 1-866-536-7593. You are the best protection your birds have! (Taken from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/tips.html) ************************************************************************ *** In Print/On-Line *** *MidWest Plan Service (MWPS) Affordable, Practical Publication for Agriculture* - MWPS publishes practical, low-cost and free materials on agricultural engineering; farm business management; livestock; construction; ventilation; grain and postharvest; soil, air, and water management; manure management; farm safety; green houses; home design and maintenance; and more. For more info www.mwpshq.org *Making A Difference for America’s Small Farmers and Ranchers in the 21st Century* The USDA Small Farms Coordinators released its third progress and achievements report, "Making A Difference for America’s Small Farmers and Ranchers in the 21st Century." The report provides highlights of the continuing efforts made by USDA to assist the Nation's small farmers, ranchers, and farm workers since the USDA National Commission on Small Farms published its report, "A Time to Act", in January 1998. The report was electronically released and printed copies are not available. A copy of the report can be viewed or downloaded from the SmallFarms@USDA web site http://www.usda.gov/oce/smallfarm/reports/pa_rpt3-makinghome.htm. *Natural Control of Varroa and Tracheal Mites by Using Russian Queen Bees* a new honeybee DVD made available for beekeepers that was funded in part by a grant from the North Central Risk Management Education Center. To order the DVD, send an e-mail request to Perry Garner at perry@ruralusa.org or call 1-800-858-6636. There is a $15.00 charge for the DVD (shipping is included in the price). *Smart Water Use on Your Farm or Ranch* spotlights innovative, SARE-funded research into a range of conservation options including soil management, such as using compost, conservation tillage and cover crops; plant management, featuring crop rotation, water-conserving plants and rangeland drought mitigation; and water management strategies such as low-volume irrigation and water recycling. For a free copy, go to www.sare.org/publications/water.htm, or san_assoc@sare.org or call 301-504-5411. ************************************************************************ *** IN THE NEWS *** ***Loans to (1) Beginning Farmers Ranchers; (2) Minorities and Women*** - As of Jan 31, 2006, the Farm Service Agency has made 2,941 loans to beginning farmers and ranchers in Fiscal Year 2006. This is an increase of 18 percent over the same time last year. As of Jan 31, 2006, FSA has made 1,321 loans to minorities and women in FY 2006. This is a 5 percent increase over the same time last year. For more information email Mark Falcone at mark.falcone@wdc.usda.gov. ***New Jams and Jellies Law in Effect*** *Jams, jellies, honey and some other non-hazardous foods can be prepared outside of certified kitchens - but ONLY if you sell it yourself at a roadside stand or FM and sell <$30,000 per year *The product must be clearly signed that you have prepared it in an uncertified kitchen *You will need to follow all sanitary regulations, only exempted from inspection *Be sure to check with county health department since if they have own guidelines less likely to offer this exemption ***Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants are Available*** - www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/FMPP/FMPPInfo.htm *To improve and expand domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities *Maximum grant award is $75,000 *Eligible entities are: agricultural cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public health corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities *May 1 is deadline (postmarked or submitted online) *Entity must have a DUNS number (required for federal grants - most entities will have one unless you are new entity and it’s easy to obtain) ************************************************************************ *** ON THE CALENDAR *** April 1 - Farmers Exhibition 2006, Shawnee, KS. hartwood2@mindspring.com April 8 - Farmers Exhibition 2006, Kansas City, MO. hartwood2@mindspring.com April 19-20 - Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show, Kansas City, MO. 913-491-6500. April 27 - Carefree Rose Workshop, Columbia, MO Call 660-665-9866. May 6 - Family Farm 2006 - America’s First Freedom, Silex, MO. Call 573-485-7261. May 11 - Compost and Green Manure Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-547-7513. June 1, 8, 15 - Annie’s Project 2: Women Marketing Grain, Palmyra, MO. Call 573-633-2640. June 5-9 - Artificial Insemination Goat Clinic, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5551. June 28-30 - Grant I Writing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. July 12-14 - Grant II Writing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. July 20-22 - Grazing America: The American Grassfed Assn’s Annual Conference, Colorado Springs, CO. Call 303-243-4300, www.americangrassfed.org/index.html July 30 - MO Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives Annual Summer Tour, Chillicothe, MO. Call 573/751-8467. Aug 9-11 - Grant III Writing Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. Aug 10-20 - 2006 MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO Aug 15-17 - 5th National SARE Conference, Oconomowoc, WI. Go to www.sare.org/ncrsare/2006_nationl_conference.htm Oct 14 - 4th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234, rhoadsj@missouri.edu; www.centerforagroforestry.org Oct 27-28 - MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Jefferson City. MO Green Hills Farm Project 2006 Farm Walk Schedule April 22-11 am, Kerry & Barb Buchmayer, Purdin, MO, 660-244-5858 This organic dairy family is well known for their tasty milk and eggs but their tenacity for marketing has carried them towards success! Come and see the processing plant where the milk is processed and bottled in glass. The Buchmayer's also churn butter! They have pastured layers and katahdin sheep, working dogs and an Akbash guard dog. Bring the checkbook and take home some samples! Bring a covered dish and lawn chairs. May 20-3 pm Ray & Susan Stropes, Chilhowee, MO 816-653-4467 We always enjoy visiting the Stropes Farm. Their lovely home sits right on a small lake where one can look over the vast pastures and cattle. Come see how Ray & Susan manage their cattle. Ray always has a new idea he is working on. Bring a covered dish and lawn chairs. June 15-5 pm, John & Jackie Woods, Smithville, MO, 816-532-3795 This farm has been in the family for many generations. Raising Cattle and goats using a MIG, the Woods continue to farm despite the growing urban sprawl around them. Having a farm so close to the urban area presents great opportunities and challenges. Bring lawn chairs and a covered dish. July 20-5 pm, Matt & Tina Reichert, Brunswick, MO, 660-548-3283 Using MIG methods to manage their cattle and goats, the Reichert family has worked hard these past years to convert brushy hill ground into great grazing pastures. The Bed and Breakfast and youth camps are continuing to grow. Bring lawn chairs and a covered dish. Aug 17-5 pm John & Rose Blaszak, Polo, MO, 660-354-3438 John & Rose and their growing family are like many of us who pursue careers off the farm and have that dream of a farm on a little acreage. Raising chickens for meat and a garden is a great way to bring that dream to reality. Bring lawn chairs and a covered dish. Sept 21-5 pm, Jordan & Anne Bentley, Brookfield, MO, 660-388-6825 City Slickers think'n they're going to homestead!? Jordan & Anne have bought just less than 40 acres with nothing but a pond on it. They have been raising chickens, turkeys and lambs for the past six years on rented ground. They will begin raising the same this spring on the new home place. All pastured meats are direct marketed locally or in Kansas City. They have not built a home as of the first of the year, but they will be living there this spring. This is a dream come true for the Bentleys! Contact them early this spring for directions or call Barb Buchmayer. Their contact information will change this spring! Bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Oct 19-4 pm, Doug & Diane Peterson, Ridgeway, MO, 660-824-4276 Doug and Diane raise cattle and use MIG methods. "We have a cattle only operation at this time. We have expanded quite a bit in the last few years and are still trying to get everything figured out. We will try and look at one or two different grazing systems. One will be fairly large with 200 cows being run together as one herd. This large of a herd have some very unique benefits and problems. Because we expanded our grass base faster than we wanted to purchase cows we run a combination of our own cows plus some contract cows for other people. We have also started selling a limited amount of grass fed all natural beef to customers in the Kansas City/St. Joe area. We are a family operation." Bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Nov-Workshop/Seminar will be announced 2006 Market Gardening Workshops Growing Growers Program For more information on each of these workshops, call 913-488-1270, growers@ksu.edu April 3--General Plant Production Workshop, Kansas City, KS. May 8--Equipment and Safety Workshop, Olathe, KS. June 5--Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling Workshop, TBA. July 10--The Taste and Nutrition of Local Vegetables Workshop, Lawrence, KS. Aug 27--Pests, Diseases and Weeds, Independence, MO. Sept 25--An Integrated Farm, Higginsville, MO. Oct 21--Business Management for Small Farms, TBA.