Ag Opportunities Volume 19, Number 11 November 2008 "One Garden" Seed Bank By Andy Read, Horticulture Specialist, Phelps County Interest in heirloom varieties of vegetables is increasing in recent years. Many people are rediscovering the unmatched flavors and unique appearance that heirloom vegetables offer. Modern plant breeding has largely focused on producing hybrid varieties of plants. Many of these varieties are bred to ripen uniformly, look similar and ship well. These traits however are not important to most home gardeners. Consumer interest is also building as the availability of "old fashioned" varieties of vegetables increases. Heirloom varieties of vegetables will breed true from seed as opposed to hybrid varieties that will not come back true from seed. Using non-hybrid seed lines allow gardeners to select and save seed from superior plants growing in their own gardens. Over time, this selection can lead to cultivars of plants that grow well in specific micro-climates. I recently had the opportunity to visit with a seed bank in Brixey, Missouri. One Garden seed bank is operated by Daniel Roth. One Garden is a non-profit organization made up by local seed savers and ecologists. One Garden seed bank currently preserves over 1,000 seed varieties. The seeds are held in a temperature and humidity controlled room in the basement of a former church in the town of Brixey. One Garden's collection is actually the combination of three separate seed collections. The original seed collection was started by Vinnie McKinney at Elixir Farm near Brixey. For nearly 30 years Vinnie has grown and marketed approximately 400 species of plants. The Elixir Farm seed collection was comprised largely of seeds from Chinese and North American native medicinal plants. According to One Garden's website Chinese herbalists visiting the Ozarks found a variety of plants similar to those growing and being used in their native land. Vinnie concentrated on using Elixir Farm to produce the varieties of medicinal plants that are most adapted to our climate. The second seed collection was donated by Robert Newman, former curator of the Nanjing Botanical Garden in China. Mr. Newman collaborated with Elixir farm while gathering plants in the Ozarks to add to the collection at the Nanjing Botanical Garden. The final collection of seeds was contributed by Alan Kapuler of the very successful seed company Seeds of Change. Kapuler's vision was to preserve a representation of the entire planet's botanical gene pool. One Garden's curator Daniel Roth decided that while this was an interesting project, it was not practical for an operation the size of One Garden. Imagine trying to maintain plant species from around the world in one location. This may be possible in some Mediterranean climates but I've never noticed any papaya growing in the Ozarks. Roth and the One Garden board of directors have focused on collecting, reserving and sharing the plants that grow well in the Ozarks. Roth states that, "We are interested in hearing from people the varieties that were important in their childhood and their growing up years and in trying to capture some oral histories of seeds that are significant." The idea behind One Garden is to get seeds into the hands of Ozark farmers and gardeners to be grown under somewhat standardized conditions. Growers will then report back on their results to the seed bank. One Garden's curators will then use this information to decide which varieties to maintain. "One Garden is an effort to express the idea of a holistic approach to forestry, agriculture and responsible use of energy in the production of crops," says Roth. "You can't garden without being concerned about the whole of the environment. All these issues are related. By developing a collection of seeds for plants well suited to the Ozarks environment and passing along information about organic gardening practices that sustain the soil, the air and the water supply, One Garden strives to protect and improve the Ozark eco-system." I look forward to collaborating with Daniel and One Garden in the upcoming growing seasons. One of my major projects this year has been the development of community garden plots throughout the south central region of the state. It will be very interesting to evaluate and compare plants grown in the various community garden plots. You can visit (http://www.one-garden.org/) for more information about One Garden. ********************************************************************** USDA Announces Amended Farm Bill Provisions and New Sign Up Deadline Owners and operators of farms with 10 or fewer base acres now have the opportunity to receive payments for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program. On Oct. 13, 2008, President George W. Bush signed a bill that made amendments to the 2008 Farm Bill. These amendments apply to farms with crop acreage bases of 10 acres or less. These changes and clarifications allow some producers more flexibility in farming practices and create new sign-up opportunities with new deadlines for some farms. The amendments also apply to the new Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) Program. 10-Base Acre Limit Changes As originally enacted under the 2008 Farm Bill, direct and countercyclical payments (DCP) could not be made with respect to farms with crop acreage bases of 10 acres or less. The new law makes that provision inapplicable for the 2008 crop year. Related to this, producers on a farm with 10 acres or less of base may now, under the new law, enroll their farms until Nov. 26, 2008, in the 2008 DCP program. This extension of the original Sept. 30 deadline only applies to producers who were previously excluded because of the minimum acreage requirement. USDA began issuing payments to producers on farms with 10 base acres or less who had already enrolled in the DCP program soon after the President signed the new law. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) will now resume allowing reconstitutions for farms with 10 acres of base or less according to normal reconstitution rules and policy. Eligible producers may sign up for DCP at any FSA office or enroll on the FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp click on Access eDCP Services. Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) Changes Under SURE in the 2008 Farm Bill, producers seeking disaster benefits must generally have obtained crop insurance or coverage under the Non-insured crop disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for all crops on all farms. Under the new law (P.L. 110-398), producers with crops that had 2009 crop insurance sales closing dates before Aug. 14, 2008, may pay a fee through Jan. 12, 2009, to participate in SURE. Producers may make their SURE participation fee payments to their local FSA office at this time. The SURE program fee is equal to the fee for catastrophic coverage. Payment of the SURE program fee will not make the producer eligible for insurance coverage. Producers also have a new minimum loss threshold under SURE. Under the new law, to qualify for payments, there must be a production loss of at least 10 percent for at least one crop of economic significance on the farm. Under the SURE program, the new law provides that when a second crop is planted after the first crop was prevented from being planted, or if such first crop failed, the second planting will not count toward the SURE program guarantee or total farm revenue. This is true except in areas where double-cropping is a normal practice. Producers also are not required to purchase crop insurance or a NAP policy for the second crop. By provision of the new statute, the purchase of insurance or a NAP policy for grazed acreage is no longer a requirement for the SURE program. However, such insurance is required as a condition for payment for the livestock feed program, tree assistance program and the emergency livestock, honeybees and farm-related fish programs. In addition, the new law amends SURE eligibility so that crop insurance or NAP coverage is no longer required for crops that are not of economic significance or those where the administrative fee required to buy NAP coverage exceeds 10 percent of the value of the coverage. Producers can contact their local FSA office for more information regarding SURE program implementation. NAP (Non-Insured crop disaster Assistance Program) Application Deadline Changes NAP application closing dates for the 2009 crops have been extended to Dec. 1, 2008. This extension for 2009 NAP applies to those crops having an application closing date prior to Dec. 1, 2008. This extension was authorized due to the late enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill and to accommodate those applicants wanting to participate in disaster assistance programs under the 2008 Act's Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance for their 2009 crops. ********************************************************************** MDA Seeks Specialty Crop Grant Proposals The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking grant proposals from organizations or groups of individuals interested in enhancing the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops (including floriculture). Livestock, poultry, marine or fresh water aquaculture are not considered specialty crops. Grain and feed crops such as barley, corn, hay, oats, alfalfa, rye, and wheat are also not eligible for funding under this program. "Specialty crops are an important segment of Missouri agriculture," said Lane McConnell, MDA Marketing Specialist. 'This funding can help producers with research, production, promotion, processing, education, and distribution, and can benefit retail or wholesale producers as well." MDA is requesting the grant proposals as part of its effort to develop a state plan for the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. According to the USDA guidelines, examples of "enhancing the competitiveness" of specialty crops includes, but is not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, "buy local" programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distributions systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives. Proposals that involve collaboration or partnerships between producers, industry groups, academics, or other organizations are encouraged and will be given priority. Deadline for submitting applications is Monday, January 5, 2009 by 4:00 p.m. There is $90,000 available for grant funds. The division of funds will be based on the quality of proposals as recommended in the formal grant selection process. A $5,000 maximum amount is available for each grant, but the department reserves the right to award an outstanding project(s) with more grant funds. Only one proposal per organization will be accepted. For grant proposal guidelines and application information, please visit the MDA Web site www.mda.mo.gov or call 866-466-8283. For questions regarding the grant opportunity contact Lane McConnell at 573-526-4984 or via e-mail Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov ********************************************************************** Cost-Share Monies Available to Missouri Organic Producers The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program, the department is helping to provide cost-share monies to Missouri producers. The cost-share program provides assistance for qualified organic producers in the areas of crop, wild crop or livestock and handlers of agricultural products who obtain certification under USDA's National Organic Program.This program will allow MDA to reimburse each eligible producer up to 75% of their certification costs, not exceeding $750. Since funds are limited, MDA will process applications in the order received until all funds are consumed. For organic producers to qualify, applicants will be required to complete a signed application and supply a copy of their organic certificates along with an invoice documenting their cost of certification. To obtain an application and complete guidelines, visit www.mda.mo.gov/abd/organic.htm. ********************************************************************** *** In Print/On-Line *** Five farmers market-related publications available online from the University of California Small Farm Program - also available for sale in print: Starting a New Farmers' Market Management Skills for Market Managers Growing Your Farmers' Market Food Safety at Farmers' Markets and Agritourism Venues Guide to Managing Risks and Liability at California Certified Farmers' Markets Go to www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/farmers_market/index.html *Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide: A Producer’s Guide to Marketing Locally Grown Food* Available from the Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/business_resources/index.jsp *Planning an Event - Consider Serving Local Food* publication is now officially available on the UW-Extension website at learningstore.uwex.edu/Planning-an-EventConsider-Serving-Local-Food-P1 288C0.aspx ********************************************************************** *** IN THE NEWS *** The U.S. Department of Agriculture will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Oct. 24 that would amend the National Organic Program (NOP) livestock standards to clarify the role that pasture plays in the production of organic ruminants. The proposed rule takes into consideration previous comments from the organic industry, consumers and other organizations, as well as several National Organic Standards Board recommendations. The comment period for the proposed rule closes on Dec. 23, 2008. The proposed rule will be accessible on the NOP website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop under "Today’s News." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension website, http://agecon.unl.edu/mark/country_of_origin.html explains the details of the Country of Origin Labeling law that went into effect September 30. The law will require livestock producers to document where their livestock was born, raised and processed. The site includes a series of fact sheets, videos and other educational materials for livestock producers, meat processors, retailers, extension educators and consumers. The new Web site will help "anyone in the food system from farm to fork," said Darrell Mark, UNL extension livestock marketing specialist. (Weekly Harvest News, Oct 22, 2008) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Auburn, Ala., compared three different roller designs for knocking down hay, rye and other cover crops. The first roller has a traditional design with long, straight, horizontal bars. The second has diagonal bars that curve around the roller. The third has a smooth drum attached to a crimping bar that mashes the rye as the machine moves forward. Scientists found that all three models killed enough rye--90 percent or more--to enable farmers to begin planting cash crops in the field within three weeks. The crimping-bar roller yielded the best results. The one-pass process saves money, reduces soil erosion and runoff, helps control weeds, conserves water in the soil and decreases or eliminates the need for herbicides. Machinery such as this complements other efforts, notably at the Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania, to develop and refine organic no- and low-till strategies. Full article may be read online at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080903.htm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture has summarized the data gathered during the Organic Farm Business Management Project, an educational program that helps farmers make solid business decisions based on their actual expense and income data. Project goals are to document financial performance of organic farms for the farming and lending communities and provide both groups with accurate data on which to make decisions. The 2007 Organic Farm Performance in Minnesota report documents that median net income on organic farms increased from $31,489 in 2006 to $58,886 in 2007 organic crop farms were more profitable than organic dairy farms financial performance of organic farms generally increased with farm size farms that owed the least debt were the least profitable. The report also includes average yields, prices, and production expenses for seven different organic crops, pasture, and dairy. The report may be downloaded for free from the web at http://www.mgt.org/fbm/reports/2007/orgfarmbusmgmt08web.pdf ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has launched an online resource to aid farmers and ranchers in focusing on how to protect against down-side risks, as well as how best to take advantage of up-side opportunities in the market. The new resource, a sub-site of the RMA Web site called Farm-Risk-Plans.USDA.gov, allows producers to complete a risk management checklist, identify their enterprise’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and explore a wealth of risk management information. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pecan growers might be able to boost their profits by growing pecans organically, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists studying production systems for this popular tree nut. In 2002, ARS scientists led by Joe Bradford, research leader at the agency's Integrated Farming and Natural Resources Research Unit in Weslaco, Texas, began transitioning a 27-year-old, conventionally managed pecan orchard to a certified-organic-managed system. The 20-acre test site is located within the Gebert commercial pecan orchard in Comanche County in north-central Texas. Contrary to conventional growers' expectations, the ARS organically treated test site out-yielded the conventionally managed, chemically fertilized Gebert orchard in each of the past five years. Yields on ARS' organic test site surpassed the Gebert commercial orchard by 18 pounds per tree in 2005, and by 12 pounds per tree in 2007. The conventional management system generates about $1,750 per acre when the crop is sold. But the ARS certified-organic-management system would gross $5,290 per acre. For more info go to http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/081104.htm ********************************************************************** *** ON THE CALENDAR *** Nov 5-Stock Dog Clinic, Columbia MO. Call 800-633-2535. Nov 6-8 - 16th National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference, Columbia, MO. Call 800-633-2535, smallfarm@socket.net, www.smallfarmtoday.com/tradeshow. Nov 7 - The Five Practices of Agroforestry, Hardin, IL. Call 217-285-4114 Nov 8-Rare Breed Swine Initiative, Columbia, MO. Call 919-542-5704. Nov 11-Beginning Vegetable Production Workshop, Seymour, MO. Call 417-862-9284, byerspl@missouri.edu Nov 19 - Grow Native! Membership Meeting and Workshop, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-522-4171, www.grownative@mda.mo.gov Nov 21-Farmers' Market Workshop: Finding the Salesmanship in You, Hannibal, MO. Call 573-751-4339 , Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov Nov 24-8th Annual Iowa Organic Conference, Ames, IA. Go to www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic08/home.html Dec 1-6-2008 ACRES USA Annual Conference and Trade Show: Building a Better Eco-Farm, St Louis, MO. Call 1-800-355-5313. Dec 2-Windbreaks: Reducing energy use and helping control odor, Neosho, MO. Call 573-884-7991 or e-mail WalterD@missouri.edu Dec 3 - Home Winemaking, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-547-7513. Dec 4-Farmers' Market Workshop: Direct Marketing, St Joseph, MO. Call 573-751-4339 , Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov Dec 4-6 - 2008 Acres U.S.A. Conference, St Louis, MO. Call 1-800-355-5313 Dec 5-6 - Missouri Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO, http://missourilivestock.com Dec 6-Rural Life Day, Jefferson City, MO. Call (573) 635-9127 x 225. Email: socconcerns@diojeffcity.org Dec 11-Farmers' Market Workshop: Growing for a Farmers’ Market, Fredericktown, MO. Call 573-751-4339 , Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov Jan 3-6 - Western Nursery and Landscape Association Expo, Overland Park, KS. Go to www.wlna.org Jan 8 - High Tunnels Workshop or Community Supported Agriculture Mini-School, St. Joseph, MO. Go to http://extension.missouri.edu/buchanan/GPVGC.shtml Jan 9-10 - Great Plains Vegetable Conference, St. Joseph, MO. Go to http://extension.missouri.edu/buchanan/GPVGC.shtml Jan 9-10 - Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference, Marshalltown IA. http://www.practicalfarmers.org/assets/files/2009%20Conference%20broch ure.pdf Jan 17 - MO Christmas Tree Association Winter Meeting, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-243-5501 Jan 20 - Farmers' Market Workshop: Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market, Columbia, MO. Call 573-751-4339 Jan 21-24 - 2009 Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference, Chattanooga, TN. Go to http://www.ssawg.org/conference-.html Jan 27 - Farmers' Market Workshop: Direct Marketing, Blue Springs, MO. Call 573-751-4339. Jan 29-31 - 2009 Missouri Farmers Union Convention, Ste. Genevieve, MO. Call 573-659-4787. Feb 1-4 - North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association Conference, Savanah, GA. Go to http://www.nafdma.com/ Feb 6 - Missouri Nut Growers Association Annual Nut Evaluation & Show, Nevada, MO. Call 417-436-2351. Feb 7 - Missouri Nut Growers Association Annual Meeting, Nevada, MO. Call 417-436-2351. Feb 10 - Farmers' Market Workshop: Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market, St. Peters, MO. Call 573-751-4339 Feb 16-18 - MO Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Springfield, MO. Call 417-547-7533 Feb 20-21 - Grow Native Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind, Kirksville, MO. Call 573-522-4171, http://www.grownative.org Feb 21 - Missouri Organic Association’s Annual Conference, Jefferson City, MO. Call 800-433-3704. Feb 26-29 - Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, La Cross, WI. Call 715-772-3153 or info@mosesorganic.org March 6 - Farmers' Market Workshop: Growing for a Farmers' Market Springfield, MO. Call 573-751-4339 March 12 - High Tunnel Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Contact Pamela Mayer http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/events/afta/index.asp March 6-7 - MO and KS Beekeeping Associations Joint Conference, Overland Park, KS. Call 636-394-5395. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Green Hills Farm Project Farm Walks Green Hills Farm Project welcomes all families to our open farm walks. Always bring your children! Please call ahead to advise the host family of the number attending and to get directions. The host family provides main meat course and drinks. Please bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Come on out and join us for a great time of fellowship and sharing on our farms! Nov 22 - Ben & Nancy Coleman, Callao. MO. Call 660-768-5743. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing Missouri's Farmers’ Market Industry...One grower at a time! Local direct marketing provides growers with a lucrative opportunity to sell directly to consumers at retail prices. Farmers’ markets are growing in popularity and in number, as consumers are becoming more health conscious and aware of the benefits of buying fresh, locally grown produce. Recently, Missouri has seen an increase of farmers’ markets more than 140 markets around the state. These markets are poised to be successful local markets, but more growers are needed to supply a variety of products to satisfy the consumer demand. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Missouri Farmers’ Market Workshop Locations Nov. 21: Finding the Salesman in You, Hannibal, MO Quality Inn & Suites Dec. 4: Finding the Salesman in You, St. Joseph, MO Buchanan County Ext. Office Dec. 11: Growing for a Farmers’ Market, Fredericktown, MO Eagles Lodge Jan. 20: Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market, Columbia, MO Courtyard by Marriott Jan. 27: Finding the Salesman in You, Blue Springs, MO Courtyard by Marriott Feb. 10: Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market, St. Peters, MO St. Charles County Ext. Office March 6: Growing for a Farmers’ Market, Springfield, MO Springfield Library Center The workshops are sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Go online to find more about the upcoming workshops http://www.mda.mo.gov. To register: Contact the MDA at 573-751-4339 or go online to: http://www.mofarmersmarket.blogspot.com. Registration is $15 per person (which includes your lunch) and payment is due 7 days prior to the workshop. Please make checks payable to MDA Market Development Fund. Walk-ins the day of the workshop will be $20 per person. Missouri Department of Agriculture Lane McConnell Marketing Specialist 1616 Missouri Blvd. Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-526-4984 Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov http://www.mofarmersmarket.blogspot.com **********************************************************************