Ag Opportunities Volume 20, Number 1 January 2009 Making Sense of Food Labeling by Sam Angima Small Farm Specialist Oregon State University (Reprinted with permission from Oregon Small Farm News, Vol 4 No 1) Food labeling is becoming more complex and confusing these days. You may see labels such as `Free Range', or `Hormone Free', `Fair Trade', `Locally Grown' etc, but what do they really mean? The food industry is experiencing tremendous growth in the organic and natural food sectors, and thus, the reason why you are seeing more of these labels and claims. Here are some explanations from USDA on labels (http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/): Organic labels include: USDA Certified Organic: crops grown without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Animals raised on an organic operation must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors. They are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. To sell `Certified Organic' product, producers must meet the standards of the National Organic Program and be inspected by a licensed organic certifying agent - include a fee. USDA has begun discussions regarding the `Natural' label but no certification has been granted so it is currently considered a label claim. Another label gaining in popularity is `Locally Grown'. Consumers are demanding their products with more intensity and have been educated on how nutritious locally grown produce can be. The concept of `Buy Local' has also expanded and consumers know that their food purchasing power impacts their local environment, economy and agricultural communities. * 100% Organic: must contain only organically produced ingredients. * Organic: must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients. * Made with Organic Ingredients: must contain at least 70% organic ingredients * Natural: product does not contain artificial flavor, coloring ingredients, chemical preservatives or any other artificial or synthetic ingredients and the product and its ingredients are not more than minimally processed. * Minimal processing: traditional processes used to make food edible, preserve it or make safe or physical processes that do not fundamentally alter the raw products or that only separate a whole food into component parts (such as ground beef). There are exceptions to the use of the `Natural' claim. * Hormone-Free: no additional hormones where administered to the animal beyond those that occur in the animals natural biological processes. There is no standard definition of this method of production. * Fair-Trade: a term used to describe a social responsibility movement demanding that farmers receive fair prices for their products; also describes products that are produced by these farmers. There is no standard definition of this method of production. * Free Range: implies that a meat or poultry product comes from an animal that was raised in the open air or was free to roam. There is no standard definition of this method of production. A study in Lincoln County, for example, shows that of one dollar spent locally, 68 cents stays and `recycles' in the community keeping jobs and revitalizing the local economy. However, a Chile grown apple for example has its dollar divided up according to contractual obligations among the local retailer, the grocery's distributor, third-party transportation company, and finally the grower in Chile. I think that time has come for local producers to stretch their imagination on how they can use labeling, either individually or as a cooperative, to increase their local share in sales to local consumers. There is a big and growing demand especially in our urban areas for locally grown food. This is evidenced by the huge number of people coming and buying at local farmers' markets. As you plan for next year's season, think of ways to brand your product even for local consumers to increase your footprint in promoting local consumption and increase your sales. ********************************************************************** Grants Now Available for Value-Added Agriculture Projects The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA), housed within the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), today announced grants available to farmers interested in turning their crops and livestock into more valuable processed products.˙ Missouri Value-Added Grants are available to farmers for obtaining financial and technical assistance on projects that develop, process or market agricultural goods. "These value-added grants spur the types of progressive projects that are necessary to boost rural economic development in our state," said Don Steen, director of MDA.˙ "Despite state budget constraints, it is very important that we continue to provide Missouri farmers with the money that could mean the difference between moving ahead and remaining stagnant in the industry." Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. ˙Applications will be considered individually and judged on the following: ˙ 1 Economic development potential for the agricultural industry. 2 Credibility and merit. 3 Probability of near-term commercialization and practical application of project results. 4 Presence, source and level of matching funds. Where the project will have an economic impact. The maximum individual grant is $200,000 with at least 10% of the available funding going to grant requests of $25,000 or less.˙˙ A 10% cash match toward eligible expenses is required to be provided by the applicant.˙ Operating expenses, salaries or capital expenditures are not eligible expenditures. Applications must be received by MASBDA no later than 5 p.m.. Fri., Jan. 23, 2009.˙ Incomplete applications will not be accepted.˙ For more information on the program and complete guidelines, please contact MASBDA at (573) 751-2129 or masbda@mda.mo.gov. ********************************************************************** Missouri Organic Annual Conference "Winter Training for Rookies and Veterans" Feb 21, 2009 Jefferson City, MO The annual Missouri Organic Association Conference will be held Saturday, February 21, at Lincoln University's Carver Farm in Jefferson City, MO.˙ This year's conference will have two tracks.˙ One track will focus on information for experienced producers with the second track focusing on information for beginning or prospective producers of organic food. The goal of the Missouri Organic Association is to bring together Missouri organic growers, gardeners, consumers and all advocates of organic methods in a united effort to spread an understanding of the importance of a healthy food supply system and to promote the growing and eating of organic foods. The agenda for the conference is still being finalized.˙ At this time we have the following speakers confirmed. Track for experienced producers: 1 Organic Dairy Production, Dr. Scott Poock, MU State Extension Vet Med Specialist 2 Selling Raw Milk, Rachel Bax, Missouri Milk Board 3 Organic Grain Production, Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University˙˙˙ Track for beginning and prospective producers: 1 Grow Your Farm, Dean Wilson, MU Extension Ag and Rural Development Specialist, Jefferson County 2 Small Farmers' Outreach Program, Sanjun Gu, Lincoln University, State Horticulture Specialist 3 Missouri Dept. of Agriculture Programs for Prospective and Beginning Farmers, Lane McConnell, Marketing Specialist, Missouri Dept. of Agriculture 3 Growing Growers and Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture (KCCUA), Katherine Kelly, Executive Director of KCCUA 5 EarthDance Organic Farming Apprenticeship Program, Molly Rockamann, EarthDance, Ferguson, MO 6 Organic Certification, Sue Baird Topics to be presented to all attendees: 1 Soils, Bob Kremer, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) 2 Marketing Opportunities - Presentations by buyers of a wide variety of food items from across the state. This will include farm-to-school and farmers' market opportunities. Other topics of interest will include small fruits, vegetables, and livestock.˙ Also included is a trade show with exhibits from extension, research and agencies, as well as buyers of organic products and producers.˙ An organic lunch will be served.˙ For additional information go to www.missouriorganic.org or call 573-882-1905. ********************************************************************** 2009 Missouri Grape Production Short Course This educational opportunity is designed to familiarize current and potential grape growers with cultural practices throughout the growing season.˙ Participants will receive: Knowledge, a binder with reference materials, and a chance to network and build contacts with other grape growers. The course will have 7 meeting dates from February to October 2009. Thursday, February 26, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Dormant * Site Selection * Plant Materials * Propagation * Vineyard Establishment * Pruning * Vertebrate Pest Management Thursday, April 9, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Bud Burst * Varieties * Vineyard Weed Management * Disease and Insect Pest Management Thursday, May 7, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Pre-Bloom * Management Overview * Trellis System Selection * Trellis System Materials and Installation * Canopy and Crop Load Management Thursday, June 4, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Midseason * Irrigation * Disease and Insect Pest Management * Nutritional Monitoring and Fertilization Thursday, July 9, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Veraison * Management Overview * Cover Crops and Row Middle Management * Preparation for Harvest and Sampling * Harvest and Handling of Wine Grapes * Vertebrate Pest Management Thursday, September 10, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Harvest * Management Overview * Wine Styles and Quality Evaluation * Grape Contracts and Grower/Winery Relations Thursday, October 22, 1-5 pm Vine Stage: Post harvest * Review of Season * Rootstocks * Equipment * Grape Production Budgets * Soil Pit Evaluation Classes will be held at Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport, Missouri in the Bistro with ample time spent in the vineyard. Course size is limited to the first 70 registrants. Fee: $300 per person for in-state, $400 per person for out-of-state attendees. Fees are non-refundable. For more information contact Holly Caple, 573-882-6656, CapleH@missouri.edu˙ Deadline for registration is February 20, 2009. ˙ ********************************************************************** Green Hills Farm Project Winter Seminar William Winter, DVM, is the featured speaker at the annual Green Hills Farm Project Winter Seminar to be held February 6-7, 2009.˙ The seminar will begin Friday evening at 7 pm at the YMCA in Brookfield, MO.˙ The topic that evening will be nutrition and should be of interest to all.˙ There will be plenty of time for a question/answer session after his presentation.˙ The Saturday meeting, (the 7th), which begins at 10 am (registration starts at 9 am) at the Linneus Community Centre, Linneus MO, will cover a holistic approach to animal care (not using antibiotics) and why grass-fed and antibiotic-free are the best choices for consumers and ourselves.˙ The meal is potluck, so bring a side dish since˙drinks and grass-finished meat˙will be provided by the Green Hills Farm Project members.˙ Cost is $20 per family for GHFP members and $30 for nonmembers on Saturday.˙ The hat will be passed to help defray costs on Friday evening.˙Please RSVP to atpowell@windstream.net or call 660-963-2685. ********************************************************************** IN PRINT/ON-LINE *Woody Cut Stems for Growers and Florists* by Lane Greer and John Dole. This book provides an overview of production, including harvest and post harvest, defoliating branches, forcing blossoms and cutting from the wild. Available from Growing for Market, 800-307-8949, $40.00. *Kidding with Confidence* Kidding season is a challenging and highly critical time for new meat goat producers. The success of these first kidding seasons often determines whether new goat farms survive. Not only are productivity and profit limited when herds experience major health problems and death losses at kidding, but the accompanying emotional stress can irrevocably discourage new farmers. Reading books, looking at videos, and listening to experts on kidding can help prepare new farmers, but are nothing like the real thing. Assisting an experienced meat goat producer during his or her kidding season is one of the best ways to learn. This booklet is designed to help new producers pair up with experienced producers to set up a mentoring situation. The idea is that knowledgeable, experienced farmers are often the best teachers or coaches (i.e. mentors) for new farmers. Online at http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/goats/Resources/GoatArticles/GoatHealth/K idCare/KiddingHandbook.pdf *Organic Whole Farm Planning Workbook* This new workbook supports the transition process by guiding the user through developing a holistic transition plan and producing a completed organic farm plan as required by certifying agencies. Available from OFFER, 201 Thorne Hall, OSU/OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691. Make checks payable to OSU/OFFER. For more info call 330-202-3528. The *Policies and Procedures Guide* and *Worksite Guide* are new guides released by the National Children's Center for agritourism operators. Guides include a 10-page checklist for use by agritourism owners and managers, as well as farm owners who host children and groups. The guides are useful in reviewing health and safety considerations already implemented on agritourism operations, and can assist in identifying deficiencies so that remedial action can be taken. These guides can be downloaded at http://marshfieldclinic.org/agritourism. ********************************************************************** IN THE NEWS USDA has a value-added grant that unlike the MO Dept of Ag value-added grant, can be used to purchase equipment. The deadline is March 31. Complete details on the grant are on the USDA Rural Development website http://www.ezec.gov/rbs/coops/applicants.htm. Nathan Chitwood with USDA Rural Development in Columbia handles the USDA value-added grants and is the person to direct your questions to: nathan.chitwood@mo.usda.gov or 573-876-9320. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced intent to establish a new USDA Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets and the creation of a federal government-wide Conservation and Land Management Environmental Services Board. The Board will assist the Secretary of Agriculture in the development of new technical guidelines and science-based methods to assess and promote markets for ecosystem services including carbon trading to mitigate climate change. The first ecosystem services to be examined will be carbon sequestration. For more go to http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_2KD?contentidonly=tr ue&contentid=2008/12/0307.xml ********************************************************************** ON THE CALENDAR Jan 13-15-MidAmerica Fruit Growers Conference, Columbia MO. Go to http://www.midamericafruit.org/ Jan 16-17-Missouri Agritourism Conference, Lake Ozark, MO. Call 573-526-4984 . 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 22-Missouri Aquaculture Assn Annual Conference, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-526-6666. Jan 23-Aquaculture Biosecurity Workshop, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-526-6666, www.moaa.pond.org . Jan 22-23-Heartland Agriculture and Natural Resources Expo, Poplar Bluff, MO. Call 573-686-8064 Jan 27-Farmers' Market Workshop: Direct Marketing, Blue Springs, MO. Call 573-751-4339. Jan 27- Prescribed Burn Workshop, Hillsboro, MO. Pre-registration is required, call 636-789-2441 Ext. 3. Jan 28-Prescribed Burn Workshop, Independence, MO. Call 816-622-0900 or 816-792-8662. Jan 29-31-2009 Missouri Farmers Union Convention, Ste. Genevieve, MO. Call 573-659-4787. Jan 30-31-Grow Native! Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind Workshop, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-522-4170. 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 7-Veggies from Start to Storage, Springfield, MO. Call 417-862-9287 Feb 7-9-24th Annual Midwest Grape and Wine Conference, Osage Beach, MO. Call 573-486-5596, http://www.midwestgrapeandwineconference.com Feb 10-Farmers' Market Workshop: Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market, St. Peters, MO. Call 573-751-4339. Feb 13-15-Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, Lake Ozark, MO. Call 573-893-1417. Feb 14-Alternatives for Small Farms Workshop, Quincy, IL. Contact roeggem@illinois.edu. 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, www.grownative.org Feb 20-22-Western Farm Show at the American Royal, Kansas City, MO. mgriffith@swassn.com 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 Feb 27-28-Green Hills Farm Project Winter Seminar, Brookfield and Linneus MO. Call 660-963-2685. March 1- Prescribed Burn Workshop, Moberly, MO. Call 660-385-2616 ext. 118. March 6-Farmers' Market Workshop: Growing for a Farmers' Market Springfield, MO. Call 573-751-4339. March 7-Growing and Marketing Walnut Trees, Concordia, MO. Call 573-882-1402 after Feb 1. March 12-High Tunnel Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Contact Pamela Mayer PMayer@MissouriState.edu 417-547-7533. March 6-7-MO and KS Beekeeping Associations Joint Conference, Overland Park, KS. Call 636-394-5395. March 12-High Tunnel Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Call mailto:PMayer@MissouriState.edu March 28-Prescribed Burn Workshop, Macon, MO. ˙Call 660-385-2616 ext. 118. April 22-23-MU Energy Summit, Columbia, MO. April 30-May 1-2009 Ozarks New Energy Conference: Solutions for Energy Independence, Springfield, MO. Call 417-581-4018. May 31-June 3-North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, MO. http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/events/afta/index.asp June 18-Dung Beetle Field Day, Linn, MO. Call 573-694-1682. ********************************************************************** 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 ˙ 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 www.mda.mo.gov. ˙ To register: Contact the MDA at 573-751-4339 or go online to: 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 www.mofarmersmarket.blogpost.com