Pennsylvania Certified Organic Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2014
Team Raw Milk, page 3 Lessons from an Organic Orchard, page 5 Organic Grain Marketing Opportunities, page 8
Organically Speaking Welcome to Spring 2014
A
nd a welcome spring it is! PCO knows this has been an insufferable winter for many farmers in our region and we appreciate all those extra bales of hay you brought to your animals in sub-zero temps, the buckets you carried through knee-deep snow, the hours you spent shoveling snow off your greenhouses. What do you do when the snow is so deep the stock can walk right over the fence? Or the drinking water freezes in the bucket a half hour after you put it out? Or you’re out of hay and the barn door’s frozen shut? Or that cover crop you planted in the fall is frozen solid? Or you pray for spring and it just snows again? Well, you get up in the morning and do it all over again until one morning it’s April. Thank you to all our extraordinary farmers for toughing it out so the ordinary people of the world can eat healthy food. Hurray for Organic Farmers! See page
11 for wonderful stories about PCO’s award-winning organic farmers and organizations. You will be inspired and amazed! We love the awards part of our Annual Meeting. Please welcome our new Outreach Specialist, Rebecca Robertson. Rebecca is here to help with your educational needs and will be out and about at PCO events, especially Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest. Rebecca can be reached at Rebecca@paorganic.org or 814470-0308. PCO’s new 3-year Strategic Plan, found on page 21, focuses on outreach and governance. As a member, how can you help us achieve our organization’s strategic goals? Let me count the ways. Interested in governance? Join our Advisory Board. Contact me or go to the board page on our website for details. Is education and outreach your thing? Volunteer yourself or your organization for Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest, the premiere organic summer conference and fair in our region. Bring your family and friends for a day of education and fel-
lowship. Join our Homemade and Homegrown Marketplace to sell your crafts or farm products. If you belong to an organization that would like to provide volunteers or organize an event, your group may partner with FarmFest and raise funds for your cause. No matter what you do, if you are involved in or interested in organic food and farming, FarmFest is about you. Be a part of it! See page 2 for details about FarmFest. Finally, the more we hear from you, the more we are able to serve your needs. We love your creative ideas on how we can do our jobs better. At your service,
Leslie Zuck Executive Director leslie@paorganic.org Cell: 814-404-6567
1st row L to R: Sabine Carey, Materials Specialist; Sandie Elder, Office Manager; Lia Sandoval, Administrative Assistant; Kyla Smith, Certification Program Director; Diana Underwood, Director of Operations; Heather Donald, Assistant Certification Specialist; Lee Rinehart, Education and Outreach Director. 2nd row L to R: Joshua Brock, Technology Coordinator; Liz Amos, Staff Inspector; Johanna Mirenda, Policy Director; April Fix, Public Relations Coordinator; Rebecca Robertson, Outreach Specialist; Marissa Pyle, Certification Specialist/Compliance Manager; Adam Seitz, Certification Specialist; Robert Yang, Director of Quality and Certification Program Development. 3rd row L to R: Penny Zuck, Certification Specialist; Amanda Birk, Staff Inspector; Leslie Zuck, Executive Director; Matthew Kelterborn, Certification Specialist
www.paorganic.org
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
Organic Matters Spring 2014
columns
features
story
3 Team Raw Milk: A Case Study of Collaboration & Cooperation in Pursuit of an Elusive Bug Organic farmer, extension veterinarian, food safety director join forces to solve rare campylobacter case
2 FarmFest 2014 — Be A Part of It!
5 Lessons Learned In The Organic Orchard Ever wondered if your orchard could be managed organically?
15 Produce Perspectives 17 President’s Message 18 Dear Aggy
9 PCO Annual Meeting Honest Tea’s Seth Goldman tells story of courage, innovation at PCO Annual Meeting
19 Recipe Corner 22 Organic Updates Leadership Team Certification Legislative Standards & Policy Materials Inspection Insights
10 PCO Members Contribute to Livestock Living Conditions Policy-Making
28 Organic Marketplace 29 Calendar
8 Organic Grain Marketing Opportunities Abound Ag professionals and industry representatives come together to aid interested farmers in organic transition process
31 PCO New Members 33 PCO Order Form
Cover: Organic basil seedlings at Common Ground Organic Farm in Spring Mills, PA. Photo: Leslie Zuck
ADVISORY BOARD
STAFF
PRESIDENT
Andrew Batdorf Hollow Brook Dairy
Leslie Zuck Executive Director
Julie Hurst Blue Rooster Farm
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
April Fix Public Relations Coordinator
Diana Underwood Director of Operations
Rebecca Robertson Outreach Specialist
Sandie Elder Office Manager
INSPECTIONS TEAM
Phil Coles Cornell University VICE PRESIDENT
Mail: 106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875 Phone: 814-422-0251 Fax: 814-422-0255 Email: pco@paorganic.org Web: www.paorganic.org facebook.com/PAorganic twitter.com/PAorganic OUR MISSION: To Assure the Integrity of Organic Agricultural Products through education, inspection and certification of growers, processors and handlers. PCO provides services to operations based in the Pennsylvania region, which includes: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
www.paorganic.org
EDUCATION & OUTREACH TEAM
OFFICERS
Debra Deis Seedway, LLC TREASURER
Tony Marzolino Marz Farm
David Johnson Provident Farms Bryan Luce Reliance Capital Partners
SECRETARY
Brian Magaro Independent Organic Inspector
Kathy Soder USDA–Agriculture Research Service
Cadie Pruss Ewe Win Farm
MANAGING BOARD CHAIR
Ken Rice Organic Unlimited
James Trankle Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Food & Agribusiness
Charlie White Penn State University
Lee Rinehart Director of Education and Outreach
Lia Sandoval Administrative Assistant CERTIFICATION TEAM
Kyla Smith Certification Program Director Heather Donald Assistant Certification Specialist Matthew Kelterborn Certification Specialist Marissa Pyle Compliance Manager/ Certification Specialist Adam Seitz Certification Specialist Penny Zuck Certification Specialist
Liz Amos Staff Inspector Amanda Birk Staff Inspector POLICY TEAM
Johanna Mirenda Policy Director Sabine Carey Materials Specialist QUALITY TEAM
Robert Yang Director of Quality & Certification Program Development Joshua Brock Technology Coordinator
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
1
FarmFest 2014 — Be A Part of It! FarmFest is a fun, free, community-building event that fosters knowledge of organic agriculture and sustainable living through educational opportunities, local foods, lively entertainment and interactive family activities.
August 1
12pm–1
0:30pm
August 2
9am–10
:30pm
Farmers Market & Food Court The Homemade & Homegrown Market Features an organic food court and craft artisans. Kids’ Activities Hands-on demonstrations and fun activities including a farm animal petting zoo, art projects, children’s parade, haystack jumping, kids’ concert and more. Educational Workshops Free workshops for farmers, gardeners and community members featuring expert presenters.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES EVERY sponsor receives a base package of: • An indoor 10’x10’ exhibit space • Recognition in PCO’s weekly e-news • Listing with link on the FarmFest website • Access to the hospitality tent Sun Sponsor ($1,500) — base package, plus your company’s brand associated with a major FarmFest area. Contact us for current availability, including Exhibit Hall, Food Court, Keynote Speakers, Media Package and more. Includes 1/4 page Organic Matters ad and a PCO Business Membership. Soil Sponsor ($1,000) — base package, plus your company’s brand associated with an event/area/band of your choice. Contact us for current availability, including bands, Landscaping Plants, Art Show, Natural Health Symposium and more. Includes 1/4 page Organic Matters ad and a PCO Business Membership.
5K Run & 1-mile Fun Run/Walk Participants start their Saturday with a run on our Grange Fairgrounds 5K or 1-mile course. Live Music Festival goers celebrate and dance at three live music stages including the Kids’ Stage, the Homegrown & Homemade Market stage and the Main Stage.
Water Sponsor ($500–$999) — base package, plus festival banner sponsored in your name and 1/8 page Organic Matters ad. Seed Sponsor ($250) — includes base package.
Volunteer We couldn’t make FarmFest happen without our volunteers. Contact us to join this year’s crew!
Also Consider… • Contribute to the Silent Auction Increase your company or organization’s visibility when you donate items or services to the Silent Auction, coordinated by our partners at the PA Farmers Union. Contact Hannah Smith at pafarmersunion@gmail.com or at (717) 576-0794.
Camp with Us Festival goers and vendors are invited to camp onsite. Camp in one of the infamous Grange Fair canvas army tents, or bring your own tent or RV camper.
• Make an In-Kind Contribution FarmFest welcomes contributions of advertising, organic foods, festival equipment, expertise, etc. in exchange for equal value of sponsorship.
2
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
VENDORS & EXHIBITORS Food Court Vendors Tempt hungry festival goes with your made to eat on-site food items at a 10’x20’ space at the outdoor Organic Food Court. Food Court Space: $100 deposit, plus 10% of sales Craft & Farm Vendors Farmers: market your business, sell your farm products and advertise your CSA and farmers market hours. Artists: display, sell and demonstrate your artisan crafts. Reserve your space at the Homemade & Homegrown Market! Outdoor Market Space: $40 Indoor Market Space: $50 Commercial Vendors Sell your wares and get your name in front of your target audience with a 10’x10’ booth in our Exhibit Hall or outdoors. Outdoor Commercial Space: $75 Indoor Commercial Space: $100 Non-Profit Organizations Get the word out about your organization, reach out to potential members, increase your mailing list and sell your organizational merchandise at a 10’x10’ booth. Non-profit Exhibitor Space: 25% discount on commercial vendor spaces
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Rebecca Robertson email: rebecca@paorganic.org phone: (814) 422-0251 x 213 Pennsylvania Certified Organic 106 School St, Suite # 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875
www.paorganic.org
Feature Story
Team Raw Milk: A Case Study of Collaboration & Cooperation in Pursuit of an Elusive Bug Organic farmer, extension veterinarian, food safety director join forces to solve rare campylobacter case Lee Rinehart, Director of Education and Outreach & Marissa Pyle, Certification Specialist
Edwin Shank has been producing certified organic raw milk on his 5th-generation family farm since he started learning about it five years ago at Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)’s Farming for the Future conference. For Edwin.success in raw milk production comes from collaboration. He’s learned through the years the great value of shared knowledge and experience. Edwin’s recent presentation at the 2014 PASA conference in State College was a testimony to that collaboration. During the presentation Edwin shared the stage with Dr. Lydia Johnson, Director of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA)’s Bureau of Food Safety, and Dr. Ernest Hovingh, DVM, PhD., a veterinarian with Penn State Cooperative Extension, to tell The Family Cow’s story and offer insight to prospective raw milk producers. Edwin Shank’s PCO-certified The Family Cow, LLC, is a PDA-permitted raw milk dairy. His on-farm store represents products from approximately 30 small, sustainable family farms and businesses, although the Shank family’s passion is raw milk. The operation, in addition to the store, encompasses 280 certified organic acres, 150 Jersey cows, and 150 young stock. Edwin began his raw milk venture in 2009 by supplying five families with raw milk and now, just five years later, sells to over 3,500 families. His raw milk and farm products are in huge demand, with his delivery program growing by 100 families per month and supplying about 120,000 servings of raw milk monthly. The Shanks have their milk tested for the presence of pathogenic bacteria campylobacter, listeria, and e coli every
www.paorganic.org
grow. There was no system in place to monitor this temperature loss internally at the time. “How can we go on?” the Shanks asked. “How can we be sure this won’t happen again?” As they began their internal investigation they found some issues: they did not monitor systematically, and they did not perform preconsumptive testing. The Shanks endeavored to establish a monitoring system with data collection, alarm alerts and action thresholds. In fact the Shanks had just begun to use Edwin Shank, of PCO-Certified The Family Cow, a grassfed a “ProAct” Monitoring Sysraw milk dairy in Chambersburg, PA. tems at the time of the incident. The system includes month even though the PDA requires 60 control points, and if thresholds are testing only twice a year. They also volun- crossed, alerts and emails are sent to mantarily participate in extra pathogen testing. agers of The Family Cow as well as the Edwin follows the four basic steps of safe ProAct representative so they can swiftly respond to the issue. raw milk production: Along with the monitoring system the • Keep the green, green (e.g. keep the Shanks implemented an on-farm laboracows on green, fresh pasture) tory for pre-consumptive testing, where • Keep the clean, clean (barn, cows, par- their motto is to “trust but verify.” PDA lor, etc.) — very clean cows, udders, etc. still gets required test samples, but as these • Keep the hot, hot (170 degree wash vat) are post consumptive, “it’s like looking • Keep the cold, cold (cool milk to 40 into a rearview mirror,” notes Edwin. So all should be well for the future of degrees within 5 minutes) the Shank’s farm. After the implementaA Storm Hits… tion of a super hygienic production protoThe Shanks thought they were doing col, state of art monitoring, an on-farm everything right, but in 2012, as they laboratory, and a test-and-hold procedure, entered their fourth year of raw milk pro- the Shanks were seeing extremely clean duction, eighty customers became sick- laboratory numbers and had accrued 15 ened from campylobacter. The months and 2 million servings with no temperature of the water coming from the issues. Then, in May & August 2013 they heater was showing 170 degrees, but once were once again shut down by PDA for it got to the equipment for sanitation it had lost heat allowing the bacteria to continued on page 4
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
3
Team Raw Milk continued from page 3
another case of campylobacter, despite the new protocols that were in place. Milk with positive campylobacter even tested 10 times cleaner for coliform and standard plate count than pasteurization standards. At this point, Edwin had no idea what else to do, as he thought he was doing everything possible. That’s when Edwin called a meeting of “Team Raw Milk” on the farm, which included PDA experts and veterinarians. “We cannot be fighting each other. We agree that raw milk must and can be made safely,” notes Edwin. “Collaboration is essential to this process.” Enter the Experts Raw milk is legal in Pennsylvania with permit, and Dr. Lydia Johnson with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is tasked to regulate raw milk production. Dr. Johnson was part of the investigative team that went to Edwin’s farm during the 2013 campylobacter outbreak. Dr.
Johnson notes that in order to investigate and possibly shut down a producer, there must have been two or more people that tested positive for the pathogen. If this occurs, the dairy must immediately cease sales of raw milk, investigate the cause, and refrain from selling raw milk for human consumption until two consecutive tests, 24 hours apart, show results negative for the disease-causing organism. Dr. Ernest Hovingh, an Extension veterinarian with Penn State, recently completed a 2-year project working with 40 raw milk dairy farms in Pennsylvania with a focus on tracing potential contamination sources. “…milk from a cow’s teat is usually clean but bacteria is almost always found in bulk tanks, so there is some introduction of bacteria from somewhere.” With this in mind, Dr. Hovingh went to Edwin’s farm to review his systems and determine where and how bacteria could have been introduced. Campylobacter is usually found in cattle manure, but in Edwin’s case it was hard to find a manure source as his farm is very clean. So Dr. Hovingh started to ask, “could there be bacteria in the udder,
could a cow be shedding the bacteria?” This could explain the increase in campylobacter alongside negative test results for all other pathogens. So he dug a little deeper. “Could it be an infected (mastitic) cow?” You can certainly have a high-cellcount cow without showing clinical mastitis symptoms. The somatic cell count (SCC) at Edwin’s farm was a bit high, but still within parameters. The herd was sampled aseptically at Dr. Hovingh’s recommendation, just to see if this was where a problem could be. He found one campylobacter positive sample from one cow, and its SCC was elevated, although it never showed visible signs of clinical mastitis. They “fingerprinted” the sample by Centers for Disease Control showing that both the bulk tank and human samples matched this cow’s sample. So they culled the cow and no campylobacter has been detected in the milk since. So the take-home message? Cleanliness and collaboration. The Shanks had the first part down pat. It wasn’t until they got the experts involved that they came continued on page 19
Planned Grazing & Biological Monitoring April 29, 2014 • 10:00am-4:00pm • $20 registration Cliff Hawbaker Farm • 2300 Edenville Road • Chambersburg PA PCO-certified grass-based organic dairy Participants will learn to plan their grazing season with a grazing chart, biological monitoring, and holistic grazing management to improve profit and mitigate risk. Take part in a hands-on exercise using Cliff’s grazing season goals to plan pasture use to ensure grazing far into the winter. •Create goals and strategies around grazing season benchmarks •Monitor and track dry matter production weekly •Implement practices to improve animal health and soil biology •Use grazing management to improve nutrient management and/or manipulate ecological succession on specific fields.
Presenter Troy Bishopp
•Build in pasture recovery times for getting through weather events and plan back in time from projected and/or estimated major events.
To register: Visit paorganic.org/education/grazingworkshop or contact Lee Rinehart at 814-470-9734, lee@paorganic.org
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2012-49200-20031.
4
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
www.paorganic.org
Lessons Learned In The Organic Orchard Ever wondered if your orchard could be managed organically? Joshua Brock, Technology Coordinator
Every year for the last 23 years, supporters of sustainable agriculture including farmers, students, families, and businesses alike have made the trek to central Pennsylvania for PASA’s Farming for the Future Conference. They seek the knowledge and expertise gained from those who work day to day in the fields and orchards. They seek to share stories, frustrations, the good and the bad of the livelihoods they’ve chosen growing food and raising livestock. 2014 was no exception. For those who either currently manage an orchard, or were looking to add one to an existing operation, a key question may have been “how can we best develop our own farm orchard AND how can we do it organically?” Sara Baldwin of PCO-Certified Oyler’s Organic Farms was there to help answer these and other daunting questions. Sara and her family have been growing apples organically for seven years on their 5th generation family farm located in south-central Pennsylvania. On their 360acre farm, the Oylers raise organic apples and peaches, grass finished beef and vegetables, as well as organic pastured brown eggs, organic apple cider, and organic applesauce. During the workshop, Sara shared her expertise on a variety of topics; the theme underscoring each topic of conversation was how to do it within a certified organic system. Sourcing Rootstock & Protecting Your Trees For those considering taking the plunge, there are many sources to find trees. Two recommended by Sara based on her personal experience are Boyer Nurseries & Orchards, Inc. in Biglerville, PA and Adams County Nursery, Inc. in Aspers, PA. Both nurseries are familiar
www.paorganic.org
Sara Baldwin of PCO-certified Oyler’s Organic Farms shared her expertise with organic orchardists and enthusiasts at the recent PASA Farming for the Future conference.
with the needs of an organic orchardist and have years of experience behind them to assist you. There are primarily three types of rootstocks to choose from that will determine the size of the trees when full grown; dwarf, semi-dwarf, and standard. Dwarf trees will achieve a height of approximately 8 feet, semi-dwarf between 12–18 feet, and standard trees typically will be larger than 18 feet tall. Sara recommends and uses the semi-dwarf rootstocks for a variety of reasons such as they optimize the use of space, allow for a wider variety of trees to be planted in a defined area, and ease in harvesting and maintenance of the trees. There are seven criteria to consider when choosing the rootstock varieties: • Years to harvest • Size of harvest • Life span of tree • Size of tree (consider the maintenance of it)
• Space requirements • Availability • Characteristics of rootstock Preventing damage to your trees from the likes of mice, groundhogs, deer, and rabbits is an ongoing battle. While there are some substances approved by various organic certifiers that are marketed as deterring animals large and small from damaging trees, Sara has found many of these to be ineffective. Greater success can often be found with physical fencing, wire/mesh tree trunk protectors or even electric fencing. Nutritional Testing & Analysis Nutrition to the tree should be considered in the same vein as with our own bodies, where “more, is not always better!” For instance, although fruit trees do demand fairly high levels of nitrogen, providing too much can cause issues such as continued on page 6
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
5
The Organic Orchard continued from page 5
blight. Soil pH should be maintained at levels between 6 and 6.5. Leaf samples should also be taken from the trees to make a more complete picture of the tree’s health. Fifty to one hundred leaves of the same variety and management unit roughly between mid July and mid August should be selected. The leaves should be from the middle growth of the current season’s vegetation. Depending on which lab facility you select to send your samples to, the leaves should be washed and dried according to that lab’s recommendations. The information provided by the leaf tissue analysis will help reveal nutritional information regarding the tree itself that may not be reflected in a mineral content of just the soil. Testing of both the fruit and the leaves can help ensure the fruit has reached the full potential for nutrition and taste. Testing options include the starch-iodine test and the use of a refractometer to determine the Brix value (sugar content). The starch-iodine test helps narrow the proper harvest window by determining the levels of starch and sugar in the fruit. Starches slowly change into sugars as apples mature; thus increased sweetness. The starch-iodine test is as simple as these two steps: 1. Cut an apple in half across the diameter. Hold one half by the stem and immerse it cut side down in a liquid iodine solution. 2. Wait at least a minute for the starch to stain sufficiently. Where the flesh stains dark there is starch and where there is little or no staining there is sugar. A refractometer takes a step up in both complexity and cost. With this tool, a grower presses juice from a sample apple onto a slide, which is then held up to the light. A lens inside the device refracts the light and shows the amount of soluble solids in the juice. Those solids are sugar and give the grower the Brix level of an apple’s juice. The higher the Brix number, the more sugar the apple contains. The more sugar, of course, the sweeter the apple.
6
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
Insect Management The focus in an organic orchard is managing insects versus eliminating them. To that end, one needs to determine three kinds of information; biological, ecological, and behavioral. Biological: Understanding what the insect pest needs to survive can help determine what possibly can be removed to thus make the environment uninhabitable for the pest. Ecological: Knowing how the pests interact with the environment as well as other pests can be used to the advantage of creating a pest resistant environment. Behavioral: For both harmful and beneficial insects, determining how the insects meet their needs grants the orchardist the potential to manipulate those needs to protect their crops. According to the organic regulations, insects may be controlled through a combination of cultural, mechanical, or physical means; the introduction of predators of the pests; the development of an environment welcoming to natural enemies of the pests; and devices such as lures, traps, and repellents. If and when these fail, an orchardist can then turn to a variety of substances included on the National List of synthetic and nonsynthetic substances approved for use in an organic system. An orchardist’s organic partners in the beneficial insects realm include brown and green lacewings, minute pirate bugs, “hover” flies and of course, the lady bug. Conserving and planting certain crops and vegetation helps encourage beneficials in their battle against various pest species. Flowers from the Aster family, for example, are well known for attracting beneficial insects. A practice known as “intercropping” places one crop plant near a different one to further promote an environment for the helpful insects. It provides a way to keep beneficials close to crops and provide a consistent source of nutrition and shelter. The enhancement of natural enemies is probably one of the best-known methods of controlling pests from a biological perspective. Spraying in an organic orchard is limited by the types of materials that can be used to stay within compliance of organic regulations. If an organic orchard is sprayed with a prohibited material, even
by accident, it must undergo a three-year transition period to regain its certification. Here in the East, orchardists face three specific pests; European apple sawfly, plum curculio, and codling moth. Solutions such as kaolin clay (Surround) have given organic orchardists an effective tool to help combat pests in two specific ways when the fruit is about the size of a marble. When kaolin clay is applied to the fruit tree, it first clogs the eyes, ears, and reproductive organs of the insects like the curculio that crawl on the surface of the leaves seeking to lay eggs. Second, flying insects such as the codling moth that are looking for an environment to land and lay their eggs are deterred by the coating of kaolin clay It is important to note that kaolin clay only proves effective after three uniform applications have been made on the fruit tree. After the third application, there is enough of a coating to stop early stages of sawfly larvae from continuing to develop. One coating is not enough, and back-toback coatings need to be done for approximately four weeks with the caveat that heavy rains may necessitate additional applications. Identifying & Preventing Common Diseases The two most common “summer diseases” of apples in the Northeast are sooty blotch and fly speck. They often occur together since both are confined to the fruit surface and favor similar environmental and horticultural conditions. Sooty blotch appears as sooty-colored fungus colonies on the surface of infected fruit while fly speck looks like 50 or more tiny black dots on the fruit surface. Annual pruning to open tree canopies and promote air circulation will help to minimize the diseases since both diseases depend on long periods of extreme humidity around the fruit. Proper fruit thinning is also important for increasing air flow and thus reducing high-humidity microclimates around clustered fruit. Fire blight, a bacterial infection referred to as “the plague” by orchardists, can occur in apples and pears and can kill the tree after a substantial amount of growth takes place. The term describes the appearance of the disease, which can make fruit appear blackened, shrunken and
www.paorganic.org
cracked much like it would look if they were scorched by fire. The most effective horticultural practice for minimizing fire blight outbreaks is to avoid highly susceptible cultivars and rootstocks. In addition pruning out cankered limbs and branches during the dormant season is a good way to reduce inoculum sources. Cedar apple rust, a fungal infection that can occur when there are cedar trees within 4-5 miles of the orchard, can result in the defoliation of the trees. Apple scab, another fungal infection, rarely kills the tree but can significantly reduce the yield and quality of the fruit. Again, the organic orchardist should consider selecting cultivars that are immune to or at least less susceptible to these diseases as such varieties are available. To assist in the preparation to ward off pests and disease, Sara mentioned the use of a service from SkyBit called EWeather™. According to their website, E-Weather™ is an “electronic weather service that delivers (with subscription) site-specific weather information via fax or e-mail on a daily basis.” A subscriber can choose from different tiers of information to deliver crop and pest simulations for
www.paorganic.org
apple and other crop diseases and insects down to the regional level. Thinning & Harvest Considerations Most novice orchardists would likely believe that the larger the cluster of fruit per branch, the better your chances of having a larger, successful harvest. On the contrary, that is actually the best way to ensure rot and drop your chances of success as fruit touching each other decreases air circulation, increases nutrient competition between each fruit, and also increases susceptibility to diseases and pests. Sara as well as a handful of other experienced orchardists in attendance, encourages one piece of fruit per cluster. It is key to get in the orchard as soon as possible to perform thinning. Also highly recommended is clearing away all fruit and trimmings that drop to the ground. And finally, the harvest! To better reap what you’ve sown, consider these harvest recommendations: • Check the ripening date based on the recommendation of the nursery • Lift the fruit gently so as not to damage or drop from the tree
• Watch the ground remove any fruit that falls during harvest and keep separate from the harvested fruit • Observe the colors of the fruit • Keep an eye on the weather forecasts • Taste the fruit is it ready? • Anticipate total harvest time Even the best and most accomplished orchardists will have a need to deal with blemished fruit as no harvest is 100% successful. Cosmetically blemished fruit can be used in ciders, pies, or simply sold at a slight discount. Someone who truly appreciates the planning and work involved on behalf of an organic operation, also realizing the health and sustainability practices employed by the orchardist and farmer, can see beyond the facade of the glistening, waxy apples found in the major supermarkets. Additional Resources www.groworganicapples.com/organic-orcharding-articles/surround-kaolin-clay.php “Insect Management on Organic Farms,” by H. M. Linker, D. B. Orr, and M. E. Barbercheck, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, January 2009.
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
7
Feature Story
Organic Grain Marketing Opportunities Abound Ag professionals and industry representatives come together to aid interested farmers in organic transition process Lee Rinehart, Director of Education and Outreach
It’s no surprise that demand for organic products has been steadily growing. Consumers have been driving demand for specialty food products such as organic for years. But recently we have seen a more localized phenomenon in heightened demand for organic products, especially organic milk and organic feed grains. Organic grain mills are actively seeking feed grain producers who are interested in transitioning to organic production. The organic grain market in Pennsylvania is driven by the organic poultry and dairy industries, and marketers of these grains are interested in sourcing more organic grain from US farms, especially Pennsylvania farms. “The lion’s share of organic grain fed to organic livestock in the US is sourced from overseas, as there are just not enough organic acres in the US to keep up with domestic demand,” notes Steve Smelter, Organic Sales and Nutritional Services representative for Kreamer Feed in Kreamer, PA, which markets Nature’s Best Organic Feed. Mills are getting some pretty strong market signals to source as much organic grain domestically as they can. Processors such as Bell & Evans, Kreamer Feed, and Perdue AgriBusiness Inc are actively asking producers to grow organic grains and Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is helping these businesses by assisting farmers in making the transition. There have been several informational meetings around the state where farmers were invited to consider transitioning to organic production and learned about marketing incentives and organic production practices, as well as the organic certification process. PCO has been present to demystify the process and offer resources
8
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
Lewisburg, PA, Jeff Moyer, Farm Director at the Rodale Institute, and Lee Rinehart, PCO’s Director of Education and Outreach, provided presentations on organic production and certification for the 45 attendees. The presentations were highlighted by questions and comments by farmers and informational discussions with representatives from Seedway, LLC; Blue River Hybrids; Lancaster Agriculture Products and The Fertrell Company. The industry really came together to offer resources so farmers can make an informed decision Jeff Moyer, Farm Director at the Rodale Institute in Kutz- on transitioning to organic. town, provided an organic grain production presentation For more information on at a recent informational meeting geared toward farmers organic grain production, interested in transitioning to organic. organic certification and to assist producers in making the transi- marketing, or to find out about PCO’s tion. PCO offers educational resources, Organic Mentor Program, contact Lee farm visits, as well as a mentor program Rinehart at 814-470-9734 or lee@paorwhere interested producers can get on the ganic.org. To learn more about PCO or to apply phone with an experienced organic farmer for organic certification, contact Heather to have some of their questions answered. Donald at 814-422-0251, or heather@ During one such all-day meeting, paorganic.org or visit www.paorganic.org. hosted by Kreamer Feed on March 4 in
Help PCO Conserve Resources — Sign Up to Receive Organic Matters Electronically! In an effort to conserve valuable resources such as fossil fuels, printing supplies, mailing materials and money, PCO is now offering electronic delivery of its quarterly newsletter Organic Matters. By signing up to receive Organic Matters electronically, you are making a positive contribution to the environment as well as the PCO budget, AND you will receive your issue of Organic Matters faster then ever! Skip the bulk mailing time and receive your electronic edition in your inbox 1–3 weeks sooner, just minutes after it’s published. To sign up today, please visit: paorganic.org/survey or call 814-422-0251.
www.paorganic.org
PCO Annual Meeting Honest Tea’s Seth Goldman tells story of courage, innovation at PCO Annual Meeting Lee Rinehart, Director of Education and Outreach
“Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it.” This timely quote summarizes the inspirational keynote presentation delivered by Seth Goldman, co-founder, president, and “TeaEO” of PCO-certified Honest Tea, at Pennsylvania Certified Organic’s 2014 Annual Meeting. Seth Goldman spoke to PCO members about his experiences developing Honest Tea into a model of what a large company can do to make the world a better place. Describing their humble beginnings, Seth told the story of how he and co-founder Barry Nalebuff of the Yale School of Management started operations out of Seth’s house in Bethesda, MD, in 1998, and made their first sale to a Whole Foods regional office with five thermoses and an empty Snapple bottle. After many starts and stops, including the well-intentioned but problematic purchase of a bottling plant near Pittsburgh, the company grew to the point of introducing the world’s first organic bottled tea in 1999, and then the world’s first Fair Trade Certified organic bottled tea in 2003. In March 2011, Honest Tea was acquired by The Coca-Cola Company, helping to further the reach and impact of Honest Tea’s mission by becoming the first organic and Fair Trade brand in the world’s largest beverage distribution system. Today, Honest Tea is the nation’s top selling ready-to-drink organic bottled tea, and is carried in more than 100,000 outlets. Honest Tea sources its teas from thirdparty certified organic and Fair Trade Certified tea gardens in China and India, and one source is the oldest certified organic tea garden in the world. Goldman makes personal visits to the villages and
www.paorganic.org
Seth Goldman, of PCO-Certified Honest Tea, pictured here with students participating in “The Great Recycle,” a call to action to boost national recycling rates. Goldman recently keynoted PCO’s 2014 Annual Meeting where he spoke about holding to values while navigating through “shades of gray.”
tea gardens, not merely to see first hand how they produce the quality tea Honest Tea uses, but to build relationships and learn how these hard-working entrepreneurs maintain the integrity of their products. In a wonderful bridge building, or perhaps non-bridge building story, Goldman learned first hand how local knowledge and innovation could often be counter-intuitive to a western mind. His story starts at the bank of a river. Curious as to how he is going to get across to view the tea garden nestled in the valley beyond, and seeing no bridge, he immediately sees a need. “Let’s build a bridge. Certainly this will ease the workers burden and allow for more efficient production.” Goldman’s “ah-ha” moment came when a villager told him that if they build a bridge there would be roads, then buildings, and then more people. “We don’t
want that.” It turns out the river and the requisite bamboo raft that is used to bring workers and tea baskets across was a barrier that served to protect the integrity of the tea garden. Innovative thought brought home to a western company by local knowledge. As an example of the evolution of the company’s innovative and inquisitive thought, Goldman told the story of a social experiment, called the Honesty Index that Honest Tea conducted to get a look at how honestly people act when they think no one is looking. The company set up unmanned kiosks in all 50 states fully stocked with Honest Tea beverages and a sign asking for $1 to be paid on the honor system, and people were presented with the choice to pay for a bottle or steal a bottle with no consequences. Results were tabulated and in 2012 Honest Tea calcucontinued on page 10
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
9
PCO Annual Meeting continued from page 9
lated a 93% Honesty Index from kiosks in 35 cities. Though certainly not scientific, the experiment gave some insight into how people think, and like Honest Tea, most people want to do the right thing. Doing the right thing is not always easy and the road to social responsibility is not often well lit. Goldman shared his perspective on how a large company has to “navigate shades of grey” in a world that seems polarized but is actually more complex. For instance, he reminisced on the years when there was a clear distinction between the quality of goods produced in the US and those produced in Japan. Now, the quality implications are not as clear, evidenced by the fact that a Japanese company often makes goods in the US, with parts assembled in Mexico. Goldman brought this idea home to the audience by describing the dichotomy between locally grown organic and factory-farmed food by the prevalence of organic asparagus air-shipped from a large-scale farm in Chile. Which is better? These are decisions we all make, and it’s also a decision point for a large company that wants to have a positive impact on social and environmental sustainability while maintaining a successful business. A smart company, says Goldman, must not take sides between the positions of sustainability and mass consumption, but must strive to be a mission-driven business operating in a consumer economy. “If we don’t change the direction we are headed, we will end up where we are going.” This snippet of wisdom found inside the lid of an Honest Tea bottle summarizes Goldman’s message. Positive change happens when you consider your options, have a vision, listen closely, and set your course. Held on February 6 at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, the PCO Annual Meeting is a much-awaited annual event where Pennsylvania Certified Organic certified farmers, food processors, volunteers, board members, and staff come together to reminisce, celebrate accomplishments, and get inspired.
10
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
PCO Members Contribute to Livestock Living Conditions Policy-Making
Johanna Mirenda, Policy Director The PCO Standards Committee is developing policy recommendations for implementing the livestock living conditions requirements of the National Organic Program regulations. Just prior to the Annual Meeting PCO’s Policy Director Johanna Mirenda and members of the Standards Committee provided some topical background to the PCO membership as a guide to the development of these policies. PCO’s goal is to provide stricter definitions for animal welfare in certified organic operations, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to future regulatory requirements, guidance, or instruction from the National Organic Program. The NOP regulations address requirements for organic livestock living conditions, but the opening statement of this section is very broad and has resulted in different implementation strategies by certifiers when putting this regulatory language into practice during certification review: “The producer of an organic livestock operation must establish and maintain year-round livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals, including: Year-round access for all animals to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking, and direct sunlight, suitable to the species, its stage of life, the climate, and the environment… (205.239(a)(1)).” PCO believes it is extremely important to get producer feedback on this issue in order to develop policies consistent with the National Organic Program standards as well as the practical and pragmatic practices that producers use to ensure outdoor access on their farm. PCO’s Standards Committee sought specific feedback on 1. the type of ground surface for outdoor access area for all species; 2. enclosures around outdoor access areas for all species; 3. poultry space requirements for permanent structures; 4. age that outdoor access is required for poultry; and 5. alternative poultry production practices such as pastured poultry and freerange. The Standards Committee is now reviewing comments and recommendations received in person at the Annual Meeting, over the phone, via email and in the mail. Proposed policy language will be submitted to PCO members for additional comment and vote in the near future.
www.paorganic.org
2014 Annual Meeting Award Winners PCO honors outstanding organic farmers and professionals
Advisory Board Award We wish to recognize the following outgoing board member for the important work she has contributed to our organization. Kathy Soder, Board Secretary Outstanding New Organic Producer For attentiveness throughout the certification process, innovative management, and dedication toward creating and maintaining a successful organic plan. The Young Families Young Crest Farm, Kodru Dairy, & Young Contracting Antwerp, Governour, and Theresa, New York “Farming has always been in our blood. One way or another we’ve been involved with dairy and crops,” says Tommy Young. While Tommy, his brother, Andrew, and their nephew, Adam, may be new to organic certification, they been farming with “just manure and hay” since they could walk. Tommy and Andrew, along with their 2 brothers and 4 sisters, grew up on a small dairy farm in Governeur, NY, where their 72-year old dad still takes 100 acres of square bale hay off the land by himself. Tommy credits his dad along with his eldest brother, Jimmy, who has been organic dairying for 20+ years, as his inspiration to farm organically. Tommy farms 57 acres of hay and corn, although he is planning to add dairy soon too. Adam farms 212 acres of hay, pasture, and corn with 35 dairy cows. Andrew farms 140 acres of hay, pasture and corn with 40 dairy cows and 25 heifers. While they all have their own farms, they are constantly helping each other and working together. Adam, Andrew and Tommy are dedicated organic farmers with strong family ties to the organic community. Hats off to the Youngs.
www.paorganic.org
Terry Ingram, of Threlkeld Farm Dairy, in Brandy Station Virginia, graciously accepts PCO’s Going the Extra Acre Award.
Going the Extra Acre For sharing knowledge and expertise with fellow farmers and the organic community. Great systems are built on collaboration. Alyson and Terry Ingram Threlkeld Farm Dairy Brandy Station, Virginia A smart man learns from his mistakes, Terry likes to say, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. “I’ll never claim to be a wise man, but I’m at least a smart man. Once you experience what it’s like to farm organic, your eyes open to how abundant nature is. I am blessed to see it every day. I feel privileged to be able to farm this way.” Terry and his wife, Alyson, their two small children, Terry’s parents, and his brother, live on and work the farm where Terry was born and raised. The Ingrams milk about 220 cows on their 100% grassfed, organic dairy. “I have gotten much more in tune with feeding the soil, and I can actually see the return on that effort. I have grass when other people don’t, because healthy soil retains water so much better.” Terry cred-
its a lot of the farm’s success to his mother, Boo, and his brother, Rush. “They’ve supported my efforts, and we all live right here on the farm. It’s great to raise my kids like this with their grandparents and uncle around them.” Terry and family have welcomed numerous visitors to their farm for the many field days they have hosted and openly shared their farming practices so others can learn from their mistakes and successes. Sustainability Award For furthering the sustainability of farms, families, communities, and the environment. Annemarie and Samuel Yoder Green Alchemy Farm Kutztown, Pennsylvania Annemarie and Samuel Yoder VMD are passionate about and have been integrally involved in educating, facilitating and promoting renewable energy and sustainable living much of their lives. After several years of academic and veterinary ventures, they returned to Samuel’s family continued on page 12
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
11
Award Winners continued from page 11
farm to found and build from scratch Silver Maple Veterinary Clinic while working toward their life-long goal of self-sufficiency. Toward that end they began operating an organic farm, growing most of their own food, generating most of their electricity from solar photo voltaic and wind, and powering cars and tractors with biofuels. In 2005, Samuel and Annemarie founded the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival, the first original green festival in Pennsylvania. Samuel has spoken widely at energy and organic farming organizations and has succeeded in promoting a widening perception of green issues in the mid-Atlantic States. In 2010, Annemarie and Samuel started Green Alchemy LLC, an organization driven to supporting self-empowerment of the individual and the local community, producing organic beef and sunflower oil, and conducting “on farm” experimentation on topics from organic parasite prevention to organic sunflower production. Samuel and Annemarie are happy to Live what they Preach! Staff’s Choice For special dedication to the organic certification process and use of innovative practices. Eli and Floyd Summy Salisbury, Pennsylvania Eli and Floyd Summy farm 260+ acres of hay and pasture, and milk about 30 cows. They are conscientious organic farmers inside and out, with well managed fields, healthy animals, and detailed paperwork. They consistently call the PCO office should they ever have a question regarding compliant practices and materials and have thus been free from any issues of concern and notices of noncompliance for many years. “Floyd and Eli are extremely thoughtful, sincere and open people who enjoy talking about organics,” commented a recent organic inspector. The same inspector noted that when she arrived for an unannounced inspection Eli was in the middle of spreading manure
12
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
but was not phased at all by the interruption. Instead, he was willing to spend as much time as needed to answer all questions and he recognized the importance of unannounced inspections and residue testing for organic integrity. Organic Research and Education For furthering the cause of organic farming through research and education. The Ranck Families Charvin Organic Farm Mifflin, Pennsylvania Charlotte and Elvin Ranck and their son and daughter-in-law Michael and Krystal operate a 180-cow organic dairy and crop farm on 1,000 acres in Juniata County. After years of conventional farming Elvin had the opportunity to observe a biologically managed farm and the soil tilth thereof and so began his inspiration to pay careful attention to the life of the soil. Elvin and family have been farming organically since 1987, are grateful for the healthier crops, healthier animals and healthier environment such practices afford, and are eager to share their knowledge. “While we don’t have all the answers to all life’s problems in organic farming, we’ve learned and mastered a few things along the way and would like to pass that along to other people.” From soil consulting, hosting field days, and conducting seed trials to collaborating on research projects, the Ranck families play an important part in furthering organic agriculture research and educating the organic community. In addition to their domestic pursuits, Elvin travels to Africa several times a year to do ministry work and agriculture education. Many thanks to the Rancks for their great work. Inspector’s Choice For excellent management, thorough records, positive attitude towards the inspection process and exceptional effort in creating and maintaining a successful organic plan. Mary Jane and Bill Yoder Mar-Bil Jersey Farm Meyersdale, Pennsylvania Mar-Bil Jersey Farm has been in Bill Yoder’s extended family since the 1700’s,
and his grandfather built their big red barn nearly 100 years ago. Now Bill milks 45 organic Jersey cows with help from his wife, Mary Jane, and the two youngest of their six children. Bill and Mary Jane manage their 150-acre farm exceptionally well and keep very detailed records. From 1999–2003 the Yoders extended their management skills beyond their own farm to facilitate the set up of a 20-cow model dairy farm in Mongolia with a vision of putting into practice principles of modern dairying that they knew would work and were unknown in Mongolia. The model farm has since been replicated many times throughout the country and has played a significant part in revolutionizing the Mongolian dairy industry. The Yoders are now training a farm manager to care for their operation in Pennsylvania while they take another two-year trip abroad to Asia to provide missionary care and visit their Mongolian village. Outstanding Organic Producer For exceptional commitment to high quality organic production, promoting organic products and supporting the integrity of organic goods in the market. Ruby and David Troyer Meadow View Dairy Lindenville, New York David says, “In all farming you need to stop and think…give it a lot of effort. Put your heart into it. It’s a lot of responsibility, especially in the organic world and with that comes accountability.” When looking at David and Ruby’s 165-acre exemplary dairy farm, it is clear that they take the responsibility quite seriously. From their detailed recordkeeping and maps to their grazing rotation and forage planning, the Troyers’ conscientious manner shines through. Their hard work of reclaiming land that had been conventionally crop/vegetable farmed for 50 years is certainly paying off with rewards of increased soil fertility and organic matter, improved animal health, and augmented dry matter yield — from 500 lb per acre in their first year to 2 ton per acre just 4 years later! In addition to all the soil and yield benefits, David and Ruby appreciate the safe environment in which their family can live and learn. Their 5 boys are
www.paorganic.org
very much a part of the farm. When a driver told the well behaved boys that they were little angels, they replied, “Oh no — we are farmers!” That brought a smile to David’s face. In recounting the story later, David said, “that’s an avenue of sustainability that I can look at.” Outstanding New Organic Processor For attentiveness throughout the certification process, innovative management and dedication toward creating and maintaining a successful organic plan. Perdue AgriBusiness Salisbury, Maryland Due to delays in approval legalities we were unable to print a biography of Perdue AgriBusiness.
2013 PCO Hall of Fame For continuous, extraordinary dedication of time and energy to furthering the mission of Pennsylvania Certified Organic. Bob Eberly Eberly Poultry Stevens, Pennsylvania Bob Eberly has been involved with the organic food movement since the 1980s and has shown dedication to PCO’s mission from the time of its inception in 1997. A charter member of PCO, Bob has served as Board President, Board Member, and Standards Committee Member. Bob is “very pleased to see how organic has gone from small niche markets to a mainstream growing part of agriculture.” Until June 2013 Bob served as the Presi-
dent of Eberly Poultry, an organic and specialty poultry business, family owned and operated since 1947. After the June sale of Eberly Poultry to Wise/Kosher Poultry and new formation of PA Farm Products, Bob began taking steps toward retirement. Eberly, and now PA Farm Products, take great pride in their passionate tie to the organic movement, as members of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), the Organic Trade Association (OTA), and PCO. PCO extends a hearty thanks to Bob for his countless hours of volunteering and his fervent dedication to organic and sustainable agriculture.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND CONTRIBUTOR Our Annual Meeting would not be as special without all of the generous contributions from all of our friends in the organic community. PCO would like to thank the following families and organizations that sponsored our meeting, filled our gift bags, and consistently demonstrate their dedication to organics:
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co.
Lady Moon Farms
Common Ground Farm
Heritage Poultry Management Services / Laurel Grove
Custom Co-Pak
Shiloh Farms / Garden Spot Distributors Anna Smith
Dairy Marketing Services, LLC
Allen Matthews
Soergel Orchards
Del Grosso Food, Inc.
McGeary Organics
Spiral Path Farm
Frankferd Farms Food
Mother Earth LLC
Steigman Enterprises
Gardens by Grace
Organic Valley
Tait Farms
Harney and Sons Tea Corporation
Oyler’s Organic Farms
Upstate Niagara Cooperative
Julie Hurst
PASA
Theresa Shay TriYoga
Keystone Food Products
Phillips Mushroom Farms
Trickling Springs Creamery
Knouse Foods Cooperative
Seedway
Uncle Matt’s Organic
www.paorganic.org
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
13
Box 361, 119 Hamilton Place Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-531-1038 Certified Organic Feed, Seed & Livestock Products from Northeast organic farmers for Northeast organic farmers ď€ www.lakevieworganicgrain.com
continued on page 4
14
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
www.paorganic.org
Produce Perspectives
Reducing Soil Borne Disease with Cover Crops Utilizing variety selection, planting rates, crop incorporation, and irrigation to suppress disease Tianna DuPont, Penn State Extension
Soil-borne diseases can be devastating to vegetable crops. In the Northeast alone 1,687,080 tons of fresh market and processing vegetables on 264,490 acres, worth $701,377,000 suffer 10–15% losses from soil borne diseases (NASS Crop Profiles, 2007). Disease suppressive cover crop rotations may provide an additional tool for managing soil borne disease. Researchers have documented significant increases in yield after sudangrass, brassica, millet, and other cover crops. Here we describe recent results of a two season on-farm case study using cover crops to suppress Verticillium wilt in tomato. Mustards, rapeseed, and sudangrass contain a chemical and an enzyme in the plant cell wall. When these cover crops are chopped into small pieces with a flail mower and then quickly incorporated into the soil using a cultipacker or water, the chemical comes into contact with the enzyme and it breaks down into a chemical that behaves like a fumigant. The chemicals and the enzymes are not toxic by themselves, but when they come in contact with each other, the chemical is broken down by the enzyme into compounds that are toxic to soil-borne pathogens and even weeds seeds. Cover crops can also improve soil organic matter and related soil water holding capacity, infiltration, and microbial activity that positively impact yields over time. From 2010 to 2013 we worked with Harold Weaver from Meadow Gate Vista farm. Weaver planted strips of cover crops in fields that had a history of Verticillium wilt on tomato. We worked with mustard cv. Caliente 119 and sudangrass cover crops known to have “biofumigant” properties and compared them to buckwheat
www.paorganic.org
Mustard/Sudan Cover Crop Biofunigation vs Control Buckwheat
The tomato yield (cv. Green Zebra) in areas that had the mustard and sudangrass cover crop treatments were twice as high as those planted to buckwheat.
as a control. In 2011 tomatoes after a rotation of mustard and sudangrass used as a biofumigant yielded twice as much as tomatoes grown after the buckwheat cover crop control. Although growing and incorporating the cover crops was a lot of additional work, Weaver felt the yield boost made it worth the effort. In 2013, we did not observe any differences in the yield between tomatoes planted after buckwheat or the sudangrass that was chopped and incorporated as a biofumigant. However, keep in mind that 2013 was a wet year. Verticillium impacts tomatoes by clogging up the vascular system of the plant making it difficult for the plant to move water from its roots to the rest of the plant. Tomato plants in 2013 at this site did not appear to be as stressed by Verticillium wilt like they would in a dry year, which might explain why there were no differences. These results are not surprising and success in only one out of two years also reminds us that working with living cover crops to suppress soilborne disease is likely to produce variable results and requires a long-term integrated
approach. Success also depends on our ability as managers to successfully grow and incorporate the cover crop, as well as the variable whims of Mother Nature. Tips for successful suppression of soil-borne disease with cover crops. Grow a large lush cover crop. Mustard cover crops are picky — they need enough moisture, enough nitrogen, a good seedbed and sulfur to create the bio-active compounds. The nitrogen recommendation for Caliente mustards is 120 units of nitrogen and 20 of sulfur/A. This nitrogen will be recycled for the following cash crop. Phosphorus and potassium should be at sufficient levels for your following cash crop. Most mustard cover crops including ‘Caliente 119’ are particularly susceptible to water stress which will cause them to mature and flower when they are still small. Spring or mid-August plantings tend to do best. Planting in droughty soils is not recommended. Sudangrass has similar nitrogen requirements, but it does well in warm summer conditions and can continued on page 16
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
15
Cover Crops continued from page 15
withstand drier soils. Rapeseed is fall planted and will take advantage of fall and spring moisture. Remember the more cover crop biomass you grow, the more bio-active compound you will have to suppress soil-borne disease. You want to grow large cover crops. Choose appropriate varieties. Some cover crop varieties have been selected for increased levels of bio-active compounds. Mustard cvs. Caliente 199 and 119, rapeseed cv. Dwarf Essex, sudangrass cv. Trudan 8, sorghum sudangrass cvs. 79, SS-222 and SS-333 are among those that have done well in research trials. In addition, the mustard is selected for reduced seed viability to reduce potential problems with becoming weedy. Plant at appropriate rates. Sudangrass should be drilled at 30–50 lb/A. Mustards and rapeseed are planted at 8-10 lb/A. Chop the cover crop into small pieces. A flail mower does a good job of crushing plant tissue and breaking it into small
16
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
The mustard cover crop was ready for incorporation as a biofumigant when the plants were at full flower but the seeds were still green in the pods.
pieces. The more the tissue is crushed the greater the chemical reaction of the bioactive compounds. Incorporate the cover crop immediately after mowing. These bio-active compounds are volatile. As much as 80% can be lost if the cover crop is not incorporated within 15 minutes of mowing. Irrigate or cultipack to trap compounds. Sealing the surface of the soil
with water or a cultipacker can trap volatile bio-active compounds giving them more time to work. For a more information extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetablefruit/research-reports Tianna DuPont at (610) 746-1970,
tdupont@psu.edu.
www.paorganic.org
President’s Message
What’s in a test? False positives and negatives can create a bit of confusion Phil Coles, PCO Advisory Board President
Recently PCO and other certifying organizations have begun testing product samples for pesticide residues. To many this seems like an obvious practice; it is also thought to be cut and dry. Either there are pesticide residues or there are not, right? Maybe, or maybe not quite so simple. There are many things to keep in mind, particularly as testing has become more sensitive. There was a time when detections to parts per million, or ppm, were a big deal. Today parts per billion are typical and some compounds can even be detected to a level of parts per trillion. So what’s the big deal about changing an “m” to a “b” or a “tr?” First of all, it is important to remember changing that “m” to a “b” is a thousand-fold increase in sensitivity. Then that little “tr” change is another thousand-fold increase. Put them together and a trillion is a thousand, thou-
sand million, or another way to put it, there are one million millions in a trillion. This is not only useful when trying to appreciate the federal budget deficit (or not), it also means when talking about pesticide residues, we are trying to detect incredibly small amounts of pesticide residues. When doing so, many things can go wrong: things like false positives and false negatives. When we have a false positive, it means there is a positive reading indicating the presence of pesticides, but pesticides are not present. The other side of the coin is a false negative, meaning there are residues there, but the test failed to detect them. Similarly, (but not quite the same thing) often you will hear polls taken for political candidates. It may say candidate A is ahead of candidate B by two points, but it is within the margin of error, which is three percentage points. So one of the candidates is ahead, but we do not have the accuracy to detect which one it really is. It is like watching a horse race and not
being able to tell who won without the “photo-finish.” More accuracy was needed; only sometimes that camera is not available. There are accuracy problems with any type of test. This is different from sensitivity, which is how small of an interval can be measured. It may have high sensitivity, but could also have low accuracy: that is it may have a lot of false positives or negatives. So what’s the deal? Are there pesticides there or not? There are many things that can interfere with the accuracy of a test. There can be sample contamination. There is a positive because a sample was contaminated, in which case the sample would be the problem, not the test itself. There could be a mistake by a technician doing the testing. There are also inaccuracies that are an inevitable part of any residue testing, especially when attempting to measure at such small residue levels. There can be chemical interferences caused my naturally occurring compounds and all sorts of continued on page 32
Advertise in Organic Matters Organic Matters is the quarterly newsletter of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, a non-profit organization serving growers, processors and handlers of organic products. Issues contain articles on the latest news and research in the organic industry, often highlighting our certified members. Approximately 1,000 copies of each publication are distributed directly to members and those requesting information about organic agriculture, and made available to the public at conferences, exhibits and educational programs in the Mid-Atlantic region.
www.paorganic.org
Ad size Back cover (in color)
PRICING
Single
4 Issue Sub.
Dimensions (in)
$500
na
8.5 µ 9
Full Page
$320
$1,088
Half Page
$200
$680
7 µ 4.5 (horizontal) 3.25 µ 8.75 (vertical)
Quarter Page
$110
$374
3.25 µ 4.5 (vertical)
Eighth Page
$70
$238
3.25 µ 2.25 (horizontal)
8 µ 10
The above rates refer to a single-issue ad placement and a subscription for ad placement in four consecutive issues. A 15% discount is granted for the purchase of the 4-issue subscription. For more information, please contact newsletter@paorganic.org or call the PCO Office at 814-422-0251.
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
17
Dear Aggy
1 6 87
5
PA
S
SPR
IL L
I
NG M
Biodegradable Biobased Plastic Mulch Dear Aggy, We’re applying for organic certification for the first time this year. We’ve been following organic requirements for a while, but someone just told us that we will no longer be allowed to use the bio-degradable plastic mulch once we are certified. Why? The brand we use is made from non-GMO corn starch, and appears to be compostable and biodegradable. I’d love to hear whether or not this is allowed in our vegetable production. I’d much rather use this than send all that regular plastic mulch to the landfill. Pulling it up at the end of the season like regular plastic isn’t possible, as it really does disintegrate. — BioPlastic Bill Dear BP, Although biodegradable plastic is cornbased, it is still considered a synthetic material, and must therefore be included on the National List as an allowed Crop input. You’ll be glad to hear that biobased
mulch was recommended to be added to the National List by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in 2013. The National Organic Program (NOP) has proposed amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances to allow the use of biodegradable biobased mulch film in organic production. Under the amendment, farmers wouldn’t need to remove the biodegradable mulch at the end of the growing season, thus reducing waste and farm worker labor costs. Public comments on the proposed amendment were collected until October 21, 2013. At this time we are awaiting the Federal Register announcement that biodegradable biobased mulch has been officially added to the National List. Biobased mulch is not allowed in organic production until that announcement has been published. Biobased mulch will still need to be reviewed for compliance by PCO to make sure it complies with various restrictions, and those allowed will be listed under the Crops — Weed Control category in PCO’s Allowed Materials List.
Got a question for Aggy?
Dear Aggy, My fertilizer sales person just stopped in and was telling me I should be applying micronutrients to my fields to boost crop health and yields. He did pull some soil samples, but I haven’t gotten the results back yet. I see there’s a micronutrient restriction mentioned in the new Annual PCO Approved Materials List — but what does it mean (other than taking soil tests)? — Managing my Micros Dear MMM, You’ll definitely want to wait to receive the soil test results before making any decisions on which micronutrients to apply. Micronutrients include soluble boron products and sulfates, carbonates, oxides, or silicates of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and cobalt. Synthetic micronutrients are specifically restricted at §205.601(j)(6), “not to be used as a defoliant, herbicide, or desiccant. Those made from nitrates or chlorides are not allowed. Soil deficiency must be documented by testing.”
18
Organic Matters • Spring 2014
When using synthetic micronutrients as plant or soil amendments in organic crop production, the soil deficiency of each micronutrient must be documented. Testing must be performed by a qualified testing facility, and may include soil testing or tissue testing. Since deficiencies are often crop specific, tissue tests can provide useful information on what your crop needs. Testing must be specific to the each micronutrient, each field/production area where the micronutrient will be applied,
• Mail to PCO: 106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875 • Email to: pco@paorganic.org • Fax to: 814-422-0255
continued on page 19
www.paorganic.org
RECIPE CORNER Debra Deis, PCO Advisory Board Vice President
Shotgun Wedding Soup This simple but satisfying soup is a cross between Italian Wedding Soup and a Pasta Fagioli Soup that my Italian Mother made frequently. I call it “Shotgun wedding” because it is really fast to make and a little spicy. Ingredients 1 lb fresh hot Italian sausage 1 T olive oil 1/4 cup diced red sweet pepper 4 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup cut fusilli or any small thin twisted pasta 1/2 lb kale greens, bite size (stems discarded); spinach and escarole also work but cook them less 2 cups tomato juice
1 cup canned chickpeas, drained Fresh ground black pepper Salt, optional 1/3 cup freshly finely shredded Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan) cheese. (Considering my mother grew up in a small town filled with Pennsylvania Germans, she cared deeply for Pecorino Romano and would restock a few times a year from Philadelphia.)
Directions 1. Remove sausage from the casing and roll it into small meatballs, using a scant tablespoon of sausage for each meatball. In a large saucepan, sauté the sausage meatballs in the olive oil for a few minutes until slightly browned. Add the red pepper and sauté 1 more minute. Lower the heat and add chicken broth. Bring to a slow boil and add the pasta. When the broth comes back to a boil, add the kale and cover. Just let the kale float on the soup until it wilts — it is best not to stir it in right away. Simmer another 10 minutes. 2. Stir in the floating kale along with the chickpeas and tomato juice. Check for salt and add black pepper to taste. Simmer 5 to 10 more minutes until the pasta is tender. 3. Serve in large shallow soup bowls topped with the shredded cheese. Serves 4–6
Dear Aggy continued from page 18
and must be current within 3 years of application date. Application rates should not exceed the recommendations set by the testing facility. In some cases, soil deficiencies can be documented through evidence from an independent scientific expert (not your local sales rep.), including extension publications such as your local Agronomy Guide. So, make sure: • Your test samples are a good representation of the area where you want to apply micronutrients. • Micronutrients are actually part of the tests you are taking (frequently they’re add-on requests to the basic tests) • Tests are taken at least every 3 years to track micronutrient levels as you amend and improve your soils • The rate of micronutrients you are adding is consistent with the requirements of the tests.
Team Raw Milk continued from page 4
across a solution. Monitor indicators of milk hygiene (SPC, SCC) too, as all indicators are important. Since then, Edwin has added a fifth step of producing raw milk: Keep the healthy, healthy. Edwin’s SCC count has since come down from around 400,000 to around 120,000, mainly through culling high SCC cows and herd management. He attributes his success in solving this rare case to the collaborative efforts among vets/agencies/farmers. For more information on production of raw milk, request a raw milk production guide from Lydia Johnson, Food Safety Director at PDA, at www.agriculture.state.pa.us or by calling (717) 7874315. 1. According to the World Health Organization campylobacter is a bacterium that causes intestinal infections. The bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals such as poultry and cattle, and are frequently detected in foods derived from these animals.
www.paorganic.org
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
19
20
Organic Matters • Spring 2014
www.paorganic.org
Organic Updates
Leadership Team Update Startegic Plan 2014–17 PCO’s Mission: To assure the integrity of organic agricultural products through education, inspection, and certification of growers, processors and handlers. 1. Improve Membership Services & Satisfaction GOAL A — Reach at least 50% participation of our certified organic members with online and phone renewal services.
responded to and followed up with so that we grow PCO clients/members.
GOAL B — Acquire and consolidate information management tools in order to ensure operational efficiency which will improve customer service.
GOAL C — Increase PCO’s market share of certified organic operators in our region by at least 10%.
2. Increase Financial Viability & Diversity GOAL A — Ensure our organic certification fees are comparable with other certying agencies. GOAL B — Establish and implement a plan for non-certification income (i.e. memberships, sponsorships, grants) in order to increase and diversify revenue streams. 3. Grow Market Share GOAL A — Ensure that prospective organic clients are
www.paorganic.org
GOAL B — Develop and implement 1 additional certification program.
GOAL D — Ensure current company name, structure, and mission statement accurately represent the types of services we provide. 4. Advisory Board Development GOAL A — Define the Board’s role and responsibilities and revise by-laws and governing documents to reflect these. GOAL B — Recruit, develop, and engage a committed and active Board.
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
21
Organic Updates Certification Update Certification Cost Share Fully Restored
process. This goal is to increase market share in our region by 10 percent over the next 3 years. We are off to a great start in 2014 as we have already processed several new applications!
Kyla Smith, Certification Program Director
The President of the United States signed the 2014 Farm Bill into law on February 7, 2014. This Farm Bill fully restored the Organic Cost Share Program that reimburses organic producers and handlers up to 75% ($750 maximum per scope) of their certification fees. This program had been cut when the previous Farm Bill expired in September 2012. As a result producers and handlers in many states were not eligible to receive this reimbursement. Please visit the PCO website at www.paorganic.org/costshare or call the PCO office at 814-422-0251 for more details on eligibility and how to apply.
Certification by Category — 2013
2013 Year in Review PCO certified a total of 580 main operations and 169 contracted operations in 2013, which is a slight increase over 2012. While the number of applications received and new certifications issued in 2013 compared to 2012 decreased, we still had a net gain in number of certified operations in 2013 compared to 2012 because the number of non-renewals/surrenders also decreased.
Certification Comparison
nt ra
Co
M
ai n
O
pe
ra Ce tion rti s ct fie ed d O pe ra Ce tion rti s Ne fie w d Ap pl ic a Re tio Ne ce ns iv w ed Ce rti fic at io Is ns su ed No np re n Su ew rr als en / de rs In sp Co ect m ion pl s et ed
PCO's partnership with the Gluten Fee Certification Organization (GFCO) provides you with a streamlined inspection process that…
Dairy operations continue to represent the type of operation we certify the most of, coming in at 34 percent. However, this percentage is down slightly from 36 percent in 2012. PCO saw a growth in the percentage of handling and crop operations we certified in 2013 compared to 2012, both sectors increasing by one percent. The Certification Team will play an integral role in one of the organization’s goals identified during the strategic planning
22
Organic Matters • Spring 2014
• Simplifies the inspection process — PCO and GFCO will coordinate the scheduling of a simultaneous inspection for both gluten-free and organic certifications. • Saves time — one inspector conducts a combined inspection of both gluten-free and organic products. • Saves money —the amount of inspection fees and travel expenses incurred is reduced by having a combined inspection. Contact PCO about becoming certified gluten-free under the dual-inspection process. 814-422-0251 • pco@paorganic.org
www.paorganic.org
Organic Updates Legislative Update Farm Bill Finally Becomes Law
• Certification Requirements for Unpackaged Products (NOP 5031)
This guidance document describes the certification requirements for operations that handle unpackaged organic products. An operation that handles unpackaged organic products (other than transporting), and is not an exempt or excluded operation, must be certified.
Johanna Mirenda, Policy Director After years of debate and compromise, the House and Senate finally passed a new five-year Farm Bill that was signed into law by President Obama on February 7, 2014. The bill includes many features that will continue to support organic farmers and processors, as reported by the National Organic Coalition and the Organic Trade Association:
• Reinstating Suspended Operations (NOP 2605)
• Increases funding for certification cost share programs
• Humic Acid Extraction (PM 13-2)
National Organic Certification Cost Share Program funded at $11.5 million annually, for farmers and handlers in all states, to be available until expended. Agricultural Management Assistance program funded at $1 million annually for farmers in 16 states. • Increases funding for the National Organic Program
NOP funded at $15 million annually with an additional one-time $5 million for database upgrades
This instruction document describes the process for certifiers and suspended organic operations to request certification reinstatement. Once an organic operation’s certification has been suspended, only the NOP has the authority to approve its reinstatement. This policy memo clarifies that any alkali material may be used for humic acid extraction under NOP regulations for synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production. To access full text of any NOP publication or to receive email updates directly from the NOP by subscribing to be an Organic Insider, please visit the NOP website (ams.usda.gov) or contact PCO for hard copies.
• Increases funding for organic research
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) funded at $20 million annually Organic Data Initiative funded at $5 million (one-time) • Expands exemption for organic operations from conventional check-off programs
Producers of “100% organic” and “organic” are no longer subject to conventional check-off programs. The bill also authorizes USDA to consider establishment of an organic check-off program. • Improves organic crop insurance
USDA is required to complete organic price elections for purposes of crop insurance by 2015 to reflect the actual retail or wholesale priced received by producers of organic crops.
Standards & Policy Update New NOP Handbook Publications Johanna Mirenda, Policy Director • The Organic Certification Process (NOP 2601)
This instruction document describes the five steps of the organic certification process. • Organic System Plans, Updates, Notification of Changes (NOP 2615)
This instruction document describes requirements for continuing certification and how a certified operation should notify its certifier of changes that may affect its compliance with the regulations.
www.paorganic.org
Materials Update Material Review Status Changes Johanna Mirenda, Policy Director Please note the following status changes for materials reviewed by PCO for use by certified operators. ALLOWED — Contact PCO with any questions about the use or restrictions for these products. • Yeastsure O (Cenzone Tech, Inc.) allowed as livestock feed additive. PROHIBITED — Operators must immediately discontinue use of these products unless otherwise indicated. • Culbac Green Dry Seed Treatment (TransAgra) prohibited as crop production aid. Clients may use up existing supply until 7/31/2014. • Iron Dextro Lac (Agro-K) prohibited as fertilizer. Clients may use up existing supply until 7/31/2014. • Manganese Dextro Lac (Agro-K) prohibited as fertilizer. Clients may use up existing supply until 7/31/2014. • Zinc Dextro Lac (Agro-K) prohibited as fertilizer. Clients may use up existing supply until 7/31/2014.
Chlorine Restriction on Food vs. Equipment Chlorine-based products are restricted in different ways, depending on how the product will be used. There is a different restriction for chlorine when it is used on equipment than when it is used in direct food contact. continued on page 24
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
23
Organic Updates continued from page 23
• Chlorine (Facility) — Chlorine products used as equipment cleaners and sanitizers are subject to the following restriction: May be used up to maximum labeled rates for disinfecting and sanitizing food contact surfaces and equipment. Rinsing is not required unless mandated by the label use directions. If chlorine is used at higher levels than specified in the Safe Drinking Water Act (4ppm as chlorine, 0.8ppm as chlorine dioxide), food contact surface must be allowed to drain and dry thoroughly. • Chlorine (Processing) — Chlorine products used in direct food contact as processing aids are subject to the following restriction: Residual levels of chlorine in water in direct food contact must not be greater than specified in the Safe Drinking Water Act (4ppm as chlorine, 0.8ppm as chlorine dioxide). The 2014 Approved Materials List will have the term chlorine in the restriction column to indicate that the product is restricted. Look in for the full text of the restriction within the “List of Restrictions” section of the Materials List. The next edition of the Materials List will be updated with the full text of the “Chlorine (Facility)” restriction.
Attention Manufacturers! Manufacturers that would like to advertise products as approved for use in organic production are encouraged to register products with the Organic Materials Review Institute
24
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
(OMRI) (www.omri.org, 1-541-343-7600). Suppliers of livestock and processing products can use the PCO Discount Code APP410346 to receive both a free OMRI Application Kit and a 15% discount off their first product application fee. (Crop materials are not eligible for this program.)
Inspection Insights Seasonal Similarities Between Farming and Inspecting Amanda Birk, Staff Inspector During the 7 years when I raised vegetables and some livestock for CSA and market, people would often ask me, “What do you do in the winter?” Meaning that, since vegetables aren’t being grown, harvested and sold, it must be a nice break, right? A farmer from Massachusetts once told me that, sure, we get a break in the winter, we only work 50 hours a week instead of 80. Well, since the PCO inspection season coincides with the farmer’s growing season — it’s from the first of April through the end of October — one might think that PCO Staff Inspectors get a nice break over the winter, too, but fortunately, we know better… So, what does the PCO Staff Inspector do with all of her
www.paorganic.org
Organic Updates time in the winter? We’ve got our seasonal maintenance duties, too. Just like the farmer organizes the washroom, buys seeds and repairs equipment, we update forms to reflect policy changes, improve our systems to be more efficient and consistent, draft inspection assignments, and take and coordinate trainings. One thing we do in the winter is recruit and support farmers to grow organic. For example, PCO Staff Inspector, Liz Amos recently attended a meeting for dairy farmers interested in transitioning to organic. For better or worse, this meeting was held on Thursday, February 13th, the day of the now infamous 2014 “Polar Vortex,” when it snowed 12 to 18 inches across the east coast. While Liz was driving the three hours to get to the meeting in blizzard conditions, over 40 farmers found their own ways through the snow to learn how to become organic. Another thing we do in the winter is Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO) inspections. GFCO is an additional certification program made available both for the convenience of our clients interested in gluten free certification, and also to diversify our funding sources. Sticking with the snow theme — we are talking about winter after all — PCO Staff Inspector Amanda Birk — that’s me — recently took a trip to Minnesota to complete a full schedule of GFCO inspections. While I was there, the weather was 15 below zero with 30mph winds, until the end of the week, when the weather warmed enough to snow. The day it snowed, I too, drove through a blizzard. The funny thing was that I saw a school bus driving through this blizzard, picking up kids. I
www.paorganic.org
learned later that the past week, they had been off school for 6 days due to extremely cold weather… Fast forward to April: as planting gets underway, the PCO Staff Inspector gets back on her full-time inspecting schedule. Just as the farmer is looking for a nice day to work the ground and plant crops, April is a time when we are heading every which way to inspect a new pasture in the northeast region, a new dairy in Lancaster, or new hayfields in the western part of the state. These seasonal similarities between the work schedules of farmer and inspector surely help both to be more understanding, respectful and considerate when scheduling inspections. While the inspector may be working long hours away from home, family and community, for days, or even weeks at a time, the farmer still must get his or her recently acquired field certified to take the hay crop for the next winter’s feed storage. Being respectful and considerate of each other’s situations certainly helps make the whole process more pleasant overall. continued on page 26
Visit paorganic.org or like us on Facebook for the latest PCO news.
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
25
Organic Updates continued from page 25
New Faces PCO Welcomes New Outreach Specialist In January 2014, PCO announced the addition of Rebecca Robertson in the newly created position of Organic Outreach Specialist. Ms. Robertson’s work and the creation of the outreach position underscores PCO’s commitment to communicating the benefits of organic agriculture both on the farm and on the table. Rebecca brings to PCO diverse skills and experiences that will serve to take PCO’s outreach to the next level. Ms. Robertson earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 and her Master’s in Natural Resources and Peace with a focus on sustainable food systems and food security from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in 2009.
26
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
Most recently Ms. Robertson served as Farm-Based Education Coordinator for Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) in Millheim, PA. “Working with growers and producers these past few years, I’ve witnessed the dedication, innovation and hard work farmers pour into their operations every single day. These men and women are my heroes,” says Robertson. “They are constantly adjusting to changing conditions and markets in brilliant ways. Our network has so much to share and learn from each other, and I am very excited to be a part of PCO’s Education & Outreach Team and help further those connections.” PCO’s hiring of Ms. Robertson as Organic Outreach Specialist is part of a strategic initiative to further outreach and education in organic agriculture. In addition to planning educational events and networking with the community, Rebecca will coordinate the Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest, an annual PCO-sponsored family event held the first weekend of August in Centre Hall, PA. As Farm-Based Education Coordinator for PASA, Ms. Robertson planned, coordinated and conducted the numerous high-quality educational farm field days that PASA is known for. Working on farm field days with the diversity of organic and sustainable family farmers in PCO’s region is great experience for PCO’s new outreach specialist. “We are delighted to have Rebecca join us and are particularly excited about the level of passion, knowledge, and experience she brings to the education team at PCO,” says Lee
www.paorganic.org
Organic Updates Rinehart, PCO’s Director of Education and Outreach. “Our goal at PCO is to serve the organic community through certification and education, and our outreach programs are a big part of that, from the educational field days we plan, to PA Organic FarmFest, and especially our high-quality publication, Organic Matters. This new position gives PCO added resources to make a difference, serve our members, and educate the public about organic agriculture.” Prior to her farm-based education work, Ms. Robertson spent five years working in environmental education and sustainable development with such organizations as the Student Conservation Association, Serve Alaska Youth Corps, and Trail Town Program where she worked on sustainable growth and economic opportunities in the rural towns along the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail. Rebecca’s diverse experiences gave her an acute appreciation for connecting with community members who are trying to make a difference in their communities while earning a fair living. In her spare time Ms. Robertson enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, gardening, running, knitting, reading, tubing on the Penn’s Valley “cricks,” making fresh cheeses and hula hooping. She is looking forward to working with her partner, Andrew Porter, on a project to bring new life to his family’s old hunting cabin in Penn’s Valley, where they hope to live and run their own small farm someday. Rebecca Robertson can be reached at (814) 422-0251, or by email at rebecca@paorganic.org.
Come join the PCO Team!
Employment Opportunities
Want to work with people committed to assuring the integrity of organic food production? For a full description of duties and qualifications, visit www.paorganic.org/jobs. Staff Accountant Pennsylvania Certified Organic announces a job opening for a Staff Accountant. The ideal candidate will have education and/or experience in bookkeeping functions, including, but not limited to: accounts payable/receivable, managing payroll, generating financial reports with analysis, reconciling multiple bank accounts, etc. We are looking for a well-organized person to join our professional team in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary Range: $40,000 to $45,000, depending on experience. Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off. Interested in volunteering? PCO relies on its outstanding volunteers to help with organic outreach and education. Volunteers have assisted by participating in one of PCO’s committees: Finance, Standards, staffing an exhibit, FarmFest; and much more. Support Pennsylvania Certified Organic by volunteering to contribute to our organization’s mission; email: pco@paorganic.org or call 814-4220251 for more information. How to apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter to (electronic submissions preferred): Lia Sandoval, lia@paorganic.org, 814-422-0251.
continued on page 4
www.paorganic.org
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
27
Organic Marketplace Dairy quality organic balage. Forage test results available, we can do local deliveries. Call 570412-1392. Union County.
FOR SALE CROPS 4 x 4 wrapped 1st and 2nd cut forages. Phone: 724-530-7220; Cell: 724-730-6488. Lawrence County. Organic, weed free, wheat straw in small bails, for sale. Lititz, PA. For pricing and more information, contact Bob at 717-808-1402. Lancaster County. PCO Certified Organic Apples, Apple Cider and Applesauce. Great for your fall/winter 2014 CSA pack. Plan now for a great addition sure to please your members. For wholesale pricing, contact Oyler’s Organic Farms. Email: orders.oylersorganicfarms@ gmail.com, phone: 717-677-8411. Adams County. PCO certified triticale straw. Milton, PA. Clean bright 4x4 net wrapped round bales stored in barn, $170/tn can deliver in reasonable distance. Abram (Bucky) Ziegler. 570-412-3094. pvppfarm@verizon.net. Montour County. Organic Hay, Straw, Corn, Barley, Wheat. Totes quantity for sprouting grains available. Hay prices based on forage tests. Dairy to dry cow grades, call for list. Delivery available. Provident Farms @ 570-772-6095. Tioga County. Humified Compost. Available in totes or bulk. Dan Landis, Landisdale Farms. Delivery Available. 717-304-9386. LandisdaleFarm@gmail. com. Lebanon County.
28
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
PCO Certified Grass hay, Straw. Dan DeTurk 610-972-2864, Berks County. Certified organic hay and forages. 1st cutting 4x4 oatlage ($35/bale), 1st cutting grass balage forages ($40/bale), 2nd cutting $45 bale. Call for 2nd/3rd cutting availability and pricing. Dan, H. Rothvoss and Sons Farm 518-329-5555, DROTHVOSS@HOTMAIL.COM Albany, NY area. Organic Corn and Second Year Transitional Soybeans. Richard Smith, 412-559-2251, rlsmith8@verizon.net, Somerset County. PCO Certified organic balage. Individually wrapped. 4x4 mixed hay, 1st and 2nd cutting. $40 dollars a bale. Jim Hepp: 570-746-1651. Bradford County.
REAL ESTATE PCO Certified Organic Packaging Building and Small Farm For Sale. Energy efficient. Loading dock. 30x60 bank barn, new steel. Outbuildings. New well, septic, plumbing. 3-Br brick house. 2.37 acres. $339,000. 717-468-2624. Wrightsville, York County.
WANTED
ture, dry hay and baleage. Must have organic certification. We offer six-month winter premium, grass-fed premium OVER organic milk price, technical assistance / mineral program. Organic transition payments available. Questions? Call Maple Hill Creamery: 518-758-7777. Wanted: Organic whole feed grade flax seed, organic feed oats, organic feed grade field peas. Milton, PA. Looking for smaller quantities, but would take truckload quantities. Abram (Bucky) Ziegler. 570-412-3094, pvppfarm@verizon.net. Montour County. Wanted: NON GMO Corn. Paying premium. Must pass test. Does not need to be certified. Lebanon, PA. rockymeadowfarm@evenlink.com. 717-228-2727. Lebanon County. Wanted: Organic Raw Milk ACF Organics, LLC, d/b/a/ Amish Country Farms in Totowa, New Jersey looking to procure certified organic raw milk from farmers in PA. Ken Tensen: 800990-3447 x 202.
FOR RENT Historic Farm in Centre County, PA, for rent on contract or shares. 120 acres plus large barn, hay and pastures. Farmland and barn only, no residence. Transitioning to organic. Rhoneymeade Farm, c/o James Lesher, 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828. jimmylesher@hotmail.com.
Seeking 100% Grass-Fed Dairy Farmers Requirements: No grain, no corn silage—just pas-
www.paorganic.org
Calendar
April
APRIL 2, 10AM–4PM Managing Soils in Organic Vegetable Production Village Acres Farm & FoodShed, LLC Mifflintown, PA Learn how to monitor and build soil health and assessment strategies as Debra Brubaker of Village Acres Farm describes their soil building practices which include cover crops, green manures, and inputs. Visit: agsci.psu.edu/wagn/events or contact Patty Neiner at 814-865-7031. APRIL 8–SEPT 23 Intro to Organic Vegetable Production Allentown, PA and Surrounding Farms The objective of this course is to introduce aspiring and new vegetable producers to diverse production strategies and provide a framework for effective farm production planning. Appropriate for farmers and market gardeners at 1⁄2 acre to 20 acre scales. Visit: extension.psu.edu/start-farming/events or contact Tianna DuPont at tdupont@psu.edu or 610746-1970. APRIL 13 Philly Farm & Food Fest Philadelphia, PA A unique opportunity for local farmers and producers to connect with thousands (this year upwards of 5,000 are expected) of visitors offering samples and products for sale while enjoying a full schedule of informative presentations and workshops. Visit phillyfarmfest.org. APRIL 16, 10AM–1PM Organic Field Cover Crop Study Circle: Cover Crop Mixtures Summit Valley Farm New Holland, PA See cover crop mixtures trial in the field. Discussion topics include: how cover crop mixes affect nitrogen availability and yield; how cover crop diversity benefits soil health and soil life; long term cover crop benefits versus short term benefits; and residue management. Visit extension.psu.edu/start-farming/events or contact Tianna DuPont at tdupont@ psu.edu or 610-746-1970. APRIL 18 Good Friday • PCO Office Closed Spring Mills, PA
www.paorganic.org
APRIL 24 PCO Advisory Board Meeting Mifflintown, PA APRIL 29 Planned Grazing and Biological Monitoring with Troy BIshopp Cliff Hawbaker’s Farm (Hamilton Heights Dairy) Chambersburg, PA Learn to plan your grazing season with a grazing chart, biological monitoring and holistic grazing management to improve profit and mitigate risk. Take part in a hands-on exercise using Cliff’s grazing season goals to plan pasture use to ensure grazing far into the winter. Learn from Troy Bishopp how to: create goals and strategies around grazing season benchmarks; monitor and track dry matter production weekly; implement practices to improve animal health and soil biology; Use grazing management to improve nutrient management; manipulate ecological succession on specific fields; and build in pasture recovery times to get through weather events. To register, visit paorganic.org or call 814-470-9734. APRIL 29–MAY 1 National Organics Standards Board Meeting San Antonio, TX
May
May 5 Wholesale Success: Post-Harvest Handling and On-Farm Food Safety Clarion River Organics Sligo, PA Visit pasafarming.org/events or contact Susan Beal at 814-349-9856. MAY 12–13 Preserving America’s Farms and Farmland: Celebrating 40 years of Farmland Preservation Hershey, PA Whether you work in land use planning, resource protection, conservation, agriculture, academia, law, real estate or you are a local elected official, if your work involves a farmland preservation effort, don’t miss this conference, the first of its kind in seven years! More info at cpe.rutgers.edu/courses or 732932-9271.
MAY 19 Integrating Agritourism into the Whole Farm Plan Berry Fields Farm New Albany, PA Discover how Barbara and Charlie Gerlach grew their farm from a small vegetable garden to a diversified operation that includes an on-farm dining room, farm vacation stays, festivals and concerts. Visit agsci.psu.edu/wagn/events or contact Patty Neiner at 814-865-7031. MAY 22–23 Organic Trade Association Conference Washington, DC MAY 26 Memorial Day • PCO Office Closed Spring Mills, PA MAY 31, 10AM–1PM Heritage Pastured Pigs Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA Join Rodale veterinarian Dr. Hubert Karreman in this class to learn all about breeds, housing, feed and pastures, handling and health issues. Visit rodaleinstitute.org/event-registration or call 610-683-1400.
June
JUNE 1 Bike Fresh Bike Local Allegheny County Ice Rink at North Park Alison Park, PA Proceeds from this event support PASA’s work in Western Pennsylvania on behalf of family farms. Register at pasafarming.org. JUNE 10, 10AM–4PM Understanding Hardy Kiwi Production Kiwi Corners Danville, PA Tour a one-of-a-kind organic hardy kiwi operation. Owners will describe cultivars, planting, pruning, pest management and marketing of this wonderfully sweet fruit. Visit agsci.psu.edu/wagn/events or contact Patty Neiner at 814-865-7031. Save the Date! — AUGUST 1–2 3rd Annual FarmFest Grange Fairgrounds, Centre Hall, PA See page 2 for details
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
29
30
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
www.paorganic.org
PCO Welcomes 1st Quarter New Members! NEW CERTIFIED MEMBERS Fulton Center for Sustainable Living, Fulton Farm Chambersburg, PA
Bradley Heatwole Sugar Grove, WV Arnold Wenger Dayton, VA
Cindy Goril Strongstown, PA
NEW SUPPORTING MEMBERS
Lu Caputo Kennett Square, PA
Tara Proctor Harmony Hill Organics Cogan Station, PA
Commitent 2000 Inc. dba Father Sam’s Bakery Buffalo, NY Paul B. Esch Ovid, NY Essential Eating Sprouted Foods Waverly, PA
Joe Cesa Philly Fair Trade Roasters, LLC Philadelphia, PA Susan Perun Pheasant Ridge Farm Cogan Station, PA
Shenandoah Valley Organic/ Processing Front Royal, VA
www.paorganic.org
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
31
President’s Message continued from page 17
2015 PCO Calendar Photo Contest!
PCO would like to showcase your organic farm, and photography skills, in our 2015 calendar.
We are looking for pictures of your family and farm workers on your organic farm or handling operation, at work or at rest, throughout the seasons. New this year, we’ll display all submitted photos at FarmFest for in person voting and prizes. We will accept high-resolution photos via submission on our website, by email, or on a CD. Please submit your entries for the photo contest by July 15 to: Pennsylvania Certified Organic 2015 Calendar Coordinator 106 School Street, Suite 201 • Spring Mills, PA 16875 calendar@paorganic.org • www.paorganic.org
32
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
interactions between various compounds and their metabolites, the compounds that result from chemical decomposition of various materials. That is why statisticians and researchers use the phrase, “We are (fill in a number, usually 95)% confident that (fill in the blank) is true, or false, or whatever. There is still that 5% chance that something went wrong! The opposite really happened. This is sort of like weather reports, 50% chance of rain! but just sort of. So how should we treat test results? Should 95% be accepted the same as if it were 100%? Would it be better to say, well, it is inaccurate, so let’s just not pay attention to it? Let’s look at it for what it is. A residue test is a very good indicator of whether there are pesticide residues, but not one that is infallible. If there are no residues detected, there is a very good chance there are no pesticide residues, but it does not mean everyone can now relax. Systems must continue to be improved to ensure there are no pesticide residues on food sold as organic. The other side of the coin is that a detection, while a very good indication that there are pesticide residues present, could also be a false positive. Whenever a positive detection occurs, everyone must be alert and investigate any possibility of contamination, not only of the crop, but also any chance of sample cross contamination, and generally a retest is also in order. If we are 95% sure of the accuracy, then taking a second test and it also being positive means we are now 99.75% confident that the residues are actually there. Regardless of what residue tests turn out to be make sure they are accurate, and make sure you are doing what you need to do to maintain the integrity of what you produce.
Visit paorganic.org or like us on Facebook for the latest PCO news.
www.paorganic.org
www.paorganic.org
Organic Matters
•
Spring 2014
33
Non-Profit Org US POSTAGE PAID CENTRE HALL, PA PERMIT NO. 33
106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875