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The Future of Organic: Welcoming Farmers 10:30-11:45 A.M. Moderator: NATHANIEL LEWIS Senior Crops and Livestock Specialist, OTA CATHY CALFO Executive Director / CEO, CCOF SARAH BROWN Education Director, Oregon Tilth BRITT LUNDGREN Director of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture, Stonyfield Farm All Things Organic Conference presented by The Future of Organic: Welcoming New Farmers All Things Organic Conference September 18, 2014 Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund Growing the next generation of organic farmers. The Fund: A First-of-its-Kind Collaboration Among Organic Industry Leaders Why? • Epidemic shortage of farmers in the United States • Aging farmer population • Demand for organic far outstripping supply • Gap in support for organic educational programming $50,000 Awarded in 2014 • K-8 grants available through Agriculture in the Classroom • High school grants disseminated through Future Farmers of America • Ten $2,500 direct grants through the CCOF Foundation 2014 Higher Education Grant Award Recipients • 10 recipients chosen • $2,500 direct grant toward each recipient’s educational expenses in organic agriculture Higher Education Grant Recipient: Eliza Milio University of California Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) Farm & Garden Apprenticeship Eliza’s goal is to operate her own farm with a connected restaurant. She says: “Restaurants hold the unique capability to not only support organic farms and provide jobs in the kitchen, but also to educate a wide audience of eaters about organic, healthy food and social justice.” Higher Education Grant Recipient: Fernando Mendez Columbia Basin College, Crop & Soil Sciences Undergraduate Student Fernando’s goal is to become an organic farmer to, as he says: “Produce the best quality of food without the use of synthetic fertilizers and to protect and regenerate our land.” 2014 K-8 Agriculture in the Classroom Grant Award Recipients • 10 recipients chosen • Up to $1,000 to apply toward classroom projects on organic agriculture K-8 Recipient: Toyon Middle School Organic Pizza Garden Toyon Middle School, San Andreas, California • Plant, grow, harvest, and bake organic pizzas in their organic school garden • Learn about organic gardening practices • Research the organic regulations and give presentations on organic practices • Learn what organic products are available in local stores, and encourage their families to buy organic. K-8 Recipient: Ode to Organics Pacific Coast Charter School, Watsonville, California • Make charts and diagrams comparing organic and conventional farming • Pick produce at a certified organic farm to dehydrate and store for healthy eating year-round • Write poetry or short essays to the public to raise community awareness in about the benefits of organic farming. Future Farmers of America Supervised Agricultural Experience Grant Partnership • 10 Grants of $1,000 to high-school aged students • Grants distributed nationally on a competitive basis • Projects must focus on organic production methods 2015 Fund Goal: At least $100,000! Double Our Impact Thank you! Transition to Organic A Shared Effort Sarah Brown Education Director Oregon Tilth John Foster All Things Organic Oregon Tilth March 14, 2007 September 18, 2014 Understanding Transition • Partnership with the National Young Farmer Coalition • National needs assessment/survey • Development of a producer selfassessment guide Transition to organic is a shared effort. Support Services Investors & Lenders NOP Certifiers Farmers Processors Consumers Transition to organic is a shared effort. Government NOP SCBG SARE OREI Industry Hummingbird Wholesale Amy’s Kitchen Organically Grown Co. Glory Bee Foods NGO UNFI Foundation Clif Bar Family Fdn Farm Aid McKnight Fdn We believe knowledge bridges the gap between problems and solutions. Transitioning Farmer Network • • • • • • • 11 farms >800 acres Field days Webinars NRCS Extension Cert staff Investing in organic transition has economic and environmental benefits. Organic Market Analysis Supply Gaps Infrastructure Barriers Production Limitations Investment Strategies Opportunities USDA NRCS • Oregon Tilth-NRCS contribution agreement • Organic technical assistance • EQIP Organic Initiative EQIP Organic Initiative • Conservation-related technical and financial assistance – – – – – Crop rotation Cover crop Nutrient management Prescribed grazing, fence, watering facilities High tunnels • Available to transitioning and certified producers • 20k annually and 80k per contract • Organic System Plan (OSP) support We believe problem solving is a collaborative process. Sarah Brown Education Director [email protected] The Future of Organic: Welcoming Farmers at Wolfe’s Neck Farm Britt Lundgren Stonyfield Director of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture by the numbers in Maine # of dairies: declined from 500 in 2000 to 300 today # organic dairies: declined from 68 in 2012 to 60 today Land in farms: increased by 8% from 2007 to 2012 Total # of farms: stable from 2007 to 2012 Maine ranks third in the nation for growth in the number of new/beginning farmers: 36% more between 2007 2012 The Future of Organic: Welcoming Farmers Questions? All Things Organic Conference presented by