In this Issue:
- New eOrganic Webinars
- Ask an Expert 2.0
- Organic Processing Institute Fact Sheets and Classifieds
- Upcoming CCOF Webinar
- MOSES Call for Organic Research Posters
- 2012 USDA Organic Resource Guide
New eOrganic Webinars
eOrganic has an exciting winter season of webinars planned on organic farming and research topics related to organic dairy, grains, and fruit production, organic insect and disease management, and climate change. The following 3 webinars have opened for registration, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance! All webinars are free and open to the public.
December 11, 2012: Orchard Floor Management in the Intermountain West by Jennifer Reeve of Utah State University
December 18, 2012: Bovine Milk Fats: A Look at Organic Milk by Gillian Butler of Newcastle University
January 8, 2013: The "Ancient" Grains Emmer, Einkorn and Spelt: What We Know and What We Need to Find Out by Frank Kutka and Steve Zwinger of North Dakota State University, Julie Dawson of Cornell, and June Russell of Greenmarket GrowNYC
Register for new webinars and find all recordings of past webinars in our archive at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242
Ask an Expert 2.0 launches Dec 3
If you have a question about organic farming, you can use the Ask an Expert service at http://extension.org/ask, and you'll usually get an answer from Land Grant universities around the country within 48 hours. On December 3, 2012, changes are coming to the Ask an Expert Service. Both questioners and responders will be able to make their questions open to the public for comment, but they will also have the option to keep the questions private. In Ask an Expert, you can upload a photo, and provide additional information such as your location in order to get an appropriate answer. Ask your questions about organic agriculture at http://extension.org/ask.
Organic Processing Institute Fact Sheets and Classified Ad Service
OPI Fact Sheets are provided as a free resource for organic farmers, producers, and processors. Three Fact Sheets address the up-and-coming trend of Mobile Processing Units; specifically, what state regulations in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin dictate about poultry waste disposal. Another new Fact Sheet brings together tips and issues involved in sourcing ingredients for organic processing. Download the fact sheets at the Organic Processing Institute Website.
In addition, a new, free classified ads service is now on the OPI website, and is available to organic processors and producers wishing to announce organic products for sale. Check out the current ads for ingredients wanted. As well as organic products, they also encourage processors to advertise equipment they wish to buy or sell.
Upcoming CCOF Crop Planning Webinar
CCOF Crop Planning Webinar
December 11, 2012, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
CCOF Members: $20, Non-members: $25
Register at http://www.ccof.org/programs.php
Are you already thinking about what you want to grow next year? Crop planning is the infrastructure for a farmer’s progress and profitability, and knowing expected yields and harvest dates plays a major role in marketing and sales. Get ahead for 2013 by attending CCOF’s Crop Planning webinar on December 11 with Dina Izzo, expert organic marketer and founder of BluDog Organic Produce Services. Hear experiences from Andrew Brait, longtime farmer and owner of Full Belly Farm. This webinar reviews the basics of how to develop a crop plan, setting you up for a successful season of growing and meeting market demand. Sign up today and get started with your 2013 organic crop plan!
2013 MOSES Organic Farming Conference: Call for Organic Research Posters
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is proud to announce the 4th Annual Organic Research Poster Display to be held in conjunction with the 2013 MOSES Organic Farming Conference to be held February, 22nd and 23rd at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, WI. Find out more about the conference at http://www.mosesorganic.org/conference.html.
Researchers, including government scientists and staff, academic faculty and staff, graduate/undergraduate students and farmer researchers are invited to submit poster proposals for display at the conference as part of the Organic Research Forum. There are a limited number of scholarships available to offset travel and hotel expenses. All accepted poster presenters will receive free conference registration and meals. Find detailed instructions and deadlines at http://www.mosesorganic.org/ofc_researchforum.html#postercall.
2012 USDA Organic Resource Guide
The USDA published a new Organic Resource Guide, which provides an overview of USDA programs and services available to the public that support organic agriculture. It includes agencies that provide technical information, education, business development and marketing information, and other services to organic farmers, ranchers, and handlers. The guide, published in August, 2012, also provides current contact information for agencies and individuals. eOrganic is mentioned as an online information resource on page 23! Find the guide at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5100093
eOrganic Mission
eOrganic is a web community where organic agriculture farmers, researchers, and educators network; exchange objective, research- and experience-based information; learn together; and communicate regionally, nationally, and internationally.
eOrganic Resources
Find all eOrganic articles, videos and webinars at http://extension.org/organic_production
Connect with eOrganic on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Have a question about organic farming? Use the eXtension Ask an Expert tool to connect with eOrganic. Tag your question as "organic production" to make sure it reaches our members.
Spread the word! If you would like eOrganic literature to hand out at your next conference or workshop, please get in touch, and use our online form to request materials.
