Featured Farm: Jerry Dell Farm, NY

Jerry Dell Farm, certified by NOFA NY, milks 500 cows on two farms, and manages 2000 acres of pasture, hay and crop land in Dryden, NY with a recently acquired second farm in Freeville, NY – just 4 miles away. Owned and operated as a family farm by Vaughn and Sue Sherman, sons Jeremy & Ryan, and nephews Troy & Kenny. Jerry Dell Farm has been certified organic since 2000; they are currently shipping to Organic Valley, but will be switching to Upstate Niagara starting in May, 2012. To learn more about this organic family farm please go to http://www.nodpa.com/ff_january_2012.shtml.

ADDED JANUARY 19, 2012

NODPA NEWS RELEASE:
Organic Dairy Family Farmers need a fair share of the retail dollar, they require at least a 40¢ a gallon increase in their milk price to stay in business

A remarkable turn-around in demand for organic dairy products in 2011 has resulted in shortages on supermarket shelves, but organic dairy family farmers find themselves not being able to increase production because they can't pay their bill ... To view the full press release and learn more, click here. We've also started a petition, and over 1000 have already signed on. For details on the petition, click here. To sign on now click the link in the box below.

Fracking: What are your rights
as a farmer?

New York State farmers or land owners who have signed gas leases but want to ensure their termination at the expiration date, must go through a step by step process as defined by NYS law. Click here for a packet of information that has been developed by a knowledgeable attorney, with instructions and template letters, both for expiring leases and to respond to force majeure letters (when the company arbitrarily extends the lease, with no rental payment, if some unforeseen event beyond the control of that company happens) from gas companies trying to extend the term of the lease.

From City to the Farm: A Financial Downfall? "It just doesn't add up."

"In 1995 when we purchased a farm in central Minnesota, it was the Ideal place to raise children. We started with farrow to finish hogs, a few milk cows, and chickens on the farm. Refusing to support large corporations by using chemicals, GMO grains, and wanting to be self-supporting and responsible to the land of which we were stewards, we began transitioning the farm to organic production. We became certified organic in 2000 and focused our attention on becoming a certified organic dairy farm. Like everyone else, to make ends meet I also worked off the farm in home construction. From 2000 until now it takes twice as many milking cows to cover the farm expenses. The cost changes in production needed to sustain a farm from 2000 to today has nearly doubled with little to no increase in milk price." What is going on? Read more >

eOrganic Dairy: A Year in Review
and What's on Tap for 2012

Over the past a couple of years, you may have heard about eOrganic. It’s an online community of more than 700 ag service providers and farmers who are providing science, experience, and regulation-based certified organic information on the web at www.extension.org/organic_production. The eOrganic Dairy Team is led by Drs. Heather Darby (University of Vermont Extension) and Cindy Daley (California State University—Chico). More than 60 farmers, agronomists, veterinarians, grazing and certification specialists, animal scientists, and other professionals are working together to publish peer-reviewed articles, videos, and webinars on a range of organic dairy topics. To learn more from Debra Heleba, eOrganic Dairy Team Coordinator, please go to:

nodpa.com/research_ed_eOrganic_2012_01192012.shtml

Winter Conference Highlights

Conference season is upon us; a time to reflect on 2011, plan for 2012 and beyond, and gather with like-minded people. It is a time to read, learn, share, teach, connect with friends and make new acquaintances. If you visit our Calendar page, you will see that there are many, many conferences and workshops coming up. To find out more about winter conference highlights taking place in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Vermont in greater detail, click here.

Changing of Officers and Board Members at NODPA

NODPA is an organic dairy farm family member organization that is incorporated as a not-for –profit 501 (c) 5 organization. As a membership organization, NODPA By-Laws prescribe that NODPA Board and Officers are elected by their farmer peers. NODPA holds elections annually for a third of its Board members and for the four Officers of the organization. This year the elections were held on December 19th 2011 by conference call. For more information on the elections and the farmer governing body of NODPA, click here.

---

ADDED DECEMBER 6, 2011

Organic Milk in short supply.
Bonanza for Farmers?

When a product is in short supply, the retail price increases and the price to the supplier increases to encourage greater production. These three basic economic facts may be true for most commodities, especially when there is a short supply and increased demand at the same time but organic dairy is an exception to that rule. For the last six months there have been predictions of shortage in the supply of organic milk as costs of inputs have risen dramatically and consumer demand continues to increases at 8-10% year over year. This shortage in the dairy case is accompanied by the highest ever number of organic dairy farmers choosing early retirement or returning to conventional production as profitability for organic dairy is at its lowest since 2006.

The answer to the problem of shortage in supply was simply stated by former NODPA Board president and Organic Valley producer Steve Morrison in the November issue of NODPA News “If processors work with the interests of their farmers at heart, this necessary adjustment [increase in pay price] can be accomplished quickly and safely.” Steve was suggesting an increase in base pay price of $4/cwt ($0.17per ½gallon) over the next 12 months. The average ½ gallon price for organic milk as reported by the Federal Milk Marketing Order, FMMO, is only $3.77, with Minneapolis MN being the highest at $4.57 and the lowest is Denver Colorado at $3.02 per ½ gallon.

With such a wide price spread and an average retail price at the same level as 2008, passing on an increase to consumers to ensure that farmers have a sustainable living wage should be a win-win for everyone. Obviously it is not that simple as we have many hands that touch the product from farm to table but how does this situation speak to the future of organic dairying? When looking at the priorities for the next year for organic dairy farmers, as the Organic Valley/CROPP board will be doing in the next few weeks, perhaps it would be good to envision how a future pay price will affect the type of operations that we are encouraging. Do we want at least 2/3rds of organic dairy farmers struggling to survive or 2/3rds of farmers thriving and reinvesting in their land? Do we want to mirror the conventional dairy industry where the economies of scale dominate with larger herds and the disappearance of smaller operations from our communities? For more analysis and information go to: 

Organic Milk Market Update >
Organic Pay Price Update >

NOSB – Two firsts in Georgia

The NOSB meeting took place for the first time in Georgia and for the first time the recording was available within a few days. Those that are interested can see it at http://usda.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=3.

Of interest to organic dairy, the meeting approved the continued use of the non-synthetic, vegetarian plant-based source of DHA Omega-3 that Horizon/White Wave use in their products which has contributed to increase sales of Horizon product. In his report to the NOSB Miles McEvoy responded to the concerns that NODPA has raised with the National Organic Program about the certifiers and inspectors lack of consistency in interpreting organic regulations and the increased regulatory burden that farmers now face. He said that it would be a priority in the NOP auditing of certifiers to ensure that there is consistency in interpretation of regulation and that they should require adequate not excessive paperwork from farmers. He also mentioned that the Origin of Livestock Proposed Rule would be published in the Spring of 2012, not a moment too soon. For a further report please download the NOP's December 2011 newsletter.

New NOSB Members

The NOSB also announced the next set of NOSB members who are all very competent and knowledgeable and will serve the industry very well. We welcome their willingness to serve our community. One question that McEvoy raised at the NOSB meeting in Georgia was the need to have every stakeholder at the table that will actively raise issue of concern to their sector. NODPA continually advocates for a producer representative that has experienced both the joys and tribulations of organic production agriculture where the perfect is seldom achieved. A producer who has had to balance the economic necessities of a family farm with the unpredictable weather and marketplace, understands the practicality of balancing integrity with common sense. If you haven’t experienced those long days and sleepless nights, you cannot bring the realities or organic farming to the NOSB table. For more information on the new members:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/
NOPNationalOrganicProgramHome

Still time to complete weed survey

The 2011 Northeastern Weed Survey seeks to determine the most troublesome, difficult-to-control weeds in non-irrigated grain crops.  It is designed to assess differences in weed species composition in organic and conventional grain or silage corn, soybeans and wheat as impacted by tillage system and local climate.

This survey is targeted towards Extensionists, CCAs and industry professionals. The 5-question survey is simple and can be completed in 5-7 minutes.  

If you are an Extensionist, CCA, researcher, technical or outreach educator, or other ag professional and you'd like to take the survey, the Cornell University programs involved in the project encourage you to become a participant by emailing Elizabeth Buck at emb273@cornell.edu.    

The online survey will remain open until December 15, 2011. To date, responses for organic systems have been limited. They encourage you to participate in the survey so that they can collect a more robust and reliable data set, which translate into stronger research conclusions for you and your growers.

New England Farmers Union Meeting
on Friday December 9th

Farmers and consumers speaking together are heard, planning together are seen, and advocating together are successful. The only way to amplify the importance of New England agriculture is to work together. Our local voices are being heard and understood at the national level. Join us on December 9 from 1 to 8:00 p.m. as we celebrate accomplishments and plan our next steps. The New England Farmers Union Annual Meeting, December 9 from 1 to 8:00 p.m., is a time to learn about the state of New England's agricultural community and an opportunity to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. Business Meeting, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Evening Program, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a special presentation by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).  For more information go to:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=
sdorgsdab&oeidk=a07e4xmtaq647473b7e 

Food Farmer Resolutions
Regarding The 2012 Farm Bill

At their respective annual meetings in November, and through national tele-conferencing, the Federation Of Organic Dairy Farmers (Food Farmers) agreed on a number of resolutions as key points in any 2012/2013 discussions of the Farm Bill. Learn more >

Supplementation of Organic Dairy Cows; Getting Started

Grass based dairies often struggle with the question of what to supplement their cattle with. How does one know what dairy cattle on grass really need? Am I buying too much? Not enough? Is it “balanced?” What about the “missing factors”, etc? Read Jerry Brunetti’s article.

USDA Supports Research and Marketing of Organic Agriculture in 18 States

The grants, totaling $19 million in all, are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through two unique programs: the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and the Organic Transitions Program (ORG). To learn more, click here.

Meat Framers are Getting Butchered

‘Buy 1, Get 2 FREE,’ shouted this week’s flyer from the Big Y World Class Market, a Massachusetts-owned grocery store chain. One-pound packages of ground beef are on sale, as are whole chickens, boneless rump roasts and pork tenderloin. Buy one, get two free is a good deal, and many shoppers will fill their carts with ground beef and other meat products. But you have to wonder if the farmer is making any money on this.”
Read more >

Organic Commodity Futures Trading
is a Step Backwards

“Yes, there is more that we must do if we are to have the right model for pricing organic farm products. The road to that important goal is one of farmers resolving to unite and stand together for economic justice in the market place, not one of turning our future over to the whims of global speculators.” Oren Holle charts the way forward in this commentary piece.
Learn more >

ADDED NOVEMBER 14, 2011

No silver bullets left

Its official – organic dairy is no longer the silver bullet that the early pioneers benefited from ... but is it still part of the ammunition of opportunities that will sustain rural communities and family farms? Read more about the latest results from the University of Vermont’s ongoing study of the economics of organic dairy farming in the state.

Farm Bill to be decided in smoke filled rooms by Debt commission?

Whether or not the Super Committee in Congress will reach agreement that can make it through to legislation, major portions of the 2012 Farm Bill have been decided by the chairs of the two committees without any transparency or public input from stakeholders. Even if, as seems reasonably likely, the Super Committee fails, the consensus is that the House and Senate Agriculture committees will use the work already completed as the basis for the next Farm Bill.

Nevertheless, within the Dairy Security Act, which is presumed to be the basis of the Dairy title in the Farm Bill, there is the opportunity for organic dairy to take the initiative and push for programs that relate to organic production costs and market conditions. Read more >

Feed Price updates

The most recent data and conclusions from USDA, AMS, Livestock & Grain Market News are no different from anecdotal reports from producers across the country. Feed and forage prices remain high and availability is an increasing problem.  With the harvest under way, reports on the weight and quality of corn and soybeans vary from state to state, although yields appear to be below average. The factor causing concern is not only the projected price for corn delivered in February, (12.50 per bushel plus transport ($400+/ ton)) but the availability for those that have limited storage capacity or a lack of credit to purchase feed now. Learn more >

2011 NODPA
Field Day report

One of the best parts of coming to the NODPA Field Days each year is to reunite with old friends - producers and resource individuals alike - who come back year after year. They are able to share some stories from the farm, talk about their children (and grandkids for many), and enjoy good food and lots of laughs. Every year people come interested in learning something new; giving NODPA constructive feedback; celebrating NODPA’s successes; acknowledging the exceptional work of a few; and ready to hunker down and work harder in areas where progress is slow to nonexistent. Learn what happened and see the photos >

---

5 Ways You Can Support NODPA
Eight and a half years ago NODPA was formed in response to a threat of a drop in milk price. In 2009 NODPA is the only organization whose mission is to represent the interest of organic dairy producers no matter who they sell their milk to.

Click here for a summary of the many ways you can support NODPA and the farmers it represents.

Check out the 20 new entries in our business directory ...
... and consider adding your own business. MORE