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Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 1
Rural PapersReporting with commentary on agricultural and rural issuesNo. 228 October-November 2008
rBGH PublicHearing Set
Whiting, KS. -On December 2, theKansas State Department ofAgriculture (KDA) will hold apublic hearing on a proposed rulethat would ban milk or dairyproducts carrying labels such as“rBGH -free”, or “rBST free”, or“no artificial hormones”, andestablish rules for labeling suchdairy products.
Recombinant bovine growthhormone, known as rBGH orrBST, is a drug developed byMonsanto Corporation to injectinto cows to increase milkproduction. A typical increase is 5to 15%.
However consumer concernsabout health and safety of theartificial hormone have led manydairy manufacturers to developproducts made with milk fromnon-treated cows. These manu-facturers have adopted labelssuch as “this milk (or cheese oryogurt, etc.) is from cows notsupplemented with rBGH”, or“rBGH free”.
Continued on page 10
Whiting, KS - The Kansas Rural Center will hold its annual sustainableagriculture conference Saturday December 13, 2008 with the theme“Meeting Agriculture’s Challenges in a Rapidly Changing World”. Theone day conference will be held at St.Monica-St. Elizabeth CatholicChurch, 1007 East Avenue, Blue Rapids Kansas beginning at 9 a.m. andending at 4:30 p.m.
The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity to discussthe big picture of agriculture in this time of increasing inputcosts,volatile markets and high energy prices, provide practicalinformation on alternative marketing and production ideas throughworkshops, and provide opportunities for farmer, rancher, andconsumer networking.
Keynote speaker will be Dr. Fred Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellowfor the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa StateUniversity. Since January 2008, Kirschenmann has also held a half-timeappointment at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture inPocantico Hills, New York, exploring ways that rural and urbancommunities can work together to develop a more resilient food systemand agriculture. He divides his time between Iowa and New York, aswell as overseeing his family’s 3500 acre organic farm in North Dakota.On December 13, Dr. Kirschenmann will talk about the challenges ofclimate change, high input costs, expensive energy, and volatile markets,and what we need to do to respond.
Kirschenmann is a long time leader in national and internationalsustainable agriculture, speaking around the country helping to definethe challenges facing agriculture and the “thinking outside the box”necessary to address these changes. “The principal reason industrialagriculture has been so successful during the past century is that it hasbeen blessed with cheap energy, abundant water, and relatively stableclimates. That rosy landscape seems poised to undergo rapid andsignificant change,” Kirschenmann wrote in a paper presented to the AgHistory Conference in 2007. “The elephant in the room,” he statedduring another speech, “is whether we can make the changes we needto make in the timeframe we have available to us.”
Continued on page 11
KRC Sustainable Agriculture Conference:
Meeting Agriculture’s Challengesin A Rapidly Changing World
Public Hearing on rBGH
Labeling Rules
December 2, 2008
10 a.m.
KDA 109 SW 9th
4th Floor
Topeka, Ks.
Page 2 Rural Papers,October-November 2008
Rural PapersPublished six times/year
by the
Kansas Rural Center,
304 Pratt Street
Whiting, Ks. 66552
(785) 873-3431
Fax (785) 873-3432
E-Mail: [email protected]
website: www.kansasruralcenter.org
Editor: Mary Fund
Reprints of articles are encouraged with
acknowledgement of Rural Papers and
author.
Rural Papers is the voice of the Kansas
Rural Center, Inc., (KRC), a non-profit
organization that promotes the long-term
health of the land and its people through
research, education, and advocacy. The
KRC cultivates grass-roots support for
public policies that encourage family
farming and stewardship of soil and water.
KRC is committed to economically viable,
environmentally sound, and socially
sustainable rural culture. The KRC is
funded by private foundations, churches,
and individual contributions. Rural Papers
is available to contributors or for a $25 per
year subscription to organizations and
institutions.
KRC Staff
Dan Nagengast, Executive Director
Diane Dysart, Admin. Assistant
Mary Fund, Editor/CWFP Coordinator
Ed Reznicek, CWFP Field Organizer
Mary Howell, CWFP Field Organizer
Dale Kirkham, CWFP Field Organizer
Connie Pantle, CWFP I& E Coord.
Troy Schroeder, CWFP Field Organizer
Mercedes Taylor-Puckett, Farmers’
Market Project Coord.
Scott Allegruci, Lawrence
Herb Bartel,
Hillsboro
Harry Bennett, Pres.& Margie Bennett, Marion
Julie Elfving,
Lenexa
Laura Fortmeyer,
Fairview
Paul Ingle, Topeka
Paul Johnson, Perry
Jackie Keller, Sec.
Topeka
Gary Kilgore,
Chanute
Joy & Bob Lominska, Lawrence
Sherrie Mahoney,
Salina
Robert Mulch,
Scott CityMark Nightengale,
Marienthal
Rodger Schneider, Vice-Pres. Salina
Donn Teske,
Wheaton
Marjorie Van Buren,
Treas., Topeka
Nancy Vogelsberg-
Busch, Home
Small Farmer Commentary
Making Sense of It Allby Mary Fund
Board of Directors 2008
First, don’t read too much intomy title. I am not claiming that Iunderstand our economy, or havespecial insight. But I do know thatwe are all just trying to “make senseof it all.”
The economy, in short, is a primaryconversation topic wherever peoplegather. How it is tanking, where it isheaded, have we hit bottom yet? --these questions are on people’s mindsas they pay their bills, buy groceries,fill up their gas tanks, make plans forhome repairs or trading vehicles.
On a recent Saturday morning as Iran errands-- pre-election, I mustadd--, I overheard no less than threeseparate conversations on what waswrong, who is to blame and how to fixit.
One group blamed the Democrats.“Everything was ok until they tookover Congress two years ago.”Another blamed the now lameduckAdministration- no oversight, noregulation, and no checking therampant greed on Wall street. Andyet another blamed big government ingeneral- no definition of who or whatthat is, just a general blaming of“Them in Big Government.”
I think this is healthy. Even if Ifound many of the conversations Ioverheard while standing in check-outlines more or less outrageous,misinformed or frightening, somewere thoughtful and probing. I cannotrecall an election when so manypeople had an opinion, or cared somuch. People were at least talkingabout the issues. Finally, people weregetting it. Politics matters. Economicpolicy matters. And the world welive in is increasingly complex.
I bought gas last week for $1.89 agallon. That is a drastic drop from itssummer high of $4.00/gallon. Now
why is that? I did not hear of anynew major oil field discoveries. Therewas no more oil in November than inJune. Our continued dependence ona petroleum based economy is as greatas it ever was.
Gas prices have gone down, buteverything else remains high.Farmers talk of $1000/ton fertilizercosts and other sky-rocketing inputs.Food prices are predicted to continueto rise next year. Home foreclosuresare up. Instability reigns.
In spite of all this, I take heartthat our resilience as a people willprevail. I only have to look back atthe Ice Storm of December 2007 thathit Northeast Kansas to understandthat we have the values and principlesthat will withstand hard times.People know how to help each other.People are immensely creative.
These are actually good times forthe blossoming of local and regionalfood systems, sustainable agriculture,and local entrepreneurship. This isnot a retreat to the past, as somemight declare it, but a move that willensure a brighter future.
As I try to make sense of the greedand speculation on Wall Street andthe “got to have it all right now”nature of consumer spending andwhere it has landed us, I wonder ifmaybe this kick in the pants is whatwe need to make us stop, look, andListen. We need to make big changesin how we manage our naturalresources and provide energy to fuelour economy and our food system.And somehow in there, we will alsolearn to take better care of each other.
An old blessing says, “May you livein interesting times.” We are there.Let us embrace it. Indeed, it is all wecan do. !
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 3
for farmers, ranchers, andgrassroots organizations.
The farm bill programs areclustered into seven chapters:Conservation and Environment;Farming Opportunities; Local andRegional Food Systems and RuralDevelopment; Organic Produc-tion; Sustainable and OrganicResearch; Renewable Energy; andCompetitive Markets and Com-modity Program Reform.
As the first edition of theGrassroots Guide goes to press,the Administration has only justbegun to issue rule-makings,program guidelines, and requestsfor proposals for the 2008 FarmBill programs. That initial farmbill implementation process willcontinue well into 2009 and intothe next Administration with itsnew political appointees.
Therefore, the web-version ofthe Grassroots Guide will be con-tinually updated to reflect anychanges or additional informationas new rules and guidelines areposted. SAC encourages readersand users of the Guide to consultthe electronic version to keep upwith the latest information.
In addition to using this guide, aset of specialized farm bill guidesslated for early- to-mid 2009 willbe available. Each of thesesupplemental guides will morenarrowly focus on specific issueareas in the farm bill, such as ahandbook on programs support-ing organic agriculture or localand regional food systems or afarmer participation manual forthe Conservation StewardshipProgram.
Briefs
Federal Court UpholdsBan on GeneticallyModified Alfalfa
In a decision handed down onSeptember 2, the U.S. Court ofAppeals for the Ninth Circuitupheld a nationwide ban on theplanting of genetically modifiedalfalfa pending a full Environ-mental Impact Statement.
The court determined thatplanting GM alfalfa can result inpotentially irreversible harm toorganic and conventional cropvarieties, damage to the environ-ment, and economic harm tofarmers.
The lawuit was brought by theWestern Organization of ResourceCouncils, Center for Food Safety,Dakota Resource Council, andothers. The decision upholds anearlier ruling of May 2007, inwhich it was found that USDAfailed to address concerns thatRoundup Ready alfalfa willcontaminate organic and conven-tional alfalfa. ! (From Western
Organizing Review, October 2008)
Guide to the 2008 FarmBill Available
The Sustainable AgricultureCoalition’s (SAC) GrassrootsGuide to the 2008 Farm Bill walksyou through each of thirty-four2008 Farm Bill programs mostimportant to sustainable agri-culture, serving both as a “reportfrom the trenches” of whatsurvived the most recent farm billfight, and as a guide to newpolicies and funding opportunities
The 2008 Farm Bill containsmany good programs that canscale up existing alternatives toagri-industrialism or be the seedsfor sowing new sustainableagriculture systems and practices.
To view the guide go to:http://sustainableagriculturecoalition.org/ . You can also order apaper copy of the guide at thewebsite. !
California Passes BillProtecting AgainstMonsanto Lawsuits
In late September, both houses
of the California legislature passeda bill enacting protections againstlawsuits brought against Californiafarmers who have been subject todrift of Genetically modifiedpollen or seed onto their land andthe subsequent contamination oftheir non-GM crops.
Currently, farmers with crops thatbecome contaminated by patentedseeds or pollen have been thetarget of harassing lawsuitsbrought by biotech patent holders,especially Monsanto. The billestablishes protocol to prevent bio-tech companies that are investi-gating alleged violations fromsampling crops with the explicitpermission of farmers.
The bill is the first passed by theCalifornia legislature that regulatesgenetically modified crops. !(From Western Organizing Review,
October 2008).
Page 4 Rural Papers, October-November 2008
Organic Practices Offer Conservation andEconomic Benefits
by Mary Fund
Sabetha, KS.- “In an organicsystem you are not going toreplace what you apply in afertilizer spreader with an organicproduct,” stated Ed Reznicek,organic farmer and generalmanager of the Kansas OrganicProducers Marketing Cooperative.“You have to pay attention to thesystem.”
About 25 people, who gatheredfor the October 2 organic croppingsystems workshop and tour inSabetha, listened to Reznicek as heexplained the basics of an organiccropping system and thetransition from a conventionalsystem.
“Legume based crop rotationsare the key to fertility, nutrients,and weed and pest management,he explained.
“It is not a matter of replacingone set of inputs for another,”Reznicek stated, “but a matter ofcareful planning and balancing oflegume green manure crops, grainlegumes, livestock manure andgrain crops.”
Organic production is agrowing sector of agriculture,averaging a 20 percent growthrate annually in recent years. Withconsumer demand for organicproducts outpacing availablesupply, it offers producers marketopportunities and premiums fororganic crops. Because organicfarming practices do not usechemical fertilizers, herbicides orpesticides, it also reduces inputcosts, and offers benefits to theenvironment and water quality.
Continued on page 14
Heartland Network News
Oren Holle, Eugene Edelman, and Ed Reznicek prepare for a discussion aboutmarketing issues in organic agriculture at the October workshop covering organiccropping systems. Photo by J. Beckman
December 4 GrazingWorkshop Set in
Emporia
Emporia, Ks. - A grazingworkshop, “Optimizing Four-Legged Harvesters”, will be heldThursday December 4 at the BestWestern Hospitality House inEmporia, Ks. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.The workshop is sponsored byFlint Hills RC & D, Lyon CountyExtension, and the Kansas RuralCenter.
KSU’s Gary Kilgore will speak onthe “Four Seasons of Grazing”with emphasis on extending thegrazing season and on cool seasongrass management. Dale Kirkhamwill address “Winter FeedingStrategies” and provide an over-view of the KRC’s River FriendlyFarm Project.
Registration is $5 perperson.There will be a break fordinner, and meal reservations aredue to the Lyon County Extensionoffice by December 1. ContactBrian Rees at 620-341-3220.
For more information about theworkshop contact Brian Rees, LyonCounty Extension, or Paul Ingle,Melvern WRAPS Coordinator at 785-286-1569. !
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 5
Hepler, KS—Kerry O’Brien is aman of few words. What he doeson his cattle operation in SoutheastKansas speaks volumes however.
O’Brien, who operates a non-confined starting and back-grounding livestock operation justnorth of Hepler, was born andraised in the cattle business. He’sapplied that long-term knowledgeto how O’Brien Cattle CompanyInc. backgrounds cattle.
In addition to running a non-confined livestock operation,O’Brien practices low-stresshandling of cattle. O’Brien saidthe non-confinement and low-stress handling go hand-in-hand
Clean Water News
and make his operation moreprofitable. “I want to work andmake a profit, all whileconserving the land for futuregenerations.”
To highlight theses practices andthe operation, the O’Brien CattleCompany hosted a tour onSeptember 18. The tour featuredthe working facilities andhandling of the cattle, grasslandmanagement and riparian areaprotection, alternative watersupply, and a tire tank installationdemonstration. Organized largelyby Herschel George, Kansas StateUniversity Watershed Specialist,and Dale Kirkham, KRC’s CleanWater Farm Field Organizer, the
tour drew almost 150 people fromall around eastern Kansas andbeyond.
During the tour, Gary Kilgore, K-State professor emeritus ofagronomy, explained the waterquality benefits of grass trapsversus confined operations. Agrass trap is basically a smallpasture with feeding facilitiesavailable where much of the feedis provided but the grass providessome forage as well as a cleanplace to rest out of the dust ormud, and the cattle spread themanure.
Kilgore said grass traps allowthe cattle to “graze and depositanimal waste where grass canbenefit from the nutrients.” Inaddition, Kilgore said grass trapsslow the water down and filter outE coli and other nutrients beforethe water reaches a stream.
“As landowners, we want to dothe right thing,” O’Brien said.“We’re trying to do what we cando to make things saferdownstream.”
The calves are fed on grass trapsof fescue which is interseededwith ladino and durana clovers.The fescue in the grass trapscontains non-toxic endophytes,making both the fescue and thecattle more productive. The grassis divided into traps or smallerareas, which encourages the cattleto better utilize the grass. Becauseof the quality of the grass, O’Briensaid he’s actually able to “runmore cattle days and have grassleft”.
Continued on page 6
CWFP Profile
Non-Confined Backgrounding
Operation Featured on Tourby Connie Pantle
O’Brien Cattle Company hosted a field day in mid-September to showcase their innovative
livestock operation. Above, Jason Sutterby, and Klay and Kerry O’Brien listened as Kallie
O’Brien explains some details about the family operation. Photo C. Pantle.
Clean Water News
Page 6 Rural Papers, October-November 2008
waterers throughout the grasstraps. A pipeline and water tankswere distributed throughout theindividual pastures to provide thecattle drinking water away fromthe creek.
A new pond, which was builtusing State Conservation Com-mission funding through theBourbon County ConservationDistrict, provided the water for thewatering system throughout thegrass traps. Kansas Alliance forWetlands and Streams (KAWS)assisted with cost-share for theriparian fencing as well as fencingto protect the new pond.
In addition to improving waterquality, O’Brien said the grasstraps have improved the health ofhis cattle, which is especiallyimportant when dealing with high-risk cattle. Typically, the calves areweaned then shipped immediatelyto O’Brien Cattle Company atabout 350 to 450 pounds, accordingto O’Brien’s daughter Kallie. She
said the cattle are then held onthe grass traps and “after 45 to 60days, or until healthy, they will beshipped to rye, Flint Hills or localgrass depending on the time ofyear and then on to a finishingyard”.
O’Brien said as many as 35 to40 percent of calves on a dry lotare “doctored” while the numberdrops to ten to 15 percent forcalves on grass traps like his. Headded that the results are notonly in the numbers, but in theoverall improved quality of theanimal.
The way the cattle are maintainedallows O’Brien to pass along abetter product to the public.“Consumers want to know thecattle are treated the way theyought to be,” he said. “I want todo things right.”
Continued on page 12
O’Brien Tour Continued from page 5
Herschel George, K-StateResearch and Extension water-shed specialist, said, “In myopinion, down the line moreproducers are going to go to anon-confined operation.” And theO’Brien Cattle Company “is anexcellent example,” he said.
Another speaker during the tourwas Dale Kirkham, field organizerwith the Kansas Rural Center ’sClean Water Farms Project(CWFP). Kirkham explained theimportance of wintering cattleaway from creeks and protectingriparian areas along streams andcreeks like the O’Briens did.
To protect water quality alongPaint Creek, which is part of theMarmaton watershed and WRAPS(Watershed Restoration andProtection Strategy) area, O’Brienfenced the riparian area to excludethe cattle from the creek. Byprotecting this area, O’Brien said“the streambanks have beenhealing themselves with time”.O’Brien said that fencing theriparian area along the creek hasnot reduced his productivity. “I’mgrazing just as many cattle asbefore,” he said. To control weedsand brush, O’Brien allows thecattle to flash graze the area.
Prior to implementation of thenon-confined operation, O’Brienworked with George to plan awater distribution systemthroughout the grass traps.George, in turn, contactedKirkham and the CWF project toassist with funding for a pumpingsystem, pipelines and livestock
Jason Sutterby and Kerry O’Brien explain how the “Bud Box” system for handlingcattle reduces stress for everyone. “When working cattle,” says O’Brien, “slowingthings down, actually speeds things up.” Photo C. Pantle.
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 7
Clean Water News
Conservation District Board ofSupervisors agreed with co-hosting the tour and funding wasrequested through the CleanWater Systems,” she said.
The tour began on the morningof October 23 at Red Rock Ranchjust east of Soldier. While at RedRock, owners Bill and DebraBrown discussed the improve-ments made on their farm with theassistance of the Jackson CountyConservation District and NRCS.The group toured Brown’s nativepasture. Brown said he convertedthe pasture to native grasses dueto the rising costs of fertilizer.
The first tour stop was LeRoyRieschick’s filter strip alongSoldier Creek. Rieschick explain-ed the environmental andeconomical impacts of installing afilter strip. Rieschick installed thefilter strip between his crop field
Whiting, KS— “I consider a toursuccessful when livestock pro-ducers learn from each other,”stated Roberta Spencer, districtmanager of the Jackson CountyConservation District. She wasreferring to October 23rd’s live-stock producer tour in NortheastKansas Topics discussed on thetour included: brush and weedcontrol; development of alterna-tive water supply and riparianprotection, and funding sources toimplement Best ManagementPractices (BMPs).
According to Spencer, the tour,which featured farms in Jackson,Pottawatomie and MarshallCounties, “was a collaborationbetween the Pottawatomie Coun-ty Conservation District, theKansas Rural Center, and theJackson County ConservationDistrict.” The tour highlightedBMPs the Middle Kansas andthe Tuttle Creek WRAPS (Water-shed Restoration and ProtectionStrategy) watersheds.
Spencer said the idea for the toursurfaced during a conversationwith Mary Howell, Clean WaterFarms Project field organizer withKRC. She said at that time, theMiddle Kansas WRAPS workinggroup was in the middle ofdeveloping a plan and outreachactivities.
“One of their points ofdiscussion was to educatelivestock producers about BMPsby seeing what others within thewatershed have implementedand why. The Jackson County
Tours Help Producers Make Decisionsby Connie Pantle
Leroy Rieschick explains the economic and environmental benefits of filter strips.
Photo by C. Pantle.
and the creek ten years ago. Priorto the installation—when heplanted crops in this area—hesaid he “harvested little-to-nothingbecause of the tree roots andanimals.” Rieschick credits thefilter strips to reducing soilerosion on his bottom ground.“We’ve saved tons and tons ofsoil that would’ve been lost,” hesaid.
A BMP implemented by JacksonCounty farmer Dan Pollock wasthe next stop on the tour. Pollock’sproject included fencing a portionof Cross Creek and developing anexisting spring as an alternativewatering source for his cattle. Byimplementing this project, Pollocksaid he is protecting water qualityand providing his cattle with anexcellent source of drinking water.Pollock said the water from thespring is good water—so much sothat his family uses it as theirdrinking water source!
Continued on page 12
Page 8 Rural Papers, October-November 2008
Energy News
Whiting, KS - The Kansas Windfor Schools Coordinator DanNagengast of the Kansas RuralCenter, and Ruth Douglas Millerat the Wind Applications Center(WAC) at Kansas State University,are pleased to announce theselection of several rural primaryschools, secondary schools andthe Southeast Kansas EducationalService Center in Greenbush toeach receive a Skystream 3.7 windturbine as part of the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory’sWind for Schools initiative.
This is the second round ofschools selected for the three-yearprogram. Applications weresolicited through the K-12 schooldistricts’ communications net-works, through the KansasAssociation of Teachers in Science,and by word of mouth. Schoolswere selected on the basis of being
The project expects to open thethird round of proposals inJanuary, 2009. The Wind forSchools Program aims to trainyoung engineers for jobs in therapidly growing wind industry,and to increase public awarenessand understanding of wind power.
Schools receiving WFS turbinesare expected to incorporateeducation about wind energy intotheir science, math and socialstudies curricula, including howturbines work and how to collect,process and understand the datathe turbines will provide.
Last year ’s schools have allinstalled or begun installing theirturbines. Those sites are: • Fairfield High School, USD 310,
Langdon, Reno County • Concordia School District, USD
333, Concordia, Cloud County • Ell-Saline School District, USD
307, Brookville, Saline County • Sterling School District, USD
376, Sterling, Rice County • Walton Rural Life Charter
Elementary, Newton SchoolDistrict, USD 373, Walton, HarveyCounty.
The first 2008-2009 turbine willbe erected on Sept. 20, 2008 inGreenbush. There will also be acelebration honoring HorizonWind Energy and the variousutilities which have assisted inhelping the first year ’s projectsthrough contributions of time,equipment, funds or expertise, onOctober 6, in Fairfield, Kansas.
Continued on page 15
a good wind site and havingstrong community, schooladministration and scienceteacher support.
The schools selected for thesecond round are:
• Blue Valley-Randolph School,USD 384, Riley County
• Deerfield, USD 216, KearneyCounty
• South Barber, USD 255, BarberCounty
• Pretty Prairie, USD 311, RenoCounty
• The SE Kansas EducationalService Center-Greenbush, Craw-ford County.
In addition the Kansas WAC isinstalling a turbine on campus inManhattan for use by engineeringstudents.
2008 Wind for Schools Selectedby Dan Nagengast
2007 and 2008 Wind for Schools Selected SitesSource: Kansas State University, Wind Application Center, Manhattan, Kansas
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 9
KRC News
KRC Announces Funding for Nurturing Communities Through Local Foods Networks
Lawrence, KS- KRC is pleased toannounce a funding award fromthe Japan Foundation Center forGlobal Partnership (JFCGP) ofNew York and Tokyo for a projectentitled”Nurturing CommunitiesThrough Local Foods Networks.
The project seeks to developinnovative responses to problemsin modern food systems throughcross-cultural dialogues betweenfarmers, NGOs, and policy makersin two agricultural heartlands: theKansas River Valley, centered inDouglas County, Kansas, andSaitama Prefecture in Japan(northwest of Tokyo). Facilitatingthe project in Japan is IFOAMJapan (Association of InternationalFederation of Organic AgricultureMovements members in Japan).
The twenty-member team, halfJapanese, half American, bringstogether a diverse group of menand women at various stages intheir careers. All are involved invarious capacities in promotingorganic food systems. On eachside, a number of NGOs, govern-ment agencies, and universities areparticipating in the project.
In Kansas cooperating insti-tutions include: Kansas StateUniversity; the University ofKansas; Kansas Organic Pro-ducers; The Community Mer-cantile Education Foundation; TheKansas City Center for UrbanAgriculture; Van Go Mobile Artsand Jobs in the Arts Make Sense(JAMS), and Rolling PrairieFarmers Alliance.
The project will begin in latespring 2009 with reciprocal fact-finding visits between the team
members, during which timepublic programs in Lawrence,Kansas, and Saitama, Japan, willintroduce the project and its goalsto local residents. Following thevisits, each team will gather tostrategize and develop pilotprojects to spread interest inorganic, locally produced foods intheir respective communities.
An interactive web sitepublicizes events and tracks theprogress of the projectsdeveloped in informationalpages, blogs and pictures. Theproject emerges from our desireto act on scholarly studies aboutboth Kansas and Japan byeconomists and social scientists,who have been pondering thepossibility of agriculturedisappearing in these places,evidenced by the decline of ruralcommunities, the low rate of foodself sufficiency, and other direstatistics.
The goal of the project is to shedlight on common problems, butmore importantly to suggestsolutions applicable not only tothese areas but others in thedeveloped world. In particular,the group explores ways tofurther interest in smaller-scale,organic farming and theestablishment of personal rela-tionships between food producersand consumers. The grant willallow the two groups to strategizetogether, share successful ideas,and think in a global contextabout local issues.
The project co-directors arePatricia Graham, ResearchAssociate, Center for East AsianStudies, University of Kansas
([email protected]) and DanNagengast, director of the KansasRural Center ([email protected]) for the Americanside. Japan coordinators areSatoko Miyoshi, of IFOAM Japan,and Takao Shibata, the formerConsul-General of Japan forKansas City.For further infor-mation, contact Patricia Graham at785-841-1477 or email her [email protected]. !
KRC Welcomes NewStaff Member
Mercedes Taylor-Puckett, ofMcLouth, joined the KRC staff asof October 1, as the new Farmers’Market Project Coordinator.Mercedes comes to KRC from herposition as coordinator of theDowntown Lawrence FarmersMarket. (Kansas’ oldest andlargest producer-only market).
She will be taking former KRCstaffer Jerry Jost's responsibilitiessurrounding development andpromotion of farmers' markets inKansas. Interest in farmersmarkets and local food systemscontinues to grow, and Mercedeswill be expanding KRC's work andscope to help "grow the market".
Her job will include organizingthe annual farmers marketconference for next February,working with state officials toexpand farmers’ market EBT(electronic benefit transfer) use,and revamping a website forfarmers market information inKansas.
She will also launch a “BuyFresh, Buy Local” chapter for theKansas River Valley, and
Continued on page 11
Page 10 Rural Papers, October-November 2008
State Policy
Dairy Labeling Rule...Continued from page 1
The proposed Kansas regulationwould require the processor ormanufacturer to verify the on-farm claim with an affidavit thatthe milk is from cows not supple-mented with rBGH. It would alsorequire that the product labelinclude the statement: “The FDAhas determined that no signi-ficant difference has been shownbetween milk derived from rBSTsupplemented and non-rBSTsupplemented cows.” It alsodisallows statements like “rBGH”free”, or “rBST free” or “hor-mone free”.
Similar labeling regulations inOhio resulted in the filing oflawsuits by The Organic TradeAssociation (OTA) and theInternational Dairy FoodsAssociation (IDFA). In Pennsyl-vania the Governor rescindedsimilar rules after consumeroutcry.
IDFA argues in the Ohio lawsuitthat the new labeling law im-poses an unacceptable economicburden in the cost and complexityof packaging. The economicsummary accompanying the newregulations proposed in Kansasacknowledges that the ”proposedregulation will significantlyimpact manufacturing plantswhich choose to make pro-duction claims concerning rBSTon their labels.” Some processorshave 80 to 120 different productsor labels to change.
According to opponents, theproposed Kansas rule is largelythe state’s response to lobbying
in cows. In excessive amountsIGF-1 has been linked in hundredsof studies to an increase in breast,prostrate and other cancers inhumans.
As for antibiotic resistance, thePosilac label (trade name rBGH issold under) itself warns dairymenthat its use “may increase mastitisin cows”, and thus increase theuse of antibiotics.
Sales of rBGH have droppedsince consumers have been givena choice between products comingfrom rBGH and non-rBGH treatedcows. In the summer of 2008,Monsanto, the sole producer ofrBGH, sold the Posilac or rBGHdivision of its business. Somespeculate that sales losses led thecorporate giant to dump theartificial hormone. (See articleJuly-Sept. 2008 Rural Papers onthe KRC website.)
The December 2, 10 a.m. publichearing will be held on the 4thfloor training room of the KansasDepartment of Agriculture on 109S.W. 9th Street, Topeka, Ks.Written comments can besubmitted prior to the hearing tothe Secretary of Agriculture, 109S.W. 9th, Topeka, Ks. 66612, or bye-mail to: leslie.garner @kda.ks.gov. !
from dairy farms who use rBGH,and the drug’s manufacturer,who feel that labels claiming“rBGH free” are misleading andviolate truth-in-labeling laws.Consumers have been happy withFDA’s guidelines and have notcomplained about the existinglabels.
Opponents argue that less than20% of Kansas’ dairy cows arebelieved to be currently injectedwith rBGH, so why are those notusing the drug the ones payingthe price of increased labelinglaws? They believe that the ideais to make non-use so onerous andexpensive that processors willsimply give up. Then consumerswill have no way of knowingwhat they are buying-- but themanufacturer of rBGH has achance to increase their sales.
In addition, those who followthe research trail of rBGH’s healthand safety impacts (such asConsumers Union and Food andWater Watch) argue with theFDA’s statement that “no sig-nificant differences between milkproduced with rBGH and milkwithout the artificial hormonehave been found.”
Research, opponents claim,shows the hormone increases therates of 16 different medicalconditions in cows, and that thereis substantial evidence that it mayincrease antibiotic resistance andsome cancer rates in humans.
According to information fromthe Oregon Chapter of Physiciansfor Social Responsibility (OregonPSR), rBGH elevates levels ofanother powerful hormone, IGF-1,
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 11
December 13 Conference...Continued from page 11
Dr. Daryl Buchholz, Kansas StateUniversity,College of Agriculture,and Donn Teske, Kansas FarmersUnion president, and others to beannounced, will offer a responseto Dr. Kirschenmann’s remarks,followed by audience discussionabout agriculture and the foodsystem’s future.
The afternoon offers sixworkshops covering a range ofpractical information includingswitching to grass based livestocksystems, reducing input costs withintegrated crop and livestocksystems, local and regional foodsystem opportunities, how toproduce food for your neighborsand community, transitioning toorganic farming, and on-farm andcommunity wind energy options.
Workshop topics and presentersinclude:
* Ruminants Have 4 Stomachsand 4 Legs for a Reason: GrassBased Livestock Systems-- DaleKirkham, KRC staff, and DaleS t r i c k l e r , F a r m e r / G r a z e r ,Jamestown, Ks.
* Local and Regional FoodSystems- Kansas’ Past, Presentand Future-- Dr. Rhonda Janke,KSU Horticulture Department;Dan Nagengast, KRC ExecutiveDirector.
* Living Without High PricedFertilizers: Reducing Input Costswith Integrated Crop andLivestock Systems-- Dr. DeannPresley and Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz,KSU Agronomy Department, WillBoyer, KSU Watershed Specialist;and Ed Reznicek, KRC staff.
* Producing Food for YourNeighbors: Challenges of a Localor Regional Food System--Dan
Sustainable Agriculture News
KGA Annual WinterConference Set
Assaria, Ks. - The KansasGraziers’ Association (KGA)Annual Winter Grazing Con-ference will be held Saturday,January 17, 2009 in Assaria,Kansas. The keynote speaker forthe day will be Terry Gompert,Nebraska Extension Specialist.Other highlights will be producerpanel discussions.
The conference will be held atthe Assaria Lutheran Church, 124West First Street. Registrationwill be at 8:30 a.m. with theconference starting at 9:00 a.m.More information will beavailable later at www.kansasruralcenter.org. !
Kuhn, Courtland, Ks.; ElaineMohr, Manhattan, Ks.; and KirkCusick, Salina, Ks.
* Less Oil, Less Chemicals:Transitioning to Organic Pro-duction-Planning, Certification,and Farm Bill Programs-- JackieKeller, Executive Secretary EasternKansas Organic Crop Improve-ment Association; Ed Reznicek,Kansas Organic Producers Market-ing Association; Mary Fund, KRCstaff.
* Energy: Is It Feasible toProduce Your Own? On-farm andCommunity Wind-- Ruth Miller,KSU Wind Application Center;Dan Nagengast,KRC ExecutiveDirector.
The conference is being held inthe parish hall of the St. Monica-St.Elizabeth Catholic Church at 1007East Avenue, in Blue Rapids,Kansas. Blue Rapids is locatedabout an hour north of Manhattan,Kansas. The church is located inBlue Rapids, 5 blocks south ofHwy 9 and 77 on East Avenue.
Registration is $10 per person,and will cover lunch, snacks, andmaterials. Reservations areneeded in advance to ensure ameal ticket. Contact Diane Dysartat the KRC Whiting office at 785-873-3431; or [email protected]; or go to the KRC website atwww.kansasruralcenter.org for abrochure with registration form. !
KRC News
KRC Welcomes New Staff....Continued from page 9
build a network of farmers’ marketmanagers through work-shops andconference calls, and developpublications promoting markets.
Born in the late ’60’s in CapeMay, New Jersey, Mercedes livedthe typical life of a military brat-five states and thirteen homes byhigh school graduation. She hasmade the Lawrence area her homesince arriving to attend theUniversity of Kansas in the mid‘80s. Mercedes lives with herhusband and two daughters on 4.5acres in the hills of JeffersonCounty. She can be reached at 785-840-6202 or at [email protected]. !
Page 12 Rural Papers October-November 2008
Clean Water News
Will Boyer, K-State Extensionwatershed specialist, reinforcedthe issue by referencing howmud effects cattle performance.Boyer also provided a demons-tration of an alternative wateringsite with a water pump powereda solar panel. Even on the cloudyday of the tour, Boyer said therewas water being pumped by thesystem.
Corey Alderson, a wildlifebiologist with the KansasDepartment of Wildlife andParks also spoke on howmanagement practices affectwildlife habitat. He said flashgrazing for short periods of timeis beneficial to wildlife due to thediversity it provides. Livestockhelp manage the plant vegetation—especially non-native species—while providing nutrients fornative grasses. He also explainedincentive programs like Con-servation Reserve Program (CRP);a continuous CRP practice titledCP38E; the Wildlife HabitatIncentives Program (WHIP), and Conservation StewardshipProgram (CSP). He said pro-grams like these provide thelandowner with incentives toimplement practices that impactthe soil, water quality andwildlife.
Also during lunch, Mike andPat Wulf gave a virtual tour oftheir Pottawatomie County farmvia a power point presentation.The Wulfs converted cropland tograss where their herd of cattleand goats graze. Howell said theWulfs were selected for the tourdue to the number of BMPsthey’ve implemented on theirfarm.
Continued on page 13
O’Brien Tour...Continued from page 6
He said the practices that heuses are simple to implement anddo not adversely affect his profit.The Bud Box, named after low-stress cattle handler, Bud Williams(www.stockmanship.com), was ahighlight on the tour and anintegral part of the cattlecompany’s handling.
The Bud Box allows a smallgroup of cattle to load onto atrailer or walk into the chuteeasier. The principal of the BudBox works with the cattle’s instinctto go back to where they came intothe pen. A demonstration fromO’Brien Cattle Company employ-ees, Jason Sutterby and SteveImhof, illustrated the ease ofworking cattle this way. “Theypractically load themselves,”O’Brien said. When workingcattle “slowing things down,actually speeds things up. And itactually increases the bottom line,”O’Brien said.
O’Brien said he wanted to hostthe field day at his cattle companybecause he views people likeGeorge, Kilgore and Kirkham asinvaluable resources. O’Brien saidhe received much more thanfunding through the CWFP byworking with Kirkham. “I can’tsay enough good things aboutDale and his willingness to sharehis knowledge”. O’Brien said helearned from attending field daysand listening to Kirkham andGeorge.
George said that the O’Briensand their employees “want to getit right.” George said. “They carenot only about the well-being of
the livestock, but they care aboutthe well-being of the grass andthe land,” George said.
And that love of cattle and theland is something O’Brien hopesto pass down to his and wifeTammie’s children, Kolt, Kallieand Klay. “I think I have somekids who might want to comeback and help out with theoperation after college,” he said.
Sponsors of the tour includedKansas Alliance for Wetlands andStreams (KAWS); Kansas StateUniversity Research and Exten-sion; Bourbon County Conser-vation District; MarmatonWRAPS; Producers CooperativeAssociation of Girard. !
Tours Help Producers...Continued from page 7
During lunch at Red RockRanch, the group heard from LesOlsen on the benefits of a balering feeding pad constructed offabric, rock and lime. Olsen, whoinstalled a demonstration balering on his farm, said the feedingpad benefits the cattle, protectswater quality and makes his jobas a cattleman easier.
Carl Jarboe, Jackson CountyBuffer Coordinator added com-ments on a feed bunk pad in-stalled as a demonstration inJackson County as well as a costcomparison of a geo-textile padversus a concrete pad. He saidinstallation of a geo-textile padaverages $1.10 per square foot,while installation of a concretepad averages $3.17 per squarefoot.
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 13
0 Clean Water News
Tour... Continued from page 12
“We chose to highlight theWulf ’s farm, because they’veaddressed so many livestockissues. They’ve planted differentgrasses to extend the calendarand now they are grazing throughall four seasons,” Howell said.
“In addition the Wulfsdeveloped an alternative watersupply throughout the pastureand implemented a rotationalgrazing system to allow the grassto rest and make it moreproductive. The water develop-ment also allows them to keep theanimals out of riparian areas,except for when they occasionallyflash graze,” she said. The Wulfsalso utilize their own herd of goatsfor brush control.
The final stop on the tour was atthe Marshall County dairy of Joeand Amy Schmitz. The Schmitzfamily implemented many BMPson their farm including a redesignof the milking operation toinclude waste collection and
distribution; installation of guttersto reduce lot runoff; householdwaste system upgrade, and acedar tree revetment to stabilize astreambank. By implementingthe waste containment facility,Joe is able to spread the manureon the fields which allows thecrops or grass to utilize thenutrients—all while protectingthe water quality in the streamnear the dairy.
Amy Schmitz attributedorganization of the complexproject to the River FriendlyFarms Project (RFFP) environ-mental assessment that Howellassisted the family with throughKRC’s Clean Water FarmsProject. “Doing the notebookallowed us to see all areas thatneeded attention,” Amy said.
“The producers that spoke on the
tour were very informative andknowledgeable about the BMPs—such as filter strips, bale ringfeeding pads, etc.— that theyinstalled on their land and sharedthe economical and environ-mental impact of the practice,”
Spencer said.
Spencer said she wantedproducers attending the tour toconsider alternative watersupplies for cattle in order toprotect riparian areas and improvepasture management. She hopesproducers will seek financialassistance through various pro-grams and agencies to implementBMPs on their own farms. Most ofthe producers highlighted on thetour, in addition to healthyinvestments from their ownpockets, also received a variety ofassistance from sources such asEnvironmental Quality IncentivesProgram (EQIP), State Conser-vation Commission (SCC) andCWFP.
By attending the tour producerscan “learn from each other whatworks in their operation and whatis cost-effective to implement,” shesaid.
According to Howell, “thebeauty of these tours is when alivestock producer can see it onsomeone else’s farm—then theycan picture how they can make ithappen on their place.
“Producers don’t have the timeor money to implement all ideas—both the good and the bad.Attending a tour allows them toget input from other producers sothey don’t have to throw all thatmoney at something that isn’tgoing to work,” she said.
Funding support for the tourcame from the Jackson CountyConservation District, EPA 319Non Point Source Funds throughthe Kansas Department of Healthand Environment, and the StateConservation Commission viaState Water Plan Funds. !
Farmers listened on a rainy day as Jackson County farmer Dan Pollock explained howhe fenced part of Cross Creek, and developed an existing spring as an alternativelivestock water source. Photo C. Pantle
Page 14 Rural Papers October-November 2008
Heartland Network News
Organic Cropping System...Continued from page 4
“There is also a lot aboutorganic production practices thatcan help those who do not chooseto certify as organic,” he stated,noting that in the farm crisis of the1980’s when credit to put out acrop was hard to get for some,many turned to crop rotations anduse of legumes to produce on-farm nitrogen and nutrients.
“I also see similarities betweenorganic and no till,” Reznicekstated. “ Both claim that goodcrop rotations are critical for thesuccess of the systems. Bothadvocate the use of cover crops toproduce nitrogen and provide soilcover. ”
Reznicek explained that thereare a wide variety of organic croprotations, ranging from three tonine years in length, dependingon the quality of the soil, inclusionof livestock, rainfall, thepreferences and goals of the farmfamily, and other factors. All goodorganic crop rotations havesignificant soil building legumecomponents on from 25 to 60percent of the total crop acres eachyear.
Organic cropping systems usetillage to incorporate greenmanure crops and for somepreplant tillage and row cropcultivation. Good organic crop-ping systems manage the negativeeffects of tillage by usingconservation tillage practices andincorporating annual cover cropsin addition to the use of legumesod crops.
One myth of organic farming isthat there is not enough manureproduced to fuel organicproduction, assuming that thefertility comes from livestock
Eugene and Judy Edelman andson Lynn and his family, whofarm over 600 acres near Sabetha,have been farming organicallysince 1980. On the tour of theirfarm in the afternoon whichfeatured numerous fields of alfalfaand clover, Edelman said thetransition for them was easy, asthey already had a good strongcrop rotation. They raise cattle tooso the alfalfa provided feed.Eugene stressed that it doesn’talways work the way you have itplanned, so you have to beflexible.
The 2008 farm bill includes newprograms to help producers in theconversion to organic. JonUngerer from NRCS explainedthat the rules for the newprograms were not establishedyet, but that there would be EQIPprovisions that help producerswith the transition to organic. Thefarm bill also included certifi-cation cost-share assistance forfarmers through state depart-ments of agriculture.
The workshop and tour was oneof a series of workshops featuringinformation on integratingmanagement strategies in asustainable cropping systemsupported by a grant from USDA’sSustainable Agriculture Researchand Education Program from theNorth Central Region SAREProgram. The workshop was co-sponsored by the University ofNebraska, Kansas State University,Kansas Center for SustainableAgriculture and AlternativeCrops, and the Kansas RuralCenter. !
manures. In fact, most of thecrop nitrogen comes fromlegumes. Livestock manure ismore valuable as a source ofphosphorus along with use ofmined rock phosphate.
Organic farms, Reznicek stated,are systematically planting andtearing out alfalfa each year.Conventional farms leave alfalfain five or more years, tearing itout only when the stand gets thin.
“A good crop rotationincorporates the disciplined use ofsoil building legumes,” Reznicekexplained, “while also allowingthe needed year to yearflexibility”.
Also the rotations provide theprimary weed and pest control inan organic system. In conven-tional cropping systems, mono-cropping or a limited rotation canlead to pest and/or weedproblems. Changing or expandingthe crop rotation is oftenrecommended as a way to combatthese.
Every producer who wants tosell with a certified organic labelunder the National OrganicProgram standards set by USDA,must go through a three yeartransition phase to ensurecompliance. Producers must gothree years without prohibitedsubstances, apply for certificationwith one of the many organiccertifying entities, and pass aninspection before they can sellunder the organic label.Inspections are done annually.
“For many, last spring was thelast application of fertilizers orprohibited substances, so we arealready a few months into thatfirst year if you are interested incertifying.”
Rural Papers, October-November 2008 Page 15
Resources
Contributors to the Kansas Rural Center’s work to
promote sustainable agriculture in Kansas receive
KRC’s newsletter, Rural Papers, 6 issues/year,
and other Center special reports and information
alerts. Subscriptions are available for $25/year.
Celebrating 28 Years of Farming With Nature
KANSAS RURAL CENTER - RURAL PAPERS
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Serving Local FoodNow available from the
University of Wisconsin is apublication "Planning an Event -Consider Serving Local Food." Theauthors spent months workingwith the conference center chef toserve local meals and snacks toover 600 people attending the 2006National SARE Conference. Thendrafted this publication tellinghow to go about it. Go to:http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Planning-an-EventConsider-Serving-Local-Food-P1288C0.aspx. !
Wind for Schools....Continued from page 8
For more information about theWind for Schools program, a PDFwind map marking both years’sites, what next year ’s proposalwill entail, or for the selectedschools’ contact information,please contact Dan Nagengast at785-748-0959 or [email protected]; or Ruth DouglasMiller at 785-532-4596 or [email protected]. Information can also beaccessed at the WAC web site:http://www.eece.ksu.edu/psg/wac/. !
Kansas Water IssuesForum Set for
December 10-11Topeka, Ks.- The 2nd annual
Kansas Water Issues Forum will beheld Wednesday, December 10th,2008 at the Sedgwick CountyExtension Education Center inWichita, and Thursday, December11th, 2008 at the Kansas StateUniversity Agriculture ResearchCenter in Hays. The theme is“Water and Energy: Reduce, Reuseand Recharge”.
Sen. Carolyn McGinn will speakat Wichita on the Aquifer Storageand Recovery Project, andRepresentative Josh Svaty will beat Hays, asking “Do policy makersrecognize the connection?” Dr.Karl Brooks, University of Kansas,will begin both forums with “Diga Little Deeper: Making KansasWater Policy in Time”. Dr. MartinPasqualetti, Arizona StateUniversity, will speak on The“Water and Energy Nexus: What itsuggests for Renewable Energy,Energy Trade and Power PlantTechnology”.
There will be presentations fromexperts in water and energy issues
in the morning, lunch with BasinAdvisory Committee members,followed by three break outsessions in a town hall discussionformat. A highlight of the daymay be the afternoon debate onthe resolution: “The free marketprovides the most efficient andequitable manner to distributewater resources and energysupplies.”
The meetings are free and opento the public, but pre-registrationis required and enrollment islimited. Lunch is included. Toregister and view the agenda, goto www.kwo.org, and click on theWater & Energy Forum button.
The forums are sponsored bythe Kansas Water Office andKansas State University, KansasCenter for Agricultural Resourcesand Environment (KCARE). Theywill be hosted by the joint BasinAdvisory Committees. If youwant help registering, pleasecontact Crystal White, KansasWater Office, at 1-785-296-3185. !
Change Service Requested
Kansas Rural CenterP.O. Box 133Whiting, Ks. 66552(785) [email protected]
Non-ProfitOrganization
U.S. Postage PAIDPERMIT NO. 5
Calendar
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 rBGH Public Hearing, Labeling
Rules, 10 a.m. Kansas Departmentof Agriculture, 109 SW 9th, 4thFloor, Topeka, Ks.
Thursday December 4, 2008Grazing Workshop, Emporia,
Ks. Best Western HospitalityHouse. 4 to 8 p.m. $5 registration.Contact Brian Rees 620-341-3220.
Saturday December 13, 2008KRC Winter Sustainable Ag
Conference, Blue Rapids, Ks. 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact KRCoffice at 785-873-3431, [email protected].
Saturday January 17, 2009Kansas Grazers Association
Winter Conference, Assaria, Ks.9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the KRCwebsite for details, or contactMary Howell at 785-292-4955, [email protected].
Thursday/Friday January 29-30,2009
Kansas Natural ResourceConference, “Renewable Energy,Renewable Resources” AirportHilton, Wichita, Ks. Agenda andregistration info available atwww.kansasnrc.com, or contactDan Meyerhoff, 785-625-2588, or e-mail: [email protected].
Saturday February 7, 2009, Kansas Rural Center Annual
Winter Meeting, Manhattan, Ks.Contact the KRC office at 785-873-3431, or [email protected]
Please check the KRC websitefor updated and more detailedcalendar and announcementinformation at:
www.kansasruralcenter.org/calendar.html
Inside This IssueNo. 228
October-November 2008
* rBGH Public Hearing Dec. 2
* KRC Conference: Meeting
Agriculture’s Challenges
*Small Farmer Commentary:
Making Sense of It All
*SAC Guide to Farm Bill
Available
* Organic Practices Offer
Multiple Benefits
*December 4 Grazing
Workshop Set
* Non-Confined Back-
grounding Operation
Featured on Tour
* Tours Help Producers Make
Decisions
*2008 Wind for Schools
Selected
* KRC Announces Funding for
Nurturing Communities By
Local Food Networks
* Resources
*Calendar
