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April 2015 Newsletter
A Case Study on Ultra-High Stock Density Grazing
 
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A Case Study Report of Dairy Farms in the Northeast Using Ultra-high Stock Density (UHSD)
By: Mena Hautau, Extension Educator

Ultra-high stocking density (UHSD) grazing, sometimes referred to as “mob grazing”, is characterized by: high stocking density (units bodyweight/units area; 500,000 + lb/ac), small paddock size, mature forage, short grazing durations, and long forage recovery times (90 to 180 days).
 

Some perceived benefits include: increased profitability (via increased carrying capacity), improved animal performance, improved forage species diversity, and increased soil quality (improved organic matter, improved microbial action, and greater water holding capacity).
 
Ultra-high stocking density grazing was developed using beef cattle, often in arid rangeland environments. Little science-based evidence exists about the application of this grazing management practice on dairy farms in the northeastern U.S.
 
A two-year study investigating four northeast pasture-based dairies that incorporated taller pre-grazed heights, was conducted from 2012-2013. The overall goal of the project was to help dairy producers understand the opportunities and challenges to adopt this type of grazing as a practice. Each farm in the study had resource challenges and opportunities that impacted their ability to use this practice.

For the full report, click here

Deadline approaching! Comment Now on Input Materials!

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is seeking public comment on input materials that may be in use by your operation. 200+ materials are under review, including: Ferric Phosphate (slug and snail bait), Methionine (poultry feed), Zinc Sulfate (footbath), ParasiticidesMicroorganisms, Glycerin, and many others. It is critical that NOSB hear from certified farmers and handlers on whether these materials are consistent with and necessary for organic production or whether there are other effective natural or organic alternatives available.

NOSB Meeting Resources
To Submit Comments (due April 7th at midnight!)

Submit written comments to the NOSB by April 7th online via Regulations.gov, or by mail to Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Special Assistant, National Organic Standards Board, USDA–AMS–NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2648–S, Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250–0268. All comments must include the docket number AMS-NOP-15-0002 in comment.

To Complete Surveys
Please also consider completing the following electronic surveys to submit feedback on each individual material under sunset review. Each survey is CONFIDENTIAL and contains about 10 short questions that will take an estimated 5 minutes to complete. Your responses will be compiled with other data from operators all over the country to better understand the use of each material in organic production and handling. Click here to access the surveys and other information.

Tips for Writing Comments
Comments should clearly indicate your position on the allowance or prohibition of substances on the list and explain the reasons for your position. You should include relevant information and data to support your position (e.g., scientific, environmental, manufacturing, industry impact information, etc.).  The NOSB bases their decisions on the following criteria. Public comments should focus on whether the substance under review meets or does not meet these criteria.
1) Impact on Humans and the Environment — Is there any evidence the substance(s) may be harmful to human health or the environment?
2) Essentiality & Availability — Is the substance necessary to the handling of the product because of unavailability of wholly natural substitute products, or essential for the handling of an organic product?
3) Compatibility & Consistency — Is the substance’s use consistent and compatible with organic handling practices?
For sunset materials:  Public comments should focus on providing new information about a substance since its last NOSB review. Such information could include research or data that may support a change in the NOSB’s determination for a substance. Public comment should also address the continuing need for a substance or whether the substance is no longer needed or in demand. Your comments should address whether any alternatives have a function and effect equivalent to or better than the allowed substance, and whether you want the substance to be allowed or removed from the National List. Assertions about alternative substances, except for those alternatives that already appear on the National List, should, if possible, include the name and address of the manufacturer of the alternative. Further, your comments should include a copy or the specific source of any supportive literature, which could include product or practice descriptions; performance and test data; reference standards; names and addresses of producers or handlers who have used the alternative under similar conditions and the date of use; and an itemized comparison of the function and effect of the proposed alternative(s) with substance under review.
 

Come Join the PCO Team!
 
Want to work with people committed to ensuring the integrity of organic food production? For a full description of duties and qualifications, visit paorganic.org/jobs
 

Certification Specialist
Pennsylvania Certified Organic announces a job opening for Certification Specialist. The ideal candidate will have education and / or experience in the following areas: familiarity with regulatory compliance and organic certification, knowledge of organic standards and food science/processing. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. Remote consideration will be given to applicants with previous certification experience.
 
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary range: $38,000 to $48,000, depending on experience. Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.
 
Information Technology Specialist
Pennsylvania Certified Organic announces a job opening for an Information Technology (IT) Specialist. The ideal candidate will have education, training and/or experience in the following areas: technology support for office staff and end users, knowledge of Mac workstations and Apple iOS, and familiarity with FileMaker and WordPress. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. 
 
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary range: $40,000 to $48,000, depending on experience. Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.
 
PCO is a growing non-profit organization that works with organic farmers and food producers in the Mid-Atlantic region. PCO provides organic certification services to more than 600 operations and employs 20 office staff and 15 field inspectors.  Our staff is dedicated to our mission of ensuring the integrity of organic products in the marketplace. 
 
Positions will remain open until filled. To apply for the Certification Specialist or Information Technolgoy Specialist job, please send resume and cover letter to Lia@paorganic.org
 
Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest Coordinator
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is seeking a FarmFest Coordinator to serve on our Education and Outreach Team. The part time contracted position will be responsible for planning and management, with support from the PCO staff, of the Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest, held annually on the first weekend of August at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall PA. This year’s event is scheduled for Aug 7-8, 2015. PCO is a private non-profit organization that works to ensure the integrity of organic products and provide education, inspection, and certification services that meet the needs of our members.

The successful contractor will possess strong organizational and time management skills with demonstrated work experience in event and volunteer management. We seek a highly competent individual with proficiency in soliciting/securing sponsors, vendors, and exhibitors and the use of databases, computer networks, volunteerism, and social media. Please refer to our website at www.farmfest.paorganic.org when completing this proposal.

This contracted position is offered at $3400. We expect the contracted position to fill approximately 10 hours per week and all day Thursday, Friday, Saturday and half a day Sunday of the event. To apply for this position, please access the request for proposal form here. The request for proposal form can also be found by visiting the Openings page of the PA Certified Organic website- paorganic.org/jobs
 
FarmFest Administrative Coordinator Intern
This non-paid internship can be taken for credit over the course of the Spring 2015 and Summer 2015 semesters.

Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is seeking a part-time FarmFest Administrative Coordinator Intern who will be responsible for duties associated with successfully running a Summer festival attended by over 3500 people. The intern will perform all duties listed below with support from the PCO staff, to facilitate this year’s FarmFest, held August 7-8 at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall PA. PCO is a private non-profit organization that works to ensure the integrity of organic products and provide education, inspection, and certification services that meet the needs of our members. This intern position is based in our Spring Mills, PA office, though flexible, work-from-home hours prior to the festival is permissible. A personal computer and reliable access to Google Docs, as well as attendance at FarmFest in August are required.

The successful intern will possess strong organizational and time management skills with demonstrated work experience in event and volunteer management. We seek a highly competent individual with proficiency in the use of databases, computer networks, volunteerism, and social media.

Position will remain open until filled. Please send RESUME AND COVER LETTER to farmfest@paorganic.org.

FarmFest Event Coordinator Intern
This non-paid internship can be taken for credit over the course of the Spring 2015 and Summer 2015 semesters.

Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is seeking a part-time FarmFest Event Coordinator Intern who will be responsible for duties associated with successfully running a Summer festival attended by over 3500 people. The intern will perform all duties listed below with support from the PCO staff, to facilitate this year’s FarmFest, held August 7-8 at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall PA. PCO is a private non-profit organization that works to ensure the integrity of organic products and provide education, inspection, and certification services that meet the needs of our members. This intern position is based in our Spring Mills, PA office, though flexible, work-from-home hours prior to the festival is permissible. A personal computer and reliable access to Google Docs, as well as attendance at FarmFest in August are required.

The successful intern will possess strong organizational and time management skills with demonstrated work experience in event management. We seek a highly competent individual with proficiency in the use of databases, computer networks, volunteerism, and social media.

Position will remain open until filled. Please send RESUME AND COVER LETTER to farmfest@paorganic.org.
Thanks to our E-news Sponsors!

             

To advertise/sponsor, contact april@paorganic.org or visit the advertising page of our website.



Events

April 9
PCO Adopt-a-Highway
Centre Hall, PA
 
April 12
Philly Farm & Food Fest
Philadelphia, PA
 
April 16, 23, 30; May 7, 21; Aug 6, 20; Sept 3, 17
4:00 to 7:00 pm
New Organic Vegetable Producers Course
Lehigh County, PA
extension.psu.edu/start-farming/events

May 2
Heritage Pastured Pigs
Kutztown, PA
 
June 2
Farming With Beneficial Insects: Organic Pest Control
Kutztown, PA
rodaleinstitute.org

June 24
Pastured Swine & Dairy Nutrition
Kutztown, PA
FREE for PCO Transitioning Members!



For a full listing of events, visit the PCO online calendar.


Classifieds

FARM FOR SALE
69 acre certified organic grass fed beef farm. Owners are looking for someone to pick up the soul of this farm and improve on it as only a younger person/s can do.
Included is a 23.5 KW Solar system, a full line of farm machinery, and a closed herd (for 20 years) of 55 beef cattle that have been acclimated,  bred, and thrive on this farm. Third party certifications on this farm are PCO, AWA and AGA. A five bedroom brick/frame house, barn and out buildings are situated on this Central Pennsylvania Conservancy preserved farm. Owner financing as well as mentoring can be negotiated, so that this farm can continue to provide nourishing food to a growing group of loyal customers. Owners make hay on  some 80 acres of certified organic hay fields nearby for winter forage. 
Contact Information: jstoltz@pa.net or 717-536-3618
 

To see the complete classifieds listings or to post an ad, click here


To Advertise
If you would like to place an ad on our Organic Marketplace online classifieds, click here

 


Member News

A Warm Welcome to Our March New Members

Rose Arnt
Stephen J. Beiler
Sahil Bhalla
Marily Breedlove-Giampa
Andrew Buckwalter
Jerry Colabine
Joseph Conklin
Gil Galili
Karsten Haigis
Mark Hansen
Michael Harris
Alvin Z. Horning
Thomas Lee Jackson
Bevan Jones
George Knarich
Gerald Kraybill
Marc Laucks
Nathan Layton
Brian McCreight
Arthur Metzger
Eli C. Miler
Dan Miller
Anthony Oberholtzer
Parvin Patel
Reuben J. Peachey
William Petty
Hannah Reiff
Kevin Swank
Lynn Trizna
Daniel Troyer
Paul Z. Weaver
Joseph Wilson
Menno S. Yoder
David E. Yoder
Ervin Yoder
Martin Zatta
Jonas Zeiset



 
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Our mailing address is:
106 School Street, Suite 201  
Spring Mills, PA 16875  
814-422-0251
www.paorganic.org
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