With more consumers demanding organic foods, and organic sales surpassing $63 billion in 2021, Iowa farmers have an outstanding opportunity to diversify their farming operations and convert some of their acreages to organic.
Join IOA, Jamey Meyer (IDALS) and Amanda Weigel (FSA) on Tuesday, February 28, from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Forest Ave Library, 1326 Forest Ave in Des Moines, for an Introduction to Organics workshop including information about organic certification, an overview of National Organic Program (NOP) Regulations, and USDA programs and resources available to organic and transitioning producers.
Jamey Meyer is an IDALS Agriculture Compliance Investigator (organic inspector) and conducts crop, livestock, and processor inspections across Iowa. IDALS has been accredited with the NOP since 2002 and is currently certifying 350 operations each year.
Amanda Weigel is an Agriculture Program Specialist with the Iowa Farm Service Agency. She will share information about the various FSA programs that are available to transitioning and organic producers: Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), Organic Transition Education and Certification Program (OTECP), Non-insurable Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for producers growing specialty crops, as well as the Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSFL).
AGENDA:
12:00 – 12:15 p.m. – Introductions, Olga Reding (Education and Outreach Coordinator, IOA)
12:15 – 2: 15 p.m. – IDALS Organic Certification, Jamey Meyer
2:15 – 3:00 p.m. – FSA Programs for Organic Producers, Amanda Weigel
This workshop is free to attend, please RSVP below to participate.
To join this workshop virtually please use the below listed zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85388279306?pwd=QVlDYkJDRnMzODhlNXVISnZSQ3lSQT09
We look forward to seeing you on February 28th!
Funder Acknowledgment:
This material is based upon work that is supported by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the project number 15061 titled "Risk Management Outreach and Education for Beginning, Transitioning and Organic Producers". RMA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the RMA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
