Topics:
Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Farmer Leader
Roger Blobaum, a visionary and trailblazer in the organic farming world, left an indelible mark on the agricultural landscape. His remarkable contributions encompassed a deep commitment to organic practices and advocacy. In this tribute, we celebrate the life and legacy of Roger, whose passion and dedication continue to inspire. As well as the essence of Roger, he was a loyal, passionate, precious friend and mentor to so many in the organic community.
Topics:
Beginning Farmers, Farm Business, Farm Business : Certification, Farming Systems, Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Farmer Leader
Marbleseed is honored and excited to be serving the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) as a regional partner in the Midwest region. Through the USDA, TOPP is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. This of course has been a foundation of Marbleseed’s work for years.
Topics:
Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Public Policy
As we continue to push for building a diverse and just food system in the 2023 Farm Bill, we need you to share your stories and truths. No matter your background or understanding of agriculture, you have a stake in our food system. You are a steward of the land; you eat and thrive off the land. Therefore, this groundswell of rich work is crucial to formulate an equitable living world for all.
Topics:
Farming Systems, Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Public Policy
The Farm Bill is a HUGE package of legislation made up of many chapters, each with numerous sections and policy ideas. Marker bills are smaller bills that aren’t meant to pass on their own, but are introduced to promote and build support for a policy idea in the hopes that that idea will be included in a major omnibus package like the Farm Bill. Marker bills help build grass-roots and congressional support for policies.
Topics:
Beginning Farmers, Land Access, Land Access : Incoming Farmers, Farm Business, Fruits and Specialty Crops, Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Farmer Leader
Hoch Orchard & Gardens sits atop a ridge above the Mississippi River in the Driftless Region of southeastern Minnesota. This 60-acre, fully diversified organic farm includes 10,000 trees. There are over 50 varieties of apples, as well as cherries, apricots, plums, strawberries, raspberries, as well as a large garden area for vegetables.
Owners Jackie and Harry Hoch are actively looking to bring new owner/caretakers to the operation as they are ready to transition out of full-time farming. The Hochs’ are working with American Farmland Trust and Renewing the Countryside with the goal to make this property affordable to the next generation of farmers.
Topics:
Farming Systems, Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Farmer Leader, Leadership and Community : Healthy Communities
Bailey Lutz details their experience as a queer farmer who tends a herd of goats outside of Decorah, Iowa. Read about the Queer Farmer Convergence and defying the status quo.
Topics:
Beginning Farmers : Connect with Peers, Leadership and Community
The ASN is a collective and farmer-led platform with the intent to grow the community of farmer folks, create synergies in the work that we do, and build power towards systemic change that supports organic and regenerative agriculture.
Launch Week drew attention to the platform through social media promotion and partner organizations sharing with their networks. Folks were invited to join the ASN, participate in daily “challenges” within the platform (such as building out your profile, introducing yourself to the community via the live feed, joining a group…), and join us for 6 virtual events that were held directly on the site throughout the week.
Topics:
Farming Systems, Farming Systems : Grazing, Fruits and Specialty Crops, Fruits and Specialty Crops : Fruits, Fruits and Specialty Crops : Nuts, Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Farmer Leader, Livestock, Livestock : Beef, Livestock : Poultry, Production, Production : General
Marbleseed's Stephanie Coffman owns and operates a small beef operation on the Rush River watershed in Pierce County, Wisconsin with her husband. Read about how they practice good conservation on their farm. With the help of their local USDA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), they have been able to install infrastructure to rotationally graze their challenging and hilly pastures.
Topics:
Farming Systems, Leadership and Community
Marbleseed Executive Director, Lori Stern and Farmer Education Manager, Alex Bagwajinini Kmett discuss the Farmer Viability Convergence session which took place during Marbleseed's 34th Organic Farming Conference in February 2023.
Topics:
Beginning Farmers, Beginning Farmers : Connect with Peers, Land Access, Farm Business, Farming Systems
Learn about Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC), a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Marbleseed, Renewing the Countryside and Wisconsin Farmers Union. A five-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners to connect and learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.
Topics:
Beginning Farmers, Beginning Farmers : Connect with Peers, Land Access, Land Access : Incoming Farmers, Farm Business, Farm Business : General, Farm Business : Marketing, Leadership and Community, Leadership and Community : Farmer Leader, Leadership and Community : Healthy Communities, Leadership and Community : Public Policy, Leadership and Community : Racial Equity
Fresh Roberson is a chef, activist, healer, farmer and founded of Fresher Together, a collaborative food and farming project for healing, economic development, training and retreat in the south side of Chicago. They will be facilitating a workshop at Marbleseed's 34th Organic Farming Conference on February 25, 2023, entitled: Funding Your Farm with Little to No Debt - Grants and Creative Fundraising Strategies For Farmers.
Topics:
Leadership and Community
Marbleseed is a prairie plant native to the Midwest. It has a deep taproot and thrives in areas grazed by cattle and is one of the first to return, resilient after fire. This drought-tolerant, perennial plant is often used in prairie restoration efforts, providing nectar and pollen as rewards for bumblebees, butterflies, and other insects. Although it is native, today it can be difficult to find.
After deep conversations with staff and the Board of Directors, reviewing options presented and brainstormed, “Marbleseed” emerged as the new name for MOSES. The tagline “farmer-led, rooted in organic” was the last critical piece. Buoyed by success in reaching unanimous consensus, we set about the task of creating a logo.
