Missouri Organic Association

Attention Farmers! ?? Ready to boost your farm's productivity and resilience? University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture is offering the Fundamentals of Cover Crops course! This self-paced course fits right into your busy schedule and will equip you with the skills to: ? Understand the benefits of cover crops and how they impact soil health ? Develop a cover crop system from species selection to seed establishment, termination, and cash crop planting ? Maximize ecosystem services like beneficial insects, soil fertility, erosion control, and carbon sequestration ? Integrate livestock to enhance farm resiliency ? Identify and address potential challenges with pests and nutrients ? Explore economic benefits and business strategies for successful cover crop use Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your operation and support sustainable practices. Sign up today and take the next step toward resilient farming! ?? https://lnkd.in/gitYuVfE #CoverCrops #SoilHealth #RegenerativeAgriculture #FarmResilience #SustainableFarming

?? $10 billion in direct economic assistance payments will soon be issued by FSA to help agricultural producers overcome increased input costs ?? and falling commodity prices ??. Payments made through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) are based on reported crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year, including: ?? Wheat, corn, sorghum, barley, oats ?? Upland cotton, extra-long staple cotton ?? Long grain rice, medium grain rice ?? Peanuts, soybeans ?? Dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas ?? Oilseeds (canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower) ? Eligible producers will receive a pre-filled FSA-63 ECAP application form that can be returned to their nearest FSA office in-person, online, by email, or fax. Need more details? Visit https://lnkd.in/gdJEnCty

?? Happy National Ag Day! ?? Today, we’re celebrating the farmers who go above and beyond to grow food in ways that nurture the soil, protect our water, and build resilient ecosystems. Regenerative and organic farmers are leading the way in sustainable agriculture by prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and reducing synthetic inputs. Their dedication not only produces healthy, nutrient-dense food but also supports thriving rural communities and local economies. ?? But let’s be real—Ag Day isn’t just once a year. Farmers work tirelessly year-round to provide for their communities and care for the land. Today and every day, we honor their hard work and commitment to a sustainable future. ?? This Ag Day, let’s recognize the hardworking farmers committed to practices that sustain our planet and future generations. Whether you’re planting cover crops, using biochar to enrich your soil, or transitioning to organic certification, your efforts make a difference! ?? Know a farmer who’s making an impact? Tag them in the comments and share their story! #NationalAgDay #RegenerativeAg #OrganicFarming #SustainableAgriculture #SupportLocalFarms

?? Can you apply too much biochar? Yes—but let’s dig into why! Biochar is an incredible tool for soil health, but just like compost, balance is key. If you've ever wondered why your nutrient-rich compost doesn’t keep your soil thriving year after year, biochar might just be your missing piece. When paired with compost, biochar helps stabilize organic matter, allowing beneficial microbes to flourish and feed your plants over time. This results in slower nutrient release, greater nutrient use efficiency, and better retention during heavy rains. ??? However, applying biochar without adequate nutrients can cause microbes to "lock up" essential elements, leading to poor crop performance. That’s why we inoculate biochar with compost, compost tea, or manure before applying it. This creates a thriving ecosystem where microbes can do their job—nurturing your plants season after season. ?? Pro Tip: Get a soil test before application to know exactly what your soil needs! For more insights and practical tips on biochar applications, check out our resource page. Let’s keep learning and growing together! ?? #Biochar #SoilHealth #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAg https://lnkd.in/gv7jrvuN

Biochar in Action! ???? Through our Biochar Phase 1 project, we’ve started seeing promising results in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from biochar plots compared to control plots. At first glance, the data shows that biochar is making a difference in sequestering carbon, methane, and nitrogen—key factors in combating climate change. We’re looking forward to the next steps as we dive deeper into the raw data to share the full story of how biochar can be a game-changer for the climate. Stay tuned for more updates and insights! https://lnkd.in/gA7N5S9F Watch more of the interview with River Hills Harvest owner, Terry Durham here: #Biochar #ClimateAction #SustainableFarming #CarbonSequestration

Attention Budding Orchardists! MU Extension is hosting a class in Orchard Establishment and Fruit Tree Grafting, with hands on grafting, Intor to Ag- Business Planning and Crop Enterprise Budgets, as well as FSA Resources for Small Farmers. You will leave with 3 apple and/or pear trees, and a wealth of knowledge. Eli Isele is leading these, with 4 around the state. Find all the details and register here: https://lnkd.in/g-MxHyjZ

We sat down with River Hills Harvest owner, Terry Durham, to dip our toes into what biochar is and what it can be doing for our soil structures. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gA7N5S9F

?? Meet MOA’s New Programs Manager: Dr. Swati Shrestha! ?? We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Swati Shrestha to the Missouri Organic Association (MOA) as our new Programs Manager! Dr. Shrestha brings a wealth of experience in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, program development, and stakeholder engagement. Before joining MOA, she served as an Assistant Professor in Plant and Soil Sciences, leading research and outreach efforts focused on sustainable agricultural practices. Her expertise in working with researchers, commodity boards, and farmers has helped bridge scientific research with real-world farm applications—a mission that aligns perfectly with MOA’s work. At MOA, Dr. Shrestha is focused on program management, new program development, and strengthening partnerships to further our mission: inspiring, supporting, and empowering communities through ecological organic principles. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Shrestha to the MOA team! ?? #MissouriOrganic #SustainableFarming #OrganicAgriculture #RegenerativeAg #MOATeam

Exciting News for Missouri Organic Association Members! ?? MOA is committed to serving farmers through education and connection, and we’re thrilled to introduce one of our newest member benefits—the MOA Member Directory! This directory is designed to help our community find, connect, and collaborate with like-minded farmers, businesses, and advocates for organic and regenerative agriculture. Whether you’re looking for suppliers, buyers, or just want to build your network, this tool makes it easier than ever. If you're a current MOA member, be sure to check it out! Not a member yet? Now is the perfect time to join and access this growing resource. ?? Explore the directory and learn more about MOA membership here: https://lnkd.in/gxHVcApU #MissouriOrganic #OrganicFarming #FarmCommunity #SustainableAgriculture #RegenerativeAg

Missouri's top small fruit crop has new research showing that customers will pay more for American - Grown elderberries. Find out more in the link!