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The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is seeking nominations
for the 2011 “Organic Farmer of the Year” award, which will be presented at the 22nd annual
MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, February 24-26, 2011.
Every year, MOSES recognizes an outstanding organic farmer or farm family who are innovators;
who excel in managing their farm resources like soil, water, wildlife, and biodiversity; and who serve as educators and shining examples in their communities and to the next generation of organic farmers.
“We believe it is absolutely vital to publicly recognize these impressive producers,” says Faye
Jones, MOSES executive director. “They are changing the way America farms and the way
we eat.”
Those who wish to nominate a farmer for the award must complete and return the nomination
form, which is available by calling the MOSES
office at 715-778-5775 or at the MOSES
website, www.mosesorganic.org/foy.html
The Organic Farmer of the Year award includes a cash gift, full registration to the 2011 Organic Farming Conference, lodging at the conference, and a gift certificate redeemable at the conference book sales booth.
John, Jane and Janaki Fisher-Merritt of Food Farm in Wrenshall, MN, received the 2010
Organic Farmer of the Year Award. The Fisher-Merritts approach their farm as a living
organism, and manage their soil so it can be farmed forever. Diversity of production includes
grazing poultry as part of the system to improve soil, lessen weeds and manage insect
populations.
The Fisher-Merritts designed and built an innovative energy efficient "root cellar/cooler", which has enough storage to supply their CSA members and the retail stores in Duluth, MN with root crops throughout the winter. This root cellar uses the natural cooling/heating capacity of the earth. For an entire year this large storage area uses less than $200 in
electricity.
MOSES is a non-profit education and outreach organization working to promote organic
agriculture in the Upper Midwest. MOSES provides resources to farmers interested in learning more about organic farming.
www.mosesorganic.org/foy.html
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