Market Farming

["Kevin Ancell" <kancell AT goodearthgardens.com>]

Alternative agriculture makes inroads at Field Day
By Mike Surbrugg
Globe Staff Writer
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. - This year's Field Day held Sept. 13 at the University of
Missouri's Southwest Center focused on more than conventional agriculture
production.

The center is a regional leader in sustainable and alternative agriculture.
Extension specialist Anastasia Becker is at the center to provide
information and work with small and family farmers.

Alternative agriculture made its way into conventional Field Day tours such
as Becker talking about ways to market beef directly from farms to
consumers.

James Quinn, a representative of the non-profit Jefferson Institute in
Jefferson City, talked about growing crops such as kenaf, sesame seed or
amaranth at an agronomy tour.

Another tour looked at the center's grazing dairy where cows are dry during
the coldest winter months. It seeks to demonstrate steps dairy producers can
take to increase net income without large costs.

Pat Byers, horticulturist at Southwest Missouri University's Fruit
Experiment Station at Mountain Grove, gave tips how to retain more of the
value of production by selling such crops directly to consumers.

Costs to store, transport, process and retail fruits and vegetables keep
some of the value away from producers, he said.

Producers and consumers alike have increased interest for home-grown food,
Byers said. "Consumers can get quality food and know where, who and how the
food is produced," he said.

Marketing can range from selling at roadside stands, pick-your-own
operations or food circles where producers produce different products and
cooperate to sell to customers.

Such undertakings range from bedding plants and honey to cut flowers,
vegetables, fruit, meat and Christmas trees.

Memory Lane Dairy at Fordland for two years has sold its milk in glass
bottles. People go to the dairy and the farm is getting shelf space for its
bottles in grocery stores in Fordland, Seymour and Springfield, Byers said.

A pen of two Boer goats was near the tent where people talked about the
potential to fill a growing demand for goat meat.

Demand for goat meat is unknown, but is largely seen in ethnic and specialty
markets. A large Hispanic population in Southwest Missouri is seen as a
viable market. Speakers said they can sell meat goats for $1.20 a pound when
markets reach peak levels at some holidays.

Information distributed at Field Day said the U.S. has about 2.5 million
head of goats. The U.S. consumes at least 1.115 million head annually. More
than 350,000 frozen goat carcasses were imported in 2000. Most came from
Australia.

Speakers outlined avenues to seek loans, grants and information. Some
examples:

. U.S. Department of Agriculture North Central Region Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) supports agricultural innovators
with competitive research and education grants to explore and promote
environmentally sound, profitable, socially responsible food systems.

Since 1988, the region has awarded more than 260 grants worth more than $15
million.

Contact: (402) 472-7081 or ncrsare AT unl.edu.

. Sustainable Alternative Farming Institute (SAFI) is a new non-profit
organization to help family farmers. It provides education to farmers,
lenders, consumers, universities, government agencies and businesses about
sustainable alternative agriculture.

Contact: (573) 687-3525 or e-mail smallfarm AT sockedt.net.

. Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority has a
beginning farmer loan program for Missouri residents.

A borrower's net worth must not exceed $200,000 and have adequate working
capital and experience in the area for which the loan is sought. Loans of up
to $250,000 can be obtained to buy agricultural land, farm buildings,
equipment and breeding livestock.

Contact: (573) 751-2129 or masbda AT mail.mda.state.mo.us or at
www.mda.state.mo.us/i11.htm.

. Missouri Sustainable Agriculture demonstration award program. People
compete for grants of up to $3,000 to do projects for one, two or three
years. Applications for money are due by Nov. 30. Projects must reduce use
of minerals and petroleum and protect and conserve natural resources.
Twenty-three grants are made each year.

Contact: Missouri Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Division at PO
Box 630, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102-0630 or call (573) 751-5505.

. Anastasia Becker, Southwest Center for information. Call (417) 466-4225.