The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) is a USDA program which provides reimbursements to producers and handlers of organic agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). 

In this episode, we speak with Emily Hetherington from Industry Communications in the Division of Marketing and Development at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) about the program. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- How OCCSP can benefit organic farmers 

- The application and reimbursement process 

- How to apply through Florida Organic Growers 

- Where to find more information and resources 

Learn more about OCCSP on the USDA’s Farm Service Agency OCCSP website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index 

Find information about applying for OCCSP on FOG’s website: www.foginfo.org/our-programs/cost-share 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

The Backyard Market is a new virtual farmers market platform launching in Homestead, Florida in fall of 2022. In this episode, we speak with Courtney Ward, FOG’s Virtual Farmers Market Manager, about updates on the market. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- Why FOG decided to create the online market 

- How farmers and consumers can use the market  

- What makes The Backyard Market unique 

- What to expect going forward

Interested in becoming a vendor? Get in touch with our Virtual Farmers Market Manager, Courtney Ward at [email protected] 

Learn more about The Backyard Market on our website: www. foginfo.org/our-programs/backyard-market  

Follow The Backyard Market on social media for the latest updates:  

Instagram: @yourbackyardmarket  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BackyardMarketHomesteadFL 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Yaupon Brothers American Tea Company was founded in 2015 by two brothers, Bryon and Kyle White and former mentor-turned-business-partner, Mark Steele. Bryon recently took time to speak with us about Yaupon tea, a native crop of the Southern United States. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- How the company was started 

- What Yaupon is and why it is a beneficial crop to sell and consume 

- The ecological impact and sustainability of Yaupon as a crop 

- Upcoming events and resources 

Learn more about Yaupon Brothers American Tea Company on their website: https://yauponbrothers.com 

Visit Florida Organic Grower’s event page https://foginfo.org/events to learn more and register for the “Opportunities and Benefits of Heritage Foods Symposium” taking place on September 30, 2022. 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida in 2013 to help military veterans transition to civilian life and to promote Florida’s status as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state. One of its many programs is the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program, a six-month training fellowship that provides veterans and servicemembers a comprehensive, hands-on experience and equips you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be competitive for leading careers in Florida’s $149 Billion agriculture industry.  

Tune in to a conversation with Jeremy Sinnemaki, Veterans Employment and Training Services Director, where we discuss: 

- The history and mission of Veterans Florida 

- Veterans Florida Career Services and Entrepreneurship Program 

- How the Veterans Florida’s Agriculture Program assists transitioning veterans 

- Benefits and the DoD SkillBridge Program  

Visit the Veterans Florida website for information on all their programs: https://www.veteransflorida.org  

Learn more about the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program: https://www.veteransflorida.org/agriculture/ 

Register for the Veterans Florida Expo at: https://www.veteransfloridaexpo.org 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Farm Aid was founded in 1985 in the midst of the 1980’s farm crisis. As a response to farmers in dire need of assistance, Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp held the first concert which raised over $7 million for America’s family farmers. Since then, Farm Aid has continued to support farmers through a variety of programs. We speak with Caitlin Arnold Stephano, Farm Aid’s Hotline Program Manager, about how Farm Aid is doing this. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- Mental health and resources offered through Farm Aid’s Farmer Hotline  

- How Farm Aid assists farmers through its many programs  

- Farm Aid's annual concert 

- How organizations can get involved 

Learn more about Farm Aid on their website: https://www.farmaid.org 

Farm Aid’s Farmer Hotline is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (EST) and toll-free at 1-800-FARM-AID. Learn more about the hotline here: https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/supporting-family-farmers/ 

Reach out to [email protected] for more information about Farm Aid’s grant submission process. 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Founded in 1990, Rural Advancement for Farmers International (RAFI-USA) challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, and ecologically just farm communities.  

Lisa Misch, Director of Farmer Outreach and Technical Assistance at RAFI-USA, highlights some of the organization’s programs and funding resources for farmers. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- RAFI-USA's mission and vision 

- RAFI-USA's programs and funding opportunities 

- How RAFI-USA assists with Farm Service Agency (FSA) Disaster Relief Loans 

- Upcoming events and workshops 

Learn more about RAFI-USA on their website: https://www.rafiusa.org 

RAFI-USA’s Farmer Crisis Hotline is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and toll-free at (866) 586-6746. Learn more about the hotline here: https://www.rafiusa.org/hotline/ 

More Resources: 

 How to Work with Your FSA Office Webinar: https://www.rafiusa.org/blog/webinar-how-to-work-with-fsa/ 

 Learn about funding resources and farmer assistance on Farm Aid’s website: https://www.farmaid.org 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Jen Speedy is a farmer and Collective Member of Siembra Farm, a small-scale, sustainable farm in SE Gainesville, FL. With plans to open a new flower farm, Jen talks to us about things people should consider when setting up a new farm. 

In this episode hear about:  

- Challenges new farmers may face when starting a farm 

- Avoiding farmer burnout  

- Methods and tools for farming sustainably 

- Risk-management strategies  

Learn more about Siembra Farm on their website: https://siembrafarm.com 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

In Episode 1 of FOG’s Food Safety for Farmers Podcast Series, Dr. Keith Schneider, Professor and Extension Specialist in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida, discusses microbiology concepts that help farmers better understand how to produce food safely. 

Tune in to learn about: 

• The Produce Safety Rule 
• Problematic foodborne pathogens 
• The role of indicator organisms and methods to test for their presence 
• Preventative controls 

Resources: 

Learn more about food safety, new podcast episodes, upcoming events and webinars on our website: https://foginfo.org/food-safety-for-producers/
 
For more information about food safety, visit the UF/IFAS Southern Center for FSMA Training website: https://sc.ifas.ufl.edu
 
For the latest news on FSMA, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Website:
https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Aviva Asher and Daniel Robleto are founders and owners of Nicoya Farm, a family fruit and vegetable farm located in Gainesville, Florida. In 2015 they began Nicoya Farm on leased land in South Florida and transitioned the farm to collectively owned land in SE Gainesville.   

In this episode, hear about: 

- How Aviva and Daniel got started farming 

- Their shift from leasing to purchasing land  

- Owning land as part of a collective 

- Considerations for farmers looking for farmland 

Learn more about Nicoya Farm on their website: https://nicoyafarm.wordpress.com 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Fleet Farming is a non-profit urban agriculture program of IDEAS For Us located in Orlando, Florida. With a mission to empower all generations to grow food to increase local food accessibility, Fleet Farming transforms the average American lawn into a bio-verse, productive micro farms and edible gardens.  

In this episode, Fleet Farming Program Manager Caroline Chomanics, tells us about: 

- The history of Fleet Farming  

- Involvement in community development and programs 

- Opportunities to get involved 

Learn more about Fleet Farming on their website: https://fleetfarming.org 

Learn more about IDEAS for US on their website: https://ideasforus.org 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Programs like Fresh Take and this podcast are made possible by partners who believe in organic agriculture, community wellness, and lasting food systems change. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue providing farmer education, trusted resources, and impactful conversations that move our work forward.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re investing in meaningful, measurable impact—and helping ensure these programs remain accessible and sustainable.

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.