John Mesko, current executive director of the Sustainable Farming Association in Minnesota, has been hired to head the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service in Spring Valley, Wis.

“The players, pressures and policies within America’s food system are changing rapidly, and the ever-increasing demand for certified organic foods is both opportunity and challenge,” says Sylvia Burgos Toftness, president of the MOSES board of directors. “We believe John brings the experience and vision needed to build on MOSES’ strengths, keep organic standards high, continue to provide excellent programming, and reach out to all growers seeking environmental and economic sustainability.”

LEADER FOR CHANGING TIMES: The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service has named John Mesko as its new executive director.

Mesko steps into the leadership role vacated by the organization’s founding executive director, Faye Jones, who retired from MOSES in March. Linda Halley has been serving as interim director for the organization.

Mesko and his family raise grass-fed beef on a 160-acre farm near Princeton in east-central Minnesota. He has been with SFA for seven years.

“We are in the midst of a sea change in agriculture as consumers become better equipped to make their preferences known,” Mesko says. “Food companies continue to challenge American farmers to deliver the food crops consumers demand. MOSES educates, inspires and empowers farmers to thrive in a sustainable, organic system of agriculture. This is what consumers want as well, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.”

Mesko adds that he looks forward to working alongside staff and board directors to build on the success MOSES has had in leading the organic and sustainable movement over the past several years.

JOHN MESKO

“In working with many farmers across the Midwest and on my own farm, I've become convinced that sustainability in agriculture may start with simple crop rotations,” he says. “[Sustainability] is greatly enhanced when farmers employ cover crops in increasing complexity, organic farming practices, and the reintegration of livestock grazing. I know well the power of these sustainable farming practices to increase yields and improve environmental outcomes.”

Once onboard at MOSES, Mesko will lead a 10-member staff that provides training and resources to farmers to help them grow their organic businesses. In addition to the annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference, the staff organizes on-farm field days, publishes a newspaper about organic practices, and offers a mentoring program and other services to help new organic farmers.

To learn more about MOSES, visit mosesorganic.org.

At SFA, longtime staff member Jerry Ford will assume the position of interim executive director. Ford has served as event coordinator and network coordinator while at SFA. He is also the founder of the Minnesota Garlic Festival and raises garlic, potatoes, onions and grass-fed beef with his wife, Marienne Kreitlow, at Living Song Farm in Howard Lake.

Mesko’s last day at SFA is Sept. 25. The SFA board and staff note in a press release that they wish him and his family well on this new journey.

SFA is a farmer-to-farmer networking organization that focuses on soil health building and expert farmer education, as well as hosting the SFA Annual Conference and the Midwest Soil Health Summit. For more information about SFA, visit sfa-mn.org.