Organic Broadcaster: History, Marbleseed (MOSES) Profile, Content and Staff
Profile updated November 2026
The Organic Broadcaster has been published since 1992 by the Wisconsin nonprofit now called Marbleseed, known for most of its history as MOSES, the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service. Now a quarterly in print and free digital editions, it reaches more than 8,000 people interested in organic and regenerative agriculture with farmer features, practical tips, policy news and media reviews.
| First published | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marbleseed, formerly MOSES (incorporated 1995) |
| Mailing address | PO Box 339, Spring Valley, Wisconsin |
| Frequency | Quarterly: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall |
| Cost | Print $30 a year (about 192 pages); digital edition free |
| Reach | More than 8,000 readers |
| Official website | Marbleseed.org |
History of Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed)
The organization behind the Broadcaster grew out of an organic farming conference in the upper Midwest that began in 1990. Organizers ran the event for several years before incorporating in 1995 as the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Organic Broadcaster began in 1992, and the conference became the largest organic farming conference in the United States.
For years the Broadcaster was a newsprint paper published every other month, with issues posted on Issuu; the March 2019 issue was Volume 27. In 2021, by the organization's account, MOSES became Marbleseed (the public announcement followed in August 2022), named for a drought-tolerant perennial prairie plant native to the Midwest and a nod to the big blue marble of Earth. Lori Stern, who became executive director in November 2020, led the change, and the Broadcaster got a new layout with the rebrand.
The paper later moved to a quarterly schedule, and the Fall 2026 issue is Volume 34.
Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed) Today
The Organic Broadcaster now appears in mid-January, April, July and October. Print subscriptions cost $30 a year, the digital edition is free, and audio versions of selected articles are available. Back issues are archived on Issuu.
Marbleseed also runs the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference, free farmer-led programs, Organic Specialists who answer questions on practices and certification, and Farmer Recognition honors including an Organic Farmer of the Year, all of which feed stories to the paper.
What Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed) Is Publishing Now
Farmer features
Profiles of organic and regenerative farmers, often Organic Farmer of the Year and Changemaker honorees, on how their systems work.
Tools and tips
Practical advice on soil health, weed control, organic certification, livestock and marketing from Marbleseed's Organic Specialists and farmers.
Policy and reviews
Organic policy news from Washington and the states, plus reviews of books and other media.
Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed) Editors and Staff
Marbleseed leadership and contributors named in its announcements and listings:
- Lori Stern - Executive Director (since November 2020)
- Tony Ends - Contributing writer (2019 issues)
Marbleseed asks writers to send article ideas to organicbroadcaster@marbleseed.org.
Who Reads Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed)
Readers are certified organic and transitioning farmers, graziers, vegetable growers, organic dairy families, agricultural educators and consumers, mainly in the upper Midwest. Organic and soil-health practices are backed by federal programs: NRCS offers assistance to organic farmers, and SARE research documents how cover crops improve soil, both frequent Broadcaster topics.
Organic Broadcaster readers have spent decades explaining that weeds are information. farm.FM treats that philosophy kindly with farm satire about certification paperwork, farm humor about tine weeders and ranch humor for the grass-fed beef folks. Its farm jokes are certified free of synthetic punchlines.
The outlet behind those laughs, farm.FM, is the nation's first satirical farm site, complete with Tractor Tunes country music for farmers. A farm.FM humorist's archive shows what a week of it looks like.
Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed) Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Marbleseed: Organic Broadcaster - subscriptions, schedule and submissions.
- Marbleseed: Our story - history from MOSES to Marbleseed.
- Acres U.S.A.: MOSES is now Marbleseed - the rename announcement.
- USDA NRCS: Assistance for organic farmers - federal soil health support.
- SARE: 10 ways cover crops enhance soil health - sustainable agriculture research.
Organic Broadcaster (Marbleseed) FAQ
Who publishes the Organic Broadcaster?
Marbleseed, the Wisconsin nonprofit formerly known as MOSES.
How often does the Organic Broadcaster come out?
Quarterly, in mid-January, April, July and October.
Is the Organic Broadcaster free?
The digital edition is free; print is $30 a year.
When did the Organic Broadcaster start?
In 1992.
More than thirty years on, the Organic Broadcaster remains the Midwest organic movement's shared notebook, one season at a time.