OF Dec Jan 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Considerations When Thinking About Transitioning to Certified Organic Production BY REX DUFOUR, NCAT/ATTRA Farming is a difficult business. Farming organically is a bit more complicated than farming conventionally because it requires a different knowledge base and a different approach “between the ears” than conventional farming. Here are some thoughts about transitioning to certified organic production. First of all, you should know that I’m biased toward many of the production practices that support organic production (cover cropping, use of compost, avoiding synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, diverse crop rotations), because I’ve seen what good soil management, and plant diversity above the soil line can do. There are some basic considerations that farmers need to think about prior to transitioning to organic: • Market and market demand • Paperwork • Biological transition • Certified organic processing facilities (for meat, fruits, nuts or veggies) • Equipment • Commitment • Mindset What’s Your Market? There are a lot of conventional growers that have adopted some or all of the practices typically considered “organic” because these practices support nutrient and water cycling. So, if conventional growers are doing this, then the first question you should ask yourself is, “Why transition to certified organic production?” If your market demands certified organic product, or if the most likely sector for growth in your market is certified organic, then you better start climbing that organic learning curve (attra.ncat.org is a good resource.) However, if you’re just wanting to “do the right thing” and aren’t necessarily interested in the organic price premiums, then perhaps certified organic isn’t the appropriate path for you and your farm. You can experiment with planting cover crops or use of compost on a small block and observe the results. I would remind readers that most of our soils are in a degraded condition from years of tillage, compaction, chemical impacts and lack of organic matter, so it’s likely going to take at least a few years of managing your soils with respect, and as a complex ecology, to begin to bring the life back to them so they’re functioning properly. “Paperwork” Transition Certified organic production requires a three-year transition from the last application of a prohibited substance to the date of harvest of a certified organic product. Generally speaking, transitional product (i.e. not certified organic) doesn’t command any price premium. Plus, there’s the paperwork—each certifying agency has something called the Organic System Plan (OSP) that you need to fill out—it’s a record of all your inputs and many of your production practices. You should also be prepared if you’re an organic grower in California to register with the State of California as an organic grower (and depending on the size of your farm’s gross sales, you’ll be able to pay for this privilege. To see how much, visit organic.cdfa.ca.gov/OrganicReg/Registration_Fee_2017.aspx.) 18 Organic Farmer December/January 2020
Organic farming requires a different approach to nutrient and pest management. Most importantly, it requires a different approach “between the ears” (photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT.) Annual inspections of your farm operation are also required by the certifying agency. And each certifying agency has a slightly different fee rate. For the last several years, USDA has provided each state’s department of agriculture some funds to defray the cost of organic certification to the grower. This is usually 75% of the cost of certification up to $750. These funds may or may not be available in the next growing season. Check with your state’s department of agriculture. And on a slightly different note, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a practice under their Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) called Conservation Activity Plan Supporting Organic Transition (CAPSOT 138), which will pay for a qualified consultant (known in NRCS-ese as a Technical Service Provider or TSP) to develop an organic conservation plan for your transitioning farm— nearly identical to an organic system plan. If you’re interested, ask your local NRCS Service Center about CAPSOT 138, and if they can recommend it. Continued on Page 20 December/January 2020 www.organicfarmermag.com 19
Page 1 and 2: December/January 2020 The Science B
Page 3 and 4: IN THIS ISSUE PUBLISHER: Jason Scot
Page 5 and 6: December/January 2020 www.organicfa
Page 7 and 8: tional almond orchards, pairing one
Page 9 and 10: ® The Grower’s Advantage Since 1
Page 13 and 14: ISOMATE ® Mist NOW SCIENCE FOR SOL
Page 15 and 16: years to see the full effects for b
Page 17: STORE SALE 20% Off Coupon Code: OF2
Page 21 and 22: The CLEAN experience - superior fru
Page 23 and 24: WE WILL PUMP YoU UP with our mycorr
Page 25 and 26: NEED HEMP SEEDS? No Problem. Femini
Page 27 and 28: The professionals’ top choice coa
Page 29 and 30: Quality Control Board, both of whic
Page 33 and 34: five to six inches deep. It prevent
Page 35 and 36: During the DFC winter meeting, “W
Page 37 and 38: “The squash featured on this webs
Page 39 and 40: statistical reviews of California o

OF Dec Jan 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?