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| Taking
it Step-by-Step : The transition from conventional
to organic management to be both profitable and
rewarding. |
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Why Go Organic?
As a farmer, I am happy to report that organic farming can
deliver many rewards. To begin, organic farming makes good
economic sense. Using organic management practices, I have
minimized my input costs, increased my market opportunities,
and, most importantly, increased my control over prices. For
example, in 2001, my organic corn and soybeans yields met
about 90% of my conventional yields. In marketing this harvest,
I delivered conventional corn to the mill for $2.10 a bushel,
while an organic processor picked up my organic corn at the
farm and paid $4.70 per bushel. At the same time, I delivered
conventional soybeans for $3.80 per bushel, while my organic
livestock feed beans were picked up at my farm for $10.50
a bushel and my organic food-grade beans were picked up for
$15 a bushel.
From a broader perspective, sales of organic products in
2001 totaled over $8 billion nationally and $27 billion world
wide, representing growth of 20% per year over the last five
years. Within the organic market place, demand still exceeds
supply for many current products, so there are many opportunities
to expand these product lines, as well as develop new products.
These figures indicate a bright future for the organic market,
and for the farmers that want to participate in it.
To supplement its economic benefits and potential, I’ve
found that organic farming also delivers the reward of better
health for me, my family, and my customers by reducing the
amount of chemicals to which we are exposed, both in application
and as residue on food. Organic management provides similar
environmental and soil health benefits. By eliminating chemical
exposure and increasing crop diversity, I have improved my
soils’ microbial communities and organic matter content.
These improvements have led to better erosion control, drought
resistance, and water quality, which benefit both the environment
and my bottom line.
If these types of benefits appeal to you, then you may be
pleased to discover that making a transition to organic farming
is not be as hard as you might think.
Making the Transition
“Organic Agriculture” is defined by the National
Organic Standards as a management system that supports and
enhances natural biodiversity and biological processes, using
biologically-based techniques that exclude synthetic chemicals
and other artificial inputs (such as genetically modified
organisms [GMOs]). The new National Organic Standards, which
go into effect in October of 2002, require that land and soil
must be managed for three years using only accepted inputs
and practices before it can be certified organic. (Livestock
transition procedures are covered separately in the national
standards.)
If you’re considering making the transition from conventional
to organic management, the idea of having to change your farming
practices and then wait three years for certification may
seem rather intimidating. However, let me assure you that
it can be done, and with some careful forethought, information
gathering, and planning, the transition process may be less
challenging than you think. The key to success is to begin
by undertaking the following five-step evaluation process,
one that you’ll probably find to be helpful when initiating
any new program or business plan:
1. Visualize
– Envision the ways in which you want
your farming business to grow and change, including a clear
idea of your ideal future, and possible one year, five year,
and ten year goals to help you along the way.
2. Evaluate
– Take inventory
of all your current resources and practices. You may be surprised
to discover the real value of your machinery and operation,
and you may find that some of your current practices meet,
or can be easily modified to meet the organic standards.
3. Educate
– Begin by learning the basics about organic practices
and guidelines, and compile a list of contacts and resources
(other farmers, extension agents, organizations, and books)
that can continue to provide help to you as you progress toward
your goals. (You will find a list of resources at the end
of this fact sheet.)
4. Plan
– Organize a “road map”
of practical steps that you plan to follow to achieve your
goals and vision. Be certain to commit this plan to paper
so it is clear for you, and be prepared for some of the steps
to change as your work progresses.
5. Act
– Take your first practical step, as outlined on your
road map, and then continue along your planned path with patience
and deliberation.
As you evaluate your position and begin your transition toward
organic practices, it is important to take your time. Remember
that there is no need to rush into anything, and that changes
can be made much more easily if you allow yourself the time
you need to become comfortable with your new focus.
In fact, you may find that your best approach is to certify
your farm in small sections, rather than trying to certify
the whole farm at once. You can begin by certifying a few
specific fields, and this approach is perfectly acceptable,
as long as those fields have been managed without prohibited
substances for three years and meet the Organic Standard guidelines.
For example, you may find that you have hay fields on your
farm that haven’t been sprayed or fertilized for years.
Consequently, these fields can be certified to the National
Standards right away. You can then choose another group of
fields or a specific crop rotation, and focus on adapting
those fields or that rotation to meet certification standards
in their fourth year (managed for the three transition years
without prohibited substances or practices).
As you develop steps 3, 4, and 5 of your transition, you
will want to focus your efforts on the following action steps:
1. Attend grower’s meetings
in order to make contacts with other organic and transitioning
farmers, and to gather information about the certification
organizations in your area.
2. Select the certification
organization(s) with whom you want to certify your farm. It’s
important to take this step early and carefully, because these
organizations will be your connection to the National Organic
Standards, and their seals will also be your representation
in the market place. In order to gather information about
these organizations, talk with some farmers who certify with
them, attend the organizations’ meetings and field days,
and meet with their inspectors, if possible, to learn about
the inspection process and people with whom you will be working.
(If you are planning on international trade as part of your
market strategy, you will want to choose a certifier with
international recognition.)
3. Follow the National Organic
Standards closely as you develop your transition strategy
and organic system management plan. In developing your plan
you will need to include these steps:
- Permit and encourage on-site inspections of your farm
- Submit all application fees to your certification organization(s)
- Prepare a written description of your intended organic
practices and procedures
- Prepare a list of all substances and inputs to be used
in your practices
- Assess and prepare a written description of the physical
barriers or buffer areas on your property that will protect
the integrity of your organic fields from the conventional
treatments performed on surrounding lands
- Develop a comprehensive record keeping system, if you
do not yet have one in place
By breaking the process into manageable steps, you will probably
find the transition from conventional to organic management
to be both profitable and rewarding. Many farmers who have
made this transition have told me that their organic management
practices have brought a new sense of fun and satisfaction
to their work, and to their lives as a whole.
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