Q&A

DEAR NEW FARM:

I have finally convinced my industrial dairy farmer husband to try organic, mainly because I buy organic corn, soy, oats and spelt, and he grows the GMO garbage and uses herbicides. In all honestly, his motivation is financial: $3.50/bu for his soybeans, $12.50/bu for organic (probably the least desirable reason for doing the right thing, but then who can be picky)?

How do I make this happen as painlessly as possible? Weed suppression? I missed the timing for planting a cover crop this year...What can I do now? Is there a book or publication that can give me the info I need to be successful in this?

Thanks!
Maggie Henry
Pennsylvania

DEAR MAGGIE:

Congratulations! The prices may have been the straw, but we suspect your example-setting helped convince your husband he might be missing out on something. Our first online training course is currently available as a beta version at www.tritrainingcenter.org/course. It is jam-packed with information and links to stories and resources highly useful to anyone interested in more-sustainable methods of agriculture. And, it includes a link to an electronic Organic System Plan (www.tritrainingcenter.org/osp) to help you with the paperwork end of the transition, as well. Of course the New Farm site itself offers inspirational stories and a multitude of ways to network with other farmers who share your vision.

Another excellent source to hone in on specific topics related to organic and sustainable farming is ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (www.attra.org). We like to remind farmers that their best resource is the experience and wisdom of other farmers in their region. A good way to connect with that experience is by joining and becoming active with your regional sustainable farming group, such as the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (www.pasafarming.org), or the Pennsylvania Women in Agriculture Network (http://wagn.cas.psu.edu).

We also invite you to sign up to receive our free e-newsletter for monthly updates on the latest news and features in organic and sustainable agriculture.

NF

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