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Factors to Consider Before Transitioning
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As part of his continuous
soil improvement plan, North Carolina vegetable grower John
Vollmer, who received a SARE producer grant, mows a cover crop
of millet and soybeans to create a rich amendment.
– Photo by Mary Vollmer |
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Converting to organic production is not a decision to take lightly.
Organic farmers must learn how to work with nature to solve problems,
such as adapting crop rotations to improve soil fertility, manage
weeds and control pests rather than simply substituting accepted
materials for prohibited ones.
Farmers considering a transition to organic farming should think about the
following questions, drafted by the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association
(OEFFA):
 Do
you enjoy walking your fields on a regular basis?
Can
you distinguish pests from beneficial insects?
Are
you curious about why things happen on your farm?
Can
you tolerate a field that is not weed free?
Do you
have the patience to trade short-term economic returns for longer-term
"ecological" credits while building soil health?
Farmers converting to organic purely to improve profits often fail because
they do not consider the huge range of economic, social and production changes
that must occur. The transition period can be particularly stressful because
of the need to develop and implement new management skills. In fact, you must
be prepared to survive a short-term financial loss if yields drop and costs
increase during this period.
Other considerations, posed by OEFFA and others, include:
How
will the transition period, where yields sometimes decrease and
price premiums are not yet available, impact your family?
How
will social stigma and negative peer pressure from other farmers
impact you? Lydia Poulsen, the Utah cattle and grain farmer, said
that when she converted a decade ago, people couldn't understand
what she was doing, or why. Now, people seem more accepting and
interested.
What
resources are available? Consider labor, borrowing capability,
knowledge base of local extension and information exchange regarding
organic production. When the organic dairy industry was expanding
in Vermont, SARE-funded researchers designed a study to explore
business, crop and animal management on dairy farms. One the most
important findings of the study, said researcher Lisa McCrory,
was "how all the growers benefited from what they could share
with each other, the time spent brainstorming and sharing through
on-farm demonstrations and conferences, and exchanging pasture
management skills."
How
will you develop the new types of relationships required to market
organic products?
Some farmers view the transition period as an investment in education. During
this time, when some growers experience declining profits, remember you are
not only learning new skills but also are building what some economists call
"natural capital." This refers to improved physical characteristics
of soil and plants, such as better soil water infiltration, increased microbial
populations, more natural predators, and better control of the weeds.
Like investing in a new stock, there may not be short-term profits, but in
the long run, you are setting the stage for the sustainability of your land
and farm.
| USDA Economic Assistance for Organic and
Transitioning Farmers
Some federal programs provide financial assistance
to organic farmers and ranchers and those transitioning to
organic systems. Check details with each program to verify
current status and obtain additional information.
Conservation Security Program (USDA-NRCS)
Provides technical and annual financial assistance to farmers
and ranchers to reward new and ongoing good stewardship practices
that enhance natural resources and the environment. Organic
producers adopting or maintaining whole farm conservation
plans will likely qualify for CSP support. www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/
Organic Certification Cost Share, National
Organic Program (USDA-AMS)
Offers organic producers and handlers financial assistance
to offset the costs of certification under the National Organic
Program. Each operation is eligible for up to 75 percent of
its cost of certification, not to exceed $500. Administered
by state Departments of Agriculture. Contact your state Department
of Agriculture for more information.
Organic Transition Payments Agricultural
Management Assistance (USDA-NRCS)
In the 12 northeastern states, plus WY, UT, and NV, provides
conservation financial and technical assistance to farmers
making the transition to organic. www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama/
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(USDA-NRCS)
Provides technical and one-time financial assistance to farmers
and ranchers for management conservation practices. Some NRCS
state offices have developed specific organic cropping or
livestock conservation options under EQIP. Check with your
NRCS state office. www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/
Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants
(USDA-RBCS)
Organic foods qualify as value-added agricultural products
eligible for grant funds through the VAPG program. Individual
producers, producer groups, or producer-owned cooperatives
or business ventures can apply to develop business plans or
feasibility studies or to develop a new marketing or processing
venture that will improve farm income and competitiveness.
www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm
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Start-up Ideas
After deciding to take the plunge into organic production, consider the following
strategies:
Identify
the closest certification organization and start collecting information
about how to come into compliance. (www.ams.usda.gov/nop/)
Make
contacts. Attend meetings of organic and other transitional farmers,
collect books and other resources and find extension agents and
other educators who are knowledgeable about organic production
and transition strategies.
Experiment
with a systems approach that will work on your farm or ranch.
Focus on prevention strategies and treating the causes of problems
rather than specific problems themselves.
Develop
marketing strategies for your organic products. (SAN's Building
a Sustainable Business is a useful planning guide for farm entrepreneurial
activities. See "Resources")
In the planning phase, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the farm. How
will you work with the natural system you have? Are you ready for a transition?
For example:
What
are your most valuable natural resources?
Does
topography work for or against you?
What
kind of pest pressure do you experience?
How
healthy are the soils?
(Adapted from The Transition Process by the Rodale Institute.)
Soil health is extremely important because you will no longer rely on external
inputs, but depend instead on the activity and capacity of the soil. "I
knew that my soils were basically sand with a little bit of nutrients and that
everything was burned out," said John Vollmer about why he took two years
to even start the transition.
When breaking new ground or exploring new enterprises, "Spend the money
to get good soil tests done so you know what amendments you'll need," said
Tony Norris, an organic vegetable grower in New Britain, Conn.
Think about pest control. Biological pest control is complex, involving complicated
interactions among crop rotations, intercropping combinations, planting schedules
and beneficial habitats. What strategies or systems are already in place?
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