www.sare.org publications transitioning-to-organic-production organizations-and-resources-for-transitioning-farmers Organizations and Resources for Transitioning Farmers USDA Resources The National Organic Program The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has comprehensive information about the NOP on its website, including regulations, enforcement, the certification process and training resources. www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program Sound and Sensible The Sound and Sensible Initiative was a collaboration between USDA and 14 organizations that produced a set of resources to help make […]
www.sare.org publications transitioning-to-organic-production making-the-transition-to-organic-cropping-systems Making the Transition to Organic Cropping Systems Many farmers who want to transition to organic production will need to change their practices or adopt new farming strategies in common areas of management, regardless of what they produce. These include building and maintaining soil health, responsibly incorporating tillage, managing pests and omitting prohibited substances. Generally, organic production becomes more management intensive because it […]
www.sare.org publications transitioning-to-organic-production transitioning-livestock-field-crop-and-horticulture-systems-to-organic Transitioning Livestock, Field Crop and Horticulture Systems to Organic Developing a farming system that ties together principles of sustainability and productivity is complex. Organic farmers must consider how the various components of their system—rotations, pest and weed management, and soil health—will maintain productivity and profitability. If you’re already using some of the practices discussed in previous sections, you’ve already started thinking about your farm […]
www.sare.org publications transitioning-to-organic-production business-planning Business Planning As with any type of farming venture, your success with an organic operation will depend on your ability to be a good business manager. To be successful through the transition, you’ll want to be clear about your goals, the strategies that you put in place when making the switch and your ability to manage unexpected […]
www.sare.org publications transitioning-to-organic-production the-national-organic-program The National Organic Program In brief, the history of organic agriculture in the United States can be traced to traditional agricultural systems in India and their emphasis on maintaining soil health through the use of compost, green manures and deep-rooted crops. These systems were studied by the British scientist Sir Albert Howard, and the principles and practices were first […]
www.sare.org publications transitioning-to-organic-production why-go-organic Why Go Organic When farmers explain why they decided to make the transition to organic, they typically mention the importance of price premiums, environmental stewardship, health concerns related to antibiotic and pesticide use, and personal values. Charlie Johnson, who has been farming organically for decades near Madison, S.D., says he inherited his father’s principles when he took over […]
www.sare.org publications managing-stress sustaining-the-human-spirit-in-farm-country Sustaining the Human Spirit in Farm Country A course in skills-based suicide alertness prepared Ruth Linkenmeyer-Meirick for a desperate call from a friend. “She was going through a divorce, and she was so overcome by grief and sadness it was hard to talk with her,” says Meirick. “Had I not taken the course, I wouldn’t have known what to do.” Meirick was […]
www.sare.org publications scaling-up-your-vegetable-farm-for-wholesale-markets introduction Introduction With the popularity of local foods now spreading to even the largest retailers in the country, many farmers who have experience marketing their products directly to consumers are sensing an opportunity to grow. Working with new partners in the supply chain to distribute your products more widely can certainly come with its rewards, but it […]
www.sare.org publications scaling-up-your-vegetable-farm-for-wholesale-markets wholesale-marketing Wholesale Marketing Determining which markets and marketing strategies will work best for you is something you should thoroughly explore before investing in farm expansion. While buyers in the wholesale market share general characteristics as far as their emphasis on higher volumes and greater consistency of product quality and delivery compared to direct market channels, individually they’re unique […]