Making the Transition to Organic Farming
It May Be Easier Than You Think

by Jeff Moyer

Taking it Step-by-Step : The transition from conventional to organic management to be both profitable and rewarding.

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.