Organic? Transition?

Organic retail sales continue to grow in Canada at rates over 20% per year. It now makes up about 1.5% of retail food sales and higher than that for fresh fruits and vegetables. Have you looked at this market as a way to transition your farm? The transition period is 2-3 years to invest in your future growth in organic. Here are some key areas to look at.

1. Know your markets. If you grow organic product, where would you sell it? What crops, quality, products, etc would you be able to market and at what price? Would you use a wholesaler, processor, or direct sale to customers? These questions are the same as for any business but the answers for organic will likely be different that in conventional and are key to your success.

2. What changes are needed in production practices? Most growers think of fertilizers to solve nutrient concerns, and pesticides to control insects, diseases and weeds. In organic you need better (longer, more diversified) crop rotations. Use legumes to supply nitrogen. You may need to buy (or have) manure and compost on your farm to maintain phosphorous, potassium and organic matter. Your pest control program will emphasize an intensive IPM program where beneficials, pheromones, crop rotation and resistant varieties are key tools. This can be complemented in some cases with biopesticides or other products approved for use on organic farms.

3. How and when would I become certified? Organic farms will need to be certified for most markets. You cannot become certified until 36 months after the last application or use of non-organically approved practices. You need to apply for transitional inspection in the year prior to the production of your first organic crop, and each year afterwards to maintain your certification. Applications are usually made in early spring. It is good to contact the certification body in your first transition year to get a copy of their standards to find out what you can and cannot use on your organic farm. For more information on certification see the OMAFRA web page.

4. During the transition you want to put in the right crops to set your farm up for organic. Usually a combination of cereal crops or hay for 2-3 years is a good way to go. Use these crops to control the weeds and break pest cycles. Underseed the cereal grain crops with red clover or another legume to build up nitrogen in the soil. These crops will add organic matter. Plan to start with one or two fields and each year add more fields to the organic practices as your successes grow. I suggest using a good field as your first organic field, perhaps the one closest to your house where you will see it everyday. Use the transition period to improve your fields. Your initial revenues will not be as high but it will pay back after you are organic.

After 3 years of transition: You have your fields in shape; your certification is lined up; your markets are known; you have researched your crops; and you have talked to other farmers who are doing it successfully - Now have fun growing organically!

Related Links

• Organic Food and Farming Certification

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