Our farm just picked up 100 acres of crp ground that the land owner would like us to run and clean up waterways/ fence lines/ ect. It is right next door. The only problem is he would like it to be organic. We were considering growing alfalfa and manage weeds/ pests by cutting it, and keep it organic that way, and rotate our current alfalfa ground into corn. Knowing that this is short term I was curious on what things to consider after 3-4 years of alfalfa. We cash crop corn and beans but use liquid feltilizer and herbicides to grow these crops. Any info would be helpful because there is more and more of this in our area.
Permalink Reply by Bryce Hediger on Our farm is 100% organic, my first advice is be ready for the paper work. If you are meticulous about running your business it wont be a problem. However, many farmers are not, during your yearly organic inspection you have to be able to fully "track" your crop. That means seed sources, work done on soil, harvest, sales, full account for all product, clean truck affidavits... etc. These are all easy things to come by but you need to be on top of it throughout the year instead of all at the end. Second my advice is HAVE A MARKET! many farmers are great farmers but terrible business men. Organic is always worth a lot more but it can be hard to find a home for organic crops. With that all said I saw give it a try! If the ground is eligible right out of the program it will never be easier.
Permalink Reply by Shaun Hamlin on Hi Craig, after reading this post I am pleased to tell you that I do have a perfect solution for this matter. Our team designs Innovative farm fertilization programs and products for both conventional and organic farmers that have been proven time after time to increase productivity while reducing and/or eliminating chemical fertilizer use. Please check out our 2011 results as 2012 analysis will not be completed entirely until early 2013 : http://green-genesis.com/results.html and feel free to give us a call at 502-321-5944 (Corn-belt Region) or 303-241-0230 (Midwest/Plains Region). Take care now, Craig.
Permalink Reply by James Kelly on 100 acres of instantly certifiable organic land for rent!!!!! DANG I wish I had oportunity here... here on the east coast there are good markets for organic grain... its worth looking into organic soybeans are 30 dollars a bushel and corn 15 dollars a bushel right now. Defintly something worth looking into! Gary Zimmer who is renown organic grain and dariy farmer in wisconisn farms 1000 acres of grain organicly and out yields his neighbors. It is somthing that is possible but takes alot more time in management and relearning how to farm with out chemicals. Gary Zimmer wrote some books "the biological farmer" and "the advancing biological farmer" should take a look at them.
Permalink Reply by craig rieckmann on Thanks for the information I will have to sit down and digest this information at a later date, once we get done with harvest. Any more info or opinions is welcome,
Thank you again
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