Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
doors eating grass. Customers who buy organic-certified products want to know that their
foods were created without the use of potentially harmful synthetic chemicals.
Under the National Organic Program, a field is not considered organic until three years after
the last use of synthetic chemicals. Still, many farmers do not mind the additional challenges
of finding organic fertilizers, pesticides, and feeds because they believe it will pay off in the
long run and because they believe it is the right thing to do. Learn more about organic certific-
ation at the USDA National Organic Program website at
www.ams.usda.gov/NOP
.
One note
of caution: It takes considerable skill to run a completely organic farm. If you are a first-time
farmer, it is probably better to concentrate on building your farm management skills, such as
keeping your animals healthy naturally and building your soil and plant health before seeking
organic certification.
To be certified under the National Organic Program, you must keep records of the substances
you use on your farm and submit to inspections from accredited certifying agencies. At the
beginning of the process, you have to fill out a farm plan detailing these steps and carefully
examine each step of your production process. Everything, including seeds, fertilizers, and
pesticides, has to be organic. You will have to work with certified organic processors, which
takes extra time and commitment. Forty percent of organic dairy producers say the most chal-
lenging aspect of organic milk production is the certification paperwork and compliance costs,
according to the USDA.
To actually use the word “organic” on the label, you must be certified under the National Or-
ganic Program. However, there are other certifying agencies that strive for principles similar
to those of the NOP but aim to be simpler so small farmers are able to achieve these standar-
ds. One example is Certified Naturally Grown (
www.naturallygrown.org
), which seeks to
reduce much of the government paperwork that makes becoming certified under the NOP pro-
hibitive to many small farmers.
Determining your ideal herd size
When first establishing your herd, it is better to start out small and grow into an operation
than to start big and get in over your head. One important thing for a first-time cattle farmer to
learn is how to handle animals and to learn the skills of rotational grazing to improve your
pasture. Some people only want to raise enough animals to provide milk or meat for their
families. These farmers only need a minimal number of animals. For milk, you might only
need a cow or two. For beef, you might be able to buy two or three weaned calves every year.
