Transitioning to Organic Crop Production

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- Have you thought about transitioning to organic crop production?

Making the transition to organic production takes both time and careful planning.

This video will outline considerations to help you get started with the organic transition process.

Organic transition is the period before certification in which crops and livestock are managed according to the USDA National Organic Program's requirements.

Prior to being granted organic certification, you must meet the following requirements.

Cropland must be managed organically for 36 continuous months.

Slaughter livestock must be managed organically from the last third of their gestation period, poultry from the second day of life, and dairy animals for 12 months before milk products can be certified.

After the transition period, a farm can apply for organic certification.

Remember, you must continue to comply with all organic regulations to maintain certification.

It is possible to expedite the transition process for cropland.

Some options include pasture, hay, or fallow fields, as well as land enrolled in a conservation program like the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program.

It is necessary to have records showing that no prohibited substances were used in the past 36 months for the land to be eligible for certification.

Before transitioning to organic crop production, consider your long-term business goals, the organic market opportunities available to you, the resources needed to make the transition, and how you will anticipate and deal with challenges as they arise.

For example, labor cost is often cited as one of the factors that is much higher on organic farms compared to non-organic farm.

Also during the transition, crop yields may decline, and organic price premiums will not be available until you are certified.

Considering factors like these in a budget will be critical.

It's also highly recommended to contact a certifier before transitioning to organic.

They can help you navigate and manage the details associated with transitioning to organic and discuss opportunities that can guide you through rules and regulations as well as allowable practices and materials.

You should also review the federal regulations to have a better understanding of the practices and materials that are allowed and which are prohibited for organic production.

Recordkeeping is critical both during transition and while maintaining your organic status.

Be sure to keep records that clearly describe your farming practices, inputs used, and yields.

Include application rates of fertilizer and other inputs as well as dates of practices, such as planting, tillage, and harvest.

Save receipts for all materials and seeds you purchase.

You can find sample recordkeeping forms from most accredited certifiers.

It is possible to transition an entire farm at once, but it is important to know that all land and practices at a location do not need to be certified for a farm to sell certified organic products.

In fact, gradual transition strategies are often used to lessen the financial impacts of a full transition.

Some farmers feel more comfortable experimenting with organic production practices on one or two fields.

This allows them to understand how organic practices work with their specific land and systems before transitioning the whole farm.

Sometimes non-organic enterprises are maintained as part of the farm business after certification.

Farms that manage both organic and non-organic crops are called split operations.

For example, a split operation might grow organic wheat and non-organic vegetables or hay.

Buffers and other management practices to prevent co-mingling of organic and non-organic materials, crops, and livestock where contamination with a prohibited substance are especially important for split operations.

Many organizations exist that help support organic farmers and provide guidance during transition.

Penn State Extension has an organic crop production guide, enterprise budgets, and articles available.

Rodale Institute offers organic farm consulting and a transitions course.

USDA Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education has an organic transition guide.

For more information on organic farming, contact your local extension office or visit our website at extension.psu.edu.