New Guide: Transitioning to Organic Production

Left: Klaas Martens and his family operate Lakeview Organic Grain, a mill and seed company, on 1,700 acres in Penn Yan, N.Y. Photo by Jermaine Hinds, SARE. Right: Jennifer Taylor and Ron Gilmore own Lola’s Organic Farm, a 3.5-acre farm in Glenwood, Ga., that includes vegetables, orchard crops and animals. Photo by Leah Overstreet

June 22, 2023

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While organic production can help farmers gain access to new markets, improve soil and increase profits, the transition process can be both challenging and risky.

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education’s (SARE) newest bulletin, Transitioning to Organic Production, explains how many farmers adopt organic production to increase profits while improving the resilience and environmental impact of their production systems. Long-term success requires patience, flexibility, good record-keeping and a commitment to stewardship. 

The new publication lays out basic transition strategies for livestock, field crop and horticultural systems, including a summary of the certification process and the National Organic Program standards. Practices common to all organic systems are also addressed, including:

  • crop rotation
  • cover cropping
  • addition of organic fertility sources
  • disease prevention
  • integrated pest and weed management
  • conservation tillage

Order, download or read online here.

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