An enterprise budget is an estimate of the costs and returns to produce a product. This publication looks at enterprise budgets for organic growers, reflecting a four-year rotation using corn, soybeans, oats with alfalfa and a second year of alfalfa
Resources Category: Organic Certification
Evaluating Organic Transitions at the Field Level
This publication provides information on making plans to transition to organic crop production. It helps outline the need for a transition crop plan, the importance of individual crop budgets, and evaluating results.
Making the Transition from Conventional to Organic
Farming organically allows producers to incur many economic and social advantages compared to farming conventionally. Understanding and planning the economic returns of the transition process can aid the producer in planning and in becoming organically certified.
Iowa State University Extension Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture
Detailed information on organic agriculture including history, legalities and logistics, labeling, marketing, and pest and weed management. Includes two field examples on organic soybean and apple production.
Iowa State University NRCS Organic Training
Iowa State University-USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Organic Training at Reiman Gardens on the ISU campus, Fall 2023.
Organic Transition: A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Entrepreneurs
If you are interested in transitioning, Organic Transition: A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers and Food Entrepreneurs is the perfect tool to help. The Organic Transition Planner will walk you through the development of an actionable business transition plan that is suitable for yourself, your management team or a lender. While not a comprehensive guide… Continue reading Organic Transition: A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Entrepreneurs
Transitioning to Organic Production
This webinar will explore the challenges producers face when transitioning part or all of their operation to organic certification. Case studies will be used to profile and discuss different producer groups that are successful in the transition from conventional production to organic. This presentation will introduce participants to Making the Transition to Organic: Ten Farmer… Continue reading Transitioning to Organic Production
Transitioning Small Grain Production to Organic
Grain farmers consider trying organic production for a variety of reasons, including economics and personal philosophy. Using several case studies of organic grain farms in the Pacific Northwest, in this webinar we will discuss possible transitions to organic farming. Management practices include crop rotation, soil fertility, and weed management. The webinar will also introduce a… Continue reading Transitioning Small Grain Production to Organic
Considerations for Transitioning Perennial Production to Organic
Organic fruit production is increasing and more producers are considering the transition to organic. This webinar will explore the challenges and opportunities specific to transitioning perennial systems to organic certification. Note: Market analysis presented is not current as of today.
Insights from an Organic Certifier
This webinar will briefly discuss the process of organic certification including the on-farm inspection. The presenter will describe key issues and concerns that are examined in the inspection and review process. The presentation will include a discussion of common mistakes and anecdotal stories to highlight certifier concerns. Certification requirements related to conservation, such as erosion,… Continue reading Insights from an Organic Certifier