In Carroll County, Iowa — home of the original Templeton rye — a distillery teamed up with a local organic farm to revive its Prohibition past. The story of Iowa Legendary Rye dates back to the Great Depression. That’s when Lorine Sextro and her family housed a bootlegger in the attic on their Carroll County […]
Author: AgriSecure
Cover Crops Bring Big Benefits to Organic Farms
We always stress the importance of a diverse crop rotation to achieve long-term organic success. But what if market opportunities for organic crops in your area are limited? How can you diversify your rotation with just a few cash crops? Answer: Cover crops. Even though you don’t sell them like cash crops, they can still […]
Organic Integrity: New Rules to Strengthen Organic Enforcement
Strengthening Organic Enforcement. Or SOE, for short. If you’re an organic farmer or in transition, chances are you’ve heard of it. But what does it all mean? In a lot of ways, it’s just like it sounds. SOE is a rule that gives regulators more oversight of organic production practices. As a result, it provides […]
Organic Certification. Done by Sep 2020. Check!
The pandemic turned “normal” upside down in 2020, but it didn’t stop AgriSecure. Our members got their organic certification completed. On time. COVID-19 caused communication delays. It created confusion across the nation. Still, all our members had their organic certification paperwork done by September. Why? For one, row crop farmers gained from our expertise in […]
Organic Transition Provides “Peace of Mind” and an Edge
Not so long ago, Todd Grohs realized he had a problem. He was doing the budget for his 5,000-acre farm in Wessington Spring, S.D., and the numbers didn’t look good. “I said, ‘I’ve got an option here. If I stay doing what I’m doing, in three to four years I’ll have all of my equity […]
5 Steps for Financing the Transition to Organics
Profits. They’re one of the primary reasons farmers decide to move into organic production. Financing the transition to organics, though, can be one of your biggest hurdles. That’s why the support of a banker or ag lender can be a lifeline for farmers looking to get into organics. The right backing helps you build an […]
4 Keys to a Strong Organic Fertilizer Strategy
Questions about an organic fertilizer strategy are common in organic farming. How do I provide enough nutrients? In particular, nitrogen. How do I manage my crop and soil without using synthetic fertilizers? Fertilizer can come from a variety of organic sources, including animal waste, decomposing plants, and nitrogen-fixing crops like soybeans and clover. So it’s […]
Hidden Organic Acres? 6 Scenarios For a Faster Transition
The transition period to organic can be a challenging time for farmers. For 36 months you’re growing crops organically while still selling them at conventional prices, and it’s not unusual to see a yield drag along with higher costs. But there are some situations where you can go directly into organic or significantly reduce the […]
Protect Organic Profits with the Right Crop Insurance
One of the biggest concerns farmers have about transitioning into organics is that they’ll lose their crop insurance. But that’s a myth — there is government-subsidized crop insurance for both organic and transition acres, and the program is better today than it’s ever been. But take note. Guarantees, coverage details, building your actual production history […]
5 Critical Factors for Weed Control in Organic Row Crops
If you’re new to organic production, or are considering it, one of the biggest concerns you probably have is weed control. Without the use of herbicides, you may be wondering whether weed control is even possible. While it does take a higher level of management, weed control in organic systems is possible. And you can […]