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Transitioning to organic could make financial sense

A director of organic certification says transitioning away from conventional crop production could help offset the financial burden of continued low commodity prices.

With many producers facing another year of tight margins in 2017, April Crittenden with California Certified Organic Farmers, says there is profit potential through organic premiums and increasing demand.

“We see conventional agriculture (prices) staying steady, but organic just continues to grow.  So I absolutely think the premium could be a really big incentive for conventional farmers to make that transition.”

There are financial implications associated with transitioning to organic including higher operating costs, limited crop insurance and no cost-share reimbursement.

But Crittenden tells Brownfield farmers can overcome these challenges.

“I think there are ways to get around that.  And the more the organic industry grows, there will be more premiums for transitional products and more incentives.  And hopefully more government subsidies and more organizations willing to help farmers make that transition (and) ease the financial burden.”

Brownfield spoke to Crittenden at the Organic and Non-GMO Forum in Minneapolis Monday.