Inside Organics: Transition Support Group

By Julia Barton

Organic transition is no joke. On paper, it takes 3 years, or 36 months, from the last date a prohibited substance (or one not allowed for use in organic production) was applied to a field. But in practice it’s a much longer process. Growers think about transitioning long before they take the plunge, gathering information, assessing markets and infrastructure, both on-farm and in the community. They ask existing organic growers about their systems and rotations, try to find organic processing facilities, and check out organic certifiers- their fees, their paperwork, their policies, and their customer service. They think through onfarm logistics: storage, access to the right equipment, seed, and other inputs, and equipment cleaning. They read up and attend farm tours, workshops, and field days on organic management systems. They study conservation grazing. They look into appropriate cultivation techniques and weed zappers, paper pot transplanters, mulching options, and irrigation systems. Transitioning farmers think through recordkeeping, and weigh whether all the extra work is worth it. They might even talk with their crop insurance agent. They might get in touch with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to see what programs they have that might be helpful. They pencil out the numbers. They pencil it out again.

A lot of this thinking and exploration happens a year or three before the clock starts ticking on the 36 months of official transition, and these systems will be honed well-after an organic certificate is achieved. Indeed, many organic growers transition land little by little, and animals only once access to enough certified grain ground, pasture, or nearby organic processing facilities have been secured. Some operators take a full 10+ years to transition all their land, and some who have long held organic certificates, pick up new fields and transition additional land to bring a colleague or family member, sometimes the next generaorganic BroadcaSTer | 28

tion, home to farm. Because organic systems are rooted in the agroecological context of a specific place, all of this is even more complicated. Maybe a particular rotation or practice worked on the farm where the now grown farmer grew up, but the land she could afford has a totally different type of soil and presents different challenges. Likely, organic management requires more work than that to which a previously conventional operator is accustomed. Maybe the farmer loves farming but finds the paperwork to be overwhelming. Maybe she needs help.

The good news is—you don’t have to do transition alone. There are people who spend their days providing help to transitioning operators before and during transition and continue to support them after organic certification is achieved. These professionals wear different hats and are called by different names- educators, consultants, agronomists, etc., but they share a common goal: to make organic certification more accessible and less scary. They support farmers in achieving their goals of sustainable land management and organic certification; in accessing markets that help increase the viability of their farm; to weigh the options and find a good fit for their farm, family, and business; to support the stewardship of the land, the healthy food that comes from it, and the healthier communities that result.

The other good news is that these folks are connected with one another. After years of doing this independently, the Transition Support Group (pun intended) was formed, so we can support one another in supporting farmers in transition. We intend to cultivate this network to help us better meet farmer needs, create and amplify the right resources at the right times, and to identify barriers that are in farmers’ way so that we can help to address them.

Different organizations have met farmers’ needs in various ways over time, based on geography, the farmer population being served, and the expertise of the transitional educator and organization. Some transition services focus on regional production practices, whereas others focus on navigating the certification paperwork and developing the farmers’ first Organic System Plan. Some include materials review services by a certifier so farmers know what inputs they can and cannot use, while others connect farmers with mentors to walk them through the transition process. Some transition support services show up on the farm, and some work remotely over the phone or computer. Some focus on specific populations- for example, some have gotten particularly good at working with grain growers, Plain community operators, or dairies. Still others work with mixed veggie producers in a particular region. Some even offer grant funding to support transitioning operators take the leap while mitigating some of the financial risk.

The common thread is a desire to help farmers successfully transition to organic production, not just for the 36 months of official transition, but for the long haul. We want to meet the farmer where they are and help them get to where

Currently, the Transition Support Group consists of 13 organizations who have already been supporting transitioning and organic producers, some for nearly two decades already. It’s our hope that this network will continue to grow and serve transitioning and organic producers over time. By working together, we can learn from one another and amplify existing resources and opportunities, identify and break down common barriers, support more transitioning and organic producers in achieving their goals, and support more acres being managed organically.

Through the federal funding coming down the pike, there will soon be new professionals supporting transitioning producers all over the nation. It is our hope that this group can be a network for these folks too. If you’re providing this support to transitioning operators currently, or if you’re interested in learning from this group, please contact Julia Barton at the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (julia@oeffa.org), and we’ll be sure to get you connected.

Julia Barton is an Organic Policy Specialist with the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association where she has supported farmers transitioning to organic for the last 8 years. In addition to her OEFFA work, Julia and her husband, Patrick Turner, run Octagon Acres, an organic vegetable operation and homestead in northeast Ohio.

Serving the Upper Midwest Ensuring Organic Integrity Since 2002 Organic Certification

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FEBRUARY 23-25, 2023 LA CROSSE, WI

Scholarships for the Organic Farming Conference are available through the Dave J. Engel Memorial Fund or the Chris Blanchard Scholarship Fund.

Established by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (now Marbleseed) in memory of Dave Engel. Dave served the organic community in many ways, and poured his heart and soul into every endeavor, whether it was as an organic farmer, an organic inspector, or as executive director of four organic certification agencies. The Engel family has worked with MOSES (now Marbleseed) to establish a scholarship fund in Dave’s name to send farmers to the annual Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference, which Dave helped establish. Marbleseed desires to honor Dave’s legacy and extend his impact on the world by facilitating the fund and awarding scholarships to a new generation of organic farmers. Many current and future organic farmers will be able to thank Dave for his lifetime contributions.

Established by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (now Marbleseed) to honor Chris Blanchard, former farmer, consultant, educator and MOSES (now Marbleseed) employee. Chris was instrumental in the growth and development of the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. Chris, his family, and his friends have worked with Marbleseed to establish a scholarship fund in Chris’ name to send farmers to the annual Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. Marbleseed desires to honor Chris’ legacy and extend his impact on the world by facilitating the fund and awarding scholarships to a new generation of organic farmers. Many current and future organic farmers will be able to thank Chris for his lifetime contributions.

Contribute to Scholarship funds here: https://marbleseed.org/support/donate

Interested in volunteering for the 2023 Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, WI? Email info@marbleseed.org for more information.