Nebraska farmers looking to go organic urged to plan carefully
Americans spent an estimated $70 billion on organic food last year. For Nebraska farmers considering a move into the organic market, the prospect of higher prices can be attractive.
But agricultural experts cautioned making the switch involves more than changing seeds or eliminating certain chemicals. Certification generally takes three years and farmers who rent land may face added costs and leasing questions.
Glennis McClure, farm and ranch management analyst at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said during a recent webinar expectations should be clear up front.
"We always suggest that written agreement, not just a handshake, not just something verbal because there's really a lot that can go into this kind of a lease," McClure explained.
McClure stressed leases should spell out who will cover transition costs and what happens if the agreement ends before certification is complete.
The latest federal count found 313 certified organic farms in Nebraska. Organic product sales reached nearly $153 million in 2022, more than double the amount reported five years earlier. Consumer demand for organic products is driven by factors beyond price. Research cited by the USDA shows shoppers may shop organic based on concerns about health, the environment and animal welfare.
To earn the organic label, producers must document what happens throughout their operation.
Shannon Sand, agricultural economist at the university, said it requires a workable record-keeping system.
"Rather than thinking of record keeping as something you do at the end of the month, or worse, at the end of the year, you want to build it into your normal workflow. So I always say, when you do it, record it. That's going to be one of the easiest options in my mind," Sand recommended.
Sand added farmers can use paper, spreadsheets or farm management software but the best system is one they will use consistently.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, producers must maintain records documenting their organic practices. Also, land generally must be free of prohibited substances for three years before its crops can be certified as organic.
