The Target

As newcomers to the organic world, the transition process is a learning experience; proving we have much more to learn.  Before setting a course in any one direction, it is important to know where you want to end up.  This establishes a target from which goals can be set.

In this adventure we determined that our target is organic production.  Getting to that end point presents several options, especially when starting virtually at the other end of the production spectrum.  This is where serious research and linking in to professionals in the industry is necessary effort.  Following is a brief, yet fairly complete, list of sources used as guidance on the road of transitioning to organic.

First, we consulted the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Services website for the National Organic Program.  There we found most of the pertinent information including; reulation, certification, and the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

Although we will be producing less than $5,000 of production, and therefore not required to be certified to sell as organic, we do need to prepare and implement an Organic System Plan, or OSP.  The source for guidance on developing the OSP can be found in part 205.201 of the NOP.

Mitch Yergert, Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA)- Director of Division of Plant Industry, has been tremendously helpful.  Multiple times I have called him to make sure I'm interpreting the guidelines correctly and to ask his advice.  Mitch has a firm understanding of the NOP rules and also the implementation of those rules and the program within Colorado; a real asset! Mitch forwarded forms that CDA requires to be completed prior to certification.  These certification forms were directly based on NOP guidance but further allowed us to hone in on the organic target.

USDA has several programs that are aimed at helping folks in their transition to organic.  For instance, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has an organic category within their Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)to cost-share on improvements necessary to facilitate organic production; i.e. fencing, watering facilities, windbreaks, high-tunnels, irrigation systems, etc.  We are pursuing assistance through these programs and the links are provided below.