Organic Transition and Production

Farming organically requires a systems approach to agriculture. You need to plan two or three years in advance of each crop. Maybe you need a green manure crop for fertility, or perhaps a small grain to break up pest and weed cycles. Maybe you should establish some perennial grasses in your buffer strips, or you might plant those buffer areas to a woody crop like hazelnuts. Can you ease your transition to organic by establishing a grass and legume hay mixture on your fields? And how about all those records that you need to keep? These resources can help you find the answers.

Organic Farming information from ATTRA, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas

Fact Sheets from MOSES, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services

Transitioning to Organic Production
(PDF, 1.2 Mb) from SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)

The New Farm, a website devoted to organic farming from The Rodale Institute

Annual Learning Events

MOSES hosts the tremendously popular Organic University and Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference in LaCrosse, WI each February. These events are great learning and networking opportunities.

Another great learning event is the Minnesota Organic Conference, held in St. Cloud, MN each January.

Check the MISA Calendar for farm tours, workshops, and other educational events that take place throughout the year.

In this Section:

Certification

Marketing Organic

People &  Programs

Transition & Production