What it takes to be in the organic farming industry
Organic farming is the natural way of crop and livestock farming with sustainability as the end goal.
There are no synthetic materials or conventional methods used on organic farms, only natural and ecologically balanced practices.
Organic farmers don’t believe in using chemicals, genetically modifying their crops or even using chemically treated water for their farms. Organic farming practices may seem extreme to conventional farmers, but organic farming is on the rise and making environmentally-friendly waves.
Here’s what it takes to be in the organic farming industry.
The necessary qualifications and experience
If you haven’t grown up in the ways of organic farming (and even if you have), you need to invest in training to get the necessary qualifications. Many people underestimate the task of running an organic farm and try to learn as they go. Now, there’s no problem with that if you have no economic goals or hope for your farm in the near future. But if the reason you’re branching into organic farming is to make a profit (as well as provide healthy produce for the community), you’re going to need some experience and knowledge.
There are a variety of agricultural degrees out there for you to choose from based on what you’d like to specialise in. it would be beneficial to specialise in the produce you’re wanting to farm (crops or livestock or both), as well as learning about the agribusiness side of things. You can’t forget about the fact that owning and running an organic farm has business practices and requires that type of experience and know-how.
But your best bet when it comes to farming is experience. Before you commit to a plot of land to start your organic trade, you should consider working for another organic farm, start building a network of industry contacts and learning farming practices from already established farmers. That type of experience is incredibly valuable.
The right equipment
Every farm requires the right equipment and organic farming is no exception to the rule. Your farm will need a tractor (the most important piece of farming equipment) and then some implements which will be listed below. Just because organic farming is about the natural way of things doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate equipment to make processes quicker and easier.
-
Seeding implement: Planting seeds is easily done with seeding or spreading implements. It reduces the time and effort needed to start crop farming.
-
Rotary cutter implements: “Mowing the lawn” has never been easier, nor has cutting crops. Rotary cutter implements help to get a quick clearing job done in any and all fields on the farm.
-
Feeding equipment: If you have any animals on the farm, you’ll need to feed them. More than that, you’ll need a feed mixer to equally distribute and combine supplements to the feed.
These aren’t the only equipment items you’ll need but the rest is very similar to what you’d find on any other farm. The main equipment difference will be that organic farms, for the most part, don’t make use of the tilling method and would, therefore, have no use for tilling equipment. And, as you will be relying on natural water sources for your farm, you may need to invest in dam-building equipment and water storage units.
A deep respect for the environment
The main trait you need to have to be in the organic farming industry is a deep respect for the environment. You can’t head into the organic farming industry and expect to have the same yield and profit margins as that of a commercial farm.
There is a lot more effort and patience needed in organic farming, all of which leads to the healthier produce sold on the shelves at the end of the day. It’s not about doing whatever necessary to keep up with the demands, but doing whatever it takes to provide while respecting the environment and resources you’ve been given.
A suitable organic farming industry occupation
Being an organic farmer means you have endless knowledge about caring for the soil and naturally growing your crops and nurturing your livestock. But there are other occupations in the organic farming industry that you may be better suited for if direct farming isn’t your strong point.
You could be an organic agricultural manager who oversees the production and business side of the farm, an organic retailer with a store dedicated to the buying and selling of organic farm produce or an organic certifier who certifies organic farms and ensures those farms maintain the approved organic farming practices. Again, those are only a few of the occupations you could get into in the organic farming industry. Take the things you know you’re good at and find a niche in the organic market to show the industry you have what it takes.