What you need to know about starting an organic farm
Starting an organic farm is no easy feat.
You need to plan everything well and make sure that all the materials you use are sustainably sourced and used.
An organic farm takes effort and research but once it is achieved it will provide you with a bounty of fruits and vegetables that are healthy and have been grown without any chemicals.
If you are interested in starting an organic farm of your own, read on below for everything you need to know before breaking ground on your land.
The site is key
The site of your organic farm will play a key role in the success of your venture. The site should be near a clean water source, and if you have livestock on your farm, there should be ample space for mixed ration creation for when you find mixers for sale.
Fresh, clean water is non-negotiable for crop health and growth, and if the water source is far, it will be more difficult to set up drip irrigation methods or other such processes. Biodynamic farming and organic farming rely on clean water. You will also need to ensure that the farm is located close to the path you use for transporting goods and produce, as this will decrease your need for using petrol and your carbon footprint.
Plant what the land is best for
One vital part of organic farming is to plant crops that are best suited for the area, such as drought-resistant crops in arid areas. Before you decide on any plants, be sure that the soil has undergone all necessary tests.
Once you have assessed the soil condition of the ground you have chosen for your farm site, you will need to ensure that the crops you have chosen to plant are indigenous to the landscape, temperature, elevation, and available resources. An indigenous plant is much easier to grow, cultivate and manage than one that is not built for the conditions of your climate. These plants will also need less watering, which is a key part of any organic farming. If you are experiencing a drought, be sure to choose crops that are hardy and that can withstand the weather.
Make good compost
Organic farm produce starts with good compost. It is the key to crops and produce that grow well. The soil’s condition is directly responsible for the condition of the plants growing in it, and inorganic soil treatments potentially harm the environment and the consumers who eat the produce.
Good soil is a mixture of compost, leaf and grass clippings and manure along with other vital nutrients and minerals. It is much more beneficial, and better for the environment, if you choose to make your own compost from what you have on-site. Compost helps to conserve water, cut down on the number of weeds around your crops and can keep out waste. Look for mixers for sale that can help create the perfect balance of compost components. This is a crucial step in any organic farming.
Prepare the soil
Preparing the soil for planting is a vital part of any farming process, so be sure that you take this step seriously. Depending on the intended crop, soil preparation should take place during certain times of planting.
For example, if you are growing organic corn, include aged animal manure or compost into the soil then plot with plastic sheets for a few weeks to ensure the nutrients remain. You will need to ensure that the soil temperature does not go above 12℃. Be sure that you start planting at the right date and that you have prepared the soil beforehand to ensure your crops have the perfect environment for growth.
Be flexible
Being flexible when it comes to organic farming is highly important. Over the years, your goals might shift and you will gain new skills and ideas about the best practices for your farm. Being flexible also ties into working with what you already have for your farming purposes.
As a farmer, you work with the weather, livestock and living plants, meaning that there is much which is beyond your control at any given moment. Biodynamic farming embraces flexibility, such as using natural predators of pests to reduce the use of pesticides or watering crops in the late afternoon to avoid water evaporation. Being a flexible farmer will ensure that when something does go wrong, you are able to come up with a solution without changing your organic farming ethos. Remember that organic farming is about conservation and about diminishing the use of chemicals, so be sure that you do try to stick to a plan when you are starting out so the venture is successful.