The Dirt on Organic Farming

Transitioning 5,000 acres to organic is no small feat. In this episode of The Dirt on Organic Farming, South Dakota farmer BJ McNeil shares valuable lessons learned from his efforts to transition 100 percent of his 5,000-acre operation. BJ offers a candid look at the realities of large-scale organic transition.Guest: BJ McNeilLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research under award number Grant ID: TOCFFAR-EXT-002. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.  

Taking risks is part of farming, but some gambles don’t pay off. Champaign, Illinois, farmer Wyatt Muse shares the story of a cover crop experiment gone wrong where he learned valuable lessons in planning, risk management, and the importance of seeking multiple opinions before diving in.Guest: Wyatt MuseLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research under award number Grant ID: TOCFFAR-EXT-002. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

Managing organic farms comes with unexpected challenges. Manitoba farmer Don Rourke discusses the hurdles of managing 200 organic acres, including struggles with market access, weed control, and the unique climate in Southwest Manitoba.Guest: Don RourkeLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research under award number Grant ID: TOCFFAR-EXT-002. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

Innovation drives organic farming forward. For Northern Illinois farmer, miller, and seed smith, Andy Hazzard, it’s all about hands-on experimentation. Andy shares her journey of developing DIY grain drying solutions and how trial and error has shaped her approach.Guest: Andy HazzardLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research under award number Grant ID: TOCFFAR-EXT-002. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

Some of the best farming techniques are discovered by chance. Michigan farmer Stan Kloc shares how an unexpected discovery revealed the full potential of a tine weeder—turning an accident into a breakthrough in his farming practices. Guest: Stan KlocLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research under award number Grant ID: TOCFFAR-EXT-002. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

Farming is more than just a job, it’s an emotional rollercoaster. In the final episode, Wesley Reith of Grainer Farms in Southwest Michigan reflects on the highs, lows, and unpredictable twists of farm life, offering an inside look at the realities of working the land.Guest: Wesley ReithLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research under award number Grant ID: TOCFFAR-EXT-002. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

We explore the specifics of hail and wind insurance for organic farmers with crop insurance expert Megan Vaith and seasoned organic farmer Amy Bruch. They explain how these add-on insurances work, the challenges specific to organic farming, and practical tips for navigating the claims process.Guest: Megan Vaith, Amy BruchLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder Acknowledgement: This material is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RMA22CPT0012393.

Let’s dive into the complex world of Transitional Yields (T-yields). Featuring firsthand accounts from farmer Brian Carlson and insights from Amy Bruch of Cyclone Farms, the episode explores the significant hurdles that new and transitioning organic farmers face with crop insurance coverage.Guest: Brian Carlson, Amy BruchLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder Acknowledgement: This material is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RMA22CPT0012393.

Welcome to the second season of The Dirt on Organic Farming, where hosts Nate Powell Palm and Mallory Krieger dive into the world of crop insurance for organic farmers. In this episode, we hear from organic crop insurance agent and educator Megan Vaith of Northbourne Organic Crop Insurance as she breaks down the essentials of crop insurance, how it differs for organic farmers, and why a pretty shocking number of organic acres remain uninsured. Tune in for lively discussions, expert insights, and burning questions from organic farmers and crop insurance experts who help to clear up the gray areas and help farmers navigate their unique insurance needs.Guest: Megan VaithLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder Acknowledgement: This material is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RMA22CPT0012393.

Organic farmers face unique challenges with crop insurance, but advocacy efforts are pushing for change. In this episode, Julia Barton of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association and farmer Eli Dean discuss the challenges with current crop insurance systems, the advocacy efforts working to address these issues, and practical advice for organic farmers seeking better crop insurance options.Guest: Julia Barton, Eli DeanLearn more at www.organicagronomy.org.Funder Acknowledgement: This material is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RMA22CPT0012393.