Planning for Success
No matter what the reason you have chosen to shift to organics, planning is key to a successful transition. Putting time into business planning will help you set up a successful organic grain enterprise.
Transition Resources
- Transition Starter Kit
- Cost to Transition
- Organic Crop Insurance
- Organic Production Planning Through Transition
Sasktachewan Ministry of Agriculture. 2008 - Transition to Organic Farming
Grainews. 2015
- Organic Transition – A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers and Food Entrepreneurs
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. 2015 - Organic Farmers: Steps to Success
Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Organic Transition Intro Sheet
University of Kentucky. 2001
Certification
Each organic farmer must certify with an accredited certification body. The certification body oversees the certification process and verifies that organic products are compliant with the Canadian Organic Standards. Land must be free from substances prohibited in organic production for 36 months prior to the initial harvest of an organic crop. Your input and management history matter so the sooner your organic management begins, the sooner you can achieve organic status.
- The Certification Process
- Flow Chart
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry & Certified Organic Association of BC - Choosing an Organic Certifier
Canadian Organic Growers. - Top Ten Tips for Your Inspection
Janine Gibson. 2015
- Common Mistakes in Certification
Transition to Organic Crop Production. Canadian Organic Growers. 2015 - New & Notable Revisions to the Canadian Organic Standards
Canadian Organic Growers - List of Certifying Bodies – This link will take you to the Business to Business Directory. Once there, click Find a Business, then select “Certifier” in the drop-down menu to find a list of organic certifiers in your area!
Transition to Organics
Make a natural progression
The decision is yours. You don’t have to convert your whole farm at once. Many producers start with one or two fields, and create a plan to transition their whole farm over time. Or on the other hand, you may choose to make a faster transition and take advantage of higher profit margins. Whatever you choose, Pivot has the knowledge base and resources to help your farm become more profitable.
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