production: it’s all about systems

Production: Production: It’s All About SystemsIt’s All About Systems

USDA NRCS

Developed by:Developed by:Bob Hamblen, Colorado State Cooperative ExtensionBob Hamblen, Colorado State Cooperative ExtensionCinda Williams, University of Idaho ExtensionCinda Williams, University of Idaho ExtensionKevin Laughlin, University of Idaho ExtensionKevin Laughlin, University of Idaho ExtensionMelody Hefner, University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionMelody Hefner, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

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What we’ll learn todayWhat we’ll learn today

Production systems

Traditional or conventional Sustainable Certified organic

Certifications

Risk management

Record-keeping

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Your choice of a production Your choice of a production system depends onsystem depends on

Your goals

The markets available to you

Your personal values or philosophies

Funding available

How your family feels about your choice of production system!

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Conventional systemsConventional systems

Maximize the profit from natural resources using high input levels

Use all available management, production and marketing tools

Depend on mechanized farm practices

Use a business model with an emphasis on profitability

NRCS

NRCS

NRCS

Fertilizer and pesticide applicationsFertilizer and pesticide applications

Univ. of Idaho

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Bottom lineBottom line

Profitability is part of all decisions in developing production systems

In business, profitability is not a bad thing!

But, the conventional approach may be too large-scale or machinery-intensive for smaller properties

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Sustainable agricultureSustainable agriculture

According to Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), sustainable agriculture is a system “that produces abundant food without depleting the earth’s resources or polluting its environment.”

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Sustainable production Sustainable production systemssystems

Address economic profitability, social benefits to the farm family and community, and environmental conservation

Depend on a whole-system approach with an overall goal of continuing health of the land and people

Concentrate on long-term solutions to problems instead of short-term treatment of symptoms

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According to SAREAccording to SARE

Sustainable agriculture consists of farming systems that are:

profitable (economically sustainable) environmentally sound (environmentally

sustainable) good for people and communities

(socially sustainable)

Economic sustainabilityEconomic sustainability

Social sustainabilitySocial sustainabilityUNCE, Reno, Nev.

Environmental sustainabilityEnvironmental sustainability

CSU Extension

The government first addressed The government first addressed sustainable agriculture in the sustainable agriculture in the

1990 Farm Bill1990 Farm Bill

thedailygreen.com

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A sustainable system is a goal, A sustainable system is a goal, not an absolutenot an absolute

Any farm may adopt practices that help them take the steps towards sustainability

Your property does not have to be certified organic to be sustainable, but may incorporate organic principles

The practices you choose to adopt reflect your personal mission and goals

No properties are perfectly sustainable! Some are farther along the continuum than others

An overview of some sustainable An overview of some sustainable tools and practicestools and practices

Univ. of Idaho Extension

Integrated pest management Integrated pest management (IPM)(IPM)

Biological

Cultural

MechanicalChemical

IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests that combines biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks

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IPM Institute

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Biorational pesticidesBiorational pesticides

Microbial insecticides

Insecticidal soaps

Horticultural oils

Botanical insecticides

Insect growth regulators

Biological pest controlBiological pest control

www.ces.ncsu.edu

NDOA

Leaf-eating beetles on

tamarisk mtwow.org

BBSRC

Parasitic wasp preying on aphid

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Add manure and compostAdd manure and compost

Univ. of Idaho Extension

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Use biosolidsUse biosolids

goletasanitary.com

depweb.state.pa.us

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Green manures and cover cropsGreen manures and cover crops

NRCSNRCS USDA NRCS

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Tillage and cultivation Tillage and cultivation for weed controlfor weed control

Univ. of Idaho Extension

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MulchesMulches

Univ. of Idaho Extension

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Planned crop rotationPlanned crop rotation

ucanr.org

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Planned animal rotationPlanned animal rotation

polyfacefarm.compolyfacefarm.com

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Intercropping and Intercropping and companion plantingcompanion planting

www.yates.co.nz

Gardenwiseonline.com

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Burning for sanitation Burning for sanitation and weed controland weed control

Univ. of Idaho Extension

Univ. of Idaho Extension

SolarizationSolarization

www.faculty.ucr.edu

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Physical barriers and buffer zonesPhysical barriers and buffer zones

USDA NRCS

Univ. of Idaho Extension

Integrating crops and livestockIntegrating crops and livestock

www.polyfacefarm.com

www.thebefsite.com

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Organic production systemsOrganic production systems

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Safe

Fresh

Local

Free-range

Humanely raised and handled

Small-scale

Higher-quality

Visually appealing

What is organic?What is organic?

NOT NECESSARILY

NOT NECESSARILY!

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The term “organic gardening” is of fairly recent origin. J.I.

Rodale is credited with first using the word “organic” to

describe the “natural method of gardening and farming” by his

son Robert Rodale.

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“An ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.”

The National Organic Standards The National Organic Standards Board defines organics asBoard defines organics as

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Certified organic productionCertified organic production

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 mandated uniform organic standards

Use of the term organic is controlled, versus “natural”, “pesticide-free”, “free-range” or other marketing terms used by growers

Growers must have an organic plan for their farm and be certified organic

Annual inspections are mandated after certification

Organic crop productionOrganic crop production

http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu

Organic crop productionOrganic crop production

http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu

Organic livestock productionOrganic livestock production

http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu

Organic livestock productionOrganic livestock production

USDA NRCS

Organic handling or Organic handling or processing operationsprocessing operations

www.pnwcheese.wsu.edu

Organic product labelingOrganic product labeling

100% 95-100% 70-95% 0-70%

USDA

The Federal $5,000 The Federal $5,000 exemptionexemption

Jonathon Demcak

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Transitioning to organicTransitioning to organic

Transitioning may take a number of years to accomplish

It may be faster and easier to transition to an organic system and organic certification from a sustainable production system than from a conventional system

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Organic transition approachesOrganic transition approaches

Transitioning one parcel at a time

Gradual or piecemeal transition (check your state regulations)

“Cold turkey”

Certifying Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land

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Additional certifications you Additional certifications you may obtainmay obtain

Third-party certifications (self-claims do not constitute certification)

Can enhance the marketability of your product

Can help you network with other small producers

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Made from milk from contented cows

Free Range

Cage Free

No Artificial Ingredients

No Detected Pesticides Residues

100% Natural

Hormone and Antibiotic Free

Grass Fed

What does it really mean? What does it really mean?

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Self claimsSelf claims“Free-range”

“Pesticide-free”

“Hormone-free”

“rBST- or rBGH-free”

“BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)-free”

“Preservative-free”

“Natural”

“Grass-fed”

“Produced using sustainable practices”

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Food Food

AllianceAlliance

Salmon-SafeSalmon-Safe

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Certified Humane Certified Humane Raised and HandledRaised and Handled

Certification available for:

Beef cattle Dairy cows

Pigs Sheep

Broiler chickens Laying chickens

Turkeys Goats

Young dairy beef

Independent verification provided by Humane Farm Animal Care, accredited by USDA

Locally grownLocally grown

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GrassfedGrassfed

Animals eat nothing but mother’s milk, fresh grass and cut hay

Voluntary certification by the American Grassfed Association

Health benefits: some research suggests that grass-fed meats are higher in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid

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Do you think Do you think you’re you’re

ready to certify?ready to certify?

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If you want to certify your If you want to certify your property or your products…property or your products…

Who are the certifying agencies?

What do the rules say?

How do you deal with the intricacies of regulations, given your specific circumstances?

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If you want to certify your If you want to certify your property or your products…property or your products…

Is your zoning appropriate?

What about CCRs?

What are the health concerns?

What will certification cost?

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Navigating the mazeNavigating the maze

Creative thinking is important

Networking helps

Do your homework!

Explore your community

Networking opportunitiesNetworking opportunities

S. Donaldson, UNCE

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Don’t forget risk managementDon’t forget risk management

Government risk-management programs

Government programs for crop insurance, hail insurance, etc.

Research government and university marketing and education programs

Take advantage of government opportunities and subsidies

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Additional risk-management Additional risk-management alternativesalternatives

Maintain cash or credit reserves

Diversify your enterprise

Diversify your income and investments

Lease equipment or land

Storage

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Risk management for Risk management for sustainable systemssustainable systems

Farm Services Agency (FSA)

AERO

Rural Roots

Granges

Farm Bureaus

Farmers’ Unions

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Risk management for organic Risk management for organic productionproduction

Options are now available through the USDA Risk Management Agency

Organic farming practices are recognized as “good farming practices,” allowing crop insurance

Contact a crop insurance agent for specific information

Record-keepingRecord-keeping

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SummarySummaryProduction systems fall into three categories Conventional Sustainable Organic

Additional certifications other than organic may improve marketing capability

Sustainable production practices will improve your property and the planet, whether you want to make a buck or not!

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HomeworkHomeworkFor each of the three enterprises you proposed in Lesson 1:

Determine which production method is the best fit for the proposed enterprise and your personal goals. Why?

List the pros and the cons of using the production system for the enterprise.

Are there third-party certifications that would be a benefit to you, your property and your bottom line? List the possibilities and the steps required.