Production: It’s All About Systems Developed by: Bob Hamblen, Colorado State Cooperative Extension Cinda Williams, University of Idaho Extension Kevin Laughlin, University of Idaho Extension Melody.
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Production: It’s All About Systems Developed by: Bob Hamblen, Colorado State Cooperative Extension Cinda Williams, University of Idaho Extension Kevin Laughlin, University of Idaho Extension Melody Hefner, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension USDA NRCS What we’ll learn today Production systems Living n Traditional or conventional Sustainable Certified organic Certifications Risk management Record-keeping the Land 11/6/2015 Your choice of a production system depends on Your goals The markets available to you Living n Your personal values or philosophies Funding available How your family feels about your choice of production system! the Land 11/6/2015 Conventional systems Maximize the profit from natural resources using high input levels Living n Use all available management, production and marketing tools Depend on mechanized farm practices Use a business model with an emphasis on profitability the Land 11/6/2015 NRCS NRCS NRCS Fertilizer and pesticide applications Univ. of Idaho Bottom line Profitability is part of all decisions in developing production systems Living n In business, profitability is not a bad thing! But, the conventional approach may be too large-scale or machineryintensive for smaller properties the Land 11/6/2015 Sustainable agriculture Living n 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.” the Land 11/6/2015 Sustainable production systems Address economic profitability, social benefits to the farm family and community, and environmental conservation Living n 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 the Land 11/6/2015 According to SARE Sustainable agriculture consists of farming systems that are: Living n profitable (economically sustainable) environmentally sound (environmentally sustainable) good for people and communities (socially sustainable) the Land 11/6/2015 Economic sustainability Social sustainability UNCE, Reno, Nev. Environmental sustainability CSU Extension The government first addressed sustainable agriculture in the 1990 Farm Bill thedailygreen.com A sustainable system is a goal, not an absolute Any farm may adopt practices that help them take the steps towards sustainability Living n 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 the Land 11/6/2015 An overview of some sustainable tools and practices Univ. of Idaho Extension Integrated pest management (IPM) 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 Cultural Biological Chemical Mechanical Living n the Land 11/6/2015 IPM Institute Biorational pesticides Microbial insecticides Insecticidal soaps Living n Horticultural oils Botanical insecticides Insect growth regulators the Land 11/6/2015 Biological pest control BBSRC Parasitic wasp preying on aphid www.ces.ncsu.edu Leaf-eating beetles on tamarisk mtwow.org NDOA Add manure and compost Living n the Land 11/6/2015 Univ. of Idaho Extension Use biosolids Living n depweb.state.pa.us the Land 11/6/2015 goletasanitary.com Green manures and cover crops Living n NRCS NRCS the Land 11/6/2015 USDA NRCS Tillage and cultivation for weed control Living n the Land 11/6/2015 Univ. of Idaho Extension Mulches Univ. of Idaho Extension Living n the Land 11/6/2015 Planned crop rotation Living n the Land 11/6/2015 ucanr.org Planned animal rotation Living n polyfacefarm.com the Land 11/6/2015 polyfacefarm.com Intercropping and companion planting Living n the Land 11/6/2015 Gardenwiseonline.com www.yates.co.nz Burning for sanitation and weed control Living n Univ. of Idaho Extension Univ. of Idaho Extension the Land 11/6/2015 Solarization www.faculty.ucr.edu Physical barriers and buffer zones Living n USDA NRCS the Land 11/6/2015 Univ. of Idaho Extension Integrating crops and livestock www.thebefsite.com www.polyfacefarm.com Living n Organic production systems the Land 11/6/2015 What is organic? Safe Fresh Local Living n Free-range Humanely raised and handled Small-scale Higher-quality Visually appealing the Land 11/6/2015 Living n 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. the Land 11/6/2015 The National Organic Standards Board defines organics as Living n “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 Land 11/6/2015 Certified organic production The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 mandated uniform organic standards Living n 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 the Land 11/6/2015 Organic crop production http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu Organic crop production http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu Organic livestock production http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu Organic livestock production USDA NRCS Organic handling or processing operations www.pnwcheese.wsu.edu Organic product labeling 100% 95-100% 70-95% 0-70% USDA The Federal $5,000 exemption Jonathon Demcak Transitioning to organic Transitioning may take a number of years to accomplish Living n 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 the Land 11/6/2015 Organic transition approaches Transitioning one parcel at a time Living n Gradual or piecemeal transition (check your state regulations) “Cold turkey” Certifying Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land the Land 11/6/2015 Additional certifications you may obtain Third-party certifications (self-claims do not constitute certification) Living n Can enhance the marketability of your product Can help you network with other small producers the Land 11/6/2015 What does it really mean? No Detected Pesticides Residues Made from milk from contented cows Living n No Artificial Ingredients 100% Natural Free Range Cage Free the Land 11/6/2015 Grass Fed Hormone and Antibiotic Free Self claims “Free-range” “Pesticide-free” “Hormone-free” Living n “rBST- or rBGH-free” “BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)-free” “Preservative-free” “Natural” “Grass-fed” “Produced using sustainable practices” the Land 11/6/2015 Food Living n Alliance the Land 11/6/2015 Salmon-Safe Certified Humane Raised and Handled Certification available for: Living n Beef cattle Pigs Broiler chickens Turkeys Young dairy beef Independent verification provided by Humane Farm Animal Care, accredited by USDA the Land 11/6/2015 Dairy cows Sheep Laying chickens Goats Locally grown Grassfed Animals eat nothing but mother’s milk, fresh grass and cut hay Living n 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 the Land 11/6/2015 Living n the Land 11/6/2015 Do you think you’re ready to certify? If you want to certify your property or your products… Who are the certifying agencies? Living n What do the rules say? How do you deal with the intricacies of regulations, given your specific circumstances? the Land 11/6/2015 If you want to certify your property or your products… Is your zoning appropriate? Living n What about CCRs? What are the health concerns? What will certification cost? the Land 11/6/2015 Navigating the maze Creative thinking is important Living n Networking helps Do your homework! Explore your community the Land 11/6/2015 Networking opportunities S. Donaldson, UNCE Don’t forget risk management Government risk-management programs Living n Government programs for crop insurance, hail insurance, etc. Research government and university marketing and education programs Take advantage of government opportunities and subsidies the Land 11/6/2015 Additional risk-management alternatives Maintain cash or credit reserves Diversify your enterprise Living n Diversify your income and investments Lease equipment or land Storage the Land 11/6/2015 Risk management for sustainable systems Living n Farm Services Agency (FSA) Granges AERO Farmers’ Unions Rural Roots the Land 11/6/2015 Farm Bureaus Risk management for organic production Options are now available through the USDA Risk Management Agency Living n Organic farming practices are recognized as “good farming practices,” allowing crop insurance Contact a crop insurance agent for specific information the Land 11/6/2015 Record-keeping Summary Production systems fall into three categories Living n 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! the Land 11/6/2015 Homework For each of the three enterprises you proposed in Lesson 1: Living n 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. the Land 11/6/2015