Challenges of Farming

Regardless of the crops or livestock you are raising, farming is challenging. You have the whimsy of mother nature in addition to the costs of stock, seed and equipment. Farming can be challenging but very rewarding if you have decided to go organic. Experts advise you to transition slowly, and they freely admit that farming organically has its unique challenges. Diversity will come to be a very important approach to your farming methods.

There are a number of criteria a farmer must meet to be certified organic. Crops must come from non-genetically modified seed. Alternatives to chemical pesticides need to be used. Soil needs to be amended with compost and non-chemical fertilizers. You will need to learn about crop rotation, cover crops and dealing with weeds. This can be more labor intensive and somewhat more expensive than traditional farming until you have gotten educated about the process. Some crops are more difficult to grow than others. However, you will learn that corn can be grown in fields that formally yielded legumes. You'll learn which cover crops are best for optimizing biodiversity in the soil. Soybean and organic corn use one-third less energy than the more traditional methods. Yields will be somewhat lower with organic crops. Markets for organic crops and meats are rising yearly.

Your bookkeeping must be meticulous for the auditors. Will your local bank be willing to support you in addition to any grants you might receive? Experts agree that it takes about three years to transition to organic crops, meet the learning curve and increase organic income. Depending on where you live, there may be some marketing risks until you are established and have researched the best ways to market your products.