Opportunities exist for farmers of organic produce
Consumer demand for fresh, healthy food options has skyrocketed over the past few years, so it’s not surprising organic food sales have followed.
The Organic Farming Conference will take place Nov. 7-8 at the Mt. Hope Event Center, 8076 state Route 241, Millersburg.
There will be a produce-growers panel discussion at the conference. Three produce growers from the Family Farm Fresh Co-op in Rockville, Indiana, Jacob and Isaac Stoltzfus and Steven Zook, will be part of the discussion. The three farmers have numerous years of experience growing organic produce.
Jacob Stoltzfus has 12 acres in organic production, which include cabbage, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and cauliflower.
Isaac Stoltzfus, who is not growing wholesale this year, annually had 8-10 acres in production. Besides cabbage, tomatoes and peppers, he also grew cucumbers, eggplant and winter squash.
Steven Zook grows 12 acres of winter squash, 3 acres of peppers and 2 acres of tomatoes, plus some zucchini, lettuce and beets.
Stephen Esch, a soil consultant working with many organic produce growers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, will speak on The Foundation of Produce Growing — The Soil, as well as Weed Control and Diseases in Produce.
“Are you the person that wants to quit his day job and start growing produce and aren’t sure if you should go organic or conventional?” Esch said. “Or maybe you are a current conventional grower thinking about switching to organic but hesitant to make the move. If this is you, rest assured you don’t have to be fearful about organic agriculture and the myth that organic growers all have weeds, diseases and insects that they can’t control. In reality these are exciting times for organic agriculture. Did you know that Pennsylvania now ranks second in the number of organic farms per state? California is the only one that has more.”
Esch described the opportunity for organic in the East. “If you look at the population we have in the East, it is huge,” he said. “Did you know if you drew a triangle from Boston, Massachusetts to Richmond, Virginia to Columbus, Ohio, 56 percent of the USA population is within that triangle? And where there are people, there needs to be food. So the opportunities we have in the East are enormous, and I can assure you that the demand for organic fruits and vegetables will not go away. Never forget city folks love produce that tastes great, and they are willing to pay premiums for it.”
The tools and organic products that are available today versus five years ago have changed. Tine weeders, cultivator attachments and new plow bottoms for more efficient plowing are only a few of the pieces of equipment that have really advanced in the last couple years and have made organic weed control easier.
With the bio-control industry and some of the products they have to offer, there are organic OMRI-listed products that can be used to control insects and diseases. This is the fastest-growing industry in agriculture today, and not only organic producers are using them, but also many conventional farmers.
There is a vast amount of information and knowledge available. Plus many experienced organic growers are out there willing to assist. Go visit some of these organic farmers and see their operations. Read books on organic agriculture. Attend trade shows and conferences.
“There is tremendous opportunity out there for local farmers in growing organic produce. The market is there,” said Aaron Weaver, a local field coordinator for Green Fields Farms in Wooster who also works with many organic growers.
U.S. organic sales broke through the $50 billion mark in 2018. The Organic Trade Association said sales hit a record $52.5 billion as organic became more mainstream. Consumer demand for fresh, healthy food options has skyrocketed over the past few years, so it’s not surprising organic food sales have followed.
Organic fruits and vegetables made up 36 percent of all these organic food sales in 2018, rising 5.6 percent to $17.4 billion. Organic fruit and vegetable sales accounted for nearly 15 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales in 2018.
Shoppers, especially Millennials, are increasingly seeking out products made from simple ingredients from brands committed to sustainable agriculture and its environmental benefits.
Produce is often a gateway to organic for consumers, especially those with young families. Industry experts say the more people learn about health and wellness, the more people buy fresh produce.
Registration for the conference is $30 per person for one day or $40 for both days. Entry includes all sessions, a morning snack, lunch and the Organic Home and Vendor Show. The conference will last from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information call 330-674-1892 or visit www.organicfarmingconf.com. To register, visit the website or mail in the payment and names of persons attending to OFC, P.O. Box 214, Millersburg, OH 44654.