The 2008 Farm Bill charged NRCS to “establish a transparent means by which producers may initiate organic certification … while participating in an [NRCS] contract…” In doing so, Congress recognized that the stewardship threshold to improve the quality and condition of our natural resources may be met through implementation of organic practices, as defined by the National Organic Program (NOP).

NRCS has released a matrix, which provides guidance to organic and transitioning producers on required organic practices, and the NRCS conservation practices, available through the Conservation Stewardship Program, that are compatible and can assist with transitional and certified organic production.

To help organic farmers prevent unintended application of prohibited substances, the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture is offering 18″ x 24″ aluminum “Organic Farm Please Do Not Spray” signs to certified and exempt organic growers, as well as to those actively in transition to organic, who farm in Minnesota. MN NRCS has generously agreed to help distribute the signs.

Orders must be placed by October 15. The order form is located on the MDA website under “Forms.”

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has published two new resources for organic farmers and others interested in organic agriculture. The 52-page Organic Farm Performance in Minnesota report offers detailed information about the cost of production and the profitability of organic farming in Minnesota. The report also compares the economic performance of organic farms enrolled in the Farm Business Management Program in 2006 and 2007 with those enrolled in 2008, as well as comparing the performance of organic and non-organic farms enrolled in the program.

A second publication is the 2009 Directory of Minnesota Organic Farms. More than 250 of the estimated 650 certified organic farms in Minnesota are included in this handy directory.