CHAPTER 2 – NATIONAL ORGANIC RESOURCES
Reasons to become a Certified Organic Producer:
Adapted from: Transitioning to Organic Production
Published by: The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the national outreach arm of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, with funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. http://www.sare.org/publications/organic/index.htm
Organic farming is an environmentally responsible practice that:
1) Replenishes cultivated land with organic matter,
2) Over time improves natural soil health and fertility,
3) Promotes and enhances soil, plant, and insect biodiversity,
4) Encourages a high standard of personal health and quality-of-life,
5) Uses minimal off-farm inputs and management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony (National Organic Standards Board, 1996),
6) Balances the natural ecology of an agricultural system,
7) Produces high quality agricultural products,
8) Can be equally productive with conventional systems,
9) Captures a high cost for its products, and
10) Has become nationally recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture with defined quality standards.
How to get started in, or transition to, organic production:
Adapted from: Transitioning to Organic Production
Published by: The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the national outreach arm of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, with funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. http://www.sare.org/publications/organic/index.htm
CONVERTING TO ORGANIC PRODUCTION IS NOT A DECISION to take lightly. Organic farmers must learn how to work with nature to solve problems, such as adapting crop rotations to improve soil fertility, manage weeds and control pests rather than simply substituting accepted materials for prohibited ones. Farmers considering a transition to organic farming should think about the following questions, drafted by the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association (OEFFA):
- 1) Do you enjoy walking your fields on a regular basis?
- 2) Can you distinguish pests from beneficial insects?
- 3) Are you curious about why things happen on your farm?
- 4) Can you tolerate a field that is not weed free?
- 5) Do you have the patience to trade short-term economic returns for longer-term “ecological” credits while building soil health?
Farmers converting to organic purely to improve profits often fail because they do not consider the huge range of economic, social and production changes that must occur. The transition period can be particularly stressful because of the need to develop and implement new management skills. In fact, you must be prepared to survive a short-term financial loss if yields drop and costs increase during this period. Other considerations, posed by OEFFA and others, include:
- 6) How will the transition period, where yields sometimes decrease and price premiums are not yet available, impact your family?
- 7) How will potential social stigma and negative peer pressure from other farmers impact you?
- 8) What resources are available? Consider labor, borrowing capability, knowledge base of local extension and information exchange regarding organic production.
- 9) How will you develop the new types of relationships required to market organic products?
Some farmers view the transition period as an investment in education. During this time, when some growers experience declining profits, remember you are not only learning new skills but also are building what some economists call “natural resource capital”. This refers to:
- 10) Improved physical characteristics of soil and plants, such as better soil water infiltration, increased microbial populations, more natural predators, and better control of weeds.
Like investing in a new stock, there may not be short-term profits, but in the long run, you are setting the stage for the sustainability of your land and farm.
START-UP IDEAS AFTER DECIDING TO TAKE THE PLUNGE INTO ORGANIC PRODUCTION:
Consider the following strategies:
- 1) Identify the closest certification organization and start collecting information about how to come into compliance.
- 2) Make contacts.
- 3) Attend meetings of organic and other transitional farmers.
- 4) Collect books and other resources and find extension agents and other educators who are knowledgeable about organic production and transition strategies.
- 5) Experiment with a systems approach that will work on your farm or ranch.
- 6) Focus on prevention strategies and treating the causes of problems rather than specific problems themselves.
- 7) Develop marketing strategies for your organic products.
- 8) In the planning phase, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the farm. How will you work with the natural system you have? Are you ready for a transition? For example: What are your most valuable natural resources? Does topography work for or against you? What kind of pest pressure do you experience? How healthy are the soils? (Adapted from ‘The Transition Process’ by the Rodale Institute.)
- 9) Soil health is extremely important because you will no longer rely on external inputs, but depend instead on the activity and capacity of the soil.
- 10) Think about pest control. Biological pest control is complex, involving complicated interactions among crop rotations, intercropping combinations, planting schedules and beneficial habitats.
-
11) What strategies or systems are already in place?
HOW TO GET CERTIFIED:
USDA accredits state, private and foreign organizations to become “certifying agents.” Those agents certify that a farmer’s production and handling practices meet the national standards. To initiate the process of certification, the following information must be submitted to an accredited certifying agent:
- 1) Type of operation.
- 2) History of substances applied to land for the previous three years.
- 3) Organic products being grown, raised, or processed.
- 4) An organic plan, which includes practices and substances used in production. This plan should also detail any monitoring practices that will be used to verify that the production system will be organic, including the record-keeping system, and how to prevent co-mingling of organic and non-organic products and contact of products with prohibited substances.
- 5) You will also need to evaluate and prepare a description of the physical barriers and buffers on your property that separate your operation from conventional neighbors.
- 6) After reviewing the application, if the certifying agent determines you are eligible, a qualified inspector will schedule a visit for an on-site inspection.
- 7) If the application and inspection report show compliance with the requirements, certification will be granted.
-
8) Once certified, you must re-apply for certification every year, and will also be assessed a certification fee of a few hundred dollars each year. Many states currently have cost share programs to offset certification fees. (Contact your local certifier for more information.)
USDA Resources:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP)
The National Organic Program (NOP) regulations require that agricultural products labeled as organic originate from farms or handling operations certified by a State or private entity that has been accredited by USDA. This site includes regulatory texts, list of approved materials, lists of accredited certifiers, as well as background and consumer information.
Contact Information:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexNet.htm
Phone: (202) 720-3252
USDA Economic Assistance for Organic and Transitioning Farmers
Some federal programs provide financial assistance to organic farmers and ranchers and those transitioning to organic systems. Please check details with each program to verify their current status and to obtain additional information.
- 1) Conservation Security Program (USDA-NRCS)
Provides technical and annual financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to reward new and ongoing good stewardship practices that enhance natural resources and the environment. Organic producers adopting or maintaining whole farm conservation plans will likely qualify for CSP support.
www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/
- 2) Organic Certification Cost Share, National Organic Program (USDA-AMS)
Offers organic producers and handlers financial assistance to offset the costs of certification under the National Organic Program. Each operation is eligible for up to 75 percent of its cost of certification, not to exceed $500. This program is administered by individual state Departments of Agriculture.
www.ams.usda.gov/nop/StatePrograms/CostShare.html
- 3) Organic Transition Payments Agricultural Management Assistance (USDA-NRCS)
In the 12 northeastern states, plus WY, UT, and NV, provides conservation financial and technical assistance to farmers making the transition to organic. www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama/
- 4) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (USDA-NRCS)
Provides technical and one-time financial assistance to farmers and ranchers for management conservation practices. Some NRCS state offices have developed specific organic cropping or livestock conservation options under EQIP.
www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/
- 5) Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants (USDA-RBCS)
Organic foods qualify as value-added agricultural products eligible for grant funds through the VAPG program. Individual producers, producer groups, or producer-owned cooperatives or business ventures can apply to develop business plans or feasibility studies or to develop a new marketing or processing venture that will improve farm income and competitiveness. www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm
Western Region Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education (SARE)
SARE is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that functions through competitive grants conducted cooperatively by farmers, ranchers, researchers and agricultural professionals to advance farm and ranch systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities.
∞ The Western SARE puts out a call to area sustainable and organic producers to submit grant proposals each year. They also provide information and answer questions relative to sustainable and organic agriculture.
∞ Each state in the western region has a SARE coordinator.
Contact Information:
Robert Newhall
Plants, Soils & Biometerology Department
UMC 4820
Logan, UT 84322-4820
Phone: (435) 797-2183
Fax: (435) 797-2117
E-mail: bobn@ext.usu.edu
Website: http://wsare.usu.edu
Accredited Independent Organic Certifiers:
The following are accredited organizations, other than the USDA, that have completed the organic certification of farms in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. By no means is this a complete list. Costs differ by organization. See The Organic Farming Research Foundation for a complete, nation-wide list of accredited certifiers, ‘National Certifiers Directory’: www.ofrf.org .
1) Quality Assurance International – QAI
QAI offers organic certification under the National Organic Program for Producers, Processors, Private Labelers, Distributors, Retailers, Restaurants, Wild Crop Harvesters, Greenhouse, Mushrooms, and Facilities. QAI also offers 'Source Certification for Bottled Water Products' under Codex Alimentarius standards, and 'Fiber Certification' under the American Organic Standards. For answers to general questions on organic certification, contact:
Contact Information:
Ellen Holton
9191 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 510
San Diego, CA 92122
Phone: (858) 792-3531, or 792-3531
Fax: (858) 792-8665
E-mail: qai@qai-inc.com
2) Oregon Tilth
Oregon Tilth is a nonprofit research and education membership organization dedicated to biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture. Tilth's history begins in 1974, as an agricultural organization with a unique urban-rural outlook. Primarily an organization of organic farmers, gardeners and consumers, Tilth offers educational events throughout the state of Oregon, and provides organic certification services to organic growers, processors, and handlers internationally.
Contact Information:
Oregon Tilth
470 Lancaster Dr. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
Phone: (503) 378-0690
Fax: (503) 378-0809
E-mail: organic@tilth.org
Website: www.tilth.org
3) Certified Naturally Grown
Certified Naturally Grown is a non-profit alternative eco-labeling program for small farms that grow using USDA Organic methods but are NOT a part of the USDA Certified Organic program. They certify farms primarily distributing locally and directly, through Farmer's Markets, Farm Stands, Community Supported Agriculture projects, to local restaurants, coops, small grocery stores or through other direct sales channels such as the Internet.
Contact Information:
Certified Naturally Grown
205 Huguenot Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
Phone: (845) 256-0686
E-mail: info@naturallygrown.org
Website: www.naturallygrown.org
4) Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)
OCIA International is a member-owned nonprofit organization that provides research, education, and certification services to thousands of organic growers, processors and handlers in North, Central and South America, Africa, Europe and the Pacific Rim.
Contact Information:
OCIA International
6400 Cornhusker, Suite 125
Lincoln, NE 68507
Phone: (402) 477-2323
Fax: (402) 477-4325
E-mail: info@ocia.org
Website: www.ocia.org
Independent Organic Inspectors Association – IOIA:
IOIA is an association of organic inspectors which strives to provide support services for inspectors and an opportunity for a collective voice in organic industry issues. IOIA has no alliance to any particular certification agency, however they work closely with many certification agencies to develop policies relating to organic inspection and inspector training.
∞ All certifiers are invited to attend IOIA trainings and present their programs: www.ioia.net/trainreq.htm#top
Contact Information:
Independent Organic Inspectors Association PO Box 6 Broadus, MT 59317 Phone: (406) 436-2031
Website: www.ioia.net
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Resources:
ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agricultural Information Service operated by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), is an excellent source of information (including templates) for growers interested in organic certification and/or beginning a transition to organic production.
Useful publications from ATTRA include:
- 1) Organic Farm Certification and the National Organic Program – a brief overview of certification,
- 2) An Overview of Organic Crop Production – describes the key concepts and practices of certified crop production,
- 3) Creating an Organic Production and Handling System Plan – a template for creating the mandatory organic system plan,
- 4) Organic Field Crops Documentation Forms – a set of worksheets that farmers can use for documenting activities, practices and inputs to demonstrate compliance with the organic regulations,
- 5) Compliance Checklist for Producers – a checklist designed to assist growers with assessing compliance of a farm or ranch with the National Organic Program Standards,
- 6) A list of Suppliers of Seed for Certified Organic Production.
-
7) …ATTRA also publishes a series of booklets on organic production for fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, livestock, field crops, as well as manuals on organic control of pests, soil and fertilizer issues and marketing and certification.
ATTRA publications are available for free to farmers.
Contact Information:
Phone: 1-800-346-9140
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/organcert.html
Organic Farming Research Foundation - OFRF:
OFRF is a non-profit whose mission is to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 440
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Phone: 831-426-6606
Fax: 831-426-6670
Website: www.ofrf.org
Regional Contact:
Steve Ela, Board President
30753 L Road
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Phone: (970) 872-3488
E-mail: info@elafamilyfarms.com
Organic Materials Review Institute - OMRI:
The OMRI specializes in the review of substances for use in organic production, processing, and handling. Their services are directed to all aspects of the organic industry with a primary focus on the decision makers who deal with the compliance status of generic materials and brand name products for use in organic production under USDA’s standards.
∞ They publish an organic seed, brand name, and product list – all of which are certified to be used under USDA’s organic standards.
∞ For specific organic compliance issues first contact your state organic certifier.
Contact Information:
PO Box 11558 Eugene, OR 97440 Phone: (541) 343-7600 Fax: (541) 343-8971 E-mail: info@omri.org
Website: www.omri.org
Analytical Resources:
The following labs specialize in soil, plant, and water testing that address organic production needs. They each accept requests for testing from all over the world.
Albion Labs
Performs complete analyses of plant tissue, soil, and irrigation water. For a description of how to package and send a soil sample see:
http://www.albion-an.com/plant/archivetopic.htm , article titled: ‘Managing Soils to Optimize Crop Production’.
Contact Information:
Kevin Dickinson
Albion Advanced Nutrition
101 North Main St.
Clearfield, UT 84015
Phone, Toll-free: (866) 243-5283
E-mail: kdickinson@albion-an.com
Website: www.albion-an.com
Cascade Analytical
Completes agricultural analyses in the following areas: Garden Testing , Fruit Maturity , Soil Fertility , Irrigation Water , Plant Nutrition , Pesticide Analysis , and Fruit Mineral s.
Contact Information:
Cascade Analytical Inc.
3019 G.S. Center Road
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone: (509) 662-1888, or Toll-free: (800) 545-4206
Fax: (509) 662-8183
E-mail: cascade@nwi.net
Website: www.cascadeanalytical.com
The Soil Foodweb
Measures the quality and quantity of soil organisms and guide you to build the life in your soil to grow healthier plants. They complete analyses of soil, compost, compost tea, leaf assays, and assays. Sample submission forms can be found on their website.
Contact Information:
Lab
Soil Foodweb, Inc.
728 SW Wake Robin Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97333
Phone:
SFI Consultant Phone Line, Rate $25 per 1/4 hour: (888) 224-9919
Samples and Reports questions: (541) 752-5066
Fax: (541) 752-5142
E-mail: info@soilfoodweb.com
Website: http://www.soilfoodweb.com/01_services/01_oregon/index.html
Resources and Testimonials from Farmers and Ranchers in the SWMN:
The following are profiles of three growers in the Four Corner States who have had successful experiences in transitioning to and utilizing organic practices. They are included in the guide in order to help people interested in transitioning to organic assess the potential for organic production methods in their own operation.
PROFILE
1. UTAH ORGANIC GRAIN PRODUCER BUILDS ON LAST GENERATION’S SUCCESSES
Adapted from: An Introduction to Organic Farming
Published by: The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the national outreach arm of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, with funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
Utah farmer Lydia Poulsen sells about 90 percent of her organic grain to area livestock producers. When she transitioned between 1992 and 1994, she found a ready market, but advises other farmers to thoroughly research their sales options.
WHEN LYDIA POULSEN WAS A SMALL CHILD, SHE RECALLS THAT the ground on her parents’ Utah farm “would set up like cement. We had areas that we called ‘alkali slicks’ where, because of the high pH, nothing would grow.” After Poulsen converted 800 acres of small grains and hay and 3,000 acres of pasture to organic production in 1989, the alkali slicks all but disappeared. And now, following rainstorms, the soil no longer crusts. “There are a lot of positive things about organic farming,” she said, attributing the improvements in her soils to the elimination of chemical fertilizers.
While additions of organic matter clearly have improved her soil, Poulsen has been frustrated by fertility constraints in her organic operation, specifically in wheat. “It’s hard getting fertility into the ground and getting the microbial population up,” Poulsen said, referring to the prohibitive cost of transporting compost or manure to her land. Potential organic farmers, she adds, should calculate costs of manure or other amendments for their systems. Instead, Poulsen has tried winter peas and clover as nitrogen suppliers, but seed is very expensive. She also has experimented with gypsum and fish emulsion. But while she admits that wheat yields do suffer from less nitrogen - they tend to be half of what they are the first year following alfalfa - she hasn’t seen net profit drop.
Poulsen’s father also employed many environmentally sound methods in his production system, including techniques compatible with current organic practices. When he subdivided the farm, leaving 800 acres to Lydia, she merely adapted many of his successful practices. “My father recognized that sprays were limited in how long they would control the bugs in alfalfa,” Poulsen said,” and could see that there was a better, more complete way to go.” To control aphids, weevils and other insects, her father introduced ladybugs. Following in his footsteps, even before Poulsen switched to organic, she used “nola-bait” to control grasshoppers. After years of releasing ladybugs, along with lacewings and praying mantises,” the natural population is now established,” Poulsen said. Poulsen converted to organic after a large organic dairy in the area asked her to certify her grain. At that time, the transition period was only one year instead of the current three, and with a ready-made market, her transition was smooth.
For Poulsen, who farms with her husband, Dennis, near Snowville, Utah, the switch to organic production was not that hard because she was already rotating small grains, alfalfa and oat hay for her 130-head beef operation. About 10 percent of her grains stay on the farm for the cattle while she sells the rest off the farm.
For growers looking to transition to organic production today, Poulsen recommends that they research and secure a reliable market before beginning. While profit is important, it’s not the sole argument for farming organically. More than anything, Poulsen said,” Organic provides a way to educate people about agriculture. People are far more interested in why I farm organically than why I farm.”
PROFILE
2. SHARING COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS TO THE RANGELAND CONFLICT, MARK CORTNER
Adapted from: The Quivira Coalition, Volume 3, No. 3: May 2000, Profile of Good Stewardship: Mark Cortner
http://www.quiviracoalition.org/documents/profile11.html#co-op
To stay healthy, rancher Mark Cortner has decided to go organic.
Although he is referring to the economic health of his ranch, he will try an organic steak now and then (when he can afford it) for his own bodily well-being. “They taste better, too!” says Mark with a smile.
Mark and his ranch are in the early stages of becoming only the fourth supplier of certified organic beef in the whole state of New Mexico, and only the second to steward his animals from calf to carcass.
Mark’s motivation for going organic is simple: supply and demand. The supply of organic products has not matched the rapid expansion of demand. “The Nike corporation likes to use organic cotton in some of its shoes,” says Mark, by way of example, “but it can’t find enough farmers who grow the stuff, so they pay top dollar.”
Mark expects to earn top dollar for his beef. In fact, he anticipates clearing $800 net on every cow. That is many times higher than what most ranchers clear with a traditional beef operation. “The organic market is more stable, too,” says Mark. “It doesn’t fluctuate as much as conventional beef. I’ve looked into it.”
Indeed he has.
Plan
A visit to Mark’s ranch reveals a number of surprises. First is its size. He owns less than 2000 acres, most of it private, and runs only 20 head of cattle. He has owned the land for less than two years though, having owned ranches in Colorado and Texas previously.
The second surprise is the condition of the land, which might charitably be called a “management opportunity” (even progressive ranchers avoid the “o” word). Located in dry, scrubby country southwest of Roswell, New Mexico, the previous owners of the ranch were, in Mark’s words “not great managers” and left the place in poor shape.
The third surprise is Mark’s attitude. He sees the size and condition of his ranch as an opportunity for success, not a recipe for struggle. The key is diversifying the economics of the ranch. “I’m tired of making money one year and losing it the next,” says Mark, referring to the unpredictable beef market. “I figure there’s got to be a better way.”
So, Mark came up with a plan. The short-term strategy includes the small herd of registered European Mouflon sheep, which Mark raises behind his house. These pure-bred sheep are fairly rare and quite valuable as breeding stock. (The family also banks on the steady salary of Mark’s wife, who is a teacher.)
The long-term plan includes restoring the ranch’s rangeland to health, building up the wildlife population, allowing a few hunters on the ranch, converting one of the houses to a Bed and Breakfast, increasing the size of his herd to no more than 35 head, and, of course, going organic.
To accomplish these goals, Mark has already fenced his portion of the Rio Feliz into a riparian pasture for dormant season grazing; divided the ranch into 11 paddocks using electric fencing; picked out sites for six drinkers; installed wildlife feeders; and begun using his cattle in a carefully controlled manner that is compatible with the area’s ecology. “I’ve done rotational grazing in four different states,” says Mark, alluding to his experience in the Southwest. “It works.”
On portions of the ranch, especially while standing at the top of the crumbling, 15 foot banks of the bone-dry Rio Feliz, it is hard to imagine how restoration is possible. But Mark is confident of his ability. “I can’t wait until this land comes back,” says Mark, his hand sweeping across a desiccated landscape. “And it will.”
That’s because what Mark wants to sell ultimately is good stewardship.
Going Organic
By Mark’s calculation, he has been an unofficial “organic” rancher for most of his life. He doesn’t use pesticides or herbicides in his operation; his cattle are grass fed; his use of antibiotics and other drugs is practically nonexistent (rotational grazing significantly reduces fly-borne illnesses, for example); and he herds his animals in a low-stress manner. It also costs less. “It’s more economical to raise beef naturally,” says Mark, in summation.
All he has to do now to become certified is use organic feed exclusively and document all his activities on paper. “What they want to see most during an inspection,” says Mark, “is a plan”, which should be no sweat for Mark since planned grazing lies at the heart of his operation anyway. Equally important, however, is the market. Through the New Mexico Organic Livestock Co-op, which Mark praises as the “best one he’s been involved with,” he will earn a “label” that he can use to sell his organic beef in any market that wants it. He plans to start locally, in Ruidoso and Roswell, then, expand into larger markets.
Part of his goal is control. “Conventional cows are sold five to seven times before they hit the table,” says Mark. “I want more control of the process, from raising the cow to the steak in the icebox.” He thinks this control will create a tastier, healthier product; one that the public will desire.
“A lot of people think organic is just a fad,” he says, smiling again, “but I know it’s not. I looked into it.” According to Mark, the organic market in general is growing by approximately 25% per year, making it the fastest growing segment of agriculture in America.
So why are there only four certified livestock producers in New Mexico, especially if demand is rising so rapidly and profits are good? “Most ranchers don’t want to deal with the trouble,” replies Mark, “and that’s all right with me.”
For Mark, the bottom line is his high quality-of-life. His satisfaction comes from knowing he is healing land, producing healthy food for people, helping wildlife, and protecting a little bit of open space, while providing a nourishing environment for his wife and two children. “To me, organic means having a lot of options,” says Mark. These days, having options is big news.
PROFILE
3. ORGANIC WHEAT GROWERS’ CO-OP BOOSTS INCOME FOR NORTHERN NEW MEXICO FARMERS
Adapted from: http://spectre.nmsu.edu/media/news2.lasso?i=28 , Date: 12/19/2001
For more information contact: Denise McWilliams, (505) 646-3455, demcwill@nmsu.edu , or Del Jimenez, (505) 852-2668, djimenez@nmsu.edu
QUESTA - Lupe Young, a grower whose family began farming in the northern town of Questa in the early 1900s, stopped producing wheat in 1984 because declining wheat prices and rising fuel and equipment costs wiped out his profits.
But in 1997, Young began growing organic wheat as part of the newly formed Sangre de Cristo Agricultural Producers cooperative. This year, he sold 140,000 pounds of organic wheat and flour through the co-op, earning a net profit of nearly $46,000.
"The co-op helped us switch to organic production, and that's the key to our profitability," Young said. "The co-op has also helped us develop good, dependable markets. It's really saved us in wheat production."
The co-op was founded in 1995 with the help of New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) to assist northern New Mexico growers in producing and marketing organic wheat and other products.
NMSU's Rural Agricultural Improvement and Public Affairs Project (RAIPAP) has worked closely with the growers since the co-op's creation, providing technical assistance and education for members. In fact, the five founding members of the co-op were inexperienced farmers who originally sought Extension's help to learn the basics of agricultural production before launching commercial ventures.
"I started them with wheat because it was an easy crop to learn, and many of these people were one or two generations removed from agriculture,” said Del Jimenez, agriculture specialist with RAIPAP. "We went with organic simply because we didn't have enough money to buy fertilizer. I never thought it would come this far.”
As the co-op gained momentum, more experienced growers like Lupe Young joined, taking advantage of Extension's assistance to switch to organic production and sell through the cooperative. The co-op currently has nine members, mostly from Questa and Costilla north of Taos. Another five growers were expected to join in early 2002.
The key to the co-op's success is its organic product, which commands much higher prices than conventionally grown wheat. “Organic wheat currently sells for 11.6 cents per pound, compared with about 3.3 cents per pound for conventional wheat,” Jimenez said. Moreover, since 1998, the co-op has milled all its wheat into organic flour, which is then sold to customers in New Mexico at 30 cents per pound. The wheat is milled and bagged with Sangre de Cristo labels by Rocky Mountain Milling, an organic mill in Platteville, Colorado.
After deducting production, transportation costs and payment to the co-op, members receive another 5 cents per pound for the flour. “Thus, co-op growers receive a total net profit of 16.6 cents per pound for organic wheat and flour, or more than five times the 3.3 cents per pound that conventional growers earn selling wheat on the open market,” Jimenez said.
Co-op members have slowly but steadily built up a niche market in New Mexico with assistance from the NMDA. “They went 'door-to-door' so to say,” Jimenez said. “They've worked hard to build up a local brand name by promoting their flour as an organic product wholly produced in New Mexico by New Mexico growers.” Indeed, their biggest client is Santa Fe-based Cloud Cliff Bakery, which launched a completely new organic bread made from Sangre de Cristo co-op flour and dubbed it ‘Pan Nativo,’ Spanish for ‘Native Bread’. “Cloud Cliff buys about 12,000 pounds of flour per month from the co-op and bakes 10,000 to 12,000 loaves of Pan Nativo monthly for natural food stores and retailers such as Sam's Club,” said owner Willem Malten.
“The bread's name denotes the native character of the whole project, and that's our selling point,” Malten said. “The intent is to use 100 percent local ingredients produced by local farmers and made into bread by a local bakery. It's my best-selling product.”
Co-op production has grown immensely over the last six years, from 40,000 pounds of wheat in 1997 to a 560,000-pound bumper crop this year. “Production in 2001 was the best we've ever had,” Jimenez said. “The growers' knowledge and experience has grown each year, so yields have increased. The numbers are particularly good this year (2001) because they got the crop in early, there were good rains, they irrigated more, and there were few problems with insects and disease.”
In 2002, growers will begin a crop rotation program financed in part by a $10,000 grant from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. They will rotate wheat with legumes-beginning with peas-to build nitrogen in the soil and diversify their organic products for market.
Although the co-op has greatly benefited all its members, perhaps the biggest advantage is for small-scale growers like David Cordova, one of the five founding members. This year, Cordova earned nearly $10,000 from the wheat he grew on his 40-acre farm in Garcia, Colorado, which borders Costilla, accounting for about 40 percent of his family's $25,000 annual income. “There are no opportunities up here, so we do whatever we can to get by,” Cordova said. “The co-op has given us a much better income, and it's kept me from having to work somewhere else.”
CHAPTER 3 – FOUR CORNERS STATES ORGANIC RESOURCES
ARIZONA
___________________________________________
State Organic Producer Organizations:
None at this time.
___________________________________________
USDA-Accredited Organic Certifiers in Arizona:
Arizona Department of Agriculture Organic Certification Program
Katie Decker is the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s organic contact. Although Arizona is currently not accredited to complete organic certification under USDA’s standards, she can refer all interested parties to independent certifiers out of state.
Contact Information:
Katie Decker
Public Information Officer
AZ Dept. of Agriculture
1688 W. Adams, Room 124
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542-0958
E-mail: kdecker@azda.gov
Independent Organic Certifying Agents and Organizations
For a list of accredited independent certifiers who have certified/inspected organic farms in the Four Corner region please see page 5.
Shanti Leinow
The owner of Whipstone Farm, Shanti Leinow, is an independent organic inspector. In the past she has worked with organic certifying agencies to inspect and certify farms in Arizona. Contact her for more information about how to get certified in Arizona.
Contact Information:
Shanti Leinow
21640 N. Juniper Ridge Rd.
Paulden, AZ 86334
Phone: (928) 636-6209
Fax: (928) 636-9489
E-mail: whipstone@aol.com
Website: http://www.prescottfarmersmarket.org/vendors/WhipstoneFarm.htm
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Analytical Laboratories:
The following analytical laboratories are listed because they are convenient for producers in the region. They each perform basic soil, water, and plant tests, all of which address agricultural needs, but may fall short of the specific in-depth analyses sought by organic producers.
Further analyses may be outsourced to labs which perform cutting edge testing specific to organic production needs. These labs are found on page 9 of this guide.
Central Analytical Laboratory
Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis Laboratory
∞ Soil test cost: $3.50 for pH test; other tests priced separately. To submit sample: Take soil sample to lab or mail it to the address below.
∞ Common regional problems: Metal contamination, acidic-to-neutral soils.
Contact Information:
Dept. of Soil, Water and Environmental Science
2601 East Airport Drive
Tucson, AZ 85706
Phone: (520) 626-2034
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/SWES/research/index.htm
Department of Plant Pathology
Offers services in disease diagnosis, plant and weed identification, and nematode detection.
Contact Information:
Street address: 1140 E. South Campus Drive Room 204 Mailing address: Division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology College of Agriculture and Life Sciences PO Box 210036 Tucson, AZ 85721-0036 Phone: (520) 621-1828 Fax: (520) 621-9290 Email: lsp@u.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/general/departments/plantpathologydivision.html
Plant Clinic
Performs plant disease diagnostics.
Contact Information:
Mike Matheron, Extension Plant Pathologist
University of Arizona
Yuma Agriculture Center
6425 W. 8th Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 726-0458
Email: matheron@ag.arizona.edu
Plant Pathologist
Performs plant disease diagnostics.
Contact Information:
Mary Olsen, Extension Plant Pathologist
Department of Plant Pathology
Forbes Building 204
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: (928) 626-2681
Fax: (928) 621-9290
Email: molsen@ag.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/PLP/plpext/
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
The AzVDL is a part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and is home to several mutually supportive laboratory disciplines, including pathology, microbiology, immunology and toxicology.
Contact Information:
Greg Bradley, Director
2831 N. Freeway
Tucson, Arizona 85705
Phone: (520) 621-2356
Fax: (520) 626-8696
_________________________________________
Marketing Services:
Arizona Community Farmers’ Markets Group
The Arizona Community Farmers’ Market Group encourages Arizona producers, particularly small local farmers who use pesticide-free or organic growing methods, to participate in farmers’ markets around the state.
Contact Information:
Dee or John Logan, Coordinators
Nancy Cumbo, Manager
PO Box 14188
Phoenix, AZ 85063-4188
Phone: (623) 848-1234
Fax: (623) 848-8253
E-mail: azfarmersmarket@cox.net
Website: www.farmersmarketsaz.blogspot.com
Arizona Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association - AFDMA
AFDMA is a new organization consisting of farmers and ranchers throughout the state of Arizona who work to educate and inform consumers about the importance of agriculture in their lives. They also provide a support network for farmers and ranchers throughout the state.
Contact Information:
Russ Tronstad
Department of Ag & Resource Economics Econ 434 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 Phone: (520) 621-2425
E-mail: tronstad@ag.arizona.edu
Arizona Grown
The Arizona Department of Agriculture has developed a marketing program to showcase Arizona food and agricultural products. The goal of the program is to make it easier for consumers, retailers and restaurants to identify and purchase Arizona products. They have created a bright, distinctive Arizona Grown logo series to help residents in the state, other states, and other countries easily identify high quality Arizona foods, fibers and beverages. Producers may contact them for a computer disk in order to print the logo, but there is not a specific ‘organic’ Arizona label.
Contact Information:
Arizona Department of Agriculture
1688 West Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: (602) 542-6408
Website: http://www.azda.gov/Main/logo.htm
Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University
Cosponsors of the ‘Fresh, Organic, and Native Foods of the Four Corners’ Directory, the Flagstaff Community Farmers’ Market, Flagstaff Supported Agriculture, and the Flagstaff Community Supported Wild Foraging Project. They also facilitate wild foods and sustainable agricultural consulting.
1) Canyon Country Fresh
The Center for Sustainable Environments sponsors ‘Canyon Country Fresh’; a spin-off of the Arizona Grown Program, Canyon County Fresh provides labels to Northern Arizona farmers and ranchers to distinguish locally raised products and to encourage customers to support sustainability by purchasing locally.
Website: www.environment.nau.edu/ccf
Contact Information:
Katherine Freeman
Hanley Hall, Bldg. 7
PO Box 5675
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Phone: (928) 523-0637
Fax: (928) 523-8223
E-mail: environment@nau.edu
Website: www.environment.nau.edu/ccf/
Community Food Connection
A non-profit organization that provides assistance to the development of farmers’ markets and other direct marketing programs by enhancing local food security. They have helped to develop the Senior and Women, Infant, Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and use of the Food Stamp Program at farmers’ markets in Arizona. The organization is also home to the Arizona Food and Agricultural Policy Council.
Contact Information:
Cindy Gentry
PO Box 22216
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Phone: (602) 493-5231
E-mail: cgentry@foodconnect.org
Website: www.foodconnect.org
Prescott College Community Supported Agriculture
The PCCSA is a cooperative CSA, which gets its food from several small, certified and/or naturally grown farms. By using a cooperative model they are able to support several farmers around the state and also provide a variety of produce to consumers throughout the year. Depending on the season this includes; vegetables, fruits, nuts, and honey, as well as the option to buy eggs, meat, goat milk, and cheese. Contact Heather or Meghan to learn more about the CSA model, or to become an organic farmer-member.
Contact Information:
Heather Houk or Meghan Gould, 2005 Farm/CSA Manager
301 Grove Ave.
Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: Heather – (928) 350-1007, or Meghan – (928) 778-2090 ext. 1401
E-mail: pccsa@prescott.edu
Website: http://www.prescott.edu/highlights/csa.html
Southwest Marketing Network
The goal of the SWMN is to ensure that new, existing, and prospective Southwest producers, especially small-scale, alternative, and minority producers, have the connections with others, technical and financial assistance, marketing information, business and marketing skills, and peer examples needed to improve their marketing success as a means to improve their profitability, viability, and success. They support and facilitate conferences, newsletters, and training sessions.
Contact Information:
Jim Dyer, Project Co-Coordinator
2727 CR 134
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 588-2292
E-mail: jadyer@frontier.net
Website: www.swmarketing.ncat.org
__________________________________________
Educational and Research Services:
Arizona Food and Agricultural Policy Council
The Arizona Food and Agriculture Policy Council is a vehicle to work with public and private entities towards strengthening all of Arizona’s access to sufficient, high-quality food; strengthening the economy of Arizona’s ranches, farms, and value-adding food processors.
Contact Information:
Cindy Gentry
PO Box 22216
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Phone: (602) 493-5231
E-mail: cgentry@foodconnect.org
Website: www.foodconnect.org
__________________________________________
Organic Businesses:
Seed Vendors - Organic
1) Native Seeds/ SEARCH
∞ Catalog $1
∞ Specializes in heirloom seed varieties from Mexico and the SW Native tribes. Sells dried peppers and other products.
Contact Information:
526 N. 4th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: (520) 622-5561
Fax: (520) 622-5591
E-mail: nss@azstarnet.com
Website: www.nativeseeds.org
2) Seeds Trust, Inc .
The Seeds Trust offers an ‘ Organic Seeds Trust ’ link on their website, which allows quick access to an organic and wildcrafted seeds section. As an organization they have always supported organic farming and organic gardening. All the organic seeds are marked in the catalog with an asterisk (*).
Contact Information:
PO Box 596
Cornville, AZ 86325
Phone: (928) 649-3315
Fax: (928) 649-8181
E-mail: support2@seedtrust.com
Website: http://www.seedstrust.com
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Publications:
The publications in this list have been selected from the University of Arizona Agricultural Department, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station archive. They include articles written by University of Arizona faculty and affiliates, grant-funded publications, and Cooperative Extension fact sheets. They contain information relative to organic production: organic and niche marketing strategies; soil and water quality concerns and testing; and information about composting and manure management, vegetable and fruit production, weed management, irrigation, and (integrated) pest management.
The publications were reviewed for their relevancy to organic production issues, however, may still contain information that is not necessarily compliant with the USDA’s National Organic Standards. For specific questions about organic compliance, contact Arizona Department of Agriculture’s state organic contact: Katie Decker, at (602) 542-0958, or e-mail: kdecker@azda.gov .
Many of Cooperative Extension’s publications are available on-line and can be accessed free of charge through the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension Resource Center’s (CERC) website: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/index.html , or through a search feature at: http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/ . Hard copies can be accessed directly from Liz Haro at the Publication Distribution Center (PDC). Call: (520) 318-7275, or e-mail: haro@ag.arizona.edu.
Composting
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
V-220 Compost: Materials, Containers, and Methods [VHS] (2001, $10/each)
Directories
1) Clark, R., Nabhan, G., Taylor, N. Fresh, Organic, and Native: Foods of the Four Corners. Flagstaff, AZ: The Center for Sustainable Environments, Volume 3, No. 1.
Farm Management and Marketing
1) Thompson, Gary D. 2002. International Consumer Demand for Organic Foods. HortTechnology 10:663-674
2) Thompson, Gary D. and Julia Kidwell. 1998. Explaining the Choice of Organic Produce: Cosmetic Defects, Prices, and Consumer Preferences. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 80:227-287;
3) Thompson, Gary D. 1998. Consumer Demand for Organic Foods: What We Know and What We Need to Know. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 80:1113-1118.
4) Marketing Produce – Contains information on developing marketing infrastructure and dealing with marketing agents:
http://ag.arizona.edu/OALS/ALN/aln46/luna.html#luna1anchor
5) Umberger, W. and D. Thilmany. Honeyacre Produce Company: Successfully Adapting to Change. A Chapter in Western Profiles of Innovative Agricultural Marketing from Direct Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Enterprises. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Pp.93-100. ISBN: 0-9748669-0-3.
6) Umberger, W., L. Lev and R. Tronstad. Guiding Principles for Innovative Direct Marketing of Agricultural Products. A Chapter in Western Profiles of Innovative Agricultural Marketing from Direct Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Enterprises. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Pp.119-122. ISBN: 0-9748669-0-3.
7) Cooperative Extension On-line Resources:
Economics
A21325 Direct Farm Marketing and Tourism Handbook. A guide designed to help farm and ranch operators (and other individuals who grow or process food products) market their products and services directly to the consumer. Cost: $10.
http://cals.arizona.edu/arec/pubs/dmkt/dmkt.html
Farm Fresh. Where and When to Buy Fresh Produce in Yavapai County. http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/farmfresh/
Farm-Fresh and Sun-Ripened in Arizona. Where & When to Buy Fresh Produce. http://cals.arizona.edu/crops/counties/maricopa/veggies/farmfresh.html
Sustainable Agriculture in Arizona. http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/sustainableag/farmers.html
Food Safety
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
A21079 Pesticide versus Organically grown Food. Part of Food Safety Tips, College of Agriculture. Find it on-line at: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/health/foodsafety/az1079.html Cost: Free.
Soil Quality and Testing
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
A21111 Laboratories Conducting Soil, Plant, Feed, or Water Testing (2004) (2 pp.) Cost: Free.
SRU-10 Soils [Student Reference] (1973) (62 pp.) Cost: $5.50.
Water Quality
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
WEEC05 Arizona Water Map (2002) Cost: $8.
194014-20 Microorganisms in Your Well Water (1994) (1 pp.) Cost: (Set of 7) $0.75/each.
Water Wells (1998) (2 pp.)
AZ1010 Mound Systems: Alternative On-site Wastewater Treatment (1998) (2 pp.) Cost: Free.
Vegetable Production
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
AZ1348 Vegetable Report (individual reports available as PDF files) (2000) (189 pp.) Cost: Free.
AZ1106 Guide to Symptoms of Plant Nutrient Deficiencies (1999) (3 pp.) Cost: Free.
Weeds
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
UCD3421 Weeds [Teacher Reference] (1970) (16 pp.) Cost: $5.
Trees, Small Fruits, and Nuts
1) Organic Lemon Production – Organic Fertility Inputs
A study done at the Yuma Agricultural Center-Mesa Station to measure the feasibility of organic lemon production in the desert southwest of Arizona, with an emphasis on organic fertility inputs. A report on the first year (2000), by Mohammed Zerkoune, Glenn Wright, David Kerns, and William McCloskey, is on the web at:
http://www.ag.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1275/09.pdf
Livestock and Poultry
1) Cooperative Extension On-line Resources:
AZ1012 Manure Use and Management (1998) (2 pp.) Cost: Free.
Irrigation
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
AZ1220 Methods of Determining When to Irrigate (2001) (7 pp.) Cost: Free.
V-116 Drip Irrigation for the Home Garden and Landscape (Video) (1989) Cost: $20.
AZ1344 Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use (1998) (39 pp.) Cost: $1.
AZ 1151 Irrigating Citrus Trees (2000) (5 pp.) Cost: Free.
AZ1130 Measuring Water Flow and Rate (AZ Water Series #24) (1999) (4 pp.) Cost: Free..
AZ1329 Measuring Water Flow in Surface Irrigation Ditches and Gated Pipe (2004) (9 pp.) Cost: Free.
Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Four Corners Irrigation Workshop (2004) (56 pp.)
AZ1204 Timing the First Post-plant Irrigation (2001) (2 pp.) Cost: Free.
190491 Arizona Irrigation Scheduling System (AZSCHED): Users Handbook (2003) (17 pp.) Cost: $10.
AZ1157 Determining the Amount of Irrigation Water Applied to a Field (2000) (3 pp.) Cost: Free.
AZ1130 Measuring Water Flow and Rate (AZ Water Series #24) (1999) (4 pp.) Cost: Free.
Pest Management
1) Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – Organic Resources Listed
http://ag.arizona.edu/crops/pesticides/pesticidealts.html#organics
2) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
193016 Master Gardener Entomology Manual (1994) (80 pp.) Cost: $7.
TRU-6 Plant Diseases [Teacher Reference] (1970) (12 pp.) Cost: $1.
AZ1050 Pesticide Drift (1998) (4 pp.) Cost: Free.
___________________________________________
University of Arizona Faculty and Staff with Interests in the Production and Marketing of Organic Products:
The faculty and staff in this list have been selected from employees of the land grant University system in Arizona. They have been identified as those who have expertise and interest in the production and marketing of organic products. Many University of Arizona Cooperative Extension staff members have received training through a Western Regional SARE Grant in order to provide assistance to constituents in the areas of sustainable and organic production.
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1. Steven J. Campbell
County Director, Navajo County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Agricultural consulting for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing in order to provide assistance to constituents in these areas
Contact Information:
402 Hopi Dr.
Holbrook, AZ 86205
Phone: (928) 524-6271
Fax: (928) 524-6272
E-mail: campbell@cals.arizona.edu
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2. Robert Call
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Cochise County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Agricultural consulting for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners
∞ Master Gardener, Fruit and Nut Crops, Vegetable Crops, Chile Peppers, Environmental Education
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing in order to provide assistance to constituents in these areas
Contact Information:
Cochise County Cooperative Extension 450 S. Haskell Avenue Willcox, AZ 85643-2790
Phone: (520) 384-3594
Fax: (520) 384-3681
E-mail: recall@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/robertcall.html
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3. Patrick Clay
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Organic agricultural consulting for farmers in Phoenix area
∞ Field crops, commercial agriculture, cotton, grain and forage
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing in order to provide assistance to constituents in these areas
Contact Information:
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension 4341 E. Broadway Road Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807
Phone: (602) 470-8086 ext 313
Fax: (602) 470-8092
E-mail: pclay@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/patrickclay.html
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4. Rick Gibson
SARE State Coordinator, Cooperative Extension
∞ Commercial horticulture, Master Gardener, vegetable, fruit, nut and vine crops
∞ Sourced and contacted regularly by small farm and limited acreage organic operations with production for consulting
Contact Information:
Pinal County Cooperative Extension
820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Bldg. C
Case Grande, AZ 85222
Phone: (520) 836-5221, ext. 227
Fax: (520) 836-1750
E-mail: gibsonrd@ag.arizona.edu
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5. Robert Grumbles
County Director/Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mohave County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Agricultural Production, Agribusiness, Livestock, Natural Resources, Community Leadership, Master Gardener, Public Land Policies, Native American Programs, Range Water Development, 4-H Livestock
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing in order to provide assistance to constituents in these areas
Contact Information:
Mohave County Cooperative Extension 101 E. Beale Street, Suite A Kingman, AZ 86401-5827
Phone: (928) 753-3788
Fax: (928) 753-1665
E-mail: grumbles@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/robingrumbles.html
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6. Mike Hauser
Apache County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Agricultural consulting for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing
Contact Information:
Apache County Cooperative Extension
PO Box 369
St. Johns, AZ 85936-0369
Phone: (928) 337-2267
E-mail: hauser@ag.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/directory/counties/apache.html
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7. David Kerns
Extension Entomologist
∞ Integrated Pest Control; Vegetable Crops; Citrus; Insecticide resistance
Contact Information:
Yuma Valley Agricultural Center 6425 W. 8th Street Yuma, AZ 85364-9623
Phone: (520) 782-3836
Fax: (520) 782-1940
E-mail: dkerns@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/davidkerns.html
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8. Michael Matheron
Extension Plant Pathologist & Research Scientist
∞ Plant disease diagnosis, identification, and management
Contact Information:
Yuma Mesa Agricultural Station RR 1 Box 40M Somerton, AZ 85350-9701
Phone: 928/726-0458
Fax: 928/726-1363
E-mail: matheron@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/michaelmatheron.html
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9. Eric Norton
La Paz County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Soil fertility, agronomy, crop science, data analysis
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing
Contact Information:
La Paz County Cooperative Extension P.O. Box 3485 Parker, AZ 85344-3485
Phone: (928) 669-9843
Fax: (928) 669-9763
E-mail: enorton@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/ericnorton.html
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10. Randy Norton
Graham County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Agronomy, horticulture, livestock production
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing
Contact Information:
Graham County Cooperative Extension P.O. Box 127 Solomon, AZ 85551-0127
Phone: (928) 428-2611
Fax: (928) 428-7023
E-mail: rnorton@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/randynorton.html
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11. Jim Sprinkle
County Director, Gila County Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Range Livestock Production, Beef Cattle, Animal Nutrition, Horses
∞ Received Western SARE training in the areas of sustainable and organic agricultural production and marketing
Contact Information:
Gila County Cooperative Extension P.O. Box 2844 Payson, AZ 85547-2844
Phone: (928) 474-4160
Fax: (928) 468-8289
E-mail: sprinkle@cals.arizona.edu
Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/jimsprinkle.html
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12. Gary Thompson
Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department
∞ Organic markets and consumer issues
∞ Agricultural production and marketing particularly as they relate to fresh vegetables
∞ Demand issues relating to organic produce, food safety, and health concerns
Contact Information:
Economics Department
Rm. 428
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: (520) 621-6249
Fax: (520) 621-6250
E-mail: garyt@ag.arizona.edu
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13. Russ Tronstad
Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department
∞ Agricultural marketing, risk management, international trade, fruit & vegetable commodities, range livestock, and field crops
Contact Information:
Department of Ag & Resource Economics Econ 434 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 Phone: (520) 621-2425
E-mail: tronstad@ag.arizona.edu
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14. Glenn Wright
State Citrus Specialist & Research Scientist
∞ Organic lemon (fruit) production
∞ Organic fertility inputs
Contact Information:
Yuma Mesa Agricultural Center 2186 W. County 15th Street Somerton, AZ 85350-9701
Phone: (928) 726-0458
E-mail: gwright@ag.arizona.edu
Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/directory/bios/glennwright.html
COLORADO
___________________________________________
State Organic Producer Organizations:
Colorado Organic Producers’ Association
The Colorado Organic Producers Association (COPA) was formed in 1987 to provide education, information, and networking services to promote and facilitate the production, distribution, and consumption of Colorado organic food products. COPA members represent all segments of agriculture: production, processing, wholesale, retail, and consumer.
Contact Information:
Jim Dyer, Director
2727 CR 134
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 588-2292
Fax: (970) 588-2294
E-mail: jadyer@frontier.net
Website: www.organiccolorado.org
Colorado Organic Crop Management Association
The COCMA is a research and educational non-profit association that supports organic tree fruit research on Colorado’s western slope. Initiated in 1999 through funding from Gerber, Western SARE, and CSU’s Specialty Crops Program, they were the first to organize a national organic tree fruit research symposium in 2001 and 2003.
Contact Information:
Steve Ela – Coordinator & Board Member
30753 L Road
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Phone: (970) 872-3488
E-mail: info@elafamilyfarms.com
Valley Organic Growers Association
VOGA is a Colorado organization whose purpose is to promote the benefits of local, holistic agriculture, land stewardship, and soil sustainability. VOGA is made up of a group of organic and sustainable producers and farming advocates in the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley in Western Colorado. They organize weekly for meetings, run several farmers markets in that area, arrange to hear from speakers on organic issues, and publish a local growers’ directory.
Contact Information:
Ashleigh Krest, President Mailing Address:
PO Box 916
Paonia, CO 81428 Phone: (970) 527-4541 E-mail: nelhig@tds.net Website: www.vogaco.org
Western Colorado Horticultural Society
The Western Colorado Horticultural Society is a trade organization for fruit growers in Colorado. They organize annual meetings and a trade show, a 3-day conference in January that relates to organic tree fruit production.
Contact Information:
Larry Traubel
10827 Hwy. 65
Eckert, CO 81418
Phone: (970) 234-3424
___________________________________________
USDA-Accredited Organic Certifiers in Colorado:
Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Organic Certification Program
This program serves both the producer and consumers of organically grown crops through an application and inspection process.
∞ CDA is approved to organically certify crops, livestock, wild crop and processors.
∞ They provide links to annual state organic directories and to the USDA National Organic Program website.
∞ The Process: Forms for the various types of certification as well as the fee schedule for certification are available on the website. After an application has been received and reviewed by this office it is forwarded to an inspector in the local area. USDA standards require an annual inspection.
∞ First time applicants must contact the Department for an informational packet. Forms to renew certification are also available at the 'forms' link on the website.
Contact Information:
Don Gallegos
Organic Certification Coordinator
CO Dept. of Agriculture
700 Kipling Street, Suite 4000
Lakewood, CO 80215-5894
Phone: (303) 239-4150
Fax: (303) 239-4177
E-mail: don.gallegos@ag.state.co.us
Website: http://www.ag.state.co.us/DPI/Organic/organic.html
Independent Organic Certifying Agents and Organizations
For a list of accredited independent certifiers who have certified/inspected organic farms in the Four Corner region please see page 5.
__________________________________________
Analytical Laboratories:
The following analytical laboratories are listed because they are convenient for producers in the region. They each perform basic soil, water, and plant testing, all of which address agricultural needs, but may fall short of specific in-depth analyses sought by organic producers.
Further analyses may be outsourced to labs which perform cutting edge testing specific to organic production needs. These labs are found on page 9 of this guide.
Colorado Analytical Laboratory
Perform soil and STA Certified compost Testing.
Contact Information:
PO Drawer 507
240 South Main Street
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: (303) 659-2313
Fax: (303) 659-2315
Website: www.coloradolab.com
Plant Diagnostic Clinic
Department of Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management.
∞ Soil tests: pH and salt soil testing;
∞ Plant tissue testing: microscopic and molecular plant tissue testing – some nematode analysis;
∞ Insect and plant ID.
Contact Information:
Tamla Blunt
215 Plant Sciences Building
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177
Phone: (970) 491-6950
Email: plantlab@lamar.colostate.edu
Website: * being updated
Plant Diagnostic Clinic
The Jefferson County Plant Diagnostic Clinic is a non-profit laboratory/consulting service supported by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and Jefferson County.
∞ The clinic aids in the identification and treatment of plant problems caused by disease, insect and environmental conditions.
∞ Plants, weeds and insects also are identified.
Contact Information:
Mary Small
15200 West 6th Avenue, Unit C
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303-271-6620
Fax: 303-271-6644
E-mail: msmall@co.jefferson.co.us
Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory
The Colorado State University Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory analyzes soil, plant, water and manure for farmers, homeowners and researchers.
∞ Soil test cost: $18. Includes: pH, soluble salts, organic matter, N, P, K, Zn, Fe, lime, texture, Cu and Mn.
∞ Common regional problems: Salt problems, especially with recent drought, over-fertilization, the presence of selenium.
Contact Information:
James R. Self, PhD, Lab Manager
Mary Schumm, Assistant
Room A-319 NESB
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1120
Phone: (970) 491-5061
E-mail: jself@ceres.colostate.edu , mcschumm@lamar.colostate.edu
Website: www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/service.html
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
‘The laboratory is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and offers services in bacteriology, chemistry/toxicology, clinical pathology, endocrinology, immunology, parasitology, pathology, serology, and virology.’
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
300 West Drake
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 297-1281
Fax: (970) 297-0320
Website: www.dlab.colostate.edu
___________________________________________
Marketing Services:
Colorado Apple Administrative Committee
Resource used to connect organic apple growers, packers, and shippers on Colorado’s western slope.
Contact Information:
Jonathan Allen
215 Silver St.
Delta, CO 81416
Phone: (970) 240-8373
Fax: (970) 240-8426
E-mail: jon@firstfruits.com
Website: www.coloradoapples.com
Colorado Crop to Cuisine
A grower distribution organization, located in Fort Collins that connects local producers with restaurant, school, and retail accounts. CCC works with many small organic producers.
Contact Information:
Katy Pepinsky
PO Box 410
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Phone: (970) 231-1807
E-mail: pepinsky@lamar.colostate.edu
Website: www.geocities.com/coloradocrop
Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Division
1) Organic Program
A free-marketing program developed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, to help consumers, restaurants, and retailers identify and purchase Colorado food and agricultural products.
∞ COLORADO PROUD is a labeling program offered by CDA to identify and market items grown or produced in Colorado. Within this program, a COLORADO ORGANIC logo is available to market Colorado agricultural products that have been certified by a federally accredited organic certification program. Contact CDA’s Marketing Division to receive free software to print labels or for already printed labels available at cost.
Contact Information:
Jim Rubingh & Wendy White
Colorado Department of Agriculture Markets Division
700 Kipling St., Suite 4000
Lakewood, CO 80215-8000
Phone: (303) 239-4149
Fax: (303) 239-4125
E-mail: markets@ag.state.co.us
Website (order form): http://www.ag.state.co.us/mkt/Forms/ProudOrderFormCalc.htm
2) Colorado Farm Fresh Directory
Identifies many organic farmers and agricultural marketing opportunities around the state. Farmers may list their information annually at no charge. To be added to the database, please complete the " Colorado Food & Agricultural Listing Form ", available on the web, and send to:
Contact Information:
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Markets Division
700 Kipling St., Suite 4000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4114
Fax: (303) 239-4125700
Website: http://www.ag.state.co.us/mkt/default.asp
Colorado Farmers’ Market Association
CFMA is an association of the managers and owners of farmers markets, providing resources, communication, advocacy, and access to a group general liability insurance policy for markets. It represents about 95% of the markets in Colorado, with 55 members. The association has many organic farmer-members.
Contact Information:
CFMA
C/o Mark Parsons
1316 Wilfred Ct
Berthoud, CO 80513
Phone: (970) 532-2591
E-mail: sueandmarkparson@aol.com
Website: www.coloradofarmers.org
Colorado Rural Development Cooperative Services
Assists small growers in forming business cooperatives. Works in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union Cooperative Development Program.
∞ Dolores is also the state contact for Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants (USDA-RBCS) in Colorado.
Contact Information:
Dolores Sanchez-Maes
Lakewood State Office
655 Parfet Street, Room E-100
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (720) 544-2927
Website: www.rurdev.usda.gov
Marketing Support
1) Creative Resources
Performs writing, communications, marketing, publicity, and design for organic and natural foods and fabrics.
Contact Information:
Elaine Lipson
3755 Birchwood #48
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone: (303) 442-2432
2) New Hope Communications/Natural Products Expo.
Organizes the largest natural organic products industry exposition and conference in the United States.
Contact Information:
Mary Cote
1301 Spruce St.
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (303) 939-8440
E-mail: tradeshows@newhope.com
3) Natural Business Communications
Provides executive level business financial and investment news and information for the natural and organic products industry.
Contact Information:
Darrin Duber-Smith Director of Sales and Marketing Natural Business Communications P. O. Box 7370 Boulder, CO 80301
Telephone: (303) 442-8983 Fax: (303) 440-7741
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
RMFU serves the interests of independent family farmers and ranchers throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming by improving the well being of family producers and their communities through legislation, cooperation and education. The Cooperative Development Center at the RMFU supports organic producer cooperative organizations. Some of the projects they have been involved in include: The New Mexico Front Range Organics Cooperative , The Organic Alfalfa and Feed Grains Cooperative , and several Regional Supply and Delivery Cooperatives for Small Organic Producers.
Contact Information:
Lee Swenson, Director
or Dan Hobbs, Cooperative Development Specialist
5655 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 400
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: (303) 752-5800
Fax: (303) 752-5810
E-mail: rmfu@rmfu.org
Website: http://www.co-ops.org/
Santa Fe Family Farmers’ Co-op
The Santa Fe Family Farmers’ Coop is a distributor to regional retailers in New Mexico and Colorado of local produce with an emphasis on organic. They deliver primarily to the areas of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM, and Durango, CO.
∞ They have a warehouse in La Jara, Colorado in the San Luis Valley.
∞ They will buy certified or registered organic products.
∞ They serve both members of the cooperative and those who are unaffiliated.
∞ They have a direct-to-consumer food box program, in which they deliver boxes of seasonal produce from co-op producer-members directly to peoples’ homes.
Contact Information:
Martin Connaughton
PO Box 1468
Santa Cruz, NM 87567
Phone: (505) 471-3345
E-mail: comments@santafefarmers.com
Website: www.santafefarmers.com
Southwest Marketing Network
The goal of the SWMN is to ensure that new, existing, and prospective Southwest producers – especially small-scale, alternative, and minority producers – have the connections with others, technical and financial assistance, marketing information, business and marketing skills, and peer examples needed to improve their marketing success as a means to improve their profitability, viability, and success. They support and facilitate conferences, newsletters, and training sessions.
Contact Information:
Jim Dyer, Project Co-Coordinator
2727 CR 134
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 588-2292
E-mail: jadyer@frontier.net
Website: www.swmarketing.ncat.org
___________________________________________
Educational and Research Services:
Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute
CRMPI, is a Permaculture training, counseling, research and development center. The Institute is part of an alliance of Permaculture activists on the cutting edge of agroforestry and other newly discovered methods of organic farming.
∞ In addition to hands-on demonstration site tours, an on-site edible landscaping nursery and Permaculture courses and seminars, CRMPI offers consulting services for Permaculture design, ecological golf course design, natural weed control, re-vegetation, edible landscaping, and high altitude greenhouse design and management.
Contact Information:
Jerome Osentowski, CRMPI Director
Mailing address:
PO Box 631
Basalt, Colorado 81621
Phone/Fax: (970) 927-4158
E-mail: jerome@crmpi.org
Website: http://crmpi.org
Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station
Colorado State Universities agricultural research arm. The AES does some of its research with organic farmers in the state. A number of their publications, including those relative to organic research, are available on-line.
Contact Information:
Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station Colorado State University 3001 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
Phone: (970) 491-5371
Fax: (970) 491-7396
E-mail: AES@coop.ext.colostate.edu
Website: www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
Colorado Food and Agricultural Policy Council
The Colorado Food and Agriculture Policy Council (CFAPC), initiated through citizen-based, grassroots activism, is a vehicle to work with public and private entities towards strengthening all of Colorado’s access to sufficient, high-quality food; strengthening the economy of Colorado’s ranches, farms, and value-adding food processors.
Contact Information:
Jim Dyer, Director
2727 CR 134
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 588-2292
Fax: (970) 588-2294
E-mail: jadyer@frontier.net
Colorado Genetic Engineering Action Network
Mission is to educate the people of Colorado on and how to take lawful actions toward addressing the risks to the environment, biodiversity, and human health as well as the socio-economic and theoretical consequences of genetic engineering.
Contact Information:
Patrick West
1140 US Hwy 287, Suite 400-125
Broomfield, CO 80020
Phone: (303) 215-3384
E-mail: info@foodlabeling.org
Website: www.foodlabeling.org
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
CSU Cooperative Extension is the grass-roots educational arm of Colorado State University. Its charge is to disseminate research-based information generated by CSU to the general public. In many county offices, agricultural and small acreage management extension agents work to assist constituents with organic production and marketing issues.
Contact Information:
Marc Johnson – Interim Director
Mailing Address:
4040 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-4040
Physical Address:
1311 South College Ave.
University Square Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-6281, ext. 1 (for Director’s office)
Fort Lewis College Environmental Center
An environmental resource for the Four Corner region. Features an on-campus organic garden, providing a vision for the campus and the community.
Contact Information:
Michael Rendon – Coordinator
1000 Rim Dr.
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 247-7091
E-mail: rendon_m@fortlewis.edu
Website: http://envcenter.fortlewis.edu
Front Range Organic Gardeners
Not-for-profit organic gardening club.
Contact Information:
Linda Tegtmeier
950 S. Milwaukee Way
Denver, CO 80209-5125
Phone: 303-744-7871
E-mail: goldstarauctions@juno.com
Guidestone Farm CSA and Center for Sustainable Living
The goals of this project are focused in environmental ethics, education, appropriate land stewardship, building a locally based economy, and renewing our connection with the earth. Guidestone offers organic farming and gardening education programs for all ages and CSA memberships.
Contact Information:
Nicholas Theisen – Educational Program Coordinator
5943 N. CR. 29
Loveland, CO 80538
Phone: (970) 461-0272
E-mail: farmhands1@yahoo.com
Oakhaven Permaculture Center
A Non-Profit Educational Corporation that helps Four Corners residents understand the value of a strong local economy and of living sustainably by establishing an Oakhaven community dedicated to learning, by providing classes and demonstration sites at Oakhaven, in Durango and in LaPlata County, and by applying Permaculture Ethics and Design principles, including organic cultivation, to all aspects of daily living.
Contact Information:
Tom Riesing and Christine Berven
4129 CR 124
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 359-5445
E-mail: TRiesing@aol.com
Website: www.oakhavenpc.org
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Have funded organic research projects in Colorado. Provides grants for research as well as working at the federal policy level to create funding for organic research.
Contact Information:
Steve Ela, Board President
30753 L Road
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Phone: (970) 872-3488
E-mail: info@elafamilyfarms.com
Plant Environmental Research Center (PERC)
PERC is a ½ acre organic farm managed and studied by students on CSU’s campus in Fort Collins. The PERC outside grounds were established so students, researchers and other interested persons could observe horticultural plant materials "in action." They specialize in the organic production of plant starts, vegetables, and fruits.
Contact Information:
Faculty Advisor:
Harrison Hughes
Phone: (970) 491-7050
E-mail: hghughes@lamar.colostate.edu
or Frank Stonaker
Phone: (970) 491-7068
E-mail: Frank.Stonaker@colostate.edu
Website: http://studentgarden.colostate.edu/
Rocky Mountain Small Organic Farms Project
This project manages eight acres of organic production at the Horticulture Field Research Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. Some of their research includes vegetable, flower, and small fruit variety trials, studies of new techniques for fertility, pest, and disease management (for example by using green manures), and the development of enterprise budgets catered especially for small farmers.
Contact Information:
Frank Stonaker
Colorado State University Specialty Crops Program
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
1173 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
Phone: (970) 491-7068
E-mail: Frank.Stonaker@colostate.edu
Specialty Crops Program
The Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University aims to help growers master production systems, and explore and develop market opportunities for their specialty crops. Included in this class of specialty crops are organic vegetables and herbs, nursery, fruit, turf, ornamental, and fiber.
Contact Information:
Frank Stonaker – Director, Specialty Crops Program
Debra Guenther – Specialty Crops Program Assistant
Mailing Address:
Colorado State University Specialty Crops Program
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
1173 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
Phone: (970) 491-7068
Fax: (970) 491-7745
E-mail: Frank.Stonaker@colostate.edu , Debra.Guenther@colostate.edu
Website: http://www.specialtycrops.colostate.edu/
___________________________________________
Organic Businesses:
BioLynceus, LLC.
Formulate organic fertilizers and soil amendments. They also do organic producer consulting and also provide Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed soil amendments, fertilizers, & herbicides.
Contact Information:
131 Hickory Dr.
Lyons, CO 80540
Phone: (303) 823-0374
E-Mail: rick@biolynceus.com
Website: biolynceus.com
Grand Mesa Discount
Supplier of farm materials to organic fruit producers in Colorado.
Contact Information:
Larry Traubel
10827 Hwy. 65
Eckert, CO 81418
Phone: (970) 835-3335
Fax: (970) 835-3325
M & R Durango, Inc
Sells beneficial insects and organisms. Consults and provides bio-control of pest insects. In addition, they specialize in insect parasitic nematodes and Nosema locustae spore (a grasshopper control agent).
Contact Information:
Gene Merrill
6565 Hwy 172
Ignacio, CO 81137
Phone: (970) 259-3521
Pawnee Butte Seed
Distributes 'biosol', an all-purpose organic fertilizer.
Contact Information:
PO Box 100
605 25th Street
Greeley, CO 80632
Phone: (970) 356-7002, or toll-free: (800) 782-5947
Fax: (970) 356-7263
E-mail: info@pawneebutteseed.com
Website: http://www.pawneebuttesseed.com/biosol.htm
Rocky Mountain Flour Milling
Specialize in custom milling and blending of organic wheat flours.
Contact Information:
Doug Lockwood
P.O. Box 1110
Platteville, CO 80651
Phone: (970) 785-2794
E-mail: dougl.co@bsm.com
Website: www.rockymountainmilling.com
Rogers Mesa Fruit Company
They are a distributor, packer, & seller of organic & transitional fruit. They work with several small family organic farms located on the high mesas of western Colorado - including the areas around Paonia, Hotchkiss, Rogers Mesa and Cedaredge, who produce sweet cherries, tree-ripened peaches, apricots, apples, and pears.
Contact Information:
Tom Alvey – Grower & General Manager
1165 3100 Rd.
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Phone: (970) 872-2155
E-mail: contact@rmorganics.com
Website: www.rmorganics.com
Seed Vendors – of Organic Seed
1) SemTec/Nature Fresh
Some SemTec certified seed potatoes are certified organic by the Colorado State Department of Agriculture, Organic Certification. Large quantities available for commercial growers. Also specialty potatoes. A catalog is available on-line.
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 416
Center, CO 81125
Phone: (719) 754-2940
Fax: (719) 754-2946
Website: http://www.semtecseed.com
2) Sourcepoint Seeds
Sells chemical and pesticide free seeds to small-scale producers including vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs, grains; and over 500 items.
∞ To receive a catalog, please call or send $3.
Contact Information:
Antetu Oihankesni
26422 Moss Rock Rd.
Hotchkiss, CO 81419-9456
Phone: (970) 835-3418
3) Sunnyland Seeds
All seeds sold in bulk and raised without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Specializing in wildflowers and trees of the Southwest but a few vegetable lines available.
Contact Information:
Marie Moore & Lee Gearhart
P.O. Box 385
Paradox, CO 81429
Phone: (970) 859-7248, or (505) 535-2568
4) Wilton's Organic Potatoes
Sells only Norgolds and Norlands grown at 8000 ft.
Contact Information:
PO Box 28
Aspen, CO 81612
Talbott Farms – Organic Fruit Packer
Talbott Farms is a CDA certified organic fruit packer on the western slope.
Contact Information:
Talbott Farms, Inc.
3782 F ¼ Road
Palisade, CO 81526
Phone: (970) 464-5656
E-mail: market@talbottfarms.com
Website: www.talbottfarms.com
Twin Peaks Seed & Grain, LLC.
Provide grain cleaning, polishing, and bagging services. They also buy and sell organic grains: beans, corn, wheat, and popcorn.
Contact Information:
Jim Hergenreder and M. Stonehocker
2060 County Road 28
Longmont, CO 80504
Phone: (303) 772-7333
E-mail: jimh@twinpeakstrading.com
Website: www.twinpeakstrading.com
___________________________________________
Publications:
The publications in this list have been selected from the Colorado State University (CSU) Agricultural Department, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station archive. They include articles written by CSU faculty and affiliates, grant-funded publications, and Cooperative Extension fact sheets. They contain information relative to organic production: organic and niche marketing strategies; soil and water quality concerns and testing; and information about composting and manure management, vegetable and fruit production, weed management, irrigation, and (integrated) pest management.
The publications were reviewed for their relevancy to organic production issues, however, may still contain information that is not necessarily compliant with the USDA’s National Organic Standards. For specific questions about organic compliance, contact Don Gallegos at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, phone: (303) 239-4150, e-mail: don.gallegos@ag.state.co.us
Many of Cooperative Extension’s publications are available on-line and can be accessed free of charge through the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Resource Center’s (CERC) website: www.http://cerc.colostate.edu or directly from office staff. CERC also maintains a list of publications for a fee: a series of workbooks, manuals, plans, and handbooks. These can also be accessed through their on-line catalog or by calling (970) 491-6198, or toll free, (877) 692-9358.
Community Supported Agriculture
1) Online Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
XCM-189 Community Supported Agriculture
Farm Management and Marketing
1) Gary C. Smith of CSU and J. Brad Morgan of Oklahoma State, Consumer Trends and Increasing Popularity of Organic:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/AnimSci/ran/meat/understanding.html
2) “Organic for Profit” – a conference organized by Cooperative Extension in Brighton in 2001.
http://www.co.larimer.co.us/depts/extens/ofp/speakers.html
3) Loureiro, M. and S. Hine, “Discovering Niche Markets: A Comparison of Consumer Willingness to Pay for A Local (Colorado-Grown), Organic and GMO-Free Product.” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics Vol. 34, No. 3 pp. 477-487, Dec. 2002.
4) Agribusiness Marketing Reports from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, http://dare.agsci.colostate.edu/extension/pubs.html:
ABMR 05-01 Planning and Developing a Farmers Market: Marketing, Organizational, and Regulatory Issues to Consider
AMR 04-02 Farmers Markets and Direct Marketing for Colorado Producers
AMR 02-01 How Consumer Preferences for Meat Attributes relate to Shopping Choices
AMR 01-01 Marketing Food and Agricultural Products on the Internet
AMR 00-01 Marketing Opportunities for Natural Pork Products in the Intermountain West
AMR 00-02 Marketing Opportunities for Natural Beef Products in the Intermountain West
AMR 99-01 Community Development and the Profitability of Value-Added Meat Production and Processing
AMR 98-04 Marketing Food Products: Direct Sales vs. Distributors and Brokers
PFM-05-01 Enterprise Budgeting: An Application to San Luis Valley Grass-Fed Cattle Operations
AMR 04-03 Direct Marketing Agricultural Products to Restaurants: The Case of Colorado Crop to Cuisine
4) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
4.007 Farmers' Markets
Soil Quality and Testing
1) Jessica Davis & Jami Daniel, Impacts on the soil from transitioning to organic production:
http://www.ofrf.org/publications/Grant%20reports/00.49.15.Davis.Fall00.IB12.pdf
2) C.W. Basham and J.E. Ells, “Fertilizing the organic garden”, July 2002.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07217.html
3) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
0.500 Soil Sampling
0.501 Soil Testing
0.502 Soil Test Explanation
0.503 Managing Saline Soils
0.504 Managing Sodic Soils
0.507 Soil, Water and Plant Testing
0.518 Controlling Soil Erosion from Wind
0.519 Managing Soil Compaction
0.520 Selecting an Analytical Laboratory
0.521 Diagnosing Saline and Sodic Soil Problems
0.545 Zinc and Iron Deficiencies
0.546 Organic Materials as Nitrogen Fertilizers
0.550 Nitrogen Sources and Transformations
7.235 Choosing a Soil Amendment
0.560 Cattle Manure Application Rates
0.561 Manure Spreader Calibration
0.565 Update on Manure and Effluent Recommendations
1.222 Liquid Manure Application to Cropland
1.223 Liquid Manure Application Methods
1.224 Composting Horse Manure in Dynamic Windrows
1.225 Composting Horse Manure in Static Windrows
1.226 Vermicomposting Horse Manure
4) CSU Master Gardener Fact Sheets:
S34 Earthworms
S12 Cover Crops and Green Manure Crops
S44 Organic Fertilizers
Water Quality
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
0.507 Soil, Water and Plant Testing
Vegetable Production
1) CSU Specialty Crops Program funded projects and research results:
http://www.hla.colostate.edu/ (Scroll to “program areas” in left margin and select “specialty crops”.) Results are in PowerPoint.
Weeds
1) Thaddeus Gourd, Flame control of weeds in berry and peach production – Links to research summaries and photos are available on the web:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/Adams/ag/currentprojects.htm
2) Rick Zimmerman, Investigating the Impact of Green Manures and Weed Mat on Soil Biota and Tree Growth in Organic Peach Tree Orchards: First year report.
For a copy contact: Rick Zimmerman, Research Scientist/Extension Specialist: Organic/Sustainable Agriculture, Western Colorado Research Center at Rogers Mesa, 3060 Highway 96, Hotchkiss, CO 81419, Phone: (970) 872-3387, ext. 1, E-mail: rzim@lamar.colostate.edu
Trees, Small Fruits, and Nuts
1) Matt Rogoyski, Two-Step Blossom Thinning Method for Organic Apple Production.
For a copy contact: Western Colorado Research Center at Rogers Mesa, 3060 Highway 96, Hotchkiss, CO 81419, Phone: (970) 872-3387
Irrigation
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
XCM-173 Best Management Practices for Irrigation Management
Pest Management
1) Colorado Environmental Pesticide Education Program – includes resources on organic:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/CEPEP/organic.htm
2) Bonnie Ennis, “Organic pest controls that work”, May 2002.
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/PHC/organic.htm
3) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
5.556 Bacillus thuringiensis
2.945 Friendly Pesticides for Home Gardens
5.569 Insect Control: Horticultural Oils
5.547 Insect Control: Soaps and Detergents
___________________________________________
Colorado State University Faculty and Staff with Interests in the Production and Marketing of Organic Products:
The faculty and staff in this list have been selected from employees of the land grant University system in Colorado. They have been identified as those who have expertise and interest in the production and marketing of organic products.
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1. Bruce Bosley
CSU Cooperative Extension Extension Agent, Logan County
∞ Agriculture
∞ Crop Rotation
∞ Genetically Modified Organisms
∞ Weed Management
∞ Sustainable Agriculture
∞ Soil Management
Contact Information:
CSU Cooperative Extension
508 South 10th Avenue Suite 1 Sterling, CO 80751-3408
Phone: (970) 522-3200, then dial 285
Fax: (970) 522-7856
E-mail: dbbosley@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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2. Robbie Baird-Levalley
Livestock Agent, CSU Cooperative Extension, Delta
∞ Niche beef marketing and production
Contact Information:
CSU Cooperative Extension
525 Dodge Street Delta, CO 81416-1719
Phone: (970) 874-2195 Fax: (970) 847-2192
E-mail: rblevall@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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3. Adrian Card
CSU Cooperative Extension Agent, Boulder County
∞ Small farm/small acreage management
∞ Organic production systems, vegetable production, small-scale intensive high-value production
∞ Weed management
∞ Direct marketing
∞ ‘Small Farm Listserv’ – a way to connect Colorado agriculturalists and consumers interested in the issues that surround small farms
∞ Coordinator - Northern Colorado Food and Agriculture Policy Council, Adams/Boulder County
Contact Information:
Department: CSU Cooperative Extension
Mailing Address:
9595 Nelson Rd., Box B
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: (303) 678-6383
Fax: (303) 678-6281
E-mail: acard@co.boulder.co.us
Website: www.coopext.colostate.edu/boulder/AG/agr.shtml
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4. Wayne Cooley
CSU Cooperative Extension, Tri-River Area Director
∞ Alternative Crops
∞ Soil Management
∞ Sustainable Agriculture
∞ Weed Management
Contact Information:
CSU Cooperative Extension
525 Dodge Street Delta, CO 81416-1719
Phone: (970) 874-2195 Fax: (970) 874-2192
E-mail: wcooley@coop.ext.colostate.edu, or wcooley@co.mesa.co.us
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5. Whitney Cranshaw
Professor/Research Scientist, Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management
∞ Extension Entomology
Contact Information:
Office:
C201 Plant Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-6781
Lab:
E202 Plant Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-7554
E-mail: Whitney.Cranshaw@colostate.edu
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6. Jessica Davis
Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences/Soil Scientist
∞ Effects of manure on soil fertility
∞ Soil impacts of transitioning to certified organic production
Contact Information:
Office:
C9 Plant Science Building
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
80523-1170
Phone: (970) 491-1913
E-mail: jgdavis@lamar.colostate.edu
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7. Addy Elliot
Research Associate, Soil and Crop Sciences/Soil Scientist
∞ Manure on soil fertility and soil impacts of transitioning to certified organic production
∞ Composting and recycling farm byproducts
Contact Information:
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
80523-1170
Phone: (970) 491-6984, Cell: (970) 218-8305 E-mail: adriane.elliott@colostate.edu
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8. Jack Fenwick
Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences
∞ Alternative tillage and soil management
∞ Cover crops
∞ Rotations
∞ Alternative cropping systems
Contact Information:
Office:
C105 Plant Science Building
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1170
Phone: 970-491-6907
E-mail: j.fenwick@colostate.edu
-
9. Ron Godin
Organic/Sustainable Agricultural Specialist, CSU Cooperative Extension
∞ Organic table grape production
∞ Weed control in organic vegetables
Contact Information:
Western Colorado Research Center – Rodgers Mesa
3060 Highway 96
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Phone: (970) 872-3387, ext. 5
E-mail: rgodin@lamar.colostate.edu
-
10. Thaddeus Gourd
Adams County Cooperative Extension
∞ Flame control of weeds in organic berries and peaches
Contact Information:
Adams County Cooperative Extension
9755 Henderson Rd.
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: (303) 637-8117
Fax: (303) 637-8125
E-mail: tgourd@co.adams.co.us
- 11. Debra Guenther
Farm Manager, CSU Small Organic Farm Project/Specialty Crops Program
Contact Information:
Colorado State University Specialty Crops Program
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
1173 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
Phone: (970) 491-7068
Fax: (970) 491-7745
E-mail: Debra.Guenther@colostate.edu
-
12. Dennis Lamm
Professor, Agricultural Sciences, & State Extension SARE Coordinator
∞ Grass-fed beef
∞ Cooperative Extension
∞ The sustainability of agriculture
∞ Organic production
Contact Information:
Colorado State University
124A Shepardson
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1101
Phone: (970) 491-2074
Fax: (970) 491-4895
E-mail: Dennis.Lamm@colostate.edu
Website: www.coopext.colostate.edu/sustag
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13. Ron F. Meyer
CSU Cooperative Extension
∞ Crop production; wheat, corn, sunflower
Contact Information:
251 16th St., Suite 101
Burlington, CO 80807
Phone: (719) 346-5571
Fax: (719) 346-5660
E-mail: Ron.Meyer@colostate.edu
Website: goldenplains.colostate.edu
-
14. Edward Page
CSU Cooperative Extension
∞ Small acreage management
∞ Facilitator - Food and Agriculture Policy Council, Tri-River Area
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1832
Montrose, CO 81402
Phone: (970) 249-3935
E-mail: epage@coop.ext.colostate.edu
Website: www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/index.html#http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/staff.html
-
15. Gary Peterson
Department Head & Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences
∞ Cover crops
∞ Rotations
∞ Alternative cropping systems
Contact Information:
Office:
Room C-127
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170
Phone: 970-491-6501 (office)
E-mail: gary.peterson@colostate.edu
-
16. Ed Sparling
Emeritus Professor, Agriculture and Resource Economics
∞ Composting and recycling farm byproducts
∞ Organic production and marketing
Contact Information:
1306 Whedbee
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 407-1373
-
17. Frank Stonaker
Director, Specialty Crops Program, CSU Small Organic Farm Project
Contact Information:
Colorado State University Specialty Crops Program
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
1173 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
Phone: (970) 491-7068
Fax: (970) 491-7745
E-mail: Frank.Stonaker@colostate.edu
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18. Dawn Thilmany
Professor, Agricultural Economics
∞ Value-added agribusiness management
∞ Specialty market analysis
∞ Farm labor and immigration
∞ Coordinator – Larimer/Weld County Local Food Policy Committee
Contact Information:
Office:
B313 Clark Building
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-7220
E-mail : dawn.thilmany@colostate.edu
-
19. Rick Zimmerman
Research Scientist/Extension Specialist: Organic/Sustainable Agriculture
Contact Information:
Western Colorado Research Center at Rogers Mesa
3060 Highway 96
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Phone: (970) 872-3387, ext. 1
E-mail: rzim@lamar.colostate.edu
NEW MEXICO
___________________________________________
State Organic Producer Organizations:
New Mexico Organic Livestock Co-op
The New Mexico Organic Livestock Cooperative is a network of family-owned livestock producers who: continually strive to provide the highest quality organic New Mexico livestock products; Pioneer new methods of holistic, humane and sustainable production,; Educate the industry, producers, the market and consumers; and Share their expertise, resources, and experience for the advancement of all. The cooperative includes only Certified Organic livestock producers (meat, dairy, and animal fiber).
∞ Ranchers who are members of the NMOLC graze their animals on Certified Organic pastures, feed them Certified Organic grains, and process them in Certified Organic facilities.
∞ People who contact the Co-op can speak with turkey, chicken/eggs, beef, and sheep and lamb producers about issues specific to their area of production.
∞ The co-op practices cooperative marketing and buying.
∞ The New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission can certify ranchers and producers who may then join the co-op.
Contact Information:
Tom Delehanty
Pollo Real/Real Chicken
108 Hope Farms Road
Socorro, NM 87801
Phone: (505) 507-3123 or (505) 838-0345
E-mail: organic@zianet.com
___________________________________________
USDA-Accredited Organic Certifiers in NM:
New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission
Provides certification services and marketing assistance for organic producers, processors and retailers; and information, education and marketplace protection for consumers. Their aim is to be an effective advocate for organic production in New Mexico; to make the certification process accessible; and to rigorously ensure the truthfulness of organic claims made.
∞ Contact the NMOCC to get certified, to understand the federal organic guidelines, and to find other organic operations in NM.
∞ Applications for organic certification/registration and the certification handbook can be downloaded at: http://nmocc.state.nm.us
∞ NMOCC certified or registered growers, processor, and retailers may request software to print NMOCC Organic Labels.
∞ The NMOCC recently published a NM organic directory of markets, marketing guide, and directory of producers, processors, handlers and retailers. These are available on their website: http://nmocc.state.nm.us
Contact Information:
Joanie Quinn
New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission
4001 Indian School, NE, Suite 310
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone: (505) 841-9067
E-mail: joan.quinn@state.nm.us
Website: http://nmocc.state.nm.us
Independent Organic Certifying Agents and Organizations
For a list of accredited independent certifiers who have certified/inspected organic farms in the Four Corner region please see page 5.
___________________________________________
Analytical Laboratories:
The following analytical laboratories are listed because they are convenient for producers in the region. They each perform basic soil, water, and plant testing, all of which address agricultural needs, but may fall short of specific in-depth analyses sought by organic producers.
Further analyses may be outsourced to labs which perform cutting edge testing specific to organic production needs. These labs are found on page 9 of this guide.
Central Analytical Laboratory
Soil Science Physical Characterization Laboratory
∞ Soil test cost: $17. Includes: Saturated paste pH, EC, Na, CA and Mg, SAR, organic matter, nitrate-nitrogen, bicarbonate P, K and texture estimate. To submit sample: Contact lab for details.
∞ Common regional problems: Deficiencies in Fe, N, P and K.
Contact Information:
F.W. Boyle, Jr., PhD
SWAT Laboratory
New Mexico State University Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Lab
Box 30003, Dept. 3Q - PGEL
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-4422
Fax: (505) 646-5185
E-mail: swatlab.nmsu.edu
Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
NMSU Cooperative Extension plant diagnostic and plant pathology lab.
∞ Nematode Testing
∞ Disease Identification
Contact Information:
Gabe Ludwig or Natalie Goldberg
Mailing Address:
Natalie Goldberg
PO Box 30003
MSC. 3AE - Plant Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Lab (Diseases):
(Corner of College and Knox)
Skeen Hall W242A
Phone: (505) 646-1965
Fax: (505) 646-8085
E-mail: eppdc@nmsu.edu
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Performs a wide range of livestock and dairy laboratory tests including necropsy and histopathology testing.
Contact Information:
Veterinary Diagnostic Services New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture 700 Camino de Salud NE Albuquerque, NM 87106
Phone: (505) 841-2576
Fax: (505) 841-2518
___________________________________________
Marketing Services:
New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Division
The NMDA has five divisions consisting of agricultural and environmental services, agricultural programs and resources, marketing and development, standards and consumer services, and veterinary diagnostics services. Those that could be beneficial to organic producers include:
1) Specialty Crops Program – Established in 1983, provides grant money for alternative producers and organic entities in order to fund marketing projects, demonstrations, and/or surveys, etc.
∞ Contact the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for more information and to find out how to apply for a grant.
2) Shipper and Distributor Cooperative Marketing Program – helps establish alternative markets for fresh green New Mexico chilies. Provides advertising and promotional services to producers.
∞ This program works with both organic and conventional growers.
3) New Mexico Taste the Tradition Program – a ‘buy New Mexico’ program that provides marketing materials to producers, retailers, and/or processors that signifies products grown or raised in New Mexico.
∞ Sign up to become a member and receive promotional materials electronically or by mail.
∞ ‘Organic’ Labels are available from the NMOCC.
Contact Information:
Ed Avalos – Director of Marketing, Erica Johnson – Administrative Assistant
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Marketing and Development Division
MSC 5600, PO Box 30005
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-4929
Fax: (505) 646-3303
E-mail: ejohnson@nmdamail.nmsu.edu
New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association
The association promotes direct marketing avenues for NM agricultural products, advocates for the interests and needs of farmers’ markets and direct marketing farmers, educates farmers and consumers about the benefits of direct marketing and the importance of supporting local agriculture and community.
∞ They work with many organic producers.
Contact Information:
320 Aztec St., Suite B
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Sarah Grant
Phone: (505) 983-4010
E-mail: info@farmersmarketsmn.org
Website: www.farmersmarketsnm.org
Pueblo of San Felipe Farm Services Program
Provide marketing and technical assistance to farmers in the San Felipe Pueblo. They host a farmers’ market where they hope to encourage small, local farmers to continue and derive an income from their agricultural traditions by providing an easily accessible outlet to sell fresh, naturally grown produce. Traditional agriculture in the San Felipe Pueblo does not use harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Contact Information:
Felice Lucero
PO Box 4339
San Felipe Pueblo, NM
Phone: (505) 867-3381
E-mail: felice54@msn.com
Website: www.puebloofsanfelipe.org
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
RMFU serves the interests of independent family farmers and ranchers throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming by improving the well being of family producers and their communities through legislation, cooperation and education.
∞ The Cooperative Development Center at the RMFU supports organic producer cooperative organizations. Some of the projects they have been involved in include: The New Mexico Front Range Organics Cooperative , The Organic Alfalfa and Feed Grains Cooperative , and several Regional Supply and Delivery Cooperatives for Small Organic Producers.
Contact Information:
Lee Swenson, Director
or Dan Hobbs, Cooperative Development Specialist
5655 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 400
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: (303) 752-5800
Fax: (303) 752-5810
E-mail: rmfu@rmfu.org
Website: http://www.co-ops.org/
Rural Agricultural Improvement and Public Affairs Project – RAIPAP
RAIPAP does rural community development work in four different areas: sustainable agriculture, food processing and marketing, small business development, and organizational and leadership skills. Their clientele are the small-farms and limited-resource ranchers and farmers in this area. They also work with grassroots agricultural organizations and small marketing and entrepreneurial groups.
Contact Information:
Edmund Gomez
Rio Arriba County
PO Box 159
Alcade, NM 87511
Phone: (505) 852-2668
E-mail: gr@nmsu.edu
Sangre de Cristo Agricultural Producers Cooperative
Formed in 1995 with the help of New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), it is the goal of the Sangre de Cristo Coop to assist northern New Mexico growers in producing and marketing organic wheat and other products.
Contact Information:
Craig Mapel, NMDA (see above) or
D'Lyn Ford – Agricultural Communication, NMSU
Phone: (505) 646-6528
Fax: (505) 646-3513
E-mail: dlford@nmsu.edu
Santa Fe Family Farmers’ Co-op
The Santa Fe Family Farmers’ Coop is a distributor to regional retailers in New Mexico and Colorado of local produce with an emphasis on organic. They deliver primarily to the areas of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM, and Durango, CO.
∞ They will buy certified or registered organic products.
∞ They serve both members of the cooperative and those who are unaffiliated.
∞ They have a direct-to-consumer food box program, in which they deliver boxes of seasonal produce from co-op producer-members directly to peoples’ homes.
Contact Information:
Martin Connaughton
PO Box 1468
Santa Cruz, NM 87567
Phone: (505) 471-3345
E-mail: comments@santafefarmers.com
Website: www.santafefarmers.com
Southwest Marketing Network
The goal of the SWMN is to ensure that new, existing, and prospective Southwest producers – especially small-scale, alternative, and minority producers – have the connections with others, technical and financial assistance, marketing information, business and marketing skills, and peer examples needed to improve their marketing success as a means to improve their profitability, viability, and success. They support and facilitate conferences, newsletters, and training sessions.
Contact Information:
Jim Dyer, Project Director
2727 CR 134
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 588-2292
E-mail: jadyer@frontier.net
Website: http://www.swmarketing.ncat.org/
Taos County Economic Development Center – Commercial Kitchen
The development center offers an up-to-code food-processing kitchen as a great way to give small, and organic, food processing enterprises a way to test feasibility of products before making a large, capital investment.
Contact Information:
Tori Brown, Teri Bad Hand, Patti Martinson
TCEDC Business Park
1021 Salazar Rd.
PO Box 1389
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (505) 758-8731
Fax: (505) 758-3201
Website: http://www.laplaza.org/business/tcedc/
___________________________________________
Educational and Research Services:
Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center
The center is dedicated to research about water management and sustainable agriculture to benefit small family farms and ranches of north central New Mexico.
∞ They have 6 certified organic acres where they run tests and collect information on organic fruit and medicinal herb production.
∞ Host field days to exhibit research being conducted around the state.
∞ Conduct hands-on workshops to teach small family farmers and ranchers basic agricultural skills.
Contact Information:
Ronald Walser – Research Scientist, organic production
P.O. Box 159
369 Alcalde Street
Alcalde, NM 87511
Phone: (505) 852-4241
Fax: (505) 852-2857
E-mail: rwalser@nmsu.edu
Website: http://alcaldesc.nmsu.edu
Climate Center
The New Mexico Climate Center provides information about climate, crop water use, and insect development using growing degree-days.
∞ Their home page has a search engine for climatic information in New Mexico.
Contact Information:
Ted Sammis, Director/State Climatologist
Phone: (505) 646-2104
John Belcher, Automated Weather Station Technician
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
Box 30001, Dept. 3Q
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003
Phone: (505) 646-5082
Fax: (505) 646-6041
Email: webmaster@weather.nmsu.edu
Farm to School Program
All schools within the state of New Mexico may receive local produce as part of the ‘Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Program’ program. Apples, watermelon, potatoes, green chilies, and tomatoes are all locally produced items that have been supplied to New Mexico schools based on availability. In addition, schools within the Santa Fe Public School System, Taos Public Schools, and the Albuquerque Public School District receive local produce directly from local farmers.
∞ The Farm to School Project can be accessed through Farm to Table’s Farm to School Program. It is also associated with the Cooking with Kids Program and other nutrition and agricultural education programs.
∞ Items of special interest are: Fruit and vegetables for school breakfast, lunch and snack menus.
- ∞ The program is happy to work with organic producers, if they can meet the desired price points.
Contact Information:
Le Adams and Pam Roy, Farm to Table (see below) and
Craig Mapel
Marketing Specialist
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
MSC 3189 Box 30005
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8005
Phone: (505) 852-3088
E-mail: cmapel@la-tierra.com
Farm to Table, Inc.
A New Mexico based non-profit organization that works to develop farm to school efforts in New Mexico. A unique program to introduce fresh local (organic) produce into schools, takes kids on field trips to farms and other related venues, showcases farmers in classrooms, and runs hands-on activities for children at the local farmers’ market.
∞ Contact Le to get connected to the local school market.
Contact Information:
Le Adams and Pam Roy
Farm to Table
3900 Paseo Del Sol
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: (505) 473-1004
Fax: (505) 424-1144
E-mail: ladams@cybermesa.com , pamelaroy@aol.com
New Mexico Food and Agricultural Policy Council
The New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council (NMFAPC), initiated through citizen-based, grassroots activism, is a vehicle to work with public and private entities towards strengthening all of New Mexico’s access to sufficient, high-quality food; strengthening the economy of New Mexico’s ranches, farms, and value-adding food processors.
Contact Information:
Le Adams and Pam Roy
Farm to Table
3900 Paseo Del Sol
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: (505) 473-1004
Fax: (505) 424-1144
E-mail: ladams@cybermesa.com , pamelaroy@aol.com
OASIS – Organic Agriculture Students Inspiring Sustainability
OASIS is the first student managed organic garden on the Las Cruces NMSU campus, the first organic production class, and the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture in the Mesilla Valley.
∞ They welcome questions from organic farmers in NM with questions about starting up CSA programs.
Contact Information:
Connie Falk
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business
Box 30003, MSC 3169
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-4731
E-mail: cfalk@nmsu.edu
Website: http://agecon.nmsu.edu/oasis
Quivira Coalition
The purpose of the Quivira Coalition is to teach ranchers, environmentalists, public land managers, and other members of the public that ecologically healthy rangeland and economically robust ranches can be compatible.
∞ They disseminate knowledge through organized meetings and on individual basis about grass-fed, sustainable, and organic ranching principles.
Contact Information:
Courtney White and Barbara Johnson
1413 Second Street, Suite 1
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 820-2544
E-mail: executive@quiviracoalition.org
Website: www.quiviracoalition.org
Seed Certification - New Mexico Crop Improvement Association
The New Mexico Crop Improvement Association (NMCIA) manages seed certification programs in the state. The agency is responsible for the promulgation of rules, regulations, and the standards for all certification of seed and other propagating materials in the state. NMCIA-certified seed is guaranteed to meet minimum standards for cleanliness and germination rate.
∞ They work with a few organic producers to supply untreated seed. PRODUCERS WANTING ORGANIC CERTIFICATION OF THEIR SEED MUST, in addition, apply for organic certification from a USDA-Accredited Certifier.
∞ They sell all foundation seed for the state of NM, including Cotton, Chile, Peanut, Onion; or any other type of seed the producer wants certified.
∞ Call to become a member.
Contact Information:
MSC 3CI-NMSU
Rm. 296, Gerald Thomas Building, NMSU
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-4125
Fax: (505) 646-8137
Website: http://www.nmsu.edu/~nmcia
Tribal Extension Task Force – NMSU
The Tribal Extension initiative was started in 2004 to establish at least 8 tribal extension centers throughout New Mexico. They are currently in the process of seeking funding support from the USDA and other federal and state agencies and would like to get some support from private foundations. At each of the centers, they hope to provide services to all 22 tribes and pueblos in New Mexico in the following four areas: (1) agriculture, natural resources, and ranching, (2) implementing 4-H Clubs, (3) Family Education Services in areas related to nutrition, health, home economics, and financial planning, and (4) Youth Leadership Development and Family violence prevention programs.
∞ They currently work with some tribal farm services programs that are situated on reservations and hope to do more work with other tribes once they obtain more funding for their initiative.
Contact Information:
Samuel Suina, Director
6655 Vooscane Ave.
Cochiti, NM 87083
Phone: (505) 231-0616
E-mail: samuelsuina@msn.com
Organic Businesses:
Cervantes Enterprises, Inc.
Cervantes purchases organic chiles from New Mexico producers, which they process to create a chile mash or sauce which is then wholesaled to producers who make the final product.
Contact Information:
Dino Cervantes, Owner
PO Box 158
La Mesa, NM 88044
Phone: (505) 233-3148
E-mail: dinoc@ceinm.com
e – Plaza
e-Plaza ‘was first envisioned by a few local farmers, agricultural organizations, and NM Cooperative Extension staff members as a means of sharing information with the agricultural community spread across the mountains and valleys of New Mexico.’
∞ e-Plaza is an on-line service that allows many organic and small, alternative agricultural producers in Northern New Mexico to:
∞ Communicate by reading and posting events and news,
∞ List their farm or ranch in the directory,
∞ Find & post links to external web sites,
∞ Buy & sell products,
∞ Discuss local issues and agricultural techniques,
∞ Archive meeting notes to share with others, and
∞ Create a web site to market agricultural products.
Contact Information:
E-mail: cmccandless@rdcnm.org
Website: http://www.e-plaza.org
Farm Connection
Publishes ‘The Farm Connection’, which is an information exchange for New Mexico farmers and farm communities, supporting environmentally sound, economically workable, and socially just agriculture.
Contact Information:
Lynda Prim
PO Box 447
Dixon, NM 87527
E-mail: lprim@restingintheriver.com
Mesa Farmers’ Cooperative
The Mesa Farmers’ Cooperative contracts their services to gin organic cotton. They are a certified organic processing facility.
Contact Information:
Albert Pando
PO Box 646
Mesquite, NM 88044
Phone: (505) 233-3112
E-mail: dosi@zianet.com
Seed Vendors – of Organic Seed
1) Seeds of Change
Organic flowers, herbs, vegetables, cover crops
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 15700
Santa Fe, NM 87506
Phone: 1-888-762-7333 (orders)
E-mail: gardener@seedsofchange.com
Website: www.seedsofchange.com
Tex-Mex Chili Spice
Tex-Mex Chile Spice, located in Santa Teresa, contracts their services to mill organic chile from New Mexico producers in order to create certified organic chile powder.
Contact Information:
Roy Ramos
2750 Airport Rd., Suite 100
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
Phone: (505) 598-2923
Publications:
The publications in this list have been selected from NMSU Department, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station archive. They include articles written by NMSU faculty and affiliates, grant-funded publications, and Cooperative Extension fact sheets. They contain information relative to organic production: organic and niche marketing strategies; soil and water quality concerns and testing; and information about composting and manure management, vegetable and fruit production, weed management, irrigation, and (integrated) pest management.
The publications were reviewed for their relevancy to organic production issues, however, may still contain information that is not necessarily compliant with the USDA’s National Organic Standards. For specific questions about organic compliance, contact Brett Bakker at the New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission, phone: (505) 841-9067, e-mail: brett.bakker@state.nm.us .
Many of NMSU’s extension publications are available as PDF files. To use files in PDF format, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader , which is free to download from the Adobe web site.
Many of the publications are viewable on the Web, but there are several print publications that can be ordered using an online order form . For more details, view NMSU’s General Order Information . http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/puborder_form.html
Soil Quality and Testing
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
A-137: Soil Analysis: A Key to Soil Nutrient
A-138: Taking Good Soil Samples for Efficient Plant Growth and Water Use
A-139: Identifying Nutrient Deficiencies for Efficient Plant Growth and Water Use
A-140: Soil Salinity and Sodicity Limits Efficient Plant Growth and Water Use
A-141: Interpreting Soil Tests for Efficient Plant Growth and Water Use
A-142: Useful Soil Testing for Efficient Water Use by Plants
A-122: Soil Test Interpretations
A-107: Managing Saline Soils
A-114: Test Your Soil
A-118: Use Naturally Available Amendments for Sodic Soils
Weeds
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
Circular 522 Considerations for Prescribed Burning
Livestock and Poultry
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
Circular 477 How to Keep a Small Poultry Flock
Irrigation
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
A-102: Measuring Irrigation Water With a Flow Meter
A-103: Measuring Irrigation Water With a Parshall Flume
A-104: Estimating Water Flow From Pipes
A-116: Irrigation Water Classification Systems
Circular 494: Irrigated Pastures for New Mexico
A-119: Design Considerations for Drip Irrigation
B-810: Sizing Plastic Pipelines for Water on the Range
Field and Cover Crops
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
A-129: Nitrogen Fixation By Legumes
A-130: Inoculation of Legumes
Pest Management
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
Guide H-150: Organic Gardening -- Natural Insecticides
A-606: Biological Pest Control Programs in New Mexico
New Mexico State University Faculty and Staff with Interests in the Production and Marketing of Organic Products:
The faculty and staff in this list have been selected from employees of the land grant University system in New Mexico. They have been identified as those who have expertise and interest in the production and marketing of organic products.
-
1. Gerald Chacon
NM Cooperative Extension
∞ Supervises 13 county and 3 tribal Extension programs
∞ Head of the NM Small Farm Extension Task Force
Contact Information:
120 South Federal, Room 109
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505) 983-4615
Fax: (505) 983-4636
E-mail: gchacon@nmsu.edu
-
2. Dr. Joe Ellington
Professor of Entomology, NMSU
∞ Organic production
∞ Biological control
Contact Information:
New Mexico State University
Gerald Thomas Room 226
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-2037
E-mail: joelling@nmsu.edu
-
3. Constance Falk
Professor, Agricultural Economics & Director of OASIS: Organic Agriculture Students Inspiring Sustainability; an NMSU CSA class and project
∞ Agricultural Marketing of Organics, Sustainable Agriculture, Economic Development, Farm Markets, International Development Projects, and Computer Applications for Agriculture.
∞ Dr. Falk teaches: World Food Problems and Managing a Community Supported Farm through the Honors Program, Mastering Financial Statements, a Spring Break Study Tour to Latin America through the AEAB department and an Organic Vegetable Production class in conjuction with the Horticulture Department.
∞ Her research interests are cooperative development, the economics of small scale farming, Community Supported Agriculture, organic agriculture, and feasibility analysis of value added agriculture. Her current research project is the establishment of a student run organic Community Supported Agriculture farm on campus.
Contact Information:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business
MSC 3169 Box 30003
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-4731
E-mail: cfalk@nmsu.edu
-
4. Natalie P Goldberg
NMSU – Cooperative Extension Service
∞ Nematode Specialist
Contact Information:
PO Box 30003, MSC 3AE
Las Cruces NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-1621
E-mail: ngoldber@nmsu.edu
Website: http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/
-
5. Edmund Gomez
Project Manager for the Rural Agricultural Improvement Program
Contact Information:
PO Box 159
Alcade, NM 87511
Phone: (505) 852-2668
E-mail: gr@nmsu.edu
-
6. Del Jimenez
Cooperative Extension State Specialist, RAIPAP
∞ Assists growers making the transition to organic production
∞ Facilitates state wide workshops on organic production
∞ RAIPAP, Agricultural Specialist
∞ He helps farmers make the most of their resources by setting up on-farm demonstrations using the latest research information.
∞ He currently runs more than 50 such projects that show first-hand such information as new vegetable and pasture grass varieties, and grazing and fencing techniques.
Contact Information:
PO Box 159
369 Alcalde Street
Alcalde, NM 87511
Phone: (505) 852-2668
Fax: (505) 852-2857
E-mail: djimenez@nmsu.edu
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7. Dr. Charles Martin
Specialist, Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde
∞ Doing research and providing workshops for New Mexico organic fruit and medicinal herb producers
∞ Working to set up a growers' association
Contact Information:
PO Box 159
369 Alcalde Street
Alcalde, NM 87511
Phone: (505) 852-4241
E-mail: cmartin@nmsu.edu
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8. Stephen H. Thomas
NMSU – Department of Entomology Plant Pathology and Weed Science
∞ Nematode Specialist
Contact Information:
PO Box 30003, MSC 3BE
Las Cruces NM 88003
Phone: 505-646-2321
Fax: 505-646-8087
E-mail: stthomas@nmsu.edu
Website: http://taipan.nmsu.edu/eppws/
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9. Stephanie Walker
State Extension SARE Coordinator
Contact Information:
Extension and Plant Sciences Department
New Mexico State University
MSC 3AE, Box 30003
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (505) 646-4398
Fax: (505) 646-8085
E-mail: swalker@nmsu.edu
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10. Ronald Walser
Research Scientist, Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center
∞ Organic production of fruits and medicinal herbs
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 159
369 Alcalde Street
Alcalde, NM 87511
Phone: (505) 852-4241
Fax: (505) 852-2857
E-mail: rwalser@nmsu.edu
Website: http://alcaldesc.nmsu.edu
UTAH
State Organic Producer Organizations:
None at this time.
USDA-Accredited Organic Certifiers in Utah:
Utah Department of Food and Agriculture’s Organic Certification Program
This program is intended to serve producers, processors and consumers of agricultural products. The goal is to manage a process that will maintain the integrity of food products produced without the use of restricted chemical inputs. Specific information for the organic food program should be directed to:
Contact Information:
Seth R. Winterton
Organic Coordinator
Agriculture Investigator
Utah Dept. of Agriculture
350 North Redwood Road
P.O. Box 146500
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6500
Phone: (801) 538-7141
Fax: (801) 538-7189
Pager: 801-241-2173
E-mail: sethwinterton@utah.gov
Website: http://www.ag.state.ut.us/plantind/organic.html
Independent Organic Certifying Agents and Organizations
For a list of accredited independent certifiers who have certified/inspected organic farms in the Four Corner region please see page 5.
Northern Utah Organic Growers
Since 1992, provides organic certification and inspection services for producers, handlers, packers, and processors, under OCIA’s standards and accreditation. Also, a good resource for organic production information.
Contact Information:
Martha Franks
P.O. Box 97
Tremonton UT 84337
Phone: (435) 257-3976
E-mail: taylorfarms@efortress.com
Analytical Laboratories:
The following analytical laboratories are listed because they are convenient for producers in the region. They each perform basic soil, water, and plant testing, all of which address agricultural needs, but may fall short of specific in-depth analyses sought by organic producers.
Further analyses may be outsourced to labs which perform cutting edge testing specific to organic production needs. These labs are found on page 9 of this guide.
Albion Labs
Performs complete analyses of plant tissue, soil, and irrigation water. For a description of how to package and send a soil sample see:
http://www.albion-an.com/plant/archivetopic.htm , article titled: ‘Managing Soils to Optimize Crop Production’.
Contact Information:
Kevin Dickinson
Albion Advanced Nutrition
101 North Main St.
Clearfield, UT 84015
Phone, Toll-free: (866) 243-5283
E-mail: kdickinson@albion-an.com
Website: www.albion-an.com
Central Analytical Laboratory
Utah State University Analytical Lab
∞ Soil test cost: $10. Includes: pH, salinity, P, K, texture and recommendations. To submit sample: Contact your local county extension office or the lab.
∞ Common regional problems: High salinity.
Contact Information:
Jan Kotuby-Amacher
166 Ag. Science Bldg, Room 166
4830 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-4830
Phone: (435) 797-2217
Fax: (435) 797-2117
E-mail: Jkotuby@mendel.usu.edu
Website: www.usual.usu.edu
Intermountain Herbarium
The mission of the Intermountain Herbarium is to serve as a primary source of information on the flora and fungi of the Intermountain region, both native and introduced and to foster increased understanding and appreciation of the floristic diversity of the Intermountain Region.
Contact Information:
Mary Barkworth , Director
Michael B. Piep , Assistant Curator
Intermountain Herbarium
Utah State University
5305 Old Main Hill
Logan, Utah 84322-5305
Phone: (435) 797-1484, or (435) 797-0061
E-mail: Mary@biology.usu.edu , Michael@biology.usu.edu
Plant Clinic
Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab.
Contact Information:
Julie Jenkins, Plant Disease Dignostician and Alan Roe
Department of Biology
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-5305
Phone: (435) 797-2435
Fax: (435) 797-1575
Email: jjenkins@biology.usu.edu , or alanr@biology.usu.edu
Website: http://extension.usu.edu/plantpath
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
The purpose of the laboratory is to provide timely, in-depth, cost efficient, veterinary diagnostic services to safeguard animal health, protect the agricultural economy, and shield the public against zoonoses (diseases transmissible from animals to humans).
Contact Information:
950 East 1400 North Logan UT 84322-5700 Phone: (435) 797-1895 Fax: (435) 797-2805 E-mail: uvdl@cc.usu.edu
Marketing Services:
Southwest Marketing Network
The goal of the SWMN is to ensure that new, existing, and prospective Southwest producers – especially small-scale, alternative, and minority producers – have the connections with others, technical and financial assistance, marketing information, business and marketing skills, and peer examples needed to improve their marketing success as a means to improve their profitability, viability, and success. They support and facilitate conferences, newsletters, and training sessions.
Contact Information:
Jim Dyer, Project Co-Coordinator
2727 CR 134
Hesperus, CO 81326
Phone: (970) 588-2292
E-mail: jadyer@frontier.net
Website: www.swmarketing.ncat.org
Utah Department of Food and Agriculture’s Marketing Division: Farmers Markets
Farmers’ markets are a great way for producers, particularly small local farmers who use pesticide-free or organic growing methods, to sell their products directly to consumers around the state. To find out how to participate, or for more information, contact:
Contact Information:
Utah Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Division
Richard Sparks
Deputy Director of Marketing, Utah Dept. of Agriculture
PO Box 146500
350 N. Redwood Rd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84224-6500
Phone: (801) 538-7108
E-mail: rsparks@utah.gov
Educational and Research Services:
The Diversified Agriculture Conference
The Diversified Agricultural Conference, sponsored by Utah State Cooperative Extension, is designed to benefit agriculture producers who are interested in more than just traditional agriculture, including recreation, tourism, direct marketing, farmers’ markets, further processing, etc. The annual conference features a great deal of subject matter relative to organic production and marketing. If you have questions or want to be contacted with registration and other conference information as it becomes available, contact:
Contact Information:
Dan Drost
Phone: (435) 797-2258
Fax: (435) 797-3376
E-mail: dand@ext.usu.edu
Phone: (435) 797-1533
or Ruby Ward
Phone: (435) 797-2323
Fax: (435) 797-2701
E-mail: rward@econ.usu.edu
Website: http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/agribusiness/index.cfm/cid.371/tid.762
Utah Food and Agricultural Policy Council
The Utah Food and Agriculture Policy Council is a vehicle to work with public and private entities towards strengthening all of Utah’s access to sufficient, high-quality food; strengthening the economy of Utah’s ranches, farms, and value-adding food processors.
Contact Information:
Richard Sparks
PO Box 146500
350 N. Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84224-6500
E-mail: rsparks@utah.gov
Wasatch Community Gardens
Provides youth education programs, tend a community garden, and are beginning to work on ‘farm to cafeteria’ (direct marketing local agricultural products to schools and food banks).
Contact Information:
Laura Ploplys
245 E 400 South St., Suite 204
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: (801) 322-4810
E-mail: youth@wasatchgardens.org
Website: http://www.wasatchgardens.org/
Western Region Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education (SARE)/ Utah State University
SARE is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that functions through competitive grants conducted cooperatively by farmers, ranchers, researchers and agricultural professionals to advance farm and ranch systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities.
∞ The Western SARE puts out a call to area sustainable and organic producers to submit grant proposals each year. They also provide information and answer questions relative to sustainable and organic agriculture.
∞ Each state in the western region has a SARE coordinator.
Contact Information:
Robert Newhall
Plants, Soils & Biometerology Department
UMC 4820
Logan, UT 84322-4820
Phone: (435) 797-2183
Fax: (435) 797-2117
E-mail: bobn@ext.usu.edu
Website: http://wsare.usu.edu
Youth Garden Project
Provides experiential education programs for youth by teaching the value of growing an organic garden and consuming a healthy diet.
Contact Information:
Cari Militano
530 S. 400 St.
Moab, UT 84532
Phone: 9435) 259-2326
E-mail: carimilitano@youthgardenproject.org
Website: www.youthgardenproject.org
Organic Businesses:
Live Earth Products
Mines and manufactures quality humate products.
Contact Information:
Dave Taylor or Trudy Lund
PO Box 76
Emery, UT 84522
Publications:
The publications in this list have been selected from Utah State University (USU) Agriculture Department, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station archive. They include articles written by USU faculty and affiliates, grant-funded publications, and Cooperative Extension fact sheets. They contain information relative to organic production: organic and niche marketing strategies; soil and water quality concerns and testing; and information about composting and manure management, vegetable and fruit production, weed management, irrigation, and (integrated) pest management.
The publications were reviewed for their relevancy to organic production issues, however, may still contain information that is not necessarily compliant with the USDA’s National Organic Standards. For specific questions about organic compliance, contact Seth Winterton at the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture, phone: (801) 538-7141, e-mail: sethwinterton@utah.gov.
Many of USU’s extension publications are available as PDF files at: http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/publications/ . To use files in PDF format, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader , which is free to download from the Adobe web site.
Composting
1) Koenig, R. The Role of Composting and Soil and Manure Testing in Comprehensive Nutrient Management of Planning. 2002.
2) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
AGWM-01 The Composting Process
Soil Quality and Testing
1) Satter, L.D. Meeting Phosphorous Requirements in an Environmentally Responsible Way. 2002.
2) Cox, L., Koenig, R. II. High pH (alkaline soil). 2003
3) Johnson, M., Koenig, R. III. Drainage. 2003
4) Koenig, R., Cerny, T. IV. Soil Structure. 2003
5) Heaton, K, Koenig, R. V. Low Organic Matter. 2003
6) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
HG 512 Understanding Your Soil Test Report
HG-510: Selecting and Using Organic Fertilizers
AG 282 Diagnostic Testing for Nitrogen Soil Fertility
AG 275 Managing Sodic Soils in Utah
AG-SO-07 Managing Soil pH in Utah
AG-SO-03 Salinity and Plant Tolerance
AG 283 Urea: Low Cost Fertilizer
AG/Soils/2003-01 I. High Salinity (Soluble Salts)
Weeds
1) Evans, E.W. Biological Control Agents for Utah Weeds: Ceutorhynchus litura, a Stem-mining Weevil of Canada Thistle. 1993.
2) Evans, E.W. Biological Control Agents for Utah Weeds: The Knapweed Seedhead Gall Flies. 1993.
3) Evans, E.W. Biological Control Agents for Utah Weeds: The Musk Thistle Weevil. 1993.
4) Evans, E.W. Biological Control of Weeds through Introduced Insects. 1993.
Trees, Small Fruits, and Nuts
1) Alston, D., Fallahi, E., Gaus, A., Hatch, T., Jensen, D., Reding, M., Seeley, S., Valdez, T., Zimmerman, R. Sustainable Orchard Management.
2) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
Analytical Testing
AG-FG-02 Soil, Water, and Plant Tissue Testing in Utah Orchards
Livestock and Poultry
1) Barnhill, J., Olsen, S., Sessions, R., Miner, D., Niels Hansen, T., Garn, C., Koenig, R., Whitesides, R. Small Pasture Management Guide for Utah. 1999.
2) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
AG/Sheep/2004-01 Sheep and Goats, Ecological Tools for the 21st Century
AGWM-04 Manure Best Management Practices: A Practical Guide for Dairies in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico
Irrigation
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
AG 289 Assuring a Long-Term Ground Water Supply
BIE/WM-02 Energy Conservation with Irrigation Water Management
BIE/WM-37 Garden Water Use in Utah
BIE/WM-04 How Good is your Water Measurement?
BBIE/WM-03 How Well Does your Irrigation Well Hold Water?
BIE/WM-07-34 Sprinklers, Crop Water Use, and Irrigation Time - … County (Each number contains specific information for a particular county in Utah.)
Field and Cover Crops
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
HG 522 Cover Crops for Utah Gardens
Integrated Pest Management
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
AG/IPM/01 The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Concept
AG/IPM/02 Important Components of a Successful Pest Management Program
AG/IPM/03 Pest Management Decision-Making: The Economic-injury Level
AG/IPM/04 General Concepts of Biological Control
Other Useful Publications
1) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets:
Fact Sheet No. 79 What are the Indirect Costs of Pesticide Use?
Utah State University Faculty and Staff with Interests in the Production and Marketing of Organic Products:
The faculty and staff in this list have been selected from employees of the land grant University system in Utah. They have been identified as those who have expertise and interest in the production and/or marketing of organic products.
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1. Diane Alston
State Extension Entomology Specialist
Associate Professor: Department of Biology
∞ State Integrated Pest Management Coordinator
∞ Sustainable Orchard Management
∞ Development and validation of biorational technologies for key horticultural pests on tree fruits, vegetables, and woody ornamentals
Contact Information:
Biology Department
BNR 231 (Lab BNR 210)
Logan, UT 84322
Phone: (435) 797-2516
E-mail: dianea@biology.usu.edu
Website: http://www.biology.usu.edu/people/facultyinfo.asp?username=dianea
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2. DeeVon Bailey
Professor of Economics
∞ Direct Marketing of livestock and State-branded products
Contact Information:
Department of Economics
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-3530
Phone: (435) 797-2316
Fax: (435) 797-2701
E-mail: deevonb@ext.usu.edu
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3. Dan Drost
State Extension Vegetable Specialist
Professor of Horticulture; Department of Plants, Soils, and Biotechnology ∞ Project Leader: Sustainable Vegetable Production Systems
∞ Improvements in water and nutrient management using organic techniques
Contact Information:
310 Agricultural Sciences Building Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-4820 Phone: (435) 797-2258
Fax: (435) 797-3376
E-mail: dand@ext.usu.edu
Website: http://www.agx.usu.edu/people/researchers/vita/?alpha=D&idp=172
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4. Dr. Kent Evans
State Extension Plant Pathologist
Assistant Professor: Department of Biology
Contact Information:
Biology Department
BNR 243 (Lab BNR 238)
Logan, UT 84322
Phone: (435) 797-2504
E-mail: ckevans@cc.usu.edu
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5. Mike Johnson
County Director, Grand County Cooperative Extension
∞ Organic Soil Amendments
Contact Information:
125 West 200 South Moab, UT 84532
Phone: (435) 259-7558
E-mail: michealj@ext.usu.edu
Website: http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/grand/index.cfm/cid.1154/
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6. Robert Newhall
State Extension SARE Coordinator
∞ Sustainable and organic agriculture production methods
∞ Small grains, corn, green manures, cover crops, natural resource protection
Contact Information:
Plants, Soils & Biometerology Department
UMC 4820
Logan, UT 84322-4820
Phone: (435) 797-2183
Fax: (435) 797-2117
E-mail: bobn@ext.usu.edu
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7. Shawn Steffan
Integrated Pest Management Project Leader
Contact Information:
Department of Biology
BNR 203
Logan, UT 84322-5305
Phone: (435) 797-0776
E-mail: steffan@biology.usu.edu
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8. Ruby Ward
Agricultural Economist
∞ Agribusiness Management, Operations Research, and Decision Making at the Firm Level
∞ She is in economics, accounting, management, and finance in research, extension, and teaching. Her work focuses primarily on those concepts needed by agribusiness owners in planning for the long-run viability of their business.
Contact Information:
Department of Economics
Utah State University
3530 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-3530
Phone: (435) 797-2323
Fax: (435) 797-2701
E-mail: rward@econ.usu.edu
Website: http://www.econ.usu.edu/People/ward.aspx
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ford, D. (2001). Organic Wheat Growers’ Coop Boosts Income for Northern New Mexico Farmers. Retrieved March, 12, 2005, http://spectre.nmsu.edu/media/news2.lasso?i=28
Friedman, D. (2001). Introduction to Organic Farming. Beltsville, MD: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program.
Kimbrell, A. (2002). The Fatal Harvest Reader: The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture. Sausalito: The Foundation for Deep Ecology.
Taylor, N. (1999). Organic Resource Manual. Olympia: Washington State Department of Agriculture.
White, C., Widner, J. (2000). Profile of Good Stewardship: Mark Cortner. The Quivira Coalition, 3(3).