Nonprofit Helps Growers Make a Move to Organics

Organic Report: Making A Move

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Transitioning from conventional to organic production may mean a shift in the way growers farm, but the potential rewards — healthier land, healthier farmworkers, and healthier profits — make it worth looking into for participants in Florida Organic Growers’ (FOG) Organic Transition Project. FOG, a Gainesville-based nonprofit organization, received a grant from EPA in 2008 to provide free crop advisors for conventional growers who want to transition to organic, or those who want to reduce the use of pesticides on their farms. Here are a couple examples of those taking advantage of the program.

Fruitful Endeavor

Marc Ellenby of LNB Groves is a tropical fruit producer in Homestead. He is in the process of establishing organic certification eligibility with technical assistance from the project. Ellenby emphasizes the importance of selecting the right tree fruits that are resistant to pests and diseases, and those with a solid and growing market. He has found that sapodilla, mamey sapote, black sapote, jackfruit, and dragon fruit do not have significant pest pressure, and are sensible selections for transitioning his 15-acre grove. Ellenby is interested in potentially applying successful organic methods he learns to an additional 160 acres of conventionally grown tropical fruits that comprise the balance of his operation.
“The only real significant challenge so far is weed control for the young tree acreage on the farm,” Ellenby says.
His four-man crew has been using string weed whackers to control the weeds in the beds and mowing the middles. Mineral element nutrition — both major and minor elements — is more straightforward.
“There seem to be many new materials available each month that merit our trials and that are seemingly effective,” he says. “These include crop protection certified materials and new sources of nutrients.”
He has been using composted chicken manures, mined Sul-Po-Mag fertilizer, and OMRI-approved minor element foliar sprays. “If mechanical weed control and creative organic nutrition sources are my only challenges, then it will be an easy and natural transition,” Ellenby says.

If You Build It …

Connie Cueto of Field of Dreams Blueberry Farm in Lithia, decided to transition to organic production not long after her blueberries were planted.
“It was always on my mind that if I was going to be a blueberry farmer, I wanted to have the least environmental impact on the planet and produce a healthy product for my family, friends, and customers,” Cueto says.
Cueto’s most significant challenge with full adoption of organic management has been understanding the options for fertilizing and pest control. The crop advisor assigned to assist her through FOG’s Organic Transition Project has a considerable background farming blueberries, and is able to provide the advice she needs for a successful transition.
“With the help of my crop advisor, I have learned how to feed the soil naturally, which has resulted in a delicious crop of berries,” Cueto says. “My experience as a participant in FOG’s Organic Transition Project has been nothing but positive. Knowing that I had the support from FOG and my crop advisor has made blueberry farming one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
For information about the project and/or Florida Organic Growers, visit www.foginfo.org.

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