Organic/Sustainable Farming

Fertilizer prices are soaring – and that’s an opportunity to promote more sustainable ways of growing crops

By Kathleen Merrigan Farmers are coping with a fertilizer crisis brought on by soaring fossil fuel prices and industry consolidation. The price of synthetic fertilizer has more than doubled since 2021, causing great stress in farm country. This crunch is particularly tough on those who grow corn, which accounts for half of U.S. nitrogen fertilizer use. The National Corn […]

Hemp’s versatility could turn a downslide into an uptick as new opportunities emerge

After a robust start following legalization of hemp cultivation in the 2018 Farm Bill, production of the multifaceted plant has plummeted—a dramatic reversal leaving many farmers shortchanged, bankrupt, or having to store many millions of pounds of hemp to hopefully sell later at a higher price. Growers jumped on the bandwagon primarily to reap rewards […]

An organic agronomist’s perspective on the tillage debate

By Rob Wallbridge For a number of years now, no-till—the practice of planting and tending a crop without mechanically disturbing the soil—has been the darling of sustainable agriculture. “Minimizing soil disturbance” is a key principle of the regenerative agriculture movement, and for good reason. Organic farming is often criticized for its reliance on tillage, with […]

Rodale Midwest Center crop consultants aim to “transition as many farmers to organic as possible”

Crop consultants with the Rodale Institute’s Midwest Center are working with farmers in the region to transition land to organic production. Léa Vereecke, who is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and Nic Podoll, based in Nevis, Minnesota, both joined the Rodale Midwest Center in January. Vereecke, who was a research specialist at the University of Wisconsin […]

AgriSecure’s “boots on the ground” experience helps farmers transition to organic

Organic advisory service helps farmers overcome the challenges of growing organic Transitioning to organic farming can be a major challenge for farmers. The three-year transition period presents a big hurdle that requires adopting a completely new farming system without chemical inputs, purchasing new equipment for organic farming, and finding markets for transitional and certified organic […]