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  • From: KAKerby AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] taking the plunge
  • Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:21:23 -0500 (EST)

I guess the main question I have at this point is in terms of how much detail to provide with the various forms.  Some examples:
1) in the crop production paperwork, where I need to describe insect/pest control, we mainly have issues with slugs and birds.  We control the former with a combination of hiding-spot removal, beer traps, slug bait (which is OMRI listed) and hand-picking, and the latter by putting netting over the rows they're pestering.  Is that all I need to say, or does it need to be more elaborate?
 
2) In the livestock production paperwork where I describe that they're on pasture roughly six months each year and in yards the balance of the year, do I need to give the exact sizes of the paddocks?  The species in the pasture?  The stocking rates and rotation schedule?  Or just a general overview?
 
3) There's a stipulation that we must have "reliable" access to certified organic feeds.  We are going to put up our own hay this year on certified organic ground.  Do I have to show alternative sources for hay if something goes wrong with that harvest?  We'll be buying in feed from a long-standing organic feeds supplier.  Do we have to show a Plan B if that supplier suddenly can't provide feed anymore?  Or for both, can we simply state that we've got a stockpile of feed/hay to carry us through short-term gaps?
 
I could drive myself crazy with trying to hit that "Goldilocks" point of providing "just right" levels of detail.  Should I start with only general information and let the inspector tell me if more detail is needed?  Thanks all.......
Kathryn Kerby
frogchorusfarm.com
Snohomish, WA
Ruminations - essays on the farming life at frogchorusfarm.com/weblog.html
 
In a message dated 2/20/2012 5:43:22 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, organic87 AT frontiernet.net writes:
Different state and different agency, but sure, ask away.

The paperwork is a bear and an annoying nuisance -- but I found that it was also very helpful. Because I have to keep the records for certification, I have to have them available for my use, also. If it weren't for that, I know myself well enough to know that I'd have terrible recordkeeping.


-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 6A now I think
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale




On Feb 19, 2012, at 11:20 PM, KAKerby AT aol.com wrote:

Hey everyone, here's hoping you all have had a nice weekend.  I just spent the whole day here going through a bunch of online documentation, and comparing what we do to what would need to be done, to become certified organic.  I think <insert big inhale> we're going to submit our paperwork and go for it - for both crops and livestock production.  We've been so close for so long, and now that we're selling meat it just seems like "the thing to do" for a variety of reasons.  The pain-in-the-butt factor is right up there of course, and I'm not even entirely sure if our pricing would change a lot.  But after going through yet another round of "no we're not certified but here's how we do things....." conversations with potential buyers, I just finally decided it was time.

So, for all those who are already certified organic, you might have a new fledgling member soon amongst your ranks.  I have already put in an email to our local Tilth group to see who's certified organic and would be willing/able to answer some newbie questions.  But if anyone on this list would be willing to do the same, even though you're in another state and another certifying agency, I'd sure love to know if I'd be able to send you questions. 
 
I sort of feel like I'm warming up for a much bigger ball game, and about to take my first time at batt.  Not even hoping to hit it out of the park; just want a fair pitch, a clean hit and a safe run around the bases.  Guess I'm looking for a first base coach (and maybe some cheerleaders).........
Kathryn Kerby, who doesn't normally resort to sports metaphors
frogchorusfarm.com
Snohomish, WA
Ruminations - essays on the farming life at frogchorusfarm.com/weblog.html
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