Kenn is a certified crop advisor with a deep knowledge of agronomy and production practices for profitable organic farming. He also owns and operates Goliath Ag Farms. Kenn holds a Bachelor of Applied Science with an emphasis in agronomy and soil science from Iowa State University.
With the high price premiums organics offer, you may feel the cost of expensive equipment is justified. But spending too much too soon, especially when you have smaller acreage, is a good way to end up in the red. Organic farmers need to do their due diligence to ensure their equipment purchases are
Bought synthetic fertilizer lately? You’re probably feeling sticker shock. This is true for conventional as well as organic farmers because anyone who uses manure will likely see demand — and therefore prices — go up. And times of high demand are especially risky for organic farmers who don’t have t
Investors diversify their portfolios for financial stability. Farmers can do the same by diversifying their crops and the markets they serve. If you’re an organic farmer, you’re already off to a great start. But you can diversify even more — and boost your bottom line — by getting into the organic s
Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to become a farmer from scratch. Between the land and equipment required, most people don’t have the money to get started on their own. That is if you’re trying to do it with conventional crops. That’s the situation Nick Casey found himself in. Growing up working on
It’s been ingrained in you your entire farming life: plant early. But if you’re an organic farmer, or in the process of becoming one, your new mantra should be the complete opposite. Ignore your neighbors rolling through their fields in early April — your time will come at the end of May. Why should
Seed selection is a similar process for all farmers. Do your research. Study up on trials. Consider your specific field conditions. Select seed that you think will perform the best while also spreading out risk. But there’s also some special factors organic farmers should consider when making this d
Conventional corn and soybean prices are on the rise. While organic soybean prices are strong, organic corn isn’t rising at the same pace. What gives? David Becker says the difference in organic prices isn’t because of commodities. It’s due to basic supply and demand, particularly the supply of impo
Pesticide drift is a concern for many farmers today. Whether you’re organic, growing non-GMO or have a specialty crop that’s susceptible to certain chemicals, drift can cause a lot of damage. How does drift happen? Drift is when a chemical — usually an herbicide — unintentionally moves from where it
Price premiums. They’re a compelling reason to dedicate some or many of your acres to organic production. However, they’re not enough to ensure the success of your organic farm. Just like any other business, making a profit depends on choosing the right inputs, crop rotations, and more. To make thos
Getting the 36-month transition period right is key to the short and longer-term success of your organic farm. Don’t think of it as something you have to endure – we encourage you instead to think of transition as an investment. Here’s our advice for ensuring the transition period leads to a long a