Amid the Chard: Cultivating the Diverse Landscapes and Practices of a New England Organic Farm

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor J. Fitzmaurice ◽  
Brian J. Gareau
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Consumer Demand ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Certification ◽  
Natural Beauty

This chapter introduces Scenic View Farm and its owners and principal operators, John and Katie. After an overview of the farm’s history and characteristics relative to other New England farms, the chapter captures the sights and sounds of its picturesque landscape. Such natural beauty drew many of the farmers whose stories are included in this book into a life of farming. However, Scenic View’s landscape is commingled with countless decisions John and Katie have made, balancing their need to stay in business with countless other commitments, including the struggle to achieve sustainability. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, which many farmers like those at Scenic View depend upon for stable sales, require diverse crops to meet consumer demand. Flowers spruce up the property and yield consistent profits when other crops break even season after season. The chapter also introduces challenges organic farms face, like an outbreak of tomato blight that swept the region. Scenic View’s CSA helped them weather the blight and maintain their organic certification. However, the availability of supplemental income is critical. The chapter shows how farmers try to make good matches in their businesses allowing them to farm responsibly, even those who feel they cannot eschew pesticides completely.

Labor of Meaning, Labor of Need

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Mostafanezhad ◽  
Krisnawati Suryanata ◽  
Saleh Azizi ◽  
Nicole Milne
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Civic Participation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Cultural Logic ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Farmers

This chapter critically examines the promise of organic farm volunteering programs such as WWOOF in meeting organic farmers’ need for affordable labor in Hawaii. While organic farm volunteering offers a short term coping strategy for some organic farmers, the cultural logic and rationale that propels these programs perpetuates the underlying labor problems that plague small organic farms. This chapter demonstrates the limitations of organic farm volunteering when utilized as a form of civic participation to drive economic and socio-environmental change.

Reversion from organic to conventional agriculture: A review

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette Sahm ◽  
Jürn Sanders ◽  
Hiltrud Nieberg ◽  
Gesine Behrens ◽  
Heike Kuhnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Absolute Number ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Organic Certification ◽  
The Past ◽  
And Control

AbstractOver the past 10 years, the organic sector has expanded continuously in Europe due to policy support and a growing market demand for organic products. In line with this development, many farmers converted to organic farming each year. Nevertheless, the total number of organic farms has not increased constantly in Europe. In several countries, the absolute number of organic farms actually decreased in some years of the past decade. Some of the deregistered farmers gave up completely; others reverted to conventional agriculture. Against this background, this article aims (i) to give an overview of the extent of reversion to conventional agriculture in Europe based on statistics, (ii) to conceptualize the decision to revert in the form of a theoretical model, (iii) to compare farmers’ reasons to revert to conventional farming based on existing studies, and (iv) to identify further research needs. The importance of reversions to conventional agriculture is difficult to determine with the existing data, especially as in most cases it is not recorded as to what happened to the farms after deregistering from organic certification. The data nevertheless show that there are large fluctuations in the organic sector with many farmers entering and exiting each year. In order to reveal the farmers’ reasons for deregistering, various qualitative as well as quantitative surveys have been carried out already. For most farmers, the decision to revert is a result of different factors. Reasons for the reversion of their farms can be classified into economic motives, difficulties regarding certification and control, problems with organic production techniques as well as the farms’ macro environment. In most cases, however, economic reasons played a main role. Suggestions for organic legislation bodies, advisory services and policy makers are derived out of the findings. A deeper understanding of the influencing aspects regarding reversions and the necessary changes in the organic sector to avoid them should be an important objective of forthcoming research.

Reconciling information gaps in organic farm borrowers’ dealings with farm lenders

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghangela Jones ◽  
Cesar Escalante ◽  
Hofner Rusiana
Keyword(s):  
Credit Risk ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Risk Appraisal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Credit Access ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Credit Risk Measurement ◽  
Information Gaps

Purpose – Organic outputs have been increasing at much lower rates than growth in consumer demand. Organic farmers’ debt aversion hinders them from obtaining business funds through borrowing. The purpose of this paper is to clarify that the farmers’ reluctance to use debt as a funding option can be more attributed to gaps in existing borrower-lender relationships, beyond sustainability principles. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence collected from organic farmers and farm lenders establish differing expectations and perceptions that reinforce the organic farmers’ debt aversion. The farm lender survey data set was analyzed using the Heckman approach applied to two lenders’ decisions: their interest in lending to organic farm borrowers and loan amounts approved for successful loan applicants. The econometric results were reconciled with the compiled inputs provided by organic farmers interviewed. Findings – Results validate the farmers’ lower reliance on loans due to suspicions that lenders lack knowledge and consideration of organic farming conditions and principles. Farm lenders must depart from employing a uniform credit risk appraisal model and adopt borrower-specific versions of the model, but not necessarily delineating organic-conventional farming dichotomy that may not substantially affect credit risk measurement. Organic farms, on the other hand, need to better understand the credit risk appraisal principles and use their inherent business strengths to compete for loans with conventional farms without any special consideration. Practical implications – Borrower-lender relationships can improve if information gaps between lenders and borrowers can be minimized with more extensive outreach education efforts. Better relationships would increase organic farms’ credit access to effectively address an impending supply gap in an expanding industry. Originality/value – To the knowledge, a specific focus on organic farms in understanding farm borrower-lender relationships has never been explored in literature.

scholarly journals Financial health of agricultural enterprises in the organic farming sector

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Brožová
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Enterprises ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Legal Entities

The present research was aimed at evaluating the economic performance of organic farm enterprises (legal entities) in the Czech Republic on the basis of their production base and financial health. The evaluation was carried out by means of specific financial indicators. The results recorded in the organic farming sector were confronted with those of the conventional agriculture. It stemmed from the analysis that conventionally farming legal entities, as opposed to the organically farming ones, tend to have higher average assets per hectare of farmland. Secondly, as for the structure of assets, fixed assets prevail substantially over current assets. Organic farms, on the contrary, have a significantly higher average value of external financial resources per hectare of farmland. In order to evaluate the financial health of organic farms, their economic results were used; firstly in absolute value (including per hectare calculation) and then within the individual ratios. The analysis showed that 84.4 % farms of the sample were profitable as long as subsidies were included in the yields. While excluding subsidies from the calculations, an overwhelming majority of enterprises (95.3 %) recorded a loss. Comparing the per hectare economic results, higher average profit rates were recorded for organic farms. Furthermore, financial health of the enterprises was analyzed by means of selected indicator ratios. Concrete results, including the respective commentaries, can be found in the present paper too.

scholarly journals Current Status and Prospects for Organic Agriculture in Poland

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Jezierska-Thöle ◽  
Marta Gwiaździńska-Goraj ◽  
Łukasz Wiśniewski
Keyword(s):  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Fodder Plants ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Agriculture And Food

Abstract Organic farming is part of a sustainable development model; at the same time it is becoming a prerequisite for the multifunctional development of rural areas. The main aim of this study is to identify the state and analyse changes in the development of organic agriculture in Poland as well as to present the possibilities for its development. The time horizon of the study covers the years 2003 to 2015. The basis of the research was an analysis of the literature, the Report of the Chief Inspectorate of Trade Quality of Agriculture and Food (IJHARS), and national empirical research; it also includes an analysis of the results of surveys carried out on organic farms in the summer of 2016, as well as our own observations. The study showed that in the years 2003-2015 Poland saw a rapid increase in the number and area of organic farms due in part to the introduction of EU subsidies. Spatial analysis of the proportions of farms by voivodeship shows that in 2015 most were recorded in Warmia-Mazuria, Podlasie and West Pomerania. Similar to the increase in the number of organic farms, the years 2003-2015 saw an increased area of organic farmland. Poland is second in the world in terms of growth in the area of organic farms. In the years 2003-2014 the average size of an organic farm remained at about 25 ha and was higher than the average size of conventional farms (10 ha). In 2014 the crop structure was dominated by fodder plants (35.8%), and meadows and pastures (31.5%). In terms of livestock production, cattle and horses had the biggest share.

THE SALE OF ORGANIC FOOD IN KUYAVIAN-POMERANIAN VOIVODESHIP

2018 ◽  
Vol XIX (6) ◽  
pp. 141-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Koreleska
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Cash Payment ◽  
The Social ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Original Part

The main aim of the thesis was to present sale of organic food in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship upon the sample of the selected organic farm. In the original part of this article there was a presentation of development of organic farming and the market of organic food in the region as well as its significance for development of organic farming in the entire country as the background for further research. Later, sale of organic food in Poland and in the voivodeship was evaluated. The author has used the data from the secondary sources of national reports(GIJHARS) and literature of subject. Subsequently the author has used the method of case study, which has been prepared with use of the original data achieved during the study visits in the organic farm in 2015-2017. The criteria of selection included: the farm location, innovative nature and belonging to the area group of farms with the highest shares in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The author has noticed that the sale performed in the short channels of distribution, mainly in the markets, is functioning effectively if it has extra support in the social media. This form provides direct contact with the client, branding, cash payment and the opportunity of one-off sale of a great amount of goods. They meet the expectations of a group of individual customers and the whole groups, which, upon the food cooperatives, actively influence the process of production and distribution of organic food providing saferty of functioning to the organic farms of this type.

scholarly journals Contemporary Challenges to the Organic Farming: A Polish and Hungarian Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 8005
Author(s):  
Anna Mazurek-Kusiak ◽  
Bogusław Sawicki ◽  
Agata Kobyłka
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Agricultural Produce ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Chain Indices ◽  
High Degree

From year to year, there is an increasing demand for agricultural produce from certified organic farms. However, Poland and Hungary’s demand for this product is almost twenty times smaller than in Western European countries. The greater the demand by consumers for organic farming products, the more agricultural producers decide to switch from conventional farming to organic farming, and this farming is more environmentally friendly because it uses energy and natural resources responsibly, maintains biodiversity, maintains regional ecological balance, improves soil food, and maintains good water quality. This research aimed to compare the motives and barriers to running organic farms in Poland and Hungary, and the challenges farmers must face to undertake the trouble of running an organic farm. The research was carried out among 400 Polish and 400 Hungarian farmers running organic farms. For statistical calculations, discriminant analysis, as well as single-base and chain indices, were used. The main barriers for establishing organic farms: the necessity to adapt one’s farm to the EU requirements, using only natural fertilizers, low yields, the lack of proper advice, and a high degree of bureaucracy. Therefore, for organic farming to develop, further education is needed, both for farmers and consumers. An important aspect is improving the quality of the regulations and simplifying the administrative burden related to organic farming.

scholarly journals THE POSSIBILITIES OF LINSEED GROWING ON ORGANIC FARMS

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Elvyra Gruzdevienė ◽  
Zofija Jankauskienė
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Chemical Fertilizer ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Organic Farm

The study was designed to investigate linseed cultivation without using chemical fertilizer and plant protection measures. We study the influence of the anthropogenic and agrotechnical factors on the linseed yield. We also tried to compare the crop productivity cultivating linseed in intensive technology and in organic farm. These investigations are new in Lithuania because beforehand linseed was grown on usual technology farms. It is still not as popular in Europe.

scholarly journals ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS OF ORGANIC FARMS IN POLAND

AGROFOR ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wioletta WRZASZCZ
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Production System ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Organizational Forms ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Farm Accountancy Data Network

Organic farms form a perspective segment of the Polish agriculture, which havebeen developing very dynamically since Poland accession to the European Union(from 2004). Changes in the population of these agricultural holdings` group arethe result of the growing demand for organic agricultural products, the growingenvironmental awareness of society, as well as current agricultural policy focusedon agrienvironmental practices, for which farmers are remunerated in the form ofsubsidies. Organic production methods include good soil condition maintenance,plant nutritious needs and animal welfare requirements. Organic farms may bedifferently organised. There are three basic forms of organic farms organization,namely: farms that are in transition to organic production system (areimplementing environmental practices in stages); farms that combine organic andconventional production system; farms organized solely according to the organicprinciples. Legal requirements strictly specify what features an organic farm shouldhave, in each of the identified organisational forms. The aim of the article is tocompare organizational forms of organic farms in Poland in terms of productionand economic efficiency. There were analyzed organic farms in comparison toconventional farms included in Farm Accountancy Data Network 2015. Theresearch were conducted on the basis of indicators analysis, considering calculationreflected costs, production, economics and subsidy value connected with theCommon Agricultural Policy directed to farms.

Environmental Correlates with Germinable Weed Seedbanks on Organic Farms across Northern New England

Weed Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Smith ◽  
Sonja K. Birthisel ◽  
Sidney C. Bosworth ◽  
Bryan Brown ◽  
Thomas M. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Weed Communities ◽  
Multivariate Procedures ◽  
Agricultural Weed ◽  
Northern New England ◽  
Edaphic Variables

The northern New England region includes the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine and encompasses a large degree of climate and edaphic variation across a relatively small spatial area, making it ideal for studying climate change impacts on agricultural weed communities. We sampled weed seedbanks and measured soil physical and chemical characteristics on 77 organic farms across the region and analyzed the relationships between weed community parameters and select geographic, climatic, and edaphic variables using multivariate procedures. Temperature-related variables (latitude, longitude, mean maximum and minimum temperature) were the strongest and most consistent correlates with weed seedbank composition. Edaphic variables were, for the most part, relatively weaker and inconsistent correlates with weed seedbanks. Our analyses also indicate that a number of agriculturally important weed species are associated with specific U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones, implying that future changes in climate factors that result in geographic shifts in these zones will likely be accompanied by changes in the composition of weed communities and therefore new management challenges for farmers.

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