Production: It’s All About Systems USDA NRCS Developed by: Bob Hamblen, Colorado State Cooperative Extension Cinda Williams, University of Idaho Extension Kevin Laughlin, University of Idaho Extension Melody Hefner, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

6/20/2015 What we’ll learn today Production systems  Traditional or conventional  Sustainable  Certified organic Certifications Risk management Record-keeping

6/20/2015 Your choice of a production system depends on Your goals The markets available to you Your personal values or philosophies Funding available How your family feels about your choice of production system!

6/20/2015 Conventional systems Maximize the profit from natural resources using high input levels Use all available management, production and marketing tools Depend on mechanized farm practices Use a business model with an emphasis on profitability

NRCS

Fertilizer and pesticide applications Univ. of Idaho

6/20/2015 Bottom line Profitability is part of all decisions in developing production systems In business, profitability is not a bad thing! But, the conventional approach may be too large-scale or machinery- intensive for smaller properties

6/20/2015 Sustainable agriculture According to Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), sustainable agriculture is a system “that produces abundant food without depleting the earth’s resources or polluting its environment.”

6/20/2015 Sustainable production systems Address economic profitability, social benefits to the farm family and community, and environmental conservation Depend on a whole-system approach with an overall goal of continuing health of the land and people Concentrate on long-term solutions to problems instead of short-term treatment of symptoms

6/20/2015 According to SARE Sustainable agriculture consists of farming systems that are:  profitable (economically sustainable)  environmentally sound (environmentally sustainable)  good for people and communities (socially sustainable)

Economic sustainability

Social sustainability UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Environmental sustainability CSU Extension

The government first addressed sustainable agriculture in the 1990 Farm Bill thedailygreen.com

6/20/2015 A sustainable system is a goal, not an absolute Any farm may adopt practices that help them take the steps towards sustainability Your property does not have to be certified organic to be sustainable, but may incorporate organic principles The practices you choose to adopt reflect your personal mission and goals No properties are perfectly sustainable! Some are farther along the continuum than others

An overview of some sustainable tools and practices Univ. of Idaho Extension

Integrated pest management (IPM) Biological Cultural Mechanical Chemical IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests that combines biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks

6/20/2015 IPM Institute

6/20/2015 Biorational pesticides Biorational pesticides Microbial insecticides Insecticidal soaps Horticultural oils Botanical insecticides Insect growth regulators

Biological pest control NDOA Leaf-eating beetles on tamarisk mtwow.org BBSRC Parasitic wasp preying on aphid

6/20/2015 Add manure and compost Univ. of Idaho Extension

6/20/2015 Use biosolids goletasanitary.com depweb.state.pa.us

6/20/2015 Green manures and cover crops NRCS USDA NRCS

6/20/2015 Tillage and cultivation for weed control Univ. of Idaho Extension

6/20/2015 Mulches Univ. of Idaho Extension

6/20/2015 Planned crop rotation ucanr.org

6/20/2015 Planned animal rotation polyfacefarm.com

6/20/2015 Intercropping and companion planting Gardenwiseonline.com

6/20/2015 Burning for sanitation and weed control Univ. of Idaho Extension

Solarization

6/20/2015 Physical barriers and buffer zones USDA NRCS Univ. of Idaho Extension

Integrating crops and livestock

6/20/2015 Organic production systems

6/20/2015 Safe Fresh Local Free-range Humanely raised and handled Small-scale Higher-quality Visually appealing What is organic? NOT NECESSARILY NOT NECESSARILY!

6/20/2015 The term “organic gardening” is of fairly recent origin. J.I. Rodale is credited with first using the word “organic” to describe the “natural method of gardening and farming” by his son Robert Rodale.

6/20/2015 “An ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” The National Organic Standards Board defines organics as

6/20/2015 Certified organic production The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 mandated uniform organic standards Use of the term organic is controlled, versus “natural”, “pesticide-free”, “free-range” or other marketing terms used by growers Growers must have an organic plan for their farm and be certified organic Annual inspections are mandated after certification

Organic crop production

Organic crop production

Organic livestock production

Organic livestock production USDA NRCS

Organic handling or processing operations

Organic product labeling 100% % 70-95% 0-70% USDA

The Federal $5,000 exemption Jonathon Demcak

6/20/2015 Transitioning to organic Transitioning may take a number of years to accomplish It may be faster and easier to transition to an organic system and organic certification from a sustainable production system than from a conventional system

6/20/2015 Organic transition approaches Transitioning one parcel at a time Gradual or piecemeal transition (check your state regulations) “Cold turkey” Certifying Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land

6/20/2015 Additional certifications you may obtain Third-party certifications (self-claims do not constitute certification) Can enhance the marketability of your product Can help you network with other small producers

6/20/2015 Made from milk from contented cows Free Range Cage Free No Artificial Ingredients No Detected Pesticides Residues 100% Natural Hormone and Antibiotic Free Grass Fed What does it really mean?

6/20/2015 Self claims “Free-range” “Pesticide-free” “Hormone-free” “rBST- or rBGH-free” “BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)-free” “Preservative-free” “Natural” “Grass-fed” “Produced using sustainable practices”

6/20/2015 FoodAlliance

Salmon-Safe

Certified Humane Raised and Handled Certification available for: Beef cattleDairy cows PigsSheep Broiler chickensLaying chickens TurkeysGoats Young dairy beef Independent verification provided by Humane Farm Animal Care, accredited by USDA

Locally grown

6/20/2015 Grassfed Animals eat nothing but mother’s milk, fresh grass and cut hay Voluntary certification by the American Grassfed Association Health benefits: some research suggests that grass-fed meats are higher in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid

6/20/2015 Do you think you’re ready to certify?

6/20/2015 If you want to certify your property or your products… Who are the certifying agencies? What do the rules say? How do you deal with the intricacies of regulations, given your specific circumstances?

6/20/2015 If you want to certify your property or your products… Is your zoning appropriate? What about CCRs? What are the health concerns? What will certification cost?

6/20/2015 Navigating the maze Creative thinking is important Networking helps Do your homework! Explore your community

Networking opportunities S. Donaldson, UNCE

6/20/2015 Don’t forget risk management Government risk-management programs Government programs for crop insurance, hail insurance, etc. Research government and university marketing and education programs Take advantage of government opportunities and subsidies

6/20/2015 Additional risk-management alternatives Maintain cash or credit reserves Diversify your enterprise Diversify your income and investments Lease equipment or land Storage

6/20/2015 Risk management for sustainable systems Farm Services Agency (FSA) AERO Rural Roots Granges Farm Bureaus Farmers’ Unions

6/20/2015 Risk management for organic production Options are now available through the USDA Risk Management Agency Organic farming practices are recognized as “good farming practices,” allowing crop insurance Contact a crop insurance agent for specific information

Record-keeping

6/20/2015Summary Production systems fall into three categories  Conventional  Sustainable  Organic Additional certifications other than organic may improve marketing capability Sustainable production practices will improve your property and the planet, whether you want to make a buck or not!

6/20/2015Homework For each of the three enterprises you proposed in Lesson 1: Determine which production method is the best fit for the proposed enterprise and your personal goals. Why? List the pros and the cons of using the production system for the enterprise. Are there third-party certifications that would be a benefit to you, your property and your bottom line? List the possibilities and the steps required.