eNEWS
June 2009 > Workshops and demo farm day bring growers to South and Central Florida
FOG launched the Organic Transition and Pesticide Reduction Program in May 2008 offering Florida farmers free technical assistance to transition to organic farming or reduce pesticide use by learning and adopting a "whole systems" approach to farming and sound integrated pest management. The program is made possible by a two-year grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Workshops April 22 in Homestead and April 23
in Immokalee informed growers about the program, organic
certification requirements, marketing
and other pertinent topics.
The program’s
first on-farm demonstration day April 17 at Jordan
Farms in Dover allowed attendees to experience an organic farm first-hand and speak to a grower producing mainly fruits and vegetables. Past program events included a workshop Feb. 5, 2008, in
Palmetto and a workshop and on-farm
learning day Oct. 10 to 11, 2008,
in the Florida Panhandle.
USDA National Organic Program
regulations require land farmed using
prohibited materials to complete a three-year
period under organic management
before crops can be represented as organic.
Growers participating in the Organic
Transition and Pesticide Reduction
Program work alongside knowledgable crop advisors
to hone
their skills and access information to assist
with challenges that may arise during the
transition to organic production.
As part of the program, FOG is exploring ways to expand viable markets for transitional produce, recognizing that profitable markets for transitional produce are lacking and are likely a key factor in growers’ considerations of whether to transition to organic production. Conversations with food retailers and processors have been initiated and there is hope that a system can be developed that defines and distinguishes transitional products as being produced using organic methods, although not yet eligible for organic certification. FOG believes recognition of transitional agriculture could benefit producers, farmworkers, consumers and the private sector, and be a catalyst for sustainable agriculture in Florida.
A multi-faceted initiative, the Organic
Transition and Pesticide Reduction
program is committed to supporting
Florida commercial producers’ adoption
of organic and sustainable farming.
For more information contact Florida Organic Growers at 352.377.6345 or email fog@foginfo.org.
RESOURCES
Organic Transition and Pesticide Reduction Program