News Release 

Date: May 16, 2008

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, communication specialist
Telephone: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
Cell phone: (315) 427-2714
Email: rschuelke@nyfvi.org


New resources may ease decision-making in transition to organic crops

A slew of new resources to help dairy farmers make decisions about growing organic field crops include technical information on soil amendments, weed management and other topics, certification requirements, and interactive spreadsheets.

The NY Organic Dairy Initiative, a project of the Cornell University Small Farms Program and the New York Farm Viability Institute, bundled the information, "Organic Crops for Organic Dairies," available at no charge by CD or download from the web: visit www.organic.cornell.edu and click on "Organic Dairy".

"Organic Crops for Organic Dairies" is a response to the critical shortage of organic grain available for organic livestock production, said A. Fay Benson, an extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension. The information complies some of the most up-to-date resources on growing organic field crops, he said.

The New York Organic Dairy Initiative is an effort to coordinate services and resources for organic dairy farmers and advocate for solutions to barriers. A task force of farmers, educators, agri-business representatives and government officials guides the initiative. The New York Organic Dairy Initiative receives grant funding from the New York Farm Viability Institute, a farmer-led nonprofit group that directs research and outreach education to help farmers increase profits. The Institute receives state funds.

The "Organic Crops for Organic Dairies" information has received much attention since its first presentation in January at the NY Certified Organic meeting. Following the presentation, Benson said, the Rodale Institute, promoters of organic farming based in Pennsylvania, used the NY Organic Dairy Initiative Transition Spreadsheet to demonstrate to the state legislature the potential profit from transitioning to organic crop production. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering offering a tax incentive to farmers transitioning their land to organic crop production, Benson said.

Organic Valley and Horizon organic processors purchased 350 copies of the CD to pass out to their farmer members.

In addition, farmers received 100 copies of the CD at meetings last winter.

``Many people are interested in the technical info contained on the CD but the most useful tools to insure a successful, sustainable business are the spreadsheets,'' Benson said. ``These allow the individual farm to input their own information and accurately evaluate changes and practices on their farm.''

The NY Dairy Initiative is planning workshops this summer on the use of the spreadsheets.

Developed by the NY Organic Dairy Initiative, NY Farm Link, Cornell Nutrient Management Team, and others, the spreadsheets allow farmers to input their own numbers to help plan and develop changes to their farms.

Cornell Cooperative Extension personnel may obtain free copies of the CD by contacting Sharon VanDeuson at (607) 753-5213 or shv7@cornell.edu. Farmers can get the CD through Cooperative Extension educators.




New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfvi.org.