Starting an Organic Gardening Farm

Organic gardening farms are much like regular gardening farms aside from the fact that the produce is grown free of pesticides, fertilizers and hormones. This way of farming is much more sustainable and environmentally friendly than other ways of farming – not to mention the market for organic produce is steadily growing according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. In order to properly start an organic gardening farm, there are certain steps that need to be taken to ensure the best chance of success on your business ventures.

Step One:

Attend seminars and training for agriculture and organic gardening so that you understand the background knowledge of the industry as a whole. Online resources and some books also provide you with the information that is needed to understand the management process.

Step Two:

Invest wisely in terms of the property where you plan to build your organic farm. The best locations for farms are those that have a good amount of sunlight as well as soil with a good quality level. You also want to make sure to avoid areas that are adjacent to commercial farm lands. This helps reduce the risk of airborne pesticides due to the wind and other possible aspects.

Step Three:

Prepare all of the necessary materials that you will need to efficiently farm on a consistent basis. It is important to have all of the tools that you need ahead of time so that there are very little, if any, setbacks during the start-up of your gardening farm. The tools that you need to ensure are in place include seeds, machinery and your workers. Also, there are a number of organic gardening products that allow you to keep bugs and other pests away without harming the environment or the rest of your produce.

Step Four:

Ensure that all products you use are in line with organic standards. These regulations include prohibited use of sewage sludge, irradiation and genetically modified organisms during the process of organic production. Organic gardening products are increasingly become available online and at retailers.

Step Five:

Choose a certifying agent and request an application packet for organic certification. Fill out the application and include an Organic System Plan (OSP), any licensing agreements, fees and requested documentation. The requested documentation may include information on your crop production, livestock production and handling operations. Once the accredited certifying agency receives the application and required documents and fees, an inspector will come out to assess your organic farm. Upon successful review, you will receive your initial organic gardening certification and will be reviewed on an annual basis thereafter.