We train agricultural professionals who provide one-on-one guidance to organic and transitional farmers so that every farmer has robust access to unbiased, science-based agronomic support for their operation.

COMPOUNDING EFFECTS, 1:43

THE PATH FROM CURIOSITY TO TRUSTED ADVISOR

We are building a comprehensive training pipeline that brings new and existing agronomists, crop consultants, and advisors from curious about organics to serving as trusted advisors to farmers.

Because organic production requires a systems-based approach to farming, we take a holistic approach to training agricultural professionals. Our training materials address, one-by-one, each of the many challenges a farmer will face, including:

  • Basics of organic production - weed control, nutrient management, crop rotation, pest management

  • Systems thinking & long-term strategies for success in organic production

  • Managing risk during transition

  • Certification and record-keeping

  • National Organic Program (NOP) rules and regulations

  • Marketing and Profitability

  • On-farm & hands-on experiential learning on organic operations

Our materials and curriculum are science-based, research-supported, and expert-vetted. We adapt our training materials for each of our 5 training regions so that our content is relevant to the unique agronomic and market conditions present in each region.


WHO DO WE TRAIN?

Agricultural professionals who provide one-on-one technical advice are the most influential on farmer decisions about their agricultural practices and strategies - second only to family members and higher than their landlord and other farmers. (Useful to Usable, 2012)

We work primarily with professionals who directly advize farmers on production practices, such as:

  • Agronomists

  • Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs)

  • Agri-business/retail service employees

  • Independent consultants

  • University Extension

We also train professionals who have a more indirect influence on farmer decision-making:

  • Lenders

  • Buyers

  • Landowners

  • Government agency staff (NRCS, etc.)

  • Non-profit educators

WHY DO WE DO THIS TRAINING?

We desire for families, farms, and ecosystems to be viable, healthy, and resilient. Certified organic farming provides a path to this vision. Organic farming is more profitable and requires more ecologically-supportive practices. Through training agricultural professionals who advise farmers, we are helping reduce barriers to more farms becoming certified organic.