I'm getting into lavender farming, and I want the highest quality grosso genetics. Does anyone have any suggestions for a breeder?

Hey everyone,

I just heard about the launch of the IDOlocalfood website, and it sounds like a fantastic resource for organic farmers! It's a platform where farmers can connect, share their experiences and techniques, and learn from each other. There are discussions on everything from soil management to pest control, which can really help us improve our practices.

The site also features committees and programs that focus on different farming aspects, providing valuable insights and support. Plus, there's a marketplace section where we can discuss market trends, share pricing strategies, and find potential buyers for our organic products.

It seems like a great community for anyone involved in organic farming. It's worth checking out if you're looking to enhance your farming experience and connect with like-minded farmers. Let's take advantage of this new resource to learn and grow together! Just wanted to share!

Hi folks-

I started working at a farm and I think we left our green garlic out in the greenhouse too long.

It smells like roasted garlic and is yellowy inside. We aren’t selling these but wondering if it’s ok to still consume!

Thanks

I’m looking forward to visiting family in Sydney for a few weeks in Jan/Feb. As an organic farmer in the northeast, usa, I’m very interested in visiting some farms to check out how things are done similarly and differently.

Obviously it’s a long way off, and I’m not sure how the season runs in Australia during summer months, but if anyone has any connections or recommendations, I’d love to learn more.

Yes, we are concerned about healthy food, but as farmers, we are also worried about whether organic fertilizers could replace synthetic fertilizers completely.

Hello, looking for ideas and best practices for cover crops between my plasticulture rows. We farm perennial crops, currently on plastic, in zone 3b (North America).

I'm currently getting ready to plant 10 acres of non-gmo soybeans on my land for the first time and would like some advice on using a pre emergent that isn't a synthetic chemical. I'm fine with pellets or liquid, but would prefer pellets if at all possible.

I'm new to farming, having only planted spelt last season and had an ok harvest, by my standards, so any advice or links to sites selling organic weed control would be appreciated. Also, I live in grow zone 6b.

There is currently 2ft tall grasses and other things growing in the field which will be mowed and worked to be able to plant.

The equipment im using is and old JD60 tractor with various implements and for harvest, a JD45 combine. I also have a couple older farmers that are good mentors. Aside from the great help theyve been, they say to burn it down with glyphosate or the like, which I won't ever do. I also have 2 honeybee apiaries, so that will play a role in my decision making as well.

Thank you for any wisdom and knowledge you are willing to part with.

My father in law is getting old and wants to give us his BCS tiller so that he can get something easier for him to manage. He asked me to do some research. These are his desires:

1. Good reliable, trouble free, easier to start engine.  No Brigs.  Honda is first choice, Kohler is OK.
2. 18-20” width.
3. Handle height adjustable on the fly.

Also good to have:

1. Handles that can switch side to side to keep from stepping in tilled path.
2. Differential axle (hard to find, I think)

Does anyone here have opinions or advice on machines that would fit these criteria? Thanks!

Hi! I’ve always been passionate about farming. My family has always managed our own garden. I was a member of FFA in school. I’ve worked on an organic market farm. If I listen to or read something it’s usually about farming. Now that I’m starting my farm I am beginning to feel discouraged by the amount of conventional farming so close to my organic farm, practically right next door. I inherited this property so it’s not like I chose this location but I cannot buy another property. Should I give up? Is it even worth trying? I feel like all the runoff and wind drift will negatively impact my farm and defeat the purpose of trying to grow organic. I live in the south and there are huge pecan plantations and row crop farms all around. Please share words of advice or straight up tell me it’s pointless to try to grow organic next to conventional

I have read that heirloom seeds are typically open-pollinated, meaning they are pollinated by natural mechanisms such as wind, insects, or birds. However, I am wondering, when they are planted and grown, do seed breeders use chemical fertilizers/herbicides/pesticides etc, in the process?

If yes, does this in anyway alter the DNA structure of the seed?

As the title suggests, I inherited a 1,000 blueberry bushes, located in the North East of Scotland. They’re organic (no easy weed suppression) and I live 174 miles away, in Edinburgh. Naturally I decided to keep them.

I have a Substack where I keep a sort of mock-umentory of my time trying to turn the unruly plantation of bushes around, and build a successful small business.

If you’re interested you can check it out by searching for “From Weeds to Riches - Substack” on Google and it will come up.

Cheers

Hi,

I am UK-based and I am looking for organic soy hulls. Does anyone know where I can find this?

My hands are extremely sore from my work. They feel swollen, tight, and they lose circulation easier than usual. I expect this feeling to subside now that spring is coming to an end. But I’d like to learn some holistic ways to keep my hands in good shape for years to come. (I’m only 25). Maybe some herb suggestions to soak them in? I’ve iced them a few times but not sure if it was effective. I practice yoga which I think helps with general blood flow, but not as regular as I’m so busy with work right now.

My hands are SORE! I need your tips.

I watched this great short doc on Vimeo about organic farming; hoping this community will appreciate the message and continue to spread the word.

It’s amazing what these folks were able to do in such short order. Just goes to show how lives are changed by doing what’s ethically and morally right, might not be easy but 100% worth it for our health, our land, and our country.

https://vimeo.com/311972894

Hello, I am trying desperately to buy into a CSA from an organic farm that tests for heavy metals and PFAS— who will also ship to Massachusetts. Any leads would be great because so far I'm SOL.

I'm in North Carolina, USA.

I'm considering selling a natural pest repellant that I've made for myself for years, and there's a bit of a local demand for it.

Any suggestions on how to get the product certified as organic?