Quinn talks about the benefits of organic farming

Press release

A local organic farmer said north-central Montana producers may want to look into the benefits of converting some of their production to organic agriculture.

"There are two things I love about organic farming," said Bob Quinn of Big Sandy, who has been farming organically for 30 years. "The first is that it made farming fun again for me. Second was that I started making money again, which, of course, was part of the fun. We paid off our operating note in three years and have not had one since."

Organic agricultural production and food sales in America has been the fastest growing segment of agriculture since the approval of the USDA organic seal 20 years ago. Sales of organic food have consistently increased between 10 percent and 20 percent each year.

The growth trend of organic food sales is expected to continue to reach new levels as main-line supermarkets all over the country are beginning to carry organic food. This is good news for farmers who grow organic food, and for any who may be thinking about converting to organic production.

Today, the demand for organic food far surpasses the supply grown in America. This has pushed the prices paid to farmers to record high levels. For example, organic grain prices are four to five times the prices currently paid for conventionally grown wheat, and still the demand continues to climb.

Quinn also formed a company, Kamut International, to promote a unique organic spring wheat, KAMUT® brand khorasan wheat, which he and other organic farmers raise.

Not only does organic production sell for more, but the cost of production is just a fraction of the cost of using expensive herbicides and fertilizers, Quinn said. In fact, it is the replacement of those synthetic inputs with sustainable farming practices that qualifies a farm - or part of it - to be certified organic, he added.

"Farmers should know that CRP fields that have not been sprayed can be certified organic this year," said Quinn.

Organic certification requires land to have had no synthetic inputs applied, such as herbicide or chemical fertilizers, for at least 36 months before harvest.

Quinn said that if a farmer is interested in converting other acres he has conventionally farmed to organic production, the three-year chemical-free period - or transition period - starts from the last chemical application. For example, a field last sprayed or fertilized before August 2015 could harvest its first certified organic crop in the fall of 2018.

Questions about organic certification may best be answered by an organic certifier. The Montana Department of Agriculture has an Organic Program manager, Georgana Webster. The department is authorized by the USDA's National Organic Program as one of the certifiers in Montana.

Webster said there are good resources available to provide information and even cost share money to help with organic certification.

"Currently, there is USDA Farm Bill funding available known as 'Cost Share.' This program provides reimbursement of 75 percent of certification costs up to $750," Webster said.

More information regarding the steps to organic certification is available at Montana Department of Agriculture Organic Program website, or via email at [email protected], or by calling 406-444-7804 or 406-444- 9421.

Kamut International has also retained a crop advisor to help producers with agronomic questions regarding organic conversion. Wes Gibbs of Integrity Ag Services in Fort Benton provides free grower support to people who are interested in contracting to grow KAMUT® brand spring wheat. He can be reached at 406-366-2594.

KAMUT® wheat grower contracts are made with Montana Flour & Grains of Fort Benton by calling Eldon Pfile or André Giles at 406-622-5436.