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Organic Agriculture Research in Action: High Tunnels and Cover Cropping with Moore Family Farms

Written by Rebecca Champagne, PhD, OFRF Conservation Scientist

Meet Moore Family Farms

Robert and Dakota are the father-son team behind Moore Family Farm.

Moore Family Farms is a family-owned and operated farm located in Warsaw, North Carolina. Managed by Robert Moore and his son Dakota, the farm was founded in 1833 based on principles of sustainability. Out of the 260-acre farm, 22 acres are in production—12 conventional and 10 certified organic. On the organic side of the farm, they grow watermelons, collard greens, and cabbage. The non-organic side of the farm produces bell peppers, tomatoes, and cantaloupe.

“Our farm was revived in 2018, focusing on sustainable practices to honor our heritage while also adapting to modern agricultural trends,” Dakota explained.

Their crops are sold mainly wholesale through a regional organic produce distributor called Happy Dirt. They also had a contract with the Second Harvest Food Bank through the Local Food Purchase Assistance program (LFPA), but this contract was unfortunately lost due to federal funding freezes. They are currently exploring additional markets through Feast Down East, a local non-profit organization that connects farmers, restaurants, grocers, and consumers.

Moore Family Farms began the process of transitioning part of their farm to organic production in 2020 and has been certified since late 2023. Dakota mentioned that rising input prices prompted them to seek certification. “Fertilizer prices skyrocketed between 2019 and 2021, and we couldn’t afford to buy them,” he explained. “We did a lot of economic research into organic and decided to jump in.” 

He also pointed out that other key reasons for seeking certification included market demand for organic produce and the family’s passion for environmental stewardship.

The volatility of various markets, like fertilizers, can put significant financial strain on farmers. That’s why federal funding for organic agriculture research is so important and helps family farms hedge against production risks.

The Importance of Organic Agriculture Research

During his college days at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University, Dakota had the opportunity to work on agricultural research in high tunnel systems. He immediately noticed the difference in crops grown in high tunnels during extreme weather. Dakota and his father knew that with a high tunnel, they could get their watermelons planted earlier in the season and have more control of the growing environment. For farmers who rely on wholesale markets, getting their produce out of the field earlier can mean a longer growing season, protection against extreme weather, and ultimately more revenue.

Dakota with watermelon grown on their farm.

“With our high tunnel, we can now harvest watermelons before the Fourth of July,” Dakota said.

Since establishing their high tunnel for organic watermelon production, they’ve seen increased crop protection against extreme heat and cold, which has enhanced the quality of the crop. The high tunnel also extends their growing season, allowing them to plant and harvest crops earlier and later than before.

They’ve also been planting cover crops in their organic and conventional cropland, which have provided weed suppression, reduced soil runoff/erosion, and provided water retention benefits. “We were using plastic mulch for water retention to trap soil moisture, but we didn’t want to be throwing it away every season. We started using cover crops and saw that it helped keep more moisture in the soil,” said Dakota. He also saw the soil health benefits. According to soil test results, one of their fields saw an almost 3% increase in soil organic matter (SOM) over a three-year period, from 1.76% to 4.26% after using cover crops consistently.

View soil test results from Moore Family Farms BEFORE and AFTER utilizing cover crops in their cropping rotations ⬇️

Cover crops growing at Moore Family Farm.

The benefits of cover cropping on soil health and soil organic matter show that investments in organic agriculture research can benefit all farms looking to adopt conservation practices, not just organic farms. Moore Family Farms, operating as a split operation with both conventional and certified organic land, can utilize methods that are foundational to organic production across their entire farm. There has been abundant research on cover cropping across the country to provide organic and conventional farmers with the latest practices to help increase soil fertility and organic matter levels without costly synthetic fertilizers.

Without public research funding on these and other agronomic topics, the risk associated with agricultural experimentation would be placed more on farmers themselves, leading to slower development of beneficial innovations and less widespread adoption of practices that can result in greater conservation of natural resources. Investments in organic agriculture research advance environmental stewardship on more than just certified organic land as the findings from this research can give all farm types the knowledge and resources they need to make their operations more resilient. And the benefits of research extend beyond the farm, too. According to an analysis done by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), every $1 invested into agricultural research triggers a $20 economic benefit. This provides long-term benefits in addressing agronomic issues, increases farm productivity and profitability, and ultimately benefits the economies and resiliency of communities.

You can support farms like Moore Family and help strengthen the agricultural research all farmers depend on by:

  • Letting us know about the impact agricultural research has had on your farm (contact communications[at]ofrf.org!).
  • Enrolling in our free Communicating with Legislators email-based course and sharing your story with elected officials.
  • Writing a letter to the editor or an opinion piece in your local newspaper, talking about how research projects/programs have benefited your farm.

Dakota Moore in front of a high tunnel on their farm.

By |2026-01-15T09:46:04-05:00January 21st, 2026|Farmer Stories, News|
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New Year, Same Farm Bill… Again.

By Gordon Merrick, OFRF Policy Program Director 

If it feels like we’ve been talking about the Farm Bill forever, you’re not wrong. As we turn the calendar to a new year, we are still operating under an extended version of the 2018 Farm Bill, once again kicking the can down the road on a comprehensive, bipartisan update to one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for U.S. agriculture.

Here’s a quick reset on where things stand, what key players are signaling, and how OFRF is approaching the year ahead.

A Quick Catch-Up: How We Got Here

Last year was defined less by progress and more by procedural survival. Congress passed multiple short-term extensions to avoid a lapse in Farm Bill authorities, ultimately extending the 2018 Farm Bill into the new year. While this kept critical programs operating, it also delayed meaningful updates to research, conservation, and rural development policy, areas that increasingly need modernization.

At the same time, Farm Bill negotiations were repeatedly sidelined by larger political dynamics: leadership changes, appropriations brinkmanship, reconciliation debates, and an overall lack of floor time. The result was a familiar outcome: temporary certainty paired with long-term stagnation.

For organic farmers and researchers, this has real consequences. Programs authorized by the Farm Bill can’t evolve, funding levels can’t be right-sized, and emerging challenges—climate volatility, supply chain disruptions, market consolidation—remain inadequately addressed.

What Key Players Are Saying About the Farm Bill This Year

As Congress returns, there’s no shortage of rhetoric about getting a Farm Bill “done this year.” Committee leadership in both chambers continues to express support for a bipartisan process, and USDA officials have reiterated the importance of predictability for farmers and rural communities.

That said, the signals are mixed. Some members are focused on a “skinny” Farm Bill approach. Others are openly questioning whether the traditional Farm Bill coalition can hold together. Meanwhile, broader debates over federal spending and agency structure continue to loom over the process.

What’s clear is this: nothing will move on autopilot. A successful Farm Bill this year will require sustained engagement, coalition-building, and pressure from outside Washington to remind lawmakers what’s at stake.

What OFRF Is Doing This Year for Organic Agriculture Policy

OFRF is approaching this Farm Bill cycle with clarity and intention. Our priorities remain consistent: ensuring that organic agriculture is fully recognized as a research-driven, conservation-forward, and economically significant part of U.S. agriculture.

This year, that means:

  • Advocating for robust investments in organic research, including OREI, ORG/RTOP, and USDA intramural research.
  • Working to ensure that technical and financial assistance programs actually function for organic and transitioning-to-organic producers, not just on paper.
  • Elevating the role of organic agriculture as an economic engine, particularly in rural communities.
  • Supporting bipartisan policy solutions, like the Organic Science and Research Investment (OSRI) Act, that can be integrated into a final Farm Bill.

Just as importantly, we’re continuing to ground-truth these priorities through direct conversations with farmers, researchers, and partners across the country. Policy that isn’t informed by lived experience doesn’t hold up, and we’re committed to making sure that doesn’t happen.

How You Can Get Involved

If there’s one lesson from the last year, it’s that silence doesn’t move policy. Whether this Farm Bill becomes another extension or a meaningful reset depends in part on how clearly lawmakers hear from the communities they serve.

You can:

  • Talk with your members of Congress about why organic research and conservation matter in your district.
  • Share your experiences navigating USDA programs: what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.
  • Engage with OFRF’s and our partner’s policy updates, sign-on letters, and action alerts as opportunities arise.
  • Encourage colleagues, partners, and neighbors to stay engaged, even when the process feels slow or opaque.

A new year doesn’t automatically bring a new Farm Bill. But sustained, informed engagement can.

We’ll keep doing our part to make sure organic agriculture is not an afterthought in this process. We hope you’ll stay in it with us.

Eat well and breathe deeply,

Gordon

By |2026-01-08T08:15:23-05:00January 8th, 2026|Gordon's Policy Corner, News|
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Organic Agriculture Research in Action: Navigating Urban Farming with Little Lighthouse Farm

Written by Rebecca Champagne, PhD, OFRF Conservation Scientist

Meet Little Lighthouse Farm

Little Lighthouse Farm is a half-acre, certified-organic urban farm founded in 2022. Located in central Phoenix, Arizona, Rachel Opio runs the farm at the house she was born and raised in. She aims to grow everything that’s in season: produce, leafy greens like collards, dandelion greens, and swiss chard, as well as herbs, pasture-raised chickens for egg production, and a beehive for honey. She also cultivates native plants that many people don’t realize they can eat, like purslane.

Rachel sells her produce and other products at the local farmer’s market, at the farm stand right on the farm, and at the food bank. She accepts SNAP, WIC, and the Senior Nutrition Program, and she’s one of only a few places in the area to do so.

“As a black female farmer, I want to ensure my neighbors of all races, backgrounds, and ethnicities have nutrient-rich foods,” Rachel said. “I also offer garden consulting for my neighbors who want to learn how to grow their own edible landscapes.”

Little Lighthouse Farm gained USDA organic certification in February 2025. It is currently the only black-owned, certified organic urban farm in Arizona. Given the history of discrimination in federal lending programs against black farmers by the USDA, it was important to Rachel to seek certification and build trust in what she produces.

(Recommended reading → USDA issues payments to address discrimination against Black farmers; Racial Equity in Organic)

Although Little Lighthouse Farm is only half an acre in size, producing crops on even a small scale comes with its challenges. Additionally, there are unique challenges to urban farming. That’s why federal funding for organic agriculture research is so important and helps producers of all sizes.

The Importance of Organic Agriculture Research

Rachel was motivated to implement conservation practices to reduce the risks associated with irrigation costs, one of the biggest concerns on her farm. During the very hot Arizona summers, Rachel can spend up to four hours a day hand-watering her crops. Not only is this time-consuming, but because she operates an urban farm that’s reliant on city water, it can be expensive. She is also passionate about soil health and providing habitat for beneficial insects, like pollinators.

Rachel is already seeing the benefits of implementing conservation practices. She began using cover crops and set up a pollinator garden when she started the farm three years ago. Cover cropping, in particular, has helped alleviate compaction that is typical of the soil in Phoenix.

“If I hadn’t used cover crops, I would have never been able to grow anything in this soil. The first day I put a trowel in the soil after amending it for over a year, the trowel just slid in like a glove. And then I saw the worms. I was crying. Soil life is amazing.”

Investments in organic agriculture research can help farmers of all backgrounds and farms of all sizes. Urban farms face unique challenges of their own but can implement conservation practices just like larger-scale farms, which means they benefit from research findings, too. Organic research projects focused on urban agriculture have published studies that can help with conservation goals such as guides about water management and access and strategies for hydroponic strawberry production.

At Little Lighthouse Farm, soil health was restored because of the years of research on the benefits of cover cropping. Better soil health allows Rachel to grow better crops, which provide nutritious products to community members. Research funding makes this all possible and demonstrates that innovations in organic agriculture research can result in widespread adoption of beneficial practices, helping farms of all sizes and production types meet conservation goals. And the benefits of research extend beyond the farm, too. According to an analysis done by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), every $1 invested into agricultural research triggers a $20 economic benefit. This provides long-term benefits in addressing agronomic issues, increases farm productivity and profitability, and ultimately benefits the economies and resiliency of communities.

You can support farmers like Rachel and help strengthen the agricultural research all farmers depend on by:

  • Letting us know about the impact agricultural research has had on your farm (contact communications[at]ofrf.org!).
  • Enrolling in our free Communicating with Legislators email-based course and sharing your story with elected officials.
  • Writing a letter to the editor or an opinion piece in your local newspaper, talking about how research projects/programs have benefited your farm.
By |2026-01-06T13:04:46-05:00January 6th, 2026|Farmer Stories, News|
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Farmers across the U.S. are eligible for significant technical and financial assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Farmers and technical service providers know firsthand that the most significant barriers to developing sustainable infrastructure and production practices are due to time and resource scarcity. NRCS’ EQIP program offers financial assistance and technical support to implement new conservation practices on your farm, with additional support for historically underserved applicants, including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited-resource farmers and ranchers. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of what EQIP has to offer and the steps to utilizing this program.

Obtain additional translated materials, or schedule interpretation services for phone calls or in-person visits, at farmers.gov/translations, or request personalized Spanish language support for any USDA resource, at farmers.gov/translations#spanish-request.

Important Points:

  • EQIP is a reimbursement program; most operations will have to pay for improvements up-front and get funding to cover those costs.
  • Do not begin reimbursable conservation activities and projects prior to completion of your application process and contract with NRCS.
  • Contacting your local NRCS office is a key step in determining your eligibility and beginning your application process.
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed on the next ranking date for your state. Begin your application process as soon as possible to ensure completion by the next deadline! Applications are prioritized by local resource concerns and the applicant’s level of need.
    • The 2026 batching deadline is January 15, 2026, for all states. 
  • You will need to create a free online account at Farmers.gov and ensure that it is up to date.
  • If you do not own your land, you will need to submit written permission from the owner with your application.

Step 1. Research Your Options.

EQIP offers support for a broad scope of conservation activities & projects to producers, including both financial and technical support. EQIP provides funds to reimburse costs associated with specific practices or infrastructure projects on a farm. EQIP’s most popular sub-programs include the High Tunnel Initiative, which covers the cost of high tunnel installation for production farms, the On Farm Energy Initiative, which covers the cost of energy-saving equipment and infrastructure improvements such as refrigeration units or greenhouse improvements, and the Organic Initiative, which provides up to $140k to certified organic or transitioning farms to implement conservation practices such as design and installation of efficient irrigation systems, nutrient & pest management strategies, or developing a grazing plan. Funding availability varies by state. As of 2026, not all initiatives are offered in every state. Check with your local NCRS office to determine what funding pools are available in your state.

Front page of a CSP factsheet in English

Step 2. Connect with USDA.

Create or update your account at Farmers.gov, and contact your local NRCS office to get started. Your conservation specialist will confirm your eligibility and help you identify which projects & practices best suit your operation. 

Guiding questions for initial contact with NRCS:

  • “I’m interested in applying for EQIP’s  _initiative(s) of interest_ for my farm to help finance _conservation project of interest_. What do you need from me to get started on my application?”
  • “What additional funding opportunities are available to my farm?”
  • “How soon can a conservationist help me set up a conservation plan (AD 1026)?”
  • “When is the deadline for the next EQIP ranking period?”
  • “I am eligible for the increased and advanced payment option for Historically Underserved farmers. How will this change my application process?”
  • “I _(own/rent)_ my land. What documents will you need for completion of my EQIP application by the deadline?”
  • “My farm is _certified/transitioning_ to organic. What additional will you need for completion of my conservation plan and application by the deadline?”

Step 3. Schedule your conservation plan development.

Your NRCS conservation specialist will work with you to develop a conservation plan for your operation and complete the AD 1026 form.

Step 4. Gather your application documents.

You’ll need your: 

  • Official tax ID (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number)
  • Adjusted gross income certification (Form CCC-941), which requires your Taxpayer ID Number and AGI from the previous 3 tax years.
  • Deed, or property lease agreement, and written authorization from the landowner to install structural or vegetative practices.
  • Farm tract number (obtained from Farmers.gov or FSA membership).
  • Documentation of organic certification (if applicable).
  • Documentation of your land’s irrigation history (if applicable to project).

Step 5. Complete your application & submit!

Your NRCS conservation specialist will complete & submit your application form (CPA 1200) with you using your established conservation plan and the above documents. 

Step 6. Implement your plan.

If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done. You’ll be provided with guidelines and a timeframe for implementing your plan. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work.

Apply for EQIP now and unlock a more affordable path to sustainable agriculture. Your farm deserves the support it needs.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF below, available in English and Spanish.

Cover page of TOPP EQIP Toolkit

English

Español

By |2026-01-15T10:21:50-05:00January 5th, 2026|Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources, TOPP West|
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An Organic Approach to Increasing Resilience

Few farmers need official reports to tell them that “increasing weather volatility” and climate change threaten their livelihoods and the resilience of their farming and ranching operations. With historic droughts, wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes in recent years, more farms are facing variable yields, crop losses, increased weed, pest, and disease pressures, and intensifying soil degradation, erosion, and compaction.

By utilizing organic and sustainable practices to build soil health, farmers and ranchers can improve their resilience and reduce risk as our climate changes. While practices can vary depending on your operation, establishing optimum soil organic matter (SOM) and biological
activity will help your operation through the difficult times to come.

By |2026-01-16T11:26:29-05:00December 18th, 2025|Climate Change, Cover Crops & Crop Rotation, Insects & Diseases, Livestock, On-Farm Research, Plant Breeding & Variety Selection, Resource, Soil Health|
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Adding the “O”: Farmer Perspectives and Experiences Transitioning to Organic

Are you beginning the process of transitioning your farm to certified organic? Are you wondering how others have overcome the hurdles of certification? Would you like to hear directly from farmers who have successfully made their transition to organic?

This webinar features two farmers that share their experiences and thoughts for demystifying some of the challenges they faced in the process.

Our Farmer Panelists:

  • Mike Bronkema of Shady Side Farm in Michigan began his journey in 1992 with a conventional layer operation. With the help of his wife, Mike has now transitioned 150 acres into a diversified farm of 20 different varieties of edible dry beans as well as heritage small grains, such as einkorn and spelt, and open-pollinated corn. https://shadysidefarm.com/
  • Dakota Moore of Moore Family Farm in Michigan began the transition in 2019. Dakota was raised on the historic Moore Family Farm in Warsaw, North Carolina, which has been around since 1833. He and his father work together on the farm where they specialize in the production of Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Cabbage, Butterhead and Romaine Lettuce.
By |2026-01-16T11:26:10-05:00December 17th, 2025|Certification & Compliance, Resource|
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NRCS Organic Practice 823: Strategies and Best Practices

During this session of the Seeds of Success series OFA explores NRCS Organic Practice 823.

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has many programs to help farmers convert to organic farming operations. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. Under EQIP, Organic Transition Initiative 823 (OTI) is specifically meant to help those transitioning to organic operations, by cost-sharing and providing technical support on practices organic and transitioning farmers want to implement on their farms.

This program is relatively new, and a little different than other NRCS practices. Hear directly from ag professionals and farmers about their experiences with 823 and their ideas regarding how to best utilize this valuable conservation planning tool.

By |2026-01-16T11:26:02-05:00December 17th, 2025|Certification & Compliance, Federal Assistance, Resource|
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Crop Insurance for Organic Farmers: What’s Working, What’s Not, and How We Can Make it Work for Us

In a changing climate, crop insurance can make or break a farmer’s ability to keep farming the next year. But this federally-subsidized program, intended as a safety-net for farmers, serves some producers, growing a few specific crops, better than others. The program, as currently designed, feeds into consolidation of land and resources in agriculture, with crop insurance being the only subsidized farm program with no upper limit on the funds that a farmer can receive from the federal government, a practice which reinforces existing power structures and leads to fewer, bigger, and less diverse farms.

Organic and transitioning farmers, specifically, find themselves misunderstood and underserved in the crop insurance system, as their practices, rotations, transition and certification processes are not widely understood by the agents serving them, and can be in conflict with Risk Management Agency requirements.

Noah Wendt – A&W Farms, Iowa and Seth Kroeck – Crystal Spring Farm, Maine share their experiences with crop insurance.

Seeds of Success Webinar | The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), is partnering with the Organic Farmers Association (OFA), and National Organic Coalition (NOC) to host a series of virtual farmer-to-farmer networking sessions, Seeds of Success. These facilitated events will be interactive, informal spaces for farmers to share their challenges and successes, and will give farmers an opportunity to have open conversations on topics most relevant to them.

For more information about the Organic Farmers Association and its programs, resources, and events, please visit: https://organicfarmersassociation.org

This work was supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP). For more information about TOPP or transitioning to organic, please visit: http://www.organictransition.org

By |2026-01-16T11:25:54-05:00December 17th, 2025|Federal Assistance, Resource|
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Lessons from the Plains on the Transition to Organic

A Farmer Panel recap from the Transitioning to Organic Farming Conference at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center in Ithaca, NE

By Brian Geier, OFRF Communications Manager.

“I used to write checks to chemical companies. Now I write them to my kids,” explains Tom Schwarz, a 5th-generation farmer from southern Nebraska, while discussing the advantages of organic production. The Schwarz Family Farm has been farming organically since transitioning the farm in 1988. Along with his wife and two kids, Tom raises corn, soybeans, wheat, field peas, alfalfa, oats, and numerous cover crops. He was speaking at the Transition to Organic Farming Conference hosted by the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, alongside two other organic farmers. 

As may be the case for many farmers in rural Nebraska, farming is not new to any of the organic farmers on this particular panel. Each spoke with a familiarity and vocabulary that comes with decades of experience. All three of them are from families who are farming hundreds or thousands of acres, some owned, many rented, in various stages of leases. And all of them had, at some point in the past few decades, switched a portion of their farming enterprises to certified organic production. For these farmers, who carry on family legacies of farming that survived the farm crises of the 1970s and 80s, organic is, among other things, a way to survive. It is also a path toward passing a farm operation onto the next generation that is better, safer, and more profitable than when they started. 

No-till, organic corn at Young Family Farm in Nebraska. Photo credit: Barry Young, farmer-presenter on the “Organic Production: Nebraska Growers’ Perspectives” panel. 

Like most farming, organic is not all easy. Tom presented what he sees as the disadvantages of organic: it is management-intensive (more machinery passes per season), requires extra recordkeeping, and WEEDS (emphasis via capitalization added from Tom’s presentation). “It’s just plain harder,” he explained, citing the need to be able to adapt on the fly and to creatively problem solve.

Matt Adams, who started farming with his dad in 2016 and operates about 600 acres in Seward, Nebraska, also spoke on the panel. He agreed that there can be difficulties with the transition to organic, particularly with having machinery settings or setups needed for larger-scale grain production. “Get everything ready way before,” he warns, “so the day you need to be out there, you’re ready.” 

Matt transitioned non-irrigated land that was previously in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to organic hay and row crops. Since the fields were in CRP, there had been no prohibited substances applied to them, and they were ready to certify, meaning he did not have to steward them through the three-year transition period to organic. But since the land had not been fertilized or cultivated, Matt is finding that yields have been low and weed pressure high, putting extra strain on the need for timely, effective cultivation setups. 

When addressing challenges, the number one source of information for organic farmers is other farmers. And Nebraska’s organic farmers on this panel are no exception. 

“I do have some original thoughts. But I always throw them to the wolves first,” explains Barry Young, the third panelist who operates Young Family Farm in southeast Nebraska. “I should call it ‘Young Community Farm’”, he chuckles, giving credit to past mentors that first taught him about polyculture planting, and acknowledging fellow farmers and family members that he discusses ideas with before trying them. Barry finds that sourcing inputs is one of his biggest challenges. Despite living in farm country, “No one around me was doing what I’m doing,” he said. Still, by persistently asking questions of fellow organic and regenerative farmers, who he finds are more apt to share knowledge than many conventional growers, he has learned to meet main challenges like developing inter-species planting mixes for weed control. 

Organic farmer Barry Young explains his polyculture planting mix for organic wheat, which includes a custom mix of 120 pounds of wheat with 2 pounds of radish and 3 pounds of flax. The flax, a legume, helps enhance the soil microbiome while the radish helps break compaction especially following alfalfa. Both winterkill and the wheat matures as a pure stand for harvest the next season.

Earthworms and good soil structure in a November cover crop at Young Family Farm.

A high biomass (10-ton per acre) pea/oat cover crop following no-till corn planting at Young Family Farm

Corn grows with a soil-building mix in wheat stubble at Young Family Farm.

Secondary roots on organic, no-till corn at six weeks post-emergence at Young Family Farm.

“This is the way we’re intended to farm.”

-Nebraska organic farmer

All three of the farmers spoke about several advantages of organic production, too. One described lying down in a field, observing the increase in bug and bird life following the switch away from pesticides, and thinking, “This is the way we’re intended to farm.” 

Other advantages cited include organic’s market stability, and the regional control and accountability within the market chains. With organic grain production, many farmers are selling niche crops to regional processors who are then selling food back to the community. This creates a market and economy that farmers form long-term relationships with, and it stands in contrast to the volatility and lack of accountability from larger, conventional commodity crop markets where crops are shipped out of state or country for processing. It is “consumer-based as opposed to commodity-based,” Tom points out. 

But ultimately, for Tom and others on the panel, it is about their farms’ future, and that is about the quality of life of the next generation. Today, there are challenges with organic, for sure, but farming has been a difficult profession for generations of Nebraskans. With organic production as at least a part of the farm, Tom feels he is creating something that will be passed on to the next generation and be better than what he inherited. Aside from now being a paid part of the organic operation, Tom notes that “The kids will not be exposed to chemicals like I was,” adding, matter-of-factly, “that’s the biggest reason I do it.”

For Plains farmers interested in learning more about the USDA’s National Organic Program, we encourage you to explore resources and upcoming events hosted by the region’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). You may also want to explore OFRF’s step-by-step guides, printable tools, and farmer experiences to help you access USDA programs and funding, such as the NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the RMA’s Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) program.

By |2026-01-06T16:40:14-05:00December 16th, 2025|Farmer Stories, News|
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