The Organic Trade Association intends to ask USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to establish a transitional organic designation for farmers converting their land to organic production. This would allow these farmers to utilize the services of the NRCS. South Dakota organic grower Charlie Johnson says it’s a reasonable request because it takes time to convert to organic production.
Despite the difficulty, Johnson says switching to organic production is a positive move for many growers.
He says converting an operation to organic takes commitment, but it will eventually pay off for the producer.
The Organic Trade Association wants AMS to manage the transitional designation under its Process Verified Program which Johnson says would be positive.
