What do I need to Grow organic food?

Question

If I wanted to start up my own business growing organic food, what equipment and resources would I need?

and what things do I need that are specifically used for growing organic food and not regular farming.

Answer 1

Seeds ...lol

Answer 2

All you need to know:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_foo...

Answer 3

1) accreditation, normally the soil assn in the UK

2) good business plan & marketing strategy - as a small start-up you will not be able to sell to supermarkets.

3) is there a particular product niche you want to get into, a product is much more profitable than raw ingreedients.

4) community - a good way to start is engage your local community for funding & assistance & sales, like box schemes & farmers markets see http://www.permaculture.org.uk

Answer 4

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FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ORGANIC FOOD

If you would like to start your own business growing organic food, there are certain federal requirements that need to be met in the growing, processing, marketing and labeling of the food.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) which mandated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would regulate organic foods. Also, the National Organic Program (NOP) has regulations  regarding labeling and certification of organic foods.

"Any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced must adhere to the national organic standards."  There are penalties of up to $11,000 for selling food as organic that isn't up to their standards.

It also requires that "Land will have no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop."  So it's not just what you do from now on -- but what someone else may have done to the land before then.

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NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM

Here are links to the National Organic Program:

Fact Sheets / Background Information:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/FactSheets/B...

Consumer Information:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/Co...

General Index of Information on their site:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexNet.htm

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SMALL GROWER EXCEPTION

There is an exception to the requirement of being certified, which applies to small growers (less than $5,000 worth of organic product). Here is the link to the Questions and Answers about it:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Q&A.html

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YOUR OWN STATE LAWS

There may also be laws and regulations imposed by the particular state where you are located.

Most (if not all) states have a state "Extension Service" which provides free information to their citizens on various questions and issues regarding growing plants, trees, crops of all types. You may want to contact them to get more specific information and help. Here is the link to your state's service:

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/qlinks/partne...

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ORGANIC GROWING ORGANIZATION

One more suggestion: CCOF is an organization which promotes and supports organic food production. You may find their site helpful also. Here is the link:  

http://www.ccof.org/about.php

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JUST FOR YOU

Of course, if you are growing organic food for yourself and not selling it, you don't have to comply with their regulations!



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HELP FOR A NEW BUSINESS

Also, remember that the Small Business Administration provides invaluable information for anyone starting a new business of almost any type!

  

http://www.sba.gov/

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GENERALLY SPEAKING

If you are interested in learning more about growing organic food, in general, there are many good websites out there. Here are some good ones:

1.  Rodale -

http://www.organicgardening.com/

2.  Starting an organic garden:

http://www.organic-gardening.net/

3.  Some basics of organic gardening:    

http://www.organicgardening.com/channel/...

4.  A simple explanation and tips:

http://www.gardenersnet.com/organic.htm

5.  University of Florida's website on Organic Gardening:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Organic_G...

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Good luck!  I hope that this may be helpful to you (and possibly other readers). There is a definite expanding market out there if you decide to go for it!

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After I wrote my answer, I noticed several good folks writing about organic gardening resources in the UK.  Perhaps, I may have missed something in your profile about where you were located? Are you from the UK?  

(Although much of what I referenced is applicable to the USA, some of the sites I mentioned still may be helpful in many different regions. )

Answer 5

The main organic regulator in the U.K. is the Soil Association.

www.soilassociation.org. They will give you all the information you need

Answer 6

I am glad you are interested in growing organic food because it is the sustainable and responsible way and a developing market.

Firstly you need land and capital to tide you over until the crops start providing an income.  Next you need advice and training from a reputable organic agency.  Then you need to satisfy the legal requirements of your market (most developed nations require you to register with an inspection and certification agency).  Finally you need to grow what people want to buy (which means research your market).

In the UK advice is available from the Organic Advisory Service.

Best wishes.

Answer 7

organic seeds and no chemicals just S**t and soil.

Answer 8

The laws controlling organic food production are every strick..I don't know the exact laws as I am not an expert but i know that if you are doing it as a business you have to have your soil checked .Try this web site it might be helpful.

http://www.organicfarmers.org.uk/aboutor...