Organic Farming - Tappen, ND

It is a big movement and now more producers in our state are looking at making the switch. Repor...  More »

It is a big movement and now more producers in our state are looking at making the switch. Reporter Sarah Gustin takes us to Tappen to meet a few organic growers. Consumers are demanding it...And now more farmers looking at answering the call. (Hampton Spencer / Interested in Organics) I am very interested in organic farming and that is why I am here.About 25 individuals interested in organics are loading up and heading to the field to learn more about going green. The Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resource Management and Sustainablity better known as FARRMS is co-hosting the first organic farm tour...to show how a true organic farm operates. (Bryan Stroh / Organic Farmer) Well, we got started organic when we were little. My dad was farming organic ever since, I don't ever remember spraying. Researchers are also on hand to provide some answers. (Steve Zwinger / Organic Researcher) So I think those are the biggest questions..Can it be done or How do i do it. And really probably because it is the apperance thing. Weeds are the biggest thing that scare farmers into growing organic. And farmers who have already overcome some of the obstacles and are dealing with the weeds...are sharing some words of wisdom. (Bryan Stroh / Organic Farmer) Rotation is really, really key in organic. What we are trying to do now is thnk about doing some notill, double cropping maybe put in like a wheat, and taking it off and putting in a tritacle, or a sudan to help wth the weeds there and that way we can get more organic material just in the root system. But despite the challenges, no doubt...organic is a growing industry. Our state ranks second in the nation in the number of certified organic cropland acres. And nearly 200 organic producers are spread across the state....reaping the many benefits going green has to offer. (Steve Zwinger / Organic Researcher) I think some of the attributes of organic farming, in other words having the farm cycle most of the nutrients and not having to bring in a lot of inputs is a valuable aspect. And I think as we look at the current cost of some of these inputs, this may get more attention and may get more important simply because of economics. In Tappen, reporting for KX News, I am Sarah Gustin. Organic Producer, Karri Stroh says about half of the total organic acres in the state lie within about a 30 mile radius in the Tappen area.  « Less