NC State University began a program in 2004 concentrating on organic grain production in North Carolina. This program has focused on equipping farmers in North Carolina with the skills and agronomic support needed to produce and market organic grain crops. The goal of this program is to motivate individuals, through extension educational activities, to adopt and maintain organic crop rotations and to pursue markets for these farm products.
Many North Carolina farmers have expressed interest in opportunities for organic grain production. Through this program, extension education workshops and farm tours for farmers and their advisors are addressing production issues unique to organic management. Research on overcoming the challenges of organic grain production, such as weed management and fertility, is an important part of the program.
Demand for organic corn, soybeans, and wheat in North Carolina continues to grow. There are five large buyers of organic grain in the state, using over 10 million dollars worth of organic grain each year. Most of that grain is imported to the state. This program has great potential to help farmers in North Carolina realize the profitability of organic grain production.
One of the results of this program is the North Carolina Organic Commodities Production Guide. This guide provides extensive information on production of organic corn, small grains, and soybeans, organic weed management, fertility, organic certification, marketing, and organic crop budgets.
See other NC State publications about organic grain production.
To read about events sponsored by this project, go to Events.
For more information about this project, contact:
Dr. Rachel Atwell Vann
Extension Assistant
Department of Crop and Soil Science, NCSU
Campus Box 7620
Raleigh, NC 27695-7620
telephone: 309-945-6752
email: raatwell@ncsu.edu
or
Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton
Associate Professor and Organic Cropping Specialist
Department of Crop and Soil Science, NCSU
Campus Box 7620
Raleigh, NC 27695-7620
telephone: 919-515-7597
fax: 919-515-5855
email: chris_reberg-horton@ncsu.edu
