WE ARE CONSISTENTLY MEETING FARMERS WHERE THEY ARE ON THEIR JOURNEY TO ADOPTING ORGANIC SYSTEMS.
COLD BROOK FARM, OLDWICK, NEW JERSEY: Supporting through the Certification Process
Cold Brook Farm has always been dedicated to regenerative farming practices and sustainable land use, but to Jason and Deb DeSalvo organic certification was a pipedream. With the help of one of our Northeast consultants, Deb and Jason successfully submitted their certification paperwork in early 2024.
“Deb and I were not sure that we ever would get certified. The process seemed so daunting and unnecessarily cumbersome. For a 10-acre grain field and small mixed veggie/fruit farm, it just seemed like too much paperwork and process for too little gain.
Kegan simplified things tremendously, helped us to understand the ‘why’ behind each part of what is required in an OSP, and actually sat with me while I filled out all of PCO’s forms. I cannot thank him enough. We will be singing Rodale and Kegan’s praises for many seasons to come and are grateful to you for your advice.”
HUNGRY TURTLE FARM, AMERY, WISCONSIN: Supporting the Advancement of BIPOC Farmers
In 2022, Hungry Turtle Farm approached our consulting team to help grow regenerative organic Mexican heritage corn. While most Mexican corn varieties have not been adapted for the Midwest, our Regional Consultant Nic Podoll was able to leverage his extensive experience with breeding and growing diverse corn varieties in the region to help this farm.
Through our partnership, Nic helped to raise seed, held an educational session with the area farming community and supported planting the seed with regenerative organic practices. Today, we are continuing to support this farm in their pursuance of a grant to build an on-site masa processing facility.
“We could not have gotten here without you. Please know how vital you have been in feeding, seeding, watering, aiding, and bolstering this idea/little dream. Thank you, Nic – we are blessed to have you in our circle”. – Alondra Cano
THROUGH GENEROUS PARTNER SUPPORT, WE HAVE INVESTED IN CONSULTING TALENT TO SCALE OUR IMPACT
Over the past year, we have brought on seven new employees that will help us to accelerate our mission and improve operational excellence, ensuring we can spend even more of our time on the highest-value work – directly supporting farmers.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, OUR PRIORITIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOCUSED ON HELPING MORE FARMERS TO FARM HEALTHIER WITH REGENERATIVE ORGANIC PRINCIPLES.
Many farmers are tapping in to a “regenerative” trend that sometimes ignores the critical aspects of creating healthy soil. While conventional farmers that use no-till practices and cover crops are taking proven steps toward healthier, more holistic systems, this approach often leads to increased use of synthetic herbicides and/or fertilizer without a plan for future reduction. In these cases, soils can become more heavily degraded than before.
Organic is regenerative agriculture, and we believe if we can help more farmers to be fully self –sufficient without relying on chemical companies, we can keep more family farms around for the long term and help them be more profitable. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the country has 141,733 fewer farms vs. 2017, most of which are small to medium-sized family operations. With continued support and greater awareness, we believe we can stem the loss and transition more farms to organic.
PRIORITY #1 - Continue to invest in talent in regions that lack organic technical support.
PRIORITY #2 - Support all farmers equitably regardless of size and scale of operation.
PRIORITY #3 - Help landowners to manage their land organically.
