Organic Production

Organic farmers utilize a variety of cover crops as part of their cropping systems. Learn about organic farming and the use of cover crops, find advice on certification, using organic nutrient sources, and tips on creating a weed management plan for an organic farm.

Organic Cover Crop Farming

For organic farmers, using cover crops means they can achieve essential soil fertility, plant protection, and nutrient management goals without using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

There’s no one single cover crop that can meet every need, which is why it’s become common practice to use cover crop mixtures. Farmers have been experimenting with mixtures of three to more than a dozen species, with excellent results. They design cover crop mixtures to achieve different goals or get different benefits for their production.

When terminating cover crops, organic farmers aren’t able to use traditional methods such as the application of herbicides. Equipment such as a roller crimper is one alternative. Farmers use the rolled cover crop residues as mulch to suppress weeds during the summer cash crop season.

Farmers can find out about organic cover crop farming in a range of different ways. Penn State Extension, for example, holds organic study circles and an organic transitions study circle where farmers are invited to discuss their ideas and experiences. The Penn State Organic Crop Production Guide features case studies of successful organic crop farmers in the Northeast and information on organic farming practices.

Organic Crop Production Regulations and Certification

The National Organic Program is a federal regulatory program that Congress established in 2001. Its aim is to develop and enforce uniform national standards for organically produced agricultural products sold in the United States. Strict organic certification is also used to eliminate fraud and ensure the integrity of organic products.

Its responsibilities also include accrediting private companies and assisting with the training of their organic farm inspectors. Accredited certifiers and the USDA work together to enforce standards, ensuring a level playing field for producers and protecting consumer confidence in the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal.

Organic Weeds and Pest Management with Cover Crops

Weeds and pests cause huge crop yield losses every year. Heavy use of herbicides is one of the more traditional ways of managing them, but it’s not an option for organic producers. One approach that’s far more suitable is the use of cover crops as part of a weeds and pest management system.

There are several fundamental steps to take when creating a weed management plan for an organic farm. The first is to learn about the different types of weeds and how they can cause problems. Rotation of crops is another very effective way to keep land free of weeds, but it requires careful planning. Winter cover crops can provide excellent habitat for beneficial predatory insects, which can help producers during the transition to organic.