Organic Production

In Pennsylvania, there is a well-developed market for organic vegetable plants, which means that while costs may be high, returns have the potential to far exceed the cost. On this page, you’ll find a wealth of resources relating to organic farming of vegetable crops, including certification, using organic nutrient sources, and crop insurance options. You’ll also find tips on no-till planting and potting media.

Organic Vegetable Production Resources

In 2012, there were 600 certified organic farms in Pennsylvania, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture. The majority of these farms produced more than $50,000 per year in sales.

Success in organic vegetable production requires planning and research if you want to benefit from possible increases in selling prices. Certification alone requires three years of production records of practices followed. There are several risk factors you have to take into account, such as adverse weather conditions, price fluctuations, and unavoidable pests and diseases. Although it is possible to insure against such losses.

There are many ways vegetable crop producers can find out about the requirements, such as the Penn State Organic Crop Production Guide. You can also learn a lot from veteran organic vegetable producers, producers who are performing trials on no-till planting, and information on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

When using organic nutrient sources, such as compost, manure, meals, and green manures, soil test reports cannot provide specific requirements so a certain amount of interpretation is required. Organic mixes are available for planting and propagating, but it’s important to know what ingredients are in commercial mixes.

Organic Weeds and Pest Management for Vegetable Production

Organic pest and weed management include weed control and prevention, organic insecticides, and plant disease control. Approaches and techniques include integrated pest management, biological control, physical control, ecological strategies, and shade cloths.

Biological control of insects includes releasing insects and mites along with bio-pesticides that include specialized fungi and bacteria. Common natural enemies used in high tunnels include green lacewing adults, lady beetles, and parasitoid wasps.

Organic Certification for Vegetable Farms

Congress established in 2001 a set of universal national standards for organically produced vegetables sold in the US. They called them the National Organic Program. The program also accredits private companies and assists in the training of their organic farm inspectors.

Accredited certifiers and the United States Department of Agriculture are responsible for ensuring producers meet the standards, guaranteeing a level playing field for vegetable producers, and safeguarding consumer confidence by protecting certified crops from fraud.

Vegetable farmers who choose to become certified organic can take advantage of social, environmental, and economic benefits.