Organic farming thriving

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, July 3, 2008

Organic farming in Minnesota, including Otter Tail County, is alive and well. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) estimates that there are about 560 organic farms in the state. In addition, there are close to 170 certified organic processors that turn organic raw materials into organic food and feed products.

Many more practice organic farming on hobby farms.

Ryan Pesch, who practices organic farming at what’s advertised as Lida Farm between Pelican Rapids and Vergas, learned the organic techniques as an apprentice for two farms seasons, in 1999 and 2000, near Taylors Falls north of Stillwater.

“We do the standards such as produce, but also grow Asian greens and heirloom tomatoes,” said Pesch, 31, who in his regular job works as Extension educator in community economics. “We’re always trying to provide as big a variety of (organic) produce and the like as much as possible.”

With help from his wife, Maree, he works at organic farming on close to two of his 20 acres of land east of Lake Lida. Their customers purchase shares of the seasonal harvest, based on a concept referred to as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). They deliver to homes and businesses.

“Early in the season we have greens and salad mixes,” Pesch said. “In mid-season its sweet corn and peppers and fall crops include the root vegetables such as beets, parsnips and winter squash, to name a few.”

They also grow lots of lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, raspberries, pumpkins and beans.

One organic concept adopted by Ryan and Maree is transplanting rather than planting seeds.

“With transplanting you get ahead of the weeds,” he said. “We even transplant corn, something considered unusual. We also use row covers and work with a traditional cultivator to take on the weeds.”

They’re a busy couple, and not just because of their love for organic farming. They have two children, Sylvia, 3, and Will, 1.

The Pesch family and other organic farmers, as much as possible, rely on crop rotation, compost, biological pest control and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests. These techniques generally provide benefits in addition to pest control. Among them are soil protection and improvement, fertilization, pollination, water conservation and season extension.

Since 1990 the market for organic products has grown at a rapid pace all around the world.

“Demand for organic ingredients continues to outstrip supply,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Organic and Diversification Specialist Meg Moynihan. “We just produced a new directory of organic farms which hopefully will help producers and buyers connect to one another.”

Print copies of the 2008 Directory of Minnesota Organic Farms are available free of charge by calling 651-201-6012. The directory also is available electronically on the MDA Web site at www.mda.state.mn.us/food/organic.