By Scout Nelson
Fourteen years ago, a young college freshman in Minnesota inherited a family farm and decided to embrace agriculture, despite lacking any prior experience. With the guidance of his grandfather’s notes and help from his mother, who introduced him to the basics of crop insurance and tractor driving, he discovered a love for farming that soon blossomed into a full-time passion.
Today, he is part of a new wave of farmers adopting organic and regenerative farming practices. On his 900-acre farm, 270 acres are already certified organic, and the remainder is in transition. This journey toward organic certification has required significant support, both financially and through mentorship, which has been crucial in making the transition feasible.
Going organic involves adhering to strict standards. Farmers must eliminate all prohibited chemicals for at least three years, maintain meticulous records of practices and inputs for five years, create buffer zones to prevent cross-contamination, and fund annual inspections. Most also need to invest in specialized equipment to manage weeds without chemicals.
These adjustments bring both challenges and expenses. Without agrichemicals, crop yields often dip initially, and additional expenses from organic compliance further strain finances. However, farmers do not receive the price benefits of organic certification until at least Year Four, leaving them in a financial pinch during the transition period.
“Taking this to conventional lenders felt frustrating,” he explained. “I was a novice, without a decades-long track record. And traditional lenders usually don’t understand the switch to regenerative — I might as well have been growing bananas and oranges instead of corn and soy. They were skeptical of yields and profitability even once I went organic.”
With essential financial backing and mentoring, he continues to transform his farm, showing that organic and regenerative practices, while demanding, can bring lasting benefits to the land and the community.
Photo Credits:gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: Minnesota, General, Government & Policy