Considerations for Starting Organic Crop Production

By Gabriella Soto-Velez and Hakeem Holmes, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialists

Abstract

This publication gives an overview of considerations involved in transitioning to organic farming and ranching practices that comply with USDA National Organic Program regulations. It highlights the benefits of organic production and provides tips to minimize common management challenges associated with transition, such as protecting soil health, managing weeds and pests, and marketing transitional and organic products.

Contents

Introduction
Understanding Organic Certification
Soil Health and Nutrients
Weed, Disease, and Pest Management
Marketing Organic Products
Yield Expectations
Managing Risk During Transition and Beyond
Conclusion
References
Further Resources

Introduction

Transitioning to organic farming is a rewarding but complex journey. This guide is designed to empower beginning and established farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to shift successfully from conventional practices to certified organic production. This publication includes many resources for small-scale specialty crop farms and also addresses the unique needs of medium- to large-scale producers of field crops.

Whether you’re managing a few acres or several hundred, transitioning to organic production requires thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt. This guide offers practical steps, real-life examples, and helpful resources to support you through the process.

Why Organic?

Organic farming is more than just avoiding synthetic inputs; it’s a holistic management approach that fosters soil health, conserves biodiversity, and promotes ecological balance for more resilient, sustainable systems. Organic farming can open new doors to market opportunities and help producers build a more secure future for their operations.

Organic certification is a voluntary, market-driven program. With growing market demand and consumer interest, not only in organic fruits and vegetables, but also in organic grains, oilseeds, and animal products, certified organic producers may be able to achieve reduced input costs and increased profitability.

Unfortunately, economic benefits and price premiums are not guaranteed. Profitability depends on input costs and market forces, both of which are generally beyond the producer’s control. However, organic practices themselves are in the producer’s control and may provide ecological benefits that increase farm sustainability over time. For example, use of cover crops and compost management of crop residues can increase soil organic matter, which improves soil structure and aggregation, boosts biological activity (microbes, earthworms, and other beneficial soil organisms), reduces erosion, and minimizes nutrient and pesticide runoff. Ultimately, when the soil can soak up and hold more water, the farm can be more resilient in the face of extreme weather events and resource limitations.

That said, the road to organic production isn’t without its bumps. During the transition period, farmers may face increased costs as they learn new management techniques and work to secure stable markets. In addition, price premiums and access to some marketing channels are not typically available until the operation is fully certified. However, some producers choose to grow transition crops, such as grains or forage, that are more adaptable to organic practices and may offer more consistent income during this period. With careful planning and the right support, the transition can become a valuable investment in the long-term health and sustainability of the farm business, the land, and the surrounding community.

Deeper Dive

Understanding Organic Pricing and Costs of Production

Unfortunately, economic benefits and price premiums are not guaranteed. Profitability depends on input costs and market forces, both of which are generally beyond the producer’s control. However, organic practices themselves are in the producer’s control and may provide ecological benefits that increase farm sustainability over time. For example, use of cover crops and compost management of crop residues can increase soil organic matter, which improves soil structure and aggregation, boosts biological activity (microbes, earthworms, and other beneficial soil organisms), reduces erosion, and minimizes nutrient and pesticide runoff. Ultimately, when the soil can soak up and hold more water, the farm can be more resilient in the face of extreme weather events and resource limitations.

That said, the road to organic production isn’t without its bumps. During the transition period, farmers may face increased costs as they learn new management techniques and work to secure stable markets. In addition, price premiums and access to some marketing channels are not typically available until the operation is fully certified. However, some producers choose to grow transition crops, such as grains or forage, that are more adaptable to organic practices and may offer more consistent income during this period. With careful planning and the right support, the transition can become a valuable investment in the long-term health and sustainability of the farm business, the land, and the surrounding community.

Understanding Organic Certification

Certified organic operations must follow specific standards set by the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP), contained in 7 CFR Section 205. These standards require that farmers maintain or improve the status of the natural resources on their operations, including soil and water, while using only approved materials and practices. The goal is to produce food and fiber in a way that is sustainable, environmentally sound, and transparent to consumers. All certified operations must maintain detailed records, undergo annual inspections, and follow a written Organic System Plan (OSP) that outlines how they meet organic requirements.

The Three-Year Transition Period

The transition period is the 36 months between the last application of a prohibited material and when a crop or product can be sold as certified organic. During this time, producers must adhere to all organic practices but cannot yet market their products as organic. Because transitional products cannot receive organic price premiums, some producers explore designated transitional markets that offer some level of premium pricing for “transitional” or “in-transition” crops. Although markets for transitional products are limited, some companies that recognize the value of transitioning more farms to organic and understand the difficulties of this process are willing to purchase products at a premium to support transitioning farmers.

Some producers diversify their crop rotations or integrate livestock by grazing cover crops or rotating pastures to maintain income and build soil fertility during the organic transition period. Careful planning can ease the burden of this transition. Keeping detailed records from the beginning, understanding which substances are allowed or prohibited, and connecting early with a USDA-accredited certifier are all essential steps. Certification requires a robust documentation process, including maps, field histories, input records, and your Organic System Plan. Many certifiers offer checklists to help new applicants stay on track.

Deeper Dive

Guide for Organic Crop Producers

Before making the shift to organic production, it’s important to take a close look at your farm’s current condition and long-term goals. Every operation is different, and the path to certification varies depending on your land use history, infrastructure, and management systems. Thoughtful planning at this early stage can save you time, money, and frustration later.

Assessing Your Farm for Organic Transition Readiness

What are the differences between your current practices and those required for your type of production by National Organic Program regulations? Begin by evaluating the health of your soil. Organic farming hinges on the vitality of the soil, so understanding its current state is key. A comprehensive soil test can provide valuable insight into nutrient levels, organic matter, pH balance, bulk density, and soil texture—all of which guide your fertility and crop planning.

Find some of ATTRA’s resources to guide your understanding of soil testing in the Further Resources section.

Take inventory of your infrastructure and equipment, as well. Transitioning to organic production may require modifications to your current setup and identifying these needs early will help you build a realistic plan.

Creating a Transition Plan

With your farm assessment in hand, it’s time to develop a transition plan. Will you convert your entire operation at once, or phase in fields over time? What prohibited inputs will need to be removed from your system, and when? How will you prevent commingling organic and non-organic products and materials? What changes in crop or livestock management will be needed?

The land requirements of the organic regulations state: “Any field or farm parcel from which harvested crops are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as “organic,” must…Have had no prohibited substances [such as synthetic fertilizers or pesticides] applied to it for a period of 3 years immediately preceding harvest of the crop.” However, land may be eligible for certification right away, if you can provide documentation that no prohibited substances have been applied in the past three years. This documentation may include past input records or land-use affidavits from previous landowners or operators, showing that the land has either been fallow or managed organically, with or without certification, for the required amount of time. Additionally, a producer can plant an organic crop before the transition period is complete but must harvest the crop after three years from the last date of application of any prohibited material.

Crop rotation is another essential piece of the organic production puzzle. In fact, it’s a requirement under USDA organic standards. The regulations state that organic producers must implement a crop rotation that maintains or improves soil organic matter, supports nutrient management, provides pest control, and reduces erosion. This means your crop plan must go beyond simply switching inputs: it must actively build soil and ecological health. In Title 7, § 205.2, the National Organic Program defines crop rotation as “The practice of alternating the annual crops grown on a specific field in a planned pattern or sequence in successive crop years so that crops of the same species or family are not grown repeatedly without interruption on the same field. Perennial cropping systems employ means such as alley cropping, intercropping, and hedgerows to introduce biological diversity in lieu of crop rotation.” To support your planning, the ATTRA tipsheet Crop Rotation in Organic Farming Systems offers a useful overview of rotation principles and examples. For farmers in temperate climates or smaller-scale systems, Iowa State Extension’s Crop Rotation Guide provides additional practical guidance.

If your operation includes livestock, use the transition period as a planning window to design grazing systems that improve pasture condition, distribute nutrients, and minimize parasite pressure. Integrating animals with crops strengthens the farm by cycling nutrients and adding diversity. Under USDA organic regulations, animals must be removed from fields growing food crops (other than pasture or cover crops), and raw manure must not be applied, for either 120 or 90 days before harvest (120 days when the edible portion of the crop can contact soil or soil splash; 90 days when it does not).

Deeper Dive

To learn more about regulations for integrating livestock into your cropping system, refer to the ATTRA publication Food Safety Considerations for Integrating Livestock into Produce Cropping Systems.

Finally, prepare a budget for the transition period. Demands on labor may increase and input strategies will likely change during this time when your product will not receive an organic price premium. Your budget should reflect any anticipated income loss, along with new investments
in equipment, infrastructure, or labor. Some producers choose to diversify their incomes by integrating direct sales, value-added products, or livestock enterprises during this time.

A good transition plan is flexible and responsive. Set goals and timelines but be prepared to adapt as you gain experience. The transition is more than a paperwork exercise—it’s a process of rethinking how your farm can function biologically over the long term.

Dig Deeper with These ATTRA Resources

As you plan your transition to organic production, these ATTRA publications offer more in-depth guidance on specific topics that can support your success:

• Crop Rotation in Organic Farming Systems
  A concise tipsheet on the principles of crop rotation and how this practice supports pest control, fertility, and weed suppression.
• Integrating Livestock and Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing Income
  Learn how combining livestock and crops can improve fertility, reduce pests and weeds, and enhance overall farm resilience.
• Reducing Tillage Intensity in Organic Systems
  Explore strategies for managing weeds and soil fertility with less soil disturbance—key for building long-term soil health.
• Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures
  A foundational guide to selecting, planting, and managing cover crops to improve soil health and nutrient cycling.

Soil Health and Nutrients

Healthy soil is the foundational element for productive and resilient agricultural systems, extending its influence beyond crop yields alone to include the overall health and sustainability of the broader ecosystem. The agricultural landscape of the United States encompasses a wide variety of soil types, each with its own set of benefits and limitations. Many regions face challenges such as low levels of organic matter, high rates of runoff or flooding, reduced capacity to retain water, and a tendency for rapid nutrient leaching. Regional variations in temperature and precipitation, as well as potential for extreme weather events, present additional challenges for maintaining optimal soil health through erosion and nutrient loss. The increasing awareness of environmental concerns and a growing desire for healthier, more sustainable food production have spurred significant interest among farmers and gardeners across the country for adopting organic soil-management practices. The key organic practices addressed here include transitioning from synthetic fertilizers to organic inputs like manure, compost, and cover crops; using legumes strategically to enhance natural nitrogen fixation; implementing optimized tillage and soil-disturbance-management techniques; and applying versatile cover crops within diverse cropping systems.

Transitioning from Synthetic Fertilizers to Organic Inputs

The shift from relying on synthetic fertilizers to a healthy soil system based on organic inputs is a carefully planned process that typically unfolds over several years, often spanning three to five growing seasons. A fundamental first step in this transition involves soil testing. This analysis provides crucial information about the existing nutrient profile of the soil, identifies any specific deficiencies, and establishes a baseline against which to measure the effectiveness of new organic practices. One strategy for moving toward organic methods involves gradually reducing the application rates of synthetic fertilizers. For instance, a farmer might aim for a 20% reduction in synthetic fertilizer use during the initial year, followed by further incremental decreases in subsequent years. Simultaneously increasing utilization of organic soil amendments, such as compost, manure, and cover crops, becomes paramount. For this method of transition, it is important to remember that the required organic transition period of 36 months begins after the last date of application of a synthetic fertilizer or pesticide (not when you begin reducing their use).

For farmers across the United States contemplating switching to organic production, the USDA Organic Transition Initiative offers significant support. This initiative provides both financial assistance and technical guidance to producers who are in the process of becoming certified organic. The support includes help with developing organic management plans and implementing conservation-oriented practices like cover cropping and nutrient management, as well as potential reimbursement for income lost during the initial transition period. It is important to note that the Organic Transition Initiative supports specific NRCS conservation activities and practices required for organic certification, including Conservation Cover and Cover Crops.

Benefits of Adopting Organic Inputs

Adopting organic inputs brings about several significant improvements to soil health that are particularly beneficial in regions with challenging soil conditions. Adding organic matter from sources like manure, compost, and cover crops plays a crucial role in enhancing soil structure. Organic material acts as a binding agent, causing individual soil particles to clump together into stable aggregates. This aggregation creates a more porous soil environment, which is essential for improving aeration, allowing better gas exchange for plant roots and soil organisms, and also enhancing water infiltration, enabling the soil to absorb water more effectively. Furthermore, organic matter possesses a remarkable ability to improve the soil’s capacity to retain water. Acting much like a sponge, it can hold onto moisture for extended periods, a particularly valuable trait for sandy soils that tend to drain quickly. Enhanced water retention helps buffer soil against drought conditions and can reduce the need for frequent irrigation.

Organic inputs also serve as a vital food source for a diverse community of beneficial soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. This thriving microbial community is essential for breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and improving overall soil fertility over the long term. Unlike synthetic fertilizers that release nutrients all at once, organic fertilizers break down slowly, supplying a steadier stream of nutrients that crops can use as they grow and lowering the risk of leaching excess nutrients, especially in sandy soils. Additionally, a 2025 meta-analysis in Environmental Technology & Innovation shows how different compost teas have the potential to mitigate particular diseases (Yin et al., 2025). Some organic fertilizers may possess disease-suppressing characteristics, and the overall healthy soil environment fostered by high levels of organic matter can lead to more resilient plants that are better able to withstand various stresses.

The Role of Legumes and Pulses in Organic Systems

There are several effective strategies for integrating legumes and pulses into cropping systems to capitalize on their nitrogen-fixing capabilities. One common approach is to utilize legumes as cover crops within crop rotations. In this system, strategically planting legumes either before or after nitrogen-demanding cash crops, such as corn or various vegetables, naturally enriches the soil with nitrogen, thereby reducing the need to add other nitrogen fertilizers. Adding nitrogen this way involves growing a legume cover crop to a substantial level of biomass and then terminating it and incorporating the plant material directly into the soil, often through tillage.

Deeper Dive

For more detailed information on using cover crops and green manures, see the ATTRA publication Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures.

Weed, Disease, and Pest Management

Managing weeds and pests without synthetic chemicals is one of the defining—and often most challenging—aspects of organic farming. Success relies on a deep understanding of ecological interactions and preventive strategies, rather than reactive treatments. Fortunately, a range of techniques can work in concert to reduce pressure and improve long-term system resilience.

Weed Control

Weeds, while often perceived as a threat to crop production, can also serve ecological functions such as preventing erosion and supporting pollinators. As highlighted by Haq et al. (2024), weeds are ultimately a product of human value judgments and system design. In organic systems, the goal is not to eradicate weeds but to manage them in a way that enhances the productivity and health of the overall system.

Deeper Dive

Intercropping Principles and Production Practices [PDF]

Organic weed control starts with proactive, system-level design:

• Crop Rotation: Rotating crops with different planting and harvest times, root structures, and canopy habits can help break weed life cycles and reduce weed seed banks. A 2021 study by Sharma et al. found that diversified crop rotations significantly suppressed weed growth and improved crop competitiveness in organic systems.
• Cover Crops: Species like rye, hairy vetch, and buckwheat establish quickly and can outcompete weeds through shading and allelopathy. According to Fernando and Shrestha, some cover crops also release biochemical compounds that inhibit weed germination (2023).
• Relay Cropping: This means seeding a new crop into one that’s already growing, so the two overlap for a while. Keeping plants on the field most of the year helps with climate adaptation and even mitigation (Gesch et al., 2023).
• Interplanting: Growing two or more crops together in the same field—overlapping in space (and often time) —helps them use light, water, and nutrients more efficiently and boosts pest, weed, and disease management.
• Mulching: Fully degradable organic mulches (e.g., straw, wood chips) help suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and retain moisture. Note that the organic regulations require in 7 CFR §205.206(c)(6) Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard that any synthetic mulch be completely removed from the field at the end of the growing season.

Deeper Dive

For a comparison of mulch materials—see ATTRA’s Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners.

• Mechanical Tillage: Mechanical tools like tine weeders, flame weeders, undercutters, and rotary hoes remain important in organic systems, especially when the producer integrates them thoughtfully to minimize soil disturbance (Mohler et al., 2021).

Balancing tillage for weed control with the need to maintain soil health is crucial. Frequent tillage can harm soil structure and microbial activity, so many producers are now adopting reduced-tillage systems with high-residue cover crops and shallow cultivation to promote soil health.

Organic Disease Management

In organic farming, managing plant diseases such as fungal, bacterial, and viral infections relies on prevention, soil health, and system resilience rather than synthetic pesticides. While this approach may initially feel limited compared to conventional options, studies increasingly show that organic systems can naturally suppress many diseases through thoughtful system design.

Healthy soils are the cornerstone of disease resistance. They support diverse microbial communities, improve water management, reduce compaction, and provide crops with balanced nutrition, all of which reduce plant stress and disease susceptibility. Rotating crops, integrating compost and cover crops, and minimizing soil disturbance are key strategies that reduce pathogen buildup and break disease cycles.

Scientific research now widely supports the idea that organic systems can reduce disease incidence, particularly for biotrophic, soil-borne, and foliar fungal diseases. A growing body of studies has shown that organically managed soils tend to have greater disease suppression capability and contribute to improved resistance in crops themselves, especially under high-stress conditions. These findings support a philosophy that’s been central to organic farming for more than 80 years: “Healthy soils generate healthy crops, which lead to healthy livestock and healthy humans.”

Research over the last three decades has confirmed that organic systems often result in benefits such as these:

• Higher soil organic matter and carbon levels
• Increased microbial activity and biodiversity
• Enhanced soil structure and erosion resistance
• Greater natural disease suppression in crops
• Reduced environmental impacts, including nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions

In short, although disease control in organic systems requires foresight and ecological thinking, it offers significant long-term advantages. Fostering a healthier agroecosystem reduces the likelihood of major outbreaks and increases your farm’s overall resilience (Rempelos et al., 2021).

Organic Pest Management

Organic pest management begins with designing systems that support biodiversity and reduce vulnerability to pest outbreaks. Organic regulations require preventive strategies for pest management, such as cultural, biological, and mechanical methods. Approved organic inputs should be used only when other methods are insufficient. For more information, refer to the organic regulations §205.206 Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard.

Ecological Strategies

• Habitat Diversity: Integrating flowering borders, hedgerows, or insectary strips encourages beneficial insects like lady beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps,
  and hoverflies.
• Crop Diversity: Intercropping or rotating different plant families helps break pest and disease cycles.
• Healthy Soil Supports Healthy Plants: Crops grown in biologically active, well-balanced soils are more resistant to stress and pathogens.

Deeper Dive

The ATTRA publication Farmscaping to Enhance Biological Control gives in-depth insight into how to increase biodiversity on your farm to enhance biological control.

Approved Organic Pest Management Inputs

When organic producers must intervene to control pests, they can use substances that are listed in their Organic System Plan and approved by their organic certifier for the intended use. There are many guides for initial evaluation of materials allowed under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). These substances must be natural in origin and used only as a last resort after cultural and mechanical practices have failed. The Further Resources section contains helpful resources for understanding organic regulations and allowed substances.

Deeper Dive

Additionally, the ATTRA website has a section devoted to organic agriculture where you can find not only crop-specific information, but also information about marketing your organic produce, organic regulations and compliance, and organic pest and disease management.

Marketing Organic Products

Transitioning to organic production is not just about how you grow—it’s also about how you sell. Understanding the organic marketplace and developing a solid marketing strategy are essential for capturing the price premiums and customer loyalty that make organic production financially sustainable.

Understanding Organic Markets

The demand for certified organic products has grown steadily over the past two decades. Consumers are increasingly seeking organic grains, oilseeds, meats, dairy, and fresh produce—driven by concerns about health, sustainability, and food transparency. This demand is reflected in the price premiums available for certified organic products, especially in wholesale and retail markets.
That said, markets vary significantly by region, commodity, and buyer. It’s important to research what organic buyers are looking for in your area. Some producers find success selling to organic grain buyers, livestock feed mills, or branded food companies. Others sell through food hubs, farmers markets, or direct-to-consumer channels.

To access these markets, you’ll need to be certified through a USDA-accredited certifier and ensure that your products meet the documentation and labeling requirements for organic sales.

USDA’s Organic Integrity Database can help you find buyers, brokers, and certifiers near you. You can also explore market data through the USDA’s Organic Economic and Market Information portal for insights on pricing, trends, and production forecasts

Marketing Strategies

When planning your marketing approach, consider your operation’s scale and location, as well as your comfort level with customer engagement. Some marketing outlets to explore include these:

• Organic Cooperatives – Joining a co-op can provide access to established buyers and distribution systems while reducing individual marketing burdens.

Deeper Dive

Tips for Selling to: Aggregators/Grower Marketing Coops

• Transitional Markets – If you’re not yet certified, some buyers offer partial premiums for “in-transition” products. These markets can help bridge the financial gap during the period of waiting for certification.
• Direct-to-Consumer Sales – Farmers markets, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), farm stands, and online sales platforms allow for better margins and strong community engagement.

Deeper Dive

NCAT Marketing Tip Sheet Series

• Wholesale Contracts – Larger-scale producers may contract with grain buyers, processors, or retail supply chains. These relationships often require consistency in quality, quantity, and documentation.

Deeper Dive

Tips for Selling to Wholesale Buyers at Terminal Markets

ATTRA has many tipsheets and publications that cover marketing at several different levels. See the Further Resources section for more marketing materials.

Regardless of your market outlet, understanding costs of production is critical. Without this, it’s easy to underprice your products and struggle to stay profitable. Pricing tools, enterprise budgets, and tracking actual labor and input costs can help guide your pricing decisions and ensure long-term viability.

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