Path to healthier farms, healthier waters

Cindy Ross

07/14/2009

The man in the hazardous materials "space suit" finally threw up the red flag alert in dairy farmer Forest Strickler's mind. The man was there to demonstrate how to perform chemical warfare on Strickler's weeds and insects. He needed the space suit to protect himself from the poison.

But, Strickler asked himself, what about my health when I apply the spray, or my crops', or my land's, or my cows'? And, eventually, what about the health of the milk that comes from this interconnected web?

Over the years, farmers realized that the bugs have gotten stronger. They now spray more chemicals to keep the insects under control. Applying the stuff made Strickler feel ill. He got scared and disillusioned with what his farming had become, for he always considered himself a steward of the land. He wondered if there was another way to go.

In early February of 2009, Pennsylvania State Representative David Kessler introduced Pennsylvania's new "PATH to organic" farming transitions program. The program secured $500,000 for this voluntary program to help dairy, beef, vegetable, and grain farmers convert from conventional to organic agriculture. It will reimburse the farmer for transition costs and losses that result from a temporary drop in yield as they make the transition to organic.

Strickler transitioned to organic farming before there was government help. The transition has changed his life. He began grazing his cows, just turning them loose on his verdant green meadows, instead of growing corn and feeding grain, which is not the best diet for grass-loving ruminants. Strickler now grows all his own forage. The grass builds up the soil and creates increased organic matter.

Since Strickler only plows and replants his meadow every seven years, there is very little erosion. With marginal run-off, water quality is improved.

He doesn't need to apply insecticides or chemical fertilizers, and he doesn't need to spread manure, because the cows do it themselves as they graze. As a result, he cut out a huge part of the work that constantly plagues farmers. He doesn't need to fuel his tractors as often, and he has gotten rid of his corn equipment.

Strickler's cows follow a more natural seasonal rhythm, calving in the spring when grass is long and lush and nutritious, and then drying up when the grass dries up. Cows get a break and the farmer gets a much-needed break from the work. Mastitis flare-ups in his cows decreased. Now the vet comes once a year instead of monthly or even weekly. Compared to cows fed year round with grain and pushed to produce milk, his cows live longer.

Strickler says his organic milk contains more vitamins and minerals and has more cancer fighting agents than milk produced by non-organic dairies. "Healthy soil means healthy plants, which will produce healthy cows, which will produce healthy milk for the consumer," Strickler explains.

Three years is the required number of years a farmer must remain chemical-free before declaring his farm is organic. Farmers in the Pennsylvania program will receive a payment per acre for a period of up to four years, maxing at $7,500 in a single year or $30,000 total in four years. Technical assistance will also be available from transition specialists, qualified experts, and consultants.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture does not have any special programs to assist farmers transitioning to organic. The department does, however, provide technical assistance to farmers in developing their Organic System Plan. The Virginia Department of Agriculture has a "Cost Share" program that makes funds available for the organic certification process, reimbursing up to 75% of the cost.

All the rest of us have a lot to gain from programs like "Path to Organic," for organic farming can reduce water pollution and eliminate the use of pesticides and other chemicals. It can reduce the amount of nitrogen entering local drinking water and the runoff to our streams and rivers. Organic farming creates cleaner air because no-till practices reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas.

If a Pennsylvania farmer is in the position to transition to organic, now is the time to do it. July 31st is the deadline to apply for the transition program. "Path to Organic" brings a healthy planet, healthy people, and a healthy Chesapeake Bay a little closer to becoming reality.