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The Iowa Organic Farming Mentor Program links experienced organic farmers with newcomers to facilitate successful transitions to organic farming. The program aims to help farmers avoid costly mistakes through field days, conferences, meetings, and one-on-one farm visits.

Key Components of the Program

1. Weed Control Strategies:
Farmers share techniques like shallow tillage (working the top 5-6 inches of soil)
Various cultivation equipment including specialized cultivators (Bezzeriti attachments, torsion weeders, Buffalo cultivators)
Timing cultivation when weeds are in early stages
Mechanical alternatives to chemical herbicides

2. Crop Rotation Systems:
Several farmers discuss 5-year rotation plans (oats → hay → soybeans → popcorn → soybeans → oats)
Organic popcorn as a profitable crop requiring fewer nutrients and storage costs

3. Sustainable Dairy Farming:
Rotational grazing methods where cows move to fresh paddocks after each milking
On-farm milk processing (1,400 gallons weekly)
Reduced energy use compared to conventional dairy operations
Implementation of agroforestry with windbreaks and fruit/nut trees

4. Organic Vegetable Production:
Mechanized raised bed systems with specialized equipment
Precision planting techniques with various seeders
Integration of different planting methods

5. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA):
Presented as a marketing option for beginning organic farmers
Philosophy of connecting consumers directly with their food source
Focus on holistic farming where all parts work together

The program highlights the growing consumer demand for organic food and shows how farmers are developing profitable operations while building soil health and encouraging biodiversity.

Featuring

Francis Thicke
Radiance Dairy
Jefferson County, Iowa

Charlie Walters
Acres USA

Dave and Rita Smith
360 Acre Organic Family Farm
Van Buren Couty, Iowa

Stan McCreedy
100 Acre Organic Farm
Washington County, Iowa

Lisa Messenger
Goat Keeper
Fairfield, Iowa

Jerry DeWitt
Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator
Iowa State University Extension

Steve Hickenbottom
1000 Acre Organic Farm
Jefferson County, Iowa

Colleen Thomas
80 Acre Ripplebrook Organic Growers
Jefferson County, Iowa

Billy and Dawn Hunter
150 Acre Aurora Farm (CSA)
Jefferson County, Iowa

John Jeavons
Ecology Action

Walter Goldstein
Michael Fields Institute