New Purdue Extension program helps grain farmers transition to organic production

With organic food sales climbing to a record $43 billion in 2016 — more than 8 percent over the previous year, switching from conventional to organic grain production is becoming increasingly compelling to more Hoosier farmers. Current razor-thin margins for conventional grain production also provide another incentive for changing direction.

In Indiana, there have been few resources for farmers who need to understand how to make the transition to organic grain production, but that will change. Purdue researchers received a nearly $200,000 grant from the USDA’s North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program for a project titled “Organic Transition and Certification: Supporting Indiana Grain Farmers’ Capacity to Meet Market Demand.”

“We’re getting more and more questions from farmers around the state who are looking at the organic marketplace as an opportunity,” said Michael O’Donnell, a Purdue Extension educator in organic and diversified agriculture and program director for the project. “We’re bringing resources and programs into this space where they have been lacking in Indiana.”

The three-year program will include surveys of farmers who have made the transition from conventional to organic grain production, farmers currently making the transition, and those who are interested in addressing and exploring potential roadblocks to organic farming. Researchers will also talk to grain buyers about standards for grain, pricing tiers, and other factors that are important for growers entering the market.

From there, Extension specialists will spread what they learn through publications, workshops, field days, regional farmer meetings, and other venues. A farmer advisory board will guide the process to ensure that the data collected and disseminated is relevant.

Purdue’s Tamara Benjamin, assistant program leader for diversified farming and food systems, and Ariana Torres, an assistant professor of horticulture and landscape architecture and agricultural economics, are collaborating with O’Donnell, along with Indiana University’s James Farmer, assistant professor of recreation, park and tourism studies, and Analena Bruce, post-doctoral research fellow.

“There’s a huge push to sell into the organic markets right now,” Benjamin said. “There’s a lot of pressure, and hopefully this will give the guidance that farmers need to make the transition.”

Featured Stories

Black and grey dog sitting in a pile of leaves, wearing an orange harness and Halloween bandana.

Tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween

As Halloween approaches, don’t forget about your furry friends and how the excitement of...

Finding community and purpose in plant science

For Kit Mount, a sophomore from Carmel, Indiana, choosing a college major wasn’t easy at...

Josh Widhalm appointed director of Purdue Center for Plant Biology

Josh Widhalm, associate professor of horticulture and landscape architecture (HLA), has been...

Light-based tool continuously monitors vaccine quality during production

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need to rapidly develop, produce and...

Members of the Purdue Student Farm holding the TEAM Award.

Purdue Student Farm wins 2025 TEAM Award

The Purdue Student Farm (PSF), a small-scale sustainable farm managed by the Department of...

Ellen Van Loo standing in front of the entrance to the Boilermaker Market.

New professor brings expertise in consumer food behavior research

Ellen Van Loo, an expert in the field of consumer food behavior, has joined Purdue...