Source: NCSU COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES, 4/6/21


Organics are the fastest-growing U.S. food sector. Understandably, farmers’ interest in transitioning to organic growing is increasing as well. What was once an alternative food movement has become mainstream, benefiting farmers in economics and us all through land stewardship. 

With organic foods fetching a 30-60% price premium and posing the environmental potential to sequester billions of tons of carbon per year, organic farming is attractive – if the transition period weren’t so harrowing. A group of NC State researchers is investigating if soil carbon can fast forward the soil health benefits of organic farming.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Organic growing requires different farming methodology, which is challenging enough for conventional growers to adopt. But one of the biggest barriers to organic farming is the 2-4 year transition period lag in soil health metrics.

Without conventional synthetic fertilizers, organic growers are dependent on the soil microbiome for nutrient processing. Farmers transitioning away from conventional systems, there is a definitive lag time before their new organic practices actually start producing the soil health benefits organic crops need. Worse, during the transition phase, farmers are bound to organic practices but can only sell products on the conventional market. That means three+ years of higher input costs without the premium crop payout. 

“For a farmer, (organic) transition is hard. You’re following organic practices but still having to sell to the conventional market. We’re asking 'Could a farmer make an upfront soil carbon investment and come out 5-10 years ahead in soil health benefits?” Alex Woodley, NC State assistant professor of soils said.

 For more of this story, click here.