Organic Commodities Program
North Carolina State University began a program in 2004 concentrating on organic grain production in North Carolina. This program focused on equipping farmers in North Carolina with the skills and agronomic support needed to produce and market organic grain crops. The goal of this program was to produce research-based recommendations for managing grain in an organic system in North Carolina and to support individuals, through extension educational activities, in adopting and maintaining organic crop rotations and pursuing markets for these farm products.
The Organic Grains Program has since expanded to encompass a greater number of crops and is now the Organic Commodities Program. The focus of the Organic Commodities Program is to deliver research-based recommendations to organic row-crop producers as well as explore alternative crops which can fit agronomically in an organic row-crop system with a strong local or regional market.
CEFS supports the Organic Commodities Program through collaboration on extension and educational programs and events. In 2023, CEFS and the Organic Commodities Program were selected to participate in a multi-year cooperative agreement with the USDA through the Transition to Organic Partnerships Program to build regional partnerships and capacity to support producers seeking to transition to certified organic production in the Southeast.
Many North Carolina farmers have expressed interest in opportunities for organic production. Through the Organic Commodities Program, extension education workshops and farm tours for farmers and their advisors are addressing production issues unique to organic management, and exploring new crops for organic rotations in North Carolina. Research on overcoming agronomic challenges of organic production, such as weed management and fertility, is an important part of the program.
For more information, please visit the Organic Commodities Program website.
Subscribe to the North Carolina Organic Commodities Program listserv here.