February 13, 2008
Contact Laurie Davis, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County, 518-962-4810

Rehoboth Homestead Grower to Speak at �Going Organic� Workshop February 25

Almost 15% (76) of the 528 farms certified organic by NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC at the end of August 2007 were in Northern New York. Organic Agriculture Specialist Sarah Johnston of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets reports there are now 736 certified organic farms in New York, an increase from 374 in 2004. On February 25, Beth Spaugh of Rehoboth Homestead Farm of Peru, NY, will speak about marketing her home-grown produce, poultry and posies with and without official organic certification.

Spaugh and Johnston, former executive director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, will be joined by Cornell University E.V. Baker Agricultural Research Farm Manager Michael Davis and Champlain Valley Milling owner Sam Sherman at the �Going Organic in the North Country� workshop to be held 6-9 pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County in Westport.

Crop and dairy farms and handlers that have more than $5,000 in annual gross organic sales and are marketing their products as �Organic� are required to become certified as compliant with the USDA�s National Organic Produce rules. The NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC website states that �the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited in certified organic production.�

�Certification gives people a label that makes them feel comfortable. We were certified for one year, but found the required record-keeping difficult based on our current management practices, diversity of crops � for example we grow 50 varieties of flowers, and our available time,� Spaugh says.

Spaugh and her husband Tony Barber started Rehoboth Homestead farm in 2002 with a �strong desire to produce clean, healthy food through good stewardship of the land and animals.�

They raise chickens, and sell eggs, broilers, 50-plus kinds of vegetables, and cut flowers. They are reclaiming abandoned farmland to grow vegetables and produce hay for mulch and compost. Another 13 acres is planned for the production of medicinal herbs, hay and ornamentals.

Spaugh will also talk about applying for Certified Naturally Grown status three times and how consumer attitude present both a hurdle and hope for growing the organic products markets in Northern New York.

�Our mission statement includes helping to developing opportunities for regional agriculture. That includes educating consumers about buying local and buying organic at a fair price. Organic production is expensive and labor intensive. We use no medications, growth stimulants or hormones with our chickens. We spend about an hour a day for eight to eleven weeks with the chicks and would like to get paid for our costs and time when we sell those chicks,� Spaugh says.

The Barbers currently sell eggs from their front porch and at farmers� markets three times a week spring through fall. They are considering a farmstand and restarting their CSA (community-supported agriculture).

Workshop co-organizer Laurie Davis of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County, says, �This workshop allows interested farmers to get the information directly from those with experience. Beth Spaugh has a unique perspective as a farm owner. Mike Davis of the E.V. Baker Agricultural Research Farm will share his experiences with the organic certification process and how organic and non-organic crop production compare. State Organic Agriculture Specialist Sarah Johnston will help us learn how New York State is helping farmers interested in organic production, and Sam Sherman will talk about his need for organic grains for processing at his mill.�

Call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 518-962-4810 to register for this free workshop. The workshop, organized by Extension with support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, is also being offered with Johnston and other local producers February 26 in Malone and February 27 in Watertown.

Quick Facts on Going Organic in NNY
Provided by Northern New York Agricultural Development Program
Almost 15% (76) of the 528 farms certified organic by NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC at the end of August 2007 were in Northern New York. Those farms were in:
Clinton County � 2
Essex County � 9
Franklin County - 8
Jefferson County � 22
Lewis County � 6
St. Lawrence County - 29

State Organic Agriculture Specialist Sarah Johnston reports there are now 736 certified organic farms in New York State; an increase from 374 in 2004.