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A New Optimism
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by Jaclyn Deweese
12/26/06 Organic Producer
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After 30 years of conventional farming, James Maberry of Dawn, Mo. never second guesses his decision of transitioning his farm into organic production.
“I feel like a farmer again,” said Maberry.
As a small acreage part-time farmer, Maberry who is a resource conservationist with the United States Department of Agriculture, could never justify buying a combine or a sprayer – he had the labor hired out. Compared to one planting and two sprayings, when he farmed conventionally, Maberry now makes about seven trips across his organically grown land between hoeing, cultivating and harvesting.
“It’s farming the way our grandfathers did,” said Maberry. “I’m learning about timing, clods and when to cultivate – the way farming used to be practiced.”
Ironically enough, it was Maberry’s grandfather who ignited his interest in farming.
“Riding around the farm with my grandfather when I was around eight years old, made me want to get in on the action,” said Maberry.
And his passion for agriculture continues today. In 2001 Maberry, wishing to expand his production, began inquiring about a 240 acre farm that was for sale not far from his home. The purchase would expand his farm to a total of 300 acres. The number crunching had just begun.
“I realized I couldn’t afford the land if I farmed it conventionally, having hired labor,” said Maberry.
When discussing this situation with a co-worker who farmed organically, Maberry became persuaded to at least give organic farming a try.
“When I went to the banker to borrow the money for the farm, I didn’t mention organic farming – I was afraid of being laughed at,” said a then skeptical Maberry.
Over five years later, Maberry doesn’t worry about what other people might think of his 180 acres of organically grown soybeans, wheat and red clover. He continues to farm 30 acres conventionally and has 90 acres currently in transition.
With organically grown crops, Maberry has seen his profits double and labor costs reduced drastically. Although yields may be slightly lower, especially when he was beginning, Maberry feels confident that he can afford a little loss because of the higher profit.
Maberry has found that equipment to farm organically is drastically cheaper than conventional farming equipment. Typically, farmers face huge equipment costs, but as an organic farmer, Maberry has little trouble finding what he needs at a low cost.
“Many people sell off cultivators, hoes and disks everyday,” said Maberry. “When I went shopping for my cultivator, I found one for $150. With that low of a cost, if it breaks down, or stops working, I just go and buy another.”
Maberry has found a niche market with his agronomic crops, especially his red clover, which is sold to organic beef producers. While people often think of fresh produce when they think of organic production, they seldom think about organic agronomic crops, such as the soybeans, wheat and red clover that Maberry produces. He has discovered that this type of demand for niche agronomic crops result in his greatest benefits of farming organically.
“People will call me, wanting to know if I have something to sell,” said Maberry. “You don’t hear about local grain elevators calling farmers up to see if they have any soybeans or wheat.”
Although Maberry has found many advantages of organic production, he does encounter the abundance of paperwork, weed infestation problems and finding reasonably close markets for his crops that all organic producers face.
“There is a tremendous amount of redundant paperwork,” said Maberry. “However, when I remember back to the fact that I can actually afford my farm by producing organically, it makes the paperwork seem worthwhile.”
Without the use of herbicides or pesticides, Maberry fights his biggest battle against weeds.
“You can definitely view the difference between my organic fields and conventionally farmed fields because (as organic farmers know), a few weeds are going to be unavoidable,” said Maberry.
Maberry has found when dealing with weeds, it’s all in the knowledge he has gained. He continues to learn to spot weeds early and also utilize crop rotation methods.
“I’m becoming a believer that weed control is possible, although it’s still easy to spot my field versus someone else’s conventionally farmed field,” said Maberry.
As far as dealing with farmer’s comments about his lower-quality appearing fields, Maberry doesn’t let them bother him.
“After receiving the first check from my organically grown crops, I don’t really worry what others think about the appearance of my fields,” said Maberry.
“Farmers are always very polite to my face,” said Maberry. “They always want to hear about $16/bushel soybeans, but most lose interest when I start talking about the paperwork, time involved or rotation schedules.”
“The most difficult task involved with organic farming is transporting the grain to the markets,” said Maberry.
The closest market to Maberry is about 200 miles away in Mexico, Mo.
“When farming organically, I’ve found that on-farm storage is a requirement,” said Maberry. “There will always be a few downsides to trying something new – what’s important is that I’ve found what works for me.”
Maberry believes the key to organic farming in an agronomic setting is to have three crops. His crop rotation of soybeans, wheat and red clover helps him achieve success. Between crop rotation and having cattle graze his fields at certain times, Maberry sees fewer weeds and more harvests that are getting closer to producing the yields of conventionally grown crops.
Maberry’s only concern with organic food production is the state of the economy.
“Right now, consumers on average have higher incomes and are willing to pay more for safety and quality, but what worries me is what will happen if their disposable income decreases,” said Maberry.
For now, Maberry isn’t going to let his concern stop him from enjoying his new pride in feeling like a farmer again. Instead, he plans to focus on his new optimism for his future in farming.
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