[OKC] FW: [OSN Announce] organic processing on the farm

[Shauna Struby]

fyi

 

From: announcements-bounces at lists.oksustainability.org
[mailto:announcements-bounces at lists.oksustainability.org] On Behalf Of Maura
McDermott Kerr Center
Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 10:23 AM
To: Oklahoma Sustainability Announcements
Subject: [OSN Announce] organic processing on the farm

 


New Resource Out for On-Farm Entrepreneurs


 

A growing number of small farms in Oklahoma, almost 90 in 2009, are reaping
more profit by becoming "certified organic," selling everything from
strawberries to pecans.

 

Others are adding value to their crops by processing them on the farm--
turning tomatoes into salsa, or milk into cheese, or grapes into wine, as in
the booming wine industry.

 

In combination, each of these strategies-organic and adding value-- can
enhance the other. 

 

A new resource, Farm Made: A Guide to On-Farm Processing for Organic
Producers, 

available free online, is jam-packed with information on processing organic
ingredients into value-added organic products, right on the farm.

 

The 40-page publication begins with an overview of the general requirements
for organic certification and for food processing facilities. 

 

Farm Made then discusses in detail four on-farm organic processing
enterprises: sorghum syrup, packaged fresh salad greens, canned fruit
products (jams, jellies, and preserves), and table eggs.

 

For each enterprise, the report outlines the basic production and processing
requirements, and follows with details unique to organic management. 

 

Included are extensive lists of resources for further information and
supplies. 

 

 "Organic farmers need to jump through the same hoops any other business
person would in starting a food business, and at least one more - organic
certification," says George Kuepper, co-author of the report. Farm Made
helps the farmer navigate the process.

 

Kuepper is a sustainable agriculture specialist at the Kerr Center, a
non-profit educational foundation based in Poteau.

 

Farm Made is published by the Kerr Center with funding from the Organic
Farming Research Foundation. It is available free at
<http://www.kerrcenter.com/> www.kerrcenter.com.

 

Maura McDermott
Communications Director
Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
www.kerrcenter.com

 

Such a long long time to be gone 
and a short time to be there. 

 

The G.D. 

 

 

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