Farmer Stories

Bootstrapping the organic market for NZ lamb

In 20 years of raising organic lamb in New Zealand's Wairarapa region, Ian and Heather Atkinson have seen—and helped shape—the market's evolution from export niche to emerging local staple.

The end of farming for me, for now

A people-loving story teller in an area lacking basic farm-supports tells why his short, valiant effort to be an organic dairyman ended in a total auction to pay off his debts.

By Mark Lichtenstein

Boston common

Nonprofit community farm strives to make good food a bridge between culture and class.

West African rice farmers explore alternatives to cheap, dangerous insecticides

Farmer-to-farmer training and on-farm research grow local adapted knowledge of biologically based integrated pest management that embraces biodiversity, careful observation and beneficial insects.

By Timothy J. Krupnik

Lessons learned in a mature organic sector

To some extent, organic apple growers in the Pacific Northwest are suffering from their own success. But the rewards of organic orchard management go beyond price premiums, say the owners and managers of Pine Creek Orchards.

The nitty gritty of Jack Erisman’s 14-year rotation

(from Pioneering Illinois farmer recounts transition to organic)

Pioneering Illinois farmer recounts transition to organic

An appetite for experimentation tempered by cautious risk taking forge a successful operation.

Deep commitments carry family through dramatic double transition at a Kansas family farm

New Farm classifieds links enterprising farmer to nearby opportunity. His new land leads to his further success in "baking the view" as an artisan baker capitalizing on local demand for high-quality organic food that's miles fresher and better.

Not just a farm, but a creative community

Roy Brubaker, his family, and six interns collaborate, innovate and share labor, food and meaning on the Brubakers' 30-acre organic produce farm in western Pennyslvania.

Ohio grain farmer replaces inputs with sweat. He likes it that way, and he's a lot better off financially, too.

It took a while for Dean McIlvaine's diversified 830-acre organic grain farm to get in a groove, but now he's cookin': rich soils, resilience in bad weather years, organic premiums, a better bottom line... and the priceless pleasure of more time in the fields.