Farm Consulting
Interested in transitioning to organic? Unsure about how to handle weeds, fertility, and pests? Need help navigating the certification process, finding specialized equipment or locating new markets? Looking for an experienced mentor? Let Rodale Institute help simplify the process and set you up for success with our Organic Farm Consulting Services.
Reach Out Today
When you contact our Organic Crop Consultants, we’ll discuss your needs and find a solution that's right for you.
Email: Consulting@RodaleInstitute.org
Phone: (610) 683-1416
Services Include:
Available Nationwide
Our organic crop consulting experts have experience with different crops, soils, and climates throughout the U.S. With hubs in Pennsylvania, California, Iowa, and Georgia, our experts are here to work for you wherever you’re located.
Benefits of Transitioning to Organic
Economic
Low conventional commodity prices and an increasing cost of production have put farmers in a difficult position that relies primarily on cost-cutting and unsustainable scaling to generate profit. Organic commodities can fetch two to three times the price of their conventional counterparts, and sales of organic products have grown steadily over the past decade. The price premium for organic products allows farmers to make a greater return on their investment, be more self-sufficient, and rely on a stabilizing market and buyer relationships rather than competition with imports and outsized corporate producers.
Environmental
By definition, organic crop production does not rely on chemical inputs for soil fertility or pest and disease control. Instead, organic farmers use cover crops, compost, animal inputs, and crop rotation to build the soil and produce strong, resilient farms. Healthy soil is key to managing extreme weather events like drought and flooding.
Practical
Organic agriculture allows farmers to reduce their dependence on companies that aim only to sell them products and don’t necessarily have their best interests in mind. Organic production works because it’s based on the natural cycling of nutrients and cash crops rather than the continued purchase and application of chemical products and genetically engineered seed.
Land Value
Getting farmland certified organic can increase the value of the land and give farmers a valuable asset for future generations.
Consumer Confidence
Organic certification of your farm products tells consumers that you meet rigorous standards and that they can buy with confidence.
Organic Crop Consultation Pricing
For a limited time, Rodale Institute’s Consulting Services are FREE to Pennsylvania and Midwest farmers interested in transitioning to an organic production system. This support is provided by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and additional private partners.
Pricing for all other out-of-state clients is available upon request.
SUPPORT
Rodale Institute has a number of partners that help to provide a streamlined process for farmers through the transition period, including obtaining certification and selling their organic products. There’s no better time to diversify and improve your operation.
Partners Include:
Organic Crop Consultants
Sam Malriat
Lead Organic Crop Consultant
Sam provides on-site technical assistance to farmers, landowners, and businesses that are interested in transitioning land to certified organic and regenerative production systems. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Cornell University, and has over 12 years of practical farming experience in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. Sam is a Certified Crop Adviser and is IOIA Certified in Crops and Livestock.
Emily Newman
Organic Crop Consultant
Emily joined the consulting team in January 2020 and will help farmers navigate organic compliance of their operations as they transition to certified organic. She has a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management, focusing in Soil Science, from Pennsylvania State University. Previous to joining the team at Rodale Institute, she worked in the regulatory compliance of organics for a certification agency and a material review organization.
Dr. Kristine Lang
Midwest Organic Center Extension Scientist
Kristine provides on-farm consultations for Midwest farmers and landowners who want to transition any portion of their operations to certified organic systems. She is developing partnerships with local and regional organizations to extend Rodale Institute’s outreach in the Midwest. Kristine has a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture from Iowa State University, and she will also oversee specialty crop research at the RI MOC.