CASCADE, Iowa — When Marvin and Kim Lynch were transitioning from conventional dairy farming to organic in the late 2000s, some people thought they were crazy.
Today, even though it still is one of the few operations in the Cascade area to have made the switch, viewpoints are changing.
“People look at how great our fields look and comment on it,” Marvin, 43, said. “I think people are impressed.”
THOnline, July 29, 2016
The Lynches, the third generation on the family farm, were not impressed with their bottom line in 2005.
“We got tired of the ups and downs of the conventional market,” Marvin said. “We thought, ‘there’s got to be a better way.’”
Then they saw an Organic Valley Cooperative ad in the monthly National Farmers Organization newsletter. They took a risk and began the switch in 2006.
According to the Organic Farming Research Foundation, organic farms do not use genetically modified seed, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
“It takes three years to transition,” Marvin said.
Along with a better bottom line by selling to Organic Valley, the positives outweigh the negatives.
“The health of the animals is unbelievable,” Marvin said of the 100 cows he raises. “The soil health is great and we don’t buy nitrogen (for the fields) anymore. When I used to spray the hay, I would get headaches. I don’t get them anymore.”
They said Organic Valley is operated the way a cooperative is suppose to be operated, by putting the farmer first. But there are some challenges in transitioning.
“It’s more labor-intensive,” said Kim, 39, who is integral to the operation along with sons Wyatt, 14, Willy, 13, and Waylen, 10. “He spends more days on cultivating and dealing with the weeds.”
Both believe the future for organic dairy farming is good.
“Consumers are becoming more aware of what is in their food,” said Kim, who also grows a vegetable garden.
“So often, we’re stuck in our ways,” Marvin said. “Farmers shouldn’t be afraid to try it.”
In Lafayette and Grant counties in Wisconsin, organic dairy farming is more common.
Keith and Tammy Wilson, who live just northeast of Cuba City, became certified in 2000. They, along with nephews Calvin and Kim Wilson, own 1,100 acres, rent out another 1,200 and milk 420 cows.
“To this day, it was the best decision I ever made as a farmer,” said Keith Wilson, 67, who recently was re-elected to the seven-person board of Organic Valley. “I’ve learned more about the health of soil than I ever did in the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s. All these living organisms had to be fed, and chemicals were killing them.”
Neighboring organic farmers Art Wedige and Joe Placke helped Wilson get started. He also has seen healthier crops, healthier animals and increased milk production.
“On our side of Lafayette County, there are probably 10 to 12 organic dairy farmers,” Wilson said. “And there are a lot in the Kieler- Louisburg area.”