Organic conversion checks: a Danish strategy for upscaling organic farming
2025
Arias Escobar, Maria Alejandra | Oudshoorn, Frank W
During the conversion check an experienced organic farm advisor from the Innovation Centre for Organic Farming (ICOEL) or another advisory service provider visits the farm. The consultant and the farmer go through the farm's production and sales potential of converting to organic production. Farmers can ask questions and explore development opportunities, helping them make informed decisions. The approach has proven to cause fewer re-conversions or interrupted processes. Practical recommendations • The farmer contacts the advisory services or ICOEL to ask for a conversion check. This can also take place on the initiative of a municipality for all farms in the region. • Before the visit, the farmer receives a simple questionnaire, so that the conversion advisor can prepare. • The advisor has experience with the farm type (e.g., livestock, arable, vegetable). Impartiality and professionalism are key. • The farm visit of approx. 2 hours includes: - Review of fields and stables to assess the opportunities and barriers for organic production and how to overcome them - Discussion of rules for organic production in general and for the specific farm type - Financial estimate based on the current production and potential subsidies - Market and sales opportunities - A timeline for conversion • The advisor provides a report with a realistic assessment of the farm’s suitability for organic farming. • If the farmer decides to convert to organic, the advisor will guide him through the process. Conversion to organic takes around 2-3 years to be effective.
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