Farming communities around the globe have long been struggling with food demands, safety regulations, and sustainability practices. However, a few of the world’s largest organic farming and food companies have come together in an attempt to support organic farms and make sustainability more accessible to everyone.

The US Organic Grain Collaboration found a number of ways organic food companies and farmers can work together to grow organic supply, better understand consumer needs, and learn how to transition to better farming systems. Learn more about their findings here.

1. Find the Right Farming System

There are a variety of farming systems that can enhance sustainability and improve crop yield for plant farmers. Every type of system will alter the environment in some way, but there are those that are easier to offset and offer more sustainability benefits. Here are a few of the best farming systems that farmers should explore if they’re interested in environmental regeneration and repair, as well as significant crop yield:

• Organic: This includes food and animal products produced using approved cultural, biological, and mechanical practices to promote ecological balance and biodiversity. These practices often include the use of organic fertilizers, which enrich the soil naturally without relying on synthetic chemicals. The National Organic Program dictates that farmers cannot use synthetic fertilizers, genetic engineering, or irradiation.
• Regenerative: This holistic farming system connects various farming processes to the ecological system within which it exists. Indigenous communities have used this farming system for generations, actively seeking opportunities to enhance ecological regeneration and improve ecosystem health.
• Agroforestry & Silvopasture: This farming style integrates shrubs and trees into crop and animal farming for economic, environmental, and social benefits. These farmers are moving away from reliance on annuals and toward long-lived tree systems that increase water retention, carbon sequestration, and habitats for farm animals.

Some other farming systems that could benefit organic and sustainable collectives include alternative livestock or grass-based farming, integrated crop and livestock farming, and land-free farming.

2. Clarify Consumer Demand

Another struggle for organic food companies is the confusion behind consumer demand. After conducting multiple studies to track consumer trends, the US Organic Grain Collaboration managed to summarize organic market opportunity and demand:

• Demand is growing. It’s up to 64 billion dollars in 2023 from its humble start of 13 billion in 2005. The rise has been steady and continuous.
• Organic animal feed and produce for consumers make up the largest portion of the market.
• Farmers find it easiest to market and sell cash crops like organic corn and soybeans, but a push toward rotational crops is changing the industry.

It’s become clear that consumers are noticing the significant health benefits of MCT oil, whole foods, and produce that’s organic.

3. Move Away From Factory Farming

Many consumers and farmers have moral concerns about factory farming, which reduces the quality of life of the animals raised for food. Consumers, especially, have become more aware of these animals' inhumane conditions and are avoiding products derived from factory farming. To improve these farming practices, reduce environmental harm, and prevent animal suffering, farmers can move away from factory farming toward alternative livestock or grass-based farming, silvopasture, or integrated crop-livestock farming.

4. Provide More Resources to Farmers

The biggest concern for the US Organic Grain Collaboration is to help farmers who require technical assistance to transition to organic, sustainable, and regenerative farming methods. Many of these farmers don’t have the specific expertise they need to implement alternative farming systems and crop rotations to ensure organic production is profitable for them. By providing unbiased experts, widespread resources, and fair markets to sell their products, organic food companies can ensure that organic farmers are growing to meet consumer demand.

The US OGC later formed the Organic Trade Association Sector Council, which advocates for conservation, provides market analysis, and hosts events for farmers and organic food companies. Learn more about their work to start your move toward sustainability.