How to Start an Organic Food Program

• Step 1

  Make a plan for the first year. Write down your goals for the food program so you have a clear idea of where you are heading. This will help the direction of the program as well as marketing efforts.

• Step 2

  Gather information about an organic food program. Use online resources or contact another community that has an organic food program.

• Step 3

  Assess the interest from the community. If you do not already have help, you will need other members of the community to get the program up and running. Start small by posting ads in a newspaper or community forum to see who is interested and what assistance they can provide.

• Step 4

  Make a volunteer list and designate who will be responsible for gardening, watering, maintenance of the plot, marketing and selling once seeds bloom.

• Step 5

  Find a designated area to start the farm, such as a community garden or farm. Additionally, community members can plant seeds at their homes and businesses as part of the program. In genreral, 50 square feet is advisable to start out.

• Step 6

  Buy organic seeds and gardening products. Look for the USDA seal on seed packets and make sure gardening products are free of pesticides and toxins. Also, weed killers are not permitted when growing organic.

• Step 7

  Test the soil. Before plants are placed in the ground, the soil should be tested with a soil kit. This can determine the pH levels of soil, which can determine its strengths, weaknesses and where seeds should be planted for increased productivity.

• Step 8

  Plant seeds throughout the garden or designated area. A volunteer should be watering the seeds and constantly monitoring them to ensure that they are growing productively.

• Step 9

  Set a price point. While seeds are growing, set your price of shares. An organic food program is generally operated where community members purchase shares of farm, where they receive portions based on the designated price.

• Step 10

  Market the organic food program. Once food is ready, increase your marketing efforts and advertise the organic food program to everyone in the community. Take out ads, post information at a local community board, newspaper or online publication.

• Step 11

  Start the program and continue to market as well as maintain the garden with volunteers to increase membership.

• 4
• Certified organic soil Certified organic seeds A community garden or farm Watering can Organic fertilizer Organic compost Soil testing kit A computer
• Certified organic soil
• Certified organic seeds
• A community garden or farm
• Watering can
• Organic fertilizer
• Organic compost
• Soil testing kit
• A computer
• Check out the National Agricultural Library's site (see Resources) for a fact sheet on planning an organic garden and composting.
• Check out the National Agricultural Library's site (see Resources) for a fact sheet on planning an organic garden and composting.

References & Resources

• Organic Gardening
• Organic Gardening.net