Organic farming is going through a rough time. With the recent increase in precipitation in the last few years and the recession in 2008, organic farmers have been taking the brunt of it.
“Personally I think it (organic farming) will be phased out within the next 15 to 20 years,” said Wayne Willner, an organic farmer from Davidson, Sask.
“Weather, right now, and marketing sometimes (are problems). Like a few years ago, I had really nice looking wheat and stuff but the protein was low in it... It took me two years to sell it, and I ended up selling it for feed, just so that I could get (myself) some cash,” said Willner.
But Brenda Frick, an extension agrologist and researcher in organic agriculture, said she remains optimistic. “I think the future for organics is bright around the world. Even in Canada organic markets have been increasing and there’s really no reason why we can’t continue to supply and even grow our supply,” said Frick.
“The water has messed with timing (but) that doesn’t mean that organic farmers won’t evolve better methodology,” she said.
Meanwhile, though, organic farmers in Saskatchewan are struggling to make it through a run of difficult growing seasons.
“I still have crop in the field, too... No wonder I don’t have any hair,” joked Willner.
