Michigan organic cherry farm shares NRCS conservation success story
North Star Organics highlights NRCS partnership to improve soil health and long-term sustainability on its certified-organic cherry farm.
North Star Organics, a 40-acre certified-organic cherry farm in Frankfort, Michigan, is sharing how USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs have helped improve soil health, pollinator habitat and long-term farm sustainability, according to a blog post on OFRF.org.
The farm, operated by Cheryl and Alan Kobernik, has used NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding to implement cover crops, windbreaks and infrastructure improvements.
RELATED – OFRF: 3 farmers talk organic transition wins, challenges
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) writes that the partnership is part of a broader effort to help organic and transitioning farmers better understand and access federal conservation programs. The Koberniks encouraged growers to “be relentless, and advocate for yourself” when pursuing NRCS assistance and emphasized the value of building relationships with local conservation planners.
Read the full story by Rebecca Champagne, OFRF conservation scientist, over at the OFRF blog.