Farmers' club taking dairy organic

A group of P.E.I. dairy farmers has started a club aimed at getting organic milk production started on the Island.

'We're asking to change everything he does on his farm.' - Roger Henry

It's a long process: three years of growing chemical-free feed before it can be declared organic, and then a year of feeding the cows organically before the milk is considered chemical-free. Kris Pauptit is harvesting his first year's worth of chemical-free corn, and he's pleased with the results so far.

"It was quite smooth this year, everything just sort of fell in place," said Pauptit.

"This should be enough to get me through to the next harvest season."

Pauptit is one of about 10 farmers on the Island at the first stages of converting to an organic milk operation. Roger Henry, who is co-ordinating the initiative said moving to organic production requires a big commitment.

"We're not asking the farmer just to change the way he grows his grain or plants his corn or stores his manure," said Henry, "we're asking to change everything he does on his farm."

Province supporting organic production

ADL and Purity Dairy are providing funding for the initiative through a provincial program aimed at expanding organic production.

"The producers need support and they need information and they need access to some different tools that they don't presently have," said Henry.

Joey Arsenault is about two years into the process, and already sees benefits.

"I think the biggest benefit is the health of me, my family and my cattle, my soils and everybody around me," said Arsenault.

When Arsenault starts producing organic milk there will be financial benefit as well, as organic farmers are paid a 20 per cent premium. There is a growing demand for organic milk, and no producers in the Maritimes.

"The overall market in Canada is not even close to being met," said Henry. "It's growing by 20 to 30 per cent a year."

Henry hopes the first organic milk produced on P.E.I. will be available to the consumerin 2008.