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Morgan County Completes State’s First Organic Farming Application

By Ann Smith, SWCD District Administrative Coordinator, Hartselle, Alabama

 

Organic Farming Plan is reviewed.
l-r: Karen Wynn, Eddie Jolley, and Foy Kirkland put Organic Farming Plan together.

The SWCD/NRCS Hartselle Field Office in Morgan County obligated the state’s first application under the new Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Farming Initiative in July 2009.

Tune Farm, Inc. received their certified organic status in August 2003 from Quality Certification Services, Gainesville, Florida. Their original plan included growing and selling organic fruits and vegetables to members. However, because the concept was new for this area, receipts from the memberships could not fully support the operation.  In addition to local sales, the farm now markets their organic produce to public stores and markets.

Eddie Jolley, State NRCS Conservation Agronomist, and Karen Wynn, a self-employed soil scientist specializing in organic farming, met with Diane Tune in July to tour the operation and write details for the farm plan. Jolley then met with NRCS DC Foy Kirkland in the Hartselle Field Office to put the plan together.

In accordance with the Organic Farm Plan, the 6.2 acres in organic produce production will be maintained in alternating strips 10’ wide with the clover sections for crop pollinators. The farm also has 73.6 acres in forage using organic techniques to provide upland wildlife food and cover for the Organic Farm Plan. Hay cut from these acres will provide an organic mulch to control weeds on the crops. Of the remaining acres on the farm, 51.2 acres are in CRP bottomland hardwood and 131 acres are in established forestland.

Organic Plan is signed by landowner.
Kirkland and Diane review the EQIP organic contract for
accuracy and details before Diane signs the contract.  

The farm property is part of a trust for the family of the late Leon J. Tune of Morgan County. Mr. Tune’s wife, Jean, and four children incorporated Tune Farm, Inc. and lease the land from the trust. Daughter, Diane, lives on the farm property and manages the operation with the assistance of one employee and help from her brother, Lee, and sisters, Ranice, Lisa, and Sheryl, whenever they are able to schedule trips home to Alabama or via conference calls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2009

 

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