A successful organic farm operates as a system incorporating natural processes in the soil, human resources, special marketing efforts, and long-term planning. In order to understand where common weaknesses may lie within such systems, producers were asked to identify the "weak link" in their entire organic management system.
Labor or time needed to control weeds mechanically as well as to prepare for fresh markets are major constraints for respondents. A frustration for several growers is market demand that exceeds their time and labor to meet it. Many have full-time off-farm jobs and can only devote part-time management to their operations. When weed control was stated as a weak link, it frequently was associated with statements on lack of time. Family support in terms of assisting was mentioned as lacking in a few cases.
Marketing was often mentioned, but several did not specify what the problems were. When respondents elaborated on markets, issues mentioned included lack of time to prepare, appearance of product, lack of local market, inability to sell all one produces, lack of knowledge of organic meat marketing, lack of familiarity with buyers.
Responses to Question of Weak Link in
Producer’s Organic Operation
(Responses with a frequency of at least three):
| Labor/Time | 34 |
| Marketing/Sales | 16 |
| Self/Lack of experience | 10 |
| Weeds | 8 |
| Weather | 5 |
| Bookkeeping/Record keeping | 3 |
| Irrigation | 3 |
| Lack of adequate equipment | 3 |
| Soil conditions | 3 |
| Unable to price for profit | 3 |