A new innovation called metal organic frame works (MOF) may soon effect agriculture. MOF’s are very small organic (carbon) molecules with a metal bridge. They are quite small but have a tremendous amount of pore space. For example, a few grams (454 grams per pound) can have the surface area of an entire football field. The MOF’s have layers of single metal atoms that attach to the carbon to form porous sheets that fold upon themselves in a ball. This increased porosity can be used for a number of technological uses, some in agriculture, others in electronics, and even medicine. For example, about 1.8 billion people are in need of water throughout the world. Dr. Omar Yaghi researched and made a MOF-5 compound that contains zinc. Zinc connects many folds of carbon together in a small ball with high porosity. Dr Yaghi got the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this discovery and technically invention. These synthetic crystal substances do not exist in nature and need to be manufactur...

  With low corn, soybean, and milk prices and high input prices for fertilizers and chemicals; some farmers are considering transitioning to organic farming.  It’s a big step and not one easily taken.  Organic farming is not a get rich quick proposition.  Prices for organic corn are around $8/bushel, soybeans $20/bushel, and milk about $23-$25 per hundred pounds.  Organic farming takes a completely different mind-set but there are successful organic farmers. Before you make the jump to organic, do some research.   To go organic, you have to be efficient at recycling nutrients and controlling pests, especially weeds.  Usually, you’ll need to grow organic forms of nitrogen.  Start your education by visiting some organic farmers to see how they manage their farms.  Look at their entire farming operation and ask questions about farming history.  Ask about soil types, crops, livestock, crop rotation, tillage practices, when do they plant...

  Several farmers have requested information on how to transition to organic farming. Organic farms vary from a few vegetable acres to several thousand acres with or without livestock. Klass Marten is a New York organic farmer specializing in grains for milling, farming 1700 acres. Rick Clark is an Illinois/Indiana no-till, cover crop, organic farmer with 7,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. Organic farming like conventional farms come in all sizes and configurations. USA organic food production is around 52 billion dollars (2021), up from 27 billion in 2010. Organic production makes up about 6% of overall USA food sales but is produced on about 1% of USA farmland. Farms transitioning to organic production increased about 17% from 2016 to 2019. USA organic food demand has increased about 8% per year with a slight decrease recently due to COVID, inflation, and economic conditions. Australia leads the world in organic production with 8.8% of its land farmed organically, acc...