1.2 Organic and Alternative Farmers and Ranchers

By nature, farmers are hardworking, busy, and passionate about their families and work. As you get to know your community’s farmers, remember they will likely have much in common.

The motivation to raise organic or alternative livestock is based on human, animal, ecosystem, and welfare concerns. O/A farmers believe that the non-use of certain products on the land, their animals, and crops directly and positively affects animal, human, and ecosystem health. Economics is also critical. Farmers can’t stay in business if they can’t make a living and support their families. So, the increased income from selling organic or alternatively raised products is a motivating factor. There is as much variety in O/A farmers and ranchers as there is with conventional farmers.

Third-party certified organic livestock producers are bound by the rules and regulations of their program. Those with alternative livestock may operate under the rules of a welfare program, regenerative tenants, or no program. There are as many ways of being a farmer as there are of being a teacher, parent, or veterinarian.

This book provides comments from organic and alternative producers who responded to our 2021 Iowa State University Survey. We hope this helps you see the variety of people you might encounter, some with strongly opposing views. Our goal is to enhance communication and strengthen interactions between animal health professionals and O/A clients to provide the best services to them and the best care to their animals.

As you may know, small farmers don’t always appreciate being lumped in with conventional farmers. The term “producer” is not always appreciated. For this reason we more often use the term farmer or rancher. We also hear that the term  “biosecurity” does not resonate with small farmers, O/A farmers, or ranchers. For that reason, we talk about disease prevention actions or activities instead of biosecurity principles.