I talked to a couple growers as well as the Extension Director in Oceana Co., and couldn't find any organic asparagus growers in Michigan that actually plant organic crowns.
Some start their own from seed like Les, but others just plant conventional crowns. I think the main reason is, say you plant this spring (2009), you are not going to get a crop in 2010 and the 2011 crop is going to be small, by 2012, which would really be the first full production season, the crowns will have been in the ground for 3 years and if the field hasn't been treated with any conventional pesticides or herbicides, then the crop is eligable for certication under the NOP. Asparagus crown production is rather specialized, and I imagine that this time differential may simply have kept a market for organic crowns from emerging.
Taylor
"Les Roggenbuck" <[log in to unmask]>:
> Hi Patrick,
> Thanks for posting this.
> I purchesed asparagus seed this winter and will be starting them in
> the greenhouse. I have had poor luck with crowns here for some reason.
> Les
>
> Les Roggenbuck
> East River Organic Farm
> www.eastriverorganic.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Patrick Crouch
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:00 AM
> Subject: Re: seeking organic asparagus crowns to purchase
>
>
> When I started my asparagus crop I was unable to find organic
> asparagus crowns anywhere, so I started them from
>
> seed. It does take longer, but I've been very pleased with the
> quality of the crop that they have yielded. It also gave me
>
> extra time prep my space to put them in. I'd start them now, I
> feel like it took me around 14 weeks to get them up to transplant
> size.
>
>
>
> Patrick Crouch
>
> Program Manager
>
> Earthworks Urban Farm, Detroit, MI
>
> 313-579-2100 ext. 176
>
> www.cskdetroit.org/earthworks
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> From: Michigan organic growers seeking and offering information and
> ideas [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vicki Morrone
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:24 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: FW: seeking organic asparagus crowns to purchase
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: John Bakker [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:26 AM
> To: Vicki Morrone
> Subject: RE: seeking organic asparagus crowns to purchase
>
>
>
> Vicki,
>
>
>
> There are no organic crown producers in MI and I am not aware of
> any outside of MI either.
>
> Sorry I could not be more help.
>
>
>
> John Bakker
>
> John Bakker, executive director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board.
>
>
>
> From: Vicki Morrone [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:54 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
> Subject: seeking organic asparagus crowns to purchase
>
>
>
> Dear Growers and Advisors,
>
> Could you please share your source(s) of organic asparagus crowns
> and which variety(ies). I am assisting the MSU Student Organic Farm
> to source a clean organic asparagus crowns for this year's planting.
> Please write directly to me or share with the listserv if you like.
>
> Thanks very much for your input.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Vicki Morrone
>
>
>
> Vicki Morrone
>
> Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist
>
> Michigan State University
>
> C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems
>
> 303 Natural Resources Bldg.
>
> East Lansing, MI 48824
>
> 517-353-3542
>
> 517-282-3557 (cell)
>
> 517-353-3834 (fax)
>
> For information on organic agriculture production please visit:
> http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/
>
> P Please consider the environment before printing this email
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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