Farmers are getting hit on all sides this year. The price of synthetic fertilizer has skyrocketed 200% in the last year alone as the price of petroleum used in its production continues to rise, and water, a basic necessity for farmers, is being rationed severely as a serious drought continues to grip more than half the country.

To alleviate some of these serious challenges, farmers like John Chapman of Craft Turf Farms in Foley, Alabama first turned to organic fertilizer as a stop gap measure for a portion of his fields. He reasoned that he'd use organic fertilizer until the price of his regular fertilizer went down. But Chapman was in for a surprise. The organic fertilizer he purchased from Organic Growing Systems of Alpharetta, GA, cost less, needed less than half the amount of water, and produced a superior crop in less the time. Chapman was so impressed with the results, that he decided to go organic, and put in an order for his 2,500 acre farm.

"As a turf farmer, it is actually cheaper now to use organic," said Chapman. "And with synthetic prices going up each year, that price gap narrows more and more."

He also recommends turf customers put organic fertilizer down first, under the grass.

"That helps the turf instantly root into the same growing medium. It really works well," he said. "When we do that, we almost never have a failure. The landscapers really appreciate us providing that information."

Organic Growing Systems COO John Strickland, has seen this same scenario play out on several farms throughout the Midwest, Southwest and the South.

"For the first time, organics are not only competitive in pricing, but are coming in cheaper," said Strickland. "It's been interesting to see the drive the public has in pursuing organics right now."

What farmers are finding is that not only is the initial cost of organic fertilizer less than its synthetic counterpart, but the cost savings continues through the growing cycle. What's more, organic fertilizer puts more nutrients into the soil than it takes out and does not leech toxic chemicals into the ground water.

Once thought of as a boutique, expensive alternative, organic fertilizer is now gaining in popularity by many in the agricultural industry who are discovering its cost savings and environmentally friendly attributes. Companies like organic Growing Systems are producing product at a frenetic rate to keep up with the demand, and are glad to see that being green means seeing green now, too.

For more information contact Shannon Klingen at 201-488-0049.