Organic Conference Saturday in Regina

Organic production is something you're probably becoming more aware of.

Here in Saskatchewan, we have about 1200 registered organic producers in the province, with a wide variety of products ranging from fruits and vegetables to crops and livestock.

Marion McBride with the Organic Crop Improvement Association's Research and Education Board, says while some producers tend to receive a premium for organics, they also have some key costs, including the built-in costs of enriching soil in other ways, which means sometimes taking land out of production because you're not doing zero-till, and you need other methods for controlling weeds. She adds there are inspection and certification costs, which will cost a typical producer over $1000 per year.

Organic producers from around the province, as well those interested in organics, will gather at the Travelodge Hotel in Regina April 1 for a one-day conference. McBride says the conference focuses on "Organics: What We've Learned", saying organic producers in the province over the years have learned better ways of managing weeds and developed new species, adding that organic apricots are growing in Saskatchewan, that have been developed in Lumsden.