John Henning, Eco-echo, McGill U., Montreal, Ca wrote:
> Holly ....
>
> I think anyone would have a very difficult time to provide
> convincing evidence that,in general, certified land is worth
> any more in monetary terms in the open market. In the case of
> conventional farm land, it's been very tough to show that the
> market rewards conservation investments by farmers, or other
> activities that would be expected to improve the productive
> capacity of their land. There are exceptions (e.g. installation
> of drainage, where it is needed).
>
> Some might also think that certified land would be more
> valuable because it allows the product of the land to claim
> higher prices (premiums) in the market. Here the problem is
> that the premiums are not generally available. Sure, many
> farmers are able to consistently sell at a premium, but this
> is not the case for everyone. The result is that there is not
> a reliable relationship between product and price on which to
> justify a higher price for the land.
>
> On the example in British Columbia ($4000/acre) .., this
> does not sound too out of line for good quality land in the
> right location ,, probably lower mainland
> But, it is not indicative for British Columbia,
> just a reflection of a local situation.
>
> Finally, is it the land that is certified ? .. not really ..it's
> the whole package including the farmer, who is probably the
> most important component ... if the farm is presently
> certified, it just means that a new owner has a better
> opportunity to be certified than otherwise .. the previous
> operator would hopefully provide the new owner with the
> existing farm plan etc. and potentially, theland could be
> quickly re-certified under the new owner.
>
> john henning
> ------------------- Original msg --------------
>
> From: "Holly Born" <hollyb@ncatark.uark.edu>
> To: sanet-mg@shasta.ces.ncsu.edu
> Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 11:35:22 +0000
> Subject: Farm land value & organic certification
> Reply-to: hollyb@ncatark.uark.edu
>
> Hello all!
> Can anyone point me to sources of info on the value of farm land that
> is certified organic relative to non-organic land values? Is land itself
> certifiable, or only the products from that land? If land can be
> certified, can anyone give me a rough idea of what is required?
>
> Iwould sure appreciate any info on the subject of organic premiums
> for land, since it was requested by a farmer in Iowa (who says that he visited
> with
> a farmer from Vancouver ,BC, who paid $4000/acre for land "supposedly certified
> organic").
>
> Thanks to everyone,
> Holly Born
> Holly Born, Technical Specialist
> ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas)
> (501) 442-9824, 1-800-346-9140
> Fax:(501) 442-9842 E-mail:hollyb@ncatark.uark.edu
> Web:http://www.attra.org
>
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