Organic Path microsite

This project was funded through the New Opportunities and Business Development Investment Initiative (NOBDI) under the Renewal Chapter of the Canada-Nova Scotia Agricultural Policy Framework Agreement.

Equipment Requirements

There can be significant costs and risks associated with buying and maintaining equipment. One farmer said that his biggest cost and source of risk involves maintaining and repairing heavy machinery. Other farmers struggle with equipment decisions that involve scaling up and scaling down. Equipment choices can often be driven by the need to increase production to satisfy growing market demand (such as a transplanter), finding alternatives to chemical weed control (such as an eco-weeder), or to address a farm labour gaps.

Equipment choices can prompt many questions. Is it really necessary or would it just be nice? Is purchasing required? Will that equipment be working or rusting? Can I fix it? Will the spare parts have to be order from Europe? Will this unit save me time, money or result in a higher quality product? I need this equipment, but can I afford it during the transition period?

The following strategies and tactics can be employed to manage the risks associated with Equipment Requirements:

ACORN

Organic Path microsite

Equipment Requirements