Jim Sattelberg: Organic Success Story - Large-Scale Organic Edible Bean Farming

Jim Sattelberg and his family are one of the country's largest providers of certified organic black beans. In addition to black beans, the Sattelbergs produce soybeans, navybeans, soft red wheat, corn, pinto beans and spelt. Tap into the knowhow of this large-scale producer who is well versed in the financial, marketing and production considerations and processing needs for specialty grain and edible dry bean success. Learn how they successful transitioned large tracts to organic production and the methods they're using for continually improving their farming, processing and marketing.

Jim Sattelberg, along with his wife DeAnn and their sons and families, own and operate Thistledown and Bay Shore Farms in Michigan, one of the country's largest providers of certified organic black beans. In addition to black beans, the Sattelbergs produce soybeans, navybeans, soft red wheat, corn, pinto beans and spelt. Sattelberg, a third-generation Michigan dry bean producer, is well versed in the financial, marketing and production considerations and processing needs for specialty grain and edible dry bean success. Jim emphasizes developing and maintaining good soil texture and biology in order to grow good dry bean crops. He does soil tests on a third of their acreage every year, and he uses compost, compost tea, and cultured biology products for fertility.

Recorded Friday, December 12, 2013