Worden Farm Consulting

The Worden Farm Consulting team, led by Chris Worden, Ph.D. and Eva Worden, Ph.D., offers strategic guidance toward success with agricultural projects in all enterprise stages. Custom analytical consulting services are available to help increase profitability, reduce risks, save time and resources, stay competitive, and achieve sustainability, with special emphasis on the following areas:  

Agricultural Property Evaluation

  • Soil quality and fertility analysis
  • Water and irrigation capacity 
  • Infrastructure delineation and functionality
  • Environmental and conservation assessment
  • Market potential and investment feasibility review
  • Crop yield projection and agricultural enterprise options

Crop Production 

  • Appropriate equipment specifications and sourcing 
  • Crop and cultivar selection for temperate, subtropical, or tropical climates
  • Field preparation, planting schedules, seeding and transplanting 
  • Irrigation systems and water management
  • Soil fertility and soil test interpretation
  • Cover cropping and composting
  • Livestock integration and rotation
  • Insect, weed, and disease management 
  • Harvesting and post-harvest handling, packing and processing

Agricultural Marketing

  • Retail and wholesale marketing opportunities
  • Alternative farm income streams 
  • Community engagement and partnerships
  • Agricultural industry networking

Organic Certification 

  • Developing an Organic Systems Plan and applying for certification with the USDA National Organic Program
  • Starting a new organic farm or converting from conventional to organic 
  • Crop rotation, input selection, documentation, and compliance

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Worden Farm Consulting clients are industry leaders from a range of sectors, including:

  • Commercial agribusiness
  • Private equity
  • Hospitality
  • Consumer packaged goods
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Conservation
  • Community development

  

 

Chris Worden, Ph.D. and Eva Worden, Ph.D. are recipients of the Florida Innovative Farmer Award, and have been named "Organic Farmer Experts" by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Wordens are featured widely in the media and in books and videos, including "Organic Certification Made Simple" a multi-part video series for the USDA that provides a step-by-step overview of organic production requirements and the process of organic certification.

Chris Worden’s doctorate is in Crop Science from University of Connecticut, and Eva Worden’s doctorate is in Ecosystem Management from Yale University. Chris and Eva both earned Masters of Science degrees in Horticulture from University of Maryland, after earning undergraduate degrees by Chris at University of Maryland, and Eva at University of Florida.