www.sare.org resources farming-with-soil-life Farming with Soil Life This handbook, created by The Xerces Society, dives into soil biology. It provides a connection between healthy soils and healthy invertebrates found in temperate agricultural soils. Farming with Soil Life starts with a review of soil basics, including the functions, classifications and properties (physical, biological and chemical) of soil. It provides detailed methods on how […]
www.sare.org resources building-soils-for-better-crops Building Soils for Better Crops The 4th edition of Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background—from what soil is to the importance of organic matter. It will show you how different physical, chemical and biological factors of the soil interconnect, and how […]
www.sare.org resources berry-soil-and-nutrient-management Berry Soil and Nutrient Management Guide for Educators and Growers Commercial berry growers in the Northeast have traditionally made standardized fertilizer applications based on crop age or past fertilization practices, and not on site-specific data of plant nutrient status. This practice continues today, some 20 years or more after commercial berry crop guidelines for analysis-based fertilization programs became widely available. Adoption of soil health improving practices (including the consideration of physical and […]
www.sare.org resources the-small-ruminant-toolbox The Small Ruminant Toolbox Sheep and goat enterprises offer diversification opportunities for small and limited-resource farmers. This Small Ruminant Toolbox was developed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in order to provide a collection of information for small ruminant producers and educators. The Small Ruminant Toolbox includes many publications, presentations and other resources that will be helpful […]
www.sare.org resources how-to-guide-for-aspiring-urban-micro-agricultural-entrepreneurs How-to-Guide for Aspiring Urban Micro-Agricultural Entrepreneurs The How-to-Guide for Aspiring Urban Micro-Agricultural Entrepreneurs was created by Sustainable Urban Development for residents of West Philadelphia who want to increase their access to fresh, healthy and affordable food. The guide equips anyone interested in urban farming with the information they need to reclaim vacant lots in the city and build a for-profit urban farm. […]
www.sare.org resources season-long-strawberry-production-with-everbearers-for-northeastern-producers Season-Long Strawberry Production with Everbearers for Northeastern Producers The primary purpose of this 70-page guide is to provide the opportunity for growers in the eastern United States to grow everbearing strawberries profitably. Information gained from research trials are shared with growers in addition to the observations and experiences of the guide’s authors and other significant contributors.
www.sare.org resources applying-for-the-conservation-stewardship-program-csp Applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project provides information to farmers who are interested in applying for the USDA-NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which pays farmers to maintain, improve and adopt conservation systems. The guide explains program eligibility and how to apply. Download now: Applying for CSP.pdf 1.80 MB Plain language guides […]
www.sare.org resources crop-rotation-on-organic-farms Crop Rotation on Organic Farms This manual provides an in-depth review of the applications of crop rotation-including improving soil quality and health, and managing pests, diseases, and weeds. Consulting with expert organic farmers, the authors share rotation strategies that can be applied under various field conditions and with a wide range of crops. Crop Rotation on Organic Farms will be most […]
www.sare.org resources applying-for-environmental-quality-incentives-program-eqip Applying for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project introduces readers to the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which pays farmers and ranchers to implement practices that protect water, soil and air quality. The guide explains eligibility for EQIP, how to apply and how the money can be used. Download now: Applying for […]
www.sare.org resources high-tunnels High Tunnels Table of contents Case Studies-----------------------------2 High Tunnels and Marketing--------23 Site Considerations--------------------26 Selecting Your Structure-----------28 Construction Tips---------------------40 Environmental Management--------47 Soil and Crop Management---------54 Pest Management--------------------60 The manual was written by Ted Blomgren of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Tracy Frisch of the Regional Farm and Food Project, with Pennsylvania farmer Steve Moore. It was published by the […]
www.sare.org resources steel-in-the-field Steel in the Field Weed control demands time, labor and expense for every farmer every year. Steel in the Field shows how today's implements and techniques can control weeds while reducing—or eliminating—herbicides. In practical language, Steel in the Field presents what farmers and researchers have learned in the last 20 years about cutting weed-control costs through improved cultivation tools, cover crops and new […]
northcentral.sare.org resources training-manual-for-applied-agroforestry-practices Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices Agroforestry practices help landowners diversify products, markets, and farm income; improve soil and water quality; and reduce erosion, non-point source pollution, and flood damage. The integrated agroforestry practices enhance land and aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife and improve biodiversity while sustaining land resources for generations to come. Printed in 2013 and revised in 2018 […]
northcentral.sare.org resources handbook-for-agroforestry-planning-and-design Handbook for Agroforestry Planning and Design Agroforestry practices help landowners diversify products, markets, and farm income; improve soil and water quality; and reduce erosion, non-point source pollution, and flood damage. The integrated agroforestry practices enhance land and aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife and improve biodiversity while sustaining land resources for generations to come. Together with the Training Manual for Applied […]
northcentral.sare.org resources women-caring-for-the-land-improving-conservation-outreach-to-female-non-operator-farmland-owners-curriculum-manual Women Caring for the Land: Improving Conservation Outreach to Female Non-Operator Farmland Owners Curriculum Manual The percentage of women who are sole landowners is rising. Many women express strong conservation values in meetings and surveys but are often unsure of how to turn those values into action as they have not been involved in farm management decisions in the past. Women farmland owners are a vital segment of the conservation partnership […]
northcentral.sare.org resources women-caring-for-the-land-cover-crops-booklet Women Caring for the Land: Cover Crops Booklet Women landowners say that they want their family farms to remain healthy and productive for future generations. But many feel they don't have all the information they need to protect their land. This booklet, developed by the Women Caring for the Land with support from a SARE grant, introduces cover crops as an option, one […]
northeast.sare.org resources cornell-soil-health-assessment Cornell Soil Health Assessment The Cornell soil health assessment was created to help farmers develop appropriate management solutions to build healthy soils. Visit the Cornell soil health website to find more information about the assessment, Cornell's soil health testing services, and a training manual that provides a how-to guide for soil sampling and guidelines on how to conduct your own soil […]
northeast.sare.org resources adapt-n-training-manual Adapt-N Training Manual Adapt-N is an online tool that helps precisely manage nitrogen (N) inputs for grain, silage, and sweet corn production. It can provide automatic daily updates of each field’s N status and recommendations, based on real-time weather influences, and can be used with any device with internet access.
northeast.sare.org resources beyond-black-plastic Beyond Black Plastic While the use of black plastic is allowed within organic agriculture, it is inherently unsustainable as it is a petroleum-based product and difficult to recycle. Every acre of land farmed using a black plastic system produces 100-120 lb of waste that typically goes to landfills. This 24-page guide looks beyond plasticulture and evaluates the effects of different mulch […]
northeast.sare.org resources oilseed-production-in-the-northeast Oilseed Production in the Northeast A 48-page booklet on sunflower and canola production in the Northeast. Topics covered include crop establishment, production, pest management, harvesting, and seed processing and storage.
northeast.sare.org resources whole-farm-nutrient-planning-for-organic-farms Whole-Farm Nutrient Planning for Organic Farms Filled with useful detail and valuable reference charts, this booklet acknowledges from the start that nutrient management is often a major challenge for organic farms. And, since soil test results don’t come with specific recipes for applying different nutrient sources, the guide shows farmers how to make informed decisions about the best use of the […]