www.sare.org resources what-is-sustainable-agriculture What is Sustainable Agriculture? A simple way to think about sustainable agriculture is that it involves producing enough food and fiber to satisfy today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. Farmers and ranchers who value sustainability embrace three common goals while running productive operations: To achieve these sustainability goals, a farmer typically views […]
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 a-whole-farm-approach-to-managing-pests A Whole Farm Approach to Managing Pests This 16-page bulletin helps producers—and the educators who work with them—use ecological principles to design farm-wide approaches to control pests. It lays out basic ecological principles for managing pests and suggests how to apply them to real farm situations—along with cutting-edge research examples and anecdotes from farmers using such strategies in their fields. Ecological pest management […]
www.sare.org resources what-is-soil-health What is Soil Health? Why is soil health so important? More and more, producers are understanding that healthy soils are more productive and lead to healthier crops. Dig into this interactive infographic to learn more about sustainable production practices that can help build healthy soil. Explore the on-farm benefits of using cover crops, crop rotation, manure amendments, composting and […]
www.sare.org resources how-to-conduct-research-on-your-farm-or-ranch How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch This 32-page Ag Innovations Series technical bulletin provides detailed instruction for crop and livestock producers, as well as educators, on how to conduct research at the farm level using practical strategies and peer-reviewed research findings. How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch also includes a comprehensive list of in-depth resources and real-life examples—from […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crops-for-soil-health-workshop Cover Crops for Soil Health Workshop This three-day professional development workshop, hosted by Northeast SARE and Delaware State University in March 2016, addressed the latest research on the benefits and successful management of cover crops in grain, vegetable and animal production systems. All session recordings are available as a YouTube playlist, or browse to individual sessions below. Recorded sessions include: Overview […]
www.sare.org resources systems-research-for-agriculture Systems Research for Agriculture Farmers today face a complicated host of environmental, social and economic pressures: protecting water and air resources, mitigating greenhouse gases, conserving biodiversity and limiting soil erosion, all while trying to make a living. These challenges are linked, yet most agricultural research of the last 80 years has approached them from a reductionist standpoint. To build […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crop-innovators-video-series Cover Crop Innovators Video Series Explore videos of farmers around the country who are using cover crops on their land. You can watch our entire Cover Crop Innovator series on our YouTube channel. To find out more about using cover crops, visit SARE.org/covercrops.
www.sare.org resources national-continuing-education-program National Continuing Education Program Welcome to the national continuing education program in sustainable agriculture presented by SARE. This program is designed primarily for Cooperative Extension and Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel, and is also open to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural professionals nationwide. It emphasizes core concepts and a basic understanding of sustainable agriculture, its goals and its relevance […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crops Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations A condensed version of this page is available as a four-page PDF, Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations, or use the Order in Print button on this page to order free hard copies. Also available in Spanish and Chinese. What is a Cover Crop? Cover crops should be viewed as a long-term investment in improved […]
www.sare.org resources cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Flowering cover crops can fulfill their original purpose as a conservation practice while at the same time providing valuable forage for wild bees and beneficial insects. This added benefit can be significantly enhanced with some fine-tuning of management practices and thoughtful plant selection. This 16-page bulletin will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects on […]
www.sare.org resources 2014-national-conference-on-cover-crops-and-soil-health 2014 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health The National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health, held Feb. 17-19, 2014 in Omaha, Neb., brought together 300 agricultural leaders and innovators to explore how we can make American agriculture more sustainable through improved soil health. Attendees represented agricultural industry, the farm community, academia, government, commodity and conservation organizations. Recordings of presentations from the […]
www.sare.org resources edible-avalon-curriculum Edible Avalon Curriculum An NCR-SARE Youth Educator grant helped four youth educators develop the curriculum and programming to expand Edible Avalon’s summer youth programs: Summer Program for Youth (SPY) for K-8 students, and Youth Leadership Program (YLP) for High School students The Edible Avalon-Summer Youth Program is a unique opportunity to immerse the next generation in sustainable, organic […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crops-and-no-till-management-for-organic-systems Cover Crops and No-Till Management for Organic Systems This Rodale Institute fact sheet reviews the use of cover crops and no-till in organic systems, including selection, establishment and mechanical termination of cover crops; crop rotations; and energy and production budgets.
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 managing-cover-crops-profitably-3rd-edition Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition Managing Cover Crops Profitably explores how and why cover crops work, and provides all the information needed to build cover crops into any farming operation. Along with detailed management information on the most commonly used species—including grasses, grains, brassicas and mustards, and legumes—Managing Cover Crops Profitably offers chapters on the role of cover crops in […]
www.sare.org resources rangeland-management-strategies Rangeland Management Strategies Features innovative SARE-funded research on creating and sustaining a healthy range. Throughout, researchers and ranchers share goals and successes in winter and multi-species grazing, managing forage and other vegetation and protecting riparian areas.
www.sare.org resources manage-insects-on-your-farm Manage Insects on Your Farm While every farming system is unique, the principles of ecological pest management apply universally. Manage Insects on Your Farm highlights ecological strategies that improve your farm’s natural defenses and encourage beneficial insects to attack your worst pests. Learn about the principles of ecologically based pest management and the strategies of farmers around the world to address insect […]