www.sare.org resources transitioning-to-organic-production Transitioning to Organic Production Farmers and ranchers decide to pursue organic certification for many personal, financial and environmental reasons. This publication introduces you to the requirements of the USDA National Organic Program and outlines many of the key strategies producers use to make their three-year transition to organic production a successful one. It discusses the practice areas common to […]
www.sare.org resources manage-weeds-on-your-farm Manage Weeds On Your Farm Manage Weeds on Your Farm is a definitive guide to understanding agricultural weeds and how to manage them efficiently, effectively and ecologically—for organic and conventional farmers alike. With the growing spread of herbicide-resistant weeds and with the public’s embrace of sustainably raised foods, farmers everywhere, both organic and conventional, are seeking better ways to eliminate […]
www.sare.org resources a-sustainable-approach-to-controlling-honey-bee-diseases-and-varroa-mites A Sustainable Approach to Controlling Honey Bee Diseases and Varroa Mites Geographic Adaptability: Relevant to beekeepers throughout the US and Canada. Honey bees are the world's most economically valuable insect pollinator of fruits, vegetables and other crops. Along with the more than 4,000 species of wild bees in North America, honey bees also provide significant pollination of wildflowers and cultivated gardens. The health of honey bee […]
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 conservation-tillage-systems-in-the-southeast Conservation Tillage Systems in the Southeast Conservation Tillage Systems in the Southeast: Production, Profitability and Stewardship is a comprehensive guide on conservation tillage systems for farms in the southeastern United States, providing information on the core components of conservation tillage systems as well as addressing regional considerations. The geographic coverage of the book examines these systems from southern Virginia to the panhandle of Florida and from the Atlantic Coast […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crop-economics Cover Crop Economics Farmers around the country are planting cover crops on millions of acres to protect and improve the soil, and the more that farmers use cover crops, the more they value this conservation practice. Cover Crop Economics: Opportunities to Improve Your Bottom Line in Row Crops looks at the economics of cover crops in corn and […]
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 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 investing-in-the-next-generation-of-agricultural-scientists Investing in the Next Generation of Agricultural Scientists The challenges that farmers and ranchers face today are growing more and more complex, and the cornerstone of the SARE program is the idea that sustainable solutions to these challenges arise when scientists, educators and producers work together to test theories in real-world, on-farm situations. However, for this approach itself to be sustainable, there must […]
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 moving-nursery-producers-toward-sustainable-practices-fact-sheets Moving Nursery Producers Toward Sustainable Practices Fact Sheets In recent years, there has been increased interest in sustainable production practices among nursery producers, primarily for economic reasons. Conventional nursery production relies heavily on the use of plastic containers, chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and imported substrate (“potting soil”) components. These fact sheets and handouts were developed by a team lead by University of Florida […]
www.sare.org resources tomato-grafting-for-disease-resistance-and-increased-productivity Tomato Grafting for Disease Resistance and Increased Productivity Researchers around the world have demonstrated that grafting can protect plants against a variety of soil-borne diseases in various climates and conditions. Grafting has been successfully implemented in many countries to battle diseases such as Verticillium and Fusarium wilt, corky root rot and bacterial wilt, among others. Along with maintaining high fruit quality, tomato grafting […]
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 developing-successful-organic-horticulture-farms-practical-training-for-ag-professionals Developing Successful Organic Horticulture Farms: Practical Training for Ag Professionals Power Point presentation series developed by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group for ag professionals and farmers interesting in elements of organic crop production and managing organic systems. Principles of Organic Farming Systems and Natural Resource Conservation Building Soil Quality and Managing Nutrients: Feed the Soil, and the Soil will Feed the Crop Organic Management […]
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 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 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 […]
www.sare.org resources integrated-pest-management-for-varroa-destructor-in-the-northeastern-united-states-using-drone-brood-removal-and-formic-acid Integrated Pest Management for Varroa Destructor in the Northeastern United States using Drone Brood Removal and Formic Acid This bulletin focuses on the management of the parasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor (V. destructor) in the northeastern U.S. It contains information that will allow a beekeeper to: 1) identify V. destructor, 2) recognize the symptoms of mite infestation, 3) determine pest densities, and 4) implement an effective IPM program for keeping mite populations below the […]
www.sare.org resources diversifying-cropping-systems Diversifying Cropping Systems Today's crop farmers, with their prices global and their costs local, are ensnared in an ever-tightening profit squeeze. Many of them have begun seeking alternative crops that command higher prices or pay dividends by boosting the yields of rotational crops. Diversifying can soften impacts on environmental resources, spread farmers' economic risk, exploit profitable niche markets […]
southern.sare.org resources organic-control-of-white-mold-in-high-tunnels Organic Control of White Mold in High Tunnels The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infects many of the cool-season crops produced in Kentucky. This SARE-funded video presents information on the high tunnel production system most commonly used in Kentucky; the disease cycle of S. sclerotiorum; and two control tactics compatible with national organic standards, solarization and biofumigation.