Commodities

Canola Production for On-Farm Energy

The following production guides, cost calculator and research reports are on canola production, including weed management. They were developed as part of a multi-year research project by University of Vermont Extension on growing sunflowers and canola for on-farm energy. Find research reports on sunflowers here. Production guides Northeast Oilseed Production Manual.pdf 10.18 MB VT Oilseed […]

Sunflower Production for On-Farm Energy

The following production guides, cost calculator and research reports are on sunflower production, including weed management. They were developed as part of a multi-year research project by University of Vermont Extension on growing sunflowers and canola for on-farm energy. Find research reports on canola here. Production guides Northeast Oilseed Production Manual.pdf 10.18 MB VT Oilseed […]

Predatory Mites for Organic Thrips Control in High Tunnel Cucumbers

A presentation of grant-funded research on biological control methods in New York, including cultural practices, plant resistance, grafting, rotations, sprays and beneficials.

Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management

Crop management for insects and disease control, photos, fact sheets, and extensive appendices addressing plant resistance, habitats for beneficial insects, trap cropping, and more.

Nutrient Management in Corn Production

The following Cornell University agronomy fact sheets were developed during a 2009 SARE grant to help farmers and educators better evaluate nutrient cycling in corn production, thereby equipping them with information to make improved whole-farm management decisions: Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test for Corn, fact sheet 36 Fine-Tuning Nitrogen Use on Corn, fact sheet 63 Adaptive […]

Mobile Poultry Processing Unit Farm and Food Safety Management Guide

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project and the New England Small Farm Institute prepared this guide for small-scale poultry producers and processors using a Massachusetts-inspected mobile poultry processing unit or stationary on-farm facility. It includes information and sample documentation to help producer-processors with: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs) Hazard Analysis Critical Control […]

High Tunnel Winter Cropping Systems

A 40-minute presentation by Lewis Jett, West Virginia Extension Service, on the use of high tunnels for winter crop production. Download separate audio and slideshow files:Download audio (MP3, 15MB) Download slideshow (PDF, 10MB)

Vegetable Bedding Plants Pest Management

This University of Massachusetts web page has information on integrated pest management (IPM) and organic controls, two practical ways to effectively manage pests on vegetable bedding plants. Vegetable bedding plants are commonly grown in the Northeast as part of the spring sales mix. Although vegetable bedding plants may only be in the greenhouse for a […]

Spiders Provide Conservation Biological Control on Farms

Spiders were the focus of a Northeast SARE Graduate Student Research Grant project conducted by University of Maryland student Dylan Kutz. Kutz was interested in studying these undervalued yet important sources of natural insect control. He said, “Spiders are the most abundant natural enemy that occur in most agroecosystems and are estimated to globally consume […]

Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation in the Northeast United States

The guide, developed by farmer Willie Crosby of Fungi Ally, outlines the process of indoor and outdoor shiitake mushroom cultivation. It also includes results from strain research conducted through a Northeast SARE Farmer Grant. Table of Contents Introduction Strains and Spawn Sources Growing Shiitake Mushrooms on Logs Growing Shiitake Mushrooms on Supplemented Sawdust Getting Started […]

Goldenberry Fact Sheet

The fact sheet, written by Edward Durner of the Department of Plant Biology at Rutgers University, provides an overview of goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.). It includes a botanical description and basic information on production considerations.

Dried Flowers, Herbs and Cover Crops Sold as Seasonal Decoration

Monica Drazba of Chickadee Creek Farm in Pennington, New Jersey conducted a Northeast SARE Farmer Grant to study the production costs, required labor, marketability, and profitability of growing specialty cut flowers and grasses specifically for wreath production. As a result, she created a series of five fact sheets, below, that contain an analysis of the […]

Cordyceps Mushroom Cultivation in the Northeast United States

Cordyceps is currently one of the highest valued mushrooms cultivated in the world. The US market for cordyceps is rapidly growing in the supplemental and herbal markets. Willie Crosby of Fungi Ally, Montague, MA, studied basic production variables of cordyceps, including strain and container, on his farm. Results of the study informed this cultivation guide. […]

Growing Specialty Ethnic Crops for a South Asian Market in the Northeast

This guide, written by David Vigil and Kendra Ellis of East New York Farms!, provides information on growing three types of South Asian specialty crops--beans, vining gourds and greens. A general description, planting and care considerations, harvesting tips, and varieties and seed sources are included for each of the following crops. Beans Winged Beans (Psophocarpus […]

Cover Cropping on Vegetable Farms in Northern New England

This bulletin, authored by Heather Darby and her staff at the University of Vermont Extension Crops and Soils Team, provides basic information on cover crop strategies for vegetable farms based in northern New England. It addresses cover crop benefits and challenges; cover crop selection, seeding option planting dates, termination options; and additional resources. The bulletin […]

Raising Ducks on a Small Agroforestry Farm

This guide, authored by Steve and Elizabeth Gabriel, shares their experience raising ducks on their farm in Trumansburg, New York. The guide includes the following topics. Key considerations for raising ducks Breeds Basic care Infrastructure tips and tricks Duck products The Gabriels say, "This document is gathered from our experience at Wellspring Forest Farm after […]

WV farm determines optimal strawberry planting dates

Strawberries are a high demand crop for both pick-your-own and local retail markets. While this crop commands premium prices, growing strawberries in southern West Virginia has been tricky due to challenges like deer and weed pressure, labor demands and planting time conflicts. With their Northeast SARE Farmer Grant, Kent and Jennifer Gilkerson of Sunset Berry […]

Edible Weeds on Farms

Tusha Yakovleva of Found Wild in New York's Hudson Valley authored this resource guide for wild edible plants on cultivated soils. Edible weeds are nourishing, resilient, and yet often maligned crops. Yakovleva encourages readers to see "weeds" in a new light -- as ways to provide supplemental income, offer novel flavors and phytonutrients, increase biodiversity […]

European Corn Borer in Hops

The renaissance of hopyards throughout the Northeast has brought pests not commonly associated with hop growing in other parts of the country. Farmers in New England have found European Corn Borer to be a unique pest in their hopyards. Farmer Ryan Houghton of The Hop Yard in Portland, Maine and David Handley of University of […]

Hudson Valley Farm Applies African Farming Methods to Local Rice Production

Dawn Hoyte and Nfamara Badjie of Ever-Growing Family Farm in Ulster Park, NY received a Farmer Grant to evaluate nursery methods for rice production. Transplants are critical to growing this crop successfully in our region, given the short growing season. Past Farmer Grant research has shown that using a plug-tray nursery method was successful. Badjie, […]