Biodiversity and Conservation Archives - Transition to Organic Partnership Program

NRCS 823 EQIP Practices – Plains

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has many programs to help farmers convert to organic farming operations. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is “NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.” Under EQIP, Organic Transition Initiative 823 (OTI) is specifically meant to help those transitioning to… Continue reading NRCS 823 EQIP Practices – Plains

NRCS Offering New Practice for Transitioning Land to Organic

Growing Organic Soybeans on Conservation Reserve Program Land

Organic soybeans may be a very lucrative crop for Iowa farmers. Learn about the market, land preparation, planting and weed management, and the harvest and subsequent crops.

Insights from an Organic Certifier

This webinar will briefly discuss the process of organic certification including the on-farm inspection. The presenter will describe key issues and concerns that are examined in the inspection and review process. The presentation will include a discussion of common mistakes and anecdotal stories to highlight certifier concerns. Certification requirements related to conservation, such as erosion,… Continue reading Insights from an Organic Certifier

Cultivating Climate Resilience on Farms and Ranches

Cultivating Climate Resilience on Farms and Ranches outlines the new challenges that changing weather patterns pose in agriculture throughout the United States, and what you can do to make your farm more resilient. By understanding the climate risks to your production system and practices that can reduce those risks, you can identify some management steps… Continue reading Cultivating Climate Resilience on Farms and Ranches

Water Quality in Organic Production

Fact sheet on water quality management in organic production.

Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

This 16-page bulletin will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects on your farm while you address your other resource concerns. It begins with a broad overview of pollinator and beneficial insect ecology, then describes cover crop selection and management, how to make cover crops work on your farm,… Continue reading Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Natural Resource and Biodiversity Conservation

Fact sheet on USDA organic regulations for natural resource and biodiversity conservation.

Pollinator Plantings in Organic Pastures

This webinar investigates how organic pasture systems have the potential to do much more than just feed livestock. If managed properly, pastures and rangeland can include many forbs (herbaceous flowering plant) – from forage legumes to wildflowers – that provide nutrients for livestock, pollen and nectar for honey bees, native bees and other pollinators, and… Continue reading Pollinator Plantings in Organic Pastures