This publication provides information on organic apple production from recent research and producer experience. Many aspects of apple production are the same whether the grower uses low-spray, organic, or conventional management. Accordingly, this publication focuses on the aspects that differ from nonorganic practices-primarily pest and disease control, marketing, and economics.
Resources Category: Organic Crop Production
Explore best practices in organic crop production. Get expert tips on soil management, crop rotation, and sustainable farming techniques to boost your organic yields.
Pears: Organic Production
This introduction to commercial organic pear production covers pear diseases, disease-resistant cultivars, rootstocks, insect and mite pests and their treatment, Asian pears, and marketing. Two profiles of organic pear growers are included. Electronic and print resources are provided for further research.
Pruning for Organic Management of Fruit Tree Diseases
This publication explains why pruning is an especially important disease-management tool for organic tree fruit growers. It explains how to remove diseased wood and prune branches and discusses how this can control spread of disease and help prevent hosting of pathogens that cause rot. Pruning strategies for apples and pears are contrasted with techniques used… Continue reading Pruning for Organic Management of Fruit Tree Diseases
Guidelines for Using Mulches and Weed Barriers
Fact sheet that provides guidelines for using mulches and weed barrers in organic production
National Organic Farming Handbook
The USDA National Organic Farming Handbook
Manures for Organic Crop Production
Livestock manures are an important resource in sustainable and organic crop production. This publication addresses the problems and challenges of using both raw and composted manures and discusses some of the solutions
Recordkeeping Case Study: Keeping Records for a Crop Audit
With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, Oregon Tilth developed a series of farmer-to-farmer case studies on best practices in recordkeeping. The records of a certified organic farm’s operations and activities demonstrate where promise and practice meet for an inspector and certifier. An annual mandatory inspection examines the… Continue reading Recordkeeping Case Study: Keeping Records for a Crop Audit
Recordkeeping Case Study: Seed Search Documentation and History
With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, Oregon Tilth developed a series of farmer-to-farmer case studies on best practices in recordkeeping. The records of a certified organic farm’s operations and activities demonstrate where promise and practice meet for an inspector and certifier. An annual mandatory inspection examines the… Continue reading Recordkeeping Case Study: Seed Search Documentation and History
Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance in installing practices for use as buffers in organic production systems in order to meet the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. Conservation buffers are generally strips of vegetation placed in the landscape to influence ecological processes and provide a variety of services.
Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: Idaho Implementation Guide
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance in installing practices for use as buffers in organic production systems in order to meet the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. Conservation buffers are generally strips of vegetation placed in the landscape to influence ecological processes and provide a variety of services.