This publication provides information on sources of fertility for organic small grains that are acceptable according to the USDA National Organic Program standards.
Resources Category: Organic Crop Production
Organic Small Grain Production Overview
This publication gives a general overview of organic small grain production. It includes basic production principles, tips on transitioning to organic, ideas for rotation design, and examples of rotations from various parts of the United States.
Weed Management in Organic Small Grains
This publication introduces the multifaceted comprehensive strategy of weed management used for organic small grain production, combining techniques including crop rotation, sanitation, cultural practices, variety and seed selection and planting, cover crops, tillage, use of organic herbicides, and others.
Reducing Tillage Intensity in Organic Production Systems
This publication explores the different approaches to tillage intensity in organic crop production systems. It reviews a number of alternatives and provides a summary of recent research and future research needs.
Organic Tomato Production
This publication addresses practical questions on organic tomato production. It focuses on the specific production challenges, including site selection (soil and climate), variety selection, sources of organic seeds and organic annual transplants, organic grafting, planting and training/staking arrangements, soil fertility and fertilization, crop rotation, and pest (insect, disease, and weed) management. Harvest and yield/productivity are… Continue reading Organic Tomato Production
Tipsheet: Crop Rotation in Organic Farming Systems
fact-sheets on crop rotations for organic farming systems.
Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production
Organic greenhouse vegetable production requires extensive upfront investment but can yield premium prices if the grower can identify a marketing channel without a lot of competition. The key to profitable greenhouse vegetable production is keeping annual costs low. The highest costs for greenhouse production are energy and labor. This publication includes information on energy conservation,… Continue reading Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production
Herbs: Organic Greenhouse Production
This publication discusses various marketing channels for organic herbs and assesses the economic factors to consider for small-scale organic greenhouse production of fresh-cut herbs. It also addresses production methods, including potential for hydroponic production.
Apples: Organic Production Guide
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.
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.