New and experienced organic apple growers will find recommendations in this guide for managing insect pests, diseases, and weeds.
Resources Category: Pest, Weed, and Disease Management
Discover effective organic methods for pest, weed, and disease management. Learn sustainable techniques to protect your crops without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Weed Management for Organic Farmers
Organic farmers use a wide variety of tools and strategies to control weeds without synthetic chemicals. Those tools and strategies and their effects on soil quality are discussed.
Organic No-Till Production
Reduced tillage or no-till can provide multiple environmental benefits, particularly in the area of soil health, as well as reducing machinery, labor and fuel costs. With organic no-till, herbicides cannot be used to terminate cover crops, as is practiced in conventional no-till. Iowa State University has worked with the Rodale Institute (RI) in conducting research… Continue reading Organic No-Till Production
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.
Growing Organic Vegetables in Iowa
Organic production and consumption has increased over the past 20 years. Learn how to raise organic vegetables – including strategies for composting, pest management, and disease management.
Iowa State University Extension Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture
Detailed information on organic agriculture including history, legalities and logistics, labeling, marketing, and pest and weed management. Includes two field examples on organic soybean and apple production.
Organic Materials Review Institute
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) supports organic integrity by developing clear information and guidance about materials, so that producers know which products are appropriate for organic operations. OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides an independent review of products, such as fertilizers, pest controls, livestock health care products, and numerous other inputs that… Continue reading Organic Materials Review Institute
Organic Management of Flea Beetles
Flea beetles are common garden pests found throughout the Pacific Northwest. Flea beetle feeding on plants in the Brassicaceae and Solanaceae families can scar foliage and potato tubers, leading to reduced marketable yields and potential total crop loss. This publication introduces growers to current organic management options, including cultural control techniques such as trap crops,… Continue reading Organic Management of Flea Beetles
Preventative Practices
Managing weed, insect and disease pests on an organic farm requires addressing potential problems before they arise. Learn more about preventative practices and their role in the organic certification process.
Organic Alternatives for Late Blight Control in Potatoes
New strains of late blight have emerged in recent years, making potato production especially challenging. Several nonchemical options are available for managing this disease, including cultural practices, some varietal resistance, and alternative sprays that discourage disease development.