Organic production and consumption has increased to a $39.5 billion industry in the United States with over 22,000 organic farmers. Over 5.4 million acres are in organic production in the U.S., including 164,403 acres of organic vegetables, valued at $1.3 billion. The majority of organic vegetable growers incorporate crop rotations, composting, and cover crops in… Continue reading Crop Rotations, Composting and Cover Crops for Organic Vegetable Production
Resources Category: Soil and Nutrient Management
Improve soil health with organic soil and nutrient management practices. Access resources on composting, cover cropping, and soil fertility to enhance your farm’s productivity.
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.
Farming With Soil Life: A Handbook for Supporting Soil Invertebrates and Soil Health on Farms
This handbook, created by The Xerces Society, dives into soil biology. It provides a connection between healthy soils and healthy invertebrates found in temperate agricultural soils. Farming with Soil Life starts with a review of soil basics, including the functions, classifications and properties (physical, biological and chemical) of soil. It provides detailed methods on how… Continue reading Farming With Soil Life: A Handbook for Supporting Soil Invertebrates and Soil Health on Farms
Soil Fertility in Organic Systems: A Guide for Gardeners and Small Acreage Farmers
Managing soil fertility is challenging because it requires considerable focus — you must consistently pay attention to the source, timing, rate and placement of nutrient applications. This publication discusses the many types of fertilizers and soil amendments (material or techniques that improves a soil’s physical properties) available for organic plant production. From soil fundamentals (pH,… Continue reading Soil Fertility in Organic Systems: A Guide for Gardeners and Small Acreage Farmers
Nutrient Management in Organic Small Grains
This publication provides information on sources of fertility for organic small grains that are acceptable according to the USDA National Organic Program standards.
Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
This publication covers considerations for an organic grower selecting a potting mix to use for transplant or containerized plant production or for someone wishing to blend organic media. This publication discusses individual components of potting media in addition to organic and biological amendments to improve plant performance. Several organic potting mix recipes are included in… Continue reading Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
Manure and Compost Application Timing
Fact sheet on using manure and compost in organic production
Tipsheet: Manure in Organic Production Systems
Tipsheet on using manure in organic production.
Nutrient Management Plan for Organic Systems: Western State Implementation Guide
This document is an instruction guide for creating and implementing a nutrient management plan (NMP) on certified or transitioning organic lands. An NMP for organically managed lands describes the amount, source, placement, form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments, generally by field, to meet crop nutrient needs while protecting water quality,… Continue reading Nutrient Management Plan for Organic Systems: Western State Implementation Guide