This self-directed course dives into the application of organic soil health principles through a series of practical modules with concepts and strategies, illustrated by innovative farmer stories. Course participants will also find resources for deeper dives into soil health topics, descriptions of the inherent properties of soil types commonly found in the South, and snapshots… Continue reading Soil Health Strategies for the Southern Region
Type: Courses and Curricula
Basics of Organic Farming: Beginner Course
Crop Planning
Seasoned farmer Abeni Ramsey, of City Girl Farm, discusses how to assess climate, site conditions (including topography & soil types & drainage), calculating bed length, and yield per sq foot; and seasonality – understanding what you can plant when.
Organic Farming…Certified or Not
A slide deck presentation about the organic certification process.
Organic Grain Mentorship Mentee Curriculum
This is the core mentee curriculum for the Organic Grain Mentorship Program occurring in Illinois. This resource outlines the structure of the program, the major topics to be covered, and a system of feedback and evaluation for mentors, mentees, and the program.
Organic Crop Production Enterprise Budgets
An enterprise budget is an estimate of the costs and returns to produce a product. This publication looks at enterprise budgets for organic growers, reflecting a four-year rotation using corn, soybeans, oats with alfalfa and a second year of alfalfa
Evaluating Organic Transitions at the Field Level
This publication provides information on making plans to transition to organic crop production. It helps outline the need for a transition crop plan, the importance of individual crop budgets, and evaluating results.
Soil Quality in Organic Agriculture Systems
Building and maintaining soil quality is the basis for successful organic farming. Topics of crop rotations, soil amendments, soil health, carbon sequestration, organic agriculture philosophies, and relevant related field research are included.
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.