This publication provides an overview of the key concepts and practices of certified organic crop production. It also presents perspectives on many of the notions, myths, and issues that have become associated with organic agriculture over time. A guide to useful ATTRA resources and to several non-ATTRA publications is provided.
Type: Manuals/Guides
Quick Start Guide: Organic Livestock Feed and Nutrition
Need a quick reference guide for how to get started with understanding organic rules for livestock feed, supplements and nutrition? Oregon Tilth’s condensed Quick Start Guide series is designed to answer your big questions quickly, give examples and point to helpful tools to get started
Grazing Planning Manual and Workbook
This manual provides all the resources you need to write your grazing plan, monitor its efficacy, and adjust your management throughout the grazing season. Periodically reviewing your plan and records will help you assess how well you are working toward your goals and will suggest ways to improve the next season. The manual starts with… Continue reading Grazing Planning Manual and Workbook
Organic and Grass-Finished Beef Cattle Production
Market demand is rapidly increasing for sustainably raised and organic beef products. Pasture- or grass-based livestock production relies on biodiversity and ecological complexity to maintain production with the use of less costly inputs. Cattle producers recognize that grazing and pasture access can lower production costs, reduce animal stress, and boost the animal’s immune system. This… Continue reading Organic and Grass-Finished Beef Cattle Production
Nutrient Management Plan for Organic Systems: Idaho 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: Idaho Implementation Guide
Nutrient Management Plan for Organic Systems: Oregon 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: Oregon Implementation Guide
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.
Guide for Organic Crop Producers
New farmers, and farmers experienced in conventional agriculture, often find that obtaining organic certification for their crops is quite challenging. This guide is intended to help lead farmers through the organic certification process. Chapters 1 through 4 explain the National Organic Program (NOP) and describe the process of organic certification. Later chapters explain specific USDA… Continue reading Guide for Organic Crop Producers
A Guide to Organic Certification
This guide provides an overview of organic certification and the steps to certifying.
A Guide for Organic Processors
This publication is intended primarily as a guide for farmers who wish to add value to their organic crops through processing. It does not include the farm practices that are required to grow organic crops, raise organic livestock, or obtain organic certification for a farm. Information on those topics can be found in other ATTRA… Continue reading A Guide for Organic Processors