Organic Certification Needs Assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska

The Organic Certification Needs Assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska (Alaska Needs Assessment) is designed to provide an understanding the current and anticipated market demand for organic certified farmed kelp from the state, and depending on demand, to identify specific support mechanisms and infrastructure to support and advance a transition to organic kelp production. The… Continue reading Organic Certification Needs Assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska

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

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

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.

Crop Rotations, Composting and Cover Crops for Organic Vegetable Production

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

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.

Cover Crop Economics

Based primarily on yield and economic data gathered through five years of national cover crop surveys, Cover Crop Economics: Opportunities to Improve Your Bottom Line in Row Crops addresses the kinds of economic returns that can be expected from cover crops, both under various management scenarios and as cover crops improve soil health over time.… Continue reading Cover Crop Economics