This project was developed to investigate the production issues for a new crop, organic primocane blackberries, and the economics of […]

This resource offers a comprehensive overview of organic crop production economics in Montana as of 2021, detailing essential information on production operations, equipment costs, materials, and labor for farmers and researchers.

Most organic farmers use crop rotations, composting, and cover crops. This guide helps farmers implement these practices to meet certification standards and ensure long-term sustainability.

This resource offers valuable insights and tools for farmers and researchers to enhance agricultural practices, improve crop yields, and promote sustainable farming methods, ultimately contributing to food security and environmental stewardship.

Organic soybean and dry bean are highly susceptible to weed competition and to white mold disease. While higher seeding rates often help with weed suppression, there is a concern that dense crop stands might aggravate the incidence and severity of white mold. In this project, experiments were conducted to optimize soybean and dry bean seeding rates, nitrogen (N) inputs, and cover crop management for production, weed and disease control, and net economic return for organic soybean and dry bean.

Low soil fertility, intense weed pressure, and climate disruption threaten the economic viability of organic dryland wheat production in the western US. Previous OREI-funded research indicated that a one-time application of composted cattle manure + bedding can double soil organic carbon (SOC) and organic dryland wheat yields for at least 15 years after application. The current study explores this compost legacy effect in greater depth, its underlying mechanisms, and the scope and duration of benefits.

When choosing forage species for organic production, it's essential to consider various factors to ensure optimal growth and sustainability. This resource provides key insights for farmers and researchers to make informed decisions.

Explore nutrient budgets to assess and manage farm sustainability effectively. This resource tracks nutrient inputs and outputs, helping prevent soil depletion and undesirable nutrient accumulation, crucial for maintaining organic farming goals.

Southern region organic producers face tremendous challenges from weeds, pests, diseases, increasing weather extremes, and rising production costs. This webinar explores the potential of soil restoration and improvement to reduce these risks, stabilize yields, and build resilience. We will focus on three key soil health issues: cover cropping, reducing tillage intensity, and frugal use of nutrient-bearing amendments.

Join Chris Blanchard's webinar to learn 12 essential steps for ensuring safe food production. Discover practical food safety measures tailored for organic produce farmers to enhance microbiological safety and meet rising consumer expectations.

Discover essential guidelines for organic dairy herd health management, focusing on early intervention and compliance with USDA NOP Rule. Learn to identify permitted healthcare products and consult your certifier for approved options.

Farmers and researchers should ensure grazing livestock have adequate shade during temperatures above 75°F, providing at least 25 square feet per animal, and consider barn access to keep cattle cool during peak heat.

Discover the health benefits of grazing cows on spring grass, known as 'Dr. Green.' Explore how barley fodder provides nutrient density without starch drawbacks, enhancing rumen function even during winter months for optimal dairy farming.

Join Dr. Joji Muramoto and Carol Shennan from the University of California, Santa Cruz, for a discussion on the findings from a four-year study assessing organic strawberry/vegetable crop rotations. The study compared 2- and 4-year rotations with either broccoli or lettuce grown between strawberry crops. Data on yields, disease incidence, soil nitrogen dynamics and preliminary economic analysis will be presented.

This guide helps farmers understand and plan for the financial impacts of transitioning to organic production. By carefully managing this process, producers can better prepare for the journey to organic certification, ultimately leading to greater long-term success.

Join our webinar to explore the financial benefits of using high-energy grasses and birdsfoot trefoil in organic dairy heifer operations, comparing it to conventional methods. Understand the economic implications for sustainable farming practices.

Explore Joe Borgerding's successful transition to biological farming after 20 years of conventional methods. Discover how he improved soil health and productivity through practices like mineral balancing and cover crops, creating a sustainable farm ecosystem.

Farmers can use solarization to harness the sun's energy, laying clear plastic mulch on moist soil to raise temperatures that kill pests and pathogens. This factsheet provides information about the benefits and drawbacks of solarization on the farm.

This final research report from OFRF and Markisha Parker of Parker Farm highlights farmer-led research conducted to compare mulch types on tomato production on an urban farm.

Weed and fertilizer management are among the greatest challenges associated with organic corn production. Cover crop mulching is one strategy to control weeds in no-till systems. This study, conducted at several research stations across North Carolina, examined the impacts of cover crop mixture and delayed planting on weed management and corn performance in a no-till, mulched system.