The 2016 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) is a national report informed by surveys from certified organic and transitioning-organic farmers and ranchers across North America. Read about organic production systems, production and non-production challenges, technical assistance needs, and concerns related to organic agriculture.

Explore essential principles of organic farming, soil health, and pest management through engaging presentations by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, tailored for farmers and agricultural professionals to improve organic production practices.

The 2007 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) is a national report informed by surveys from certified organic and transitioning-organic farmers and ranchers across North America. Read about organic production systems, production and non-production challenges, technical assistance needs, and concerns related to organic agriculture.

This guidebook reviews the impacts of research funded by the Organic Farming Research Foundation on organic berry production in the United States. It summarizes key research advances—such as alternatives to soil fumigation, improved pest and disease management, and soil-health practices—that have helped organic berry growers improve productivity and sustainability.

This guidebook reviews scientific literature on organic agriculture in the United States and examines how organic farming systems contribute to environmental quality, human health, and economic growth. It discusses the economic benefits of the organic sector and proposes policy recommendations to expand organic agriculture.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters. This guidebook is designed to help organic producers and others better manage risk through increased understanding and utilization of the NAP program.

This guidebook provides farmers with research-based information and resources to help identify and implement effective soil health-based risk reduction practices.

This guidebook explains how soil microorganisms—such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and microalgae—form a complex soil food web that supports plant health and agricultural productivity. It describes how these organisms drive essential processes like nutrient cycling and disease suppression, and highlights organic management practices that build soil organic matter and foster diverse microbial communities for resilient, productive soils.

This factsheet describes the biology and identifying characteristics of yellow and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), two persistent perennial weeds that spread primarily through underground tubers and rhizomes. It explains their growth habits, seasonal emergence, and environmental preferences, and outlines organic management strategies to gradually reduce infestations and limit the spread of tubers in cropping systems.

This factsheet explains the biology and growth habits of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), a perennial weed that spreads aggressively through both wind-dispersed seeds and an extensive underground root system. It describes why the plant is difficult to control and outlines organic management strategies that exhaust root reserves and prevent new seed production.

This factsheet describes the identification, biology, and life cycle of flea beetles that commonly attack brassica crops such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, and mustard greens. It explains how these pests damage plants, outlines conditions that influence flea beetle populations, and presents ecological pest management strategies, including monitoring, supporting beneficial insects, and using diversified cropping.

This factsheet explains how to identify and manage spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), an insect pest that damages berries and small stone fruits by laying eggs inside ripening fruit. It describes the insect’s appearance and life cycle, and outlines organic management strategies including trap monitoring, improving field sanitation, harvesting frequently, and supporting beneficial insects to reduce pest pressure.