This factsheet explains how to identify and manage flea beetles that commonly attack crops in the nightshade family, such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. It outlines ecological pest-management strategies for organic systems, such as monitoring populations, supporting beneficial insects, and using crop diversity and other cultural practices to reduce damage to solanaceous crops.

Explore how increased seeding rates in barley and wheat enhance weed suppression, improve canopy formation, and compare with traditional methods. This study evaluates yield, weed growth, seed production, and economic impacts for informed farming decisions.

The 2022 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) is a national report informed by surveys from over 1,100 certified organic and 71 transitioning-organic farmers and ranchers across North America. Read about current organic production systems, production and non-production challenges, technical assistance needs, and concerns related to organic agriculture.

Join this webinar featuring expert bakers discussing the benefits of using locally grown organic grains in commercial products. Learn about sourcing, quality, pricing, and customer feedback from industry leaders.

This factsheet provides an overview of field bindweed biology and practical strategies for managing this persistent perennial weed in organic farming systems. It describes the plant’s growth habits, extensive root system, and long-lived seed bank, and outlines organic management approaches to gradually exhaust root reserves and reduce infestations over time.

Consumer demand for locally grown grains is rising, creating opportunities for farmers. Regional supply chains for staple crops are emerging, but non-commodity products still face challenging market pathways as food systems evolve.

This factsheet outlines the benefits and practical examples of integrating crop rotations with livestock systems on organic farms, highlighting how this approach improves soil health, reduces inputs, and enhances farm resilience. It also includes farmer stories and illustrations to demonstrate effective integrated crop and animal rotations developed by organic farmers.

Join Dr. Michel Cavigelli in this insightful webinar as he explores agriculture's role in climate change and the potential of organic grain farming to mitigate its effects, using data from the Beltsville Farming Systems Project.

This factsheet outlines the key benefits of Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems (ICLS) for organic farmers, drawing on interviews with four experienced producers across the U.S. The benefits covered include increased farm productivity, reduced input costs, improved soil health, natural pest control, higher nutrient density in crops and livestock products, better animal health, and a decreased need for mechanical cultivation.

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.

This factsheet addresses the food safety challenges specific to organic farms that integrate crops and livestock, focusing on the risks of manure contamination and compliance with the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. It offers practical guidance on managing these risks through field and rotation design, developing a Food Safety Plan, and more.

Join Dr. Darrell Emmick's webinar to learn about behavior-based grazing management, enhancing plant-herbivore interactions for improved animal well-being, ecosystem health, and sustainable farming practices. Don't miss this opportunity to optimize your grazing strategies!