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.

This free, 10-minute self-assessment tool helps farmers evaluate their readiness for USDA organic certification under the crops scope. It covers eight key areas: farm parcels, record keeping, soil and water management, seeds and planting stock, pest management, inputs and equipment, harvest and transport, and handling — giving producers a clear picture of where they stand before pursuing certification.

In this podcast episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis is joined by Shawn Lucas, an assistant professor of organic agriculture at Kentucky State University. In addition to discussing specific crops, Mike and Shawn talk about the timing of planting cover crops and the benefits they can bring to a farmer’s bottom line.

This factsheet summarizes best practices, buyer perspectives, and market resources for producers engaging organic vegetable buyers.

Livestock is a powerful tool for building soil health and boosting profitability. In this Organic Advisor Call Series episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Clint Epley and Knute Severson—two farmers who've made it work—about the real-world logistics of integrating grazing into organic grain rotations, from fencing, water, and crop rotation to pasture management and marketing.

The purpose of this project is to develop a system for disease, insect, and nutrient management in organic blueberries centered around foliar applications of fish extracts, a renewable resource. Blueberry is the most important fruit crop in…

Production and acreage of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) boomed in the US after its legalization in 2018, and many producers are interested in growing this crop for its uses in industries such as human and animal food, construction, and textiles. However, many knowledge gaps and barriers still exist in regards to production, processing, and supply chains. This study conducted a national survey and focus groups to identify resource needs and barriers in the US hemp market.

Veggie Compass is a decision support tool to help diversified vegetable farmers understand their costs of production and evaluate profitability by crop and market channel. It enables farmers to make decisions to adjust prices, reduce costs, shift market channel focus, reduce or drop unprofitable products, and expand production of their most profitable ventures based on their own farm data.

Welcome to the Organic Advisor Call Series — quick-hit conversations on the hottest topics in organic field crops. Whether you're tuning in from your desk, truck, or tractor, you'll spend one hour each episode learning about emerging issues from expert farmers and industry leaders.

This article explains how bills of lading and shipping contracts assign liability, and how to proactively prevent disputes.

Farmers Angela Jackson of Prairiesun Organic Farm and Jared Lukens-Black of Budding Moon Farm join the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) to share their firsthand experiences on how pesticide drift has affected their farming operations. They discuss how to identify signs of pesticide drift, what steps to take to respond to drift, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

The market expansion for organically grown crops, while mostly a positive trend for farmers, can threaten market opportunities for small-scale farmers as more organic agriculture products are sold through mainstream outlets and global distr…