This workshop will provide a foundational introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how the IPM framework can be applied on small-scale organic vegetable farms. We will start with a basic overview of key IPM concepts and strategies. Then we will explore how IPM can be used to manage two common and economically-damaging pests as examples, symphylans and cucumber beetles.

Soy-based foods have been the subject of recent research because of growing evidence that soy phytoestrogens might change how some hormone-dependent and hormone-independent diseases develop. Studies have indicated that the isoflavones genis…

From the University of Wisconsin, this factsheet introduces cooperative food enterprises as vehicles for supporting small-scale producers and expanding local food access. It describes three cooperative types — producer, consumer, and multi-stakeholder — with Wisconsin case study examples, outlines basic startup steps, and points to cooperative development resources through UW Extension and regional organizations.

Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but managing it on organic farms can be tricky due to complex availability dynamics. This workshop presents a holistic approach to nitrogen cycling and management, helping growers develop a whole-system nitrogen plan. By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools to optimize nitrogen use, boost soil health, and improve crop production on your farm!

This study investigated nutrient levels in organically grown strawberries, addressing a gap in research as tissue analysis is common for conventional strawberries but not organic ones. The goals were to assess nitrogen (N) performance of Ca…

This USDA report examines food hubs as intermediaries connecting local farmers to wholesale, retail, and institutional markets. It covers food hub definitions, business structures (nonprofit, cooperative, for-profit, and virtual), key functions like aggregation and distribution, constraints such as capitalization and liability, the regulatory environment, funding sources, and a roadmap for successful food hub development.

Cover cropping is an excellent soil health practice that improves water infiltration, builds organic matter and soil structure and provides nutrients to crops. Join the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) to learn about the best practices for planting a cover crop, and how to optimize the use of planting equipment in your management system to grow successful cover crops.

This paper reviews pertinent research concerning organic teas, noting that the results of studies on the effects of such teas, especially as a biocide, are quite mixed. This variability may be due to the variable nature of both the organic…

This publication, produced by the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, describes the role of food hubs in regional food systems as aggregators bridging small farms with institutional buyers. It highlights the California Food Hub Network and compiles practical resources on food hub operations, values-based supply chains, and producer participation considerations.

In California, high production costs can dissuade organic growers from incorporating cover crops and reduced tillage practices to their operation. Since 2024, the team at the Rodale Institute California Organic Center has been exploring how harvestable/marketable cover crops can offset some of the production costs while improving the conditions of the soil and pressure from weeds.

This project involved two years of trials to assess whether trap crops could reduce flea beetle damage on organically grown cole crops. High flea beetle populations in 1997 provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate how attractive crucif…

This worksheet, produced by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), guides organic operations in developing an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan compliant with USDA NOP standards. It covers supply chain mapping, supplier verification, vulnerability assessment, identification of critical control points, monitoring and corrective actions, and reporting procedures — helping operations detect, prevent, and report fraudulent representation of nonorganic products as organic.