This handout from Arizona State University gives an overview of several summer cover crop species suitable for use in southwestern desert cropping systems.

Learn about the foundations of seed cleaning in this practical, 90-minute webinar. Whether you’re processing small batches for on-farm use or scaling up for commercial production, understanding seed cleaning is essential for seed quality and efficiency. This session will introduce the key principles of cleaning both wet- and dry-processed seeds, including threshing, winnowing, screening and fermenting, drying, and storage.

Soil health is crucial for organic farm management. A key question is how diversification practices, like crop rotations and cover crops, affect nitrogen availability from soil organic matter. This impacts the timing and choice of organic f…

Winter cover crops are becoming an increasingly important cultural management practice against weeds. However, growers in more arid climates frequently express concerns about the effects of cover crops on soil moisture. In this study, researchers compared small grain winter cover crop species in New Mexico, and, identifying barley as a top-performer, evaluated barley’s impacts on weeds and soil water content.

In this free online course prepared by the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), learn about soil health management strategies for organic field crops in the Southwest. The course will cover: the Southwest agroecosystem and how it influences fertility decisions; soil health fundamentals for arid conditions; how to build resilient soils capable of withstanding drought; organic soil amendments; and more.

This episode of Voices from the Field is the first of a two-part conversation with organic farming pioneer and founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Michael O’Gorman. In this part of the conversation, he and NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis talk about Michael’s history and how good planning and record keeping can help farmers cope with rising prices for inputs and supplies.

This bulletin, published by University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), highlights preliminary results and takeaways from a walnut leaf mulch field trial conducted in Lake County, CA. The trial found that walnut leaf mulch, when swept into tree rows after harvest, effectively suppressed annual weeds at both four- and eight-inch thickness, though perennial weeds like bindweed proved harder to control.

Despite organic commodity sales having increased in recent years, organic pig production has experienced a decline in the United States. Why? Join Dr. Yuzhi Li from the University of Minnesota for a webinar about organic pig production. She will discuss challenges in organic pig production (including parasites, pre-weaning mortality, and costs of feed and bedding), as well as economic opportunities.

The aim of this project was to promote the broader adoption of organic plant-based nutrient management practices, such as cover crops, by gathering information to support farmer assistance services for organic Latina/o farmers in California…

Colostrum, the nutrient-dense first milk produced by a cow, is essential for calf immune system development. If a calf does not receive enough colostrum, they risk a condition known as ‘failure of transfer of passive immunity.’ In this study, researchers conducted surveys and analyzed blood samples from calves in organic and conventional dairies to better understand passive immunity transfer.

In this free online course prepared by the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), learn about weed management strategies for organic field crops commonly grown in the Southwest. The course will cover: NOP regulations governing weed management practices; how Southwestern environmental conditions influence weed management; cultural, mechanical, and biological strategies; and more.

This episode of Voices from the Field is the second part of a conversation between NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis and Michael O’ Gorman, an organic farming pioneer and founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Mike and Michael talk about mitigating risk in tomato crop and general ag operations.