New and experienced farmers often struggle with organic certification. This guide simplifies the National Organic Program and outlines the certification process. It covers USDA regulations on planting, soil fertility, pest management, and more, detailing allowed practices and materials for successful organic farming.

Organic producers can implement various strategies to promote and maintain livestock health. Learn the basics of proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, effective housing conditions, and proactive disease management practices in this tipsheet.

This publication guides organic growers in choosing the right potting mix for transplanting or containerized plant production, or for creating their own organic blends. It details the components of potting media, including organic and biological amendments that can enhance plant growth.

Livestock manures are vital for sustainable and organic crop production. This guide highlights the challenges of using raw and composted manures while offering practical solutions to enhance their effectiveness in farming, ensuring healthier crops and improved soil quality for better yields.

Integrating livestock into crop farms boosts soil health, diversifies products, and enhances income and resilience. This approach reduces chemical and fertilizer costs while improving pest and weed management. This publication discusses benefits, challenges, and provides tips and resources for a smooth transition, including case studies.

To profit in farming, you must act as your farm's executive director. Marketing is key, as consumers buy not just products but the story behind your farm. This guide will help you shape your farm's narrative and build a strong brand to engage customers.

Many producers are looking for a cost-efficient way to integrate egg production into their existing farms. This publication examines many of the risk factors that beginning poultry farmers should consider before acquiring a pastured laying flock. It addresses animal-management issues including breed selection, housing, nutrition, predator control, and natural-resource management. It also discusses processing and marketing of the end product, table eggs.

Organic greenhouse vegetable production can be profitable with careful planning. Growers must invest initially but can earn premium prices by finding less competitive markets. Keeping energy and labor costs low is crucial. This guide offers insights on energy conservation, organic fertility, pest management, and cost analysis.

This publication covers various methods to manage the Colorado potato beetle, including cultural and physical controls, biological options, botanicals, and biopesticides. Farmers and researchers can find effective strategies to protect their crops from this pest using these integrated approaches.

This publication provides an overview of organic strawberry production methods. It also covers integrated pest management (IPM) and weed-control techniques that can reduce pesticide use in strawberry production. It includes discussions of weeds, pests, diseases, greenhouse production, plasticulture, fertility, economics, and marketing.

New late blight strains challenge potato production. Farmers can manage this through nonchemical methods, such as adopting cultural practices, selecting resistant varieties, and using alternative sprays to prevent disease development. These strategies help protect crops and ensure better yields.

Managing croplands according to nature’s principles will reduce weed problems on horticultural crops, or row crops, in small and medium-sized operations. Creativity is key to devising sustainable cropping systems that prevent weed problems. This publication discusses several strategies, both proactive and reactive, as alternatives to conventional tillage systems. Options include mulching, competition, crop rotations, and low-toxicity control alternatives.