Explore biological control of weeds using compost extracts to enhance soil health, minimize crop losses, and promote diverse microorganisms, benefiting both farmers and researchers in sustainable agriculture practices.

Discover how mustard cover crops with high glucosinolate levels can serve as effective biofumigants, reducing pests and pathogens in crops like potatoes, peppers, and strawberries.

This tipsheet, produced by ATTRA NCAT, profiles pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) as a cover crop for hot, humid, and subtropical regions, drawing on field trials in South Texas. It covers the crop's nitrogen fixation capacity, phosphorus uptake efficiency, drought tolerance, organic matter contribution, and weed suppression properties, while noting planting recommendations and rotation considerations for vegetable growers.

This tipsheet, produced by ATTRA NCAT, profiles scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) as a potential cover crop for hot and humid regions, drawing on field trials in South Texas. It covers the crop's nitrogen fixation capacity, organic matter contribution, weed suppression potential, and water requirements.

This tipsheet, produced by ATTRA NCAT, profiles velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) as a cover crop for hot and humid subtropical regions, drawing on field trials in South Texas. It covers the crop's nitrogen fixation capacity, organic matter contribution, weed suppression potential, and soil moisture requirements.

This guide, produced by ATTRA NCAT, addresses cover crop selection for hot, humid subtropical regions. It profiles options including perennial peanut, pigeon pea, sunn hemp, lablab, velvet bean, and others, comparing their nitrogen fixation, organic matter contribution, weed suppression, and soil moisture needs, while emphasizing the particular challenge of maintaining soil organic matter in high-heat environments.

This case study documents how North Dakota farmers Marlyn and Patrick Richter addressed soil health challenges on their forage-based dairy and beef operation by planting a multispecies cover crop cocktail following early silage harvest. It details the cover crop's grazing benefits, weed suppression, soil moisture impacts, and economic outcomes.

This pictorial field guide, produced by ATTRA NCAT, covers ecologically-based organic IPM strategies for farmers. Organized into five sections covering beneficial insects and habitat, plant disease, weed management, and vertebrate pests, it emphasizes prevention-first approaches and was designed to be printed, laminated, and used directly in the field as a practical reference tool.

This visual reference tool, produced by ATTRA NCAT, organizes cover crop species in a periodic table format, providing eight key data points for each plant including function, root type, plant structure, crude protein, life cycle, biomass per pound of seed, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Organized by seasonality, plant type, and water demand, it helps producers quickly identify the most suitable cover crops.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT’s Rex Dufour interviews organic walnut farmer and processor, Russ Lester, at Dixon Ridge Farms in Winters, California. Russ shares some very practical thoughts about why he uses cover crops and explains how multi-functional cover crops are to his orchards.

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 tipsheet, produced by ATTRA NCAT, profiles butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) as a cover crop for hot, humid, and subtropical regions. Drawing on field trials in South Texas, it covers the crop's nitrogen fixation capacity, drought tolerance, organic matter production, pest resistance, and weed suppression limitations, while noting its additional value as fodder, ornamental planting, and potential biopesticide source.

Pulses, including beans, lentils, and chickpeas, are valuable leguminous crops harvested for dry seeds. This publication explores organic pulse production, economics, and marketing, highlighting its benefits for farmers and researchers alike.

Cole crops and brassicas thrive across the U.S., offering organic farmers diverse options with strong nutritional benefits. This guide covers essential topics like soil health, fertility, planting techniques, irrigation, pest management, harvesting, and marketing to help maximize your crop success.

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.

This guide outlines an effective weed management strategy for organic small grain production. It emphasizes crop rotation, sanitation, cultural practices, careful seed selection, cover crops, tillage, and organic herbicides to enhance crop health and yield while minimizing weed competition.

This publication provides a comprehensive overview of organic small grain production. It covers fundamental production principles, offers tips for transitioning to organic methods, and suggests ideas for designing crop rotations.

This guide covers organic blackberry and raspberry production, including site selection, establishment, pruning, and trellising. It offers insights on fertility, weed, disease, and insect management, along with greenhouse production, season extension, and marketing strategies to enhance your farming practices effectively.

Explore organic production and marketing of cucurbits, including pumpkins and winter squash. This guide covers planting, soil management, weed control, pest and disease management, and post-harvest protocols.

This guide covers key aspects of organic tomato production, including site and variety selection, organic seed sources, grafting, planting methods, soil fertility, crop rotation, and pest management. It also touches on harvest yields and regional marketing principles for organic tomatoes.