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NOTE: The URLs for images found on Flickr are truncated for length. Complete URLs begin with www.flickr.com/photos… . A. Zaitsev / Flickr […/25258027@N02]—Fig. 228.Alton N. Sparks Jr., University of Georgia / Bugwood.org—Fig. 206.Álvaro Reguly / Flickr […/alvaroreguly]—Fig. 3 (groundhog).Andy Murray / Flickr […/andybadger]—Fig. 70.Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Flickr […/wildreturn]—Figs. 128, 150.Anita Gould / […]

Books & Publications Bentrup, G. 2008. Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways. Asheville, NC: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Southern Research Station. Available at: www.fs.usda.gov/nac/buffers/index.html Borror, D. J., and R. E. White. 1970. A Field Guide to Insects: America North of Mexico. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Masters, N. 2019. For the […]

Keeping an eye out for new technologies or business opportunities is one way farmers can make their operation more sustainable and adaptable to change. Precision agriculture is a prime example, and others include alternative energy systems, roller crimpers, interseeders and the countless low-cost tools small-scale farmers build to improve efficiency. On the business side, many […]

Sustainable farms strive to maintain a high level of biological diversity across the landscape. This can take many forms, such as agroforestry, cover crop mixes, crop rotation, riparian buffers, pollinator plantings, wildlife habitat, mixed species grazing and integrated crop/livestock systems. There are many possible benefits too, including improvements to water quality and conservation, nutrient cycling […]

Our food system is only sustainable when the health and wellbeing of all those involved in agriculture are taken into account. This means ensuring safe and reasonable workplace conditions for farmworkers, as well as fair compensation and benefits. Many farmers need things like better access to mental and physical health support, childcare and networking opportunities […]

Whether it’s through urban agriculture, food sovereignty work, local marketing or peer networks, farmers can enrich communities and at the same time be strengthened by the connections they maintain with both the general public and with their fellow farmers. For our farming communities to thrive to their fullest, social justice topics must be addressed in […]

Promoting animal health and welfare can not only improve animal productivity and lower costs, but there’s also increasing consumer demand for animal products raised in this manner. Some ways to do this include adequate access to both shelter and high-quality pasture, a low-stress environment, good sanitation practices, managed grazing, balanced nutrition that includes vitamins and […]

Many practices can lower a farm’s greenhouse gas emissions, including alternative manure management techniques and the use of renewable energy. Other practices that build soil organic matter, such as cover crops, compost, perennials and conservation tillage, can sequester carbon in the soil. Focusing on soil health and diversifying farm enterprises are two prime examples of […]

SOURCES: This table was derived directly from USDA NRCS conservation practice standards; the language used is specific to NRCS practices at the time of publication (March 2023). For more information about these and other conservation practices, visit national practice standards available through the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). Lists and PDFs for each practice […]