This whole systems page provides information on whole farm planning, horticultural systems and grain systems. Topics covered include conservation, cover crops, organic farm examples, nutrient management plans and research on soil, crop and farming systems.

cover image of soil management book

Building Soils for Better Crops

Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management, now expanded and in full color.Download File (6.76 MB)

Sustainable Funding Guide Cover

Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities

This guide lists funding opportunities offered by federal programs, and is indispensable for anyone seeking government help to foster their innovative enterprise in forestry and agriculture. Download File (3.13 MB)

fact sheet page

Cover Crops and No-Till Management for Organic Systems

This Rodale Institute fact sheet reviews the use of cover crops and no-till in organic systems, including selection, establishment and mechanical termination of cover crops; crop rotations; and energy and production budgets.Download File (490.21 kB)

Article about conservation buffers featuring a picture of a bush with flowers

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems

Conservation Buffers provides guidance on installing buffers in organic production systems to meet the USDA National Organic Program NOP regulations.Download File (2.48 MB)

Article about conservation buffers featuring a picture of a bush with flowers

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: California

Conservation Buffers provides guidance on installing buffers in organic production systems to meet the USDA National Organic Program NOP regulations.Download File (780.57 kB)

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems Oregon Implementation Guide Cover with a picture of a blooming bush.

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: Idaho

Conservation Buffers provides guidance on installing buffers in organic production systems to meet the USDA National Organic Program NOP regulations.Download File (1.15 MB)

Article about conservation buffers featuring a picture of a bush with flowers

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: Nevada

Conservation Buffers provides guidance on installing buffers in organic production systems to meet the USDA National Organic Program NOP regulations.Download File (778.67 kB)

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems Oregon Implementation Guide Cover with a picture of a blooming bush.

Conservation Buffers in Organic Systems: Oregon

Conservation Buffers provides guidance on installing buffers in organic production systems to meet the USDA National Organic Program NOP regulations.Download File (783.18 kB)

fact sheet page

Cover Crops and No-Till Management for Organic Systems

This Rodale Institute fact sheet reviews the use of cover crops and no-till in organic systems, including selection, establishment and mechanical termination of cover crops; crop rotations; and energy and production budgets.Download File (490.21 kB)

Cover Crops in Organic Systems Title page with a picture of a purple flower.

Cover Crops in Organic Systems

This document provide an overview of how the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Cover Crop 340 conservation practice can be implemented on organic operations in the Western Region.Download File (18.32 MB)

Article about Cover crops featuring a picture of pink flowers

Cover Crops in Organic Systems: California

This document provide an overview of how the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Cover Crop 340 conservation practice can be implemented on organic operations in California.Download File (4.94 MB)

Article about Cover crops featuring a picture of blooming purple flowers

Cover Crops in Organic Systems: Idaho

This document provide an overview of how the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Cover Crop 340 conservation practice can be implemented on organic operations in Idaho.Download File (4.45 MB)

Article about Cover Crops in Organic Systems featuring a photo of crop rows

Cover Crops in Organic Systems: Oregon

This document provide an overview of how the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Cover Crop 340 conservation practice can be implemented on organic operations in Oregon.Download File (5.46 MB)

Crop Rotation publication cover

Crop Rotation on Organic Farms

Crop rotation strategies that can be applied under various field conditions for conventional or organic crops to improve soil quality and health, and manage pests, diseases, and weedsDownload File (1.97 MB)  | Online Text Version

Developing Successful Organic Horticulture Farms: Practical Training for Ag Professionals

A series of Power Point presentations developed for ag professionals on the principles of organic farming, building soil quality, and managing weeds, pests and diseases.

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Earthen Path Organic Farm

Steven Schwen’s farming roots were established during the ‘back to the land’ movement in the 1970s. Earthen Path Organic Farm grew out of his vision of a sustainable world based on local economies.

farm data system

FARMDATA

FARMDATA is an online system for tracking and reporting crop production data, particularly for organic vegetable growers. The system can be used for keeping records on seeding, transplanting, harvest, cover crops, compost, fertilization, irrigation, pest scouting and spraying activities, packing, distribution and customer invoicing. FARMDATA uses smart forms that help with calculations and remember key data.

life on the farm webinar

Grafting for Disease Management in Organic Tomato Production

In this webinar, learn about tomato grafting and how it can be used to manage diseases in organic open-field and high tunnel farming systems.

Managing Cover Crops Profitably cover

Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition

Managing Cover Crops Profitably explores how and why cover crops work and provides all the information needed to build cover crops into any farming operation.Download File (5.56 MB)  | Online Text Version

National Organic Farming Handbook with two pictures of farms below the title.

National Organic Farming Handbook

This thirty-page resource was developed to support NRCS conservation planners and other agricultural professionals as they work with organic producers. The handbook describes organic systems and identifies key resources to guide conservation planning and implementation on organic farms. Producers and other audiences may also find the handbook useful, particularly the resources listed in various sections.

Northeast Project Products Cover

NOFA Handbooks

A series of eight handbooks for new farmers or established producers seeking to transition to organic or improve their current practices. Print only; order from Chelsea Green.

download the nutrient management plan for organic systems in PDF format

Nutrient Management Plans: California

This document is an instruction guide for creating and implementing a nutrient management plan on certified or transitioning organic lands in California.Download File (1.31 MB)

Organic Systems article with a person holding soil

Nutrient Management Plans: Idaho

This document is an instruction guide for creating and implementing a nutrient management plan on certified or transitioning organic lands in Idaho.Download File (1.33 MB)

Organic Systems article with a person holding soil

Nutrient Management Plans: Western Region

This document is an instruction guide for creating and implementing a nutrient management plan on certified or transitioning organic lands in the Western Region.Download File (4.26 MB)

Cultivating peanuts at Ponder Farm

Organic Grain Production Video Series

A series of videos developed by University of Georgia, North Carolina State University and USDA-ARS on organic grain production.

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Organic Horticulture Training for the Southeast

An interactive website to help ag professionals develop successful organic education programs.

Cover image of the Organic Transition Planner

Organic Transition

The profit potential of transitioning to organic production—along with other rewards—has farmers, ranchers and food business owners across the country considering the switch. But successfully managing your business through the multi-year transition process requires careful planning. Use Organic Transition: A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers and Food Entrepreneurs to develop an actionable business transition plan that is suitable for yourself, your management team or a lender.Download File (3.59 MB)

Virginia Tech information sheet

Reduced Tillage and Cover Cropping Systems for Organic Vegetable Production

This information sheet captures research by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming to develop cover crop-based, reduced-tillage systems for organic vegetable production.Download File (504.52 kB)

Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems Project

A quarterly newsletter and 24-minute video outlining this long-term systems project researching the transition to organic production.

transitioning to organic production guide

Transitioning to Organic Production

Transitioning to Organic Production lays out many promising conversion strategies, covering typical organic farming production practices, innovative marketing ideas and federal standards for certified organic crop production.Download File (1.27 MB)  | Online Text Version

Organic Nutrients cover page with a picture underneath the title

Whole-Farm Nutrient Planning for Organic Farms

A 16-page booklet that helps organic farmers understand their soil test results and use these results wisely and compliantly, within the USDA National Organic Program standards. Download File (470.31 kB)