www.sare.org resources berry-soil-and-nutrient-management Berry Soil and Nutrient Management Guide for Educators and Growers Commercial berry growers in the Northeast have traditionally made standardized fertilizer applications based on crop age or past fertilization practices, and not on site-specific data of plant nutrient status. This practice continues today, some 20 years or more after commercial berry crop guidelines for analysis-based fertilization programs became widely available. Adoption of soil health improving practices (including the consideration of physical and […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crops-and-no-till-management-for-organic-systems 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.
www.sare.org resources applying-for-the-conservation-stewardship-program-csp Applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project provides information to farmers who are interested in applying for the USDA-NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which pays farmers to maintain, improve and adopt conservation systems. The guide explains program eligibility and how to apply. Download now: Applying for CSP.pdf 1.80 MB Plain language guides […]
www.sare.org resources developing-successful-organic-horticulture-farms-practical-training-for-ag-professionals Developing Successful Organic Horticulture Farms: Practical Training for Ag Professionals Power Point presentation series developed by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group for ag professionals and farmers interesting in elements of organic crop production and managing organic systems. Principles of Organic Farming Systems and Natural Resource Conservation Building Soil Quality and Managing Nutrients: Feed the Soil, and the Soil will Feed the Crop Organic Management […]
www.sare.org resources applying-for-environmental-quality-incentives-program-eqip Applying for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project introduces readers to the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which pays farmers and ranchers to implement practices that protect water, soil and air quality. The guide explains eligibility for EQIP, how to apply and how the money can be used. Download now: Applying for […]
www.sare.org resources gis-applications-in-agriculture-nutrient-management-for-improved-energy-efficiency GIS Applications in Agriculture: Nutrient Management for Improved Energy Efficiency Volume II Using mathematics, technology, and creativity, GIS Applications in Agriculture, Volume Two: Nutrient Management for Energy Efficiency examines the development of nutrient management practices that help producers improve their profitability and energy efficiency. Throughout the book, chapters demonstrate how complex mathematical and spatial modeling approaches can provide the basis for much of our management practices. Highlighting […]
www.sare.org resources reduced-tillage-and-cover-cropping-systems-for-organic-vegetable-production Reduced Tillage and Cover Cropping Systems for Organic Vegetable Production Healthy soils comprise the foundation for organic food and fiber production. Sustainable soil management integrates cover cropping, other organic and natural mineral inputs, and judicious tillage practices to obtain high crop yields, while building and maintaining high soil quality. This information sheet captures research by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming to […]
www.sare.org resources using-manually-operated-seeders-for-precision-cover-crop-plantings-on-the-small-farm Using Manually Operated Seeders for Precision Cover Crop Plantings on the Small Farm Growing good cover crops begins with planting the seed uniformly and at the right rate and depth to ensure a good stand. This can be especially challenging for small-scale farms that do not have access to tractor-drawn grain drills, which can cost $6,000 to 8,000 for a 4-foot to 6-foot-wide drill. This Virginia Association for […]
www.sare.org resources cover-crops-for-all-seasons Cover Crops for All Seasons One of the basic tenets of sustainable agriculture is that greater diversity yields greater agro-ecosystem stability, more beneficial organisms, fewer pests and diseases, more sustained crop yields, and more opportunities for farmer innovation. This Virginia Association for Biological Farming information sheet provides research-based information on a cover crop “toolbox” from which growers can select cover […]
www.sare.org resources cover-cropping-on-farm-solar-powered-soil-building Cover Cropping: On-Farm, Solar-Powered Soil Building Sustainable farmers and gardeners know that the soil needs to be “fed” regularly in order to continue yielding good crops. Organic matter (carbon-based materials derived from living organisms) and nitrogen (N) are especially subject to depletion from intensive production, and must be replenished annually. There are two ways to accomplish this. One way is to […]