The following are many sources of information helpful to organic and pasture-based dairy farmers. This annotated list provides information on some of the best resources, both in-print and online, but the list is not meant to be all inclusive.
This publication takes a look at organic hog production specifically. While not attempting to be comprehensive, it focuses on a number of areas of compliance, and more importantly, on some overarching issues of sustainability and animal welfare.
The forms in this 53-page package are provided as tools that farmers can use for documenting practices, inputs, and activities to demonstrate compliance with regulations or to assist in other aspects of farm record keeping.
In order to become certified organic, producers must demonstrate to an accredited certifier that their farm operation complies with National Organic Program regulations. This process is begun by completing an Organic System Plan (OSP) – normally part of the application for certification.
This publication takes a brief look at conservation tillage as it may be applied to organic cropping systems. A number of the most promising strategies and technologies are described, and abstracts of recent research are provided. The focus is on annual cropping systems. Both agronomic and vegetable cropping systems are discussed.
There are three types of documentation that enable accredited certifying agents (certifiers) to verify a producer’s compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP) Regulations: a) The producer’s records of farm/livestock operation activities b) The Organic System Plan (OSP) c) Audit trail documents (e.g., purchase invoices, organic certifica
This publication is designed to help farmers, watershed managers, and environmentalists understand what healthy riparian areas look like, how they operate, and why they are important for the environment and society.
Micro-hydro power projects can sustainably harvest energy from on-farm water resources and produce mechanical and electrical power. Low-impact, nonconsumptive, and “run-of-river,” micro-hydro systems can produce renewable power for 20 or more years.
Farm hydropower projects have existed for many years, from waterwheels used for grinding grain and forging to modern hydroelectric turbines designed to run compressors and motors. Micro-hydro systems—those that produce less than 100 kilowatts of electricity—can off er a sustainable and continuous source of renewable energy on farms.
