Table of Contents
1.0 About This Resource Guide
In 1994, ATTRA published a 47-page information package titled Sustainable Vegetable Production. At the time it was a leading information source on organic and sustainable vegetable production. However, in 1999 Dr. Vernon Grubinger, vegetable specialist at the University of Vermont, came out with a comprehensive book on this subject, Sustainable Vegetable Production From Start-Up to Market. With the advent of Grubinger's book—published by the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES) in Ithaca, New York—we've discontinued the ATTRA information package. We think the NRAES book does an excellent job of providing a comprehensive and farmer-friendly overview of sustainable vegetable production.
In keeping with the ATTRA tradition to carve out a niche where no agricultural specialist has gone before, we elected to produce a resource guide of educational materials that supports the needs of organic and sustainable vegetable farmers. Thus, we offer this title—Resource Guide to Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production.
Farmers making a transition to sustainable farming need information on a wide variety of topics – e.g., legumes as a source of nitrogen, cover crops, compost, non-chemical weed control, biointensive IPM, etc. This Guide provides a summary of some of the best in-print and online sources around.
Moreover, ATTRA specialists will continue to address organic and sustainable production of specific vegetable crops—tomatoes, sweet corn, onions, melons, asparagus—as well as com plementary production technologies such as compost teas, baking soda as an alternative fungicide, disease-suppressive potting mixes, use of refractometers to measure sugar content, foliar feeding, living mulches, flame weeding, etc.
Here it should be noted that farmers raising herbs or field-grown cut flowers face nearly identical production requirements. Thus, when we talk about cover crops or weed control or soil management for vegetables, the same approach will work for field-grown cut flowers and herbs.
A Partial Listing of ATTRA Publications and Resources Related to Vegetable Production:
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1.1 Who Should Use This Guide
Farmers and others who work in commercial agriculture—e.g., Extension specialists, NRCS, crop advisors, teachers, and researchers. The focus is heavily oriented to practical approaches to organic and sustainable farming.
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1.2 How to Use This Guide
Printed literature like books and bulletins are listed first; these are followed by a selection of online resources. In some instances, a web version corresponds with the book and these have been noted.
Publishers and distributors that sell the books reviewed here are listed in a special section at the end of this resource guide. For details on sales price, shipping expenses, and ordering information, contact the publishers.
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1.3 About the Use of Web Resources
The Internet has revolutionized the way information is distributed and obtained.
Whereas it used to take several weeks or months to wait for a publication to arrive in the mail, with a few mouse clicks many of these items now instantly appear on your computer screen. Better yet, all these articles and bulletins are free. In addition, some items—including many Extension Service fact sheets—are available only in electronic form. Thus, some portions of this resource list are more heavily oriented to Web resources than others.
If you have received this resource list but you don't have a computer at home, please see your local librarian for assistance. Most rural libraries now have computer access.
How To Read Web Documents:
.HTML Hyper Text Markup Language; click and read online. Most common format.
.PDF Portable Document Format; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to download.
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1.4 What is Sustainable Vegetable Production
For the purpose of an introduction, sustainable agriculture can be characterized as follows:
- Sustainable agriculture is a goal rather than a specific set of farming practices. Progress or movement toward the goal may be viewed as a continuum.
- A sustainable farming system strives to be productive and profitable, while at the same time preserving environmental quality and making efficient use of nonrenewable resources.
- Sustainable agriculture is concerned about the well-being of rural communities and the quality of life for families and farmworkers.
- Though biological practices and products are favored over chemical inputs, pesticides and fertilizers may be used within an IPM framework.
One of the quickest ways to grasp production practices associated with sustainable vegetable production is to examine the guidelines and standards for integrated farming systems, such as:
- Integrated Pest Management
- Integrated Crop Management
- Integrated Farm Management
In some instances, point systems are employed to certify the adoption of recommended best management practices. For example, a grower can earn points toward "certified IPM" status for sweet corn through the use of cover crops, crop rotations, nitrogen fertilizer applied in split application, etc.
To guide decisions on ways to approach sustainable farming, it is helpful to become knowledgeable about the principles of agroecology and sustainability. Ultimately, each farmer adopts their own approach.
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1.5 What is Organic Vegetable Production
In a nutshell, organic farming is based on the following approaches and production inputs:
- Strict avoidance of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides
- Crop rotations, crop residues, mulches
- Animal manures and composts
- Cover crops and green manures
- Organic fertilizers and soil amendments
- Biostimulants, humates, and seaweeds
- Compost teas and herbal teas
- Marine, animal, and plant by-products
- Biorational, microbial, and botanical pesticides, and other natural pest control products
In 1980, organic farming was defined by the USDA as a system that excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators. Organic certification emerged as a grassroots production and marketing tool during the 1970s and 1980s to ensure that foods labeled "organic" met specified standards of production. The Organic Foods Production Act, a section of the 1990 Farm Bill, enabled the USDA to develop a national program of universal standards, certification accreditation, and food labeling.
In April 2001, the USDA released the Final Rule of the National Organic Program. This federal law stipulates, in considerable detail, exactly what a grower can and cannot do to produce and market a product as organic. Application for certification must be made, paperwork completed, fees paid, and annual inspections undergone. To learn more about the details of the certification process, see ATTRA's Organic Farm Certification & the National Organic Program.
A companion ATTRA publication—Organic Crop Production Overview—is recommended to gain a better understanding of the history, philosophy, and practices of organic farming.
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2.0 The Farmer's Bookshelf
Here is a selection of some of the best resources for the farmer's bookshelf. For-sale books are available from the sources listed in the Publishers & Distributors section. Out-of-print literature and reference titles (mainly in the historical section) are available through Inter-Library Loan.
2.1 Publications on Sustainable Vegetable Production, Market Gardening, and Commercial Vegetable Production
Sustainable Vegetable Production From Start-Up to Market. 1999. By Vernon P. Grubinger. NRAES-104. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. 268 p.
Vernon Grubinger is an Extension Vegetable Specialist in Vermont. This book resulted from a vegetable production course he taught on sabbatical at the University of Maine in 1996. Sustainable Vegetable Production From Start-Up to Market is without a doubt the most comprehensive and modern textbook on sustainable vegetable production. Chapters address concepts and terminology associated with sustainable and organic production philosophies, production practices (soil fertility management, on-farm composting, crop rotations, cover crops and green manures, tillage and field preparation, seeds and transplants, weed control, etc.) as well as business planning and marketing. Special features include farmer profiles and lots and lots of useful tables and sidebars. Farmer-friendly; highly recommended.
Sustainable Practices for Vegetable Production in the South. 1996. By Mary Peet. Focus Publishing, R. Pullins Co., Newburyport, MA. 174 p.
Sustainable Practices for Vegetable Production in the South by Mary Peet is the result of a USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant to North Carolina State University. This was the first attempt by a land-grant university to collate and synthesize information relevant to sustainable vegetable production. Chapters provide overviews on production practices (soil management, cover crops, conservation tillage, and insect, disease, nematode, and weed management) followed by crop profiles on individual vegetable crops. The crop profiles provide a nice summary of standard production practices (botany, plant characteristics, planting, spacing, harvesting).
The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 2nd Edition. 1995. By Eliot Coleman. Chelsea Green Publishing Co., White River Junction, VT. 340 p.
Eliot Coleman's book The New Organic Grower has probably had more impact on the organic market gardening movement in the United States than any other single publication. Coleman advocates the use of walking tractors, wheel hoes, multi-row dibble sticks, soil block transplants, and other tools and techniques that help make market gardening much more efficient. The techniques he describes were honed from years of experience as a farmer, combined with traditional market gardening techniques from Europe. Yet he also injects the insights and wisdom of a pioneer in organics to help the reader acquire new ways of thinking; e.g., plant positive production philosophy. This is a complete how-to-get-started manual on conceptualizing and practicing commercial organic vegetable production. Highly recommended.
How to Grow More Vegetables, 5th Edition. 1995. By John Jeavons. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA. 201 p.
John Jeavons's book How to Grow More Vegetables is the classic text on the biointensive method of production. This is the production system that emphasizes double digging, intensive spacing, companion planting, organic soil preparation, and high yields in minimal space. Jeavons's book is filled with useful information and charts. The Ecology Action Institute founded by Jeavons publishes numerous booklets and research results on topics relating to biointensive production methods, organic fertilizers, cover crops, composts, small-scale production data, etc. Whereas the scale of production advocated by Jeavons is too small for many growers, the principles are universally applicable.
For a list of Ecology Action titles, descriptions, and ordering information, see: www.growbiointensive.org/publications_main.html
Backyard Market Gardening: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Selling What You Grow. 1993. By Andrew W. Lee. Good Earth Publications, Columbus, NC. 351 p.
Andy Lee has over 20 years of market gardening experience and is executive director of the Good Earth Farm School in Virginia. Lee's book has a nice section on farm equipment with black-and-white photos. Most of the book is geared to the marketing and business side of market gardening.
The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers. 1997. By Lynn Byczynski. Chelsea Green Publishing Co., White River Junction, VT. 207 p.
The Flower Farmer is an important contribution to the organic market gardening literature because field-grown flowers are a common part of a crop mix for local sales. As editor of the Growing for Market newsletter, Lynn Bycznski has a knack for writing about market gardening ideas and practices. The farm profiles of cut flower growers around the U.S. are a nice feature of her book.
Producing Vegetable Crops, 4th Edition. 1992. By John M. Swiader, George W. Ware, and J.P. McCollum. Interstate Publishers, Inc., Danville, IL. 626 p.
Producing Vegetable Crops is one of the standard textbooks on commercial vegetable production. It draws heavily on data and recommendations published by the Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Stations. These textbooks serve as a good reference for any commercial vegetable grower, whether organic or conventional.
Vegetable Growing Handbook: Organic and Traditional Methods, 4th Edition. 1990. By Walter E. Splittstoesser. An AVI Book, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. 362 p.
Vegetable Growing Handbook is a second vegetable textbook worth noting. Though its coverage of organic farming methods is brief, the vegetable production summaries are well done and it contains a section on specialty vegetables.
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2.2 Specialty, Ethnic, and Minor Vegetable Crops
Specialty vegetables, baby vegetables, heirlooms, colored varieties, ethnic vegetables... market farmers like to raise these minor crops and sell them at farmers markets and other niche markets.
World Vegetables: Principles, Production and Nutritive Values, 2nd Edition. 1997. By Vincent E. Rubatzky and Mas Yamaguchi. International Thompson Science (Chapman & Hall), New York, NY. 853 p.
World Vegetables is a textbook on vegetables produced around the world, with comprehensive coverage of specialty and minor vegetable crops.
Specialty and Minor Crops Handbook, 2nd Edition. 1998. Small Farm Center. University of California, Publication 3346. 184 p.
This is a beautiful publication from University of California that provides brief fact sheets for about 63 minor vegetables. Each crop is summarized with a color photo, market information, cultural information, seed sources, and bibliography.
Manual of Minor Vegetables. 1988. By James M. Stephens. University of Florida. Florida Cooperative Extension, Bulletin SP-40. 123 p.
The Manual of Minor Vegetables from University of Florida was one of the first attempts by land-grant universities to offer informational materials on minor vegetable crops. It is mainly listed here as a reference source for southeastern U.S. farmers.
Oriental Vegetables: The Complete Guide for Garden and Kitchen. 1991. By Joy Larkcom. Kodansha International, New York. 232 p.
Oriental vegetables are popular in towns with Asian ethnic markets, and Joy Larkcom's book is one of the best popular-press books on this topic. It contains detailed entries on over 100 varieties of Oriental vegetables categorized into three sections: vegetables that require temperate climates; those requiring subtropical climates; and herbs and water plants.
Let Nature Do The Growing. 1986. By Gajin Tokuno. Japan Publications, Inc./Kodansha International, Ltd., New York, NY. 279 p.
Let Nature Do The Growing is a lesser-known text on organic vegetable production in Japan. It provides detailed information on 78 Oriental crops (including many greens like mizuna, aburana, komatsura, edible chrysanthemums, yellow mustard); each entry includes steps of production from sowing and germination through thinning, weeding, and harvest.
Cornucopia II: A Source Book of Edible Plants, 2nd Edition. 1998. By Stephen Facciola. Kampong Publications, Vista, CA. 713 p.
Cornucopia is a superb compendium, as well as sourcebook, of edible plants. It contains descriptions and seed or nursery sources for approximately 3,000 species, with detailed cultivar listings for over 110 major crops representing the most popular fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, grains, and mushrooms. It also contains a comprehensive bibliography and appendices that organize plants according to 60 different food use categories or edible plant parts. Truly a masterpiece!
New Crops. Proceedings of National Symposia, Vols I-IV. Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Purdue University.
The New Crops symposiums held in 1990, 1993, 1996 and 1999 were published in a series of hard-bound proceedings that contain a wealth of information on new, specialty, and ethnic crops. All volumes are available for sale in print; however, the first three volumes are also on-line.
Advances in New Crops (1990)
New Crops (1993)
Progress in New Crops (1996)
Vegetables and Fruits: A Guide to Heirloom Varieties and Community-Based Stewardship. AFSIC
A wealth of resources from the National Agricultural Library containing bibliographical material, resource organizations and seed sources, and historical documentation.
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2.3 Literature on Organic Agriculture
Organic agriculture has a rich history of farmers, researchers, and philosophers writing about holistic agriculture practices. As an introduction, five classic titles that provide historical perspective are listed below.
In addition, three resources are provided as access points for further reading: (1) Tracing the Evolution of Organic-Sustainable Agriculture, a bibliography from the National Agricultural Library, (2) the Soil and Health web library, an on-line collection of classic texts, and (3) Future Horizons, a literature review from University of Nebraska.
An Agricultural Testament. 1943. By Sir Albert Howard. Oxford University Press, New York and London. 253 p.
The Living Soil. 1949. By Lady Eve Balfour. Faber and Faber, LTD., London, England. 270 p.
Soils and Men: Yearbook of Agriculture 1938. 1938. USDA. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 1232 p.
Pay Dirt: Farming and Gardening with Composts. 1945. By J.I. Rodale. Devin-Adair Co., New York. 242 p.
Fertility Pastures: Herbal Leys as the Basis of Soil Fertility and Animal Husbandry. 1955. By Newman Turner. Faber and Faber, London.204 p.
Tracing the Evolution of Organic/Sustainable Agriculture: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography. 1988. By Jane Potter Gates. National Agricultural Library, Bibliographies and Literature of Agriculture (BLA) No. 72.
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center at the National Agricultural Library compiled this bibliography in 1988, yet it is still one of the best collections of literature to draw from on the history of organic/sustainable agriculture.
The Holistic Agriculture Library
The Soil And Health Library, a web library compiled by Steve Solomon in Tasmania, features full-text on-line versions of out-of-print organic agriculture classics.
Plowman's Folly (1943). By Edward Faulkner.
Chemicals, Humus and the Soil (1948). By Donald P. Hopkins.
Farming and Gardening For Health or Disease [later editions titled Soil and Health] (1945). By Sir Albert Howard.
An Agricultural Testament (1943). By Sir Albert Howard.
The Waste Products of Agriculture: Their Utilization as Humus (1931). By Sir Albert Howard and Yeshwant D. Wad.
Soil Microorganisms and Higher Plants (1958).
By N.A. Krasil'nikov, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow.
Fertility Farming (1951). By Newman Turner.
Future Horizons: Recent Literature in Sustainable Agriculture. 1997. Extension and Education Materials for Sustainable Agriculture, Volume 6. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems. 222 p.
The Center for Sustainable Agriculture Systems at the University of Nebraska compiled this resource guide as part of a USDA-SARE grant. It reviews more than 90 books on sustainable agriculture.
The Core Historical Literature of Agriculture
Electronic collection of full-text agricultural books published between the early nineteenth century and the middle to late twentieth century. Dozens of classic titles!
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2.4 Modern Literature on Organic Farming
1980 marked a new era in organic farming literature, since that was the year USDA published its landmark Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming. While alternative press books written by farmers and farm advisors are abundant, the advent of scientific, university, and agricultural-society-sponsored conference proceedings and textbooks have enhanced the literature of organic agriculture.
Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming. 1980. USDA Study Team. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 94p.
This is the landmark report that helped usher in a new era of scientific and policy support for organic agriculture at the USDA and associated agencies (land-grant universities, Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Stations, and scientific agriculture societies). Five years later, the 1985 Farm Bill enacted legislation that resulted in the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, or SARE.
Organic Farming. 1990. By Nicolas Lampkin. Farming Press, Ipswich, United Kingdom. 701 p.
Nicolas Lampkin is on the faculty at the Welsh Institute of Rural Studies associated with The University of Wales. Organic Farming is the most prominent effort by a university professor to address organic agriculture. In addition, the European ecological and organic farming literature—which Lampkin heavily draws upon—is a rich source of information.
Organic Crop Production Overview. By George Kuepper, NCAT
George Kuepper's ATTRA publication is one of the best factsheet-type primers on organic production, providing principles, practices, and concepts that put it all together.
The Organic Method Primer Update. 1993. By Bargyla and Gylver Rateaver. The Rateavers, San Diego, CA. 596 p.
Organic Farming: Current Technology and Its Role in a Sustainable Agriculture. 1984. By D.F. Bezdicek (ed.) Agronomy Society of America Special Publication No. 46. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. 192 p.
Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Vol. I and II. 1988. By Patricia Allen and Debra Van Dusen. Proceedings of the Sixth International
Scientific Conference of IFOAM. Agroecology Program, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA. 730 p.
Environmentally Sound Agriculture. 1983. By William Lockeretz (ed.) Selected Proceedings from the Fourth International Conference of IFOAM held in Cambridge, MA. Praeger Publishers, New York. 426 p.
Crop Protection in Organic and Low-Input Agriculture. 1990. By Roger Unwin (ed.)
Proceedings of a symposium organized by the British Crop Protection Council held in Cambridge, UK. Monograph No. 45. BCPC, Farnham, Surrey, England. 254 p.
The Economics of Organic Farming: An International Perspective. 1994. By Nicholas Lampkin and S. Padel (eds.) CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. 468 p.
Organic Agriculture: Economic and Ecological Comparisons with Conventional Methods. 1978. By Robert C. Oelhaf. Allanheld, Osmun, & Co., Montclair, N.J. 271 p.
Biological Husbandry: A Scientific Approach to Organic Farming. 1981. By B. Stonehouse (ed.) Butterworths, London. 352 p.
Towards a Holistic Agriculture: A Scientific Approach. 1987. By R.W. Widdowson. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK. 187 p.
Agricultural Production and Nutrition. 1997. By William Lockeretz (ed.) Proceedings of a conference held in Boston, Massachusetts. Tufts University, School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Medford, MA. 213 p.
The Importance of Biological Agriculture in a World of Diminishing Resources. 1986. By Vogtmann Hartmut, et al. (eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Scientific Conference of IFOAM held at the University of Kassel (Germany). Verlagsgruppe Witzenhausen, Witzenhausen. 448 p.
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2.5 Literature on Sustainable Agriculture
By the mid-1980s, sustainable agriculture was a term gaining wider usage. The 1985 Farm Bill—known as the conservation farm bill—spearheaded the creation of the USDA-SARE program and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). ATTRA, the national sustainable farming information center that created this guide and related titles, was another product of the 1985 Farm Bill.
In 1980, a person could put all of the important books relating to sustainable agriculture on one shelf. Today, there are so many academic books and symposium proceedings on sustainable agriculture that it would be difficult for even a university library to keep current.
Alternative Agriculture. 1989. National Research Council. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 448 p.
Sustainable Agriculture in Temperate Zones. 1990. By Charles A. Francis, Cornelia Butler Flora, and Larry D. King. A Wiley-Interscience Publication, Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. 487 p.
Agroecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture, 2nd Edition. 1995. By Miguel Altieri. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. 433 p.
Agroecology: Ecological Processes in Sustainable Agriculture. 1998. By Stephen R. Gliessman. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, MI. 357 p.
Sustainable Agricultural Systems. 1990. By C.A. Edwards, R. Lal, P. Madden, R.H. Miller and G. House (eds.) Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, IA. 696 p.
Sustainable Agriculture Systems. 1994. By J. L. Hatfield and D. L. Karlen (eds.) Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. 316 p.
Ecology and Integrated Farming Systems. 1995. By D. M. Glen, M.P. Greaves, and H.M. Anderson (eds.) John Wiley & Sons, New York. 329 p.
Sustainable Food Systems. 1983. By Dietrich Knorr (ed.) AVI Pub. Co., Westport, Conn. 416 p.
Farming in Nature's Image: An Ecological Approach to Agriculture. 1992. By Judith D. Soule and Jon K. Piper. Island Press, Washington, DC. 286 p.
Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agro-ecosystems. 1994. By Miguel Altieri. Haworth Press, Binghampton, NY. 185 p.
Toward a More Sustainable Agriculture. 1986. By Raymond P. Poincelot. AVI Pub. Co., Westport, Conn. 241 p.
Sustainable Agriculture & Integrated Farming Systems. 1985. By Thomas C. Edens, Cynthia Fridgen, and Susan L. Battenfield (eds.) Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, MI. 344 p.
The Role of Microorganisms in a Sustainable Agriculture. 1986. By J.M. Lopez-Real and R.D. Hodges (eds.) A.B. Academic, Berkhamsted. 246 p.
Environmentally Sound Agriculture. 1994. By Kenneth L. Campbell, et al. (eds.) Proceedings of the Second Conference held in Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI. 578 p.
Sustainable Agriculture in Print Series. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural Library.
The Sustainable Agriculture in Print Series, consisting of three bibliographies compiled by the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, provides bibliographic coverage of sustainable agriculture literature from 1580 to 1999.
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2.6 Literature on Alternative Farming Systems
Ecological farming systems—Organic Farming, Biodynamic Farming, Permaculture, Eco-Farming, Nature Farming—evolved as an alternative to chemically intensive agriculture. Each offers its own brand of philosophy and practical farming methodologies. Here are some noteworthy titles. See the publishers' catalogs and website listings at the end of this guide for a comprehensive look at what's available.
Organic Farming
The New Organic Manifesto. 1986. By Lee Fryer. Earth Foods Associates, Wheatland, MD. 180 p.
Step by Step Organic Vegetable Gardening. 1992. By Shepherd Ogden. HarperCollins, New York. 299 p.
Profitable Organic Farming. 1995. By John Newton. Blackwell Science Ltd., Osney Mead, Oxford, UK. 142 p.
Organic Farming and Growing. 1994. By Francis Blake. Crowood Press, Gypsy Lane, Swindon, Wiltshire. 221 p.
Eco-Farming
Eco-Farm: An Acres U.S.A. Primer. 1991. By Charles Walters and C.J. Fenzau. Acres USA, Kansas City, MO. 450 p.
Science in Agriculture. 1992. By Arden Andersen. Acres USA, Kansas City, MO. 370 p.
Non-Toxic Farming Handbook. 1998. By Philip Wheeler. Acres, USA, Metarie, LA. 238 p.
The Biological Farmer. 2000. By Gary Zimmer. Acres USA, Austin, TX. 352 p.
Permaculture
Introduction to Permaculture. 1991. By Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Slay. Tagari Publications, Tyalgum Australia. 198 p.
Earth User's Guide to Permaculture. 1994. By Rosemary Morrow and Rob Allsop. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, NSW Australia. 152 p.
Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and Resources Steve Diver, NCAT
Biodynamic Farming
Biodynamic Farming Practice. 1992. By Fritz Sattler and Eckard von Wistinghausen. Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association, Stourbridge, West Midlands, England. 336 p.
Grasp the Nettle: Making Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Work. 1997. By Peter Proctor. Random House, Auckland, N.Z. 176 p.
Biodynamic Farming & Compost Preparation. By Steve Diver, NCAT
Natural Farming
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming. 1978. By Masanobu Fukuoka. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA. 181 p.
The Natural Way of Farming: The Theory and Practice of Green Philosophy. 1987. By Masanobu Fukuoka. Japan Publications, Kodansha International-USA through Harper & Row, New York. 284 p.
The Road Back to Nature: Regaining the Paradise Lost. 1987. By Masanobu Fukuoka. Japan Publications, Kodansha International-USA through Harper & Row, New York, NY. 377 p.
Nature Farming
Beneficial and Effective Microorganisms for a Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. Dr. Teruo Higa and Dr. James F. Parr.
Nature Farming and Microbial Applications. 2000. Xu, Hui-lian, James F. Parr, and Hiroshi Umemura (eds.) Food Products Press, The Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY. 402 p.
Nature Farming and Effective Microorganisms. By Steve Diver, ATTRA
Alternative Farming Systems Primers
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture. 1996. Steve Diver. New Renaissance, Vol. 6, No. 2.
Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms. Mary Gold, AFSIC, National Agricultural Library
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3.0 Soil Management
Soil management—with its attention to cover crops, crop rotations, composts, soil biology, soil testing, mineral fertilizers—is fundamental to agriculture. Prior to the 1970s and '80s, farmers getting into organics relied primarily on old books and bulletins for information. Now, it would take a donkey cart to haul away the goldmine of useful print and Web resources that awaits the beginner.
3.11 Books & Bulletins on Soil Fertility
Building Soils for Better Crops, 2nd Edition. 2000. By Fred Magdoff and Harold van Es. Sustainable Agriculture Network, Handbook Series No. 4. Sustainable Agriculture Publications, University of Vermont. 240 p.
Building Soils for Better Crops, 2nd Edition (2000) by Fred Magdoff and Harold van Es, soil scientists at University of Vermont and Cornell University respectively, is a highly practical 230-page guide to ecological soil management. This is the best all-around manual from the land-grant agricultural colleges on building and maintaining a healthy, productive soil. Topics addressed: organic matter, soil biology, physical properties of soil, animal manures, cover crops, crop rotations, making and using composts, reducing compaction, appropriate tillage systems, nutrient management, soil tests, and fertilizers. It also features profiles of farmers implementing ecological soil management practices, and is accompanied by plenty of helpful illustrations and tables. The SAN series of handbooks are well done and farmer-friendly. Highly recommended.
The Soul of Soil: A Guide to Ecological Soil Management, 3rd Edition. 1995. By Grace Gershuny and Joseph Smillie. agAccess, Davis, CA. 174 p.
The Soul of Soil is the classic primer on ecological soil management, first published in 1983 as Grace Gershuny's Master's Thesis at the University of Vermont. The 1986 edition co-authored with Joseph Smillie is the one that became a primary information source for organic farmers in the 1980s and 90s. It is jam-packed with useful concepts, tables, data, and knowledge about soils, humus, compost, crop rotations, cover crops, green manures, and mineral fertilizers. It belongs on the bookshelf of every organic farm.
Start with the Soil. 1993. By Grace Gershuny. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA. 274 p.
Gershuny's Start with the Soil is a nice complement to the primer noted above, Soul of the Soil. Though written for an organic gardening audience (Rodale Press), the information, tables, and data build on her previous book.
Fertile Soil: A Grower's Guide to Organic & Inorganic Fertilizers. 1990. By Robert Parnes. agAccess, Davis, CA. 190 p.
Robert Parnes was an advisor for several years in the well-known Woods End Agricultural Institute laboratory. Fertile Soil—first published as Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers in 1986—is the other classic soils manual from the 1980s that provides solid information to organic farmers. The tables on nutrient value and estimated fertilizer requirement for organic fertilizers in Parnes's book are the best alternative to standard N-P-K fertilizer guidelines.
Edaphos: Dynamics of a Natural Soil System. 1993. By Paul D. Sachs. The Edaphic Press, Newbury, VT. 197 p.
Paul Sachs is the founder of North Country Organics in Bradford, VT, and Edaphos is an outgrowth of Sachs's seminars and consulting work. Edaphos does an excellent job of explaining soil science and soil management practices in simple terms, accompanied by useful tables and diagrams.
Organic Soil Amendments and Fertilizers. 1992. By David E. Chaney and Laurie E. Drinkwater. DNAR Publication No. 21505. UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 36 p.
UC-SAREP—The University of California's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program—produced this bulletin in 1992, yet it is still the best Extension Service publication on this topic. It uses tables, data, and diagrams to explain soil organic matter and the wide range of organic amendments and fertilizers that are used in organic farming.
Western Fertilizer Handbook-Horticulture Edition. 1990. By Albert E. Ludwick. Interstate Publishers Inc., Danville, IL. 279 p.
Farmers need access to all kinds of information, including standard fertility data. This is one of those handy guides used as an occasional reference source.
The Soil Management Series (PC-7398). University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension
The University of Minnesota recently put out a new series of Extension bulletins:
1. Soil Management (BU-7399)
2. Compaction (BU-7400)
3. Manure Management (BU-7401)
4. Organic Matter Management (BU-7402)
5. Soil Biology and Soil Management (BU-7403)
Each publication is organized according to the following sections:
The Soil Manager - explains management options for improving your soil.
The Soil Scientist - reviews the soil science principles that are important to production agriculture.
Your Farm - helps you apply what you are reading to your own farm.
What's Next? - wraps up the chapter by helping you assess your operation and soil.
Further Resources - lists people and publications to consult for more information.
The Nature and Properties of Soils, 12th Edition. 1999. By Nyle C. Brady and Ray R. Weil. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 881 p.
The Nature and Properties of Soils is probably the most authoritative and well-known university textbook on soils. Dr. Ray Weil, a soil scientist at the University of Maryland, updated this classic with modern photographs and illustrations as well as additional notes and information that addresses soil management from a sustainable viewpoint. It is an excellent, comprehensive resource; a good reference book for the farmer's bookshelf.
The Fertile Triangle: The Interrelationship of Air, Water, and Nutrients in Maximizing Soil Productivity. 1991. By Benjamin Wolf. Food Products Press, New York. 463 p.
Fertilizers and Their Use: A Pocket Guide for Extension Officers, (PDF / 1.8M) 4th edition Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, Biodynamic Pioneer
Bio-Dynamic Gardening and Farming. [collected articles, ca. 1940 - 1961] Volume 1. 1983. By Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. Mercury Press, Spring Valley, New York. 126 p.
Bio-Dynamic Gardening and Farming. [collected articles, ca. 1940 - 1961] Volume 2. 1983. By Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. Mercury Press, Spring Valley, New York. 142 p.
Bio-Dynamic Gardening and Farming. [collected articles, ca. 1940 - 1961]. Volume 3. 1984. By Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. Mercury Press, Spring Valley, New York. 132 p.
Soil Fertility: Renewal and Preservation. 1983. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. Lanthorn, East Grinstead, Sussex, England. 200 p.
Eco-Farming Classics
Agriculture in Transition. 2000. By Donald L. Schriefer. Acres USA, Austin, TX. 238 p.
From the Soil Up. 2000. By Donald L. Schriefer. Acres USA, Austin, TX. 274 p.
The Biological Farmer. 2000. By Gary Zimmer. Acres USA, Austin, TX. 352 p.
Crop Roots – The Hidden Half. Circa 1990s. By Harold Willis. Midwestern Bio-Ag, Blue Mound, WI. 106 p.
Non-Toxic Farming Handbook. 1998. By Philip Wheeler and Ronald Ward. Acres USA, Metairie, LA. 238 p.
Nourishment Home Grown. 1992. By A.F. Beddoe. Agro-Bio Systems, Grass Valley, CA. 299 p.
Hands-On Agronomy. 1993. By Neal Kinsey and Charles Walters. Acres USA, Kansas, MO. 352 p.
The Enlivened Rock Powders. 1994. By Harvey Lisle. Acres USA, Kansas, MO. 194 p.
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3.12 Soil Fertility Web Links
These first items are the primary web locations for sources of organic fertilizers and approved materials that can be used in certified organic production.
Sources for Organic Fertilizers and Amendments, NCAT
The ATTRA resource list on organic fertilizers is an extensive listing of dealers and suppliers carrying bulk organic fertilizers. It is organized by category of fertilizer material:
| Phosphate rock minerals |
Non-phosphate rock minerals |
Animal by-products |
Plant by-products |
Marine products |
Worms for vermicompost |
| Composts & blended fertilizers |
Compost inoculants & bioactivators |
| Cover crop seeds |
Bio-dynamic preparations & homeopathic preparations |
Humates & humic acids |
Hydrogen peroxide |
Mycorrhizal inoculants |
Microbial inoculants, enzymes, biocatalysts |
Soluble organic fertilizers for drip irrigation & greenhouse fertilization |
| Note: The ATTRA list was compiled in response to queries from farmers on where to purchase bulk organic fertilizers and amendments. It is not an official list of materials that can be used in certified organic production. To verify approved and restricted materials, consult the OMRI lists below. |
OMRI's Products List
Organic Materials Review Institute
OMRI is the Organic Materials Review Institute. It provides a technical review of organic crop production materials (fertilizers and pest controls) supplied by manufacturers. Products that receive an Allowed or Regulated status can state that the product is "OMRI Listed" and may use the OMRI seal on packaging and literature.
The Brand Name Products List on OMRI's Web site includes crop production materials organized alphabetically by Generic Material, Supplier, and Product.
The following Web sites provide valuable information to farmers and Extension specialists who need information and data on soil management, organic fertilizers, and related sustainable fertility topics.
Commercial Organic Nutrient Recommendations
University of Maine Soil Testing Lab
In these handy tables from University of Maine you can quickly see how many pounds of organic fertilizer per acre are needed to meet desired pounds of nutrient element per acre; e.g., 670 pounds fish meal equals 60 pounds N per acre, 890 pounds fish meal equals 80 pounds N per acre, and 1100 pounds fish meal equals 100 pounds N per acre. Examples are provided for 10 different organic fertilizers relative to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
Organic Crop Production — Fertility
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food FARMFACTS
Nutrient Content of Fertilizer and Organic Materials. (PDF / 876K).
NC State University Soil Science
Convenient tables with nutrient content of standard commercial fertilizers as well as organic fertilizers and manures.
Sustainable Soil Management
By Preston Sullivan, NCAT
ATTRA's Sustainable Soil Management publication is the most succinct and informative publication of its kind on the web. The concepts and practices embedded in this publication provide the fundamental building blocks for a deeper and more complete understanding of soils from a sustainable farming perspective.
Alternative Soil Testing Laboratories
NCAT
ATTRA's Alternative Soil Testing Laboratories resource list organizes soil labs into two broad categories: (1) those that focus on biological assays including organic matter, humus content, and microbial analysis, and (2) those that focus on mineral analysis and organic fertilizer recommendations. The resource section provides suppliers, books, and web links that address alternative fertility concepts, soil quality, and on-farm methods of soil and foliar analysis.
Organic Soil Amendments for Sustainable Agriculture
CTAHR, Univ. of Hawaii
Soil Fertility Management for Organic Crops. (PDF / 124K).
University of California, Publication 7249
Soil Management and Soil Quality for Organic Crops. (PDF / 112K).
University of California, Publication 7248
5-Part Series on Soil Basics
UMass Extenion, University of Massachusetts
- Hairy Vetch as a Cover Crop
- Soil Basics I: Physical Properties of Soil
- Soil Basics II: Chemical Properties of Soil
- Soil Basics III: Organic Matter, Key to Management
- Soil Basics IV: Putting It All Together
- Soil Basics V: Top Dressing and Side Dressing Nitrogen
Soil Fertility Note 12: Fertilizing with Organic Nutrients (PDF / 50K).
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Guidelines for Organic Fertilization
University Of Vermont Extension System, Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab
Organic Crop Production
Patrick Moore, The Evergreen State College Pages 19-32, In: Organic Resource Manual. (PDF / 528K). Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Nitrogen Management in Field Vegetables – A Guide to Efficient Fertilisation.
Manual on Integrated Soil Management and Conservation Practices. (PDF / 9506K).
FAO Land and Water Bulletin 8
Microbial and Organic Fertilizers in Asia
Michinori Nishio Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Taipei City, Taiwan R.O.C
Microbial Inoculants in Asian Agriculture
Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Taipei City, Taiwan R.O.C
Managing Soil Fertility for Vegetable Production
Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Taipei City, Taiwan R.O.C
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS is the USDA agency formerly known as Soil Conservation Service, or SCS. The NRCS Soil Quality Institute gets an A+ for the high-quality, farmer-friendly educational materials they've published in recent years.
NRCS Agronomy Technical Notes Series
Soil Quality Institute
The Soil Quality Institute website, sponsored by NRCS, features on-line technical notes on soil management topics:
Cover Crops; Conservation Crop Rotation; Effects on Soil Quality; Effects of Residue Management, No-Till on Soil Quality; Effects of Soil Quality on Nutrient Efficiency; Herbicides; Legumes and Soil Quality; Effects of Soil Erosion on Soil Productivity.
NRCS Soil Quality Information Sheets
Soil Quality Institute
The Soil Quality Institute website, sponsored by NRCS, features on-line information sheets on soil quality topics:
Erosion; Sediment Deposition on Cropland; Compaction; Salinization; Soil Biodiversity; Available Water Capacity; Pesticides; Indicators for Soil Quality Evaluation; Organic Matter; Soil Crusts; Aggregate Stability; Infiltration; Soil pH.
Soil Biology Primer
The highly regarded Soil Biology Primer is reviewed in the section on soil biology.
Soil Quality Test Kit Guide
An 82-page booklet describing procedures for 12 on-farm tests, an interpretive section for each test, data recording sheets, and a section on how to build the kit.
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3.21 Print & Video Resources on Cover Crops
Cover crops are like the backbone, the linchpin, the cornerstone… of any annual cropping system that seeks to be sustainable or organic.
Organic farmers rely on cover crops to perform multiple roles and functions on the farm, including soil protection, soil improvement, and insectary habitat. From a fertility angle, the cover crop seed can be viewed as a fertilizer expense.
When sustainable agriculture became a priority topic for USDA, land-grant universities, and non-profit institutions in the 1980s, cover crops were one of the first items to receive significant attention. Lots of time and energy have gone into cover crop research, on-farm trials, and information dissemination.
Some of the key players that helped generate this new material on cover crops include the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the University of California, and the Rodale Institute.
Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 2nd Edition. 1998. By the Sustainable Agriculture Network. Sustainable Agriculture Publications, University of Vermont. 212 p.
Managing Cover Crops Profitably is a comprehensive resource on cover crops - an essential desk reference! The introductory section includes articles on uses and benefits of cover crops, followed by chapters on 18 different cover crop species. Charts rate factors for each species including drought tolerance, nitrogen yield, and seeding rates. The top six high-performing cover crops for each region are discussed. Topics include: selection of the best species for your location, planning profitable crop rotations, crop yield benefits following cover crops, and fertilizer reduction realized from cover crops.
Cover Crops for California Agriculture. 1989. By P.R. Miller, et al. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Leaflet 21471. 24 p.
This University of California leaflet—supported by the Jesse Smith Noyes Foundation, the UC Davis Student Experimental Farm, and the UC SAREP program—was the first Extension Service bulletin to address the benefits of cover crops in the context of modern sustainable farming systems.
The following two booklets from Pennsylvania and Oregon are a compilation of fact sheets on individual cover crop species. Since the selection and use of cover crops is heavily influenced by growing season, climate, cropping systems, and related geographical peculiarities, these two booklets provide a nice balance for growing conditions in the Northeastern and Northwestern United States.
Northeast Cover Crop Handbook. 1994. By Marianne Sarrantonio. Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA. 118 p.
The Rodale Institute was a leader in cover crop research and on-farm trials in the 1980s and 90s. The Northeast Cover Crop Handbook is the culmination of their extension information delivery from that era. Topics covered are: how to choose a cover crop right for your operation; building a rotation around cover crops; choosing the best species for the whole farm; estimating the nitrogen contribution from a green manure; looking at soil improvements from cover crops; and lowering the cost of cover cropping. The book is well written and easy to read with lots of drawings and charts. The appendix contains detailed management practices for 20 cover crop species, cover crop seed sources, and other information sources.
Cover Crops in Oregon (EM 8704) Oregon State University
Oregon State University Extension Service published a 50-page booklet on cover crops in 1998 titled Using Cover Crops in Oregon. Topics include the pros and cons of cover cropping; how to choose a cover crop; cover crops in annual and perennial systems; how to estimate nitrogen contributions to a subsequent crop; and economic considerations of cover cropping. The booklet provides detailed information on specific cover crops, including annual ryegrass, barley, oats, triticale, wheat, buckwheat, cereal rye, common vetch, crimson clover, fava bean, field pea, hairy vetch, rapeseed, red clover, subterranean clovers, Sudangrass, and sorghum-Sudangrass hybrids. In addition, there is a fact sheet on cover crop weed suppression in annual rotations. (List price, $5.50 from Oregon State University Publications).
The complete series of 18 individual facts sheets can also be found on the web in HTML and PDF formats:
Cover Crop Fact Sheets, Oregon State University
Cover Crops for Vegetable Production in the Northeast. 1999. By Lee Stivers. Cornell University Extension Service (142IB244). 12 p.
A Cornell University publication on cover crops for vegetables that addresses: addition of organic matter to soils; improvement of soil tilth and remediation of compaction; protection of soil from wind and water erosion; recycling plant nutrients; increasing the biological activity of soil; retention of soil moisture; and suppression of weeds, insects, pathogens, and nematodes.
Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures. 2000. By Preston Sullivan and Steve Diver. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, Fayetteville, AR. 12 p.
This ATTRA publication provides a summary of the principal uses and benefits of cover crops and green manures, followed by a listing of key resources.
Sustainable Production of Fresh-Market Tomatoes with Organic Mulches. 1997. By Aref Abdul-Baki and John R. Teasdale. USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 2279. 23 p.
This USDA Farmers' Bulletin features the no-till vegetable cropping system developed by scientists at the USDA-ARS Vegetable Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. This system relies on hairy vetch established in the fall, followed by a mow-down treatment the following spring to prepare a no-till bed to transplant tomatoes and other vegetable crops into.
Print copies may be ordered from: USDA/ARS Vegetable Lab Rm. 213, B-10A BARC-West Beltsville, MD 20705 mcgahan@ars.usda.gov
On-line in PDF format at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/SustainableTomato.pdf. (PDF / 5.2MB).
Feed the Soil. 1982. By Edwin McLeod. Organic Agriculture Research Institute, Graton, CA. 209 p.
The classic tale of Hylas the Hare who goes to work as a seasonal farmer, only to bump into Mr. Earthworm who teaches Hylas all about green manures and soil biology and the importance of "feeding the soil." It is still one of the best little primers on grasses and legumes in print.
Creative Cover Cropping in Annual Farming Systems-Video. 1993. Produced by the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
A 24-minute video that shows a selection of cover crops used in various annual cropping systems for the purpose of soil fertility and pest management. (List price, $20; available through University of California)
No-till Vegetables-Video. 1997. By Steve Groff. Cedar Meadow Farm, Holtwood, PA.
Steve Groff, a no-till vegetable farmer in Pennslyvania, makes extensive use of cover crops in combination with no-till vegetable production to raise high-quality tomatoes, pumpkins, broccoli, snap beans, and sweet corn. He uses specialized equipment like a rolling stalk chopper to knock down and crimp the cover crops, thus allowing him to plant vegetables into a killed cover crop mulch. This cropping system requires post-emergent herbicides, but at greatly reduced rates compared to conventional production systems. After several years of no-till production the soils are very mellow and easy to plant into. (Video price, $21.95 + $3.00 shipping from Cedar Meadow Farm).
Using Cover Crops in Conservation Production Systems-Video. 1997. By Seth Dabney, USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Lab in Oxford, MS.
An 11-minute video on cover cropping systems in the Deep South featuring clover species and no-till production methods. (Costs about $10 through Shepherd Publications in Memphis, TN).
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3.22 Cover Crop Web Links
Green Manures
The Basics of Green Manuring
P. Warman EAP Publication 51, Ecological Agriculture Projects
Cover Crops - General
Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 2nd Edition
Sustainable Agriculture Network
Cover Crop Fact Sheets
Oregon State University
Michigan Cover Crops
Michigan State University & Kellogg Biological Station
An impressive and valuable collection of information sheets and research reports on cover crops used in association with vegetables and row crops.
Cover Crops
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Adaptation and Use of Cover Crops
- Choosing a Cover Crop
- Cover Crop Types
Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures.
NCAT
Cover Crops - Vegetables
Commercial Vegetable Production: Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers
Kansas State University, MF2343
A 28-page fact sheet from K-State, published in 1998. One of the better Extension publications on cover crops for vegetables geared to a specific region.
Multiple Impacts Cover Crops
John Luna, Oregon State University
In addition to the Cover Crop Fact Sheets published by Oregon State University, John Luna and associates have a special topics web page on use of cover crops in sustainable vegetable production; especially note the research results on strip tillage.
Cover Crops for Sustainable Vegetable Production
Debbie Roos
Cover Crops For Weed Control In Lettuce
New Alchemy Quarterly, No. 40 Mark Schonbeck, Judy Browne, and Ralph DeGregorio
Cropping Systems for Intensive Desert Vegetable Production. (PDF / 483K).
University of California, Riverside
Cover Crops for Soil Improvement in Horticultural Crops. (PDF / 104K).
Alan Ware, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Summer Cover Crops for Tomato Production in South Florida
Cover Cropping in Potato Production
EAP Publication 71, Ecological Agriculture Projects
Interseeding Cover Crops
Observations on Interseeding Cover Crops
Vernon Grubinger, University of Vermont
Interseedings in Vegetable Production
Chantal Foulds, REAP Canada
Relay Intercropping Brassicas into Chile and Sweet Corn (PDF / 26K).
New Mexico State University, Guide A-609
Legumes and Crop Rotations
Soil Improvement with Legumes including Legumes in Crop Rotations
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Organic Rotations Practiced
Ohio State University, Special Circular 174-00
Legume Green Manuring
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
An Organic Vegetable Crop Rotation Aimed at Self-Sufficiency in Nitrogen (PDF / 116K).
K. Thorup-Kristensen, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences
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3.23 UC-SAREP Cover Crop Resources
| The UC-SAREP program at University of California is a leader in cover crop research and information dissemination. The massive resources UC-SAREP has devoted to the integration of cover crops into annual and perennial cropping systems are astounding. These materials are so extensive and informative, they deserve their own special section. |
UC SAREP Cover Crop Resource Page
This is the database of all databases when it comes to cover crops. Includes over 5,000 items gleaned from more than 600 separate sources, including journal articles, conference proceedings, standard textbooks, unpublished data, and personal communications from researchers and farmers. The information in the database concerns the management and effects of more than 32 species of plants usable as cover crops. More than 400 different cover crop images are also available for online viewing.
One limitation—the database is regionally geared to the Mediterranean climate of California. Ideally, each region of the U.S. should enjoy such site-specific information.
Cover Cropping in Row and Field Crop Systems
UC-SAREP
An online educational slide series that provides visual images and text describing the benefits and uses of cover cropping in annual crops like vegetables; 52 slides.
Cover Crop Biology: A Mini-Review
Robert L. Bugg, UC-SAREP
A 10-page web article that reviews several aspects of cover crop biology: seeds, seedlings, root zone biology, nutrient uptake, the fate of cover-crop-derived nitrogen, community dynamics, and allelopathy.
Selecting the Right Cover Crop Gives Multiple Benefits
UC-SAREP
A 4-page web article that discusses: adding and conserving nitrogen, water use by cover crops, pest management, cover crops in annual cropping systems, self-reseeding cover crops, and potential advantages and disadvantages of cover crops.
Survey of Annual Crop Growers Regarding Cover Crops
UC-SAREP
Samples of UC-SAREP Cover Crop Research and Education Summaries
Release of Nitrogen From a Leguminous Cover Crop and the Subsequent Utilization by Bell Pepper
Richard Smith, Louise Jackson, and Phil Foster Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, University of California
Fall Planted Cover Crops May Improve Tomato Yields
Gene Miyao and Paul Robins Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, University of California
Cover Crop Use in Vegetable Production in the Southern California Deserts
Chad Hutchinson and Milt McGiffen Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, University of California
Non-Leguminous Cover Crops In Cool-Season Vegetable Crop Systems
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, University of California
In-Field Insectaries for Vegetable Crops
Bill Chaney Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, University of California
Non-Leguminous Cover Crops To Reduce Nitrate Leaching In Vegetable Cropping Systems
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, University of California
Eight Points to Remember
1. For many farms, cover crops offer the only practical means of supplying the organic matter needed to maintain soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Barnyard manure and other manures cannot meet the requirements of extensive areas.
2. Cultivation decreases the amount of organic matter in the soil and increases soil erosion on sloping land.
3. As organic matter decays, it provides nutrient elements for succeding crops. Cover crop legumes substantially increase the nitrogen available to the subsequent crop.
4. The value of a cover crop is determined primarily by the amount of organic matter and nitrogen it will add to the soil. Therefore, use the crop that will produce the greatest growth in the particular region and the alloted time.
5. Most winter cover crops should be planted with irrigation, since early seeding is necessary for a good stand and a lack of rain coupled with no irrigation can prevent satisfactory results.
6. Most winter cover crops should be seeded before the first of November. Seedbed preparation is important.
7. The best way to work a cover crop in is with a heavy cover crop disk. Two or three diskings may be necessary. In an orchard, you need not completely incorporate the cover crop.
8. Allow legume cover crops to grow as long as possible before working them into the soil.
Source: Cover Crops for California Agriculture. 1989. By P.R. Miller, et al. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Leaflet 21471. 24 p. |
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3.31 Books & Bulletins on Composts and Manures
Manures For Organic Crop Production. 2000. By George Kuepper. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, Fayetteville, Arkansas. 12 p.
A Horticulture Technical Note from ATTRA on the use of raw and composted animal manures in vegetable crop production. Topics: produce quality concerns; contamination; fertility imbalances; laboratory analysis; weed problems; pollution; use as fertilizer and soil improver; and field application.
On-Farm Composting Handbook (NRAES-54). 1998. By Robert Rynk (ed.) Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. 186 p.
This award-winning handbook presents a thorough overview of farm-scale composting and explains how to produce, use, and market compost. Topics: benefits and drawbacks of composting; the composting process; raw materials; composting methods; operations; management; site and environmental considerations; using and marketing compost. Included are 55 figures, 32 tables, calculations, references, and a glossary.
Field Guide to On-Farm Composting (NRAES-114). 1999. By Mark Dougherty (ed.) Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. 128 p.
This is a spiral-bound, laminated field guide intended as a companion to the aforementioned On-Farm Composting Handbook . Topics covered: operations and equipment; raw materials and recipe making; composting process control and evaluation; site considerations, environmental management, and safety; composting livestock and poultry mortalities; and compost utilization on the farm. Highlights of the guide include an equipment identification table, diagrams showing windrow formation and shapes, examples and equations for recipe making and compost use estimation, a troubleshooting guide, and 24 full-color photos.
Fletcher Sims' Compost. 1993. Acres, USA. Kansas City, MO. 247 p.
Fletcher Sims, a compost pioneer on the High Plains of Texas, shares insights on large-scale composting and the benefits of compost based on several decades of experience. Of special interest are Sims's notes on composting and the role of humus in eco-farming based on correspondence and publications from William Albrecht, Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, Sir Albert Howard, and Vaclav Petrik.
Composting for Manure Management. 1998. By the staff of BioCycle. JG Press, Emmaus, PA. 77 p.
Describes methods for processing and marketing composted manure-and how specialized equipment and composting systems are being used to turn a waste disposal problem into a profit center. Major sections: statistics by region and livestock; composting methods for poultry, hog, dairy, and beef manure; water quality impact; overcoming problems-from odors to leachate; and anaerobic digestion technology for managing manures, as well as vermicomposting methods. The appendix contains a directory of composting equipment.
Farm-Scale Composting Resource List. 1998. By Steve Diver. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, Fayetteville, AR. 11 p.
This Agronomy Resource List summarizes the key publications; web pages; associations; software; magazines, newsletters, and journals; email lists and web forums; and bibliographies and current research geared to farm-scale composting.
BioCycle magazine
biocycle@jgpress.com
$69/12 issues a year
Biocycle magazine is the premier compost trade journal. Making and using farm-produced compost is a regular topic. The associated compost publications from JG Press are, likewise, among the best.
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3.32 Web Links on Composts and Manures
Beneficial Uses of Compost in Florida Vegetable Crops
Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, University of Florida
Using Composts in Commercial Vegetable and Fruit Operations
Texas A&M University
Reducing Risks from E.coli 0157 on the Organic Farm
David G. Patriquin, Dalhousie University, NS Eco-Farm & Garden-Summer 2000
Composts as a Soil Amendment
CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Cornell University Composting
Basis for Interpretation of Compost Analyses
Woods End Agricultural Institute
Available for $10.00 at Woods End Laboratories, Inc.
On-Farm Composting: Intensification Effects on Compost Quality
Woods End Agricultural Institute
Available for $25.00 at Woods End Laboratories, Inc.
Living Compost - Living Carbon
Woods End Agricultural Institute
Available for $4.00 at Woods End Laboratories, Inc.
Farm-Scale Composting Resource List
Steve Diver, NCAT
Worms for Composting (Vermicomposting)
Alice Beetz, NCAT
Utilization of Organic Wastes: On-Farm Composting
West Virginia University Extension Service
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Publications on Compost & Yard Waste
Compost: On-Farm Systems, QB 97-12
Mary Gold, AFSIC
Carolina Composting Resource Guide: Reference Section
Low-Tech, High-Quality On-Farm Compost
Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont
Composting in the Southeast - Proceedings of the 1998 Conference
Large-Scale Production of Compost and Mulch
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
EPA Office of Solid Waste: Composting Resources
Field Guide to Compost Use
U.S. Composting Council
Compost Images
David Granatstein, Washington State University
BioCycle, the Journal of Composting & Organics Recycling
Offers a Web site with table of contents and selected on-line articles (text-only ) from back issues. The photos and charts that accompany these articles are very helpful, and certainly worthy of a subscription for anybody getting into on-farm composting.
Lessons Learned from On-Farm Composting BioCycle, January 2000, Page 42
Exploring the Economics of On-Farm Composting, Part I BioCycle, February 2001, Page 61
Certified Organic Farm Relies on Compost BioCycle, December 1999, Page 60
Composters Build Strong Links to California Farms BioCycle, February 1999, Page 55
Composting Reduces Fuel and Labor Costs on Family Farms BioCycle, May 2000, Page 72
Compost Research On Wisconsin Organic Farm BioCycle, September 2000, Page 54
The Applied Thoughts Of A Compost Theorist BioCycle, February 2001, Page 56
Troubleshooting the Compost Pile, Part I BioCycle, November 1999, Page 53
Monitoring Moisture in Composting Systems BioCycle, October 2000, Page 53
Getting Moisture into the Compost Pile BioCycle, June 2001, Page 51
Advances in Windrow Turning BioCycle, July 2001, Page 63
Building a Safe Pesticides Industry with Bioproducts and Biomethods BioCycle, October1999, Page 56
Evaluating Microbiology of Compost BioCycle, May 1999, Page 62
Using Compost To Control Plant Diseases BioCycle, June 1999, Page 61
New Trends in Sustainable Farming Build Compost Use BioCycle, July 2000, Page 30
Understanding Compost Tea BioCycle, October 2000, Page 71
Time for (Compost) Tea in the Northwest BioCycle, October 2000, Page 74
Brewing Up Solutions To Pest Problems BioCycle, March 2001, Page 64
Latest Developments in Mid-to-Large Scale Vermicomposting BioCycle, November 2000, Page 51
Worming the Way to Finished Compost BioCycle, October1999, Page 34
Achieveing Pathogen Stabilization Using Vermicomposting BioCycle, November 1999, Page 62
Manures and Food Residuals Compost are in the Bag BioCycle, June 2001, Page 49
Dutch Farmers Find It Pays To Manage Poultry Manure BioCycle, April 1999, Page 72
Poultry Farm Pioneers Low-Rate Composting BioCycle, August 1999, Page 59
The High Route to Managing Hog Manure BioCycle, October1999, Page 36
BioCycle Equipment and Systems Directory
· Products And Services
· Company Index
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3.41 Books & Bulletins on Soil Organic Matter
Soil organic matter and soil humus are critical components of any soil system.
Humus is like the glue that binds the soil together. And together, humus and clay are known as the Seat of Soil Fertility. Humus management is especially important in organic farming systems, since farmers rely so heavily on recycled plant and animal wastes to:
· feed the soil
· improve soil tilth
· increase water holding capacity
· support a complex soil food web
· induce disease suppression |
Building Soils for Better Crops, 2nd Edition. 2000. By Fred Magdoff and Harold van Es. Sustainable Agriculture Network, Handbook Series No. 4. Sustainable Agriculture Publications, University of Vermont. 240 p.
Building Soils for Better Crops, 2nd Edition (2000) by Fred Magdoff and Harold van Es, soil scientists at University of Vermont and Cornell University, focuses on building and maintaining soil organic matter through ecological soil management practices like composting, cover crops, crop rotations, mulches, and animal manures.
Humic, Fulvic, and Microbial Balance: Organic Soil Conditioning. 1993. By William R. Jackson. Jackson Research Center, Evergreen, CO. 958 p.
Organic Soil Conditioning is the award-winning book on humic substances by William Jackson. Jackson's book supports the current renaissance of ecological soil management whereby greater attention is being paid to the soil foodweb and deep humus. Available through Acres USA.
The Carbon Catcher Program: Using the Earth to Take Carbon from the Sky. 1993. By Gerry Wass. The Water Foundation, Brainerd, MN.
31 p.
This little-known booklet does a fine job of summarizing the importance of humus, outlines the basic principles of ecological agriculture, lists publications and resources, and contains a directory of alternative agricultural consultants and soil fertility labs.
The following titles are key reference books on humus and organic matter, available through Inter-Library Loan.
Soil Organic Matter, 2nd English Edition. 1966. By M.M. Kononova. Pergamon Press, New York, NY. 544 p.
Humus Chemistry: Genesis, Composition, Reactions, 2nd Edition. 1994. By F.J. Stevenson. Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. 496 p.
Soil Organic Matter: Biological and Ecological Effects. 1987. By Robert L. Tate. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 291p.
Humus: Origin, Chemical Composition, and Importance in Nature. 1936. By Selman A. Waksman. The Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, MD. 494 p.
Soil Organic Matter in Temperate Agro-ecosystems: Long-Term Experiments in North America. 1997. By E.A. Paul, E.T. Elliott, K. Paustian, and C.V. Cole (eds.) CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 414 p.
Sustainable Management of Soil Organic Matter. 2001. Edited by R.M. Rees, et al. CABI Publishing Co., New York. 440 p.
The following Soil Science Society publications are noteworthy mainly as reference titles that provide background research and schematic illustrations on agricultural practices that influence soil organic matter.
Humic Substances in Soil Science and Crop Sciences: Selected Readings. 1990. By P. MacCarthy, et al. Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. 281 p.
Soil Fertility and Organic Matter as Critical Components of Production Systems. 1987. By R.R. Follet, J.W.B. Stewart, and C.V. Cole. SSSA Special Publication No. 19. Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. 166 p.
Interactions of Soil Minerals with Natural Organics and Microbes. 1986. By P.M. Haung and M. Schnitzer. SSSA Special Publication No. 17. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. 606 p.
3.42 Soil Organic Matter Web Links
Soil Quality Indicators: Organic Matter
NRCS Soil Quality Institute
Changes in Soil Organic Matter, Chapter 5
In: The Health of Our Soils: Toward Sustainable Agriculture in Canada (1995) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Lectures on Soil Organic Matter
University of Wales, Bangor
Building Soil Organic Matter
with Organic Amendments (PDF / 372K).
University of Wisconsin-Extension
Organic Matter Management (BU-7402) In: The Soil Management Series
University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension
Soil Humic Substances
Agricultural University of Wroclaw, Poland
Utilization of Composted Organic Wastes in Vegetable Production Systems (PDF / 684K).
Food and Fertilizer Technology Center
Soil Organic Matter
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Soil Organic Matter Agronomy Notes
Montana State University
Soil Basics III: Organic Matter, Key to Management
In: 5-Part Series on Soil Basics UMass Extenion, University of Massachusetts
Experts Talk Soil at MOFGA Meetings
Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, June - August 2000 issue
Featuring:
· Jerry Brunetti, Agri-Dynamics
· Fred Magdoff, University of Vermont
· Marianne Sarrantonio, University of Maine
· Rick Kersbergen, Maine Cooperative Extension
· Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb, Inc.
· Mark Fulford, Agricultural Alternatives
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3.51 Books & Bulletins on
Earthworms, Microbes, and Soil Biology
Farmers enlist the aid of legions of earthworms, bacteria, fungi and other soil-dwelling creatures to decompose crop residues and cycle nutrients to crop plants. Not unlike a crew of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, and brick layers who combine forces to build a house, each member of the microbial herd has an important task to perform in the soil.
In the past few years, it has become apparent to farmers and scientists alike that a greater understanding of and ability to work with soil creatures and soil food webs can help us achieve a healthy, sustainable agriculture.
These first two bulletins from USDA-NRCS and Michigan State University are wonderful educational resources. They are worthy additions to the farmer's bookshelf.
Soil Biology Primer. 1999. By E.R. Ingham, A.R. Moldenke, and C. Edwards. USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Soil Quality Institute. 52 p.
The Soil Biology Primer is a much-heralded USDA-NRCS publication that went out of print faster than crap runs through a goose! This is a highly educational and graphically interesting and colorful booklet that sums up our collective knowledge about soil creatures, soil foodwebs, and soil biological functions. It is a landmark publication in the history of USDA. Chapters: The Soil Food Web; The Food Web & Soil Health; Soil Bacteria; Soil Fungi; Soil Protozoa; Soil Nematodes; Soil Arthropods; Earthworms.
To order a print copy (now back in print, 2nd Edition) or to see the online web version, go to: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/biology.html
Michigan Field Crop Ecology: Managing Biological Processes for Productivity and Environmental Quality. 1998. By M.A. Cavigelli, S.R. Deming, L.K. Probyn, and R.R. Harwood (eds.) Michigan State University Extension, Bulletin E-2646. 87 p.
Michigan Field Crop Ecology is another landmark bulletin from the Extension Service. Its stated intent is to address the biological basis of sustainability. Chapters address field crop ecosystems; soil ecology; carbon; nitrogen; covercrops; pest ecology and management; the insect community; and nematodes. Practical examples and colorful graphics enhance the educational quality of this farmer-friendly manual.
Soil Microorganisms and Higher Plants. 1961. By N.A. Krasil'nikov. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA. 474 p. Publication No. TT-60-21126.
Soil Microorganisms and Higher Plants is the classic Russian text on soil microbiology. As part of the Soil and Health Library, it can be viewed online at:
The Holistic Agriculture Library
Textbooks and Library References
Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology. 1998. By D.M. Sylvia, J.J. Fuhrman, P.G. Hartel, and D. Zuberer. Prentice Hall, NJ. 550 p.
Fundamentals of Soil Ecology. 1995. By David C. Coleman and D.A. Crossley, Jr. Academic Press, New York. 205 p.
Soil Biology Guide. 1990. By Daniel L. Dindal. A Wiley-Interscience Publication, John Wiley & Sons, New York. 1349 p.
The Biodiversity of Microorganisms and Invertebrates: Its Role in Sustainable Agriculture. 1991. By D.L. Hawkswort (ed.) CASAFA Report Series No. 4, CAB International, Wallingford, Oxford, UK. 302 p.
Soil Biota, Nutrient Cycling, and Farming Systems. 1993. By M.G. Paoletti, W. Foissner, and D. Coleman (eds.) Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. 314 p.
3.52 Soil Biology Web Links
Soil Biology
Soil Biological Communities
Bureau of Land Management
Microbe Zoo
Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State Univ.
Lecture Notes on Soil Microorganisms, The Rhizosphere, Mycorrhiza, and Microbial Ecology
By Davey Jones at University of Wales, Bangor
Soil Biology and Soil Management (BU-7403) In: The Soil Management Series
University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension
Using Soil Fauna to Improve Soil Health
By Bonnie Witt
The Soil Foodweb: Its Importance in Ecosystem Health
By Dr. Elaine Ingham
Soil Ecology, The Pedosphere and Its Dynamics
University of Alberta
Soil Biodiversity. (PDF / 58K).
NRCS Soil Quality Information Sheet
Mycorrhiza = Plant + Fungus Symbiosis
Mycorrhiza Information Exchange
Overview of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis
David Sylvia
Glomalin-Soil's Superglue
USDA ARS News
Mycorrhiza.com
Earthworms
Earthworms and Crop Management
Purdue University. Agronomy Guide AY-279
Building Your Soil: The Role of Earthworms in Healthy Soils
Frequently Asked Questions About Earthworms
Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The EarthWorm Digest
Earthworm Information at UC-SAREP
4.0 IPM for Vegetables
IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.
— National Coalition on IPM, January 1994 |
Pests of vegetables—insects, diseases, and weeds—are part of every vegetable field in the world. It is part of their nature to eat, inhabit, and reproduce, using the vegetables as hosts to complete their life cycle. Pest management strategies such as IPM, or Integrated Pest Management, are therefore critical.
Integrated pest management is the basic framework used in vegetable production to decide when and how pests are controlled. The primary goal of IPM is to provide clear pest management guidelines to growers in order to optimize pest control in an economically and ecologically sound manner.
IPM integrates habitat modification and cultural, physical, biological, and chemical practices to minimize crop losses. Monitoring, recordkeeping, and life-cycle information on pests and their natural enemies are used to determine when control options are needed to keep pests below an economically damaging threshold.
| Source: Ferro, D.N. 1993. Integrated pest management in vegetables in Massachusetts. p. 95-105. In: Anne R. Leslie, and Gerrit W. Cuperus (eds.) Successful Implementation of Integrated Pest Management for Agricultural Crops. Lewis, Boca Raton, FL. |
As they move towards greater sustainability, vegetable IPM programs tend to go through three phases, with each stage using and building on previous knowledge and techniques:
-
The pesticide management phase, characterized by establishing economic thresholds, sampling, and spraying as needed.
-
The cultural management phase, based on a thorough understanding of the pest's biology and its relationship to the cropping system. Tactics employed to control pests include delayed planting dates, crop rotation, altering harvest dates, etc.
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The biological control phase, or "bio-intensive IPM," requires thorough understanding of the biology of natural enemies (in addition to that of the pest) and an ability to measure how effective these agents are in controlling pests. When natural agents do not meet expected goals, "soft" pesticides (non-toxic to non-target organisms) are used, and applications are timed to minimize pesticide exposure of beneficials.
|
Rincon-Vitova 5-Point Integrated Pest Control
-
Colonizing Beneficial Organisms
Use insectary-raised beneficials selectively to help restore the natural enemy complex damaged by pesticide use.
-
Cover Crop Refuges
Plant strips of pesticide-free trap cover crops as a field insectary and winter refuge for beneficials.
-
Monitoring
Sample (with nets or vacuums) and observe the relative number of pests and beneficials.
-
Spraying
Do not spray if there is no pest problem! Use "soft" pesticides that are less disruptive to natural biological controls.
-
Cultural Practices
Slight changes in farming methods can alter the behavior of pests and their natural enemies to favor the crop. Crop rotation, hedgerows, strip cutting, and other refuge management techniques do make a difference.
Source:
Rincon-Vitova Insectaries
P.O. Box 1555
Oak View, CA 93022
800-248-2847
805-643-6267 FAX
bugnet@rinconvitova.com |
Natural Enemies and Biological Control
When we kill off the natural enemies of a pest we inherit their work.
— Carl Huffaker, University of California at Berkeley |
Enlisting the aid of beneficial insects is one of the first steps toward bio-intensive pest management. Farmscaping, or habitat manipulation, is the use of hedgerows, insectary plants, and cover crops to attract and support populations of parasites and predators. Flowering plants offer shelter, water, nectar, pollen, and herbivorous insects and mites as food to sustain these natural enemies of crop pests. Natural biological control makes more sense when you are familiar with these beneficial insects and how they live. Here are the key IPM reference materials that can help you learn about:
- predators and parasites
- life cycles of beneficial insects
- which beneficial insects attack crop pests
- how to provide insectary habitat
- how to attract beneficials to the farm
Natural Enemies of Vegetable Insect Pests. 1993. By Michael P. Hoffman and Anne A. Frodsham. Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Ithaca, New York. 63 p.
The complete manual can also be found on the Web at:
Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America
Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control. Publication 3386B4. University of California, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project. 164 p.
To review contents and place an order, see: www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/IPMPROJECT/ADS/manual_naturalenemies.html
Biological Control of Insects and Other Pests of Greenhouse Crops. 2001. By Susan E. Rice Mahr, Raymond A. Cloyd, Daniel L. Mahr, Clifford S. Sadof. North Central Region Publication No. 581. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Wisconsin 108 p.
To review contents and place an order, see: http://learningstore.uwex.edu
Biological Control of Insect Pests of Cabbage and Other Crucifers. 1993. By Susan E. Rice Mahr, Daniel L. Rice, and Jeffrey A. Wyman. North Central Region Publication No. 471. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Wisconsin. 55 p.
To place an order, see: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/
Predatory Insects in Fruit Orchards
Publication 208, Ontario Ministry of Food and Agriculture. 32 pages.
Predatory Insects in Fruit Orchards identifies over 100 beneficial insects that work in the orchard. It features detailed color pictures and life cycle descriptions for each insect. Though this particular bulletin is geared to fruit orchards, much of the information is universally applicable to horticulture crops.
To review contents and place and order, see: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub208/p208order.htm
Farmscaping to Enhance Biological Control
By Rex Dufour, NCAT
This publication summarizes habitat manipulation as a means to create insect refugia and attract beneficial insects to the farm, thus enhancing natural biological control. It provides an introduction to farmscaping, practical examples of habitat manipulation employed by farmers, and pointers to useful print and Web resources.
Identification and Management of Major Pests & Beneficial Insects in Potato
Oregon State University
Naturalize Your Farming System: A Whole-Farm Approach to Managing Pests
Sustainable Agriculture Network, USDA-SARE |
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4.1 Print and Video Resources on IPM
General IPM Reference Materials:
Vegetable Insect Management: With Emphasis on the Midwest. 1995. By Rick Foster and Brian Flood (eds.) Meister Publishing Co., Willoughby, OH. 206 p.
A comprehensive 206-page manual produced by the Purdue Research Foundation, published by Meister Publishing Company. Very practical. One of the best pest management guides on vegetables compiled by the Extension Service.
Pests of the Garden and Small Farm: A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide. 1991. By Mary Louise Flint. University of California, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3339. 257 p.
Complete Guide to Pest Control With and Without Chemicals, 3rd Edition. 1996. By George Ware. Thompson Publishing Co., California. 350 p.
Insect Pests of Farm, Garden and Orchard, 8th Edition. 1987. By R. Davidson & W. Lyon. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 640 p.
Vegetable Diseases and their Control, 2nd Edition. 1986. By Arden F. Sherf and Alan A. MacNab. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 728 p.
Diseases and Pests of Vegetable Crops in Canada. 1994. By Ronald J. Howard, J. Allan Garland, and W. Lloyd Seaman (editors). The Canadian Phytopathological Society and the Entomological Society of Canada $65, with $15 shipping & handling to U.S.
The Entomological Society of Canada
393 Winston Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2A 1Y8
613-725-2619
613-725-9349 FAX
IPM Guidebooks
There are numerous books and manuals that address insect and disease pests of vegetable crops. Four sources, in particular, have amassed a noteworthy collection of educational resources on IPM: University of California Statewide IPM Project, Entomological Society of America, American Phytopathological Society, and BIRC.
UC Statewide IPM Project
University of California One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8620
530-752-7691
For Sale Publications:
- IPM for Tomatoes
- IPM for Cole Crops and Lettuce
- IPM for Potatoes
- Managing Insects and Mites with Spray Oils
- Natural Enemies Are Your Allies! (poster)
- Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control
- Pests of the Garden and Small Farm: A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide, 2nd edition
- UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines
Online Publications:
Entomological Society of America
9301 Annapolis Road
Lanham, MD 20706-3115
301-731-4535
301-731-4538 FAX
esa@entsoc.org
- Complete Guide to Pest Control With and Without Chemicals, 3rd Edition
- Insect Pests of Farm, Garden and Orchard, 8th Edition
- Integrated Pest Management for Onions (Cornell)
- Manual on Natural Enemies of Vegetable Insect Pests (Cornell)
- Pests of the West, Revised
- Numerous standard reference books: IPM, biological control, ecology, and behavior
APS Press
American Phytopathological Society
3340 Pilot Knob Road
St. Paul, MN 55121-2097
651-454-7250
651-454-0766 FAX
aps@scisoc.org
- Diseases of Vegetables CD-ROM
- Advances in Potato Pest Biology and Management
- Compendium of Bean Diseases
- Compendium of Beet Diseases
- Compendium of Corn Diseases, 3rd Edition
- Compendium of Cucurbit Diseases
- Compendium of Lettuce Diseases
- Compendium of Pea Diseases
- Compendium of Tomato Diseases
Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC)
BIRC is a leader in the field of integrated pest management. BIRC publishes The IPM Practitioner and Common Sense Pest Control Quarterly as well as an annual Directory of IPM Products and Beneficial Insects. BIRC also produces booklets and reprints on least-toxic controls for selected pests.
Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC)
P.O. Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707
510-524-2567
510-524-1758 FAX
birc@igc.org
What are Biorational Pesticides?
Biorational pesticides, also known as least-toxic pesticides, are those that are pest-specific and cause the least amount of harm to beneficial organisms or the environment. Examples include microbial insecticides, insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, insect growth regulators, sorptive dusts like diatomaceous earth, pheromones, and botanical plant extracts.
Resources:
Alternatives in Insect Pest Management: Biological & Biorational Approaches
North Central Regional Extension Publication 401.
Organic Pesticide Guide for Insect and Disease Control (PDF / 139K)
University of Georgia Entomology
What are Biopesticides?
The EPA , which sponsors a biopesticides Web page, classifies biopesticides into three major categories:
(1) Microbial pesticides contain a microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, fungus, virus or protozoan) as the active ingredient. For example, there are fungi that control weeds, and bacteria that control plant diseases.
(2) Plant-pesticides are pesticidal substances that plants produce from genetic material that has been added to the plant. For example, the gene for the Bt pesticidal protein has been introduced into corn.
(3) Biochemical pesticides are naturally occuring substances that control pests by non-toxic mechanisms. Conventional pesticides, by contrast, are synthetic materials that usually kill or inactivate the pest. Biochemical pesticides include substances, such as pheromones, that interfere with growth or mating of the pest.
Resources:
What are Biopesticides?
EPA Office of Pesticide Programs: Biopesticides |
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4.2 IPM Web Links
Biointensive IPM in a Nutshell:
A Total System Approach to Sustainable Pest Management -The Image
Biological Control as a Component of Sustainable Agriculture, USDA-ARS
A Total System Approach to Sustainable Pest Management -The Story (PDF / 353 K)
Biological Control as a Component of Sustainable Agriculture, USDA-ARS
This is the classic biointensive IPM article from the November 1997 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. It is accompanied by the diagrammatic illustration that shows an unstable pyramid on the left (Pesticide Treadmill) transitioning through boxes in the middle (Therapeautics) + (Ecosystem Manipulation) to get to a stable pyramid on the right (Total System Management)
Host Distribution, Life Cycle, Management:
Featured Creatures
University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology
Featured Creatures, a University of Florida Web site, is a great first-step IPM site to find quick, essential knowledge about pest insects: Introduction - Hosts - Distribution - Description - Life Cycle - Damage - Economic Injury Level - Management - Selected References.
Biological Control:
Biological Control of Insect and Mite Pests
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
IPM Manual of Beneficial Arthropods
University of Minnesota, Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability
Beneficial Insects and Mites
University of Florida
Beneficial Insects Sheet 1
University of Florida
Beneficial Insects Sheet 2
University of Florida
Beneficial Insects Sheet 3
University of Florida
Beneficial Insects Sheet 4
University of Florida
Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America
Cornell University
Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control
University of California
Association of Natural Bio-Control Producers - Beneficial Insect Profiles
Insect Parasitic Nematodes
Ohio State University
Beneficial Nematodes: Suppliers and Pesticide Compatibility, Nematolog Pointer
No. 45
University of Florida
Suppliers of Beneficial Organisms in North America
California Environmental Protection Agency
Approaches to the Biological Control of Insect Pests
Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Farmscaping and Phenology: Designing the Landscape for Beneficial Insect Habitat:
Farmscaping to Enhance Biological Control
NCAT
Phenology Web Links
NCAT
Biorational Pesticides:
Alternatives in Insect Pest Management: Biological & Biorational Approaches
North Central Region Extension Publication 401
Insect Management: Botanicals
Sustainable Practices for Vegetable Production in the South, Dr. Mary Peet, NCSU
Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
NCAT
Appendix B: Microbial Pesticides
Appendix C: Microbial Pesticide Manufacturers and Suppliers
Integrated Pest Management for Greenhouse Crops
NCAT
Appendix II: Beneficial Organisms
Appendix III: Biorational Pesticides
Least Toxic Materials for Managing Insect Pests
IPM Access - An Integrated Pest Management Online Service
Hydrated Lime as an Insect Repellent
University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management Program
Use of Baking Soda as a Fungicide
NCAT
Cultural Controls & Crop Rotations:
Cultural Control for Management of Vegetable Pests in Florida
University of Florida
Having Problems Controlling Vegetable Crop Diseases—Try Rotation
University of Connecticut, IPM Program
Conservation Crop Rotation: Effects on Soil Quality (PDF / 266 K)
NRCS Soil Quality Institute, Agronomy Technical Note No. 2.
Crop Rotations in Direct Seeding
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Crop Rotation: The Future of the Potato Industry in Atlantic Canada (PDF / 55 K)
Eastern Canada Soil and Water Conservation Centre
Cultural Control
Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook
Entomology:
Entomology on World Wide Web
Colorado State University
Entomology Index of Internet Resources: A Directory and Search Engine of Insect-Related Resources on the Internet
Iowa State University
Entomological Resources
University of Florida
Diseases:
Plant Pathology Internet Guide Book
Texas Plant Disease Handbook
An Online Guide to Plant Disease Control
Oregon State University
Disease Management for Vegetables and Herbs in Greenhouses Using Low Input Sustainable Methods
North Carolina State University
Minimizing Vegetable Disease
Cornell University
Vegetable MD Online
Cornell University Vegetable Disease Web Page
Traditional Practices for Plant Disease Management in Traditional Farming Systems
H. David Thurston, Cornell University
Commercial Biocontrol Products For Use Against Plant Pathogens
USDA-ARS
Nematodes:
Nematodes: Alternative Controls
NCAT
Soil Organic Matter, Green Manures and Cover Crops For Nematode Management
Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida
Nematode Suppressive Crops
Auburn University
Alternatives to Methyl Bromide:
Methyl Bromide Alternatives Newsletter
USDA
Methyl Bromide Phaseout Web Site
EPA
Organic Pest Management:
Organic Vegetable IPM Guide (PDF / 99 K)
Mississippi State University
Insect Management for Organic Crops (PDF / 91 K)
University of California, Publication 7251
Plant Disease Management for Organic Crops (PDF / 86 K)
University of California, Publication 7252
Pest Management Guidelines & Vegetable IPM:
UC Pest Management Guidelines
University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
Integrated Crop and Pest Management Guidelines for Vegetable Crops
Cornell Cooperative Extension
IPM—Fruits & Vegetables at University of Illinois
VegEdge—Vegetable IPM for the Midwest
VegNet
Ohio State University
Vegetable Insect Fact Sheets
University of Kentucky—Department of Entomology
Vegetable IPM Insect Notes
North Carolina State University
Crop Knowledge Master: Vegetables
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Pesticide Use Crop Profiles:
USDA/OPMP Crop Profiles Database
USDA Office of Pesticide Management Programs, (OPMP) & Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP). A great place to find out what the standard pest controls are for vegetable crops.
Pesticide Registration Databases:
Some states provide free access to pesticide registration databases. As a quick research tool, they can be used to identify pest control products for target pests—including biorational pesticides, botanical and microbial pesticides, and other natural pest control products.
Kelly Pesticide Registration Systems
Hawaii Pesticide Information Retrieval System
Pesticides: Education, Databases, Manufacturers, and Suppliers:
Pesticide Education Resources
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Newsletters: Vegetable Production & IPM:
IPMnet NEWS Archives
Vegetable IPM Insect Notes
North Carolina State University
Pest Management & Crop Development Bulletin
University of Illinois Extension
Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State University
Vegetable IPM Message
University of Massachussetts
Vegetable Crops Hotline
Purdue University
Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue University
Biological Control News
University of Wisconsin
VegNet Newsletter
Ohio State University
Vegetable Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alert
Michigan State University
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter
Pest Alert
Colorado State University
The Vegetable Gazette
The Pennsylvania State University
Plant & Pest Advisory, Vegetable Edition
Rutgers University, New Jersey
VegNews
University of Arizona
Vegetarian Newsletter
University of Florida
South Carolina Pumpkin News
The Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News
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4.3 Print and Video Resources on Weed Control for Vegetables and Row Crops
Steel in the Field: A Farmer's Guide to Weed Management Tools. 1997. By Greg Bowman (ed.) Sustainable Agriculture Network, Handbook Series No. 2. Sustainable Agriculture Publications, University of Vermont. 128 p.
Cultivation techniques and the tools used in association with mechanical weed control are less familiar to farmers after several decades of widespread chemical weed control. Steel in the Field, a handbook in the Sustainable Agriculture Network series, provides illustrations, descriptions, and practical examples of 37 specialized tools used to control weeds. It features profiles of farmers using reduced- or non-chemical weed control strategies, and contains a listing of suppliers of these specialized tools.
Excerpts can be viewed on the SAN Web site:
Steel in the Field: A Farmer's Guide to Weed Management Tools
Cultivation Basics for Weed Control in Corn. 1997. By Jane Mt. Pleasant. Cornell University. Publication 125IB241. 10 p.
Cultivation is discussed as an alternative to herbicides, as well as in combination with herbicides through a mixed weed control approach. A description of six inter-row and in-row tools is provided, accompanied by color photos. Research on mechanical weed control field trials at Cornell is summarized.
New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, catalog: www.nysipm.cornell.edu/catalog/
New Tools for Mechanical Weed Control
12-minute video by Robin Bellinder et al., $7.00.
Contact:
Robin Bellinder
Department of Horticulture
Cornell University
164 Plant Science Building
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-7890
rrb3@cornell.edu
Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed-Control Machines
A 75-minute educational video on cultivation and flaming equipment produced in 1996 by Vern Grubinger, UVM Extension System and Mary Jane Else, UMass Extension with funding from USDA-SARE. Cost is $15.00 from:
Center for Sustainable Agriculture
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405-0004
802-656-5459
A Whole-Farm Approach to Weed Control: A Strategy for Weed-Free Onions
Anne and Eric Nordell, Sharing the Lessons of Organic Farming Conference, January 30-31, 1998, University of Guelph
An online conference paper that summarizes the weed control methods Anne and Eric Nordell use to control weeds in onion fields.
The Nordells work with horses to raise a 6 acre market garden in Pennsylvania, growing dried flowers, herbs, lettuce, potatoes, onions, and other vegetables. They use a combination of cover crops, fallowing, tillage, and hand weeding for weed control.
To provide a visual image of how they integrate different components of their farm into a whole, the Nordells videotaped a slide presentation they use at organic farming workshops. The 52-minute tape is available for $10 postpaid from:
Anne and Eric Nordell
RDI Box 205
Trout Run, PA 17771
Cultural Weed Control in Vegetable Crops
Video V93-E, 18 minutes, 1993.
Non-chemical weed control practices used by California organic row crop growers, produced by Dr. Tom Lanini; $15.00:
University of California
DANR Communication Services
6701 San Pablo Avenue Oakland
CA 94608-1239
510-642-2431
510-643-5470 FAX
danrcs@ucdavis.edu
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4.4 Weed Control Web Links
Principles of Agroecology & Weed Biology:
Weeds in Agroecosystems
Dalhousie University, Canada
Principles of Sustainable Weed Management for Croplands
Preston Sullivan, NCAT
Sustainable & Organic Weed Management:
Weed Management for Organic Crops (PDF / 92 K)
University of California, Publication 7250
Sustainable Weed Management in Organic Herb & Vegetable Production
University of New England, NSW (Australia)
Organic Field Crop Handbook—Weed Management
Canadian Organic Growers, COG
A Review of Non-Chemical Weed Control Techniques
S. Parish, Biol. Agriculture and Horticulture, Vol. 7
1988 REAP: Guide to Economical Weed Control
Roger Samson, Canada-REAP
Weed Management Strategies in Organic Farming Systems
David Oien, 1997 Direct Seeding Conference, Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association
Nonchemical Weed Management Strategies (PDF / 328 K)
University of Illinois Extension Service
Cover Crops, Intercropping, & Crop Rotations:
Intercropping Principles and Production Practices
Preston Sullivan, NCAT
Cover Crops For Weed Control In Lettuce
New Alchemy Quarterly, No. 40 Mark Schonbeck, Judy Browne and Ralph DeGregorio
Mechanisms of Weed Suppression By Squash Intercropped in Corn
Phillip Thomas Fujiyoshi, UC Santa Cruz
Cover-Cropping with Rye and Bellbeans in California Vegetable Production
Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, UC Santa Cruz
Watermelon Cover Cropping with Wheat and Barley in Niigata, Japan
Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, UC Santa Cruz
Contribution of Cover Crop Mulches to Weed Management
University of Connecticut, IPM Program
Thoughts on Crops
Ted Zettel, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario News
Notes on crop rotation, and a summary of weed control in corn from two Ontario farmers.
Integrated Weed Management:
Weed Control for Commercial Vegetable Crops (PDF / 328 K)
University of Illinois Extension Service
Weed Prevention
Alberta Practical Crop Protection
Integrated Pest Management Plan for Lower Klamath and Tule Lake NWRs—Weeds
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Principles of Integrated Weed Management
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Publication 75
Integrating Non-Chemical Methods to Enhance Weed Management
Horticultural Sciences Department University of Florida
PNW Weed Management Handbook
Oregon State University
Weed Identification & Photo Gallery Web sites:
New Jersey Weed Gallery
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
UC IPM Weed Photo Gallery
University of California Statewide IPM Project
Mechanical Weed Control & Equipment:
New Cultivation Tools for Mechanical Weed Control in Vegetables (PDF / 216 K)
Cornell University, IPM Fact Sheet 102FSNCT
Cornell University has made a special effort to evaluate mechanical cultivators for non-chemical weed control in vegetable production. In addition to this fact sheet, see the Cornell video in the previous section.
New Cultivation Tools for Mechanical Weed Control in Vegetables
University of Connecticut, IPM Program
An HTML version of the Cornell University publication above, with additional links to equipment images.
Use of Mechanical Cultivators for Market Vegetable Crops
Horticultural Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Especially see the accompanying chart that illustrates appropriate time of operations for seven different mechanical cultivators, according to stage of growth for carrots, lettuce, and beans: spring-tine harrow; rigid-tine harrow; rotary hoe; basket weeder; torsion weeder; Danish tines weeder; and rototiller.
Innovative Cultivating Tools
University of Connecticut, IPM Program
Photo Gallery & Glossary of Cultivators and Implements Used in Physical Weed Control
European Weed Research Society
Rotary hoe, flexible chain harrow, spring tine harrow, Lilliston rolling cultivator, horizontal-axis brush hoe, vertical-axis brush hoe, finger weeder, torsion weeder
Consider a Wheel Hoe
Gord Chiddicks, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario News
Management Weeds out High Labor Costs
Chantal Foulds, Sustainable Farming-REAP Canada
Mulching, Paper Mulch, High-Residue No-Till Mulch:
Mulching for Weed Control in Annual Vegetable Crops
Mark Schonbeck, VABF Inforrnation Sheet No. 9
Mulches for the Garden
Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont
Paper Mulch Coated with Vegetable Oil Offers Biodegradable Alternative to Plastic
USDA-ARS
Can Paper Mulches Replace Black Plastic in Vegetable Production? (PDF / 33 K)
2001 Fresh Market Vegetable Variety and Cultural Practice Trial Results from Upstate New York, Cornell University
Paper Mulch Trial Photo Gallery
Cornell University
Newspaper Mulch Study, 1996
North Dakota State University
No-Till Broccoli Production without Herbicides
Ronald Morse, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Affordable Small-Scale Equipment for Production of Transplanted Vegetables in High-Residue, No-Till Farming Systems (PDF / 30 K)
Ronald Morse, Virginia Tech
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4.5 Weather, Agriculture, and IPM
Weather—especially temperature and humidity—plays a crucial role in insect and disease development. A modern feature of IPM is the use of weather monitoring to predict periods of heavy infestation. The following weather sites on the Internet specialize in agricultural data; in most instances these sites focus on IPM at the regional level.
Here, you can find data on degree days to predict insect emergence, frost prediction, and pest-specific data such as blight forecasts (onions, tomatoes, potatoes); maggot emergence (onions); European corn borer forecasts and trap catches (sweet corn); phenology; etc.
Agricultural Weather Information Service (AWIS)
SkyBit, Agricultural Weather Information Service
Meteorlogix
Oklahoma Mesonet
AgWeatherNet, Washington Agricultural Weather Network
The Arizona Meteorological Network (AZMET)
WI-MN Cooperative Extension Agricultural Weather
NEWA, The Northeast Weather Association
Florida Automated Weather Network
University of Florida
Weather Data / Precipitation Totals
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
WeatherSites: Jump Site from University of Michigan
UK Agricultural Weather Center
University of Kentucky
The Vegetable Crops Planner—Weather
Ohio State University
IPM Weather Data and Degree-Days: For Pest Management Decision Making in the Pacific Northwest
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasts
North Carolina State University
MELCAST
California PestCast: Disease Model Database
TOMCAST for Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan
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4.6 IPM Certification and Labeling
IPM guidelines, or best management practices, have been established by several state and private organizations for the purpose of verification and labeling. IPM guidelines are being used: (1) As a checklist for farmers to evaluate their on-farm pest management programs and identify areas where management can be improved; (2) To verify and document that IPM is practiced on the farm; and (3) As an educational tool that describes the scope and complexity of IPM to farmers, government officials, community groups, and the general public.
In addition to pest management education, IPM labeling has emerged as a green marketing strategy parallel to organic food channels.
Some food processing companies—for example Wegman's in the Northeastern U.S.—now display an IPM logo on canned or frozen vegetable labels, with accompanying text that touts the environmental benefits of IPM.
Massachusetts IPM Guidelines: Commodity Specific Definitions
The Massachusetts IPM Guidelines have been used to verify IPM use by the USDA Farm Service Agency in Massachusetts since 1990, and by the Partners with Nature IPM certification program since 1993. For certification in the Partners with Nature program, a crop must be grown using a minimum of 70% of the Adjusted Total Practice Points. Qualified growers are licensed to use the Partners with Nature logo and are provided with marketing assistance including posters, leaflets, brochures, and documentation of their certification.
New York State Elements of IPM
Cornell University
New York state growers can market vegetables under an IPM logo if they follow these IPM guidelines and meet at least 80% of the recommended practices.
An IPM Label on Supermarket Vegetables: A First for the Nation
A partnership among growers, Wegmans Food Markets, Comstock Michigan Fruit, and Cornell has spawned the first IPM-labeled canned and frozen vegetables in the nation.
The Food Alliance
The Food Alliance is a non-profit organization in the Pacific Northwest that offers a brand label to farms transitioning to sustainable agriculture. Farms that bear the Food Alliance label meet or exceed standards in three areas: (1) Conserving soil and water; (2) Pest and disease management; and (3) Human resources.
An eco-label is a label or logo on a product that gives consumers information about the environmental, agricultural, or social impacts of what they buy, which in turn can help people make better informed choices in the marketplace.
Bibliography of IPM Certification, Labeling and Marketing
An online bibliography listing over 70 in-print and online articles associated with the topic of IPM certification, labeling and marketing.
Eco-Spuds: Prince Edward Island Farmers Work with WWF to Reduce Pesticide Use
Spudman Magazine
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4.7 IPM Databases and Search Engines
IPM is knowledge intensive, so easy access to IPM materials and information is a big help. The Internet has turned into a premier source of information on IPM. Here, dozens of university programs and IPM specialists make their materials available online, for free.
A few Web sites are designed to organize all this information and make it available through databases and directories. Powerful search engines allow visitors to find information by typing in keywords.
Database of IPM Resources (DIR)
Database of IPM Resources (DIR) is an information retrieval system that searches through a compendium of directories containing IPM information resources on the Internet.
Database of IPM Resources (DIR): Internet Resources on Vegetable Pest Management
Internet Resources on Vegetable Pest Management is a sub-category of DIR that provides links to materials on insect and disease problems associated with vegetable production. A great starting point!
Database of IPM Resources (DIR): Internet Resources on Potato IPM
IPMlit—The Database of Current IPM Literature
An online searchable database that focuses on current research and technical papers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and related topics. Titles are selected from a wide array of technical and professional journals. IPMlit broadly groups listed papers by pest or tactic categories, e.g., Biocontrol, Entomology, Nematology, Plant Pathology, Vertebrate Management, and General.
National IPM Network Search Engine (North Central Region)
A search engine for IPM materials published by land grant institutions of the North Central Region.
IPM Directories & Resource Sites:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Concepts and Definitions
Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook
Integrated Pest Management Resource Center
IPM Access: Integrated Pest Management
Information Service
IPM Information by State
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4.8 ATTRA Publications Relating to Pest Management
Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
Farmscaping to Enhance Biological Control
Sustainable Management of Soil-borne Plant Diseases
Nematodes: Alternative Controls
Notes on Compost Teas
Use of Baking Soda as a Fungicide
Alternative Controls for Late Blight in Potatoes
Thrips Management Alternatives in the Field
Phenology Web Links
Grasshopper Management
Sustainable Fire Ant Management
Integrated Pest Management for Greenhouse Crops
Greenhouse IPM: Sustainable Thrips Control
Greenhouse IPM: Sustainable Aphid Control
Greenhouse IPM: Sustainable Whitefly Control
Colorado Potato Beetle: Organic Control Options
Downy Mildew Control in Cucurbits
Flea Beetle: Organic Control Options
Squash Bug and Squash Vine Borer: Organic Controls
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5.0 Vegetable Industry Resources
The Source Book, American Vegetable Grower's Annual Buyer's Guide
Published every year in the July issue of American Vegetable Grower. Comprehensive listing of: state horticultural associations; government agencies; university contacts; Web site directory; crop protection; application equipment; seed suppliers; greenhouse equipment and supplies; irrigation; planting equipment; postharvest equipment; management software; and calendar of growers' meetings. $15.95/12 issues per year subscription to American Vegetable Grower.
Meister Publishing Co.
37733 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094
216-942-2000
216-942-0662 FAX
avg_circ@meisterpubl.com
The Packer
The Packer is the national weekly business newspaper of the produce industry. $65/year, weekly issues. Contact:
The Packer
P.O. Box 2939
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-1339
913-438-8700, Ext. 327
800-255-5113, Ext. 327
thepacker@compuserve.com
Produce Availability & Merchandising Guide
The Produce Availability & Merchandising Guide is compiled and published by The Packer. The Guide provides a summary of handy data (e.g., months available, nutrition facts, U.S. Grades, postharvest handling) on hundreds of fruits and vegetables, including specialty items. Single copies $35.00 from The Packer, address above.
Produce Services Sourcebook
The Produce Services Sourcebook is compiled and published by The Packer. The Sourcebook provides a summary of handy data (e.g., common shipping containers, environmental conditions for shipping and postharvest handling, chilling sensitivity, load compatibility, pallet configuration, key shipping regions and destinations) for common and specialty items, with extensive listings for suppliers of containers, packaging, transportation and other items. Single copies $20.00 from The Packer, address above.
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
The United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association is the national trade organization that represents all sectors of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. One of its services, the United Information Center, provides data on all aspects of the fresh produce industry. This includes consumption trends, industry practices, and marketing statistics. The service is available free to members and on a fee basis for nonmembers. Pamphlets, fact sheets, videotapes, posters and charts, and a newsletter are available. Of interest to vegetable growers is the Facts and Pointers on Fruits and Vegetables series.
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
727 North Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-3410 or
800-836-7745
703-836-7745 FAX
united@uffva.org
Produce Marketing Association
The Produce Marketing Association provides a Fresh Facts Education Kit. This informative kit contains pamphlets and brochures about a variety of vegetables (Belgian endive, broccoli, iceberg lettuce, onions, peppers, potatoes) as well as fruits and nuts.
Produce Marketing Association
1500 Casho Mill Road
P.O. Box 6036
Newark, DE 19714-6036
302-738-7100
302-731-2409 FAX
pma@mail.pma.com
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6.0 Selected Vegetable Production Materials on the Web
General Vegetable Production Resources:
Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers
University of Kentucky
Ohio Vegetable Production Guide
Ohio State University
Commercial Organic Vegetable Production Possible in Lousisiana
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service
Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers
UC-Davis Vegetable Research and Information Center
Horticulture Publications on Vegetable Production—Oklahoma State University
Commercial Vegetable Production in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin
Farmer's Bookshelf: Vegetables
University of Hawaii
Crop Knowledge Master: Vegetable Crops
University of Hawaii
Vegetable Viewpoint
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs
Penn State Online Vegetable Resources
Postharvest Handling of Fruits and Vegetables:
Postharvest Handling of Fruits and Vegetables
NCAT
Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center
University of California
Microbial Risk Reduction in Vegetable Production & Handling: Special Attention to Safe Use of Animal Manures:
Reducing Risks from E.coli 0157 on the Organic Farm
David G. Patriquin, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Eco-Farm & Garden - Summer 2000
Progress in Defining Microbial Risk Reduction Practices for Animal Manure and Manure-based Composts (PDF / 27 K)
Dr. Trevor Suslow, UC Vegetable Research and Information Center
Manure and Food Safety
Vegetable Crops Hotline, Purdue University No. 371, March 23, 2000
Microbial Food Safety IS Your Responsibility!
University of California
Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Food Safety Network
Season Extending Techniques & Plasticulture:
Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners
NCAT
Use of Plastic Mulch and Rowcovers in Vegetable Production (PDF / 7.5 M)
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Sustainable Vegetable Production:
Sustainable Practices for Vegetable Production in the South
Practical Equipment and Harvesting Tips for Vegetable Farmers:
Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Biological Systems Engineering Department
- Mesh Produce Bags: Easy Batch Processing
- Packing Shed Layout
- Standard Containers
- Narrow Pallet System
- A Rolling Dibble Marker for Easy Transplant Spacing
- A Specialized Harvest Cart for Greens
- Plans for a Specialized Harvest Cart
Organic Vegetable Production:
Organic Sweet Corn Production
North Carolina State University
Organic Fruit and Vegetable Production Information Sources
Mississippi State University
ATTRA's Organic Vegetable Production Series
Case Studies & Surveys on Organic Farming:
A Case-Study Report: Farming Without Chemicals in Ohio
Ohio Organic Producers: Final Survey Results
Ohio State University, Special Circular 174-00
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7.0 Magazines and Newsletters on Vegetable Production and Market Gardening
American Vegetable Grower
Meister Publishing Co.
37733 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094
216-942-2000
216-942-0662 FAX
avg_circ@meisterpubl.com
$15.95/12 issues per year
Citrus and Vegetable
The Grower
Growing for Market
P.O. Box 3747
Lawrence, KS 66046
785-748-0609
$27/12 issues per year
New York State Vegetable Growers News
P.O. Box 4256
Ithaca, NY 14852-4256
607-539-7648
607-539-3150 FAX
$40/8 issues per year (annual membership)
Vegetable Gazette
http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/vegcrops/ newsletterlist.html
Pennsylvania State University
The Vegetable Growers News
Great American Publishing
P.O. Box 128
Sparta, MI 49345
616-887-9008
616-887-2666 FAX
gap@i2k.net
$11/12 issues per year, or $28/3 years
Veg-I-News (Archives, 1998-1999)
North Carolina State University
The Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News
Vegetable Crops Hotline
Purdue University
Vegetable Viewpoint
Ontario Ministry Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The Vegetarian Newsletter
University of Florida
Organic Production and Marketing Newsletter
University of Florida
VegNet News
Ohio State University
California Agriculture
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8.0 Databases and Directory Links to Vegetable Crops and Associated Production Practices on the Web
MAC Link List—Missouri Alternatives Center
MAC Link List is the Missouri Alternatives Center list of hot links to fact sheets and Web pages on dozens of topics relating to alternative crop and livestock production, small farming, and sustainable agriculture. Especially see: vegetable crops, alternative crops, specialty crops, herbs, flowers, etc.
The Ohio State University Factsheet Database
Plant Facts is a keyword-searchable factsheet database on plant-related topics (cultivation, pest control, soils, vegetables) compiled by Ohio State University. It contains 20,000 pages of Extension Service factsheets and bulletins related to horticulture and crop science from 46 different colleges, universities, and institutions across the United States and Canada.
PENpages—Pennsylvania State University
PENpages provides full-text information relating to the agricultural sciences, human nutrition, aging, family, community development, forest resources, and consumer issues. It features over 13,000 reports, newsletters, bibliographies, and fact sheets from the Cooperative Extension Service with a special focus on materials from land-grant universities in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions, including Penn State.
NewCROP
The NewCROP Web site is sponsored by the Center for New Crops & Plant Products at Purdue University. It provides access to the CropSEARCH; CropINDEX; Indiana CropMAP; CropREFERENCE; search engines, databases, and directories with search results leading to full-text documentation on a very extensive list of traditional and alternative crops.
AgWeb: The Ultimate Agriculture Research Directory
The ATTRA Research Directory with links to prominent agriculture bibliographical and full-text databases, agricultural directories, library catalogs, library resource guides, electronic journals, and search engines on the Internet.
PLANT—Purdue Landscape and Nursery Thesaurus
A horticultural meta-list with over 3,300 links: insects, diseases, soils and media, etc.
Vegetables on the Internet
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
Commercial Vegetable Production Guides & Resources
Oregon State University
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9.0 Organic Farming Primer
The Aims and Principles of Organic Agriculture:
- nearly closed cycles of nutrients and organic matter within the farm;
- predominantly farm-produced manure and compost;
- if needed, slowly soluble minerals for fertilizing only (P/K);
- if possible, self-produced seeds;
- weed control by crop rotation, cultivation, thermal methods and competition effects;
- pest control based on homeostasis and inoffensive substances, and use of predators promoted by structures like hedges, flowering plants, etc.;
- lasting fertility due to efficient "reproduction of soil organic matter";
- encouraging and enhancing biological processes (N fixation);
- for animal welfare, appropriate housing systems and suitable feeding with farm-grown crops (10-15% of daily ration in dry matter can be imported).
Source: FAO/IFOAM Meeting on Organic Agriculture, Rome, March 19-20, 1998.
The Principal Aims of Organic Agriculture and Processing:
- To produce food of high nutritional quality in sufficient quantity.
- To interact in a constructive and life-enhancing way with natural systems and cycles.
- To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system, involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants, and animals.
- To maintain and increase long-term fertility of soils.
- To promote the healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein.
- To help in the conservation of soil and water.
- To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems.
- To work, as far as possible, with materials and substances that can be reused or recycled, either on the farm or elsewhere.
- To give all livestock conditions of life which allow them to perform basic aspects of their innate behavior.
- To minimize all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural practice.
- To maintain the genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its surroundings, including the protection of plant and wildlife habitats.
- To allow everyone involved in organic production and processing a quality of life conforming to the UN Human Rights Charter, to cover their basic needs and obtain an adequate return and satisfaction from their work, including a safe working environment.
- To consider the wider social and ecological impact of the farming system.
- To produce non-food products out of renewable resources, which are fully biodegradable.
- To encourage organic farming associations to function along democratic lines and the principle of division of power.
- To progress towards an entire organic production chain, which is both socially and ecologically responsible.
Source: IFOAM Basic Standards, International Federation for Organic Agricultural Movements
Definitions and Objectives of Organic Farming:
Organic Farming
Elm Farm Research Centre
What is Organic Farming?
Welsh Institute of Rural Studies
Organic Farming Worldwide—A 100% Pesticide Risk Reduction
Bernward Geier, International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM)
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10.0 Organic Certification and Marketing
In the 1970s and '80s organic certification emerged as a marketing tool to assure consumers that foods labeled organic were grown to specified standards of production, including strict avoidance of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. To get an organic label, farms must be inspected and approved by an accredited organic certification program. Private (Oregon Tilth, California Certified Organic Farmers) and government (Texas Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Agriculture) organic certification programs exist.
The Organic Foods Production Act, included in the 1990 Farm Bill, enabled USDA to develop a national program of universal standards, certification accreditation, and food labeling. After a long delay, a National Organic Program went into effect in October 2002.
Organic certification standards not only provide documentation on what constitutes a certified organic label, but they also provide an excellent summary of the organic agriculture concepts, production methods, and fertility and pest management inputs that can be used in organic farming.
USDA National Organic Program
This is the official USDA Web site regarding the National Organic Program (NOP), with links to the Final Rule and other regulations.
Organic Farm Certification and the National Organic Program
ATTRA's guide to the National Organic Program highlights key issues and topics of special importance to farmers and organic certification organizations.
Organic Certification, Farm Production Planning, and Marketing (PDF / 156 K)
University of California, Publication 7247
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
CCOF is one of the premier organic certification organizations in the United States. The CCOF's Organic System Plan is a good reference guide to accepted, regulated, and restricted inputs to organic production. Available from:
California Certified Organic Farmers
1115 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-2263
831-423-4528 FAX
ccof@ccof.org
CCOF Certification Standards are available on the Web at: www.ccof.org/standards.php.
Organic Crop Improvement Association
OCIA was one of the first major certification programs.
Steps to Certification
National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia Ltd (NASAA)
Organic production standards from Australia and Europe are another good place to look for organic agriculture concepts and production methods.
Minnesota Guide to Organic Certification
Idaho's Organic Certification Program
Texas Organic Certification
Texas Department of Agriculture
Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association, Organic Certification Basics
NOFA-Vermont, Organic Certification
Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Food Program
Baystate Organic Certifiers (formerly NOFA/Mass Organic Certification)
Marketing & Statistics:
Organic Marketing Resources
NCAT
Provides a summary and contact list for a broad range of publications and Web links. Many of the key organic industry publications are listed here.
A Guide to Marketing Organic Produce
Texas A&M University
Fresh Vegetable Market Gardening Industry
Fact Sheet from Ag Canada
Quality Standards: Fresh Fruits & Processing Vegetables
USDA-Agriculural Marketing Service
USDA-AMS Fruit & Vegetable Market Reports
USDA Economics and Statistics
- Specialty Agriculture - Vegetables and Melons
- Fresh Vegetable Prices and Spreads
- Vegetables and Specialties
- Vegetable Statistics
- Agricultural Chemical Use, Vegetables Summary
- Food Consumption
- Pest Management Practices
Briefing Room: Organic Farming & Marketing
USDA Economic Research Service
- U.S. Organic Farming Emerges in the 1990s: Adoption of Certified Systems
- U.S. Organic Agriculture-Statistical Tables, 1992-97
Also see:
Organic Vegetable Growers Surveyed in 1994 (PDF / 52 K)
USDA Economic Research Service
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11.0 Economics of Organic Vegetable Production
Organic Vegetable Crop Budgets & Economic Studies:
Cultural Practices and Sample Costs for Organic Vegetable Production on the Central Coast of California—Background Report
This California report is the best effort to date toward estimating costs and returns on organic vegetable production. Start here to read some background information on production practices and economic data.
Organic Farming Cost and Return Studies for California's Central Coast
This link provides access to the costs-of-production tables for 20 different vegetable enterprises, cover crops, and equipment costs. All are accessible as PDF downloads.
Print copies are available through:
Dept. of Agriculture and Resource Economics
UC Davis
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-1515
530-752-5614 FAX
budgets@primal.ucdavis.edu
Ask For: Organic Mixed Vegetable Study, VM-CC-94-01
K. Klonsky, L. Tourte, D. Chaney, P. Livingston and R. Smith, 1994.
1994, University of California Cooperative Extension Sample Costs to Produce Organic Processing Tomatoes in the Sacramento Valley
Per Acre Costs of Production for Fresh Vegetables, Organic Production Practices, Northeastern United States, 1996
Rutgers University
| Bell Pepper |
Cabbage |
| Cauliflower |
Cucumber |
| Leaf Lettuce |
Yellow Onions |
| Pumpkins |
Sweet Corn |
| Fresh Market Tomatoes |
Processing Tomatoes |
Planning for Profit Enterprise Budgets—Vegetables
British Columbia, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
| Organic Carrots |
Organic Celery |
| Organic Processing Peas |
Organic Processing Beans |
| Organic Processing Corn |
Other Vegetable Budgets |
Planning for Profit Enterprise Budgets—Herbs and Specialty Crops
British Columbia, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
| Organic Echinacea |
Organic Garlic |
Other Specialty Crops |
A Profile of Florida's Commercial Organic Vegetable Farmers
University of Florida
Standard Crop Production Budgets:
Vegetable Crop Budgets on the Web
Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, UF/IFAS
Production Practices and Sample Costs to Produce: Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Loose Leaf Lettuce, Okra
University of California, Small Farm Center
Economics of Organic Vegetable Production: Record Keeping:
Market Farm Forms: Spreadsheet Templates for Planning and Organization Information on Diversified Farms
While a number of farm management spreadsheets exist, Market Farm Forms is the best one I've seen to help organize and calculate a mix of vegetables and related crops raised by market gardeners, truck farmers, and CSAs. On top of that, it supports the needs of certified organic growers with special features.
Market Farm Forms is a 95-page book and diskette containing Excel spreadsheet templates that sells for $45, plus $5 shipping and handling. The diskette is available in PC or Macintosh formats.
Seeds and purchased plants needed, farm-grown transplants, soil amendments and fertilizers, cropping and succession timelines, weekly task lists.
Crop yield and income projections, actual harvest and income data, produce availability sheets, invoices and pick sheets, Community Supported Agriculture share and yield sheets, budget worksheets.
Row calculations and input sheets, CSA share bed calculations and input sheets, certified organic producer certificate sheets, fax sheets, labels, order forms, point of sales labels, recipes, and flyers—it's all there.
Full Circle Farm
Marcie Rosenzweig
3377 Early Times Lane
Auburn, CA 95603
530-885-9201
fullcircle@jps.net
($45 plus $5 shipping and handling)
Crop Planning & Record Keeping Spreadsheets for Diversified Vegetable Farms
Crop plan, field plan, planting schedule, seed order, greenhouse schedule, harvest record, field record, Planet Jr. plate size. $25; available in Microsoft Excel and Works from:
Dan Kaplan
Brookfield Farm
Amherst, MA
413-253-7991
bfcsa@aol.com
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12.0 Magazines and Newsletters on Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture
Acres Australia
P.O. Box 27
Eumundi, Qld 4562 Australia.
(+ 61) 7-5449-1884
(+ 61) 7-5449-1889 FAX
$90 AUS/12 issues per year
Acres USA
P.O. Box 91299
Austin, TX 78709-1299
512-892-4400
512-892-4448 FAX
info@acresusa.com
$24/12 issues per year
Biodynamics
Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Inc.
Building 1002B
Thoreau Center
The Presidio
P.O. Box 29135
San Francisco, CA 94129-0135
415-561-7797
415-561-7796 FAX
biodynamic@aol.com
$35/6 issues per year
Eco Farm & Garden
A combined publication of Canadian Organic Growers (formerly published Cognition) and Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada (formerly published Sustainable Farming-REAP).
Canadian Organic Growers
Box 6408
Station J
Ottawa, Ontario K2A 3Y6
$24/4 issues per year
Ecology & Farming
IFOAM Ökozentrum Imsbach
D-66636
Tholey-Theley, Germany
(+49) 6853-919890
(+49) 6853-919899 FAX
HeadOffice@ifoam.org
$30/3 issues per year
The Maine Organic Farmer and Gardener
Common Ground Country Fair
P.O. Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
207-568-4142
207-568-4141 FAX
mofga@mofga.org
$12/6 issues per year
The Natural Farmer
411 Sheldon
Barre, MA 01005
978-355-2853
978-355-4046 FAX
jackkitt@aol.com
$10/4 issues per year
New Farmer & Grower
The Soil Association
Bristol House
40-56 Victoria Street
Bristol BS1 6BY
United Kingdom
0117-914-2400
0117-925-2504 FAX
soilassoc@gn.apc.org
$26 surface; $32 air/4 issues per year
New Hope Natural Media
Natural Foods Merchandiser Archives
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
P.O. Box 82234
Columbus, OH 43202
614-294-3663
614-291-3276 FAX
oeffa@iwaynet.net
Organic Farms, Folks & Foods
P.O. Box 880
Cobleskill, NY 12043
518-827-8495
518-827-8496 FAX
nofany@midtel.net
$10/4 issues per year
Organic Food Business News
Hotline Printing and Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 161132
Alamonte, FL 32716-1132
407-628-1377
407-628-9935 FAX
74562.744@compuserve.com
$99/12 issues per year
Organic Matters
Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association
Synergy
Box 8803
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan, Canada S7K 6S6
306-652-9572
306-664-6074
synergy@link.ca
$22/4 issues per year
The Virginia Biological Farmer
Scientific Journals:
Many journals offer online table of contents, abstracts, and search options. University library users can often access full-text articles through online services.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Agricultural Systems
Agriculture and Human Values
Agroforestry Systems
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (formerly known as American Journal of Alternative Agriculture)
Annual Review of Entomology
Annual Review of Phytopathology
Applied Soil Ecology
Biological Agriculture and Horticulture
Bioresource Technology
Electronic Green Journal
Experimental Agriculture
European Journal of Plant Pathology
HortTechnology
Integrated Pest Management Reviews
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
Journal of Vegetable Science
The Journal of Agricultural Science
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
Plant Disease
Plant and Soil
Soil Biology & Biochemistry
Soil Science
Weed Technology
Organic Farming Database:
organic-research.com
CABI compiled a comprehensive Organic Farming CD-ROM containing over 100,000 literature citations; available through a subscription to organic-research.com, a CABI Web site.
Directory of Online Journals:
AgWeb,The Ultimate Agriculture Research Directory
NCAT
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13.0 Publishers and Book Distributors
Acres USA
Wide selection of titles on organic and sustainable production.
P.O. Box 91299
Austin, TX 78709-1299
512-892-4400
512-892-4448 FAX
info@acresusa.com
APS Press
Manuals on plant disease identification and control.
American Phytopathological Society
3340 Pilot Knob Road
St. Paul, MN 55121-2097
651-454-7250
651-454-0766 FAX
aps@scisoc.org
Back40Books
Herman Beck-Chenoweth
26328 Locust Grove Road
Creola, OH 45622
740-596-4379
locustgrove@ohiohills.com
BioCycle/JG Press, Inc.
Publisher of BioCycle magazine and related publications on composting and organic waste management.
419 State Ave.
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-967-4135 or
610-967-1345
biocycle@jgpress.com
Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association
Wide selection of titles on biodynamic and organic farming.
Building 1002B
Thoreau Center
The Presidio
P.O. Box 29135
San Francisco, CA 94129-0135
415-561-7797
415-561-7796 FAX
biodynamic@aol.com
Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC)
Resources on IPM, biological control, and least-toxic pest control.
P.O. Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707
510-524-2567
510-524-1758 FAX
birc@igc.apc.org
CABI Publishing / CAB International
10 East 40th Street
Suite 3203
New York, NY 10016
212-481-7018 or
800-528-4841
212-686-7993 FAX
cabi-nao@cabi.org
Cedar Meadow Farm
Supplier for Steve Groff's video.
679 Hilldale Road
Holtwood, PA 17532
717-284-5152
Chelsea Green Publishing Co.
Books by Eliot Coleman: The New Organic Grower, Four-Season Harvest; and other titles like The Flower Farmer.
P.O. Box 428
White River Junction, VT 05001
800-639-4099
Cornell Cooperative Extension and IPM Catalogs
Resources on IPM for vegetables.
Resource Center-GP
7 Cornell Business and Technology Park
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-255-2080
Ecology Action/Bountiful Gardens
Publications by John Jeavons and Ecology Action Institute: biointensive food production, organic fertilizers, composts, green manures.
18001 Shafer Ranch Road
Willits, CA 95490
707-459-6410 Phone/FAX
Entomological Society of America
Extensive selection of books and IPM resources on insect pest management.
9301 Annapolis Road
Lanham, MD, 20706-3115
301-731-4535
301-731-4538 FAX
esa@entsoc.org
Food Products Press
The Haworth Press Inc.
10 Alice St.
Binghamton, NY 13904
800-429-6784
800-895-0582 FAX
Focus Publishing
Publisher of Sustainable Practices for Vegetable Production in the South, $32.95.
c/o PBS
P.O. Box 390
Jaffrey, NH 03452
800-848-7236 Phone/FAX
orders@pullins.com
Good Earth Publications
A wide selection of titles on small-scale farming, market gardening, and alternative enterprises, including Backyard Market Gardening.
1702 Mt. View Road
Buena Vista, Virginia 24416
540-261-8775
goodearth@rockbridge.net
The Green Center
Supplier of out-of-print New Alchemy publications.
28 Common Way
Hatchville, MA 02536
508-564-6301
Interstate Publishers, Inc.
Publisher of Producing Vegetable Crops and related agriculture textbooks.
P.O. Box 50
Danville, IL 61834-0050
217-446-0500
Meister Publishing Co.
Publisher of Vegetable Insect Management: With Emphasis on the Midwest.
37733 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094-5992
440-942-2000
440-942-0662 FAX
fchb_circ@meisternet.com
NRAES
Distributor of NRAES publications: Sustainable Vegetable Production From Start-Up to Market; On-Farm Composting.
152 Riley-Robb Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-5701
607-255-7645
607-254-8770
nraes@cornell.edu
The Permaculture Activist
Books on permaculture, small farming, and organic production.
P.O. Box 1209
Black Mountain, NC 28711
828-298-2812
828-298-6441 FAX
pcactiv@sunsite.unc.edu
Pike Agri-Lab Supplies
Carries hard-to-find eco-farming titles, including Nourishment Home Grown.
P.O. Box 67
Jay, ME 04239
207-897-9267
207-897-9268 FAX
info@pikeagri.com
Rodale Institute
The Rodale Institute Bookstore carries a nice selection of farmer-audience titles, including classic titles in organic agriculture, farmer-friendly books from The New Farm era, and popular press books on permaculture and market gardening.
- Farmers of Forty Centuries
- Northeast Cover Crop Handbook
- An Agricultural Testament
- What Really Happens When You Cut Chemicals?
- Farmer's Fertilizer Handbook
- Controlling Weeds with Fewer Chemicals
- The Rodale Institute's Farming System Trials: The First 15 years
611 Siegfriedale Road
Kutztown, PA 19530
800-832-6285
610-683-1400
610-683-8548 FAX
info@rodaleinst.org
Rodale Press
The Rodale Press Bookstore carries an extensive collection of gardener-audience books on organic gardening, soils, pest control, vegetables, & herbs.
33 E. Minor St.
Emmaus, PA 18098
215-967-5171
Shepherd Publications
Video distibutor for Using Cover Crops in Conservation Production Systems.
2256 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
901-272-0350
Storey/Garden Way Publishing
Books on small farming and organic production; The Organic Gardener's Home Reference.
Pownal, VT 05261
800-242-7737
Sustainable Agriculture Publications
Distributor of SAN books and publications, Managing Cover Crops Profitably, Steel in the Field, Building Soils for Better Crops.
Hills Building
University of Vermont
Burlington VT 05405-0082
802-656-0484
802-656-4656 FAX
sanpubs@uvm.edu
The Water Foundation
Publisher of The Carbon Catcher booklet, $4.95.
P.O. Box H20
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-829-3616
University of California
ANR Publications
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Communication Services—Publications
6701 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA 94608-1239
510-642-2431
University of Florida
Publication Distribution Center
P.O. Box 110011
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-1764
University of Minnesota
Extension Service Distribution Center
405 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108-6068
800-876-8636
order@extension.umn.edu
Oregon State University
Publication Orders
Extension & Station Communications
422 Kerr Administration
Corvallis, OR 97331-2119
541-737-0817 FAX
puborders@orst.edu
Resource Guide to Organic & Sustainable Vegetable Production
By Steve Diver
NCAT Agriculture Specialist
Sherry Vogel and Tiffany Nitschke, HTML Production
IP 188
Slot 104
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