The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) is located at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, MD near the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Interstate Route 95/495 (Beltway Exit 25-North), 15 miles northeast of Washington, DC.

AFSIC online resources are provided with popular user questions in mind. For help in finding what you are looking for, please review these guides:

• Can't find what you are looking for?
  See our Help page for A-Z Index, Site Map, etc.


• Subject guides and bibliographies about sustainable or organic agriculture
  See AFSIC Publications


• Find subject specific information
  See our Browse by Subject topics to the left; related subtopics appear on corresponding right hand menus


• Locate sustainable and organic agriculture research and information tools
  See Databases


• Find local contacts or publications
  See Extension Service and Land Grant University Resources

If you have a question related to alternative, organic or sustainable agriculture, or wish to provide feedback, please use the Ask a Question form. A valid email address is required for a response. If you have a question about general agricultural topics, please contact NAL's reference staff for assistance.

*Please note that we do not set laws or legislation, and we cannot provide medical opinions. We also cannot answer homework questions for you, but we can assist with your research.

You may ask a question:

In person: Alternative Farming Systems Information Specialists can assist you Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). Or you can ask your question at the DC Reference Center (DCRC), and the staff will relay it to an Alternative Farming Systems Information Specialist at NAL.

By e-mail: Ask a Question form

By phone: 301-504-6559 (NAL/AFSIC) / 202-720-3434 (DCRC)

By fax: 301-504-6927 (NAL/AFSIC) / 202-720-0342 (DCRC)

By mail:
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 132
Beltsville, MD 20705