Organic Farming
Organic production systems integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity as defined by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and regulations in Title 7, Part 205 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Managed by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, the National Organic Program develops, implements, and administers national organic production, handling, and labeling standards.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides assistance to organic producers to assess resource concerns, plan and install conservation practices, and meet natural resources conservation requirements for organic certification.
NRCS organic farming webinars on a variety of topics are scheduled throughout the year. Download a schedule of 2013 Understanding Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Webinars. Sign-up for NRCS webinar announcements to receive information to participate. Visit the NRCS Science and Technology Training Library webinar portal to join a live event. Additionally, a complete listing of webinar replays for previous NRCS events is available.
As recipients of an NRCS-funded Conservation Innovation Grant, The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) offers webinar-based training on the conservation benefits of crop rotations, pest management in organic systems, and tropical and semi-tropical organic production. This training is designed to better integrate sustainable and organic agriculture production systems into NRCS planning and programs. Visit NCAT's organic agriculture playlist to access the webinar replays.
The NRCS Organic Initiative Practice List and National Organic Program Rules Matrix correlates the organic system plan and organic certification requirements with NRCS conservation practices. (Not all practices are appropriate in all areas.)
NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program – Organic Initiative assists eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land and meet National Organic Program rules for organic certification.
Information for Technical Service Providers is available at TechReg.
NRCS National Organic Contacts:
-
Sarah Brown, Organic Specialist, West National Technology Support Center
-
David Lamm, Natural Resources Specialist, East National Technology Support Center
