February 25, 2021—OFRF and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) form agreement to strengthen conservation partnerships between NRCS field staff and organic producers. stream Intensive farming practices, especially pesticide use, have been identified as the main driver of these declines, but organic farming offers an alternative. Agricultural Best Management Practices. February 17, 2021—In the current issue of Organic Farmer magazine, OFRF colleagues Lauren Snyder and Cristel Zoebisch explore the connections between agriculture, climate change, and public health. The organic agriculture guidelines exclude dangerous and dubious additives to breed poultry and cattle like synthetic medications, growth-boosting drugs and hormones, antibiotics, non-organic forage, GMOs, clones, etc. Kris is a leader in the movement to regenerate soils for healthy crops, food, people and the planet. The second Technical Bulletin in this series covers aquaculture systems components used in aquaponics and lists reading materials, videos, and online resource pages. February 12, 2021—OFRF research grantee Sarah Hargreaves celebrates the release of a new early-yielding pepper variety called Renegade. Feel free to email [email protected] with any questions! EPA Administrator Wheeler appoints thirty-three members to the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC). January 19, 2021 – Stephen Gray and his family are the third generation to farm their land in Ashkum, Illinois, which they are transitioning to organic using practices such as cover crops and minimal tillage to build the soil and reduce disruption to soil life. The first bulletin in this series covered hydroponic growing methods used in aquaponics. January 14, 2021—In 2019, OFRF provided a second grant to Edmund Frost of Common Wealth Seed Growers to assess resistance to both bacterial wilt and cucurbit downy mildew among selected cucumber seedstocks. Vicki Lowell2021-02-25T18:30:27+00:00February 25th, 2021|News, Press Release|. endobj In organic production, overall system health is emphasized, and the interaction of management practices is the primary concern. A toolkit for consumers, advocates, and policymakers, Learn More About the Importance of Organic Farming, Sign Up to Receive Future News Updates and Action Alerts, OFRF and NRCS Partner to Provide Education and Outreach on Organic Conservation Practices, Transforming Agriculture to Mitigate Climate Change and Support Public Health, OFRF Grantee Releases Early-Yielding Red Pepper Variety, Fresh From the Fields: Gray Organic Farms, Research Advances Cucumber Lines Resistant to Bacterial Wilt and Downy Mildew. Organic farming is defined as a production system which works with localized conditions to create products that integrate biological, cultural, and mechanical practices which promote biodiversity. We hope you will consider donating today via our online form or by donating a non-cash gift, such as a vehicle, stocks, or IRA contribution. Organic producers implement a wide range of strategies to develop and maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility” (USDA, 2007). Mailing address: P.O. <>/PageLabels 196 0 R>> There are several required components which must be included with the farming process for the crops generated to be labeled as organic. Regular monitoring is an essential part of effective management of an organic farm because it is the most direct way to prevent extensive loses caused by a sudden occurrence of a problem. Thank you for your contributions! Organic farming (OF) is a farming system that uses environmentally friendly methods of weed, pest, and disease control. %PDF-1.5 4 0 obj The principles and practices of OF have been expressed in the standards of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) as … HIGHLIGHTS: Fertoz partners with Western Alfalfa Milling Company (WAMCO) to develop and produce North America’s first full-spectrum organic approved NPKS fertilizer products for regenerative, sustainable and organic use WAMCO is a Western Canadian company with strong roots in agriculture that currently supplies Organic Alfalfa Green Nitrogen products The partnership will provide organic … 1 0 obj There is in place a national program for certifying farms that meet organic standards. Why we need a national plan to shift to 100% organic farming. �ZKX�g�='|!+��֒@33��[i���q8w[�n���nOL톆`�=��]rn���-}�u�C��`KGi�M�̋���v�²��6m�lᡡy�QO� #6 Requires significant knowledge U"T$��I���Q- OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production. Organic Farming Research Foundation works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. Vicki Lowell2021-02-17T22:05:41+00:00February 17th, 2021|News, Press Release|. Research reveals that organic farming can provide impressive mechanisms for advancing ecological harmony, biodiversity, and biological cycles which are environmentally sustaining. )��o����/��Nw���|Z&3�����CK����V�J�2FVi�v��CԒ1Q���Ȱ-���z�DM�K�Dm*]�*�j_����3n �)���y����$tҬ�7�� The project is designed to help more farmers adopt organic practices and fill a gap in domestic organic animal feed. Future Bulletins will cover fish selection and management; and plant selection and management. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. Monthly CSA Cooking Class: Celebrating 50 Years of Organic Farming and Our Farmers Every Second Thursday from April – September, 6-7:15pm In an extended celebration of National CSA Week, NOFA-NJ and Jammin’ Crepes are pleased to announce that every month on the second Thursday evening from April through September, we will offer an introduc tion to an NJ Organic Farm & its … Sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fibre, plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human and animal welfare. Comprehensive information about organic farming, Phone: 831-426-6606  In agricultural soils, organic matter can range from 1 to 8 percent depending on climate, soil type, and soil management practices. �bX�. Organic farming practices have been shown to sequester carbon in the soil. endobj Organic farms are havens for wildlife and provide homes for bees, birds and butterflies. 3 0 obj Vicki Lowell2021-02-16T18:03:55+00:00January 19th, 2021|Farmer Stories, News|. For example, the primary objectives of organic farming are soil management and conservation, promoting nutrient cycle, ecological balance and conserving biodiversity. In organic production, overall system health is emphasized, and the interaction of management practices is the primary concern. Vicki Lowell2021-01-15T18:08:07+00:00January 15th, 2021|News, Press Release|. Conservation practices, frequently called best management practices, or BMPs, are tools that farmers can use to reduce soil and fertilizer runoff, properly manage animal waste, and protect water and air quality on their farms while achieving multiple positive environmental outcomes. developing farming systems—these contribute to soil, crop and livestock nutrition, pest and weed management, attainment of production goals, and conservation of biological diversity. Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. We couldn’t do our work without your support. This makes organic farming more labor and time demanding than conventional farming. <>/ExtGState<>/ColorSpace<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> This factsheet provides an overview of some common practices that organic producers and handlers use to ensure organic integrity and operation sustainability. Want to hear about the latest organic research, learn about new educational resources, and stay up on other news related to organic agriculture? <> 303 Potrero Street, Suite 29-201, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Organic land management is more effective at reducing emissions and increasing carbon sequestration. Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. x��][�,7~?p�C?n��KI������̲CBy0yX��O��q�?����'Uuwͱ�=3U���7�N?���r����_����zz�v?�������e>����_����əiYNiqS~����/��N�����9�V�Z���|���N��_������s�n.��Zc?W��ɦ2a���1q���Gx��c�i��9�f���76|�.cWï�#�M�*-l�m�vy��K۷P�w=��3~h���zv�4]k�Q��y��z�] T̓�y)gk��{�漊�.p�f��s��Z�B�ͺ%~���S�[��˃��6o����.�z�u,w��rm�"��-NlJ�_+ϑ��?������e�����c9�t �:�����l����{4!e�owÌ33�?+���Ln!��ɻ�����Sf��NB/Z�_����?��ۯΟ�����w� �^�f Vicki Lowell2021-03-05T19:57:45+00:00March 5th, 2021|Farmer Stories, News|. Organic producers implement a wide range of strategies to develop and maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility.” March 5, 2021 – Cornelius Adewale founded Farmwella to help reduce poverty in his native Africa by empowering and supporting the next generation of farmers. endobj Vicki Lowell2021-02-12T18:59:58+00:00February 12th, 2021|News, Press Release|. <> Soil organic matter can be divided into labile and stable pools, each of which has different characteristics and functions in the soil. 2 0 obj The deal also involves chicken producer Bell & … %����