New & Updated Publications

Market gardeners try to schedule their planting so they can offer customers a continuous supply of fresh flowers, herbs, and vegetables throughout the growing season. This publication updated in 2008 helps growers plan planting times and succession planting.

[PDF / 423K]

Garlic is a cool-season crop grown in most regions of the U.S. This publication significantly updated in 2008 addresses most aspects of organic garlic production, including seed sources, organic fertility management, pest management and harvesting and storage. Marketing and economic considerations, including enterprise budgets for organic garlic production, are also addressed in this publication. Resources and references are included.

[PDF / 1.3M]

Cattle, sheep and goats have the ability to convert plant carbohydrates and proteins into available nutrients for human use, making otherwise unusable land productive. However, proper care of the land and its grazing animals requires a sound understanding of ruminant nutrition. This 2008 publication provides managers with tools and references to consider biological and climatological variables and make decisions that ensure the ecological and economic viability of a grass-based ruminant livestock operation.

[PDF / 909K]

The term ‘food miles’ refers to the distance food travels from the location where it is grown to thelocation where it is consumed, or in other words, the distance food travels from farm to plate. Recent studies have shown that this distance has been steadily increasing over the last fifty years. Studies estimate that processed food in the United States travels over 1,300 miles, and fresh produce travels over 1,500 miles, before being consumed. This new 2008 publication addresses how food miles are calculated, investigates how food miles affect producers and consumers, and evaluates methods for curbing the energy intensiveness of our food transportation system.

[PDF / 570K]

This publication produced by NCAT/ATTRA and the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control describes how copper oxide wire particles can be used to treat internal parasites in sheep and goats. The publication contains information on how to make boluses of copper wire oxide particles, and reports results of studies on the effectiveness of this treatment.

[PDF / 552K]

This publication produced by NCAT/ATTRA and the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control discusses tools that can be used to manage internal parasites of sheep and goats that are becoming resistant to conventional wormers. One such tool is the forage sericea lespedeza, and the publication discusses how it can be used and presents the results of research on how it reduces parasites in small ruminants.

[PDF / 302K]

This publication addresses questions that farmers and ranchers may have about using biodiesel in diesel engines. Biodiesel can be substituted for petroleum-based diesel fuel in virtually any standard unmodified diesel engine. However, biodiesel has chemical properties that require somewhat different use and handling. While most biodiesel users experience few if any problems, consumers can take precautions to avoid potential problems associated with poor quality fuel.

[PDF / 552K]

What is organic agriculture? This illustrated story briefly explains the ecological ideas behind this way of farming. It includes many sources of information about switching to organic methods.

[High-resolution PDF / 2.9M] [Low-resolution PDF / 1.3M]

¿Qué es la agricultura orgánica? Esta historieta explica brevemente las ideas ecológicas que forman este modo de cultivar. Incluye muchas fuentes de información acerca de como cambiar a métodos orgánicos.

[PDF / 2.6M] [PDF / 1.2M]

Wind-generated electricity is attracting the interest of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners across the country. People find wind energy attractive for a variety of reasons, including its potential economic benefits and its lower impact on the environment when compared to coal and other electric power generation fuels. Wind-generated electricity can help farmers and ranchers reduce their energy costs, an important consideration in these days of continually increasing utility rates. This new 2007 publication will introduce you to small-scale wind energy to help you decide if wind energy is an economical option for your farm or ranch.

[PDF / 1.0M]

This workshop curriculum was prepared by Piedmont Biofuels for the National Center for Appropriate Technology, with funding and cooperation from the USDA Risk Management Agency. The curriculum covers the chemistry of biodiesel, discusses various feedstocks, and presents several case studies of small-scale biodiesel production.

[PDF / 736K]

In today’s climate of continually escalating fuel prices, farms must find ways to conserve fuel in order to reduce costs. This new 2007 publication identifies a number of measures that will reduce fuel consumption on farms, and concludes with a list of resources for more information.

[PDF / 1.0M]

Esta historieta ilustrada trata de un nuevo mercado para los agricultores de pequeña escala. Explica como pueden vender sus productos a las instituciones locales, tal como hospitales, colegios de comunidad, universidades, escuelas, asilos de ancianos, centros comunitarios para adultos mayores, guarderías infantiles, prisiones, y cárceles. Incluye información sobre organizaciones que ayudan a agricultores Latinos vender sus productos a instituciones.

[PDF / 1.02M]

Esta publicación cubre las propiedades básicas del suelo y los pasos en el manejo hacia la fabricación y mantenimiento de suelos sanos. La primera sección trata de los principios básicos sobre suelos vivos y cómo funcionan. En esta sección se encuentran respuestas al por qué son importantes los organismos del suelo y la materia orgánica. La segunda sección cubre el manejo y los pasos para mejorar la calidad del suelo en su predio. La tercera sección cubre historias de agricultores que han tenido gran éxito en mejorar sus tierras. La publicación concluye con una gran sección de recursos y otra información.

[PDF / 1.9M]

This new 2007 publication discusses locally owned renewable energy facilities—the benefits they provide to local economies and potential challenges of developing such a facility. It describes common business models, profiles several successful facilities, and provides resources for more information.

[PDF / 330K]

Esta publicación proporciona una vista general de métodos orgánicos de producción de la fresa. Cubre también el manejo integrado de plagas y las técnicas de control de malezas que pueden reducir el uso de los pesticidas en la producción de la fresa. Incluye técnicas para el control de malezas, insectos y enfermedades, la plasticultura, fertilidad, aspectos económicos y de venta, y listas de recursos adicionales, electrónicos e impresos.

[PDF / 1.4M]

La producción avícola alternativa esta creciendo debido a la demanda del consumidor para productos de especialidad de aves sin jaula y la producción de aves libres en pastura. Esta publicación discute las diferencias que hay entre sistemas de producción alternativos y convencionales. Sistemas de producción alternativos varían de acuerdo con el tamaño, pero en algunos países están normalizados por defi niciones específi cas para asistir en el mercadeo. Se presentan varios de los aspectos del sistema libres en pastura en los Estados Unidos y fuera del país. También se discuten los diseños de gallineros comunes. La integración de la producción avícola con la producción de cultivos en una granja diversa es una parte importante de la agricultura sostenible, y las aves pueden ser integradas en la producción de hortalizas con “tractores de gallinas” (“chicken tractor”) y con animales de pastura, como lo son las ovejas. La producción avícola orgánica es una alternativa que esta actualmente disfrutando de un mercado creciente. Las consideraciones que rodean la producción orgánica se hacen presentes. Tópicos de producción como lo son el acceso a patios o pastizales y el manejo de pastura, rotación de pastura, y control de depredadores también se tratan.

[PDF / 1.9M]

Mientras que el acceso al exterior es una parte importante del sistema libre en pastura y muchos otros sistemas de producción alternativa de avicultura, el medio ambiente interior y su manejo es critico. Las aves necesitan acceso a un medio ambiente apropiado en el interior para buena producción y bienestar. Idealmente las aves deberían escoger un medio; ya sea dentro o fuera. Es necesario dar atención a la ventilación, temperatura, luz, y condición del lecho. Adicionalmente buenas prácticas de manejo incluyen control de roedores con un mínimo uso de materiales tóxicos. La producción alternativa de avicultura es frecuentemente a una escala pequeña con casas portatiles. La producción tambien puede ser certificada orgánica. Practicas especiales pueden ser necesarias comparadas con la avicultura convencional. La avicultura alternativa es una manera de aumentar los ingresos del rancho, mientras se proporcionan productos especiales de la avicultura a los consumidores como parte de la agricultura sostenible.

[PDF / 599K]

This 2007 publication contains four templates that can be used by organic certifying agencies to develop and standardize their application materials. Applications for organic certification constitute the Organic System plan required by the National Standard. These templates are structured to elicit the information needed for organic system plans. This document replaces a 2002 ATTRA publication Creating an Organic Production and Handling System Plan: A Guide to Organic Plan Templates.

[PDF / 546K]

This publication addresses the indoor environment for poultry in alternative production. While access to the outdoors is an important feature of many alternative or free-range production systems, aspects of the indoor environment and its management are also crucial. Poultry need access to an appropriate indoor environment for good production and welfare. Ideally, poultry should choose an environment; whether to be indoors or outdoors. Attention to ventilation, temperature, lighting, and litter conditions is needed. Additional good management practices include rodent control with a minimum of toxic materials. Alternative poultry production is often on a small scale, with portable houses. Production may be certified organic. Special practices may be needed compared to conventional poultry production. Alternative poultry production is a way to boost farm income and add fertility or diversity to a farm, while providing specialty poultry products to consumers as a part of sustainable agriculture.

[PDF / 572K]

This new 2007 publication offers an overview of the major federal conservation programs that provide resources for farmers and ranchers to enhance and maintain sustainable farming and ranching practices. The level of available conservation resources for this area has dramatically increased since 2002. This guide helps farmers and ranchers make their way through the often complex and difficult application processes. Access to these resources can open new opportunities to preserve agricultural lands, develop sustainable practices, and open new markets.

[PDF / 812K]

ATTRA has created a new, online pest management tool for farmers. This database highlights reduced-risk materials that can be integrated with ecological pest management strategies. The database may be searched by pest category, pest name, pesticide trade name, or active ingredient.

This publication updated in 2007 provides an overview of organic strawberry production methods. It also covers integrated pest management and weed control techniques that can reduce pesticide use in strawberry production. Included are discussions of weeds, pests, diseases, greenhouse production, plasticulture, fertility, economics, and marketing. Lists are provided of further resources, both electronic and in print.

[PDF / 960K]

This Checklist released in 2007 assists in assessing the compliance of your handling or processing operation with National Organic Program Standards. The Checklist is divided into eight sections. Sections 2 through 7 correspond to the six categories of information required in the Organic Production and Handling System Plan, including Practices and Procedures, Inputs, Monitoring, Recordkeeping, and Commingling and Contamination.

[PDF/ 482K]

This new 2007 publication is an introduction to regulations related to organic pasture and rangeland in the United States. Organically certified land is described under The National Organic Program, including activities and materials that are allowed or prohibited. Fertility, weed, and insect pest management issues are briefly addressed. Organic integrity is discussed, including records required to demonstrate compliance with the National Organic Standards. References and resources follow the narrative.

[PDF / 828K]

Market demand is rapidly increasing for sustainably-raised beef and dairy products. Pasture or grass-based livestock production is inherently sustainable as this production system relies on biodiversity and ecological complexity to maintain production without the use of costly inputs. Cattle producers are beginning to recognize that intensively-managed rotational grazing (also called management-intensive grazing or planned grazing) can lower production costs, reduce animal stress, and boost the animal’s immune system. This new 2007 publication highlights these and other practices producers are using to provide customers with nutritious food from sustainable farms and ranches.

[PDF / 634K]

In a time of high-cost inputs, pasture-based livestock production systems can naturally maintain soil and plant integrity while growing healthy ruminants. This new 2007 publication profiles the general types of pasture and rangeland and offers information about management and expected yields. Weed management strategies are also discussed, and tips are offered to rehabilitate depleted land. Issues in grazing management, such as paddock development, plant selection, drought, and plant toxicosis are also discussed. Resources and references are presented.

[PDF / 761K]

This publication updated and retitled in 2006 describes the basics of genetic modification or genetic engineering for agricultural purposes, and presents a brief history of the technology and the governing policies surrounding it. The publication offers a brief overview of the main agricultural crops that have been genetically modified, the characteristics they express, and the market roles they play. Unintended consequences, economic considerations, and safety concerns surrounding the cultivation and dissemination of transgenic crops are also discussed. Biopharmaceutical aspects of transgenic crops are also briefly addressed. Economic, legal, and management concerns associated with these types of crops are discussed, as well as political and regulatory aspects. Implications of transgenic technologies for sustainable agriculture are briefly addressed.

[PDF / 568K]