Compiled by:Mary V. GoldAlternative Farming Systems Information CenterNational Agricultural LibraryU.S. Department of AgricultureAsk a Question

June 2007. Reviewed April 2016

What is Organic Production?What are organic production systems and practices?Where are the best organic production research and information sources?How can I find organic production people and organizations?Where can I explore educational and career opportunities?Who will fund my organic farming or food research project?Where can I find organic-related conferences and workshops?

USDA Definition and Regulations:

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), enacted under Title 21 of the 1990 Farm Bill, served to establish uniform national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled as organic. The Act authorized a new USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to set national standards for the production, handling, and processing of organically grown agricultural products. In addition, the Program oversees mandatory certification of organic production. The Act also established the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) which advises the Secretary of Agriculture in setting the standards upon which the NOP is based. Producers who meet standards set by the NOP may label their products as USDA Certified Organic.

The final national organic standards rule was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000. The law was activated April 21, 2001. The rule, along with detailed fact sheets and other background information, is available on the National Organic Program's website, https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program

Full regulatory text: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR): http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr205_main_02.tpl

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Organic farming entails:

Transitioning to Organic Production. USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), 2006.http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Bulletins/Transitioning-to-Organic-Production

Organic Principles. There are several compelling principles that characterize certified organic farming. They include biodiversity, integration, sustainability, natural plant nutrition, natural pest management, and integrity. Most organic operations will reflect all of these to a greater or lesser degree. Since each farm is a distinct entity, there is a large degree of variation. Organic Crop Production Overview, by George Kuepper and Lance Gegner. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Servicehttps://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=66

Organic production is not simply the avoidance of conventional chemical inputs, nor is it the substitution of natural inputs for synthetic ones. Organic farmers apply techniques first used thousands of years ago, such as crop rotations and the use of composted animal manures and green manure crops, in ways that are economically sustainable in today's world. In organic production, overall system health is emphasized, and the interaction of management practices is the primary concern. Organic producers implement a wide range of strategies to develop and maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility.Organic Agriculture Overview, USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), 2007. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/ProgViewOverview.cfm?prnum=6861

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Definition of Organic Agriculture Report to the Task Force International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), 2006.http://www.ifoam.org/organic_facts/doa/pdf/Definition_of_Organic_Agriculture_Report.pdf

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Databases: AFSIC's Guide to Searchable Sites and Databases, https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/databases-0, guides you to information and links for:

Statistics about Organic Farming and Organic Markets/Marketing: Selected Resources USDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, 2006.http://pubs.nal.usda.gov/statistics-about-organic-farming-and-organic-marketsmarketing-selected-sources

Organic Roots USDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, 2004.Search Organic Agriculture Information Access (Organic Roots), an electronic collection of historic USDA publications related to organic agriculture. Contains almost 200 documents published before 1942 (before synthetic chemicals became widely used) that contain data that are still very pertinent for today's agriculture.http://organicroots.nal.usda.gov/orc/home.xhtml

Organic Agriculture USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS)http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/organic-agriculture.aspx

OrganicAgInfo http://www.organicaginfo.org/

Project Reports: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), SAREhttp://www.sare.org/Project-Reports

Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainable Program NP #216 USDA, Agricultural Research Servicehttp://www.sare.org/Project-Reports

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) http://www.ofrf.org/

International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR) http://www.isofar.org/

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Sustainable Agriculture Organizations and Information Providers USDA, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, revised 2015.U.S. national and regional groups involved in research, outreach, advocacy and production expertise.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/sustainable-agriculture-organizations-and-information-providers

USDA Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs) USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), National Organic Programhttps://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/certifying-agents

All Organic Links: Associations and Organizations All Organic Links.comhttp://www.allorganiclinks.com/category/Associations+___and___+Organizations/3

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Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture, Compiled by Becky ThompsonUSDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.Directory of degrees, curricula, research programs, school farms, and distance learning at U.S. academic institutions and non-profit organizations.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/edtr/sustainable-agriculture-education-directory

Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.Directory of farms seeking interns/apprentices from North America.https://attra.ncat.org/internships/

Courses and Curricula Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)Educational tools from SARE for those who work with farmers and ranchers.http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Courses-and-Curricula

Sustainable Agriculture Resources & Programs for K-12 Youth Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), 2015http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Courses-and-Curricula/Sustainable-Agriculture-Resources-and-Programs-for-K-12-Youth

The Organic University (OU) Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)https://mosesorganic.org/organic-university/

SANET-MG. Sustainable Agriculture Network.Job opportunities are often listed with the Sustainable Agriculture Network's e-mail discussion group, SANET-MG. SANET-MG migrated to Google Groups in November, 2015. Archives prior to November 1, 2015 may be unavailable.http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/SANET

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Sustainable Agriculture Research Funding ResourcesUSDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, revised 2011. Links updated 2015.This fact sheet lists U.S. government and non-government entities that provide funding for research activities related to sustainable agriculture including organic farming and food, integrated pest management, water quality issues related to agriculture, rural community and small farm topics, alternative and value-added marketing practices, and more.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/sustainable-agriculture-research-funding-resources

Federal Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Updated November 2014This 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.https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=280

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Calendars: Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming, Alternative/Specialty Crops and Livestock USDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. Reviewed April 2016.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/calendars-sustainable-agriculture-organic-farming-alternativespecialty-crops-and-livestock

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Organic Production/Organic Food: Information Access Tools ...