The USDA published this news release in Indiana on May 3, 2023. Indiana NRCS Announces First Sign-up Period for Organic Transition Initiative USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist, David Doctorian, announced today that Indiana is accepting applications for the first round of Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) funding through June 15. The initiative…Read more about Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) News[Read More]
Organic Production
A diversified farm plans its crop rotation around producing various perishable products that sell well, like tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. As the farm builds market opportunities, it might consider adding new or unusual crops to the crop plan. Storage crops can be part of that plan, extending the sale season for growers and additional…Read more about A Large Grain for the Small Farm?[Read More]
NCR-SARE Funded Awards NCR-SARE Announces 2022 Research and Education Awards – February 1, 2023 NCR-SARE is pleased to announce the projects selected for funding for the 2022 Research and Education competitive grant program. Seventeen (17) projects were awarded a total of more than $3.8 million through this NCR-SARE grant program for researchers and educators involved…Read more about Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) News[Read More]
Registration is open for the 2023 Indiana Small Farm Conference! Join us for the event at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Center in Danville. Gain practical, hands-on guidance from leaders and experts at the 2023 Indiana Small Farm Conference. This 11th annual event takes place in Danville on March 2-3. If you haven’t…Read more about Indiana Small Farms Conference, March 2-3[Read More]
Growing media for organic transplant production vary a lot in their chemical composition: pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient levels, and C:N ratio. This of course influences how seedlings grow. Knowing the characteristics of growing media can help growers decide whether adding nutrients or materials to adjust pH are likely to improve seedling growth. As part of…Read more about Submit Your Organic Transplant Growing Media for Chemical Analysis[Read More]
Getting seedlings off to a good start begins with a good growing medium for transplants. Growing media for organic production must meet the guidelines set out by the National Organic Standards Board, including not containing any synthetic substances (unless they have been approved for that use) or any prohibited materials. A number of products meet…Read more about How Do Growing Media for Organic Production Compare?[Read More]
OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017, not to exceed $750 per certification scope. Certified organic…Read more about Organic Certification Cost-Share Program (OCCSP)[Read More]
The Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Rule addresses many issues with regard produce food safety. One issue not addressed is the issue of biological soil amendments of animal origin (i.e. manure). When issuing the rule, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chose to leave blank those portions of the rule dealing with the required interval between manure…Read more about Food and Drug Administration Issues Request for Comments[Read More]
If you are an organic grower and use manure and compost, you might be interested in spending a few minutes to participate this survey conducted by University of California-Davis, The Organic Center and Organic Trade Association. The purpose of the survey is to characterize the use of manure and compost based soil amendments. Results from…Read more about Survey about the Use of Manure and Compost[Read More]