Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Production

Sustainable agriculture employs farming systems that are environmentally sound while still producing good crop yields and good economic returns. IPM is certainly a component of any sustainable agriculture system. Some sustainable agriculture practices may include:

In the past decade the growth of the organic agriculture segment has outpaced growth of other segments of agriculture. Organic foods are appearing in chain groceries and on restaurant menus. Organic farmers rely on many IPM practices to nurture biological diversity and inhibit pests. Synthetic pesticides are prohibited in organic production. The USDA certifies organic agricultural products through accredited certification agencies. Products cannot be labeled organic unless certified by the USDA.

ATTRA (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ) --The latest in sustainable agriculture and organic farming news, events and funding opportunities. Plus in-depth publications on production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises, innovative marketing, organic certification, and highlights of local, regional, USDA and other federal sustainable ag activities. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is created and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.

ATTRA's Biorational: Ecological Pest Management Database --search for biorational pesticide products by pest type, pest name, active ingredient or beneficial organism or by product name. This database is extremely useful for locating biorational products and has links to product labels.

EPA--Agriculture Topics: Sustainable Agriculture --A number of useful links for those interested in sustainable agriculture or organic production.

International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS)--A global forum of scientists providing information and policy advice on sustainable plant health management practices. To ensure production of sufficient quality of food/feed/fiber for a growing world population. To advocate implementation of sustainable plant health management strategies. The official journal of IAPPS is Crop Protection, which emphasizes the practical aspects of control in the field, and includes work which may lead in the near future to more effective control.

The Journal of Agriculture and Food Systems Development is a soon-to-be launched international, peer-reviewed online journal focused on applied research and best practices in the development of thriving farming communities and sustainable food systems.

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) --The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, part of the 1990 Farm Bill, authorized the United States Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a 15-member National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The board's main mission is to assist the Secretary in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production.

Organic AgInfo--This website has been developed by the Organic Agriculture Consortium (OAC)/Scientific Congress on Organic Agricultural Research (SCOAR) and funded by a grant from the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS) through the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES). Come here often for current, accurate, scientifically-based or practically validated information about organic agriculture. The site contains information on production, economic data, research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information, transition strategies, as well as many other subjects related to organic agriculture.

Organic Farming Research Foundation -- The Organic Farming Research Foundation is a non-profit whose mission is to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)--The OMRI provides certifiers, growers, manufacturers and suppliers an independent review of products intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing.

Scientific Congress on Organic Agricultural Research (SCOAR)--A Farmer-scientist collaboration to develop organic research research agendas.

Southern Sustainable Working Group (Southern SAWG )--There are many resources for those interested in sustainable agriculture and/or organic production.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE )--Since 1988, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service , funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems. See the Funding Opportunities and Publications.

The Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab ( USDA, ARS, ANRI) determines principles and practices that support the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Emphasis is placed on multi-disciplinary research to understand fundamental agro-ecological processes underlying the functioning of sustainable systems. Communication with the community of growers, suppliers, information specialists, and consumers that value sustainable agriculture is integral to the definition of research problems and the transfer of technology.

Virginia Association for Biological Farming is an active network of citizens in and around Virginia whose primary focus is to provide information and services to farmers, gardeners and consumers about biological agriculture. Biological agriculture involves the use of natural methods and materials, and focuses on soil building, recycling of organic farm materials, and protection of wildlife and water resources.