Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has a free beginning farmer training program for organic specialty crop farmers in California is for beginning farmers, existing organic farmers, and farmers in transition to organic production. While it was developed for California specialty crop farmers, the content is based on foundational principles that are relevant to all organic...
A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). With high tunnel systems, no summer is too short or winter too cold because high tunnels: Extend the growing season Improve plant quality and soil...
Our planet’s farmable soils are running out at an alarming rate. And to put it plainly, without healthy soil, we can’t grow healthy food! In this film — The Need To GROW — you’re about to see there IS hope, and there are real solutions. This film is only available to view for a limited...
From Meredith Melendez: I wanted to share with you the guidance resource Extension has developed for having the public on the farm this fall. On the website below you will find the guidance document, additional resources, and information on two webinars. These web sessions will allow for discussion of each of the guidance points made...
Resources for Organic Open House http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/Commodity_Resources/Fact_Sheets/ Compiled by Marita Cantwell: http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/files/230191.pdf
Reasons organic food is so expensive 1. No chemicals = more laborThe Organic Farming Research Foundation explained it well: “The organic price tag more closely reflects the true cost of growing the food: substituting labor and intensive management for chemicals, the health and environmental costs of which are borne by society.”2. Demand overwhelms supplyRetail sales...
An important part of NOFA-NY’s policy work has been participating as an active member of the National Organic Coalition (NOC). Liana and Liz take part in NOC’s monthly calls and in the annual meeting and lobbying in DC. With the fly-in being on-line, we could afford to involve more NOFA-NY policy committee members. Claire Barbato,...
Organic foods are those grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers, as well as other materials such as hormones, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms – all of which are used in conventional agriculture. Organic farming practices include the use of cover crops, manures and crop rotations to fertilize the soil, maximize biological activity and maintain long-term soil health....
