www.sare.org resources what-is-sustainable-agriculture What is Sustainable Agriculture? A simple way to think about sustainable agriculture is that it involves producing enough food and fiber to satisfy today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. Farmers and ranchers who value sustainability embrace three common goals while running productive operations: To achieve these sustainability goals, a farmer typically views […]
www.sare.org resources a-whole-farm-approach-to-managing-pests A Whole Farm Approach to Managing Pests This 16-page bulletin helps producers—and the educators who work with them—use ecological principles to design farm-wide approaches to control pests. It lays out basic ecological principles for managing pests and suggests how to apply them to real farm situations—along with cutting-edge research examples and anecdotes from farmers using such strategies in their fields. Ecological pest management […]
www.sare.org resources economic-and-environmental-aspects-of-cover-crops Economic and Environmental Aspects of Cover Crops Session recordings on this page include: Economics of Cover Crops Business Opportunities with Cover Crops and Soil Health Environmental Impacts of Cover Crop Systems Economics of Cover Crops Speakers will provide a commercial family farm perspective, using real research data to quantify the economic impact of a never-till and cover crop production system. Highlights include: […]
southern.sare.org resources cover-crops-and-soil-biology-what-do-we-know Cover Crops and Soil Biology: What Do We Know? Cover Crops and Soil Biology.pdf 420.91 kB Investigating soil biology is a wild, unpredictable zoological ride. From the smallest organisms on Earth (viruses) to earthworms, cover crop selection and management is affected by and influences soil biology in ways we cannot completely predict. Soil Functions and Soil Biology Soil health is linked to soil biology. […]
www.sare.org resources cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Flowering cover crops can fulfill their original purpose as a conservation practice while at the same time providing valuable forage for wild bees and beneficial insects. This added benefit can be significantly enhanced with some fine-tuning of management practices and thoughtful plant selection. This 16-page bulletin will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects on […]
southern.sare.org resources establishing-cottonwood-plantations Establishing Cottonwood Plantations University of Arkansas researchers studied the feasibility of developing economically viable agroforest systems for producing cellulosic bioenergy crops that will also enhance water quality and provide wildlife habitat on low productivity agricultural land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. They found that switchgrass and cottonwood cropping systems are suitable for that situation. The quality of […]
northcentral.sare.org resources handbook-for-agroforestry-planning-and-design Handbook for Agroforestry Planning and Design Agroforestry practices help landowners diversify products, markets, and farm income; improve soil and water quality; and reduce erosion, non-point source pollution, and flood damage. The integrated agroforestry practices enhance land and aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife and improve biodiversity while sustaining land resources for generations to come. Together with the Training Manual for Applied […]
northcentral.sare.org resources training-manual-for-applied-agroforestry-practices Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices Agroforestry practices help landowners diversify products, markets, and farm income; improve soil and water quality; and reduce erosion, non-point source pollution, and flood damage. The integrated agroforestry practices enhance land and aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife and improve biodiversity while sustaining land resources for generations to come. Printed in 2013 and revised in 2018 […]
northcentral.sare.org resources women-caring-for-the-land-improving-conservation-outreach-to-female-non-operator-farmland-owners-curriculum-manual Women Caring for the Land: Improving Conservation Outreach to Female Non-Operator Farmland Owners Curriculum Manual The percentage of women who are sole landowners is rising. Many women express strong conservation values in meetings and surveys but are often unsure of how to turn those values into action as they have not been involved in farm management decisions in the past. Women farmland owners are a vital segment of the conservation partnership […]
southern.sare.org resources place-based-foods-of-appalachia Place-Based Foods of Appalachia Placed-Based Foods of Appalachia: From Rarity to Community Restoration and Market Recovery is the first-ever report of the status of 1,412 place-based heirloom foods in central and southern Appalachia. The publication lists varieties of fruits, nuts, berries, vegetables, and grains, and records whether they are extinct, endangered, threatened or common. In addition, the publication contains […]
northcentral.sare.org resources maintenance-of-natural-sustainable-riparian-communities-fact-sheets-series Maintenance of Natural Sustainable Riparian Communities Fact Sheets Series Miranda Meehan, a graduate student from North Dakota State University, created five extension fact sheets after monitoring and reporting on the riparian ecosystem associated with the Middle Sheyenne River, a perennial stream in eastern North Dakota. A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream. Riparian ecosystems are […]
www.sare.org resources managing-alternative-pollinators Managing Alternative Pollinators Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers and Conservationists is a first-of-its-kind, step-by-step, full-color guide for rearing and managing bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees and other bee species that provide pollination alternatives to the rapidly declining honey bee. Written by Eric Mader of the Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program; Professor of Entomology Marla […]
www.sare.org resources applying-for-the-conservation-stewardship-program-csp Applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project provides information to farmers who are interested in applying for the USDA-NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which pays farmers to maintain, improve and adopt conservation systems. The guide explains program eligibility and how to apply. Download now: Applying for CSP.pdf 1.80 MB Plain language guides […]
www.sare.org resources developing-successful-organic-horticulture-farms-practical-training-for-ag-professionals Developing Successful Organic Horticulture Farms: Practical Training for Ag Professionals Power Point presentation series developed by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group for ag professionals and farmers interesting in elements of organic crop production and managing organic systems. Principles of Organic Farming Systems and Natural Resource Conservation Building Soil Quality and Managing Nutrients: Feed the Soil, and the Soil will Feed the Crop Organic Management […]
www.sare.org resources applying-for-environmental-quality-incentives-program-eqip Applying for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) This plain language guide from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project introduces readers to the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which pays farmers and ranchers to implement practices that protect water, soil and air quality. The guide explains eligibility for EQIP, how to apply and how the money can be used. Download now: Applying for […]
www.sare.org resources rangeland-management-strategies Rangeland Management Strategies Features innovative SARE-funded research on creating and sustaining a healthy range. Throughout, researchers and ranchers share goals and successes in winter and multi-species grazing, managing forage and other vegetation and protecting riparian areas.
www.sare.org resources manage-insects-on-your-farm Manage Insects on Your Farm While every farming system is unique, the principles of ecological pest management apply universally. Manage Insects on Your Farm highlights ecological strategies that improve your farm’s natural defenses and encourage beneficial insects to attack your worst pests. Learn about the principles of ecologically based pest management and the strategies of farmers around the world to address insect […]
www.sare.org resources diversifying-cropping-systems Diversifying Cropping Systems Today's crop farmers, with their prices global and their costs local, are ensnared in an ever-tightening profit squeeze. Many of them have begun seeking alternative crops that command higher prices or pay dividends by boosting the yields of rotational crops. Diversifying can soften impacts on environmental resources, spread farmers' economic risk, exploit profitable niche markets […]