Organic Farming and Research

Alternative Farming Systems Info Center
AFSIC specializes in locating and accessing information related to alternative cropping systems including sustainable, organic, low-input, biodynamic, and regenerative agriculture. AFSIC also focuses on alternative crops, new uses for traditional crops, and crops grown for industrial production.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
ATTRA - Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas - is a leading information source for farmers and Extension agents thinking about sustainable farming practices.
http://attra.ncat.org/

Ecological Farming Association
We are a nonprofit educational organization that promotes ecologically sound agriculture. Our special events bring people together from all over the world to share ideas and experiences in producing healthful food from a healthy earth. When you support the Eco-Farm Association, you are supporting the growing of abundant food, protecting natural resources, preserving diversity, honoring rural life and work, and inspiring better farming.
http://www.eco-farm.org/

Farm To Table
Earth Pledge identifies and promotes innovative techniques and technologies that restore the balance between human and natural systems. Through demonstration, education, and research, we deliver viable models to government, industry, and communities. The Earth Pledge Farm To Table Initiative educates the public about food and agriculture issues, and guides and supports farmers in their transition to sustainable practices.
http://www.farmtotable.org

How to Go Organic
Here you'll find an online collection of existing resources for anyone exploring how to go organic including The Pathway for Producers, where the steps toward making the transition to organic are made clear and informative and The Pathway for Processors, where new or existing processors can learn what it takes to become certified organic.
http://howtogoorganic.com

IFOAM
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) represents the worldwide movement of organic agriculture and provides a platform for global exchange and cooperation.
http://www.ifoam.org

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
"Our mission is to help agriculture make the transition to a sustainable organic system of farming that is ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just, through information, education, research, and integrating the broader community into this effort." MOSES provides organic agriculture training to Agricultural Professionals in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. For more information, go to our Agricultural Professionals page.
http://www.mosesorganic.org

Minnesota Institute of Sustainable Agriculture
The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is a unique partnership between the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota and the Sustainers' Coalition, a group of individuals and non-profit organizations. The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond.
http://www.misa.umn.edu/

Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
To enable organic family dairy farmers, situated across an extensive area, to have informed discussion about matters critical to the well being of the organic dairy industry as a whole.
http://www.organicmilk.org

Organic Farming Research Foundation
OFRF's mission: to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
http://www.ofrf.org

Organic Volunteers
OrganicVolunteers is an educational exchange. We publish a database of people working in the sustainable movement in the USA that want to share their knowledge and work with others. The database is used to locate hosts all over the country offering volunteer and apprenticeship opportunities. Our program is based on the wwoof model, but broader in reach.
http://www.organicvolunteers.com/

Practical Farmers of Iowa
PFI's mission is to promote farming systems that are profitable, ecologically sound, and good for families and communities.
http://www.practicalfarmers.org/

The Land Stewardship Project
The Land Stewardship Project is a nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1982 to foster an ethic of stewardship to farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture, and to develop sustainable communities. We are a grassroots organization made up of farmers, rural and urban residents working together to secure a healthful food supply; preserve soil, water and wildlife; support diversified, family-sized farms; and fight for fair markets and policies that support independent, sustainable farmers.
http://www.landstewardshipproject.org

The Rodale Institute
Making the vital connection between healthy soil and healthy people has been the central thrust of The Rodale Institute for more than three generations. The first task was finding agricultural solutions to major health and environmental problems. The second was proving they worked. The third is now sharing them with the world.
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/home

New Farm
This online magazine from the Rodale Institute is updated regularly with current articles and production information as well as profiles of farmers. It also includes links to other relevant sites.
http://www.newfarm.org

Organic Farming Compliance Handbook
Clear guidance through all aspects of transition including going through the certification process.
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/organic/complianceguide/materials.htm

Organic ePrints
Organic research by topic.
http://orgprints.org/

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
USDA support site
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/ofp/

Search Portal for NALS organic publications
http://www.hti.umich.edu/n/nal/

SARE
transitioning to organic – advice and case studies
http://www.sare.org/

 

 

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Organic Certification Agencies and Information

Click here for a list of certification agencies by state.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
The purpose of MOFGA, the oldest and largest state organic organization in the USA, is to help farmers and gardeners grow organic food, to protect the environment, to promote stewardship of natural resources, to increase local food production, to support sustainable rural communities, and to illuminate for consumers the connections among healthful food, environmentally sound farming practices, and vital local communities.
http://www.mofga.org/

Midwest Organic Services Association
The purpose of the Midwest Organic Services Association is to offer high quality organic certification and verification services to farmers and processors in the geographical midwestern United States consisting of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
http://www.mosaorganic.org/

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York
NOFA-NY is an organization of consumers, gardeners and farmers creating a sustainable regional food system which is ecologically sound and economically viable. We are one of seven northeastern state organizations that work together called the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA).
http://nofany.org/index.html

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) is a non-profit association of consumers, gardeners, and diversified farmers who share a vision of local, organic agriculture. Through education and member participation, NOFA-VT works to strengthen agriculture in Vermont.
http://www.nofavt.org/

Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association

The Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association was founded in 1979 and is a grassroots coalition of farmers, backyard gardeners, consumers, retailers, educators, researchers, and others who share a desire to build a healthy food system that brings prosperity to family farmers, helps preserve farmland, offers food security for all Ohioans, and creates economic opportunities for our rural communities.

http://www.oeffa.org/oeffa.php

Oregon Tilth
Oregon Tilth is a non-profit research and education organization certifying organic farmers, processors, retailers and handlers throughout Oregon, the United States, and internationally.
http://www.tilth.org/

Organic Crop Improvement Association
The Organic Crop Improvement Association is the world's largest organic certification agency.
http://www.ocia.org/

USDA National Organic Program
Our mission is to develop and implement national standards that govern the marketing of agricultural products as organically produced, to facilitate commerce in fresh and processed food that is organically produced, and ensure consumers that such products meet consistent standards.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/

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Organic Foods, Marketing and Education

All Organic Links
The global resource for organic information.
http://allorganiclinks.com

Organic Consumers Association
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) promotes food safety, organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices in the U.S. and internationally. We provide consumers with factual information they can use to make informed food choices. Genetic engineering, irradiation, toxic sludge fertilizer, mad cow disease, rBGH are some of the issues we address.
http://www.organicconsumers.org

Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a national association representing the organic industry in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmer associations, brokers, consultants, distributors and retailers. Established in 1985 as the Organic Foods Production Association of North America, the Organic Trade Association works to promote organic products in the marketplace and to protect the integrity of organic standards.
http://www.ota.com

The Evergreen State College
TESC has an Ecological Agriculture program.
http://academic.evergreen.edu/curricular/ecoag2001/

True Food Network
The True Food Network is a free service from Greenpeace, to connect consumers who want to take action to end the use of genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in our foods. By joining the Network you will be connected to thousands of other consumers from across the country who are saying no to the biotech industry's secret experiment with our food supply and saying yes to sustainably grown food.
http://www.truefoodnow.org

 

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