ATTRA Publications on Sustainable Agriculture

Tipsheet: Crop Rotation in Organic Farming Systems

Crop rotation, planting a different crop on a particular piece of land each growing season, is required in organic crop production because it is such a useful tool in preventing soil diseases, insect pests, weed problems, and for building healthy soils. Plants exude a spectrum of photosynthates into the soil that are unique to each plant species, and these root exudates influence the soil microbial biodiversity, which, in turn, supports soil function and plant health. Crop rotations must fit with the farm’s production system, equipment, labor, and market demand for the farm’s crops. With so many variables to consider, developing a good plan is as much an art as it is a science. It is important to develop a plan for bed preparation that includes row-spacing considerations for future rotations, because this will increase crop rotation options and reduce labor.

Foliar Fertilization

Foliar fertilization (or foliar feeding) entails the application via spraying of nutrients to plant leaves and stems and their absorption at those sites. It is a viable (though somewhat controversial) means of enhancing crop nutrition. Foliar fertilization is a tool used in both conventional and alternative production systems. This publication covers the basics of foliar feeding, discusses formulation of foliar sprays, and addresses component fertilizers for foliar fertilization.

Sustainable Weed Management for Small and Medium-Scale Farms

Managing croplands according to nature’s principles will reduce weed problems on horticultural crops, or row crops, in small and medium-sized operations. Creativity is key to devising sustainable cropping systems that prevent weed problems. This publication discusses several strategies, both proactive and reactive, as alternatives to conventional tillage systems. Options include mulching, competition, crop rotations, and low-toxicity control alternatives. A resource list provides sources of further information.

Tipsheet: Transitioning to Organic Management of Orchards

Organic certification verifies that fruit is produced according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic standards. In general, the regulations make several requirements of certified organic fruit:

• Produced without genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge
• Managed in a manner that conserves natural resources and biodiversity
• Raised per the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List)
• Overseen by a USDA-authorized certifying agent

Tipsheet: Organic Pig Production

Pig production certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a relatively small part of U.S. agriculture. Although demand for organic meat is strong in the United States, high prices for organic grains and the challenges of raising pigs in compliance with the USDA organic regulations have slowed the growth of organic pork production. That said, organic pork is a product that can command price premiums, so organic pig production may be a viable option for some farms. 

Tipsheet: Organic Management of Internal and External Livestock Parasites

Livestock parasites are present on our farms. They have many attributes that allow them to survive difficult environments and seasons, and it is literally impossible to completely eradicate them. When parasite numbers are too high for the host animals’ immune systems to control, we will observe signs of disease, including weight loss, appetite loss, depression, weakness, and, if not treated, death.

Tipsheet: Treatment of Sick or Injured Organic Livestock

To comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations, livestock producers must establish and maintain preventive livestock health care practices (see Organic Approach to Animal Health tipsheet). The National Organic Program (NOP) regulations regarding these practices are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), specifically in 7 CFR §205.238(a). However, despite the best efforts of producers to encourage health, some animals will become ill or may be injured. These situations are covered by §205.238(b), and are the subject of this tipsheet.

The regulations [§205.238(b)] include the following provisions:

• Use of specified synthetic medications is allowed under §205.603—Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic livestock production (part of the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
• Parasiticides [§205.603(a)(18)] may NOT be used on organic slaughter stock
• Parasiticides that are included on the National List may be used as allowed on:
  • Breeding stock, prior to the last third of gestation, but not during lactation if progeny are to be sold as organically produced
  • Dairy stock, when used a minimum of 90 days prior to production of organic milk
• Organic producers may NOT, according to regulations [§205.238(c)]:
  • Sell as organic any animal or animal product from an animal treated with antibiotics or some other prohibited substance (see [§205.604])
  • Administer any drug, other than vaccinations, in the absence of illness
  • Administer hormones for growth promotion
  • Administer parasiticides on a routine basis

Butterfly Pea: A Cover Crop for Hot and Humid Areas

Butterfly Pea: A Cover Crop for Hot and Humid Areas – ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture

Butterfly peas (Clitoria ternatea) are known for their showy flowers, but their twining, delicate-stemmed growth habit also makes them a great cover crop candidate. They have pinnate leaves with five to seven delicate leaflets. Their seed pods are relatively flat and narrow, with papery shells that shatter easily and can eject seeds with some force. The butterfly pea is a perennial vine that is intolerant of freezing weather, so it needs to be protected in the subtropics or treated as an annual.

Butterfly peas originated in Africa but have spread through cultivation through much of both the tropical and subtropical regions. There are several synonyms for Clitoria ternatea, such as Clitoria albiflora, C. bracteata, C. mearnsii, C. tanganicensis, and C. zanzibarensis, but the literature has mostly settled on the first term. There has been little in the way of cultivar development but, luckily, butterfly pea is already naturally widely adapted (Staples, 1992).

Cover Crop Options for Hot and Humid Areas

Cover Crop Options for Hot and Humid Areas – ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture

Cover crops can be better adapted to some regions better than others. This publication discusses the characteristics of cover crops that are better suited for areas with hot, humid summers, like the southern portions of Texas and Florida and along the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and points beyond with similar climatic conditions. It includes a table that will allow you to make the best decision for your situation about which cover crops may suit your individual needs. It also includes a general inoculant guide for legume crops.

Biochar and Sustainable Agriculture

https://attra.ncat.org/publication/biochar-and-sustainable-agriculture/

Biochar is a potentially valuable soil amendment produced from biomass, through pyrolysis. Biochar improves soil aggregation, enhances nutrient- and water-holding capacity, provides habitat for soil organisms, modulates microbial activity and biodiversity, and may stabilize soil organic carbon (SOC). Pyrolysis also yields biofuels in the form of combustible gases or oils. Biochar is thought to mitigate climate change by providing both renewable energy and a soil amendment that may significantly enhance net soil carbon (C) sequestration. However, additional research is needed before biochar applications to fields and grazing lands can be validated as a carbon offset and a potential source of income for farmers and ranchers.

This publication reviews the current research and issues surrounding the production and use of this biomass energy technology and explores how biochar can contribute to sustainable agriculture. It focuses on the use of sustainable biochar with the intention of adding it to crop production systems and possible benefits for climate change mitigation.