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  • Beginning Farmer

Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises

Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises

Organic Agriculture

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is the only federally regulated production system in the U.S. that requires farmers and ranchers to use practices that maintain or improve the quality of natural resources, including soil and water, and to use preventative and cultural practices to manage pests before applying compliant pesticide products.  The program includes a rigorous annual oversight and certification process to enforce compliance to production standards. According to the USDA, organic crop sales in Florida grew from 72 to over 108 million dollars from 2016 to 2021 accounting for nearly 10% of total US organic crop sales. Industry trends suggest that organic sector sales are likely to continue to increase.

UF/IFAS organic resources include 45 USDA certified organic acres of land for research and hands-on learning, active research and Extension programs in the areas of pest management, nutrient and water management, protected agriculture, social sciences and the development of Community Food Systems.  UF/IFAS offers an on-campus undergraduate Major in Plant Science as well as a student farm. UF’s Diagnostic and Other Services have experience to assist certified organic farmers.

This page contains information relevant to USDA certified organic farmers. References included on this page that do not clearly distinguish organic and conventional recommendations in the content but that are of interest to organic farmers are located in the Additional Resources section of this page. All transitioning and certified organic farmers must obtain approval in writing from their certification agency prior to making any changes in their organic system plan.  

  • Organic Agriculture
    • National Organic Program – USDA AMS
    • Organic Farming Publications – UF/IFAS 
    • Organic Agriculture Resource Area in eXtension
    • Organic Farming Resources (including videos and publications) – ATTRA
    • Organic Certification Made Simple – Video Series – USDA
  • Organic Management of Soils, Nutrients, and Water
    • Soil Testing and other Diagnostic Services 
    • Poultry Manure as Fertilizer – UF/IFAS
    • How to Convert an Inorganic Fertilizer Recommendation to an Organic One – University of Georgia
    • Drip Irrigation for Small Conventional and Organic Farms - UF/IFAS 
    • Florida’s Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Quality Program
    • Soil and Compost Resources including videos and publications – ATTRA
  • Organic Pest Management
    • Organic Crop Pest Management Publications including soils and disease – UF/IFAS
    • Pest Identification and other Diagnostic Services – UF/IFAS
    • Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation – UF/IFAS
    • Biology and Management of Whiteflies in Sustainable Field Production of Cucurbits – UF/IFAS
    • Biology and Management of Aphids in Sustainable Production of Cucurbits – UF/IFAS
    • Introduction to Soil Solarization – UF/IFAS
    • Solarization for Pest Management in Florida – UF/IFAS
    • Many Plants Have Extrafloral Nectaries Helpful to Beneficials – UF/IFAS
  • Organic Crop Production
    • Organic Production Publications – UF/IFAS
    • Introduction to Organic Crop Production – UF/IFAS
    • Organic Greenhouse Container Herb Production (Fertilizer and Potting Media) – UF/IFAS
    • Vegetable Production Handbook (Conventional and USDA Organic recommendations) – UF/IFAS 
    • Vegetable Variety Selection Research – UF/IFAS
    • Organic Farming including Vegetables and other Crop Production – NCAT/ATTRA
  • Cover Crop Management (includes conventional information)
    • Intercropping, Crop Selection and Pest Management – UF/IFAS 
    • Cover Crop Publications Including Management for Nematodes – UF/IFAS
    • Cover Crop Innovators Video Series (includes Florida) – SARE
    • Cover Crop and Related Resources – NCAT/ATTRA
  • Organic Livestock
    • Listed Slaughter and Rendering Establishments – USDA/APHIS
    • 2023 National Organic Program Livestock Standards
  • State, Regional and National Organizations
    • Florida Organic Growers and Consumers (FOG)
    • Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SR-SARE)
    • USDA National Organic Program
    • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (for Organic Farmers)
    • NCAT’s ATTRA: A National Sustainable Agriculture Assistance Program
    • See our Networking and About Us pages for additional associations and connections

     

  • Additional Resources for Organic and Conventional Farmers
    • Biological Control Publications – UF/IFAS: 
    • Pollinator Resources 
    • Pest Management Resources including videos and publications – NCAT/ATTRA
    • Featured Creatures (searchable profiles of pests and beneficials) – UF/IFAS
  • Video Playlist
    • Organic Farming Playlist - UF/IFAS Extension Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Program

       



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Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises
P.O. Box 110810 Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1761

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