Organic agriculture

Latest Content

Fertilizing with Manure and Other Organic Amendments

Are you thinking about using manure to fertilize your farm but want more information? Properly managed manure applications recycle nutrients to crops, improve soil quality, and protect water quality. From deciding ...

Andy I. Bary, Craig G. Cogger, Dan M. Sullivan | Mar 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Good Field Practices for Agricultural Workers

The Pacific Northwest is known for its high-quality produce. To preserve this reputation, all people involved in farm activities should be thoroughly trained in practices that promote health and hygiene. Farmworkers, ...

Luisa Santamaria, Maria Marlin | Oct 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Calculator that measures nitrogen in cover crops can cut fertilizer costs

Calculating the amount of nitrogen a cover crop can add to a field can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for a subsequent crop, which reduces costs. Here's how to make that calculation.

Nick Andrews | Feb 2021 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Browse All Resources

Dry Farming in the Maritime Pacific Northwest: Intro to Dry Farming Organic Vegetables

By Amy Garrett

This publication provides an overview of dry farming, describes some of the management practices that support growing organic vegetable crops without supplemental irrigation in this region, and offers some additional resources.

View publication

Credit: Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original)

Organic Agriculture Resources

Organic Seed Alliance: Organic Seed Alliance advances the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. We accomplish our mission through collaborative research, education, and advocacy programs that closely engage organic farmers and other seed professionals.
National Organic Program: The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. We are responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. Our regulations do not address food safety or nutrition.

Featured Resources

Fertilizing with Manure and Other Organic Amendments

Andy I. Bary, Craig G. Cogger, Dan M. Sullivan | Mar 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Enhancing Organic Agriculture in Oregon: Research, Education, and Policy

This report combines different perspectives--farmers, researchers, and food system stakeholders across statewide and sub-regional scales--to shed light on what is needed to enhance organic agriculture in Oregon. Some ...

Garry Stephenson, Lauren Gwin, Maud Powell, Amy Garrett | Jul 2012 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Veterans visit a farm as part of the Growing Agripreneur course through the OSU Small Farms program.

Photo by Maud Powell

How to Start an Organic Sustainable Farm

Growing Farms Online: Successful Whole Farm Management online course provides farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and manage a successful farm business.

This course is for you if:

You are considering starting a farm business.
You are within your first five years of farming and want to grow.
You are considering major changes to your farm business.

The core of the Growing Farms course is a series of six online modules that lead you through the basics of managing a successful low impact farm business. This course is on-demand, so you can access at any time. Resources are included.

Learn more

Latest News

Resiliency is the theme at 23rd OSU Small Farms Conference

The conference is the premiere event organized by the OSU Extension Small Farms Program.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 3, 2023 | News story

‘Agripeneurs’ course creates regional market for local seed producers

The project team offered a training course, “Growing Seed Agripreneurs,” at the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) and conducted research on the barriers and challenges to creating a regional market for local seed producers.

Maud Powell | Jul 2022 | Impact story

Could weeds be controlled by zapping them? Extension is investigating

As organic production increases in the United States and Europe, non-chemical control becomes more essential.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 21, 2021 | News story

Explore more resources

Business marketing

Local, regional and community food systems

Field crops

Farm food safety

Insects

Weeds

Upcoming Events

Jun 4

Organic Winter Cereals and Cover Crop Field Day

9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corvallis, OR

Jun 11

Garnett’s Red Prairie Farm Tour

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Sheridan, OR

Jun 13

Entrenamiento sobre la prevención del suicidio de QPR para agricultores y ganaderos (en español)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT Online

Jun 25

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Vegetables on Small Farms

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Eugene, OR

Meet Our Experts

Nick Andrews

Organic Vegetable Extension

Logan Bennett

Small Farms and Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Contact for Farming and Gardening Questions in Douglas County

Erica Chernoh

Horticulture Assistant Professor of Practice, Commercial and Community Horticulture

Jenifer Cruickshank

Assistant Professor, Dairy Extension Specialist

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question