Practical Ecological Farming Guides You Can Use This Season
Download our FREE research-backed white papers from the world's leading regenerative agriculture experts.
Practical Ecological Farming Guides You Can Use This Season
Download our FREE research-backed white papers from the world's leading regenerative agriculture experts.
Soil Health & Crop Nutrition
Fundamentals of Soil Health
By Anneliese Abbott
Learn how to evaluate soil health through its physical, chemical and biological properties, including compaction, infiltration, nutrient availability, organic matter and microbial activity.
Beginner
13 min read
Carbon-Nitrogen Ratios: How to Make Sure Nitrogen Is Available When Your Crops Need It
By Anneliese Abbott
Understand how the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of crop residues, composts and other organic materials affects decomposition, nitrogen immobilization and nutrient availability.
Intermediate
11 min read
The Autotrophic Advantage: Restoring Crop Independence Through Soil Biology
By David Knaus
Explore how plants can regain greater nutritional independence through microbial partnerships, mineral balance, advanced diagnostics and management that moves beyond an NPK-only approach.
Advanced
11 min read
Practical Biology Management in a Regenerative Farm System
Learn how farmers can make soil biology a central part of regenerative farm management. Through examples from a Nebraska row-crop operation and a Georgia citrus orchard, this white paper explores microbial diversity, root exudates, fungal networks, biological testing and practical strategies for improving crop resilience while reducing input expenses.
Intermediate
17 min read
Managing Soil Biology for Organic Farming
An introduction to the living soil ecosystem and the essential role microbes play in plant nutrition, nutrient cycling and disease suppression. This guide explains how bacteria, fungi and other soil organisms interact with plant roots, how farmers can manage conditions that support thriving soil biology, and the latest tools for measuring microbial activity in the field.
Beginner
11 min read
2022 Soil Health Resource Guide
A curated directory of educational resources for farmers, ranchers and growers interested in improving soil health. Based partly on an Acres U.S.A. audience survey, the guide highlights conferences, field days, books, online courses, websites, podcasts, magazines and other ways to learn practical soil-management strategies.
Beginner
13 min read
Soil to Cell: Nutrient Density, Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture
By Dan Kittredge
Trace the connection between functioning soil biology, crop nutrient density and public health, while exploring how regenerative practices and emerging testing tools could create new value for farmers.
Intermediate
12 min read
Compost or Manure for Nitrogen?
By Neal Kinsey
Learn how compost and manure contribute nitrogen, when they can create nutrient imbalances, and how to determine the right fertility strategy for your farm.
Intermediate
12 min read
Growing Healthy Plants: The Disease Triangle and Organic Farming
Learn how pathogens, plant susceptibility and environmental conditions work together to cause disease and how organic growers can reduce pressure through healthier soils, resistant varieties and preventive management.
Beginner
15 min read
The Oxidative Defense: Stabilized Hypochlorous Acid in Organic Disease Management
Sponsored by Sea-90
Examine how stabilized hypochlorous acid works through oxidation to suppress fungal and bacterial pathogens and how it may fit into organic crop-disease management programs.
Intermediate
6 min read
Soil Balancing Basics for Organic Farming
An introduction to the principles of soil balancing and how balanced mineral nutrition supports healthy crops, resilient soils and long-term organic fertility. This guide explains cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium and magnesium ratios, interpreting Mehlich 3 soil tests and making practical amendment decisions using naturally occurring minerals.
Beginner
12 min read
Organic Transition
Transition to Organic Partnership Program
An overview of the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and the resources available to farmers pursuing organic certification. This guide explains how TOPP connects transitioning producers with experienced mentors, technical assistance, business development support and regional partner organizations to help farmers successfully navigate the transition to organic production.
Beginner
6 min read
10 Steps to Guide Farmers Toward Organic Certification
A practical roadmap for farmers interested in becoming certified organic producers. This guide walks through the certification process from start to finish, covering planning, recordkeeping, certifier selection, soil health, market development, labeling requirements and financial assistance programs available to support the transition.
Beginner
13 min read
Economics of Transitioning to Certified Organic Farming
An overview of the financial realities of transitioning to certified organic farming. This guide explores production costs, yield trends, organic price premiums, consumer demand and available cost-share programs, showing how organic production can become a profitable long-term business strategy.
Beginner
10 min read
Soil & Plant Testing Basics for Organic Farming
An introduction to modern testing methods that help organic farmers make more informed management decisions. This guide explains how plant sap analysis, water testing, soil biology testing and advanced soil chemistry tests can identify nutrient imbalances, improve soil health, reduce unnecessary inputs and support healthier, more resilient crops.
Beginner
10 min read
Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rules
An overview of the USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement rules and how they affect organic farmers, brokers, handlers, certifiers and other businesses throughout the supply chain. The guide explains new certification, traceability, import documentation, auditing and inspection requirements designed to reduce fraud and protect the integrity of the organic label.
Intermediate
15 min read
Preventing Fraud on Organic Farms
A practical guide to recognizing, documenting and reporting suspected fraud within the organic supply chain. It explains how to verify certification through the Organic Integrity Database, file complaints, maintain traceable records and understand the expanded responsibilities introduced by the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rules.
Intermediate
13 min read
Livestock
Livestock Remineralization
By Will Winter
Dr. Will Winter explains why mineral nutrition is the foundation of livestock health and productivity. This practical guide explores the role of balanced minerals, sea salt, clay and apple cider vinegar in supporting immune function, fertility, digestion and overall herd health, while offering practical recommendations for building an effective free-choice mineral program.
Beginner
6 min read
The Charismatic KuneKune
An introduction to the history, characteristics and management of KuneKune pigs, a heritage breed known for its manageable size, gentle disposition and ability to graze. The guide covers breed preservation, genetics, feeding, land requirements, meat production and considerations for homesteaders and small farmers interested in raising KuneKunes.
Beginner
15 min read
The Red Solo Cup Theory: Comprehensive Insights for Optimal Cattle Fertility and Performance
By Steve Campbell
Learn the visual framework for selecting efficient, fertile cattle using body shape, shedding patterns, glandular indicators, structural traits and signs associated with butterfat production.
Intermediate
7 min read
Regenerative Farming Systems
Disturbance, Succession & Regeneration
By Mark Shepard
This white paper explores disturbance, succession, decomposition, photosynthesis, soil formation and nutrient cycling, showing how farmers can work with natural systems to build fertility, manage pests and increase biological productivity. Practical examples include cover crops, intercropping, agroforestry and beneficial habitat.
Intermediate
18 min read
Designing Technology for Regeneration
By John Kempf
Using examples such as plant sap analysis, sensors, artificial intelligence and automated equipment, this white paper explains how technology can support better decisions while also weakening observation, intuition and connection to the land when used without discernment. It offers a framework for choosing tools that strengthen—rather than replace—the farmer’s role as a steward.
Intermediate
10 min read
Getting Off the Chemical Treadmill: The Biological Path to Lower Inputs & Higher Profits
By John Kempf
Learn a step-by-step framework for reducing dependence on soluble fertilizers by establishing microbial activity, changing nutrient placement and supporting more efficient biological nutrition.
Advanced
7 min read
Weed & Pest Management
Fundamentals of Weed Ecology: When, Where and Why Weeds Grow Where They Do
Explore weeds through the lens of ecology, succession and plant life cycles, and learn how the weed seedbank, soil disturbance and crop management influence which weeds appear.
Beginner
15 min read
Specialty Crops
A Guide to Selecting Hemp Seeds
A practical introduction to choosing planting material for a hemp operation. This guide compares regular, feminized and autoflowering seeds with clones, while explaining plant sex, pollination risks, genetic consistency, labor requirements, cost and the questions growers should ask before purchasing seed.
Beginner
8 min read
Farm Business & Marketing
Being a Land Entrepreneur
By Taylor Henry
Discover practical strategies for building profitable farm businesses through entrepreneurship, direct marketing and diversified income streams.
Beginner
10 min read
Pick Your Own Farming: A Practical Transition Model for Market Farmers
By Megan Neubauer
Explore how market farmers can transition to a pick-your-own model that reduces harvesting and market labor while creating new income through admission, on-farm sales and a customer-focused farm experience.
Intermediate
12 min read
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