More to inspire you

Resources and links to other great articles, books, and advice.

10 Good Reasons To Go Organic

Transition from an Agronomist’s Point of View by Jean Duval.

Gaining Ground: Making a Successful Transition to Organic Farming by Canadian Organic Growers.

HowToGoOrganic.com’s online collection of resources for farmers considering making the transition to organic.

Moving Beyond Conventional Cash Cropping by ATTRA.

Organic Farming: Business Sourcing Guide.

Steps to a Successful Organic Transition

Environmental benefits of organic farming (IFOAM)

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) is part of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, Nova Scotia. OACC offers long-distance courses in organic agriculture and has many educational resources posted on its website.

Newfarm.org offers a free online course on making the transition to organic agriculture at

HowToGoOrganic.com is an online collection of existing resources for anyone exploring how to transition to organic. The Organic Trade Association (ota.com) is proud to offer this premier resource to help cultivate the growth of organic farming.

ATTRA provides excellent on-line information on a wide range sustainable farming methods and marketing techniques.

Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) website provides information on organic farming methods, news on upcoming organic events (see notes and videos from previous workshops), profiles of Maritime organic farmers, and a directory of organic businesses. They also have an annual organic conference and trade show, which offers dozens of workshops.

ACORN’s Directory of Allowable Organic Inputs provides information on the availability of allowable inputs and resources, as well as identification, prevention and treatment options for pests and weeds.

Cyber-Help for Organic Farmers has organic production information as well as connections to great resources on soil, on-farm food safety, farm equipment and organic certification. Visitors will find timely market information, farming news, a business of farming page and, coming soon, and links to an organic helpdesk, supported by a searchable FAQ system.

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is a research and education center with programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources.

Organic Agriculture Information Access is an electronic collection of searchable documents in the database which were published before 1942 (before synthetic chemicals became widely used).

Organic Land Care Program is geared towards landscape professionals wishing to gain a thorough understanding of organic ornamental horticulture.

OrganicAgInfo is a database of current scientifically-based or validated information about organic agriculture. The site contains information on production, economic data, research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information and transition strategies.
           
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center is an information resource for value-added agriculture.

Agriculture biologique. Transitional information on field crops, maple, horticultural crops, livestock and dairy (in French).

Farmcentre.com offers free "agriwebinars", as well as farm management resources available from the Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) including books, software and booklets.

Organic agricultural products: marketing and trade resources. An exhaustive list of sources of information on organic farm management and marketing.

Organic Research Database gives paid subscribers access to information on organic farming, sustainability issues and soil fertility, including the latest research developments in organic farming.

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) provides organic certifiers, growers, manufacturers, and suppliers an independent review of products intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing.

SPIN Farming uses S-mall P-lot IN-tensive growing methods that “make it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size.” The organization offers workbooks and courses with “precise revenue targeting formulas and organic-based techniques make it possible to gross $50,000+ from a half- acre” using low-capital farming methods.

Planet Friendly Net provides links to a variety of resources, including permaculture courses, organic conferences and apprenticeship opportunities.

Farm and Garden promotes and supports sustainable agriculture and educates consumers about the connections between the food we eat and the land and people who produce it.

Small Farm Center focuses on the challenges and opportunities of California’s small-scale farm operators but also has information that may be relevant to Maritime farmers.

Cornell University’s Small Farm Center provides easy access to information for small-scale farmers.

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center specializes in locating and accessing information related to alternative enterprises and crops as well as alternative cropping systems, with many online publications.
           
Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) is the communications and outreach arm of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program. SAN is dedicated to the exchange of scientific and practical information on sustainable agriculture systems; its resources include free bulletins, minimally priced CDs and books, and a searchable database of all funded SARE project reports.

Missouri Alternatives Center serves "Missouri farmers, extension staff, government personnel and people who want to begin farming, diversify their current operations, or find ways to profit from small amounts of acreage." Their resources include a comprehensive database of online how-to publications on many alternatives.