The University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, Minn., leads an extensive program dedicated to exploring agriculture alternatives and the science of organic systems. Researchers from the University’s Research and Outreach Centers, faculty from the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus and University of Minnesota Extension Service educators actively contribute to the program with vital research projects and outreach activities.
Subscribe today to Organic Ecology! You'll receive email notifications
about the latest news and content published on this site.
Posted by Jim Riddle, September 29th , 2009. The 2008 Farm Bill charged NRCS to “establish a transparent means by which producers may initiate organic certification … while participating in an [NRCS] contract…” In doing so, Congress recognized that the stewardship threshold to improve the quality and condition of our natural resources may be met through implementation of organic practices, as defined by the National Organic Program (NOP).
NRCS has released a matrix, which provides guidance to organic and transitioning producers on required organic practices, and the NRCS conservation practices, available through the Conservation Stewardship Program, that are compatible and can assist with transitional and certified organic production.
Filed under: Education & Outreach, News Posted by Jim Riddle, September 16th , 2009. To help organic farmers prevent unintended application of prohibited substances, the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture is offering 18″ x 24″ aluminum “Organic Farm Please Do Not Spray” signs to certified and exempt organic growers, as well as to those actively in transition to organic, who farm in Minnesota. MN NRCS has generously agreed to help distribute the signs.
Orders must be placed by October 15. The order form is located on the MDA website under “Forms.”
Filed under: News Posted by Jim Riddle, September 3rd , 2009. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has published two new resources for organic farmers and others interested in organic agriculture. The 52-page Organic Farm Performance in Minnesota report offers detailed information about the cost of production and the profitability of organic farming in Minnesota. The report also compares the economic performance of organic farms enrolled in the Farm Business Management Program in 2006 and 2007 with those enrolled in 2008, as well as comparing the performance of organic and non-organic farms enrolled in the program.
A second publication is the 2009 Directory of Minnesota Organic Farms. More than 250 of the estimated 650 certified organic farms in Minnesota are included in this handy directory.
Filed under: News, Publications 
