Updated Articles and Resources

By Jennifer Chait, About.com Guide

Green Manure - Definition of Green Manure Created: Monday, April 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
Is green manure a raw material or not?
Agricultural Compost - Definition of Agricultural Compost Created: Monday, April 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
What is agricultural compost and what does NOP have to say about it.
8 DIY Low-Cost Organic Marketing Ideas - Inexpensive Advertising for Organic Producers Created: Monday, April 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
You don't always have to spend a lot of money to promote your organic business. Before handing over a chunk of change to an ad company, try these low-cost DIY organic advertising methods.
Can Organic Livestock be Managed Non-organically Temporarily? Created: Monday, April 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
Can you transition organic livestock back and fourth between organic and non-organic management?
Focus on Local Customers to Grow Your Organic Business Created: Monday, April 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
Sometimes organic businesses may not focus enough attention on their local roots - a bad business move. Here's how to get local and grow your business.
Environmental Benefits of Pasture Raised Livestock - Grass-fed Livestock Benefits Created: Monday, April 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
Grass-fed livestock results in some naturally sustainable benefits for the planet.
Writing Your Pasture Management Plan - Pasture Management Plan for Organic Livestock Producers Created: Sunday, April 29, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Your organic pasture management plan is an important part of your OSP. Find out what specifically belongs in your plan.
Buffer Strip - Buffer Strips in Organic Farming Created: Friday, September 30, 2011 Updated: Friday, April 13, 2012
Find out why buffer strips are important on an organic farm.
Natural - Definition of Natural Created: Monday, October 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Natural is a commonly used food term that means almost nothing.
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) - Definition of Electronic Benefit Transfer Created: Monday, October 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is now accepted at farmers markets.
National Organic Program (NOP) - Definition of National Organic Program (NOP) Created: Friday, August 12, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Learn a little about how the National Organic Program (NOP) was developed.
Organochlorine Pesticides - Definition of Organochlorine Pesticides Created: Monday, August 23, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Organochlorine pesticides are some of the worst pesticides around - find out why.
Sewage Sludge - Definition of Sewage Sludge Created: Saturday, August 21, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Crops free from sewage sludge is just one of the many benefits of organic farming.
Livestock - Definition of Organic Livestock Created: Friday, August 20, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Learn what qualifies as organic livestock.
Certified Organic - Definition of Certified Organic Created: Thursday, August 19, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Not all organic terms mean the same thing. Certified organic is a term you can trust more than simply the term organic.
Accredited Certifying Agent - Definition of Accredited Certifying Agent Created: Thursday, August 19, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Find out what an accredited certifying agent does for the organic industry.
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances Definition Created: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances helps you figure out if your product is eligible for USDA organic certification.
Factory Farm - Definition of Factory Farm Created: Saturday, July 31, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Are factory farms really so terrible?
Standards Addressed by National Organic Program Regulations Created: Friday, August 12, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
The National Organic Program strives to maintain organic integrity with specific regulations and standards.
USDA Organic Certification - How to Get USDA Certified Organic Created: Thursday, July 22, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Meeting USDA organic certification standards shows consumers that you're committed to quality organic goods. Learn the basics of how to get certified organic - examine USDA organic certification el..
Organic Business Software - FINPACK Business Plan Software for Agricultural Producers Created: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
The FINPACK Business Plan is one of the most powerful and comprehensive software suites available to agricultural producers.
Get Your Farm Certified Organic - Steps Before You Get Certified Organic Created: Thursday, December 02, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Before your farm can get certified organic, you'll need to take some first and very important steps.
Transition to Organic - Questions to Ask Before Transitioning to Organic Created: Monday, September 20, 2010 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Before you decide to transition to organics, ask yourself some questions to see if organic is right for you.
What is the Occupational Outlook for Organic Farmers - is Organic Farming a Good Career Choice? Created: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Traditional farming as a career is on the decline, but that doesn't mean that organic farming is necessarily a poor career choice.
How Do I Locate an Organic Certification Agency for My Business Created: Saturday, September 17, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
If you're planning on getting certified organic, you'll need to hook up with an organic certifying agency. Here's how to locate an accredited agency.
Organic Water Certification - Can You Certify Organic Water? Created: Saturday, July 30, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Find out if water is eligible for USDA organic certification.
What are the Additional Requirements of the California State Organic Program? Created: Monday, July 11, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Learn about the additional requirements necessary to go organic in California.
NOP What is the National Organic Program Handbook? Created: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
Learn how the NOP Handbook can help your organic farm or business.
When is an Organic Farm Exempt from USDA Organic Certification? Created: Saturday, May 14, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
If you're an organic farming, growing all organic goods, do you have to get officially certified organic?
Is Organic Certification Required for Retail Operations? Created: Sunday, March 13, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
If a retailer carries organic goods, must that retailer be certified organic?
Organic Cost Share Program - Organic Certification Costs Created: Thursday, February 24, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
The Organic Cost Share Program may be able to help you pay for organic certifications costs.
Do Restaurants Need to be Certified to Serve Organic Food? Created: Monday, January 10, 2011 Updated: Saturday, April 07, 2012
If you're not certified organic, can your restaurant still serve organic food?

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