University of Illinois Extension

Illinois Small Farms

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Certification
A Primer on Organic Practices
Organic Marketing in Illinois

Other Resources

eOrganic

eOrganic provides scientific, experience, and certification based information on organic farming for farmers, extension agents, agricultural professionals, and the general public. For example, we have articles, videos, webinars, and an ask-an-expert service, all of which are free, peer reviewed, and checked for compliance with organic certification regulations. Topics include dairy farming, soils, weed, disease, and pest management, and vegetable production, as well as organic certification and marketing.

eXtension – Organic Agriculture

eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America. eXtension connects knowledge consumers with knowledge providers - experts who know their subject matter inside out. This site provides information about organic agriculture, including dairy and vegetable production, as well as a wide-range of general topics. The site also includes ask an expert and webinars.

New Ag Network

Three universities—University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and Purdue University—have joined resources to bring seasonal advice to field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture. New information is posted twice a month during the growing season and less frequently during winter. Our on-line newsletter features crop updates from organic growers and articles from university specialists about a variety of practices and new findings useful for organic growers. The information serves those interested in transitioning to organic as well as those currently practicing low-input or organic agriculture.

The Organic Center

Generates credible, peer-reviewed scientific information and communicates the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society. The site includes information about the State of the Science, as well as a newsletter and organic resources

NCR Organic and Sustainable Ag Video Series 2008

University of Illinois is joining Purdue University, Michigan State University, and Ohio State University to offer an interactive video conference series presented by researchers, organic farmers, and extension educators. The series is sponsored by Cooperative Extension Services at University of Illinois, Purdue University, Michigan State University and The Ohio State University, and also supported by funding from USDA's NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. The website includes information about the 2008 program, as well as information about the 2007 series.

Organic Resources

The handbook provides guidance about national organic regulations for those who own, manage, or certify organic operations. It is intended to serve as a resource for the organic sector to help participants comply with federal regulations. It is available online at http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOPProgramHandbook The handbook provides guidance on the allowance of green waste and approval of liquid fertilizers in organic production systems; certification of organic yeast; processed animal manures in organic crop production; reassessed inert ingredients; and the calculation of dry matter intake to verify compliance with the NOP's pasture requirements. It also includes instructions concerning organic certification, such as recordkeeping, steps to certification, and organic certificates; accreditation procedures, such as how to apply to become an accredited certifying agent; international procedures, such as how USDA determines equivalence of foreign organic standards to those of the NOP; compliance and enforcement measures, such as how to handle complaints; and appeals procedures for certified operations or accredited certification agents. The handbook also explains the difference between NOP regulations and guidance/instruction documents and outlines their purpose, legal effect, and the process by which the NOP authorizes, reviews, revises and disseminates them to the public.

What is Organic Food and Why Should I Care?

This publication explains USDA National Organic Program requirements in simplified terms. It also presents footnoted summaries of scientific studies about the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming. The full publication is available at: http://www.organicconsumers.org/documents/OrganicFoodhandoutforwebv.2final.pdf

The following resources were prepared by Andy Larson, Visiting Research Specialist in Agriculture, Initiative for Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture at the Rockford Center in 2004; it was revised and updated by Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Specialist, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture.