University of Illinois Extension

Illinois Small Farms

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.

Certification

An Overview of the Certification Process

Procedures of Organic Certification
ATTRA’s National Organic Program Compliance Checklist for Producers
Examples of Organic Standards
Global Organic Alliance, Inc.
Indiana Certified Organic
Organic Trade Association
Oregon Tilth, Inc.
USDA National Organic Program
Examples of Organic Certification Fees
Indiana Certified Organic
Oregon Tilth, Inc.

Certification Organizations Operating In Illinois

Certified Organic, Inc.
500 First St.
Keosauqua, IA 52565
Phone: 1-866-581-6428 (call toll free)
Global Organic Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 530
Bellefontaine, OH 43311-0530
Phone: (937) 593-1232
Fax: (937) 593-9507
Indiana Certified Organic
8364 South SR39
Clayton, IN 46118
Phone: (317) 539-4317
Fax: (317) 539-4319
International Certification Services, Inc.
301 5th Ave. SE
Medina, ND 58467
Phone: (701) 486-3578
Fax: (701) 486-3580
Midwest Organic Services Association
821 122 West Jefferson Street
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-2526
Fax: (608) 637-7032
Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA) Certification
41 Croswell Rd.
Columbus, OH 43214
Phone: 614- 262- 2022
Fax: 614- 421- 2011
organic@oeffa.org
Organic Crop Improvement Association International
6400 Cornhusker, Suite 125
Lincoln, NE 68507
Phone: (402) 477-2323
Fax: (402) 477-4325
Oregon Tilth, Inc.
470 Lancaster Dr. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 378-0690
Fax: (503) 378-0809

A Primer on Organic Practices

General Principles

National Organic Program’s Organic Production and Handling Standards Fact Sheet
ATTRA’s Overview of Organic Agriculture (PDF)
FAQs about Organic Farming from the Organic Farming Research Foundation

Crop Production

ATTRA’s Organic and Sustainable Practices Workbook for Cropping Systems
ATTRA’s Organic Field Crop Publications
Acres U.S.A. – Online Edition
Organic Materials Review Institute
Organic Agriculture Information

Fruit and Vegetable Production

ATTRA’s Organic Fruit Crop Publications
ATTRA’s Organic Vegetables, Flowers, & Herbs Publications
New Farm by the Rodale Institute
Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News
Organic Agriculture Information

Livestock Production

ATTRA’s Organic and Sustainable Practices Workbook for Livestock Systems
ATTRA’s Organic Livestock Publications
Organic Agriculture Information

Some Favorite Links

For a wide variety of information on organic farming organized by topic:

ATTRA’s Master List of Organic Publications
Organic Agriculture Information

Organic Marketing in Illinois

USDA Organic Price Reports

Eastern Cornbelt Organic Grain & Feedstuffs Report
Upper Midwest Organic Grain & Feedstuffs Report

Wholesale Markets

Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
Clarkson Grain – Organic and non-GMO
The New Farm’s Organic Price Index
Chicago’s Green City Market

Other Approaches

The ABCs of Marketing to Restaurants by Rodale’s New Farm
Selling to Restaurants
The Fresh Connection Keeps Farmers and Chefs in Touch