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ATTRA Blog

Whether you’re a seasoned or beginning producer, a curious consumer, or simply someone who appreciates the bounty of the earth, you’ll find valuable insights and engaging stories here.

Written by ATTRA specialists on topics they are passionate and knowledgeable about, the ATTRA blog highlights techniques, how-tos, insight, success stories, and much more in support of sustainable agriculture.

Overgrazing – A Chronic Soil Disturbance on Grazing Lands: Part II

If we’re going to build the health of anything – whether that’s our own health or the health of grazing lands – and we are causing damage by our management actions, then our first priority should be to stop the damage.
By Justin Morris, Regenerative Grazing Specialist

Conservation Hedgerows for the Southwest

“Kill two birds with one stone” — isn't it time this old adage got an update? Instead of killing two birds with one stone, why don't we save two birds with one hedgerow? And protect soil from erosion while we're at it? And protect plants from wind damage, too? And do a bunch of other great things that benefit humans, animals, and the environment?
By Katherine Favor, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Safety for Sheep and Shepherd

When NCAT’s Livestock Team recently held a series of webinars for people considering a new livestock enterprise, many folks indicated they were thinking of getting sheep. Sounds good to me!
By Linda Poole, Regenerative Grazing Specialist

Agroforestry for Improved Soil Fertility

It’s the holiday season, the time of year when food and feasting is at the forefront of our thoughts more than ever. Just like humans, our soil needs nutrition, too, so while part of me is busy thinking about what food I’m going to make for my family this Christmas, the other part of me is thinking about what food my soil needs.
By Katherine Favor, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Overgrazing – A Chronic Soil Disturbance on Grazing Lands: Part I

Chronic human diseases are everywhere these days it seems. Interestingly, there are some similarities between how our bodies respond to acute and chronic disturbances and how grazing lands respond to acute and chronic disturbances that come in the form of grazing, drought, fire, hail and even insect pest invasion.
By Justin Morris, Regenerative Grazing Specialist

Farm Visit to JSM Organics with Congressman Panetta and Under Secretary Moffitt

Staff from the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s (NCAT) ATTRA sustainable agriculture program had been planning for months to create a video tour of JSM Organics, one of the Latino-owned farms featured in this year’s Latino Farmer Conference.
By Ann Baier, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

The Timeless Pulse: A Personal Story

This coming year, I am reaching the age where the federal government has suggested that it might be best for me to retire. While amazing legumes provide a natural and timeless means to address much of the fertility needs of at least organic agriculture, I am realizing that I am not as timeless as I used to fool myself into believing.
By Jeff Schahczenski, NCAT Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist
Agrisolar clearinghouse logo

NCAT Launches Nation’s First AgriSolar Clearinghouse

In less than a decade, solar installations are expected to cover…
Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis).

The Impact of Grazing Frequency and Recovery Period on Plant Diversity and Soil Health

During my extensive travels working in pastoral ecosystems for nearly 20 years, ranging from Hawaii to New Hampshire and a lot of places in between, I’ve observed a common phenomenon. Whenever I would see a pasture that was always grazed down very short, I would see maybe two or three species of plants there. At the opposite end of the spectrum, I observed fields where livestock were never permitted to go and again, I would see a few plant species at best. Between these two extremes I found pastures with incredible diversity. So, what was driving plant diversity or the lack of it? 
By Justin Morris, Regenerative Livestock Specialist

Weekly Wednesday Workshop: Permaculture 101

In this video, Felicia Bell, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist…