Unsprayed Carman grapes

Grapes in High Tunnels Can Greatly Reduce Pesticide Use and Increase Yields

As a young, would-be organic farmer in the early 1970s, I drooled over the nursery catalog photographs of plump, succulent bunches of grapes as if they were the very essence and promise of good farming and good health. The genus containing grapes is Vitis, a word from the proto-Indo-European root, which means “living or life itself.” Wow. Grapes=life itself!
By Guy K. Ames, NCAT Horticulture Specialist

Episode 240. Urban Agroforestry for Dryland Environments 

Urban agroforestry is the intentional use of perennial trees and shrubs to improve the sustainability and resilience of urban farms and communities. In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agroforestry Specialist Katherine Favor sits down with Christopher Marciello of Ecology Artisans — a regenerative landscape and design firm — to talk about urban agroforestry in dryland environments.
Katherine Favor and Christopher Marciello
Hands holding organic strawberries from Canada

Virtual Farm Tour: Risk Management at Appel Farms

In this video, farmers Travis and Mandy Appel detail their specialty…
two sheep

Integrating Livestock with Crops Project: Food-Safety Considerations

A three-year research project at Montana State University,"Impacts…

The Internal GAP Audit: Scope Two, Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities

This video describes and demonstrates the second scope of a GAP…
Riparian buffer strips, one of several possible agroforestry practices, protects water quality and helps prevent stream bank erosion

Agroforestry: An Overview

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

Virtual Farm Tour: Risk Management at Ames Orchard and Nursery

Hear from farmer Guy Ames, owner of Ames Orchard and Nursery…

Risk Management on a Diverse Orchard and Nursery

This virtual workshop includes a video tour of Ames Orchard and…

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