Answer: Copper fungicides can be highly effective against disease and can extend the growing period, especially if applied before plants are infected with pathogen spores. However, copper fungicides can accumulate in the soil and cause health-related…...
Answer: Controlling poison ivy is a difficult task, and it may take a long period of time to get a handle on it. Here are a few options for controlling poison ivy without the use of chemical herbicides.1. Control poison ivy by constantly mowing or…...
Answer: The following electronic databases can help you choose plant materials for your agroforestry project.The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) maintains an extensive database at http://plants.usda.gov/index.html. In the column…...
Answer: Kaolin clay is probably your best bet for organic control of Japanese beetles on apples, plums, and pears. It's not quite so good for peaches because the peach fuzz retains the clay and thereby presents a marketing problem. Other pros and cons…...
P.M. ArizonaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. The following letter will provide information and resources for designing vegetable gardens for…...
S.M. West VirginiaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on organic control methods for common milkweed. Common…...
M.G. ColoradoAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information regarding starting a new farm enterprise and developing a…...
V.B. KentuckyAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on fish-based fertilizer manufacturing.Fish wastes include…...
L.D. TennesseeAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on controlling bermudagrass in vegetable crops.There are…...
M.L. CaliforniaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding pumping and filtering for your farm drip irrigation system.Pumps: Refer to the table "Factors…...
R.L. TexasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on small scale grassfed cow calf production in central Texas.…...
J.S. New YorkAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on sources for business plans for greenhouse production. Here is a list of resources on planning a greenhouse business, including links to sample business plans.Greenhouse business…...
D.S. WisconsinAnswer: Thank you for your inquiry to ATTRA the Sustainable Agriculture Information service regarding rainbarrel water catchment and overflow illustrations. The following link is a great resource for strategies for developing…...
G.C. MissouriAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding factors that affect tomato flavor.Nutrients: A recent article from the University of Wisconsin…...
C.O. MaineAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information about starting a fiber business.Like you, I am very interested in natural fibers. I am glad there are businesses (and I see that Maine has several) who process and sell yarn and…...
P.S. CaliforniaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service for comparisons across drip, trickle, flood irrigation systems in terms of energy requirements.Comparing different systems for energy…...
G.H. IdahoAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding weed management in your newly planted asparagus.As you are finding out weed management is critical to…...
C.C. MississippiAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on grain production for livestock feed.When transitioning…...
C.R. ConnecticutAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on the resistance of antibiotics and hormones to the…...
D.H. TexasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on getting started in organic hay and beef cattle production.…...
E.D. MarylandAnswer: Thank you for your ATTRA request on the stocking densities for weeder geese. According to Dave Holderread in 'The Book of Geese', "The number of weeders needed depends on factors such as time of year, climate, crop, volume of…...
G.J. IndianaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on cover crops and crop rotations for organic vegetable…...
C.G.TexasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on using high tunnels for vegetable production in warm season…...
C.D. PennsylvaniaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on spading machines.The Spading Machine is a tillage tool…...
T.L. IdahoAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on alternative cattle feeds (concentrates) as supplements for…...
P.T. MississippiAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA, The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service for information about developing a breeding stock of chickens to raise offspring for sale and meat. Tim Shell, a producer from…...
B.C. MinnesotaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information about cutworm and organic/ biorational control methods.…...
S.G. GeorgiaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding monitoring the emergence of squash vine borer. It sounds liked you have tried many strategies for…...
D.S. North CarolinaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on movable high tunnels.A moveable high tunnel offers…...
B.O. MinnesotaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on disinfecting tools and buckets used in your organic…...
S.B.Answer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information about sources of dung beetles.Current thinking on dung beetles holds that if your management is appropriate, and if there are any dung beetles around, they will find you. They can fly great…...
T.C. TennesseeAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on controlling thorny locust.Brush Control Practices…...
J. S. CaliforniaAnswer: Horses can be grazed successfully with other livestock species. There are really no behavioral reasons why they should not, but the main consideration when grazing animals of different species on the same pasture is uniform…...
R.B. MinnesotaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information about achieving recognition of your fertilizer products as allowed for use in organic production. I state it that way, because input materials are not actually "certified", but…...
J.M. WashingtonAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information and plans for no-till roller-crimpers for cover crops.The…...
A.S. MississippiAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding energy self-audits for your farm.Understanding the energy required and consumed by your farm is…...
G.F. WisconsinAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on design plans for hoop houses. Below is a brief…...
C.Z. VirginiaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on flame weeding.Flame weeding is a non-chemical weed control…...
P.S. VirginiaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding grants, loans, and other financial assistance for a solar electric system. Focusing just on solar,…...
S.H. MarylandAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on permanent raised bed systems.Permanent raised bed systems…...
R.D. New YorkAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information regarding evaluating an enterprise for your prospective farm…...
G.C. WashingtonAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with technical information resources on aquaculture methodologies and system…...
D.O. ArizonaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information regarding organic strawberry production in hoop houses.Below…...
J.S. MinnesotaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, for information on determining beef yields. Below are a few resources that should be helpful to you.The first link is to Colorado State…...
T.S. KansasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding energy efficient lambing and lactation barns. Using passive ventilation and lighting methods, like we…...
R.G. Florida Answer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA on field production of rosemary in Florida?as raw material for your nutraceutical extraction facility and for sales to the herbal and spices industry. Referenced below are some…...
J.K. CaliforniaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information regarding vegetable production and planting guides. North…...
B.S. New YorkAnswer: Thank you for your question on snail and slug management. This letter provides information about control options for both snails and slugs. Snails and slugs are one of the more common and serious pests in the vegetable…...
Thank you for contacting ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. There are many organizations and websites that have classified sections and list sustainable agriculture jobs. The following are just a few of the resources that…...
B.S. TexasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information regarding starting a farmers market and EBT options for markets.…...
F.W. KentuckyAnswer: The mechanical roller-crimper is a tool that "rolls down" and "crimps" the stalks of cover crops for no-till weed suppression. Mechanical suppression of cover crops for no-till production can be accomplished through various kinds…...
J.J. GeorgiaAnswer: As a guideline, to completely eliminate pests, maintain 158°F or higher for 30 minutes, or 140°F or higher for one hour. It might be difficult to get your greenhouse to that temperature without incorporating another form…...
J.B. MontanaAnswer: These are some of our favorite resources on the subject of vegetation management with goats. Two chapters from the Targeted Grazing Manual (available on-line and by ordering from the American Sheep Industry) regarding…...
K.E. WashingtonAnswer: Animal manure, both organic and conventional, is approved for use on organic farms, subject to certain restrictions. The relevant sections of the National Organic Standards are listed below. The standards state that manure…...
J.D. IdahoAnswer: Your research request suggests that you are primarily interested in hydroponic strawberry production. Hydroponic means that a non-soil based medium is used as a substrate and fertilizer and pest control happens through the…...
N.M. North CarolinaAnswer: In general, melons prefer an average soil pH. of 6.0 to 7.0. It is critical that the ground be warm enough for the seeds to germinate! Plant melons 4 to 6 feet apart and sow the seeds 1 inch deep. To get the plants off…...
V.C. OhioAnswer: A quick search on the Cornell Ornithology website revealed that black-oil sunflower seeds are most preferred by birds. While you can also include the larger, striped sunflower varieties, the smaller, oilseed varieties are enjoyed by…...
P.L. CaliforniaAnswer: It is very important that you identify the pest, in this case nematodes, correctly, otherwise, any control measures may end up wasting time and money, not to mention being ineffective in controlling the pest. Have you…...
B.H. MinnesotaAnswer: Grain that has sprouted (if free of mold and other microorganisms) can be fed to cattle with no negative consequence. But in terms of delivering energy and nutrients to livestock, it is generally not advantageous to sprout…...
D.S. West VirginiaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding blossom end rot in your tomatoes.Blossom end rot is a physiological disorder of tomatoes and…...
J.S. New YorkAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on sources for business plans for greenhouse production. Here is a list of resources on planning a greenhouse business, including links to sample business plans.Greenhouse business…...
J.G. WashingtonAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on preventing and controlling thistles in forage crops.…...
S.H. PennsylvaniaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on using compost teas to control brown rot. I cannot answer your question directly because both scientific and anecdotal evidence indicate that you cannot gain a commercial level…...
G.C. MissouriAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding factors that affect tomato flavor.Nutrients: A recent article from the University of Wisconsin…...
H.V. PennsylvaniaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) native pollinator programs.Please see the NRCS Technical Note, "Using Farm Bill Programs for Pollinator Conservation"…...
B.J. CaliforniaAnswer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, regarding organic poultry production. Regarding the source of organic poultry, the national organic standards are as…...
F.W. KentuckyAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on the application of compost.There are several different…...
C.G. WisconsinAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on plans for aquaponics systems.Two authoritative guidebooks…...
B.A. KansasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on the use of molasses for weed control.Molasses is a byproduct…...
C.G. TexasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on using high tunnels for vegetable production in warm season…...
F.E. New MexicoAnswer: Thank you for your question about rearing ladybugs. I have pasted an excerpt from the book, BENEFICIAL INSECTS - HOW TO MASS-REAR FOR A PROFIT because is addresses your question rather well. As this excerpt notes, most…...
C.C. FloridaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding mist irrigation tools to maintain vegetative cuttings. A sprinkling system based from drip tube…...
M.R. ArkansasAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on developing a whole farm plan for transitioning to organic…...
G.J. IndianaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on cover crops and crop rotations for organic vegetable…...
K.A. New JerseyAnswer: Thank you for your request to ATTRA regarding fresh vs. frozen poultry.The advantage of fresh over frozen poultry to the consumer is that of convenience since there is no need for the product to be thawed before cooking. It…...
R.O. MassachusettsAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on estimating the labor hours needed for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm based on the number acres or amount of sales. Following are a few resources that should…...
S.H.Georgia Answer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information regarding greenhouse lettuce and winter crop production and…...
K.K. WisconsinAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information about commercial sprouts production. Please read the on-line sprouts publication available on the ATTRA website.Here is the link:…...
T.B. OklahomaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA with your request for information on your flock's diet. Please refer to the ATTRA publication 'Pastured Poultry Nutrition', a nutrition publication written by poultry nutritionist, Jeff…...
P.M. ArizonaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA, I am pleased to provide you with information on systems for dryland gardening. This case letter will address information and resources for dryland gardening.Your experience with the three…...
B.C. MinnesotaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information about cutworm and organic/ biorational control methods.…...
T.H. KansasAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on pricing cuts of beef. The following resources will allow you to determine yield and price for retail beef cuts.University of Vermont Meat Yield Calculation Spreadsheet You…...
P.M. ArizonaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on Jerusalem artichoke (or sunchoke) production.Jerusalem…...
W.S. North CarolinaAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on water buffalo.The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)…...
M.S. New MexicoAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Unfortunately, there is very little information on using solar or wind to heat a hoop house. Most of…...
W.R. MinnesotaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on converting a pasture to organic grain crops without using herbicide or tillage. This is a tricky question. Obviously, you have figured out that you want to keep the soil…...
T.G. WisconsinAnswer: Thank you for calling ATTRA to request information about elderberry production. Elderberry, Sambucas Canadensis, is a native plant throughout much of the U.S. The fruit and flowers are edible, and are traditionally used…...
P.J. WashingtonAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on energy efficiency measures for dairy farms. In Appendix 2 of NCAT's report "Farm Energy Audits: Availability, Usefulness, and Cost"(Audit Program Profiles), we asked several…...
R.L. KentuckyAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on current markets for ginseng and goldenseal. First, see ATTRA's publication Ginseng, Goldenseal, and Other Native Roots as it contains helpful production information.Also,…...
W.D. West VirginiaAnswer: Thank you for your request to ATTRA for information regarding the control of worms in your poultry flock. Worms are a common problem in flocks, and healthy birds often live harmoniously with low levels of worms. Proactive…...
L.L. WashingtonAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on agricultural implements for use with draft horses.…...
M.R. MissouriAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on how to calculate the amount of seeds to buy based on the number of CSA shares. I have listed several resources below, each of which I would encourage you to explore before…...
S.R. Rhode IslandAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on wildlife damage management for market gardeners and…...
Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information on crop rotation. The following resources should be helpful to you. First of all, here is a good website from UW Extension on rotations prior to 1940 (pre-herbicide era). The article contrasts the…...
Thank you for your request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding the use of biochar for soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Please see the following links and contacts for further…...
J.F. VermontAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with barn designs to house multiple species of livestock. Cattle require shelter from extreme heat and cold, but the shelter need not be extravagant. For cattle, the lower critical temperature at…...
N.S. KentuckyAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on greenhouse strawberry production. In North America, greenhouse production of horticulture crops has been somewhat limited primarily to tomatoes and greens. Many consumers in the…...
H.L. ArkansasAnswer: Dahlias are currently among the most popular and best selling cut flowers. They can be grown from tubers or cuttings and are very productive; they bloom in northwest Arkansas from late June until frost. Dahlias come in many…...
F.W. KentuckyAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA with your request for information on how to build a walk in cooler. Lynn Byczynski, in her recent book Market Farming Success, has a good section on coolers. Byczynski and her husband were…...
M.Y. IndianaAnswer: Thank you for your contacting ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, for information about corn gluten meal for weed management. The herbicidal qualities of corn gluten meal were discovered…...
S.J. MississippiAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I am pleased to provide you with information on small livestock production on a sub-acreage farm.…...
G.F. FloridaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA with your request for information on urban poultry. In planning to try and change your city's ordinances in regards to poultry, it may be helpful to look at other urban poultry groups who have…...
R.H. OhioAnswer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA on controlling black knot in your 30 acre organic plum and peach orchard. Black knot is caused by a fungus called Apiosporina morbosa. It can infect wild cherry and plum trees,…...
E.H. Wyoming Answer: I am pleased to provide you with information on constructing a Walipini-style greenhouse. The Walipini is an underground or pit greenhouse that utilizes nature's resources to provide a warm, stable, well-lit environment for…...
W.K. Oklahoma Answer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA with your request for information on composting poultry litter. I understand you are interested in composting existing poultry litter in empty broiler houses. I've compiled some information on…...
M.M. South CarolinaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA with your request for information on the production of French guinea fowl.Please refer to Raising Guinea Fowl (PDF/1MB), a publication by the USDA. The publication dates back to 1976 when…...
Answer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding growing hot peppers for market.Before growing hot peppers for market, I recommend evaluating your clientele to see…...
N.K. IndianaAnswer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA on growing saffron.In my saffron file, I have notes on a follow-up report by phone from a Texas farmer who, in the mid 1990s, had been very excited about growing saffron. He had…...
T.K. North CarolinaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with informational resources on small-scale market farming.Many decisions about crops are made on an ad hoc basis, once production starts, since farming is weather-dependent, and unlike most…...
A.K. New YorkAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding greenhouse production, budgeting, and marketing.In general, in is important to consider growing higher value products in greenhouses to offset the labor and cost of setting…...
E.B. WisconsionAnswer: I am pleased to provide you information on tomato diseases; in particular, late blight and blossom end rot. Late blight is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. A fact sheet from Ohio State University is referenced…...
P.C. MichiganAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA with your request for information on the addition of ducks into a rotational grazing system. Ducks can be raised in similar production systems as chickens, and be included in a rotational…...
D.M. FloridaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on grass-fed beef certifications. There are a few opportunities nation-wide to certify beef operations to a standard and obtain a label for grass-fed and other management practices.…...
S.M. IndianaAnswer: Thank you for your request to ATTRA for information on pastured layers. Although we do not have a publication specific to raising pastured layers, several ATTRA publications contain relevant information such as Range Poultry…...
Answer: NCAT's ATTRA: Sustainable Agriculture Information Service provides a self-listing directory of farms seeking interns. (http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/internships/)Our on-site Disclaimer reads:All listings are submitted to this site by…...
J.N. WashingtonAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on wheel line irrigation operation and maintenance.You may be interested in requesting a copy of The NCAT Guide to Efficient Irrigation, which is a 158-page take-to-the-field…...
B.S. CaliforniaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on gopher control.An important first step in any pest management strategy is to understand the life cycle, burrowing and tunneling habits, and damage patterns of the rodents that…...
C.J. West VirginiaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on reseeding and erosion control. Reseeding Tips for Large Areas1. Control existing vegetation. 2. Plant cool season perennial grass such as a tall fescue and perennial…...
J.E. CaliforniaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for resources on hydroponic greenhouse production. General Greenhouse Production Considerations: Enterprise Budgets If you intend for this to be a profit making venture, it is very important…...
G.H. Idaho Answer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding weed management in your newly planted asparagus.As you are finding out weed management is critical…...
J.K. OklahomaAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA about starting a bamboo farm.Please refer to ATTRA's publication Bamboo, A Multipurpose Agroforestry Crop.You will find considerable general information about bamboo in this publication. As to…...
H.J. HawaiiAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information from ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service regarding organically approved management alternatives for "pickleworm." Pickleworm is a tropical insect and…...
D.G. MarylandAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information and ideas for pricing meat goats for on-farm selling.Although online information is scarce on the going rate for on-farm direct-marketing of slaughter-ready goats, there are good…...
W.A. GeorgiaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on small scale processing facility for cattle and hogs.Well-designed and built multi-species processing plants will contain some if not all the following attributes: receiving and…...
D.W. OregonAnswer: Thank you for your recent request for information on organic alfalfa rotations.Rotations(1) The Noble Foundation in Oklahoma does research and education on forages and livestock management, and makes the following…...
J.H. IllinoisAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information about raising hogs on pasture, and rare breeds.I understand the desire to keep hogs in a more natural situation, and allowing them to forage. Please refer to the ATTRA publications…...
D.G. OhioAnswer: Thank you for requesting from ATTRA a list of all available varieties of lavender. Please see our publication Lavender Production and Marketing. Refer to The Big Book of Herbs, by Arthur O. Tucker (Delaware State University) and…...
A.D. MichiganAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on cherry tree integrated pest management and fertility.Please refer to the ATTRA publication Organic Tree Fruit Production. This publication provides a good introduction to the…...
T.P. New JerseyAnswer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA on what qualifications you must meet as a farm intern mentor. You also ask about any state or federal programs and other aspects of having interns work on your farm. Your state…...
C.S. KentuckyAnswer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA on vegetable drying designs and methods (tomatoes). Please refer to the ATTRA publication Food Dehydration Options. This publication covers mid-to-large-scale food dehydration…...
L.B. ColoradoAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding soil management strategies for your new farm. This letter is outlined to provide you with more details regarding amending a heavy clay soil with compost and green manures…...
M.Y. ArkansasAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information for starting cut flower production. Please see the ATTRA publication Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing. A few flowers that you might try growing this summer include:…...
C.J. West VirginiaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on integrating poultry into a garden.A "chicken tractor" is a way to integrate poultry production with vegetable production. Andy Lee described his system in a popular book…...
L.T. OhioAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding resources and Web sites where chefs can find sustainable food sources/suppliers in their area.Farmers markets are a good place to begin, as are food coops and grocery stores…...
E.H. MissouriAnswer: Flies of concern may include members of the family Muscidae that includes house flies, stable flies, horn flies and face flies. The habits of these are summarized in the chart below. Although certain flies favor barns or…...
D.S. MissouriAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding organic post harvest handling procedures for your vegetables. Peroxyacetic acid (PAA, also called peracetic acid), in combination with hydrogen peroxide, is a popular…...
C.A. New YorkAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding spelt production. The following articles provide descriptions of the agronomic requirements for growing spelt. One is titled "Spelt" from the Alternative Field Crops Manual…...
F.M. ArkansasAnswer: Thank you for requesting information from ATTRA on enterprise budget and business planning template for mixed medicinal herb production, and information on how to locate buyers for medicinal herbs, as well as organic seed for…...
G.H. New HampshireAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding basic information about mycorrhizae and soil health and plant nutrition. Mycorrhizae are the symbiotic fungi that surround and penetrate plant roots. Studies have…...
A.W. VirginiaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on composting paper.Paper is considered a good carbon source for compost and can be included in a compost pile. It is best to talk to the farmers who may be taking your paper to see…...
B.G. MontanaAnswer: I have found several publications and resources that should be helpful in setting up your rural community garden. You may wish to look at the publication "Market Gardening: A Start-up Guide" which offers helpful advice on garden…...
A.H. OregonAnswer: I'm listing below a few of the sustainable agriculture videos I found that may be useful to you. Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) Virtual Farm Tours Southern SAWG's video series titled Natural Farming…...
J.T. LouisianaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding designing a gravity fed drip irrigation system. Pressure: For every 1' (12 cm) of elevation above the system you will gain .433 PSI (.030 bar). This means that if your…...
S.R. Rhode IslandAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding sub-acreage orcharding. Information on Sub-acreage orchards and dwarf fruit trees: Permaculture orchard design might fit into your ideas for a sub-acreage orchard, as…...
M.G. VirginiaAnswer: First, you may be able to find antique equipment through antique dealers or by networking with landowners in your area who have older farms with extensive junk piles. If you're buying antique equipment, there are a couple things…...
S.M. ColoradoAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on cover crops that will act as a cover crop for your vegetables as well as provide winter grazing for your hogs and sheep. Your question is a bit difficult to answer, as there…...
D.W. FloridaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on growing switchgrass, opportunities for markets, and developing local processing plants.Although recent news has been full of exciting reports about ethanol and switchgrass,…...
B.R. CaliforniaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information on reclaiming old abandoned asphalt parking lots and the use of soils in urban agriculture.Farming over asphalt is not new to urban agriculture. The Red Hook Community Farm in…...
P.B. TennesseeAnswer: Thank you for contacting ATTRA for information about growing specialty cut flowers to sell at farmers' markets. I understand you are especially interested in sunflowers and dried flowers. Please refer to the ATTRA publications…...
K.W. CaliforniaAnswer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding organic greenhouse strawberry starts.Many strawberry growers rely on starts that are certified disease free, as strawberries tend to be a disease and pest magnet.…...