Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
ATTRA is an agricultural program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), headquartered in Montana, with offices in five other states. The ATTRA website provides over 300 downloadable publications written by ATTRA's sustainable agriculture specialists, a calendar of sustainable agriculture events throughout the U.S., and a list of farm internships and apprenticeships throughout Canada and the U.S.
Center for Applied Rural Innovations (CARI) is the focal point within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for communities and individuals to obtain information and program support needed to enhance their economic and social well-being. CARI has developed some of the most community-driven and impact-oriented programs focusing on rural viability.
eOrganic is the organic agriculture community of practice with eXtension. The eOrganic website is a clearinghouse for articles, webinars, and videos, and provides the opportunity to “Ask an Expert” about commercial certified organic farming. eOrganic’s initial content focused on general organic agriculture, dairy production, and vegetable production, but eOrganic members are now developing content on other farming systems and topics. All content is collaboratively authored and peer-reviewed by eOrganic’s community of University researchers and Extension personnel, other agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture. Find eOrganic's resources for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, rsearchers, and educators at articles.extension.org/organic_production.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
The USDA-NRCS has a special program within their EQIP program for transitioning to organic production. EQIP Organic Transition Program details may vary between counties. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office for more information. Center for Rural Affairs has been working with NRCS's - EQIP program and the organic certification process. Contact Martin Kleinschmit: 402-254-6893.
eXtension Organic Agriculture
A national website where America's land-grant universities share research-based organic production information via articles, videos, and webinars. Readers can also pose their questions to an Ask the Expert app or view questions and answers posted previously. Main topics include organic farming systems, certification, pest management, fertility, and seed production.
Kimmel Education and Research Center, Nebraska City
Offers the Inventors, Investors and Entrepreneurs Club (meets monthly), the annual Wild Fruit & Nut Jam event, and other educational and research efforts aimed at creating new economic opportunities and developing the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of individuals, organizations and communities.
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is a nonprofit organization in Spring Valley, Wisconsin that provides education, resources and expertise for organic farmers to succeed. Education is delivered through farm tours, a monthly newsletter, and an annual organic conference that draws over 3,000 people each February to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Resources include comprehensive publications on marketing, business management, and certification guides, as well as a searchable resource database. Staff include organic specialists with organic farming experience and expertise in certification who answer farmers’ specific questions online and by phone.
Natural Resources Conservation Service on Soil Health
This highly inclusive NRCS website about soil quality includes multiple references to organic farming and other practices related to soil fertility and pest management.
Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society
Their Mission: To promote agriculture and food systems that build healthy land, people, communities and quality of life, for present and future generations. Vision and work:
"We recognize the essential relationship between healthy local agriculture and a strong local food system; a relationship that benefits from food to grown and processed locally. This adds quality and security, as well as social and ecological responsibility and benefits to the community. It is this understanding that motivates NSAS's work to strengthen and enhance these systems together. Our work spans across Nebraska.
"As a non-profit organization, we are proud of our diverse membership which includes farmers, rural and urban consumers, market gardeners, educators, families and restaurateurs. We welcome anyone who is concerned about family farming, environmental quality and good, healthy food!"
North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE)
SARE is a science-based, grassroots, problem-solving sustainable agriculture program conceived and funded by the U.S. Congress to advance—to the whole of American agriculture—innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education. SARE awards competitive grants to farmers and non-profit groups as well as researchers and educators. SARE provides a searchable database of project reports, comprehensive publications, and online tools to access information gleaned from these reports and publications. Access SARE resources at the Learning Center.
In Nebraska contact:
Gary Lesoing
State SARE Coordinator
402-274-4755
glesoing@unl.edu
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC)
OACC facilitates research and education for organic producers and consumers to build sustainable communities.
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF). The Organic Farming Research Foundation is a non-profit whose mission is to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) Research and Education
The mission of OCIA Research and Education is to support farmer driven research, on farm and at research institutions, including exploratory and demonstration projects. They facilitate connections among farmers, researchers, consumers and decision makers, and educate organic producers and local and global communities regarding organic farming and foods.
USDA Clearinghouse for Alternative Farming Systems Information
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, founded in 1985, was one of the first USDA programs to focus on sustainable and organic agriculture. The Center specializes in library services: locating, accessing, organizing and distributing information related to sustainable and alternative agricultural systems, crops, and livestock. It searches resources of eOrganic, Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, National Ag Library, NCAT/ATTRA, and NRCS, as well as major publications from state and province universities.
Disclaimer
Reference to commercial products or trade names in these publications is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Nebraska-Lincoln is implied.