Need more Information? Try these great Resources…
Technical Information
Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
Penn State University lab provides a wide range of fee-based testing programs for soils, plants, biosolids and other agricultural materials. 814-863-0841; aaslab@psu.edu; www.aasl.psu.edu
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
Funded by the US Department of Agriculture, ATTRA provides outstanding free information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the US. www.attra.org/, 800-346-9140
Eatwild: The Clearinghouse for Information about Pasture-Based Farming
Eatwild.com features comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate information about grass-fed and organic beef, pork, lamb, bison, dairy products, and poultry. It also features the country's most extensive list of suppliers of pasture-raised products. 29428 129th Ave SW, Vashon, WA 98070.
1-866-453-8489
http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html
NewFarm.Org
An on-line magazine by the folks at Rodale. Lots of hands-on information. www.newfarm.org/
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
OMRI is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to publish and disseminate generic and specific (brandname) lists of materials allowed and prohibited for use in the production, processing, and handling of organic food and fiber. Brand name lists are available at their website. www.omri.org, 541-343-7600
Organic Weed Management Website
Cornell Univ. scientists maintain a weed database containing information on many plants that are considered common garden weeds and includes identification with a photo, management suggestions, and other information. Other features offer aids to effectively managing unwanted plants. http://www.css.cornell.edu/weedeco/WeedDatabase
Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program and Hotline
A collaboration between Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting IPM in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. The IPM Hotline offers growers information on pest infestations affecting their crops: 800-PENN-IPM. http://paipm.cas.psu.edu, 814-865-2839.
Government Agencies
National Organic Program (NOP)
The NOP is a marketing program housed within the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. It does not certify producers, but oversees accreditation of certifying agents. www.ams.usda.gov/nop, 202-720-3252
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)--Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
AMA provides cost-share assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. Pennsylvania is focusing its AMA program toward the conversion to organic farming, windbreaks, irrigation, orchard production, and grazing. http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama.html
Barry Frantz, State Resource Conservationist: 717-237-2216, barry.frantz@pa.usda.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
Administers a cost-share program that reimburses Pennsylvania producers up to 75% of their organic certification fees, up to a maximum of $500. Jared Grissinger: 717-705-9513, jgrissinge@state.pa.us. www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=126850
Associations and Networks
Buy Fresh, Buy Local/ SE PA
A joint effort of the Philadelphia Fair Food Project, PASA, and Farm to City. Offers a list of Philadelphia restaurants, farmers' markets, specialty markets and Community Supported Agriculture farms that supply food from farmers in southeastern Pennsylvania. Part of a nationwide “Buy Fresh/Buy Local” effort. Bridget Croke. http://www.buylocalpa.org/
Fair Food Project/White Dog Cafe Foundation
Fosters connections between chefs and specialty-food stores in Philadelphia and farmers in the southeastern Pennsylvania region. 215-386-9224, info@whitedog.com
http://www.whitedog.com/foundation.html#fairfood
Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA)
A resource for organic dairy farmers, organic milk producers
and consumers interested in organic dairy farming and products. Among the information offered: organic dairy news, northeast events, farmer classifieds, business directory, guidance on transitioning to organic, grazing management and soil health.
30 Keets Rd., Deerfield, MA 01342
info@organicmilk.org, www.organicmilk.org
Dave Johnson, provident@epix.net, 570-324-2285
Ed Maltby, emaltby@comcast.net, 413-772-0444
NorthEast Organic Network (NEON)
An innovative consortium of farmers, researchers, extension educators and grassroots nonprofits working together to improve organic farmers' access to research and technical support. www.neon.cornell.edu, 607-255-1780
Anusuya Rangarajan, ar47@cornell.edu
The Organic Trade Association (OTA)
OTA is a membership-based association that encompasses all sectors of the organic industry, from farm to retail. OTA represents the industry's interests to regulators, policymakers, the media and the public. www.ota.com, 413-774-7511, info@ota.com
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)
Non-profit organization working to improve the economic and social prosperity of Pennsylvania food and agriculture. Offers seasonal field-days throughout PA, as well as an outstanding annual conference in February. www.pasafarming.org/
info@pasafarming.org/, 814-349-9856
Acres U.S.A
A resource for books dealing with organic crop and livestock production. 1-800-355-5313. www.acresusa.com
Farm And Agricultural Business Locators
Locators help you find the agricultural resources you need. Listing your farm or business on these locators is free and increases your networking possibilities.
AgMap: Pennsylvania’s Online Agricultural Directory
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State University, the AgMap database lists over 1,170 agricultural businesses in Pennsylvania. Looking for locally grown produce, equipment and parts, or businesses serving the ag community? AgMap lets you search for agricultural services and commodities based on location, products and service types. Consumers can find places off the beaten track that offer locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other products. http://agmap.psu.edu/
814-865-2307, support@agmap.psu.edu
Local Harvest
Local Harvest maintains a reliable public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food sources. Their search engine helps people find local sources of sustainably grown food, and encourages them to establish direct contact with family farms in their local area.
831-475-8150 www.localharvest.org
The NewFarm.org Farm Locator
Bills itself as “helping consumers, brokers, restauranteurs, and other farmers find the farm services they’re looking for.” Just plug in information such as a product, zip code, marketing method, and state or Canadian province to find what you’re looking for. Its many uses include spreading the word that you need a farm intern. http://www.newfarm.org/farmlocator/index.php
This
page last updated 12/12/2007
