Over the last decade, certified organic crop and pasture acreage has more than doubled in the U.S. and interest among farmers and consumers is growing rapidly. However, some farmers and ranchers hesitate to convert their acreage because of the uncertainty associated with transitioning to organic.


"Opportunities in Agriculture: Transitioning to Organic Production" a new bulletin from the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN,) provides a detailed overview of organic farming and ranching. From designing profitable rotations and building healthy soil to controlling weeds and pests, the 32-page color bulletin lays out many promising strategies to convert successfully, including special sections on livestock production, and profiles of four diverse organic producers.

The bulletin also covers:

·          Typical organic farming production practices

·          Innovative marketing ideas

·          The new federal standards for certified organic crop production

·          Special considerations for transition

The bulletin is available for download in PDF format at
http://www.sare.org/bulletin/organic/organic2003.pdf