Crop Production

The Fruit and Nut Compass

The Fruit and Nut Compass is a farm business planning tool to help both new and experienced producers project the financial costs and returns from an enterprise focused on perennial crops.

Improving Honeybee Queen Quality and Diversity in Ohio

Hongmei Li-Byarlay is working to improve the quality and quantity of queen bee production in Ohio.

Grazing Cover Crops and Advancing Farmer Networks in Wisconsin

Dane County Land Conservation was able to support and create intentional spaces for a group of farmers willing to take a chance on establishing and utilizing cover crops on their farms to improve soil health.

High-Efficiency, Year-Round Tropical Greenhouse in South Dakota

In Aurora, South Dakota, Shannon Mutschelknaus received SARE support to compare the various features of multiple passive solar greenhouse designs.

Prairie Strips as a Farmland Conservation Practice

Farmers and researchers in Iowa have been planting prairie strips in their crop fields to help reduce surface runoff.

Kansas Farmer Tests Heirloom Corn Varieties

Pantaleon Florez studied no-till growing methods of non-GMO, heirloom dent corn at Maseualkaulli Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.

Washing Greens Efficiently

With support from SARE, Mad Farmers Collective built a new greens washing station that improved productivity, ergonomics, and efficiency.

Growing the Pasture-Grazed Dairy Sector in Wisconsin

Growing the Pasture-Grazed Dairy Sector in Wisconsin is the summary report of a team of researchers, dairy farmers and chefs who conducted a comprehensive investigation of the chemical and physical properties of pasture-based milk when made into cheese, butter or other products. The group, led by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, also explored the production, […]

High Tunnel Cucumber Production Guide

This cucumber production guide provides resources and recommendations tailored to the distinctive growing environment of high tunnels.

Connecting the Dots Between Farmers and Rural Refrigeration

University of Minnesota researcher, Ren Olive, is exploring opportunities for small and medium-size produce farmers to utilize excess refrigeration in rural grocery stores.

Producing Quinoa in North Dakota

Two North Dakota producers looked at quinoa production and marketing in North Dakota.

Cottage Food: Launch a Bakery from Your Farm Kitchen

A farmer-led team in Wisconsin created resources to help farmers diversify their income by selling baked goods.

lntercropping Kernza® with Legumes

Growers in the North Central region are exploring the benefits of intercropping legumes with the intermediate wheatgrass Kernza®.

Grazing Livestock on Cover Crops in Double or Relay Cropping Systems, Post-Weaning

Mike Ostlie received SARE-support to seed cover crops into an existing crop rotation for fall and winter grazing as an alternative to drylot backgrounding.

Using Cover Crops to Reduce Plasticulture

Dana and Karin Jokela are working to reduce their use of plasticulture with cover crops.

North Dakota Farmers Pursue Soil Stewardship Through Cover Crops

THE CHALLENGE The practice of planting a cover crop holds many opportunities for farmers. Cover crops can build soil health, curb erosion, control weeds, improve water and nutrient management, and increase the bottom line. In North Dakota, they have the potential to reduce soil salinity by using excess water, which is a problem on hundreds […]

Illinois Farmer Builds Precision Seeder to Maximize Cover Crop Advantage

Ralph “Junior” Upton is no novice when it comes to no-till and cover crops. His grain farm in the northeast corner of Hamilton county Illinois is 100% no-till with 1,800 acres of corn, beans, and wheat, and approximately 1,200 acres in cover crops. Upton has been farming more than 50 years, and the farm has […]