Production Systems

Exploring Hydroponics with Youth

With support from an NCR-SARE Youth Educator grant, University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist Donna Aufdenberg developed resources to teach sustainable approaches to hydroponic growing methods.

Tackling Canada Thistle in an Organic Orchard

Chris and Juli McGuire gained control of Canada Thistle in their organic apple orchard with support from a SARE grant.

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.

Producing Quinoa in North Dakota

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

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.

Organic Oat Variety Trial Shares Findings

North Dakota researcher Melanie Caffe-Treml trialed 20 oat varieties under organic management.

Pioneer Agroforestry Farm Tour Video Series

A new video series on Midwest agroforestry is available from the Savanna Institute and North Central SARE. The six-part Pioneer Agroforestry Farm Tour Video Series features brief, detailed interviews with farmers who are advancing agroforestry in the Midwest. 

Does Open-Pollinated Corn Have a Place on Today’s Organic Farm?

On 205 acres near the picturesque bluffs of the On 205 acres near the picturesque bluffs of the Mississippi River, Stanley Smith raises beef cows and grows organic corn in southeastern Minnesota. He grew up on this small farm in the rolling hills of Winona County, and worked in partnership with his dad until his dad retired. Smith and his wife, Vickie, […]

Evaluating Microbecontaining Crop Stimulants (MCCSs)

The decomposition of organic matter relies on bacteria and fungi that are commonly referred to as soil microbes. Matthew Kleinhenz, The Ohio State University professor and extension specialist, says many microbes are included as leading components of microbecontaining crop stimulants (MCCSs) advertised to enhance soil and crop health, accelerate soil nutrient cycling, and improve crop […]

Development of Cost and Labor Effective Produce Sanitation Methods for Small Farms

With programs like Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Handling Practices (GHP), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), producers have a more proactive role in minimizing food safety hazards potentially associated with fresh produce. Cucumber producer Carloyn Orr says increasingly, local grocery stores are requiring wash and sanitizing of produce, regardless of farm size.  Orr […]

The Viability of Small Scale Aquaponics in Urban and Rural Underserved Communities

Combining concepts from both aquaculture and hydroponics, aquaponics systems produce both fish and plants. The practice dates as far back as sixth century China, where duck pens were placed over fish ponds that eventually connected to rice paddies and fields (Tonya Sawyer, 2014). More recently, Nebraska aquaponics expert, Greg Fripp has been building closed, recirculating […]

Agroforestry Fact Sheet Series

With support from a SARE grant, The Savana Institute created an "Understanding Agroforestry" fact sheet series. Users can download free one-page descriptions of five common agroforestry practices.

In-Row Mechanical Weed Control Options for Farmers Large and Small

With support from SARE, a team from Michigan State University created videos demonstrating three in-row weed control tools in the field: the torsion weeder, the flex tine cultivator, and the finger weeder.

Indiana School Raises Apples and Awareness

Forty-two percent of school districts surveyed by the USDA say they participate in farm-to-school activities, according to the 2015 Farm- to-School Census. That means as many as 23.6 million students are learning where their food comes from. Another 16 percent of school districts surveyed plan to start farm-to-school activities in the future. Farm-to-school activities can include […]

Management of the Spotted Wing Drosophila Using High Tunnels

Scenic Valley Farms is a family owned farm in Rosemount, Minnesota that uses 15 climate controlled high tunnels to produce organically certified tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, blackberries, strawberries, herbs, ginger, turmeric, and garlic. They also design and manage high tunnels, computerized climate control systems, and subterranean solar thermal heating systems. Erik Gundacker helps manage the high […]