Organic and Direct Marketing in the Midwest
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 The legislation that authorized the establishment of the NOP, the NOSB and the Standards for organic production, processing and trade.
USDA National Organic Program (NOP)
Program establishes national standards for the production and handling of organically produced products, including a National List of substances approved for and prohibited from use in organic production and handling.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
The board’s main mission is to assist the Secretary in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production. The NOSB also advises the Secretary on other aspects of implementing the national organic program.
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
National nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed—or approved—products may be used on operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.
Organic Trade Association (OTA)
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA has a special section of the website called “How to Go Organic,” a good resource for farmers, processors trying to get started.
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
Part of the USDA National Agriculture Library, this site contains AFSIC Information guides, UDSA publications, and resources on organic production.
Organic Ag Information Access
An electronic collection of historic (pre 1942) USDA publications related to organic agriculture.
eOrganic
University Extension personnel from around the country collaborate to provide up-to-date, research-based information on organic food and farming.
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The Cornucopia Institute
A corporate watchdog assuring that no compromises to the credibility of organic farming methods and the food it produces are made in the pursuit of profit.
The New Farm
The Rodale Institute’s clearinghouse for regenerative agriculture and farmer-to-farmer know-how. Many pertinent articles, certifiers directory, Organic Price Index, Farm Locator, Farm Select organic vs. conventional comparison tool, classifieds, farmers forums, and Rodale Institute research.
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC)
National information resources for value-added agriculture. Topics including marketing commodities and products, industry trends, business ventures and entrepreneurship, and research results.
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Organic research and grant-making organization that also helps create organic policy and publications, most notably the National Organic Farmers’ Surveys.
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
Sponsors of the largest organic farming conference in the nation, held annually in LaCrosse, WI. Site offers conference details, publications, organic resources, and information on transitioning to organic production.
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
Seeks to assist, coordinate, and harmonize the movements toward organic standards and principles worldwide. Global membership holds international events, answers common questions, and performs outreach.
Organic Agriculture Information
The site contains searchable, scientific articles on production, economic data, research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information, transition strategies, and other subjects related to organic agriculture.
FAO at the United Nations
The site contains an accessible list of major FAO reports related to organic agriculture.
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Free, on-line web-logs on organic food and farming
Tiny Farm Blog – “organic micro-farming with two acres and some tools”
Organic Horizon – “farming’s bright future”
Organic Authority.com – “get hip, go organic!”
Organic Food – commentary by Mahdi Ebrahimi
American Feast – “sustainable food blog”
The Ethicurean – “Chew the right thing”
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Organic Certification
”How to” and FAQ
How to Go Organic (from the OTA)
On becoming organic
Organic certification in Illinois
Frequently asked questions
ATTRA’s Overview of Organic Crop Production
ATTRA’s National Organic Program Compliance Checklist
ATTRA’s Guide to Creating an Organic Production and Handling System Plan
Organic Ag Info
Examples of Organic Certification Applications
Global Organic Alliance, Inc.
Indiana Certified Organic
Organic Crop Improvement Association International
Oregon Tilth, Inc.
Certification Organizations Serving the Midwest
Certified Organic, Inc.
500 First St.
Keosauqua, IA 52565
Phone: (866) 581-6428
E-mail: certifiedorg@netins.net
Global Organic Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 530
3185 Township Rd. 179
Bellefontaine, OH 43311-0530
Phone: (937) 593-1232
E-mail: globalorganicalliance@hughes.net
Indiana Certified Organic
8364 South SR39
Clayton, IN 46118
Phone: (317) 539-4317
E-mail: icollc@earthlink.net
International Certification Services, Inc.
301 5th St. SE
Medina, ND 58467
Phone: (701) 486-3578
E-mail: info@ics-intl.com
Midwest Organic Services Association
P.O. Box 821
122 W. Jefferson St.
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-2526
E-mail: mosa@mosaorganic.org
Organic Crop Improvement Association International
Illinois Chapter
Josephine Dobson
608 Algona St.
New London, WI 54961
Phone: (507) 450-0227
E-mail: joeyg@hbci.com
Oregon Tilth, Inc.
Midwest Office
224 State Highway 56
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-8594
E-mail: organic@tilth.org
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The New Ag Network
National Organic Program’s Organic Production and Handling Standards Fact Sheet
ATTRA’s Overview of Organic Agriculture PDF
Economic Research Service Briefing Room on Organic Farming and Marketing
FAQs about Organic Farming from the Organic Farming Research Foundation
Transitioning to Organic SARE publications
NCAT’s Organic and Sustainable Practices Workbook
ATTRA’s Organic Field Crop Publications
Fruit and Vegetable Production
ATTRA’s Organic Fruit Crop Publications
ATTRA’s Organic Vegetables, Flowers, & Herbs Publications
New Farm by the Rodale Institute
Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News
Organic Seed Sources
OMRI Organic Seed Database — On-line, searchable database of organic seed sources
Seeds of Change Certified Organic — vegetables, cover crops, fruit trees, 1-888-762-7333
Harris Seeds – organic vegetable seeds, 1-800-544-7938
Great Harvest Organics — organic corn, soybean, alfalfa, wheat, (317) 984-6687, amy@greatharvestorganics.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds — organic agronomic and vegetable seeds, 1-877-564-6697
Albert Lea Seed House — some organic field, grain, forage and vegetable seeds, cover crops & seed treatments, 1-800-352-5247
Territorial Seed Company — organic veggies, herbs, novelty corn, 1-800-626-0866
Blue River Hybrids — organic field corn, alfalfa, soybean, red clover, Sudangrass, grain sorghum, 1-800-370-7979
Livestock Production
NCAT’s Organic and Sustainable Practices Workbook for Livestock Systems
ATTRA’s Organic Livestock Publications
Organic Marketing in the Midwest
Markets & Prices
Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
USDA Organic Price Report
Clarkson Grain – Organic and non-GMO
The New Farm’s Organic Price Index
ATTRA Organic Marketing Resources
Farmers’ Markets, Roadside Stands, and On-Farm Sales
Chicago’s Green City Market
Farmers’ Markets Search
WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
Rules, Regulations, and Legal Information By Neil D. Hamilton
Funding Sources
How-to Guidebooks for Farmers’ Markets
A Guide to Starting, Operating, and Selling in Farmers Markets
Establishing and Operating a Community Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ Markets Marketing and Business Guide
Roadside Stands
Should I grow Fruits and Vegetables? Pick-Your-Own-Markets
Entertainment Farming and Agri-Tourism – Business Management Guide
A Guide to Illinois Laws Governing Direct Farm Marketing by Rich Schell, J.D.
Copies can be obtained from Illinois Stewardship Alliance, PO Box 648, Rochester, IL 62563, (217) 498-9707.
The Legal Guide For Direct Farm Marketing by Neil D. Hamilton
Copies can be obtained from Drake University Agricultural Law Center, Des Moines, IA 50311, (515) 271-2065
Running a Roadside Stand: Some Helpful Hints
Community Supported Agriculture
CSA Website by the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
Wilson Collage, Richard Alsina Fulton Center for Sustainable Living
CSA Locator
Selling to Restaurants
The ABCs of Marketing to Restaurants by Rodale’s New Farm
Selling to Restaurants by Eric Gibson
The Fresh Connection Keeps Farmers and Chefs in Touch by Bonita Oehlke
Find an Existing Farm or Business
Local Harvest
University of Illinois MarketMaker
Illinois Farm Direct
The NewFarm Farm Locator
FamilyFarmed.org
IDOA Illinois Food Guide
1 Comment
July 7, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Greetings! I am the Information Services Coordinator for the Organic Trade Association and noticed OTA’s website is listed in your resource list. Thank you!
We were wondering if you could post OTA’s website focused on providing resources/materials for those transitioning from conventional to organic farming.
http://www.howtogoorganic.com.
We would greatly appreciate HowToGoOrganic(TM). com being listed on your website. Please let me know if you have any questions or need further information. Thank you!
Chad Simmons
Information Services Coordinator
Organic Trade Association
60 Wells Street
PO Box 547
Greenfield, MA 01302
phone: 413.774.7511 x 13
fax: 413.774.6432
csimmons@ota.com
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