Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual

crop rotation manualFrom Sean McGovern, USDA-SARE outreach coordinator. Edited by Chuck Mohler, senior research associate, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and Sue Ellen Johnson, research leader, New England Small Farm Institute, contributors include Anusuya Rangarajan, Department of Horticulture and other Cornellians, growers, and non-profit and government leaders.

SARE Outreach announces a new planning resource for farmers seeking sound, science-based guidelines for managing crop rotations in organic farming. Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual helps farmers use rotations to build better soil; control pests, weeds and diseases; and develop profitable farms. Consulting with expert organic farmers, the authors share rotation strategies that can be applied under various field conditions and with a wide range of crops.

“The purpose of this book is to help growers and farm advisors use crop rotations to build better soil, control pests, and develop profitable farms that support satisfied families,” says editor Charles Mohler, a senior research associate at Cornell University.

Crop Rotation on Organic Farms is most applicable for the Northeast but will also be useful in other regions. Published by the Natural Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Service (NRAES) and funded in part by SARE, the 154-page book includes instructions for making rotation planning maps and discusses the transition to organic farming. Other features include:

  • Problems and opportunities for more than 500 crop sequences
  • Characteristics of more than 60 crops and 70 weeds
  • Crop diseases hosted by more than 80 weed species
  • Modes of transmission for 250 diseases found in 24 crops
  • Thirteen sample four- and five-year vegetable and grain crop rotations
  • Step-by-step procedure for determining crop rotation plans

Download Crop Rotation on Organic Farms for free at www.sare.org/publications/croprotation.htm. To order print copies ($24.00 plus $5.95 s/h) visit www.sare.org/WebStore, call 301/374-9696 or send check or money order to SARE Outreach, PO Box 753, Waldorf, Maryland 20604-0753. (Please specify title requested when ordering by mail.) Discounts are available on orders of 10 or more. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Call 301/374-9696 for more information on bulk, rush or international shipments.

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