Organic agriculture is a growth industry in North Carolina and throughout most of the United States. Much of our efforts in organic, and more recently biodynamic, agriculture are focused on the small and mid-sized farms in the western part of the state although we are partners on several large multi-state projects, too.

Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit

Dr. Jeanine Davis, in the Department of Horticultural Science, currently has studies in the Organic Unit. Studies include a multi-state organic tomato breeding project, funded by a USDA/OREI grant, with screening of new breeding lines and varieties and an organic fungicide study. There are also organic tomato variety/breeding line studies with entries from High Mowing Seeds, Vitalis Seeds, and Dr. Randy Gardner.

Topics

• Current Projects
• Completed Projects
• NC State Organic Research and Extension Resources
• National Resources
• Organic Research & Publications
• Organic Certification
• Organic Production
• Organic Farm Business Planning
• Organic Farm Marketing
• Biodynamic Agriculture
• Current Issues
• Organizations
• Supporting NC Organic

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Current Projects

• Organic Tomato Improvement Project – a multi-state, federally funded project to develop new tomato varieties for organic producers.

Completed Projects

• Organic Cucurbit Project – a multi-state, federally funded project to develop new cucurbit varieties for organic producers.
• Southeast Organic Training Page —An Advanced Organic Training for agricultural educators and extension agents.

NC State Organic Research and Extension Resources

• Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit
• Publications and summaries of research at NC State
• Herbicide carryover in hay, manure, compost, and grass clippings

National Resources

• Southeast Organic Training Page
• eXtension Organic Agriculture Resources
• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ATTRA

Organic Certification

• What is certified organic?
• Overview of the Process of Certification
• Organizations that certify and inspect NC farms
• National Organic Programs

Organic Production

• Production Guides
• Field Crops
• Postharvest Practices
• Pest Control
• Livestock
• North Carolina State Testing Service
• Sources of Organic Supplies

Organic Farm Business Planning

• Writing a business plan
• Crop budgets
• Financing your farm with grants and loans
• Farmland preservation methods

Biodynamic Agriculture

• Biodynamic Association
• Demeter USA

Organic Farm Marketing

• General Marketing Resources
• Wholesale
• Retail and Restaurant
• Community Supported Agriculture
• Farmers’ Markets
• Pick-your-own and Agritourism
• Case Studies

Organic Farm Networking

• Organic Farming Education
• Apprenticeships and Internships
• Farm Jobs
• Land Acquisition

Current Issues

• Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure, Compost, and Grass Clippings: Caution to Hay Producers, Livestock Owners, Farmers and Home Gardeners

Organizations

• Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
• Organic Growers School

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Supporting New Crops & Organics Program

Our program is almost completely funded by grants and gifts. If you value this program, we would appreciate your financial support. To become a Friend of the NC Alternative Crops and Organics Program, you can donate on-line here or print out this form and mail it in with your check. Thank you for your support!

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