- Author: Chris M. Webb
SAREP is a statewide program within the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources division. From their site:
“SAREP provides leadership and support for scientific research and education in agricultural and food systems that are economically viable, conserve natural resources and biodiversity, and enhance the quality of life in the state's communities. SAREP serves farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, researchers, educators, regulators, policy makers, industry professionals, consumers, and community organizations across the state."
Program areas are:
- biologically integrated farming systems
- community food systems
- crop/livestock production
- organic farming information
- methyl bromide alternatives
Related resources, reports, funding opportunities and much more can be easily accessed from this well laid out site.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Agricultural producers can increase revenue by adding value to basic agricultural products. This can be achieved in many ways including: branding, processing, product differentiation, and labeling and certification.
USDA’s Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program “includes projects that market inherently value-added production, such as organic crops, grass-fed livestock and locally produced and marketed food products.
Award sizes vary. To find out more, please visit this page of the USDA website. Additional information can be found from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Weed management in production agriculture is vital for high crop yields. Organic growers are wise to formulate a comprehensive weed control strategy, which can help them achieve economically acceptable weed control and crop yields.
UC’s free publication, Weed Management for Organic Crops shares practices to help reduce weed pressure in organic fields.
Topics include:
- Water management
- Crop competition
- Reducing the weed seed bank
- Cultivation
- Flamers
- Sterilization
- Mulches
- Beneficial organisms
- Chemical control
- Author: Chris M. Webb
There are 17 elements essential for plant growth. These elements come from the air, water and soil. All must be present for a healthy plant.
An excess, deficiency or even an imbalance of these elements may lead to individual symptoms which are characteristic to most plants. The appearance of a plant can be used to help identify problems. The problems can be corrected with appropriate fertilizers, amendments and manures and also by soil and water management.
To learn more about these essential elements and how to interpret distress signs plants may provide, please see this section of our website.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Several years ago UCCE Farm Advisor Oleg Daugovish hosted an organic production education outreach event.
Some of the presentations from the course can be found on our website. Binders full of materials, which provide an in-depth view of the subject, were given to participants. Topics covered include: cover cropping; disease and insect management; economics of production; fertility management; and weed management.
We have some of these binders available. Please contact our office if you would like to receive a copy.