Summer 1993 (v5n4)
	Resources Soil Management Proceedings Proceedings: Sustainable Soil Management Symposium, April 22, 1993, UC Davis. 90 pages. Co-sponsored by UC SAREP and the UC Small Farm Program, the symposium addressed the rationale and methods for improving soil quality through periodic additions of organic matter. Two research projects comparing conventional and alternative production systems were also presented. The proceedings includes articles submitted by symposium speakers as well as selected articles from peer-reviewed journals. To receive a copy, send a check for $10 payable to UC Regents to SAREP University of California, Davis, CA 95616. Organic Cost Studies Cost-of-production studies for organic vegetables, wine grapes, almonds and rice funded in part by UC SAREP are available from UC Cooperative Extension. The most recent publication is the 100-page booklet Production Practices and Sample Costs for a Diversified Organic Vegetable Operation in the Central Coast. It includes an overview of production practices, cover crops, crop rotation and diversification, pest management, marketing and regulations for organic crop production, and budgets for 15 vegetable crops and two cover crops grown on the Central Coast. The studies were coordinated by researcher Laura Tourte and involved UC Davis Extension economist Karen Klonsky, SAREP annual cropping systems analyst David Chaney and perennial cropping systems analyst Chuck Ingels, agricultural economics researcher Pete Livingston and several UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors. Two different studies each are available for wine grapes (with a cover crop or with resident vegetation), rice (aerial seeding versus non-tillage seed drilling), and almonds (flood irrigation versus sprinkler Irrigation). Up to three of the studies may be requested at no charge. For more than three studies, a $1 charge will apply. The diversified vegetable study is $4. Contact: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616; (916) 752-9376. The publications are also available in selected Cooperative Extension offices. Sustainable Ag Video Sustaining America's Agriculture: High Tech and Horse Sense, 1992, produced by USDA Soil Conservation Service and US Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with Winrock International. The 29-minute video describes how farmers and ranchers minimize environmental impacts while maximizing production. Narrated by actor and farmer Raymond Burr, the video profiles successful farmers and ranchers including a citrus/vegetable farmer in Florida, a cattle feeder with customized farm equipment, and a farmer who uses terraces, cover crops, and contour farming. To order, send $10 check or money order to NACD, P0 Box 855, League City, TX 77574-0855; or call (800) 825-5547. The video is also available on loan from conservation district offices, EPA regional offices and SCS state offices. Sustainable Ag "Yellow Pages," "Showcase," Cover Crops Handbook Sustainable Agriculture Directory of Expertise-1993, 300 pages. Lists hundreds of people and groups with information on building soil health, pest-control, diversifying cash flow and other topics. Produced by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a project of USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, the directory's seven indexes are organized by state, person, organization, enterprise, expertise, product/service, or management method. Contains 717 entries. $14.95. Showcase of Sustainable Agriculture Information and Educational Materials is also available from SAN. It's a 79-page booklet with names, addresses and summaries of publications, videos and other materials from 65 universities, government, business and non-profit organizations that have displayed materials at four "share fairs" of sustainable agriculture information since 1991. $4.95. Managing Cover Crops Profitably, a 124-page handbook for farmers on more than 40 legumes, grasses and legume-grass mixtures that can be used to build soil and cut chemical costs, is also available from SAN. $9.95. For any SAN publication, send check or money order payable to Sustainable Agriculture Publications, Hills Building, Room 12, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. Prices include postage/handling. Payment must accompany order. USDA SARE Program Overview 1993 National Overview, USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, a 4-page leaflet, is available from regional SARE offices. The newsletter details accomplishments and goals of the national sustainable agriculture program (formerly the LISA program) and highlights successful projects across the country. To receive a free copy, write to the SARE communications contact in your region: West, Kristen Kelleher, USDA SARE program, 258 Hunt Hall, University of California, Davis, CA 95616; North Central, Lisa Jas., 207 Agriculture Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0704; South, Diana Jerkins, 107 Conner Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602; Northeast, Beth Holtzman, Plant & Soil Science Dept., University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. [ Back | Search | Feedback ]