Pest Management

“Farmscaping” to Manage Insects

New American Farm Conference Breakout Session

Type: Presentation

Thought of looking at your farm from an insect’s point of view? Find out how to control insect pests by arranging fields, forests and borders into an insect-managing “farmscape” that helps grow healthier, more productive crops.

Vegetable Bedding Plants Pest Management

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

A University of Massachusetts web page with information on integrated pest management (IPM), a practical way to effectively manage pests on vegetable bedding plants.

Tri-State Greenhouse IPM Workshops

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

Presentations and other resources from workshops on integrated pest management (IPM) for greenhouse growers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, held in 2011 and 2012.

Tomato Grafting for Disease Resistance and Increased Productivity

Type: Fact Sheet

Researchers around the world have demonstrated that grafting—the fusing of a scion (young shoot) onto a resistant rootstock—can protect plants against a variety of soil-borne fungal, bacterial, viral and nematode diseases invarious climates and conditions.

Download File (2.58 MB)

The New American Farmer, 2nd Edition

Profiles of Agricultural Innovation

Type: Book

Hailing from small vegetable farms, cattle ranches and grain farms covering thousands of acres, the producers in The New American Farmer, 2nd edition have embraced new sustainable approaches to agriculture.

Download File (6.44 MB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Print Version:

$16.95

Steel in the Field

A Farmer's Guide to Weed Management Tools

Type: Book

Weed control demands time, labor and expense for every farmer every year. Steel in the Field shows how today's implements and techniques can control weeds while reducing—or eliminating—herbicides. Available only online.

Download File (1.04 MB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Southern SARE's Integrated Pest Management for Organic Crops Course

Type: Southern SARE Online Course

Course on how to incorporate principles and practices of sustainable agriculture in training for southern region ag professionals, with a focus on integrated pest management.

Sheep Grazing to Manage Crop Residues, Insects and Weeds in Northern Plains Grain and Alfalfa Systems

Type: Fact Sheet

In a SARE-funded project coordinated by Montana State University, researchers have demonstrated that using sheep to graze crop residue and summer fallow can help address insect, weed and residue management challenges.

Download File (1.26 MB)

SARE Publications Kit

Type: National SARE Promotional Product

Order an entire set of SARE Outreach books and bulletins for one low price.

Print Version:

$116.25

Reduced Tillage/Living Mulch System Manages Insect Pests

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

Reduced Tillage/Living Mulch System Manages Insect Pests, presented by Helen Atthowe (Montana).

Download File (33.51 MB)

Predatory Mites for Organic Thrips Control in High Tunnel Cucumbers

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

A presentation of research on biological control methods in New York, including cultural practices, plant resistance, grafting, rotations, sprays and beneficials.

Download File (21.33 MB)

Organic Sweet Corn IPM: A 15-Year Project

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

Organic Sweet Corn IPM: A 15-Year Project, presented by Ruth Hazzard (Massachusetts).

Download File (732.82 kB)

Organic Insect Management in Sweet Corn

Scouting, thresholds and management methods for key caterpillar pests

Type: Fact Sheet

This fact sheet discusses an integrated strategy for controlling three caterpillar species—corn earworm, European corn borer and fall armyworm—using methods that meet current organic certification standards. Any grower interested in methods that are safe for the applicator and the environment may be interested in this approach.

Download File (364.92 kB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Optimizing Weed Suppression and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Cover Crop-Based No-Till Organic Corn

Type: Northeast SARE Multimedia

In this webinar, Hanna Poffenbarger of the University of Maryland and Steven Mirsky of the USDA-ARS Sustainable Agriculture Systems Lab discuss optimizing cover crop mixture composition and manure application to achieve weed suppression and adequate, efficient nitrogen delivery in a cover crop-based no-till corn system.

Novel Methods for Sustainable Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Llamas and Alpacas

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

Novel Methods for Sustainable Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Llamas and Alpacas, presented by Ann Gillespie (Georgia).

Download File (261.00 kB)

NOFA Handbooks

Type: Northeast SARE Book

A series of eight handbooks for new farmers or established producers seeking to transition to organic or improve their current practices. Print only; order from Chelsea Green.

No-Till and Organic

New American Farm Conference Breakout Session

Type: Presentation

No longer are no-till and organic at odds. New research efforts are developing no-till organic vegetable and field crops systems that are saving farmers tons of soil and reducing weed control costs.

New weed control tools for smaller farms

Type: Northeast SARE From the Field Profile

Weeds can be challenging without rightsized mechanization.

Manage Insects on Your Farm

A Guide to Ecological Strategies

Type: Book

While every farming system is unique, the principles of ecological pest management apply universally. Manage Insects on Your Farm highlights ecological strategies that improve your farm’s natural defenses and encourage beneficial insects to attack your worst pests.

Download File (3.33 MB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Print Version:

$15.95

Invertebrate Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Conservation Tillage Cropping Systems

Type: Northeast SARE Multimedia

In this webinar by Dr. Mary Barbercheck and Maggie Douglas, learn the basics about key early-season insect and slug pests that can pose problems in conservation tillage systems with high amounts of cover crop residues and how crop management practices can help reduce pest damage. Also, learn about ongoing research into naturally-occurring predators of early season insects and slugs and how best to conserve them.

Integrating Conservation Biological Control on Farms: Banking on Beetles in Oregon

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

Integrating Conservation Biological Control on Farms: Banking on Beetles in Oregon, presented by Gwendolyn Ellen (Oregon).

Download File (229.73 kB)

Integrated Pest Management for Varroa Destructor in the Northeastern United States using Drone Brood Removal and Formic Acid

Type: Fact Sheet

This bulletin focuses on the management of the parasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor (V. destructor) in the northeastern U.S. It contains information that will allow a beekeeper to: 1) identify V. destructor, 2) recognize the symptoms of mite infestation, 3) determine pest densities, and 4) implement an effective IPM program for keeping mite populations below the economic injury level.

Download File (559.86 kB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Influence of Cover Crops on Insect Pests and Predators in Conservation Tillage Cotton

Type: Southern SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

Results of a two-year research project to determine the impact of several cover crops on pest and predator insects in conservation tillage cotton.

Greenhouse IPM with an Emphasis on Biocontrols

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

An in-depth manual designed to help greenhouse growers implement biological control and integrated pest management (IPM).

Download File (5.33 MB)

Grant Puts (Good) Crimp in Farm Operations

Type: Northeast SARE From the Field Profile

It all began in 2002 with a $6,500 SARE grant and the seed of an idea: a no-till tractor implement that rolls, crimps and kills cover crops, creating a weed suppressing mulch.

Grafting Tomatoes in Multi-Bay High Tunnels as a Way to Overcome Soil-Borne Diseases

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

This presentation summarizes a 2008 grant to evaluate ‘Maxifort’ rootstock for its ability to manage verticillium wilt and other soil-borne diseases.

Download File (12.52 MB)

Grafting Rootstocks onto Heirloom and Locally Adapted Tomato Selections to Confer Resistance to Soil Borne Diseases and Increase Nutrient Uptake for Market Gardeners

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

Grafting Rootstocks onto Heirloom and Locally Adapted Tomato Selections to Confer Resistance to Soil Borne Diseases and Increase Nutrient Uptake for Market Gardeners, presented by Mary Peet (North Carolina).

Download File (4.63 MB)

Goats and Sheep: Keeping Ahead of the Parasites

New American Farm Conference Breakout Session

Type: Presentation

Hear about sustainable small ruminant sustainable production techniques, such as the FAMACHA, which “scores” eyelid color for anemia and parasite control and is an important indicator of herd health. One producer shares her experience with selecting sheep for parasite resistance.

Fight Crop Disease: Soil Amendments and Biofumigation

New American Farm Conference Breakout Session

Type: Presentation

Effectively control disease through soil amendments and new biofumigation techniques using natural materials such as mustard and other brassicas. Hear the latest research and firsthand experience.

Farmer/Researcher Team Makes Organic Peanut Breakthrough

Type: Southern SARE From the Field Profile

Overcoming weed challenges, Georgia farmer Relinda Walker brings the Southeast's first crop of certified organic peanuts to market.

FAMACHA

Sustainable Control of GI Nematodes in Small Ruminants

Type: Southern SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

FAMACHA is a diagnostic tool to help farmers identify parasite infection in small ruminants, allowing them to cut the cost of deworming agents by targeting treatments only to infected animals. Training is required before purchase.

Diversity & Intensity of Cover Crop Systems: Managing Weed Seed Bank & Soil Health

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

Diversity & Intensity of Cover Crop Systems: Managing Weed Seed Bank & Soil Health, presented by Ellen Mallory (Maine).

Download File (980.22 kB)

Diversifying Cropping Systems

Type: Bulletin

This bulletin describes some of the many agronomic crop alternatives, with plentiful examples of on-farm successes.

Download File (418.78 kB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Print Version:

Free

Cultural Weed Management Practices

New American Farm Conference Breakout Session

Type: Presentation

What’s the latest in non-chemical weed management strategies? This session talks about cropping systems, tillage practices and other, new “eco-weed” and IPM techniques that control nuisance plants naturally.

Cultural Practices for Root-Knot and Root-Lesion Nematode Suppression in Vegetable Crop Rotations

Type: Fact Sheet

This publication discusses the use of non-host crops, sorghum sudangrass and castor bean grown as cover crops, RKN-resistant crops, and the application of poultry litter (PL) and PL compost to manage RKN and root-lesion nematode.

Download File (329.22 kB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

Crop Rotation on Organic Farms

A Planning Manual

Type: Book

Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual provides an in-depth review of crop rotation, including how it improves soil quality and health and helps manage pests, diseases and weeds.

Download File (2.52 MB)

Print Version:

$24.00

Buckwheat Cover Crop Handbook

A precise tool for weed management on Northeastern farms

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

Buckwheat has been used to suppress weeds on Northeastern farms for 400 years. This handbook outlines how to use buckwheat as an economical weed-control tool, with recommendations based on extensive grower surveys, original research and on-farm trials.

Download File (458.29 kB)

Biological Control of Pecan Weevils in the Southeast

A Sustainable Approach

Type: Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides an alternative control strategy for pecan growers who, for a variety of reasons, find conventional spraying of insecticides unsuitable. This includes organic growers, and owners of dooryard trees, small orchards and commercial orchards who have concerns regarding spray drift. 

Download File (710.15 kB)

Biological Control as a Component of Sustainable Agriculture

Type: Southern SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

A website presenting the sustainable pest management research of Dr. W. Joe Lewis of the USDA Agricultural Research Service. A peer-reviewed paper, A total system approach to sustainable pest management, is also available.

Beekeeping: Controlling Pests Sustainably

New American Farm Conference Breakout Session

Type: Presentation

We’ve heard about the decline of honey bees. Mites and other hive pests might be contributing to the problem. New research and on-the-ground strategies are controlling pests using natural, sustainable methods.

Basic Pest Management of Insects and Mites in High Tunnels

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

This presentation presents an overview of key pest management topics: cultural practices, plant resistance, the use of beneficial insects, grafting and sprays.

Download File (19.58 MB)

Backpack Sprayers for Small-Scale Farms

Type: Northeast SARE Grantee-Produced Info Product

Backpack sprayers are a boon to farmers on small acreage, but not all sprayers are created equal. Video series.

A Whole-Farm Approach to Managing Pests

Type: Bulletin

This 20-page bulletin helps producers—and the educators who work with them—design farm-wide approaches to control pests.

Download File (1.21 MB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

A Toolbox of Innovations to Control Small Ruminant Parasites

Type: Southern SARE From the Field Profile

Inexpensive, highly effective methods for controlling parasites, including FAMACHA, a tool for diagnosing anemia in small ruminants.

A Sustainable Approach to Controlling Honey Bee Diseases and Varroa Mites

Type: Fact Sheet

This fact sheet describes efforts to breed honey bees, Apis mellifera, resistant to diseases and parasitic mites to reduce the amount of antibiotics and pesticides used in bee colonies and to ensure that our breeding methods and stock are accessible to beekeepers everywhere.

Download File (474.52 kB)

 | 

View the Online HTML

A Biocontrol Fungus that Colonizes Roots Better: From Concept to Organic Production

New American Farm Conference Poster

Type: Poster

A Biocontrol Fungus that Colonizes Roots Better: From Concept to Organic Production, presented by Thomas Bjorkman (New York).

Download File (206.97 kB)