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Agriculture that is sustainable has at least three attributes:
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It is profitable for farmers,
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It is ecologically sound for the environment, and
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It enhances local communities.
Maryland, like many of the states along the Atlantic seaboard, can be seen as an “America in miniature.” From the Coastal Plain through the Piedmont, and ending with the mountains, there is considerable geographical diversity in our state, and each region has tended to develop its own type of agriculture. As a result, sustainable agriculture can take many different forms in Maryland.
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On the Eastern Shore, it might include better use of cover crops and a comprehensive nutrient management plan.
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In Central Maryland, farmers might focus on marketing their organic produce through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
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In Western Maryland, it might involve rotational grazing of dairy cows.
The following reports and links support these efforts.
Sustainable Agriculture
USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program
Contains information about grants, how to write successful proposals, searchable database of SARE projects, highlights of farmer success stories, how-to publications and upcoming events
http://www.sare.org/
Northeast Region SARE
Maryland belongs to the Northeast Region. Bob Tjaden is our College’s representative, rtjaden@umd.edu. Nearly all grants that we receive will be through the Northeast Region SARE. Contains deadlines and information for the following grants: partnership, farmer/grower, professional development, research and education, and sustainable farmer educator.
http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Center (ATTRA)
Practical publications and resources about sustainable agriculture. Also, lists funding opportunities for sustainable agriculture in addition to SARE
http://attra.ncat.org/
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) (USDA National Agricultural Library)
Searchable databases and on-line articles about sustainable agriculture.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/agnic/agnic.htm
Sustainable Agriculture Organizations in Mid-Atlantic
Future Harvest: A Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (CASA)
http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)
http://www.pasafarming.org/index.htm
Rodale Institute’s New Farm Magazine
http://www.newfarm.org/
Organic Agriculture
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Source of publications and funding for organic research
http://www.ofrf.org/
Organic Ag Info
USDA collaborated with several organic organizations to develop this resource that contains current, accurate, scientifically-based or practically validated information about organic agriculture.
http://www.organicaginfo.org/
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service - The Organic Home Page
The official page for certifying organic production in the United States
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm
USDA/Economic Research Service- Briefing Room for Organic Farming and Marketing
Primary source regarding the growth in organic agriculture in the United States
http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/organic/
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) (USDA National Agricultural Library)
Searchable databases and on-line articles about organic agriculture.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm
Rodale Institute’s New Farm Magazine – Organic Price Index
Weekly comparisons of conventional and organic prices for over 40 products
http://www.newfarm.org/opx/index.shtml
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