1000 STORIES OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Farmers (and others) walking the sustainable path

We've set a goal of gathering together 1000 or more stories about organic, regenerative agriculture that illustrate holistic, values-based ways to farm satisfyingly and successsfully. Click here to learn why we believe this is one of our most important initiatives. We're not there yet (we've just begun), but we're working on it. If you run across a story you think we should reprint, or a farmer we should profile, let us know.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

December 13, 2007: Delivering on a quality promise Mainstream convenience store brings fresh, local food to East Lansing, MI neighborhood.
December 13, 2007: Striking a balance Family learns that good farming is like an evolving dance.
November 16, 2007: Pioneering Illinois farmer recounts transition to organic An appetite for experimentation tempered by cautious risk taking forge a successful operation.
February 16, 2007: The end was the beginning: Things are much better five years into a re-started CSA Taking a break to streamline its whole structure—and persevering through drought and disappointment—is bringing the next generation back to the farm.
November 10, 2006: A garden of sustainability Wildrose Farm is bursting with a diversity of flora and fauna, thanks to the careful planting locations and management of a couple dedicated to keeping the land healthy.
July 13, 2006: Finding a way to establish a market-driven school farm How an internship, a college and food service mavericks helped a kid from the ‘burbs get passionate about a farm of her own.
April 13, 2006: Dairy demand pushes market for organic hay in Upper Midwest, Northeast Grass-blends most favored by cows, boosting trust in RFQ ratings by the farmers who feed them.
March 9, 2006: Schutte's sustainable success Central Illinois farmer wins 2006 Upper Midwest Organic Farmer of the Year Award sponsored by MOSES and The Rodale Institute.
December 8, 2005: Training boosts pasture-dairy start-up Wisconsin's Beginning Dairy Farmers’ School helps aspiring producers gain practical experience before taking on a herd of their own.
June 2, 2005: She screams (sometimes) Sue Huber, the owner of Sibby’s Premium Organic Ice Cream, shares the highs and lows of pursuing a dream
March 31, 2005: A second chance at life For Gerry and Ann Klinkner, going organic was part of rebuilding a healthy, small family farm after confronting a frightening diagnosis.
March 17, 2005: A construction project brings together organic transplants and true Wisconsin originals Vern and Ole have been running heavy equipment in Vernon County, WI for more years than Harmony Valley farmers Rich and Linda have memories—but shared work and food build mutual respect between these “locals” and their organic neighbors.
March 17, 2005: Holding on to the family farm As a fifth-generation Iowa farmer, Jeff Klinge's primary motivation for going organic was to find a way to boost profitability without expanding his acreage. But he's found there are other rewards as well.
February 22, 2005: A rich mix of the new ... and old In scenic northeast Iowa, organic farmer Dan Specht combines conservation, grass-based livestock production and open-pollinated corn breeding. It's a unique--yet in many ways traditional--farming strategy that honors the diversity of this region's natural and agricultural heritage.
November 9, 2004: Creating local food options in an urban setting How one woman channeled her discovery about the perils of an industrial food system into creating local options for healthy, sustainably produced food in her own Chicago neighborhood
October 14, 2004: Leading the way in organic ag research and extension Seven years ago, in the heart of corn and soybean country, Kathleen Delate became America's first organic agriculture extension specialist. Since then, she's been working closely with Iowa farmers to increase and improve organic production and marketing. And now she's got tenure.
October 15, 2004: From conventional dairy to certified organic, grass-based creamery Thanks to a bit of imagination, entrepreneurship, and lots of hard work, this Minnesota dairy is being passed to the next generation as a thriving, integrated on-farm business
September 14, 2004: "Good farming, clear thinking, right living" The Wallaces of Iowa may have done more than any other single family to shape the nature of agriculture in the United States.
September 14, 2004: In praise of country life In rural Adair County, Iowa, a birthplace museum, meeting center and organic farm pay tribute to legendary ag secretary Henry A. Wallace by keeping his rich legacy alive, not just as a memory but as a vital living tradition.
July 20, 2004: Niche opportunity gets Iowa farmer’s goat – in a good way Compared to conventional hogs, meat goats bring a relatively quick return with high consumer demand, yet have low overhead costs and management needs. Even the skeptics are starting to ask questions.
June 11, 2004: CROPP contracts brings profitability to Ohio grass-based, organic dairies Situated among the rolling pastures near Baltic, Ohio, Owen Nisley’s organic “Evergreen Acres” farm features an on-farm market, a variety of spelt products, a flock of free-range chickens, and a certified-organic herd of 42 Jersey dairy cows.
May 13, 2004: Sufi vision inspires southern Illinois farm Dayempur Farm strives for economic, agricultural, social and energy sustainability -- Inspired by a holistic agricultural project in Bangladesh that combines farming and care for the poor, this community and its farm want to show what’s possible when God is the center of everything.
April 20, 2004: Farming the fungi kingdom—organically Ohio couple develops mushroom hobby into viable second career
April 19, 2004: Carrots to the core Iowa organic farmer finds his niche with a long-season favorite.
April 6, 2004: Shooting Star David and Edie Griffiths reflect on nearly two decades in the biodynamic yogurt business
March 23, 2004: A one-time lawyer trades in his legal practice to nurture and harvest wild medicinals Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, skull cap, snake root... Eastern Ohio's Bruce Buren makes a decent living off of what most farmers dismiss as weeds and wasted land.
March 23, 2004: Market makers Four years ago, a group of farmers in northern Minnesota were having trouble accessing markets for their organic grain crops. So they bought a processing and storage facility in their own backyard.
January 13, 2004: A conventional farmer rescued by cover crops and a diverse rotation The neighbors may not approve of his shaggy winter fields, but Rich Bennett says the cover crops and reduced inputs he adopted on his Northern Ohio farm in the mid-80s saved him economically.
December 3, 2003: Angelic Organics manages the economics of a 1,000-member CSA The owners of the Illinois-based CSA shared their mission statement, organizational chart and business plans with attendees at the recent Biodynamic Farming Conference in Ames, Iowa
October 24, 2003: Ohio grain farmer replaces inputs with sweat It took a while for Dean McIlvaine's diversified 830-acre organic grain farm to get in a groove, but now he's cookin': rich soils, resilience in bad weather years, organic premiums, a better bottom line... and the priceless pleasure of more time in the fields.
September 12, 2003: A city girl takes the plunge and buys the farm Twelve years ago Janet Hahn returned to Ohio to care for her mother and fell in love with the life of an organic farmer.
August 1, 2003: Minnesota dairy grazier likes low-cost feeds, wintering cows outdoors 12 years ago, Dan Middendorf switched from a conventional stall barn dairy operation to year-round grazing. He tripled his herd size, halved his per cow production, and says its the only thing that makes sense.
April 23, 2003: Collaborative CSA in N.E. Iowa successfully serves an all-rural market Ten farm families contribute to the CSA, a buyers’ club, and a cooperative that markets produce to local institutions.
April 2, 2003: Two veteran CSA farmers share their insights Richard de Wilde and Linda Halley have been running a successful CSA for 11 years. Every other month they’ll share practical details on what works and doesn’t work, from production and presentation, to marketing and member retention.
March 20, 2003: Organic egg production seminar proves popular at upper Midwest Organic Conference Medium scale organic egg producer Dean Dickel describes his operation and analyzes his costs.
January, 2003: Iowa Pork Producers Focus on Animal Welfare The Wilson brothers' hogs are more fun to be with, easier to handle, get a premium price . . . and smell a darn sight better, too. December 20, 2002: Steve Mckaskle's personal cotton research center An organic cotton trailblazer, this Missouri farmer beats weevils, doubters with persistent experimentation
December 16, 2002: The Rosmanns builds healthy relationships with customers through organic grains, meats.
December 3, 2002: Vic and Cindy Madsen run a diversified operation in southwest Iowa that emphasizes customer relations & direct marketing.
November 11, 2002: Dick and Sharon Thompson have 35 years of hard proof that regenerative agriculture can outperform conventional.
October 25, 2002: Tom & Irene Frantzen manage for quality in soil, hogs and life.
October, 2002: Michigan farmers sell direct to Japan Over the last four years, two brothers and a loose affiliation of independent growers have sold most of their organic food grade soybeans directly to buyers in Japan.
SARE: Molly & Ted Bartlett, Silver Creek Farm: Retail marketer uses trade secrets to create a successful CSA operation.
SARE: Richard DeWilde & Linda Halley: Local farmers use big city money to live a rural dream.
SARE: Mary Doerr, Dancing Winds Farm: Dairy farmer takes time to reassess the real meaning of success.
SARE: Greg and Lei Gunthorp: Sustainable agriculture helps pig farmer turn a profit where there once was none.
SARE: Dan & Jan Shepherd, Shepherd Farms: Niche markets raise profit margins but require patience.
SARE: Diana & Gary Endicott, Rainbow Farms: Banding together to build an alternative meat market.

NORTHEAST REGION

November 16, 2007: A vision of Misty Brook Positive perseverance enables a young couple to live out their dream.
September 14, 2007: Boston common Nonprofit community farm strives to make good food a bridge between culture and class.
May 11, 2007: Chucking the classroom for the carrot patch A CSA intern grows both vegetables and herself.
January 12, 2007: The right web-based mailing program frees farmers to farm, allows shareholders to pitch in with CSA communications CSA coordinator explains how PHPlist has saved her farm enough to fund low-income shares and micro-loans for new greenhouses.
January 12, 2007: Fighting for the future of our family farm Young farming couple challenges standard-practice eminent-domain laws and asked for community support.
January 12, 2007: Young farmer couple and established landowner explore innovative land access with trust, hard work and patience in Old Virginia They wanted to farm. He wanted young farmers on his land. So they—and their lawyers—worked out an agreement tailored to their needs now and going forward.
December 14, 2006: First-season, firsthand, soil-health indicators What well-fed, biologically active soil looks, feels and yields like.
October 12, 2006: Keeping it close to home: Allowing on-farm slaughter for buyers Five things to keep in mind for health, safety, liability and happy customers.
October 12, 2006: Farmers enter town’s economy through weekly market, cooperative venture and a supportive brewpub Sustainability center gives grad students experience in ag production, marketing and economic networking that drives local economy.
September 15, 2006: A family affair Dave and Joy Stutzman—and their children—fine-tune their growing business raising meats naturally.
September 15, 2006: Educating the public without breaking the bank Incorporating community programs into your farm business doesn't have to be an overwhelming burden. Quiet Creek Herb Farm turned non-profit to make their educational dreams a reality.
September 15, 2006: Uncommon fruit: Delectable, pest-resistant, exotic and attractive Pawpaws, hardy kiwifruits, shipovas and other varieties offer tremendous potential for even northern areas.
June 8, 2006: Small is beautiful…and profitable Urban farmers in Philadelphia demonstrate that you don’t need a whole lot of land—or fancy equipment—to see black.
June 8, 2006: “Grazing taller” captures benefits for pasture, cattle and building soil Observing impacts underground, across seasons and at milking, this dairyman is figuring out how to solve global warming while improving quality of life.
June 8, 2006: Ethnic goat marketing made simple: the right goat, at the right weight, on the right day, slaughtered the right way One farmer's discoveries on filling a cultural niche with food, and managing the expectations that come attached.
May 12, 2006: Getting your farm on the web on the cheap The Weltons run a 1-acre specialty vegetable farm and are used to maximizing space and resources. When it came to creating their farm's first webpage, they learned less really is more.
April 13, 2006: Eastern farmers stitch organic infrastructure for hay on the fly Local and regional networks stretched by spot demand from weather extremes; goal is still on-farm balance of forage and livestock.
March 9, 2006: A new chance for an old farm Miller takes a chance on a crumbling old farm in central Pennsylvania and finds, after a number of humbling lessons, that meat goats just might be her salvation.
February 16, 2006: Historic Tidewater plantation sustains farming through organic grains and turning crowds into customers Regional demand for organic grains and local interest in on-farm experiences keep large acreage farm active.
February 16, 2006: Farming felt deeply, and without limits Growing healthy food with people working at the top of their game provides special education for this young farmer seeking a career that is engaging, dynamic and thrilling.
December 8, 2005: Preserving Peacework: a long-term alternative to farm ownership Farmers, CSA members and a land trust team up to turn a vision of community supported agriculture in perpetuity into reality.
December 8, 2005: Ultimate season extension Winter CSAs like the Community Supported Garden (CSG) at Genesis Farm use root cellars, hoophouses and on-farm processing to fill members' larders year-round.
November 11, 2005: Pennsylvania farmer links organic, conventional farming communities No-Till+ project cooperator Kirby Reichert grows no-till corn, organic hay and specialty rye straw, among other crops—and keeps an open mind.
November 11, 2005: Cover-cropping guru Steve Groff champions fall-planted forage radish mixes to renovate field lanes Interplanting with oats boosts erosion control with radish’s “biotilling” and weed suppressing abilities, while adding clover or vetch can provide nitrogen for following crops.
September 16, 2005: Cultivating the soil, cultivating youth The Food Project builds human character through regenerative agriculture that engages diverse youth in creative growing, marketing and community service.
September 16, 2005: A not so raw deal Elly Hushour may have stumbled into farming, but her dedication to the health benefits and unique flavor of raw goat milk, cheese, yogurt and meat has turned her stumble into a stride as Patches of Star Dairy continues to grow.
SARE: Skip Paul, Wishing Stone Farm: Suburban business man makes marketing magic on farm
July 15, 2005: Banking on BARC Thanks in part to the work of weed ecologist John Teasdale, the USDA Agricultural Research Service's oldest experiment station is doing some of the agency's most forward-looking work.
June 16, 2005: Getting started with pastured chickens, Part I Or... How 6 chickens became 300 in just a year
June 2, 2005; Biodynamic farm in southeastern Pennsylvania cultivates organic farmers and human dignity Camphill Village at Kimberton Hills, one of over 100 similar intentional communities world wide, couples holistic farming practices with a supportive community for special needs residents. Slideshow
February 22, 2005: City markets, a farmer's best friend Moie Crawford (and her husband Jim) have been direct marketing in Washington, DC since the early '70s. In this article, adapted from her workshop on city marketing at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture conference (held earlier this month), Moie makes an impassioned case for the rewards of marketing in the city--most of which are NOT financial. (Though there IS that, too.)
February 22, 2005: Got milk cows? Get worms, make compost and sustain your dairy farm By adding value to the non-dairy output of their dairy herd, Orner Farms has created a revenue stream independent of fluctuating milk prices. Composting led to vermicompost, which led to compost tea production, which led to expanding potential markets.
February 10, 2005: Internet buying clubs combine emerging technologies and community values Two entrepreneurs committed to the local food movement are about to make their marketing models available to the public.
December 23, 2005: Hard times for a big organic orchard One New England farmer shares some of the struggles and triumphs of going organic
December 9, 2004: One person's trash is another person's treasure Intervale Compost Products keeps organic materials out of county landfills while generating a revenue stream for the non-profit Intervale Foundation.
December 9, 2004: Farmer Smith goes to Burlington This Intervale Farm Program veteran finds politics and farming to be fairly comfortable bedfellows.
December 9, 2004: Thinking small After two seasons at the Intervale, Spencer and Mara Welton of Half Pint Farm are showing how much can be done in a little space
December 9, 2004: All for one: Diggers' Mirth Collective A group of friends shares in the labor and rewards of farming
November 23, 2004: Farming for health and well-being A community of caring individuals in the Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts discovers that farmwork is therapy ... and healing is a two-way street.
November 9, 2004: Newly organic, an old New England dairy thrives Bucking convention and the conventional, one farming family in a remote corner of Massachusetts fine tunes its operation and sets its priorities to take tangible steps toward being fully self-sustaining.
August 31, 2004: The Apprentice It’s not just a way to trump up cheap labor, says Brookfield Farm’s manager, but a committed partnership that requires a real investment from both farmer and student.
August 31, 2004: From table to farm Manhattan restaurateurs and local food supporters turn to sustainable wine-grape growing on Long Island's North Fork
July 2, 2004: Pennsylvania wine-grape grower pioneers sustainable vineyard management methods The Roth family has been part of southern Pennsylvania's fruit world for four generations. Reigning patriarch Phil Roth—now in his seventh decade—is challenging himself and his fellow growers to cut back on chemicals
May 11, 2004: A future for organic apple growing in the Northeast In the humid Eastern states, expanding marketing opportunities are matched by stubborn production challenges. But new disease and pest management tools may be tipping the balance in favor of locally-grown organic tree fruits.
April 20, 2004: The Gandhi of greenhouses PART II Direct questions to the master of low-tech season extension yield direct, practical answers that anyone can use to build their own passive-solar greenhouse.
April 5, 2004: The Gandhi of greenhouses PART I Eager students flock to rural Pennsylvania from near and far to learn from the master of low-input season extension
February 13, 2004: Stars of the Chesapeake A few of the many inspiring farmers whose presentations enlivened the Future Harvest-CASA conference.
October 21, 2003: Lilies Make Everyone Smile Pennsylvania grower Paul Shumaker finds a fragrant niche in cut lilies.
September 30, 2003: Not just a farm, but a creative community Roy Brubaker, his family, and six interns collaborate, innovate and share labor, food and meaning on the Brubakers' 30-acre organic produce farm in western Pennsylvania.
August 22, 2003: Goooooo BLUE! Developing organic management strategies near the birthplace of commercial blueberry cultivation: John Marchese trades in a six-figure salary for the chance to raise organic blueberries in Ocean County, New Jersey... picking up where his dad left off when he died suddenly in 2001.
August 1, 2003: Landed Jersey Girls In East Coast lore “Jersey Girls” hang out in malls, not in fields of organic vegetables. Yet, in central New Jersey, more young women are getting into farming—and thriving. Is it part of a national trend?
June 11, 2003: Organic—and sustainable—in South Jersey Beginning in 1999, Bob Muth started transitioning acres to organic. He now has nine of his 80 acres certified organic . . . and is wondering if he should go all the way organic with his CSA, farm stand and wholesale operations.
June 10, 2003: No idealistic myth: The REAL Kretschmann Farm Don Kretschmann describes the evolution of their farm and family life.
June 3, 2003: Supplying good food to local people in a busy world Don and Becky Kretschmann share the insights they've gained over 32 years of farming--including the secret to running a successful CSA
June 3, 2003: His farm isn’t quite an acre . . . but this ‘small farmer’ makes it work After investing a whole lot of elbow grease and making his fair share of mistakes, Scott Kuntzer does more with less and makes a decent living.
May 30, 2003: The early birds get the returns Getting a jump on the growing season brings more loyal customers, more flexibility and more cash -- so get yourself some simple-to-build fieldhouses and start growing early. Paul and Sandy Arnold describe in detail how they use these field houses ... and what they make off of them.
May 13, 2003: Are small farmstead creameries the wave of the future? Eight cows. One farmer. Many happy customers and a rural New York community with a new dairy operation in a time of terrible milk prices. This is Sam and Denise Hendren’s story.
May 12, 2003: The Bechtolds keep their dairy operation simple ... and survive Ken and Julie Bechtold make aged, raw milk cheddar and colby on their north Jersey farm. No milk pipeline, vintage cheese vats, aging instead of pasteurization: It all adds up to no debt, a decent income, and great cheese.
May 6, 2003: Wanted: Consumers seek like-minded farmer looking for long term CSA relationship The Philadelphia area's newest organic farm started as a consumer dream ... and it only took three years to realize that dream.
April 1, 2003: How to improve profitability through season extension We’re talking row covers, temporary season extension houses and frost irrigation, and it works. Paul and Sandy Arnold of Argyle, NY have done the math on it.
February 12, 2003: Planning Ahead Pays off for Maryland Farmer Maryland farmer, Ed Fry, recounts the lessons he's learned maintaining a small family farm.
February 4, 2003: Direct Marketing and Diversification Go Hand and Hand Diversity and quality reign supreme on Chris Petersheim's organic veggie farm to capture those direct market customers.
January 17, 2003: New farm dreams DO come true Maybe not the way you thought they would. But with planning, persistence and a little luck it is possible to get started in farming today. New Farm® columnists Melanie and George Devault tell their own story.
October, 2002: Chicken Day at the Salatin Farm, Part 2 Where chickens are sold before they're raised. And customers pay full cost of delivery.
August, 2002: 'Chicken Day' at the Farm of Many Faces, Part 1 Reveals how a couple working 50 hours a week for six months on 8 hectares can NET $25,000.
August, 2002: Super Greenhouse Steve Moore's greenhouse uses no fossil fuels, only the sun's energy … and produces from March through Christmas.
August, 2002: How Mary-Howell and Klaas Martens made the transition to organic Eight lessons our future NewFarm.org columnists learned in the last ten years as they moved to organic field crop production on over 1300 acres.
SARE: Dorman & Fogler Families, Double D Farm: Maine farmers find sharing the land improves soil and increases yeilds.
SARE: Steve & Cheri Groff, Cedar Meadow Farm: Permanent cover crop stops soil from washing away.
SARE: Jim & Adele Hayes, Sap Bush Hollow Farm: Diversity and a little direct mail magic turn family farm into profitable operation.
SARE: Elizabeth Henderson, Peacework Organic Farm: CSA farm expects more then a yearly fee; members gladly dig in.
SARE: David & Cynthia Major, Major Farm: Finding their niche: Vermont couple uses perserverance and selective breeding to find success in a new market.
SARE: Jim & Moie Crawford: Variety and cooperation the keys to Pennsylvania farmers' success.
SARE: Allen Matthews & family: Customized crop rotation stops soil erosion with profitable produce.

SOUTHERN REGION

January 17, 2008: Kentucky vintner’s diverse enterprise hosts unlikely farmhands Old-world sheep weed, fertilize and prove to be a big draw for cash customers.
November 16, 2007: Heartland Mill continues to pioneer organic agriculture Hugely successful Kansas grain mill operators share humble beginnings regenerating the land.
July 13, 2007: The Real deal in organic pastured poultry A sixth-generation farmer finds trial and error, observation and pig-headed persistence leads him to pasturing organic chickens in a moveable yurt system.
May 11, 2007: From the Garden State to the Sunshine State A New Jersey farm girl discovers there is a future for farming after all.
August 10, 2006: Central Kentucky farmer uses tobacco funds and ingenuity to begin winery with a local flavor Despite challenging conditions in a “dry” county, vineyard enterprise holds promise for high-value profit.
March 9, 2006: Selling sustainably produced cut flowers to retailers When you provide the best product and service to match, you get to choose your customers.
February 16, 2006: New to livestock, former tobacco farmers ponder the omnivorous option Meat goat production is one of the many hands-on demonstration projects under way at Kentucky State University to help the state's farmers meet new market demands.
September 15, 2005: Back to school, back to the land In North Carolina, community college students learn how to become small-scale farmers with an affordable, two-year program combining classroom and field experience
SARE: Claud D. Evans: Goat hair growth research leads Oklahoma farmer to more efficient herd management and better profits
June 16, 2005: Do-it-yourself poultry processing made easy -- sort of A Texas couple negotiates the permitting requirements for on-farm, small-scale slaughtering.
April 19, 2005: Flower power pushes Hill Country farm to new heights Frank and Pamela Arnosky started with $1,000, twelve acres in the middle of nowhere, a tent to live in and a passion for flowers. Now they're grossing $500,000 a year.
February 22, 2005: Citrus down by the bayou On the very northern edge of this country's citrus growing zone, organic citrus farmers Lester and Linda L'Hoste have suffered killing frosts and fruit-killing bugs. Down in Louisiana, organic is a lonely and challenging proposition, but they're up for it.
August 17, 2004: Pasture proves superior for North Carolina dairyman Going with a grass-based system brought him profit, collaborations with researchers and a supportive farmer network of like-minded learners.
September 30, 2003: Ups and downs of worm growing keep Georgia farmer on his toes Worm farming can be lucrative, says Jack Brantley of Bear Creek Worm Farm, but it's like any other live-animal feeding operation. It takes experience, skill and patience. He recommends starting small
July 2003: Urban Harvest The concept and a plucky, grassroots citizens' group by the same name are turning brownfields into greenfields deep in the heart of Texas.
June 27, 2003: New organic farmers' markets emerge in Georgia...but change is slow Veteran farmers hold their breath as they relaunch metro market in Atlanta
June 27, 2003: Approaching harvest time, a Georgia farmer shares his wealth Skip Glover and his wife Cookie grow far more than 7 acres of mixed vegetables and cut flowers. They cultivate connections with diverse people throughout the Atlanta area, and their product has become the knowledge they've gained.
SARE: Max Carter: Conservation tillage sends residue burning up in smoke.
SARE: Alvin & Shirley Harris, Harris Farms: Farming and marketing small pays off big for these tennessee farmers.
SARE: Jackie Judice & family, Northside Planting LLC: Rasing cane, profitability, and consciousness.
SARE: Richard & Peggy Sechrist: Managed grazing brings herd closer to holistic vision.
SARE: Rosa Shareef: Pastured poultry makes a city girl's dream come true.
SARE: Luke Green & family, Green Farm: Hard times call for organic measures. Peanut farmer turns organic, then turns a value-deficient commodity into a smooth and creamy sustainable product.
SARE: Alex and Betsy Hitt, Peregrine Farm: Streamlining means getting smaller . . . and better.

WESTERN REGION

October 18, 2007: Lessons learned in a mature organic sector To some extent, organic apple growers in the Pacific Northwest are suffering from their own success. But the rewards of organic orchard management go beyond price premiums, say the owners and managers of Pine Creek Orchards.
July 13, 2007: Continuing a lifetime of innovation, Alberta couple pioneers organic fruit wine enterprise Fermentation of indigenous crops, hardy apples and even alfalfa add sparkling value to crops.
June 15, 2007: Going (well) against the grain, emmer and all New farmers choose remote fields to pioneer organic, then direct-sale grain crops.
December 8, 2005: Taos pueblo couple farms and cooks in the old ways that work Their restaurant gives diners tastes of the New Mexican high desert that have been savored for centuries.
September 16, 2005: From fleece to finished product (Tierra Wools, Part II) Transforming Churro wool into rugs and tapestries requires more hard work--from shearing and washing to spinning, dyeing, weaving and managing the Tierra Wools' retail store.
September 2, 2005: Linking old traditions with contemporary enterprise (Tierra Wools, Part I) In the high range country of northern New Mexico, a community of ranchers, shepherds and weavers has found new markets for the rare Navajo-Churro, a 400-year old sheep breed that was nearly lost for good.
June 16, 2005: New life on the Big Island In the wake of the Hawai'ian sugar industry's decline, small organic producers like Lou Russo and Bari Green emphasize diverse cropping systems, local markets and long-term sustainability.
May 12, 2005: The yellow revolution In eastern Washington, potato farmer Dale Gies has pioneered the use of mustards to build soil organic matter and eliminate the need for chemical soil fumigants.
May 12, 2005: Three farmers, many lives Graduates of the ALBA program--now independent farmers--say what they value most is growing food without chemicals, working with family members and being their own bosses.
May 12, 2005: From the ground up In the heart of California's Salinas Valley, former farmworkers are getting a chance to start farms of their own.
April 19, 2005: Way beyond organic California maverick Jim Cochran became the first strawberry farmer, and the first organic farmer, to sign a contract with United Farm Workers. And his management innovations haven't stopped there.
January 27, 2005: Independent innovation On the banks of the Willamette River, this farmer and seedsman has turned his operation into one-man alternative agricultural experiment station.
January 27, 2005: Ahead of the curve Phil Coturri has been growing organic wine grapes in Sonoma for 25 years, and 10 years ago helped set the trend for organic olive oil production in California. For both crops, his management principles center on diverse cover crops, composts, careful use of irrigation and constant attention to the flavors of the final product.
January 27, 2005: The whole(sale) deal Eugene, Oregon-based Organically Grown Company is the largest wholesaler of organic produce in the Pacific Northwest. For more than two decades, they've responded to the complex demands of an evolving organic marketplace while remaining committed to supporting local growers.
January 7, 2005: The story of our intentions (From Renewing the Countryside: Four Corners Region) At Lost Cabin Ranch in north-central Arizona, farm, family and work have evolved together into a sustainable, interdependent whole.
December 9, 2004: Hope on the range Eighteen years ago, Oregon rancher Connie Hatfield drove to the city and asked a health club owner what he thought about red meat. His answer helped shape Oregon Country Beef, now one of the most successful rancher-managed, certified natural beef labels in the country.
November 23, 2004: Flowers and fine olive oil in California’s Central Valley Mike and Diane Madison sell 20,000 bunches of cut flowers a year through direct market and retail. They also grow clementines and high quality olives for oil. An innovative member arrangement—picking olives in exchange for oil—allows them to avoid the headaches and anxieties of being employers.
November 23, 2004: Learning to create abundance in the rough shadow of the Rockies (From Renewing the Countryside: Four Corners Region) Chuck Barry and Rosie Carter make a living on three acres in the high desert at Stone Free Farm.
October 15, 2004: Local with a vengeance Grant Gibbs won't sell his organic produce and meats beyond a 20-mile radius of his farm in the Northern Cascades of Washington. He'd rather feed it to his hogs than take it out on the interstate--and he's doing just fine.
September 28, 2004: My name is Joel Huesby, and I’m a recovering farmer … The fourth generation head of Thundering Hooves Farm talks about his family’s long journey from sustainable farming and ranching, through four decades of chemical nightmare and depleted soils, and back to economic and ecological sustainability, beginning in the mid-1990s.
September 28, 2004: Portrait of a pioneering California organic wine family 62,000 bottles a year, 90 acres of vineyard, grape contracts with 18 neighboring organic farms, sales in 44 states, Asia and Europe—and the family still has time for politics and agricultural innovation.
September 28, 2004: All in the family Outside of Durango, Colorado, the James Ranch is using holistic management, direct marketing, and community involvement to build a sustainable livelihood for all the members of the clan.
September 14, 2004: Cultivating long-term relationships In the dry lands of eastern Washington, WSU plant breeder Steve Jones is working with—and for—farmers to develop a commercially-viable perennial wheat.
September 14, 2004: Closing the loop (From Renewing the Countryside: Washington) It started ten years ago with "a rototiller and an idea." Today, Full Circle Farm grows organic produce for 500 CSA members, 50 restaurants, 15 grocery stores, 12 farmers' markets and 4 wholesalers.
September 13, 2004: Jerzy Boys Farm grows award winning fruit in North Central Washington How an ill-fated cross-country motorcycle trip turned Wynne Weinreb and Scott Beaton into icons of sustainable fruit production.
August 31, 2004: Conservation measures improve profits On the EC Bar Ranch in northeastern Arizona, Jim Crosswhite got radical—and started cooperating with government scientists to implement environmental restoration strategies on his land. Eight years later, he counts a wealth of economic as well as ecological benefits.
August 3, 2004: Big things on a little place On Sandia Pueblo in north-central New Mexico, Sam Montoya revitalized a tired piece of land—and is now earning a comfortable retirement income.
July 20, 2004: In search of the real tough cowboy Part 3 To survive in the 21st century, ranchers need to be skilled natural resource managers—and good communicators.
July 2, 2004: One set of guiding principles, a wealth of different practices Part 2 The key to Holistic Range Management is thinking creatively and independently, adapting its rules to the ever-changing conditions of ranch life.
June 14, 2004: Seeing the big picture Part 1 Ranchers who practice Holistic Resource Management in Wyoming focus on keeping the native grasses healthy—everything else follows from there.
June 1, 2004: Cracking the organic nut Pecan grower Sally Harper has led the way toward organic management and marketing for this traditional southern New Mexican crop
May 11, 2004: Rotating cattle provide whole-farm fertility for dry beans and veggies at 7-year-old Ernie's Organics Fred and Judy Brossy grow irrigated beans, potatoes and wheat on the arid plains of Idaho. Most of their crop is pre-sold, at a premium, insuring a decent livelihood for them and their workers.
March 5, 2004: Exploring agritourism in Hawaii From 2-acre coffee growers to 15,000-acre sugar plantations, Hawaii's farmers get on board with the state's tourism industry
March 5, 2004: Bus ride yields cornucopia of innovative farming ideas in action
Hilo’s raspberry revolution: The manager of a large-scale raspberry farm proves that nature knows best, converting a third of the 500-acre operation he oversees to organic while scaling back chemical use on the rest; Blue Heron Bounty: the manager of a 20-acre biodynamic farm tells how he keeps a crew in business, and customers in produce nearly year-round, all while giving back to the land.
February 13, 2004: Endless experimentation and a restless search for new and better cheeses Redwood Hill goat dairy made a name for itself in the 80s. Despite warnings from the Milk Advisory Board that the niche was filled, newcomer Capricious Cheese established its own unique reputation. This is the story of two very different goat dairies who found direct-marketing success with meticulous management and distinctive products.
February 13, 2004: Magic bus ride yields sustainable farms of many scales: Four Sisters Farm, a modest hillside of kiwifruit
February 13, 2004: Magic bus ride yields sustainable farms of many scales: Home on the Range, a sprawling ranch where holistically managed grass-fed beef cattle are raised
January 30, 2004: Converted to organic cotton, for health and profit A third-generation New Mexico farmer finds environmental benefits and eager markets with certified organic Pima cotton.
January 29, 2004: Respecting the individual ... goat, that is California goat dairy Redwood Hill proves you can increase herd size without sacrificing management standards. The first of two parts on this successful goat cheese operation.
January 7, 2004: The secret life of cheese Cheese is the way a specific region or landscape tells its story through milk, in the same manner that wine is how a place tells its story through fruit or grapes and for biodynamic farmer Ernie Harvey this means knowing the land as well as the cheese.
November 7, 2003: Northern California’s Full Belly Farm redefines what it means to be a family farmer Despite its 35 full-time workers, 15 retail accounts, 15 wholesale accounts, 650 member CSA and three farmers’ markets almost year ‘round, Full Belly still has the heart and soul of a family farm.
April 18, 2003: From money pit to economic provider for a farm family and its employees ... in just 4 years! Julia Wiley of Mariquita Farm says that to run a CSA successfully, you have to grow well. That’s a given. But you also have to know how to nurture a whole human community. Here’s the story of how their CSA began.
March 28, 2003: A lush, chaotic garden of fruit trees in the outback of northern California Guru Ram Das Orchards is commercially successful, but its wild beauty is obviously inspired by the unearthly, life-long love affair Didar Singh Khalsa has with deciduous trees.
January 17, 2003: Simple, complex and raw: the amazing success of Organic Pastures Dairy
Third generation Fresno dairyman Mark McAfee has designed a "pro-cow" environment that leads to pathogen-free raw milk.
SARE: Richard Ha, Mauna Kea Banana Farm & Kea’au Plantation: Banana farmer battles devastating disease by pairing alternative and conventional practices.
SARE: Michael & Marie Heath, M&M Heath Farms: Diversification in the field and market become part of former conventional agriculturist's guiding principles.
SARE: Bob Quinn, Quinn Farm and Ranch: Organic wheat production yields premium prices and eliminates seasonal loans.
SARE: Lonnie Roybal: Cooperative farming of organic wheat is a step toward revitalization in Costilla Valley.
SARE: Ed & Wynette Sills, Pleasant Grove Farms: Rice trades off with wheat, oats and grain sorghum for improved soil fertility.
SARE: Frank Bohman: Treading lightly saves rancher/farmer from losing livelyhood and more.
SARE: Mark Frasier: Holistic range management brings economic and ecological success to Colorado farmer.

INTERNATIONAL

September 14, 2007: West African rice farmers explore alternatives to cheap, dangerous insecticides Farmer-to-farmer training and on-farm research grow local adapted knowledge of biologically based integrated pest management that embraces biodiversity, careful observation and beneficial insects.
August 9, 2007: Bootstrapping the organic market for NZ lamb In 20 years of raising organic lamb in New Zealand's Wairarapa region, Ian and Heather Atkinson have seen—and helped shape—the market's evolution from export niche to emerging local staple.
April 12, 2007: Harvesting a sense of place from Italy's agriculture The life of a campanilismo farmer teaches the author a lesson in the interconnectedness of land, food and family, and the true art of sustainability.
March 15, 2007: Agro-ecological and micro-enterprise training transforms lives of Mexican subsistence farmers and field laborers
A nonprofit founded by two Canadian women creates a thriving local food system that joins expatriate community and local producers.
December 14, 2006: Kaata is making our millet plants wilt Scientists and West African farmers learn together how to manage a devastating weed—and how to integrate agricultural science into a treacherous farming environment.
December 14, 2006: Seeds for peace Restoring ancient seed for Arab and Jewish organic cooperation.
November 10, 2006: Long-ended Rodale Institute amaranth trials still offering hope to Mexican farmers Tiny seeds, big hopes for this nutritious indigenous seed where corn is the unprofitable king.
July 13, 2006: Thriving with peppers, seeds and leaves in Koumpentoum, Tambacounda region Training in organic agriculture helps woman develop family enterprise that features income streams from integrated and biodiverse micro-agroforestry kitchen garden.
June 8, 2006: Milk and yogurt production, Ourossogui, Matam region Fulani women learn holistic cooperative development and enterprise skills to generate value-added revenue, and to inspire other small-scale farmers in the region—including their daughters—with options for economic development.
May 12, 2006: Livestock fattening,Thiawène, Diourbel Village women’s group pioneers and teaches how “kept” sheep and goats can improve soil, boost yields and provide much-needed income in dry Diourbel region.
April 13, 2006: New interest in old crops, Tambacounda and Theis regions Kekouta Camara of Touba Fall and Abdoulaye Niang of Keur Banda identify promising crops that enhance biodiversity, reduce weather risk, extend crop rotations and attract high-value export buyers.
March 9, 2006: Diabou Balde, rice farmer, Manthiankaning, Kolda region
Intensive production pressure leaves little space for experiments, but improvements from increased spacing win respect for new method.
February 16, 2006: El-Hadji Hane and Gora Ndiaye, regenerative ag education and entrepreneurship along the Petite Côte Through local farmer organizing, commercial promotion of agroforestry and international connections, two college friends are nurturing sustainable initiatives along the tourist-impacted “Little Coast” of Senegal.
January 12, 2006: Abderahmane Sow, agro-entrepreneur, Belel, Matam region Starting from scratch with curiosity and a knack for doing business, this new farmer wants to expand agricultural opportunity to help the next generation thrive on the land without leaving the region.
December 8, 2005: Seydou Diémé, soil conservationist, Thiès Women often provide the most hands when rural communities construct stone erosion barriers to conserve and restore adequate soil moisture for sustainable cropping.
November 11, 2005: Madame Sall, juice and syrup entrepreneur, Dakar Buying directly from farmers boosts quality and consumer demand, but small-scale processor struggles to expand her place in the market.
October 13, 2005: Doudou Diallo, urban market gardener, Saint-Louis Strong customer demand for his high-quality vegetables propels this intensive urban gardener to pursue organics even without a premium price.
June 3, 2005: Teaching farming as a balance of spirit, soil and a healthy culture Kibbutz Harduf is not just a biodynamic farm, it's a biodynamic community
April 20, 2005: Rebels in a communal society With government ownership of land at 95 percent, most everything in Israel is done communally, especially farming. There is the agricultural sector with many different farms and a living sector, with many different homes, but for those who have a need to create a small family farm, self-sufficient and private; they have begun to squat.
February 22, 2005: The ancianas of Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala reflect on 50 years of hardship and struggle Don Lotter talks to a group of older women in this heavily Mayan town, surrounded by volcanoes, who lost their husbands to death squads and their farms to theft by wealthy ladinos.
February 10, 2005: Israeli-Arab farmer builds future hope where politics permeates land and water Laithi combines donated fields, heirloom seeds, traditional wisdom and farmer networking throughout Israel to build an agriculture that fits the place and the time to come
January 31, 2005: Sizing up organic farming in Mexico Although domestic demand is still small, land area under organic management and total value of organic production in Mexico is expanding at 45 percent a year—twice the rate of expansion in the U.S. Coffee is by far the country's most important organic crop.
January 7, 2005: Amidst political strife and a firing range on the West Bank, the Zimmermans farm, market and sanctify the land Combining biblical rituals with remarkable flexibility, the Zimmermans have thrived because of their faith ... and because of their ability to shift from export markets, to local markets, to value-added products in response to the pressures of war and politics.
November 23, 2004: Rising from nothing in the desert, idealists now work amid water, orchards, gardens and fish. At Kibbutz Neot Smader, amazing agriculture achievement is the byproduct of a community of transients dedicated to learning from the land and each other.
September 28, 2004: Seeking life in the desert, on the desert’s terms As the global climate becomes more harsh, Elaine Solowey is a botanical pioneer trying to develop ultra-low water crops before it’s too late.
September 14, 2004: Filling a niche Growing at 4200 feet, Home Farm specializes in mixed salad greens and specialty breads for the bustling San Isidro Farmers' Market
August 31, 2004: Sustainable U Surrounded by primary rainforest and fronted by the Caribbean Sea in the southeastern corner of Costa Rica, U.S. high school students, local Ticos, and others learn about living off the land and in harmony with nature, as one teacher’s dream for community and outdoor education becomes a reality.
August 3, 2004: Living the good life on Australia’s Gold Coast Heirloom livestock integrated with tropical perennials helps couple toward self-sufficiency.
August 3, 2004: In Agave country … and no one can afford to grow it! In the tequila country of Western Mexico, Don meets a farm family mending fences, and learns a lot about local corn, local booze, the best ropes, the economics of the Agave … and about the poignancy of a man’s abiding love for his horse.
June 14, 2004: Farmers and customers in a CSA in Morioka Town began their mutual involvement out of obligation, but the romance of earth and the power of food won their hearts The process was rocky, the results amazing. Stumbling into farming, the farmers learned to balance consumer demand against their own sheer joy of growing food. Their customers grew to see the healing power of their food and develop deep respect for the farmers’ role. Further changes have the farmers renting out their land and helping families to grow their own.
May 11, 2004: Small-scale vertical integration at a roadside fruit stand farm in British Columbia Over 60 fruits and vegetables on 10 acres, a remote location, a short growing season and a pernicious pest: There are plenty of challenges for organic growers Doug and Michelle Nimchuk. But business is good.
April 23, 2004: Siete Estrellas de Jicotea Making organic coffee (farms) strong enough to last takes support, creativity and time.
April 6, 2004: Biodynamic farming pioneers revolutionize banana production in the Dominican Republic Three-quarters of all bananas exported from the Dominican Republic are now certified organic. Six years ago, none were.
April 6, 2004: In a region where cabbage is king and chemicals infuse the landscape, this tiny, determined farmer quietly does things her way The Tsumagoi region in Gunma prefecture is all about uniformity. Toki Kuroiwa takes a different path, however, carrying on the pioneering Natural Agriculture ways of her late son. Her urban customers have turned into workers and friends, while her neighbors are slowly being won over by a system that works – without chemicals.
April 6, 2004: Using the ordinary to cultivate the mysterious power of beneficial indigenous microorganisms Like a cut-rate magician, Philippine farmer and scientist Gil Carandang
teaches farmers how to use cheap vodka, generic brown sugar, milk, rice and local soil to harness local microorganisms as invisible workhorses on their farms.
March 5, 2004: Finca la Puebla Coffee co-op depends on compost, self-processing and premium organic quality to beat slumping market
February 13, 2004: Natural Agriculture farmer finds locating a market more challenging than letting go of chemicals Osamu Yoshino of Chiba prefecture survived a “cold turkey” switch to no-chemical, no-input farming thanks to supporters who were willing to pull his weeds. There was only one problem: nobody would buy the food. Now he's turning his eye on neighboring organic farmers to see what they can teach each other about success and spirit.
December 17, 2003: Amid an industrial landscape on a reclaimed coastland, a Natural Agriculture farmer mellows his soil with care Nobuaki Nakayasu has it far worse than most farmers, cramped on his small plot in a suburban nightmare. Yet gradually and patiently over the past 6 years, a farm has bloomed in Himeji.
November 19, 2003: After decades as a conventional farmer, Yasuo Tarumi put away the pesticides and began to learn from nature Kyushu Island: Yasuo Tarumi. Observation by the hour and by the day -- on his knees in the field and from his favorite farm lookout -- helped the experienced farmer find, in nature, the answers he needs to manage his 30 acres successfully.
November 7, 2003: The good life of a small-scale Ontario dairy farmer depends on being part of a dynamic coop Odelia Osthaus likes her herd at its current size. She likes the life she
and her children lead... and the savvy marketing and smart management of the OntarBio organic farmers' coop make it all possible.
September 30, 2003: On a sheltered island, the dream of Natural Agriculture ferments Kishima Island, Part 1: Reiji Murota, Master Farmer. In a tiny agricultural kingdom bounded by the sea, a Shumei master farmer has free reign to farm on the wild side. What he finds – and teaches – keeps pushing out the frontiers of Natural Agriculture. The first of two parts on this farm, building on a three-part introduction.
September 29, 2003: When it comes to organized support for CSAs, Canadians have a thing or two to teach us, don’t cha know? [or, eh?] The D-Trois-Pierres CSA, outside of Montreal, Quebec, is part of a well-organized network of around 70 farms that are actively promoted and supported by Equiterre, a Quebec-based organization that champions sustainability and fair trade worldwide.
June 2003: Fighting weeds and tradition in Spain's wine country One-time vineyard gets a make-over and Terragona province gets its first taste of organic almonds.
May 28, 2003: In the Himalayas, the Western world has invaded, but not yet conquered Many families still survive happily on crops and livestock tended on steeply terraced plots at high elevations ... AND IT'S ALL ORGANIC, by default.
May 12, 2003: Beyond the Green Revolution to Regeneration Mulchand Haria may not have followed the family into traditional medicine, but his gentle touch and chemical-free remedies have nursed a parched, depleted earth back to full health and earned him the title "Doctor" among his fellow farmers in western India.
April 22, 2003: Indian farmer creates an organic oasis in a harsh land On top of dust and floods, chemicals were killing Vijay Shah's soil and production was falling. He decided it was time, for a change, to farm WITH nature. On July 1, 1996, he stopped using chemicals all together.
April 2003: Organic poultry production: a fledgling industry in New Zealand Jake and Leigh-Ann Heuvel – currently raising and processing 2600 free-range, certified organic “chooks” each week – are the only larger scale organic producers in New Zealand. Disease control is their biggest challenge ... that, and keeping up with customer demand.
March 27, 2003: The rise of the organic kiwi Kiwifruit is a huge export crop for New Zealand farmers, and organic growers like Leo and Diane Whittle are leading the entire industry in raising the environmental "bar" and moving all growers closer to organic.
March 21, 2003: Thailand's Buddhist "Asok" movement builds organic farms, sustainable communities In a farm economy devastated by reliance on chemicals, Buddhist monks teach thousands a new way to grow.
March 6, 2003: Laos farmer challenges agricultural trend destroying soil and farmers Thanongsi Solangkoun's silk-farm, organic restaurant and international learning center offer an alternative to chemically based agriculture.
February 28, 2003: Jon Jandai -- farmer, builder and man of leisure Owner of an 8-acre organic farm in Thailand uses absolutely no fertilizers or pesticides and becomes one of the first in the country to use alternative building methods.
August, 2002: Building a farm with a future in Japan Something horrible has gone wrong with Japanese agriculture, but one organic farmer adapts virtually forgotten traditional practices–and sees hope for the future.
August, 2002: A townswoman finally makes the transition to farmer By trial and error, and with the help of neighbors, a former Muscovite becomes a successful farmer.