Free Downloadable Resources

Economics of Organic

A Rodale Institute Guide to Financial Success for Organic Producers

Organic farming isn’t just better for soil–it’s better for the bottom line. Our new Economics of Organic report breaks down the financial data, case studies, and funding pathways that prove transitioning to organic is a smart economic decision for America’s farmers.

Growing Organic Elderberries

Organic Consulting Agronomic Guide

Get expert recommendations for growing organic elderberries in the Pacific Northwest from Rodale Institute’s Organic Consultants. This agronomic guide covers everything from basic physiology to pests and diseases and orchard maintenance for organic elderberries.

Realities of Organic Transition: Case Study of Just Squeeze Citrus

Organic Consulting Case Study

Herb Young is the owner and farmer of Just Squeeze Citrus, a six-acre farm in Coolidge, Georgia, where he grows ten varieties of citrus, totaling 1,350 fruit trees in a high-density planting. With a background in conventional agriculture, Herb discusses his transition to organic farming.

Growing Organic Gluten Free Oats

Organic Consulting Agronomic Guide

Get tips and tricks for growing organic gluten free oats in this free guide from our Organic Consultants. We cover planting, harvesting, pest management, and other best practices for cultivating this cash crop.

Growing Organic Blueberries

Organic Consulting Agronomic Guide

Get recommendations from our Organic Consultants for growing organic blueberries in the Pacific Northwest. This agronomic guide covers everything from variety selection to pruning, harvesting, and marketing organic blueberries.

Why Organic Certification for Your Meat/Poultry Processing Business?

Midwest Meat Summit 2025

Learn about the advantages of organic certification for meat and poultry processing businesses.

The organic meat market is small but growing. Most organic meat sold in the U.S. is imported, but organic shoppers prefer—and trust—domestically-produced products. There are likely organic farmers and ranchers in your area looking for a certified organic processor, and certification opens your business to new customers and markets.

Organic Grain and Livestock Marketing in the High Plains Resource Guide

High Plains Organic Conference 2025

This organic market session featured insights from buyers that delved into crucial topics shaping the future of organic crop and livestock markets in the High Plains region.

Engaging with Organic Vegetable Buyers

Resource Guide: February 2025

This Resource Guide outlines best practices, considerations, buyer information, and further resources for navigating organic vegetable markets. As demand for organic products continues to rise, understanding the unique dynamics of these markets is essential for growers looking to maximize their opportunities and profitability. Whether you’re new to organic farming or looking to refine your approach, this resource serves as a companion on your journey towards successful market navigation

Engaging with Organic Grain Buyers

Resource Guide: May 2025

This Resource Guide outlines best practices, considerations, buyer information, and further resources for navigating organic grain markets. As demand for organic products continues to rise, understanding the unique dynamics of these markets is essential for growers looking to maximize their opportunities and profitability. Whether you’re new to organic farming or looking to refine your approach, this resource serves as a companion on your journey towards successful market navigation.

Engaging with Organic Dairy Buyers

Resource Guide: April 2025

This Resource Guide outlines best practices, considerations, buyer information, and further resources for navigating organic dairy markets. As demand for organic products continues to rise, understanding the unique dynamics of these markets is essential for growers looking to maximize their opportunities and profitability. Whether you’re new to organic farming or looking to refine your approach, this resource serves as a companion on your journey towards successful market navigation.

Organic Grain Markets in the Mid-Atlantic Resource Guide

Mid-Atlantic Grains Conference 2025

This Resource Guide outlines best practices and considerations for navigating organic markets for organic grain.

As demand for organic products continues to rise, understanding the unique dynamics of these markets is essential for growers looking to maximize their opportunities and profitability. Whether you’re new to organic farming or looking to refine your approach, this resource serves as a companion on your journey towards successful market navigation for organic commodities and livestock markets.

Organic Commodities, Specialty Crops and Livestock Markets in the Carolinas Resource Guide

Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference 2025

This Resource Guide outlines best practices and considerations for navigating organic markets for organic commodities and livestock markets.

As demand for organic products continues to rise, understanding the unique dynamics of these markets is essential for growers looking to maximize their opportunities and profitability. Whether you’re new to organic farming or looking to refine your approach, this resource serves as a companion on your journey towards successful market navigation for organic commodity and livestock markets.

Organic Grain Marketing in the Midwest Resource Guide

OGRAIN Winter Conference 2025

This Resource Guide outlines best practices, considerations, buyer information, and further resources for navigating organic grain markets, especially for farmers located in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Organic Grain Marketing in Nebraska and Iowa Resource Guide

University of Nebraska, Lincoln Transition to Organic Farming Conference 2024

This Resource Guide outlines best practices, considerations, buyer information, and further resources for navigating organic grain markets, especially for farmers located in eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.

Sustainability Sells

How Brands Can Communicate on Sustainability & Drive Profit

A recent study conducted by MAGNA Media Trials and IPG Mediabrands in collaboration with Rodale Institute reveals that 79% of shoppers consider sustainability before making a purchase, and 63% are willing to pay more for products with features like ethical sourcing or recyclable packaging.

Whether it’s groceries, skincare, or clothing, eco-conscious consumers are driving change.

Climate Change & Farming

With so much talk about farming, greenhouse gases, and climate change, it can be difficult to separate fact from opinion. Our climate scientist clears the air in this Q&A.

Farm-to-Healthcare Institution Tool Kit

Learn how to create a farm-to-institution model in your unique context from experts on the leading edge of healthcare systems innovation with our Farm-to-Healthcare Institute Tool Kit.

Regenerative Agriculture and the Soil Carbon Solution

This white paper compiles the explosive amount of new science around soil carbon sequestration to identify regenerative agriculture as a path toward a new climate future.

The Power of the Plate: The Case for Regenerative Organic Agriculture in Improving Human Health

Developed in partnership with medical professionals, this white paper offers a holistic analysis of the rise of industrial agriculture, the connection to our poor diets and nutrition, and solutions to move towards regenerative healthcare.

The Truth About Organic

This guide will give real, honest, and clear answers about the biggest questions and myths surrounding organic agriculture and what it means for you.

A Simple Guide to Vermicomposting

If regular backyard composting isn’t an option for you, vermicomposting—or worm composting—might be for you! This guide will help you get started.

Striped Cucumber Beetle Field Guide

This field guide presents a pragmatic and systematic approach to organic pest management systems for cucumber crop production.

Backyard Composting Basics

If you’ve ever considered turning your organic waste into a homemade compost, this cheatsheet will give you the basics of how to get started.

Beyond Black Plastic

While black plastic is allowed in organic farming, it is still bad for the environment. With this guide, you’ll learn about safer alternatives.

Vertical Gardening in an Urban Environment

Want to grow food in urban environments? Vertical gardening may be the answer. Learn how to get started here.

Water Purification

Read about how Rodale Institute constructed a wetlands system with rainwater catchment component to reduce our water waste.

Roller Crimper Blueprints

Large-scale organic no-till farmers can utilize the roller crimper, developed at Rodale Institute, to terminate cover crops. These blueprints will help you obtain your own.