Production ReferencesBelow is a listing of resources that Extension professionals and growers can utilize vegetable production. Resources are grouped by topic area. * indicates the resource should be available in print from County Cooperative Extension Offices in Kentucky. Search for all UK publications at: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs.asp |
General Vegetable Production
Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers in Kentucky
This production guide is updated biennially and contains information for vegetable production in Kentucky. Mostly conventional production tactics are addressed.*
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook
This production guide features input from a dozen land grant universities in the Southern U.S. This is a great resource for those looking to grow crops not traditionally addressed in Kentucky
The Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers
Covers all of the common vegetable crops and production for those in the Midwest
Pests and IPM
An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Pests of Solanaceous Crops in Kentucky
One of the only free full-color guides covering common pests of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant.*
An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Cucurbit Crops in Kentucky
One of the only free full-color guides covering common pests of vining crops*
An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Sweet Corn in Kentucky
Full-color guides covering common problems of sweet corn*
An IPM Scouting Guide for Natural Enemies of Vegetable Pests
It is critical to know which insects are pests and which are beneficial this full color guide will help growers identify the differences insects or pests*
Organic Cucurbit Growing Community
A site that details all of the practices necessary to overcome cucurbit pests such as cucumber beetle and squash as well as tactics that can be used to enhance pollination.
Soil and Fertility
Managing Cover Crops Profitably
The single best cover crop book published. Available as a free download or for purchase as a print book from SARE.
Oregon State University Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop Calculator
This is a great tool for all farmers to use to calculate how much fertility they will get from cover crops. Essential for the organic farmer. This program uses Microsoft Excel to perform calculations, but growers can use the information to calculate fertility by hand.
Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers
A Cornell site that details common cover crops and characteristics of each. Be aware that much of the research that is cited was conducted in New York, so planting dates, etc will have to be modified for Southern Growers.
Building Soils for Better Crops
An introduction to soil management offered by SARE for free download or purchase of a print copy.
Fertigation in Organic Vegetable Production
An eXtension article detailing the steps required to supply soluble organic fertilizers to crops through irrigation lines.
Transitioning to Organic Farming
Transitioning to Organic Crop Production
A short Fact Sheet offered by UK describing the steps to transitioning into organic farming.
The Organic Program Through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is committed to helping farmers by offering organic certification for a low ($125 fee). The application and contact information for certification are provided at this site.
Organic Materials Review Institute
OMRI reviews materials to determine if they are compliant with USDA organic guidelines. If you have questions about whether you can use a particular product check this website to see if it is listed. This is particularly useful for generic products which often are not designated “OMRI Approved” but yet are still compliant with USDA regulations.
Food Safety
The Kentucky Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Program
GAP is something that all farmers need to comply with. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has been proactive working with UK and the Kentucky Department of Health to deliver GAP training to thousands of individuals. This site contains information on developing a GAP self audit and preparing for a 3rd party audit.