The Northeast Organic Farming Association and the Massachusetts Chapter (https://www.nofamass.org/index.php )provide educational information on organic production of crops. Contact the Agriculture Educator listed on this webpage for organic production information, https://www.nofamass.org/staff-and-board.
NOFA no longer provides organic certification. Baystate Organic Certifiers (formerly NOFA/Mass Organic Certification) is a USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agent that certifies operations in the Northeast United States. For information on Massachusetts certification see: http://baystateorganic.org/
The current version of the New England Vegetable Management Guide contains comprehensive production information including what’s relevant to organic production, such as organic sources of nutrients from cover crops, composts and natural fertilizer; irrigation; cultural controls for pests; biorational and organic pesticides; fertility needs of each crop; spacing and variety recommendations. For each crop and pest listed in the Guide, materials which are labeled for the pest and have OMRI listing (ie are approved for oganic production) are identified. Certifying agencies in New England are also listed. This Guide is available from the UMass Extension Bookstore (413-545-2717) https://extensionsalesportal-umass.nbsstore.net/new-england-vegetable-management-guide-2020-2021-ed and also online at http://nevegetable.org/. A photo ID supplement is also available.
Massachusetts Independent Certification: Baystate Organic Certifiers
For a list of materials that can be used for organic certification, visit the website of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in the review of substances for use in organic production. Their website contains a generic materials list and a brand name product list to provide guidance on the suitability of material inputs under the USDA National Organic Program standards. These lists include materials for food crops,
A good source of information on sustainable greenhouse production is available from ATTRA, ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
For more information on growing vegetable crops, contact an Extension Vegetable Specialist at the University of Massachusetts.