FACT SHEET

Organic Agriculture Practices Linelle Rivera Rodríguez, Extension Associate Organic Agriculture

Soil Health and Fertility

Crop Rotation - growing different crops in the same field in a planned sequence to improve soil, reduce pests, and prevent nutrient depletion.

Composting-breaking down organic materials such as food scraps, leaves, wood, manure into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Cover Cropping - planting certain certain crops between main crops to protect soil, add nutrients, and reduce weeds.

Biological Pest Control - utilizing natural predators like ladybugs, birds, or beneficial bacteria can reduce the need for pest control.

Water Management

Drip Irrigation - Watering plants slowly and directly to the roots through tubes or pipes with smaller drainage.

Rain Water - Water collected from rainfall.

Crop Diversity - growing a mix of crops to improve resilience and reduce pest pressure.

Mulching - Covering soil with materials like wood chips, straw, leaves, or plastic, to retain moisture, suppress weed, and protect the soil.

Trap Cropping - planting a crop that attracts pests away

Other Practices

  • Agroforestry
  • Alley Cropping
  • Soil Testing
  • Organic Livestock Practices

Common Crop Pests in KY and Organic Control Methods

(C) UK Entomology

White grubs

No - Till - avoiding plowing or tilling the soil, reduces erosion, protects soil organic matter, and retains moisture.

Soil Nutrients

Pest and Disease Management

Corn earworm

(C) UK Entomology

(C) UK Entomology

Squash bug

  • (C) UK Entomology

Cucumber beetle

  • Pheromone traps
  • Beneficial insects
  • Row Cover
  • Beneficial nematodes
  • Natural enemies (e.g., parasitic wasps)
  • grubGONE (OMRI listed)
  • Crop Rotation
  • Removing crop residue
  • Row Covers

Acknowledgment

Thank you, Katherine Kamminga, Entomologist and Kasia Bradley, Research and Extension Associate Forestry and Natural Resources for your support on preparing this fact sheet.

  • Crop Rotation
  • Removing crop residue Drip Irrigation - Watering plants slowly and directly to the roots through tubes or pipes with smaller drainage.
  • Row Covers
  • Neem oil Rain Water - Water collected from rainfall.
  • Insecticidal soap (OMRI listed)

Kentucky State University is an equal opportunity provider.

KYSU Resources

Jacob Brown, M.S., Research Associate, Soil Jacob.brown1@kysu.edu

Katherine Kamminga, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Entomologist, katherine.kamminga@kysu.edu

Suraj Upadhaya, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sustainable Systems, suraj.upadhaya@kysu.edu

Linelle Rivera Rodriguez, M.S., Extension Associate Organic Agriculture, linelle.rivera@kysu.edu