Welcome the Pacific Region's California Resource Guide.

Use the dropdown menus below to browse our California resources by top events, key contacts, success stories--or by a variety of topics, from managing crops to getting certified to business planning. California's top organic and sustainable organizations are already displayed.

By the way, if you’d like to suggest a resource for California, send it now. And if you have a great quote, anecdote or insight related to organic farming or processing in the state, let us know.

Top Orgs/Resources
Click the titles below to view specific resource details or -OR- view all
California Organic Program Contact The National Association of State Organic Programs (NASOP) offers a list of contacts of state organic officials across the U.S. California's...
California Certified Organic Farmers' (CCOF) Certified Organic Magazine The CCOF magazine, Certified Organic, reaches a select and influential group of more than 1900 organic farmers, processors, retailers, wholesalers,...
Going Organic, Organic Transition Assistance for CA Farmers, from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) CCOF is providing organic transition assistance to farmers throughout California’s Central and San Joaquin Valleys. The program features farmer...
Organic Seed Links from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) A listing of companies that provide organic seeds.
Barriers to Entering, and Reasons for Exiting, Organic Farming in California While the organic market has grown dramatically, the number of organic farmers in California has not grown. This research study tries to answer the...
Certified Organic North American Producer & Processor Directory This Certified Organic Food Directory lists 10,000 certified growers, livestock producers, handlers, suppliers, manufactureres, wholesalers,...
Farmers Market Management Series Volume 1: Starting a New Farmers Market This manual, from University of California at Davis' Small Farm Center, is designed to guide users through the process of starting a farmer's...
How to Manage Pests, from University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program A rich database of pest and pest management information, organized by crop type. Each crop connects to dozens of articles covering specific pests,...
Post-Harvest Technology Research and Information Center, University of California at Davis Through the postharvest research and extension programs of 13 Extension specialists, the Center strives to provide relevant information to...
Post-Secondary Sustainable Agriculture Programs and Educational Resources This list of colleges and universities offering sustainable agriculture courses and programs is an evolving resource. The web site encourages you...
Postharvest Handling Advice for Organic Producers Optimal-quality organic produce that achieves the desired textural properties, sensory shelf life, and nutritional content is the combined result...
Small Farm Handbook, from UC-Davis A practical, easy-reading guide for people interested in operating a successful small farm is available. New and experienced farmers alike will...
Speciality Crop Handbook from University of California, Davis This updated second edition of the Speciality and Minor Crops Handbook provides detailed information that will help you make intelligent decisions...
The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC-Santa Cruz The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems is a research, education, and public service program at the University of California, Santa...
The Center for Biological Control at University of California, Berkeley The Center for Biological Control's mission is to facilitate the implementation of biological control through research, training and outreach...
The Small Farm Center at University of California at Davis California's Small Farm Program provides production and marketing information to farmers not reached by traditional extension programs. Their...
University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program This web site features publications and advice on how to manage pests, including incredibly detailed management guidelines for dozens of crops, and...
Weed Management for Organic Crops, from the University of California at Davis's Small Farm Program In five pages, this PDF document covers strategies for reducing the weed seed bank, cultivation tips, mulches, beneficial organisms, chemical...
A Comparison of Organic and Conventional Diary Production costs in California This study measures the cost of organic milk production, and in particular, the differences in cost of production between organic and conventional...
ALBA: a Land-Based Training Program for New Farmers in the Salinas Valley of California The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) creates opportunities for aspiring and limited-resource farmers, including farm workers...
Apples: Organic Apple Production Manual from University of California Over 20 years of research by UC scientists, farm advisors, growers, and the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program have...
California Crop Improvement Association Processor Certification Application Processors can use this application to request organic certification.
California Department of Conservation The Department of Conservation runs the crucial California Farmland Conservancy Program, which provides funding to preserve farmland through the...
California Farmlink The web site lists farms available, technical assistance opportunities, loan programs for new farmers, apprenticeships, workshops and other...
California Farmlink Workshops Throughout the year, California FarmLink hosts worskhops that will assist new farmers, and those interested in transitioning their farm to a new...
Community Alliance with Family Farmers The Community Alliance with Family Farmers is a state-wide organization with membership chapters in many counties. They organize field days and...
Family Farm Series from UC-Davis Small Farm Center: Farm Management This series from the Small Farm Center at University of California, Davis, includes articles on: * Considerations in Enterprise Selection * How...
Family Farm Series from UC-Davis Small Farm Center: Marketing for the Small Farmer This series from the Small Farm Center at University of California, Davis, includes articles on: * Marketing Cooperatives * Direct Marketing...
Insect Pest Management for Organic Crops A review of cultural, biological and mechanical controls for pests in organic cropping systems., from the University of California at Davis.
Marin Organic: Supporting Organic Farmers in Marin County, CA A non-profit, Marin Organic provides organic certification assistance to farmers and businesses in Marin County. The web site features a listing of...
Monterey County CA Organic Handler/Processor Certification Application Handlers and processors looking for organic certification in this area can use this application.
Monterey County Certified Organic Organic Handling Plan Standard organic handling plan.
Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) MESA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health of the environment and the continuing education of land stewards from around the globe....
Organic Farming Cost and Return Studies in California A number of cost studies for organically grown products are available through the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis....
Plant Disease Management for Organic Crops, from UC-Davis Strategies for preventing and managing diseases in organic crops, including choice of cultivars, site selection, contamination avoidance, cultural...
Regulating Organic: Impacts of the National Organic Standards on Consumer Awareness and Organic Consumption Patterns What have the impacts of the National Organic Standards on consumers been? Are organic and non-organic consumers familiar with these standards? To...
Selling Directly to Restaurants and Retailers In November, 2002, more than 50 growers, agricultural professionals, and others gathered in the beachside town of Ventura as part of the California...
Vegetables: Family Farm Series from UC-Davis Small Farm Center--Vegetable Crop Production This series from the Small Farm Center at University of California, Davis, includes articles on: * Guide for Fertilizing Vegetables * Tips on...
Vegetables: Organic Vegetable Production In California--A Series This web page links you to documents on: * Organic Certification, Farm Production Planning, and Marketing Soil Management and Soil Quality for...
Women in Agriculture: Resources from the University of California at Davis This Women in Agriculture webpage from the Small Farm Center at UC-Davis includes information and links to a selection of organizations and...
Yield increases During the Organic Transition: Is it Due to Improving Soil? Reported increases in crop yields over the first few years of organic farming (especially during the 3-year "transitional" period established in US...