This Toolkit contains resources in the following categories. Note: Some resources appear in multiple categories.
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General Soil Nutrient Management

Overarching best practices to manage soil health, nutrients, erosion, and water retention.
Building Soils for Better Crops (PDF)
Source: SARE |
Type: Reference
A thorough, easy-to-read guide for ecological soil management, including nutrient management, nutrient cycles, cover crops, and other soil-improving practices.
Soil Fertility Management for Organic Crops (PDF)
Source: UC ANR |
Type: Reference
Strategies to increase soil fertility in organic crops, including determining plant nutrient needs, characteristics of organic fertilizers, and the use of cover crops and humus.
Soil Management ()
Source: CAWSI |
Type: Reference
An overview of strategies to increase soil organic matter, save water, and reduce tillage. Includes links to a series of farmer case studies. Focuses on CA, but applicable to other regions.
Drought-Specific Strategy

Strategies to maintain plant health and yield, and retain soil nutrients when water is scarce.
Water-Use-Efficient Tillage, Residue and Irrigation Management ()
Source: UC ANR |
Type: Webinar
UC Cooperative Extension Advisor Jeff Mitchell discusses conservation agriculture and strategies to increase the fertility and water storage capacity of the soil.
Q&A Drought Management for Almonds ()
Source: UC ANR |
Type: Reference
Discussion of drought management strategies for almond crops, including reducing nitrogen application.
Drought, Irrigation, and Grapevine Nutrition ()
Source: Westover Vineyard Advising |
Type: Reference
Vineyard management recommendations in times of drought, including tips on canopy management, nitrogen application, and reducing weeds.
US Drought Monitor ()
Source: The National Drought Mitigation Center |
Type: Reference
Interactive tool that monitors drought conditions in regions across the US. Updated weekly.
Nutrient Budgeting

Resources to help you devise a nutrient budget, reduce over-fertilization, and maintain optimum plant growth.
Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual (PDF)
Source: SARE & NRAES |
Type: Reference
Detailed manual on how to reduce pest problems with crop rotations, methods to systematically plan crop rotations (including worksheet templates), and guidelines for intercropping.
Nutrient Budget Basics for Organic Farming Systems ()
Source: University of Illinois |
Type: Reference
Basic guide to the three common types of on-farm nutrient budgets (farm gate, field or surface and system) in organic systems and recommendations on when and how to use them.
Fertilization Guidelines for Major Crops Grown in California ()
Source: CDFA |
Type: Reference
Interactive resource with details on best fertilization practices for a variety of crops, such as tomatoes, corn, broccoli, and lettuce.
Nutrient Content of Crops ()
Source: NRCS |
Type: Calculator/Wizard
Tool calculates the approximate amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium removed from the soil when you harvest a variety of different crops.
Crop Rotations & Cover Crops

Tools to determine which cover crop varieties are best suited for your farm system and the best methods for systematically planning crop rotations.
Selecting the Right Cover Crops Gives Multiple Benefits ()
Source: UC ANR |
Type: Reference
Guide to determine which cover crop varieties are best suited for your farm system, including details on optimum seeding conditions, growth habits, and time to maturity.
Cover Crop Database ()
Source: SAREP |
Type: Reference
Robust database of a variety of cover crops and their detailed growth habits, including water needs, herbicide sensitivity, and mowing schedule.
Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition ()
Source: SARE |
Type: Reference
Guide to how nutrients are released from organic matter, the nitrogen contributions from legume and winter cover crops, and the effect of crop rotations on retaining soil fertility.
Tillage & No-Till

Tillage methods, tillage equipment, and strategies to increase the residue and water holding capacity of your soil.
Tillage Management ()
Source: Penn State Extension |
Type: Reference
Guide to the benefits and drawbacks of no-till, definitions of different tillage methods, and equipment recommendations for each type.
Water-Use-Efficient Tillage, Residue and Irrigation Management ()
Source: UC ANR |
Type: Webinar
UC Cooperative Extension Advisor Jeff Mitchell discusses conservation agriculture and strategies to increase the fertility and water storage capacity of the soil.
Tillage Equipment Pocket Handbook ()
Source: NRCS |
Type: Reference
Easy-to-use guide with color photos of commonly used tillage equipment.
Conservation Agriculture Systems Innovation ()
Source: CASI |
Type: Video
Six-part video documentary series explains how no-till and minimum-till agriculture and overhead precision irrigation can lead to higher irrigation efficiency, increased profitability, and greater resource conservation.
Manure & Compost

Resources on the nutrient composition of compost and manure, tips for making your own compost, and proper application rates to prevent leaching.
Compost Use & Soil Fertility ()
Source: UMass Amherst |
Type: Reference
Basic information about available nutrients in compost, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
Composting on Organic Farms (PDF)
Source: Center for Environmental Farming Systems |
Type: Reference
Guide for those making their own compost, including compost recipes, application rates, and some potential problems that may arise during the composting process.
Nutrient Management for Fruit & Vegetable Crop Production (PDF)
Source: University of Minnesota Extension |
Type: Reference
Comparisons of composition of fresh and composted manure, nutrient availability from manure/compost, and calculations of how much manure/compost to apply to specialty crop systems.
Cost-effective and Environmentally Beneficial Dairy Manure Management Practices (PDF)
Source: Sustainable Conservation |
Type: Reference
Study discussing innovative ways dairy farmers can address air and water quality impacts from manure production, such as manure composting, feed management, waste to energy technologies, and land swapping.
Vineyard Management

Resources on grape production, cover cropping systems, grapevine fertilization, and rootstock health.
Drought, Irrigation, and Grapevine Nutrition ()
Source: Westover Vineyard Advising |
Type: Reference
Vineyard management recommendations in times of drought, including tips on canopy management, nitrogen application, and reducing weeds.
Grapevine Fertilization Guidelines ()
Source: CDFA |
Type: Reference
Interactive reference with best fertilization practices at different stages of growth, including application rates and modes of application for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Cover Cropping Systems for Organically Farmed Vineyards ()
Source: UC Cooperative Extension |
Type: Reference
Basic guide to organic vineyard floor management, including cover cropping systems, no-till techniques, and spring mowing.
Production Guide for Organic Grapes (PDF)
Source: Cornell University |
Type: Reference
Extensive and thorough guide to improve vineyard health and reduce pest problems, including tips on fertility management, rootstock health, and developing an IPM strategy.
Environmental Issues

Environmental effects of dairy and agriculture systems and ways to reduce the leaching of pollutants from your farm.
Balancing the Soil Fertility Equation: Five Ways to Reduce Nitrogen Leaching ()
Source: CCOF |
Type: Reference
Basic strategies to prevent nutrient leaching and subsequent environmental degradation.
Cost-effective and Environmentally Beneficial Dairy Manure Management Practices (PDF)
Source: Sustainable Conservation |
Type: Reference
Study discussing innovative ways dairy farmers can address air and water quality impacts from manure production, such as manure composting, feed management, waste to energy technologies, and land swapping.