permaculture

["Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator" <san@nal.usda.gov>]

SAN PUBLICATIONS
9 November 1995

The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) is a cooperative effort of
university, government, business and non-profit organizations dedicated
to the exchange of scientific and practical information on sustainable
agricultural systems.  It is a network in the broadest sense of the word,
supporting the exchange of information with a variety of users. 
Publishing is a vital tool for networking. 

SAN has organized its publications around the WHO, WHAT, WHERE and HOW of
sustainable agriculture. 
  
WHO:   The "Sustainable Agriculture Directory of Expertise --
Third Edition" lists hundreds of people and groups you can contact for
advice on building soil health, broadening your arsenal of pest-control
tools, diversifying cash flow and much more.  It is produced by ATTRA in
cooperation with SAN. 
 
WHAT:       SAN sponsors the "Showcase of Educational Materials",
a compilation of publications, videos, and other materials, as a way to
identify both exemplary educational materials and knowledge "gaps" to
fill. 

Materials that synthesize information in forms readily usable to farmers
are a particular focus of the Showcase.  Those interested in contributing
materials to the Showcase should contact Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator, c/o
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, Rm. 304, National
Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville, MD 20705.  (301)
504-6425 .  FAX:  (301) 504-6409. INTERNET:  san@nalusda.gov. 
                
The "SARE Overview" provides a yearly review that highlights
accomplishments of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
(SARE) program. 
    
WHEN AND WHERE:       The"Calendar of Sustainable Agriculture"
meetings and events is updated bi-monthly.  Also attached is a current
schedule of the regional SARE/ACE granting cycles. Contact Andy Clark to
join the mailing list or to submit an event for the calendar. 

HOW:     "Managing Cover Crops Profitably" is the first in a series of SAN
Handbooks.  It was prepared because more and more farmers want reliable,
easy-to-scan information on cover crops.  "Managing Cover Crops
Profitably" is a practical, introductory guide to help remove some of the
guesswork. A SAN factsheet, "Sustainable Agriculture vs. Weeds,"
highlights some of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
(SARE) and Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (ACE) projects
aimed at controlling weeds with fewer herbicides. 

A new handbook on sustainable agriculture tillage tools and techniques is
currently in production.

"The Real Dirt: Farmers Tell about Organic and Low-Input Practices in the 
Northeast."  In a practical, farmer-oriented way, this 264-page book 
offers firsthand knowledge about the many biological, cultural, mechanical 
and even chemical tools available to farmers.  Funded by the Northeast 
SARE region.
 
        "Profitable DAIRY OPTIONS 
   Grazing, Marketing, Nutrient Management"
is a new (1995) free brochure on sustainable dairy production.  It
highlights pasture-user support groups, the benefits of manures and
composts, the pre-sidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT), alternative silage
crops, and other profitable options.  Contact Andy Clark or the University
of Vermont for single copies or small quantities. 

          
    TO ORDER: Please send your check, or purchase order to: Sustainable
Agriculture Publications, Hills Building, Room 12, University of Vermont,
Burlington, VT 05405-0082

Managing Cover Crops Profitably                                 $9.95 
The Sustainable Agriculture Directory of Expertise              $18.95

The Showcase of Sustainable Agriculture Information and Education
Materials                                                        $4.95

The Real Dirt: Farmers Tell About Organic and Low-Input Practices in 
the Northeast                                                   $13.95

Profitable DAIRY OPTIONS      Free
                                
Tillage Tools and Techniques (To be announced)


ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

SAN Publications are also available as "electronic books."  Whether from a
computer disk or over a computer network their information can be searched
more quickly than it takes to scan a paper index.  The program runs only
onMS-DOS-compatible machines, at this time.  (Windows and Macintosh
available in 1996). Diskettes of SAN publications are the same price as
the print publication (but they are searchable and portable).  SAN also
has additional databases and publications on disk, at a cost of $7.50 per
publication.  Examples are a Computerized AGRONOMY HANDBOOK, SARE/ACE
Project Summaries, and the 1994 Directory of State Alternative Agriculture
Laws.  Order these through the address at left.  For a complete listing of
"electronic books", contact Andy Clark. 

        SUPPORT
SAN is supported by the USDA's Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. 
The Coordinating Committee includes:
          Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator  (san@nalusda.gov)
          Jill Auburn, University of California
          (jsauburn@ucdavis.edu)
          Kevin Gamble, North Carolina State University
          (kgamble@amani.ces.ncsu.edu)
          Beth Holtzman, Northeast SARE Program, 
          University of Vermont (bholtzma@moose.uvm.edu)
          Kristen Kelleher, Western SARE Program, 
          University of  CA.  (kkelleher@ucdavis.edu)
          Jim Lukens, ATTRA (jiml@ncatfyv.uark.edu)
          Ed Rajotte, Pennsylvania State University
          (egrajotte@a1.psupen.psu.edu)
          Phil Rasmussen, Utah State University
          (soilcomp@cc.usu.edu)
          Gwen Roland, Southern SARE Program
          groland@gaes.griffin.peachnet.edu
          Tory Shade, University Extension, Wayne County,
          Missouri (shadev@ext.missouri.edu)