Introduction to the 17th Edition

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) is one of several topic-oriented Information Centers at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). The Library, located in Beltsville, Maryland, is the foremost agricultural library in the world, and is one of four U.S. national libraries along with the Library of Congress, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Library of Education. NAL is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

AFSIC focuses on alternative farming systems that strive to maintain agricultural productivity and profitability, while protecting natural resources. Such systems include sustainable, low-input, regenerative, biodynamic, and organic farming and gardening. Support for the Center comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and a cooperative agreement with the University of Maryland, College Park.

The U.S. and international institutions and organizations in this directory were selected based on their curricula or programs offering education, training, or information in organic, alternative, or sustainable agriculture. Inclusion of an organization does not imply a recommendation by AFSIC. Each institution or organization includes contact information and a short program description.

Farms offering internships or apprenticeships may be found in a registry maintained by ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, an organization that provides information and resources to the U.S. agriculture community. If you are interested in on-farm internships, please check the ATTRA Web site at http://attrainternships.ncat.org/.

The following directories also may be helpful.

Northeast Organic/Sustainable Agriculture Education Directory.
Northeast Organic Farming Association
Massachusetts Chapter
411 Sheldon Road
Barre, MA 01005
978-355-2853
e-mail:  nofa@nofamass.org
Web:  http://www.nofamass.org/programs/ageddirectory.php
Describes educational and training programs about organic or sustainable agricultural methods in the north eastern region of the United States.

Upper Midwest Organic Resource Directory
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
P.O. Box 339
Spring Valley, WI 54767
715-772-3153
fax:  715-772-3162
e-mail:  info@mosesorganic.org
Web:  http://www.mosesorganic.org/umord/directory.htm
or http://www.mosesorganic.org/umord/groups.html#univ
Directory entries include contact information and descriptions of University organic or sustainable agricultural programs plus other sources that may offer educational training opportunities.

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.
Nova Scotia Agricultural College
P.O. Box 550
Truro, Nova Scotia
Canada B2N 5E3
Dr. Ralph Martin, Director
902-893-7256
fax:  902-896-7095
e-mail:  oacc@nsac.ns.ca
Web:  http://www.organicagcentre.ca/Courses/courses_campus_credit.html
Lists courses, program descriptions and contact information for institutions in Canada that offer training in organic agriculture.

Organic Volunteers.
639 Montezuma, no.510
Santa Fe, NM 87501
e-mail:  ethan@OrganicVolunteers.com
Web:  http://www.organicvolunteers.org/
A directory of volunteer opportunities or educational exchange opportunities in sustainable agriculture.