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Organic Production / Organic Food: Automated Database Searches
Compiled by:
Rebecca Thompson
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
Information Research Services Branch
National Agricultural Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Reviewed October 2021
Contents
- Introduction
- AGRICOLA: Run automated searches about organic agriculture
- Search for organic...
- Search USDA and the Web for organic production
- Current Research Information System Database
- Web site and Database Descriptions
- Search Tips
Database and Internet Searches
Conduct automated, real-time, searches to locate current resources on organic agriculture. Select a search option below to access the designated Web site or database. A search of selected terms related to sustainable agriculture will find and display Web sites, books, articles, information resources, subject experts, educational opportunities and more. Search strategies differ across online sources. Database descriptions are included below.
NAL AGRICOLA Database
AGRICOLA (AGRICultural Online Access) is a bibliographic database of citations to the agricultural literature created by the National Agricultural Library (NAL) and its cooperators. The records describe publications and resources encompassing all aspects of agriculture and allied disciplines. [Read more about AGRICOLA.]
Run automated AGRICOLA and Google Scholar searches on this topic.
- The NAL Agricultural Thesaurus is an online vocabulary look-up tool for agricultural and biological terms. The Thesaurus is organized to help find terms in a specific discipline or subject area.
- The Thesaurus also features automated Google Scholar searches for each term. Search or Browse the Thesaurus.
Each listing includes links to broader terms, narrower terms and/or related terms. Select a linked term, then select Google Scholar from the right menu.
Examples:
Search for organic agriculture topics in the AGRICOLA database:
organic crop production: articles | books
Search for articles or books on organic livestock production.
Search for articles or books on organic certification.
Search for articles or books on organic handling/processing.
Search for articles or books on organic marketing.
Search for articles or books on organic gardening.
Tip:To browse the NAL Catalog for other terms, go to http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/. Under the Books or the Articles search section, select “Basic Search ,” select “Subject Browse,” enter a subject term in the box labeled “Find” and then select “Search.”
Search USDA and the Web for Information on Organic Agriculture
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is USDA's main in-house research agency. ARS research develops solutions to a wide range of problems related to food and agriculture. Select a linked word to find USDA or other government resources, search the ARS Manuscripts Database (TEKTRAN), and read recent news posts, or search the Internet for information on organic production. [Note: Use the Advanced ARS Search feature to find resources published at a specific ARS location.]
- Search USDA Web
- Search USDA Scientific Manuscripts Database
- Search USA.gov
- Search Google
- Search Google Scholar
- Search Yahoo
- Search News - last 30 days [Google]
The Current Research Information System (CRIS)
The Current Research Information System (CRIS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's documentation and reporting system for ongoing and recently completed research projects in agriculture, food and nutrition, and forestry.
To conduct a keyword search in the TITLE or DESCRIPTOR fields, follow these steps:
- Copy the following search strategies:
TI,DE=organic ADJ farming OR TI,DE=organic ADJ agriculture - Access the CRIS database.
- Select Professional Search.
- Select the Edit button beside Search Number S1.
- Paste the search strategy copied in Step 1 into the search box.
- Select the OK button.
- Select the Display button to view the results.
- Optional: Select the Change Format button to choose a different display format or to customize your format using selected data fields.
Web site and Database Descriptions
AGRICOLA Database
AGRICOLA (AGRICultural Online Access), the National Agricultural Library (NAL) Catalog, is a bibliographic database of citations to the agricultural literature created by NAL and its cooperators. The records describe publications and resources encompassing all aspects of agriculture and allied disciplines. [Learn about AGRICOLA.]
http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/
ARS Web Site
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is USDA's main in-house research agency. ARS research develops solutions to a wide range of problems related to food and agriculture. Locate resources by specific ARS location using the ARS Advanced Search feature.
Advanced Search
USDA Scientific Manuscript Database
ARS's Scientific Manuscript database, formally known as "TEKTRAN", contains published or soon-to-be-published articles of recent research results from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the USDA's chief scientific research agency.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/find-a-publication/
USDA Web Portal
The United States Department of Agriculture's main Web site links to department and agency Web sites, publications, news releases, subject specialists and experts, policy documents, Federal Register notices, research papers, educational materials, fact sheets and more.
http://www.usda.gov/
USA.gov
The United States government's official Web portal provides access to U.S. government information, services and resources.
https://www.usa.gov/
Search Tips: Helpful Keywords and Phrases
The tips below will help you create your own search strategies to conduct literature searches.
- Finding "Organic": Search Strategies and Terminology
https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/finding-organic-search-strategies-and-terminology - Organic Food Production: Where are the best organic production research and information sources?
https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/organic-productionorganic-food-information-access-tools#research