An official website of the United States government.
About AFSIC
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) provides research-based resources for nontraditional food-production and crop-management practices to support the USDA's mission to promote a sustainable future and agricultural economic viability for farmers worldwide.
Key Products
Pioneers in Sustainable Agriculture
Oral history interviews with people who have provided leadership and inspiration in the field of alternative or sustainable agriculture.
Organic Roots Collection
This digital collection aims to harness the information from our agrarian roots to ensure the sustainability and longevity of today’s small farms.
AFSIC Background
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC), founded in 1985, was one of the first USDA programs to focus on sustainable and organic agriculture.
AFSIC disseminates information across a diverse subject area to a broad audience that includes research scientists, agricultural professionals, and the hobbyist. The Center regularly collaborates with other federal agencies and organizations and serves as a communication hub fostering delivery of relevant data-driven science, tools, and agricultural program information to public stakeholders – ensuring that USDA resources for agricultural equity, resilience, and prosperity are available to all.
Alignment with USDA Research Programs
- Food Animal Production (ARS National Program #101)
- Aquaculture (ARS National Program NP #106)
- Soil and Air (ARS National Program NP #212)
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems Research (ARS National Program NP #216)
- Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement (ARS National Program NP #301)
- Plant Diseases (ARS National Program NP #303)
- Crop Protection and Quarantine (ARS National Program NP #304)
- Crop Production (ARS National Program NP #305)
- Product Quality and New Uses (ARS National Program NP #306)
- National Agroforestry Center (NAC)
Contact Us
Online: Use the library's Ask a Question form.
Phone: (301) 504-6559