This is an archive of my work for NewFarm.org...
The New Farm magazine was published by Rodale Press and the Rodale Institute from 1979 to 1994. In 2003, the Rodale Institute revived The New Farm as NewFarm.org. I joined the NewFarm.org team in 2004, and continued writing for the website through 2007. I was also involved in writing and editing for TRI's Organic Transition Course, funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency. It was an honor to be part of The New Farm legacy and an inspiration meeting thoughtful, dedicated organic farmers and researchers across the US and beyond.
On-farm research in organic systems
Sayre, L. Banking on BARC: The USDA Agricultural Research Service's oldest experiment station is doing some of the agency's most forward-looking work. The New Farm, July 15, 2005.
Sayre, L. Leading the way in organic ag research and extension: In the heart of corn and soybean country, Kathleen Delate became America's first organic agriculture extension specialist. The New Farm, Oct. 14, 2004.
Sayre, L. A future for organic apple growing in the Northeast: New disease and pest management tools may be tipping the balance in favor of locally grown organic tree fruits. The New Farm, May 11, 2004.
Sayre, L. Pennsylvania's organic apple research initiative: A grower- and processor-driven movement explores how to produce apples with fewer chemicals in the moist and buggy East. The New Farm, May 11, 2004.
Sayre, L. Leading the way in organic ag research and extension: In the heart of corn and soybean country, Kathleen Delate became America's first organic agriculture extension specialist. The New Farm, Oct. 14, 2004.
Sayre, L. A future for organic apple growing in the Northeast: New disease and pest management tools may be tipping the balance in favor of locally grown organic tree fruits. The New Farm, May 11, 2004.
Sayre, L. Pennsylvania's organic apple research initiative: A grower- and processor-driven movement explores how to produce apples with fewer chemicals in the moist and buggy East. The New Farm, May 11, 2004.
Research at the Rodale Institute
Sayre, L. The Farming Systems Trial: The Rodale Institute's oldest experiment. The New Farm, Sept. 30, 2003.
Sayre, L. Organic farming combats global warming: Data from The Rodale Institute’s long-running comparison of organic and conventional cropping systems. The New Farm, Oct. 10, 2003.
Sayre, L. Cultivating diversity underground for better yields above: Research demonstrates how sustainable farming practices can nurture beneficial soil fungi. The New Farm, Sept. 20, 2003.
Sayre, L. Making and using compost at The Rodale Institute farm: Farm manager Jeff Moyer has discovered that on-farm compost production is doable—and that a little goes a long way. The New Farm, Aug. 17, 2004.
Sayre, L. Outsmarting weeds: New initiative to investigate non-chemical weed management strategies while emphasizing farmers' innovations and insights. The New Farm, Oct. 15, 2004.
Sayre, L. Compost tea research enters its second year: Study aims to shed light on current debates over the safety and efficacy of compost tea as an organic material. The New Farm, Apr. 18, 2004.
Sayre, L. Organic farming combats global warming: Data from The Rodale Institute’s long-running comparison of organic and conventional cropping systems. The New Farm, Oct. 10, 2003.
Sayre, L. Cultivating diversity underground for better yields above: Research demonstrates how sustainable farming practices can nurture beneficial soil fungi. The New Farm, Sept. 20, 2003.
Sayre, L. Making and using compost at The Rodale Institute farm: Farm manager Jeff Moyer has discovered that on-farm compost production is doable—and that a little goes a long way. The New Farm, Aug. 17, 2004.
Sayre, L. Outsmarting weeds: New initiative to investigate non-chemical weed management strategies while emphasizing farmers' innovations and insights. The New Farm, Oct. 15, 2004.
Sayre, L. Compost tea research enters its second year: Study aims to shed light on current debates over the safety and efficacy of compost tea as an organic material. The New Farm, Apr. 18, 2004.
Organic no-till
Sayre, L. New tools for organic no-till: Introducing a cover crop roller without all the drawbacks of a stalk chopper. The New Farm, Nov. 20, 2003.
Sayre, L. Organic no-till research spreading across the Midwest: From Pennsylvania to Illinois, organic no-till is part of a revolution in weed management research and extension. The New Farm, June 2, 2005.
Sayre, L. Perfecting organic no-till systems nationwide. The New Farm, Sept. 28, 2004.
Sayre, L. The roller/crimper gallery. The New Farm, May 12, 2005.
Sayre, L. Get to know the no-tillers: A state-by-state guide to the participants in The Rodale Institute's No-Till Plus project. The New Farm, April 19, 2005.
Sayre, L., and G. Bowman. Farmers gear up cover-killing rollers for spring no-till planting season. The New Farm, Feb. 16, 2006.
Sayre, L. Pennsylvania farmer links organic, conventional farming communities: Kirby Reichert grows no-till corn, organic hay and specialty rye straw—and keeps an open mind. The New Farm, Nov. 10, 2005.
Sayre, L. Organic no-till research spreading across the Midwest: From Pennsylvania to Illinois, organic no-till is part of a revolution in weed management research and extension. The New Farm, June 2, 2005.
Sayre, L. Perfecting organic no-till systems nationwide. The New Farm, Sept. 28, 2004.
Sayre, L. The roller/crimper gallery. The New Farm, May 12, 2005.
Sayre, L. Get to know the no-tillers: A state-by-state guide to the participants in The Rodale Institute's No-Till Plus project. The New Farm, April 19, 2005.
Sayre, L., and G. Bowman. Farmers gear up cover-killing rollers for spring no-till planting season. The New Farm, Feb. 16, 2006.
Sayre, L. Pennsylvania farmer links organic, conventional farming communities: Kirby Reichert grows no-till corn, organic hay and specialty rye straw—and keeps an open mind. The New Farm, Nov. 10, 2005.
The organic sector & the organic movement
Sayre, L. The new face of family farming: Rediscovering old crops, rethinking livestock management practices and re-imagining the food supply chain in the Midwest. The New Farm, Dec. 9, 2004.
Sayre, L. Farming for credit: How college students are finding—and founding—opportunities to make sustainable agriculture part of a well-rounded education. The New Farm, Jan. 14, 2004.
Sayre, L. Landed Jersey girls: In central New Jersey, more young women are getting into farming—and thriving. Is it part of a national trend? The New Farm, Aug. 1, 2003.
Sayre, L., and D. Sullivan. Making farms the engine of economic growth... and community connection. The New Farm, Dec. 9, 2004.
Sayre, L. A different kind of community-supported farm: Prairie Crossing redefines suburban development to include ecological restoration, green building and organic farming. The New Farm, July 20, 2004.
Sayre, L. From the ground up: In the heart of California's Salinas Valley, former farmworkers are starting farms of their own. The New Farm, May 12, 2005.
Sayre, L. The whole(sale) deal: For more than two decades, Organically Grown Company has been responding to the complex demands of an evolving organic marketplace. The New Farm, January 27, 2005.
Sayre, L. Rural renewal: Its products are sold nationwide and its producers extend from California to Vermont, but Organic Valley's impacts are felt most strongly in its home territory. The New Farm, June 2, 2005.
Sayre, L. Ultimate season extension: Winter CSAs use root cellars, hoophouses and on-farm processing to fill members' larders year-round. The New Farm, Dec. 8, 2005.
Sayre, L. Exploring agri-tourism in Hawaii: From 2-acre coffee growers to 15,000-acre sugar plantations, Hawaii's farmers get on board with the state's tourism industry. The New Farm, Mar. 4, 2004.
Sayre, L. Opening a window on organic inspection: Pennsylvania field day demystifies the inspection process by giving farmers a first-hand look. The New Farm, Oct. 14, 2004.
Sayre, L. Farming for credit: How college students are finding—and founding—opportunities to make sustainable agriculture part of a well-rounded education. The New Farm, Jan. 14, 2004.
Sayre, L. Landed Jersey girls: In central New Jersey, more young women are getting into farming—and thriving. Is it part of a national trend? The New Farm, Aug. 1, 2003.
Sayre, L., and D. Sullivan. Making farms the engine of economic growth... and community connection. The New Farm, Dec. 9, 2004.
Sayre, L. A different kind of community-supported farm: Prairie Crossing redefines suburban development to include ecological restoration, green building and organic farming. The New Farm, July 20, 2004.
Sayre, L. From the ground up: In the heart of California's Salinas Valley, former farmworkers are starting farms of their own. The New Farm, May 12, 2005.
Sayre, L. The whole(sale) deal: For more than two decades, Organically Grown Company has been responding to the complex demands of an evolving organic marketplace. The New Farm, January 27, 2005.
Sayre, L. Rural renewal: Its products are sold nationwide and its producers extend from California to Vermont, but Organic Valley's impacts are felt most strongly in its home territory. The New Farm, June 2, 2005.
Sayre, L. Ultimate season extension: Winter CSAs use root cellars, hoophouses and on-farm processing to fill members' larders year-round. The New Farm, Dec. 8, 2005.
Sayre, L. Exploring agri-tourism in Hawaii: From 2-acre coffee growers to 15,000-acre sugar plantations, Hawaii's farmers get on board with the state's tourism industry. The New Farm, Mar. 4, 2004.
Sayre, L. Opening a window on organic inspection: Pennsylvania field day demystifies the inspection process by giving farmers a first-hand look. The New Farm, Oct. 14, 2004.
International perspectives
Sayre, L. The EU's organic tiger: In Italy, ancient farming traditions, a richly varied terrain and strong government support have yielded exceptional growth for organics. The New Farm, Nov. 10, 2005.
Sayre, L. WWOOFing and beyond: From one-week volunteer farm stays to three-year diploma courses, the world of international organic ag training opportunities is growing fast. The New Farm, Sept. 1, 2005.
Sayre, L. Strategic thinking for the NZ organic sector. The New Farm, Aug. 9, 2007.
Sayre, L. Farming without subsidies? Some lessons from New Zealand. The New Farm, Mar. 20, 2003.
Sayre, L. Kiwi ingenuity: Bootstrapping the organic market for NZ lamb. The New Farm, Aug. 9, 2007.
Sayre, L. The rise of the organic kiwi: Organic growers like Leo and Diane Whittle are leading the industry. The New Farm, April 1, 2003.
Sayre, L. Organic poultry production: A fledgling industry in New Zealand. The New Farm, April 25, 2003.
Sayre, L. WWOOFing and beyond: From one-week volunteer farm stays to three-year diploma courses, the world of international organic ag training opportunities is growing fast. The New Farm, Sept. 1, 2005.
Sayre, L. Strategic thinking for the NZ organic sector. The New Farm, Aug. 9, 2007.
Sayre, L. Farming without subsidies? Some lessons from New Zealand. The New Farm, Mar. 20, 2003.
Sayre, L. Kiwi ingenuity: Bootstrapping the organic market for NZ lamb. The New Farm, Aug. 9, 2007.
Sayre, L. The rise of the organic kiwi: Organic growers like Leo and Diane Whittle are leading the industry. The New Farm, April 1, 2003.
Sayre, L. Organic poultry production: A fledgling industry in New Zealand. The New Farm, April 25, 2003.
Book reviews
Review of Daniel Imhoff, Food Fight: A Citizen's Guide to the Farm Bill (Watershed Media, 2007). The New Farm, May 11, 2007.
Review of Gene Logsdon, All Flesh is Grass: The Pleasures and Promises of Pasture Farming (Swallow Press, 2004). The New Farm, Dec. 2004.
Review of Julie Guthman, Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California (University of California Press, 2004). The New Farm, Oct. 2004.
Review of Stephen Dabbert et al, Organic Farming: Policies and Prospects (Zed Books, 2004). The New Farm, Aug. 2004.
Review of Jason Clay, World Agriculture and the Environment: A Commodity-by-Commodity Guide to Impacts and Practices (Island Press, 2004). The New Farm, June 2004.
Review of Brian Donahue, Reclaiming the Commons: Community Farms and Forests in a New England Town (Yale University Press, 1999), The New Farm, 2003.
Review of Gene Logsdon, All Flesh is Grass: The Pleasures and Promises of Pasture Farming (Swallow Press, 2004). The New Farm, Dec. 2004.
Review of Julie Guthman, Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California (University of California Press, 2004). The New Farm, Oct. 2004.
Review of Stephen Dabbert et al, Organic Farming: Policies and Prospects (Zed Books, 2004). The New Farm, Aug. 2004.
Review of Jason Clay, World Agriculture and the Environment: A Commodity-by-Commodity Guide to Impacts and Practices (Island Press, 2004). The New Farm, June 2004.
Review of Brian Donahue, Reclaiming the Commons: Community Farms and Forests in a New England Town (Yale University Press, 1999), The New Farm, 2003.
All photos by Laura B. Sayre.