Crop-Livestock Integration

Resources for Farmers, from Farmers

In the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA), organic farmers and ranchers across North America shared a common concern about the lack of technical assistance and educational resources available for Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems (ICLS). Crop-livestock integration is a holistic system that integrates the production of cash crops and livestock on the same piece of land or within the same farming operation. While farms implementing crop-livestock integration can lower input costs and reap many benefits, this integration can also lead to increased complexity, especially for farmers who must adhere to National Organic Program rules and regulations. 

At OFRF we know that the #1 source of information is other farmers. To address the call for ICLS resources, OFRF has developed a Crop-Livestock Integration series informed by interviews with highly experienced organic producers across the US whose farming operations have benefited from integrated crop and livestock production.

Meet the Farmers:


Local Color Farm and Fiber



Farm name: Local Color Farm and Fiber

Farmer name: Emily Tzeng

Location: Puyallup, Washington, (traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe)

Products: Naturally-dyed yarns and fibers, lamb, vegetables, particularly East Asian varieties

ICLS practices: Grazing cover crops, terminating crops, cleaning up field residue and weeds, on-farm compost

Years certified organic: Began transitioning in 2020, certified since 2023


Shady Side Farm



Farm name: Shady Side Farm

Farmer names: Mike and Lona Bronkema

Location: Holland, Western Michigan (traditional homelands of the Peoria Tribe, Odawa/Ottowa Indians and Tribes, and the Potawatomi)

Products: Heirloom dry beans, open pollinated corn, small grains, hay, beef and lamb

ICLS practices: Grazing & terminating cover crop, breaking up pasture for crops

Years certified organic: Since 2010


Hidden Hollow Farm



Farm name: Hidden Hollow Farm

Farmer name: Arlen Beery

Location: Dayton, Virginia, (traditional homelands of the Shawnee Tribes, Monacan Indian Nation, and the Manahoac)

Products: Dairy, eggs, vegetables, hay, corn, and some beef

ICLS practices: Grazing & terminating cover crop, breaking up pasture for crops, breaking pest cycles, clipping hay pastures, on-farm compost

Years certified organic: Began transitioning in 2003, certified since 2006


Frog Song Organics



Farm name: Frog Song Organics

Farmer name: John Bitter

Location: Eastern Alachua County, near Gainesville, Florida, (traditional homelands of the Seminole Tribes, the Republic of Timucua, the Miccosukee Tribe, and the Mascogo)

Products: Diversified mixed vegetables, flowers, herbs, pastured pork, eggs

ICLS practices: Grazing & terminating cover crop, cleaning up crop residue, breaking pest cycles

Years certified organic: Since 2012


Local Color Farm and Fiber



Farm name: Local Color Farm and Fiber

Farmer name: Emily Tzeng

Location: Puyallup, Washington, (traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe)

Products: Naturally-dyed yarns and fibers, lamb, vegetables, particularly East Asian varieties

ICLS practices: Grazing cover crops, terminating crops, cleaning up field residue and weeds, on-farm compost

Years certified organic: Began transitioning in 2020, certified since 2023


Shady Side Farm



Farm name: Shady Side Farm

Farmer names: Mike and Lona Bronkema

Location: Holland, Western Michigan (traditional homelands of the Peoria Tribe, Odawa/Ottowa Indians and Tribes, and the Potawatomi)

Products: Heirloom dry beans, open pollinated corn, small grains, hay, beef and lamb

ICLS practices: Grazing & terminating cover crop, breaking up pasture for crops

Years certified organic: Since 2010


Hidden Hollow Farm



Farm name: Hidden Hollow Farm

Farmer name: Arlen Beery

Location: Dayton, Virginia, (traditional homelands of the Shawnee Tribes, Monacan Indian Nation, and the Manahoac)

Products: Dairy, eggs, vegetables, hay, corn, and some beef

ICLS practices: Grazing & terminating cover crop, breaking up pasture for crops, breaking pest cycles, clipping hay pastures, on-farm compost

Years certified organic: Began transitioning in 2003, certified since 2006


Frog Song Organics



Farm name: Frog Song Organics

Farmer name: John Bitter

Location: Eastern Alachua County, near Gainesville, Florida, (traditional homelands of the Seminole Tribes, the Republic of Timucua, the Miccosukee Tribe, and the Mascogo)

Products: Diversified mixed vegetables, flowers, herbs, pastured pork, eggs

ICLS practices: Grazing & terminating cover crop, cleaning up crop residue, breaking pest cycles

Years certified organic: Since 2012

BENEFITS OF CROP-LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION

There’s more than ten reasons of course, but here’s ten that we think are really important.

FOOD SAFETY FACT SHEET

Organic farmers have amazing stories to tell. OFRF has been interviewing farmers to get a birds’ eye view of life on the farm. Read the collection of stories we’ve gathered with some of our favorite farmers. You’ll develop even more admiration for these folks.

INFRASTRUCTURE BEST PRACTICES

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about organic farming. Find your answers here. You can also find and download reports and information from our extensive library archive.

ROTATIONS ILLUSTRATION

OFRF doesn’t charge membership dues or collect association fees. We fundraise for every dollar, and we make sure those dollars go directly to on-farm research, educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of organic farmers and researchers. There are lots of ways to help.

INFRASTRUCTURE BEST PRACTICES

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about organic farming. Find your answers here. You can also find and download reports and information from our extensive library archive.

Additional Resources for Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems:

General ICLS Information:

Food Safety and HACCP Plans: