About AFSIC

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC), founded in 1985, was one of the first USDA programs to focus on sustainable and organic agriculture. The Center specializes in library services - locating, accessing, organizing and distributing information - related to sustainable and alternative agricultural systems, crops and livestock.

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland, we work to implement the NAL mission of "advancing access to global information for agriculture."  Learn more about us: AFSIC History Timeline.

Topics we cover include:

• sustainable and regenerative crop and livestock farming systems
• organic production, certification and marketing
• small farms and beginning, women and minority farmer issues
• direct marketing practices and local food systems
• ecological pest management
• renewable energy options for farms
• crop and livestock diversification