ATTRA Pubs Are Now on Amazon for Ereaders

One of the longest-running sources of research-based information on sustainable agriculture is once again embracing the latest in technology for getting that information to the people who need it.

ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service has begun placing many of its more than 400 publications on Amazon, where they can be downloaded to e-readers.

ATTRA was developed and is maintained through a cooperative agreement with the USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), a nationwide nonprofit organization headquartered in Butte, Montana.

Since 1987, ATTRA has been a leading resource for information on sustainable agriculture, covering a wide range of topics, including reducing pesticide use on cropland, promoting food safety in sustainable production systems, reducing farm energy use and costs, enriching soils with the use of cover crops, and providing technical assistance in the growing areas of local farmers markets and urban farming.

“ATTRA has been on the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture for more than 25 year,” said Carl Little, NCAT’s director of sustainable agriculture programs. “When we began, printed copies of publications were the order of the day.

“We’ve changed with the times, first offering downloads on our website, then smart-phone accessibility. And now we’re seeing that more and more people are turning to e-readers.”

The initial ATTRA catalog on Amazon includes publications ranging from organic production of apples, garlic, tomatoes, and other crops to building a micro-hydro system and crop insurance for small, diversified, and organic producers. How many more publications will be added will depend on how popular the Amazon site proves to be with ATTRA clients.

Entering ATTRA under the “Kindle Store” search option on the Amazon site will bring up a listing the ATTRA publications. The publications still are available on the ATTRA website as well.

In addition to hundreds of sustainable-agriculture publications, ATTRA’s other popular offerings include a free sustainable-agriculture telephone helpline and the “Ask an Ag Expert” feature on the home page.  It has an archive of webinars and videos generated by NCAT and partnering organizations.

ATTRA also maintains numerous popular databases, including sustainable-agriculture internships and apprenticeships, and is a source for the day’s agriculture news, among other features. Check out the ATTRA website at www.attra.ncat.org.

Since 1976, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources. In partnership with businesses, organizations, individuals and agricultural producers, staff is working from NCAT’s seven regional offices around the country to advance solutions that will ensure the next generation inherits a world that has clean air and water, energy production that is efficient and renewable, and healthy foods grown with sustainable practices. More information about its programs and services is available at www.ncat.org or by calling 1-800-ASK-NCAT.