A new book detailing how organic materials can be used to supply crop nutrients and maintain or improve soil quality was published this month by the UC Davis-based UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. "Organic Soil Amendments and Fertilizers" is intended for farmers, agricultural advisers, waste management specialists and home gardeners. It was written in direct response to farmers' requests for information, according to David Chaney, lead author and SAREP's annual cropping systems analyst. The book provides information on selecting and managing various organic materials available in California such as animal manures, compost, sewage sludge, green manures, crop residues, cannery waste, fish emulsion, fish meal, kelp, sawdust and bark. These organic materials can improve soil quality, provide organic alternatives to expensive petroleumm-based fertilizers and make use of organic waste products. The authors discuss the benefits of organic matter, provide guidelines for evaluating various materials and describe available organic materials.