Organic dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production presents an opportunity for expanding diversified, sustainable farming in the Northeast and Upper Midwest regions of the United States. Despite the growing demand for organic dry beans, limited research exists on performance and market potential for organically grown dry beans in these regions. This thesis evaluates the agronomic, breeding, and market opportunities for organic dry bean production, integrating results from multi-state variety and tillage trials as well as surveys evaluating consumer preference and regional market value of organically grown specialty dry beans.The first chapter of this thesis describes the variety trials that were conducted in four locations across the Northeast and Upper Midwest—New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Maine—over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024). Thirty-two dry bean varieties representing black, navy, pinto, small red, and specialty market classes were evaluated under organic management systems. Agronomic performance metrics, including yield, pod height, and plant uprightness, were assessed to determine varietal adaptation to regional organic production systems. Additionally, consumer preference surveys were conducted to evaluate bean taste, texture, appearance along with consumer willingness to pay for organic dry beans, providing insights into market potential and consumer demand. Black, navy, pinto, and small red beans consistently outperformed specialty varieties in yield and uprightness; however, more variability in performance was observed at the variety level for all traits, with some specialty varieties performing as well as varieties from modern market classes. Survey results revealed preferences for specialty varieties based on flavor and seed coat appearance, with respondents expressing a willingness to pay premium prices for organic dry beans in direct markets. The second chapter of this thesis investigates the performance of four market classes of dry beans—black, navy, pinto, and small red—under standard organic tillage versus organic no-till management with rolled-crimped cereal rye mulch. Field trials were conducted across the same four locations and key agronomic parameters, including emergence, weed suppression, biomass accumulation, pod height, lodging, and yield, were analyzed to compare the adaptation of the different market classes to the two tillage systems. While cover crop-based organic no-till systems provided effective weed suppression, and plants grown in these systems experienced lower lodging and higher pod heights, they also presented challenges in dry bean emergence and early-season growth. Yield varied by market class and tillage systems across site-years and was correlated with several key agronomic factors. Black, small red, and navy beans all exhibit agronomic traits that make them good candidates for cover crop-based organic no-till production systems in the region. These findings highlight the potential for integrating reduced tillage practices into organic dry bean production while emphasizing the need for further research to optimize management strategies and variety selection for cover crop-based organic no-till systems. Overall, this research highlights the potential for expanding organic dry bean production in the Northeast and Upper Midwest by identifying regionally adapted varieties, evaluating tillage production systems, and aligning production with market demand. My findings emphasize the need for breeding programs targeting organic systems and further agronomic research to optimize management strategies. By integrating agronomic and consumer research, this study contributes to the advancement of organic dry bean production as a viable, sustainable option for farmers in these regions.