diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 651f356d..8af8d4a3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -23,21 +23,23 @@ Configuration
 Set the schemas you want to use with configuration options:
 
 ```ini
-ckan.plugins = scheming_datasets scheming_groups
+ckan.plugins = scheming_datasets
 
 #   module-path:file to schemas being used
 scheming.dataset_schemas = ckanext.spatialx:spatialx_schema.json
                            ckanext.spatialx:spatialxy_schema.json
-scheming.group_schemas = ckanext.spatialx:group_schema.json
-scheming.organization_schemas = ckanext.spatialx:org_schema.json
 #   will try to load "spatialx_schema.json" and "spatialxy_schema.json"
-#   as dataset schemas and "group_schema.json" as a group schema and
-#   "org_schema" as an organization schema, all from the directory
-#   containing the ckanext.spatialx module code
+#   as dataset schemas
 #
 #   URLs may also be used, e.g:
 #
 # scheming.dataset_schemas = http://example.com/spatialx_schema.json
+
+#   Preset files may be included as well. The default preset setting is:
+scheming.presets = ckanext.scheming:presets.json
+
+#   The is_fallback setting may be changed as well. Defaults to false:
+scheming.dataset_fallback = false
 ```
 
 
@@ -50,10 +52,12 @@ Example dataset schemas
 These schemas are included in ckanext-scheming and may be enabled
 with e.g: `scheming.dataset_schemas = ckanext.scheming:camel_photos.json`
 
+These schemas use [presets](#preset) defined in
+[presets.json](ckanext/scheming/presets.json).
 
 
-Fields
-------
+Schema Keys
+-----------
 
 
 ### `scheming_version`
@@ -62,17 +66,14 @@ Set to `1`. Future versions of ckanext-scheming may use a larger
 number to indicate a change to the description JSON format.
 
 
-### `dataset_type`, `group_type` or `organization_type`
+### `dataset_type`
 
-These are the "type" fields stored in the dataset, group or organization.
-For datasets it is used to set the URL for searching this type of dataset.
+This is the "type" field stored in the dataset.
+It is also used to set the URL for searching this type of dataset.
 
-Normal datasets would be available under `/dataset`, but datasets with
+Normal datasets would be available under the URL `/dataset`, but datasets with
 the `camel_photos.json` schema above would appear under `/camel-photos` instead.
 
-For organizations this field should be set to `"organization"` as some
-parts of CKAN depend on this value not changing.
-
 
 ### `about_url`
 
@@ -80,22 +81,24 @@ parts of CKAN depend on this value not changing.
 Its use is optional but highly recommended.
 
 
-### `dataset_fields` and `resource_fields` or `fields`
+### `dataset_fields`, `resource_fields`
 
 Fields are specified in the order you
-would like them to appear in the dataset, group or organization editing
-pages. Datasets have separate lists of dataset and resource fields.
-Organizations and groups have a single fields list.
+would like them to appear in the dataset and resource editing
+pages.
 
 Fields you exclude will not be shown to the end user, and will not
-be accepted when editing or updating this type of dataset, group or
-organization.
+be accepted when editing or updating this type of dataset.
+
+
+Field Keys
+----------
 
 
 ### `field_name`
 
-The `field_name` value is the name of an existing CKAN dataset, resource,
-group or organization field or a new new extra field. Existing dataset
+The `field_name` value is the name of an existing CKAN dataset or resource
+field or a new new extra field. Existing dataset
 field names include:
 
 * `name` - the URI for the dataset
@@ -112,30 +115,99 @@ New field names should follow the current lowercase_with_underscores
 
 This value is available to the form snippet as `field.field_name`.
 
-FIXME: list group/organization fields
-
 
 ### `label`
 
 The `label` value is a human-readable label for this field as
 it will appear in the dataset editing form.
-This label may be a string or an object providing in multiple
-languages:
+This label may be a string or an object providing multiple
+language versions:
+
+```json
+{
+  "label": {
+    "en": "Title",
+    "fr": "Titre"
+  },
+  "...": "..."
+}
+```
+
+When using a plain string translations will be provided with gettext:
+
+```json
+{
+  "label": "Title",
+  "...": "..."
+}
+```
+
+
+### `required`
+
+Set to `true` for fields that must be included. Set to `false` or
+don't include this key for fields that are optional.
+
+Setting to `true` will mark the field as required in the editing form
+and include `not_empty` in the default validators that will be applied
+when `validators` is not specified.
+
+To honor this settings with custom validators include `scheming_required`
+as the first validator. `scheming_required` will check the required
+setting for this field and apply either the `not_empty` or `ignore_missing`
+validator.
+
+
+### `choices`
+
+The `choices` list must be provided for
+select fields.  List elements include `label`s for human-readable text for
+each element (may be multiple languages like a [field label](#label))
+and `value`s that will be stored in the dataset or resource:
 
 ```json
 {
-  "en": "Title",
-  "fr": "Titre"
+  "preset": "select",
+  "choices": [
+    {
+      "value": "bactrian",
+      "label": "Bactrian Camel"
+    },
+    "..."
+  ],
+  "...": "..."
 }
 ```
 
-When using a plain string translations will be provided with gettext.
+
+### `preset`
+
+A `preset` specifies a set of default values for these field keys. They
+are typically used to define validation and snippets for common field
+types.
+
+This extension includes the following presets:
+
+* `"title"` - title validation and large text form snippet
+* `"select"` - validation that choice is from [choices](#choices),
+  form select box and display snippet
+* `"dataset_slug"` - dataset slug validation and form snippet that
+  autofills the value from the title field
+* `"tag_string_autocomplete"` - tag string validation and form autocomplete
+* `"dataset_organization"` - organization validation and form select box
+* `"resource_url_upload"` - resource url validaton and link/upload form
+  field
+* `"resource_format_autocomplete"` - resource format validation with
+  format guessing based on url and autocompleting form field
+
+You may add your own presets by adding them to the `scheming.presets`
+configuration setting.
 
 
 ### `form_snippet`
 
 The `form_snippet` value is the name of the snippet template to
-use for this field in the dataset, group or organization editing form.
+use for this field in the dataset or resource editing form.
 A number of snippets are provided with this
 extension, but you may also provide your own by creating templates
 under `scheming/form_snippets/` in a template directory in your
@@ -161,6 +233,8 @@ This extension includes the following form snippets:
   an organization selection field for datasets
 * [upload.html](ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/form_snippets/upload.html) -
   an upload field for resource files
+* [select.html](ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/form_snippets/select.html) -
+  a select box
 
 
 ### `display_snippet`
@@ -204,13 +278,20 @@ This string does not contain arbitrary python code to be executed,
 you may only use registered validator functions, optionally calling
 them with static string values provided.
 
-New validators and converters may be added using the IValidators
-plugin interface.
-
 This extension automatically adds calls to `convert_to_extras`
 for new extra fields,
 so you should not add that to this list.
 
+New validators and converters may be added using the
+[IValidators plugin interface](http://docs.ckan.org/en/latest/extensions/plugin-interfaces.html?highlight=ivalidator#ckan.plugins.interfaces.IValidators).
+
+Validators that need access to other values in this schema (e.g.
+to test values against the choices list) May be decorated with
+the [scheming.validation.scheming_validator](ckanext/scheming/validation.py)
+function. This decorator will make scheming pass this field dict to the
+validator and use its return value for validation of the field.
+
+
 ### `output_validators`
 
 The `output_validators` value is like `validators` but used when
@@ -222,28 +303,3 @@ This extension automatically adds calls to `convert_from_extras`
 for extra fields so you should not add that to this list.
 
 
-### `choices`
-
-(not yet implemented)
-
-The `choices` list must be provided for multiple-choice and
-single-choice fields.  The `label`s are human-readable text for
-the dataset editing form and the `value`s are stored in
-the dataset field or are used for tag names in tag vocabularies.
-
-A validator is automatically added for creating or updating datasets
-that only allows values from this list.
-
-
-### `tag_vocabulary`
-
-(not yet implemented)
-
-The `tag_vocabulary` value is used for the name of the tag vocabulary
-that will store the valid choices for a multiple-choice field.
-
-Tag vocabularies are global to the CKAN instance so this name should
-be made unique, e.g. by prefixing it with a domain name in reverse order
-and the name of the schema.
-
-
diff --git a/ckanext/__init__.py b/ckanext/__init__.py
index e69de29b..2e2033b3 100644
--- a/ckanext/__init__.py
+++ b/ckanext/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# this is a namespace package
+try:
+    import pkg_resources
+    pkg_resources.declare_namespace(__name__)
+except ImportError:
+    import pkgutil
+    __path__ = pkgutil.extend_path(__path__, __name__)
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/camel_photos.json b/ckanext/scheming/camel_photos.json
index 3d3c6902..57cf27de 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/camel_photos.json
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/camel_photos.json
@@ -6,16 +6,13 @@
     {
       "field_name": "title",
       "label": "Title",
-      "form_snippet": "large_text.html",
-      "validators": "if_empty_same_as(name) unicode",
-      "form_attrs": {"data-module": "slug-preview-target"},
+      "preset": "title",
       "form_placeholder": "eg. Larry, Peter, Susan"
     },
     {
       "field_name": "name",
       "label": "URL",
-      "form_snippet": "slug.html",
-      "validators": "not_empty unicode name_validator package_name_validator",
+      "preset": "dataset_slug",
       "form_placeholder": "eg. camel-no-5"
     },
     {
@@ -24,6 +21,33 @@
       "validators": "ignore_missing int_validator",
       "form_placeholder": "eg. 2"
     },
+    {
+      "field_name": "category",
+      "label": "Category",
+      "preset": "select",
+      "choices": [
+        {
+          "value": "bactrian",
+          "label": "Bactrian Camel"
+        },
+        {
+          "value": "hybrid",
+          "label": "Hybrid Camel"
+        },
+        {
+          "value": "f2hybrid",
+          "label": "F2 Hybrid Camel"
+        },
+        {
+          "value": "snowwhite",
+          "label": "Snow-white Dromedary"
+        },
+        {
+          "value": "black",
+          "label": "Black Camel"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     {
       "field_name": "other",
       "label": {"en": "Other information"},
@@ -34,11 +58,8 @@
     {
       "field_name": "url",
       "label": "Photo",
-      "validators": "not_empty unicode remove_whitespace",
-      "form_snippet": "upload.html",
+      "preset": "resource_url_upload",
       "form_placeholder": "http://example.com/my-camel-photo.jpg",
-      "upload_field": "upload",
-      "upload_clear": "clear_upload",
       "upload_label": "Photo"
     },
     {
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/ckan_dataset.json b/ckanext/scheming/ckan_dataset.json
index 044daf49..20342fbf 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/ckan_dataset.json
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/ckan_dataset.json
@@ -1,21 +1,19 @@
 {
   "scheming_version": 1,
   "dataset_type": "dataset",
+  "about": "A reimplementation of the default CKAN dataset schema",
   "about_url": "http://github.com/open-data/ckanext-scheming",
   "dataset_fields": [
     {
       "field_name": "title",
       "label": "Title",
-      "validators": "if_empty_same_as(name) unicode",
-      "form_snippet": "large_text.html",
-      "form_attrs": {"data-module": "slug-preview-target"},
+      "preset": "title",
       "form_placeholder": "eg. A descriptive title"
     },
     {
       "field_name": "name",
       "label": "URL",
-      "validators": "not_empty unicode name_validator package_name_validator",
-      "form_snippet": "slug.html",
+      "preset": "dataset_slug",
       "form_placeholder": "eg. my-dataset"
     },
     {
@@ -27,13 +25,8 @@
     {
       "field_name": "tag_string",
       "label": "Tags",
-      "validators": "ignore_missing tag_string_convert",
-      "form_placeholder": "eg. economy, mental health, government",
-      "form_attrs": {
-        "data-module": "autocomplete",
-        "data-module-tags": "",
-        "data-module-source": "/api/2/util/tag/autocomplete?incomplete=?"
-      }
+      "preset": "tag_string_autocomplete",
+      "form_placeholder": "eg. economy, mental health, government"
     },
     {
       "field_name": "license_id",
@@ -43,8 +36,7 @@
     {
       "field_name": "owner_org",
       "label": "Organization",
-      "validators": "owner_org_validator unicode",
-      "form_snippet": "organization.html"
+      "preset": "dataset_organization"
     },
     {
       "field_name": "url",
@@ -92,12 +84,7 @@
     {
       "field_name": "url",
       "label": "URL",
-      "validators": "not_empty unicode remove_whitespace",
-      "form_snippet": "upload.html",
-      "form_placeholder": "http://example.com/my-data.csv",
-      "upload_field": "upload",
-      "upload_clear": "clear_upload",
-      "upload_label": "File"
+      "preset": "resource_url_upload"
     },
     {
       "field_name": "name",
@@ -113,12 +100,7 @@
     {
       "field_name": "format",
       "label": "Format",
-      "validators": "if_empty_guess_format ignore_missing clean_format unicode",
-      "form_placeholder": "eg. CSV, XML or JSON",
-      "form_attrs": {
-        "data-module": "autocomplete",
-        "data-module-source": "/api/2/util/resource/format_autocomplete?incomplete=?"
-      }
+      "preset": "resource_format_autocomplete"
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/helpers.py b/ckanext/scheming/helpers.py
index 6b1d437f..b4adf491 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/helpers.py
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/helpers.py
@@ -26,6 +26,21 @@ def scheming_language_text(text, _gettext=None, _lang=None):
         return _gettext(text)
 
 
+def scheming_choices_label(choices, value):
+    """
+    :param choices: choices list of {"label": .., "value": ..} dicts
+    :param value: value selected
+
+    Return the label from choices with a matching value, or
+    the value passed when not found. Result is passed through
+    scheming_language_text before being returned.
+    """
+    for c in choices:
+        if c['value'] == value:
+            return scheming_language_text(c['label'])
+    return scheming_language_text(value)
+
+
 def scheming_field_required(field):
     """
     Return field['required'] or guess based on validators if not present.
@@ -35,62 +50,68 @@ def scheming_field_required(field):
     return 'not_empty' in field.get('validators', '').split()
 
 
-def scheming_dataset_schemas():
+def scheming_dataset_schemas(expanded=True):
     """
     Return the dict of dataset schemas. Or if scheming_datasets
     plugin is not loaded return None.
     """
     from ckanext.scheming.plugins import SchemingDatasetsPlugin as p
     if p.instance:
+        if expanded:
+            return p.instance._expanded_schemas
         return p.instance._schemas
 
 
-def scheming_get_dataset_schema(dataset_type):
+def scheming_get_dataset_schema(dataset_type, expanded=True):
     """
     Return the schema for the dataset_type passed or None if
     no schema is defined for that dataset_type
     """
-    schemas = scheming_dataset_schemas()
+    schemas = scheming_dataset_schemas(expanded)
     if schemas:
         return schemas.get(dataset_type)
 
 
-def scheming_group_schemas():
+def scheming_group_schemas(expanded=True):
     """
     Return the dict of group schemas. Or if scheming_groups
     plugin is not loaded return None.
     """
     from ckanext.scheming.plugins import SchemingGroupsPlugin as p
     if p.instance:
+        if expanded:
+            return p.instance._expanded_schemas
         return p.instance._schemas
 
 
-def scheming_get_group_schema(group_type):
+def scheming_get_group_schema(group_type, expanded=True):
     """
     Return the schema for the group_type passed or None if
     no schema is defined for that group_type
     """
-    schemas = scheming_group_schemas()
+    schemas = scheming_group_schemas(expanded)
     if schemas:
         return schemas.get(group_type)
 
 
-def scheming_organization_schemas():
+def scheming_organization_schemas(expanded=True):
     """
     Return the dict of organization schemas. Or if scheming_organizations
     plugin is not loaded return None.
     """
     from ckanext.scheming.plugins import SchemingOrganizationsPlugin as p
     if p.instance:
+        if expanded:
+            return p.instance._expanded_schemas
         return p.instance._schemas
 
 
-def scheming_get_organization_schema(organization_type):
+def scheming_get_organization_schema(organization_type, expanded=True):
     """
     Return the schema for the organization_type passed or None if
     no schema is defined for that organization_type
     """
-    schemas = scheming_organization_schemas()
+    schemas = scheming_organization_schemas(expanded)
     if schemas:
         return schemas.get(organization_type)
 
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/logic.py b/ckanext/scheming/logic.py
index 24775dd6..79e027ad 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/logic.py
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/logic.py
@@ -19,9 +19,11 @@ def scheming_dataset_schema_show(context, data_dict):
     Return the scheming schema for a given dataset type
 
     :param type: the dataset type
+    :param expanded: True to expand presets (default)
     '''
     t = get_or_bust(data_dict, 'type')
-    s = scheming_get_dataset_schema(t)
+    expanded = data_dict.get('expanded', True)
+    s = scheming_get_dataset_schema(t, expanded)
     if s is None:
         raise ObjectNotFound()
     return s
@@ -39,9 +41,11 @@ def scheming_group_schema_show(context, data_dict):
     Return the scheming schema for a given group type
 
     :param type: the group type
+    :param expanded: True to expand presets (default)
     '''
     t = get_or_bust(data_dict, 'type')
-    s = scheming_get_group_schema(t)
+    expanded = data_dict.get('expanded', True)
+    s = scheming_get_group_schema(t, expanded)
     if s is None:
         raise ObjectNotFound()
     return s
@@ -60,9 +64,11 @@ def scheming_organization_schema_show(context, data_dict):
     Return the scheming schema for a given organization type
 
     :param type: the organization type
+    :param expanded: True to expand presets (default)
     '''
     t = get_or_bust(data_dict, 'type')
-    s = scheming_get_organization_schema(t)
+    expanded = data_dict.get('expanded', True)
+    s = scheming_get_organization_schema(t, expanded)
     if s is None:
         raise ObjectNotFound()
     return s
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/plugins.py b/ckanext/scheming/plugins.py
index 51e10b74..8ffb9c59 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/plugins.py
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/plugins.py
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@
 
 from ckanext.scheming import helpers
 from ckanext.scheming.errors import SchemingException
-from ckanext.scheming.validation import validators_from_string
+from ckanext.scheming.validation import (
+    validators_from_string, scheming_choices, scheming_required)
 from ckanext.scheming.logic import (
     scheming_dataset_schema_list, scheming_dataset_schema_show,
     scheming_group_schema_list, scheming_group_schema_show,
@@ -23,9 +24,13 @@
 import inspect
 
 ignore_missing = get_validator('ignore_missing')
+not_missing = get_validator('not_missing')
 convert_to_extras = get_converter('convert_to_extras')
 convert_from_extras = get_converter('convert_from_extras')
 
+DEFAULT_PRESETS = 'ckanext.scheming:presets.json'
+
+
 class _SchemingMixin(object):
     """
     Store single plugin instances in class variable 'instance'
@@ -35,7 +40,9 @@ class _SchemingMixin(object):
     """
     instance = None
     _helpers_loaded = False
+    _presets = None
     _template_dir_added = False
+    _validators_loaded = False
 
     def get_helpers(self):
         if _SchemingMixin._helpers_loaded:
@@ -43,6 +50,7 @@ def get_helpers(self):
         _SchemingMixin._helpers_loaded = True
         return {
             'scheming_language_text': helpers.scheming_language_text,
+            'scheming_choices_label': helpers.scheming_choices_label,
             'scheming_field_required': helpers.scheming_field_required,
             'scheming_dataset_schemas': helpers.scheming_dataset_schemas,
             'scheming_get_dataset_schema': helpers.scheming_get_dataset_schema,
@@ -54,24 +62,46 @@ def get_helpers(self):
                 helpers.scheming_get_organization_schema,
             }
 
+    def get_validators(self):
+        if _SchemingMixin._validators_loaded:
+            return {}
+        _SchemingMixin._validators_loaded = True
+        return {
+            'scheming_choices': scheming_choices,
+            'scheming_required': scheming_required,
+            }
+
     def _add_template_directory(self, config):
         if _SchemingMixin._template_dir_added:
             return
         _SchemingMixin._template_dir_added = True
         add_template_directory(config, 'templates')
 
+    def _load_presets(self, config):
+        if _SchemingMixin._presets is not None:
+            return
+        presets = config.get('scheming.presets', DEFAULT_PRESETS).split()
+        _SchemingMixin._presets = {}
+        for f in reversed(presets):
+            for p in _load_schema(f)['presets']:
+                _SchemingMixin._presets[p['preset_name']] = p['values']
+
     def update_config(self, config):
         if self.instance:
             # reloading plugins, probably in WebTest
             _SchemingMixin._helpers_loaded = False
+            _SchemingMixin._validators_loaded = False
         # record our plugin instance in a place where our helpers
         # can find it:
         self._store_instance(self)
         self._add_template_directory(config)
+        self._load_presets(config)
 
         self._is_fallback = asbool(config.get(self.FALLBACK_OPTION, False))
+
         self._schema_urls = config.get(self.SCHEMA_OPTION, "").split()
         self._schemas = _load_schemas(self._schema_urls, self.SCHEMA_TYPE_FIELD)
+        self._expanded_schemas = _expand_schemas(self._schemas)
 
     def is_fallback(self):
         return self._is_fallback
@@ -88,7 +118,7 @@ def group_types(self):
     def setup_template_variables(self, context, data_dict):
         group_type = context.get('group_type')
         if not group_type:
-            if c.group_dict: 
+            if c.group_dict:
                 group_type = c.group_dict['type']
             else:
                 group_type = self.UNSPECIFIED_GROUP_TYPE
@@ -102,27 +132,18 @@ def db_to_form_schema_options(self, options):
     def validate(self, context, data_dict, schema, action):
         thing, action_type = action.split('_')
         t = data_dict.get('type')
-        if not t or t not in self._schemas: # pragma: no cover
+        if not t or t not in self._schemas:
             return data_dict, {'type': "Unsupported {thing} type: {t}".format(
                 thing=thing, t=t)}
-        scheming_schema = self._schemas[t]
+        scheming_schema = self._expanded_schemas[t]
         scheming_fields = scheming_schema['fields']
+
+        get_validators = (_field_output_validators
+            if action_type == 'show' else _field_validators)
+
         for f in scheming_fields:
-            if action_type == 'show':
-                if f['field_name'] not in schema:
-                    validators = [convert_from_extras, ignore_missing]
-                else:
-                    validators = [ignore_missing]
-                if 'output_validators' in f:
-                    validators += validators_from_string(f['output_validators'])
-            else:
-                if 'validators' in f:
-                    validators = validators_from_string(f['validators'])
-                else:
-                    validators = [ignore_missing, unicode]
-                if f['field_name'] not in schema:
-                    validators = validators + [convert_to_extras]
-            schema[f['field_name']] = validators
+            schema[f['field_name']] = get_validators(f,
+                f['field_name'] not in schema)
 
         return navl_validate(data_dict, schema, context)
 
@@ -133,6 +154,7 @@ class SchemingDatasetsPlugin(p.SingletonPlugin, DefaultDatasetForm,
     p.implements(p.ITemplateHelpers)
     p.implements(p.IDatasetForm, inherit=True)
     p.implements(p.IActions)
+    p.implements(p.IValidators)
 
     SCHEMA_OPTION = 'scheming.dataset_schemas'
     FALLBACK_OPTION = 'scheming.dataset_fallback'
@@ -164,40 +186,21 @@ def validate(self, context, data_dict, schema, action):
         """
         thing, action_type = action.split('_')
         t = data_dict.get('type')
-        if not t or t not in self._schemas:  # pragma: no cover
+        if not t or t not in self._schemas:
             return data_dict, {'type': [
                 "Unsupported dataset type: {t}".format(t=t)]}
-        scheming_schema = self._schemas[t]
+        scheming_schema = self._expanded_schemas[t]
+
+        get_validators = (_field_output_validators
+            if action_type == 'show' else _field_validators)
 
         for f in scheming_schema['dataset_fields']:
-            if action_type == 'show':
-                if f['field_name'] not in schema:
-                    validators = [convert_from_extras, ignore_missing]
-                else:
-                    validators = [ignore_missing]
-                if 'output_validators' in f:
-                    validators += validators_from_string(f['output_validators'])
-            else:
-                if 'validators' in f:
-                    validators = validators_from_string(f['validators'])
-                else:
-                    validators = [ignore_missing, unicode]
-                if f['field_name'] not in schema:
-                    validators = validators + [convert_to_extras]
-            schema[f['field_name']] = validators
+            schema[f['field_name']] = get_validators(f,
+                f['field_name'] not in schema)
 
         resource_schema = schema['resources']
         for f in scheming_schema['resource_fields']:
-            if action_type == 'show':
-                validators = [ignore_missing]
-                if 'output_validators' in f:
-                    validators += validators_from_string(f['output_validators'])
-            else:
-                if 'validators' in f:
-                    validators = validators_from_string(f['validators'])
-                else:
-                    validators = [ignore_missing, unicode]
-            resource_schema[f['field_name']] = validators
+            resource_schema[f['field_name']] = get_validators(f, False)
 
         return navl_validate(data_dict, schema, context)
 
@@ -217,6 +220,7 @@ class SchemingGroupsPlugin(p.SingletonPlugin, _GroupOrganizationMixin,
     p.implements(p.ITemplateHelpers)
     p.implements(p.IGroupForm, inherit=True)
     p.implements(p.IActions)
+    p.implements(p.IValidators)
 
     SCHEMA_OPTION = 'scheming.group_schemas'
     FALLBACK_OPTION = 'scheming.group_fallback'
@@ -246,6 +250,7 @@ class SchemingOrganizationsPlugin(p.SingletonPlugin, _GroupOrganizationMixin,
     p.implements(p.ITemplateHelpers)
     p.implements(p.IGroupForm, inherit=True)
     p.implements(p.IActions)
+    p.implements(p.IValidators)
 
     SCHEMA_OPTION = 'scheming.organization_schemas'
     FALLBACK_OPTION = 'scheming.organization_fallback'
@@ -265,8 +270,10 @@ def about_template(self):
 
     def get_actions(self):
         return {
-            'scheming_organization_schema_list': scheming_organization_schema_list,
-            'scheming_organization_schema_show': scheming_organization_schema_show,
+            'scheming_organization_schema_list':
+                scheming_organization_schema_list,
+            'scheming_organization_schema_show':
+                scheming_organization_schema_show,
         }
 
 
@@ -308,3 +315,60 @@ def _load_schema_url(url):
         raise SchemingException("Could not load %s" % url)
 
     return json.loads(tables)
+
+
+def _field_output_validators(f, convert_extras):
+    """
+    Return the output validators for a scheming field f
+    """
+    if convert_extras:
+        validators = [convert_from_extras, ignore_missing]
+    else:
+        validators = [ignore_missing]
+    if 'output_validators' in f:
+        validators += validators_from_string(f['output_validators'], f)
+    return validators
+
+def _field_validators(f, convert_extras):
+    """
+    Return the validators for a scheming field f
+    """
+    validators = []
+    if 'validators' in f:
+        validators = validators_from_string(f['validators'], f)
+    elif helpers.scheming_field_required(f):
+        validators = [not_missing, unicode]
+    else:
+        validators = [ignore_missing, unicode]
+
+    if convert_extras:
+        validators = validators + [convert_to_extras]
+    return validators
+
+def _expand_preset(f):
+    """
+    If scheming field f includes a preset value return a new field
+    based on the preset with values from f overriding any values in the
+    preset.
+
+    raises SchemingException if the preset given is not found.
+    """
+    if 'preset' not in f:
+        return f
+    if f['preset'] not in _SchemingMixin._presets:
+        raise SchemingException("preset '%s' not defined" % f['preset'])
+    return dict(_SchemingMixin._presets[f['preset']], **f)
+
+def _expand_schemas(schemas):
+    """
+    Return a new dict of schemas with all field presets expanded.
+    """
+    out = {}
+    for name, original in schemas.iteritems():
+        s = dict(original)
+        for fname in ('fields', 'dataset_fields', 'resource_fields'):
+            if fname not in s:
+                continue
+            s[fname] = [_expand_preset(f) for f in s[fname]]
+        out[name] = s
+    return out
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/presets.json b/ckanext/scheming/presets.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..395560d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/presets.json
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+{
+  "scheming_presets_version": 1,
+  "about": "these are the default scheming field presets",
+  "about_url": "http://github.com/open-data/ckanext-scheming#preset",
+  "presets": [
+    {
+      "preset_name": "title",
+      "values": {
+        "validators": "if_empty_same_as(name) unicode",
+        "form_snippet": "large_text.html",
+        "form_attrs": {
+          "data-module": "slug-preview-target"
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "preset_name": "dataset_slug",
+      "values": {
+        "validators": "not_empty unicode name_validator package_name_validator",
+        "form_snippet": "slug.html"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "preset_name": "tag_string_autocomplete",
+      "values": {
+        "validators": "ignore_missing tag_string_convert",
+        "form_attrs": {
+          "data-module": "autocomplete",
+          "data-module-tags": "",
+          "data-module-source": "/api/2/util/tag/autocomplete?incomplete=?"
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "preset_name": "dataset_organization",
+      "values": {
+        "validators": "owner_org_validator unicode",
+        "form_snippet": "organization.html"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "preset_name": "resource_url_upload",
+      "values": {
+        "validators": "not_empty unicode remove_whitespace",
+        "form_snippet": "upload.html",
+        "form_placeholder": "http://example.com/my-data.csv",
+        "upload_field": "upload",
+        "upload_clear": "clear_upload",
+        "upload_label": "File"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "preset_name": "resource_format_autocomplete",
+      "values": {
+        "validators": "if_empty_guess_format ignore_missing clean_format unicode",
+        "form_placeholder": "eg. CSV, XML or JSON",
+        "form_attrs": {
+          "data-module": "autocomplete",
+          "data-module-source": "/api/2/util/resource/format_autocomplete?incomplete=?"
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "preset_name": "select",
+      "values": {
+        "form_snippet": "select.html",
+        "display_snippet": "select.html",
+        "validators": "scheming_required scheming_choices"
+      }
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/display_snippets/select.html b/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/display_snippets/select.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..afc06da6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/display_snippets/select.html
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ h.scheming_choices_label(field.choices, data[field.field_name]) }}
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/form_snippets/select.html b/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/form_snippets/select.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..297acd4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/form_snippets/select.html
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+{% import 'macros/form.html' as form %}
+
+{%- set options=[] -%}
+{%- if not h.scheming_field_required(field) -%}
+    {%- do options.append({'value': ''}) -%}
+{%- endif -%}
+{%- for c in field.choices -%}
+    {%- do options.append({
+        'value': c.value,
+        'text': h.scheming_language_text(c.label)}) -%}
+{%- endfor -%}
+
+{{ form.select(
+    field.field_name,
+    id='field-' + field.field_name,
+    label=h.scheming_language_text(field.label),
+    options=options,
+    selected=data[field.field_name],
+    error=errors[field.field_name],
+    classes=['control-medium'],
+    attrs=field.form_attrs if 'form_attrs' in field else {},
+    is_required=h.scheming_field_required(field)
+    ) }}
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/snippets/display_field.html b/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/snippets/display_field.html
index 97c89fff..2fa62e72 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/snippets/display_field.html
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/templates/scheming/snippets/display_field.html
@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@
 {%- set display_snippet = field.display_snippet -%}
 
 {%- if not display_snippet -%}
-  {%- set display_snippet = 'text.html' -%}
+  {%- if 'choices' in field -%}
+    {%- set display_snippet = 'select.html' -%}
+  {%- else -%}
+    {%- set display_snippet = 'text.html' -%}
+  {%- endif -%}
 {%- endif -%}
 
 {%- if '/' not in display_snippet -%}
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_dataset_display.py b/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_dataset_display.py
index 53f04393..3af2f156 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_dataset_display.py
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_dataset_display.py
@@ -35,3 +35,15 @@ def test_resource_displays_custom_fields(self):
         response = app.get(url='/dataset/set-two/resource/' +
             d['resources'][0]['id'])
         assert_true('Camels in Photo' in response.body)
+
+    def test_choice_field_shows_labels(self):
+        user = Sysadmin()
+        d = Dataset(
+            user=user,
+            type='camel-photos',
+            name='with-choice',
+            category='hybrid',
+            )
+        app = self._get_test_app()
+        response = app.get(url='/dataset/with-choice')
+        assert_true('Hybrid Camel' in response.body)
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_validation.py b/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_validation.py
index 13efa225..f745381c 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_validation.py
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/tests/test_validation.py
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
-from nose.tools import assert_raises
+from nose.tools import assert_raises, assert_equals
+from ckanapi import LocalCKAN, ValidationError
 
 from ckanext.scheming.errors import SchemingException
 from ckanext.scheming.validation import get_validator_or_converter
+from ckanext.scheming.plugins import (
+    SchemingDatasetsPlugin, SchemingGroupsPlugin)
 
 class TestGetValidatorOrConverter(object):
     def test_missing(self):
@@ -13,3 +16,34 @@ def test_validator_name(self):
 
     def test_converter_name(self):
         assert get_validator_or_converter('remove_whitespace')
+
+
+class TestChoices(object):
+    def test_choice_field_only_accepts_given_choices(self):
+        lc = LocalCKAN()
+        assert_raises(ValidationError, lc.action.package_create,
+            type='camel-photos',
+            name='fred',
+            category='rocker',
+            )
+
+    def test_choice_field_accepts_valid_choice(self):
+        lc = LocalCKAN()
+        d = lc.action.package_create(
+            type='camel-photos',
+            name='fred',
+            category='f2hybrid',
+            )
+        assert_equals(d['category'], 'f2hybrid')
+
+
+class TestInvalidType(object):
+    def test_invalid_dataset_type(self):
+        p = SchemingDatasetsPlugin.instance
+        data, errors = p.validate({}, {'type': 'banana'}, {}, 'dataset_show')
+        assert_equals(list(errors), ['type'])
+
+    def test_invalid_group_type(self):
+        p = SchemingGroupsPlugin.instance
+        data, errors = p.validate({}, {'type': 'banana'}, {}, 'dataset_show')
+        assert_equals(list(errors), ['type'])
diff --git a/ckanext/scheming/validation.py b/ckanext/scheming/validation.py
index 53beeaed..f85c5a6c 100644
--- a/ckanext/scheming/validation.py
+++ b/ckanext/scheming/validation.py
@@ -2,8 +2,40 @@
 
 from ckanext.scheming.errors import SchemingException
 
+OneOf = get_validator('OneOf')
+ignore_missing = get_validator('ignore_missing')
+not_missing = get_validator('not_missing')
 
-def validators_from_string(s):
+def scheming_validator(fn):
+    """
+    Decorate a validator that needs to have the scheming fields
+    passed with this function. When generating navl validator lists
+    the function decorated will be called passing the field
+    data to produce the actual validator for each field.
+    """
+    fn.is_a_scheming_validator = True
+    return fn
+
+
+@scheming_validator
+def scheming_choices(field):
+    """
+    Require that one of the field choices values is passed.
+    """
+    return OneOf([c['value'] for c in field['choices']])
+
+
+@scheming_validator
+def scheming_required(field):
+    """
+    not_missing if field['required'] else ignore_missing
+    """
+    if field.get('required'):
+        return not_missing
+    return ignore_missing
+
+
+def validators_from_string(s, field):
     """
     convert a schema validators string to a list of validators
 
@@ -16,10 +48,12 @@ def validators_from_string(s):
         if '(' in p and p[-1] == ')':
             name, args = p.split('(', 1)
             args = args[:-1].split(',')  # trim trailing ')', break up
-            v = get_validator_or_converter(name)
-            out.append(v(*args))
+            v = get_validator_or_converter(name)(*args)
         else:
-            out.append(get_validator_or_converter(p))
+            v = get_validator_or_converter(p)
+        if getattr(v, 'is_a_scheming_validator', False):
+            v = v(field)
+        out.append(v)
     return out