Funded Projects and Project Results
OFRF research and education
grants are awarded twice annually, during the spring and
fall Board of Directors meetings. Projects generally are funded for
one year at a time, and project investigators submit written results
of their work to OFRF upon completion of their project. These final
project reports are solely the work of the investigators and their
cooperators, are unedited, and are not normally subject to peer review.
This area of our website is where to find information on OFRF-funded projects that are in progress, as well as project results that have been submitted by investigators once projects have been completed.
You can search for project information related to a particular topic by using our search bar below. Or peruse project reports by general topic area using the content menu.
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Contents:
Grants Awarded Fall 2009
Research projects 
Finding cost-effective weed and nutrient management practices in organic pear orchards
--Chuck Ingels, University of California Cooperative Extension, Sacramento County, CA
Weed control and nutrient management continue to be serious challenges in organic orchards, and the two are highly interrelated. This project originated with the grower cooperator--an excellent third-generation pear grower--inquiring about which practices to use. Study objectives are to evaluate methods such as mulching and in-row mowing for weed control in conjunction with application of fertilizer materials, and the effect of these management practices on pear tree growth and production. More»
Identification of superior cover crop varieties for organic seed production in the Maritime Northwest
--John Navazio, Organic Seed Alliance, Port Townsend, WA
Cover crop seed is increasingly in demand as the number of organic farms and the price of fertilizer increases. A long term goal of the Organic Seed Alliance is to increase the quality, quantity and affordability of organic cover crop seed. The objective of this project is to conduct variety trials of five cover crop species focused on seed production qualities and adaptibility to the Maritime Northwest. More»
Fungi, predatory mites and guardian plants for thrips IPM in organic greenhouse ornamentals, year 2.
--Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont Entomology Research Lab, Burlington, VT
Spring bedding plants and ornamentals represent a significant revenue source for many organic vegetable growers in New England. However, organic growers commonly suspend their organic practices in the production of ornamental and bedding plants because of pest problems, in particular thrips, a persistent, virus-transmitting pest. This project will test for a second year a novel guardian plant system that combines thrips-attracting marigolds, predatory mites and granular insect-killing fungi. More»
Molasses as an alternative energy feed source for organic dairies
--Kathy Soder, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Pasture Systems and Watershed Research Unit, University Park, PA
With escalating feed prices and recently falling organic milk prices, organic farmers are searching for alternative energy sources for lactating dairy cows. Sugar cane molasses may be a viable, less costly source of energy and minerals, however anecdotal responses have been mixed on organic dairy farms that have used molasses as a sole energy supplement. This study will evaluate the effects of substituting corn with molasses supplementation on organic dairy farms. More»
Integrating bats into organic pest management
--Steve Tennes, Country Mill Farms, Charlotte, MI
The destruction of fruit by internal feeding moth larvae, in particular codling moth, is one of the top issues for organic fruit growers. Bats act as a natural predator that could potentially reduce moth populations. Unfortunately, bat populations continue to decline due to a number of negative human influences. This project will address several questions regarding the activities of bats and their impact on codling moth by monitoring their behavior, feeding habits and habitat preferences on seven farms in southern Michigan. More»
Education & outreach projects
The liberation of the Odairy archives
--Ed Maltby, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Deerfield, MA
Odairy is an internet-based listserve that assists organic dairy farmers throughout North America on production practices and policy issues. NODPA plans to organize the archives of Odairy, to greatly expand access of the archives for all Odairy users. More»
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network Farmer-to-Farmer Program organic outreach
--Karen Wynne, Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, Huntsville, AL
Recent maps of organic producers in the U.S. show large clusters of organic farms in the northeast, west coast and Midwest. Certified organic farms get much sparser as one moves into the Great Plains and the South. Nevertheless, in Alabama, interest in organic and sustainable farming is growing. ASAN, through it's farmer-to-farmer mentoring program, will support Alabama farmers interested in organic production with information on organic production methods, organic farm plans, and compliance with the National Organic Standards. More»
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