Grants Awarded Fall 2008

Total in competitive grants awarded in Fall 2008: $224,220

Research projects

Harnessing aphid alarm pheromone to rid broccoli of aphids
--Phillip Fujiyoshi, University of California, Davis
Aphids, when crushed, produce an alarm pheromone that deters other aphids from a feeding site. Investigators at UC-Davis are looking at whether compounds made from alarm pheromone can be used as an aphid deterrent, and in addition, if such compounds can be produced and used with efficacy on-farm. More»

Optimizing mulch and fertilizer use in organic blueberries
--Eric Hanson, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Mulches can dramatically affect nitrogen availability. Michigan organic blueberry producers use a wide variety locally available materials as mulches. This project will explore the interactions of mulches and nutrient sources, for the purpose of developing guidelines for producers to optimize mulch and fertilizer use. This project is funded in partnership with Sretch Island Fruit Company. More»

Songbird conservation and insect pest management in vineyards
--Julie Jedlicka, University of California, Santa Cruz
Many California winegrape producers have installed songbird nestboxes. To what degree do songbirds provide pest control services in fields where boxes have been located? This project will analyze the role of bird foragers in managing moth, butterfly, leafhopper and sharpshooter pests, providing new data on the value of nestboxes in vineyards. More»

Evaluation of alternative nitrogen sources for rice systems
--Bruce Linquist, University of California, Davis
The heavy clay soils of the Sacramento Valley present challenges for nutrient management, in particular making cover cropping difficult in rice production. systems.This project explores the development of an efficacious, readily available and consistent method of fertilization for organic rice producers. More»

Evaluation of day-neutral strawberries
--Patrick Moore, Washington State Univ. Coop. Ext., Puyallup, WA
The development of day-neutral strawberries for organic systems will help producers extend their market season and reach into new markets. Leading strawberry researchers at Washington State University are investigating the potential of these kinds of day-neutral cultivars for organic producers. This project is funded in partnership with Sretch Island Fruit Company. More»

Management of cutworms in organic no-till corn
--Jeff Moyer, Rodale Insitute, Kutztown, PA
The Rodale Institute is a leader in the development of organic no-till corn systems, which are proving to be successful. However, organic no-till corn presents certain management challenges, such as crop damage by cutworm in certain fields during certain years. This project looks at both materials and practices to address cutworm in no-till organic corn, focusing on measures of prevention, as well as methods to address cutworm when they are a problem in the field. More»

Fish extracts in organic blueberries in the Southeastern U.S
--Harald Scherm, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Project investigators will test foliar-applied fish extracts which in previous trials have shown promise against important blueberry diseases such as Septoria leaf spot, as well as against blueberry leaf beetle. Fish extracts also provide nutrient value, and this project will assess this material for it's disease, pest and nutrient management properties. This project is funded in partnership with Sretch Island Fruit Company. More»

Participatory plant breeding to improve sweet corn
--William Tracy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Upper Midwest sweet corn producers are in need of corn germplasm that has superior germination in cold soils, and is competitive with weeds and is resistant to pests and diseases. This participatory breeding project will allow farmers to make selections based on desired traits and suitability to the farm environment. More»

Education & outreach projects

Bilingual organic farmer training and mentorship program
--Linda Barnes, Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, IA
Educators at Marshalltown Community College are developing a model for Marshall County, Iowa that supports community-scale agricultural entrepreneurship among immigrant farmers. This project will extend this program to include a bi-lingual adult training course in organic and entrepreneurial farming and develop a farmer mentorship program. More»

Managing farm habitat for wild pollinators
--Scott Black, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Portland, OR
The Xerces Society is working with organic producers to develop and implement farming and landscape practices that enhance habitat for wild pollinators on the farm. The goals of this grant award are to develop a pilot-tested workshop curriculum and organic grower tool-kit on farming for native pollinators. More»

Crop planning for the organic market garden
--Kristine Swaren, Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Canadian Organic Growers has produced excellent handbooks that have been of valuable to North American organic producers. This grant award will support development of Crop Planning for the Organic Market Garden, designed to help producers increase their organic production and markets, using a bioregional approach to production and market planning. More»

Developing web resources for high tunnels
--Kimberly Williams, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Many producers are using high tunnels for season extension and crop protection. A significant percentage of these producers are also using organic practices, but little web-based information is availble on organic practices in high tunnels. This project will develop information resources for organic producers by extending the scope of the leading website for high tunnel production, the widely-accessed www.hightunnels.org. More»