Grants Awarded Spring 2008

Enhancing biological control of insect pests using flowering intercrops in wine grape agroecosystems, year 1
--Miguel Altieri, University of California, Berkeley
There is an expressed need by winegrape growers for more ecologically-based and preventative approaches to soil quality and pest management. Building upon prior work in which cover crops and other flowering intercrops have been established for soil quality and as floral resources in vineyards to help manage insect pests, this research will constitute a comprehensive study of annual flowering intercrops in Napa and Sonoma County winegrapes. More»

Organic certified seed potato production in the Midwest, year 2
--Amy Charkowski, University of Wisconsin--Madison
In Wisconsin, potatoes are the most important non-grain food crop, but organic potato production lags far behind conventional production. Our goal is to support the growth of an organic certified seed potato industry in Wisconsin. In this project we will continue field trials that were initiated in 2007 to test organic production methods for seed potatoes that meet seed certification standards. In addition we will develop educational resources for organic growers on becoming certified seed potato producers. More»

Development of corn borer-resistant corn for organic farming systems, year 3
--Dave Christensen, Seed We Need, Big Timber, MT
This project seeks to develop lines of corn that are naturally resistant to European corn borer (ECB). There are natural forms of resistance to ECB that could be used on certified organic farms. The genes for this resistance, found in tropical corn populations, have been bred into populations adapted to the Midwest. Our objective is to continue a breeding program that meets the challenges of incorporating these genes into lines that will be available for commercial release, particularly to midwestern and western producers where ECB is problematic. More»

The persistence of Florida's small-scale organic farms in the face of growing demand for organic products
--Lindsay Fernandez-Salvador, University of Florida, Gainesville
Questions arise as we look at the persistence of small organic farms in the midst of organic market growth: What are the most important market conditions that enable small-scale organic farms to persist? And what are the characteristics that explain the success or lack of success of small organic farms? This study addresses these questions among Florida organic producers in the context of the state’s unique organic production conditions. More»

Effectiveness and economic impact of weed control systems in organic garlic production
--Susan Fluegel, Grey Duck Garlic, Moscow, ID
Organic gourmet hardneck garlic is an excellent niche market, high value crop that can be profitably grown on a few acres. Organic hardneck garlic is extremely labor intensive, and the most labor intensive aspect of organic garlic growing is weeding. In this study, an experienced garlic producer evaluates the effectiveness of four different weeding methods on two varieties of organic hardneck garlic. More»

Insect management tools for organic cranberry production in the Pacific Northwest
--Deborah Henderson, ES Cropconsult, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The primary challenge to cranberry production in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia is insect pests, which are able to survive the mild western winters. The objectives of this study are to identify suitable tools for organic management of the three key regional cranberry insect pests: blackheaded fireworm, cranberry girdler and black vine weevil, and to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) program for these pests using the most effective tools identified. More»

Suppression of Pythium damping off with compost and vermicompost, year 2
--Eric B. Nelson, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Compost and vermicompost are microbiologically rich amendments that promote plant growth and can suppress plant diseases. However, the inconsistency of disease suppression using composts prevents growers from fully harnessing this potential benefit. The overall goal of this project is to increase the efficacy and consistency of using composted and vermicomposted animal manures to enhance disease suppression in organic vegetable and fruit production systems. More»

Off-season blackberry and raspberry production to expand markets and sustain farm profitability
--Curt Rom, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
High tunnels have been demonstrated to be practical and economically sustainable by advancing production earlier and/or extending it later into the season, thereby increasing farm income due to an extended production season. In this project, investigators will explore the production issues and economics of extending the season for blackberry and raspberry production by using high tunnels. More»

Fungi, predatory mites and guardian plants for thrips IPM in organic greenhouse ornamentals, year 1
--Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont Entomology Research Lab, Burlington, VT
This project focuses on thrips, one of the most important pests of organic greenhouse production nationally and a common reason why growers suspend organic practices in greenhouse ornamentals, fearing crop loss from this persistent virus-transmitting pest. This project evaluates, for a second year, a novel approach for integrated pest management (IPM) of western flower thrips in a commercial greenhouse of organically-grown spring bedding plants, combining predatory mites, granular insect-killing fungi and marigolds into one “guardian plant” system. More»

Integrating biological control with trap crop management in California organic strawberries, year 2
--Sean Swezey, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, University of California, Santa Cruz
This proposal seeks to integrate an imported biological control agent, Peristenus relictus, into managed alfalfa trap crops for improved lygus bug control in organic strawberry systems. The objectives of our second year of research on this topic are to determine levels of parasitism P. relictus on lygus bug nymphs, test the effects of floral resources on parasitism levels, and further identify any spatial parasitism links between the insectary border and alfalfa trap crops found in production areas. More»

Education & outreach projects

Tilth Producers of Washington Farm Walk Program
--Nancy Allen, Tilth Producers of Washington, Seattle, WA
Tilth Producers' primary goal is to help Washington's organic family farms thrive. Organic growers have repeatedly asked for training in different locations around Washington State in order to address issues that are regionally or locally specific. In addition, growers have indicated to us that they place the highest value on peer learning and networking. In response to these interests, Tilth Producers will continue its sixth year of sponsoring the Washington Farm Walk program, which in 2009 provided 10 field days throughout the state. More»

Production guides for organic carrot, lettuce and beet/chard seed
--Micaela Colley, Organic Seed Alliance, Port Townsend, WA
Organic seed production is a developing industry and a viable opportunity for organic growers, but there is a lack of available information and educational support on organic seed production methods. The primary objective of this project is to increase availability of crop-specific information and recommendations on organic seed production practices for carrots, lettuce, beets and chard. More»

Sustainable Organic Farming and Marketing Project
-- Bridget Cooke, Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove, OR
Most Spanish-speaking immigrant farmers in Washington County, Oregon have experience working on farms in their home country and they desire to continue this work. This project will provide training in organic production and marketing among low-income immigrant Spanish-speaking farmers, and develop a Spanish language training manual as well as a training module to be shared with other organizations that implement similar projects. More»

The Apple Grower Hour
--Lisa DiPietro, University of Wisconsin, Madison
While growing organic apples in the Upper Midwest is challenging, organic agricuturalists need to counteract the general supposition that it is not even worth trying. This project will provide free weekly conference calls to Midwest producers with Michael Phillips, a New Hampshire-based organic apple production expert, providing a mentoring opportunity to apple producers to improve their organic production skills. Wisconsin IPM specialist John Aue will also provide expertise on the calls. In addition, recorded calls will be made available to producers for future access. More»

Organic Farm Performance in Minnesota Report
--Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture, Minneapolis, MN
This project will produce and disseminate a report that summarizes the 2006 and 2007 financial and production performance of 70 to 80 organic farms participating in a Minnesota Organic Farm Business Management program. This information will help organic producers make informed decisions about their management practices, help conventional farmers evaluate whether to convert to organic, and assist lenders as they evaluate loan requests. In addition, agencies, organizational leaders, elected officials and their staff members will be able to use the information as they craft programs that address organic farmers’ experiences and needs. More»