Grants Awarded Spring 2009

Total in competitive grants awarded in Spring 2009: $127,752

Research projects

Enhancing biological control of insect pests using flowering intercrops in wine grape agroecosystems, year 2.
--Miguel Altieri, University of California, Berkeley
There is an expressed need by winegrape growers for more ecologically-based and preventative approaches to pest management. Building upon prior work in which floral resources were established in vineyards to help manage insect pests, this second year of research continues first comprehensive study of annual flowering intercrops in Napa and Sonoma County winegrapes. More»

Adapting organic apple practices for Great Lakes region organic hops production.
--Matthew Grieshop, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Hops are a high-value crop, and a relative lack of local production in the Great Lakes region makes them an attractive option for organic farmers. Hops are a perennial crop and may be well suited to farms that produce organic apples, helping to diversify small- to medium-sized operations. More»

Investigating the use of buckwheat strips to attract beneficial insects for the management of Colorado potato beetle, year 2.
--Robert Hadad, Cornell Regional Vegetable Program, Lockport, NY
Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is among the most difficult pests to manage according to New York region organic producers. Results of a trial showed that strips of buckwheat adjacent to potato rows were an attractive habitat to predators of CPB. This project will quantify the effect to which buckwheat strips contribute to CPB control within the potato row, and evaluate how to optimize buckwheat strip and crop row arrangements. More»

Organic cover crop seed production as a sustainable enterprise for the Southeast
--Ray Hicks, Univ. of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Sylvania, GA
Cereal and legume cover crops are integral to organic production systems, and the National Organic Program standards state that organic seed should be used when available. However, organic cover crop seeds are not widely available, and there is little to no organic cover crop seed production in the southeast U.S. This project will evaluate whether production of certified organic crimson clover and annual rye can be a profitable enterprise. More»

Biological mediation of apple replant disease in organic apple orchards
--Lori Hoagland, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Organic orchardists, extension agents and organic industry representatives have identified apple replant disease as the greatest impediment to the widespread adoption of organic orchard systems. The disease is responsible for a substantial reduction in apple tree vigor and yield and, if not treated, can persist in soils for up to twenty years. This project will further investigate wheat cropping in orchards, which has been found to disrupt soil-borne pathogens responsible for apple replant disease. Funded in partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company. More»

Trialing and seed increase of promising new vegetable varieties for organic systems
--Michael Mazourek, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Organic farmers need varieties that are specifically bred to excel in organic farming systems. It is a time-tested plant improvement axiom that you select in the environment for which you are breeding. Based on ideas for breeding projects generated by producers, this project seeks to generate seed of improved organically bred lines of melon, cucumber, pepper and squash varieties. More»

Investigating the effects of shade canopy management on natural enemies, pests, plant damage, and yield in organic coffee plantations.
--Stacy Philpott, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Traditional coffee plantations in Mexico used to be managed with a shade canopy but beginning in the 1970s, this practice changed and canopy removal was promoted along with other green revolution techniques to improve coffee yields. Many of the ecological interactions affected by shade tree removal have been left unstudied, and it is now well recognized that eliminating the shade in coffee farms also removes important components of the associated biodiversity. This project will advance organic farming by increasing our understanding of the influence of shade management in this agroecosystem. More»

Developing an organic commercial production system for the Goji berry
--Norma Wilson, Butterfly Hill Plants, Lovettsville, VA
The Goji berry is an antioxdidant-rich fruit that is seeing increasing demand in the U.S. However there is very little domestic Goji berry production--most Goji berry consumed in the U.S. is imported from China. Since demand exceeds supply, the opportunitiy to add Goji berries to their cropping systems is a new concept for organic farmers to consider. However very little information is available concerning production, post harvest care, marketing and the financial costs required to get started. This study will develop initial information on Goji berry propagation, transplanting and field production. Funded in partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company. More»

Education & outreach projects

Educating women farmers about certified organic production
--Melissa Matthewson, Oregon State University Small Farms Extension, Central Point, OR
Currently there is no education on organic production principles or certification occurring in southwestern Oregon, although there is a need for this type of education among small-scale women farmers. Many women farmers need education on organic pricing for economic succes and viability as well as on the benefits of organic marketing. This project will design and implement four on-farm field days for women producers to increase peer-to-peer networking and mentoring between farmers. More»

Increasing the adoption of organic farming practices through NRCS --Kathie Starkweather, Center for Rural Affairs, Hartington, NE
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel are faced with new programs that have arisen from the 2008 Farm Bill. The Organic Transition Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program will require specific knowledge of program provisions and also technical expertise in National Organic Program rules and cropping practices to suit local conditions. This educational project will train NRCS staff to implement the new organic provisions of the Farm Bill. More»