| E-mail News Bulletin # 13 |
September 2006 |
SCOAR is a collaboration of producers and
scientists, whose mission is to plan and promote research
and information exchange for understanding and improving organic
agricultural systems.
Higher Education News
University of Florida Offers
Organic Degree
From University of Florida press release
Fall semester marks the official launch of a science-based
organic agriculture undergraduate degree program at the University
of Florida (UF), making it one of the first three U.S. institutions
to offer this major. Colorado State University and Washington
State University debut similar programs this fall.
UF has offered a minor in organic agriculture for the past
year. Both the major and minor programs are administered by
the horticultural sciences department, part of UF’s
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
The undergraduate degree program will focus on training students
to manage an organic farming unit, said Mickie Swisher, director
of UF’s Center for Organic Agriculture.
“This gives you the skills and technical knowledge
where if you needed to put 2,000 acres of organic crops into
production, you could do it,” said Swisher, a UF associate
professor of family, youth and community sciences.
The program requires 120 credit hours, most of them in science
courses, including chemistry, botany, genetics, entomology
and soil science, capped off by several production-agriculture
classes.
For more information, contact Swisher at email meswisher@ifas.ufl.edu,
phone 352-392-2201, ext. 256.
University of California Selects
International Scholar to Head Sustainable Ag Programs
From University of California press release
Thomas Tomich, a California-trained agricultural economist
with a doctorate in food systems research, has been selected
to lead UC Davis' new Agricultural Sustainability Institute
and the statewide UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP). In connection
with his appointment, he has been named professor and first
holder of the UC Davis W.K. Kellogg Endowed Chair in Sustainable
Food Systems.
The new Agricultural Sustainability Institute draws together
several UC Davis campus programs and numerous faculty members
whose research and teaching interests span a broad array of
disciplines including plant and animal sciences, pest and
disease sciences, natural resource conservation, food science
and nutrition, economics, sociology, education, agricultural
environmental policy and community development.
Funding Opportunities
OFRF Releases
New Request for Proposals
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is resuming
its grants program after taking time off from its regular
grantmaking schedule to evaluate the impact of its grants
on organic agriculture.
The deadline for proposals is December
15, 2006.
In reinstating the grants program, OFRF is releasing an open
request for proposals in all subject areas, but particularly
encourages proposals in the following topic areas:
- organic livestock systems;
- economic constraints and opportunities relevant to the
viability of small- and medium-scale organic farms and ranches;
- projects that investigate the interactions
between components of organic systems and that take a systems-management
(rather than an input-substitution) approach to solving
production problems.
OFRF encourages organic farmers and ranchers to apply for
a grant. Many producers find that working with a small group,
or with an extension educator or university-based researcher,
can make it easier to design and carry out a research project.
OFRF encourages applications from such partnerships, and will
try to link interested farmers with research partners.
Projects must involve farmers in both design and implementation
and take place on working organic farms whenever possible.
For more details, please refer to the updated request for
proposals on the OFRF website at http://www.ofrf.org/research/application.html.
Or contact Jane Sooby, technical program coordinator, at
831-426-6606, email jane@ofrf.org
OFRF's report on the impact of their grants program, Investing
in Organic Knowledge: Impacts of the First 13 Years of the
Organic Farming Research Foundation's Grantmaking Program,
is on the web at http://www.ofrf.org/publications/investing_in_organic.pdf
Student Applicants Sought For
$1.25 Million in Sustainability Grants
From EPA press release
EPA plans to award up to $1.25 million in grants that enable
teams of college students to research, develop and design
scientific and technical solutions to sustainability challenges
that protect the environment while achieving continued economic
prosperity.
EPA will award as many as 50 grants up to $10,000 each to
student teams. The P3 competition is open to teams of students
attending colleges, universities and other post-secondary
educational institutions. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly
encouraged, including representatives from multiple engineering
departments and/or departments of chemistry, architecture,
industrial design, economics, policy, social sciences, business,
communication, etc.
Proposals must reach EPA by December
21, 2006. Application procedures and materials for
this year's grants: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2007/2007_p3_4thannual.html
Details about the P3 competition: http://www.epa.gov/P3.
Contact: Suzanne Ackerman, (202) 564-4355 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov
Job Opportunities
Assistant Professor - Crop Production/Physiology,
University Of Florida
The Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of
Florida is accepting applications for a tenure-track Assistant
Professor position in Horticultural Crop Production/Physiology,
in Gainesville, Florida. This is a 12-month appointment, 50%
research:50% teaching, although the assignment may change
in accordance with the needs of the department.
The incumbent will establish and lead an externally funded
statewide research program in an area of horticultural crop
production, such as nutrient management, sustainable production
systems, and/or plant management systems. He or she will also
team-teach courses in Introductory Horticulture and Organic/Sustainable
Production Practices, as well as train graduate students.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in horticulture, crop science,
plant science, or a closely related area. Post-doctoral experience
is desirable. The incumbent must have demonstrated skills
in verbal and written communication. Send a pdf file containing
curriculum vitae, a one page description of teaching philosophy
and research interests, and names and addresses (including
email) of five references to Dr. Rebecca Darnell, rld@ufl.edu.
Review of applications will begin immediately and it is anticipated
that interviews will begin in early December.
Editor for Haworth Press and The
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
Haworth Press, Inc. and The Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
are looking for an Editor (or Co-Editors) committed to maintaining
a vigorous and influential Editorial Board, to continuing
a thorough and efficient Peer-Review process for submitted
manuscripts, and to developing occasional strong thematic
issues for co-publication as book issues. An Editor will be
expected to network internationally for the purpose of acquiring
strong material in this area and for continuing creative Editorial
Development (e.g., columns, features). Editorial freedom is
considerable and should reflect the sustainable agriculture
community's needs and interests. High energy, productive professional
relationships, and timely submissions are essential.
Interested candidates are asked to send their curriculum
vitae and their questions by the closing date of October 15,
2006 to the following address:
Eric M. Kushmeder, Assistant Editor; Agriculture & Food
Science Technology
The Haworth Press, Inc.
37 West Broad Street, West Hazleton, PA 18202
Voice: 570-459-5933 ext. 322
Website http://www.haworthpress.com
E-mail: ekushmeder@haworthpress.com
In the Literature
Proceedings from Organic Symposium
Released
From Plant Management Network press release
A number of USDA agencies, in conjunction with other organizations
in the public and private sectors, sponsored a symposium last
fall to explore organic agriculture. The proceedings of the
symposium, Organic Agriculture: Innovations in Organic
Marketing, Technology, and Research, is now available
through Crop Management, www.cropmanagement.org,
an online journal of the Plant Management Network. The proceedings
may be found at http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/cm/symposium/organics/
A total of 18 presentations across six themes are explored,
including 1) challenges remaining in the organic sector, 2)
producer options and obstacles, 3) market growth, 4) the training
of farmers and other agricultural professionals, 5) measuring
and communicating the benefits of organic farming, and 6)
research.
New Book Published on Global Issues
in Organic Agriculture
Organic Agriculture: a global perspective, edited by Paul
Kristiansen, Acram Taji, and John Reganold, was published
in June 2006 by CSIRO Publishing, Australia. The book presents
a global view of the development of organic agriculture.
Chapter 1 is downloadable from website, from which you can
also order the book for AU $150.00. http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/21/pid/5325.htm
Research Findings
Study Shows Organic Grain More
Profitable
than Conventional in Minnesota
From ARS press release
It looks like Minnesota grain farmers could make more money
by switching to organic grain crops. That's the conclusion
of a four-year study announced this summer at the American
Agricultural Economics Association's annual meeting.
David W. Archer, an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) economist,
and Hillarius Kludze, an ARS soil scientist, presented a paper
describing the study. The study was unusual in that it analyzed
both economic risks and transition effects of switching to
organic farming.
Archer and Kludze compared an organic corn-soybean rotation
and an organic corn-soybean-spring wheat/alfalfa rotation--half
grown with conventional tillage and half with strip tillage--with
a corn-soybean rotation using conventional tillage. Strip
tillage involves tilling only the middle of the seedbed. The
scientists found that when strip tillage is used with organic
farming, one of the transition risks is an increase in weeds
until farmers learn to manage the system.
A report on this study may be read on the web at:
ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/36450000/Products-Reprints/2006/1338.pdf
Resources
New Australasian Organic Research
Journal Started
A new organic research journal, the Journal of Organic Systems,
has been started by a group of organic leaders based in Australia
and New Zealand. The first issue of the journal features an
article on organic beef production in Australia by renowned
organic researcher Els Wynen, and an article on extension
agent collaboration in redesigning organic systems by Stuart
B. Hill, Foundation Chair of Social Ecology at the University
of Western Sydney.
The first issue may be read on-line at http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/index.html
New ATTRA Publication on the
Conservation Security Program and Organic Farms
Jeff Schahczenski has authored a new ATTRA publication that
describes a Montana organic farmer's experience enrolling
in the Conservation Security Program, titled Organic Farming:
A Valuable Conservation System. Contact the author for a copy
by email at jeffs@ncat.org.
New Zealand Crop & Food Research Launch Organic
Manual
From press release
New Zealand Crop & Food Research has launched a science-based
reference book, Plant Protection in Organic Arable and Vegetable
Crops--A Grower’s Resource.
The editor of A Grower's Resource, Crop & Food Research
entomologist Dr. David Teulon, said there is an increasing
interest in New Zealand in growing crops sustainably, but
until now information has been scattered across numerous resources.
Conventional farmers are also looking for ways of reducing
chemical inputs and so increasing the sustainability of their
operation, he said.
A key objective for the authors was to ensure that all information
is based on scientific principles, and all statements are
supported by literature references. The book covers nine vegetable
crops--asparagus, brassicas, capsicums, carrots, onions, process
peas, potatoes, squash and tomatoes.
Available for purchase through https://secure.crop.cri.nz/cart/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=63
($59.95 NZ)
[This book is reviewed critically in the first edition of
the Journal of Organic Systems.]
New Publication Highlights Successful
Farming Systems
From SAN press release
Farmers and ranchers seeking to learn more about profitable
and practical agricultural systems will find a wealth of ideas
from 2006/07 SARE Highlights, a free publication now available
from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program.
The 2006/07 Highlights features 12 of the most innovative
research projects funded by SARE, which awards grants to promote
farming and ranching systems that are profitable, environmentally
sound, and good for people and communities.
2006/07 SARE Highlights is the latest of a series of publications
that feature the most creative research funded by SARE. Download
the entire publication at www.sare.org/publications/highlights.htm.
To order free print copies, visit www.sare.org/Webstore,
call 301/504-5411, or email san_assoc@sare.org.
Agricultural educators may place orders for print copies in
quantity at no cost.
Meetings
Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
Fall Conference
October 10-11, 2006, Santa Nella, California.
This meeting will feature a processor panel, a consumer panel,
and a presentation on the National ID Program featuring speakers
from Chico State and the CA Department of Agriculture.
The meeting is free to organic and transitioning dairy producers
in the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Montana,
Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Texas,
and Wyoming (limit of two free registrations per farm).
For a conference brochure, go to http://www.tilthproducers.org/WODPA_COnf06_brov7.pdf
For more information, contact Ward Burroughs, 209-874-1309
or Sharon Sinko, 541-396-2409, or email: mcdairy@koalas.com
2nd Annual Organic Growers Conference
November 2-3, 2006, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
Woodbury County and the Organic Grassfed Beef Coalition are
teaming up to present this conference, which will have a different
focus each day: November 2nd will focus on all types of organic
systems including the Woodbury County Regional organic food
systems; and November 3rd will focus on organic grass-based
systems with Jerry Brunetti and Doug Gunnink.
Woodbury County, Iowa, is the first (and so far only) county
in the U.S. to offer tax rebates to farmers who make the transition
to organic production.
For more information on the conference and on Woodbury County's
organic-friendly policies, please visit Woodbury
County Iowa's website
Or call Rob Marqusee at 712-279-6609, or Angela Jackson-Pridie
at 605-638-0748.
Tilth Producers of Washington
Annual Conference and
Farming for Food Quality Symposium
From press release
November 10-12, 2006, Vancouver, Washington.
This conference builds on three decades of efforts to transform
agriculture in Washington State. Participants are presenting
ideas, celebrating accomplishments and furthering efforts
to strengthen the Tilth sustainable agriculture movement in
the Pacific Northwest. For more information about the conference,
visit the website at www.tilthproducers.org/conference.htm,
or contact Nancy Allen, 206-442-7620, or email: nancy@tilthproducers.org.
The Tilth conference will be preceded by a day-long symposium
on Nov. 10, Farming for Food Quality, which brings researchers
from around the region together to discuss the ways in which
farming practices impact the nutritional value of food. Speakers
include Alex Stone, Chuck Benbrook, Carlo Leifert, Jan Busboom,
Stephen Jones, Kevin Murphy, Preston Andrews, Neal Davies,
John Reganold, and David Granatstein. Cost: $45 (including
lunch). For more information, visit website at www.tilthproducers.org/conf06-spec.htm#frisym,
or call Carol Miles at 360-576-6030 X 20, or email: milesc@wsu.edu.
Oregon Tilth’s Annual Conference
From press release
November 17-18, 2006, Salem, Oregon.
This year the conference theme is Feeding the Future. Over
300 consumers, producers, retailers and organizations are
expected for this fantastic two-day event. For details, visit
the conference web page at http://www.tilth.org/conference/index.html
Calls for Papers
For Special Issue of Community
Development:
A Journal of the Community Development Society
From press release
This special issue of Community Development commissions
papers that focus on connecting community development and
sustainable agriculture. Please submit abstracts for papers
to Jeff Jordan, University of Georgia (jjorand@uga.edu)
and to Bo Beaulieu, Southern Rural Development Center (ljb@srdc.msstate.edu)
in MS Word format as an email attachment by October
1, 2006.
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This is the 13th in a series of occasional bulletins providing
selected information on organic research programs, positions,
funding, and reports, as well as news about SCOAR itself.
These reports are sent via email to registered SCOAR participants.
Your feedback is welcomed. Send comments to jane@ofrf.org |
