Organic Farming Research Foundation -- Home

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.

The new CSREES Horticultural National Program Leader position has significant responsibilities for organic research. See Job Opportunities.

Upcoming Request for Applications for $30 million Specialty Crops Research Initiative. See Funding Opportunities.

University of California opens olive research center, plans organic olive orchard
Adapted from UC Davis Olive Center Bulletin, May 2008
The University of California at Davis has opened a new olive research center and will be planting a certified organic olive orchard as a showcase for the university. Olive Center director Dan Flynn reports that the orchard will occupy two acres and be certified by CCOF.

Organic research at the Center will include sensory research and cost-and-return studies on organic olive production.

Other plans for the center include installing an olive mill so that oil can be made on campus and conducting a new survey of olive producers to determine their needs.

The Center held an olive short course in April 2008 that was well attended. Last year, the University published an Organic Olive Production Manual written by long-time olive extension educator Paul Vossen. (Ordering information is available by calling 530-757-8304, or online at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/AgriculturalProduction/3505.aspx.)

For more information, contact Dan Flynn, Executive Director, UC Davis Olive Center, email jdflynn@ucdavis.edu or phone 530-754-9301.

Cavigelli, M., J.R. Teasdale, and A.E. Conklin. 2008. Long-term agronomic performance of organic and conventional field crops in the Mid-Atlantic region. Agronomy J. 100:785-794.

This paper reports the results of a 10-year comparison study conducted at the USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. The study “was established to evaluate the sustainability of organic and conventional cropping systems” and compares two conventional systems and three organic systems with increasingly complex rotations. In general, the organic plots did not fare well in the study: yields of organic corn averaged 59-76% of conventional and organic soy averaged 81% of conventional yields. Organic wheat performed better, yielding the same as conventional wheat.

The investigators point to higher organic yields in the longer rotation treatment and conclude that “corn yield among organic systems generally increased with increasing crop rotation length and complexity.” Unfortunately they do not present an in-depth discussion of the factors within the longer rotation that might contribute to these relatively higher yields.

Cavigelli et al. conducted multiple regression analysis to demonstrate that, of the factors contributing to lower organic yields in corn, low N availability contributed to 70-75%, weed competition contributed to 21-25%, and plant population contributed to 3-5%. In soybean, weed competition accounted for 100% of the difference between organic and conventional yields.

These results confirm what organic farmers have reported for years: that weeds and fertility management are their number one production issues. We hope that the Beltsville team now will move beyond the comparison study and further investigate the dynamics of the organic systems.

ARS releases new hairy vetch variety for colder climates; publishes guide to using cover crop mulches
Adapted from an article by Don Comis, Agricultural Research, April 2008
Used as an overwintering cover crop that can provide one-third to one-half of a subsequent crop’s nitrogen, hairy vetch’s range has thus far been limited to areas south of Maryland. After nine years of effort, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) geneticist Thomas Devine has developed a new winter-hardy and early blooming hairy vetch that can be grown in a larger area of the Northeast. Called ‘Purple Bounty,’ the variety’s seed is being increased this year and should be available commercially in 2009. ARS is promoting Purple Bounty as being well-suited for organic production because it was developed using traditional breeding methods.

Hairy vetch may be managed both as a nitrogen source and as a mulch that smothers out weeds. A useful guide to using hairy vetch in tomato production was published by ARS in 2007. This guide describes the hairy vetch system in detail and provides information on how to adapt the concept to other vegetable crops. The guide is Sustainable Production of Fresh-Market Tomatoes and Other Vegetables with Cover Crop Mulches, by Aref A. Abdul-Baki and John R. Teasdale. Download it for free from http://www.ars.usda.gov/IS/np/SustainableTomatoes2007/TomatoPub.pdf

Keep in mind that a study published in 2004 showed that tomatoes grown after a hairy vetch cover crop lived longer, had reduced disease incidence, and delayed leaf senescence compared to tomatoes grown under plastic mulch. The investigators found that hairy vetch in some way switched on protective metabolic pathways in the tomato plants. This is one scientific paper well worth reading. Kumar, V., D.J. Mills, J.D. Anderson, and A.K. Mattoo. 2004. An alternative agriculture system is defined by a distinct expression profile of select gene transcripts and proteins. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 101:10535-10540. http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/101/29/10535

ATTRA revises organic garlic production guide
Text from ATTRA website
Garlic is a cool-season crop grown in most regions of the U.S. This publication, significantly updated in 2008, addresses most aspects of organic garlic production including seed sources, organic fertility management, pest management, and harvesting and storage. Marketing and economic considerations, including enterprise budgets for organic garlic production, are also addressed in this publication. Download Garlic: Organic Production at http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/garlic_organic_production

Organic comic book reveals “mysteries of organic farming”
ATTRA has published the first volume of The Organic Chronicles, a comic book introduction to basics of organic farming. A conventional farmer enters an altered state and meets a “good bug” who shrinks the farmer so that he can “Use small eyes to see big ideas,” then gives him a tour of the soil ecosystem. An entertaining publication that presents concepts and facts about organic farming in an accessible way, it is published in both English and Spanish. I hope that #2 is inked in color! Link to English version: http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/summaries/chronicles.html Link to Spanish version: http://www.attra.org/espanol/resumenes/cronicas.html

The Organic Summit
June 25-27, Boulder, Colorado
Text from Organic Summit website
The Organic Summit provides a forum for vital education and robust discussion among leaders, executives, and thought influencers in the organic community. This year’s theme is Cultivating Innovation and Transparency in the Organic Community. One of the sessions at the Summit will be “New Organic Knowledge — the Impact and Future of Organic Research.” The session will feature Molly Jahn, Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Tim LaSalle, Chief Executive Officer, Rodale Institute; and Jessica Lundberg, Chairwoman, Lundberg Family Farms. The session will be moderated by Mark Lipson, Senior Policy Analyst, Organic Farming Research Foundation.

The Organic Summit is presented by New Hope Natural Media in partnership with the Organic Farming Research Foundation. For more information, please go to http://www.theorganicsummit.com/ or call OFRF, 831-426-6606.

16th IFOAM Organic World Congress
June 18 –20, Modena, Italy
Edited from press release issued by IFOAM
The 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress ‘Cultivate the Future’ which will take place this month is based on the Principles of Organic Agriculture – Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care.

Genetically Modified Organisms, GMO’s, not allowed in organic agriculture, stay subject to debate. The newest techniques and their impacts will be shared as well as advocacy strategies against GMO’s and organic farmers’ daily practices in a world where unfortunately GMO’s are grown. To make the shift to the positive, one afternoon will deal with viable seed for organic agriculture, an opportunity to exchange experiences from participatory plant breeding projects and seed saving initiatives.

The conference will close with reflections from the plenary speakers on the Principles of Organic Agriculture. Vandana Shiva will give feedback on what she learned during the Congress on the Principle of Ecology, and Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher will do so for the Principle of Care. Frances Moore Lappé and Howard Shapiro respectively will reflect upon the Principles of Fairness and Health and share with the participants their findings of the Congress that will inspire the participants to ‘Cultivate the Future.’

Heads up on Specialty Crops Research Initiative
Keep your eyes open for USDA’s new Specialty Crops Research Initiative, which will probably release a Request for Applications (RFA) in mid-June with a likely deadline on or around August 1. Think big because $29.8 million will have to be disbursed by Sept. 1. We will send out a special SCOAR bulletin when the RFA is released.

OFRF grant deadline approaches
Again a reminder that the next deadline to apply for an OFRF research or education/outreach grant is July 15, 2008. Thanks to a partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company, OFRF has significant funding available to support organic fruit research and education/outreach projects. Please note: after July, the next deadline to submit a proposal to OFRF will be November 17, 2008, a change from the December deadline OFRF has had in the past. To read the Requests for Proposals and supplemental materials, visit http://ofrf.org/grants/apply.html. For further information, contact OFRF’s organic research specialist Jane Sooby at jane@ofrf.org, phone 831-426-6606.

7th Annual UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference
July 31-Aug. 3, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Text adapted from conference website
The California State University (CSU), California Community College (CCC) and University of California (UC) systems have convened the Sustainability Conference since 2001 for the exchange of best practices between people engaged in or seeking to learn more about campus sustainability. This year's conference seeks to highlight successful examples of projects implemented in the following areas: Curriculum and Research / Energy / Food Systems / Green Building / Institutionalizing Sustainability / Procurement and Sustainable Business Practices / Transportation / Waste Reduction and Recycling / Water, Agriculture and Landscaping. Call for posters has been extended to June 30. Student scholarships available. For more information, http://sustainability.calpoly.edu

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) National Program Leader, Horticulture
It is highly significant that CSREES has created this position with specific responsibilities in the organic realm. We encourage any interested readers to apply.
Text excerpted from full job announcement
MAJOR DUTIES: The incumbent provides multi-disciplinary leadership to national level programs and projects in conjunction with the federal research and extension agenda as it relates to agricultural and consumer horticulture. One of the major responsibilities of this position will be to provide leadership for the Agency's organic agriculture programs and activities. Both individually and in collaboration with a team of CSREES National Program Leaders, the incumbent conceives, formulates, and executes programs and activities; administers and manages programs; and evaluates and assesses the quality and outcome of a broad, multi-disciplinary portfolio of research, education, and extension programs in plant production and protection.

In the key word search, type in the vacancy announcement number: CSREES-2008-0043. Closing date is July 7.

Coordinator, North Circle Project, Minnesota
Text from job announcement
The Women's Environmental Institute (WEI) located in Almelund, Minnesota, has an AmeriCorps VISTA position for the coordinator of the North Circle Project, a project aimed at working with local farmers in East Central Minnesota to create a sustainable organic farming community and a processing facility for value-added North Circle organic products. Deadline for application is June 10, 2008. The project is in its third year of development and this year the position begins August 8, 2008, and ends August 7, 2009. The possibility of on-site year-long residency at WEI is negotiable. WEI is located 65 miles north of the Twin Cities.

SARE Communications/Outreach Position
Edited from job announcement
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program works nationwide to advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities. It is primarily a grantmaking organization. Since its inception in 1988, the program has funded nearly 4,000 research, education, outreach and community development projects to advance sustainable practices and innovations in American agriculture.

SARE's National Outreach Office, located in Beltsville, Maryland, analyzes and translates grantees' work into practical, how-to books, bulletins, and fact sheets for farmers, ag educators, NGOs, and other stakeholders involved in sustainable agriculture. SARE Outreach also develops key partnerships with educators, researchers, media, and other stakeholders in order to further advance sustainability in the nation's agriculture.

QUALIFICATIONS:
B.A. in communications/journalism or equivalent experience and/or a B.S. in agricultural or environmental sciences related field, or equivalent work experience. Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent computer skills, including web-based information management, database management and design programs; copyediting experience a plus; and ability to work in a team-based office environment.

This is the 20th in a series of occasional bulletins providing selected information on organic research programs, positions, funding, and reports, as well as news about SCOAR itself. Original items may be reproduced with attribution to OFRF. These reports are sent via email to registered SCOAR participants. For previous bulletins, registration and other information about SCOAR, see http://ofrf.org/networks/scoar.html