SCOAR Bulletin No. 27

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.

Highlights of This Isssue

Agency News

Miles McEvoy appointed to lead the National Organic Program

In another advance for organic agriculture at the USDA, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the National Organic Program will become an independent program area within the Agricultural Marketing Service and appointed Miles McEvoy to lead it.

McEvoy has helped ensure the integrity of organic through implementing consistent certification practices for over 20 years. He was the first person hired to lead the Washington State Department of Agriculture's organic certification program in 1988 and has since overseen the growth of that program to one that certifies almost 800 organic farms.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the National Organic Program,” said McEvoy. “It is a big challenge, and I look forward to working with the organic community in implementing the program. Protecting organic integrity will be my number one priority. Thanks to all the organic farmers that are implementing the vision of a sustainable agriculture system that takes care of the land and its people.”

Organic Farming Research Foundation’s Executive Director Bob Scowcroft commented, “Miles has straddled the worlds of business, government, and farmer advocacy with great skill and professionalism. We are happy to see him appointed and look forward to working with him.”

National Organic Standards Board to meet in November

Item courtesy National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

The next meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will occur in Washington, D.C., on November 3-5, 2009. Requests from individuals and organizations wanting to make oral presentations, as well as comments on proposed NOSB recommendations, are due by the close of business on October 19.

At the November meeting, the NOSB will begin and conclude a series of substance reviews, will present its recommendation for a rule change on various definitions and the use of nanotechnology in organic standards, and will present recommendations on the development of more specific standards for the improvement of animal welfare, among other agenda items. The meeting is open to the public and includes time for public presentations. For meeting and agenda information, and for instructions on submitting comments and requesting presentation time, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21610.pdf.

In the Literature

OFRF Organic Research Specialist Jane Sooby and University of Florida horticulture professor Xin Zhao co-authored a response to a letter in the journal Science. To date it has not been published in the journal.

The original letter to Science, “Organics: evidence of health benefits lacking,” by Kate Clancy, Mike Hamm, Allen S. Levine, and Jennifer Wilkins, was published August 7, 2009.

OFRF took issue with the broad conclusions drawn by Clancy et al. and responded with the following letter to Science.

Drawing definitive conclusions about the possible nutritional benefits of organic foods based on analyses of the published literature is premature for the simple reason that so few valid studies, particularly long-term trials, have been conducted to date.

Neither those who advocate for the nutritional superiority of organic food nor those who believe there is no difference have indisputable evidence for their conclusions. Even when screens are applied to select published studies that appear to be statistically valid, a more comprehensive perspective will emerge only as the body of work continues to increase.

Meanwhile, as Clancy et al. admit, there are enough published studies to suggest that organic fruits in particular might have higher levels of phytochemical compounds than those grown conventionally. However, the underlying causes for this possible difference are yet not well understood.

Clancy et al. assert that “cultivar selection may be as important or more important than the production method.” This is a simplistic assessment. A multitude of additional factors could influence phytochemical content in fruits and vegetables, including fruit size, stage of development, ripening level, disease and/or pest pressure, soil conditions, fertilization practices, irrigation, pesticide application, season, location, climatic conditions including light intensity, and post-harvest processing and storage (Zhao et al. 2006).

A larger and perhaps more pertinent question than “Are organic crops nutritionally superior?” is “Is it possible for growers to enhance phytochemical content of their crops using management practices and, if so, how?” Scientists who are studying the nutritional profiles of crops grown under organic and conventional management are taking steps toward answering this question.

Some of the characteristics of research that will be useful in this endeavor include multidisciplinary involvement in project design and data analysis; assessment of crop nutrient content over multiple years; documentation of soil history, soil type, and management practices used; information on cultivars grown, fruit maturity status, fruit size, and harvest procedures; and valid statistical design including replication, randomization, and use of a control.

Xin Zhao
Assistant Professor
Horticultural Sciences Department
University of Florida

Disclosure: Part of Dr. Zhao’s graduate work at Kansas State University was funded by grants from the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

References
Clancy, K., M. Hamm, A.S. Levine, and J. Wilkins. 2009. Organics: evidence of
health benefits lacking. Science. 325:676.

Zhao, X., E.E. Carey, W. Wang, and C.B. Rajashekar. 2006. Does organic production enhance phytochemical content of fruit and vegetables? Current knowledge and prospects for research. HortTechnology 16:449-456.

Research Findings

$16.8 million in Organic Research & Extension Initiative awards announced

The federal Organic Research & Extension Initiative (OREI) has posted the awards made in the 2009 funding cycle. This is the first funding cycle to benefit from the significant increase in funding OREI received in the 2008 Farm Bill. A total of $16.8 million was awarded to 26 projects in 2009. Grant recipients in this cycle include four past OFRF grant recipients: Amy Charkowski, University of Wisconsin; Matthew Dillon, Organic Seed Alliance; Kevin Murphy, Washington State University; and Brian McSpadden Gardner, Ohio State University, Wooster. A total of 8 grants of more than $1 million were awarded.

Meetings

Organic symposium, book release scheduled at Tri Societies

November 2-4, 2009, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Each year the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America and Crop Science Society of America--known as the Tri Societies--hold a joint scientific meeting at a rotating location. The Committee on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture (COSA) is a special committee within the Tri Societies structure. At this year’s Tri Societies meeting, COSA will be sponsoring an organic symposium, roundtable, and poster session.

The symposium will highlight a book newly published by the American Society of Agronomy, Ecology in Organic Farming Systems, which explores the productivity, economics, environmental impact, and social viability of organic agriculture. Edited by Charles A. Francis, University of Nebraska, the book provides a contemporary update in this dynamic field.

Details on the history of organic farming, certification standards, soil fertility and pest management practices, crop rotations, integrated crop/animal systems, economics, and marketing are included as major topics.

The COSA roundtable features Dr. Hugh Campbell discussing organic agriculture in New Zealand. This event, co-sponsored by OFRF, will be followed by a daylong symposium on human ecology and organic farming systems based on the premise that “Organic is both a system of farming and a social movement.” Speakers include scientists (and OFRF grant recipients) Laurie Drinkwater and Kathleen Delate. This symposium is being co-sponsored by the Council on History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Soil Science. Details including abstracts are at COSA organic symposium.

Contact Joseph Heckman, Rutgers State University, COSA chair and symposium organizer, email heckman@aesop.rutgers.edu, phone 732-932-9711 x119.

Tilth Producers of Washington Annual Conference

November 13-15, 2009, Yakima, Washington

Features a keynote by E. Ann Clark, University of Guelph, and a one-day advanced techniques symposium with Amigo Bob Cantisano. For more information, visit Tilth Producers.

Resources

Kerr Center releases guide to organic on-farm processing

The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture has just published a full-color guide to on-farm processing for organic producers. Authored by George Kuepper, Holly Born and Anne Fanatico, the guide is specifically geared toward small and middle-sized organic family farm operations. It provides detailed information on producing sorghum syrup, salad mix, jams, jellies, and spreads, and table eggs. The project was funded by an Organic Farming Research Foundation educational grant. Read it online at Farm Made. For a printed copy, contact the Kerr Center by email, mailbox@kerrcenter.com, or by phone, 918-647-9123.

Economic Research Service analyzes results from the 2007 Census of Agriculture

USDA’s Economic Research Service has prepared a series of graphs based on data from the 2007 Agricultural Census. These graphs show that, among other characteristics, organic operations have a higher share of:

female operators
operators who consider farming their primary occupation
operators who consider their farm to be their primary residence, and
younger operators

2008 Organic Farm Performance report published by Minnesota Ag Department

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has once more summarized the data gathered during the Organic Farm Business Management Project, an educational program that helps farmers make solid business decisions based on their actual expense and income data. Project goals are to document financial performance of organic farms for the farming and lending communities and provide both groups with accurate data on which to make decisions.

On average, 2008 was a profitable year for these farms, but not as profitable as 2007.
Median net farm income was very close to the 2007 level, down just slightly at $56,412.
Average net farm income was $67,392 on sales of $255,581.
Organic farms had an operating profit margin of 22.5% compared to 21.8% for conventional farms.

The report also includes organic crop enterprise analysis tables for alfalfa hay, barley, corn, corn silage, oats, soybeans, spring wheat, and pasture under owned and rented land scenarios, and for organic livestock enterprises.

For further information, contact Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture Organic and Diversification Specialist, phone 651-201-6616, email meg.moynihan@state.mn.us

New organic research summaries on Organic Ecology site

Students presented their organic research at a recent field day at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center. Summaries of the following projects with pictures from the field day are posted on the Organic Ecology website.

Food legumes for organic systems: lentils--Adria Fernandez
The effects of winter rye and hairy vetch cover crop mixtures on organic, no-till vegetable production in Minnesota--Matthew Leavitt
Perennial sunflower and perennial flax breeding program to diversify organic systems--Mikey Kanter with Donald Wyse, Robert Stupar, and Brent Hulke

For more information, contact University of Minnesota Organic Ecology, Jim Riddle, Organic Outreach Coordinator, email riddl003@umn.edu, phone 507-454-8310.

ATTRA posts new publications on energy use and potatoes in organic systems

As part of its series of useful publications for farmers and ranchers interested in alternatives to conventional agriculture, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service has posted four new resources on organic production:

Funding Opportunities

Organic Farming Research Foundation proposal deadline nears

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) will accept organic research and educational proposals through November 16, 2009. OFRF has awarded 290 grants totaling more than $2.3 million in support of organic farming research and education projects since 1990.

OFRF seeks to fund research projects that address production challenges in organic systems. Farmer/rancher participation, taking a systems approach, and using a valid experimental design are high priorities to the OFRF board in selecting research projects.

Educational projects should be directed toward developing educational opportunities or materials for organic and/or transitioning farmers and ranchers.

For more information on applying for a grant, refer to OFRF’s Requests for Applications online at apply to OFRF. If you have additional questions, you may contact OFRF Organic Research Specialist Jane Sooby by e-mail at jane@ofrf.org, or phone 831-426-6606.

Conservation Stewardship Program offers research funding

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), a comprehensive working lands program that rewards farmers for practices that improve natural resources and the environment, offers funds for two types of “special projects”: on-farm pilot studies and on-farm research and demonstration.

This is an excellent opportunity for organic producers and researchers to leverage federal funds to demonstrate the environmental benefits of organic farming systems or to conduct on-farm research focused on determining the value of conservation practices.

To apply, review the Conservation Stewardship Self-Screening Checklist and the Conservation Program Activity List. If you think CSP is right for you, fill out the Conservation Stewardship Program Application and turn it in to your local NRCS office. Applications must be completed by September 30, 2009, to be considered for the 2009 funding pool.

CSP is available on tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land in all 50 States and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands Areas. The program provides equitable access to all producers, regardless of operation size, crops produced, or geographic location.

North Central SARE Announces 2009 Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals

Adapted from press release

The 2009 North Central Region--Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now available.

Farmers and ranchers in the North Central Region are invited to submit grant proposals for projects to explore sustainable agriculture solutions to problems on the farm or ranch. Projects should emphasize research or education/demonstration. Grants can range from $6,000 for individual farmers up to $18,000 for groups of three or more farmers.

Contact: Joan Benjamin, North Central SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, email jbenjamin2@unl.edu, phone 402-472-0809 or 800-529-1342.

This is the 27th 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

Please send your research reports and other information for inclusion in the bulletin. Send content and comments to jane@ofrf.org