September 2019 - Page 3 of 3 - Organic Farming Research Foundation

Seeking Abstracts for Organic Agriculture Research Forum

September 4, 2019 –The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Tuskegee University are pleased to announce the 2020 Organic Agriculture Research Forum (OARF) to be presented in partnership with the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) on Thursday, January 23, 2020 in Little Rock, Arkansas, as part of the 2020 SSAWG Conference.

This year’s research forum will feature oral presentations, facilitated round table discussions, and a robust joint poster session with SSAWG. Presenters are invited to submit abstracts for the forum. Oral and poster presentations will be selected based on their innovative excellence, relevance to the research, education, and extension needs and priorities of organic farmers and ranchers, soundness of the methodology used, and the overall scientific quality.

Topics of interest for oral and poster presentations include:

Ecosystem services provided by organic farming systems
Soil health and quality
Biological and cultural practices to manage insects, diseases, and weeds
Holistic animal health and nutrition, and grazing and pasture management systems
Breeding and selection of crops and animals, and seed systems suitable for organic production
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Integration of perennials in organic farming systems and the design of permaculture systems
Value-added production and processing without synthetic food additives and processing aids
Nutritional quality, health benefits, and integrity of organic food
The impact of organic agriculture on rural communities
Economics, marketing, and consumer behavior in organic systems and supply chains
Innovative approaches to teaching organic farming practices
Innovative approaches to transferring knowledge to beginning and transitioning farmers and ranchers
Appropriate methods and practices for food systems and on-farm research
Challenges to begin or transition into organic production systems
Public policies to facilitate the transition to organic farming

Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Abstracts are limited to 300 words and should include the following:

Working title and topic area
Names of the co-authors and contact information
An introduction explaining the context and purpose of the research, methodology, and a brief summary of the results and conclusionsThe deadline for submissions is October 18, 2019. Abstracts should be sent to haley@ofrf.org. Applicants with questions about the forum can call OFRF at 831-426-6606.

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is a non-profit foundation that works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.

Southern SAWG facilitates the development of a more sustainable food and agriculture systems across 13 states in the Southern U.S. Since 1992 they have provided high quality educational materials and training opportunities on sustainable and organic production, marketing strategies, farm management, and community food systems development. Each year the Southern SAWG Conference brings together over 1,000 farmers, researchers, educators, and others in the sustainable agriculture field to share practical tools and information and strengthen their working relationships. The 2020 Southern SAWG conference will take place in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 22-25, 2020.

Tuskegee University has initiated an organic farming program for over 10 years to educate Alabama residents on the health benefits of organic vegetables. The program has grown in recent years to include site specific organic farming research on various vegetable crop varieties and integrated pest management throughout the Southern United States to provide recommendations to organic growers. Dr. Kpomblekou-A has served as director of the program at Tuskegee University since 2016.

Contacts:

Haley Baron, OFRF Education & Research Program Associate
Send abstracts to haley@ofrf.org

Kokoasse Kpomblekou-A, Tuskegee University Director of Organic Farming and Biogas Production
kkpomblekou@tuskegee.edu

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18-05:00September 5th, 2019|News|

Taking Stock of USDA Organic Research Investments 2002–2014

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) reviewed 189 USDA-funded organic research, education, and extension projects supported by the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions (ORG) programs from 2002 to 2014. With $142.2 million invested, these projects advanced knowledge on soil health, crop and livestock management, pest and disease control, and plant breeding.

Farmers were actively engaged in on-farm trials, field days, and advisory roles, ensuring research addressed real-world challenges. Outcomes included new cultivars, management practices, manuals, and digital resources, with many projects laying the groundwork for long-term innovations.

OFRF’s assessment underscores the importance of sustained federal funding, producer engagement, and targeted dissemination to maximize the impact of organic research. Download the full report to explore detailed findings, recommendations, and examples of projects that have shaped modern organic farming.

Download the Report

Download the Executive Summary (6 Pages)

Taking Stock USDA Organic Research Investments 2002-2014_cover

By admin|2026-03-02T11:49:41-05:00September 3rd, 2019|Advocacy, Resource|

Bryan Hager

Owner, Crager Hager Farm

Bryan Hager and his wife Wendy own Crager Hager Farm, a diversified fruit and vegetable farm in Carroll County, Georgia. Crager Hager Farm sells at farmers markets, local restaurants, and to a regional wholesaler. The farm is certified organic and is working to reduce tillage and use permaculture principles. For the past fifteen years Bryan has been working to promote farms and preserve farm land in Carroll county. He is president of the board of Cotton Mill Farmers Market, served on the Carroll County Farmland Preservation Advisory Committee, the board of Farmers Fresh Food Network, and was a member of the Advisory committee for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UGA.

Bryan’s current focus is on improving the sustainability of America’s farming and food system by involving new people in growing food, rebuilding the local food system and developing low impact ways to grow food.

By office|2024-12-18T15:42:49-05:00September 3rd, 2019|Board|

Mike Dill

Director of Advocacy & Sustainability, Organically Grown Company

Mike Dill oversees organic trade advocacy and sustainability for Organically Grown Company, the Northwest’s largest organic produce distributor. He is the lead coordinator for the Organic Produce Wholesalers Coalition, representing organic wholesalers and growers to the National Organic Program, National Organic Standards Board and Legislators. Mike is also Vice-Chair of the Organic Trade Association’s Produce Sector Council and hold seats on the boards of the Oregon Organic Coalition (OOC), Washington’s Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) and the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF).

Mike’s 16 years of experience in the organic trade includes eight years managing food safety, compliance and policy and two years managing stakeholder engagement and advocacy for OGC, along with five years working as an organic inspector, Fair Trade inspector and certification officer for Oregon Tilth. Mike received his Food Science and Technology degree with minors in Horticulture and Chemistry from Oregon State University in 2007.

By admin|2024-12-18T15:41:11-05:00September 1st, 2019|Board|