office, Author at Organic Farming Research Foundation

Assessment of Nitrogen Flows on Diversified Organic Farms: A Road Toward Enhancing Soil Health from the Ground Up

Timothy Bowles, Assistant Professor of Agroecology, UC Berkeley

Soil health is a central part of organic farm management. This project seeks to determine how diversification practices such as crop rotations and cover crops that build soil health influence nitrogen availability from soil organic matter. This is particularly important to consider when determining the timing and choice of organic fertilizer application on diversified organic farms. The goal of this project is to provide farmers in Yolo County, California—an area with a high concentration of diversified farms—with both technical support and a community of practice that allows for more informed decision-making about nutrient management.

Impact: More precise information for making informed decisions about fertilizer application, ultimately reducing added costs and environmental impacts associated with nutrient losses from organic fertilizers.

SEE FULL GRANT

By office|2020-07-22T18:29:42+00:00September 30th, 2019|Grant Award|

Evaluating Benefits of Winter Annual Cover Crop Systems for Organic Sweet Potato in North Carolina

Alex Woodley, Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University

Despite a steady demand for organic sweet potatoes in North Carolina, marketable yield often does not reach the yield potential for this region due to challenges in weed, insect, and soil fertility management. Weed proliferation and soil borne pests such as wireworm have been identified as two areas of concern. Using a roller-crimper modified to work on raised beds, this research will assess the viability of winter cover crops seeded onto autumn formed beds and terminated in the spring as effective tools for weed control. The researchers will also determine if there is a trade-off of including cover crops in rotation by potentially providing improved overwintering conditions for wireworms, and if this translates into increased root damage and marketable yield losses. Lastly, by embedding increasing rates of organic nitrogen fertilizer in each cover crop treatment, they will determine if this management practice requires modification to nutrient recommendations.

Impact: Innovative weed, insect, and soil fertility management options to help increase organic sweet potato yields.

See full grant

By office|2020-09-09T20:31:20+00:00September 30th, 2019|Grant Award|

OFRF Planted the Seed and a Research Network Grew

Nothing says summer like fresh picked sweet corn. That’s why organic farmers consider it crucial for attracting customers to their market stands and CSAs. However, farmers growing sweet corn in cool climates face unique challenges. They need varieties with superior cold germination, disease and pest resistance, early vigor to out-compete weeds, and of course, flavor.

When Martin Diffley couldn’t find an organic sweet corn variety that would tolerate his Minnesota farm’s cool soils, he contacted Dr. Bill Tracy in the Department of Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin for help. The university was working on sweet corn breeding and the meeting with Diffley led to a grant proposal to OFRF requesting funding to conduct trials on Diffley’s farm. In 2008, OFRF awarded Tracy and his team a $14,795 grant for a participatory plant breeding project to improve sweet corn for organic farmers in cool climates. This initial grant led to several additional research projects with significant impacts in the world of organic seed breeding and an important research network that continues today.

The effect of OFRF’s grant program is like one kernel of corn. A single seed grows into multiple cobs and from there it grows organically and exponentially. From one seed arises the potential for so much sustenance.

Tracy worked with three organic farmers to evaluate a methodology for participatory plant breeding to improve farmer skills and involvement in on-farm breeding. The farmers who partnered with Tracy gained the skills to initiate and manage on-farm breeding projects themselves and have been sharing this knowledge with other growers through organic breeding workshops.

OFRF grants to researchers at the Organic Seed Alliance in Port Townsend, Washington in 2010 (Micaela Colley, $15,000) and 2011 (Jared Zystro, $12,000) funded the development of a toolkit to help farmers and researchers succeed in participatory organic plant breeding projects. Tracy and Diffley collaborated on both projects. Jim Myers at Oregon State University also collaborated on the research. The toolkit they developed is available at seedalliance.org.

OFRF grants paved the way for a new open-pollinated sweet corn variety called, “Who Gets Kissed?” that arrived on the market in 2014. This best-seller yields well, tolerates cool soils, resists common rust and corn smut, and is absolutely delicious. Because it’s an open-pollinated variety, growers can save and select seed from their “Who Gets Kissed?” harvests to adapt the variety to their own conditions and market needs.

The new variety is just one of the positive outcomes of the work that grew from OFRF’s initial grant.

Funding innovative work at the early stages becomes enhanced and very impactful when researchers are able to continue to work at a larger scale. Outcomes from the OFRF-funded projects helped leverage $2.3M in funding from USDA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) to establish the Northern Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC). The research collaborators include Dr. Bill Tracy and Dr. Erin Silva from the University of Wisconsin; Dr. Jim Myers and Lane Selman from Oregon State University; Laurie McKenzie, Micaela Colley, and Jared Zystro from Organic Seed Alliance, and Dr. Michael Mazourek from Cornell University. These researchers engage farmers around four hubs (OR, WA, WI, and NY) in breeding and trialing of a variety of vegetables. Results include a new multiple-disease-resistant tomato “Iron Lady,” several other vegetable varieties, increased markets for varieties that performed well in on-farm trials, as well as many advanced breeding lines with improved tolerance to temperature extremes and other desired traits.

NOVIC Impacts
2 New commercial organic varieties released
8 Crops being developed for organic agriculture
8 Graduate students trained in NOVIC who now work in the organic seed industry
19 States reached with in-depth trainings
40 States where new NOVIC organic varieties have been sold
80 NOVIC events and presentations

With another OREI grant of $2M, NOVIC II continues working to improve the profitability of organic farmers and the quality of organic produce for consumers.

Public funding such as OREI—and private funding from organizations like OFRF—are critical to training the next generation of scientists and developing new talent.

The future success of organic agriculture depends on breeders, who will work to develop new varieties for organic and low-external-input systems. Unfortunately, according to Rural Advancement International, public plant breeding programs have been reduced by a third in recent years. Three private firms now control more than half of the global seed market, up from 22 percent in 1996. This is troublesome as the private sector will focus mainly on researching and developing major commodity crops such as corn and soybeans, while ignoring more diversified crops such as fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Tracy and his colleague Dr. Erin Silva, an Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist, recently spoke at a Congressional briefing in Washington, DC about the impact public investment in organic research is having on both organic and conventional farmers. Dr. Silva received a $20,000 grant from OFRF in 2016 to research how symbiotic microbes increase plants’ access to vital nutrients. Tracy and Silva join OFRF and other organic stakeholders in supporting the bipartisan Organic Agriculture Research Act, which would raise funding for OREI in the next Farm Bill from $20 million to $50 million annually.

For nearly three decades, OFRF has been at the forefront of the organic movement. Through our advocacy work we’ve helped shape policies and develop programs that support organic farmers. In 2017, OFRF awarded Tracy and his research team a grant of $3,588 to survey sweet corn growers in the U.S. about their strategies for managing corn earworm. The data will be shared in an extension publication and inform longer-term efforts of developing earwormresistant sweet corn cultivars for organic farmers. OFRF has invested $3.2 million in 337 grants. All of our research results and educational materials are available at ofrf.org

By office|2020-01-08T18:12:49+00:00September 27th, 2019|Case Study|

Stakeholders Meet to Talk Organic Policy Stakeholders Meet to Talk Organic Policy

By Haley Baron, Education and Research Program Associate

September 24, 2019 – On September 18th and 19th, I had the privilege of joining CCOF staff and 13 other stakeholders at Paicines Ranch in Paicines, CA to discuss policy recommendations that will help build an organic California. Through facilitated discussion over the two days, we shared our perspectives on CCOF’s proposed policy initiatives and learned about one another across sectors. Our group was made up of farmers, social justice advocates, academics, legislators, agency staff, and leaders of membership organizations. The goal of the gathering was for CCOF to hear our opinions, experiences, and priorities before moving forward with future policy initiatives.

The event began on Wednesday afternoon with a farm tour of the majestic Paicines Ranch by Sallie Calhoun, owner of Paicines Ranch. We walked the grounds and learned about the innovative ways they are farming and ranching. Their mission is to find creative techniques to build healthy soils through certified organic rangeland, row crops, and vineyards. After the tour, we came together for a beautiful outdoor dinner to get to know one another before starting our big day of discussions.

On the second day, we were ready to get to work. The policies we discussed looked at how to solve a number of pressing issues that California faces—pesticide usage near schools, land preservation, beginner organic farmer support, organic research and training funding, and much more. Despite our diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives, we came together as a group to find common ground and think through our differences.

It was an inspiring two days of sharing in a community that rarely has the opportunity to meet. Thank you to CCOF for putting in the time and effort to create space to truly hear the opinions of others. Our gathering proved that the more you work with those around you, the more likely the success of positive policy change.

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18+00:00September 24th, 2019|News|

2016 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA)

Download the Report

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18+00:00September 23rd, 2019|Uncategorized|

OFRF Grants: Participatory Plant Breeding for Organic Whole Grains

Field crops such as wheat, which are grown on large-scale acreage, present organic growers with unique challenges in managing weeds, pests, and fertility. Dr. Stephen Jones, a professor at Washington State University and Director of the WSU Bread Lab, received OFRF research grants between 2001 and 2003 in support of his development of organic wheat varieties. Jones and his team have produced wheat with higher than typical levels of iron and other micronutrients.

Dr. Kevin Murphy, who is also a professor at WSU, received an OFRF grant in 2010 for his farmer-based evolutionary participatory plant breeding project for organic quinoa, buckwheat, and spelt. Murphy’s webinar, Organic Quinoa Production, continues to be a valuable resource for farmers interested in the basics of quinoa production.

Murphy received another grant from OFRF in 2014 in support of his work to identify barley breeding lines most adapted to organic farmers in Washington State and Northern Idaho. This project includes an elite team of chef collaborators that are working with the research team and farmers to test flour from the different barley lines for both performance and flavor.

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18+00:00September 18th, 2019|Case Study|

Research Explores Biological Control Against Fusarium Pathogens in Corn

The pathogenic fungus Fusarium threatens the integrity of corn crops in the form of blights and by producing mycotoxins, which can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. Efforts to control its spread are complicated because the fungus often resides in seeds; however, biological control microorganisms offer a promising organic alternative to chemical seed treatments.

In the Fall of 2013, OFRF awarded Lucas Nebert, a PhD candidate at the University of Oregon, a $13,000 grant to explore the use of indigenous seed-inhabiting microorganisms as biological control agents against Fusarium in corn. With field research completed in 2014, Nebert spent most of 2015 processing the seed and plant samples for DNA-based pathogen detection and next-generation DNA sequencing. He submitted his final report to OFRF in January.

Nebert conducted field trials with organic farmers Andrew Still and Sarah Kleeger of Adaptive Seeds, and Jeff Bramlett and Carri Heisler of Pitchfork and Crow. The collaborating organic farmers grow Cascade Ruby-Gold, a hardy, open-pollinated flint corn variety that was bred and adapted to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The farms, which were not afflicted with noticeable Fusarium pathogen pressure, were used to test the overall health of treated plants, and the persistence of microbial inoculants across generations. Ultimately, the goal was for the methods employed in this research to be transferrable to other local efforts for preventative management of seed-borne diseases.

“With the advent of better DNA methods such as next-generation DNA sequencing, we are able to study microbial ecology for more depth and clarity than ever before,” said Nebert. “In agriculture, we can use this technology to understand how practices affect the composition and integrity of microbial communities in the soil and inside our crops.”

While research into seedborne microbes is still in its infancy, Nebert and his team hope to generate more interest with the Community Research Network, which enables OP corn seed growers to submit seeds for microbial community analysis. To date, they have received 70 seed samples from over a dozen corn varieties, which are being processed in parallel with seed and crown samples from the OFRF funded experiment. This larger data set, which includes over 10 million DNA sequences, will enable Nebert to conduct broader experiments across cultivars, geographies and farming methods. The data will be shared freely online.

The University of Oregon granted Nebert a full-year fellowship for 2015-2016 to expand the Community Research Network and develop a business or non-profit for testing seedborne microbes. “We will continue to take the methods and insights we learned from the OFRF funded project to build capacity for larger-scale testing of microbes,” said Nebert.

Conclusions from the study are available in Nebert’s report: Managing indigenous seed-inhabiting microbes for biological control against Fusarium pathogens in corn.

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18+00:00September 16th, 2019|Case Study|

Panetta Joins OFRF Field Day at UCSC

September 9, 2019 – On September 3^rd, OFRF hosted a research field day at the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden. Researchers and others from UCSC joined OFRF to talk with Congressman Jimmy Panetta about the highly innovative organic research taking place there, throughout his district, and across the U.S.

Carol Shennan, Professor and Head Researcher at the Shennan Lab began the tour with an introduction to her research on anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), an alternative to using harmful fumigants such as methyl bromide. Dr. Shennan learned about ASD from colleagues in the Netherlands and Japan and wanted to try it here. Seed grants from OFRF were instrumental in helping Shennan and her team secure funding from the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) totaling $10.5 million to date. “OFRF provided the seed funding to start this research and that allowed us to apply for larger grants,” explained Shennan. “It’s very hard to get funding unless you have initial data, but it takes money to get that initial data and that’s where OFRF has been really helpful. The OREI program has been so important. It allowed us to do things that we could then expand in multiple directions.”

Just twelve years ago the idea that you could grow strawberries without methyl bromide was very ingrained. Today, it’s a different story. The amount of strawberries grown organically in California has gone from 0% thirty years ago to 13% currently, and the good news is that percentage should continue to increase. “Fumigants are one of the biggest culprits in pesticide drift issues, from a human health perspective as well as an ecological perspective, reduced fumigant use is a good thing,” emphasizes Shennan. ASD is used on 2000 acres of strawberries in California and is being tested for its application in strawberry nurseries, apple, almond, vegetable, and flower production systems in the U.S.

Congressman Panetta was able to witness first-hand the exciting work being done at UCSC and the economically viable alternatives to fumigants this research is providing. He acknowledged the importance of continuing support for organic research and extension not just for organic farmers, but those thinking about transitioning, in the process of transitioning, or looking to adopt more sustainable farming practices such as cover cropping.

Thank you to everyone at UCSC for participating in the field day!

Joji Muramoto, Cooperative Extension Organic Production Specialist at University of California Cooperative Extension

Stacy Philpot, Professor Alfred & Ruth Heller Chair in Agroecology

Daryl Wong, Farm Site and Research Lands Manager of CASFS

Daniel Press, Associate Dean of Social Sciences, Professor and Executive Director of Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems

Katharyne Mitchell, Dean of Social Sciences

Chantal Waite, Laboratory & Field Assistant at the Shennan Lab

Special thanks to Rod Koda from Shinta Kawahara Farm for joining us!

Photos by Kelsey Grimsley & Vicki Lowell

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18+00:00September 9th, 2019|News|

Musings from the Office of Partnership Development

September 6, 2019 – by Lola Dannehl-Schickman, Development and Partnerships Manager, OFRF

Introducing OFRF’s Featured Partner: OGEE

This month, I’m excited to highlight one of OFRF’s close partners, OGEE. An award-winning, 100% organic, cosmetic company, OGEE became OFRF’s first co-venture partner in 2016. Co-venture partnerships offer organic companies the opportunity to use OFRF branding on their products. By using our logo in their marketing, companies let consumers know they are dedicated to supporting the organic farmers who make their products possible. OFRF only offers this type of opportunity to companies with the highest organic integrity and we are proud of our partnership with OGEE.

Ten years before creating OGEE, Abbott Stark was making products for some of the world’s largest beauty brands. Stark witnessed firsthand the beauty industry’s reliance on petroleum-based conventional ingredients (which come with an extensive list of health concerns) as well as artificial and synthetic production processes that are resource-intensive.

Stark learned very early on in the beauty industry that much of what we apply to our skin is absorbed into the body. Already a health-conscious consumer who prioritized eating organic, Stark began applying the same criteria to beauty products as he did to his food. Unfortunately, he could not find brands that were both certified organic and offered the same visible skincare results as conventional brands. In this vacuum of quality organic beauty products, Stark created his own. “I decided to create a product that I wanted to use myself AND that I was proud to share with my mother, my sisters, and my friends,” says Stark.

OGEE hit the beauty scene with a “bang,” receiving accolades from magazines ranging from Allure to Vogue. Although ecstatic with OGEE’s success, Stark believes the organic industry needs a bigger voice to accelerate change, especially in the world of cosmetics and beauty. “It is still impossible to source most of the organic ingredients that we need,” says Stark, “certified organic feedstocks are minimal or completely nonexistent. At the same time, the demand for organic crops has skyrocketed, while the percentage of organic farmland has remained flat.”

That’s why OGEE partners with OFRF. OFRF supports farmers through grant-based research and increases the awareness of the benefits of organic agriculture through education at the federal level. According to Stark, “OFRF’s support for organic and transitioning farmers helps grow the organic supply chain, which directly impacts the accessibility of organic ingredients for companies like us. Finally, when a farmer transitions from conventional to organic, or a consumer switches from purchasing conventional to organic products, we all win because organic is better for our health and the environment we all share.”

If your company is interested in a co-venture partnership, please contact Lola Dannehl-Schickman at lola@ofrf.org.

OGEE strives to create a brand that connects the worlds of luxury and organic. Its founders searched the planet for the newest discoveries in naturally derived ingredients, such as cutting-edge Edelweiss Flower Plant Stem Cells and hero ingredient, certified organic Golden Jojoba Oil to promote healthy aging-well.

With recent articles about the toxicity of talc in most baby powders and absorption of chemical sunscreens at 20x the legal allowable level, we are reminded of the importance of aligning our beauty standards with the standards for selecting food. OGEE sets itself apart with organic certification by the NSF.

With 700% growth in 2018, OGEE delivered certified organic, clinically effective products to new audiences, which the brand celebrated as a huge success because organic farming relieves the toxic burden on the environment on the environment that we all share. Additionally, OGEE relaunched in sustainable glass packaging in 2018.

For more information, visit ogee.com.

Thank you to our 2019 Partners

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:18+00:00September 6th, 2019|News|

New Soil Health and Organic Farming Guide Examines Soil Life

August 27, 2019—It is now widely understood that living healthy soil provides the foundation for successful farming, and supports plant, animal, and human life. However, while the concept of “feeding the soil” has been around for a long time, for many it is still uncharted territory.

To support farmers and ranchers in selecting the best management practices for building soil life and soil health, the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has released the ninth topic in their immensely popular Soil Health and Organic Farming Series of guidebooks and webinars, Understanding and Optimizing the Community of Soil Life.

The goal of this guidebook is to help organic farmers by providing up-to-date, science-based information on:

The soil food web, its key components and functions.
Assessing and monitoring soil life and soil biological condition.
Managing soil life for long term soil health and productivity in organic systems.
Biological management of plant diseases.
Microbial inoculants and biostimulants: whether, when, and how to use them.

“When we first embarked on this project, we hoped that by analyzing the research that’s been conducted over the past thirty years and presenting it in an accessible way, we’d be helping farmers and advancing the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices,” explains Brise Tencer, Executive Director at OFRF. “We had no idea how popular it would be. To date, the guidebooks have been downloaded over 24,000 times and the webinars have been viewed over 8,000 times. These digital resources are free and available to anyone, so we hope they will continue to be shared far and wide.”

The entire Soil Health and Organic Farming series is available to download for free. Limited printed copies are available upon request for a small donation to cover printing costs.

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.

By office|2020-04-01T22:16:01+00:00September 5th, 2019|Press Release|

office

About office

Assessment of Nitrogen Flows on Diversified Organic Farms: A Road Toward Enhancing Soil Health from the Ground Up

Evaluating Benefits of Winter Annual Cover Crop Systems for Organic Sweet Potato in North Carolina

Introducing OFRF’s Featured Partner: OGEE