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Written by Ashley Dulaney, OFRF’s Communications Director

Ever wonder if your research efforts are truly hitting the mark for the people who need it most? In organic farming, ensuring research translates into real-world practices is crucial. That’s why collaboration with experienced organic farmers is essential. Their deep understanding of the land and innovative approaches are invaluable assets in developing solutions for a more sustainable future.

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) recently organized a panel discussion that brought together five farmers who have collaborated with OREI- and ORG-funded researchers for on-farm research projects. This panel provided a platform for open and insightful conversations, during which the farmers shared vital perspectives on how researchers can foster mutually beneficial partnerships. Below are the key points that researchers should keep in mind when partnering with organic farmers.

1. Meet Farmers Where They Are

Before planning out a research project, connect with farmers in your area to learn more about their research needs and ideas for ongoing collaboration. Not sure where to meet farmers? Many farmers, especially those interested in research, congregate at regional grower conferences.

“Attending grower conferences and workshops allows us to connect with researchers ‘where we are,'” shared Ben McLean of McLean Family Farms. “This genuine connection helps ensure research aligns with the real issues we’re tackling on our farms.”

“It’s about having genuine conversations,” shared former OFRF Board Member Meg Stuedemann of Derrydale Farm. “We love opportunities to get together with other organic farmers. Use that motivation for discussion and idea sharing to bring us together and have a conversation about our daily realities and challenges.”

In addition to attending local farm events, consider conducting in-depth surveys or one-on-one interviews with organic farmers. You can also explore industry publications and online forums frequented by organic farmers to identify common concerns and emerging areas of interest. 

A valuable resource to guide your research is OFRF’s 2022 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) report, informed by surveys and focus groups conducted with over 1,100 certified organic and 71 transitioning-organic farmers and ranchers across North America. Participants in this comprehensive survey detail their most pressing production and non-production challenges, technical assistance needs, and concerns related to organic agriculture. By delving into these resources, you can better understand the issues facing organic farmers today and tailor your research projects to address their specific needs, setting the stage for impactful collaboration.

2. Communication is Key

Transparency and clear expectations are crucial for a successful partnership. Co-create a research plan with the farmers outlining project goals, timelines, farmer involvement levels, and communication protocols. This plan should be a living document, reviewed and adjusted as needed throughout the research process. 

“We appreciate researchers who take a personal touch,” said Sara Pearson of Prairie Sky Farm. “A phone call to discuss the project and answer questions can go a long way compared to impersonal listserv announcements. It shows that you value our time and input.” 

Regularly scheduled meetings (in-person or virtual) ensure everyone is on the same page and address any questions or concerns that may arise.

3. Respect the Farm Flow

As you know, organic farms are busy places! As much as farmers want to engage in cutting-edge research to help shape the future of organic farming, disruptions to daily operations can be a major pain point. When designing research methods, prioritize strategies that minimize this impact and give your partner growers as much lead time as possible. 

“Knowing our farm schedule, like busy planting and harvesting seasons, helps researchers plan data collection activities that don’t disrupt our workflow,” added Ben McLean. “Offering flexible scheduling options for data collection shows they respect our time constraints.” 

Express appreciation for the farmers’ valuable time and prioritize efficient data collection techniques. Where possible, explore collaborative data collection methods to share the workload and facilitate learning for both parties.

4. Foster Mutual Benefits

Do not assume what research topics matter most to the producers in your area. Organic farmers face diverse challenges and opportunities that set them apart from conventional farmers, including obstacles unique to their growing region. Involve farmers in research design discussions from the outset. Allowing them to share their experiences and insights early on ensures the research is practical and addresses their specific needs.

Frame research questions around real-world challenges farmers face, like how to use cover crops to reduce soil compaction or which row spacing and plant densities are best for high organic matter, high fertility, and fast turnover bed systems. By ensuring the research addresses specific needs, you can provide your farmer collaborators with the most valuable knowledge for their operations. 

Offer growers opportunities to co-interpret data and co-author research publications (when appropriate). This practice fosters a sense of ownership and shared accomplishment while equipping them with valuable scientific literacy skills.

5. Transparency Breeds Trust

Develop clear data-sharing agreements with farmers outlining access and ownership rights. This strategy ensures transparency and builds trust throughout the research process. Present research findings in clear, concise language with easy-to-understand visuals and summaries as early as possible.  

“Jargon can be a barrier,” Zachary Paige of North Circle Seeds noted. “Researchers who can convey their findings in a way that resonates with farmers enable us to implement their knowledge in our practices.” 

Host workshops or field days to share findings and facilitate discussions among participating farmers. These events benefit the farmers directly involved in the research and foster knowledge sharing within the broader organic farming community.

6. Build Long-Term Partnerships

While some research may benefit from small-scale plot studies to test specific variables, farmers emphasized the importance of research that translates to real-world farm operations.

“I hear a lot that farmers want to see things done at the farm scale and on the farm,” added Meg Stuedemann. “Organic farming is across time and space. We need more long-term research programs that take this into account.” 

Building long-term partnerships with the same farms across multiple years and research projects allows for a deeper understanding of each other’s work and fosters trust. Open communication and mutual respect are essential for building rapport. Maintain communication between projects through regular updates, invitations to relevant events, and continued dialogue. This approach ensures producers feel valued as collaborators and keeps them engaged in the research process.

7. Recognize and Appreciate

Publicly acknowledge the farmers’ contributions to your research in publications, presentations, and press releases. Consider co-authorship on publications when appropriate and in accordance with academic guidelines. Explore additional ways to show appreciation, such as media exposure or recognition within the organic farming community.

“Knowing our contributions are valued motivates us to continue collaborating with researchers,” Bob Pearson of Prairie Sky Farm shared. “Being acknowledged by our peers for our role in advancing organic farming practices is also very rewarding.”

Following these tips can help researchers build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with organic farmers. This leads to more impactful research that advances organic farming practices and strengthens the organic farming community as a whole. Researchers gain valuable insights from the farmers’ expertise, while farmers benefit from applying research findings to improve their operations and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural future.

Amplify the Impact of Your Research

Researchers, are you looking to maximize the reach and impact of your work? Learn more about OFRF’s research outreach services and how we can help translate your scientific findings into actionable knowledge for organic farmers. Plus, join us in September for an online event exploring successful farmer-researcher collaborations! Stay tuned for details by signing up for our newsletter here.

Today we’re sharing a guest blog post from the Chair of OFRF’s Board of Directors, Keith Richards.

From 1993-2020, Keith worked for the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group where he helped strengthen organic and sustainable farming in the Southern U.S. In his capacity as Program Director, he coordinated thousands of conference sessions and training projects to meet the needs of family farmers and community-based organizations. Prior to his work with Southern SAWG, Keith was the marketing manager for the Ozark Organic Growers Association, a coop of small organic farmers in the Ozarks bioregion. In the 1980s he helped develop a sustainable training farm in mid-Missouri and later managed an organic farm in northern California. He grew up in a farming community in northern Iowa.

Why I Support Organic Farming

As an idealist at heart, I’m attracted to pursuits of perfection and can be drawn into discussions of endless possibilities. But when it comes to giving my time or my money, I’m pretty practical. That’s why I chose a career in sustainable agriculture early on. A healthy agriculture that makes good use of resources and sustains life seems like a “no-brainer” for a civilized society, and it appalls me to see us get it wrong. So I’ve been working for 40 years to make it right. 

It’s also why I support OFRF. This organization is making it easier for farmers to use organic methods by elevating organic research as a priority in our national consciousness, in our universities, and on farms across America. Through research, education and advocacy, OFRF takes a holistic approach that produces practical results in ways that directly help farmers become better stewards and produce safer food. That’s a win for everyone… and something that feeds my idealism.  

For the past 10 years, I’ve contributed to OFRF through annual donations and as a board member, serving as treasurer, and now, as chair of the board. I invite you to join in this exciting work with me. You may not have the time or inclination to serve on the OFRF board, but you can still support our work in ways that fit your giving preference, including:  

• Stocks & Securities (Stock Gift Form)
• IRA Account (page with instructions)
• Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
• Estate Planning (Legacy Gifts)
• Vehicle Donation (careasy link)
• Corporate Matching and Sponsorship (Contact Leah Lawson for more information)

And if the traditional cash donation route is what you prefer, you can always do that on the OFRF website at any time.

I hope you’ll join me in pursuit of organic perfection,

Keith

Written by Mary Hathaway, OFRF’s Research and Education Program Manager, and based on eOrganic Webinar by Dr. Zhao on Adapting and Expanding High Tunnel Organic Vegetable Production for the Southeast

I am excited to share some new research findings on high tunnel production for organic vegetables in the Southeast region. But before we get into those findings, let’s answer a couple of FAQs: what exactly are high tunnels, and why are they important? High tunnels (HTs), sometimes referred to as protected culture systems, are commonly used for season extension and/or production of high-value crops. High tunnels are increasingly being utilized by organic growers for their many benefits, such as crop protection and improved crop quality. While HTs are generally regarded as a tool for production management, they can also aid farmers with risk management and act as a resource conservation practice. 

One reason why high tunnel use may be growing in popularity is the availability of funding from the USDA-NRCS EQIP High Tunnel System Initiative. This NRCS program has been pivotal in providing the funding and support needed to access this season-extension tool that can be a real game changer for farm operations. As someone who has gone through the process first-hand of receiving and building a high tunnel, I can attest that the program is worth any of the front-end paperwork, and helps growers improve their infrastructure while gaining many positive ecological benefits. High tunnels can provide many benefits, including protecting your crops from extreme fluctuations in weather. 

Unique Challenges in the Southeast

While high tunnels may provide positive benefits, growers in the Southeast face several challenges when implementing HT in their growing systems. These challenges are typically related to airflow and managing excessive heat stress, humidity, pests, and diseases. I have experienced some of these challenges first-hand at my small-scale vegetable production farm in Central Florida. It is no easy thing to deal with the excess humidity and fluctuating pest and disease pressures, so I was excited to see new research led by Dr. Xin Zhao focused on “Adapting and Expanding High Tunnel Organic Vegetable Production for the Southeast” (more specifically, Florida and Georgia). This body of work is thanks to a collaboration by researchers from the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, Florida A&M University, and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service.

Findings

Temperature

Anyone who has ever stepped inside a high tunnel knows that air temperatures are higher inside HTs than outside. One part of this research study entailed comparing different types of shade cloth to determine their effect on mean air temperature within HTs. Interestingly, when comparing silver cloth with black cloth, the mean air temperature was higher in HTs with silver shade cloth. In externally mounted shade cloths with the same shade factor, dry nets provide less cooling than wet nets.  

If it gets too hot, expect plants to die. High root zone temperature (RZT) can influence plant growth and function. Increased air temperature and RZT in the unshaded HTs likely increased plant mortality and reduced plant growth, particularly in plants grown with black mulch. 

Shade cloth brings down the temperature inside your high tunnel, but is still hotter in the day than average outdoor temperatures. HTs with shade cloth had similar soil temperature as outdoor soil temperatures, but shade cloth provided reduced soil temperatures during day and night when compared to non-shaded HTs. No air temperature difference was recorded in the night hours between the two types of HTs. During night hours, soil volumetric water content (VWC) was greater in the shaded tunnel than in the non-shaded tunnel. Soil VWC increased in the shaded tunnel between day and night. Shading did not affect average relative humidity (RH) levels during the day or night. However, relative humidity levels were lower outside during the night than in either of the high tunnels.

Insect pressure

Researchers also looked at the relationships between pests, temperature, and shade in high tunnels. They found that in pac choi trials, the major pest problems were whiteflies, thrips, aphids, and Southern armyworms. Though the number of thrips, whiteflies, aphids, leafhoppers, and predatory flies were similar among shade cloth treatments, they found that both black and silver shade cloths harbored more beneficial parasitoids than unshaded conditions in one study season. The high light conditions in the unshaded treatment may have negatively impacted the parasitoid wasps. Temperatures in HTs may not have an impact on insect pressure. Thrips were the only pest that decreased in number with increasing HT air temperatures. Other insect numbers were variable among shade treatments in increasing air temperatures. 

Researchers also found success in attracting beneficial insects by planting Sweet Alyssum, buckwheat, or marigold at the front and back of leafy green beds and corners of each high tunnel. The push-pull system, including companion planting and refuge planting, is worth further research in high tunnel systems.  

Image credit – ICIPE

The ‘push-pull’ strategy,  uses a combination of behavior-modifying stimuli to manipulate the distribution and abundance of insect pests and/or natural enemies. Pests are repelled or deterred away from the main crop (push) by placement of plants that mask the host or are repellent. The pests are simultaneously attracted (pull), using attractive plantings, to other areas such as traps or trap crops where they are concentrated, facilitating their control.

Shade and Light

Shade cloth reduced air temperature, root zone temperature (RZT), and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Tomato plants in HTs need to receive sufficient PPFD to maximize fruit yields, and under the shade cloth the PPFD was below the requirements for tomato leaf photosynthesis, decreasing the marketable tomato yield. To avoid this reduction in necessary PPFD, researchers recommend that externally mounted shade cloths are removed once high air temperatures are no longer a limiting factor, or when daylengths are short and irradiation is low. 

The plastic films that cover HTs do age, and with age the level of light transmittance can change, depending on the quality and plastic film composition. In this study, the HT plastic without any shade cloth reduced PPFD by 36%. It is recommended that the plastic film is washed to prevent excessive light reduction in your HT. 

Finally, when selecting your shade cloth, remember that the net shade factor provided by the manufacturer is based on the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmissivity rather than the solar transmissivity. 

There is more to explore in these research papers, and I am looking forward to more findings and recommendations on the effects of a combined use of compost, cover crops and fertilization to improve long-term soil fertility while supporting the immediate nutrient availability needs of the current crop; more on effective and economical push-pull systems; and how shade and moisture can help expand our growing season. 

This blog used the following sources: 

Díaz-Pérez, Juan Carlos, Sudeep Bag, Timothy Coolong, Xuelin Luo, Amanda Hodges, Mamata Bashyal, Hayley Milner, Naga Charan Konakalla, and Adam Pitcher. “Plant Growth, Fruit Yield, and Tomato Leaf Curl Disease of High Tunnel Organic Tomato Affected by Shade Net and Plastic Mulch Color”. HortScience 59.3 (2024): 323-331. < https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17516-23>. Web. 5 Mar. 2024.

Laur S, da Silva ALBR, Díaz-Pérez JC, Coolong T. Impact of Shade and Fogging on High Tunnel Production and Mineral Content of Organically Grown Lettuce, Basil, and Arugula in Georgia. Agriculture. 2021; 11(7):625. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11070625

Tian, Shufang, Jeffrey K. Brecht, Bala Rathinasabapathi, and Xin Zhao. “Influence of Soil and Nutrient Management Practices on Crop Productivity and Quality in High Tunnel Organic Leafy Green Production”. HortScience 58.12 (2023): 1610-1621. < https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17327-23>. Web. 5 Mar. 2024.