Organic Research Blossoms South of the Border

By Jessica Valois and Brenda Frick

From North Dakota to Iowa, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, researchers in the American Midwest are learning to work with organic systems. Several key organic researchers came together this summer in Dickinson, North Dakota to report on their findings at the First Organic Field Day held by North Dakota State University (NDSU).

The field day and conference, lead by Dr. Pat Carr, agronomist at NDSU, was to be a real organic experience - held outdoors in the lush and expansive green space surrounding the extension division building. Due to rain however, the conference and workshops had to be held indoors. Despite the weather, nearly 200 farmers, educators, researchers, citizens and organic advocates gathered to participate in the event and show their support of organic research.

Organics took root at NDSU in 2003, when the university first dedicated some of its land for organic research. Organic farming was growing, but scientific research into organic farming was hard to find. NDSU planned to engage people to think differently and to invest in ‘data done correctly’.

NDSU has certified their organic research acres, and continue to put additional land into transition both at Dickinson and at Carrington. Dr. Carr and other researchers are focusing on strategies for successful crop transitions, from livestock operations or conventional grain farms, to organic. They are looking for methods that provide adequate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertility. They are formulating novel approaches for controlling weeds that do not depend on intensive tillage. They are conducting variety trials in the most common crops.

Kathleen Delate, organic specialist from Iowa State University (ISU) spoke to us about her experience with long term organic research. After a nine year organic management study, organic soils significantly surpassed conventional soils in terms of quality; they had higher levels of organic carbon and cycled nutrients more efficiently. Yields for organic crops were as good as or better than conventional. Economic returns for the organics were twice as high as conventional. Delate also discussed ISU’s success with organic vegetable crops.

Erin Silva from the University of Wisconsin talked about ecosystems within crops. The differing weed, insect pest and disease ecologies on organic and conventional land mean that vegetable varieties selected under conventional management and those selected under organic management are not the same. She found availability of organic seed to be a major limitation to organic vegetable production.

Frank Kutka, from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, or SARE, accompanied by Pat Frank, an organic farmer, spoke about the availability of grants and outreach programs available to American producers. SARE grants are ‘to advance sustainable innovations to the whole of American agriculture’. About 11% of these go to organic projects.

Jeff Moyer discussed Rodale’s innovative crimper/roller projects. The crimper/roller was designed to reduce tillage while controlling weeds. Researchers around the USA have incorporated the crimper/roller in their trials. In areas with a long enough growing season, green manures or cover crops are terminated in the same operation as the cash crop is seeded. The crimper/roller is attached to the front of the tractor. It rolls over the green manure, crimping the stems and pushing them onto the ground. Usually this is enough to kill them. Behind the tractor, the cash crop is seeded into the residue. The residue of the green manure forms a thick mulch that suppresses weeds.

Bob Quinn, an organic producer from Montana shared his experience and inspired us with his vision of organic farming. He sees organic farming as the answer to the crises in agriculture, energy and health.

Other speakers rounded out the day with more discussion of cover crops, weeds, and local food. Connections and discussions proceeded into the evening, bringing with it feelings of community. Although the research is in relatively early stages, the field day demonstrated the potential of organic research as well as the good will and encouragement of the community. It was clear that the people attending this important event understood the connection between ‘healthy soils, healthy food and healthy people’.

 

For further information on this event, and reports and photos of other field day events, see http://organic.usask.ca.

Jessica Valois reports on this event as part of her summer student employment at the University of Saskatchewan. Brenda Frick, Ph.D., P.Ag., is the Organic Research and Extension Coordinator at the University of Saskatchewan and is an affiliate of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. She welcomes your comments at 306-966-4975 or via email at organic@usask.ca. This article was commissioned by OACC.

 

Posted November 2009