(419) The Relation of Cooperative Extension Programs, Materials, and Publications for Organic Farming Systems as Relates to Production

Since the passage of the Organic Foods Production Act in 1990, certified organic produce has begun to make a large impact on national markets. However, USDA statistics indicate that many states in the southern region have considerably reduced certified organic acreage when compared to other regions in the United States. The absence of organic acreage may perhaps originate with a lack of training and educational materials provided to producers due to unanticipated growth of organic markets. A thorough review of all Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) materials, such as bulletins, publications, and workshops over the past 10 years, would reveal what information has been provided to producers on certified organic production. This review of ACES materials defines the existing groundwork on which ACES could construct future organic publications and outreach programs in order to sustain and stimulate organic farming within the state.

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Oregon farmers' perspectives on motivations and obstacles to transition to certified organic

Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development ◽

10.5304/jafscd.2020.101.017 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Deanna Lloyd ◽

Garry Stephenson

Keyword(s):

Organic Farming ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Organic Production ◽

Economic Production ◽

Organic Farmers ◽

Organic Farming Systems ◽

Certified Organic ◽

Organic Transition ◽

The U.S ◽

Organic As

This exploratory study investigates perceptions of the transition to certified organic production among farmers in the U.S. state of Oregon who were actively transitioning all or part of their operation to certified organic production. It examines the influence of farmer experience with organic farming systems on motivations and obstacles to transition to certified organic farming. The analysis creates and compares three categories of farmers based on their total years of farming experience and years of farming using organic methods—Experienced Organic Farmers, Beginning Organic Farmers, and Experienced Farmers Beginning Organic—and provides insights into the economic and ideological motivations for transitioning to certified organic, as well as the economic, production, and marketing obstacles inherent to certified organic transition.

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Organic Corn Production Practices and Profitability in the Eastern U.S. Corn Belt

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13168682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (16) ◽

pp. 8682

Author(s):

Caroline Brock ◽

Douglas Jackson-Smith ◽

Subbu Kumarappan ◽

Steve Culman ◽

Cathy Herms ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Farming ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Management Practices ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Farm Size ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Corn Production ◽

Outreach Programs ◽

Net Returns ◽

Certified Organic

Efforts to assess and improve the sustainability performance of the growing organic farming sector depend on an accurate understanding of farm structure and management practices. To contribute to the dearth of literature in this area, we conducted a survey of over 850 certified organic corn growers in four states (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) in the spring of 2018. Findings show that most organic corn growers in this region had diversified livestock operations (mostly dairy) on relatively small farms (10–100 ha), which contrasts with trends of specialization and growth in farm size. More than half were dairy farmers, and nearly two-thirds farmed with horses (likely Amish). Soil fertility and health were managed by the use of manure, cover crops, forages, and a variety of other soil amendments. Organic corn growers relied heavily on moldboard plow tillage. All producers had positive net returns to labor and management in 2017, though net returns varied widely across operations. The results have implications for assessing the sustainability of organic farming systems, and for designing scientific research and extension/outreach programs to ensure they address the needs of the diverse organic farming population in this region.

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ASSESSING THE NEED FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION COURSES IN HORTICULTURE CURRICULA

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.3.877d ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 877d-877

Author(s):

C.R. Rom ◽

H. Friedrich ◽

K. Harper

Keyword(s):

Production Systems ◽

Organic Production ◽

Southern Region ◽

Land Grant ◽

Organic Farms ◽

Land Grant Universities ◽

Outreach Programs ◽

Certified Organic ◽

Organic Produce ◽

National Organic Program

Higher education curricula should be alert to trends in production and science, and responsive to needs of producers and consumers in our society. A recent trend has emerged nationally and internationally for the production and consumption of certified organic produce which is increasing at a significant rate. Following the creation of the National Organic Program and formal federal regulations for certification which govern production, it has been questioned whether horticulture programs in land grant institutions have adjusted curricula appropriately to train producers, consultants, extension specialists, teachers and research scientists to be engaged in organic production systems. According to USDA statistics, several states in the southern region have significantly fewer certified organic farms and certifying agencies than the northeast, Midwest or western regions. A review horticulture and crops programs at 36 land grant universities (1862 and 1890) in 14 southern region states indicated although several institutions had research and outreach programs for sustainable and organic production, there were only three classes on organic gardening, two classes on organic crops production, and one field-based organic production course that could be identified in existing curricula. It appears that with the growth of the organic industry worldwide that students in programs in the southern region may be under-served in this educational area. Further, it may be questioned whether the lack of production and certifying agencies in the southern region is associated with the lack of science-based education provided by the land grant universities. A recent survey of faculty indicated a perceived need for stand-alone coursework on organic, sustainable, and ecologically-based production systems.

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A Training Series for Cooperative Extension Agents on Organic Farming Systems

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.10.4.675 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 675-681 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N.G. Creamer ◽

K.R. Baldwin ◽

F.J. Louws

Keyword(s):

Organic Farming ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Integrated Treatment ◽

Field Trips ◽

Organic Production ◽

Graduate Level ◽

Hands On ◽

Future Extension ◽

Training Activities ◽

Organic Farming Systems

More than 50 agents participated in a series of workshops that were offered as in-service training and as a graduate level North Carolina State University (NCSU) course worth four credits. The Organic Unit at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), a 100-acre (40-ha) facility dedicated to research and education in organic farming systems, served as a home base for training activities. These training activities consisted of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, group discussions, field trips, and class exercises. Two unique features of the workshops were the interdisciplinary, team teaching approach and the emphasis on integration of information about interactions among production practices. This well-received, successful training program will serve as a model for future extension training. A training manual, slide sets, extension publications, and an organic farming web site are being created to provide agents with the resource materials they need to conduct county-based educational programming in organic production systems and enterprises. The model for extension training presented in this report is an effective means for engaging county agents in continuing education and professional development. Interdisciplinary teaching teams allow for a full, integrated treatment of subject matter and present a whole systems perspective to agents. Regularly scheduled, intensive sessions that accommodate busy calendars and utilize time efficiently provide a strong incentive for regular attendance. Awarding graduate level university credit hours for completion of required course work attracts and retains prospective student and agents. Encouragement of active participation by agents through hands-on field activities, open discussion of issues that impact agricultural and rural life, and field trips to view concepts presented in a real world context ensure that educational goals are fulfilled and that active learning takes place. This model should be used in future extension training programs.

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Transition from Conventional to Organic Farming Systems: II. Summary of Discussion Session and Recommendations for Future Research

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.12.4.611 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 611-612

Author(s):

Gladis M. Zinati

Keyword(s):

Pest Management ◽

Organic Farming ◽

Transition Period ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Organic Production ◽

Future Research ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Discussion Session ◽

Organic Farming Systems

A question/answer discussion session was conducted at the conclusion of the workshop “Pest Management During Transition to Organic Farming Systems”. The following categories were used to summarize the discussion: 1) questions and answers related to cultural and biological practices and their effects under various climatic conditions, 2) recommendations for pest management, and 3) future research needs. While many tactics are available, selecting and adopting the most suitable approach depends on soil conditions of the land, location, and the availability of the resources at affordable prices. Definitely, more research studies are needed on 1) weed seed banks under various cultural practices at different regions, 2) relationships between soil nutrients, and pest control, and 3) approaches to increase profitability of organic production during the transition period.

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