Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: eOrganic's leadership team, content groups, and administrative groups meet regularly to plan, coordinate and develop eOrganic. The publication and staff groups coordinate the publication of eOrganic's articles, FAQs, videos, webinar series, Ask an Expert, newsletters, and other public content. The evaluation group coordinates evaluation of articles and webinars. Staff train members in use of the workspace and group tools including publication to eXtension. Leaders and staff coordinated events including the eOrganic visioning meeting and workshops at the National SARE, NCERA-59, and National Association of County Ag Agents conferences. Products: eOrganic developed its public site at http://www.extension.org/organic_production (articles, FAQs, videos, webinars, Ask an Expert, newsletters) and its community and publication workspace at http://eorganic.info/ (group workspaces and tools, community networking, personal pages, help and training, publication to http://www.extension.org/organic_production). eOrganic, in partnership with eXtension, developed a feed from eOrganic.info to eXtension.org so content developed at eOrganic.info could be published to eXtension. eOrganic initiated and continues to develop a Facebook site (http://www.facebook.com/eorganic), a Twitter presence (http://twitter.com/eOrganic_CP), and a Youtube site (http://www.youtube.com/eorganic) Services: eOrganic provides information, answers, and training to farmers, service providers, and others interested in organic agriculture. eOrganic coordinates peer and NOP compliance review, evaluation, marketing, and outreach for its public content for the eOrganic community. eOrganic supports members and project groups in group management and communication and publication to eXtension. eOrganic trains members in video, webconferencing, and other Web 2.0 tools and strategies. Dissemination: eOrganic members distribute outreach materials, staff booths, and give presentations at major and smaller events around the country, including small farms and dairy conferences and short courses. eOrganic has had a significant presence at 1) EcoFarm, CA (west), 2) Southern SAWG Conference, TN (south); 3) PASA, PA and NOFA-VT (northeast), and 4) the Organic Farming Conference, WI (midwest). eOrganic distributes fact sheets describing the public content and site, eOrganic bookmarks with the url for the public site, and trifold brochures targeted to prospective eOrganic.info members. eOrganic has had a presence at more than 80 conferences, meetings, and workshops and communicated directly with more than 18000 individuals. eOrganic reaches out to eOrganic.info members and public stakeholders through its two bi-monthly newsletters(most recent at http://www.extension.org/article/29037), as well as its webinar series and its Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube presences. In addition, eOrganic reaches out to diversified vegetable farmers through its ads in http://www.growingformarket.com/. PARTICIPANTS: eOrganic Leadership Team: The eOrganic Community of Practice is led by the eOrganic Leadership Team (LT), comprised of leaders of content groups and the Project Leader and Senior Coordinator. LT members included Mary Barbercheck, Penn State and Geoff Zehnder, Clemson (leaders, insect management group); Michelle Wander, U of IL (leader, soils group); Jim Riddle, U of MN (leader, certification group); Heather Darby, U of VT (leader, dairy farming systems group); Danielle Treadwell, U of FL (leader, cover crops group); Tim Coolong, U of KY (leader, diversified vegetable cropping systems group); Corinne Alexander, Purdue (leader, economics group); Eric Gallandt, Univ. of ME (leader, weed management group); Garry Stephenson, Oregon SU (leader, food systems group); Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant , U of IL (outreach); Alex Stone, Oregon State (Project Leader); John McQueen, Oregon State (Senior Coordinator). The LT met by webconference 6 times per year. Project Leader: Alex Stone led the eOrganic CoP and Leadership Team, facilitated long term planning and short term management, supervised staff, oversaw evaluation, supervised editorial management of content, raised funds, and served as eXtension and public liaison. eOrganic salaried staff Workspace Developer Roger Leigh provided eOrganic with insight into emerging web technologies; developed the eOrganic.info workspace and feed to eXtension in cooperation with John McQueen; identified, tested and installed suitable open source software for the project (built around a core Drupal content management system), provided required functionality by creating custom code when not publicly available, and maintained the workspace. Senior Coordinator, Web 2.0 Coordinator, and Workspace Manager. John McQueen provided eOrganic with insight on how best to adopt and adapt Web 2.0; administered the workspace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and eXtension websites; trained staff and members; assisted Leigh with workspace development; provided workspace support, identified usability and workflow issues; led testing on all enhancements and updates; provided technical support for webinars and short course software; and acted as technical liaison to eXtension. Communications Coordinator Alice Formiga coordinated the webinar series, authored user guides, and published eOrganic News. Content coordinators: Deb Heleba coordinated the dairy group, as well as peer review and eOrganic.info membership for the first two years; Ed Zaborski coordinated the soils, insect, weed, and cover crops groups, and acted as Senior Editor; Alice Formiga coordinated the vegetable and disease groups. eOrganic Core Contractors. NOP Compliance Reviewer and Certification Coordinator Jim Riddle reviewed all content for NOP compliance, authored certification content, and presented webinars. Evaluator. Michael Coe of Cedar Lake Research Group coordinated evaluation of eOrganic's articles and webinars. Thirty-nine eOrganic members presented webinars and 69 authored articles (see publication section); in addition, 108 members answered Ask-an-Expert questions. TARGET AUDIENCES: eOrganic considers its primary Community of Interest (stakeholders of its public content) to be organic farmers and other farmers interested in organic agricultural information, as well as the Extension and other agricultural professionals who support them. During eOrganic's first 3 years, the primary stakeholder groups were organic dairy farmers, diversified fresh market vegetable farmers, and the service providers who support them. eOrganic's stakeholders also include its more than 700 eOrganic.info community members, comprised of researchers, educators, extension professionals, farmers, and other organic agriculture practitioners and service providers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
eOrganic did not exist at the beginning of this project. In September 2010, three years later, eOrganic is a significant national organic agriculture web resource and one of eXtension's most-accessed resource areas. eOrganic has published more than 180 articles, 90 FAQs, 200 videos, and 25 webinars to eXtension.org/organic_production and www.youtube.com/eOrganic. eOrganic's pages at eXtension.org have received more than 270,000 page views since October 2009 and its Youtube videos have been viewed 250,000 times. eOrganic's community has answered more than 600 Ask-an-Expert questions. Two thousand people from all over the country attended the first 23 webinars hosted by eOrganic in winter and spring 2010. eOrganic communicates bi-monthly with its more than 2700 newsletter subscribers and keeps in frequent touch with its 500 Facebook fans, 500 Twitter followers, and 280 Youtube subscribers. eOrganic also reaches out to more than 8000 farmers and agricultural professionals through booths and other activities at 3 or 4 major (and many more minor) organic farming conferences across the US each winter. eOrganic is now in the process of surveying its users to evaluate the quality and impact of its resources and activities. In addition, eOrganic.info (eOrganic's community and publication workspace) was developed; this site currently has more than 700 members (researchers, educators, extension professionals, farmers, certifiers, and service providers). More than 10 NIFA proposals have included eOrganic in their plans of work. Reviewers of eOrganic articles indicate that articles have high relevance, quality, and utility. Of the reviewers, 29 percent described themselves as farmers, 38 percent researchers, and 33 percent extension personnel. On average, the reviewers (from Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington) have been involved in agriculture and organic agriculture for 18.1 and 10.0 years, respectively. They considered the information to be accurate (100 percent strongly/moderately agreed); very relevant to important farming problems or issues (93 percent strongly/moderately agreed); useful and practical and could be applied in real farming practice (90 percent strongly/moderately agreed). Feedback from the first 215 webinar participants (49% farmers, 21% agricultural professionals, 12% extension personnel, 7% researchers, 7% non-profit staff, 4% master gardeners) has been collected. 30% from northeast, 26% central US, 33% west, and 11 % south. Eighty-eight percent said the webinar improved their understanding significantly/moderately. 86 percent said they would apply the knowledge in their work a lot/somewhat. 94 percent would recommend the webinar to others. eOrganic will evaluate the impact of past webinars on participant knowledge and practices in winter 2010-11.
Publications
- Stephenson, G. and D. Sohm Lawson, 2009. Eat Local Campaigns. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18510.
- Stephenson, G. and D. Sohm Lawson, 2009. Food System Assessments and Toolkits. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18391.
- Stephenson, G. and D. Sohm Lawson, 2009. Food System Consolidation in the Organic Industry. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18380.
- Stephenson, G. and D. Sohm Lawson, 2009. Food Systems Introduction. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18378.
- Stephenson, G. and L. Lev, 2009. Direct Marketing Introduction for Organic Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18376.
- Stephenson, G., 2009. Direct Marketing Channels & Strategy for Organic Products. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18381.
- Stephenson, G., 2009. Direct Marketing of Organic Food with Value Added Products. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18379.
- Stone, A. 2009. High Tunnels on Organic Vegetable Farms: Case Studies. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18362.
- Stone, A. 2009. Organic Management of Late Blight of Potato and Tomato (Phytophthora infestans). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18361.
- Stone, A., 2009. Organic Vegetable Production: Farm Case Studies, Systems Descriptions, and Farmer Interviews. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18364.
- Stone, A., B. Baker, E. Brown Rosen, E. Sideman, A. M. Shelton, B. Caldwell and C. Smart, 2009. Organic Management of Late Blight of Potato and Tomato with Copper Products. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18351.
- Stone, A., L. Brewer, and M. Colley, 2009. Non Governmental Seed Testing Organizations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18443.
- Zehnder, G., 2009. Managing the Soil to Reduce Insect Pests. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18574.
- Zehnder, G., 2009. Overview of Monitoring and Identification Techniques for Insect Pests. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19198.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Diversity, Stability, and Productivity. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18534.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Ecological Succession. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18911.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Factors that Influence the Size of Insect Populations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18569.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: How Insects Damage Plants. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18903.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Insect Life Cycles . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19194.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Insect Populations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18192.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Insects in Communities . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18908.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems: Plant Defenses against Insects . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18913.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Natural Enemies in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18907.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Physical and Mechanical Pest Controls . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18929.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Planning Crop Location and Timing to Avoid Insect Pests. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18575.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Pollinators in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18926.
- Cox, B.H. and T. Coolong, 2009. Management of Non-Pathogenic Fruit Disorders of Tomato in Organic Production Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18629.
- Cox, B.H., 2009. Field Production of Organic Tomatoes. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18653.
- Cox, B.H., 2009. Training Systems and Pruning in Organic Tomato Production. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18647.
- Darby, H., 2009. Organic Dairy Cropping Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18324.
- Darby, H. and M. Gamroth, 2009. Strategies for Extending the Grazing Season on Organic Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18648.
- Douds, D.D., 2009. On-farm Production and Utilization of AM Fungus Inoculum. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18627.
- Du Toit, L., and E. Gatch, 2009. Disease Management in Organic Seed Production. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18660.
- Eastburn, D., 2009. Managing Disease by Managing Soils. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18638.
- Egel, D., 2009. Scouting for Vegetable Diseases on Your Organic Farm. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18359.
- Fiedler, A. K., 2009. Using Native Flowering Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18672.
- Flack, S. 2009. The Organic Dairy Farm: A Systems Approach. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18535.
- Gala, C., and Wander, M., 2009. Nutrient Management Plans and Fit with Organic Systems Plan. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18656
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Pasture Plant Growth and Development on Organic Dairy Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18347.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Shade for Grazing Animals. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18676.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Water and Water Systems in the Pasture. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18342.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Green Pastures Farm, PA (Arden and Caroline Landis). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18678.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Kimball Brook Farm, VT (Cheryl and JD Devos). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18587.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Maple Shade Farm, Inc., MA (Morven Allen). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19926.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Transition to Certified Organic Milk Production eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18552.
- Miller, S.A., 2009. Managing Diseases of Organic Tomatoes in Greenhouses and High Tunnels. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18337.
- Myers, J., 2009. Intellectual Property Protection: What Do I Need to Know When Growing and Breeding Organic Crops and Seed. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18449.
- Navazio, J., 2009. Why Organic Seed . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18339.
- Navazio, J., F. Morton, M. Colley, A. Stone, and L. Brewer, 2009. Pollination and Fertilization in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18434.
- Phillips, E., 2009. Conventional Chemical Soil Testing in Organic Farming Systems . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18566
- Pierce, J., 2009. Introduction to Organic Dairy Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18325.
- Pierce, J. 2009. What is Organic Milk eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18564.
- Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. Construction of High Tunnels: Resources for Organic Farmers. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18369.
- Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. High Tunnel Materials. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18367.
- Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. Introduction to High Tunnels. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18358.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Q&A for Organic Certification of Research Sites and Facilities. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/26683.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Research Variances of Certified Organic Research Sites and Facilities. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18673.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Resources for Organic Certification of Research Sites and Facilities. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18736.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Synthetic Substances Allowed for use in Organic Livestock Production in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18553.
- Sabry, E. , A. Garay, and E. Gatch, 2009. Seed Quality Testing and Certification: Resources Useful in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18331.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Plant and Manage Cover Crops for Maximum Weed Suppression. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18525.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. What is Organic No Till and Is It Practical. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18526.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. An Ecological Understanding of Weeds. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18529.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. An Organic Weed Control Toolbox. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18532.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Bring Existing Weeds Under Control Before Planting Weed Sensitive Crops. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18549.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Design the Cropping System and Select Tools for Effective Weed Control. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18531.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Design the Cropping System to Minimize Niches for Weed Growth. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18697.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Design the Cropping System to Minimize Niches for Weed Growth. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18697.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Grow Vigorous, Competitive Crops the First Line of Defense Against Weeds. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18533.
- Stone, A., M. Colley, and L. Brewer, 2009. Government Agencies and Regulations: Resources for Organic Seed Producers. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18334.
- Treadwell, D., J. Riddle, M. Barbercheck, D. Cavanaugh-Grant, E. Zaborski, 2009. What is Organic Farming eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18655.
- Treadwell, D., N. Creamer, and K. Baldwin, 2009. An Introduction to Cover Crop Species for Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18542.
- Treadwell, D., W. Klassen, and M. Alligood, 2009. Introduction to Cover Cropping in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18637.
- Treadwell, D., W. Klassen, M. Alligood, and S. Shewey, 2009. Buying and Sourcing Cover Crop Seed for Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18654.
- Ugarte, C., and E. Zaborski, 2009.Soil Nematodes. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/24726.
- Wander, M. and S. Andrews, 2009. Organic Certification and Soil Conservation Compliance. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18658.
- Wander, M., 2009. Managing Manure Fertilizers in Organic Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18628
- Wander, M., 2009. Measures of Soil Biology and Biological Activity. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18626.
- Wander, M., 2009. Nutrient Budget Basics for Organic Farming Systems . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18794
- Wander, M., 2009. Organic Potting Mix Basics. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/20982.
- Stoner, K. , 2009. Organic Vegetable Farms in New England: Three Case Studies. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18357.
- Sullivan, K.H., 2009. Maximizing Dry Matter Intake from Pastures. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19660.
- Sullivan, K.H., 2009. Transitioning Organic Cows On and Off Pasture. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18675.
- Tikofsky, L., 2009. Milk Quality on Organic Dairy Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18645.
- Tikofsky, L., 2009. Appendix 1: Summary of European studies of milk quality on organic dairies. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/28152.
- Wander, M., 2009. Soil Fertility in Organic Farming Systems: Much More than Plant Nutrition. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18636.
- Wander, M., N. Andrews, and J. McQueen, 2009. Organic Soil Fertility. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18565.
- Weston, G., J. Eveland, J. Jebbia, and A. Stone, 2009. Incorporating High Tunnels into a Diversified Organic Vegetable Farm in Oregon: Case Study of Gathering Together Farm. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18352.
- Zaborksi, E., 2009. Composting to Reduce Weed Seeds and Plant Pathogens . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/28585
- Zaborski, E., D. Lamm, J. Riddle, University of Minnesota, M. Wander, 2009. NRCS EQIP: What You Need to Know About the Organic Initiative. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/21072
- Zehnder, G., 2009. Farmscaping: Making Use of Natures Pest Management Services. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18573.
- Zehnder, G., 2009. Host Plant Resistance and Tolerance to Insect Pests. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18650.
- Zehnder, G., 2009. Cultural Practices for Managing Insect Pests . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18909.
- Andrews, N. and B. Baker, 2009. Can I Use This Input on My Organic Farm. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18321.
- Andrews, N. and B. Baker, 2009. Can I Use this Product for Disease Management on my Organic Farm. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18360.
- Barbercheck, M. and E. Zaborski, 2009. Insect Pest Management: Differences Between Conventional and Organic Farming Systems . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19915.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Biological Control of Insect Pests . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18931.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Decomposers in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18905.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18906.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Using Diversity as a Pest Management Tool . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18910.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Using Native Flowering Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18672.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Viruses as biological control agents of insect pests . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18927.
- Barbercheck, M., L. Brewer, M. Colley, and A. Stone, 2009. Insect Pest Management in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/24868.
- Boudreau, M., 2009. Organic Farmers and the Disease Triangle. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18834.
- Behar, H., C. Daley, H. Darby, S. Flack, E. Maltby, L. McCrory, 2010. How to Comply with the Pasture Rule on Your Organic Dairy Farm: A 10 Step Summary. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/30340.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Insect-Parasitic Nematodes for the Management of Soil-Dwelling Insect Pests . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19199.
- Barbercheck, M., 2009. Introduction to Integrated Pest Management in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19916.
- Cavanaugh-Grant, D., 2009. Strategies for Effective Whole-Farm and Business Planning. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/21378.
- Clark, A. 2009. Brassicas and Mustards for Cover Cropping in Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18643.
- Clark, A. 2009. Buckwheat for Cover Cropping in Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18572.
- Clark, A. 2009. Cereal Rye for Cover Cropping in Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18571.
- Clark, A. 2009. Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids for Cover Cropping in Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18541.
- Clark, A., 2009. Hairy Vetch for Cover Cropping in Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18570.
- Colley, M. and B. Baker, 2009. Sourcing Certified Organic Seed and the National Organic Program Regulations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18338.
- Colley, M., 2009. Isolation Distances and Pinning Maps in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18435.
- Colley, M., 2009. Organic Seed Processing: Threshing, Cleaning and Storage. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18350.
- Colley, M., 2009. Plant Breeding for Organic Systems . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18448.
- Colley, M., 2009. Selection and Rogueing in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18447.
- Colley, M., A. Stone, and L. Brewer, 2009. General Specialty Organic Seed Production Resources. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18335.
- Colley, M., A. Stone, and L. Brewer, 2009. Research and Education Organizations and Events Related to Organic Seed . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18444.
- Colley, M., A. Stone, and L. Brewer, 2009. Weed Management in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18659.
- Colley, M., A. Stone, L. Brewer, B. Baker. 2009. Organic Seed Resource Guide: Introduction and Table of Contents . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18340.
- Coolong, T., 2009. Low Cost High Tunnel Construction. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18356.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Developing a Grazing System for Your Organic Farm. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18345.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. An Introduction to Grazing Management on Organic Dairy Farms
- Gamroth, M. 2009. Animal Behavior In and On the Organic Pasture. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18348.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Calculating Dry Matter Intake for the Organic Dairy Herd. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/20123.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Energy Requirements of Grazing Activity. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18326.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Establishing and Maintaining Productive Pasture on Organic Dairy Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18344.
- Gamroth, M., 2009. Livestock Fencing on Grazing Management Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18343.
- Gatch, M., 2009. Organic Seed Treatments and Coatings . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18952.
- Gruver, J. and M. Wander, 2009. Use of Tillage in Organic Farming Systems: The Basics. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18634.
- Harper, W.S., K. Hills, and F. Magdoff, 2009.Soil Management for Better Fertility on Organic Dairy Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18323.
- Holliday, R., 2009. Addressing Milk Fever in Your Organic Dairy Herd. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/21674.
- Jackson, L., 2009. Soil Microbial Nitrogen Cycling for Organic Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18657.
- Johnson, K.B. and F. Morton, 2009. Keys to Disease Management in Organic Seed Crops. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18332.
- Kersbergen, R., 2009. Maximizing Organic Milk Production and Profitability with Quality Forages. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/24980.
- Lelito, J., 2009. Praying Mantids. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18930.
- Marriott, E., 2009. Making and Using Compost for Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18567
- McGrath, M., G. Vallad, and B. McSpadden Gardener, 2010. Biopesticides for Plant Disease Management in Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/29380.
- McNeil, J., 2009. Fungi for the biological control of insect pests. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18928.
- McCrory, L., 2009. About Organic Dairy Producer Profiles. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18680.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Herd Health on Organic Dairy Farms. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18322.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Bawden Farm, NY (Brian and Liz Bawden). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18586.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Brookford Farm, NH (Luke and Catarina Mahoney). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18585.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Brotherly Farm, VT (Craig and Angela Russell). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18584.
- McCrory, L., 2009. Organic Dairy Producer Profile: Desperation Acres, WI (Bruce and Mari Drinkman). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18679.
- Reiten, J. and J. Navazio, 2009. Organic Carrot, Onion, and Beet Seed Maturation and Harvest in the Pacific Northwest and California . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18446.
- Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. Siting High Tunnels. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18365.
- Pool, K., 2009. Introduction to Season Extension in Organic Vegetable Production Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18366.
- Reiten, J., 2009. Seed Production Contracting: Guidelines for Organic Seed Producers . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18333.
- Riddle, J., 2009. An Introduction to Organic Certification Requirements. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18735.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Approved Medications Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18562.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Benefits and Challenges of Organic Research Sites and Facilities. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18737.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Breeder Stock Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18561.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Feed and Feed Additives Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18563.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Health Care Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18560.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Living Conditions Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18559.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Manure Management Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18558.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Organic Dairy Certification: Why, How, and What. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18336.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Organic Systems Plan and Record Keeping Requirements for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18557.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Parasiticides Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18556.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Physical Alterations Regulations for Organic Dairy and Livestock in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18555.
- Riddle, J., 2009. National Organic Program Summary. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18349.
- Riddle, J., 2009. National Organic Program: What Agricultural Professionals Need to Know. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18341.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Organic Certification of Research Sites and Facilities. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18738.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Organic Certification of Vegetable Operations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18646.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Organic Certification Resources. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/25158.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Organic System Plan Overview. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/20975.
- Riddle, J., 2009. Processing and Labeling Regulations of Organic Livestock Products in the United States. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18554.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. How Cover Crops Suppress Weeds. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18524.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. How Cover Crops Suppress Weeds. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18524.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Integrated Pest Management Concepts for Weeds in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18538.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Keep the Weeds Guessing with Crop Rotations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18530.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Knock Weeds Out at Critical Times. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18882.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Know the Weeds. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18540.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Manage the Weed Seed Bank Minimize Deposits and Maximize Withdrawals. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18527.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Manipulating Weed Seed Banks to Promote their Decline. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18528.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Plant and Manage Cover Crops for Maximum Weed Suppression. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18525.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Promoting Weed Seed Predation and Decay. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18544.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Put the Weeds Out of Work Grow Cover Crops. Organic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18523.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. The Organic Grower's Dilemma: How to Manage Weeds Effectively Without Compromising Soil Quality. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18537.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Twelve Steps Toward Ecological Weed Management in Organic Vegetables. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18539.
- Schonbeck, M., 2009. Utilize Biological Processes to Further Reduce Weed Pressure. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18548.
- Silva, E. 2009. Approved Chemicals for Use in Organic Postharvest Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18355.
- Silva, E. 2009. Influence of Preharvest Factors on Postharvest Quality. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18363.
- Silva, E. 2009. Respiration and Ethylene and their Relationship to Postharvest Handling
- Skelton, E., 2009. Prohibited and Restricted Weed Seed Commonly Found in Vegetable Seed Lots. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18442.
- Skelton, E., 2009. Weed Seeds Commonly Found in Specific Vegetable Crops. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18445.
- Sohm Lawson, D. and G. Stephenson, 2009. Business Planning Resources. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18375.
- Sohm Lawson, D., 2009. As Farmers Markets Grow, So Should Management. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18374.
- Sohm Lawson, D., 2009. Farm Direct Marketing Case Studies. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18438.
- Sohm Lawson, D., 2009. Farmers Markets Growing in Popularity But Not All Succeed. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18441.
- Stephenson, G. and D. Sohm Lawson, 2009. Consumer Perspectives About Organic and Sustainable Food. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18377.
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Articles: Website visit counts and page visit duration are an indication of website use and utility. As of February 11, 2010, eOrganic's homepage (http://extension.org/organic_production) at eXtension.org has seen a total of 11,751 page views (8,075 unique users) since eOrganic first published content on Jan 22 2009. In total for 2009, eOrganic pages have seen more than 225,000 unique page views. While eOrganic's pages represent only 1.5% of eXtension.org pages, its content accounted for 6% of all eXtension page hits from April to December 2009. eOrganic's content on eXtension.org boasts a 45% higher than average page visit time than the website as a whole. Videos: eOrganic maintains a 'channel' at YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/eOrganic); as of February 10, 2010, this site has seen 101,000 views of its 112 videos since its inception in late 2008. eOrganic's most-viewed video is of Suzy and Robelee Evans of Foundhorn Farm demonstrating their Reigi weeder, with 10,870 views. Ask-an-Expert: Ask-an-Expert is an interactive question-answering system hosted by eXtension. To date, eOrganic has answered 354 questions submitted to Ask-an-Expert, with an average response time of 40 hours. Webinars: eOrganic initiated two webinar (virtual seminar) series in December 2009; the first is for a farmer and agricultural professional audience and the second is for a researcher audience (http://www.extension.org/article/25242). While the webinar initiative is very new, 425 people have attended these first 6 webinars. Outreach: eOrganic members have presented and staffed booths on behalf of eOrganic from late 2007 through February 2010. Outreach geared up in winter 2008-09 as eOrganic prepared for the launch of its first public content at eXtension.org. Last and this winter, eOrganic has had a significant presence at 4 major regional events including 1) EcoFarm, CA (west), 2) a major southern conference (Southern SAWG Conference, TN, 2009; Georgia Organic Conference, 2010); 3) PASA, PA (northeast), and 4) the Midwest Organic Farming Conference, WI (midwest). eOrganic members distribute outreach materials, staff booths, and give presentations at major events and at smaller events including small farms and dairy conferences and short courses. eOrganic distributes fact sheets describing the public content and site, eOrganic bookmarks with the url for the public site, and trifold brochures targeted to prospective eOrganic.info members, at these events. eOrganic to date has had an outreach presence at more than 60 conferences, meetings, and workshops and communicated directly with more than 9000 individuals. PARTICIPANTS: eOrganic Leadership Team: The eOrganic Community of Practice is led by the eOrganic Leadership Team (LT), comprised of leaders of content groups and the Project Leader and Senior Coordinator. Current LT members include Mary Barbercheck, Penn State (leader, insect management group); Michelle Wander, U of IL (leader, soils group); Jim Riddle, U of MN (leader, certification group); Heather Darby, U of VT (leader, dairy farming systems group); Danielle Treadwell, U of FL (leader, cover crops group); Tim Coolong, U of KY (leader, diversified vegetable cropping systems group); Corinne Alexander, Purdue (leader, economics group); Eric Gallandt, Univ. of ME (leader, weed management group); Alex Stone, Oregon State (Project Leader); John McQueen, Oregon State (Senior Coordinator). The LT meets by webconference 6 times per year. Project Leader: Alex Stone leads the eOrganic CoP and Leadership Team, facilitates long term planning and short term management, supervises staff, co-coordinates the evaluation of the workspace, supervises editorial management of content, raises funds, and serves as eXtension and public liaison. eOrganic salaried staff Workspace Developer. Roger Leigh provides eOrganic with insight into emerging web technologies; develops the eOrganic.info workspace and feed to eXtension in cooperation with John McQueen; identifies, tests and installs suitable open source software for the project (built around a core Drupal content management system), provides required functionality by creating custom code when not publicly available, and maintains the workspace. Senior Coordinator, Web 2.0 Coordinator, and Workspace Manager. John McQueen provides eOrganic with insight on how best to adopt and adapt Web 2.0; administers the workspace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and eXtension websites; trains staff; assists Leigh with workspace development; provides workspace support, identifies usability and workflow issues; leads testing on all enhancements and updates; provides technical support for webinars and short course software; and acts as technical liaison to eXtension. Communications Coordinator and Editorial Manager Alice Formiga conducts trainings; authors user guides; coordinates membership, AaE, and outreach; publishes eOrganic News; and oversees peer review and other editorial tasks in cooperation with group coordinators and group and project leaders. Content coordinators: Deb Heleba coordinates the dairy group; Ed Zaborski coordinates the soils and cover crops groups; Kelly Gilkerson coordinates the weed and insect groups; Alice Formiga coordinates the vegetable and disease groups. eOrganic Core Contractors NOP Compliance Reviewer and Certification Coordinator Jim Riddle reviews all content for NOP compliance, authors certification content and presents webinars, and leads the certification group. Evaluator. Michael Coe of Cedar Lake Research Group coordinates evaluation of eOrganic's public content (articles, AaE, and webinars), the utility and usability of the eOrganic.info workspace, and eOrganic's tools and strategies to support networking and collaboration. TARGET AUDIENCES: eOrganic's stakeholders: eOrganic considers its primary Community of Interest (stakeholders of its public content) to be organic farmers and other farmers interested in organic agricultural information, as well as the agricultural professionals, including Extension professionals, who work with them. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Quality, Relevance, and Utility of eOrganic Articles and Ask an Expert Answers. We are currently pilot testing surveys that can be used with both expert and lay audiences to assess online articles developed by the project to educate users about organic agriculture topics. Data from 26 early respondents indicate that the currently available articles are generally considered to have high relevance, quality, and utility, though the audience varies in their preference for technical detail, and some particular articles need improvement in organization, writing, and utility. Of the reviewers, 29 percent described themselves as farmers, 38 percent as researchers, and 33 percent as extension personnel. On average, the reviewers (from Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington) have been involved in agriculture and organic agriculture for 18.1 and 10.0 years, respectively. The following are averages responses from the 28 reviews; reviewers also provided recommendations which are being used to revise specific articles. The information was accurate (100 percent strongly or moderately agreed); the article was very relevant to important farming problems or issues (93 percent strongly or moderately agreed); the information presented was useful and practical and could be applied in real farming practice (90 percent strongly or moderately agreed). In November 2010 and each year thereafter, online surveys will be sent to a stratified random sample of stakeholders to measure the extent to which eOrganic articles are being read, and to gauge user opinions of the quality, relevance, and utility of the articles. Members of eOrganic's 16 member stakeholder advisory group will also evaluate eOrganic webinars, articles, FAQs, and Ask an Expert responses. Quality, Relevance, and Utility of eOrganic Webinars as a Training System. Surveys and focus group protocols have been developed to evaluate webinars. The surveys have been implemented during 2010 for 12 webinars and will be used for all future webinars; the focus group methodology has also been used for one webinar and will be used for selected webinars in the remainder of 2010. Feedback from 215 webinar participants (49% farmers, 21% agricultural professionals, 12% extension personnel, 7% researchers, 7% non-profit staff, 4% master gardeners) has been collected. Thirty percent were from the northeast, 26% from the central US, 33% from the west, and 11 % from the south. Eighty-eight percent reported that the webinar improved their understanding "significantly" or "moderately". Eighty-six percent reported that they intended to apply the knowledge they gained in their work "a lot" or "somewhat". Eighty-seven percent reported that the information was at a technical level that was "just right." When asked if they would recommend the webinar to others, 94 percent said "yes", 6 percent said "maybe". Eighty-four percent of participants found accessing the webinar "very easy" and 10% found it to be "somewhat easy". Open-ended survey question response are being used to plan topics and improve the delivery of future webinars.
Publications
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