Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A 2-day symposium was held on October 28 and 29 in Everett, Washington that brought together organic farmers, researchers, extension educators, and industry professionals around the issue of reduced tillage in organic vegetable production. The first day brought 4 experts on no-till production to share experiences and research findings. Participants travelled to a local organic on-farm research project utilizing no-till practices to observe equipment, methods and results. Seventy five people attended, with 39 farmers present. The second day had a goal of discussing future plans for research and extension in Western Washington around reduced tillage. Participants broke into 5 groups to discuss potential research areas to be targeted and the group was brought back together to further discuss these elements. On this day, 35 people participated, with 13 farmers present. During the fall of 2009, a project committee team was formed to prepare a full research and extension proposal for the OREI program. This group met in person and via videoconference to refine the appropriate goals for the project and to develop research and outreach methods for a proposed project. This project was not selected for funding, but the PIs were encouraged to resubmit. In the fall of 2010, four members of the working team travelled to Oregon State University to meet with Mr. Nick Andrews, Dr. John Luna and Dr. Ed Peachey to discuss reduced tillage efforts in western Oregon and how they might be translated to western Washington. The group visited reduced-tillage efforts in place on vegetable farms and discussed various methods for incorporating reduced-tillage methods into organic farms. In November 2010, a presentation titled "Developing a Tillage Reduction Research Proposal for Western Washington Organic Vegetable Farms" was given at the Crop Science Society of America International Annual Meeting. This presentation discussed the process by which we have worked through to identify production methods that integrate reduced tillage technologies through research station and on-farm experimentation. In collaboration with WSU's Social and Economic Sciences Research Center, three focus groups were held to further understand factors involved in future adoption of reduced tillage methods on organic vegetable farms. Each of the three focus groups was held in different locations within western Washington with 15, 8, and 8 participants; a Spanish translator was provided at one of the locations. An OREI proposal was developed and submitted in the fall of 2010, which would include research on reduced-tillage practices in organic vegetable production in western Washington and western Oregon brought about as a result of the previous trip to Oregon. This project was not funded, but again, was recommended for resubmission. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Craig MacConnell (Project Director) Mr. MacConnell is responsible for the outcomes of the project and gives oversight and direction to the project. Mr. MacConnell retired in August, 2010; the project has continued with the PI of Colleen Burrows. Colleen Burrows (Co-Project Director) Ms. Burrows was the project manager. She co-organized the symposium, managed the budget, and organized team meetings. Andrew Corbin (Co-PD) Dr. Corbin participated as part of the planning committee, co-organized the symposium and team meetings. Douglas Collins (Co-PD) Dr. Collins participated as part of the planning committee and co-organized the symposium and team meetings. Chris Benedict (Team member) Mr. Benedict participated in the symposium and was a key member in developing focus groups. Symposium Participants: In day one and day two of the symposium, participants were from a variety of backgrounds and positions, including: Extension and research professionals from Washington State University, Oregon State University, Conservation Districts, USDA/NRCS Organic vegetable farmers from most counties of Western Washington growing on a diversity of scales (from less than one acre to hundreds of acres of cultivated land). Representatives of non-profit organizations associated with agriculture in Western Washington. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of this project is organic vegetable farmers in Western Washington looking to reduce tillage in their production methods. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Farmers and other participants attending the first and second days of the symposium had positive comments about the program. Most increased their knowledge of no-till strategies, impacts of tillage on soil, and cover cropping. Most farmers indicated that they plan to make changes in their cropping systems in the areas of soil fertility, cover cropping, and weed management. Many of the farmers had a basic understanding of reduced tillage systems, but were interested in how they could incorporate it into their own farms. They were very enthusiastic about the potential for research and extension activities around this topic to be done in Western Washington. The second day of the symposium brought insights into future research and extension activities that were used in developing a grant proposal for the OREI program. The newly formed project team for future activities developed and submitted a proposal to the OREI program for research and extension activities around reduced tillage practices on organic vegetable farms in Western Washington. During the visit to Oregon State University, working team members discussed methods of using various implements in organic vegetable systems common to western Washington. The WSU group further understood how these implements worked; in meeting with growers using these implements, they understood some of the benefits and limitations in their use. Collaborative relationships were made with researchers in Oregon, which developed into a joint proposal to OREI. Participants at three focus groups conducted in western Washington farmed acreages ranging from 1-1000 acres. They ranged from slightly to very familiar with reduced tillage practices; many of the growers have attempted to reduce tillage in one form or another on their farm, though they have not yet employed roller-crimpers or other specialized tools designed for reduced tillage systems. Key findings gleaned from the focus groups include that: Participants appreciate how reduced tillage can increase soil quality. Several talked about how rich their soil had been when it was first tilled and how repeated tillage reduced organic matter and led to a hard pan. Participants voiced that specific practices and specialized equipment will need to be adapted to their situation, particularly in light of our wetter climate and soil. There were concerns about weeds and other pests in reduced tillage systems. There was interest in which cover crops work the best and when to plant cover crops. Before adopting new practices, growers want to know that they have been tried in real settings and under conditions similar to their own situations. Findings from these focus groups will assist the working group in developing outreach material for this project and others targeting organic farmers.
Publications
- Corbin, A.T., Collins, D.P., Benedict, C. and Colleen Burrows 2011. Exploring adoption of reduced tillage practices in organic vegetable production. Poster presentation at the WSU All Faculty Conference, 10/05/11 Pullman, WA and the Tilth Producers of Washington Conference, 11/11/11, Yakima, WA.
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Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A 2-day symposium was held on October 28 and 29 in Everett, Washington that brought together organic farmers, researchers, extension educators, and industry professionals around the issue of no-till or reduced tillage in organic vegetable production. The first day of the symposium brought 4 experts on no-till production to share their experiences and research findings. Symposium participants travelled to a local on-farm research project utilizing no-till practices in organic vegetable production to observe equipment, methods and results from this small trial. There was much interest in this session. Seventy five people attended, with 39 farmers present. The second day of the symposium had a goal of discussing future plans for research and extension in Western Washington around reduced tillage in organic farms. Participants broke into 5 groups to discuss potential research areas to be targeted and the group was brought back together to further discuss these elements. On this day, 35 people participated, with 13 farmers present. During the fall of 2009, a project committee team was formed to prepare a full research and extension proposal for the OREI program. This group met in person and via videoconference to refine the appropriate goals for the project and to develop research and outreach methods for a proposed project. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Craig MacConnell (Project Director) Mr. MacConnell is responsible for the outcomes of the project and gives oversight and direction to the project. Colleen Burrows (Co-Project Director) Ms. Burrows was the project manager. She co-organized the symposium, managed the budget, and organized team meetings. Andrew Corbin (Co-PD) Mr. Corbin participated as part of the planning committee, co-organized the symposium and team meetings. Douglas Collins (Co-PD) Mr. Collins participated as part of the planning committee and co-organized the symposium and team meetings. Symposium Participants: In day one and day two of the symposium, participants were from a variety of backgrounds and positions, including: Extension and research professionals from Washington State University, Oregon State University, Conservation Districts, USDA/NRCS Organic vegetable farmers from most counties of Western Washington growing on a diversity of scales (from less than one acre to hundreds of acres of cultivated land). Representatives of non-profit organizations associated with agriculture in Western Washington. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of this project is organic vegetable farmers in Western Washington looking to reduce tillage in their production methods. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A no-cost extension was granted; the following additional activities will be performed. Members of the working team to travel to Oregon State University to visit with researchers working on reduced tillage in organic vegetable production and observe their trials in order to determine the best way for collaboration between institutions and to further understand various practices that may be applicable to organic systems in Western Washington. One co-PI will present information from this project at the American Society of Agronomy conference. Three focus groups of organic farmers in Western Washington will be formed to further understand what potential adoption rates may be for reduced till systems in organic vegetable production as well as barriers to adopting these practices. This work will be done in collaboration with Washington State University's Social and Economic Sciences Research Center. Further meetings with the research and extension team will be held to plan for the future OREI proposal.
Impacts
Farmers and other participants attending the first and second days of the symposium had positive comments about the program. Most increased their knowledge of no-till strategies, impacts of tillage on soil, and cover cropping. Most farmers indicated that they plan to make changes in their cropping systems in the areas of soil fertility, cover cropping, and weed management. Many of the farmers had a basic understanding of reduced tillage systems, but were interested in how they could incorporate it into their own farms. They were very enthusiastic about the potential for research and extension activities around this topic to be done in Western Washington. The second day of the symposium brought insights into future research and extension activities that were used in developing a grant proposal for the OREI program. The newly formed project team for future activities developed and submitted a proposal to the OREI program for research and extension activities around reduced tillage practices on organic vegetable farms in Western Washington.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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