Progress 09/01/09 to 04/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audiences were organic farmers in the mid-Atlantic region and nationally, Extension and other agricultural professionals (e.g. NRCS, private consultants etc) that serve organic farmers, and other scientists. Changes/Problems:Due to very wet weather conditions in the fall of 2009, no farmers were able to plant cover crops that year so the project start date was delayed one year. Two farmers were not able to complete the on-farm research component due to challenging managment consideration so the originally planned 12 site years was reduced to 8 site years. The postdoc who initiated all the on-farm field work left the project during the second year of field work so the bulk of the work was subsequently coordinated by a technician who was able to process all samples--with the help ofstudent labor--and summarize the data. The technician, however, was not qualified to write papers to submit to scientific journals. These papers, however, are now being completed but their publication has been delayed. By being granted two years of unfunded extension we have been able to provide two additional years of support to the annual Queen Anne's County Organic Workshop, the primary organic workshop in the mid-Atlantic region. These extensions have provided important support to the organic farming community in the region. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Nine leading organic research and extension personnel (Ellen Mallory, Cathleen Delate, Charles Shapiro, Lauren Kolb, Chris Reberg-Horton, Michel Cavigelli, Steven Mirsky, Jude Maul, Betty Marose) from across the US attended a Grain Cropping Systems Community of Practice Intensive Workshop on February 27 - March 1, 2012 in Maryland. Financial support for participant travel, lodging and per diem was provided by eOrganic.eOrganic personnel provided training during the intensive for all CoP participants in posting articles, tables, and photographs. Draft articles from seven authors were loaded onto the eOrganic site and contributors were identified for additional articles, webinars, and videos. Six articles have been published on the eOrganic Grain Cropping Systems Community of Practice, four have been drafterd, and four are in various stages of review. Two project members attended the national eOrganic Envisioning Workshop in November, 2012 in Portland, OR. These project members linked eOrganic with the USDA Organic Working Group to facilitate partnership opportunities. One project member attended the National eXtension Conference in Louisville, KY in 2011. The Annual Queen Anne's County Organic Workshop was supported for five years (2010-2014). This is the primary organic workshop in the mid-Atlantic region. Keynote speakers were selected from across the country to introduce novel ideas to the mid-Atlantic organic farming community. Regional and local speakers and workshop leaders led discussions regarding issues of organic farming. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results have been disseminated via three newsletter articles, one factsheet, two on-farm field days, one on-station field day, and three presentations at local meetings. A poster and handouts titled "eXtension and eOrganic: Bringing Information to You 24/7" were presented at nine farmer meetings between 2011 and 2013 to increase public awareness of eOrganic and eXtension. Also, one talk was given at a regional meeting for the same purpose. The eOrganic Grain Cropping Systems Community of Practice was established and six articles on various aspects of organic grain management have been published on the eOrganic site. Additional articles are in the draft or review stages. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two years of on-farm research were conducted and results are being compiled for publication in scientific journals. Results show that legume cover crops are often sufficient to provide the nitrogen needs of an organic corn crop in the mid-Atlantic region and that supplemental poultry litter can be applied at phosphorus replacement levels, thereby reducing reliance on animal by products. Two on-farm field days were held to highlight on-farm research. The regional conference was held during five years, 2010-2014, since the project was extended (unfunded) for two years. The results have been disseminated infournewsletter articles and factsheets, two on-farm field days, one on-station field day, and two presentations at local meetings. In addition, aspects of the research were included in two scientific publications
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Marose, B.H., M.A. Cavigelli, J.T. Spargo, S.B. Mirsky, J.E. Maul, J.R. Teasdale. 2011. Establishing the e-Organic grain cropping systems community of practice. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Marose, B.H., M. Cavigelli, K. Delate, E. Mallory, C. Shapiro, L. Kolb, C. Reberg-Horton, J. Maul and S. Mirsky. 2012. Growing the eOrganic Grains Community. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Cincinnati, OH
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
OReilly, M. (in collaboration with B.H. Marose) 2012. Extension Tips for Organic Grains Producers. USDA Blog, June 5. http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/06/05/extension-tips-for-organic-grains-producers/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Marose, B.H. Navigating eXtension. 8th Annual Organic Grain and Vegetable Production Training. Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD. Mar. 12, 2013.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Cavigelli, M. 2010. Impact of Organic Grain Farming Methods on Climate Change Webinarhttp://www.extension.org/pages/30850/impact-of-organic-grain-farming-methods-on-climate-change-webinar#.VfC8kBFVhHw
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Spargo, J., M.A. Cavigelli, S. Mirsky, J. Meisinger. 2011. Evaluation of Supplemental N Source and Timing of Application for Organic Field Corn Production Following a Vetch Cover Crop. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We finished the first year and conducted the second year of on-farm research at four locations. We held one field day at USDA-ARS-BARC in Beltsville, MD on August 28, 2012 to highlight research supported under this grant. Four SASL scientists and two graduate students gave presentations attended by about 110 people. We helped organize the 7th Annual Organic Grains, Forages and Vegetables Workshop held in Queen Anne's County on March 6th, attended by about 125 people. We presented results from the first year of on-farm research. The talk was highlighted in the leading local agricultural newspaper, The Delmarva Farmer, and other agricultural media. We hosted a multi-state collaborator and farmer stakeholder meeting to inform on-station and on-farm organic grain production research trials (19 participants). We continued developing the Grains Cropping Systems Community of Practice (CoP) on the eOrganic website. We organized a 3-day Intensive Workshop on February 27 - March 1, 2012, bringing together nine of the top US organic grain researchers who are also actively engaged in outreach to develop long-term and short-term plans for developing the website. Draft articles from seven authors were loaded onto the eOrganic site and contributors were identified for additional articles, webinars, and videos. We helped plan and organize and attended the eOrganic Envisioning meeting held Nov. 4-6, 2012 in Portland, OR. We linked eOrganic and USDA Organic Working Group personnel to facilitate discussion of potential partnership opportunities. We captured video footage and still photos from all stages of the research and are developing a script for a short project video to post on the web. We made 11 presentations to diverse audiences composed of farmers, scientists, agricultural professionals and policymakers regarding the research supported by this grant. We provided consultations with USDA RMA about nitrogen release from diverse materials and weed control methods used in organic farming to help evaluate farmer payments in the federal crop insurance program; with the Los Angeles Times regarding a study published in Nature on crop yields in organic cropping systems; with Chris Lawrence, NRCS, on the value of crimson vs. red clover as a cover crop; with U.S. EPA on ecosystem services provided by organic cropping systems; with Perdue AgriRecycle LLC, on results of our research on N availability of pelletized poultry litter for organic corn production; with World Wildlife Foundation on organic agriculture; with a regional and national NRCS team from the Plant Material Centers on cover crop management and approaches to removing barriers to cover crop adoption; with the Union of Concerned Scientists on organic no-till production; with the Organic Farming Research Foundation and USDA-ARS Organic Program Leader for a tour of ARS organic research; with USDA-ARS Chief Scientists on organic research and cover crops. PARTICIPANTS: John Spargo coordinated and participated in all on-farm research and outreach until October, 2011. Grace Garst helped conduct all aspects of the research. Victoria Lake helped conduct all aspects of the research until January, 2012. Betty Marose worked on all outreach aspects of the project including eOrganic, tours and video; and helped conduct on-farm research. Michel Cavigelli (PI) coordinated and helped conduct all aspects of research and outreach. Steven Mirsky (co-PI) helped plan and conduct all aspects of research and made presentations at field days. Jude Maul (co-PI) helped conduct research and make presentations at field days. Jenny Rhodes and John Hall (retired), Maryland Cooperative Extension, and Karen Fedor, Maryland Department of Agriculture, along with project PIs and co-PIs organized the Annual Queen Anne County Organic Grain, Forage and Vegetable Workshop. The workshop was co-sponsored by Future Harvest/Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture; Maryland ACReS, a mediation branch of the Maryland Department of Agriculture; Maryland Agricultural And Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation; Maryland Department of Agriculture Crop Insurance; National Center for Appropriate Technology; Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension; Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative; Queen Anne's Soil Conservation District; and Walls Irrigation. Aaron Cooper, Bill Mason, and Ed Fry helped conduct the research on their farms. Gwen Bagley, Alex Welsh, Christopher Chapman, William Marose, Ruth Mangum, Chris Rasmann, Kyle Cuilla, and Louis Thorne assisted in many on-farm research and laboratory aspects of sample collection and analysis. Aaron Solomon provided advice on video equipment and technique. John McQueen, Alice Formiga, and Alex Stone of eOrganic provided technical assistance with developing an eOrganic Grains Community of Practice. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our primary target audience is organic grain farmers and those considering transitioning to organic methods in the mid-Atlantic region, who are underserved with respect to science-based recommendations for nutrient management. In addition, we also serve agricultural professionals working with organic grain farmers (Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Districts, State Departments of Agricultural, crop consultants, nutrient management advisors, crop insurance agents, agribusiness personnel, etc). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We had to delay the start of the project by one year due to extremely wet weather in the fall of 2009, which did not allow any on-farm collaborators to plant cover crops, an important component of the on-farm research. We have received a one-year no cost extension to account for this modification.
Impacts
Results from the first year of on-farm research show that poultry litter can be applied at phosphorus replacement rates (~1.5 ton/a) without sacrificing corn yield relative to when poultry litter is applied to meet corn nitrogen needs (~3 ton/a). This is an important finding because it suggests that manure application rates could be reduced on organic farms, thereby decreasing phosphorus loading rates and the potential for subsequent losses and pollution problems. Final impacts await completion of the second year data analysis. In a post tour evaluation of the USDA-ARS-BARC Field Day on August 28, 2012, 58% of respondents said they learned a lot or a great deal and 37% learned a moderate amount about integrating cover crops and animal wastes for agricultural sustainability. When asked how they would use what was learned, 48% would seek more information, 26% would implement on their farm, 39% would advise or train others, 22% would incorporate in education materials, and 52% would use in program and policy development. A clicker-based classroom evaluation of the 7th Annual Maryland Organic Grains, Forages, and Vegetables Workshop on March 6, 2012, found that approximately 18% of attendees were gathering information to become organic farmers and 36% identified themselves as current farmers/producers. More than two-thirds of attendees had been engaged in organic production for less than 10 years and in contrast to traditional farm audiences which are overwhelmingly male, 43% of attendees were female. Greatest challenges were identified as weather (26%), pests and diseases (25%), input costs (13%), wildlife damage (13%), regulations (10%), and markets (8%). Things that partners/stakeholders could do to assist this sector of production agriculture included: increase applied or on-farm research (34%); sponsor more outreach and education sessions (26%); have more boots on the ground, work in the field (25%); and provide more web-based information (15%). Research was highlighted in the popular press: Baragona, S. 2012. Blended Organic-Conventional Farming Could Feed World. Interviewed and filmed M. Cavigelli and farmer/cooperator W. Mason for Voice of America article and video. Delmar Daily. 2012. OREI-funded on-farm research highlighted at http://delmardaily.blogspot.com/2012/03/nutrient-management-on-organi c-farms.html Elben, M. 2012. Nutrient management on organic farms still highly variable. The Delmarva Farmer, March. http://www.americanfarm.com/publications/the-delmarva-farmer/1201-nut rient-management-on-organic-farms-still-highly-variable Khan, A. 2012. Organic farming, carefully done, can be efficient. LA Times, April 26. Quoted in article. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/26/science/la-sci-organic-farmin g-20120426 O'Reilly, M. (in collaboration with B.H. Marose) 2012. Extension Tips for Organic Grains Producers. USDA Blog, June 5. http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/06/05/extension-tips-for-organic-grains-pr oducers/ Smith, M. 2011. Organic research activities of the USDA's ARS. ICROFS Newsletter, September, p. 15-16. Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab organic research highlighted.
Publications
- Cavigelli, M.A., S.B. Mirsky, J.R. Teasdale, J.T. Spargo, J.W. Doran. 2013. Organic grain cropping systems to enhance ecosystem services. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. Available on CJO2013. doi:10.1017/S1742170512000439.
- Spargo, J.T., M.A. Cavigelli, S.B. Mirsky, J.E. Maul. 2012. Nutrient Management on Organic Farms: Combining Cover Crops and Poultry Litter to Improve N and P Management in Corn. USDA-ARS-SASL Factsheet.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We conducted the first year of on-farm research at four locations, including planting cover crops in the fall, applying manure applications in the spring and collecting cover crop, soils and corn data throughout the year. We conducted one field day to highlight the research at Eden, Maryland on August 1, 2011, attended by about 50 people. We helped organize and otherwise support the 6th Annual Organic Grains, Forages and Vegetables Workshop in Queen Anne's County on March 8th, attended by about 100 people from Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. We developed a presentation on Nutrient Management on Organic Farms, which was presented at the Queen Anne meeting and at several other occasions during the year. We also initiated the Grains Systems Community of Practice on the eOrganic website and planned the first Intensive to develop content and an executive committee to shepherd this project. PARTICIPANTS: John Spargo coordinated and participated in all the on-farm research, made presentations at field days and workshops on nutrient management in organic systems. Grace Garst helped conduct all aspects of the research. Victoria Lake helped conduct all aspects of the research. Betty Marose worked on all outreach aspects of the project and helped conduct on-farm research. Michel Cavigelli (PI) coordinated and helped conduct all aspects of research and outreach. Steven Mirsky (co-PI) helped plan and conduct all aspects of research and made presentations at field days. Jude Maul (co-PI) helped conduct research and make presentations at field day. Jenny Rhodes and John Hall, Maryland Cooperative Extension, and Karen Fedor, Maryland Department of Agriculture, organized the Annual Queen Anne County Organic Grain, Forage and Vegetable Workshop. Aaron Cooper, Bill Mason, and Ed Fry helped conduct the research on their farms. John McQueen, Alice Formiga, and Alex Stone of eOrganic provided technical assistance with developing an eOrganic Grains Community of Practice and conducting webinars. Organic Valley and Horizon Dairy helped sponsor the Annual Queen Anne's workshop. Training or Professional Development A postdoc, John Spargo, has been provided professional development opportunities in conducting on-farm organic research. Eight additional students and technicians (including those paid by other sources and volunteers) have been provided the opportunity to conduct certain aspects of on-farm research and have attended outreach programs. Betty Marose received training on eOrganic website management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our primary target audience is organic grain farmers and those considering transitioning to organic methods in the mid-Atlantic region, who are underserved with respect to science-based recommendations for nutrient management. In addition, we also serve agricultural professionals working with organic grain farmers (Extension, NRCS, state agricultural agencies, crop consultants etc). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We had to delay the start of the project by one year due to extremely wet weather in the fall of 2009, which did not allow any on-farm collaborators to plant cover crops, an important component of the on-farm research. In addition, one farmer dropped out of the program and a second farmer made a management mistake on his plots, which negated the value of the research initiated on his farm. In response, we added a new on-station site to the program. We have requested a one-year no cost extension to account for these modifications.
Impacts
On-farm research provided numerous opportunities to discuss management details to improve nutrient management with organic farmers. More than 60% of farmers attending meetings identified a need for additional on-farm research to address the needs of organic farmers. Further impacts await completion of the first year of field research and further development of the eOrganic Grains Community of Practice.
Publications
- Mirsky, S.B. 2011. Reduced tillage in organic grain rotations: Challenges and opportunities. MOFFA newsletter, winter. http://www.marylandorganic.org/documents/MOFFAwinter2011Newsletter-2. pdf
- Cavigelli, M. and J. Spargo. 2010. BARC research: Nutrient management on organic farms. MOFFA newsletter, summer. http://www.marylandorganic.org/documents/MOFFANEWSSummer2010-1_000.pd f
- Spargo, J.T., M.A. Cavigelli, J. Maul, S.B. Mirsky, J.J. Meisinger, and J. Buyer. 2010. Labile soil organic matter and mineralizable soil nitrogen pools in response to management history. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, presentation 59-3. http://a-c-s.confex.com/scisoc/2010am/webprogram/Paper61024.html
- Reberg-Horton, S.C., S. Mirsky, M. Cavigelli, J. Teasdale, R. Heiniger, A. Meijer, A.K. Culbreath, C. Crozier, G. Place, L. Grabau, H. Schomberg, J. Grossman, W. C. Johnson, and E.G. Cantonwine. 2010. Challenges and Opportunities with Organic Grain Production in the Southeast. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, presentation 280-2. http://a-c-s.confex.com/scisoc/2010am/webprogram/Paper57730.html
- Cavigelli, M. and J. Spargo. 2011. How does organic management impact soil nitrogen availability MOFFA newsletter, fall. http://www.marylandorganic.org/documents/MOFFAFall2010.pdf
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: None of the farmer cooperators in this project were able to plant winter cover crops in fall 2009 due to very wet fall weather. Therefore, we delayed the start of on-farm research until fall 2010. During 2010 we finalized detailed experimental designs in consultation with farmers (planning experiments, identifying fields on farms where experiments will be established, and purchasing seed and other materials). We made a presentation outlining the nascent research program at the 2010 Queen Anne's County Organic Grain Production Workshop in March, a conference that was organized by members of our project team. About 100 people attended this conference. We have hired a postdoc to coordinate the on-farm research components of the project and we have interviewed and selected a candidate to fill the position of support scientist. PARTICIPANTS: Michel Cavigelli, PI, coordinated all aspects of the project and visited farms to finalize experimental designs with farmers. He made a presentation about the project at the 2010 Queen Anne's County Organic Grain Production Workshop (QACOGPW). Steven Mirsky, co-PI helped finalize experimental designs in concert with the PI and farmers and made a presentation at the QACOGPW about weed control in organic systems. John Spargo, who was hired as a postdoc using project funds, developed detailed research plans, visited farms, purchased seed and other materials and made a presentation about soil fertility on organic farms at the QACOGPW. Maryland Cooperative Extension and Maryland Department of Agriculture, along with USDA-ARS, organized the 2010 QACOGPW. TARGET AUDIENCES: About 100 members of the target audience--farmers, agricultural professionals, and agency personnel--attended the 2010 Queen Anne's County Organic Grain Production Workshop in March. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We delayed the beginning of the research phase of the project by one year since none of the cooperating farmers were able to plant cover crops, a major focus of the research, due to very wet weather in fall 2009. Since the outreach coordinator is also involved in the research component of the project we also delayed hiring a support scientist to fill this role by about one year. We anticipate requesting a one-year unfunded extension of the project to account for these delays.
Impacts
Due to the one year delay in the on-farm research component of the project, there are not yet any outcomes or impacts of the research component of the project. Participants at the Organic Grains Workshop indicated increased knowledge of organic grain crop production according to a survey conducted at the end of the workshop.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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