Source: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
MENTAL MODELS AND PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH TO REDESIGN EXTENSION PROGRAMMING FOR ORGANIC WEED MANAGEMENT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0218895
Grant No.
2009-51300-05653
Cumulative Award Amt.
$2,227,235.00
Proposal No.
2010-03393
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2009
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2014
Grant Year
2012
Program Code
[113.A]- Organic Agriculture Research & Extension Initiative
Recipient Organization
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
1680 MADISON AVENUE
WOOSTER,OH 44691
Performing Department
Horticulture and Crop Science
Non Technical Summary
Despite recent USDA and land grant university engagement with organic producers, most still rely on informal farmer-to-farmer networks, the popular literature, and perceived experts for production information. Many organic farmers have not embraced practices known to mitigate ecological imbalances and contribute to long-term farm sustainability. Continued growth of organic farming will depend on efficient delivery and acceptance of research-based information. The long-term goal of our team is to facilitate full integration of scientific knowledge and technology into organic farming practice. We hypothesize that barriers to learning can be overcome through audience-specific educational programs that have been informed by in-depth understanding of what organic farmers' know and believe along with their attitudes and current practices. We will `lift the rug' obscuring the barriers to effective broad-based knowledge transfer to organic farmers by using a mental models approach to address the relentless problem of weed management. Without better understanding of what and how growers think, increasing scientific knowledge about managing weeds will not efficiently facilitate growth in organic farming. This research fills a critical gap in our comprehension of the knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, values and practices of organic farmers. Understanding how they make decisions will allow us to design educational programs that match the needs of various farmers who may operate under widely divergent philosophical and economic models. Extension educators will be equipped to deliver these programs within a participatory environment that engenders trust and behavioral change. The research will yield biophysical information relating how the farmers' different cognitive processes impact weed management strategies being used, and the outcomes in the field. In lieu of inventing new weed control procedures our goal in this long-term project, for which we request 48 months of funding, is to understand and then dismantle knowledge-based, social, and economic barriers to optimal adoption of ecologically-based practices already known to control weeds. We expect to produce immediate and tangible recommendations on how to broadly promote adoption of optimum weed management practices across diverse communities of organic producers. We anticipate that this knowledge will also be applicable to other disciplines educating organic producers.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
30%
Developmental
70%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2136010114010%
2136010301010%
2136010302010%
2136010303020%
2136050114010%
2136050301010%
2136050302010%
2136050303020%
Knowledge Area
213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals; 6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education; 1140 - Weed science; 3010 - Economics; 3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The projects long-term goal is to understand and then dismantle knowledge-based, social, and economic barriers to optimal adoption of current scientifically validated, ecologically-based practices already known to control weeds. Outreach will occur continuously as the project team engages growers, extension educators, and private crop advisors in participatory mental models and biological research, and development and testing of redesigned extension programming. Focused outreach opportunities will occur as the team develops and participates in the eOrganic Community of Interest focused on crop rotation, during the iterative design, delivery, and evaluation of redesigned extension programs, and through presentations made at grower organization and scientific meetings. Specific objectives are: 1. Determine the knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes that underlie weed management practices and outcomes amongst organic farmers in Ohio, Indiana, California, northern New England, and The Netherlands. The primary expected outcome from this research is comprehensive knowledge about what farmers are doing to control weeds, why they do the things they do, and how effective these practices are. (Years 1 & 2). 2. Establish a learning community of growers, researchers and extension educators within the eOrganic Community of Practice to conduct case-study research on working farms, and outreach on the benefits of crop rotation for weed management. Tools and capacity to increase understanding of the ecological effects of crop rotations on weed communities will be developed through this aim. (Year 2 & 3). 3. Develop, disseminate, and evaluate the impact of differentiated educational programs and communication strategies designed to encourage adoption of scientifically-validated weed management practices for organic farming. The primary expected outcome from this research is deeper knowledge about educational orientations, preferences and behaviors of organic farmers and the development of differentiated educational programs that fulfill the perceived information needs of various grower segments. (Year 3 & 4).
Project Methods
1.Determine the knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes that underlie weed management practices and outcomes amongst organic farmers in Ohio, Indiana, California, northern New England, and The Netherlands. Method: Mental models reflecting perspectives on weed control of small, medium and large organic farmers will be prepared. For each cohort we anticipate interviewing 20-30 individuals. Confirmatory surveys will be used to assess quantitatively the frequency of specific beliefs and practices determined through mental modeling. The survey instrument will include items on weed control practice, precise descriptions of actual crop rotations, perceptions of weed biology and weed management, preferred sources and means of receiving information, and attitudinal data related to the strength of such preferences. 2. Establish a learning community of growers, researchers and extension educators within the eOrganic Community of Practice to conduct case-study research on working farms, and outreach on the benefits of crop rotation for weed management. Method: We will establish an online Workspace including participants from the Northeast, Midwest, California and the Netherlands, within eOrganic focused on rotation strategies for managing weeds in organic systems. The Workspace will provide the group with an asynchronous learning community, including opportunities for threaded discussions, drafting of joint documents, and monitoring group progress. Initial efforts will focus on describing current Mental Models and developing survey devices to assess growers' positions along this continuum of understanding. Input variables would include initial weed seed bank estimates (low, moderate, high), tillage, crop sequences, observed periods of weed seedling emergence, and flowering in each sequence, timing of weed control measures and observed efficacy, estimates of weed biomass and seed rain (light, moderate, heavy), crop harvest and residue management. Input of variables from grower case-studies will be supplemented in Year 2 with biophysical data collected from fields managed by farmers across the country and the Netherlands who participated in the mental models data collection. 3. Develop, disseminate, and evaluate the impact of differentiated educational programs and communication strategies designed to encourage adoption of scientifically-validated weed management practices for organic farming. Methods: Characteristics that set organic farmers apart from conventional farmers will be determined through mental models, focus groups and quantitative data collections. Differentiated educational programs will be designed, delivered and evaluated for impact on various grower segments. Evaluation will be conducted with growers and extension personnel. Data will be analyzed for emergent themes from which the researchers will develop differentiated audience profiles. Findings will be used in developing and assessing tailored educational programs and messages in the area of organic weed management.

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The project team engaged with growers, extension educators, scientific colleagues, and private crop advisors in participatory mental models and biological research, and development and testing of redesigned extension programming for weed control in organic crops. Focused outreach occurred as the team engaged with each stakeholder group, informed the science of outreach, and then developed and delivered redesigned extension programs to farmers and their advisors. Farmers were reached through invididual consults with team members, through presentations and short courses, websites, and a series of webinars offered through eOrganic and through ATTRA. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Our team did not find eOrganic to be an effective channel through which to develop a community of researchers and growers as envisioned in the original proposal. Therefore, we pursued traditional approaches to community development around the topic of weed management by engaging at the local (state) level with farmers, organizations and allied colleagues outside of the project. This approach facilitated our ability to build a team of more than 90 farmers who participated actively in mental models and case-study research (see Webinar/ Video series under Other Products). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Six journal articles, one thesis and one book chapter were completed as a result of the project. Several additional journal articiles are currently in preparation. The results of the national quantitiative survey (see Other Products) when analyzed will lead to one or more addtional scholarly articles. Six articles were prepared for grower organization news letters and for those of the Rodale Insitute and MOSES. Throughout the project more than 21 hours of presentations and workshops were presented to organic farming audiences around the country and internationally. We communicated our findings extensively through 26 scientific and professional presentations at conferences and workshops in the US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, The Netherlands and Sweden. Our videos and webinar series, including three intentionally directed towards extension professionals had been viewed by more than 4600 as of May 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our trans-disciplinary team used mental models and bio-physical data to bridge farmer knowledge, perception and attitudes regarding weeds, to actual outcomes on their farms. We determined that farmers, with their varying risk tolerances and perceptions of weeds and farming practice, incorporated attributes of the farm to develop heuristics that seemed to work for them. Generally, farmers did not highly value advice provided by extension services. Whereas experts expected farmers' applications of ecological weed management principles to be deficient, the data indicated broad-exposure and in-depth knowledge. Seed bank reduction and weed identification were particular foci of farmers' management; however, farmers generally overestimated the longevity of seeds in arable soils, resulting in a perception of inevitability. Farmers took personal responsibility for weed problems, in contrast to many conventional farmers who blame weeds on factors outside of their control. Farmers focused on risks associated with various tactics more so than experts. For instance while relying heavily upon cultivation tools for control, farmers worried about costs, crop injury, timing and soil degradation more than did experts. Farmers valued and utilized cover crops; however, in contrast to experts, their rationale focused on sustaining healthy soils capable of withstanding extensive cultivation rather than on direct suppression of weeds. Several relationships between individual mental models and weed management outcomes were identified. Lower seed bank densities were observed on US farms where more emphasis was placed on 'experience/ risk perception', long-term seed bank management, and less on soil cation exchange site 'balancing', and other 'alternative' knowledge. US farmers who expressed lower risk tolerances for cultivation and flaming, had higher seed bank densities. Like US farmers, Dutch farmers who emphasized the importance of long-term seed bank management also had lower seed bank densities than those who emphasized critical-period weed free management. In contrast to the US, soil cation exchange site balancing was not an issue in The Netherlands. These results indicate that extension teaching should place more emphasis upon farmers' perceptions and needs regarding conservation of their resources, the experiential learning model farmers use to develop heuristics for weed management, and the importance of values in their decision making.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zwickle, S., R.S. Wilson and D. Doohan. (2014). Identifying the challenges of promoting Ecological Weed Management(EWM) in organic agroecosystems through the lens of behavioral decision making". Agriculture and Human Values. 31:355-370.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lillard, P. T., Tucker, M., & Doohan, D. (2013, June). Organic farmers: A qualitative analysis of their words and worldviews. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society (AFHVS), East Lansing, MI.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: M. Riemens. (2013). The Ohio State University. Organic Weed Management in Cropping Systems in The Netherlands.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zwickle, S., Wilson, R., & Lillard, P. T. (2012, February). The weed management decision-making process. Presented at Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service 23rd annual organic farming conference, La Crosse, WI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: J. Parker, R. Smith, and D. Doohan. Lets Talk: Organic Farm Research and Conversations with Farmers that Lead to Developing Better Weed Management Programs. Annual Meetings of the Society for Applied Anthropology, Mar 18  22, Albuquerque, NM.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: J. Parker. Why Do I Farm? Social Influences on Decision-Making and Farm Management. Plant and Soil Science Seminar Series, University of Vermont, 11 Nov, Burlington, VT.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: J. Parker. The Challenge of a Socially Sustainable Agriculture: What can Extension do to Foster a Socially Sustainable Agriculture. Joint Annual Meetings of the Agriculture and Human Values Society and the Association for the Study of Food and Society, 19  20 Jun, Lansing, MI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jabbour, R., Noy, S., and Gallandt, E. Quantifying the social dimension of agriculture: Integrating farmer perspectives into entomology research and education. Invited talk in symposium titled "Entomology's Role in Sustaining Ecosystem Services in Agroecosystems" at the 2014 Entomological Society of America Meeting (Portland, OR, November 16-19, 2014).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jabbour, R., E.R. Gallandt, S. Zwickle1, R.S. Wilson, and D. Doohan. Pest management decision-making: A comparison of farmer and scientist mental models and implications for outreach. 99th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Sacramento, CA (8/14/2014).
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. A systems perspective on weed management: Cultivation, rotation, cover crops and the weed seedbank. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Niagara Falls, Ontario. (2/19/2014).
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. Weed management in organic farming: Mental models, seedling- and seedbank management. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University. (1/15/2014).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jabbour, R., Birthisel , S., Drummond, F.A., Gallandt, E.R. Habitat effects on granivore diversity and weed seed predation in a New England farmscape. Invited talk in Program Symposium "Impacts of Global Change on Biodiversity and Biological Control" at annual Entomological Society of America meeting, Austin, TX.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. Weed management for beginning organic farmers: Practices, pitfalls and solutions. Beginning Farmer Service Organization Professional Development Training. Latham, NY (10/28/2013).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. Ecologically based weed management: Theory and application of many little hammers. V SIMBRAS-Simp�sio Brasileiro de Agropecu�ria Sustent�vel. Universidade Federal de Vi�osa, Brazil (10/18/2013).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. Considering stakeholders: Incongruities of researcher and farmer mental models. Raising the Bar: International Workshop on Improving the Standard and Utility of Weed/Invasive Plant Research. B-Bar Ranch, Emigrant, MT (6/11/2012).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Doohan, D., E. Gallandt, S. Zwickel1, R. Jabbour, J. Parker, K. Gibson, M. Tucker, R. Smith, R. Wilson, S. Ernst, M.M. Riemens. Expert and farmer Mental Models for weed management in organic farming systems. 10th European Weed Research Society Workshop on Physical and Cultural Weed Control, Alnarp, Sweden (3/17/2014).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jabbour, R., Zwickle1, S., Gallandt, E., McPhee, K., Wilson, R., Doohan, D. 2013. Mental models of organic weed management: Links between farmer knowledge, perceptions, and weed seedbanks. Annual Meeting, Weed Science Society of America, Baltimore, MD. (2/4-7/2013).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Jabbour, R., Gallandt, E.R., Zwickle1, S., Wilson, R.S., McPhee, K., Doohan, D. Organic farmer mental models: Associations between weed seedbanks and management philosophies on New England farms. 97th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR (8/7/2012).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: R.F. Smith & J.S. Parker. 2014. Evaluation of the impact of organic weed control practices on soil seed banks of organic farms in California, USA.10th European Weed Research Society Workshop on Physical and Cultural Weed Control, Alnarp, Sweden (3/17/2014).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. and R. Jabbour. Predation, preemption and burial: Managing weed seed rain. Annual Meeting, Weed Science Society of America, Baltimore, MD. (2/4-7/2013).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: R. Smith. (2013) Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Conference, Granville, OH, Impact of organic weed control practices on soil seedbanks in vegetable production.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: R. Smith. (2013). The Ohio State University Seminar Series, Impact of organic weed control practices on soil seedbanks in vegetable production.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: MM Riemens, newsletter BIOM, audience: organic Dutch farmers, april 2010, Title: Start project naar onkruidbeheersing op biologische bedrijven.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: MM Riemens, Presentation, audience: KNPV (Royal Dutch Crop Protection Society) Weed Research Working Group, June 2014. Title: Mental models of organic weed management.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lillard, P. (2012). Managing weeds on a Midwest farm. Rodale Institute. Available: http://rodaleinstitute.org/2012/managing-weeds-on-a-midwest-farm/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lillard, P. (2014). Friends or foes: Farmers talk about their relationships with weeds. Organic Broadcaster 22(1). Available: http://mosesorganic.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Broadcaster22.1web.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: MM Riemens, Presentation, audience: Regional Study Groups Organic Farmers, Groningen, january 2011. Title: Onkruidbeheersing op biologische bedrijven.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: MM Riemens, web site news, Wageningen UR website, march 2011, title: Mental models of organic weed management.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: MM Riemens, Presentation, audience: Regional Study Groups Organic Farmers, Zuid West Nederland, february 2012. Title: Onkruidbeheersing op biologische bedrijven.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: MM Riemens, Presentation, audience: Researchers Wageningen University, lunch seminar, november 2012. Title: More than technology: Linking farmers weed management behaviour with on-farm weed pressure.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: MM Riemens, Presentation, audience: Regional Study Groups Organic Farmers, Zuid West Nederland, march 2014. Title: Zaadbank op biologische bedrijven.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: MM Riemens, Presentation, audience: Regional Study Groups Organic Farmers, Overijssel, september 2014. Title: Onkruidbeheersing op biologische bedrijven.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gibson, K.D. 2013. Do certified and uncertified fresh-market organic tomato growers in the Midwest manage weeds differently? American Society for Horticultural Science annual conference, Palm Desert, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lillard, P. T., Tucker, M., & Ernst, S. (2012, July). Cultural and institutional barriers to symmetrical communication between scientists and organic agriculturalists. Paper presented at the 75th annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, Chicago, IL.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lillard, P. T., & Tucker M. Designed, developed and maintained project website that features educational resources, contacts and project staff directory. Developed Organic Thinking logo and branding for website and video series. Available: http://www.ydae.purdue.edu/oarei/index.html Our analytics data indicate there have been 715 visitors and more than 1,100 hits to the site since its launch in March 2012.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: E. Gallandt. 2013. Ecologically based Weed Management. Guest lecture at Colby College, Waterville, ME (1/24/2013; 26 attending).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: E. Gallandt. Mental Models: How Northern New England organic farmers think about weeds and weed management. Wageningen University, the Netherlands (3/28/2012; 25 attending).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: R. Smith. 2011. Vegetable weed control. Agriculture and Land Based Training Association, Salinas, (Bilingual), 29
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zwickle, S., Wilson, R., Lillard, P., & Doohan, D. (2012). Organic Weed Management in Ohio and Indiana: A Report on the Knowledge, Perceptions, and Experiences of Farmers and Experts. Retrieved from http://www.ydae.purdue.edu/oarei/OWE_report.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zwickle, S., Wilson, R., & Lillard, P. T. (2012, February). The weed management decision-making process. Presented at Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service 23rd annual organic farming conference, La Crosse, WI.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: R. Smith. 2011. Weed control update in cool and warm season vegetables, Santa Maria Pesticide Applicator Professional Association, Santa Maria, 110 attendees
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: R. Smith. 2011. Basic Weed Control. Agriculture and Land Based Training Association, Salinas, (Bilingual), 31
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: R. Smith. 2012. Weed control in coastal vegetables,Central Coast CAPCA , Santa Maria, 56
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: R. Smith. 2012. Weed control in organic production, CAPCA Organic Production on the Coast, Salinas, 110
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: R. Smith. 2014. Organic weed management, Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association, Salinas, (Bilingual), 26
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: R. Smith. 2012. Vegetable weed control update, Salinas Valley Weed School, Salinas, 106
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: R. Smith. 2013. Alternative vegetable weed control, Agriculture and Land Based Training Association, Salinas, 27
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: R. Smith. 2013. New developments in weed control in vegetable production, PAPA Seminar, San Jose,150
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jabbour, R., E.R. Gallandt, S. Zwickle, R.S. Wilson, and D. Doohan. (2014). Organic farmer knowledge and perceptions are associated with on-farm weed seedbank densities in northern New England. Weed Science. 62:338-349.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Sarah Zwickle. Understanding weeds and organic weed management: A mental models approach. The Ohio State University.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lillard, P. T., Parker, J. S., & Sundermeier, A. (2013). Recommendations for establishing programming for organic farmers. Journal of Extension, 51:6.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gallandt, E.R. (2014). Weed Management in Organic Farming. In 'Recent Advances in Weed Management', B.S. Chauhan, ed. Springer Science+Media. pp. 63-85.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tucker, M., Lillard, P. T., & Doohan, D. (In Preparation) Review: Factors associated with public perceptions of organic foods. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jabbour, R., S. Zwickle1, E.R. Gallandt, K.E. McPhee, R.S. Wilson, and D. Doohan. (2013). Mental models of organic weed management: Comparison of New England U.S. farmer and expert models. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 29:319-333.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Parker, J.S., & Lillard, P. T. (2013). Initiating and sustaining conversations between organic famers and Extension. Journal of Extension. 51:6.


Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During Period 3, mental models and biophysical data collections were completed within all cooperating institutions. The expert model (see OAREI Continuation Application FY 2010) that formed the foundation for farmer mental model interviews (n=92) has been submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal, and will be followed by additional manuscripts addressing mental models of 2 farmers in CA, ME and the NL. The next and final phase of the perception research will be a national quantitative survey that will be sent to 5000 organic farmers during autumn/ winter 2012/2013. The survey instrument is currently being developed as an outcome of a May 15/16 workshop in which all PDs reviewed the mental models data from each region. In turn quantitative survey results will be used to validate and quantify the farmer mental models. Biophysical (soil weed seed bank) data collections and a review of weed control practices corresponding to each farmer who participated in mental model interviews are now also completed (Aim 1). These data will be used to inform the mental models through a combined analysis that will take place during Period 4. Specifically this will answer the question, `How does grower knowledge, perception and attitude affect farm practice and weed control outcomes'. This analysis will enable development of exemplary farmer illustrations that will be used in future teaching opportunities and on the project website hosted at Purdue University (http://www.ydae.purdue.edu/oarei/index.html). Additionally, the biophysical data has opened an effective and ongoing communications channel with the farmers in each state enabling us to form the learning community described in the proposal (Aim 2). This will aid the collection of time and cost data in winter 2012/2013. As we continue to interact and learn with this large international community during Period 4 and beyond we anticipate that some farmers will modify their personal mental model leading to behavioral change; in particular, greater acceptance and utilization of scientific information in their decision making process. Dr. Patrick Lillard joined the team members at Purdue as the project's `message-design specialist'. Dr. Lillard is coordinating activities under Aim 3 across the cooperating locations. The participatory communication approach emerging from our research is being used to develop the 2013 Indiana Small Farm Conference where our educational materials will be showcased. Specific outcomes in Aim 3 will be guided by a communication strategy that is currently in preparation along with a white paper on the participatory communication approach. Dr. Lillard is also coordinating the presentation of relevant outreach products at the MOSES and OEFFA conferences to be held next year in La Crosse, WI, and Granville, OH. PARTICIPANTS: The Ohio State University: Doug Doohan, Professor and Project Director (PD). Jason Parker, Research Scientist and co-PD. Robyn Wilson, Assistant Professor and co-PD. Stan Ernst, Program Manager and co-PD. Gerri Isaacson, Research Assistant. Andy Glaser, Graduate Research Assistant. Sarah Zwickle, Graduate Research Assistant. Marlon Pagan, Post Graduate Intern. University of Maine: Eric Gallandt, Associate Professor and co-PD. Randa Jabbour, Post Doctoral Associate. Purdue University: Kevin Gibson, Associate Professor and co-PD. Mark Tucker, Professor and co-PD. Partrick Lilliard, Post Doctoral Associate. Jose Garcia, Graduate Research Assistant. University of California: Richard Smith, Farm Advisor and co-PD. Wageningen University: Marlene Reimens, Research Scientist and co-PD, TARGET AUDIENCES: This project is targeted to organic farmers and their crop advisors. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The following specific outcomes and impacts were completed in FY 3 of the project. 1. Expert Model paper submitted to Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 2. New England farmer mental models paper submitted to Weed Research. 3. Technical report Organic Weed Management in Ohio and Indiana: A Report on the Knowledge, Perceptions, and Experiences of Farmers and Experts, presented at the regional Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) annual conference 2012 and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) annual conferences. 4. Invited symposium presentation at the North Central Weed Science Society annual meeting on the subject of OH and IN organic farmer's mental models. 5. Poster presentation of OH and IN farmer and expert mental models presented at OEFFA and MOSES. 6. New England and CA farmer biophysical results were presented at the Northeast Organic Farming Association in Burlington, VT. 7. An invited overview of this project was presented at the Canadian Organic Science Conference, Winnipeg, MB. 8. New England biophysical and mental models overview was presented at the 97th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR (August 2012). 9. Project results to date were presented at the international workshop Improving the Standard and Utility of Weed and Invasive Plant Research, Emigrant, MT. 10. A paper on the effect of cultural and institutional barriers to symmetrical communication between scientists and organic farmers was presented at the 75th Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociology Society (July 2012). 11. Purdue undergraduate students participated in an independent study with project staff in the spring of 2012 and conducted interviews with organic farmers for the development of educational resources.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objectives planned for year two of the project have been completed and are enumerated below. 1. The Period 2 meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee was held in Columbus on November 2, 2010. Meeting notes are posted on the eOrganic website. 2. A protocol for mental model interviews was prepared including a Dutch translation for the Netherlands. 3. Mental model interviews were completed with organic farmers in CA (14), IN/ OH (24), ME/ NH/ VT (23) and The Netherlands (28). 4. The first farmer mental model of weed management was constructed using data from mental model interviews conducted in OH and IN. 5. Biophysical sampling of the soil weed-seed bank was conducted in at least one production field of each farmer who participated in the mental modeling exercise. Farmers completed a questionnaire regarding specific crop- and weed- management practices used in the sampled field. 6. Procedures are underway in each state to quantify the soil weed-seed bank from each farm. PARTICIPANTS: Katie McPhee, Research Associate University of Maine. Sarah Zwickle, Graduate Student Ohio State University. Andrew Glaser, Graduate Research Assistant, Ohio State University. Jason Parker Post Doctoral Associate Ohio State University. Gerri Isaacson Program Assistant Ohio State University. Julia DiNero Under Graduate Assistant Ohio State University. Patricia Quackenbush Research Associate Purdue University. Aaron Heinrich Research Assistant University of California. Ohio State University. The OSU team provided training to organic farmers at the Ohio Food and Farming Education and Research program field day in September 2010 and at the Ohio Ecological Farming and Food Association annual meeting in February 2011. The Purdue University team provided training to a group of agricultural county agents and presented the project at the Indiana Horticultural Congress. The team in Maine presented the program at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association annual meeting. Articles were written by team members for publication in association news letters. TARGET AUDIENCES: 1. Purdue University County Agents 2. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association 3. Ohio Food and Farming Education and Research Program 4. Ohio Ecological Farming and Food Association. These are the primary groups we have worked with in each state; however, through the mental models and bio-physical research we have established working relationships with 89 organic farmers who will continue to work with us throughout the life of the project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Year 2 has been an intense data collection period that is now being followed by data analysis. The farmer mental model for Ohio and IN is completed but not yet published as it is the subject of a graduate research thesis (to be defended in early September 2011). Analysis of mental models data from CA, ME and the NE is underway (at Ohio State) and will be the subject of future publications. At this point in the project we have achieved an improved understanding of the role of weed tolerance levels in the management decisions made by organic farmers. Greater knowledge of weed biology and experience managing weeds leads to lower weed tolerance. Less tolerance, in turn, leads to prevention strategies rather than "putting out fires" year to year with control strategies. However, farm scale, cropping systems, and access to time/labor. Large scale organic producers tend to follow production methods that look more like conventional farming; highly mechanized, capital intensive, and market oriented.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: All objectives planned for the first year of the project have been achieved, as enumerated below. 1. Personnel have been hired at each cooperating institution. 2. The Stakeholder Advisory Committee has met and provided advice to the project team. 3. A dedicated website for the project has been developed in Google Sites. The Google Site will be used to interact with participating farmers in the US and Europe. The team also makes use of eOrganic as a repository for meeting notes, posting of work plans and blogging. 4. An Expert Model for the project has been completed. 5. Weed seed bank sampling has been completed in California, Indiana and Maine. 7. Farmers who will participate in mental modeling have been recruited in each study area. 8. The Project Team has held monthly WebEx meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Katie McPhee,Research Associate University of Maine. Sarah Zwickle Graduate Student Ohio State University. Jason Parker Post Doctoral Associate Ohio State University.Gerri Isaacson Program Assistant Ohio State University. Steven Whitten Under Graduate Assistant Ohio State University. Patricia Quackenbush Research Associate Purdue University. Aaron Heinrich Research Assistant University of California. Ohio State University Project Directors Doohan, Post Doctoral Associate Parker and Ernst provided training to participants of the Ohio Ecological Farming and Food Association annual meeting held in February 2010. TARGET AUDIENCES: Ohio State University Project Directors Doohan,Post Doctoral Associate Parker and Ernst provided training to participants of the Ohio Ecological Farming and Food Association (OEFFA) annual meeting held in February 2010. OEFFA is the primary association of organic farmers in Ohio and is the state's main organic farming certification body. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
At this early stage of the project the following finding has been made as a result of developing an expert model of weed management on organic farms. Specifically, we have achieved an improved understanding of the role of weed tolerance levels in the management decisions made by organic farmers. Greater knowledge of weed biology and experience managing weeds leads to lower weed tolerance. Less tolerance, in turn, leads to prevention strategies rather than "putting out fires" year to year with control strategies. However, there are mitigating variables within the assumption that greater knowledge and experience leads to adoption of prevention techniques. These factors include farm scale, cropping systems, and access to time/labor. Large scale organic producers tend to follow production methods that look more like conventional farming; highly mechanized, capital intensive, and market oriented. Previous research has shown that a very low or "zero" tolerance level for weeds accompanies these production methods, and accordingly a high perceived risk of weeds. Large-scale producers who have access to labor and large markets are more likely to pay the costs of yearly control for economic benefits. The type of crop being cultivated also plays a mitigating role in the choice of weed management strategies. A farmer growing grain row crops is able to efficiently and cheaply control weeds using existing equipment. Such a farmer may be less likely to adopt prevention strategies. Smaller organic farmers, on the other hand, have less access to labor, work under a different market structure, and therefore may be less influenced by economic considerations. Their expert model shows that they may be more influenced by experience and values. They may view prevention strategies not only as ecologically sound, but also as a way to eventually save labor, time, and stress.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period