Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To develop a plan of research to evaluate the effects of sustainable organic farming systems that include crop and animal production using a multi-scale watershed approach in which effects on soil and water are simultaneously investigated Approach (from AD-416) Bring potential participants together in the future NIFA-OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative) sustainability proposal. The planning grant will allow us to design and select farming systems to be evaluated and identify parameters to be measured. The planning grant will enable travel in the U.S. to key organic research organizations and a foreign trip to learn about organic research at 2 European facilities. The grant will also fund a planning session of potential university, private sector, and producer entities to finalize objectives of the proposal and assign research responsibilities. The purpose of this planning grant was to assemble a team of researchers and stakeholders from various facilities and organizations in the US Midwest and Northeast with a goal of preparing a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, proposal for submission in response to the 2011 RFA for the USDA-NIFA Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). The funds were used to assemble a group of ~20 potential participants at the NAEW to establish broad objectives for the proposal. This was followed by visits to institutions and organizations currently involved in organic agriculture research by a small contingent representing the overall group. The group submitted a proposal entitled �The role of tillage in sustainability of organic farming systems: On-farm, experimental, and watershed assessments� The proposal was not selected for funding, but revision in response to the panel comments and resubmission in FY2012 is anticipated.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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