2011 Organic Research Forum*
Through integration of the Organic Research Forum
with the Organic Farming Conference, researchers
have a unique opportunity to connect with farmers,
students and agriculture professionals.
The 2011 Organic Research Forum featured nine workshops highlighting the latest in organic research. One of these workshops included a panel of researchers from seven Midwestern land grant universities who highlighted their institution’s research projects, staff and assets dedicated to organic agriculture. In addition to the workshops, the conference featured 22 organic research posters from graduate students, researchers and farmers from several universities. Congratulations go out to Adria Fernandez, graduate student from the University of Minnesota, the winner of the 1st place prize for her poster “Food Legumes for Organic Systems in the Upper Midwest”.
*The Organic
Research Forum is provided through the generous
support of The Ceres Foundation.
RF Focused Workshops
Organic No-Till: Can It Work for You?
Saturday III - 4:00pm
Using cover crops, a roller-crimper, and other implements, it
may be possible to remove tillage from certain pieces of your
organic crop rotation. Join University of North Dakota's Pat
Carr, Iowa State University's Kathleen Delate, and University
of Wisconsin-Madison's Erin Silva for this discussion of the
challenges and potential for organic no-till in the Upper
Midwest.
Integrated Pest Management in Organic Field Crops
Saturday I - 8:30am
The IPM continuum begins with a focus on monitoring and
suppression when insect pests approach unacceptable levels,
and ends with balanced systems where pests remain at
tolerable levels with minimal interventions. Join University of
Wisconsin Department of Entomology's Eileen Cullen and a
panel of researchers/farmers for this look at crop plant selection,
cultural tactics, fertility practices, insect biology, and more.
Weed Management and Cover Cropping in
Organic Field Crops
Saturday II - 2:00pm
Organic farmers have many tools besides cultivation in their
toolbox. Join Michigan State University's Dale Mutch for an
informative look at how you can reduce weed pressure using
crop rotations, cover cropping, grazing, flame weeding, and
biological control.
Cucumber and Flea Beetle Control in Organic Systems
Friday II - 2:00pm
Flea beetles and cucumber beetles present some of the more
vexing challenges for organic vegetable growers. Pioneering
entomologist Ruth Hazzard and Atlas Farm's Gideon Porth will
provide an overview of the most current research on the ecology,
movement, feeding patterns, and organic controls for these pests,
with an emphasis on integrated management strategies.
over a hundred fruit trees and two acres of berries.
Crossbreeding Dairy Cattle for Improved Milk
Production on Pasture
Friday II - 2:00pm
Alternative dairy breeds may provide real opportunities
for use in crossbreeding programs for pasture-based dairy
production systems. Join University of Minnesota's Brad
Heins and Cedar Summit Farms' Dave Minar for a review of
research results about what breeds have the most potential
for use in pasture-based and organic production systems.
How to Conduct Research on Your Farm and Interpret
the Results
Friday I - 8:30am
Interested in on-farm research? Join University of Wisconsin's
organic production specialist Erin Silva and farmer-researchers
Jim Munsch and Carmen Fernholz for a look at collaborative
and individual research efforts, including how to design
research questions and experiments; find partners and funding,
and apply traditional research results to your own farm.
Organic Research Forum: Outlook and Opportunities
Friday III - 4:00pm
The outlook for organic research has changed dramatically
in the past ten years. Researchers, graduate students, and
those looking to participate in organic research are invited to
participate in a discussion of the future of organic research,
opportunities in the field, and special challenges faced by
organic researchers.
→ Learn more about last year's 2010 Organic Research Forum.
