Research Symposium Schedule

Each topic includes five presenters covering related research. There will be small break-out sessions for question and answer.These will be followed by small group discussions, allowing participants to ask each researcher specific follow-up questions or offer suggestions on future research.

Please note: Symposium sessions occur at the same time as conference workshops.

Friday, February 22

8:30 am
Weed Management in Organic Systems

2:00 pm
Issues in Vegetable & Fruit Production

4:00 pm
Issues in Organic Livestock Production

Saturday, February 23

8:30 am
Soils, Seeds, and Systems

2:00 pm
Pest & Disease Mgmt in Organic Systems

4:00 pm
Economics of Organic Systems

The Symposium will kick off with a keynote presentation,"Where will the next generation of organic farmers and researchers come from?" at the General Session Thursday evening. On Thursday afternoon graduate students and researchers will gather to discuss current and future projects. Research results will also be offered through Symposium Proceedings and posters, allowing participants to learn more at their leisure.

Friday 8:30 - 10:00 am
Weed Management in Organic Systems
No-tillage organic soybean production in winter rye for improved weed management in South Central Wisconsin
Emily Bernstein, University of Wisconsin

The effect of an organic no-till system on organic corn, soybean and tomato weed management and production
Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University

Weed control using a propane burner
Erin Taylor, Michigan State University

Management of Canada thistle with summer annual cover crops and mowing.
John Masiunas, University of Illinois

Cover crop management with specialty equipment for organic no-till.
Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute

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Friday 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Issues in Organic Vegetable and Fruit Production
Weed management practices in organic processing sweet corn and snap beans.
Heidi Kraiss, University of Wisconsin

Safe planting distances between bell peppers and field corn to minimize European corn borer damage to bell peppers.
Beth Kazmar, TiPi Produce, Wisconsin

Insect and disease management in organic fruit crops,
Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University

Understanding the impact of biodiversity on transition agriculture for organic cucumber and tomato production.
Ajay Nair, Michigan State University

The Clarksville Horticultural Experimental Station organic apple project
Mark Whalon, Michigan State University

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Friday 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Issues in Organic Livestock Systems
Are perennial grain crops feasible for Midwest organic crop-livestock production?
Sieglinde Snapp, Michigan State University

Use of an oilseed press to make edible meal for livestock.
Paul Porter, University of Minnesota

Rotational grazing of cattle.
Reg Destree, DRAMM Corporation

Organic and conventional dairy farms in SE Pennsylvania: are there differences in production and reproduction?
Hubert J. Karreman, DVM, Pennsylvania

A pilot study on integrating organic pork and apple production.
Jim Koan, Al-Mar Orchard, Michigan

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Saturday 8:30 - 10:00 am
Soils, Seeds, and Systems
Use of the nematode community structure for the assessment of soils under organic management.
Carmen Ugarte, University of Illinois

Application of the niche concept to organic weed management.
Larry Phelan, Ohio State University

Soil health improvement under organic farming practices at Prairie Birthday Farm.
Robert J. Kremer, USDA-ARS

Organic soybean date of planting and seed population.
Milton J. Haar, University of Minnesota

Selecting corn and soybean varieties that tolerate and suppress weeds.
Rita Seidel, Rodale Institute

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Saturday 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Pest and Disease Management in Organic Systems
Relationship of organic fertility management, plant nutrition, and insect response.
Robin Mittenthal, University of Wisconsin

Suppressing plum curculio in fruit trees with OMRI-certifiable insect-pathogenic nematodes and fungi.
Mark Whalon, Michigan State University

Organic certified seed potato production in the Midwest.
Ruth Genger, University of Wisconsin

Pennsylvania Regional Organic Fruit Industry Transition (PROFIT) 2007 Update: disease
management strategies.
James Travis, Pennsylvania State University

Suppression of soilborne diseases through organic amendment and cover cropping.
Alex Stone, Oregon State University

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Saturday 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Economics of Organic Systems
Is the organic corn price right?
Alexandra Fehring, Rodale Institute

Economic and environmental comparison of three organic systems common to the Upper Midwest.
Janet Hedtcke, University of Wisconsin

The economics of organic dairy farms.
Tom Kriegl, University of Wisconsin

Transitional dynamics in converting conventional cropping systems to certified organic.
Andrew T. Corbin, Michigan State University

Procurement and contract practices of U.S. organic handlers: an online database for farmers and other operations.
Lydia Oberholtzer, University of Georgia, ERS

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