The Organic Agriculture Research Symposium took place on February 25 and 26, 2015. Links to selected recordings from the conference are available at https://eorganic.info/oars2015 and as a playlist on the eOrganic YouTube channel.
The event highlights research on organic farming systems, seeds and crop varieties suitable for organic production, holistic livestock care and feeding, soil health, organic markets and more.
To find out more about this conference and view more recordings and proceedings, visit https://eorganic.info/oars2015
Session 1.1 Farming Systems: Seeing the Big Picture
Moderator / Session Coordinator: Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin
Panelists
- Mathieu Ngouajio, USDA NIFA: Enhancing functional diversity in organic agriculture: The contribution of NIFA’s organic programs. Recording unavailable.
- Stéphane Bellon, French National Institute for Agricultural Research: Organics in 3D: diversity, dynamics and design of organic agriculture Watch
- Aurélie Cardona, French National Institute for Agricultural Research: Collaboration between farmers, extension agents, wholesalers and consumers to design suitable sustainable and organic systems. Watch
Session 1.2 Organic Seeds: What is at Stake?
Moderator/Session Coordinator: Micaela Colley, Organic Seed Alliance
Panelists
- Alexandra Lyon, University of Wisconsin: Workhorse Varieties for Organic Farms: Perspectives from Wisconsin Organic Vegetable Growers. Watch
- Lisa Schlessinger, University of Illinois: Pollen Drift: Reframing the Biotechnology Liability Debate. Watch
- Jared Zystro, Organic Seed Alliance: State of Organic Seed: Results of a Survey. Watch
Session 2.1 Organic Research: An International Perspective
Moderator/Session Coordinator: Jim Riddle
Panelists:
- Marc Tchamitchian, French National Institute for Agricultural Research: Research and development integration to foster Organic Farming in France Watch
- Brian Baker, Independent Consultant: A Comparison of European and North American organic agriculture research policies Watch
- Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University: Lessons from Italy: Policies and Provisions to Facilitate the Transition to Organic Farming. Recording unavailable.
Session 2.2 Plant Breeding for Organic Farmers 1 : Back to the Future
- Walter Goldstein, Mandaamin Institute: Breeding HIgh Nutritional Value Corn for Organic Farmers. Watch
- Adrienne Shelton, University of Wisconsin: Collaborative Release of an Organic Open-Pollinated Sweet Corn Variety. Watch
- Lisa Kissing Kucek, Cornell University: Participatory Breeding of Wheat, Spelt, Emmer and Einkorn for Organic Farming. Watch
Session 2.3 Biological Control: Working with Nature
- David Lowenstein, University of Illinois at Chicago: Natural Enemies and Biological Control of Lepidopteran Brassica Pests in Urban Agriculture. Watch
- Ken Johnson, Oregon State University. Biocontrol of Fire Blight: Why a Yeast Represents a New Paradigm in Disease Suppression. Watch
- Eric Carr, Rodale Institute: Deploying Microbes as a Seed Treatement for Protection Against Soil-Borne Pathogens. Watch
Keynote: Charles Benbrook—The Benefits of Organic Agriculture Watch
Session 3.1 Livestock Care and Feeding
- David Bane, DVM, Sydney, IL: Measurement of Biomarkers in Food Animals to Assess Animal Inflammation and Wellness. Watch
- Annie Donoghue, USDA ARS: Organic Poultry: Developing Natural Solutions for Reducing Pathogens and Improving Production. Watch
- Jennifer MacAdam, Utah State: Enhanced Forage Intake and Milk Production on Birdsfoot Trefoil Pastures in the Western US. Watch
Session 3.2 Soil Health: Back to Basics
Panelists:
- Anna Cates: Long-term Tillage, Rotation, and Perennialization Effects on Particulate and Aggregate Organic Matter Watch
- Robert J. Kremer: Soil Health Improvement in an Organic Orchard Production System in Northwest Missouri Watch
- Stuart Grandy: Increased microbial efficiency and growth drive soil organic matter increases in organic cropping systems Watch
Session 3.3 Organic Markets: Quality and the Consumer Connection
Moderator/Session Coordinator: Brian Baker, Independent Consultant
Panelists:
- Kathryn Boys, Virginia Tech: Export Opportunities and Import Competition: Improving Understanding of International Markets for US Organic Farm and Processed Products. Watch
- Bradley Heins, University of Minnesota: Effect of Growth, Meat Quality, Profitability and Consumer Acceptability of Organically Raised Dairy-Beef Steers. Watch
- Kitt Healy, University of Wisconsin: Variety Trials for Direct Market Quality and Flavor. Watch
Session 4.1 Farming Systems: Putting it All Together
Moderator/Session Coordinator: Diana Jerkins, Organic Farming Research Foundation
Panelists:
- Erin Hill, Michigan State University; Quantifying the impacts of cover crops on organic dry beans Watch
- Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin; Implementing cover crop-based reduced tillage in small scale organic vegetable production. Watch
- Rachel Weil, University of Wisconsin; Comparison of Labor Needs for Field Production, Harvest, and Packing on Organic Diversified Vegetable Farms in the Upper Midwest. Watch
Session 4.2 Plant Breeding for Organic Farmers 2: Creative Partnerships and Emerging Varieties (Iowa)
Moderator/Session Coordinator: Bill Tracy, University of Wisconsin
- Ruth Genger, University of Wisconsin: Building a Healthy Organic Seed System for Potatoes through Farmer-Researcher Partnerships. Watch
- Sara Turner, Texas A&M University: Evaluation of Carrot (Daucus carota, L.) for Traits Related to Early Seedling Establishment and Canopy Groth at Different Planting Densities in Organic Systems. Watch
- Phillipp Simon, University of Wisconsin: The CIOA (Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture) Project: Location and Genetic Background Influence Carrot Field Performance and Flavor. Watch
Session 4.3 Economics of Organic: The Bottom Line
- Timothy Delbridge, University of Minnesota; The Barriers to Organic Transition: Impacts and Policy Solutions. Watch
- Tom Kriegl, University of Wisconsin; Comparing Feed Costs of Different Dairy Systems (Mainly Wisconsin) From 1995 to 2010 Watch
- Carolyn Dimitri, New York University; The Organic-Conventional Yield Gap. Watch
- Brian Baker, independent consultant, moderator.
Funding for this broadcast was provided by USDA NIFA-OREI and the Ceres Trust.
