March 31, 2004

Source: Pennsylvania IPM Program

The demand for organic produce, milk and dairy products is on the rise, but growers and producers are facing challenges entering into this emerging market. Researchers at Penn State are looking to address some of these challenges through a new project at the Penn State Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in State College, Pennsylvania.

The National Organic Program regulates organic products and establishes standards that all organic growers must follow. They include specific methods, practices and substance used in both producing and handling organic products. All agricultural products labeled, or represented as organic must be in compliance with the regulations as of last year.

Weed management practices that comply with the national organic standards is a priority for a large number of growers nationally and is consistently listed near the top of organic and reduced-use pesticide grower's pest management concerns, says Mary Barbercheck, professor of entomology at Penn State and co-principle investigator of the project. "Weed management is one of the primary integrated pest management challenges for organic producers. Our project will focus on weed management using integrated pest management tactics while transitioning ten acres to an organic feed grain/vegetable rotation," says Barbercheck.

Integrated pest management, or IPM, aims to manage pests -- such as insects, diseases, weeds and animals -- by combining physical, biological and chemical tactics that are safe, profitable and environmentally compatible. IPM is essential in organic agriculture because it provides a way to integrate practices as well as compensate for practices not allowed under the National Organic Standards. The project will focus on reducing weeds by using cover crops and reducing tillage and destroying remaining weeds with applications of vinegar or other allowable materials.

According to David Mortensen, associate professor of weed ecology at Penn State and co-principle investigator on the project, the effect of these weed-reduction tactics on soil quality, pest and beneficial invertebrates and economic indicators will also be measured. In addition, education and outreach programs and materials will be developed and delivered to a broad audience, including students, technology transfer agents, and the general public through field days at the site, organic training and using materials in classes at Penn State. "The project will provide information that will support farmers transitioning to organic production and those interested in reducing pesticides. Identifying tactics for farmers to produce high value organic crops, for example -- organic vegetables and animal feed grains -- may help growers provide sufficient income to support families on relatively small and medium-sized farms," Mortensen explains.

According to Barbercheck, this project will also help build and strengthen collaborative relationships among faculty, the transitioning and organic farming community, and organizations that represent organic and sustainable agriculture. "We'll have a seven member advisory board comprised of area farmers and farmer groups as part of the project," she says.

One of five grants awarded in 2003 by the USDA IPM-Organic Transition Program, the project will be funded for four years, starting with the planting of cover crops this fall. Ultimately, the project will establish certified organic land at the center that will serve as a resource for interdisciplinary research, education and outreach activities and will increase the level of awareness of university faculty, staff and students, and the general public about organic production. It is part of a sustainable and organic effort that is ongoing at the center.

Other principle investigators from Penn State include: Sjoerd Duiker and Heather Karsten, Crop and Soil Sciences; Elsa Sanchez, Horticulture; Jeff Hyde, Ag Economics and Rural Sociology; and Nancy Ellen Kiernan, Extension.
Members of the project's advisory board are: Jeff Moyer, The Rodale Institute; Brian Snyder, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; Leslie Zuck, PA Certified Organic; Lyn Garling, PA IPM Program; Kore Yoder, Yoder Farms; and Bucky Ziegler, Paradise Valley Organic Farm. One farmer slot is yet to be determined.
The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839, or Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu