08/08/2008

OSU Organic Farming Field Day Slated Aug. 28

Writer:

Randi Espinoza
ct-oardc@osu.edu
330-263-3780

Source:

Deb Stinner, OFFER
stinner.2@osu.edu
330-202-3534

WOOSTER, Ohio — See what Ohio State University researchers have to offer organic growers and those interested in learning more about certified organic farming at the eighth annual Organic Food and Farming Education and Research (OFFER) Field Day, Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster.

“Demand for organic crops far exceeds supply, especially here in Ohio and the Midwest,” said Deborah Stinner, OFFER coordinator. “Many new organic producers are needed to meet this demand. Exciting opportunities and challenges exist for newcomers to organic production.”

Sponsored by OARDC, Ohio State University Extension and the university’s OFFER program, the event is free and open to the public. There will be cinnamon rolls made from the 2008 organic hard wheat crop and fruits and vegetables from organic horticulture research plots to sample.

“This year’s field day will feature new research on ways to suppress Canada thistle during transition, including prairie-plant mixes, smother crops, clean fallow and landscape cloth; new marketing opportunities for organic spelt; and food safety in organic vegetable crops,” said Matt Kleinhenz, OARDC and OSU Extension vegetable specialist and OFFER researcher.

The Organic Grain Crops portion of the program, 1:30-4 p.m. at OARDC’s West Badger Farm, will include information on:

• High demand for organic grains and transitioning to organic grain production by Stinner.

• Best organic corn varieties by Peter Thomison, OARDC and OSU Extension agronomist.

• Organic corn breeding research by Rich Pratt, OARDC corn breeder.

• No-till organic soybeans by John Cardina, OARDC and OSU Extension weed specialist.

• Insect pests in organic soybeans by Ron Hammond, OARDC and OSU Extension entomologist.

• Biological buffering by Larry Phelan, OARDC entomologist.

The theme of the Organic Horticultural Crops portion, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at OARDC’s Fry Farm, is “Enhancing Success.” Discussions in the field will address various aspects of farm management, emphasizing new tools and techniques for weed, insect, disease and fertility management; crop variety selection and placement; high-tunnel production; polyculture systems; grafting; and food safety. There will be presentations on biological seed treatment for stand establishment of sweet corn, green beans and tomatoes; and biopesticide spray treatments for disease control on sweet corn, green beans and tomatoes.

Leading the discussions will be Kleinhenz; Sally Miller, OARDC and OSU Extension vegetable pathologist; Joe Kovach, OARDC and OSU Extension entomologist and IPM specialist; Doug Doohan, OARDC and OSU weed and food-safety specialist; Brian McSpadden Gardener, OARDC plant pathologist; and Rosa Raudales, graduate student in Ohio State’s Department of Plant Pathology.

Also showcased will be the new Transition Guide to Certified Organic Crop Management, which OFFER recently published.

“The manual clarifies the federal guidelines for organic crop production and is filled with both practical and scientific information that farmers can use,” Stinner said.

The manual can be purchased online at http://estore.osu-extension.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=2120 and will be available at the field day for $15 (cash and check only).

OFFER will soon release a companion manual that will also be discussed at the field day. Whole Farm Planning Workbook for Certified Organic Crop Management is a tool for planning a transition to certified organic production and will result in a completed organic farm plan as required by certifying organizations.

Both manuals are one of a kind in Ohio, and there are very few like them anywhere else in the United States, Stinner said.

The transition guide and whole farm planning workbook will be discussed during both portions of the field day.

The West Badger Farm is located on Apple Creek Road (County Road 44) north of Apple Creek. Look for OFFER Field Day signs on the west side of Apple Creek Road between Ely and Secrest roads.

The Fry Farm is located off Oil City Road. Look for signs on the west side of the road between Secrest Road and U.S. 250.

For more information, contact Stinner at (330) 202-3534, stinner.2@osu.edu; or Kathy Bielek, OFFER program assistant, at (330) 202-3528, bielek.4@osu.edu.

OARDC and OSU Extension are the research and outreach arms, respectively, of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

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