Research | Organic Farming Research Foundation

Investigating the effects of shade canopy management on natural enemies, pests, plant damage and yield in organic coffee plantations

Summary

Investigator: Stacy Philpott, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Project location: Chiapas, Mexico

Many conservation organizations and ecologists have promoted organic shade coffee farming as a direction towards agroecosystem sustainability and protection of tropical biodiversity. Coffee was traditionally grown under a native shade tree canopy, and ecological studies demonstrate that organic, shade-grown coffee provides much-needed habitat for migratory birds, mammals, and arthropods.

Seed Increase Trials Lead to Release of Promising New Disease- Resistant Varieties

Summary

Investigator: Michael Mazourek, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Project location: Cornell University’s 30 acre certified organic Freeville Organic Research Farm, located 10 miles north of Cornell’s Ithaca, New York main campus.

Biological mediation of apple replant disease in organic apple orchards

Summary

Investigator: Lori Hoagland, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Project location: Eastern Washington state

Investigating the use of buckwheat strips to attract beneficial insects for the management of Colorado potato beetle

Summary

Investigator: Robert Hadad, Cornell Regional Vegetable Program, Lockport, NY
Project location: Four organic farms in upstate New York

Hops Show Potential as Complement to Orchard Systems: Adapting organic apple practices for Great Lakes Region organic hops production

Summary

Investigator: Matthew Grieshop, Assistant Professor of Organic Pest Management, Organic Pest Management Lab, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Project location: AlMar Orchards, Flushing, Michigan

Enhancing biological control of insect pests using flowering intercrops in wine grape ecosystems

Summary

Investigator: Miguel Altieri, University of California, Berkeley, CA
Project location: Sonoma and Napa counties, California

Integrating bats into organic pest management

Summary

Investigator: Steve Tennes, Country Mill Farms, Charlotte, Michigan
Project locations: This project will be conducted at seven farms in southern Michigan over a total of three summers (2009-2011). The farms include organic, conventional and mixed operations.

Molasses as an alternative energy feed source for organic dairies

Summary

Investigator: Kathy Soder, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Pasture Systems and Watershed Research Unit, University Park, PA
Project location: University of New Hampshire Organic Research Dairy, Burley-Demeritt farm, Lee, New Hampshire (certified organic since 2005)

Fungi, predatory mites and guardian plants for thrips IPM in organic greenhouse ornamentals

Summary

Investigator: Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont Entomology Research Lab, Burlington, VT
Project location: River Berry Farm, Fairfax, VT (certified organic since 1999)

This project focuses on thrips, one of the most important pests of organic greenhouse production nationally and a common reason why growers suspend organic practices in greenhouse ornamentals, fearing crop loss from this persistent virus-transmitting pest.

Identification of superior cover crop varieties for organic seed production in the Maritime Northwest

Summary

Investigator: John Navazio, Organic Seed Alliance, Port Townsend, Washington
Project location: Nash's Organic Produce, Sequim, Washington