Investigators: Charles Shapiro, Drew Lyon, Jim Brandle, Chuck Francis, Ron Johnson, Stevan Knezevic, Robert Wright
Cooperating organizations: OCIA, NSAS, Grain Place Foods Inc., Nebraska Indian Community College, CFRA, Disney Farms, Nissen Brothers Vineyards
Citizens: Tom Larson, Paul Huenefeld, Martin Kleinschmit
This project seeks to establish a land base to conduct research to solve the agronomic and pest problems found on organic farms. The project also seeks to establish an index to evaluate the impact of farming methods on wildlife.
Objectives:
1. Create a network of organically, certified areas at four research farms. - Certify land as organic at four major research stations, - Provide opportunity for other faculty to conduct research on certified organic acres, - Work with cooperating farmers to identify key issues that must be addressed to increase productivity, - Develop methods to assess environmental concerns using indicators of wildlife diversity.
2. Improve organic production through focused research. - Evaluate crop cultivars for adaptation to organic production systems, - Develop enhanced organic methods for weed management, especially during the conversion from conventional to organic crop production, - Test alternative crops, management options, and soil fertility strategies for organic production systems across the state.
3. Extend results to farmers, stakeholders, life-long learners, and institutionalize organic farming principles in resident instruction. - Integrate results from on-station and on-farm organic research into classroom teaching programs, and enhance classroom education programs, - Teach principles and practical knowledge to students and help them envision future agricultural systems, - Summarize and demonstrate results in the field through producer participation, - Provide guidance to Extension and their statewide offices, programs, and publications.
Reports
Link to IANR Conversations with soil scientist Charles Shapiro discussing UNL's organic farming research.
Contact: Charles Shapiro @ 402-584-3803
