Status of Organic FarmingResearch in the Southeast

United States

K. Kpomblekou-A, A. Bovell-Benjamin, F. Quarcoo, D. Mortley

Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL

2020 Organic Agriculture Research ForumLittle Rock, AR; January 23, 2020

Tuskegee University:Dr. A. Bovell-BenjaminDr. F. QuarcooDr. D. Mortley

Collaborating institutions:Dr. Ayele Aryee, Delaware State UniversityDr. Jim Myers, Oregon State UniversityDr. Alex Woodley, North Carolina State UniversityDr. Lauren Snyder, Organic Farming Research Foundation

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Collaborators

Keith Richards, Southern SAWGLauren Snyder, OFRF Haley Baron, OFRFSheila Golden, OFRFVicki Lowell, OFRF

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Partners

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Greatest Time in theOrganic Industry

US Organic Sales 2018: $52.5 billion; 6.3% Organic food sales reached $47.9 billion; 5.9 % Organic non-food products sales: $4.6 billion;10.6%

Source: Organic Industry Survey, https://ota.com/resources/organic-industry-survey

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regions

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Growth not the same throughout the country:

ClimateInsect and diseasesSoil/Soil Health

Research information: appropriate crop varieties

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33/183 proposals funded by USDA/NIFA/OREI since 2009

Table 1. Funded projects in the SE

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Title

Initial AwardYear

Grant Year

Investigator Institution

Southeast Organic Agriculture Research and Education Forum

2019 2019 Kpomblekou-A, K Tuskegee University, AL

Assessment to Quantify Current Practices and Research Priorities for Organic Citrus Growers Combating Huanglongbing

2019 2019 Qureshi, J. A. University of FloridaGainesville, FL

Improving Welfare and Disease Management on Organic Dairy Herds Through Fly Control

2019 2019 Watson, D. W North Carolina State Univ.Raleigh, NC

A Multifaceted Approach to Production Methods and Pest Management In Organic Sweet Potato Systems

2019 2019 Jennings, K. M. North Carolina State Univ.Raleigh, NC

Furthering the Development and Implementation of Systems-based Organic Management Strategies for Spotted Wing Drosophila

2018 2018 Ahmad, A. University Of GeorgiaAthens, Georgia

Breeding Biofortified Pulse and Cereal Crops for US Organic Cropping Systems

2018 2018 Thavarajah, D. Clemson Univ.Clemson, SC

Table 1. Funded projects in the SE (Cont’d)

9Tuskegee University

Title

Initial AwardYear

Grant Year Investigator Institution

Development and Implementation of Biological Control Tactics for Key Vegetable Insect Pests in the Southeastern US

2018 2018 Chong, J. Clemson Univ.Clemson, SC

Adapting and Expanding High Tunnel Organic Vegetable Production for the Southeast

2017 2017 Zhao, X. University of FloridaGainesville, FL

Strengthening Organic Farming Infrastructure through Consumer Education, Market Development, and Integrated Extension and Research Programs in the Southeast

2016 2016 Kpomblekou-A, K Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

Partnership to Explore Integrated Systems for Sustainable High Tunnel Organic Vegetable Production in the Southeast Region

2016 2016 Zhao, X. University of FloridaGainesville, FL

Evaluation of Paper Bags for Pest and Disease Management in Organic Peach Production

2016 2016 Melgar, J. Clemson Univ.Clemson, SC

Development and Implementation of Systems-based Organic Management Strategies for Spotted Wing Drosophila

2015 2015 Ahmad, A. University of GeorgiaAthens, GA

Table 1. Funded projects in the SE (Cont’d)

10Tuskegee University

Title

Initial AwardYear

Grant Year Investigator Institution

Assessing and Addressing the Needs of a Growing United States Organic SweetpotatoIndustry

2 015 2015 Meyers, S. L. Mississippi State Univ., MS

Co-developing Research and Extension Objectives for Organic Management of Spotted Wing Drosophila

2015 2015 Ahmad, A. University of GeorgiaAthens, GA

Evaluation of the Milk and Meat Residues of Organic Therapies for Mastitis

2014 2014 Anderson, K. North Carolina State Univ.Raleigh, NC

Creating an Organic Plant Breeding Center 2012 2012 Reberg-Horton, S. North Carolina State Univ.Raleigh, NC

Development and Participatory Implementation of Integrated Organic Pest Management Strategies for Crucifer Vegetable Production in the South

2011 2011 Fadamiro, H. Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL

Organic Farming Planning Proposal for Research and Extension in Alabama

2011 2011 Kpomblekou-A, K

Tuskegee University,Tuskegee, AL

Table 1. Funded projects in the SE (Cont’d)

11Tuskegee University

Title

Initial AwardYear

Grant Year Investigator Institution

Low Energy Agro-ecological Farming (Leaf) 2 010 2010 Schramski, J. R. University of GeorgiaAthens, GA

Farmer Driven Breeding: Addressing the Needs of Southeastern Organic Field Crop Producers

2009 2009 Reberg-Horton, S. C.

North Carolina State Univ.Raleigh, NC

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Fig 1. Research grants awarded by USDA/OREI to institutions in the Southeast, North Central, Northeast, and Western regions of the USA during the last decade (2009-2019).

State-Level Support forOrganic Agriculture

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Very important:Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, California, Iowa, Vermont: Have strong commitment to organics and offer a myriad of services.

PersonnelDirect Education/trainingsInformal advice, links, referralsGuidance documentsTechnical assistanceEvents/conferencesOrganic cost shareMarketing services/adviceRoster of organic farmsOrganic advisory committeesLanguage access

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ConsumerEducation (Make research information available

to growers,…)Leadership (vision that shows state

commitment to organic farming,…)Marketing (Market strategies, producer and

processor connection,…)Policy (that encourages organic transition,…)Research (Increase state support for universities,...)Technical (Training/county officers,

specialized organic county agents,…)

Needed support areas to increase organic farming activities in the Southeast

Forum funded by USDA/NIFI/OREI Grant:

2019-51300-30250

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