Searching for the "O-Word":
An Analysis of the USDA Current Research Information System (CRIS) for Pertinence to Organic Farming

by Mark Lipson

This report is the result of a two-year study to assess the "organic content" of USDA's agricultural research portfolio and the policy issues related to organic farming research. The basis of the study is an extensive search of the USDA Current Research Information System (CRIS) database. The book presents an analysis of the occurrence and substance of organic farming research found in the database. A policy history of organic farming research and policy recommendations for pursuit of organic farming research and education are provided. download the report (Adobe pdf, 662K)

© 1997 Organic Farming Research Foundation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background
U.S. sales of organic foods exceeded $3.5 billion in 1996. The organic foods sector has grown at an average rate of 20% annually for the last seven years. Over 10,000 U.S. farms are engaged in profitable, agronomically successful commercial production without reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming encompasses every region of the country and every crop grown in the U.S.

Despite this positive record, the potential of organic farming remains largely undeveloped. Research and development support for organic farming systems is needed to fulfill the promise of highly productive, non-toxic, ecologically sound agriculture. To assess the state of organic farming research, the Organic Farming Research Foundation initiated the National Organic Research Policy Analysis project (NORPA). During 1995 and 1996 the NORPA project conducted a study to identify and catalogue federally supported agricultural research that pertains specifically to the understanding and improvement of organic farming. In addition, the study contains a brief history of organic research policy and policy recommendations to USDA.

Methodology
The study used the Current Research Information System (CRIS) database which contains about 30,000 summaries of research projects supported by USDA. There is not a specific "organic" classification within the CRIS system, so an indirect search strategy was developed. An initial screening of the CRIS database was performed using 71 keywords related to organic farming systems. This process returned a pool of approximately 4,500 distinct project summaries. A rating scheme for evaluating "organic-pertinence" was developed based on the research topic, as well as the project's experimental context. Each of the 4,500 projects was reviewed and rated for organic-pertinence. Aggregate FY1995 funding data for organic-pertinent projects was compiled by USDA staff and forwarded to OFRF.

Results
Some excellent organic research projects were found, but they were few and far between. The results of the CRIS search found only 34 projects rated as "Strong Organic", meaning that the project was explicitly focused on organic systems or working methods, and described an experimental setting consistent with conditions found on organic farms. These projects represent less than one-tenth of one percent of USDA's research portfolio, both numerically and fiscally. An additional 267 projects were rated as "Weak Organic", meaning that the research topic was compatible with organic methods, but not explicitly placed in a context of organic agriculture. The "Strong Organic" projects with FY1995 funding received a total of $1.5 million in federal funding, although even this small amount overstates the actual support of organic-pertinent activities.

Conclusions
While some organic-pertinent research does exist, these projects mostly are unrelated to any coherent strategy or analysis of organic farmers' needs. Organic farming systems represent a vital scientific frontier in the development of environmentally sound agriculture. The growth of the organic production sector is also an important economic opportunity and an element of sustainable rural development. The national agricultural research system has failed to recognize this potential, let alone explore it seriously or help to improve the performance of organic farming systems. This failure is contradictory in light of policy goals seeking reduced environmental risks in agriculture (e.g. The President's IPM Initiative), greater diversity in cropping patterns (e.g. "Freedom to Farm" legislation), and the incorporation of "sustainability" as a guiding policy principle.

Recommendations
1. USDA should issue a basic policy statement recognizing that organic farming can play a significant role in meeting the nation's agricultural, environmental, and economic development needs.

2. Collection and dissemination of information about organic agriculture should be a routine and expected task for all relevant USDA agencies.

3. Current efforts to improve the CRIS system should incorporate a definition of organic-pertinence and integrate it into the reporting system.

4. Implementation of USDA national initiatives (e.g., Fund for Rural America, National Research Initiative, Integrated Pest Management, Food Safety, etc.) should support and utilize organic farming research and education.

5. Specific research and development support should be allocated for implementation of the National Organic Program.

6. USDA should undertake a national initiative for organic farming research, including:

Assessment by all USDA research and education agencies of the potential contributions of organic farming to their Mission and Goals.
Facilitating the development of scientific goals for organic farming research, bringing together producers and scientists to construct a long-term scientific agenda.

Funding for multidisciplinary investigations emphasizing on-farm organic systems analysis, combining research and extension.
Establishing a national network of dedicated organic experiment stations, guided by local organic farmers.

Ordering Information
The book may be ordered by mail only from the Organic Farming Research Foundation at P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz CA 95061. A tax-deductible donation of $10 is requested.