2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To validate on certified organic peanut grower’s farm the utility and practicality of a weed management system developed by ARS for organic peanut production. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Our experimental approach is to use frequent and intense cultivation with a flex-tine cultivator for weed management in organic peanut production. ARS will advise when to cultivate and how to operate the cultivator for maximum weed control efficacy. 3.Progress Report "This report serves to document research conducted under a non-funded cooperative agreement between ARS and Walker Farms. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6602-22000-037-00D Integrated Management and Ecology of Weed Populations in the Southeastern Coastal Plain." The objective of this study showed that intense cultivation using a flex-tine cultivator was the most promising method to manage weeds in organic peanut production, compared to costly and marginally efficacious herbicides approved for organic uses. This system was validated on a certified organic peanut grower’s farm in Screven County. In previous years, the grower had complete peanut crop failure due to weeds not controlled using no-till production systems and cover crops. However, a conventional tillage production system using semi-weekly flex-tine cultivation for five weeks, with two timely handweedings, effectively managed weeds. Even with two handweedings, this weed management system was less costly compared to a system using herbicides approved for use in certified organic systems. Progress of the weed control efforts, along with overall crop condition, were monitored by weekly site visits to the certified organic farm.