Organic Farming Research for the Northwest
Introduction
The organic food industry has been growing at a rate of 20-30% per year for the past 10 years in the U.S., with a commensurate increase in land farmed under certified organic management, and an increased need for research on organic farming practices and systems. In Washington State, organic acreage has increased 8-fold since 1993 and the organic food industry is valued at over $200 million per year and. The organic sector supports thousands of businesses of all sizes, with extensive positive repercussions for rural communities. Organic systems generally lead to improved environmental performance and farmworker safety thus lessening the need for the public sector to bear these costs. Organically approved products, often developed by small businesses, need testing for efficacy and registration. Conventional growers also benefit from the development of organic practices and products, which they are increasingly adopting to deal with pesticide resistance and regulatory constraints and because adoption of these methods can lead to reduced costs, improved biological performance, and enhanced environmental protection.
CSANR Organic Farming Research Program
The Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources has launched an organic farming research program to serve the Pacific Northwest. This Federally supported research program will support the expansion of crop production research and initiate economic and market research of organic foods. The grant program is currently in its second 5-year funding cycle, and for each cycle, research priorities were identified by organic growers, consumers, suppliers, and researchers in the region and results will continue to be disseminated to these stakeholders.
Research Priorities Funding period FY08–FY12
- Nutrient and soil management – affordable nitrogen sources, soil phosphorus balance, managing biological N, maintaining soil quality, perennial crop understory management
- Integrating livestock into organic cropping systems – grazing systems, organic animal feeds, organic livestock health maintenance, enterprise integration and rotation
- Pest management – agroecosystem design, biological and mechanical control methods, efficacy of new products and tools
- Organic seed production, seed protection, and variety development specific for organic systems
- Food quality – effects of farming practice, crop varieties, tests for nutritive and health properties
- Economics – industry structure and trends, market assessment, enterprise budgeting, input and risk evaluation
Research Priorities Funding period FY03–07
- Organic seed production, seed protection, and variety development specific for organic systems
- Understory management (soil, water, weeds, pests) in fruit trees, vines, and berries
- Organic weed control and soil fertility methods for annual crops and perennials
- Efficacy testing of organic materials and strategies for pest and fertility management
- Economics and trends for the organic agriculture sector
Outcomes
Funding will advance the profitability, agronomic performance, environmental stewardship, and number of organic and sustainable farms. The region`s climatic diversity (especially the semi-arid zones with high-quality irrigation water) provides biophysical characteristics that favor organic production, and the agricultural sector can capitalize on this natural advantage. However, on-going research is needed to maintain a viable organic farming sector in the region in light of expanding organic production in low-cost labor countries such as China and Chile that will compete with our products. This will result in economic benefits to growers and their rural communities, meeting consumer demand for organic products that bring environmental benefits to the farm and watershed, and techniques that conventional farmers can use to meet the regulatory challenges of the federal Food Quality Protection Act and other public environmental initiatives.
Research Program Contacts
David Granatstein, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources; Tel: (509) 663-8181 x.222; granats@wsu.edu
Dr. Carol Miles, Vegetable Extension Specialist, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC; Tel. (360) 848-6150; milesc@wsu.edu
Legislator Supporters
Patty Murray, State Senator
Maria Cantwell, State Senator
Rick Larsen, State Representative
Norm Dicks, State Representative
Cathy McMorris, State Representative
Partners
Maurice Robinette, Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network; Tel. 509-299-6690; mrobinette@wsffn.org
Alec McErlich, Director of Horticulture Research and Development, Small Planet Foods Inc. (a subsidiary of General Mills); Tel: (360) 855-2726; alec.mcerlich@smallplanetfoods.com
Dr. Jim McFerson, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, 1719 Springwater St., Wenatchee, WA 98801; Tel: (509) 665-8271; mcferson@treefruitresearch.com
Anne Schwartz, President, Washington Tilth Producers; Tel: (360) 853-8449; als@fidalgo.net
Tracy Wolpert, CEO; Puget Consumers Co-op, 7 stores serving 40,000 member households and the general public in the Puget Sound. Tel: (206) 547-1222; Tracy.Wolpert@pccsea.com
Miles McEvoy, WSDA, Organic Food Program. Tel: (360) 902-1924; mmcevoy@agr.wa.gov
Project Funding History
| Fiscal Year | Pres Request | Org. Request | Funding Amount | Appr. Bill | Account; Sub-account |
| 2008 | $810,000 | $246,313 | AG | USDA CSREES Special Grant | |
| 2007 | $810,000 | $243,433 | USDA CSREES Special Grant | ||
| 2006 | $810,000 | $359,000 | AG | USDA CSREES Special Grant | |
| 2005 | $810,000 | $335,000 | AG | USDA CSREES Special Grant | |
| 2004 | $810,000 | $225,000 | AG | USDA CSREES Special Grant | |
| 2003 | $510,000 | $125,000 | AG | USDA CSREES Special Grant | |
| Total: | $1,533,746 | ||||
Annual Reports
Organic Cropping Research – 2007 Progress Reports
Organic Cropping Research – 2006 Progress Reports