Transcript Perennial Horticulture Systems
George Kuepper The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Washington University Organic Farming Studies: Mid- to Late 1970s
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Western Corn Belt States: Illinois, Iowa, E. Nebraska, S. Minnesota, & N. Missouri
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Agronomic Crop & Livestock Farms
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Farms Comparable in Size to Neighbors; about 20% smaller on average
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Comparable Mechanization
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Minimum 5 Years in Organic Production
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Sales Into the Conventional Marketplace
Washington University Organic Farming Studies: Major Findings
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Existence of commercial-scale organic farming in the Corn Belt, operating within the conventional marketplace.
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Organic farms used 2/5 ths as much fuel to produce one dollar’s worth of crop as conventional farms.
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Organic Farms had 1/3 rd less soil erosion than conventional farms based on crop rotations and diversity.
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Organic farms sequestered slightly more carbon in their soils; no P or K depletion.
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Organic farms had lower yields of corn (about 10%), comparable yields of soybeans, and required about 12% more labor per dollar of crop produced.
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Lower organic yields and higher labor costs were offset by lower input costs resulting in generally similar net returns per acre.
Washington University Organic Farming Studies: Selected Publications Lockeretz, Wm., G. Shearer, S. Sweeney, G. Kuepper, D. Wanner, & D.H. Kohl. 1980. Maize Yields and Soil Nutrient Levels With and Without Pesticides and Standard Commercial Fertilizers. Agronomy Journal, Vol. 72, p. 65 –72.
Shearer, G., D.H. Kohl, D. Wanner, G. Kuepper, S, Sweeney, & Lockeretz. 1981. Crop Production Costs and Returns on Midwestern Organic Farms: 1977 and 1978. Amer. J. Agr. Econ., Vol. 63, No. 2, p. 264 –269. Lockeretz, Wm., G. Shearer, & D.H. Kohl. 1981. Organic Farming in the Corn Belt. Science, Vol. 211, p. 540 –546.
USDA Study Team on Organic Farming. 1980. Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming. USDA. July. 94 p. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/USDAOrgFarmRpt.pdf
2007 US Organic Sales Estimated at $20+ billion
20% Increase in Organic Sales from 2006
Organics approaching 3% of total food sales in the U.S.
OTA 2007 Manufacturer Survey
Organic Sales (Billion $) 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Source: Nutrition Business Journal, annual Nutr, OTA 2007 Manufacturer Survey
Evolution Of and the Influences On American Organic Farming
F.H. King R. Steiner & Anthroposophy J.I. Rodale A. Howard Wm. Albrecht E. Balfour
Silent Spring
L. Bromfield E. Pfeiffer OFPANA/ OTA USDA’s OFPA Organic Report NOP Standard Implemented Sustainable Practices from the Asian Continent Countercultural Influences Environmental Consciousness Organic By Neglect Organic Certification & Industry Standards USDA National Standard
Certified Organic Production Convertible Husbandry (America Mid-1800s) High Farming
(Europe 1800s)
Humus Farming Organic Farming
Eco-Agriculture Integrated Production, etc.
Agroecology & Permaculture Biodynamics Demeter Certified Production ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006
Organic Soil Management
— An Old Saying among Organic Farmers
The Soil Food Web
10 2005 National Center for Appropriate Technology
Organic Soil Management
In humus/organic farming, the Law of Return refers to the return of organic materials to the soil, not merely the replacement of chemical nutrients.
Parent Rock Material
Plant Nutrition Under Natural Conditions
Digestive processes and nutrient recycling in the Rhizosphere:
The Soil Food Web
Source of plant nutrition: - plant residues - animal remains - animal wastes 12 Soluble Minerals Organic Compounds Other Benefits 2005 National Center for Appropriate Technology Plant Roots
Conventional Management
ζ ζ ζ
Digestive processes and nutrient recycling in the Rhizosphere:
The Soil Food Web
Parent Rock Material 13 Organic Matter as Crop Residues Conventional Soluble Fertilizers Soluble Minerals Organic Compounds Plant Roots
Humus Farming/Organic Management
Organic Materials and Methods: Composts Crop Residues Green Manures Livestock Manures Natural Fertilizers Biological Inoculants Rotations w/ sod crops Digestive processes and nutrient recycling in the Rhizosphere:
The Soil Food Web
Parent Rock Material Soluble Minerals 14 Organic Compounds Other Benefits 2005 National Center for Appropriate Technology Plant Roots
Because of its roots in humus farming, organic farming is traditionally viewed as, and labeled as, a “soil-based” production system.
Crop Nutrition Disease Management Weed Management Insect Pest Management
☼ Compartmentalized ☼
Soil & Soil Fertility Benefits
N self-sufficiency Access to native fertility Nutrient banking Nutrient bioavailability Reduced erosion Reduced leaching Soil water retention Nutrient cycling Better tilth
Pest Management Benefits
Innate resistance/tolerance Induced resistance/tolerance Disease suppression in the soil Biocontrol above ground Pest life-cycle disruption Weed seedbank reduction Shift in weed populations Ease of cultivation for weed control
SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Crop rotation Sanitation N-fixing crops Resistant varieties Soil/water conservation
HEALTHY SOCIETY HEALTHY PEOPLE HEALTHY FOOD HEALTHY SOIL
Evolution Of and the Influences On American Organic Farming
F.H. King R. Steiner & Anthroposophy J.I. Rodale A. Howard Wm. Albrecht E. Balfour
Silent Spring
L. Bromfield E. Pfeiffer OFPANA/ OTA USDA’s OFPA Organic Report NOP Standard Implemented Sustainable Practices from the Asian Continent Countercultural Influences Environmental Consciousness Organic By Neglect Organic Certification & Industry Standards USDA National Standard
Certified Organic Production Convertible Husbandry (America Mid-1800s) High Farming
(Europe 1800s)
Humus Farming Organic Farming
Eco-Agriculture Integrated Production, etc.
Agroecology & Permaculture Biodynamics Demeter Certified Production ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006
Alternative Delivery Systems Alternative Production Mode Countercuisine
Adapted from: Pollan, Michael. 2006. The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Penguin Press, New York. 450 p.
• Mid 60s–70s, budding organic industry • Mid-70s: First State Legislation; CA & OR • 1973: First Private Certification Program; CCOF • 1975–1980: Washington University Studies • 1980: USDA Study of Organic Ag Released • Mid-80s: OFPANA (later became OTA) • 1989: Alar Scare • 1990 OFPA Passed by Congress
• 1990 Legislation: Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA)
Created the National Organic Program and the National Organic Standards Board The National Organic Program or NOP is the Federal body responsible for writing, interpreting and enforcing the Regulations The National Organic Standards Board or NOSB advises the NOP on interpretation of the Regulations and has statutory responsibility for the content of the National List—which details synthetic materials allowed and natural products prohibited in organic production and processing. The NOSB is comprised of 15 members from the organic community appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• 1997: Regulation: First Draft of National Standard
2000 (spring) Revised Draft
2000 (winter) Final Rule/Standard Released 2002 (October) Full Implementation
USDA Organic Regulation(s)
Final Rule of the National Organic Program
National Organic Standard
7 CFR; Part 205
√ Production System √ Handling/Processing Scale of Production Food Miles Social Justice
Alternative Delivery Systems Alternative Production Mode Countercuisine
Adapted from: Pollan, Michael. 2006. Omnivore’s Dilemma. Penguin Press, New York. 450 p.
Organic by Neglect Wild Harvest Organic Hydroponics Humus Farming Biodynamics Input Substitution
Systems Addressed by the National Organic Standard
Organic Farm Certification & the NOP
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organcert.pdf
Organic Crop Production Overview
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organiccrop.pdf
Organic Crops Workbook
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cropsworkbook.pdf
Organic Materials Compliance http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organicmaterials.pdf
Org. Orchard, Vineyard, and Berry Crop Doc. Forms
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/orchardforms.pdf
Forms, Documents, and Sample Letters for Org, Prod.
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/producerforms.pdf
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Tel: 715-772-3153 Fax: 715-772-3162 [email protected]
www.mosesorganic.org
Guidebook for Organic Certification
http://www.mosesorganic.org/attachments/hwguidebook06.pdf
Publications: Small Organic Farms & Local Markets: How to Assess Organic Compliance Organic Foods: What Do We Need to Know About Them?
Organic Production in Oklahoma: Q&A Information Packets: Organic…Is It For Me? Organics in the Midsouth…What are the Challenges?
Organic: Making the Transition The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, P.O. Box 588, Poteau, OK 74953; Tel: 918-647-9123; http://www.kerrcenter.com/
Thanks for your attention!
George Kuepper The Kerr Center P.O. Box 588 Poteau, OK 74953 918-647-9123 [email protected]
http://www.kerrcenter.com/