The event brought nearly 60 farmers and 20-plus professionals from all over Michigan on March 7 to Michigan State University’s Brody Neighborhood. Together, we shared a day of research findings, discussion of how the research can be used in production and then farmers identified questions that should be addressed in future research projects. Research ideas were identified by farmers following discussion with all farmers, ag professionals and researchers. Lunch time at Brody Café brought special topics including the 2014 Farm Bill offerings for Organic farming presented by Lindsey Scalera from Michigan Voices for Good Food Policy, and Expectations for the 2014 Organic Markets led by Dan Rossman, an organic farmer and MSU Extension educator.
A wide range of organic farming research was presented by MSU professors, covering techniques for discouraging pests in orchards, using compost tea in vine crops, vermicompost, and selecting soybean varieties for organic systems. Following the program, 14 attendees visited the Student Organic Farm and Haygrove Tunnels on College Ave at the MSU Horticulture Farm. The outcomes of the organic cherry and raspberry systems were of great interest to the farmers, demonstrating how each aspect of production was impacted by the Haygrove systems.
The growers expressed great interest to see future research that addresses a whole farming system within a research project. Farmers indicated that this is more realistic to “real farming,” indicating that they would like to see future research take this approach. Researchers concurred but noted that it is challenging to thoroughly test each aspect of farming.
It was a great day for all, celebrating with dinner at a local restaurant. The growers anticipate the outcomes of this day to be used in future research, addressing issues such as using reduced tillage to manage summer cover crops, investigating the impact of humic and folic acid in high tunnel soil, and cover crops that decrease corn pests in organic systems. The value of the day is way beyond identifying future research. New ideas and friends were found. The program will be held next year during MSU’s Agriculture and Natural Resources week in March 2015, and I hope that you too can join us. You can see the research presentations at www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu.
Source: Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance