Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Transition trials were completed on the Windsor Organic Research Transition plots on the University of Illinois South Farm Research and Education Center in Champaign. Results are demonstrating the relative economics of low intensity, intermediate intensity, and high intensity agricultural "transition to organic" production systems. The six acres of plots have been certified organic. Based on current findings, it appears that the high-intensity transition program is most economically viable. Using these results, farmers can adjust their transition plans to optimize income. However, these trials did not include animal grazing or hay-based systems; it is possible that that integration could have made the pasture ley systems more sustainable. Research projects were established in Illinois to test vegetable (tomato, broccoli) and fruit varieties for their potential use in organic production systems. Projects are sited in northern Illinois (St. Charles Research and Education Center west of Chicago), South Farm Research and Education Center in Urbana-Champaign, and the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center (DSAC) in southern Illinois. A "standard" organic system, most relevant to the local environment, was developed to test these varieties for disease and pest resistance, quality and yield, appearance, nutrient and water needs, and overall commercial organic potential. These new trials are needed because current varietal trials, although of some use to organic growers, are difficult to interpret because they typically involve conventional, not organic, soil, weed, disease, and insect pest management practices. Consequently they are less concerned with disease and pest resistance and nutrient interactions. One half of a three acre planting of apples at DSAC is currently managed as organic, the other half as conventional. It is clear that the scab-resistant apple varieties, developed as part of the Purdue- Rutgers-Illinois (PRI) cooperative apple breeding project, play a critical role as foundations for economically viable organic apple orchards in southern Illinois. To disseminate results from research related to organic production around the state, the Third Annual Organic Production Conference was held in December. The program included popular presentations by researchers, extension staff, farmers, marketers, and others interested in increasing organic production in Illinois. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Please note that this report covers the project "Sustainability of Organic Systems in Illinois" which terminated September 30, 2007. The current title in the CRIS system reflects the revised project title.

Impacts
The organic food industry is still growing at close to 20% per year. The results of the transition and varietal trials will be useful to many of the over 250 current organic farmers in Illinois, and also make it easier for either new farmers or conventional farmers to convert to organic, which needs much more high-quality production. We estimate that at least 250 more organic farmers are needed within the next 5 - 10 years, and that existing farmers need to grow larger to meet the demand. Coupled with the awareness and demand for local foods, the results of these trials should within the next five years result in more than a doubling of organic production in Illinois and related states that share this information.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Transition trials continued on the Organic Research Transition plots on the University of Illinois South Farm Research and Education Center in Champaign. Results are demonstrating the relative economics of low intensity, intermediate intensity, and high intensity agricultural "transition to organic" production systems. The six acres of plots have been certified organic. A high-intensity transition program is most economically viable. Using these results, farmers can adjust their transition plans to optimize income. Research projects have been established in Illinois to test vegetable (tomato, broccoli) and fruit varieties for their potential use in organic production systems. Projects are sited in northern Illinois (St. Charles Research and Education Center west of Chicago), South Farm REC in Champaign-Urbana, and the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center (DSAC) in southern Illinois. A "standard" organic system, most relevant to the local environment, has been developed in which to test these varieties for disease and pest resistance, quality and yield, appearance, nutrient and water needs, and overall commercial organic potential. These new trials are needed because current varietal trials, although generally useful for organic growers, are difficult to interpret because they typically involve conventional, not organic, soil, weed, disease, and insect pest management practices. One half of a three acre planting of apples at DSAC is currently managed as organic, the other half as conventional. Early results point to the critical role disease- and pest-resistant varieties will play in creating economically viable organic apple orchards in southern Illinois. To disseminate results from research related to organic production around the state, the Third Annual Organic Production Conference was held in December. The program included popular presentations by researchers, extension staff, farmers, marketers, and others interested in increasing organic production in Illinois.

Impacts
As economic and environmental pressures mount on the current row-crop system that dominates much of the upper Midwest, alternatives for the productive, sustainable use of this land are needed. Current examples of successful farmers (including organic operators), detailed analysis of their operations, along with on-farm research, provide means for defining a diverse and robust Illinois landscape of the future.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Transition trials continued on the Organic Research Transition plots on the University of Illinois South Farm Research and Education Center in Champaign. Results are demonstrating the relative economics of low intensity, intermediate intensity, and high intensity agricultural 'transition to organic' production systems. The six acres of plots will be certified organic next year, and cumulative results of the project presented. The outcome will inform conventional farmers about the issues. To disseminate results from research related to organic production around the state, the Second Annual Organic Production Conference was held in January. Attendance was 40% higher than at the initial conference in 2005, and included popular presentations by researchers, extension staff, farmers, marketers, and others interested in increasing organic production in Illinois. Research projects are being planned across the state of Illinois to test vegetable and fruit varieties for their potential use in organic production systems. Projects will be sited in northern Illinois (St. Charles Research and Education Center west of Chicago), South Farm REC in Champaign-Urbana, and the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois. A 'standard' organic system, most relevant to the local environment, is being designed to test these varieties for disease and pest resistance, quality and yield, appearance, nutrient and water needs, and overall commercial organic potential. The results of current varietal trials, although generally useful for organic growers, are difficult to interpret because of differences in soil, weed, disease, and insect pest management practices. A wide variety of small research trials are being conducted by farmers across the state, based on issues most relevant to their farms. This allows field-relevant studies to be conducted on sites that suffer from specific fertilizer and pest management problems. Results are expected to be presented in public meetings across the state. To disseminate research results, six tours were held as part of the 'Sustainable Agriculture Tour' series in 2005. The focus of these tours is to provide UI Extension, other agriculture educators and the 'public' with an opportunity to learn 'first-hand' about the diversity of farms across the state. A survey was distributed at each of the six tours. Some items of interest: 84% of those responding to the surveys felt that tours were useful to very useful; 70% of tours provided them with answers to their questions and 75% tours provided resource materials that they could use.

Impacts
As economic and environmental pressures mount on the current row-crop system that dominates much of the upper Midwest, alternatives for the productive, sustainable use of this land are needed. Current examples of successful farmers (including organic operators), detailed analysis of their operations, along with on-farm research, provide means for defining a diverse and robust Illinois landscape of the future.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
An Organic Agriculture Task Force has been organized and is developing further research activities that are appropriate for this project. A Professional Development Opportunity workshop was held providing an overview of organic food production, marketing, status of university research and other resources that are available in Illinois and the region. Work was begun on a series of fact sheets, with one being completed, Organic Certification in Illinois. The University of Illinois, in conjunction with Michigan State University, Purdue and Iowa State University, was awarded a grant from the American Farmland Trust and Region V, EPA for a unique project. The New Ag Network (http://www.ipm.msu.edu/new-ag/aboutNewAg.htm) brings seasonal advice to field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture. Information is provided in an on-line newsletter that features crop updates from organic growers and articles from university specialists about a variety of practices and new findings useful for organic growers. This site serves those interested in transitioning to organic as well as those currently practicing low-input or organic agriculture. The development of locally-based food systems has become a major focus of sustainable agriculture in Illinois and nationally. Local food systems impacts environmental, economic and social factors within a region in ways consistent with sustainable agriculture principles. Research is needed in this area to determine consumer trends and develop marketing and delivery infrastructure that supports farmers and consumers ready to participate in a community-based food system. ASAP co-sponsored a major state-wide forum on local food systems in Illinois. Many interested parties participated in the day-long event, and several projects and organizations have since been initiated. Overall, activity in this area has mushroomed in the state, including research, education and entrepreneurial enterprises. ASAP plans to be involved in ways that support locally-based food systems and the farmers who participate. ASAP has begun a major reorganization of the College of ACES programs currently addressing sustainable and organic agriculture in Illinois. Over the last ten years the research and outreach activities within these topic areas has increased dramatically. Our challenge is to insure that all these new participants are identified with sustainable agriculture within the College of ACES, and that Illinois residents seeking sustainable ag information from the College have easy access to the full range of resources available. A new website is being designed. The planning began in earnest during 2004. This new site will include all the research and Extension programming applicable to sustainable agriculture and be structured for easy access and maximum flexibility as the program continues to grow over the next several years. ASAP is at the core of this expansion and reorganization. It is anticipated that the new program will serve to highlight the growing demand for this information in Illinois and generate an increase in research addressing sustainable agriculture topics.

Impacts
As economic and environmental pressures mount on the current row-crop system that dominates much of the upper Midwest, alternatives for the productive, sustainable use of this land are needed. Current examples of successful farmers (including organic operators), detailed analysis of their operations, along with on-farm research, provide means for defining a diverse and robust Illinois landscape of the future.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 05/15/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
The sustainability of organic agricultural systems needs to be understood and promoted by the University research programs. Over the past year we have been associated with the Windsor Organic Research Trial (WORT), designed to explore impacts of several strategies for converting from conventional to organic systems. Several rotational intensities of cropping systems have been installed to track changes in soil properties and pest conditions during this transition. We have also been involved with the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, particularly in helping get research and management information into the hands of practitioners. Web sites have also been used to transfer this information. An Organic Agriculture Task Force has been organized and is developing further research activities that are appropriate for this project.

Impacts
As economic and environmental pressures mount on the current row crop system that dominates much of the upper Midwest, alternatives for the productive, sustainable use of this land are needed. Current examples of successful farmers (including organic operators), detailed analysis of their operations, along with on-farm research, provide means for defining a diverse and robust Illinois landscape of the future.

Publications

• Anderson, D. 2003. A different field: Innovative entrepreneurs in Illinois farming. University of Illinois Board of Trustees, 38 p.