Research Continued from Page 1
other growers because of a lack of organic farm advisors and research. The institute is attempting to coordi- nate the sources of information about organic agriculture scattered through- out the UC and Cooperative Extension systems and identify the most important knowledge gaps. The institute was launched with an ini- tial $500,000 endowment from Clif Bar & Co. and $500,000 in matching funds from the UC Office of the President. In 2022, the California Department of Food and Agriculture awarded $1.85 million to help the UC system increase technical assis- tance for organic farmers. Without an established network of Cooperative Extension advisors with ex- pertise in organic production, many grow- ers had developed a knack for searching on their own for specialists to advise them, said Larry Jacobs, president and co-found- er of Jacobs Farm del Cabo, a Santa Cruz- based organic producer. “Find people who are knowledge- able, hook them in, support them, and don’t give up,” Jacobs suggested during a panel discussion in Monterey called “Understanding Evolving Production Challenges for Organic Growers.” Rangarajan said economic realities can be particularly important for new or small- er organic farmers.
Joji Muramoto, a soil scientist and agroecologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, visits a Bay Area farm as part of a project to study no-till organic cultivation. Muramoto is the first organic production specialist for the UC Cooperative Extension.
“Transitional growers have additional challenges accessing capital and mar- kets,” Rangarajan said. “There is a consol- idation on the buyer side, and that affects prices. We need to expand the scope of organic research to include ag econo- mists and nutritionists.” In 2020, the Organic Farming Research Foundation surveyed more than 1,100 certified organic and 71 transitioning-or- ganic farmers and ranchers across North America about their production systems, soil-health management practices and pressing production challenges. According to survey results published in 2022, 67% of organic growers identified controlling weeds as a prime challenge. Managing production costs was cited by
59%, and 48% said soil fertility and crop nutrition was a challenge. Jacobs, who farms 400 acres of organic culinary herbs, stressed the importance of organic research and expertise. At the Monterey panel session, he described working with a CDFA biolog- ical control unit to help solve a squash bug problem. He said he found the answer to nem- atode management in tomatoes was a combination of using more tolerant varieties and rotating into mustard as a biofuel crop that also served as a biofu- migant for the soil. Jacobs’ organic research interests ex- tend far beyond California’s borders. He
has searched for experts who could help control fruit flies on organic hard squash in Tanzania. He said organic growers face unique crop-production challenges because they rely on biological solutions, which don’t draw the same research attention and cor- porate funding for studies as do chemical formulas used in conventional agriculture. “There are better biological solutions, but no one is making money off them, so no- body is pushing them,” Jacobs said. “Organic research has been a neglected tool for a long time, but that is starting to change.” (Bob Johnson is a reporter in Monterey County. He may be contacted at bjohn11135@gmail.com.)
2024 CE Series
Members: Free Non-Members: $400
REGISTER NOW AND ENJOY FREE PESTICIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS Let your Farm Bureau membership more than pay for itself! Join us throughout the year for webinars that meet your pesticide continuing education (CE) requirements. Subject matter experts will share information applicable to your business operations and advance your professional development. Earn 1 Hour L/R or Other DPR • 1 Hour CCA Per Class Class Dates and Topics are Subject to Change. Next Class (all classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) Thursday, March 14 ...............Macrobiologicals in Modern Farming Operations Upcoming Classes Thursday, April 11..................Rodenticide Test Prep, Subcategory for the PAC
Thursday, May 9.....................Pyrethroid & Neonicotinoid Use in Vegetable Crops
Thursday, June 13..................Integrated Pest Management
Colusa Farm Show | Colusa, CA, February 6-8 WineVit Convention & Tradeshow | Kennewick, WA, February 6-7 World Ag Expo | Tulare, CA, February 13-15 American Pistachio Growers Conference | Monterey, CA, February 26-28 Visit our booths at these February shows:
Thursday, July 11 ...................Vertebrate Pest Control
Thursday, August 8 ................Personal Protective Equipment
Thursday, September 12........Application Inspection
Thursday, October 10 ............Choosing the Right Pesticide
Thursday, November 14 ........Preventing Common Violations
PRESENTING SPONSOR
For registration and more information please visit: cfbf.com/FBE
10 Ag Alert February 14, 2024
Powered by FlippingBook