Addressing Organic Sustainable Farmers' Needs

Robert G. Hadad

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

Alternatives to tobacco farming, maintain-ing an agricultural heritage, revival of the small family farm, producing ecologically grown products, growing for a more health conscious consumer, developing niche markets, entrepreneurial speculation, these are some of the reasons why organic farming is slowly spreading throughout the country and Kentucky is no exception. The needs of organic farmers as far as advice on cultural practices and marketing sometimes go beyond what conventional agricultural information has to offer.

The University of Kentucky, through the Kellogg Foundation has developed the KLAES (Kentucky Leadership for Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability) project which funds many agricultural projects throughout the state Through these resources, a position was created to work directly with growers to provide necessary information and a line of communication. It is this open line of communication that links together Extension specialists from all agricultural departments, research scientists, as well as economists and marketing specialists. Many organic growers were reluctant to come to the Extension service for help because of certain misgivings and attitudes held by both growers and agricultural professionals on the subject of organic versus conventional farming. With this newly created position, the State of Kentucky now offers greater assistance to organic growers.

Objective

To be able to fulfill the major objective of addressing the needs of organic farmers, many steps were and still are being taken as the first step in meeting the needs of organic farmers. One must define what is generally meant by "organic". Under Kentucky state law, organic farming is defined as "a system of ecological soil management that relies on building humus levels through crop rotations, recycling organic wastes, and applying balanced mineral amendment that uses, when necessary, mechanical, botanical, or biological controls." To many growers, this definition is too simplistic and does not to any great extent go into more philosophical convictions about biology and ecology, to other growers, the states' definition is too restrictive. For the majority of consumers, organic farming means using no chemicals. From the Extension Service's standpoint, the state's version is appropriate, but does not go deeply into the issue of sustainability. For the conventional farmer, organic may mean negative publicity for their way of life. Organic means different things to different people. At all times, one must keep in mind the audience that is being addressed and to be absolutely sure everyone understands the term clearly.

The second step is to visit the growers at their farms and show them that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. In this way, the farmer is more willing to open up and a more personal working relationship can be developed. Finding out what sort of information is necessary and important to them becomes more easily obtained. In many cases, problems with cultural practices were of equal concern as was future markets.

The third step is to have access to accurate field tested data in order to make recommendations to growers. This data is often difficult to come by. Using the information highway has proved to be an effective tool in finding results of research projects conducted in other parts of the United States and throughout the world. Sometimes the only reliable information on a particular organic practice comes from farmers who have years of expe-rience. From this experience, recommendations can only be thought of as guidelines.

An equally important source of information for growers comes from the Extension Specialists and researchers within the University. There is considerable information on cultural practices, variety trials, post harvest handling, and marketing, to name a few, that is equally as applicable for organic growers as it is for conventional farmers. Acting as of a liaison between growers and university researchers assists in bringing the two groups together. From this comes a better understanding of current needs and future goals.

To bring these steps back around in a full circle, there needs to be direct communication back to the farmers with all the information gathered. Guidelines and recommendations must be made in a language that all parties can understand clearly. Face-to-face or group presenta-tions go a long way in presenting factual information that our growers need. Printed material that is updated regularly reinforces the objective of providing essential information.

Extension Publications

In a current effort to make communication to county Extension agents and to farmers across the state, as each publication is revised or new ones are written, a copy is transposed to CD ROM disc and will become accessible shortly on the Internet.

ID 21: "Disease and Insect Control Programs for Home Grown Fruit in Kentucky Including Organic Alternatives"

The organic alternatives discussed in this publication include:

Using Organic Manures and Fertilizers for Vegetable Crops in Kentucky

Green Manures and Cover Crops

"Organic Vegetable Production Guidelines" (currently being finalized)

Bringing Together Diverse Branches of Agriculture

An effort was made to bring together diverse agriculture related groups for mutual gain. There are poultry producers in the southern Kentucky who had built compost facilities on their farms. They composted the poultry bedding/manure from the chicken houses and produced a fine quality soil amendment that was rich in organic matter and nutrients. Vegetables growers and organic tobacco growers have been working closely together to enhance their programs.

Another agricultural enterprise was in the Lexington area with a business that collects race horse stable beddings. The horse farms have trouble disposing of this refuse. This business collects the material, shreds it, and then compresses it into bales. While the shredded material is in a bale, the composting process begins to occur which starts a partial decmposition. The bales are sold primarily to mushroom producers across the country. This same shredded, partially composted material is an ideal mulch and soil amendment for organic growers. Since bringing together the company and a group of growers, this material is finding its way into vegetable plots across the region.

Field Trials

At the University of Kentucky South Farm Research Facility, field trials are being conducted to observe various cultural practices that might prove to be of benefit to many growers. Plasticulture is a method of growing vegetables that is fast becoming a major production tool in Kentucky. Raised beds are made by a bed-shaper pulled by a tractor. Attached to the bed-shaper is a machine that lays out a trickle irrigation tube, and then the whole bed is covered by a layer of black plastic. Later, a tractor pulled water-wheel plant setter is driven over, and vegetable transplants are planted into the beds at regular intervals.

Pre-plant fertilizer is used on the beds beforehand and just plain water is used through the tubes for irrigation. Fertigation can be used by means of the trickle irrigation set up to provide the plants with adequate nutrition during the growing season. One major problem has been with the aisles between the raised beds. Usually large populations of weeds take hold here and often become quite large. These tall weeds create problems with disease by reducing air flow and increasing humidity. These weeds also harbor insect pests. Another problem is that the weeds go to seed thus supplying the plot with a new crop of weeds next season. All the while the weeds deplete the soil of nutrients for the vegetable plants.

One of the trials conducted was to plant the aisle rows with a cover crop. A cover crop would compete with the weeds and if planted soon enough after cultivation, may crowd out the weeds from ever taking hold. Five different cover crops were used. Four were legumes (subterranean clover, white clover, hairy vetch, and Korean Lespedeza) which would help put back some nitrogen into the soil. The fifth was ryegrass which has been shown to have allelopathic affects on other plants.

Preliminary observations indicate that the cover crop needs to be kept low growing to avoid mowing. White clover started out with small plants that did not compete very well with early weed pressure. Once the clover plants took off, they became quite large. Hairy vetch germinated slowly and seemed to need more water (rainfall) for growth. Once the crop became esta-blished, it did not take well to being walked on. The ryegrass germinated quickly and was fast to cover the aisle. Weedy grasses seemed to be able to grow right along with it. During muddy weather, the young ryegrass got trampled.

The sub clover germinated quickly and covered the aisle quickly. It competed well against most weeds. After some trampling, some weedy grasses were able to grow but were not overwhelming in the aisle. The lespedeza also grew well being similar to the sub clover. Both the sub clover and lespedeza did not grow very tall (less than 12 inches) during the summer. One of the other traits that remains to be seen is if these cover crops will be winter killed. Winter killed cover crops would be an essential asset so as not to cause another kind of "weed" problem the next season.

A second trial was conducted to evaluate subterranean clover and hairy vetch as a "living mulch." Many organic growers do not like the idea of using plastic as a ground cover and would rather have something that was sustainable. Using a living mulch cover crop is an alternative that might be of some use. After a vegetable crop has become well- established and the weeds have been cultivated down, a broadcasting of cover crop seed is spread throughout the vegetable rows. After quick germination, the cover crops essentially smother out many emerging weed seedlings. Competition between the vegetables and the cover crops can be a problem if the vegetables are not big enough. If the vegetable plants are too big, then the cover crops do not get enough sunlight to become established thickly enough. As a sideline experiment, soybeans were planted between corn rows to help keep down weed competition.

A seemingly more effective method will be tried next season based on the work by Abdul-Baki (1991). Hairy vetch will be sown in the late summer/early fall on an unused plot that also has a trickle irrigation tube running down the center. The vetch will become established during the fall and become quite thick. The plant mass will be winter killed by the cold. In the spring, vegetable plants will be transplanted into the dead living mulch. From this, it will hopefully be shown that the mulch will keep down the weeds, and the dead plant material will return nutrients and some organic matter back to the soil.

Sustainability

There are some growers in Kentucky who are making a concerted effort towards becoming more sustainable in their farming practices. Using cover crops is a low input method of reducing weed pressure as well as adding nutrients and organic matter for soil improvement. The incorporation of animals such as goats, horses, swine, and poultry being used in rotation right along with cover crops is another avenue farmers are using to be more sustainable. Animals are used for the manure they produce as a fertilizer. Grazing animals can also reduce weed populations such as goats removing thistle in a field. The combined use of animals in a crop/cover crop rotation also aids in better nutritional grazing for the animals.

Diversification of crop plantings and agricultural enterprises

Combining vegetable growing and other agricultural crops can both extend a season of income for the farmer and offer some insurance on making some income in case of a crop failure or poor market pricing. Some of this diversification can be found in wholesale flower production, herbal products, meat, and fresh water shrimp. By-products of the diversification go back to the land for eventual soil improvement.

Marketing

Besides roadside stands, produce grown by Kentucky organic farmers is sold through three main sources. The first is at farmers' markets. There are many farmers' markets throughout the state. Some are loosely organized and meet in vacant lots. Others are quite a bit more organized with a planning board and associations. Fees are paid and an effort is made to advertise to the general public. Direct communication with customers is a must when selling organic produce. Explaining why the produce is grown organically, how the produce is grown, and maybe something about the choice of varieties all aids the customer in better understanding where their fruits and vegetables come from.

Another outlet for organic produce has been with restaurants. Many restaurants specifically want organically grown foods and label it on their menus. Others like the quality or diversity of varieties grown. The prices for this wholesale outlet are not as high as in retail, but quantities of produce bought and sold is quite often greater and consistent.

A third major market is through Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs. Essentially, a CSA is a buying club. Customers pay in advance for a seasons worth of produce.

As vegetables and fruit become available, weekly orders are packed and delivered to central pick up points or, in some cases, delivered directly to the customers. With the orders, a newsletter is sent to each customer to let them know how the season looks for the grower, how the produce is grown, and other general information that helps to educate the consumer in how farmers grow food.

On a small scale, there are some outlets that are available to sell wholesale for retail markets. Some produce markets are interested in selling produce labeled as "organic." Other markets are just looking for local Kentucky grown vegetables and will not label produce as organic. These markets usually will not pay a premium price for the produce.

Conclusion

This is an ongoing project that will hopefully be self-perpetuating long after the initial grant runs out. Already there have been observable changes. Inclusion of organic alternatives in Extension publications have been added. A session in the Kentucky Vegetable Growers' Association/Kentucky State Horticultural Society annual conference has been devoted to organic growers. Field trials have been initiated in organic practices.

Attention is being paid to marketing. Students, faculty, professionals, farmers, state agencies, and consumers have become more aware of organically grown products, and equally as important, where vegetables and other foods come from.

There is still plenty of work to be done. Agriculture is not always an exact science. There are still soil fertility problems. Weeds are a constant battle. Insect pests and diseases are always present. Throughout the coming years, more will be reported on the successes and setbacks that are bound to occur.

References

Abdul-Baki, A.A. 1991. More for less. A new way to grow tomatoes. Ag. Research Oct. pp. 14-15.

State of Kentucky Department of Agriculture Regulations 320 KAR 40: 010 and KRS 260.036

Organic Kentucky Producers Association, INC. Leaflet # 1. 1995

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