IMPROVING ORGANIC VEGETABLE PROFITABILITY BY IDENTIFYING COST-EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES THAT OPTIMIZE PRODUCTION AND WHOLE-FARM PLANNING IN THE SOUTHEAST: A PLANNING GRANT

The short-term goal of this planning proposal is to form a team and collect preliminary data necessary to develop a well-informed full OREI proposal focusing on organic vegetables (Cucurbits and brassicas) and sweet corn production in the Southeast. The long-term goal of this research is to support the regional adoption of production strategies and precision technologies that improve economic and environmental sustainability of vegetable production in the southeast.In order to facilitate the development of a full OREI proposal, this planning grant aims to:Objective 1: Identify current production practices, planning strategies, and production systems:Objective 1a: Identify the most common crop mix, yearly rotations, and production practices using a pilot survey that will guide the development of the full integrated proposal which will utilize a systems approach to improve profitability.Objective 1b: Identify producer's perceived and actual barriers to transition from conventional to organic production or to expand certified-organic acreage. This will be used to guide the education activities covered by the full integrated proposal.Objective 2: Evaluate the producer and industry perspectives on technologies with the potential to improve and expand organic production.Objective 2a: Identify the current state of agricultural technology use along with technologies producers are considering adopting near term (in both conventional and organic production).Objective 2b: Engage in discussions with industry to identify promising emerging technologies (e.g., robotic weeding, digital scouting, and remote sensing) that have the potential to enhance and expand organic production, as well as identify barriers to adoption.Objective 3: Build integrated team for the full grant submission, and disseminate survey results:Objective 3a: Identify organic producers in the Southeastern region willing to conduct on-farm trials.Objective 3b: Identify other researchers in the region with relevant expertise to collaborate on the full proposal.Objective 3c: Organize a focus group and proposal planning meeting with all researchers involved and those interested in working on the full OREI proposal application. Objective 3d: Develop extension material summarizing survey results (Objective 1a and Objective 2)