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To gather information and create a team that will develop effective short and long range plans for use of University of Minnesota cattle and lands and a highly competitive integrated organic dairy research and extension proposal for submission in 2010. <P>Goal of Focus Groups = We will identify key issues in organic dairy production. Three focus groups will include organic dairy producers and 1 focus group will contain scientists with expertise in areas relevant to organic farming. <P>Goal of Organic Research Site Visits = Planning team members will participate in site visits where organic dairy research is being conducted in order to achieve coordination and seek collaboration. <P>Goal of Seminar Series= Five seminars for team education and public outreach, followed by an open forum discussion, will be presented at the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. <P>Goal of Planning Team Meetings = Four meetings will be held during the year starting with an organizational meeting and designation of individuals to sub-committees and establishment of sub-committee responsibilities.<P> A critical role of planning team activities is to identify needs of the organic dairy sector in the Midwest. Clear needs from the outset are best management practices for organic dairy, improved strains of cattle for high forage organic farms, and increased forage quality and quantity from pastures.
Non-Technical Summary: The University of Minnesota has committed nearly 500 acres of pasture and cropland to be certified organac and 180 dairy cows plus replacement animals to be divided into a certified organic herd and a control herd. Potential colloberation with neighboring ARS soil, water and climate scientists is a powerful asset. A faculty position (60% research,40% Extension) supported by a research assistant will be recruited to lead an integrated research and extension program. The objective of this research and extension planning project is to create a multidisciplinary team that will design an excellent organic dairy research and extension program and prepare a highly competitive integrated organic dairy research and extension proposal for submission in 2010. The team will utilize focus groups comprised of stakeholders, study visits to current and emerging organic programs at other public research facilities, a series of seminars and consultations with organic experts, and intensive team meetings to explore and share share diverse ideas and review progress. Particular attention will be given to identifying and assessing effect methods for utilizing assets commited to organic research and extension that leads to effective strains of cattle, appropriate plant and animal nutrition, best management practices for herd health, pest management, profitability for organic farmers, impacts on wild animal and plants and environmental and conservation outcomes thrrough research and extension. <P> Approach: Methodology to achieve Objective: 1. Focus Groups 2. Organic Research Farm Visits 3. Seminar Series 4. Planning Team Meetings Focus Groups = The objective is to identify key issues in organic dairy production. Three focus groups will contain organic dairy producers and 1 focus group will contain scientists with expertise in areas relevant to organic farming. Each focus group will meet once and at least 2 members of the planning team will be present at each focus group meeting. The scientific focus group will meet at the St. Paul Campus at the University of Minnesota and the dairy producer focus groups will be located in 3 different areas in the state of MN that are centrally located for each focus group. Organic Research Site Visits = Planning team members will participate in site visits where organic dairy research is being conducted. Proposed sites include: a. University of New Hampshire (Kevin Brussel) b. California State University at Chico (Cindy Daley) c. North Carolina State University - if they move to establish a program Seminar Series= Five seminars, followed by an open forum discussion, will be presented at the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. The seminars will be held in the Animal Science Department and are open to public. Proposed topics areas include 1) Organic Dairy Farming Ins and Outs, 2) Organic Crop Production Systems, 3) Environmental Benefits and Challenges of Organic Dairy Farming, 4) Cow Health and Welfare, and 5) Consumer Market Trends and Economics of Organic Dairy Farming. Following each seminar and open forum discussion, a working session for planning team members will be held. Planning Team Meetings = Four meetings will be held during the year. Suggested itinerary for meetings include: organization, designation of individuals to sub-committees and establishment of sub-committee responsibilities; subcommitee working meetings to develop contributions to an integrated organic farming approach; finalization of integrated organic dairy research and extension proposal.