Mainstreaming Organic Agriculture in the Land Grant System.

Based on citizen demand, Iowa State University (ISU) established the first organic agriculture faculty position at a US land grant university in 1997, as a shared appointment in the departments of horticulture and agronomy, with a 70% Extension and 30% Research split. By 1999, a national survey determined that ISU had reached the upper percentile of organic research, Extension and educational activities at land grant universities. This result was attributed to a series of successful Organic Agriculture Focus Groups, convened to help direct the new organic program by partnering with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Extensive focus group dialogue with a diverse group of farmers (organic and conventional), agribusiness professionals, and consumers in six agricultural communities across Iowa included the need for organic research at the University level, since the majority of organic farmers (65%) were receiving their information from other organic farmers and non-governmental publications. Paramount in the needs assessment was the establishment of organic research sites across the state to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits associated with organic farming practices over the long term. Specific outcomes-based Extension needs articulated by clients led to the development of an annual schedule of organic workshops, field days and conferences. As a result of organic farming practices, 90% of survey respondents in Iowa reported an increase in soil quality and 67% reported a 6 to 30% increase in farm income. A survey of land grant university organic programs across the U.S. showed various levels of administrative support, resources, and community involvement in the decision-making process regarding organic research and Extension programs. A discussion on the sociological and political underpinnings of organic agriculture support in the land grant setting will include recommendations for facilitated mainstreaming while developing a specific identity for organic programs.