Experience with University Organic Research Farms.

In 1989, the Agriculture Department at Western Illinois University identified a historically pesticide-free, 80-acre farm located 15 miles from the WIU campus. The department has rented this parcel for use as a research and demonstration site on a year to year cash rent basis ever since. The farm began converting to certified organic production in 1997 and all fields will be certified for the first time this year. With no permanent storage at the site, limited equipment and even more limited external funding, field operations have required significant collaboration with neighboring farmers, heavy dependence on revenues from crop sales and a very dedicated research technician. After an initial focus on characterizing soil properties, a wide range of mostly farm scale research has been conducted evaluating the impact of crop rotation, seed treatments, tillage systems, cover crops and soil amendments on agronomic crop yield, seed quality, weed pressure and cropping system economics. In 2007, I was hired by WIU as an assistant professor of soil science and my responsibilities included managing the WIU organic research farm. I will quickly review historical research results related to organic soil management and then explain how field days, class field trips, case studies, conference presentations, internet dialogue, direct marketing and innovative research have contributed to increased campus engagement, service to the organic farming community and positive recognition in the larger farm community during the past 3 years. I will also discuss ongoing challenges and future goals in the context of historical experience with 2 other institutional organic farms.