126 Symposium--Sustainability Challenges in Organic Agriculture

Oral Session
ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems
Sponsored by Organic Valley

Organic practices have evolved over the past several decades and will likely continue do so as new products and methods are developed, and as scientific research provides new insights into more sustainable strategies.  There are many questions and concerns about whether current organic regulations are adequate to ensure that certified systems are consistent with sustainability goals.  Should organic farmers be allowed to use some prohibited inputs?  Should some allowed inputs be more restricted?  Should regulations be more specific about soil management practices?  This symposium will use a novel format, five minute videos, to encourage input from a variety of perspectives.

Approved for 2.0 CM CEUs

Cosponsor(s):

Organic Management Systems Community

Monday, November 7, 2016: 2:00 PM-5:00 PM
Phoenix Convention Center North, Room 124 B

Organizers:
Eric B. Brennan and S. Chris Reberg-Horton
2:00 PM
Introductory Remarks
2:10 PM
Practitioners' Perspectives on How Organic Rules Meet the Challenge of Sustainability.
Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University; Maury Wills, Iowa Dept. of Ag. and Land Stewardship; Tom Frantzen, Frantzen Farm; Ron Rosmann, Roman Family Farms
2:15 PM
What Our Organic Garden Taught Us about the Challenges of Organic Regulations.
Michel A. Cavigelli, USDA-ARS; Martha B Tomecek, USDA-ARS; Eric B. Brennan, USDA-ARS
2:20 PM
Discussion
2:50 PM
Discussion
3:05 PM
Growing Nitrogen, Conserving Carbon, and Keeping the Ground Covered in Organic Grain Systems.
Anders Gurda, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin-Madison
3:20 PM
Discussion
3:35 PM
Managing Irrigation for Multiple Goals in Organic Systems: Integrating Productivity with Sustainability.
Jennifer Schmidt, University of California - Davis; Caitlin A Peterson, University of California - Davis; Kate M. Scow, University of California - Davis; Israel Herrera, University of California - Davis; Daoyuan Wang, University of California - Davis; Amelie CM Gaudin, University of California-Davis
3:45 PM
Discussion
4:00 PM
Adjourn
4:00 PM
Social Hour