2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): Certified Organic Grain Production Extension Programs in North Carolina.
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706-1 Certified Organic Grain Production Extension Programs in North Carolina.



Wednesday, 8 October 2008
George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall E
Carl R. Crozier1, Samuel C. Reberg-Horton2, Alan D. Meijer1, Molly Hamilton2, Tony Kleese3, Larry Elworth4, Ronnie W. Heiniger5 and Michael G. Burton2, (1)Soil Science; Vernon James Research & Extension Ctr., North Carolina State University, 207 Research Station Road, Plymouth, NC 27962
(2)Crop Science, North Carolina State University, 4411 Williams Hall, Campus Box 7620, Raleigh, NC 27605
(3)Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, P.O. Box 448, Pittsboro, NC 27312
(4)Center for Agricultural Partnerships, 1 W Pack Square, Suite 518, Asheville, NC 28801
(5)Crop Science; Vernon James Research & Extension Center, North Carolina State University, 207 Research Station Road, Plymouth, NC 27962
Certified organic grain production is a small but expanding sector of grain crop production in North Carolina, with approximately 1000 ha certified and an additional 1000 ha in transition. A multidisciplinary team composed of members with expertise in production, marketing, organic farming, and organizational development is managing extension programs to enhance adoption of certified organic grain production. A series of projects has been funded by the Z. Smith-Reynolds Foundation; the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation; the Golden Leaf Foundation, Inc.; the Corn Growers’ Association of North Carolina, Inc.; the North Carolina Soybean Growers Association, Inc.; and the USDA-SARE program. Our farmer and industry advisory panel identified access to market information, soil fertility management, and weed management as major issues. A production guide and website are available (http://www.organicgrains.ncsu.edu/), and three field days in 2007 attracted a total of 185 attendees. Educational meetings are also used to present research results, introduce producers to market opportunities and grain buyers, and as a forum to plan future activities. In 2008, a multi-state bus tour will visit selected organic farms in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
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