Rodale Institute's Farming Systems Trial: Looking Beyond Short-Term Yields.

Abstract:

 

After thirty years of research, Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial (FST) still remains a relevant catalyst for change in American agriculture. Begun in 1981, FST is America’s longest running side by side field experiment comparing organic and conventional production systems. Originally designed to assess the barriers to the adoption of organic strategies, specific and targeted cropping systems were identified for comparison: an organic/livestock system, an organic/legume system, and a conventional/chemical system. While yield data, the standard agronomic measure of success was collected, additional and important data streams were also measured: soil health, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic returns. While yields remained comparable, the organic systems used 45% less energy and released 40% less greenhouse gas than the conventional system.