In recent years, federal, state, university, and private funds have become available for organic agricultural research. Some of the grant funds require that research be conducted on certified organic or transitional land. For example, the Integrated Organic Program of USDA currently requires that all research be done on land that is either certified or transitioning to organic, thus the ability of researchers to get all or a portion of their research station certified has a direct bearing on their eligibility for funding.

Jim Riddle has written an abstract, article, and power point presentation to describe the organic certification requirements for research sites and facilities and discuss opportunities for and limitations on research variances under the USDA’s National Organic Program regulation.

View Abstract.
View Article.
View Power Point Presentation.

Although the addition of nutrients to soil helps to maximize crop production, fertilizer can leach nutrients, polluting the water supply.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Minnesota shows alternative cropping practices may help to protect the environment by reducing high nitrate levels in surface water and groundwater caused by conventional fertilizer use. The team of scientists reports their findings in the July-August 2007 issue of the Journal of Environmental Quality.

In search of ways to reduce agricultural pollution, Strock and others measured tile drainage and nitrate losses under conventional and alternative cropping systems over a three-year period in southwest Minnesota. This study was funded by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service’s National Integrated Water Quality Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Read the entire release on Researchers Find Alternative Farming Helps Clean Up Water

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The annual edition of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Greenbook is off the press. Published for 18 years, the Greenbook highlights the results of innovative demonstration projects that test new approaches to marketing and raising crops and livestock. The demonstration projects are funded by the MDA’s Sustainable Agriculture On-Farm Demonstration Grant program, which targets farming practices that rely more on renewable resources, enhancing the environment, and increasing profitability.

For a free copy of Greenbook 2007, call 651-201-6012. Greenbook 2007 is also available on the MDA’s web site: www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/sustainable/greenbook.htm. Read the entire release (pdf) on Greenbook 2007.