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Colorado
Organic Crop Managment Association
The
First National Organic Tree Fruit Symposium Research into organic methods has resulted in many changes on both conventional and organic farms. Organic farmers are often early adopters, refining technologies that spread to all farms. For example, adoption of mating disruption was significantly higher in the early years on organic farms and has now been accepted as an industry wide practice. Thus, as we continue to change various agricultural chemicals and move conventional fruit growing to a "softer" approach, research into organic systems will spin off into viable conventional methods.
As an organic growing community it's vital to improve the scientific understanding of our production systems, and apply research towards optimizing the performance of our farms. It's time to know who's working in organic systems, which specific areas, and where research needs to focus in the future. It is expected that attendees will present short (10-15 minute) reviews of their current and past research projects (see call for presentations/registration form). Discussion of those projects and their ramifications will follow each presentation. Input from grower and field personnel will be encouraged as to how projects fit with needs and where future research should be directed. A tour of several local organic fruit operations and a review of organic research projects currently underway in Colorado will augment the symposium. A proceeding of presented papers will be published. Accreditation by ASHS is being investigated. Two keynote speakers will highlight the symposium. David Granatstein, Washington State University, and Dr. Ian Merwin, Cornell University, will outline their research and provide an overview of where they feel future organic/sustainable tree fruit research needs to be directed. David Granatstein is the Statewide Coordinator for the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University. He is involved in research/development on fertility, weed control, replant disease, marketing and education for organic/sustainable growers in Washington. He has been involved with organic growers across the United States. Dr. Ian Merwin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pomology and International Agriculture at Cornell University. He is involved in research on weed control, cover cropping and soils. In addition to his tree fruit work, he works with organic gardeners and supports organic/sustainable education in the East. A few scholarships (provided by SCOAR) were available to assist certified organic growers with travel. Download the application at the top of the page. Please contact Mark Lipson for more details. For more information contact: Steve Ela, 970-872-3488 sela@co.tds.net Larry Traubel, 970-234-3424 ltraubel@hotmail.com Curt Rom, 510-575-7434 crom@uark.edu
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