Mapping the Future of Organic Research 2050

Project Director

Lauren Langworthy


Year Funded

2018


Award Number

2018-51300-28428


Funded Institution

Marbleseed (MOSES)


Grant Program

OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative)


USDA NIFA Report (alternate)

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Project Overview

Marbleseed, formerly the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), used this OREI award to hold a day-long Organic 2050 forum at the 2019 MOSES annual conference to convene organic farmers, researchers, and educators to outline the goals, needs, and plans for the organic sector over the next 30 years.

Discussions focused on knowledge gaps, farmer research priorities, and policy needs in a wide range of topics including:
(1) Production – cover crops, rotation, tillage, soil health, water quality, drift from conventional farmland, regenerative livestock systems, managing production costs.
(2) Organic sector – certification, organic integrity, supply chains, vertical integration, rural community vitality.
(3) Sociological – barriers to organic transition, reaching underserved farmers, marketing infrastructure.
(4) Other topics – dealing with climate change, participatory plant breeding for organic systems, local energy production networks, nutritional value of organic food.

Farmer Takeaways

(1) Marbleseed (https://marbleseed.org/) holds a large (3,000 attendees) annual conference and conducts a number of programs including farmer mentorship; training and network for BIPOC, beginning and veteran farmers; technical assistance in conservation practices and accessing NRCS programs; local food systems; and farmer support through the Transitioning to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
(2) The Organic 2050 conference informed future Marbleseed endeavors to focus on farmers’ top needs and priorities.

Project Outputs

Marbleseed Homepage

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