A National Agenda for Organic and Transitioning Research
Project Director
Brise Tencer
Year Funded
2019
Award Number
2019-51300-30249
Funded Institution
Organic Farming Research Fdn
Grant Program
OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative)
USDA NIFA Report
Project Overview
Surveys were sent to all USDA certified organic producers (~14,000) and to ~700 farmers in transition to organic production to identify producer research needs and priorities. The surveys included closed (multiple choice) and open-ended questions on respondents’ production and conservation practices, production and non-production challenges, technical assistance (TA) needs, and preferred information sources and formats. Sixteen focus group listening sessions were conducted to gain deeper insight into organic farmers’ priorities and concerns.
Responses from 1,059 organic and 71 transitioning producers were analyzed to characterize farmers’ utilization of soil health and conservation practices and to identify top challenges, needs, and concerns. Findings were analyzed by region, farmer experience (beginning < 10 years in farming vs experienced), racial identity, and certified vs transitioning farmers, and published in a report available through the OFRF website. Findings related to production and use of organic seed were published in a separate report by project partner, the Organic Seed Alliance.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Most organic farmers use multiple soil health and conservation practices including cover crops, rotations, organic amendments, and perennial buffer plantings.
(2) Top challenges include managing weeds, soil fertility, pests, diseases, and production costs; labor, marketing, and organic certification requirements, costs, and recordkeeping.
(3) Most valued information sources include organic farmers, other farmers, and service providers trained in organic systems, and organic non-profit organizations.
(4) Survey findings informed advocacy efforts to improve USDA organic research programs.
Project Outputs
Snyder, L., M. Schonbeck, T. Velez, and B. Tencer. 2022. “2022 National Organic Research Agenda: Outcomes and Recommendations from the 2020 National Organic & Transitioning Farmer Surveys and Focus Groups.” Organic Farming Research Foundation.
Hubbard, K., J. Zystro, and L. Wood. 2022. “State of Organic Seed, 2022.” Organic Seed Alliance.