Organic and Sustainable Ag

Penn State Organic and Sustainable Ag Research and Extension: What we are doing to benefit you!

As the recognized land-grant university for Pennsylvania, Penn State strives to “provide unparalleled access to education and public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. We engage in collaborative activities with private sector, educational, and governmental partners worldwide to generate, integrate, apply and disseminate knowledge that is valuable to society.” Research and extension projects being conducted in support of the organic and sustainable agriculture are multi disciplinary involving the plant and animal sciences, entomology, environmental science and management, plant pathology and environmental microbiology, ag economics, sociology and education and extension. From the crops side, we focus on improving production, managing pests, diseases and weeds, identifying new/emerging crop opportunities, improving environmental quality and overall farm profitability. Several ongoing research and extension efforts were highlighted during the recent 2020 PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Lancaster, PA and are further summarized here.

IDENTIFYING NEW CROP OPPORTUNITIES Dr. Alyssa Collins, Director of the Penn State Southeast Research and Extension Center in Lancaster Co., PA

One of the advantages of Land Grant research is the flexibility to explore the production of new and reemerging crops. Whereas a farmer may not have the resources to devote to discovering the best management practices for a new crop on their own, the scientists at Penn State can expand their programs to test various ways of producing crops without “risking the farm.” Dr. Alyssa Collins has seen grower interest drive the direction of her projects over the past decade. While much of the work at SEAREC is focused on traditional Pennsylvania crops, it has also included sugar beets, malting barley (Fig. 1), hybrid rye, spelt, and most

Fig 1. Evaluation of malting barley variety trial. Photo: Kristy Borrelli.

recently industrial hemp. From variety trials to nutrient studies, every new crop requires a host of baseline data to determine if it could be a good candidate, financially and practically, to include in a farm rotation. As Collins likes to say, “we farm with other people’s money so that you can save your money.”

IMPROVING PRODUCTION IN PROTECTED CULTURE Dr. Elsa Sánchez, Professor and Vegetable Specialist

Extended production seasons and increased profit margins have led to a marked increase in high tunnel vegetable crop production. Between 2015 and 2019, Sánchez and researchers at the University of Vermont studied the use of biocontrols to manage aphids in high tunnels. An element of the project was using habitat plants to attract natural enemies of aphids. Habitat plants provide food sources (nectar, pollen and attracted insect pests), sites to reproduce and shelter for beneficial insects. Of the plants tested, alyssum which is inexpensive and easy to grow, provided the highest value and can be grown year-round in high tunnels. Approximately 2 feet of habitat plants were maintained within 100 feet of row (Fig. 2), but they could also be planted as a strip along a sidewall within a tunnel. One key point to remember is to make sure that they can be easily watered. More information on this project can be found here: uvm.edu/~entlab/High%20Tunnel%20IPM/HighTunnelIPM.html.

Not surprisingly, intensive production in high tunnels can have an impact on soil quality. Sánchez and Tom Ford, Penn State Extension Educator, worked with 33 farmers, including 8 organic farmers, across Pennsylvania to identify potential soil chemistry and organic matter constraints in

Fig 2. A habitat planting, including alyssum, in a high tunnel. Photo: Elsa Sánchez

high tunnel soils. Farmers sent soil and irrigation water samples to Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (aasl.psu.edu) for analysis and this is what was learned: • Soils in 73% of the high tunnels had a high pH (above 7.0) • Soil nutrient levels often fell into the “exceeds crop needs category” for phosphorus and magnesium (100% of the tunnels), calcium (93%) and potassium (80%) • Organic matter content ranged from 2.4 to 13.2%, with a 6.2% average which is higher than typical field soils • Soluble salts levels ranged from 0.14 mmhos/cm to 9.27 mmhos/cm, with an average of 1.48 mmhos/cm which in most cases can be a problem for plant growth

Based on these results, a series of high tunnel specific recommendations were developed and can be found here: extension.psu.edu/catalogsearch/result/?q=Elsa+Sanchez + Thomas+Ford+High+Tunnels.

NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIC FIELD CROPS Sarah Isbell, Ecology PhD student, Dr. Jason Kaye, Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry, Penn State, and Dr. Charles White, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management

Managing nitrogen on organic farms is a critical challenge important to both growers and to the environment. Our team is working on a variety of projects that target reducing nitrogen pollution losses from agroecosystems while maintaining high yields and economic viability. Kaye’s research has shown that using cover crop mixtures in these systems offers the potential to reduce nitrogen losses through soil leaching while also providing a source of nitrogen to the following cash crop. For example, a mixture of a grass and a legume will serve the dual function of both retaining and supplying nitrogen. Isbell is evaluating the tradeoffs between nitrogen retention and supply in organic systems that use cover crops and reduced tillage simultaneously. One such project is evaluating the strategy of interseeding cover crops into a standing cash crop, which provides an opportunity to eliminate a tillage event and may also offer nitrogen benefits. This strategy is particularly appealing in northern climates where a short fall season after corn grain harvest can create poor conditions for establishing a cover crop. Additionally, an ongoing project is digging into the relationships between cover crops and soil microbes. These microbial-crop connections may be important for nitrogen cycling in the soil, as well as other soil health and crop benefits. White is integrating all of these interactions into a nitrogen decisions support tool for organic corn. The tool calculates the nitrogen yield gap for organic corn after accounting for nitrogen that becomes available from cover crop and soil organic matter. It is available now on the web at: extension.psu.edu/nitrogen-recommendations-for-corn.

INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT OF FIELD AND VEGETABLE CROPS Dr. Mary Barbercheck, Professor of Entomology and Dr. Beth Gugino, Professor and Vegetable Extension Pathologist

Because the use of synthetic insecticides and transgenic varieties are prohibited, organic feed and forage crop producers rely mainly on biological control and cultural practices to manage pests. Since 2003, the Barbercheck lab has conducted research focused on the impact of beneficial organisms and cultural practices, including tillage reduction, cover crops, and planting date, on pest insects and slugs and their natural enemies in organic feed and forage cropping systems. The lab’s researchers have found that, in general, insect populations increase over time in organic management, but their abundance and damage rarely cause economic losses. This is because good cultural practices, like rotation, and predation by insect natural enemies, such as ground beetles, spiders, and insect-parasitic fungi usually effectively control pests below economically-damaging levels. Delayed planting of cash crops can help growers avoid damage from early-season pests. A recent focus of the lab is understanding how to conserve a naturallyoccurring beneficial fungus commonly found in agricultural soils that can infect both insects and plant roots. When the fungus infects plant roots, plant growth can be enhanced while the growth of insects that feed on those plants can be slowed. Currently the lab is conducting research to understand how organic production practices and environmental conditions affect the abundance of this beneficial fungus in soil and in crop plants.

The vegetable pathology program focuses on understanding pathogen biology, epidemiology and hostpathogen interactions in order to develop innovative, sustainable disease management strategies that can be cost-effectively incorporated into IPM programs. An ongoing project is focused on reducing onion bacterial disease losses through augmented management practices such as continued next page

Fig 3. Sweet onions pulled and curing on silver plastic mulch. The row on black plastic was harvested early due to bacterial disease. Photo: Beth Gugino

reducing soil temperatures at bulbing by transplanting into silver plastic mulch with a black heat strip instead of standard black plastic. The program also evaluates the efficacy of biorational fungicides for in-season management of important diseases of vegetables including powdery and downy mildews on cucurbits, early and late blight as well as bacterial spot on tomato. In addition, the active monitoring and/or forecasting of diseases such as cucurbit downy mildew (cdm.ipmpipe.org) and tomtato/potato late blight (usablight.org) provide growers information needed to make timely informed management decisions. continued from previous page

IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF MICROBIAL PRODUCTS Laura Kaminsky, Plant Pathology PhD student and Dr. Terry Bell, Assistant Professor of Phytobiomes

Many species of soil microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) are beneficial to crop plants. Besides the betterknown N-fixing rhizobia and nutrient-scavenging arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), various other soil microbes can increase crop growth or help suppress diseases. Such microbes are increasingly being sold as commercial products approved for use in organic production, providing an alternative to conventional pesticides and fertilizers. While microbial products usually perform well in research trials in greenhouse or laboratory settings, results in field conditions are more variable. Partly this is because the applied microbes must survive and establish a large, active population in the soil around crop roots to have an observable effect. Often, this is not the outcome. In any particular field soil, conditions such as the pH, texture, nutrient content, organic matter, and moisture may be suboptimal for the applied microbes, limiting their ability to grow. Additionally, soils are already inhabited by huge numbers of resident microorganisms which can outcompete the applied microbes and prevent them from establishing. Among other topics, research in the Bell lab investigates the establishment success of applied beneficial microbes in agricultural soils. We are testing several methods to improve establishment, with the goal of having higher beneficial microbial populations surviving for longer amounts of time.

NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (SARE) Dr. Kristy Borrelli, Pennsylvania State Coordinator and Penn State Agronomy Extension Educator

Northeast SARE (northeastsare.org) offers grant support and educational materials so that farmers and agricultural professionals can explore sustainable agriculture interests together and enhance their agricultural communities. In addition to the 6 competitive grant programs, a Northeast SARE state coordinator (Borrelli, PA) manages a professional development program that prepares agriculture service providers to address sustainability concerns that immediately impact farmers. The current Pennsylvania project focuses on helping agricultural advisors support farmers who are involved in organic and craft beverage grain markets, which are both economically important in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Penn State Extension (extension.psu.edu) offers continuous support and directs digital, written, and in-person outreach programs across seven main topic areas. Our intention is to provide farmers with unbiased information and help them practice the science of agriculture on their farms.

Funding sources for these projects include: USDA-NIFA Hatch and Smith-Lever Appropriations, national and regional funding from USDA-NIFA OREI, USDA-NIFA ORG, NIFA Pre-doctoral fellowship, NSF-GFRP, NE-SARE, NE-IPM, USDAAMS SCBG, USDA-AMS SCMSP as well as commodity funds from PGVA and the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative.

PCO WELCOMES NEW 2020 BOARD MEMBERS

At the end of 2019, membership cast their ballots for our 2020–2021 board members. We are excited to welcome two new faces.

Lisa de Lima MOM’s Organic Market Rockville, MD Lisa has worked at MOM’s for the past 20 years and has been a driving force behind the growth of this independent chain of organic grocery stores. Her expertise includes organizational strategy, major initiative implementation and change management, employee engagement & development, category management, and merchandising & pricing strategies. Lisa has also had the unique opportunity to spearhead and implement various environ mental initiatives, helping MOM’s drive its mission. Lisa earned her BS from the University of Vermont in Environmental Studies & Political Science, and her MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Outside of work Lisa enjoys teaching Tai Chi and traveling.

Samuel Malriat Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA Sam is the Lead Organic Crop Consultant with the Rodale Institute, an agricultural research and education center based in Kutztown, Pennsyl vania. He is part of a new, collab orative effort to help farmers transition their agricultural operations from conventional to certified organic systems by providing direct consultations to farmers that need support throughout the transition period. This service is currently free to farmers in Pennsylvania. Sam has approximately 12 years of farming experience in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.

With this new year, we also say goodbye to Dave Hartman, of Penn State Extension, after serving two terms (6 years). Dave was instrumental in keeping continuity as new board members were elected. His service as treasurer lent a keen eye to oversight and forward progress with PCO’s financials. Dave has agreed to stay active on the finance committee.

We’d be remiss if we did not recognize the contributions of outgoing Board President, Luke Howard, owner of Homestead Farms Inc. of Millington, Maryland. Leading an organization through a transition from a founding Executive Director is no small task. He fostered open dialogue and respectful disagreement while facilitating foundational change for PCO. Though he remains on the board for one more year, Luke’s leadership has inspired many and leaves the groundwork for future board success. As we welcome Tina Ellor, Phillips Mushroom Farms, into the Board President role, we are excited to see her lead our organization through our next phase of growth.

Advisory Board Meeting Dates for 2020-2021 Thursday, April 16 Thursday, July 16 Thursday, October 15-Friday, October 16 — Board Retreat Thursday, January 21 Note: meeting dates are subject to change

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