Organic Gardening 101

1. Organic Gardening 101 Rhonda R. Janke, Ph.D. Assoc. Prof. and Ext. Specialist Sustainable Cropping Systems Kansas State University

2. A brief history of organic agriculture in the US. • The word “organic” originated in Europe, where it was used to designate a type of farming that depended on organic matter (not organic chemistry). • Organic farming has been practiced however for about 10,000 years, since humans beganintentionally planting crops.

3. A brief history of organic agriculture in the US. continued. • J.I. Rodale admired many historical writers including Sir Albert Howard (“An Agricultural Testament” about farming techniques in India), and F.H. King (“Farmers of Forty Centuries” about agriculture in China). • Lady Eve Balfour, of England, founder of the UK Soil Association, first used the term “organic gardening.”

4. A brief history of organic agriculture in the US. continued. • J.I. Rodale brought the word organic to the U.S. when he began publishing “Organic Farming and Gardening” in 1942. He originally financed the publication with profits from his plumbing and electrical supply business. • Later his son Bob Rodale took over the family publishing business, and started the Rodale Institute to conduct research on these methods.

5. A brief history of non-organic agriculture in the US. • Fertilizer products were being tested and used on a limited basis in Europe (Rothamsted) and the U.S. in the late 1800’s. • Toxic compounds were used to control insects on fruits and vegetables in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, including arsenic (“Paris green”). • Solutions including copper and sulfur were used as fungicides on fruit crops like grapes. Some of these are still allowed in organic production.

6. A brief history of non-organic agriculture in the US. continued • Post WWII chemicals used in agriculture included insecticides originally developed as nerve toxins (organophosphates), herbicides such as 2,4-D, and nitrogen fertilizers including anhydrous ammonia (used to solidify soil to create air strips). • These and other “synthetic” compounds are not allowed in US organic standards.

7. Those “flower children”…… • The recognition that chemicals such as DDT may cause significant harm to non-target organisms became public knowledge with publication of “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson, in 1962. • The birth of “alternative agriculture” began soon after, and continued into the 1970’s, when it began to be called “sustainable agriculture.”

8. The “O” word • At first, the word organic designated a particular type of alternative agriculture, with no legal definition. • The 1990 US Farm Bill established a National Organic Standards Board to develop official US standards. • Preliminary guidelines released in 1998. A record number of comments to USDA required re-writing some sections. • Final standards released Dec. 2000, and came into effect in February, 2001. USDA provides accreditation to private and state certification organizations.

9. Results since then….. • Currently 120 organizations are accredited to certify, and approx. 10,000 organic farms. • Continued expansion of organic markets (20% annual growth rate for over 10 years). More than half of consumers report purchasing organic foods. • Continued expansion of acres under organic production. • Trend for more large organic farms, some small farms dropping out (of certification programs)

10. Some of the rules…. • Small farms may use the word “organic” IF they sell less than $5000 of organically produced products. • If larger than that, must certify, or be subject to $10,000 fine. • Processors must also certify, and follow strict labeling guidelines. (e.g. “made with organic”….etc.). • Many certification organizations also attempting to meet IFOAM (international) certification standards as well.

11. Other new trends: • More emphasis on locally grown, and knowing the person who grows your food. • New labeling ideas on a trial basis – “participatory certification” and “pledges,” as an alternative to certification. Still use the USDA organic guidelines. • New local marketing arrangements – CSA’s (community supported agriculture), in addition to growth of farmers’ markets, and sales to local restaurants, schools, B&B’s, etc.

12. And this is important because….????? • To become an informed consumer. • If you are a gardener who sells occasional products (flowers, herbs, vegetables) locally. • If you are considering a larger scale production operation.

13. For certification, one must: • Have excellent farm records. Apply for certification, participate in annual inspection, and meet all requirements. • Not use prohibited products/substances. • Include set-back zones to avoid potential drift problems, including pollen drift. • Have a soil improvement plan and practices (cover crops, compost, etc.) • Livestock must have access to fresh air, outdoors, 100% organic feed, and no prohibited medications on those sold as organic.

14. Soil improving practices include: • Crop rotation • Cover crops – legumes and/or grasses. • Soil amendments such as composts and/or manures. • Mulches • Reduced tillage “Soil is the mother of all things” Chinese proverb

15. Pest Control Possibilities: • Systems Approach – passive • Systems Approach – moderate • Systems Approach – active Note: none of these is a “business as usual but do nothing” approach. Also, they all incorporate aspects of Integrated Pest Management – IPM.

16. Pest Control Possibilities- Weeds: • Systems Approach – passive - high planting density, leafy crops to shade weeds, targeted irrigation, rotation • Systems Approach – moderate -pre-plant tillage, lots of mulch, landscape fabric, hand weeding • Systems Approach – active - corn gluten pre-emergence, flame weeding, between row cultivation, soaps as post-emergence, livestock grazing

17. Pest Control Possibilities: Insects • Systems Approach – passive - resistant/tolerant crops, attract beneficial insects to area • Systems Approach – moderate - row cover/barrier, clay film barrier, diatomaceous earth, vacuum or hand pick, sticky traps, pheremones (distruptants and traps). • Systems Approach – active - botanical pesticides (pyrethrum, sabadilla, neem, rotenone), microbial pesticides (Nolo bait for grasshoppers, Bt for various larvae.

18. Pest Control Possibilities: Diseases • Systems Approach – passive - grow species that aren’t affected in our climate, live with it, rotation, compost and soil improvement for root diseases. • Systems Approach – moderate - sanitation (residue management, pruning), choose specific varieties for disease resistance, disease free seeds and plants. • Systems Approach – active - sulfur, horticultural oils, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), potassium bicarbonate, compost tea foliar spray (still experimental, E. coli concerns?).

19. Pest Control – As Integrated Systems • Plan ahead, anticipate, take a design approach to your garden. • Prevent as many problems as possible, build resilience into the system. • Monitor plants and pests on a regular basis. Problems that are identified early are easier to solve. • Use least toxic methods first, to preserve the beneficial insects and microbes as much as possible, and maintain system integrity.

20. This is not a systems approach.

25. Systems approach examples: bees and chickens integrated into a fruit orchard.

26. Marketing innovations: Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, and “wild salad mix,” i.e. weeds.

27. Bins can be used for worm composting. Compost can be either active or static pile. Use screens to get quality material.

28. Comfrey, a perennial herb, can be composted into a “tea” to be used later as fertilizer.

29. Good cover crops for the garden: White clover Yellow-blossom (biennial) sweet clover Hairy vetch, Lana vetch, and Purple vetch Crimson clover

30. Friends or foes?

31. Friends Green lacewing Ichneumon wasp Syrphid Flies Two-spotted lady beetle

32. Derived from Kaolin clay, a natural mineral, forms a barrier film that acts as a broad spectrum crop protectant. It works to control insect pests and disease, protect against sunburn and heat stress. Applied as a water-based slurry before pests arrive. Examples of physical pesticides. D.E. is the fossilized shells of tiny water-dwelling organisms called diatoms, with microscopically fine, sharp edges which break the outer protective layer of the insect and desiccate them. Applied as a dust or mixed into a slurry for foliar spraying. Barrier to crawling pests and soft bodied insects, used in the garden and as a stored grain additive. Can be used as a dust on manure for fly control and for intestinal parasite control.

33. Other barrier methods can protect crops from insects, and provide early season growth enhancement, and some frost protection.

34. Winter is for planning. These are “thought intensive” methods.

35. Websites and books of interest • www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/ National Organic Program • www.kansassutainableag.org/organic KSU website. Also look for other Univ. sites. • www.attra.org good alternative pubs on many topics • www.ucsc.edu/casfs Course on Organic Farming and Gardening

36. More websites of interest • www.organicconsumers.org for news and articles of general interest, GMO updates, etc. • www.ifoam.org International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements • www.ota.com Organic trade Assn. • www.ocia.org Organic Crop Improvement Association, certifier • www.groworganic.com Peaceful Valley Farm Supply • www.harmonyfarm.com Harmony Farm Supply • www.growingformarket.com good newsletter • www.rodale.org and www.newfarm.org • The_Organic_Garden@yahoogroups.com