Our experimental design uses a 'farming systems' approach whereby properties or phenomena are understood in terms of their interrelationships with other factors.  Farming systems designs—which consider suites of interrelated management practices to be the 'treatment' of interest instead of restricting study to individual components (tillage, fertility, crop mix) of production systems—were originally devised to make research findings relevant to small farms in developing countries.  This approach, first popularized in the U.S. in Rodale's Farming Systems Trial, has been a critical attribute in successful organic farming systems work.  The researchers involved in this project are interested in studying organic transition and recognize that experiences vary among farms and farmers, despite some generalities that can be made about the transition process.

Process of development

In order to learn more about transition experiences in Illinois, the Windsor Rd. Organic Team (WORT) held a workshop in March 2003 and invited a select group of farmers who had successfully transitioned to organic practices.  During the morning of that one-day workshop, we heard about the farms and practices of Henry Brockman, Jon Cherniss, David Cleverdon, Alan De Young, Kirsten Maue, and Allen Williams.   In the afternoon, we shared a draft version of our proposed experimental design that grew out of a series of phone conversations that Michelle Wander had with a small group of Illinois' 'elite' organic growers during the Winter 2001/2.  Several of the farmers participating in the workshop had participated in the initial phone survey (John Peterson had contributed by phone but could not attend the workshop).  The proposed design, which included a sketch of three general organic farming systems strategies that are important in our region, was refined by the research group after receiving input from the farmers who participated in the workshop (listed above) and from a smaller group who participated in a conference call (Kevin Brussel, Dave Campbell, and Marve Manges).  The design was included in the research portion of a research-outreach grant proposal submitted in late March to the USDA CSREES-IPM program dealing with organic transition so that the research team would have funds to conduct the research.

The WORT experimental trial

The three approaches to transition, ranging along an intensity continuum, were initiated in the 2003 growing season.  The experiment compares three organic farming systems, replicated four times. Fertility and organic matter management will be manipulated within each farming system.

1. INTENSIVE-MARKET GARDEN SYSTEMS

The first farming systems treatment is meant to serve intensive vegetable growers, who typically farm less land and rely on greater external inputs.  This group does not typically experience the early economic stress so often associated with transition in more extensive production systems.  This is largely due to the high value of their crops and the personal nature of their marketing.  In addition, pest problems may not be notable early on but actually may get worse after the system is well into or even through the transition period. 

2. INTERMEDIATE INTENSITY- ROW CROP SYSTEMS

The second important group of farmers includes cash-grain farmers and large scale vegetable producers.  Reports of economic, fertility, and pest problems occurring during transition are most often based upon the experiences of this type of grower.  The rotation initially proposed to the group was based largely on the strategy of our 'elite' farmers.   Rye was removed from future use, in favor of wheat or oats, because all farmers noted it was very difficult to manage.  We made changes to the fourth (Certification) year to allow comparison between the three transition approaches and explore specific research questions relating to diseases, pests, and nutrient status.

3. EXTENSIVE VEGETABLES, HERBS, ORNIMENTALS

The third system is an extensive system, which would be used by intensive vegetable growers or cash-grain farmers who had livestock or a market for a perennial crop that was simultaneously soil building.  This last strategy for transition would fit into permanent rotations that use a ley-strategy periodically within their farming system.  A majority of the intensive vegetable growers we spoke with rely in a ley period for managing their soils long-term.

The quality of organic matter inputs will be manipulated within each of those farming systems treatments with plots receiving either: 1) all organic inputs and N fertility from plants grown in place, 2) the same plant inputs augmented with composts, or 3) plant inputs and additions of fresh wastes/manures.  These three approaches to fertility management reflect systems without access to animal by-products, systems that could afford to import those-by products, and those that were integrated with livestock production.  Applications made for nutrient supply purposes will be timed to reflect input patterns used by many producers.  Applications made to increase organic matter contents will be timed to increase immobilization of C and N derived from plant matter and amendment.  A selection of common vegetable crops will be grown in the certification year to allow direct comparison of the three transition strategies.

* = Organic amendments added to increase nutrient availability

X= Organic amendment added to increase organic matter content/quality

Issues raised by farmers that need to be addressed in this or add-on studies:

Frequency and intensity of tillage

Integration of livestock

Amendments

Varietal selection