Final Report for ENE07-104
Project Information
Of the 45 agricultural educators who participate in the project and attend the educational events, 15 will use the new organic farm soil and compost test recommendations and a whole farm nutrient planning tool to assist organic farmers and agribusinesses manage nutrients on organic farms.
Nutrient management is a major challenge on organic farms, and a challenge that organic growers have indicated they need help with. To address this challenge, we convened an intensive training program for agricultural educators in which we studied the issues with nutrient management on organic farms and modified existing soil and compost analysis recommendations to make them more relevant for organic growers. During the training sessions we also evaluated computer-based whole farm nutrient planning tools using situations common to organic farms. We developed educational materials about using organic nutrient sources for grower audiences. Presentations of the new recommendations for using organic nutrient sources and our experiences with whole farm nutrient planning tools to grower and agricultural educator audiences occurred in Pennsylvania and New York. Agriculture educators developed workshops to provide growers in-depth, site-specific recommendations for using organic nutrient sources based on information learned during the training sessions.
Cooperators
Performance Target Outcomes
Outcomes
Fourteen agricultural educators have participated in three intensive training sessions on whole farm nutrient management for organic farms. All participants indicated an increase in their ability to help organic growers manage nutrients after each session.
Soil test reports from Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Laboratory were modified to include a statement on the hazards of above optimum nutrient levels. Additionally, categories of soil nutrient levels were changed to better indicate the hazards of nutrient levels that are not within the optimum range. This laboratory processes samples primarily from Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and New Jersey and the changes will benefit numerous growers in these states.
Compost reports from Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Laboratory were modified to include the statement – “when compost is applied on an N basis most composts have an excess of P and K relative to plant demand. These mineral elements and salts can accumulate above optimum with repeated application. Growers using compost should regularly soil test to monitor P, K and salt accumulation and should consider using nitrogen fixing legumes and/or other nutrient sources.” Additionally, assumed mineralization rates were changed. Lastly, the compost value of ammonium nitrogen was changed so that it is now reported as a percent and can be more easily used to calculate how much compost to apply.
A fact sheet on the use of organic nutrient sources has been developed for growers. This publication is 14 pages long and is available through Penn State Cooperative Extension (http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/Publications.asp), on the web at http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uj256.pdf, as well as through Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory accompanying soil test reports.
Each participant of the intensive training program met with an organic grower strengthening relationships with the organic community.
Additionally, participants of the intensive training program were able to make recommendations to the organic grower they visited on managing nutrients.
Whole farm nutrient management software was evaluated for usefulness in helping manage nutrients on organic farms. Many participants found these tools useful for illustrating soil nutrient levels.
One hundred eighty-five growers and agricultural educators attended presentations on the use of compost developed as a result of the training sessions.
A series of six articles on using organic nutrient sources was developed as a result of the training program and delivered to over 350 agricultural educators and growers.
A series of workshops/and classes were offered in 2009 reaching 350 agricultural educators and growers. The majority of attendees, gained new information about using organic nutrient sources and planned changes in their nutrient management strategies as a result.
A decision tree on using organic nutrient sources was developed. It was used in the one day classes and is posted on the web at http://horticulture.psu.edu/system/files/Decision_Tree.pdf.
Additional Project Outcomes
Future Recommendations
Participants of the intensive training program were asked what topic within “using organic nutrient sources” they would like to receive more information on. They stated, “Developing some basic information for people that do not have background in soils so it helps demystify this. Most information is put out by consultants and usually adds extra cost to the operation”, “using cover crops to fix N and scavenge N”, “I get questions on the effectiveness of organic foliar feeds? How effective are they (cost effectiveness)? Are they better used in early spring when soil temperatures are cooler and mineralization is low?” and “best application rates”.