Whole farm nutrient planning for organic farms

Whole farm nutrient planning for organic farms

Summary

Nutrient management is a major challenge on organic farms, and a challenge that organic growers have indicated they need help with. We have developed an intensive training program to modify existing soil and compost analysis recommendations to make them more relevant for organic growers. We also are evaluating computer-based whole farm nutrient planning tools using situations common to organic farms.

Objectives/Performance Targets

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.

Accomplishments/Milestones

We are currently in Phase One of this project: Intensive Training Program for 10 Agricultural Educators. For this phase, nineteen agricultural educators from Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire and New Jersey were invited to participate in three intensive training sessions to address nutrient management issues on organic farms. Of those invited, fourteen were able to participate. Prior to attending the first training session each participant was asked to meet with an organic grower to discuss their current nutrient management strategies and thoughts on current compost and soil test analysis recommendations. This was requested to strengthen relationships with the organic community and determine how best to develop nutrient management recommendations for organic nutrient sources. Educators were also asked to take soil and compost tests and to share the results with the grower and the other participants of the training.

The first training session was held on August 17, 2007 and had the purpose of modifying existing compost and soil test recommendations. After introductions, each participant presented the nutrient management challenges faced by the organic grower they visited. Several themes were identified: growers tended to apply compost based on the amount on hand rather than by calculating the rate to apply based on nutrient needs of the crop to be planted, in general, compost was not analyzed prior to use and soil on many of the farms had above optimum phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium levels. Next, the presentation, Compost: Critical Concepts and Current Recommendations was delivered. Based on the identified themes and presentation, soil tests reports were modified to include a statement about the hazards of above optimal nutrient levels. Compost reports were modified to include a statement on the use of other nutrient sources in the event of above optimal levels. Assumed mineralization rates were also modified for compost analysis reports. What units to report nutrient contents of compost were also discussed. Additionally, a fact sheet on the use of organic nutrient sources including an example calculation for determining how much to apply based on crop nitrogen needs was determined necessary and a subgroup initiated its writing.

The second training session was held on November 14, 2007 and had the purpose of examining whole farm nutrient management software. The session began with an update on the changes to soil and compost testing reports. After discussion, it was determined that some of the text should be further modified. Also, through conversations with personnel at the soil and compost testing facility it was determined that to more accurately calculate the amount of compost to apply, bulk density should be determined. How to determine bulk density will be included in the fact sheet and incorporated into other educational materials. Participants rated the changes in soil and compost reports as useful for their educational programming (5.63 on a 7 point scale; 7 indicating very useful).

A presentation on the mass balance concept used in the whole farm nutrient management software was delivered followed by an introduction to the NEON and I-Farm tools. Participants then used the tools by entering information from the organic farm they visited. Participants rated their ability to help organic growers with nutrient management as 3.50 before and as 5.13 after the training session.

Based on the first and second training sessions, a PowerPoint presentation on using compost for organic vegetable crops was developed and presented at the Western Pennsylvania Vegetable and Berry Growers Seminar and at the Pennsylvania Certified Organic Annual Meeting and Banquet. Eighty-five growers and agricultural educators attended these events and response was very positive. Additionally, an article entitled Tips for Using Compost was included in the December issue of The Vegetable & Small Fruit Gazette. The Gazette reaches over 350 growers and agricultural educators.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

1. 1. Fourteen agricultural educators have participated in two 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.

   2. Soil test reports from Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Laboratory were modified to include a statement on the hazards of above optimum nutrient levels. This laboratory serves growers of Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

   3. 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.

   4. A fact sheet on the use of organic nutrient sources is being developed for organic growers.

   5. Each participant met with an organic grower strengthening relationships with the organic community. Additionally, participants were able to make recommendations to the organic grower they visited on managing nutrients.

   6. Whole farm nutrient management software is being evaluated for usefulness in helping manage nutrients on organic farms.

   7. Eighty-five growers and agricultural educators attended presentations on the use of compost developed as a result of the training sessions.

   8. An article on using compost was developed as a result of these training sessions and delivered to over 350 growers and agricultural educators.

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