Tri-State Organic Certification and Conservation Planning Cross-Training

Tri-State Organic Certification and Conservation Planning Cross-Training

Summary

This project delivers training sessions and tools to help natural resource professionals align the different guidance and technical standards provided to organic producers. Traditionally, producers seeking conservation assistance through USDA Farm Bill programs receive guidance from professionals schooled in USDA NRCS standards. Producers seeking organic certification through USDA’s National Organic Program must meet a different set of standards with guidance from other sources. This project helps professionals identify discrepancies between the standards and recommendations for traditional and organic growers. It also brings professionals together to develop successful organic versions of conservation practices that currently pose a challenge for organic certification.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The audience for this project includes: organic inspectors, organic certification professionals, conservation planners (from NRCS, conservation districts and Tribes), and conservation managers. In the four field training sessions to be held, it is assumed that approximately 30 individuals will attend each session, for a total of 120 participants.

The focus activities are multi-day training sessions. Four sessions will be held in various eco-regions throughout the tri-state area. Participants will receive continuing education credits. Sessions will include in-class and field components.

Products developed as a result of this project include: training curricula that will be replicable in other regions or future training sessions, specific lesson plans that trainees can use to train others in their local area, field tour schedules and proposed instruction, web-based resources including links from appropriate agencies and relevant information for students, and an updated binder/handbook of relevant conservation and organic materials (updated from information developed in previous WSARE grants). In addition, working with local producers in each of the regions, a series of case studies will be developed that will include an economic analysis, background about the operation, current marketing strategies, conservation history, and organic history.

Accomplishments/Milestones

In 2009, the Organic Conservation Cross-Training Series was developed and delivered to help in-the-field conservation planners and organic certification professionals correlate the requirements of organic certification with those of traditional conservation practices and Farm Bill programs. The Organic Conservation Cross-Training brought organic professionals and natural resource specialists together to:
• Learn how traditional conservation practices can benefit organic systems,
• Advance solutions that shape conservation practices to organic operations, and
• Increase the scope of conservation assistance available to organic producers.

Four sessions were held, each focusing on a different type of organic cropping system. Topics covered identified areas of need, including soil quality, nutrient management, wildlife habitat as well as insect, weed and disease management.

The training sessions were attended by a variety of professionals in natural resources and the organic industry in the tri-state area, including:
• Organic certification professionals
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation planners
• Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) planners & district managers
• Other government agency natural resource professionals

The grant project planning team developed training curricula that can be replicable in other regions or future training sessions. Materials developed include a multi-day training agenda, involving in-class presentations, group discussion activities, pre- and post-tests, and site-specific, inquiry-based field activities.

In lieu of providing participants with a resource-intensive (i.e. paper) large binder/handbook, the planning team developed an electronic resource CD for training participants that compiled electronic files and web-based links from appropriate agencies and organizations on relevant conservation and organic resources. When installed in a computer, the electronic resource CD can be used to easily create bookmarks, grouped by topic, in the user’s internet browser, thereby providing a mechanism for easy reference and use of resources.

Following is a summary of each of the training sessions:
Training #1:
Dates: April 20-23, 2009
Focus: Organic Dairy

Location:
In-class components at Hilton Garden Inn, Corvallis, OR
Field activities at Double J Jerseys, Monmouth, OR

Participants:
8 organic professionals (4 WSDA Organic Program, 3 Oregon Tilth, 1 independent organic inspector);
8 conservation professionals (5 OR NRCS, 1 OR SWCD, 1 ID NRCS, 1 WA NRCS).
Total 16 participants

Trainers/Speakers:
Chris Schreiner, Oregon Tilth
Bonnie Cox, Oregon Tilth
Meta Loftsgaarden, OR NRCS
Russ Hatz, OR NRCS
David Granatstein, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rex Dufour, NCAT
Woody Lane, Lane Livestock Services
Host Organic Dairy Farm Site: Jon Bansen, Double J Jerseys
Organic Producer Panel: Elanor O’Brien, Persephone Farm; Meliton Martinez, King Estate Winery; Eric Pond, Greenleaf Farms
Video compilation speakers: Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market; Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society
Total 14 trainers/speakers

Training #2
Dates: June 8-11, 2009
Focus: Organic Grain Crops

Location:
In-class components at Washington State University (WSU) campus, Pullman, WA;
Field activities at Boyd Farm, WSU Organic Research Trials and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) field site; both farm sites in Pullman, WA

Participants:
5 organic professionals (4 WSDA Organic Program, 1 Oregon Tilth);
10 conservation professionals (5 WA NRCS, 3 OR NRCS, 2 UT NRCS)
Total 15 participants

Trainers/Speakers:
Chris Schreiner, Oregon Tilth
Miles McEvoy, WSDA Organic Program
Meta Loftsgaarden, OR NRCS
Russ Hatz, OR NRCS
David Granatstein, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rex Dufour, National Center for Appropriate Technology
Ian Burke, WSU Crop & Soil Sciences Department
Host Organic Grain Farm Sites: Pat Fuerst and Dennis Pittman, WSU Organic Research Trials at Boyd Farm and David Huggins, USDA ARS Organic Research Trials at Pullman Management Unit
Organic Producer Panel: David Ostheller, Ostheller Farms, Inc.; Gregg Beckley, G & L Farms, Inc.
Video compilation speakers: Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market; Jon Tester, United States Senator, Montana; Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society
Total 16 trainers/speakers

Training #3
Dates: August 3-6, 2009
Focus: Organic Tree Fruit

Location:
In-class components at Holiday Inn Express, Pasco, WA
Field activities at Hi Point Orchards, Mesa, WA

Participants:
7 organic professionals (5 WSDA Organic Program, 2 Oregon Tilth)
10 conservation professionals (7 OR NRCS, 2 WA NRCS, 1 NRCS Western National Technology Support Center)
Total 17 participants

Trainers/Speakers:
Chris Schreiner, Oregon Tilth
Les Eklund, WSDA Organic Program
Russ Hatz, OR NRCS
David Granatstein, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rex Dufour, National Center for Appropriate Technology
Paul Jepson, Oregon State University, Integrated Plant Protection Center
Host Organic Tree Fruit Farm Site: Rick Orozco, Hi Point Orchard
Organic Producer Panel: Jason Brown, Mercer Canyons, Inc.; Stacy Gilmore, Douglas Fruit; Dave Horn, Watts Brothers Farms, LLC
Video compilation speakers: Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market; Jon Tester, United States Senator, Montana; Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society
Total 14 trainers/speakers

Training #4
Dates: September 21-24, 2009
Focus: Organic Annual Vegetable Crops

Location:
In-class components at Best Western Willamette Inn, Wilsonville, OR
Field activities at Mustard Seed Farms, St. Paul, OR

Participants:
7 organic professionals (3 OR Dept. of Agriculture, 2 Oregon Tilth, 1 WSDA Organic Program, 1 Stellar Certification Services)
13 conservation professionals (8 OR NRCS, 2 WA NRCS, 1 ID NRCS, 1 Environmental Protection Agency, 1 NRCS Western National Technology Support Center)
Total 20 participants

Trainers/Speakers:
Chris Schreiner, Oregon Tilth
Meta Loftsgaarden, OR NRCS
Denise Troxell, OR NRCS
David Granatstein, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rex Dufour, National Center for Appropriate Technology
Paul Jepson, Oregon State University, Integrated Plant Protection Center
Host Organic Vegetable Crop Farm Site: David Brown, Mustard Seed Farms
Organic Producer Panel: Katie and Casey Kulla, Oakhill Organics; Joe Siri, Siri and Son Farms
Video compilation speakers: Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market; Jon Tester, United States Senator, Montana; Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society
Total 14 trainers/speakers

Organic Conservation Cross-Training Series Summary
68 Total Participants
• 41 conservation professionals
• 27 organic professionals
33 Different Trainers/Speakers
• 14 Organic Producers
• 6 Land-Grant University Staff
• 4 Organic Certification Professionals
• 3 NRCS Professionals
• 2 Sustainable Agriculture Non-profit Organizations
• 1 United States Senator
• 1 USDA Agricultural Research Service Staff
• 1 Private Sector Consultant/Educator
• 1 Retail Market Professional

Participants were asked to complete training evaluation forms at the conclusion of each session. Participant satisfaction with all four training sessions was high, with 98% of the participants responding that their overall satisfaction with the training was either “very satisfied” (63%) or “satisfied” (35%). Training components that consistently received the most positive evaluations and feedback included:
• Group interactions and discussions between organic and conservation professionals
• Farm tours and in-field activities
• Organic Producer Panels
• Presentations by University faculty on the research and science underlying organic management practices

What is left to do?
Web page development (in lieu of satellite broadcast)
As the planning team developed curriculum, we recognized the importance of in-field activities and integration, which made the satellite broadcast model (included in the initial project proposal) impractical and inappropriate. In lieu of the satellite broadcast, we will develop a web page that compiles materials developed for the trainings as well as web-based resources shared in the electronic resource CD provided to training participants. Developing the web page will allow a broader geographical audience to have access to resources developed and encourage local adaptation of training materials.

Finalize case studies
Using the four host farms for the training sessions, case studies are currently being developed. The case studies will be structured so that they follow the USDA NRCS 9-step planning process, while conveying much of the information about the farm management systems and opportunities for conservation assistance identified during the training.

Finalize topical resources
One of the project partners was tasked with developing technical resource guides to assist conservation professionals with understanding organic management systems, certification requirements and market opportunities. During the course of the project, there were significant staff changes at the partner organization, including the departure of the technical staff assigned to develop the resource guides and the Executive Director.

At this time, one resource guide has been completed (Organic Practice Guide).
Three remaining resource guides are in draft form. Two are based on articles initially developed for eXtension website to assist agricultural professionals in choosing farm inputs that comply with organic standards (Can I use this pesticide? and Can I use this fertility input?) The last resource guide addresses market opportunities (Market considerations).

Presentation to state technical advisory committees
An overview of the training series will be offered to the Oregon NRSC State Technical Advisory Committee. State technical advisory committees in Washington and Idaho will receive an offer to also have a presentation provided at an upcoming meeting.

Evaluate conservation program assistance
NRCS partners will conduct data analysis on Farm Bill program delivery to evaluate increases in conservation technical assistance and cost-share funding for organic agricultural operations.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Participants at each of the training sessions were required to take a pre- and post-test, as an indicator of acquisition of new information during the training. Separate tests were taken by organic professionals and conservation professionals. Test results indicate notable acquisition of new information for both groups. In aggregated test results from the first three trainings sessions, organic professionals improved the number of correct answers by 22% and conservation professionals improved by 14%.

Evaluations completed at the conclusion of each training session indicated a high likelihood that training participants will apply new information and resources they acquired in the professional services they offer to farm operations, with 100% of the participants responding that they would either “definitely” (81%) or “likely” (19%) apply new information and resources in their services to farm operations.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative support:
In 2009 and 2010, the NRCS National office announced the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. The Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production. Applicants must either have an organic system plan that meets the NOP guidelines or certify that they are working toward one.

The information provided at the training series helped bridge the knowledge gap on organic management systems and certification requirements for participating conservation professionals. Thus, the training supported their efforts and ability to enroll producers in the EQIP Organic Initiatives offered in 2009 and 2010.

Networking across conservation and organic professionals:
One of the stated objectives of this project was to increase networking and collaboration across organic and conservation professionals. Following are several cases in which professional networks developed as a result of the project led to illustrate increased communication and coordination between organic and conservation professionals.

NRCS web trainings for EQIP Organic Initiative:
The Oregon NRCS office invited Oregon Tilth’s Chris Schreiner to participate in web trainings for field staff on implementation of the EQIP Organic Initiative for both 2009 and 2010 program implementation. Web trainings were held on February 19, 2009 and February 16, 2010.

On April 14, 2010, NRCS staff invited Oregon Tilth’s Chris Schreiner and Tiffanie Huson Labbe to participate in a web training on the EQIP Organic Initiative for the NRCS Pacific Islands Area field staff.

Information offered by Oregon Tilth staff during the NRCS web trainings included clarification on the organic certification process, standards and documentation. Examples of opportunities for conservation assistance on organic farms was also discussed with participants, informed by field findings from the 2009 cross-training sessions.

Presentation to Oregon NRCS leadership team:
On February 25, 2010 Oregon Tilth’s Chris Schreiner gave a presentation to the Leadership Team of the NRCS Oregon office. The presentation gave an overview of statistics and trends in Oregon’s organic agriculture sector. It also summarized themes from the organic & conservation cross-training sessions held in 2009.

NRCS / Oregon Tilth shared position – Organic Conservation Specialist
In partnership with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Oregon Tilth is hiring a shared national position to develop new technical information and training that will allow NRCS conservation planners to assist owners and managers of private working lands to make management decisions and use the latest and best technology to enhance resource conservation on organic agricultural production systems. The position will be based at the NRCS West National Technology Support Center (NTSC) in Portland, OR for a two-year term. Under a Contribution Agreement, all costs are evenly divided. Costs include salary and benefits for one employee and travel.

The purpose of this position is to 1) increase knowledge of USDA conservationists regarding organic agriculture production systems, 2) develop technical information for use by agency staff, 3) increase knowledge of organic certifiers regarding resource conservation, and 4) enable more strategically focused and effective outreach efforts in order to increase conservation assistance to organic producers.

In early June 2010, Oregon Tilth posted the job announcement and is currently accepting application packets from interested candidates.

Collaborators: