Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
- Crop Production: crop improvement and selection, organic fertilizers, pollination, pollinator habitat, varieties and cultivars
- Education and Training: farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research, workshop
- Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, risk management
- Natural Resources/Environment: habitat enhancement
- Production Systems: dryland farming, organic agriculture
Proposal abstract:
The project addresses the significant environmental and health challenges posed by conventional flower production, including its substantial carbon footprint due to refrigeration and express shipping, high pesticide use, and intensive water demands. Organic, regional flower production stands as a sustainable alternative, yet its success hinges on producers' access to high-quality, regionally adapted seed varieties. Through the following five research objectives and five educational objectives, we aim to evaluate flower seed crop yield and quality, assess management practices, analyze weather conditions, determine suitable varieties, and disseminate findings:
Research Objective 1: Evaluate the yield and quality of key flower seed crops
Research Objective 2: Analyze the influence of weather conditions on flower seed production
Research Objective 3: Determine the suitability of different varieties for flower seed production
Research Objective 4: Determine isolation distances for flower seed crops.
Research Objective 5: Disseminate research findings and reports
Educational Objective 1: Create flower seed online community for social networking, education, and research coordination on the Organic Seed Commons
Educational Objective 2: Develop crop profiles for key flower seed crops
Educational Objective 3: Develop enterprise budget case studies for seed crops
Educational Objective 4: Host flower seed field days at each farm site
Educational Objective 5: Communicate project findings to producers and the general public
Significance for Agricultural Sustainability: The project is poised to create incremental and transformative changes in agricultural sustainability in the floral industry by providing access to regionally adapted seed varieties, enhancing economic viability, promoting environmental stewardship, and increasing resilience against climatic and market fluctuations.
Dissemination and Follow-up: Our dissemination strategy encompasses building communities of learners through online learning circles, publishing comprehensive reports, articles, presenting findings at conferences, and engaging historically underserved communities. Online platforms will serve as additional avenues for distributing guides and fact sheets. Collaborative efforts with stakeholders are designed to ensure the transfer of knowledge and increase the lasting impact of the project.
Expected Outcomes:
The project is expected to yield several significant outcomes, including the expansion of markets for organic flowers, job creation for cut flower and seed producers, and the strengthening of rural businesses. Through this initiative, we aim to support a new paradigm for flower production that aligns with the principles of sustainability and community well-being.
Our project's innovative approach, collaborative team structure, and focus on research, education, and dissemination will contribute to sustainable agriculture. By addressing the need for regionally adapted seed varieties, we empower producers to thrive in an environmentally sound and economically viable manner.
Project objectives from proposal:
Research Objective 1: Evaluate the yield and quality of key flower seed crops
Research Objective 2: Analyze the influence of weather conditions on flower seed production
Research Objective 3: Determine the suitability of different varieties for flower seed production
Research Objective 4: Determine isolation distances for flower seed crops.
Research Objective 5: Disseminate research findings and reports
Educational Objective 1: Create flower seed online community for social networking, education, and research coordination on the Organic Seed Commons
Educational Objective 2: Develop crop profiles for key flower seed crops
Educational Objective 3: Develop enterprise budget case studies for seed crops
Educational Objective 4: Host flower seed field days at each farm site
Educational Objective 5: Communicate project findings to producers and the general public