Research

Kathleen Delate

General Information

RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM

By 2001, 2.3 million acres of agricultural land in the U.S. had been converted to organic production, with organic sales continuing a 20% annual growth rate. Iowa ranks fifth in U.S. organic production. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has chronicled this dramatic increase from 26,000 organic acres in 1996 to 120,000 in 2000. Iowa State University responded to this escalating demand for organic foods by instituting the first faculty position in the U.S. with an emphasis on organic horticulture/agriculture. When the Organic Ag Program began in 1997, the goal was to develop a premier extension and applied research organic program, supported primarily by extramural funding. The organization of the program was guided by the philosophy of the Iowa State University Strategic Plan that stresses an engagement with constituents in cooperative learning to increase knowledge and skills necessary for sustaining horticulture/agriculture in Iowa. According to a marketing research firm, The Hartman Group, 90% of U.S. citizens now include some organic foods in their diets, often citing concerns regarding pesticide residues in their food and in the environment. In addition, consumers indicate greater interest in food choices, healthier diets, and supporting community-based food systems. Following recommendations in the recent National Academy of Sciences report, Vision for Agricultural Research, the extension and applied research efforts in the Organic Ag Program consider farming alternatives that help preserve rural communities and improve the quality of life for Iowans. Research is focused on organic production challenges and driven by the importance of nutrient and pest management in organic agroecosystems. Included in this effort are strategies to reduce soil erosion, which together with excess nutrients from agriculture and other sources, is associated with water pollution and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. There is also a great need for adapting knowledge already developed for different climatic and soil zones, and for different pest species, to local conditions. By developing methods to enhance beneficial interactions between soil quality, plant health and plant protection, this research and Extension program helps Iowa producers diversify their agricultural systems, lower inputs, and substitute their management skills for many fossil-fuel based technologies.
Linkages between crops and livestock are inherent in organic agricultural systems. Because organic livestock must be fed organic crops, for example, organic certification requirements tie together multiple producer networks from feed grain to livestock sales. Additionally, recycling of livestock wastes serves as a fertilizer in an organic system. The Organic Ag Program's research has attempted to elucidate critical aspects of these relationships. Economics is also an important driver of organic production. Organic producers can reap premium prices in the marketplace by employing the additional skills required in certified organic operations. Because Iowa farmers consistently cite economics of alternative enterprises, along with marketing strategies, as critical needs, the Organic Ag Program has engaged agricultural economists in helping determine the most economically advantageous crop rotations for Iowa farms.

EXTENSION/OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

State and Regional Workshops and Conferences
State and regional workshops/conferences have proven to be effective methods for providing services to clientele with the potential for generating revenue for the Extension program. Among our Extension goals is continuing a leadership role in state and regional organic conferences/workshops, with assistance from Extension administration, the Organic Agriculture Advisory Committee, crop/horticulture specialists and county directors, and regional sustainable agriculture groups, including the USDA-SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program.

New Conferences: The Organic Fruit and Vegetable Conference
Based on producer demand and a Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (LCSA) grant, the first Organic Fruit and Vegetable Conference was held in Cedar Rapids on February 11, 1999. This new conference attracted 100 participants and helped organize the organic horticultural industry in Iowa. An additional grant received from the Extension 21 Value-Added Program supported a Focus Group, held on November 20, 2000, with growers and Extension personnel committed to improving production, processing, and marketing of organic grapes, raspberries, apples, and blueberries. Three research and demonstration projects were developed from this Focus Group, including Management of Organic Grapes and Blueberries; Organic Greenhouse Raspberries; and Pest Management for Organic Apple Orchards. Additional programs include nutritional components and food safety of organic produce and products. The original Organic Fruit and Vegetable Conference has grown into The Iowa Organic Conference (see next conference).

Iowa Organic Conference
The Organic Ag Program assumed the lead role in organizing the Iowa Organic Conference and obtained sponsorship from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to assist in this conference. On November 29, 2001, over 220 people attended the first conference, held in partnership with the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny, Iowa. The second conference, held on November 20, 2002, attracted 200 participants, including a doubling of revenue-generating exhibitors. In addition, the first Iowa State University-DMACC Culinary Arts Program organic dinner was developed, securing ingredients from the Organic Ag. Program research/demonstration plots in Maquoketa, Iowa, and local Community Supported Agriculture farms. Fifteen workshops were held on various topics, ranging from organic transition to marketing. Two of these workshops (Making the Farmer-Chef Connection and Marketing Organic Foods) will be made into Extension publications. We have out-grown the DMACC facilities and now hold the Iowa Organic Conference at Iowa State University. In 2003, there were 320 in attendance. Clientele Evaluation constitutes an important component of this conference. Impacts of these conferences included increased awareness of more environmentally sound practices in farming and methods to increase competitiveness in the marketplace.

Regional Conferences: Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference
The Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is considered the largest producer-centered organic conference in the Midwest, with an attendance of 1,500 in 2004. A 6-hour Composting for Organic Producers Workshop was held on March 18, 2000, which included faculty from the University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University and growers engaged in compost operations. Over 400 people attended these sessions and gained valuable information on compost composition and utilization. In collaboration with Dr. J. DeWitt, an additional six-hour annual workshop, Organic Agriculture was developed. This workshop includes publications, videotapes, farmer contacts, and organizations supporting organic producers in terms of funding and research initiatives. This course involves Extension personnel from Universities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, along with agricultural professionals from private, government and lending agencies.

Extension Workshops: "Toolbox Training for Organic Agriculture"
The initial USDA-SARE regional training on Organic Certification and Practices was organized and held in conjunction with Cooperative Development Services of Madison, Wisconsin, on September 15-16, 1998, in Harlan and Fairfield, Iowa, for 60 producers and regional Extension staff. On August 22-23, 2000, and on August 20, 2002, two tri-state trainings on organic agriculture, sponsored by a USDA-SARE-Professional Development grant ("Toolbox Training in Sustainable Agriculture" with Drs. Wintersteen and DeWitt), were held in Greenfield and Orient, Iowa. This training focused on organic principles and practices for 35 Extension specialists in Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin in 2000 and 58 producers and USDA/Extension staff in 2002. This program led to faculty exchanges with the University of Missouri and Michigan State University and increased awareness of organic farming practices.

"Toolbox Training for Alternative Weed Management"
Through the USDA Pest Management (CSREES) grant on "Weed Management during Organic Transition," we developed an annual Toolbox Training for Alternative Weed Management Workshop, in conjunction with the Iowa State University Sustainable Agriculture Program with Dr. J. DeWitt. This statewide workshop has been held at four ISU research farms (2000: Southeast Crawfordsville, 2001: Southwest Neely-Kinyon, 2002: Northeast Nashua, 2003: West Armstrong) and is planned for Crawfordsville in 2004. Clientele Evaluation (see Appendix B) indicated that the Impacts of these workshops include knowledge gained in alternative strategies for managing weeds and decreasing pesticide use.

International Workshops: World Bank Sustainable Agriculture Workshops and Grant-Writing Workshop
In 1999 and 2000, two workshops on sustainable and organic agriculture were organized for senior World Bank research and development staff. Participants visited an organic farmer-cooperator's operation in Fairfield, Iowa, and received information on organic agriculture and on participatory research/on-farm trials. A tour of the Organic Ag Program's research at the ISU Neely-Kinyon Farm, and a presentation on Organic Production and Marketing with local farmer-cooperators, was offered in the second workshop in April 2000. Effects from these workshops include continuing involvement in the international agricultural internship program in the College of Agriculture, and international agricultural development work with Dr. Ramesh Kanwar (Chair Ag. & Biosystems Engineering). From June 15-29, 1999, at the invitation of the World Bank, three Grant Writing Workshops for Capacity Building were led in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. The impact of these workshops includes technology development to assist in the reinvigoration of the Georgian agricultural economy.

International Exchanges: University of Costa Rica (UCR)
Based on requests from senior faculty (R. Salvador, Agronomy, and M. Gleason, Plant Pathology), an exchange of students and faculty has been established with the University of Costa Rica (UCR). In March 2000, the UCR Organic Agriculture Program was visited to assist in the development of an organic curricula and research program. In Spring Semester 2001, Integrated Pest Management of Tropical Crops, HORT/PIP/ENTO 511 was taught at Iowa State University, and UCR faculty provided access and information on their Organic Agriculture Program research and demonstration sites to our students. Impacts of this exchange include new students for Iowa State University and increased collegiality with international partners.

Field Demonstrations and Field Days
Field demonstrations and Field Days constitute an integral part of the Organic Ag Program in providing current information for producer audiences. Initiatives with the Iowa State University Value-Added Program include establishing five organic demonstration sites and meetings with industry representatives. In addition, all 13 research projects in the Organic Ag Program serve as demonstration sites for area producers and Extension staff. The Organic Ag Program has participated in 44 Field Days from 1997 to 2003, reaching an estimated audience of 3,500 producers and ag. professionals.

Focus Groups and Advisory Committees
In 1997, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture funded the first Organic Ag. Focus Groups in Iowa. Sixty producers and ag. professionals in six Iowa towns were met with to discuss research and Extension needs in Organic Agriculture. Yearly meetings with an Advisory Committee, consisting of producers, Extension staff, researchers, and agribusiness professionals, are held to update clientele and discuss future directions for our research and Extension program. An evaluation of the Focus Groups is contained in the Extension Program Evaluation.

Individual Clientele Contacts
Individual requests for information on organic production practices (via the telephone, mail, or electronic mail) have escalated to an average of 400 clientele contacts annually. The main emphasis of the Extension program is the dissemination of research results and organic certification/production information through slide show presentations to state and regional audiences. In 6 years at ISU, 314 presentations on organic production, agroecological research, and organic marketing have been developed in addition to individual responses and presented to an audience of approximately 16,000 people. This has included the development of 17 slide shows and 4 multi-page, color publications to use at such meetings with a distribution of 1,400 copies of the 4 Organic Agriculture Extension publications. In addition, In-Service Trainings for Extension crop/horticulture specialists comprise an important part of the program.

Programs Involving Youth/Minority Groups in Sust./Organic Agriculture
Based on requests from Extension community development specialists, sustainable/organic trainings are held annually for approximately 80 southwest Iowa elementary and high school students, which include hands-on activities in compost-making, insect identification, and soil quality exercises. The Iowa Public Television School-to-Careers Program filmed a "Careers in Organic Agriculture" videotape in 2000. This tape, plus live interaction with 280 elementary and high school linked students through the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), helped bring Iowa State University to our constituents and future leaders. The Organic Ag Program assisted the Vision 2020 Program with the development of sustainable/organic agriculture training materials for high school students and vocational agriculture teachers. Three types of student internships have been designed for minority and international students in the Organic Ag Program in a partnership with the College of Agriculture Minority Student Summer Program and International Agriculture Program. In addition, increased linkages between Iowa State University and Tuskegee University have been established through the Organic Ag. Program.

Organic Agriculture Education for Iowa Consumers
Although responsibilities in the current program are primarily for commercial operations, we have responded to requests from Extension specialists and Iowa consumers by developing an organic gardening slide series to present at several Master Gardener trainings and at the Des Moines Botanical Center urban gardening conference. Because the organic industry is a consumer-driven market, emphasis on food choices will continue to drive organic horticultural production options in Iowa and the U.S.

Organic Crop Production ICN Course and ISU Organic Ag Webpage
In the fall of 1999, the first Organic Crop Production ICN course was developed for Extension and ISU university credit (AGRON/HORT 494X) for Spring semester 2000. The total attendance for the course was 168 participants, including 24 ISU students. Efforts for the course included arranging speakers (ten Iowa State University professors and eleven farmers); developing a resource manual (700 pages); arranging an all-Iowa organic meal for the final session; developing a corresponding web page with PowerPoint presentations from the course; developing testing materials, student project development and grading; and evaluation of the course. Eight videotapes of the course have been produced and distributed to more than fifty recipients across the U.S. An Organic Gateway webpage was created with assistance from the Brenton Center, and expanded in 2001 to include all Extension and research information from the Organic Ag. Program. The webpage <http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/> was completed by March 2002 and is updated weekly.

New sections of courses: A chapter on "Organic Farming Systems" was developed for the Crop Management and Ecology course in the M.S. in Agronomy Distance Education Program (AGRON 531) in 2000.

EVALUATION OF EXTENSION PROGRAM

Compilation of workshop evaluations and other outcomes assessment are on-going processes in the Organic Ag Program. In addition to activity evaluations, an extensive survey was developed in November 2001 and distributed to 500 producers throughout Iowa to evaluate the progress of the Organic Ag. Program. Survey results were summarized in 2002 and developed as a journal article to inform University administration and policy makers about the needs of organic and transitioning farmers. All respondents had benefited from at least one Extension organic programmatic effort. Among the list of impacts resulting from the Iowa State University Organic Ag. Program, 90% of respondents reported an increase in soil quality on their farms, along with an 18% average increase in farm income (67% of respondents), as a result of adoption of organic practices and marketing certified organic crops.

Research and Extension Projects

Organic farming has increased to a $13 billion industry in the U.S. and continues to expand approximately 20% annually. In Iowa alone, organic acreage has increased from 13,000 in 1995 to 120,000 in 2000 (IDALS). Farmers interested in transitioning some or all of their land into organic production require information on best management practices for these systems. Once the transition is complete, comparable yields to conventional systems can be obtained. In addition, organic systems have been reported to produce more flavorful products and garner a 20-200% premium price in the marketplace. (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/organic/)

Annual field days at ISU Research and Demonstration Farms provide scientists, farmers and consumers the chance to share information and ideas about organic agriculture. Information is catalogued in a national webpage (http://www.organicaginfo.org/).

In order to document the increase in fertility and value over time in organic systems, and the reduction of harmful effects on the environment (reduced pollution of groundwater and waterways), long-term field plots have been established in various ISU Research and Demonstration Farms across the state (see Research Areas below).

Alternative forms of weed control are often an important component of sustainable crop production. Grazing geese are being used in this Hawaiian coffee plantation.

Iowa currently produces nearly 60,000 acres of organic soybeans. Visitors examine one such site in Clinton, IA.

Plants indigenous to the prairie, like goldenrod (Solidago sp.), have potential in the establishment of pasture-prairies (see Karie Wiltshire's research) and sustainable, low-input golf courses.

The transition from conventional to organic farming in the U.S. has been dramatic, with organic farming expanding approximately 20% annually. Many farmers, though, lack the necessary management information required for successful organic production and are thus cautious in making the change. One such area where information is lacking, the use of natural soil amendments, is the subject of evaluation and research program. One of the major focus areas of the Organic Agriculture Program is the effect of natural soil amendments/fertilizers on vegetable and herb crop production, yield, and postharvest quality. The results will provide unbiased analysis of amendments available on the market, many of which have been reported to help preserve soil structure and quality, while protecting groundwater from toxic runoff/infiltration. Furthermore, detailed accounts of costs/inputs into the organic and conventional systems will be analyzed and used to develop budgets for each system. Research on organic medicinal herb production of St. John's wort (Hypericum sp.) and Echinacea includes weed management strategies and biochemical constituent analysis.

The use of row covers in vegetable production has been established as a method of mitigating pest damage and improving crop yield.

Selected Publications

Delate, K., J. DeWitt and A. McKern. 2005. Integrated approaches to organic pest management in the Midwestern U.S.A.: Case studies of three crops. Organic Research May 2005:8N-15N www.organic-research.com.
Delate, K., E. Holzmueller, D. Davis Frederick, C. Mize and C. Brummer. 2005. Effect of forage species and tree type on tree establishment and nutritive value of hay crops in an alley-cropped system. Agroforestry Systems 65:43-52.
Delate, K., A. Martin-Schwarze and J. DeWitt. 2005. Using Organic and Sustainable Crops in the Local Food System. PM 1995. Extension Communications, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
Delate, K. and C. Cambardella. 2004. Agroecosystem performance during transition to certified organic grain production. Agronomy Journal 96:1288-1298.
Delate, K. and J. DeWitt. 2004. Building a farmer-centered land grant university organic agriculture program – A Midwestern partnership. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (Formerly The American Journal of Alternative Agriculture) 19(1):1-12.
Delate, K. and H. Friedrich. 2004. Organic apple and grape performance in the Midwestern U.S. Acta Horticulturae 638:309-320.
Duppong, L.M., K. Delate, M. Liebman, R. Horton, F. Romero, G. Kraus, J. Petrich and L. Sanders. 2004. The effect of natural mulches on crop performance, weed suppression and biochemical constituents of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). Crop Science 44(3):861-869.
Delate, K., M. Duffy and C. Chase. 2003. An economic comparison of organic and conventional grain crops in a long-term agroecological research (LTAR) site in Iowa. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 18(1):1-11.
Delate, K., H. Friedrich and V. Lawson. 2003. Organic pepper production systems using compost and cover crops. Biol. Ag. and Horticulture 21(1):131-150.
Delate, K. 2002. Using an agroecological approach to farming systems research. HortTechnology 12(3):345-354.
Delate, K., C. Cambardella, and D. Karlen. 2002. Transition strategies for post-CRP certified organic grain production. Published 28 August 2002. Crop Management www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/cm/research/postcrp/.
Friedrich, H., K. Delate, P. Domoto, and G. Nonnecke. 2002. Effect of organic pest management techniques on apple productivity and food quality. Biol. Ag. and Horticulture 21(1):1-14.
Delate, K. 2002. Organic Agriculture. PM 1880. Extension Communications, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
Delate, K. 2002. Weed Management for Organic Farmers. PM 1883. Extension Communications, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
Delate, K. 2002. Soil Quality in Organic Agricultural Systems. PM 1882. Extension Communications, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
Delate, K. 2000. Growing Organic Soybeans on CRP Land. PM 1881. Extension Communications, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm

Sweet Corn Variety and Pest Management Trial at Long-Term Agro ecological Research (LTAR) Site-2002

Comparison of organic sweet corn varieties for early markets and the effectiveness of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) on pest management of the corn earworm. Results demonstrate the potential of the 'Merlin' variety where earworm control is needed, and suggests 'Ambrosia' to be used when total yield is the most important aspect. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...ornvar.pdf

Sweet Corn Variety and Pest Management Trial at Neely-Kinyon Farm-2001

A comparison of organic sweet corn varieties for early markets and the effectiveness of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) on pest management of the corn earworm. Bt reduced earworms in the variety 'Incredible' while Bt with oil was more effective in the 'Ambrosia' variety. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...etcorn.pdf

Evaluation of Soybean Varieties for Certified Organic Production - Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2003

In 2003 an organic soybean variety trial tested the following varieties: IA3011, IA3021, IA3022, Pioneer9305, Schillinger290F.Y, and Schillinger290F.HP. Bean leaf beetles, yields, staining, and stands were measured. Bean leaf beetle populations were low. There were no significant differences between varieties in overall seed staining. Grain quality varied. Drought conditions probably affected the overall decrease in yields. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...03soyb.pdf

Evaluation of Soybean Varieties for Certified Organic Production -- Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2002

Evaluation of fourth year variety trials on the effects of soybean seed staining resulting from bean leaf beetles. No significant difference in bean leaf beetle populations were found among varieties. Schillinger 240F.Y had lowest percentage of stained soybeans. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...trial2.pdf

Evaluation of Soybean Varieties for Certified Organic Production -- Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2001

Evaluation of third year variety trials on the effects of soybean seed staining resulting from bean leaf beetles. Results indicated IA 3012 as the highest yielding, and US Soy 20145 having the largest amount of staining among the four varieties. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...soyvar.pdf

Compost Rate Study at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research Site-2002

Comparison of compost and synthetic fertilizer treatments on corn yields and soil fertility over a two-year period. Demonstrated a strong residual effect from compost application of the previous year on corn yields in 2002. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...mpostn.pdf

Compost Rate Study at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research Site-2001

Comparison of compost and synthetic fertilizer treatments on corn yields and soil fertility in a two-year period. No significant differences were found in yields when compost was increased above 6 tons/acre or just synthetic N applied above 80 lb./acre. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...ompost.pdf

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Site, 2003

Rotations of conventional corn-soybeans, organic corn-soybeans-oats/alfalfa, organic corn-soybeans-oats/alfalfa-alfalfa, and soybeans-wheat were evaluated. There were significantly fewer weeds in conventional corn plots but significantly lower stand counts in conventional soybean plots. Drought negatively affected both corn and soybean yields. No significant difference was found between organic and conventional yields. There were low pest populations. 2003 was the first year that organic soybean protein content was significantly higher than conventional. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...03ltar.pdf

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research Site-2002

The Long-Term Agro ecological Research (LTAR) experiment was established in 1998 to examine the agronomic and economic performance of organic and conventional crop rotations. Comparison of four organic and conventional crop rotations that included corn, soybean, oats, and/or alfalfa rotations. Organic corn following two years of alfalfa produced equivalent yields (171 bu/acre) to conventional corn (179 bu/acre). Organic soybean yields (46 bu/acre) were equal to conventional yields (50 bu/acre) and there was significantly less soybean seed staining in organic plots. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...02ltar.pdf

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Corn, Soybean, Alfalfa, Oats, and Rye Crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Site-2001

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Corn, Soybean, Alfalfa, Oats, and Rye Crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Site-2000

The Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) experiment was established in 1998 to examine the agronomic and economic performance of organic and conventional crop rotations. Third year trials comparing four certified organic and conventional crop rotations that included corn, soybean, oats, rye, and/or alfalfa rotations. No significant differences were found in yields of corn or soybeans between organic and conventional rotations. Protein content of organic soybeans was higher, while corn showed no difference between systems. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...pold00.pdf

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Corn, Soybean, Alfalfa, Oats, Rye Crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Site-1999

The Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) experiment was established in 1998 to examine the agronomic and economic performance of organic and conventional crop rotations. Second year trials comparing four certified organic and conventional crop rotations that included corn, soybean, oats, rye, and/or alfalfa rotations. There was no significant difference in yield between organic and conventional soybean production. Corn production was lower for organic crops when compared to conventional rotations. Soil quality improved after one year in organic production, with higher microbial biomass carbon, maggroaggregate stability, organic carbon, particulate matter organic carbon, and N mineralization potential. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...pold99.pdf

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Corn, Soybean, Alfalfa, Oats, and Rye Crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Site-1998

The Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) experiment was established in 1998 to examine the agronomic and economic performance of organic and conventional crop rotations. In the first year trials there were no significant differences in yields between organic and conventional soybean and corn systems Evaluation of Soil Amendments and Cover Crops for Certified Organic Pepper Production http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...ltar98.pdf

Evaluation of Organic Pest Management Treatments for Bean Leaf Beetles - Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2003

In 2003, soybeans were organically treated with treatments of Garlic Barrier, Neemix, Pyganic, baking soda combined with hydrogen peroxide, and a control. Bean leaf beetle populations were significantly less than in 2002, and as a result, seed staining was also reduced, with no significant difference among treatments. Quality and yields were not affected by the treatments. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...k03blb.pdf

Evaluation of Organic Pest Management Treatments for Bean Leaf Beetles -- Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2002

Organic treatments consisting of insect repellants, anti-fungal sprays, and products associated with improvement of plant vigor were examined for effects of soybean seed staining resulting from bean leaf beetles. No significant differences were found among treatments in bean leaf beetle numbers or percentage of stained seed. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...beetle.pdf

Evaluation of Organic Pest Management Treatments for Bean Leaf Beetles -- Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2001

An Economic Comparison of Organic and Conventional Grain Crops, 2002

Results of the economic analysis from three years of production involving conventional and organic systems using certified organic production practices. Returns for corn and soybeans in organic rotations were significantly higher than conventional rotations. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...nomics.pdf

Organic Edamame (Vegetable Soybean) Variety Trial at Neely-Kinyon Farm-2002

As a continuation of research begun in 2001, three varieties of edamame soybeans (IA1010, IA2040 LF, Kenko) were organically grown in 2002, and yields and taste were determined. Mechanical and hand-harvests were compared. In general, stand counts and yields among varieties were not significantly different. There were significantly higher yields when edamames were hand harvested compared to the mechanical harvester. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...menk02.pdf

Edamame (Vegetable Soybean) Variety Trial at Neely-Kinyon Farm-2001

Edamame is a new crop in Iowa that requires either hand-harvesting or mechanical harvesting with a green bean picker. Evaluation of organic edamame variety trials showed no significant differences in yields of IA1007, IA2025, and 'Envy' varieties. Yields averaged 5,849 lb./acre for 'Envy' to 10,880 lb./acre for 'IA1007'. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ.../Eda01.pdf

Evaluation of Wheat Varieties for Certified Organic Production - Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2003

This variety trial evaluated the production of soft red (Kaskaskia), hard red (Wahoo), and soft white (Pioneer25W33, P25W60) wheat in southwest Iowa. There was no significant yield difference among varieties. Kaskaskia had significantly greater disease pressure. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...3wheat.pdf

Open-Pollinated Corn Variety Trial-2001

An open-pollinated corn variety trial was established in 2000 at the Neely -- Kinyon Farm. Four varieties: Pioneer 34W67, Greenfield open-pollinated, BS11/Bs10, and BSSS/BSCB1 were evaluated in 2001. Significant yield differences were found among all varieties with the hybrid P34W67 yielding highest at (108 bu/acre) and BSSS/BSCB1 having the highest open-pollinated yield (86 bu/acre). http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organ...nk01op.pdf

Department of Horticulture