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Article Archives > Project GREEEN Priorities


1 Nov 2011

These are the priorities that MOFFA has identified to guide MSU researchers with priorities of research and outreach to best help Michigan’s organic farmers. MSU researchers refer to this list of priorities developed by various commodity teams and non-profit groups serving farmers, such as MOFFA, when they are seeking funds through Project GREEEN (see www.greeen.msu.edu) to fund research that is in line with needs of Michigan’s agriculture industry. Below are the priorities identified by MOFFA. The board worked to develop priorities that are practical and timely. These can be changed annually if needed so please share your ideas of what are priorities to develop better understand of organic agriculture systems.

  1. Fundamental Research: Ecological processes underlying pest and beneficial organism (arthropod, plant, microbial) population dynamics; identification of their relative economic importance and potential for management in organic farming systems.
  2. Applied Strategies: Develop and implement measures to quantify the impacts of organic farming management practices on system health/sustainability including: nutrient dynamics, soil ecology, and natural enemy and pollinator abundance and diversity.
  3. Applied Strategies: Develop and implement new cultural practices that enhance pest and/or nutrient     management in organically produced crops, vegetables, and/or fruit     including: the reintegration of livestock, cover crops, crop rotations, tillage and no tillage systems, and polycultures.
  4. Applied Strategies: Develop and implement economic and effective organic strategies for management of insect, disease and     weed pests under MI climactic conditions:
    1. Development and testing of economical, biologically based pest management technologies and practices in organic systems including; biological control, biopesticides, mating disruption (especially machine applied and multi-species formulations), and compost teas.
    2. Evaluation and determination of the effectiveness of OMRI-approvedpesticides lethal and sublethal effects), their proper timing, and non-target impacts on above and below ground ecological processes.
    3. Development and implementation of improved monitoring and application timing protocols (phenology models), and determination of effective and economical integration of organic pest management tactics.
  5. Applied Strategies - Economic and Market research to identify opportunities and guide business practices for local organic markets.
  6. Extension - Training of extension agents on the integration of organic principles, needs of the organic community, and methods for organic transition.
  7. Extension- The development of social networks that enhance communication among organic farmers, MSU research, extension, and education personnel,
    and consumers including: strategic planning meetings, development of online resources, organic farming internship programs, and consumer education.

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