WVU Organic Research Project
2007 Organic Field Day - August 8
2004 Organic Farm Field Day
Cooperative Extension Demonstration Garden on the Organic Farm
Join the Organic Project Mailing List
New Course in Organic Crop Production being offered at WVU
2001 Organic Farm Field Day Photo Essay
Dominion Post Article on 2001 Organic Farm Field day
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The West Virginia University Organic Research Farming project provides scientifically sound research and education to support organic growers and gradeners. The project began in 1998, when, the horticulture farm was selected as the site and a multidisciplinary team was assembled to conduct research. Funding from several sources helps support sustainable organic research. All aspects of organic crop production are included horticulture, agronomy, soil science, animal science, soil biology, plant pathology, entomology, weed science, and agricultural economics.
The team had to address some of the most basic issues from what is organic? to: what are some of the most common problems facing organic growers? The initial research focus is on way to overcome the hurdles faced by organic growers during the transition from conventional agricultural methods.
A farm management plan summarizes the production practices used on the farm. Whole-farm systems in market garden/vegetable production and field crop/livestock production are being compared in replicated plots involving comparisons of compost application, crop rotation and livestock grazing. Vegetable crops in the four-year rotation include solanaceous crops, (tomato and pepper) , cucurbits (zucchini and pumpkin), legumes (peas and beans) and leafy vegetables (spinach and lettuce).
In the field crop systems, four-year rotation includes soybeans followed by wheat then brussel sprouts the potatoes. In addition red clover/orchard grass pasture is maintained for three years in farming systems that include animal grazing in a seven-year rotation schedule.
Other projects established on the farm include: insect management methods in organic apple, squash, and potato, mulching system evaluation on squash, companion cropping, tomato disease studies, and a weed management study on peppers.
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