This document provides an overview of research conducted at Rodale Institute on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) from 2008-2012. It finds that BMSB pressure and resulting crop losses were highest in 2008-2010, which had above average rainfall and warmer temperatures earlier in the season. Pressure decreased in 2012 which had below average rainfall. The researcher will use information on BMSB overwintering sites and preferred materials identified in fall 2012 scouting to establish trap crops to monitor populations in 2013, when warmer and drier conditions may lead to increased BMSB numbers.
The document discusses honeybees and colony collapse disorder. It provides facts about honeybees, their importance as pollinators, and the significant decline in honeybee populations in recent decades. The Rodale Institute's Honeybee Conservancy program is highlighted as an effort to support honeybee health through education and sustainable beekeeping practices.
Andre Leu, Chairman of the Organic Federation of Australia, declares that organic farming is the most natural form of "Carbon Farming" and explains why.
This document discusses the findings of the Rodale Institute's Farming Systems Trial (FST) over 30 years comparing organic and conventional farming systems. The key findings were:
- Yields were the same between organic and conventional systems over 30 years.
- Organic systems improved soil organic matter and structure while conventional systems stayed the same.
- Organic systems used 45% less energy and had 28% higher production efficiency.
- Organic systems emitted 40% less greenhouse gases than conventional systems.
- Organic systems were 3-4 times more profitable than conventional systems.
Jeff Moyer at Quivira Coalition ConferenceAndrew Fynn
Rodale Institute promotes regenerative organic agriculture as a solution to problems with conventional agriculture. Organic practices such as cover cropping and composting build healthy soil that stores carbon, supports soil life, and provides nutrients to plants even during drought. These practices can help address issues like water pollution, loss of farmland, and health problems while making farms more profitable. The document outlines the problems with conventional agriculture and presents research showing the benefits of organic practices in increasing yields, sequestering carbon, and conserving resources.
A Flawed Food Production System and an Organic Solution - Compostgreenjeans76
The document discusses the benefits of compost and soil health. It notes that a flawed conventional food system is harming soil, water, and human health. An organic solution with compost can address these issues by improving soil structure and fertility while reducing pollution. The Rodale Institute advocates applying compost as a soil amendment rather than a fertilizer to protect water quality and support comparable crop yields.
This document provides tips and information about composting for farmers and home gardeners. It discusses the benefits of composting such as recycling waste, adding beneficial organisms to soil, and improving plant growth. Compost builds soil organic matter by feeding soil microbes which increases nutrient cycling. The document also defines compost and the basic process, and provides instructions for different compost bin designs to make compost at home.
Covers the basics of soil biology, what it is “in there” and why it matters. Includes details on the carbon and nitrogen cycles and the soil food web. (Excellent for high school students, good for all audiences)
The document discusses honeybees and colony collapse disorder. It provides facts about honeybees, their importance as pollinators, and the significant decline in honeybee populations in recent decades. The Rodale Institute's Honeybee Conservancy program is highlighted as an effort to support honeybee health through education and sustainable beekeeping practices.
Andre Leu, Chairman of the Organic Federation of Australia, declares that organic farming is the most natural form of "Carbon Farming" and explains why.
This document discusses the findings of the Rodale Institute's Farming Systems Trial (FST) over 30 years comparing organic and conventional farming systems. The key findings were:
- Yields were the same between organic and conventional systems over 30 years.
- Organic systems improved soil organic matter and structure while conventional systems stayed the same.
- Organic systems used 45% less energy and had 28% higher production efficiency.
- Organic systems emitted 40% less greenhouse gases than conventional systems.
- Organic systems were 3-4 times more profitable than conventional systems.
Jeff Moyer at Quivira Coalition ConferenceAndrew Fynn
Rodale Institute promotes regenerative organic agriculture as a solution to problems with conventional agriculture. Organic practices such as cover cropping and composting build healthy soil that stores carbon, supports soil life, and provides nutrients to plants even during drought. These practices can help address issues like water pollution, loss of farmland, and health problems while making farms more profitable. The document outlines the problems with conventional agriculture and presents research showing the benefits of organic practices in increasing yields, sequestering carbon, and conserving resources.
A Flawed Food Production System and an Organic Solution - Compostgreenjeans76
The document discusses the benefits of compost and soil health. It notes that a flawed conventional food system is harming soil, water, and human health. An organic solution with compost can address these issues by improving soil structure and fertility while reducing pollution. The Rodale Institute advocates applying compost as a soil amendment rather than a fertilizer to protect water quality and support comparable crop yields.
This document provides tips and information about composting for farmers and home gardeners. It discusses the benefits of composting such as recycling waste, adding beneficial organisms to soil, and improving plant growth. Compost builds soil organic matter by feeding soil microbes which increases nutrient cycling. The document also defines compost and the basic process, and provides instructions for different compost bin designs to make compost at home.
Covers the basics of soil biology, what it is “in there” and why it matters. Includes details on the carbon and nitrogen cycles and the soil food web. (Excellent for high school students, good for all audiences)
Soil is made up of particles of rocks, dead plants, and organisms and contains water and air. It supports plant growth by holding plants upright, providing nutrients, and allowing for water infiltration. Soil is teeming with life, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, and earthworms. These organisms help decompose dead organic matter, recycle nutrients, improve soil structure, and support ecosystems both above and below ground.
Explains the basic structure of the ASC program as a low-cost CSA and farmer incubator. Also covers “how-to” steps for straw bale gardening techniques. (All audiences)
Impacts of Plastic and Cover Crop Mulches on Weeds, Soil Quality, Yields and ...greenjeans76
Reviews our research results on controlling weeds with cover crop mulches rather than black plastic and discusses the details of incorporating them on the farm. (Farmers, market gardeners and ag professionals)
Biological Control for Pest Disease Managementgreenjeans76
This document discusses biological control for plant disease management. It begins with introducing biological control products and their effectiveness, noting that understanding options and effectiveness is key to disease management. It then reviews factors that influence the effectiveness of biological control, finding that disease pressure, aerial vs soilborne diseases, and annual vs perennial crops do not significantly impact efficacy. Fungal and bacterial biocontrol agents and pathogens also show no difference in efficacy. The document dives deeper into analyzing specific products like Trichoderma spp., their active ingredients, uses, mechanisms of suppression, and evaluations. It finds products like RootShield with T. harzianum generally work well but may be affected by dry conditions and lack registration.
Soil is made up of particles of rocks, dead plants, and organisms and contains water and air. It supports plant growth by holding plants upright, providing nutrients, and allowing for water infiltration. Soil is teeming with life, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, and earthworms. These organisms help decompose dead organic matter, recycle nutrients, improve soil structure, and support ecosystems both above and below ground.
Explains the basic structure of the ASC program as a low-cost CSA and farmer incubator. Also covers “how-to” steps for straw bale gardening techniques. (All audiences)
Impacts of Plastic and Cover Crop Mulches on Weeds, Soil Quality, Yields and ...greenjeans76
Reviews our research results on controlling weeds with cover crop mulches rather than black plastic and discusses the details of incorporating them on the farm. (Farmers, market gardeners and ag professionals)
Biological Control for Pest Disease Managementgreenjeans76
This document discusses biological control for plant disease management. It begins with introducing biological control products and their effectiveness, noting that understanding options and effectiveness is key to disease management. It then reviews factors that influence the effectiveness of biological control, finding that disease pressure, aerial vs soilborne diseases, and annual vs perennial crops do not significantly impact efficacy. Fungal and bacterial biocontrol agents and pathogens also show no difference in efficacy. The document dives deeper into analyzing specific products like Trichoderma spp., their active ingredients, uses, mechanisms of suppression, and evaluations. It finds products like RootShield with T. harzianum generally work well but may be affected by dry conditions and lack registration.