UW Organic Agriculture Field Day is Aug. 31
UW Organic Agriculture Field Day is Aug. 31 Morning Ag Clips -
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SOIL HEALTH …
Event will highlight organic practices that improve soil health
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Research related to improving soil health and incorporating resilience in organic systems will be a key focus of this year’s UW Organic Agriculture Field Day, set for 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Arlington Agricultural Research Station. (USDA NRCS Montana, Public Domain)
Introduction
MADISON, Wis. — Drought conditions across the Midwest highlight the need for agricultural practices that promote resilience in the face of extreme weather. Farming strategies such as living covers, diversified rotations, and drought-tolerant crop options can support resilient production approaches, particularly when incorporated with organic certification, which opens doors to expanded markets and price premiums.
Organic Grain Farming in Wisconsin
While requiring different management approaches compared to conventional production, organic grain offers a profitable opportunity for Wisconsin’s farmers at both smaller and larger scales with the goal of creating a more resilient agricultural model.
Research on Soil Health and Resilience
Research related to improving soil health and incorporating resilience in organic systems will be a key focus of this year’s UW Organic Agriculture Field Day, set for 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Arlington Agricultural Research Station.
Research at the station shows that integrating cover crops into the corn and soybean phases of rotations can help farmers build soil organic matter – a critical component of resilient, healthy soils – while reducing the need for tillage and cultivation in organic systems. With the increasing recognition of the value of soil health, these practices offer alternatives for farmers looking to reduce the need for soil disturbance within their organic grain systems.
“We continue to learn more about how to optimize the use of cover crops to reduce tillage in organic grains, including through roller-crimping and interseeding,” says event organizer Erin Silva, associate professor and extension specialist in the UW–Madison Department of Plant Pathology. “We’ve been focusing on accessible approaches to farmers so they can apply these practices on their farms through optimization of equipment, increasing the consistency of their success.”
Presentations and Research Findings
The event will also feature presentations on research focused on cereal grains specifically for organic systems, including varieties adapted to the organic system.
“Breeding for the unique needs of the organic farmer and the unique environment created through organic management is critical,” says Silva, who is also the university’s Clif Bar Endowed Chair in Organic Agriculture and Outreach. “While there are many tools available for organic farmers to manage weeds, insects, and diseases, adapted crop varieties – including for intensive cover crop systems and organic no-till management – are vital to ensure the success of the systems-based approaches needed for organic management.”
Researchers will also give updates on organic no-till corn and soybeans using a variety of cover crop and planting options; organic cereal grain breeding efforts; organic sunflowers; and organic corn grown on 60” rows at high seeding density.
Research projects featured during the field day are being conducted on certified organic land at the UW research stations or on working organic farms with input from organic producers.
Market Opportunities for Organic Farmers
“The organic market continues to grow, with demand outpacing domestic supply, so the need remains for more organic farmers and more organic acres,” says Silva, who notes growth in organic sales continues to increase, breaking the $60 billion mark in 2022. “Wisconsin, with the second highest number of organic farms in the nation as well as a wealth of organic knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure, is well-positioned to continue to help meet this expanding market opportunity.”
Event Details
The registration table at the UW Organic Agriculture Field Day will open at 9:15 a.m. on Aug. 31. A lunch will be available around noon. Registration can be found at https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/ograin-events/2023-ograin-field-days/
The address for Arlington Agricultural Research Station is N695 Hopkins Road in Arlington, WI. The station is located just off Highway 51, about five miles south of Arlington and 15 miles north of Madison. A map is available at http://arlington.ars.wisc.edu/facility/.
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will make a reasonable effort to provide accommodations for participants with disabilities when notified in advance. Request a disability accommodation when registering online. Efforts will be made to meet same day requests to the extent possible.
Conclusion
The UW Organic Agriculture Field Day provides an opportunity for farmers to learn about organic practices that improve soil health and promote resilience in organic systems. By incorporating sustainable farming strategies, farmers can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger, by ensuring resilient production approaches and expanding organic markets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
- Indicator 2.4.2: Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status.
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SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
- Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
- Indicator 15.3.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
The article addresses the issues of improving soil health and incorporating resilience in organic systems in agriculture. These issues are connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets:
1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article highlights the need for agricultural practices that promote resilience in the face of extreme weather and mentions farming strategies such as living covers, diversified rotations, and drought-tolerant crop options. These practices contribute to sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices, which are part of SDG 2. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified based on the article’s content is:
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
This target emphasizes the importance of implementing resilient agricultural practices that improve land and soil quality, which aligns with the article’s focus on improving soil health and resilience in organic systems.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the integration of cover crops into corn and soybean rotations to build soil organic matter and reduce the need for tillage and cultivation in organic systems. These practices contribute to combating desertification, restoring degraded land and soil, and achieving a land degradation-neutral world, which are part of SDG 15. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified based on the article’s content is:
Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
This target emphasizes the importance of restoring degraded land and soil, which is addressed in the article through the integration of cover crops to improve soil health and reduce the need for soil disturbance in organic grain systems.
The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
1. Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
The article discusses the use of farming strategies such as living covers, diversified rotations, and drought-tolerant crop options, which contribute to sustainable agriculture. This indicator can measure the proportion of agricultural area that adopts these practices to ensure sustainable food production systems.
2. Indicator 2.4.2: Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status.
The article mentions that organic grain offers a profitable opportunity for Wisconsin’s farmers, both smaller and larger scales. This indicator can measure the average income of small-scale food producers engaged in organic grain production, considering factors such as sex and indigenous status.
3. Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
The article highlights the importance of improving soil health and reducing the need for soil disturbance in organic grain systems. This indicator can measure the proportion of land that is degraded due to unsustainable agricultural practices, including soil disturbance, over the total land area.
4. Indicator 15.3.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
The article does not directly mention this indicator, but the integration of cover crops and organic management practices can contribute to preserving terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem health. This indicator can measure the proportion of important sites for biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, considering different ecosystem types affected by agricultural activities.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture. Indicator 2.4.2: Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area. Indicator 15.3.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: morningagclips.com
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