UW Organic Agriculture Field Day to highlight organic practices that improve soil health

Drought Conditions Highlight the Need for Resilient Agricultural Practices

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. 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.

Focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 2: Zero Hunger
2. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
3. Goal 13: Climate Action
4. Goal 15: Life on Land

UW Organic Agriculture Field Day to Highlight 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 on Cover Crops and Soil Organic Matter

• 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.
• These practices offer alternatives for farmers looking to reduce the need for soil disturbance within their organic grain systems.

Optimizing the Use of Cover Crops

• Researchers have been focusing on accessible approaches to farmers so they can apply cover crop practices on their farms through optimization of equipment and increasing the consistency of their success.
• Roller-crimping and interseeding are being explored as methods to reduce tillage in organic grains.

Research on Cereal Grains Adapted to Organic Systems

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 to ensure the success of organic management approaches.

Updates on Organic No-Till Corn and Soybeans

Researchers will give updates on organic no-till corn and soybeans using a variety of cover crop and planting options. Other research projects featured during the field day include organic cereal grain breeding efforts, organic sunflowers, and organic corn grown on 60” rows at high seeding density.

Supporting Organic Farmers and Meeting Market Demand

All of the 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. The organic market continues to grow, with demand outpacing domestic supply. Wisconsin, with the second highest number of organic farms in the nation, is well-positioned to help meet this expanding market opportunity.

Registration and Location Information

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.

Media Contact Information

For media inquiries, please contact Erin Silva at emsilva@wisc.edu or (608) 890-1503.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
4. SDG 15: Life on Land

Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:

• 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.
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• 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.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
• Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their compliance with the agreements.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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: news.cals.wisc.edu

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