On May 20, muskmelon seedlings were transplanted to a field at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, Indiana, which was managed for the fifth consecutive year organically. Individual row plots consisted of 30 ft rows on 6-ft centers. Muskmelon was seeded in the greenhouse on April12 using polystyrene transplant trays filled with OMRI (Organic Materials Research Institute) approved Sunshine soilless mix (Sun Gro Horticulture Ltd., Bellevue, WA 98008). Muskmelon seedlings were transplanted 3-ft apart with 10 plants per plot. Each row was mulched with 4 ft wide x 0.16 in. black plastic (Visqueen 4020). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Treatment plots were separated in the row by 10-ft unplanted buffers. K+Neem was applied on June 7 for aphid control. OMRI listed fungicides were applied weekly from June 12 to July 29 with CO2 backpack sprayer with 4 flat fan nozzles Tee-Jet 8002VS spaced 19 inches apart applying 10 gal per acre at 30 psi.

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On July 12, zucchini were direct seeded into a field at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, Indiana, which was managed for the fifth consecutive year organically. Individual row plots consisted of 30-ft rows on 6-ft centers. Zucchinis were planted 3.0-ft apart with 10 plants per plot. Each row was mulched with 4-ft wide x 0.16 in. black plastic (Visqueen 4020). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Treatment plots were separated in the row by 10-ft unplanted buffers. OMRI (Organic Materials Research Institute) listed fungicides were applied weekly from July 22 to August 31 with a CO2 backpack sprayer with 4 flat fan nozzles Tee-Jet 8002VS spaced 19 inches apart applying 10 gal per acre at 30 psi. The plots were examined for symptoms of disease on August 20, 27 and September 3 using the Horsfall-Barratt ratings system. Zucchini were harvested on August 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30 and September 1. Rainfall totals for June, July and August were 4.79, 10.67 and 1.54 inches respectively.

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WASHINGTON, December 20, 2010 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced USDA will provide funding to help organic producers and those transitioning to organic production implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations.

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All businesses need to plan if they are to thrive. That includes farmers, who also face added variables, like volatile weather. Holistic Management™ is a way to incorporate sustainable agriculture’s principles into growers’ business planning. According to Preston Sullivan, National Center for Appropriate Technology specialist, Holistic Management™ gives us a way to incorporate principles of “economic viability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.”

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This mentoring program links a new farmer with an experienced organic farmer, who are doing the same type of farming (vegetables, dairy, crops, etc.) and provide an avenue for an exchange of information. Farmers who have been farming for just a few years, or who are making the transition to organic agriculture are invited to apply for the MOSES Organic Farmer to Farmer Mentoring Program.

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