Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

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Organic Vegetable Production

Organic farming is a method of production that combines traditional agriculture with innovation and science. Simply stated, it is a set of management practices that will, over the long term, sustain or enhance soil quality, enhance biological diversity and preserve natural resources. These goals are accomplished by using crop rotation, biological pest control and natural inputs and by strictly limiting synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

The National Organic Program was created as a result of the 1990 Farm Bill, and is administrated by the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA’s National Organic Program currently regulates and enforces organic production. This program was fully implemented in 2002 to ensure products that bear an organic label reflect a consistent set of practices to facilitate trade and maintain consumer trust.

Today, organic agriculture is practiced in over 120 countries. Although the organic industry accounts for a small percentage of the total food and fiber industry, it continues to grow at a steady rate.

Crop Production

Fertility & Media Sources for Organic Vegetables
- Selecting Fertility & Media Sources for Organic Greenhouse Vegetables
  
  Presenters
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications

Pest Management

Disease Management in Organic Vegetable Systems
- Presenters
  - Amanda Gevens is a state Extension pathologist from the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program focuses on the detection, diagnosis and disease management of agronomic and vegetable crops. She has program responsibilities for peanuts, pasture, forage crops, corn sorghum, small grains, tobacco, soybeans and cucurbits.
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications
Managing Two-Spotted Spider Mites in Strawberry
- Management of Two-Spotted Spider Mite in Organic Strawberry
  
  Presenters
  - Oscar Liburd is a state Extension entomologist from the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL. His research program is focused on the development of environmentally sound insect and pest management in small fruits and organic vegetables.
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications
Nematode Management in Vegetable Systems
- Presenters
  - Robert McSorley is a researcher and instructor from the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL. His research is focused on agricultural ecology, nematode ecology and alternative and sustainable methods for nematode management including crop rotation, cover crops, solarization, and other nonchemical practices.
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications
Soil Sampling for Nematodes
- Presenters
  - Robert McSorley is a researcher and instructor from the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL. His research is focused on agricultural ecology, nematode ecology and alternative and sustainable methods for nematode management including crop rotation, cover crops, solarization, and other nonchemical practices.
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications
Soilborne Pathogens
- Presenters
  - Amanda Gevens is a state Extension pathologist from the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program focuses on the detection, diagnosis and disease management of agronomic and vegetable crops. She has program responsibilities for peanuts, pasture, forage crops, corn sorghum, small grains, tobacco, soybeans and cucurbits.
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications
Types of Nematodes
- Presenters
  - Robert McSorley is a researcher and instructor from the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL. His research is focused on agricultural ecology, nematode ecology and alternative and sustainable methods for nematode management including crop rotation, cover crops, solarization, and other nonchemical practices.
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  Publications

Marketing and Economics

Marketing Organic Produce
- Presenters
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  - Allen Wysocki is state Extension specialist for sales and marketing from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, Gainesville, FL. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on agribusiness, and has an active research and Extension program covering a variety issues relevant to the economic sustainability of Florida agriculture.
  Publications
Developing a Marketing Plan
- Presenters
  - Dr. Danielle Treadwell is a state Extension specialist for organic and sustainable vegetable production from the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL. Her research program includes cover crop management, and nutrient management of greenhouse and field-grown specialty crops.
  - Allen Wysocki is state Extension specialist for sales and marketing from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, Gainesville, FL. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on agribusiness, and has an active research and Extension program covering a variety issues relevant to the economic sustainability of Florida agriculture.
  Publications
Cover Crop Termination
- Presenters
  Publications

peppers

Resources

eXtension - Organic Agriculture
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management
Rodale Institute Organic Price Report - database of organic premiums in major US markets.
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)
UF/IFAS Small Farms Alternative Enterprises: Organic Production
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: National Organic Program
USDA Economic Research Service: Organic Agriculture Briefing Room - summary of national economic data on organic agriculture.