scholarly journals eOrganic: The Organic Agriculture Community of Practice for eXtension

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-588
Author(s):  
Alexandra G. Stone ◽  
Danielle D. Treadwell ◽  
Alice K. Formiga ◽  
John P.G. McQueen ◽  
Michelle M. Wander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Management Evaluation ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
National Organic Program ◽  
Agricultural Professionals

eOrganic is the organic agriculture community of practice (CoP) and resource area for eXtension. eOrganic’s primary community of interest (CoI) is organic farmers and the agricultural professionals who support them. The 250 members of the eOrganic CoP include farmers, researchers, certifiers, and extension/other agricultural professionals. eOrganic’s mission is to build a diverse national CoP and use web technologies to synthesize existing information, emerging science, and practical knowledge into information resources and training materials for its CoI. eOrganic strategies to achieve that mission include collaborative publication, stakeholder engagement, community development, project management, evaluation, and fundraising. eOrganic’s public site currently offers 240 articles, 250 videos, 80 webinars and broadcasts, and 100 frequently asked questions (FAQs). eOrganic CoP members have answered more than 1000 “Ask an Expert” questions. eOrganic authors collaboratively develop articles in eOrganic’s collaborative workspace, which undergo review by two anonymous reviewers and National Organic Program (NOP) compliance review. eOrganic will offer online courses in 2012. eOrganic stakeholders evaluated eOrganic articles and videos in 2010 and overall they stated that they were relevant, science-based, and useful. Three quarters of webinar and broadcast participants said the webinar improved their understanding of the topic, and 83% said they would recommend the webinar to others. Sixty-nine percent of webinar survey respondents stated that they changed practices or provided others with information as the result of the webinar. eOrganic surveyed active CoP members in 2011. Members view eOrganic as important because it is the only national organic agriculture resource with direct ties to university research and they considered all of eOrganic’s core activities important. eOrganic is supported by small grants from eXtension and subawards in more than 20 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) research/extension projects. To enhance its financial sustainability, eOrganic will work to solidify its partnership with NIFA programs and diversify its funding sources to include course fees and underwriters.

To the Empire and Beyond

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Barton
Keyword(s):  
Second World War ◽  
World War ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Southern Rhodesia ◽  
The Government ◽  
Second World

This chapter traces the expansion of industrial agricultural methods after the Second World War. Western governments and the Food and Agriculture Organization pushed for increased use of chemical fertilizers to aid development and resist Soviet encroachment. Meanwhile small groups of organic farmers and gardeners adopted Howard’s methods in the Anglo-sphere and elsewhere in the world. European movements paralleled these efforts and absorbed the basic principles of the Indore Method. British parliament debated the merits of organic farming, but Howard failed to persuade the government to adopt his policies. Southern Rhodesia, however, did implement his ideas in law. Desiccation theory aided his attempts in South Africa and elsewhere, and Louise Howard, after Albert’s death, kept alive a wide network of activists with her publications.

scholarly journals Benefits of Organic Agriculture under the Perspective of the Bioeconomy: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6852
Author(s):  
Camila Fritzen Cidón ◽  
Paola Schmitt Figueiró ◽  
Dusan Schreiber
Keyword(s):  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
World Population ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Ecological Benefits ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Development Objectives ◽  
Global Growth

The opportunities for the global growth of the bioeconomy (BE) are generated by the need to expand the food supply for an increasing world population without compromising the environment even further. Organic agriculture (OA) claims to be more environmentally friendly than conventional agriculture and capable of addressing sustainable development objectives by using green technologies, resulting in economic, social, and ecological benefits. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relation between OA and BE through a systematic literature review. We addressed the benefits of OA under perspective of the main aspects of BE. As demonstrated by previous papers assessed on this review, OA can be a means to facilitate strategies for the use of renewable resources to mitigate the emergencies arising from global warming, as claimed by the BE concept. This article introduces a necessary discussion due the lack of previous studies reporting the capacity of OA to connect with the BE. As a final contribution, we present a conceptual framework characterizing potential benefits of OA under the perspective of BE, for organic farmers and researchers to advance in sustainability and green innovation.

Risk and risk management in organic agriculture: Views of organic farmers

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (04) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hanson ◽  
Robert Dismukes ◽  
William Chambers ◽  
Catherine Greene ◽  
Amy Kremen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Organic Farmers

Organic and conventional Washington State farmers' opinions on GM crops and marketing strategies

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leland L. Glenna ◽  
Raymond A. Jussaume
Keyword(s):  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Gm Crops ◽  
Industrial Agriculture ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Marketing Environment ◽  
Organic Certification ◽  
Alternative Vision ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Certified Organic

AbstractA 1999 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy on organic certification excluded the use of genetically modified (GM) crops. The decision remains controversial because it provokes debate over the fundamental meaning of organic agriculture. Some scholars, farmers and activists claim that organic agriculture represents a value orientation that is opposed to trends in industrial agriculture, of which GM crops are the latest product. Because organic farmers are a significant constituency in this debate, we examined their values and practices related to marketing, environment and GM crops. From a survey of 1181 Washington State farmers, we created a sub-sample of 598 crop farmers (fruits, vegetables and grains), of which 109 described themselves as organic (certified organic, moving towards organic certification and non-certified organic), and we analyzed organic and conventional farmer responses to a number of issues to discern comparative commitment to self-seeking economic interests. Results reveal differences among conventional and organic farmers on GM crops and several marketing and environmental values and practices, suggesting that there is some validity to portraying organic agriculture as an alternative vision to industrial agriculture.

Productivity and profitability of organic and conventional potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in West-Central Bhutan

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 640-654
Author(s):  
Norden Lepcha ◽  
Panya Mankeb ◽  
Suneeporn Suwanmaneepong
Keyword(s):  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
West Central ◽  
Organic Potato ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Premium Price ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Benefit Cost

Abstract Bhutan aspires to be an entirely organic nation. Food self-sufficiency and increasing farm household income are critical priorities in the country. Realising these priorities necessitates assessing the country’s current organic agriculture performance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the productivity and profitability of organic and conventional potato and farmers’ constraints in producing organic potato in West-Central Bhutan. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study sample. A semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were employed to gather primary data for the 2019 cropping cycle from 93 potato farmers: 43 organic farmers in the Gasa District and 50 conventional farmers in Wangdue Phodrang District. Descriptive statistics, cost and return analysis, and independent sample t-test were applied for data analysis. The results revealed that the conventional potato’s productivity (tuber yield) and profitability were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than organic potatoes. The average productivities for organic and conventional potatoes were 7.48 and 19.22 t/ha, respectively. Organic potato farmers incurred a loss of −202,708.47 Ngultrum (Nu)/ha, while conventional potato farmers incurred a profit of 83,832.85 Nu/ha. The benefit-cost ratios of organic and conventional potato stood at 0.40 and 1.27, respectively. Lack of premium price, pest and disease problems, low crop productivity, and climate change were the constraints faced by organic potato farmers. The study found that the productivity and profitability of the conventional potatoes were higher than the organic potatoes in West-Central Bhutan in the current scenario. Further, the critical information will contribute to guiding Bhutan’s vision for its organic agriculture development.

scholarly journals Effect of Natural Vs. Synthetic α-tocopherol on Neurogenesis-Related Genes in Cerebella of Juvenile α-tocopherol Transfer Protein-Null Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1060-1060
Author(s):  
Katherine Ranard ◽  
Matthew Kuchan ◽  
John Erdman
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Transfer Protein ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Grant Program ◽  
Nutritional Sciences

Abstract Objectives Vitamin E (α-tocopherol, α-T) restriction during brain development alters the expression of neurogenesis-related genes in cerebella of juvenile α-tocopherol transfer protein-null (Ttpa−/−) mice. Synthetic α-T (SYN), compared to natural α-T (NAT), downregulates cerebellar myelin genes in adolescent Ttpa−/− mice. We studied how early-life exposure to SYN or NAT affects the expression of neurogenesis-related genes in juvenile Ttpa−/− mice. Methods Male and female Ttpa+/+ and Ttpa−/− mice were nursed by Ttpa+/−dams fed AIN-93G-based diets containing either SYN (∼816 mg α-T/kg diet) or NAT (∼600 mg α-T/kg diet). Homogenized brain tissues from 21 day old weanlings (n = 9/group) were used to measure total α-T concentrations via HPLC-PDA. The expression of genes critical for brain development (Rora, Shh), myelination (Plp1, Cntnap1, Mbp, Mobp, Nr1h3), and synaptic function (Cplx1, Necab1, Prkcg) were measured in the cerebellum via real-time qPCR. Results α-T concentrations were significantly lower in brains of Ttpa−/− mice (17.7 nmol/g) compared to Ttpa+/+ mice (37.5 nmol/g) (P &lt; 0.001). Exposure to SYN vs. NAT resulted in similar total α-T brain levels within each genotype (Ttpa−/−: 19.8 vs. 15.6 nmol/g; Ttpa+/+: 42.5 vs. 32.6 nmol/g). Consistent with previous studies, Necab1 was significantly downregulated in Ttpa−/− mice (P &lt; 0.05). The other selected neurogenesis-related genes were similarly expressed between all groups, regardless of genotype or dietary α-T source. Conclusions Brain α-T concentrations at weaning depended on the presence of Ttpa. α-T source did not modulate the selected neurogenesis genes, possibly because the natural and synthetic α-T diets each provided sufficient total α-T during development. Funding Sources Abbott Nutrition through the Center for Nutrition, Learning, and Memory (CNLM), Division of Nutritional Sciences Vision 20/20 Grant Program, and Division of Nutritional Sciences Margin of Excellence Research Program (all through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). KMR was supported by the AFRI NIFA Predoctoral Fellowships Grant Program (2019–67,011-29,514) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

scholarly journals Validation of a New Instrument to Measure Breastfeeding Understanding Among Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 241-241
Author(s):  
Erin McKinley
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Breastfeeding Knowledge ◽  
Program Success ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Asking Questions

Abstract Objectives The current literature on breastfeeding understanding scales is limited and has yet to contain a scale that does not incorporate items related to breastfeeding attitude. Asking questions related to attitude may skew how an individual answers items related to knowledge. A positive or negative viewpoint of breastfeeding does not adequately reflect understanding. Knowledge and understanding should be evaluated against an individual's level of health literacy, as that may have a strong impact on choices related to infant feeding. The aims of this study were to create, test, and validate a new scale to measure breastfeeding understanding among adults and evaluate the relationship between that and level of health literacy. Methods A 68-item, online-platform based survey to evaluate breastfeeding knowledge, understanding, and demographics was created for this study. The 50-item scale to be validated assessed participants’ general understanding and knowledge about breastfeeding and human lactation. Health literacy was assessed using the Single-Item Literacy Screener (SILS). Results Seven-hundred and twenty-two adults, 18 years of age or older, completed the web-based survey instrument. Construct validity was examined using an exploratory factor analysis utilizing principle axis factoring with promax rotation. This confirmed a valid (α = .953) five factor scale for knowledge and understanding of breastfeeding – The Adult Breastfeeding Understanding Scale (A-BFUS). Total A-BFUS score was significantly correlated to health literacy level (P &lt; .001). Participants with low health literacy had significantly lower total A-BFUS scores (P &lt; .001) than those with adequate or high health literacy (173.02 ± 20.08 vs. 188.07 ± 27.16). Conclusions A measurement scale for breastfeeding knowledge that is valid for use among adults of any gender identification is vital to the creation and evaluation of breastfeeding education programs aimed at increasing general understanding. Incorporating educational efforts to improve health literacy of individuals may strengthen program success and increase positive choices related to multiple areas of health. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hatch project under XXXXXXXX.

scholarly journals Availability and Pricing of Infant Snack Foods in Low-Income Communities Across Rhode Island

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 722-722
Author(s):  
Amy Moore ◽  
Maya Vadiveloo ◽  
Karen McCurdy ◽  
Alison Tovar
Keyword(s):  
Rhode Island ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Snack Foods ◽  
Infant Foods ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food And Agriculture

Abstract Objectives Marketing for infant snack foods has increased in the past 20 years, yet little is known about the availability and pricing of these foods. This study assessed the availability and pricing of infant snack foods in grocery stores in low-income communities across Rhode Island. Methods A random sample of grocery stores (N = 20) was selected from low-income census tracts. Twelve items were developed for this study to assess the availability and pricing of infant foods (e.g., infant formula, purees) and infant snack foods (e.g., puffs, melts). The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) was used to assess the nutrition environment including the availability, pricing, and quality of healthful foods compared to less healthful foods. Total NEMS-S scores range from -9 to 54 with higher scores indicating more healthful foods. Data were collected by trained research assistants during a 2-week period to limit confounding due to restocking and seasonality. This analysis included descriptive statistics to summarize the infant snack foods and the total nutrition environment. Results All 20 grocery stores in this sample sold infant foods and 18 stores sold infant snack foods. Availability of infant snack foods varied by store with puffs having the highest availability (n = 18) followed by melts (n = 15), teething cookies (n = 10), and baby yogurt (n = 7). Baby yogurt had the highest average price per serving ($0.72) followed by melts ($0.62), teething cookies ($0.50), and puffs ($0.49). Mean total NEMS-S score for all grocery stores was 27.5 (SD = 4.7). Conclusions Infant snack foods are available in grocery stores in low-income communities. Recent increases in marketing and availability of infant snack foods make it important to explore factors that influence caregivers to offer these snacks. Future studies should explore these factors and develop evidence-based recommendations for developmentally appropriate, healthful snacking during infancy. Funding Sources This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, [Hatch/Tovar/1,001,894].

scholarly journals Dining Hall Usage and Eating Competence in College Students (P16-027-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Schroeder ◽  
Jesse Stabile Morrell
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
First Year ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Eating Competence ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
The University

Abstract Objectives To explore differences in eating competence among first-year and upperclass college students (18–24 years), as well as the differences related to dining hall usage. Methods Data were collected between 2015–17; students (n = 1057) were recruited from a midsize, northeastern university to participate in an ongoing health survey. Students completed the Eating Competence Satter Inventory (ecSI), as well as the self-reported frequency of meals obtained from the university dining hall, as part of an online questionnaire. Proportional differences between first-year and upperclass students were analyzed via chi-square analyses. Mean differences between eating competence scores and frequency of dining hall meals/week (0, 1–6, 7–13, 14–20, ³21) were evaluated via ANCOVA; age, BMI, sex, semester, year of data collection, and academic class year served as covariates. Results Students had a mean age of 18.9 ± 0.03 years; 66.7% were female and 53.4% were first-year. The mean ecSI score was 33.3 ± 0.3; more than half of students (58.2%) were considered eating competent (³32). No differences in ecSI scores between first-year and upperclass students were observed (33.2 ± 0.4 vs. 33.5 ± 0.4, P = 0.63). Students who report ³21 dining hall meals/week had the highest ecSI scores as compared to 0, 1–6, 7–13, 14–20 meals/week (36.7 ± 0.6 vs. 31.4 ± .9, 32.0 ± 0.6, 31.5 ± 0.6, 33.8 ± 0.4, all respectively P < 0.01). Conclusions Our findings do not suggest differences in eating competence between first-year and upperclass students, however, students who utilize the university dining hall for at least 3 meals per day had the highest eating competence. These findings may be of interest to campus dietitians and educators interested in promoting healthy eating behaviors and attitudes on their campuses. Funding Sources New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Stations and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1010738.

scholarly journals Analysis of Relationships and Sustainability Performance in Organic Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates and Sicily (Italy)

Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Butti Al Shamsi ◽  
Paolo Guarnaccia ◽  
Salvatore Cosentino ◽  
Cherubino Leonardi ◽  
Paolo Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Food And Agriculture

Climate change, recurrent economic and financial crises and food security issues are forcing society to look at the increasingly widespread use of “sustainable” production practices. These are often translated into innovations for businesses that are not always easily achievable other than through specific investments. This work sets out to assess the sustainability performance of organic farms, which represent a sustainable production model in terms of values, standards, practices and knowledge on the ground. The research was carried out in two geographical contexts (the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sicily, Italy) which have certain environmental and socio-economic issues in common, particularly in productive sectors representative of organic agriculture. This was done with the help of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA, in the rest of the text) framework and social network analysis to study the sustainability performance of organic farms within non-structured local production systems in the form of formal enterprise networks that, on the contrary, operate with a recognized and common aim. The results demonstrate both their attainment of excellence and the existence of criticalities, thus, identifying routes to possible improvement.

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