Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 1:10 PM
149-7

Windsor Organic Research on Transition: A System of Soil Management.

Michelle Wander1, Carmen Ugarte1, Ed Zaborski2, Darin Eastburn1, Leslie Cooperband1, Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant1, John Masiunas1, Adam Davis3, Cathy Eastman4, and Dan Anderson5. (1) University of Illinois, N-225 Turner Hall Mc-047, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, (2) Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana, IL 61801, (3) USDA ARS, Urbana, IL 61801, (4) Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana, IL 61801, (5) UIUC, 1102 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801

The Windsor Organic Research Trial (WORT) is a farming systems experiment initiated in 2003 to investigate the organic transition process and alternative strategies for transitioning to certified organic vegetable production. With ongoing advice from an advisory board of expert organic farmers,  researchers from multiple organizations are investigating the influence of transition strategies that differ in management intensity and organic matter inputs on weed populations, soil organic matter and fertility, soil invertebrates, and the relationship between soil fertility, plant health and insect/disease pressure.  An integrated outreach effort communicates results.  After presenting results produced during the transition and first two certification years, we will evaluate the relative roles that soil fertility, management, and infrastructure have had on the experiment and its implications for sustainability.