Organic agriculture has come to the forefront as an important opportunity for all farm sectors, across the country. Through our efforts, we have increased the research and extension support of these producers. We have identified strategies and developed grower tools to improve production and reduce environmental impacts of organic vegetable, grain and dairy systems in the Northeast U.S. A new initiative has focused on understanding the community supported agriculture model for impacts on consumer behavior and health awareness.

Historically, organic agriculture systems and constraints were not studied by land-grant universities and federal agricultural institutions. With growing interest in organic products, however, there is a need to enhance research and education efforts for these systems in the Northeast U.S. Information needed for grain and vegetable producers included economic data, whole farm management challenges, nutrient management strategies, crop rotation planning, and pest management approaches. Organic dairy producers need information on herd health, nutrition, grazing and farm business management. By fostering cross institutional collaborations, Cornell has emerged as a leader in organic research and education.

Several projects have focused on enhancing research and extension in organic agriculture for the Northeast U.S. The Northeast Organic Network (NEON) developed research and extension networks and programs for organic farmers in the northeastern U.S. (www.neon.cornell.edu) A crop rotation planning manual (forthcoming) includes spreadsheets for planning rotations and detailed chapters on using rotations to manage nutrients, pests, and soils organically. A nutrient budgeting tool for organic systems is being tested that includes a database of crop and soil amendment nutrient contents to be used in calculating initial mass balance budgets. The "Resource Guide to Organic Insect and Disease Management" was published, providing efficacy data on organic approved pesticides against various vegetable pests. The Organic Seed Partnership has engaged diverse private, public and farmer plant breeders to develop new varieties suitable to organic vegetable systems. Twenty two agricultural professionals from around the Northeast recieved advanced organic training. New projects are focused on enhancing support for the expanding organic dairy industry. These efforts plus the Cornell Organic Work Team continues to build collaborations in NY and across the Northeast.

The NEON team has produced practical tools to enhance the sustainability of organic farms in the Northeast. Growers using these tools have demonstrated improved rotations, reduced nutrient losses and improved crop quality. The case studies will be used for teaching students, growers and agricultural service providers about the complexity of managing organic systems. As a result of these efforts, there is greater research and extension interest in supporting organic agriculture. The Organic Dairy Task Force,which includes farmers, processors, educators and nonprofits, has identified research and extension needs to help develop the industry in a sustainable fashion. The Organic Seed Partnership has identified new varieties and breeding material being shared across the country. The Cornell Organic Work Team has expanded to over 120 members committed to collaborative research and education. It includes farmers, educators, faculty and nonprofits.