Active Funded Research Projects
"Expanding resilient climate and pest protection systems for diversified organic specialty crop producers"; USDA OREI #2023-51300-40855; $3,477,477; Co-PI
Graduate Research Assistant: Joe Hollis
Funding Announcement: https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/university-kentucky-researcher-leads-or…
Project Summary: Diversified fruit and vegetable growers are a hallmark of the organic agriculture industry and movement. Diversification opens market opportunities, hedges risks, conserves biodiversity, and grows healthy communities and local economies. At the same time, diversified organic growers must master the production of many specialty crops with a limited set of tools to combat pests, diseases, weeds, and a changing climate. Some of these tools, like OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute)-listed pesticides perform sub-optimally and fail to reduce damage from pests and diseases. Mounting evidence suggests mesotunnel protection systems limit pests, diseases, and some extreme weather conditions. However, while mesotunnels reduce the use of OMRI-listed pesticides, consumer concerns over plastic use in agriculture may present new social challenges to the adoption of these plastic-based systems. The overall goal of this four-year project is to expand the organic tool kit to overcome biotic and abiotic challenges to specialty crops in the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. Field experiments and on-farm trials with brassica (greens, broccoli), cucurbit (melons and squash), and solanaceous crops (eggplant) will optimize the use of mesotunnel protection systems to control biotic and abiotic stressors (Objective 1). Innovative strategies to incorporate mesotunnels into diversified organic fruit and vegetable rotations will aim to maximize the benefits to growers in each region. Data generated from experiments will be used to determine which mesotunnel-crop combinations maximize grower profits (Objective 2). To understand marketing, policy, and adoption barriers, we will assess grower and consumer acceptability of mesotunnels through surveys, interviews, and consumer preference experiments (Objective 3). Growers and industry stakeholders will provide continuous input to guide the project through an Advisory Panel, surveys, listening sessions, and on-farm trials. Finally, a coordinated regional and national outreach program will reach thousands of growers and millions of consumers to highlight the most promising protection systems (Objective 4). Together, these objectives address five OREI goals and will help the organic specialty crop industry to grow resilient to changing climates and consumer demands to insure the sustainability of the organic industry.
"Enhancing integrated insect pest management strategies for U.S. potato production systems"; USDA SCRI #2023-51181-41160; $6,500,000; Co-PI
Postdoctoral Research Associate: Derek Franklin
Project Website: https://potatoipm.msu.edu/
Project Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) recently announced funding for a four-year, Potatoes USA-supported research project to develop and evaluate potential alternatives to neonicotinoids for pest management of potato crops. Neonicotinoids (commonly called “neonics”) are a type of insecticide that has seen widespread usage in the U.S. for 25 years. Neonics have been a critical tool for potato growers given their ease of use and low application cost. However, environmental concerns have shifted companies and consumer demand away from purchasing potatoes that use neonics. Critics have linked widespread neonic usage with rising resistance among pest populations, harm to pollinators, and environmental contamination. For example, major retailers like Walmart and Costco have encouraged fresh produce suppliers to phase out the use of neonics in recent years. Goals: The long-term goal of the research project is to develop and adopt new pest management strategies in the U.S. potato industry that serve as an effective alternative to neonics. To accomplish this, the project—called “Enhancing integrated insect pest management strategies for U.S. potato production systems” and nicknamed “Potato IPM”—has four objectives:
- Objective 1: Develop and evaluate non-neonic pest strategies in ware and seed potatoes.
- Objective 2: Develop pest prediction and decision-making tools.
- Objective 3: Evaluate the socioeconomic influences and impacts associated with transitioning from neonics to new pest management strategies.
- Objective 4: Facilitate the adoption of new strategies among growers.=
"Identifying Needs and Overcoming Barriers for Adopting Novel Weed Control Technology in Perennial Crops"; USDA SCRI Planning Grant #2024-51181-43253; $50,000; Co-PI
Graduate Research Assistant: Kaylee Kleitsch
Project Summary: Weed management in perennial specialty crops (i.e., tree fruits, nuts, grapes, berries, hops) is necessary for the sustainable production of high-quality yields. Growers' abilities to achieve effective weed control are affected by (1) limited herbicide availability, (2) evolved herbicide resistance, (3) a changing regulatory environment that will affect herbicide re/registrations, (4) safety concerns (for workers, crops, non-target organisms) associated with herbicide use, and (5) the high cost/reduced availability of labor for handweeding, among other factors.Although novel weed control technologies (i.e., autonomous robots, precision sprayers, electric weeders, etc.) have been developed for use in perennial crops, many stakeholders are unaware of their availability and/or are unfamiliar with their performance. Similarly, university scientists need more information about grower interest in/willingness to adopt new tools in order to develop forward-thinking research programs.The goals of the proposed project are to (1) assemble a transdiciplinary team (weed science and rural sociology) to address weed control needs in perennial crops, (2) describe novel weed control technology available for use (as well as knowledge gaps) and extending this information to stakeholders, nationwide, (2) identify the factors that will drive or prevent adoption of novel technology in the US, and (4) prepare a SCRI SREP proposal to support the adoption of novel weed control technology in tree, vine, and berry crops.This proposal specifically aligns with SCRI legislative priorities (1) improving crop production efficiency, productivity, and profitability, and (2) identifying new innovative technology that mechanizes/automates labor intensive tasks, such as handweeding.
"Rural Iowa Communities’ Water Quality Awareness, Engagement, and Policy Preferences "; Iowa Nutrient Research Center INRC #2024-19; $99,725; PI
Graduate Research Assistants: Sydney Etten; Joe Hollis
Project Summary: This project will use Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling, focus groups, interviews, and existing survey data to assess attitudes and awareness of water quality issues in rural Iowan communities. Additionally, we will investigate residents’ awareness of these issues and associated programs aimed at tackling them. Much of the current literature related to this topic focuses on farmers’ perspectives on water quality issues. However, buy-in from wider rural communities may have a significant impact on the success of both initiative development and implementation. We therefore aim to close this research gap. GIS software will be used to create visually striking maps that will both inform our community selection and articulate our findings to stakeholders. Focus groups and follow-up interviews will allow us to identify rural citizen’s attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors linked to water quality issues and associated programs. Existing survey data will also serve to inform our questioning and supplement GIS data. At the conclusion of this project, we will produce a series of technical reports and policy briefs tailored to communities and policymakers. Additionally, a working paper will be produced with the aim of disseminating our findings to improve water-quality initiatives and community outreach.
"Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage"; NRCS RCPP Project 1896; $75,000; Co-PI
Project Summary: The Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage (ISACD) project will demonstrate a systems approach to improved farm profitability and sustainability in the Des Moines Lobe and Iowan Surface landforms while also substantially improving water quality, protecting source water, reducing flood risk, and improving wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. The ISACD will help to implement the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) and address its primary goals of improving nutrient management and reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses from non-point runoff by 41 % and 29%, respectively. ISACD will align several major agricultural industry partners to drive adoption of conservation practices among farmers and landowners. This effort will leverage the inherent flexibility of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to reach middle and late adopter farmers and landowners who have never applied for NRCS contracts before, and would likely not apply in the near future absent the intervention of ISACD private sector partners. The ISACD will create a public-private partnership with USDA to create transformational outcomes which NRCS would not be able to accomplish on its own with EQIP or other Farm Bill programs. Methods for delivering the ISACD will include capturing value from the latest advancements in precision agriculture, engaging the agricultural retail sector to drive in-field management practices among farmer customers, partnering with farm management companies to drive conservation practices with non-operator landowner customers, engaging land improvement contractors to drive adoption of edge-of-field conservation drainage practices, partnering with conservation organizations and landowners to restore oxbows and construct wetlands, documenting continuous improvement on environmental, social and economic outcomes, and adopting a comprehensive, systems-based approach to conservation drainage.
"Increasing the Profitability of Women-Operated Farms and Ranches"; USDA AFRI #2023-67023-40534; $649,997; Key Personnel
Project Summary: This project aims to increase the prosperity of women farmers, their families, and rural communities through research and extension activities. The project aligns with the primary goal of AFRI's Small and Medium-Sized Farms Program (Code A1601) and addresses four of the priorities (b, e, f, i). The USDA considers women farmers socially disadvantaged; statistics on farm size and sales affirm this classification.Research uses an integrated, qualitative-quantitative approach to (1) document changes between 2017 and 2022 in women farm operators' access to key agricultural resources, (2) examine the gender gap in farm profitability by farmer race and ethnicity between the years 2017 and 2022, (3) investigate the role of farming partners on women farm operators' access to key agricultural resources, level of enterprise diversification, and profitability, (4) assess, for women who are meeting their financial goals, the main factors supporting their financial success and their approach to succession planning on their farms.Extension activities increase the reach and effectiveness of University of Idaho Extension farm management programs that support beginning, small, and medium-sized women farmers. We will (1) provide Idaho women farm operators services to increase farm profitability and develop succession plans, (2) deliver business planning and risk management programs to women farm operators with beginning and small to medium-scale operations, (3) increase agriculture service and technical assistance providers' understanding of the unique needs of women operators and optimal approaches for working with this audiences, (4) share best practices, resources, educational curricula, and training tools available to support women operators.