Nick, Author at Ceres Trust

Wild bee abundance and diversity on organic vegetable farms in response to local landscape factors

Graduate Student: Kathryn J. Prince, Departments of Entomology and Agroecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison ([email protected]) Faculty Advisor: Dr. Russell L. Groves, Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin- Madison ([email protected]) Project Period: 2015 View/Download Full Report in PDF Format Abstract Agricultural intensification has been linked to the decline of pollinators like bees. Organic farms often support a…

Dual flow continuous culture fermentation of organic BMR sorghum-sudangrass and teff grass to determine digestibility of forages in an organic dairy grazing system

Investigator: Kathryn E. Ruh, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota [email protected] Collaborators: Bradley Heins, Ph.D., University of Minnesota – WCROC, Morris, MN Project Period: 2015-2016 View/Download Full Report in PDF Format Project Summary Organic dairy cattle must have at least 120 days on pasture and at least 30% of their dry matter intake must come from pasture forage. Typically,…

The Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada – Preface by Kent Whealy

When viewed in its entirety, this comprehensive compendium of minutely detailed varietal descriptions, meticulously recorded by expert pomologists, plus the histories of the apples’ origins and movement around the country, is mind-boggling. What a loss if Dan Bussey’s research in its entirety, encompassing the voices and expertise of two centuries of pomological authors and literature on apples, had never been published or illustrated so stunningly. What an honor to be able to help facilitate both.

Evaluation of carrot (Daucus carota, L.) for traits related to early seedling establishment and canopy growth in organic systems

Graduate Student: Sarah Turner, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, [email protected] Faculty Advisor: Dr. Erin Silva, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, [email protected] Project Period: 2015-2016 View/Download Full Report in PDF Format Abstract Carrots are an important crop for many organic vegetable growers, but weed control remains a major challenge due to slow emergence and delayed…

Organic Forage Blends (Response of row cropping of mixed seeds of corn and soybean at different seeding ratios on forage yield, nutrient yields and quality grown under organic condition)

Graduate Student: Ishwary P Acharya, Dairy Science Department, South Dakota State University Faculty advisor: Dr. David P Casper, Dairy Science Department, South Dakota State University View/Download Full Report in PDF Format Abstract A field plot study was laid out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates to evaluate two organic corn hybrids…

Evaluating Biological Control of Brassica Pests in Urban Land Repurposed for Farming

Student Investigator: David Lowenstein, Department of Biological Science, University of Illinois-Chicago, [email protected] Faculty Advisor: Emily Minor, Department of Biological Science, University of Illinois-Chicago, [email protected] Project period: 2014-2016 Abstract: Urban farms bring economic and ecological productivity to underdeveloped spaces in Midwestern (USA) cities. As planted row and vegetable crops are added, there is increased susceptibility to…

SWROC High Tunnel: Improving Soil Health and Increasing Rotation Options for Organic Vegetable Production 2016

Paulo Pagliari, Soil Scientist Carl Rosen, Soil Scientist Lee Klossner, Research Fellow University of Minnesota, Southwest Research and Outreach Center March 31, 2016 View/Download Full Report in PDF Format Introduction The University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) near Lamberton, MN, built three organic high tunnels in 2010 that have been used for…

Innovative conservation tillage strategies in organic cropping systems for improving soil health and microbial activity

Peyton Ginakes, Applied Plant Science PhD student Dr. Julie Grossman, Dept of Horticultural Sciences Abstract Strip tillage in combination with living mulches have gained traction in recent years due to possible environmental benefits and associated soil fertility enhancement, particularly for organic systems. This study examined two separate living mulch systems and the effect of reduced/strip-till…

Participatory variety trials for flavor, quality and agronomic performance to increase direct market opportunities and on farm trialing capacity for organic growers

Graduate Student: Kitt Healy MS Agroecology and MS Horticulture Candidate University of Wisconsin, Madison 630-346-4749 1575 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706 [email protected] Faculty Advisor: Julie Dawson University of Wisconsin, Madison 608-609-6165 [email protected] Abstract Sales to local food markets can be a valuable opportunity for organic producers. Access to these markets depends on raising highFquality produce.…

Open Source Carrots

Graduate student final project report submitted to The Ceres Trust. Project Leader: Claire Luby, Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture Major Advisor: Dr. Irwin L. Goldman· University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture · 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI, 53706 Collaborators: Steve Pincus and Beth Kazmar, Tipi Organic Produce Ceres Trust Funding Awarded: $10,000…