Growers can identify research needs in National Survey of Organic Farms
Organic Farming Research Foundation, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit working to advance organic farming, sent Thursday the 2015 National Survey of Organic Farmers to all 13,352 certified growers nationally.
The survey asks for data on farm size, production and location and about day-to-day experiences and challenges.
Responses by farmers will make up a comprehensive, data-driven report used to update the foundation’s National Organic Research Agenda, last released in 2007 and an influential roadmap used by USDA and research institutions.
“Organic farming has been historically underinvested in research and that’s starting to change,” said Brise Tencer, the foundation’s executive director.
Amid the sector’s growing demand, research interests include pest control, soil health, water conservation, pesticide drift and GMO contamination.
Dick Peixoto, owner of Lakeside Organic Gardens in Watsonville, said his most pressing needs are organic seed procurement and pest management.
“In the conventional world, you have a spray for every pest,” Peixoto said, “But in the organic world, you have to do research on how to manage the environment around you.”
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