Title: Cuttingedge Discoveries: Transforming Lives, Fueling the Economy
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2Cutting-edge DiscoveriesTransforming
Lives,Fueling the Economy
3- The Innovators
- Getting Back to BasicsFarmings Organic Future
John Reganold, Ph.D. Regents Professor of Soil
ScienceDepartment of Crop and Soil
SciencesCollege of Agricultural, Human, and
Natural Resource Sciences
4What is Organic Farming?
- It virtually excludes the use of agrochemicals by
relying on crop rotations, green manures, organic
fertilizers, biological pest controls,mechanical
cultivation,and modern technologies.
5Who Buys Organic?
- About two-thirds of U.S. consumers purchased
organic foods and beverages in 2005. - Most buy organic to cut their exposureto
chemicals in the foods they eat. - Many buy organic to support its producers
environmentally friendly practices. - Some buy organic because they believeit is more
nutritious.
6What About Organic Sales?
- U.S. organic food sales have grown between17 and
25 percent each year since 1991. - Total U.S. food sales over this time period have
grown in the range of only 2 to 4 percent a year. - Organic food sales in 2005 represented 2.5of
U.S. food sales (up from 0.8 in 1997). - U.S. organic food and beverage sales
wereestimated at more than 14 billion in 2005. - Sales are projected to more than doubleby 2011.
7Where is Organic Sold?
- In 2005, 46 percent of total organic food
saleswere handled through supermarkets,
grocerystores, and club stores. - Independent health food stores and natural
grocery chains accounted for 47 percent of sales.
- Direct sales through farmers markets,
co-ops,and exports represent the remaining 7
percent. - Organic farming is practiced in approximately100
countries throughout the world.
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9Organic Food Sale Projections
Total 13,831,000,000 Total 24,428,000,000
Source Nutrition Business Journal
10Organics and theState of Washington
- In 1985, the Washington State Legislature
passedthe Organic Food Products Act, which led
to the establishment of the Organic Food Program. - This program, begun in 1988 within the Washington
State Department of Agriculture, certifies
organic products within Washington State. - From 1983-2002, Washington State experienced more
than a 6-fold increase in organic acreage.
11At Washington State University . . .
- One of the first organic studies (1979) was
doneby David Holland and Stephen Kraten during
the 1970s energy crisis to see whether organic
grain production might be less energy intensive. - In 1980, Robert Papendick led the USDA Study Team
that published the 94-page report titled Report
and Recommendations on Organic Farming.
12More at WashingtonState University . . .
- In 1991, the Washington State Legislature created
the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural
Resources to promote healthy farms, food, and
people through research, extension, and teaching
programs. - In 2002, the Center published a survey of organic
research and education at WSU that identified
almost 50 faculty and staff who were involved in
organic research and education projects.
13Organic Agriculture Major
- First such major in the United States
- Open for enrollment Fall 2006
- Science-based and hands-on curriculum
14WSU Organic TeachingFarm and CSA
15What do studies comparing organic and
conventional farming systems tell us?
- Soil quality
- Crop yield and quality
- Financial performance
- Environmental quality
- Energy efficiency
- Social justice
16Apple Field Study
- Yakima County, Washington
- Replicated, on-farm
- ORG, INT, CON
- Soil topography identical
- Cultivars
- Golden Delicious (1994-1999)
- Gala (1999-2003)
- Grower/scientist managed
17Reganold, JP, JD Glover, PK Andrews, HR Hinman.
2001. Sustainability of three apple production
systems.Nature 410926-930.
- Soil quality
- Crop quality
- Farm profitability
- Environmental risks of pesticides
- Energy efficiency
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19Soil Quality Index
A
A
A
A
B
B
20 Golden Delicious Yields
NS
21Net Returns
50 premium for organic, none for integrated
NS
- Breakeven Point
- Organic 9 yrs
- Conventional 15 yrs
- Integrated 17 yrs
22Environmental Impact Stemilt Responsible
Choice program
7.7X
6.2X
4.7X
23Energy Efficiency, 1994-99 Output Input Ratio
1.11
1.13
1.18
24Conclusions(in first 6 years)
- Organic integrated systems had higher soil
quality and potentially lower negative
environmental impact - Yields tree growth were similar, but organic
fruit were smaller - Organic fruit were sweeter and as firm or firmer
- Organic system was more profitable
- Organic system was more energy efficient
- Organic system ranked first in overall
sustainability, integrated second, and
conventional last
25Strawberry Field Study
- Monterey Santa Cruz Counties, California
- Paired ORG/CON farms
- 5 pairs in 2004
- 8 pairs in 2005
- Soils topographies matchedfor each pair
- Cultivars
- Diamante
- San Juan
- Lanai
26Fruit SizeApples
Plt0.05
NS
NS
NS
Nature (2001) HortScience (2006)
27Fruit SizeStrawberries
Plt0.001
Conventional
Organic
Unpublished
28Fruit FirmnessApples
NS
Plt0.05
NS
NS
Golden Delicious
Gala
1998
1999
2002
2003
Nature (2001) HortScience (2006)
29Antioxidant ActivityApples
Plt0.05
NS
NS
Harvest
CA storage 3-month
HortScience (2006)
30PhytochemicalsStrawberries
Plt0.05
Unpublished
31Consumer Taste PanelApples
Intensity Like
2003 storage/shelf-life
Plt0.05
NS
HortScience (2006)
32Consumer Taste PanelStrawberries
Sweeter Like
P0.096
P0.062
P0.04
Unpublished
33Apples and Strawberries
- ORG apples and strawberries were smaller
- ORG apples were as firm or firmer and ORG
strawberries were sweeter - ORG apples had higher antioxidant activity and
ORG strawberries had higher polyphenol content - ORG apples stored better
- ORG apples and strawberries were generally
preferred by consumers
3412 Most Contaminated Fruits Vegetables Buy
These Organic
- Peaches (100)
- Strawberries (89)
- Apples (88)
- Spinach (85)
- Nectarines (85)
- Celery (83)
- Pears (80)
- Cherries (76)
- Potatoes (67)
- Sweet Bell Peppers (66)
- Red Raspberries (66)
- Imported Grapes (64)
www.ewg.org
3512 Least Contaminated Fruits Vegetables
- Papaya 23
- Kiwi 23
- Bananas 19
- Broccoli 18
- Onions 17
- Asparagus 16
- Sweet Peas 13
- Mangos 12
- Cauliflower 10
- Pineapples 6
- Avocados 4
- Sweet Corn 1
www.ewg.org
36Lower Your Intake of Pesticides Recommendations
(www.ewg.org)
- Substitute organic for conventional produce that
is consistently contaminated with pesticides. - When organic is not available, eat fruits and
vegetables with consistently low pesticide loads.
37Environmental Working Group(EWG) Findings
- Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and
vegetables will expose a person to nearly 20
pesticides per day, on average. - Eating the 12 least contaminated will expose a
person to slightly more than2 pesticides per
day.
38EWG Findings
- People can lower their pesticide exposureby 90
percent by avoiding the top twelvemost
contaminated fruits and vegetablesand eating the
least contaminated instead.
39Questions?
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41- Coming Up
- The Innovators lecture series
42- The Innovators October 18, Seattle
- Birth Defects and Older MothersPiercing
Together the Genetic Puzzle
Patricia Hunt, Ph.D. Edward R. Meyer
Distinguished Professorin Life and Environmental
Science School of Molecular Biosciences
43- The Innovators November 15, Seattle
- NanotechnologyThe Power to Fuel an Energy
Revolution
M. Grant Norton, Ph.D. Herman and Brita Lindholm
Endowed Chair and Professor School of Mechanical
and Materials Engineering
44- The Innovators December 7, Spokane
- Epigenetics, Heredity, and the EnvironmentThe
Ghost in Your Genes
Michael K. Skinner, Ph.D. Director and
Professor, Center for Reproductive BiologyCenter
for Integrated BiotechnologySchool of Molecular
Biosciences
45- For more information
- www.wsu.edu/theinnovators
- Toll free 1-877-978-3868