The symposium will feature researchers from all disciplines related to organic farming and food systems, and other systems of sustainable agriculture that employ techniques compatible with organic standards.
Research topics of interest include:
- Agroecology and ecosystem services provided by organic farming systems;
- Soil health, quality and nutrient cycling;
- Biological and cultural practices to manage insects, diseases and weeds;
- Holistic animal health and nutrition, grazing and pasture management systems;
- Breeding, selection of crops and animals, and seed systems suitable for organic production;
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation, including water conservation;
- Integration of perennials in organic farming systems and permaculture system design;
- Value-added production and processing without synthetic food additives and processing aids;
- Nutritional quality, health benefits and integrity of organic food;
- Organic agriculture’s impact on rural communities;
- Organic farm economics, marketing and consumer behavior;
- Innovative educational approaches to teach organic farming practices;
- Appropriate methods and practices for systems and on-farm research; and
- Public policies to facilitate the transition to organic farming.
Researchers are asked to submit an abstract not to exceed 500 words that includes names of the co-authors, contact information, a working title, the topic area, an introduction that explains the context and purpose of the research, the methods used, and a brief summary of the results and conclusions. Cross-disciplinary papers are encouraged.
The intent of the symposium is to provide current information to farmers, ranchers, extensionists, educators, agricultural professionals and others interested in organic agriculture. OARS will be held in conjunction with EcoFarm, a well-established ecological farming conference regularly attended by organic producers and processors. Presentations will be selected based on their innovative excellence, relevance to the research needs and priorities of organic farmers and ranchers, soundness of the methodology used, and the overall scientific quality. Proceedings will be open-access and electronically available via eOrganic.info.
The deadline for submissions is September 2105 , 2015.
More information
Contact
- Brise Tencer, OFRF Executive Director
- Dr. Diana Jerkins, OFRF Research Director
Conference website
Abstract submission
Abstracts should be sent to Brian Baker at bpb33@cornell.edu. Researchers with questions about the OARS symposium can call Baker at +1 541-228-0876, or OFRF at +1 831 426-6606.
The organisers
- Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is a non-profit foundation that works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.
- The Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center, founded in 1965, is one of nine world-class agricultural research centers operated by the University of California.
- Ecological Farming Association’s EcoFarm conference is the longest-running organic and sustainable farming conference in North America. The 2016 EcoFarm conference takes place January 19 – 23 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA.
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