Episode 192: Innovations in Organic Agriculture

smallfarmsustainability's podcast

We're bringing you a very special episode with guest host Dr. Kathleen Delate. Tune in as she interviews 4 organic farmers and an organic researcher engaged in organic technologies that may offer some value in organic operations. As with all technology, the benefits of technological innovations must be evaluated along with any trade-offs, which are explored in this podcast.

Seth Harbecke is a student at Iowa State University who farms organically with his family in western Illinois. Seth speaks with Dr. Delate on the advantages of utilizing data tracking technologies like FieldView in organic systems and provides guidelines on deciding if you should use them on your farm. Levi Lyle farms organically in Washington, Iowa, and chats with Dr. Delate on all things organic weed management. From weed zapping to organic no-till, Levi highlights the latest tools and production practices he utilizes to help manage weeds in his organic system. Scott Shriver, who farms 2,000 organic acres in Jefferson, Iowa, shares with Dr. Delate how he uses tractor steering guidance systems, like RTK, and provides a detailed explanation of how the technology works and how it can benefit larger organic operations. Michael O’Donnell is a Crop Specialist with Grain Millers in Indiana, and the Farm Certification Manager for the 4,000-acre organic Living Prairie Family Farm in northwest Indiana, where he has been helping perfect organic strip tillage and other innovations. He takes Dr. Delate through the process and provides details on how to integrate this system on your farm. Brad Heins is a professor of organic animal science at the University of Minnesota. He walks Dr. Delate through dairy management technologies from robotic milkers to sensors which improve breeding success and herd management for organic producers. He concludes with CowVacs for natural fly management and their research on automated calf feeders.