Scientists to discuss climate smart organic agriculture at upcoming symposium

October 19, 2020 – Climate change creates many challenges for sustainable food production. Farm management decisions are changing to adapt to increased environmental stressors. Scientists are investigating sustainable, organic practices that could increase the stability and resiliency of farming. The “Climate Smart Organic Agriculture” symposium at the Translating Visionary Science to Practice ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting will address these topics.

The meeting is being held virtually, Nov. 9-13, 2020 and is hosted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. Media are invited; preregistration is required.

The presentations are:

1. “Organic Management is a Climate Smart Strategy for California Irrigated Systems,” presented by Amelie Gaudin, University of California-Davis. Agricultural practices have the potential to stabilize yields and build up resilience to multiple stressors. A whole-system approach, like organic management, could nudge production systems towards resilient states by leveraging soil health and biodiversity to decrease the incidence of environmental stresses. Long-term trial results show organic management has maintained tomato yields comparable to conventional management while increasing yield stability and resistance. In addition, organic farming systems using compost for fertility can also store significant amounts of carbon in soils.
2. “Perenniality and Diversity Improve Stability and Climate Resilience of Cropping Systems,” presented by Valentin Picasso, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Crop systems differ in the number and type (annual versus perennial) of crop species and management practices (organic versus conventional). These factors impact food production and the environment. An analysis of historical crop yield data shows that cropping systems with more perennial crops are more stable over time, and those with greater crop diversity are more resilient to drought. Increased use of perennial forages and pastures can add stability to traditional cropping systems.
3. “Can Organic Agriculture Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change?: Insights from Long-Term Research,” presented by Michel Cavigelli, United State Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Service.  

Presentations may be watched asynchronously, and there will be a scheduled Q&A time to speak with presenters during the meeting. Presentations will be available for online viewing for 90 days after the meeting for all registrants. For more information about the Translating Visionary Science to Practice 2020 meeting, visit https://www.acsmeetings.org/.

Media are invited to attend the conference. Pre-registration by Nov. 2, 2020 is required. Visit https://www.acsmeetings.org/media for registration information.

To speak with one of the scientists, contact Susan V. Fisk, 608-273-8091, [email protected] to arrange an interview.