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-----Original Message----- From: Greg Vlaming [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Subject: Organic Research at SWMREC 'Unique Opportunity in Baseline Data Collection on Transition Organic Plot at Southwest Michigan Research and Education Center' near St. Joesph, MI The approx. 20 acre area located in the NW corner of SWMREC will soon be available for research of various practices relevant to the organic production of fruits, vegetables and field crops in Michigan. Funding has been secured for the first year (of a three year) 'transition' toward certified organic status per the National Organic Program. The proposal calls for the area to be planted into a cover crop in year one, following collection of soil samples for baseline soil fertility data. Compost will then be applied and the cereal rye/alfalfa cover crop will be seeded in spring of 2007. In the future, the perennial cover crop can be plowed in (if needed) to facilitate various research projects. Historically, the majority of the gentle to moderately sloping site has been in a corn/soybean rotation, in addition to a few blocks of young peach trees, all of which are to be removed. The site generally has a loamy sand type soil. This site is available for use in the research and evaluation of various facets of organic production methods, and the economic analysis thereof. What is unique now is that researchers have the opportunity to collect relevant baseline data for later comparison with treatment effects of future research. If you have any interest in collection of data prior to any treatment this spring, or questions about future organic research opportunities at this location, please contact: Greg Vlaming MSU Extension Educator Berrien County, MI. 269-944-4126 x 2040 [log in to unmask] This email message and all attachments transmitted with it from Berrien County are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html