*Call for Papers*
Organic Agriculture Research Symposium
February 25-26, 2015
La Crosse, WI
The Organic Agriculture Research Symposium invites submissions for proposed
research papers to be presented. The Symposium will take place immediately
before the Organic Farming Conference organized by the Midwest Organic and
Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). Co-sponsored by the University of
Wisconsin's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), the
conference invites researchers from all disciplines related to organic
farming and food systems, and other systems of sustainable agriculture that
employ techniques compatible with organic standards.
Topic tracks of interest include:
· Functional biodiversity 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 renewable
energy systems;
· 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;
· 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. Works in progress
may be considered, but the paper for the proceedings will need to be
completed by December 31, 2014.
The symposium will be held in La Crosse, WI on February 25 and 26, with
plans to broadcast by live streaming. The intent of the symposium is to
provide current information to farmers, ranchers, extensionists, educators,
agricultural professionals and others interested in organic agriculture,
held in conjunction with a meeting that is 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 <http://www.eorganic.info>.
The deadline for submissions is *May 31, 2014. *Abstracts should be sent to
Brian Baker at [log in to unmask]. Researchers with questions about the
conference can call 541-228-0876.
