By Rebecca Champagne, PhD, OFRF Conservation Scientist
Annually, as a part of our Cooperative Settlement with the USDA Pure Assets Conservation Service (NRCS), the Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF) publishes a analysis abstract and holds webinars on numerous natural matters to assist construct NRCS employees information of natural programs and equip them to raised assist the distinctive wants of natural and transitioning-to-organic farmers throughout the nation. This summer time we revealed our 2026 annual abstract on the most recent natural analysis and led accompanying webinars.
Annual Analysis Summaries from OFRF
These annual analysis summaries present a take a look at the most recent natural agriculture analysis throughout quite a lot of matters, and are supposed to present NRCS employees, service suppliers, natural farmers, and different events with in-depth academic data on the conservation advantages of natural programs. These summaries present each transient analysis highlights and complete summaries for every subject, together with connections between the analysis and NRCS Useful resource Considerations and Conservation Apply Requirements.
Our 2026 abstract lined analysis on pest and nutrient management in natural manufacturing, diversified cropping programs, constructing soil well being and soil natural carbon, and different agronomic analysis reminiscent of natural dry bean cultivar evaluations and natural candy potato rising practices. You may take a look at these analysis summaries on our web site!
> Learn our 2026 Annual Analysis Abstract on Conservation Advantages of Natural Administration
Natural Analysis Updates: Two-Half Webinar Sequence
Rebecca Champagne, OFRF’s Conservation Scientist, led a two-part webinar sequence for NRCS this summer time to accompany the 2026 analysis abstract. The webinars offered detailed data on the totally different analysis areas, providing perception into peer-reviewed analysis therapies and outcomes, and the connection between the analysis matters and Nationwide Natural Program (NOP) laws for natural manufacturing.
The first webinar, held on July 14, dove into the matters of pest and weed administration, nutrient administration, and soil natural carbon. Among the analysis lined included:
- Cultural and mechanical weed management methods.
- Natural strategies for managing insect pests reminiscent of noticed wing drosophila, alfalfa weevil, and wireworms.
- Utilizing cattle manure to produce nitrogen and phosphorus in semi-arid rising environments.
- Sensible conservation takeaways for constructing soil natural carbon.
The second webinar, held on August 18, lined analysis on soil well being, diversified cropping programs, and different analysis reminiscent of natural crop cultivar evaluations and agronomic trials. Among the analysis lined included:
- Soil well being challenges in excessive tunnel manufacturing.
- Integrating chickens into diversified natural vegetable manufacturing.
- Utilizing mushrooms as feed components for animal vitamin.
- Dwelling cowl crop mulch versus plastic mulches.
Almost 250 attendees tuned in throughout the 2 webinars. Each webinars concluded with a Q&A session so members may ask follow-up questions and get clarification on the analysis and related NOP laws.
Interested by viewing these webinars? Recordings can be found on-line by way of Conservation Webinars — take a look at webinar one right here and webinar two right here!
Upcoming Natural Farming Webinars with NRCS
OFRF can be internet hosting a number of webinars for NRCS over the subsequent few years, protecting totally different matters associated to natural farming. Webinar members even have the possibility to check what they study and earn Licensed Crop Advisor Persevering with Schooling Models (CEU) by answering quiz questions on the finish of every webinar. By figuring out and summarizing the most recent peer-reviewed analysis and highlighting sensible conservation takeaways, we purpose to assist NRCS employees and Technical Service Suppliers higher perceive natural manufacturing necessities, challenges, and what profitable conservation apply implementation on natural operations can appear to be.
To study extra about our Cooperative Settlement with NRCS, contact Rebecca Champagne at [email protected].
To remain up-to-date with the most recent natural farming information, analysis updates, and alternatives for advocacy, signal as much as obtain the OFRF e-newsletter at https://ofrf.org/get-involved/receive-news/!
