Organic Perennial Grain System: A Research, Education, and Extension Imperative for the Southern U.S.

Abstract: Drs. Edwin Ritchey and John Grove will lead the Extension and Outreach component of the grant for the University of Kentucky. Interest in organic production of crops is on the rise in the southeastern United States. The push for organic production is partly due to perception/evidence of “healthier food”, reduced food allergies with production of certain grains (e.g. gluten intolerance, Celiac disease), and generally a higher overall marketable price. Organic production practices and resources are not as readily available as for conventionally produced grain crops and this educational component is an important aspect of this project. The University of Kentucky has some Extension Publications, e.g. “ID-225 Organic Corn Production in Kentucky”, but additional information would be helpful for clientele that utilize organic production practices. Ritchey and Grove will provide appropriate trainings and offer ?eld day and demonstrations in Kentucky and surrounding areas as appropriate. We plan to either hold one ?eld day/demonstration in the fall of 2024 focused establishment and soil fertility concerns and practices associated with seeding of cover crops (smother crops). Facilities are present to move indoors if inclement weather occurs to continue the trainings. We will plan to have two ?eld days/demonstrations in year two and three ?eld days/demonstrations in year three. Some of the ?eld days will be held at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center (UKREC) located in Princeton, Kentucky. We have a producer that has agreed to hold a ?eld day on his farm after the ?rst year of this project. Field days with demonstrations are great opportunities to bring like-minded producers together and allow for information exchange between different producers and operations. We plan to organize a workshop to bring organic producers and specialists together in the fall of 2025 and 2026 to extend the results of the research component of this project to producers and interested parties.