Research priorities are gathered from growers each year at the PWT meeting. Researchers then try to integrate farmers' priorities with their own research programs, and much good collaboration can result. Here are some examples of farmer-generated research ideas.

Research needs:

Whole Farm Systems:

• Whole farm analysis of established organic farms.
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data, to include experience of farm family. 
• Avoid comparisons of organic vs. conventional production.
• Analysis of whole farm fertility management.
• Evaluate carbon flows, including imports and exports of carbon.
• Cover crops, crop residues and yields.
• Fuel, etc.
• Develop long-term rotations to reduce disease and insect pressure.
• Integrate grain, vegetables and forage crops.
• Identify specific rotations for disease, weed and insect management.

Soil quality, fertility and organic matter management:

• Identify optimal soil organic matter levels.
• Identify effects of plant biomass on types of organic matter.
• Develop no-till or zone-till high residue tillage systems for organic producers.
• Soil fertility and soil testing.
• Indicators for organic growers.
• Recommendations/response to tests.
• Impacts of micronutrients and other soil amendments (i.e. sulfur) on soil biology and fertility.
• Impacts of soil management on crop health and productivity.
• Plant disease incidence and disease resistance.
• Weed pressure and weed species diversity.
• Insect pressure and crop tolerance.
• Methods for heavy metal or persistent pesticide remediation.
• Use and handling of crops that scavenge heavy metals .

Crop and Animal Management:

• Drainage systems to conserve water.
• Post harvest handling for organic produce.
• Testing of practices and varieties on long-term, certified organic farms.
• Nutrition programs for animal management.
• Root biology and mycorrhizal associations.
• Weed management.
• Pest management strategies.
• Evaluation of organically certified pesticides.
• Short- and long-term approaches (systems studies).
• Intercropping / cultural practices.
• Identify specific rotations for disease, weed and insect management.
• Cultural practices to enhance systems function and productivity.

Plant Breeding:

• Screen or develop varieties for nutrient efficiency, insect and disease resistance and adaptation to organic systems.
• All final selections to occur on long-term, certified organic farms.
• Late blight resistant or tolerant potatoes and tomatoes.
• No genetically engineered varieties.
• Screen for varieties with root structure and biology adapted for organic production.
• Those which have more mycorrhizal associations.
• Those with root architecture suitable for organic production.
• 'De-hybridization' of adapted cultivars, for organic production.
• Plant breeding for improved human nutritional value.
• Example: high protein soybeans (35% vs. 40% in 'Vinton').
• Plant breeding in small grains, for disease resistance, reduced lodging and nutrient efficiency.
• Identification and acquisition of germplasm of oats for CU collection, adapted to organic systems.
• Cover crop selection for locally adapted varieties and seed production of these varieties.

Making the Transition to Organic Production:

• Baseline measures to use as indicators to monitor during transition.
• Soil tests as indicators of soil quality for transition.
• Social, biological and psychological indicators of transition.
• Transition strategies for animal systems.
• Health and veterinary care.
• Feed access.
• Management approaches and mindset for transition.

Marketing, Economics and Farm business management:

• Transition to organic.
• Market opportunities for transitional crops.
• Economics of transition.
• Production costs/economics of organic enterprises.
• Economic impacts of National Organic Standards.
• Impacts of regional and global marketing on local production.

General Issues:

• Genetically engineered crops.
• Implications for organic crop purity and identity preservation.
• Management planning for crop identity preservation.
• Security of seed supply that is GMO free.
• Human and animal nutrition based on organic crops.
• Food safety of organic food.
• Impacts of National Organic Standards on local organic production and local organizations.

Extension needs:

• In-service training on organic plant and animal production and marketing.
• Target CCE educators, to encourage continued interest and sensitivity to organic grower needs.
• Develop support materials.
• Full spectrum of organic crop and animal production recommendations needed for CCE educators.
• Farm tours highlighting innovators.
• Building farmer networks to support organic transition and production.
• Nutrition education and food safety.
• Talking points on organic production to responding to the public.
• Baseline information for CCE and other groups.
• Support for new farmers and those going through transition.
• Understanding and anticipating changes with National Organic Standards.
• Transition decision-making.
• Costs/economics of transition.
• Self assessment for transition.