Farming, Saturday, October 18, 2003
Rodale Field Study Measures Long-Term Effects Of Organic Farming
DAVE LEFEVER
Lancaster Farming Staff
KUTZTOWN (Berks Co.) A 23-year research project con
ducted by the Rodale Institute shows that organic fanning
methods build carbon and nitrogen levels in the soils, reduce
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and match or exceed con
ventional com and soybean yields, according to Paul Hepperly,
Rodale research manager.
On Oct. 10, the institute hosted a tour of the 12-acre research
site at Rodale’s 333-acre organic farm near Kutztown.
Hepperly explained the study’s findings to about SO invited
guests, including Dennis Wolff and Kathleen McGinty, secretar
ies of the Pennsylvania departments of agriculture and environ
mental protection, respectively.
According to Wolff, the study’s findings on greenhouse gas re
duction show “beyond the shadow of a doubt” the potential for
developing a market for “carbon credits,” in which farmers
would be rewarded for using methods that capture carbon diox
ide from the atmosphere.
Three different farming systems were tested in the study,
which began in 1981. Two of the systems were organic, using no
commercial fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. The third was a
“conventional” row crop system, using applications of synthetic
fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides based on Penn State recom
mendations.
All three systems were based on a corn/soybean crop rotation
and conventional tillage, although the organic plots used longer
rotations that included small grains, hay, and cover
crops.
Both organic systems used legume cover crops to
boost nitrogen levels in the soil. The only difference is
that one of them also received applications of dairy
cow manure once every five years.
For many farmers, yield results might be the most
surprising upshot of the study.
Hepperly reported that corn and soybean yields
from all three trials were not significantly different in
years with adequate rainfall.
After a transition period of four years, the organic
plots produced 125-150 bushels of com and 40-45
bushels of soybeans per acre in years with good rain
fall, same as in the conventional system.
But during droughty seasons (six out of the past 12
years, according to Hepperly), the organic plots yield
ed 20-30 percent higher in both com and soybeans, he
said.
In the drought of 2002, Hemperly said both organic
plots produced 118 bushels of com per acre, while the
conventional row crop system yielded 87 bushels per
acre. Soybean yields showed a similar disparity, he
noted.
The structure of soil built up by the organic system
allows plant roots better access to water and makes
the difference in dry years, according to Hepperly.
Building up measurable levels of stable organic matter
in the soil is a slow process, but results can be seen in
several years, he noted.
In 23 years, the organic plots that used legumes and
cow manure as soil amendments increased from about
1.8 to 2.5 percent in organic matter. The plots using
legumes alone went from 2.0 to 2.4 percent.
“You wouldn’t even be able to see this process in
Paul Hepperly, Rodale research man
ager, stands in a mixed cover crop of
wheat and hairy vetch used in organic
rotation with corn and soybeans in field
trials.
2004 AG DIRECTORY
The year 2004 marks the fourth annual Lancaster Farming
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book “Call On The Experts" It’s a component of our Ag
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fingertips The directory is scheduled in the Dec 27 issue
In 2003, the Ag Directory totaled 152 pages and was jam
packed with contact names, numbers, addresses, and even
Websites from agriculture in our eight-state region, including
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ence book will include more names, addresses, phone num
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the short term,” Hepperly said. However, “after three or four
years, you can notice a significant difference.”
This accumulation of organic or carbon-based matter in
soil excites people concerned about global warning because it
means less of the “greenhouse gas” carbon dioxide is free in the
atmosphere.
In other words, soil that is accumulating organic matter acts
as a carbon “sink” and reduces the threat of global warming,
according to Rodale’s interpretation of the study.
Hepperly reported that organically fanned soil in the trials
captured 600-1,000 pounds of carbon per acre per year in the
top foot of soil. The process is known as “carbon sequestration.”
The study results also show that nitrogen levels increased by
44-88 pounds per acre per year in the top 12 inches of soil in the
organic plots.
In the conventional system, neither carbon nor nitrogen levels
increased significantly in the soil, according to Hepperly’s re
port.
Other findings noted in the study report include:
• Organic systems emitted one third fewer greenhouse gases
by eliminating energy inputs required to produce synthetic pesti
cides and fertilizers.
• Production costs were 26 percent lower in the organic sys
tems.
• The organic systems reduced groundwater pollution by
eliminating the use of chemicals such as atrazine.
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mental protection have agreed to support further study, educa
tion, and outreach efforts of Rodale Institute to better under
stand the effects of organic farming on global warming.
“Pennsylvania is fortunate to be at the center of this exciting
research,” said Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania secretary of agricul
ture. “We have thought for years that carbon sequestration and
the development of a market for carbon credits offers new in
come opportunities for farmers, even as they help the environ
ment. (Rodale’s) research results show that potential beyond the
shadow of a doubt.”
Kathleen McGinty, Pennsylvania DEP secretary, said “Ro
dale’s findings will be most helpful in the development of future
greenhouse gas mitigation strategies that will be beneficial to
Pennsylvania’s citizens, its farmers, and its business owners.”
According to a Rodale Institute statement, the study was the
first to differentiate organic farming from conventional ag in its
carbon sequestration ability.
“Organic farming is a powerful tool in the global warming ar
senal,” said Anthony Rodale, chairman of Rodale Institute. “It
puts agriculture into a lead role in regenerating the environ
ment.”
Wolff said that a carbon credit system would offer a certain
number of dollars per acre to farmers using no-till and/or organ
ic practices. He and McGinty will be having meetings on devel
oping such a program within the month, he said.
“It’s one way Pennsylvania could lead the nation, through
that kind of approach,” Wolff said.
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