Organic Literature Review Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Jim Shrefler, Extension Horticulturist Merritt Taylor, Agricultural Economist

This talk is intended to: Provide an overview of how to approach the control of weeds using management practices that may include a combination of cultural, mechanical, biological and “chemical” approaches. Emphasize the need for an integrated approach that, if sustained, will contribute to the long term viability of the organic farm.

“Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet” Abraham Lincoln

“Don’t believe everything you read” Several of my school teachers

Importance of Using Sound and Factual Agricultural Information In more developed situacions, people are cushioned from farm production failures. In less developed situations, people look to the developed world for technical guidance. We should ask: –Are practices demanded by our markets based on sound information?

General Categories of Information That learned over many generations That found in widely distributed publications That promoted by “expert” practicioners – (and also writers) That found in summary articles and books; Authors having credentials That found in publications receiving critical, authoritative, peer review

Information on Organic Farming and Gardening There is an endless amount of information Some information is original –Much is recycled or repackaged There is a lot of good information –There is also some questionable information Certain very good information may not be applicable to all situations

Information on Organic Farming There is an endless SourcePurposeCommentsExample Commercial magazines Sell magazines, advertise information must appear sound Trade magazines Sell magazines, industry news, advertise Expert writers and readers Gardening websites individual desire to express ideas Easy & inexpensive Expert based organizations May be commercial or public Likely has a review & referee mechanism Academic sources Publish research based information Expert writers and review & referee

Categories of Organic Information Organic Standards – Overall system analysis & understanding Production practice information –Cropping systems – cover crops, soil fertility, etc –Specific crop production practices –Pest and disease management issues Justification of Organic production –Ecological factors –Product & consumer reasons – markets, health, etc Economic, marketing, international issues