Los procesos didácticos

Exemplifying the growing interest in organic research, the Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman in late September announced 4,614,980 US $ in grants that the USDA has awarded for eleven projects in six states to strengthen the Integrated Organic Program, which supports research, extension, and higher education programs. The grants were awarded to:

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University of Arkansas, 305,015 US $ for slow-growing broilers in organic production.

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University of California at Santa Cruz, 571,902 US $ for improving fertility and pest management strategies for organic crop production and strengthening research/grower network.

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University of California at Davis, 297,814 US $ for nutrient dynamics, soil biota and functional biodiversity at an organic farm and US $ 186,624 for the activity and suppression of soil-borne pathogens and pests in organic versus conventional plots.

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Tufts University, 197,768 US $ for strengthening the scientific foundation of organic standards on animal health and welfare.

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University of Minnesota, 463,645 US $ for soybean aphid suppression using a fall-seeded rye cover crop.

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Cornell University, 518,306 US $ for the transitioning dairy, 894,450 US $ for the organic seed partnership, and 575,028 US $ for a research and education partnership for increased competitiveness of organic grain and vegetable farms.

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University of Vermont, 301,161 US $ for profitability and transitional analysis of Northeast organic dairy farms.

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USDA’s Agricultural Research Service Tree Fruit Laboratory in

Wenatchee, WA, 303,267 US $ for use of resident biological resources for the management of replant disease in organic tree fruit production systems.

In addition, new research from The Rodale Institute funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has shown that by composting manure, farmers can significantly improve the quality of water entering the nation’s watersheds. The report, Water Agriculture and You, demonstrates that compost provides optimum nutrient levels for crop growth while minimising non-point nutrient pollution of ground and surface waters. Research at The Rodale Institute also documents that the use of organic farming practices reduces agricultural water pollution by up to 75 percent, improves quality in surface and ground waters, and benefits water quality in downstream marine environments.

Meanwhile, activities are picking up for The Organic Center for Education and Promotion. Established in 2002 by OTA as an independent, charitable non-profit organisation, The Organic Center for Education and Promotion in May 2003 officially launched a fundraising campaign to fund its work. The mission of The Organic Center is to provide consumers, health care professionals, educators, public officials, and government agencies with credible scientific information about the benefits linked to organic agriculture and products. It is a clearinghouse for this information, tracking research, both past and current, analysing the results and providing it to the public, the media, and government agencies. The Organic Center works with leading researchers to prioritise and fund new scientific investigations into the benefits of organic, and to disseminate the findings through educational, promotional and media- related activities.

A Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) comprised of knowledgeable experts from the United States and the international community provides assistance and counsel for the research and interpretive activities of The Organic Center. STAC is responsible for shaping and overseeing The Organic Center’s scientific and technical programs, and for identifying and initiating priority research projects on the benefits of organic food and farming systems.

Recently, The Organic Center granted 141,130 US $ in its first round of funding for three research projects. The awards are for:

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A Washington State University team led by Dr. John Reganold investigating the differences in nutrition, taste and pesticide residue between strawberries grown on organic and conventional farms in the Pacific Northwest.

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The World Vegetable Center’s research into the concentrations of lycopene and other phytochemicals in tomatoes grown using conventional and organic management systems. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products that may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases.

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A Tufts University proposal to develop effective tools for measuring food quality that discerns the difference between organic and conventionally produced foods. There’s a strong testing program in place for pesticide residues in organic and conventionally grown foods. The study of nutrition, taste and other differences is a relatively new field. The research funded by The Organic Center will help scientists compare “apples to apples,” literally. The study will be led by Kathleen Merrigan and Jeffrey

In addition, The Organic Center in May 2004 issued its first State of Science report, entitled “Minimising Pesticide Dietary Exposure Through the Consumption of Organic Food.” It intends to continue to issue State of Science reports as they become available.

13.1.8 All Things OrganicTM

Held for the fourth year in a row, OTA’s All Things OrganicTM _{Conference and}

Trade Show for the first time co-located with four other food-oriented food shows (Food Marketing Institute Show, the Fancy Food Show, United Produce Expo & Conference, and the U.S. Food Export Showcase) in May 2004 in Chicago, IL.

A resounding success, the trade show produced in partnership with Diversified Business Communications drew over 9,000 attendees over three days, while the accompanying conference featured three outstanding keystone speakers, 33 conference sessions, an organic fiber fashion show, welcome party, urban organic tour, dinner and awards ceremony, and much more.

Plans are now under way for OTA’s 2005 All Things OrganicTM _Conference

and Trade Show, slated for April 30 to May 3, once again at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Meanwhile, OTA has begun posting profiles of some of its members on its web site. To read more about some success stories of these North American companies, go to www.ota.com/ about/memberprofiles.html.

Picture 16: Over 9,000 attendees in May

In document Compartimos nuestras costumbres navideñas (página 31-44)