SARE and USDA/ARS - Systems Research Partners

USDA-ARS Systems Projects that Could Benefit from SARE Partnerships
Northeast Region

Orono, ME, Wayne Honeycutt, New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory. Has one of the five ARS production economists, specialty in marketing, does analyses for risk of economic loss in diversification of potato-based systems based on production management strategies. Manure management in organic dairies and utilization in crop-based systems. Already working with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, and exploring connections with USDA Rural Development to develop value-added marketing chains for potato, other fresh market vegetables, and other rotation crops for potato-based production systems. Opportunities for Brassica energy crops in rotations with potatoes, as well as partnerships with Tribal nations interested in energy crop production. Cooperation with University of Maine and University of New Hampshire programs. For more information see New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory or contact C Wayne Honeycutt, (207) 581-3363.

Beltsville, MD, John Teasdale, Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory. Focus on organic production of both agronomic field crops and high-value vegetable crops. Specialization in fundamental mechanistic research in weed ecology and soil processes, as well as very innovative research in molecular triggers for genetic responses to organic soil conditions. The SASL projects are moving toward expanded research in integration of production systems research with marketing chains and market-driven objectives. The unit is in the early phase of shifting focus to urban/regional production in cooperation with Orono, ME and Watkinsville, GA to address food supply needs of the eastern seaboard market through use of seasonal distributed production. They have established cooperation with University of Maryland and Pennsylvania State University. For more information contact John R. Teasdale, (301) 504-5504.

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