Expanding Farmer Networking, Communication and Research

Karen Murphy

Surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges and vast panoramic views, the vast and fertile Snake River Plain in southern Idaho is the primary region for potato production in the west. But this production has come at a tremendous cost.

Potatoes are a very chemical-intensive crop – especially those grown in the Northwest. According to figures from the National Agriculture Statistics Service, the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho used over 65 million pounds of pesticides in potato production in 1997. Nationally, potatoes rank fifth in overall pesticide use after corn, soybeans, cotton, and grapes.

Many of the pesticides used have been linked to cancer, as well as impacts on the endocrine system, reproductive system and male fertility. In addition, pesticides and fertilizers used on potatoes are showing up in ground and surface water across the Snake River Plain.

In response to this problem, NCAP embarked upon an education project in 1997 to increase knowledge and communication about sustainable production practices for potatoes. There were four objectives for this project: a) to educate 1,000 farmers and farm community members through farm tours and other means, b) to increase communication between farmers, c) to expand the number of on-farm research and demonstration projects, and d) to establish a processor incentive program that would support and enable growers to utilize sustainable practices. Over the past three years the project has been funded by Western SARE, the Wallace Genetic Foundation, ARABLE and Patagonia.

Over 1,000 farmers and farm community members were educated about the benefits of sustainable agriculture practices in potato production. Through a combination of educational activities -- including farm tours, farmer meetings, newsletters, presentations and outreach to the press -- farmers and farm communities primarily in Idaho, but also other parts of the Northwest, learned about the benefits of compost, green manures, and other practices for building healthy soils and breaking up weed, pest and disease cycles in potato cropping systems. Just this year alone we had over 90 people attend our summer farm tour and 70 people attend our fall conference.

An exciting new publication profiling farmers that use sustainable production practices in potatoes was developed out of this project. The Farmer Exchange is a short, easy-to-read newsletter for farmers and others interested in learning what their neighbor-farmers are doing. With the help of another SARE project, the first issue was circulated to over 2,500 people across the Northwest. One farmer called us after reading it and said it was the best thing he had ever read. The newsletter is just one part of a larger effort to expand communication between farmers about the practices they are trying on their farms. In addition, we are beginning two farmer networks in southern Idaho.

As a result of this project, between 10 and 15 farmers in south central and eastern Idaho are exploring the use of green manures or other alternative practices on their farms. We are forming two farmer networks that will share information and ideas about sustainable production practices and marketing. We have worked with three farmers to obtain a SARE farmer/rancher grant and regularly distribute the SARE proposals to farmers. In addition and perhaps most exciting, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (probably the largest potato ground owner in Idaho, leasing out some 140,000 acres for the production of potatoes and wheat) is developing a long-term research and demonstration project on 154 acres to explore the use of green manures and different rotation crops to reduce groundwater contamination and chemical inputs on reservation lease land. This project could have significant long-term impacts on potato production in eastern Idaho, the West, and for the Tribes. NCAP has been working closely with the Tribes to develop and implement this demonstration project. And finally, we have begun discussions with a potato processor about developing a sustainable agriculture incentive program for their growers.

While there are many roles that non-profit organizations can play in advancing sustainable agriculture, probably what is most important is what we bring to the sustainable agriculture discussion that other institutions either cannot or are not willing to bring. First, most non-profit organizations have an agenda that aims to expand the adoption of sustainable agriculture at multiple levels. This agenda enables us to build diverse partnerships in a non-competitive manner. Second, we have no preconceptions about who should be part of the sustainable agriculture discussion. This approach enables us to build partnerships with a variety of individuals and institutions.

Karen Murphy
Sustainable Agriculture Program Associate
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
P.O. Box 1393
Eugene, OR 97440
Tel: (541) 344-5044
kmurphy@pesticide.org

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