From The Director
Humboldt County CE-SAREP collaboration establishes county organic crop program

Although it is a rural county more than 250 miles north of the nearest metropolitan area (San Francisco), Humboldt County is far from lacking in impact on the California scene. Ten state parks and the Redwood National Park contain some of the most unique and diverse natural resources of the Pacific Rim, and the forests and rivers of Humboldt County have been designated at part of a United Nations Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site. The World Wildlife Fund identifies the Humboldt County area as one of the most diverse eco-regions on the planet. However, like most rural counties in the western United States, Humboldt County has begun a long and difficult transition from reliance on resource extraction industries as an economic base, to eco-tourism and service-based activities that emphasize conservation and sustainability of resource use. The boom forest harvest years of the 1950s and early 1960s are slowly giving way to a more long-term vision of resource stewardship.

With a population of only 130,000 residents, Humboldt County hosts over a million annual tourist visitors, many of whom revel in the environmental sensitivity of the region, and the balance of economic and environmental conservation. However, in the midst of this natural beauty, per capita incomes of residents remain among the lowest in California, and new resource-based economic activities are necessary. One visible area of growth and new support for Humboldt County stewardship is the emergence and strengthening of a successful organic production community. In 2001, Humboldt County ranked thirteenth among all California counties in number of registered organic producers (65). That year organic growers and processors declared a farmgate sales value of nearly $1 million in Humboldt County. Dairy products, herbs, and vegetables are at the top of the list of organic crops in the county.

In January 2002, under the leadership of UC Cooperative Extension County Director Deborah Giraud, SAREP made a three-year grant of $150,000 available to support research and extension activities related to organic farming systems. The Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation provided the funds to SAREP. The goals of the new Humboldt County Cooperative Extension Organic Farming Program are to increase knowledge about organic and sustainable agricultural practices and to make this information easily accessible. Annie Eicher, a biologist who holds a master’s degree in plant science from Humboldt State University, was hired in January 2002 as program coordinator.

As a first step in the planning and development of the Organic Farming Program, Eicher gathered information on Humboldt County organic farmers to better understand and meet their needs. She examined records on file with the Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner and obtained additional information from the Humboldt County Farm Bureau, the North Coast Growers Association, the Fortuna Market Association, and the Southern Humboldt Farmers Market Association. Eicher assessed information on types of crop produced, acreage, revenue, and trends over the last ten years and summarized the findings in a booklet and made available to the public.

She then developed a questionnaire as a planning tool, which was distributed to Humboldt County growers. The form listed a number of potential services the new Organic Farming Program could provide, with checkboxes to indicate how useful each service would be. A checklist of topics, with space provided for write-in suggestions, was included to determine which topics farmers would like to learn more about or would like to see as the subject of research. About 70 percent of those responding thought that on-farm research would be a “very useful” service, and most indicated an interest in participating in the program. Educational workshops were also ranked “very useful”; weed management, pest and disease resistance, and soil fertility management ranked the highest as potential research topics.

Based on the questionnaire responses, Eicher initiated a research project with three organic farmers and the producer of a liquid fish fertilizer and liquid kelp extract. The study was designed to assess the effects of these fertilizers on nutrient uptake and yield in strawberries, cantaloupes and potatoes, and to assist organic farmers in the selection and use of fertilizers approved for use in certified organic production. Soil samples and plant tissue samples were sent to the DANR Analytical Lab for analysis. The farmers participating in the study weighed the yield harvested from each study plot. The research project is in progress, and plots have been established for next season.

In response to the increasing level of interest in organic dairy production in Humboldt County, Eicher also gathered information on organic livestock management and on the new federal regulations for organic livestock management. A packet of handouts was prepared for those considering a transition to organic production. Eicher and Ken Andersen, the new Humboldt County Cooperative Extension dairy advisor, made site visits at local dairies interested in making the transition to organic milk and cheese production to review the process.

In November 2002, I had the pleasure of attending an all-day workshop led by Eicher on “Organic Certification and Compliance Issues” for farmers and retailers in Arcata that informed participants about the recently enacted federal regulations and addressed their concerns and questions about the certification process. More than 90 participants filled the Bayside Grange Hall for speakers and panel discussions. Meeting evaluations received were positive and enthusiastic, with most participants noting, in particular, that their individual questions were answered.

As this first-ever collaboration among SAREP, the Clarence E. Heller Charit-
able Foundation, and UC Cooperative Extension in Humboldt County continues, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the important work that has begun in support of organic farming research and extension in Humboldt County. SAREP will continue to support and leverage these partnerships and will continue to advocate that university programs play a central role in the demonstration of successful extension models in the organic production community.—Sean L. Swezey, director, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program

(IN OUR Next ISSUE: SAREP, Small Farms Program and County Cooperative Extension collaborate on eight new county organic programs.)