HOW REGENERATIVE MANAGEMENT AFFECTS THE TRANSITION TO ORGANIC FOR CROPPING SYSTEMS OF THE SOUTHEAST

The overall goal is to identify the effects of transitioning to organic systems, with and withoutregenerative management, on yields, crop quality, soil fertility and health, soil biology, pestdamage and profitability relative to conventional production, by completing these objectives:1. Quantify how the transition to organic, with and without regenerative management, affects cropyield and quality, soil fertility and health, microbially-driven carbon and nutrient cycling, andeconomic costs, returns and risks compared to conventional systems.2. Determine the effects of transitioning to organic systems, with and without regenerativemanagement, on weeds, diseases, and nematodes, relative to conventional systems.3. Increase the capacity for producers to make complex, system-level decisions that maintainprofitability, build soil health, facilitate conservation, and enhance sustainability.