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The goal of this Research and Extension Planning Proposal is to develop a comprehensive OREI Integrated Project Proposal addressing energy in organic farming. A core group of critical stakeholders (for example, including but not limited to farmers, suppliers, buyers, researchers, processors, etc.), will be identified and assembled on UGA's campus to discuss the current state of energy as it pertains to organic farming.<P> Outreach program development and research question development will be the two primary outcomes from the proposed stakeholder's workshop. In particular, with regard to outreach, what information regarding energy in organic farming is needed, by whom, and how will it be disseminated. <P> The salient research questions and outreach needs, as elicited from the stakeholders engaged in this workshop, will be organized by UGA's Program Staff into an OREI Integrated Project Proposal.
Non-Technical Summary: This OREI Research and Extension Planning Proposal will develop a comprehensive OREI Integrated Project Proposal addressing energy in organic farming. Both organic farming and the global energy crises are fundamentally related to all sustainability efforts. Yet, energy (for example, required energy inputs, expected caloric outputs, policies, long-term goals, etc.) in organic farming remains a primitive area of understanding and discussion. A core group of critical stakeholders (for example, including but not limited to farmers, suppliers, processors, buyers, researchers, etc.), will be identified and assembled on University of Georgia's campus to facilitate the current state of energy as it pertains to organic farming. The salient research questions and outreach needs, as elicited from the stakeholders engaged in this workshop, will be organized by the Program Staff into an USDA OREI Integrated Project Proposal. <P> Approach: This Research and Extension Planning Proposal will first identify key stakeholders with regard to both organic agriculture and corresponding energy systems related operations, policies, and technologies. This process will involve but not be limited to specific governmental agencies, farmers, researchers, processors, and buyers. These stakeholders will be invited to convene a collaborative workshop on UGA's campus to formulate the outstanding issues with regard to energy use in the greater organic farming enterprise. Specific goals and objectives with regard to energy use in organic farming will be identified, synthesized, and organized into a comprehensive OREI Integrated Project Proposal by UGA's program staff. The original stakeholders engaged for the proposal development will also be engaged as an advisory panel to monitor the final OREI grant progress.