Center for Organic Agriculture

What is the Center for Organic Agriculture?

The Center for Organic Agriculture is a public-private partnership between the University of Florida, Gainesville and organic farmers. It is an affiliated organization with the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences. It is the result of a successful grant proposal application to the USDA.

Who are the directors of Center for Organic Agriculture?

Director: Dr. M.E. Swisher meswisher@ifas.ufl.edu

Co-director: Dr. Rose Koenig rosiesfarm@mindspring.com

What is the mission of Center for Organic Agriculture?

The mission of the center is to improve the development of food and fiber production systems that include the principles and practices of organic farming as defined by the USDA. The center’s achievements will have direct application in Florida and the rest of the Southeast region of the USA and other sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world. 

What is Organic Agriculture?

Organic agriculture is defined by the USDA (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/LabelReg.html) as a labeling term for products that:

(1) Have been produced and handled without the use of synthetic chemicals, except as otherwise provided in this chapter;

(2) Excluding livestock, not be produced on land to which any prohibited substances, including synthetic chemicals, have been applied during the 3 years immediately preceding the harvest of the agricultural products; and

(3) Be produced and handled in compliance with an organic plan agreed to by the producer and handler of such product and the certifying agent

Where is the Center for Organic Agriculture?

The COA is an administrative unit with a small office in 3031 McCarty Hall D on the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville, FL. 

How will Center for Organic Agriculture enhance UF performance?

The center will improve UF performance through improving the capacity to1) meet organic production research and extension needs, 2) respond to questions by consumers of organic foods, 3) gain national and international recognition for work in the area of organic production, 4) gain a larger market share of the organic food and fiber market and 5) implement imperatives of the Florida FIRST statewide efforts. 

What are the activities of Center for Organic Agriculture?

The center will implement and improve IFAS/UF activities in three areas: 1) research, 2) teaching and 3) extension. 

What kind of trainings does the Center for Agriculture hold?

The COA holds trainings with extension professionals in the Southeast Region of the USA (including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) about the National Organic Program and the Farm Plan. These trainings are to improve the extension agents’ understanding of organic production and their capabilities to attend the agriculturalists in the region. 

Who is a member of the Center for Organic Agriculture?

Membership in the COA is restricted to 1) UF faculty members actively engaged in research, teaching or extension in areas of interest to organic farmers and consumers, 2) members of the organic farming and consumer community actively involved in research, teaching or Extension activities with the University of Florida.  

How does Center for Organic Agriculture get funding for its activities?

(1) Professional Development Program grant

(2) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant

(3) Integrated Organic Program grant 

Does UF/IFAS/COA have certified organic land?

Yes, the Pine Acres Experimental Station near Citra, FL has 10 acres of certified organic land with 40 acres in transition to certified organic land. Daniel Colvin is the Director of Research Programs at Pine Acres Experimental Station and Courtesy Professor at the University of Florida.  

Other topics or links

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/agriculture/organic.html