PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Contact: Amy Steigman
American Phytopathological Society
Phone: +1.651.454.7250
Web:
http://www.apsnet.org/meetings/2004/media.htm
E-mail: mailto:asteigman_at_scisoc.org
Plant Pathologists to Discuss the Future of Organic Farming
St. Paul, MN (June 22, 2004) - Organic farming is one of the fastest-growin=
g
segments of U.S. agriculture, with organic food sales reaching $9.3 billion=
in
2002. To ensure continued prosperity of this rapidly expanding industry, pl=
ant
pathologists with The American Phytopathological Society (APS) are calling =
for
additional organic farming research and adherence to established growing pr=
ocedures.
Standards for organic food were implemented in 2002 and include the creatio=
n
of National Organic Program Standards, which require producers to use a pla=
nned
systems approach to crop protection, said Monica Elliott, professor of plan=
t
pathology at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Educa=
tion
Center. However, additional organic farming research and education are need=
ed
in order to maintain viable organic farming systems, she said.
Because California has the largest output of organic crops of any state, pl=
ant
pathologists are looking to California's organic program as a model for org=
anic
farming programs nationwide. "Plant health scientists are working to meet t=
he
needs of organic farmers and the needs of consumers who want organic foods,=
"
said Elliott.
More on this topic will be presented during the Organic Foods: From Product=
ion
to Market symposium at APS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., July 31- Augu=
st
4, 2004. This session, to be held Tuesday, August 3, 2004 from 1 to 5 p.m. =
at
the Anaheim Convention Center, will examine organic agriculture from a plan=
t
pathology perspective and address questions regarding funding sources for o=
rganic
agricultural research, plant diseases and control methods, and the function=
of
the National Organic Standards Board.
A Sustainable Agriculture Day is also planned for Tuesday, August 3 at the =
Anaheim
Convention Center. This one-day event will be devoted to the discussion of =
new
developments in sustainable agriculture and will bring into focus the roles=
and
accomplishments of APS members in this area. This event is open to everyone=
for
a special one-day registration cost.
Members of the media are invited to attend annual meeting events and compli=
mentary
registration is available. The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is =
a
non-profit, professional scientific organization dedicated to the study and=
management
of plant diseases, with 5,000 members worldwide.
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Received on Tue Jun 22 2004 - 15:35:52 EDT