[compost_tea] Anyone read this research or hear the presentation?

From: tomjasz <tom_at_livesoil.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 19:28:37 -0000

PRESS ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
June 18, 2004
CONTACT: Jane Sooby, (831) 426-6606
Cornell researcher to discuss vermicompost and compost tea
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The Organic Farming Research Foundation will
host a public presentation on June 25 by Allison Hornor, a graduate
student at Cornell University, entitled "Perspectives on human
pathogens in vermicompost and compost tea: history, research and
policy."
The use of compost tea and vermicompost in organic agriculture is
controversial largely because of the lack of scientific data on
conditions under which pathogens such as E. coli may grow in these
materials. Compost tea, or a water extract of compost, is quite
popular with many organic farmers and gardeners who spray it on
plants primarily for disease control and to promote plant growth.
Vermicompost--a soil amendment made by feeding various wastes to red
worms and collecting the castings--is used for similar purposes. The
reasons for the effectiveness of both materials are unknown and only
beginning to be studied by scientists.
The USDA's National Organic Program is currently developing standards
for how compost tea may be made and applied--though it's possible
they will ban it outright due to lack of information. Particular
issues of concern are aeration levels in the teas and addition of
simple sugars to stimulate microbial growth.These factors may
influence the growth of pathogens in compost teas. The use of
vermicomposted animal manures in organic agriculture is also
currently under review.
OFRF first funded Hornor's work in 2003, believing that the research
would provide valuable data on which USDA can base regulatory
decisions. Hornor has developed microbiological methods for detecting
virulence genes in compost and compost tea in order to track survival
of pathogens through the tea brewing process. She has focused
particularly on vermicompost and the survival of human pathogens
during passage through the worm gut. Hornor is also experimenting
with the effect of different sugar and oxygen levels on pathogen
survival in compost tea.
The talk will be at the Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange on Friday, June
25, from 2-3:30 pm. The 1-hour talk will be followed by a half-hour
open discussion. This presentation should be of great interest to
organic farmers, gardeners, and consumers. This event is free to the
public, and all are welcome.
For more information, contact Jane Sooby, Organic Farming Research
Foundation, at 831-426-6606, e-mail jane_at_ofrf.org






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Received on Mon Oct 11 2004 - 16:01:37 EDT

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