Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

National organic ag expert to discuss climate change November 23

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November 11, 2008

AMES, Iowa -- The chief executive for one of the nation's longest running organic research trials will discuss ways that cover crops, composting and other organic practices could reduce our carbon footprint and global warming.

Tim LaSalle, CEO at the Pennsylvania-based Rodale Institute, will present "Organic Agriculture: Solutions for the Global Climate Crisis," at 4 p.m., Sunday, November 23 in Room 179 at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. His presentation is co-sponsored by the Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program, the Iowa Organic Association and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

LaSalle will present findings from Rodale's 28-year Farming Systems Trial, the oldest side-by-side scientific study of organic and conventional practices in the United States. The trials, conducted on Rodale's 333-acre farm near Kutztown, Pennsylvania, have resulted in competitive yields for organic practices that are 40 to 70 percent higher than conventional yields under drought conditions. The organic yields were obtained with one-third of the energy costs of conventional agriculture, leading LaSalle to assert that greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 25 percent when using organic practices.

LaSalle holds a doctorate in depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, a master’s in populations genetics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a bachelor of science degree from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). For 12 years he was a full professor at Cal Poly, where he taught dairy science classes and served as the president and CEO of California’s Agriculture Education Foundation. He joined The Rodale Institute in July 2007 as its first CEO.

Following his presentation, all are invited to attend the Iowa Organic Association’s annual meeting. The IOA is dedicated to the advancement of Iowa's organic production and industry, and includes all facets from farming to processing and consumers.

A reception featuring organic food and beverages will begin at 6:15 p.m. to continue the discussion with LaSalle and kick off the Eighth Annual Organic Conference. Conference sessions start at 8:a.m., Monday, November 24.

To view the program OR register for the conference, go to www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic08/home.html, or call (515) 294-6222. 

For more info contact:

Kathleen Delate, ISU Organic Agriculture Program, (515) 294-7069, kdelate@iastate.edu

Laura Miller, Leopold Center Communications, (515) 294-5272, lwmiller@iastate.edu

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