On-Farm Alternatives

Organic Hazelnut Production

Farmers and other gathered around listening to a speaker, hazelnut trees in background

In August of 2018 NCAP partnered with the Oregon Organic Hazelnut Cooperative to host the 2nd Annual Organic Hazelnuts Summer Farm Tour. Eighty attendees observed different orchard practices at two mid-valley farms and learned from the farm hosts, Oregon State University Extension, and Oregon Tilth about a range of topics including filbert worm management, cover crops, organic transition, processing needs, irrigation techniques, and whole-farm revenue insurance. Thanks to Don Hatai and the Lackner Family for hosting the morning and afternoon sessions! Thank you to USDA Risk Management Agency for funding this event.

Download resources from the farm tour! We have bundled five resource documents into one PDF for easy reference. Topics include hazelnut pest identification, beneficial plant guide, resources for transitioning to organic, and whole farm revenue protection.

Download the packet here

Mummy Berry Disease Management

From 2011 to 2016, NCAP partnered with Oregon State University (OSU) to research organic techniques to manage mummy berry disease of blueberry. Mummy berry is a disease of high economic concern throughout the U.S. and for organic producers, there were few reliable management techniques available. Through funding provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and United State Department of Agriculture, NCAP was able to parter with OSU and two organic blueberry producers in the Willamette Valley to test whether mulching could be used to manage mummy berry. Results showed a significant decrease in pathogen spore release when 2 inches of Douglas fir sawdust was applied during the fall and winter months prior to bud break. View the peer-reviewed publication here.