State of Science :: Events & Presentations
"Farming for Food Quality," WA Tilth-WSU Symposium
November 2006
A provocative symposium focused on the many ways that organic farming can enhance food quality. The results of recent research carried out by the European Union-funded Quality Low Input Food project was presented by Dr. Carlo Leifert, University of Newcastle, U.K.
The Organic Center's Chief Scientist provided an overview of reasons why food quality is so important, how and why food quality has slipped in America over the last four decades, and how organic farming can help reverse the trend.
Dr. Stephen Jones described recent research on a range of wheat varieties going back to the late 1800s. He has found that some old varieties produce yields under organic management that are comparable to modern varieties. Morevoer, some of these varieties produce grain with much higher levels of certain essential nutrients. Jones discussed efforts underway at WSU to breed new varieties combining improved nutrient composition with contemporary disease resistance traits.
Dr. Preston Andrews, Washington State University, presented findings from several studies of the impacts of organic farming on food quality, focusing on antioxidants and polyphenol levels.
WSU will be posting in December a video recording of the conference -- check back for the link. In the interim, several conference presentations are posted below.
"Food Quality and Why It Matters" (pdf file)
"Introduction to the European Union QLIF Project" (pdf file)
"Breeding Wheat for Organic Systems: Nutritive Value" (pdf file)
