Establishing the e-Organic Grain Cropping Systems Community of Practice.

The Cooperative Extension Service launched eXtension in 2008, a national web-based information delivery system.  The eXtension system hosts numerous Communities of Practice (CoP), drawing educators, researchers, and practitioners from across the country to focus on topics of concern to specific audiences.  For example, those interested in organic fruit, vegetable or dairy production can find a wealth of information prepared by the eOrganic CoP and published at http://eXtension.org/organic_production.  A new interest group on Grain Cropping Systems is currently being established within the eOrganic Community of Practice.  Initial leadership for the Grain Cropping Systems CoP will be provided by the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory (SASL) at USDA-ARS in Beltsville, MD and by the eOrganic staff at Oregon State University.  The ARS- SASL team has over 20 years of long term organic cropping systems research experience that can be incorporated into the Organic Grains CoP.   The Organic Grain Cropping Systems CoP will provide unbiased, science based information in a variety of formats to a wide audience of farmers, advisors, certifiers, educators, and researchers.  On-line articles, webinars, and interactive workspaces will foster discussion and learning for beginning and experienced practitioners and information providers.  We seek collaborators willing to share their expertise to develop these innovative, high quality resources.   All content in eOrganic is collaboratively authored and peer-reviewed by eOrganic’s network of University researchers, Extension personnel, and other professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience in organic agriculture.  Contributors receive national recognition and help cultivate a national organic research and outreach community.