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NOFA/Mass Late Blight Resource Page

Current Project: Northeast Organic Grower Survey on 2009 Late Blight Pandemic
As of its release on November 12, 2009, NOFA/Mass is conducting a Northeast region-wide study on the experiences organic tomato growers had with late blight during the 2009 growing season. The survey response deadline is January 1, 2010. If you grew or tried to grow tomatoes in 2009 and you used organic practices to do it, we want to hear from you about your experience with late blight. By gathering responses from a wide array of growers, NOFA/Mass hopes to contribute to our shared understanding of what organic growing practices for tomatoes were actually applied in 2009 and also hopefully shed light on strategies that can be effective in managing the disease. The insights collected will be presented at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference on January 16, 2010, in the Spring 2010 Edition of The Natural Farmer, and here on the NOFA/Mass Late Blight Resource Page. We are seeking response from growers in MA, VT, CT, RI, NY, NJ, ME, NH, and PA.

To contribute to the collective knowledge about dealing with one of the most destructive crop diseases that has affected our region in recent memory, you can click on the following link and take the survey there: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7gWicbMRJAK9uhwb_2bBtdxw_3d_3d

NOFA/Mass has received a $5,000 grant from Whole Foods Market to support the gathering and dissemination of information for this research project.

If you have any questions about this survey, contact Ben Grosscup, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org, 413-658-5374.

Past events:

NOFA/Mass Winter Conference 2010
On Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference in Worcester, MA, a panel was held on planning for dealing with Late Blight in the 2010 Growing Season.

David Fisher of Natural Roots in Conway, MA reported on his record tomato success in 2009. Despite some late blight infestation, using both copper and biological fertility practices, he achieved yields that were 238% of the average of the previous 5 years. (Click here to download his power point)

Ben Grosscup of NOFA/Mass presented preliminary results of the NOFA/Mass’ Northeast Organic Grower Survey on the 2009 Late Blight Pandemic including graphs on the differences in late blight infestation by greenhouse use, mulching, pruning, and treatments used. (Click here to download his power point)

Ruth Hazzard of UMass Extension explained the biology of the late blight pathogen, how the disease overwinters, where it could possibly originate in 2010, the use of copper controls, and greenhouse management issues. (Click here to download her power point)

Dan Kittredge of the Real Food Campaign touched upon biological techniques for managing late blight, emphasizing why certain fertility practices can improve plant resilience in the presence of disease vectors. Click here for audio of the entire panel: click here

NOFA Summer Conference 2009 On Sunday, August 9, 2009 at the NOFA Summer Conference, held at UMass Amherst, there was a forum held on organic methods for dealing with late blight. Panelists included: UMass Extension Vegetable Specialist, Ruth Hazzard; Farmer and director of the Real Food Campaign -- a project of Remineralize the Earth -- Dan Kittredge; New York State Integrated Pest Management Program extension educator, Abby Seaman; owner of Kingbird Farm and organic potato and tomato grower, Michael Glos; and founder of Fungi Perfecti, Paul Stamets.

The following slide show presentations (posted in PDF format) were presented at the forum:
• Late blight identification and biology. Abby Seaman, Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Organic Management of Late Blight, this year and next. Ruth Hazzard, UMass Extension

An audio recording of the panel is available online here: www.nofasummerconference.org/lateblight.html A press release on this event from August 4, 2009 is available here: Organic Food Conference Invites Public to Discussion on Late Blight A story on this meeting was published in the Hampshire Gazette on Monday, August 10, 2009: Late Blight a heart breaker for tomato growers by Nick Grabbe, Hampshire Gazette

Future Events:
As a part of the NOFA/Mass 2010 Winter Conference, on January 16, 2010, there will be a workshop releasing the results of the Northeast Organic Grower Survey on 2009 Late Blight Pandemic. More details to be released soon.

Other Informational Resources:
"Got Late Blight? Guidance for Next Year's Garden" By Dr. Wendy Sue Harper, Ph.D., NOFA Vermont's Vegetable and Fruit Technical Assistance Advisor
www.nofavt.org/assets/files/pdf/gardenerresources/LateBlight.pdf

"Late blight management for fall, winter and spring -- A Gardeners' Checklist " By Ruth Hazzard. 2009. University of Massachusetts Extension.
http://www.umassvegetable.org/LateBlightAlertforTomatoandPotato.html

"Organic management of late blight of potato and tomato (Phytophthora infestans)" By Alex Stone. 2009. Oregon State University. E-Organic.
www.extension.org/article/18361

"Late Blight: What Can Organic Farmers Do?" By Kimberly Stoner. 2009. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Gleanings, Newsletter of CT/NOFA.
www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/late_blight_for_nofa_august_2009.pdf

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