Iowa State has been recognized for being a leader in the agricultural industry throughout history.

Most people are aware that Iowa State is a leader in genetically modified organisms, pest control and hybrid research. But the public might not be aware that the same university is an emerging leader in teaching organic agricultural practices.

Four years ago, Iowa State became the first university to appoint an organic faculty member when it hired Kathleen Delate. Delate, assistant professor of organic agriculture and horticulture, works on organic sites at five research farms. Through her work of improved research on organic production, she is able to promote organic farming techniques.

“It’s new and exciting,” she said. “I can’t help but be involved.”

Organic farming has increased to a $4.2 billion industry in the United States and continues to expand about 20 percent every year, Delate said. In Iowa, organic acres have increased from 13,000 acres in 1995 to 120,000 acres in 1998.

Despite these numbers, most of the farming community has the perception that it is not possible to make money through organic farming. Research collected from several of Delate’s test sites has disproved these theories.

In one study, Delate compared the costs and returns of organic and conventional farming. The production cost per acre for organic soybeans was $102.70, with conventional soybeans being $108.98. The selling price was much higher for organic because of increased consumer demand for food produced without the use of chemicals. The profit per acre was $747.30 for organic soybeans while the conventional soybeans’ profit was $203.02.

Iowa State also seems to be emerging as a leader in organic teaching as well. This is the first year a graduate degree in sustainable agriculture is being offered. The degree is the first of its kind in the nation.

Annette Bitto, graduate student in sustainable agriculture, came to Iowa State to earn her master’s degree because of the sustainable agriculture program.

“I came here from a farm in Alabama to increase my depth of understanding in agriculture,” she said. “Iowa State is at the forefront. Other universities don’t have a similar program.”

Before the development of a graduate program in sustainable agriculture, ISU students were learning about organic farming through a more hands-on approach.

One of those projects was the student-run organic farm, a 15-acre plot operated by ISU students that opened in 1997. According to the ISU Student Organic Farm Web site, the mission of the group is to “create a learning center that is interdisciplinary, student-led and integrated with the community. Methods demonstrated on the farm aim to strengthen the local food systems and to promote ecologically sensitive agriculture.”

Pernell Plath, a manager for the farm, was one of six students who helped develop the student organic farm.

“I was an undergraduate interested in environmental issues, specifically agricultural-related issues,” said Plath, graduate student in agronomy. “I wanted the opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture in a hands-on way. I was tired on reading about it in books. I wanted a place to work in. This provided the opportunity to do it.”

The farm is involved with Magic Beanstalk, an Ames program that supports local growers and consumers of natural products. According to the Magic Beanstalk Web site, in community-supported agriculture, a member buys a share for a set price prior to the growing season. During the harvesting time, the producer delivers the food to buyers in the community.

The Student Organic Farm receives the majority of its funding through the Government of the Student Body for general operations. The rest of the money comes from the sales of its produce and an occasional grant.

“It’s hard work. All farming is hard work, not just our farming,” Plath said. “It requires a lot of dedication.”

Plath said Delate’s research helps spread the word about organic farming options.

“I think that organic is not well understood,” Plath said. “Many conventional people have some interest in reducing chemical use, but organic agriculture is more than chemical reduction. It’s about looking at the whole farm system.”

Plath said she is rarely asked to defend her organic dedication.

“We don’t hear a lot of criticism directly,” she said.

“Once, I had a soil science courses and in that course, it was basically geared toward conventional production. But I was always bringing up organic issues.

“I’m trying raise dialogue to get our facts straight and to raise the level of discourse on what we are trying to do and why,” Plath said.

This is why Delate continues to promote organic agriculture. It is also something she grew up with.

“I’ve been organic my whole life. [My family] never used chemicals,” she said. “I thought everyone farmed like that. I learned different when I came to school.”

Now Delate is now working to teach farmers about the benefits of organic farming, but there isn’t a lot of published reading material available. Until a few decades ago, all organic information was taught by local farmers themselves. Bitto said there is some information published about organic production, but more is needed to keep up with the demand.

“There’s a niche right now. It’s becoming more and more of a niche market as people become more concerned as how their food is grown,” she said. “We are pretty excited to see what happens.”

Plath is also optimistic about the future of organic farming.

“I have a seen the university’s attitude change as to the way sustainable agriculture is looked at,” she said.

“It’s looked at as a more viable option. And I am really excited about it.”