Building capacity from Glenlea, Canada's oldest organic rotation study

Abstract Long-term agricultural studies contribute to knowledge in ways that short-term projects simply cannot. In this chapter, we highlight some observations from the Glenlea long-term crop rotation study, Canada's oldest organic field crops experiment initiated in 1992. We then discuss how this knowledge has been used to build capacity in organic crops and soils research, student training, and education of farmers and advisors. The main nutrient management challenges discovered at Glenlea regarded phosphorous (P) depletion in the organic hay export system and lack of nitrogen (N) in the organic grain-only system. Capacity development to address these challenges included intensive research on new innovations in legume-based green manure systems, development of a tool for assessing P sufficiency in organic systems, and development of a second tool for budgeting nutrients in whole rotations. We have taught the lessons from Glenlea to approximately 300 students and have embarked on “Organic Agronomist Training,” where over 160 advisors and farmers are given information and trained using our tools. The Glenlea long-term rotation continues to be critical to develop capacity in the organic grain and forage sector in Canada.