AMES, Iowa -- Organic agriculture can help reduce global warming, according to Tim LaSalle, CEO of the Rodale Institute. He will present research findings to support his statement during an appearance in Ames later this month.

LaSalle will speak on the benefits of reducing our carbon footprint by improving soil carbon sequestration through cover crops, composting and other organic practices. His presentation Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. in 179 Scheman on the Iowa State University campus is co-sponsored by the ISU Organic Agriculture Program, the Iowa Organic Association (IOA) and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

LaSalle will share findings that are the result of a 28-year comparison between conventional and organic grain crops at the Rodale Institute. His results include finding organic yields to be very competitive with conventional yields, with organic yields 40 to 70 percent higher than conventional yields during drought conditions. These yields were obtained with one-third the energy cost of conventional agriculture, leading LaSalle to assert that 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced through organic agricultural practices. 

Following LaSalle’s talk, attendees are invited to the Iowa Organic Association (IOA) annual meeting. The IOA is dedicated to the advancement of Iowa's organic production and industry, and includes all facets from farming to processing and consumers.
 
A reception featuring organic food and beverages will be held at 6:15 p.m. to continue the discussion with LaSalle and kick off the Eighth Annual Organic Conference. Conference sessions start at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24. To view the program and register, visit: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic08/home.html , or call (515) 294-6222.

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