Tri-State Organic IP Video Program Session II
Organic Weed Management
March 15, 2007
Program
Eastern/Central - P.M.
6:00/5:00 Introduction and Welcome – Liz Maynard, Purdue University
6:05/5:05 Whole Farm Weed Management: A Farmer’s Perspective – John
Simmons, Simmons Family Farms, Lapeer Co. Michigan
6:15/5:15 Soil Characteristics that Influence Weed Management – Steve
Weller, Purdue University
6:35/5:35 Cropping Practices that Influence Weed Management – John
Cardina, Ohio State University
6:50/5:50 Tools, Practices, and Materials for Weed Management in Field
Crops and Vegetables – John Masiunas, University of Illinois
7:05/6:05 Break
Organic Farmers’ Weed Management Systems for Vegetable and
Agronomic farms
7:15/6:15 Dale Rhoads, Rhoads Farm, Brown Co., Indiana
7:30/6:30 Dave Campbell, Lily Lake Organic Farm, Kane Co., Illinois
7:40/6:40 John Simmons, Simmons Family Farms, Lapeer Co. Michigan
7:50/6:50 Rex Spray, Spray Farm, Knox Co., Ohio
8:00/7:00 Panel Discussion on Weed Management – D. Campbell, J.
Simmons, R. Spray
8:10/7:10 Q & A on Weed Management
8:25/7:25 Closing Comments
8:30/7:30 Adjourn
Speakers
John Simmons, Simmons Family Farms. simmonsfamilyfarm@hotmail.com.
John and Curtis Simmons operate a certified organic farm of 720 tillable acres in Lapeer County,
Michigan. They started transitioning their farm in 1993. They are active members of the Thumb chapters
of Organic Farmers of Michigan and OCIA, as well as the Lapeer Co. Soil and Water Conservation
District. They raise organic crops for seed/food/feed including: open pollinated corn, soybeans, oats,
buckwheat, spelt, wheat, sunflower, clover seed, alfalfa hay, barley, rye, and other experimental crops,
pasture raised beef, pork, and maple syrup. A new project is pancake/muffin mixes from crops grown on
the farm. They have worked with Michigan State University on a variety of projects, including the
Ecological Weed Management Working Group and the New Ag Network.
Steve Weller, Professor and Extension Specialist, Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture,
Purdue University, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr., W. Lafayette, IN. 47907. weller@purdue.edu . 765-494-1333.
Dr. Weller’s research and extension programs cover a wide range of weed management issues in
horticultural crops. Current research includes 16 acres under transition to organic production with trials to
investigate cover crops, soil quality, and weed control. He also teaches a 1-credit course in Organic
Horticulture and co-instructs a 3-week course that tours organic farms in Europe.
John Cardina, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, 215
Williams Hall, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691. cardina.2@osu.edu . 330-263-3644.
Weed ecologist Dr. Cardina is recognized nationally and internationally for his research on seed banks
and weed spatial distribution. He conducts a variety of research to develop a better understanding of
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ecological processes and use that information to develop agricultural practices that reduce environmental
degradation. In 2003 he was awarded the OARDC Distinguished Research Award.
John Masiunas, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 260 ERML,
1201 W. Gregory MC-051, Urbana, IL 61801. masiunas@uiuc.edu . 217-244-4469.
Dr. John Masiunas maintains an active research and extension program in the areas of weed
management in fruit and vegetable crops and sustainable food cropping systems. Current research
includes the evaluation of cover crops for weed suppressive and biofumigant activities, and the impact of
organic transition strategies on weed communities and soil seed banks.
Dale Rhoads, Rhoads Farm. dbr4@sbcglobal.net 812-988-0041
Dale and Sandra Rhoads farm near Nashville, Indiana. The farm began in the early 1990s with the
clearing of three acres of hillside scrubland. After making major soil improvements, the Rhoads began
growing crops for local restaurants. Within several years this was their sole income. While the farm was
always organic, the Rhoads did not certify that until 2001. That certification continues through the
OEFFA/OCIA in Ohio. The major sources of income are derived from leafy greens. These include salad
greens, head lettuce, kales, and dandelion. In addition, the Rhoads grow specialty tomatoes and some
herbs like cilantro and basil. The farm also has a young planting of Asian pears, which are just coming
into bearing age.
Dave Campbell, Lily Lake Organic Farm. 4N852 Wooley Rd., Maple Park, IL 60151.
LilyLakeOF@aol.com. 630-365-2019 Fax: 630-365-2272
Dave Campbell has been involved in organic farming since 1967 when his father started farming
organically. At that time, Dave and his father began selling organic meat to a health food store. Later, he
operated an organic dairy farm in Illinois and eventually in Wisconsin. Today, Dave and his wife Mary own
and operate a 224-acre certified organic farm (Lily Lake Organic Farm) located in northeastern Illinois.
Dave and his family moved onto the present farm in 1988. By 1991, the entire farm was certified organic.
Alfalfa/grass hay was grown extensively during transition years and shortly thereafter. Presently, wheat,
corn, oats, soybeans and hay are the primary crops grown along with small amounts of buckwheat and
cover crops. He has also raised a few dairy heifers. In addition to farming, he has served as
secretary/treasurer of OFARM (Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing) and was the
founding Board Chairman of the Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative. He is currently serving as an
advisory board member to the ASAP Board (Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program) at the
University of Illinois.
Rex Spray, Spray Farm, 5860 Spray Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH 43050. 740-397-4207.
Rex Spray began farming with his brother Glen in the mid-50's. For many years the Sprays adopted the
new farming practices of the time, which included using chemicals on their crops. Eventually, the Sprays
decided that there had to be a better way to farm and stopped using the chemicals. They received the
very first organic certification in Ohio in the 1970's. Spray currently has a four crop rotation of soybeans,
corn, wheat, and hay. He also raises beef cattle. Rex Spray received the 2006 Patrick Madden Award
from SARE. The award recognizes the contributions of farmers and ranchers who have adopted
sustainable practices that are profitable as well as beneficial to the environment and their communities.
Tri-State Organic IP Video Program and Organic Weed Management Session Organizing
Committee Members
Kathy Bielek, Program Assistant, Organic Food & Farming Education & Research (OFFER), Ohio State
University – OARDC. 330-202-3528. Fax: 330-263-3686. bielek.4@osu.edu
Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Specialist, Small Farms and Sustainable Agriculture, University of
Illinois Extension. 217-968-5512 (phone and fax). cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu
Jon Cain, Purdue Extension Educator, Hendricks County. 317-745-9260. joncain@purdue.edu.
Liz Maynard, Regional Extension Specialist, Purdue University. 219-785-5673. emaynard@purdue.edu
Vicki Morrone, Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist, C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems,
Michigan State University. 517-353-3542. sorrone@carrs.msu.edu
Jerry Nelson, Purdue New Ventures Educator. 812-886-9582. jnelson@purdue.edu
Deborah Stinner, Research Scientist and Administrator, Organic Food & Farming Education & Research
(OFFER), Ohio State University – OARDC. 330-202-3534. stinner.2@osu.edu.
Alan Sundermeier. Extension Educator, Ohio State University, Wood County. 419-354-9050.
sundermeier.5@osu.edu
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