Rodale Institute and Kutztown University are collaborating on two innovative research projects to advance regenerative organic agriculture in Pennsylvania.
The studies focus on vegetable crop productivity and the mitigation of parasites that affect pig farms. Both studies are joint faculty-student research projects under the ongoing Rodale Institute-Kutztown University Collaborative Grant Program. This program is currently funded as part of a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded to Kutztown University.
The first project will evaluate how different rates of biochar and compost applications influence soil health and sweet pepper productivity. The study, titled “Exploring the Impact of Biochar and Compost on Soil Health and Sweet Pepper Growth in Regenerative Organic Systems,” is led by Dr. Christopher Habeck, professor of biology at KU, in collaboration with Dr. Dinesh Panday, a soil scientist at Rodale Institute.
The research is taking place in the Nancy Jean Stump Seiger Botanical Research Facility at Kutztown University and uses soil from Rodale Institute’s organic fields.
“Some of our early work shows that the amendment of biochar and compost to field soil collected from the farmlands owned by Kutztown University increased productivity in vegetable crops, and we would like to know how general these responses are in soils found in our area,” said Dr. Habeck.
Dr. Panday added, “This project aims to offer practical insights for optimizing biochar use in regenerative systems. By monitoring soil health and plant growth responses, we hope to inform farmers on strategies to build resilience and soil fertility.”
The second project will evaluate how well pumpkin seed supplementation and pumpkin patch foraging reduce parasite load in pastured pigs. This study, “Investigating Anecdotal Treatments and Foraging Practices that Reduce Swine Parasites in Organic Pastured Pork Production,” is led by Dr. Alex Hernandez, professor of biology at KU, in partnership with Rick Carr, Rodale Institute’s senior farm director. Rodale Institute’s Sara Major and Zach Zimmel are also contributing to the study.
This research on natural, non-synthetic treatments for swine is taking place at Rodale Institute’s hog facility.“There have been a few reports that pumpkin seeds can reduce internal swine parasite infections, but this information has not been validated scientifically. We predict that infected pigs fed high concentrations of pumpkin seeds will experience a decline in parasite infection due to one of two mechanisms: (1) high tannins in the seeds that have antiparasitic properties and/or (2) physical removal from the intestinal lining as the hard seed coats scrape off the worms,” said Rick Carr.
Both projects include students who will gain valuable hands-on field and research experience.
Students will have opportunities to present their research to their peers as well as at Rodale Institute-sponsored events.