Protecting organic corn from pollen drift

CFAES agronomist Peter Thomison and Amalie Lipstreu of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) will co-present “Pollen Drift Contamination of Organic and Non-GMO Corn: Knowing the Risks and Taking Action” in a concurrent workshop from 8:30–10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at OEFFA’s annual conference. It’s one of nearly 80 workshops scheduled for the conference.

Planting practices, more

“With genetically modified organism (GMO) corn so prevalent across the state, corn growers interested in obtaining non-GMO corn premiums need to develop plans to minimize pollen contamination,” the workshop description says. “Pollen from corn containing transgenic traits may contaminate (by cross-pollination) nearby non-GMO corn.”

The workshop will cover planting practices aimed at minimizing incoming pollen drift, related proposed actions by the National Organic Standards Board, and options for farmers seeking restitution for contamination.

Registration

Online registration for the OEFFA conference has ended, but you can still register at the door. The conference runs from Feb. 14–16 in Dayton. Find out more.

CFAES is a Sustaining level sponsor of the conference. (Photo: Getty Images.)

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