Ohio Oilseed Research and Demonstration

In this 2013 project, we are evaluating the production, ecosystem services, and value chains that could result from four oilseed crops: flax, canola, camelina, and sunflower.  Each of these crops is of interest to Organic Valley, as a potential biofuel crop for their members.  We will examine the potential for producing these crops in NE Ohio, document the yield in terms of oil and pressed meal, evaluate the additional value chains that could come from these crops including: cooking oil, wood finish (linseed oil), and high omega-3 and protein pressed meal for supplementary on-farm livestock feed.  Demonstration plots, 4 0.25 acre plots for each crop in a randomized complete block design, were planted at the Mellinger Farm, and their growth characteristics and yield are being documented by Hannah Whitehead, a research assistant hired for the project.  Ecosystem services including pollinator resources, sunflower trap crop for brown marmorated stink bug, and soil conditioning will be evaluated.  Organic Valley will bring their mobile oil press to Ohio for Farm Science Review and will press 3 of the four crops there.  The remaining crop will be pressed during a workshop at the Mellinger farm on September 24, 2013, for Ohio OV members and other interested farmers.  The oil and pressed meal and fiber will then be evaluated by OARDC researchers to determine it’s value for fuel, cooking oil, and animal feed.  The documentation and demonstration will provide valuable incentive to Ohio farmers to consider production of these multifunctional crops in diversified small to mid-sized farming systems.

Links:

OARDC   

Mellinger Farm

Organic Valley - Sustainability   

OARDC AMP

OARDC AnSci OREI

Camelina  Canola  Flax  Sunflowers