Overview

It is my personal philosophy that a publicly funded, applied research and extension programs focused on sustainability of vegetable production systems must be designed to address constraints that exist regardless of farm size, approach and scale. The problem-solving approach must balance economic and environmental challenges to production with safety and quality of vegetables for society at large. Within this governing philosophy, the main thrusts of my research and extension program include directing the Cornell Small Farms Program, conducting research and outreach on organic nutrient sources, soil quality, new crops, food safety, and reduced tillage and other alternative practices for vegetable production, and developing educational materials and leadership training programs for growers.

Research Focus

Applied research program focused on sustainability of vegetable production systems, designed to address constraints that exist regardless of farm size, approach and scale. Current focus is on reduced tillage systems for vegetables and vegetable transplant production.

Outreach and Extension Focus

My current extension program targets four audiences: fresh market vegetable growers, organic farmers, small farmers, and agricultural service providers. Activities include applied research (on-farm and on-station) on specific problems faced by these groups, presentation at workshops, facilitating discussion on with ‘hot button’ issues, information dissemination, consulting for problem solving and leadership development. Venues include newsletter articles, on-farm workshops, annual conferences, training programs and videoconferencing. I have successfully secured competitive funding for my extension activities, include $1.2 Million USDA IFAFS grant for organic vegetable research and extension. Impacts include increased visibility of Cornell organic research and education efforts and increase in number of vegetable farmers applying reduced tillage and other sustainable practices. As director of the Cornell Small Farm Program, I have focused on expanding resources and information for small farms through the website and Small Farm Quarterly (27,000 family readership). I have added 3 additional staff members to the Small Farm Program through competitive grants. I also have organized and provided professional development opportunities to agricultural service providers on facilitating groups, leading farmer to farmer discussion groups, organic agriculture and general vegetable production. One of my new research interests is on the development of agricultural business clusters as a strategy for extension education. Past success includes the design and development of the “Food Safety Begins on the Farm” program, including grower self assessments and publications to help growers reduce food safety risk on their farms. Indicators of my program success include farmer feedback and surveys, requests for information, invitations for presentations, publication in journals, meeting evaluations and individual consultations.

Additional Links

• Organic at Cornell
• Cornell Small Farms Program
• Northeast Organic Network
• Northeast Beginning Farmer Resource Center
• Cornell Commercial Vegetable Production Information
• Reduced tillage vegetables
• Link to CALS Research and Impact
• Link to Research & Expertise Across Cornell

Selected Publications

Journal Publications

• Jack, A. L., Rangarajan, A., Culman, S. W., Sooksa-nguan, T., & Thies, J. E. (2011). Organic amendments to transplant media influence plant growth and rhizosphere bacterial communities. . Applied Soil Ecology. 48:94-101.
• Conner, D., & Rangarajan, A. (2009). Production Costs of Organic Vegetable Farms: Two Case Studies from Pennsylvania. HortTechnology. 19:193-199.
• Mochizuki, M. J., Rangarajan, A., Bellinder, R. R., van Es, H. M., & Bjorkman, T. N. (2008). Rye Mulch Management Affects Short-term Indicators of Soil Quality in the Transition to Conservation Tillage for Cabbage. HortScience. 43:862-867.
• Rangarajan, A., Jack, A., & Thies, J. E. (2007). Impacts of organic transplant media on plant growth and root rhizosphere bacterial communities. HortScience. 42:867.
• Brasier, K. J., Goetz, S., Smith, A., Ames, M., Green, J., Kelsey, T., Rangarajan, A., & Whitmer, W. (2007). Small Farm Clusters and Pathways to Rural Community Sustainability. Community Development . 38:8-22.
• Mochizuki, M. J., Rangarajan, A., Bellinder, R. R., Bjorkman, T. N., & van Es, H. M. (2007). Overcoming Compaction Limitations on Cabbage Growth and Yield in the Transition to Conservation Tillage. HortScience. 42:1690-1694.
• Aram, K., & Rangarajan, A. (2005). Compost for Nitrogen Fertility Management of Bell Pepper in a Drip-Irrigated Plasticulture System. HortScience. 40:577-581.
• Vanek, S., Wien, H. C., & Rangarajan, A. (2005). Time of Interseeding of Lana Vetch and Winter Rye Cover Strips Determines Competitive Impact on Pumpkins Grown Using Organic Practices. HortScience. 40:1716-1722.
• Rangarajan, A., Orzolek, M. D., Ingall, B. A., & Otjen, L. (2003). Moderate defoliation and plant population losses do not reduce yield or quality of Butternut squash. HortTechnology. 13:463-468.
• Rangarajan, A., Pritts, M. P., Reiners, S., & Pederson, L. (2002). Focusing food safety training based on current grower practices and farm scale. HortTechnology. 12:126-131.

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