Project Grant 20245130043372

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** DEMAND FOR ORGANIC TOMATOES CONTINUES TO GROW, YET FARMERS STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP DUE TO FOLIAR DISEASES THAT CAN MOVE QUICKLY THROUGH FARM FIELDS AND DECIMATE ENTIRE CROPS. THE TOMATO ORGANIC MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (TOMI) HAS SPENT THE PAST 10 YEARS WORKING WITH ORGANIC FARMERS TO OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE THROUGH BREEDING AND INVESTIGATING HOW TO PROMOTE BENEFICIAL PLANT-SOIL-MICROBIAL RELATIONSHIPS. NOW WE PROPOSE TO BUILD ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES WE HAVE DEVELOPED AND CREATE PRACTICAL TOOLS ORGANIC FARMERS CAN USE TO PREVENT FOLIAR DISEASE OUTBREAKS AND DELIVER TOMATOES WITH END-USE QUALITY TRAITS DEMANDED BY CONSUMERS IN LOCAL MARKETPLACES. SPECIFICALLY, WE WILL: 1) IDENTIFY CRITICAL FACTORS NEEDED TO PROMOTE THE EFFICACY OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS AND ADAPT DISEASE FORECASTING MODELS TO ACCOUNT FOR THESE PRACTICES; 2) USE NEW MOLECULAR MARKERS DEVELOPED IN OUR BREEDING PROGRAM FOR PROMOTING PLANT ASSOCIATIONS WITH MICROBES THAT HAVE BIOCONTROL CAPABILITIES AND DISEASE RESISTANCE TRAITS, ESTABLISH REGIONAL PARTICIPATORY BREEDING PROGRAMS TO SELECT NEW GERMPLASM FROM THESE POOLS, AND DEVELOP A NEW DECISION-SUPPORT TOOL THAT WILL HELP FARMERS SELECT VARIETIES BEST-ADAPTED TO THEIR FARMS; 3) CREATE NEW SUPPORT NETWORKS THAT WILL HELP ORGANIC FARMERS, EXTENSION EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, STUDENTS AND LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM ACTORS (IE. CHEFS) CONNECT, OVERCOME PRODUCTION CHALLENGES THROUGH PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH, AND FOSTER NEW MARKETING RELATIONSHIPS; AND 4) DELIVER NOVEL AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS. THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE DISSEMINATED BROADLY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE HOSTED BY EORGANIC, IN WEBINARS, ON-FARM WORKSHOPS, PRINT-BASED MATERIALS, VARIETY SHOWCASES AND TOMATOFESTS. RESULTS WILL BE APPLICABLE TO OTHER CROPS.