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

My research efforts include investigating the effects of organic nutrient sources (manure, compost, and food processing wastes) on soil quality and nutrient release, developing strategies to reduce tillage in conventional and organic vegetable production systems, and exploring ecological interactions on organically managed farms to identify new strategies for vegetable production in conventional systems.

Outreach and Extension Focus

My efforts include enhancing Cornell research and outreach to New York's Small Farm Sector via the Cornell Small Farms Program, developing educational materials, training programs and grower leadership on issues facing New York horticultural industries (including microbial food safety, genetically modified organisms, and the agriculture-urban interface), developing viable alternative crops and new cultural practices to support diversification and profitability of N.Y. fresh market vegetable growers, and enhancing Cornell research and extension efforts in organic agriculture by building networks and collaborations to study these complex systems. I also co-chair the Cornell Organic Production and Marketing Work Team, which includes Cornell faculty and staff, NY organic farmers from all commodities and local organic farmer organizations.

Instruction Focus

I do not have a formal teaching appointment, but I provide guest lectures in several horticulture and sustainable agriculture courses. The Cornell Small Farm Program does sponsor a one credit course titled: Exploring the Small Farm Dream.

Additional Links

• Cornell Commercial Vegetable Production Resources
• Cornell Organic Production and Marketing
• Cornell Small Farms Program
• GAPsNet
• NEON: The Northeast Organic Network
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Selected Publications

• Rangarajan, A. and J. Idowu. 2006. Optimizing Reduced Tillage for Small Seeded, Root and Organic Vegetables- Annual Report to NE SARE (www.sare.org).
• Thies, Janice and A. Rangarajan. 2006. Evaluating Impacts of Organic Transplant Media on Plant Growth and Root Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities?Year 2. Final Report to the Toward Sustainability Foundation.
• Aram, K and A. Rangarajan. 2005. Compost for Nitrogen Fertility Management of Bell Pepper in a Drip-Irrigated Plasticulture System. HortScience. 40(3):577-581.
• Vanek, S, H.C. Wien, and A. Rangarajan. 2005. Time of Interseeding of Lana Vetch and Winter Rye Cover Strips Determines Competitive Impact on Pumpkins Grown Using Organic Practices. HortScience. 40(6):1716-1722

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