Technologically Innovative Organic / Sustainable Farming Past and Future Research By Hala Chaoui
OUTLINE Waste management research driven by the search for a sustainable form of processed waste, and a paradigm shift • Past research – Master’s in Plant and Soil Sc. Earthworm casts – RA. Disease suppression in earthworm casts – Ph. D in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Modeling the effect of electric fields on earthworms – Postdoc projects • • Odor setback distance models Instrumentation and programming (in yield monitors) Compost biofilters for dairy manure Effect of mixing on biodigester yield Ammonia emission modeling Advising undergraduate thesis Managing lab – Outreach and innovation
OUTLINE Waste management research driven by the search for a sustainable form of processed waste, and a paradigm shift • Planned future research – – – Goal, develop technologically advanced organic farming Principles and ideas for future research Ideas on funding sources Principles in guiding graduate students Vision of paradigm shift in organic production • Conclusion
Past Research
Past Research > Master’s • Master’s thesis, U Maine – comparing earthworms casts, compost and synthetic fertilizer – soil respiration; BOD, biomass-C – plant nutrient uptake, mineralization rate, salinity – slow release, higher yields in earthworm casts – new topic, cited 13 times, 8 th in Soil Biol. and Biochem. , 2003. – Chaoui et al. 2003. Effects of earthworm casts and compost on soil microbial activity and plant nutrient availability. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 35. 295 -302 • Research Assistant, OSU – suppression of damping off diseases in earthworm casts – Chaoui et al. 2002. Suppression of the plant parasitic diseases: Pythium (damping off), Rhizoctonia (root rot) and Verticillium (wilt) by vermicompost. Proceedings Brighton Crop Protection
Past Research > Ph. D • Ph. D – Shift to engineering – Thesis • goal: more efficient earthworms separation in vermicomposting • design model for effectiveness of electric fields on separating earthworms from organic media • in second review in Biosystems Engineering Journal – Classes on molecular biology techniques, waste management, FE certificate, Autocad, microchip programming, Arc. GIS – Biological and Agricultural Engineers work at the interface of science and engineering – Chaoui et al. 2006. Testing a model of the effectiveness of an electric field at repelling earthworms. ASABE Paper No. – Chaoui et al. 2005. Modeling the effectiveness of an electric field at repelling earthworms. ASAE Paper No. 054153 067010
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Theory Modeling the Effectiveness of an Electric Field at Repelling Earthworms Advisor Dr. Harold Keener • V = f(i, D, R, d, s) = f(current, diameter and resistivity, electrode depth and spacing) • Dimensional analysis: – Length unit; cm, i in amps, R in Ohms • Electric field efficiency is a function of V: determined experimentally • Electric field efficiency is measured as:
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Methods Experimental design Other treatments: 2, 12, 24, 35 m. A, e. foetida, 7. 5 cm depth, 2. 8 cm spacing In the model…
An electric field _ +
An electric field in the soil Electric field diffusion _ + Field repels earthworms
An electric field in the soil repels earthworms Electric field diffusion _ + Field repels earthworms
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Methods E. hortensis E. foetida
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Methods • • • Develop model for the electric field’s effectiveness Test model (soil porosity, moisture, salinity) Find t 100% , mortality, test AC vs. DC _ _ 2 x prescribed i + prescribed i • Experimental set up: soil slabs made of soil and earthworms • Reproducible systematic method
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Results
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Results Verifying treatment effect (of inputs in model)
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Results Experimental model
Past Research > Ph. D thesis > Results Relevance of soil properties (test the model)
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > cost / benefit analysis template
Past Research > Postdocs • OSU, on air quality (3 months) – Models for setback distance from animal facilities, review and sensitivity analysis. – Study published in ASABE air quality symposium, Colorado Sept 2007 – Chaoui & Brugger. 2007. A review and sensitivity analysis of odor setback distance models. International Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture. September 15 -19, 2007 in Broomfield, Colorado • Univ. of Florida (3 months) – Algorithm to process GPS and load cells data from a citrus yield monitor – Derive spatial yield map from GPS data, using arc GIS – Ehsani , R. , Chaoui, H. , Grejner-Brzezinska, D and Sullivan, M. A method of evaluating the performance of RTK GPS receivers used in Agriculture. 2006. Proceedings of the World Congress on Agricultural Engineering, 2006 and Proceedings of the Automation Technology for Off Road Equipment Conference.
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State • Postdoc at Penn State University – Evaluating compost biofilters to mitigate ammonia and greenhouse gases • ASABE AIM proceedings, June 2007 – Exploratory experiment on the effect of mixing on biogas yield in biodigesters • ‘Progress in Biogas’ conference in Stuttgart, September 2007 – Evaluating models for ammonia emissions from animal waste • In progress – planned, Transactions of ASABE • Managed bio-processing lab • Co-developed wiki website online • Co-advisor in undergraduate thesis – Effect of biofilters on manure stack temperatures – Mentored in data collection, processing – Data analysis, organized writing
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State • Pooling ideas for technologically advanced organic farming – organized a conference session on ‘Innovative Technologies for Organic Farming’, 2005 to 2007, ASABE – vice-president of ecological engineering committee at ASABE, officer for past 2 years – Bio Ag Engineering. net website Adrian Bowyer Bath University, UK Claus Sorensen Research Centre Bygholm, Denmark
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State • Outreach through professional website and lab wiki site – – – Lit review on vermicomposting Excel programs for optimized feed mix composition Excel program for separation of means in statistics Template for cost / benefit analysis Excel macro and programs for filtering and processing sensors data
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters • Postdoc at Penn State University – Evaluating compost biofilters to mitigate ammonia and greenhouse gases • ASABE AIM proceedings, June 2007 – Exploratory experiment on the effect of mixing on biogas yield in biodigesters • ‘Progress in Biogas’ conference in Stuttgart, September 2007 – Evaluating models for ammonia emissions from animal waste • In progress – planned, Transactions of ASABE • Managed bio-processing lab • Co-developed wiki website online • Co-advisor in undergraduate thesis – Effect of biofilters on manure stack temperatures – Mentored in efficient data processing – data analysis, organized writing
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters • Rationale for evaluating the effect of biofilters of gaseous emissions from stacked dairy manure – Stacked manure emits NH 3 , N 2 O , CO 2, and CH 4, H 2 O – GWP: methane = 23, nitrous oxide = 296. – NH 3 causes acidification and eutrophication – Chaoui et al. 2007. The effect of compost and earthworms casts biofilters on dairy manure stack emissions. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Methods
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Experimental design Are emission rates of NH 3 , N 2 O , CO 2, and CH 4, H 2 O affected by: Biofilters? Biofilter filling, thickness, moisture content, respiration levels? By time, ambient and manure temperatures? Random Complete Blocked Design - Pseudo-replication in time (weekly) 3 seasons Treatment Blanket thickness Irrigation ofblanket Type of material in blanket 1 2 2. 5 cm yes compost 3 2. 5 cm no compost 4 5 cm no compost 5 2. 5 cm yes vermicompost 6 7 8 9 10 11 Control 5 cm 2. 5 cm yes vermicompost no vermicompost 1 layer moistened Curlex 1 layer moistened Bio-Net SC 150 (North American Green) 1 layer dry Curlex no blanket
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Experimental design Treatment Blanket thickness Irrigation ofblanket Type of material in blanket 1 2 3 4 2. 5 cm yes no no compost 5 2. 5 cm yes vermicompost 6 7 8 9 10 11 Control 5 cm 2. 5 cm yes vermicompost no vermicompost 1 layer moistened Curlex 1 layer moistened Bio-Net SC 150 (North American Green) 1 layer dry Curlex no blanket
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Experimental design Weekly NH 3, N 2 O, CH 4, CO 2, water vapor Treatment 1 2 3 Blanket thickness Irrigation ofblanket Type of material in blanket 2. 5 cm yes Temperature at 3 depths 5 cm yes Data recorded and no logged hourly 2. 5 cm compost 4 5 cm no compost 5 2. 5 cm yes vermicompost 6 7 8 9 10 11 Control Biofilter respirationyes levels, BOD assay 5 cm vermicompost 2. 5 cm vermicompost Moisture content ofno biofilter 5 cm no vermicompost 1 layer moistened Curlex 1 layer moistened Bio-Net SC 150 (North American Green) 1 layer dry Curlex no blanket
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Methods
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Methods Photoacoustic sensor / Flux Chamber Excel program to extract relevant data continuous data emissions Pedersen (2001) equation: to derive gas flux rates from gas build up rate
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Results No significant effect of time, a significant effect of treatment (p=0. 00) and a treatment x time effect (p=0. 04)
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Results NH 3 emissions differed significantly due to filler type, p = 0. 03 N 2 O, CH 4, CO 2, H 2 O: filler type had no significant effect
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biofilters > Results Only N 2 O (p=0. 02) and NH 3 (p=0. 01) emission rates were significantly affected by biofilter thickness
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biodigestion • Postdoc at Penn State University – Evaluating compost biofilters to mitigate ammonia and greenhouse gases • ASABE AIM proceedings, June 2007 – Exploratory experiment on the effect of mixing on biogas yield in biodigesters • ‘Progress in Biogas’ conference in Stuttgart, September 2007 – Evaluating models for ammonia emissions from animal waste • In progress – planned, Transactions of ASABE • Managed bio-processing lab • Co-developed wiki website online • Co-advisor in undergraduate thesis – Effect of biofilters on manure stack temperatures – Mentored in data collection, processing – Data analysis, organized writing
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biodigestion • Rationale for evaluating the effect of mixing on biodigesters – Less frequent mixing to prevent de-anchoring anaerobic bacteria (Aldrich, 1993) – Less operational costs – Mixing: distribute microorganisms and heat, reduces particle size, help release biogas – Is it optimal at intermediate (Smith et al, 1996) or minimal levels (Stroot et al. , 2001) – Does it have no effect (Karim et al. , 2005) – A positive effect (model by Banister (1998)) – A negative one (Stroot et al. (2001)
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biodigestion > Methods • Experiment for evaluating the effect of mixing on biodigesters – – – 3 replicates mixed for 1, 2, 3 minutes / day, 17 days, at 30 o. C Stir bar, peripheral stirring plate, 1. 04 m/s velocity Pressure sensors measure gas build up Gas composition (GC) Stabilization: volatile solids and BOD
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biodigestion > Results
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Biodigestion > Results Chaoui & Richard. 2007. Effect of mixing frequency on biogas yield in biodigesters. International conference on progress in biogas. September 19, 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State • Postdoc at Penn State University – Evaluating compost biofilters to mitigate ammonia and greenhouse gases • ASABE AIM proceedings, June 2007 – Exploratory experiment on the effect of mixing on biogas yield in biodigesters • ‘Progress in Biogas’ conference in Stuttgart, September 2007 – Evaluating models for ammonia emissions from animal waste • In progress – planned, Transactions of ASABE • Managed bio-processing lab • Co-developed wiki website online • Co-advisor in undergraduate thesis – Effect of biofilters on manure stack temperatures – Mentored in data collection processing – Data analysis, organized writing
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Evaluating ammonia emission models • • Models predict ammonia speciation and volatilization Estimating pollution form animal facilities Rationale: empirically evaluate models, verify missing inputs Models for dissociation fraction of ammonia(l) from ammonium(l) – Elzing and Monteny, 1997, Hashimoto, 1972. • Henry’s law predict ammonia(g) based on ammonia(l) – Henry’s constant = P(ammonia gas) / [ammonia(l)] [ammonia(g)] / [ammonia(l)]
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Evaluating ammonia emission models • f x H = [ammonia(l) / ammonium(l)] x [ammonia(g) / ammonia(l)] = [ammonia(g)] / [ammonium(l)] Incubate samples at prescribed temperature for 1 hour, measure for 10 minutes
Past Research > Postdocs > Penn State > Evaluating ammonia emission models • Evaluating mass transfer models, with wind velocity as an input
Future Research
Future Research > Develop technologically advanced organic / sustainable farming • Background: – – – – Trained in precision ag Teaching assistant for precision ag class Arc. GIS work as a graduate assistant, analyzing spatial data Developing program to filter data from citrus yield monitor data logger Literature review on Zigbee routers for wireless signals Workshop on using sensors in the Zigbee system Develop online networking tool (2005) for innovative technologyie on organic farming • Using background for future research: – Draw on network to co-author proposal for wireless sensing / precision ag use in organic animal production – Develop online database for exchange of weeding robots protocols
Future Research > Principles and ideas • Build on existing advances in precision ag and wireless sensing – Wireless animal guidance in free range pastures • Creativity – “ The best way to never have a good idea, is to never have a bad idea” – Incremental innovations to transformative ideas – Sustainability: ecological, social and economic • cost / benefit analysis ･creative design can reduce cost of technology • Teams – Research specialists, students, faculty, for diverse perspectives – Focus-groups to better select research • Communication – put results in accessible terms, stakeholder – combine producers with academic inputs (ASABE session)
Future Research > Principles and ideas • Combine biological and agricultural engineering – Strong collaborations – Grow into that area – Training: protein and enzymatic assays, SDS-Page method • Engineering design – Designing a system, not single process • vermicomposting system – Optimize a combination existing processes • • co-processes multi-waste streams excel program for optimized feedstock result: complex but easy to operate system • Organization in experiments – – Experimental design, hypothesis Streamlining data collection and processing Industry-like efficiency in labs Enhances career of graduates, increases credibility of lab
Future Research > Principles and ideas > designing systems
Vision of what’s next: free range fitted with technology Tools: waste bioprocessing techniques, instrumentation, electrical engineering, precision ag and programming A free-range fitted with engineering designs to process waste Goal: - social acceptability, no odor - pro-pig environment - ecologically sound, lucrative - not at the expense of increased labor
Vision of what’s next: free range fitted with technology Tools: waste bioprocessing techniques, instrumentation, electrical engineering, precision ag and programming GPS or LPS receivers, RF modules and Remote controlled-locomotion will be used to input / ouput locations Mobile barn, guided by wireless input from control station Solar powered Feeder Ant An autonomous mobile unit feeding outdoor pigs (Jorgensen et al. 2007). Position output by control station GPS and RF module fitted pig collars. Control station: computerized, feedback loops based on wireless communication, prevents long work hours Wireless soil sensors indicate when soil reaches its capacity in P nitrate Porous soil inoculated with earthworms processes some of the pre-decomposed waste Automated mobile “lids” detect gaseous emissions from, and cover waste. They’re fitted with waste degrading technologies, and powered by renewable energy. They collect waste as well, into a central waste processing station.
Paradigm shift in animal husbandry Article by L. Hamilton in The New Farm, Jan 2003 on organic dairy milk. A mobile milking parlor follows the cows as they rotate in the pasture. Organic Pastures Dairy Company, Fresno CA Eggmobile, such as used in Perry Winkle Farms Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative extension, Chatham county
Future Research > Funding Sources • Ideas on funding source, grant proposals – NRI and agstar at USDA – Industry – Co-authored grant proposal in Ph. D; received 86% approval rate – Patent and royalties – Cater to mainstream in R&D, technologically advanced and convenient micro-gardens – Envisioned grant proposal: design model for optimizing a multi process / multi waste stream bio-processing system
Future Research > Graduate Students • Principles in guiding graduate students – Make room for creative thinking – Identify a problem, be inspired, envision a solution, test it using scientific method – Literature reviews and planning; 80% of effort. Organized data collection and recording – Demystify statistical analysis and experimental design – Meticulous lab methods, not micro-manage – Streamline data processing, replace tedious tasks with programs (for data filtering), leaves time for intelligent work – Practical engineering skills. Autocad, machine shops. Design and print parts with a 3 D printer
Future Research > Future Vision • Paradigm shift in organic productions – from inert technologies, to dynamic ones on which we can ‘download’ new protocols (like weed recognition for a machine vision system) – use of wireless sensors, feedback loops – becoming more socially, ecologically sound – more humane environment for animals, and less labor-dependent for plants and animal production • Increased efficiency of small scale - organic swine productions – modular technologies, – the UN FAO report: Organic Agriculture and Food Security (2007): organic agriculture can address local and global food security challenges.
Conclusion • Goal – Transform organic plant and animal production – Integrate innovative technologies in existing systems • How I will work with others – Communicate with stakeholders – Collaborate with agricultural and biological engineers • Tools – Science + engineering background – Easily take on new subjects
Thank You
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