Nick Maravell

Nick’s Organic Farm

8565 Horseshoe Lane

Potomac, MD 20854

February 4, 2011

Dr. Mary Peet

National Program Leader Division of Plant Systems Production National Institute of Food and Agriculture USDA

STOP 2220

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20250-2220

Dear Dr. Peet:

As an organic crop, livestock and vegetable grower for over 30 years, I am writing to give urgent support Drs. Grieshop and Nielsen’s planning proposal to identify research and extension priorities regarding management of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in organic crops. While some work is being done to devise control and management strategies for BMSB, most of the approaches being explored will not be suitable for organic growers.

The BMSB was particularly devastating in my state of Maryland in the 2010 season for both conventional and organic growers. The damage in fruit and certain vegetable crops was almost complete for many producers in central Maryland.

Many organic growers in the state have contacted me to see how I am going to handle this infestation. I do not have any answers. I have encouraged the organic growers in Maryland to meet and work with the USDA-ARS task force on BMSB and to cooperate with the efforts of Dr. Ted Rodgers at ARS—which they have done. As a result of these and other efforts from the grassroots, you are receiving the planning proposal that Drs. Grieshop and Nielson are submitting.

Damage to my crops this year was substantial. For the first time in 32 years of organic farming, I had to disc under well over $15,000 worth of fresh edible soybeans. While dry conditions played some role in the reducing yield, the damage to the beans themselves by the BMSB made the pods unmarketable. I have had drier years in the past, but I have always had a crop. The yield in my dry grain soybeans was reduced by about 50% due, in large part, to BMSB damage and the unevenness in maturity as the beans tried to “grow through” the damage. Many other organic growers have reported to me that the damage to such items as full size tomatoes and apples was total.

A well conceived and coordinated strategy, with organic grower involvement from the very start, needs to begin immediately, and this proposal will accomplish the task. Following the proper groundwork envisioned in the proposal, we are hopeful that a further proposal will be presented to OREI next year that will advance the development of management and control strategies that will benefit both the organic and non-organic grower.

I will continue to participate in the efforts of the research community to address the BMSB problem, including completing grower surveys, contributing to an online database, and joining conference calls. I believe this proposal represents an excellent use of limited Federal funds to target urgently needed work to preserve the agricultural livelihood of many growers.

Sincerely,

Nick Maravell

Frederick and Montgomery Counties, Maryland