Written by Ilse A. Rasmussen

The ISOFAR World Board that was elected in October, 2014 at the General Assembly of ISOFAR (International Society of Organic Agriculture Research) held its fourth, but first face-to-face meeting at the Thünen Institute for Organic Farming at Trenthorst.
9 out of the 12 members were present.

Before the actual meeting, the board members had a tour of the Thünen Institute for Organic Farming, which consists of 600 ha of land, run organically since 1999, with 100 dairy cows, 50 sows and some other animals. The staff consists of app. 100 persons, and the institute has been headed by Prof. Dr. Gerold Rahmann since the start. Read more about the institute.

In addition to the discussion of the Scientific Symposium in Korea, other important topics such as the 3rd African Organic Conference 5 – 9 Oct. 2015, which is supported by ISOFAR, was discussed, as well as how ISOFAR should support other relevant events and participate in dissemination of research between researchers and to stakeholders.

On the meeting it was concluded that the official journal of ISOFAR, Organic Agriculture by Springer, to which all members have free access, is on a good track. It was started in 2011, and the journal now has sufficient numbers of quality papers to publish four issues annually as planned, and expects that Springer will apply to Thompson-Reuters for evaluation for an impact factor next year.

ICROFS' representation in ISOFAR Board

ICROFS has been represented in the board of ISOFAR since the start in 2003, first by Erik Steen Kristensen (2003 – 2005), then by Niels Halberg (treasurer 2005 – 2008, vice-president 2008-2011) and now by Ilse A. Rasmussen (2011 – present, treasurer since 2014).

Members of the ISOFAR Board