THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS MULTI-STATE AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROJECT IS TO INCREASE AND SUSTAIN ORGANIC DAY-NEUTRAL STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN THE UPPER MIDWEST. THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES PROGRAM PRIORITY 4, DEVELOPING PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND TOOLS TO HELP PRODUCERS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO ORGANIC TRANSITION AND PRIORITY 1, UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIC PRACTICES ON WEEDS, PESTS AND DISEASES FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT. STRAWBERRIES REPRESENT THE LARGEST FRUIT CROP IN MN AND THE THIRD LARGEST FRUIT CROP IN WI. HOWEVER, ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IS NEGLIGIBLE IN THE REGION, DESPITE INTEREST AMONG GROWERS, EXCESS DEMAND AND PREMIUM PRICES FOR THIS PRODUCT AT LOCAL MARKETS. A MAJOR LIMITATION GROWERS FACE IN TRANSITIONING TO ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IS LINKED TO THE PERENNIAL MATTED ROW PRODUCTION SYSTEM ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY USED IN THE REGION FOR STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION, WHICH INCREASES WEED, INSECT, AND DISEASE PRESSURE OVER MULTIPLE SEASONS THAT ARE CHALLENGING TO CONTROL WITH CURRENT ORGANIC PRACTICES. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FACED BY GROWERS WHEN TRANSITIONING TO ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN THE UPPER MIDWEST BY: 1) SHIFTING FROM A PERENNIAL TO AN ANNUAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM; 2) GENERATING RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION ON ORGANIC-APPROVED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO REDUCE INSECT, DISEASE, AND WEED PRESSURE; 3) EVALUATING INSECT AND DISEASE PRESSURE DURING THE GROWING CYCLE; AND 4) DETERMINING THE PROFITABILITY ON SMALL-SCALE FARMS.