Ohio dairy farmer David Kline’s first trip to the Shenandoah Valley came with a surprise — it’s not flat amid the mountains.

“You have rolling hills,” he said. “I like roll to the land.”

What’s more surprising is how many people heard Kline say that.

A crowd of about 200 packed into Dayton’s Montezuma Hall Wednesday night to listen to the Amish farmer speak of the importance of being respectful stewards of God’s land.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension, 91����Ƶ and Valley Conservation Council were among the event’s sponsors.

“I guess Amish speakers are fairly popular,” extension agent Eric Bendfeldt said when introducing Kline.

Attendees, however, did not come out to listen to just any Amish speaker.

Kline is the author of several books, including “Letters from Larksong: An Amish Naturalist Explores His Organic Farm,” and travels often to share the story of his 120-acre family farm in Holmes County, Ohio.

The Amish comprise about half Holmes’ 40,000 people, according to the county’s chamber of commerce.

Amish and Mennonites share many of the same beliefs, born out of a 16th century European movement known as Anabaptism — rejecting infant baptism. The Amish, though, live a much more conservative lifestyle today.

Because of that faith, Kline asks not to be photographed. An 91����Ƶ professor’s in-laws live near him and brought him to Virginia since he uses a horse and buggy as transportation in Ohio.

Kline is speaking to classes at the university this week. Eastern Mennonite School students have actually visited his farm a number of times as part of science teacher Myron Blosser’s summer program.

“It is a real treat to sit around and chat with David on his farm as the sun goes down, then get up early to ‘help’ milk his cows, eat a farm-grown breakfast, watch him mow hay with horses and discuss issues in agriculture with him,” he said in an email. “It has a way of framing perspectives for us.”

Kline said farmers must embrace technology and science only so much, ensuring that the knowledge gained from manual labor on farms is handed down to succeeding generations.

He uses wind power to pump water on his farm and solar energy to charge batteries. Otherwise, his farm and many others around him are electricity-free.

“If there’s a storm,” Kline said, “we never worry about lines being down.”

That way of life is not for everybody, he admits. What is, though, is respecting the land that grows the world’s food.

Kline advises farmers to “romance” young people to keep them interested in agriculture and to not be overwhelmed by the job.

“This is the best life you can live,” he said.

“Sustaining Organic Blueberry Production: Analysis of Practices and Assessing Outcomes,” a research projected directed by , PhD, professor of at 91����Ƶ (91����Ƶ), will look at the merits of organic horticulture as it relates to blueberries.

“[The $26,300 grant] will fund a model system of quantifying sustainable blueberry production as a specialty crop,” said Miller. “In addition, it will provide support for students doing horticulture research, create a model system for area farmers interesting in diversifying their operations and encourage the local community on organic agriculture.”

The 91����Ƶ team of Miller, professors and , will be overseeing the project. Participating in the project are 91����Ƶ student assistants Jonathan Fretz and Travis Riesen, representatives, and and , president of .

A system of sustainability

A recent study found a rising demand for organic products, with over 80 percent of grocery stores featuring an organic section as of 2008.

“There continues to be a huge demand for small fruits and vegetables, particularly for blueberries, strawberries and brambles,” said Bendfeldt.

A principal goal of the project is to develop a model system of quantifying sustainable organic blueberry production in the Shenandoah Valley. Research will integrate plant foliar nutrient, growth, and vigor analysis; measurement of photosynthesis; and berry quality and composition to determine quantity and quality of the berries.

“Since there are limited sources of local blueberries in the Valley, the project will fill some of the gap between supply and demand of local and organic produce,” said Kishbaugh. “Additionally, the information at the project website will be an invaluable resource for gardeners and others interested in raising blueberries themselves or about the process of organic farming.”

The information from the project could also motivate farmers to diversify their current agricultural systems, according to Cessna. “Through this project we are hoping to become better informed about best practice for highbush blueberry growers and which soil and plants work best in the Valley,” said Cessna.

Coming to fruition

While the grant officially began on Nov. 1, and will run until Oct. 31, 2013, preparation for the project began several years ago. Miller started in 2008 by setting up an experimental design for growing blueberries at , an organic farm four miles outside Harrisonburg.

“My initial experimental design was to select a hillside site which is rocky and not tillable for the organic plot,” said Miller. “Four subplots were formed based on the soil amendment treatments: horse manure compost; sheep manure compost; pine needle compost; and a commercial compost, Planters Choice.”

91����Ƶ 180 bushes were planted in December 2009, 160 of which were in organic plots representing five cultivars: Duke, Jersey, Bluegold, Chandler and BlueCrop. Soil conditions and plant growth were monitored and an irrigation system was installed during the 15 months after planting.

“This is a long-term project to demonstrate that a farmer can initiate a small commercial organic blueberry operation that is sustainable and cost effective,” said Miller. “These blueberry bushes will likely be productive for 20 years or more and the grant will support the extended analysis that most horticulturalists do not bother doing because of time, labor and direct expenses involved.”

Impact on the community

The project will be beneficial to local farmers and consumers in Virginia, according to Bendfeldt. “Farmers and consumers are keenly interested in and aware of best agricultural practices, economic and environmental sustainability and the potential health benefits of organic blueberry production,” said Bendfelt.

Bendfelt feels the project will allow students to work in a “living laboratory” and assess the research they gather and the impact it has on development and production differentiation for farmers.

“The proposal builds on the values and ethos of 91����Ƶ’s efforts to engage their students and the community in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship and creation care,” said Bendfelt.