As announced earlier this summer, we are looking for commercial entities and individuals to sponsor Organic Kale Sensory & Consumer Research that is set to start September 2016.
The research proposes to integrate consumer feedback into the plant breeding process and on-farm trialing of new kale genotypes, to both develop a lexicon describing leafy kale types, based on the language of the consumer, and understand the relative importance of plant traits (e.g., color, leaf shape, leaf size, etc.) through the lens of the consumer. Ultimately, feedback generated from home-use tests and consumer focus groups will guide a robust plant-breeding program that serves producers, retailers, and consumers from the onset of plant development. For more information, please click on this link.
To date, we were able to raise one third of the funds necessary to conduct the research over the two years (Fall 2016-Winter 2018). Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support! The 
funds raised so far will be used to cover the costs of the first study, hypothesis-building qualitative consumer research.
We still are looking for sponsors to cover the research activities planned for 2017 and beyond.
If you’re interested in sponsoring the project, please contact Julie Stafford/Cornell Institute For Food Systems at jls653@cornell.edu for more information.
Last Tuesday August 2nd, 2016, we went to see the kale planted for this 2016 Fall’s portion of the research at the Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm in Freeville, NY.
Thank you for inviting us, Hannah!
First, we visited the conventionally farmed field that showcased the currently available varieties of kale. A large proportion of the varieties out there on the market now is the “curly” kind. But you can also see many others. Some have flowered already. That was very pretty, but quite unusual to see in this field of mostly dark leafy greens with an occasional purple peeking here and there.
Hannah also showed us her initial work on trying to understand the genetic mechanisms behind the color variation in kale. Quite fascinating!
The organic kale is grown on a different field. This kale also is looking good. The rows were covered with the white cloth to protect from bugs.
This kale will be used for the sensory/consumer research we are planning to start in September. We’ll start recruiting panel very soon.
If our fundraising efforts go well, Hannah is also planning to add the second planting of kale for the December sensory evaluation in the next week or so.
