Professional Training for Developing a Hands-On Organic Weed Management Learning Center for Commercial Market Gardens in Local Communities

The Four-Corners WSARE Organic Weed Management Conference was held on February 24, 2010 at McGee Park in Bloomfield, NM. There were 60 participants, 8 model farmers, 5 speakers and 5 extension agents present. Of the participants, 5 were from Archuleta, 3 from LaPlata, 5 from Montezuma, 2 from San Miguel/Dolores, 45 from San Juan County, NM, and 5 from other counties in Colorado. In addition to a full program, recruitment material was distributed to encourage participants to become part of the Learning Center. Ten additional people completed a form indicating they would be interested in the Learning Center. They were added to our participants list and emailed information on all scheduled workshops.
Twenty seven of the participants rated their before and after knowledge on each of the presentations. The gain in knowledge (on a scale from 1 to 10) was: What is WSARE? (5.33), Cover Crops (2.63), Transitioning to Organic (1.52), Insect Bio-Control (4.04), Using Grasses in Revegetation (2.19), Hands-On Organic Weed Management Learning Center for Commercial Market Gardens in Local Communities (3.52), Crop Rotations (3.11). The most significant change for Agricultural Professionals will be to assist clientele with organic weed management planning. Producers plan to incorporate cover crops and crop rotations into their operations.
All presentations from the symposium were posted on the website at http://www.fortlewis.edu/owm/Workshops/2010OWMSymposium.aspx

Each year the San Juan Basin (LaPlata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, Archuleta and San Juan, NM) agents meet to plan the upcoming workshops for the region. All of the agents contributed to the Organic Weed Management conference in February and attended the symposium as well as several workshops. Each of the regional agents agreed to distribute information to current and former master gardeners, and publicize the Learning Center workshops in their newsletters. To increase participation in New Mexico, the PI attended a Farmer’s Market Workshop in January and presented information on the Learning Center and the first year’s results. To increase contact with Model Farmers and Agricultural Professionals working with the Navajo Nation, the PI attended the Shiprock Ag Days in March. One presentation was used to increase awareness of WSARE programs and grant opportunities. A second presentation included information on the Learning Center and results from the Organic Weed Management Techniques used in 2009. Most of the Model Farmers do not have an email address and only receive information via mail. We did see an increase in the number of model farmers that attended summer workshops. Three of the five agents also attended the bio-control workshop on May 7th and at least one additional workshop during the summer.

Additional surveys were distributed at the Feb Symposium, NM Farmer’s Market workshop, Shiprock Ag Days and the Initial workshop at the Learning Center. This data was entered by hourly students and turned over to the SouthWest Marketing Network for analysis.

The project hired a part time hourly during the Winter 10 to assist with data entry and Spring planning. During the summer, we hired two part-time Fort Lewis College students to assist with data collection, plot maintenance, and workshop organization. Additionally, we were able work with SouthWest Conservation Corp by hosting a Youth (ages 11-15) Corp at the Learning Center. Three Fort Lewis students were hired as summer associates to assist with the Corp. They received a monthly stipend along with an Americorp award at the end of the eight week session. The Corp and the Summer Associates assisted us with all aspects of the project. Once school started, one part time hourly employee was maintained to help with continued data collection and completion of the growing season. Additionally, two students from the FLC Summer Field Class completed a 3 credit internship during the Fall 2010 semester. In the Spring of 2011, Fort Lewis College and the Southwest Conservation Corp obtained a year-long VISTA to assist with management of the demonstration/market garden. She assisted with installation and maintenance of weed management plots as well as the organization of the summer workshops.

The 2010 Research Garden included 15 different techniques including plastic barriers, biodegradable barriers, cultural and mechanical. Participants in the 2009 workshops indicated a strong interest in more biodegradable options as well as colored plastics. The following treatments were applied: Control, Red plastic, Black plastic, White on Black plastic, Embossed black plastic, Biodegradable embossed black plastic, EcoOne, Planters Paper, EcoCover, Horticultural Vinegar, Flaming, Corn Gluten Meal, Hand weeding, and Re-usable weed barrier.
The 2011 Research Garden utilized three of the barrier methods in larger scale production. The sweet corn, broccoli and cabbage were planted in white on black plastic because of the lower incidence of corn ear worms observed in 2010. All of the tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse were placed in red plastic. Because it was inside of a greenhouse, we did not see extensive growth under the red plastic. We also used embossed black biodegradable plastic was used for the green bean variety trials with excellent results. These production plots were showcased during the Weeds workshop.

Working with Gary Hathorn, Model Farmer Coordinator, we identified two potential cooperators and sites for the on-farm demonstrations in Shiprock, NM. After visiting with two producers and visiting their respective locations, we selected the cooperator that was more accessible and grew a wider variety of crops.
While San Miguel County is part of our Four Corners region and works with our San Juan Basin agents, travel times often prohibit growers from attending workshops. Therefore, we decided to establish a demonstration in the Norwood/Telluride area. We worked with the San Miguel Extension agent to identify some potential cooperators in her region. The most visible and enthusiastic group was from the Norwood Community Garden. They established a 1.5 acre garden in town with good access to water in 2009. After tilling the garden, a tremendous amount of Canadian thistle invaded the growing space so they were looking for some treatments that would allow them to grow produce in 2010.
The Norwood site was established on June 3rd utilizing four students and the PI. We worked with community garden organizers to install 80’ strips of EcoCover (biodegradable), EcoOne (biodegradable), Black Plastic and Red Plastic in one section of their garden that had already been tilled. We provided them with 80’ of the reusable weed barrier obtained from NRCS for another section of the garden that was not yet ready for installation.
The Shiprock, NM demonstration site was installed on June 7th at one of the Model Farmer's gardens. She raises chilis, squash and tomatoes and uses flood irrigation so it made installation more difficult. We tried a couple of different techniques to make transplanting and watering easier. The Red plastic was installed across the irrigation channel to allow for transplants to be placed on both side of the water source. The cooperator later moved the barrier because it was too difficult to manage the water in the channel when it was covered up. To help with the extreme summer heat, we installed the white on black plastic and red plastic. The red plastic has also been shown to increase tomato production. As a biodegradable option, we installed EcoOne and the Embossed biodegradable black plastic.

The initial workshop was held on May 7, 2010 at the Fort Lewis College Field Station. The topic for the workshop was Biological and Cultural Control of Pests. There were 40 people who attended the workshop and 20 completed an evaluation form. Of the attendees, 29 were from LaPlata, 3 from Montezuma, and 6 from San Juan County, NM, and 2 from Dolores County. The program consisted of three formal presentations and a hands-on Insect Monitoring activity followed by a tour of the demonstration plots. Evaluations indicated that knowledge gained for the various presentations were Insect Identification- 2.58, Longterm Grasshopper Management – 4.63, Tamarisk Leaf Beetle – 4.09, Vegetable Pest Management for Small Farms/Market Gardens – 2.89 and Hands-on Insect Monitoring – 4.67. The audience was made up of 12 agriculture professionals (4 tribal representatives and 4 extension personnel), 7 farmers, 9 students and 12 Educators or Master Gardeners.
We offered our workshops in a variety of different ways this year. We found that our audience liked the 4 hour workshop schedule and still found the Soils workshop to be the most popular. To give the participants more time to ask questions and network with their fellow participants, we offered a snack/meal break in between the two different workshops. Additionally, we worked with the LaPlata County Extension program to offer the workshops to their BackYard Gardening participants.
Workshops began in June after the plots were established by the FLC Field Class during the month of May. The students assisted with the selection of the methods and each of the 17 students contributed to the selection and establishment of the research plots.
In 2011 the Learning Center hosted a Soils Analyses workshop in June and a Weed Control workshop in August.

Soil Analysis: June 9, Aug 2 and August 17
Soil analyses hands on topics included taking soil samples, using a pentrometer (measures soil compaction), infiltrometer (measures water percolation) and soil pH. Participants were encouraged to bring a jar of their dirt with them so they could perform some simple tests.

Methodology: June 9, July 14, August 2 and 17
Methodology topics included working with different options for market gardens including barrier methods (traditional, biodegradable, and mechanical) and alternative treatments (corn gluten meal, flaming, horticultural vinegar). Participants were also given the opportunity to try out several of the hand weeding tools that the Learning Center has been using in the plots.

Efficacy and Production: June 9, July 14, August 2 and 17
Efficacy topics included visually inspecting the different treatments as well as reviewing production data from the different plots, showing participants how to take and interpret transect data. We also shared production data from the various treatments as well as preliminary temperature data with participants.

Web-based Information: June 9, July 14, August 2 and 17
All participants were given URLs for the BLOG, website, treatment barriers and tools resources as well as I information on the thermacrons that record temperatures.

Attendance at the June 9th workshop was 48, July 14th was 20, August 2nd was 10 and August 17th was 25. The June 9th workshop had 30 growers (backyard gardeners), 10 master gardeners, 2 extension personnel, 2 Fort Lewis Professionals and 4 students. The July 14th workshop had 12 growers, 4 master gardeners, 1 extension agents and 3 students. The August 2nd workshop had 2 master gardeners, 4 model farmers, 2 FLC professionals and 2 students. The August 17th workshop had 5 NRCS employees, 5 master gardeners, 2 extension personnel, 5 farmers and 3 students.

Both the Soils and Weeds workshops began with a presentation by Darrin Parmenter, LaPlata County Horticulture agent in a traditional setting The primary training document for the Soil Analysis workshop was developed by Dr. Phil Shuler. This topic was our most popular hands-on workshop because they were able to work with pH meters, infiltrometers and make dirt shakes. In 2011, we continued to offer this workshop to Master Gardeners and Backyard Food Production participants. For the Methodology, Efficacy and Production workshops, participants were provided with cost analyses handouts for the different methods being studied, potential sources for purchasing tools and barriers along with websites for technology like thermocrons. These resources are available on the website at www.fortlewis.edu/owm.

The PI purchased all of the supplies needed for the site and coordinators. With the assistance of Fort Lewis College students and on-site participants, the demonstration sites were installed in June. Each of the sites were managed by the individual cooperators. They planted, monitored and documented (mostly pictures) their on-farm sites. Each of the sites hosted open houses to share the information with other members of their community.

Data collected on the research plots included journal entries documenting planting and germination dates for the various crops as well as any unique observations (ie: weed growth under red plastic), recording production data by treatment, replicate and crop, and mid-season transects to characterize plant populations within treatment and replicate. Production data included weighing all produce from bean, beets, and broccoli crops while the cabbage and corn yields were only counted. Weights and counts were entered into MS Access for analyses. Thermacrons were used to record soil temperatures every 90 minutes in each of the organic weed management treatments from May 20th through September 25th. They were buried 4 inches into the soil on the Southwest corner of each plot. Data was downloaded into MS Access for analyses.

Pictures of the 15 different techniques were taken at least once a month beginning with their establishment in May. These pictures were used to document observations and support the numeric data being collected. These pictures were also placed in the blog, on the website and were used in project presentations.
Vegetables were harvested at appropriate maturity and weights and counts of each rep and treatment were recorded. Summary data was entered into MS Access by Fort Lewis College work study students. To account for the yearly variation in weather and methods used, a within-year ratio was calculated for both production weight and counts (cabbage and corn). These ratios were then averaged over the entire period of the grant (2008-2011) and treatments were ranked on both production weight and counts. Tables summarizing the findings are included in the final report and the Learning Center Summary document.
A 20’ transect line was used to record weed, crop or bare ground every 12 inches. Three transects were taken in each replicate for a total of 240 data points per treatment. The data collected in 2010 was combined with 2009 data and percentages for bare ground, crop and weed coverage were calculated for each treatment. MS Access was used to calculate percentage of bare ground, crop and weed coverage for each treatment. Tables summarizing these findings are included in the final report and the Learning Center Summary document.
Temperature data from the thermacrons were analyzed in MS Access by calculating minimum, maximum and average temperatures for each month. Treatments were also ranked on average temperatures. Tables summarizing the findings are included in the final report and the Learning Center Summary document.

A new website was established at www.fortlewis.edu/owm and a redirect was placed on the Colorado State website (www.colostate.edu/dept/sjbrc/owm) The website was used to announce upcoming events, post presentations from the symposiums and workshops as well as posting additional reference material related to some of the organic weed management techniques we are using. All presentations from each of the symposiums and workshops are posted on the website along with photo albums and slide shows that highlight research results.
The BLOG www.organicweedmanagement.blogspot.com was updated with pictures and narrative on upcoming activities and events throughout the growing season. Initial production results were also posted along with treatment updates. Final production data was also placed on BLOG.

The PI compiled information for all of the Organic Weed Management techniques that were used during this duration of this project. Data includes methodology, observed advantages and disadvantages, purchasing and cost information, photos as well as temperature and production data and rankings for each technique. Once completed it was printed and distributed to regional Extension, NRCS and tribal offices as well as being available at the Fort Lewis Field Station and on the website.

• Shiprock Ag Days Presentation
• Ron Godin addresses Participants at February Symposium
• Using Grasses in Revegetation
• PI and FLC Students lay down weed barriers in garden
• EcoCover – Degradable Barrier is laid down.
• Summary of Weed Questionnaires by SouthWest Marketing Network
• FLC Students assist Norwood Community Garden with Thistles
• Soils Workshop workbook prepared by Dr. Phil Shuler
• PI, Beth LaShell makes dirt shakes with participants at soils workshop
• Gabe Eggers, local farmer leads soil percolation discussion at Soils workshop
• Participants look at 15 different organic weed management techniques in research garden
• Workbook for Soil Analyses workshop developed by Dr. Phil Shuler
• Presentation for Methodology, Efficacy and Production workshops
• Colored barriers were installed in Shiprock, NM Demonstration site
• Sample of Garden Production Data
• Transect Data Example
• Production Weight Ratios and Rankings
• Temperature Data for OWM treatments
• Four barriers were installed in this section of Norwood Community Garden
• Dr. Phil Shuler, Fort Lewis College talks about mycorrhizae
• PI, Beth LaShell leads tour of research gardens
• Black Plastic Summary from Organic Weed Management Techniques Booklet
• Organic Weed Management Techniques Demo
• Backyard Food Production presentation on Learning Center
• The infiltrometer measures water percolation
• Extension agent, Darrin Parmenter at Soils workshop
• Production Count Ratios and Rankings
• Shiprock, NM Demonstration site used different installation methods to accommodate flood irrigation
• Temperature Data Example
• May and June Average Temperatures and Rankings for Treatments
• July and August Average Temperatures and Rankings for Treatments