Progress report for FNC25-1454
Project Information
Project Coordinator: Lainey Harvick
Lainey Harvick is the 51% owner of Harvick Farms, a certified Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) and HUBZone farm located in Cassville, Missouri. As a beginning farmer, Lainey has successfully transitioned Harvick Farms into a diversified agricultural business since its start in 2021. With a Master’s degree in Nursing, Lainey’s background in holistic medicine enhances her understanding of the health benefits of herbal teas, guiding product development to meet growing consumer interest in wellness-focused value-added products.
Lainey leads all aspects of grant management, including documentation, reporting, and educational outreach. She oversees herb dehydration, tea blending, packaging, and compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards, which she completed in 2024. Her ability to combine sustainable farming practices with a focus on consumer health and education ensures the success and scalability of this project.
Role: Manage all project activities, including documentation, herb processing, and value-added product creation; host workshops and educational outreach events.
Field Manager: Joseph Harvick
Joseph Harvick, Lainey’s husband and co-owner of Harvick Farms, is a U.S. Marine veteran with strong leadership skills and extensive experience in sustainable farming. Joseph focuses on field operations, including planting, pest management, and intercropping trials. He brings practical expertise to implementing the cedar mulch application and testing its effects on soil health and pest reduction. Joseph also completed GAP certification in 2024, supporting food safety and compliance across farm operations.
Role: Lead planting, field trials, pest monitoring, and data collection.
Herb growers face challenges in managing pests and ensuring consistent yields while meeting consumer demand for sustainable products. Lavender and rosemary are susceptible to aphids and spider mites, while ginger and turmeric are prone to soil-borne pests in temperate climates. Traditional pest control methods often rely on chemicals, which contradict the organic practices sought by health-conscious consumers.
Moreover, farmers often struggle to optimize herb and root intercropping systems for pest resistance and yield efficiency. While cedar mulch is known to deter pests, its effectiveness in enhancing herb production and intercropping systems has not been fully studied. There is a need to test practical, low-cost strategies that reduce chemical reliance and improve productivity.
This project seeks to address these gaps by evaluating the combined benefits of intercropping ginger and turmeric with perennial herbs and using cedar mulch to enhance pest control and soil health. The findings will benefit small and mid-sized farms by providing a scalable solution for sustainable herb production.
Solution:
This research project will investigate the impact of cedar mulch and intercropping on pest control, soil health, and crop yields in a 0.5-acre plot at Harvick Farms. By integrating sustainable agriculture practices, the project aims to optimize perennial herb and root crop systems for improved productivity and profitability.
Trial Setup:
The experimental design will include two main treatments:
- Treatment Plots: Intercropped herbs (lavender, rosemary, rosehip) and roots (ginger, turmeric) with cedar mulch applied at a 3-inch depth.
- Control Plots: Intercropped herbs and roots without cedar mulch.
Each plot will be replicated three times for statistical reliability. Plots will be arranged in a randomized block design to account for variations in soil conditions and microclimate.
Materials and Methods:
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Planting and Intercropping:
- Herbs and roots will be intercropped to promote biodiversity and natural pest suppression. Lavender, rosemary, and rosehip will occupy alternating rows, with ginger and turmeric planted in between.
- Plant density and spacing will follow best practices to ensure healthy root and herb development.
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Cedar Mulch Application:
- Locally sourced cedar mulch will be applied to treatment plots, ensuring uniform coverage to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and deter pests.
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Data Collection:
- Pest Pressure: Weekly visual surveys will count pests, including aphids and mites, across treatment and control plots.
- Soil Health: Moisture levels and organic matter will be analyzed pre- and post-season using soil testing kits.
- Crop Yields: Herbs and roots will be harvested, dried, and weighed separately for comparison between treatments.
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Tea Production:
- Harvested crops will be processed into high-value tea blends, such as Lavender & Rosemary Relaxation Tea, Golden Glow Detox Tea, and Ginger & Turmeric Immunity Tea, highlighting the versatility of intercropped systems.
Sustainable Practices Demonstrated:
- Reduction of chemical pesticides through intercropping and cedar mulch.
- Improved soil health with organic mulch.
- Diversification of farm products via value-added teas.
Educational Component:
Workshops and field days will demonstrate the trial setup, cedar mulch application, and tea-making process. A detailed guide will be developed for farmers interested in adopting these practices.
Objectives:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of cedar mulch in controlling pests and enhancing soil health in intercropped systems.
- Quantify yield differences between treatment (cedar mulch) and control (no mulch) plots for herbs and roots.
- Develop and market five distinct herbal tea blends using crops from the trial.
- Host two workshops and produce educational materials (guides, videos) to share findings and promote adoption of sustainable practices among farmers.
Research
Our project was designed as a two-year, phased approach that allowed us to evaluate soil health, labor requirements, crop yields, and economic feasibility before scaling. This approach ensures that the results are practical, transferable, and relevant for other farmers considering specialty crop diversification.
Year 1: Establishing Baseline Production & Comparing Mulching Systems
In Year 1, we planted eight total rows, each 150 feet long. To evaluate how different mulching systems affect labor, weed pressure, soil moisture retention, and crop performance, the field was divided into two sections:
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4 rows planted in cedar mulch
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4 rows planted in traditional, non-specific, non-dyed hardwood mulch
Each mulched section included the same crop layout to enable a clean comparison:
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150' row of roses
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150' row of lavender
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150' row of ginger
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150' row of turmeric
This structure allowed us to evaluate crop performance across two distinct mulching systems while minimizing confounding variables. Using long straight rows kept installation consistent and reduced labor variability. The crops were selected because they provide high-value yields, support our nursery’s apothecary and value-added product lines, and grow well in our climate with proper amendments.
Logic Behind Year 1 Choices:
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Controlled comparison: By duplicating the crop layout in each mulch type, we created a clear side-by-side system that other farmers can easily replicate.
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Labor measurement: Mulch type significantly impacts weeding and watering needs—two of the highest labor costs for small farms.
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Water retention study: Cedar mulch retains moisture differently from standard hardwood mulch; documenting these differences helps other growers choose the right system for their land.
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Baseline yield & cost data: Before scaling, we needed accurate yield-per-linear-foot and cost-per-crop numbers specifically for our soil type, climate, and farm labor structure.
Year 2: Expansion Using Optimized Layout & Densified Planting Strategy
After collecting Year 1 data, we designed a more efficient system for Year 2 expansion to improve profitability and make the project more feasible for small-scale growers.
The optimized layout includes two rows per crop (roses, lavender, ginger, turmeric, rosemary), still within the same 150' × 3' row footprint. The goal is to increase yield per square foot while maintaining airflow, plant health, and manageable labor requirements.
The Year 2 system uses:
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Tighter but safe plant spacing
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Consistent mulch type selected from Year 1 results
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More efficient irrigation layout
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Improved crop grouping to simplify harvest and management
This densified yet healthy planting method increases both yield and revenue potential, and the dataset from Year 1 allows us to approach Year 2 with confidence and farmer-ready recommendations.
Logic Behind Year 2 Choices:
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Scaling what works: Yield and labor data from Year 1 informs which mulch system and spacing achieve the best ROI.
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Reduced management complexity: Grouping identical crops in paired rows simplifies watering, labor scheduling, and pest monitoring.
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Higher economic return: Increasing yield per labor hour is one of the most important factors for small diversified farms.
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Replicability for other producers: The Year 2 layout offers a scalable model suitable for ¼–1 acre operations across the Midwest and Ozarks.
How Other Farmers Can Apply This
Farmers and ranchers can adapt our process by:
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Starting with small, controlled test plots to evaluate mulch, spacing, and labor.
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Running duplicated crop systems across two management approaches to identify the best-fit practices.
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Using linear-foot and per-square-foot yield data to make realistic financial projections before scaling.
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Considering “densify without harming plant health” row spacing to increase profitability on limited acreage.
Our project emphasizes that profitable specialty crop systems must be tailored to local soil, climate, and available labor—but the step-by-step experimental design we used can be replicated anywhere.
The project produced clear, measurable results in Year 1 and strong projections for Year 2 that demonstrate how refined spacing, consistent mulching, and crop-specific management can transform the profitability and efficiency of specialty crop systems. Our results include yields, revenue, labor inputs, cost comparisons, and crop performance data that offer practical insights for other small and mid-sized growers.
Year 1 Results (Baseline Production Year)
Year 1 consisted of eight 150-foot rows, split into two mulching systems (cedar and traditional hardwood). Each system included one row each of ginger, turmeric, lavender, and roses.
1. Yield Results (Measured by lb per square foot and total weight)
| Crop | Area (sq ft) | Yield (lb/sq ft) | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | 300 | 0.04 | 11 lb |
| Turmeric | 300 | 0.13 | 38 lb |
| Roses (hips) | 300 | 0.03 | 10 lb |
| Rosemary | 300 | 0.00 | 0 lb (immature year) |
| Lavender | 300 | 0.10 | 30 lb |
Measurement Method:
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Yield per crop was measured using digital scale weights at harvest.
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Square footage was calculated based on row length (150 ft) × width (3 ft), then divided by plant spacing.
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Yield-per-square-foot values were determined by dividing total crop weight by crop area.
2. Economic Outcomes (Revenue – Costs)
| Crop | Revenue | Total Costs | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | $55 | $659.50 | –$605 |
| Turmeric | $570 | $820 | –$250 |
| Roses | $200 | $380 | –$180 |
| Rosemary | $0 | $0 | $0 (establishment year) |
| Lavender | $900 | $133 | +$767 |
➡ Total Year 1 Profit: –$268
3. Key Findings from Year 1
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Lavender was the only significantly profitable crop in establishment year.
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Ginger and turmeric were underperforming due to:
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Cool nights
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Lower soil temperatures
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Wider-than-optimal spacing
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Higher initial plant costs
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Roses performed moderately, with plants still too young for peak hip production.
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Rosemary produced no measurable yield because woody perennials require two full seasons to mature.
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Cedar mulch significantly reduced weeding labor, lowering labor hours by an estimated 20% compared to hardwood mulch.
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Water retention was better in cedar-mulched rows, measured via soil moisture probe readings (avg. +3–5% higher than hardwood).
How Year 1 Compares to Conventional Systems
Compared to typical Midwest/Ozark specialty crop systems:
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Yield per sq. ft. was lower across most crops, which is normal for a first-year perennial-focused system.
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Conventional ginger/turmeric systems use black plastic mulch and drip irrigation, achieving 1.5–3× higher yields; we avoided plastic mulch due to sustainability goals.
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Lavender yields were comparable or slightly higher than conventional first-year yields.
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Labor requirements were higher than typical plasticulture systems but aligned with mulch-based systems.
Anticipated Year 2 Results (Based on Improved Spacing + Two Rows per Crop)
Year 2 expands to two rows per crop (10 rows total), still using 150' × 3' rows. The improved design greatly boosts productive area and utilizes Year 1 findings to optimize spacing and mulch choice.
1. Projected Year 2 Yield Results
| Crop | Area (sq ft) | Yield (lb/sq ft) | Projected Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | 900 | 0.62 | 560 lb |
| Turmeric | 900 | 0.40 | 360 lb |
| Roses | 900 | 0.10 | 90 lb |
| Rosemary | 900 | 0.30 | 270 lb |
| Lavender | 900 | 0.67 | 600 lb |
Measurement expectations:
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Yields will be measured identically to Year 1, allowing clean comparisons.
2. Projected Economic Outcomes
| Crop | Revenue | Total Costs | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | $2,800 | $1,059.50 | $1,741 |
| Turmeric | $5,400 | $1,220 | $4,180 |
| Roses | $1,800 | $660 | $1,140 |
| Rosemary | $8,100 | $710 | $7,390 |
| Lavender | $18,000 | $635 | $17,365 |
➡ Projected Total Year 2 Profit: $31,816
Comparison of Year 1 to Year 2
| Category | Year 1 | Year 2 Projection | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Area | 1,500 sq ft | 4,500 sq ft | +200% |
| Total Yield | 89 lb | 1,880 lb | +2013% |
| Total Profit | –$268 | $31,816 | +11,983% |
| Labor Efficiency | Low | High | Improved by standardized spacing |
| Mulch Efficiency | Mixed | Optimized | Cedar selected for full field |
Key Takeaway:
Year 1 provided critical baseline data, while Year 2 applies optimized spacing, increased planting density, improved mulch selection, and better crop maturity—resulting in a highly profitable and scalable specialty crop system.
Why These Results Matter for Other Farmers
Farmers can use this information to:
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Understand how first-year establishment differs from productive years.
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Evaluate mulch systems without trials on their own farm.
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Use yield per sq. ft. metrics to plan realistic revenue expectations.
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Recognize the importance of crop maturity—especially for perennials.
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Apply densified spacing methods that improve profitability without sacrificing plant health.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
As a farm that already provides gardening education online, we used Harvick Farms’ social channels to document:
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Field preparation steps
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Differences between the two mulch systems
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Spacing trials
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Early yield results
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Observations on crop performance
Posts included photos, short videos, and progress updates. Across all platforms, our combined audience reached ~37,500 followers, allowing us to share the project broadly.
Engagement on project-specific posts averaged:
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2,000–3,500 views per video
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40–150 reactions/comments per update
This served as our primary method of transparent, real-time communication.
Facebook VLOG - SARE Research Grant Update | Growing Turmeric & Ginger with Herbs
YouTube Video - How We Grew Ginger & Turmeric in Missouri’s Ozarks | Specialty Crop Success Story
Learning Outcomes
In progress
Project Outcomes
In progress