Progress report for FNE25-110
Project Information
This project’s primary objective is to evaluate the Green Scarecrow 3.0 system’s effectiveness in reducing bird damage to sweet corn through a multi-season trial at two Massachusetts farms: Elliot Farm and Volante Farm. The trial will assess impacts on bird damage, crop yields, and profitability, offering insights to support sustainable practices for small farms across the Northeast.
Objective 1: Measure Reduction in Bird Damage Bird damage is a costly issue for Northeast sweet corn farms. Elliot Farm loses about 50% of its 35-acre crop to birds, while Volante Farm, managing 15 acres, faces a 20% loss. This trial aims to reduce these losses with Green Scarecrow 3.0, collecting data over three seasons to quantify reductions in bird-damaged crops against each farm's historical data. To support broader validation, Ken will continue polling 16 additional farms from a prior survey to gather control data on crop losses using traditional deterrents, allowing comparison with trial results to reinforce the system's effectiveness for broader adoption.
Objective 2: Evaluate System Performance via Farmer Feedback Farmers will provide monthly feedback on system performance, including ease of use, adaptability, and challenges. This real-world input will assess Green Scarecrow 3.0’s viability, compare it with traditional methods like propane cannons, and gauge its potential as a sustainable alternative.
Objective 3: Track Economic Impact through Rescued Crop Revenue The project will assess Green Scarecrow 3.0’s financial impact by calculating revenue from sweet corn saved from bird damage. By tracking crop savings and ROI, this objective will demonstrate the system’s profitability potential and its contribution to economic and environmental sustainability.
Key Data Collection To meet project goals, data will include:
- Bird Damage Reduction: Percentage of bird-damaged ears in both edge and interior stalks, providing a detailed view of Green Scarecrow’s impact.
- Crop Loss Reduction vs. Historical Data: Comparison with historical damage records to measure effectiveness.
- Farmer Feedback: Monthly surveys on usability, adaptability, and comparisons to other deterrents.
- Revenue from Rescued Crops: Economic impact via additional revenue from saved crops.
Although only Elliot Farm and Volante Farm will participate directly, the 16 previously surveyed farms will help share results and may become early adopters of Green Scarecrow technology. By reducing bird damage, improving yields, and boosting profitability, this project aligns with Northeast SARE’s mission to advance sustainable agriculture, reduce environmental risks, and improve farmers' quality of life across the region.
Problem and Its Importance
Bird damage to sweet corn poses a significant economic and environmental challenge for Northeast farmers, resulting in substantial yield and revenue losses. USDA estimates that bird-related crop damage exceeds $150 million annually in the U.S. Ken’s 2021-2024 survey of 18 sweet corn farms across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont—including the two selected for the 3.0 trial—showed a median annual yield loss of 30% due to bird interference. For these growers, such losses underscore the need for reliable bird deterrents. The 2023 New England Vegetable Report reveals that 1,219 farms in the region manage 7,850 acres of sweet corn, with 2,302 acres affected annually by bird damage, threatening the viability of small farms, especially those historically underserved and reliant on seasonal yields.
Existing deterrents—such as propane cannons, pesticides, and netting—are often ineffective and create additional challenges like noise pollution, disruption of beneficial wildlife, high costs, and environmental risks. Propane cannons rely on fossil fuels, while pesticides can harm non-target species. These limitations emphasize the urgent need for a cost-effective, eco-friendly bird deterrent system that supports the environmental and financial needs of small farms.
Evidence of Significant Interest and Need from Farmers
The Green Scarecrow project has sparked strong interest among Northeast farmers seeking a sustainable, affordable solution to bird damage. Between 2021 and 2024, Ken Elliot surveyed 18 farms across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont—including the two selected for the 3.0 trial—collecting data on bird damage rates, crop losses, and current deterrent methods. These farms collectively lose an average of 159.15 acres annually, equating to about $2.3 million in lost revenue. Despite using deterrents like propane cannons, visual repellents, grape extract, and pesticides, farmers report ongoing losses and ecological impacts, underscoring the need for a more effective solution.
Though not directly involved in the Green Scarecrow 3.0 trial, 16 of the 18 surveyed farms remain key collaborators. Ken will poll them regularly to collect control data on bird-related crop losses, facilitating comparisons with the trial farms, Elliot Farm and Volante Farm, which are using Green Scarecrow. This network will also help share trial results and may serve as early adopters if the Green Scarecrow 3.0 proves successful.
Proposed Solution and Its Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture
Green Scarecrow 3.0 is an eco-friendly, patent-pending laser bird deterrent designed for small farms. Combining affordability and scalability, it uses rotating green lasers and bird distress calls to deter birds without harming non-target wildlife. Mounted on a 10-foot tripod, the system simulates a predator through 360-degree sweeping lasers that move up and down. Key improvements, informed by farmer feedback, include:
- Expanded Laser Coverage – A second laser per main unit doubles the deterrent effect, covering more area.
- Solar-Powered, Wireless Design – Solar-charged, wireless units reduce fossil fuel use, allow remote placement, and simplify deployment.
- Adjustable Height – The customizable height adapts to crop growth stages, improving effectiveness for sweet corn and offering potential use with other crops.
- Increased Laser Movement Speed – Faster laser motion creates a more dynamic deterrent for greater bird repulsion.
These features make Green Scarecrow 3.0 a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
Cost-Effectiveness and ROI
Green Scarecrow 3.0 offers an affordable, scalable alternative to costly deterrents like falconry and high-end systems. The AVIX Autonomic laser, for instance, covers up to 100 acres but is impractical for small farms with noncontiguous fields. Elliot Farm’s seven fields would require seven AVIX units at $105,000, and Volante Farm’s four fields would cost $60,000. Since 83% of the 18 surveyed farms also have noncontiguous plots, most would need multiple AVIX units, making this system unaffordable. AVIX’s lack of portability and complexity in programming further limit its appeal for small farms.
Green Scarecrow 3.0 Components:
- Main Unit – Two rotating lasers, one distress call, a solar panel, and a battery, covering 0.75 acres.
- Auxiliary Unit – One distress call, a solar panel, and a battery, extending coverage up to four acres per main unit.
Farmers can calculate their needs based on the largest plot size and double it to protect two plots simultaneously. For instance:
- Volante Farm (5-acre plot) requires four main and 12 auxiliary units.
- Elliot Farm (4-acre plot) needs two main and ten auxiliary units.
At $2,000 per main unit and $1,000 per auxiliary unit, Volante Farm’s setup totals $20,000, and Elliot Farm’s, $14,000—far less than other options. With Green Scarecrow, Elliot Farm could recover $239,400 of its annual $252,000 losses, achieving payback in 21 days and a high ROI. Volante Farm could save $41,040, yielding a 105% ROI. Together, these farms could reclaim over $280,000 annually, making Green Scarecrow a valuable investment for small farms.
Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture
Green Scarecrow 3.0 aligns with Northeast SARE’s outcomes by advancing sustainable farming practices and offering multi-faceted benefits:
- Reduction of Environmental and Health Risks – Solar-powered and non-invasive, the system minimizes ecological impact compared to traditional deterrents.
- Enhanced Farm Productivity and Profitability – By mitigating crop losses, Green Scarecrow boosts yields and income for farms in the region.
- Improved Quality of Life for Farmers and Communities – Green Scarecrow’s quiet, non-disruptive operation fosters a safer, more enjoyable work environment.
- Expansion of Eco-Friendly Employment – Increased adoption may lead to new job opportunities in manufacturing and technical support for sustainable farming tools.
This project’s multi-season trial, conducted at Elliot and Volante Farms, will generate essential data on Green Scarecrow’s long-term efficacy and scalability. Outreach activities—including farm demonstrations, social media, and conference presentations—will share findings broadly, encouraging adoption and enhancing sustainable agriculture across the Northeast.
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor
- - Producer
- - Producer
Research
Materials and methods
Our project evaluated the Green Scarecrow 3.0 laser bird-deterrent system in production sweet corn fields at two Massachusetts sweet corn farms: Elliot Farm in Lakeville and Volante Farms in Needham. We compared 2025 bird damage to each farm’s own historical loss baseline to estimate how much marketable crop was “rescued” by the system.
Project design and timing
During the 2025 sweet corn season (July–October), Green Scarecrow 3.0 units were installed in sweet corn blocks as they entered the vulnerable, near-harvest stage when birds typically begin feeding on ears. For each protected block, we recorded the system mode (Off, Laser-Only, or Full System with lasers plus bird distress calls), any neighbor constraints on sound, and basic field identifiers (block ID, date, and variety).
Farm setup and system operation
Before the season, we held a start-of-season training with the cooperating farms covering how to mount the units at the correct height, operate the system safely in the field, and follow a standardized damage-sampling protocol using shared data sheets. Printed templates were provided so sampling could be integrated into normal harvest workflows.
At Volante Farms, early fields located near residences were run in laser-only mode after noise complaints about distress calls; later, more remote fields were run in full system mode (lasers + calls). At Elliot Farm, units operated as planned with the full system. System mode and any restrictions on sound were logged for each block so that performance could be interpreted in context.
Damage sampling – Elliot Farm
Elliot Farm used structured hand assessments after each sweet corn harvest block. For every harvest:
- Timing: Sampling occurred during normal picking, at harvest maturity.
- Sample size: 3,000 ears per harvest block, across 14 blocks, for a total of 42,000 ears assessed.
- Sampling method: Ears were pulled throughout the block during harvest. Each ear was visually assessed and classified as “bird-damaged” or “not damaged.” Edge vs. interior was recorded when clearly distinguishable; mixed picks were noted as such.
- Data recorded: Date, block ID, number of ears assessed, number with bird damage, and field notes (e.g., heavy pressure, flock activity).
These data produced an observed 2025 bird damage percentage for Elliot Farm, which was then compared to its historical pattern of late-season losses to estimate rescued crop by month.
Damage sampling – Volante Farms
Volante Farms used block-level sampling paired with harvest totals:
- Timing: Sampling occurred at or near harvest in each sweet corn block.
- Sample size: 100 ears per block were evaluated.
- Sampling method: Ears were taken from representative parts of each block and inspected for visible bird damage. Each ear was classified as damaged or not damaged.
- Data recorded: Block ID, date, 100-ear sample counts, number of damaged ears, system mode (Laser-Only vs. Full System), and brief field notes on neighbors and bird pressure. Harvest records (dozens per date/block) were used to scale sample-based damage rates up to whole-block estimates.
Analysis process
For each farm, we followed the same core analytical steps:
- Calculate observed 2025 damage (%)
Observed Damage %=Damaged ears in sampleTotal ears sampled×100\text{Observed Damage \%} = \frac{\text{Damaged ears in sample}}{\text{Total ears sampled}} \times 100Observed Damage %=Total ears sampledDamaged ears in sample×100
- Estimate expected damage using farm baselines
- Volante Farms used historical month-based loss rates (40% in July, 15% in August–October).
- Elliot Farm used its historical late-season pattern to express 2025 performance as “rescued%” by month (≈31.6% in July, ≈65% in August).
- Convert percentages to ears/dozens
- Multiply expected and observed damage percentages by total ears harvested (from farm harvest records) to estimate dozens of ears expected lost vs. actually lost.
- Calculate “rescued” crop and economic impact
- Rescued (dozens) = Expected damaged dozens − Observed damaged dozens.
- Convert rescued ears to retail value using each farm’s price per ear (Elliot: $1.00; Volante Farms: $1.25).
To help other farms adapt this model, we also produced a standardized view using a shared baseline (40% July, 15% Aug–Oct) and a common price of $1.15/ear, alongside the farm-specific analysis.
Across Elliot Farm and Volante Farms, Green Scarecrow 3.0 substantially reduced bird damage relative to each farm’s historical baseline and rescued a large volume of marketable sweet corn.
Volante Farms (Needham, MA)
Volante Farms harvested 7,870 dozen sweet corn between July and October. Historically, they lose roughly 40% of July corn and 15% of August–September corn to bird damage. In 2025, observed field-level losses ranged from 6–25% in early blocks where the system operated in laser-only mode and dropped to 0–8% and occasionally 0% loss in later blocks where the full system (lasers + calls) could be used in remote fields.
Using the farm-specific baseline and price of $1.25 per ear, Volante Farms was expected to lose 1,629.3 dozen but actually lost 549.2 dozen. This means approximately 1,047.8 dozen (≈12,573 ears) were “rescued,” representing about $15,715 in retail value. Month-by-month, this equates to ~6,031 ears rescued in July, 2,546 in August, and 3,996 in September.
Field notes highlight two key points:
- Neighbor constraints: Early blocks (near houses) had to run laser-only after noise complaints, yet still showed strong reductions in damage compared with historical loss levels.
- Variety choice: A variety with poor tip cover (Temptress) consistently showed higher vulnerability to birds; Volante Farms plans to discontinue it, indicating that variety selection is part of a practical bird-management strategy.
Elliot Farm (Lakeville, MA)
At Elliot Farm, 14 harvests of sweet corn were assessed using 3,000-ear samples per harvest, for 42,000 ears evaluated. Only 33 ears showed bird damage, an observed loss rate of about 0.079%. These assessments covered an estimated 23,100 dozen ears harvested.
Using Elliot’s historical pattern of late-season losses, the 2025 results translate to roughly 31.6% of the July crop and 65% of the August crop “rescued” compared with past experience. In concrete terms, that equals ~37,620 ears rescued in July and ~90,090 ears in August, or 10,642.5 dozen total. At $1.00 per ear, this corresponds to $127,710 in retail value protected from bird damage.
Combined impact and farm changes
Across both farms, the project rescued approximately 11,690.3 dozen (≈140,283 ears) of sweet corn, representing an estimated combined retail value of about $143,425 using each farm’s actual prices.
From a practical standpoint:
- Profit and risk: Both farms experienced meaningfully higher saleable yield with minimal additional labor, reducing the risk of losing late-season plantings to bird flocks.
- Labor and inputs: The system required only minor labor to move units between fields; no new staff or complex infrastructure were needed, and farms avoided more disruptive methods such as propane cannons or extensive netting.
- Neighbor relations: Where neighbors objected to sound, switching to laser-only mode still delivered strong protection, providing a path to managing bird pressure without harming neighbor relations.
- Management decisions: Volante Farms’ decision to discontinue a high-risk variety (Temptress) reflects a concrete management change arising from the project’s observations.
We also encountered some methodological lessons: sampling intensity differed between farms (42,000 ears at Elliot vs. 100-ear spot checks at Volante Farms), edge vs. interior wasn’t always logged consistently, and baselines were defined differently. These lessons are already informing a more harmonized protocol for future seasons (e.g., ≥300 ears per block, standardized metadata such as system mode, neighbor proximity, variety, and tip cover).
Overall, despite these differences, the pattern was consistent: Green Scarecrow 3.0 dramatically lowered bird damage relative to historical experience at both farms and delivered clear economic benefits with low ongoing labor requirements.
Research conclusions
Our project asked whether a cost-effective, solar-powered laser bird-deterrent system (Green Scarecrow 3.0) could meaningfully reduce bird damage in sweet corn on small, diversified farms—especially in real-world conditions where neighbor tolerance sometimes limits the use of distress calls.
To answer this, we installed and operated Green Scarecrow 3.0 units in production sweet corn at Elliot Farm (Lakeville, MA) and Volante Farms (Needham, MA) during the 2025 season. We sampled ears at harvest (3,000 ears per harvest block at Elliot; 100 ears per block at Volante Farms), calculated observed bird damage percentages, and compared those results to each farm’s own historical loss baselines to estimate how much crop was “rescued.”
The results were strongly positive. At Volante Farms, where historical bird losses reach ~40% in July and ~15% in August–September, the system reduced observed losses to 6–25% in early laser-only fields and as low as 0–8% (including some 0% loss blocks) in later full-system fields. Overall, the farm was expected to lose 1,629.3 dozen but actually lost 549.2 dozen, rescuing roughly 1,047.8 dozen (≈12,573 ears) worth about $15,715 at $1.25/ear.
At Elliot Farm, 42,000 assessed ears produced an observed loss of only ~0.079%. Using its historical late-season pattern, we estimate about 10,642.5 dozen (127,710 ears) were protected compared with past experience, with an economic impact of approximately $127,710 at $1.00/ear.
Combined, the two farms rescued an estimated 11,690.3 dozen (≈140,283 ears) with a total retail value of about $143,425, demonstrating that Green Scarecrow 3.0 can substantially reduce bird damage and improve sweet corn profitability on small farms.
Both farms plan to continue using Green Scarecrow 3.0. Volante Farms will also drop a vulnerable variety (Temptress) identified during the project, further strengthening its bird-management strategy. Farmers reported that setup was straightforward, ongoing labor was minimal, and the ability to run laser-only mode where neighbors objected to sound made the system more compatible with mixed residential–agricultural landscapes.
In summary, our original question—can a relatively low-cost, solar-powered laser deterrent provide a practical, neighbor-friendly way to keep more sweet corn out of birds’ beaks and in the farm stand?—was answered “yes.” The change we adopted is expected to deliver recurring gains in marketable yield, protect high-value late-season plantings, reduce reliance on more disruptive tools (propane cannons, netting), and support farm profitability by safeguarding tens of thousands of ears of sweet corn each year.
Education & outreach activities and participation summary
Participation summary:
In 2025, our outreach focused on equipping the two cooperating farms and laying the groundwork for broader education in 2026. We delivered a start-of-season training/orientation for Elliot Farm and Volante Farms that covered Green Scarecrow 3.0 installation and a shared bird-damage sampling protocol. As part of this training, we created and distributed a standardized data collection templates so that farmers could integrate assessments into their regular harvest workflow.
Throughout the season, we provided follow-up consultations with both farms to troubleshoot system placement, adjust sound use based on neighbor feedback, and refine sampling where needed.
After compiling first-season results, we developed a one-page press release with a summary of trial outcomes and a field photo. This release was circulated to Extension staff, Buy Local organizations, university contacts, and agricultural media outlets, seeding future newsletter and article coverage.
Additional outreach is in progress and planned for late 2025–2026, including launching Green Scarecrow Facebook and Instagram accounts with a series of educational posts, vending at a regional Southern New England agriculture conference/trade show to demonstrate the system and share handouts with growers, and hosting a public on-farm field day at a cooperating site with a system walk-through and Q&A. All outreach materials include Northeast SARE acknowledgement and logo.
Learning Outcomes
Participating farmers reported increased:
- Knowledge of how to quantify bird damage using structured ear sampling, block-level data sheets, and comparison to a historical loss baseline.
- Skills in installing and positioning Green Scarecrow 3.0 units, including choosing effective locations in the field and operating the system safely.
- Awareness of the economic impact of bird damage and how to translate damage percentages into rescued ears, dozens, and retail dollars to evaluate return on investment.
- Knowledge and attitude around variety selection (e.g., avoiding varieties with poor tip cover like Temptress) as part of an integrated bird-management strategy.
- Awareness of strategies to balance effective bird deterrence with good neighbor relations, including sound management and communication when operating the system near residences.
Project Outcomes
As a result of this project, both cooperating farms adopted new practices in how they manage and measure bird damage in sweet corn.
Elliot Farm has integrated Green Scarecrow 3.0 as a regular part of its sweet corn program and built standardized bird-damage sampling into its normal harvest workflow. Staff now routinely assess sample ears for bird damage, record results on shared data templates, and compare those numbers to a historical baseline to estimate “rescued” ears and dollars. This shift has given the farm a concrete way to quantify what used to feel like a “mystery loss” and to make planting and harvest decisions with much more confidence. The system’s straightforward setup and minimal ongoing labor made it easy to fold into existing harvest routines, rather than adding a new job.
Volante Farms has also adopted the system and made specific practice changes based on what it learned. The farm now plans fields so that remote blocks can use the full system (lasers plus distress calls), while fields closer to neighbors use laser-only mode to protect relationships. The trials also highlighted that a variety with poor tip cover (Temptress) was consistently more vulnerable to birds; Volante Farms has decided to discontinue that variety, which is a direct management change stemming from this project.
At both farms, Green Scarecrow 3.0 reduced bird damage compared with historical experience and rescued a significant amount of marketable sweet corn—together, an estimated ~140,000 ears with a combined retail value of roughly $143,000. That has immediate economic benefits (more ears available for CSAs, farm stand, and wholesale accounts) and reduces the stress and financial uncertainty around late-season plantings. As one farmer put it, bird damage can turn a beautiful field into a financial sinkhole very quickly; this project gave them a practical tool to reverse that pattern.
Quality of life also improved: farmers reported feeling less dread going into peak bird-pressure weeks and more in control of the outcome, without resorting to propane cannons or heavy netting.
Overall assessment of approach.
Our basic approach—testing Green Scarecrow 3.0 on two commercial farms, sampling ears at harvest, and comparing 2025 damage to each farm’s historical baseline—worked well. It kept the project grounded in real production conditions while still generating usable quantitative results (rescued ears and dollars). The methods were simple enough for busy farms to implement, and the combination of farm-specific and standardized economic views helped make sense of the data.
What worked / keys to success.
- Focusing on real harvest blocks instead of small test plots made the results immediately meaningful to the farms.
- Using each farm’s own historical loss baseline helped farmers trust the numbers and see themselves in the results.
- Providing simple data sheets made it realistic to collect consistent data during a busy season.
- Building in flexibility (laser-only vs. full system) allowed us to adapt to neighbor tolerance while still protecting crops.
Challenges and resulting revisions in methodology.
We also identified several areas to improve:
- Sampling harmonization. Elliot Farm used very intensive sampling (3,000 ears per harvest across 14 harvests), while Volante Farms used 100-ear samples per block. Going forward, we plan to standardize around a minimum sample size (e.g., 300 ears per block) and a shared layout for edge vs. interior sampling.
- Baseline definition. Each farm started with its own way of describing “typical” loss (e.g., % loss by month). For future work, we will maintain farm-specific baselines and add a common baseline structure so results are easier to compare across farms and seasons.
Did we answer our question, and will we continue?
Our central question was whether a solar-powered laser system could provide a practical, cost-effective way to reduce bird damage in sweet corn on small farms. Based on the magnitude and consistency of the damage reductions we observed at both farms, we believe the answer is yes. Both farms plan to continue using Green Scarecrow 3.0 and refining how they deploy it (field layout, variety selection, neighbor-sensitive sound use). We also plan to continue multi-season trials to validate durability, performance under different pressure levels, and long-term economics.
Further work and who would benefit.
Additional work is needed to:
- Test the system on more farms and in different geographies and farm sizes.
- Evaluate performance in other crops with similar bird-pressure issues (e.g., fruit plantings).
- Refine ROI under different price points and yield scenarios so farms can more easily forecast payback.
The growers who would benefit most from these results are sweet corn farms in the Northeast and similar regions that struggle with bird damage but want alternatives to propane cannons, netting, or chemical controls. Extension educators, Buy Local groups, and technical service providers working with these farms can also use our methods and findings as a practical template for on-farm trials and economic evaluation.