Progress report for FW22-401
Project Information
Past practices have contributed to economic growth at the expense of soil and water conservation, as indicated by degraded lands and creeks. There is opportunity to reverse land degradation and dehydration via sustainable shifts in agricultural land management. Climate change exacerbates the need for on-ground actions to occur at a time/ scale more rapidly than the current pace in order to optimize sustainable agriculture production.
This proposal demonstrates how integrated management shifts supports land and water restoration and produce commercially viable crops. Current annual water use is ~5M gal- this regime is not sustainable, and needs to shift from water resource strain to agro-ecosystem production. The water regime needs to be well studied to provide the technical input required to design, and implement specific water management applications.
A basic understanding of the current water balance, opportunities for rehydration, and annual runoff (>700k gal) for 3 drainages have been approximated. Applying diverse solutions (conceptualized in the form of berms, swales, and recharge basins) can help infiltrate up to ~500k gal water per year. These treatments give an opportunity to measure and monitor rehydration efforts (see attachments).
This project will be shared across existing platforms and networks (i.e., social media, Earth Regenerators, SLO & Santa Cruz Permaculture, and meetings with landholders in Toro Creek watershed). Traceland will hold several workshops to share and educate growers and producers. CLC intends to leverage this project as a template for use with many similar small ag operations along the small, fragile watersheds of California's Central Coast.
Objective 1: Water management accounting (April 2022 - July 2022)
- An assessment of the consumptive water use of the Trace Farm to reduce the water footprint and off-set pumping from the agricultural riparian well that is hydrologically connected to stream flows in mainstem Toro Creek. Test the degree of hydraulic connection so that streamflow benefits can be quantified. Develop conceptual level concepts for water conservation, streamflow enhancement, and benefits to riparian floodplain habitat;
Objective 2: Expand agricultural operations onto valuable Class 1 alluvial soil agricultural land and simultaneously restore native habitat across approximately 12.5 acres (planning May - August 2022, phase 1 earthworks September- December 2022, phase 1 planting December 2022, workshops and monitoring winter 2022-2023, phase 2 remedial earthworks/restoration, early spring 2023 final planting, workshop May 2023)
- A conceptual and final level planting plan design to establish native-dominant plant communities on terrace/100-year floodplain and adjacent hills to enhance botanical biodiversity and increase wildlife habitat complexity. The plan integrates productive agricultural ecosystems (e.g. edible landscape) that emphasize the diversity and functions of natural ecosystems as well as soil health elements such as mulch application, reintroduction of mycorrhizal mycelium, and evaluation of soil minerals.
- Agroforestry workshops
Objective 3: Reduce soil erosion and stream bank collapse 0.5 miles of Toro Creek (planning May - August 2022, phase 1 earthworks September- December 2022, phase 1 planting December 2022, monitoring winter 2022-2023, phase 2 remedial earthworks/restoration)
- An assessment of riparian, hydrological, hydraulic, and geomorphic conditions of mainstem Toro Creek to develop conceptual level concepts to slow and reverse existing channel incision and restore channel-floodplain connectivity.
Objective 4: capture > 500k gal stormwater run-off (similar timeline as Objective 2)
- Conceptual in line berm, swales, and collection ponds design to shovel-ready plans (i.e., confirm sizing, layout). A conceptual and final level plan and details to restore natural hydrological processes on terrace/100-year flood plain and adjoining hills by slowing, spreading, and sinking stormwater runoff in rain gardens, bioswales, or other landforms designed to optimize agro-ecological health, enhance botanical biodiversity, and reduce land degradation and erosion
- Stormwater run-off capture and rehydration systems / keyline farming field days will be aimed at describing the dynamics of water infiltration and contour / keyline farming and its multiple benefits in relation to semi-arid mediterranean climates
Objective 5: capture and bio sequester atmospheric CO2 (planting 143 trees) (see Objective 2 for timeline)
- Long range carbon accounting and operational carbon footprint neutralization for project activities, framework/ process can be scaled to more throughout property;
Objective 6: Research and develop acorn food production as a high-value, gluten-free, delicious flour and foodstuff (Phase 1 planting December 2022, final planting early spring 2023, workshop Fall 2023)
- planting 73 oak trees, measuring acorn yield.
- Acorn storage and food processing workshops
All objectives are further described in the Research Plan and Education Plan sections of this application.
Contract: 4/22-1/24:Contract oversight, administration, management tasks
4 - 7/22, 2-3 months: complete objective 1: Water management accounting
5-8/22: 2-4 months: all major design/ planning elements for objectives 2 through 6 for implementation-ready plans.
8-12/22:Phase 1/ first earthworks/ restoration associated with Objectives 2 - 4.
12/22 (following first rain): Phase 1 planting activities-restoration and agro-ecoforestry, assuming all earthmoving has been complete (Objectives 2,3,4,5,6).
Winter 22-23: monitoring; 1st Agroforestry workshop (Objective 2;) 2 field day workshops after rain events (Objective 4)
spring 23, 2 months: Phase 2/ complete/ remedially address issues related to earthworks and restoration activities associated with Objectives 2 - 4.
Early spring 23: all plantings are installed and on their way to establishment before summer 2024 (fully complete Objectives 2, 5, 6)
5/23: 2nd Agroforestry workshop, objective 2
Fall 23: Acorn storage workshop, objective 6.
Prior to Jan 2024: Project wrap up activities
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor
- - Technical Advisor
- - Technical Advisor
Research
Objective 1: Water management accounting
- Description:
- Earthworks have been delayed until at least April 2023 due to local flooding and inadequate work conditions. Some of the terms of the subsequent objectives have been postponed until necessary grading takes place.
- The water budget for Traceland Ranch was further developed based on existing information. Observations of storm events were taken into consideration to inform design sizing while site-specific infiltration rates have been delayed until grading is executed.
- We assessed the consumptive water use of the Trace Farm to reduce the water footprint and off-set pumping from the agricultural riparian well that is hydrologically connected to stream flows in mainstem Toro Creek. Water consumption was measured according to irrigated agriculture and time of use per linear foot from April 1st to July 31st (see Table 3). There are 7,000 acres of the Toro creek watershed located up stream of the Traceland agricultural well, dozens of land holders with riparian rights and hydrologically connected wells and large variability of annual precipitation amounts. Meanwhile, the size of the watershed of this rehydration project is only roughly 35 acres, about half of which drains upstream of the well and the rest drains below it. After the consideration with technical advisors of these facts, we determined that measuring the Ag well connectivity to Toro Creek is beyond the scope of this project’s goals. Attention will be focused on measurement of infiltration on terrace / 100-year floodplain drainage via test wells and piezometers.
- A conceptual framework was developed for water conservation, streamflow enhancement, and benefits to riparian floodplain habitat according to the principles of keyline farming design.
- Delayed: Investigate how oak woodlands / dry farmed perennial tree crop species contribute to and use groundwater and its effects on Toro creek streamflow.
- The efficacy of the rainstorm run-off catchment system was not yet measured. Data will later be incorporated into overall water footprint accounting of Traceland agricultural operations. Steps have been taken to work with Cal Poly SLO professor PhD Bwalya Malama, Associate Professor of Groundwater and Soil Biophysics to sample the subsurface, characterize the sediment hydraulically, install piezometers, and perform some pilot studies on aquifer-stream interactions, managed aquifer recharge potential, and long-term monitoring of the hydrologic system. We are currently working on finding funding options for this work in partnership with Creek Lands Conservation (CLC).
- Delayed: Inspect catchments after rain events and determine approximate water volume captured (Repeat process for the first 3-5 years until earthworks stabilize from reforestation)
- Delayed: Determine water infiltration/evaporation rate
- The long term (10 years) Toro creek flow measurement analysis efforts were first recorded at Traceland by the California Conservation Corps (CCC) in 2020 and their latest efforts will be incorporated accordingly.
- Materials: Measuring device oriented vertically in recharge basins to measure water level, piezometers, test wells, evaporation rates
- Methods: Simple arithmetic to determine water captured and incorporation of appropriate evaporation and infiltration rates to reach sum.
Objective 2: Expand agricultural operations onto valuable Class 1 alluvial soil agricultural land and simultaneously restore native habitat across approximately 12.5 acres,
- Description:
- Earthworks have been delayed until at least April 2023 due to local flooding and inadequate work conditions. Some of the terms of the subsequent objectives have been postponed until necessary grading takes place.
- Delayed: Integrate traditional ecological knowledge/approaches where feasible (i.e. prescribed burns to manage leaf duff, acorn weevils and understory vegetation)
- Delayed: Chart wildlife species (terrestrial and aquatic) response to restored habitat via biological baseline and monitoring of changes.
-
- Based on advice from the International Oak Society and the CCC we decided to sow our own local and climate adapted seeds and nuts and to use specialized air pruning tree pots. Change in sourcing is better quality than local nursery stock and under original budgeting cost. Plants have been germinated and are developing well. Establishment in the field, monitoring and maintenance will take place after delayed earthworks to ensure survival.
.
.
- Figure 4: Black Walnut Tray Figure 5: Coast Live Oak Tray Figure 6: Island Oak & Q. species
-
Item
Quantity
Cost
3” x 8” air pruning pot
200
139.80
3” x 8” pot container
8
71.92
4” x 14” air pruning pot
318
329.88
4” x 14” pot container
23
265.77
5” Plug Trays
2
116.60
Tax + Shipping
332.30
Total
$990.95
Table 1: Nursery Pot Costs
-
Item
Quantity
Cost
Kellogg Potting Soil (PS)
3
35.85
Kellogg (PS) + Peat
5+1
97.81
Total
$133.66
Table 2: Potting Soil Costs
- Developed plant palette based on bioregional ecosystem mimicry: oaks, black/persian walnut, salal, huckleberry, currant, elderberry, grape, service berry, (timber, food), and found an estimate of mature oak orchard acorn production at 3.1 – 7.7 metric tons per hectare according to the book The Carbon Farming Solution, written by Eric Toensmeier, published in 2016.
- We incorporated the appropriate sizing/spacing for conservation plantings, and agro-eco rows into the design (with alleys between trees leaving plenty of space for more intensive ag and about 30 years to do it before shaded out by mature trees)
- Conceptualized and finalized planting plan to establish native-dominant plant communities on terrace/100-year floodplain and adjacent hills to enhance botanical biodiversity and increase wildlife habitat complexity. The plan integrates productive agricultural ecosystems (e.g. edible landscape) that emphasize the diversity and functions of natural ecosystems and integrate soil health elements such as mulch application, monitoring of the reintroduction of natural mycorrhizal mycelium, and soil sampling to evaluate soil minerals
- Riparian functions that will be enhanced or restored: Reconnecting the lowest areas in the landscape that contain the most ground water to higher elevations will bring water nearer to the surface and make it more available for plants. Measurable ecological benefits will follow the grading of the terrace and reintroduction of phreatophytes such as Quercus species. Natural storm water capture on the 100-year flood plain promotes productive and diverse plant communities; will disperse nutrient-rich organic matter and dissolved nutrients; will emit water later in the drought to enhance survivability of organisms within the riparian zone; and will promote species diversity and biological productivity across a broader range of habitat types. According to the technical knowledge of Brad Lancaster in his book Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond we have chosen the slow, spread and sink method to direct groundwater into the riparian zone and support ecosystem health.
- Materials: iNaturalist project, Graphical Soil Analysis Report
- Methods: Monitor wildlife populations and upload new species onto iNaturalist as habitat develops.
- Soil sampling with A&L Western Ag Lab
Objective 3: Reduce soil erosion and stream bank collapse 0.5 miles of Toro Creek
- Description
- Earthworks have been delayed until at least April 2023 due to local flooding and inadequate work conditions. Some of the terms of the subsequent objectives have been postponed until necessary grading takes place.
- Two main erosion gullies from the 100-year terrace ending in mainstream Toro creek have been located and assessed. An armored energy dissipation bowl was developed and implemented for the lowest of the two erosion gullies. The second gully will be addressed once rehydration grading takes place. This demonstration project is intended to be a model with tangible solutions to landowner level erosion. This can then be adapted within the entirety of the watershed and in others to collectively reduce peak run-off flash flooding and subsequent creek bank erosion and infrastructure damage. The assessment of mainstem Toro creek is beyond the scope of this project.
- Figure 13: Energy Dispersion Bowl (EDB) Figure 14: EDB during rain
-
- Materials: Camera and 100' measuring tape
- Methods: Monitor several points systematically along the creek bank and chart evolution.
Objective 4: Capture > 500k gal stormwater run-off
- Description:
- Earthworks have been delayed until at least April 2023 due to local flooding and inadequate work conditions. Some of the terms of the subsequent objectives have been postponed until necessary grading takes place.
- Delayed: Conceptual in line berm, swales, and collection recharge basins design to shovel-ready plans (i.e., confirm sizing, layout). A conceptual and final level plan and details to restore natural hydrological processes on terrace/100-year flood plain and adjoining hills by slowing, spreading, and sinking stormwater runoff in rain gardens, bioswales, or other landforms designed to optimize agro-ecological health, enhance botanical biodiversity, and reduce land degradation and erosion;
- Materials
- Methods
Objective 5: Capture and bio sequester atmospheric CO2 (planting 143 trees) (2,400lbs co2 per oak)
- Description:
- Earthworks have been delayed until at least April 2023 due to local flooding and inadequate work conditions. Some of the terms of the subsequent objectives have been postponed until necessary grading takes place.
- The carbon footprint of the project’s activities was accounted for to neutralize its emissions via planting. The long-range carbon accounting has been postponed until grading takes place and trees are selected and established. Based on CUFR calculations, this project will reach carbon neutrality in 11.5 years.
- Delayed: Includes future outreach to education/ extension to ensure the appropriate metrics are being looked at and opportunities are maximized to study and integrate carbon accounting and footprint understanding in order to replicate on other farms.
- Materials: Measuring tape, CUFR Tree Carbon Calculator.
- Methods: Take annual measurements of tree DBH and determine CO2 biosequestration.
- Figure 15: CUFR Calculator Figure 16: Carbon Capture
Objective 6: Research and develop acorn food production as a high-value, gluten-free, delicious flour and foodstuff.
- Description:
- Initial contacts have been made with a Portuguese oak dehesa agroecological farm called Freixo do Meio commercializing acorn foods as well as other woodland products. A realistic first commercial harvest was determined to be within 15-25 years of initial planting. A literary review has been conducted to conceptualize value-added acorn products and harvesting methods to improve efficiency of production. Acorn recipes have been developed from local species to target flavor profiles and culinary opportunities.
- Figure 17: Acorn Recipe Experiments
- Materials: 5 Gallon Bucket, Nut Wizard, Scale
- Methods: Cut grass under selected trees and gather acorns between November and February. Weigh gathered acorns and chart over time.
Traceland Water Use
April through July 2022
hrs = hours
g = gallons
p/w = per week
Area |
Notes |
Math |
Total |
Avocados and Home Orchard:
|
Using irrometers, every 4 - 6 days, 5 hours per irrigation depending on temperature: 80°+, every 4 days, 90°+, 3 days and maybe a 6th hour of H2O.
|
900 trees x 12g sprinklers x 5 hrs |
54,000 g p/w |
7 beds: |
1,000 ft of irrigation line, 3 – 5 day cycle |
1g x 1ft x 1000ft x 2hrs |
2,000 g p/w |
Flats: |
2,000 ft of irrigation line, 3-5 day cycle |
1g x 1ft x 2,000ft x 2hrs |
4,000 g p/w |
Zones: |
Tropical: 300g p/w Roses: 160g p/w Cabin: 80g p/w Lower: 400g p/w |
300 + 160 + 80 + 400 = |
940 g p/w |
Road Water: |
April to November Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun |
18 Sprinklers x 3g p/m x 10min x 4days a week |
2,000 g p/w |
Passion Fruit & Sapotes: |
41 sapotes + 20 passionfruit |
10g p/w x 61 |
610g p/w |
Elba: |
40 shrubs and trees |
1.5 emitters x 40 x 4hrs once a month |
60g p/w |
|
|
|
63,610g p/w |
|
|
1,017,760 gallons April - July |
Table 3: Traceland Consumptive Water Use