Progress report for FW24-003
Project Information
In 2021, Sweet Hollow Farm was awarded a WSARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FW22-393, “Cardboard layering deep compost mulch for weed suppression, soil health, and profitability”. Driven by weed pressure on our own farm, our research focused on weed suppression, improving soil health, profitability, and education. We asked, can a cardboard layering and deep compost system (CLDCM) be used to reduce bindweed pressure while encouraging productive soil health and crop yield? We determined that a CLDCM system is an effective practice in suppressing weeds, improving harvest yields, and lessening involved labor, but the question of how the implementation of a CLDCM system impacts the microbial content of the soil, and subsequently the health of the soil, was not answered.
Continuing our research this project will study the use of Jadam Microbial Solution (JMS), a homemade biological input, and JADAM Liquid Fertilizer, a homemade mineral amendment, from the alternative farming method within JADAM’s practice, to determine how natural inputs impact soil microbial health, harvest yields, and farm profitability. Working with Michigan State University, we will answer; Can homemade amendments be used to increase soil health, profitability, and sustainability for commercial growers? This project will help validate and share alternative farming methods such as JADAM, allowing growers to limit use of external inputs while growing more nutrient dense food. This has the potential to be a triple line net positive, showing benefits for people, profit, and the planet for growers. As part of the project, Sweet Hollow will host workshops on creating and using JMS/JLF along with project collaborator and author Nigel Palmer. Jonah Sloven will travel to Central Wyoming College to instruct their Beginning Farmer and Farm Incubator programs on the use and potential benefits to this system. Results will be shared with Growing for Market Magazine and “No-Till Growers Podcast”.
- Increasing crop productivity and efficiency leading to increase profitability and economic sustainability for farmers.
- Improving soil health by developing more readily available and resilient systems that are accessible for all.
- Reducing soil inputs cutting costs for farmers while increasing their bottom line and quality of life.
A no cost extension has been submitted for this project as original timeline was not met for the 2024 season. Work is planned to resume as outlined for the 2025 and 2026 seasons as follows.
|
Date |
Activities |
Team members |
|
4/01/24 |
Order project supplies |
Sloven (PI) |
|
4/15/25 |
Start tomatoes in nursery |
Sloven (PI) |
|
4/25/25 |
Prepare initial inputs and take first round of soil testing |
Sloven (PI),and Sprunger (TA), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
6/1/25 |
Transplant tomatoes |
Sloven (PI) |
|
6/15/25-10/1/25 |
Complete testing as outlined in workplan |
Sloven (PI),and Sprunger (TA), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
7/15/25 |
Sweet Hollow Workshop |
Sloven (PI), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
9/15/25 |
Central Wyoming Workshop |
Sloven (PI) |
|
10/1/25 |
Compile results and submit SARE progress report |
Sloven (PI),and Sprunger (TA), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
4/15/26 |
Start tomatoes in nursery |
Sloven (PI) |
|
4/25/26 |
Prepare initial inputs and take first round of soil testing |
Sloven (PI),and Sprunger (TA), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
6/1/26 |
Transplant tomatoes |
Sloven (PI) |
|
6/15/26-10/1/26 |
Complete testing as outlined in workplan |
Sloven (PI),and Sprunger (TA), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
7/15/26 |
Sweet Hollow Workshop |
Sloven (PI), Palmer (Collaborator) |
|
9/15/26 |
Central Wyoming Workshop |
Sloven (PI) |
|
9/20/26 |
Submit article for Growing for Market Magazine |
Sloven (PI) |
|
9/24/2026 |
Record No-till Growers podcast |
Sloven (PI) |
|
10/1/26 |
Compile results and submit SARE final report |
Sloven (PI),and Sprunger (TA), Palmer (Collaborator) |
Cooperators
- - Producer
- - Technical Advisor
Research
Our goal is to build on our previous no-till study and test the effectiveness of JADAM Microbial Solution (JMS) and JADAM liquid fertilizer (JLF) in hoophouse tomato production. Previous relevant studies showed a production increase of 15% with JMS applications but lacked any qualitative and quantitative research of soil, plant health, and crop quality. Furthermore, using a combination of JMS and JLF we will test the system as a whole rather than just one component. This project will look at three objectives for research: profitability, soil health, and plant health/crop quality.
Study design: The study will take place in a 34’x 96’ hoophouse. The tunnel will be made of 8 rows. Building on our previous studies' success and the apparent benefits of our no-till system, all rows will be covered in cardboard and then 4” of compost. Each row will be planted with tomatoes by dibbling a hole through the cardboard into native soil. From there we will be testing two independent variables: JMS and JLF. There will be 4 treatments; JMS and JLF, just JMS, just JLF, and a control. Each 96' bed will be treated as one replication, with two replications for each of the four treatments. 25% of the tunnel (2 rows) will be treated with bi-weekly applications of JMS and JLF. 25% of the tunnel will be treated with just JMS. 25% of the tunnel will be treated with just JLF. And finally, 25% of the tunnel will have no treatments, acting as the control. Each row will have tomatoes planted at 18” spacing equalling 64 plants per replication. Each row will be watered with drip irrigation on a similar schedule.
|
Replication |
Treatment |
|
Row 1 |
JMS and JLF |
|
Row 2 |
JMS and JLF |
|
Row 3 |
JMS |
|
Row 4 |
JMS |
|
Row 5 |
JLF |
|
Row 6 |
JLF |
|
Row 7 |
Control |
|
Row 8 |
Control |
JMS is made using leaf litter containing native microbial communities, potatoes as a food source, and water. This inoculate is brewed using anaerobic techniques and is ready 72 hours after preparation depending on conditions. JLF is also made using leaf litter as a microbial inoculate, however it also uses fruit from that crop which it will be applied. So for this application, tomato fruits will be fermented in water with leaf litter. The theory being a ripe tomato has all the nutrients a tomato plant needs to and fruit. Full preparation techniques from Yungsang Cho, JADAM creator, are included in the appendix.
As recommended by Cho, preplanting applications of JMS will be done weekly at a rate of 1:50 using a Dosatron injector. Control beds will also be irrigated to properly moisten soil and keep planting conditions consistent. JLF applications will be foliar fed at a rate of 1:500.
Metrics and Objectives:
Profitability/Yield: We will harvest and weigh tomatoes each week and record yield totals. At the season’s end for years 2024 and 2025, harvested weights will be recorded in both the test and control beds. The recorded weights will be analyzed to see trends in productivity for the individual beds as well as to compare levels of productivity between all test beds and control beds. In addition to harvested fruit, we will track culled crops. In heirloom tomato production, a significant portion of the crop is not a high enough standard (cracking, splitting, ect.) for sale. Decreasing unmarketable fruit has the potential to drastically increase revenue/sqft.
Soil Health: We will collect soil samples 3 times per year, at pre-planting (May), mid season (July), and end of season (Sept). One composite sample consisting of ten 0.75-inch diameter cores will be collected from 6in depth within each bed at each sampling period. The composite sample will be taken of native soil below the cardboard and compost, and placed in a sealable bag and mailed to Dr. Sprunger at Michigan State University for analysis. Her lab will complete Nutrient Analysis, Cation Exchange Capacity, Active Carbon (Permanganate Oxidizable Carbon or POXC), Soil Respiration, Soil Protein, and Beneficial Nematode Indices test. A factsheet from the MSU lab is included in the appendix. During Nigel Palmer's visit to Sweet Hollow, we will complete a Slake Analysis on each of the treatments. This will be another helpful indicator of soil structure and microbial activity. We will follow Ohio State University’s protocol included in the appendix.
Plant Health: We will use a refractometer as an on-site, quantitative measure of plant and fruit quality measuring the sucrose in plant sap. Our sampling protocol will be as follows: Sample a leaf from the 3rd set of fully developed leaves. Following the full procedure included in the appendix, we will record the brix. The time of sampling will remain consistent for each test and be taken at noon. We plan to sample the day before JMS/JLF applications and 24 hours after each application to see if there is an immediate effect. The testing will be replicated four times per treatment, resulting in 16 samples per test day. We will also measure brix on tomato fruit to determine if there is any quantifiable difference in crop quality. We will use the refractometer to measure brix in 3 random fruits from each treatment, bi-weekly, resulting in 12 data points for each sampling session. Additionally, during peak season, 2 fruits from each row will be served to 5 participants and scored from best to worst in a blind taste test. Identical varieties will be used, picked at peak ripeness (Institutional Board Review approval or statement not required at this time). Finally, as another source of qualitative data, a logbook will be kept documenting any noteworthy findings during a weekly walkthrough of the Hoophouse. Things that will get documented are soil temperature, weed/pest/disease pressure, number of fruit-sets, and any other changes observed.
During the 2024 and 2025 a research assistant will be hired by SweetHollow to assist. The project design and research will be repeated again in 2025. However, cardboard and compost will only be applied in the first season to build the no-till beds.
Research Outcomes
Education and Outreach
Participation Summary:
The goal of the education plan is to spread awareness of alternative approaches to agriculture, specifically the preparation and use of homemade inputs and its potential benefits for growers large and small.
- JADAM workshop at Sweethollow (Spring 2024 and Spring 2025): For each of the two project years Sweet Hollow Farm will host a 2 day workshop series. Project collaborator Nigel Palmer will travel to lead this series in year 1. Day 1 will focus on the JADAM system and principles behind building a resilient farm system using low-cost, local inputs. From there students will help collect and create JMS and other mineral inputs being used in this study. To further the reach of this event, Sweet Hollow Farm will partner with local nonprofit Mountain Roots Education for additional participation of regional growers, educators, and students. Through this grant we will be able to offer this as a free workshop series. Participants will leave with an understanding of the JADAM system and how to create their own inputs for use on their farm and gardens.
- Natural Input workshop at Central Wyoming College (Fall 2024 and Fall 2025): We have also agreed to partner with the Alpine Institute at Central Wyoming College to offer a similar workshop series. Again once per project year, Jonah will travel to CWC to introduce the JADAM principles and guide them in creating their own inputs. This course will be taught to their beginning farmer cohort as well as their resident farm incubator members. Participants will leave with a better idea of the JADAM process and how it can fit into a no-till system, as well as how to deal with challenges that will arise in commercial production.
- Gardening for Market Article (Fall 2025): Following the completion of the project, Jonah Sloven will write and publish an article for popular “Growing for Market” magazine. This will serve as a platform to share the practices used and results of the project. It may include a visual how-to guide for readers to make their own inputs.
- No-Till Growers Podcast (Fall 2023): Upon the completion of the project, The No-Till Growers network has agreed to interview us for their no-till growers podcast. This podcast has over 70k subscribers and is at the forefront of the no-till and small scale farming community. The objective will be to share our findings with the rest of the no-till network through a 20 minute, publically available episode. Many are asking the same questions about natural inputs and their place in commercial production. We believe this knowledge will be beneficial for the farming community and producers large and small.
No findings or outreach activities have been completed at this point.