Progress report for LNE23-473R
Project Information
Cover crops (CCs) are an integral part of the weed management package in rotational no-tillage-based organic crop production systems. We proposed a novel research project to support farmers in the Northeast by improving CC rolling/crimping technology in rotational no-till systems. This 3-year project addressed USDA-SARE’s vision: “Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to customers (….)” by improving weed suppression with no additional fuel, labor, and cost, promoting two specialty crops to diversify mid-Atlantic agriculture, and promoting organic crops to provide healthful products to customers. The project was conceptualized and designed based on stakeholder inputs. High bounce-back of CC after rolling/crimping, delayed response to crimping, and unbearable weed pressure even with substantial CC biomass are the key problems this project intended to address.
In 2023, the field research was conducted in two USDA plant hardiness zones (5b and 6a) to investigate the effect of rolling/crimping patterns on CC termination, cash crop establishment, weed dynamics, and allelopathic effect with three cover crops [cereal rye (Secale cereale), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum)) in no-till organic sweetcorn and fiber-hemp. The experiment is laid out in a split-plot arrangement with 9 treatments plus one no-CC control with four replications. Main plot includes three cover crop species and subplots are rolling/crimping patterns with respect to CC rows (parallel, perpendicular, and 30° angled) to grow two main cash crops: industrial hemp and sweet corn on separate field.
By the end of 2024, we completed the first year of field research, which began with planting cover crops in fall 2023, followed by main crops in early summer 2024. During the first year, soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected after CC germination for baseline soil nutrient profile. Cover crop biomass, density, bounced-back percentages, and were assessed. Lysimeters were installed 15 cm below the soil surface in each plot to collect leachate samples, which were analyzed for three allelochemicals (p-Hydroxybenzoxazinone, cyanamide, and polyethylene glycol) abundant in the CCs by using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additional soil samples were collected in Spring 2024 after cover crop termination for allelochemical extraction.
Weed biomass and density were measured twice in the summer. Data on hemp biomass yield, sweetcorn cob yield, and grain quality were also measured. Since the project involves at least two years of field studies, research activities are ongoing. Currently, cover crops have been planted for 2025 season, which will be terminated using a roller/crimper, and then no-till planting with cash crops in April/May 2025. All parameters measured in 2024 will be repeated in 2025 field season, with the addition of a soil seedbank germination assay.
To involve farmers in the project, two demonstration trials will be established in the third year of the project in both locations. Feedback and farmer's evaluation will be recorded. Outreach plan will have field days, web article publications, social media posts, two webinars, two peer- reviewed publications, regional and international conferences, video production, educational materials production, newsletters publications, and face-to-face training. Technology that makes rolled/crimped surfaces smooth and suppressive to weeds would be appealing to growers.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate the ability of cover crops in suppressing weeds with different rolling/crimping approaches and promote it for no-till organic production.
Three objectives were defined to achieve the goals:
Research Obj.1: Compare the effect of three different roller crimping patterns on weed suppression.
Research Obj. 2: Evaluate the interaction between rolling/crimping patterns and cover crop species by measuring the weed dynamics, sweetcorn (Zea mays) and fiber-hemp (Cannabis sativa) yield as high-value cash crops.
Outreach Obj.1: Establish demonstration sites in two USDA plant hardiness zones to educate growers on rolling/crimping techniques in the Northeast agroecosystems.
A survey conducted by Organic Farming Research Foundation in 2020 identified weed management in organic cropping systems as the topmost priority for future research (Snyder et al., 2022). Several studies demonstrated that weed control in organic agriculture remains a major and enduring challenge and a barrier to organic transition. While synthetic chemicals and intensive tillage are not options for organic no-till systems, thick cover crops mulch can be the most effective weed-suppressing tool. Studies have shown that up to 75% of weed suppression can be achieved with adequate cover crop biomass if properly rolled and crimped (Mirsky et al., 2013). Growers in the region are still struggling to achieve >75% ground cover after rolling/crimping (Lap Amon, personal communication). Additional concerns are the need for rolling/crimping twice before planting and high weed pressure even with substantial cover crop biomass. The necessity of proper rolling/crimping for efficient termination and weed suppression highlights the importance of understanding the factors that influence this process.
There is a dire need for immediate solutions that “satisfy sustainable agriculture goals in the Northeast”. The proposed cover crop-based approach will complement and enhance the existing roller/crimper technology for organic high-value crops rather than displacing it, which will allow research outcomes to be seamlessly introduced and adopted in existing organic systems. The enhanced utilization of rolling/crimping technology has great potential to reduce pesticide use and intensive tillage and ensure environmental benefits and crop resilience. The use of cover crops for organic no-till systems offers tremendous ecosystem services (Blanco-Canqui et al., 2015; Crézé et al., 2021) while providing healthful products to customers.
There are 4003 certified organic farms in 12 Northeast states with over 735,438 acres (USDA-NASS, 2020). Rodale Institute’s consulting team’s HubSpot database showed that we reached out to 517 farms in 2022 with ~3,000 acres certified organic whereas Northeast represented 187 farms (26% grain & 14% hemp) having 122,000 acres in production (including conventional) with ~30,000 acres in transition to organic. Out of 187 farms, 27 are transitioning to regenerative organic and have been practicing rotational no-till with roller/crimper. The average size of the farm is 25 acres, mostly producing soybean, corn, and vegetables. We saw 27 growers as early adopters and innovators of this novel approach in the Northeast and >160 farms will be early and late majority in the innovation adoption lifecycle (Rogers, 1962).
From non-replicated assessment, we discovered that the pattern of rolling/crimping has a significant impact on cover crop bounce-back and the early emergence of weeds. The fractional weed cover at the parallel rolling was 28% while <5% with the perpendicular pattern, two weeks after termination. Out of 425 visitors during the field day event (21 July 2022), approximately 50 growers had concerns about soil water exhaustion before cash crop planting and high bounce-back of cereal rye tillers. This indicates the need for better solutions for cover crop rolling/crimping. Thus, systematic research is needed to assess the weed dynamics, potential allelochemical retention, and crop vigor associated with the rolling/crimping patterns for an informed decision.
Research
We hypothesize that pattern of cover crop rolling/crimping would affect surface mulch cover, weed emergence, weed seedbank, and crop productivity in no-till organic systems. Differences in cover crop desiccation duration among rolling/crimping patterns would affect surface soil moisture and the release and retention of allelochemicals into the soil. Differences in bounce-back percentages and weed emergence among three rolling/crimping patterns could impact in-season weed pressure and weed seedbank in the soil. The additional research questions include: Will crop stand establishment be affected by rolling/crimping patterns? Is the result cover crop-specific? What are the weed species mostly suppressed by the novel method?
The effect of cover crop rolling/crimping patterns on two high-value cash crops (sweetcorn and hemp) will be studied from 2023 to 2025 (2 years) through nesting research plots in two USDA plant hardiness zones (5b and 6a): Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA (6a), and Rodale Institute-Pocono Organic Center, Long Pond, PA (5b). Both hemp and sweetcorn can be grown in these locations with relatively shorter growing degree days than common row crops like soybean and grain corn, which would provide a longer cover crop window for even continuous hemp or sweetcorn production. This will enhance adoption likelihood and promote specialty crop production in organic systems.
- Treatments: A total of 10 (9+1) treatments will be evaluated. Treatments include combination of three cover crop species (cereal rye, hairy vetch, and crimson clover) and three rolling/crimping patterns (parallel to the cover crop rows, perpendicular to the rows, and 30º angled with the rows) and no cover crop control. Cereal rye and hairy vetch are the major cover crops in the Northeast (Mirky et al., 2013), where farmer adoption of cover crop-based no-till grain crop systems has focused on these crops. Introducing hemp in the same system would be of interest to the growers including conventional farmers. Sweetcorn would provide enough time for cover crop establishment before a hard frost in the fall, which is especially critical for zone 5b. If performed well, angled rolling/crimping would address challenges associated with landscape positions.
- Methods: The experiment will be laid out in a split-plot arrangement (see attachment). Main plot will have three rolling/crimping patterns and subplots will be randomly allocated to three cover crop species and one control treatment with four replications (40 plots × 2 crops = 80 plots/site). The size of each plot is 20 ft × 40 ft. Two studies (hemp and corn) will cover ~3 acres in one location. Cover crops will be planted in the fall starting early September with hairy vetch and crimson clover at seeding rates of 25 and 15 lbs/A, respectively. Cereal rye will be planted in early October at a seeding rate of 160 lbs/A. In the spring, cover crops will be terminated using a 10 ft wide roller/crimper, and simultaneously no-till planted with yellow sweetcorn (Allure) and fiber-hemp (Santhica) @ 12 and 60 lbs/A, at 30” and 7.5” row spacings, respectively. Note that rolling and cash crop planting is in the same direction. Tractor will follow cover crop rows at parallel treatment. Perpendicular and angled patterns will be achieved by rolling/crimping at 90º and 30º of the cover crop rows, respectively. For no-cover treatment, weeds will be mowed before planting to avoid hairpinning. The 2023-2024 study will be repeated in 2024-2025 in both locations.
3. Data Collection:
Cover crop: The number of tillers/m2 for cereal rye and crimson clover will be determined a few days before termination using a 1-m2 quadrat. For hairy vetch, the number of upright flower buds/m2 will be determined because of its prostrate habit. Aboveground biomass will be sampled by using two 0.56 m2 quadrats from each plot and dried at a constant temperature of 55ºC for 72 hours to determine dry mass. Also, the pictures will be taken from three 1-m2 quadrats per plot using a camera to estimate standing green cover. Two days after rolling/crimping, bounced-back tillers (or buds) will be counted to estimate termination efficacy.
Allelochemicals: Following cover crop termination, one 1-ft long suction cup tensiometer will be installed 15 cm below the soil surface in each plot to collect leached water infiltrated through the residue and soil. Water samples will be collected after rainfall for three events. Samples will be stored at -20ºC before sending them to the University of Connecticut chemistry lab for analysis. A total of 480 water samples will be analyzed for three chemical compounds: p-Hydroxybenzoxazinone [2,4-Dihydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (C8H7NO4, MM=181.15)], abundant in cereal rye (Lee et al., 2010); cyanamide [(aminomethanenitrile, N≡C–NH2, MM=42.04)], abundant in hairy vetch (Geddes et al., 2015); and polyethylene glycol [poly(oxyethylene), C2nH4n+2On+1, MM=44.05n+18.02], a compound abundant in crimson clover and hairy vetch (White et al., 1989) using the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HP-LC) technique (Wang et al., 2008).
Soils: Soil samples from 0-15 cm depth will be collected in fall 2023 for nutrient analysis, spring 2024, and 2025 after rolling/crimping for the allelochemical assay and soil moisture. Samples will be taken from five places in each plot. Samples will be composited across the block for nutrient analysis (n=16) in fall 2023. For the allelochemical test, all 160 samples will be analyzed for the chemicals discussed above using the HP-LC method.
Weeds: Weed samples will be collected from two, 0.56 m2 quadrats per plot centered on crop rows and between the rows, three weeks after planting. End-of-season density will be assessed before physiological maturity of the crop. Weeds will be separated into broadleaf, sedge, and grass, then dry to a constant weight at 55°C to determine dry matter, and ground to pass a 1-mm screen for total N analysis. Species richness will be estimated as the number of species kg-1 soil and diversity as the weighted average of species proportional abundances (Ryan et al., 2010). The emerged weed diversity will be compared to the soil seedbank germination assay data. Four soil cores of 10 cm diameter and 18 cm depth will be collected in each plot in April prior to field preparation and in September after the harvest. Soil will be spread over a flat plastic tray (25 × 50 cm) containing a 3 cm layer of vermiculite at the bottom. Trays will be watered daily. Weed seedlings will be identified after they emerge from the soil surface and allowed to grow until proper identification is made. Seedlings will be counted and removed weekly for six weeks. Then soil will be allowed to air dry, and vermiculite and soil will be mixed and packed back on the tray. The process will be repeated until viable seedbanks are exhausted. The seedbank data will be recorded at the species level.
Crops: Crop stand will be assessed by counting seedlings/m row length from 10 spots/plot. Hemp biomass will be determined before harvest from two 1-m2 quadrat areas. Cob yield will be determined by harvesting central two rows. Cob weight, length, cobs/plant, kernel rows/cob, and seed index will be determined for each treatment. Grain quality will be determined for total N and C.
4. Data Analysis and Presentation of Results: All statistical analyses will be performed in R version 3.6.1 (R Core Team, 2020). Weed data will be arcsine (√Y) transformed to satisfy the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) will test variance within crop yield, yield attributes, allelochemicals, weed density & biomass, seedbank density, and species richness & diversity at α=0.5. LSD will separate the means at α=0.5. Cover crops, rolling patterns, and the interaction between the factors will treat as fixed effects and replicate as random effect. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination biplots will be used to determine degree of similarity between weed communities and second-order stochastic dominance to assess crop-weed risks (Nichols et al., 2020). At least two sets of results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Results will be presented at ASA-CSSA-SSSA, WSSA, and regional conferences.
Materials and methods
Two-year (2023-2025) field research project, exploring the effect of cover crop rolling/crimping patterns on two high-value cash crops (sweetcorn and hemp) has been started through nesting research plots in two USDA plant hardiness zones (5b and 6a): Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA (6a), and Rodale Institute-Pocono Organic Center, Long Pond, PA (5b). Both hemp and sweetcorn can be grown in these locations with shorter growing degree days than common row crops like soybean and grain corn, which would provide a longer cover crop window for even continuous hemp or sweetcorn production. This will enhance adoption likelihood and promote specialty crop production in organic systems.
- Treatments: There are 10 (9+1) treatments in this project. Treatments include combination of three cover crop species (cereal rye, hairy vetch, and crimson clover) and three rolling/crimping patterns (parallel to the cover crop rows, perpendicular to the rows, and 30◦ angled with the rows) and no cover crop control.
Cereal rye and hairy vetch are the major cover crops in the Northeast (Mirky et al., 2013), where farmer adoption of cover crop-based no-till grain crop systems has focused on these crops. Introducing hemp in the same system would be of interest to the growers including conventional farmers. Sweetcorn would provide enough time to establish cover crops before a hard frost in the fall, which is especially critical for zone 5b. If performed well, angled rolling/crimping would address challenges associated with uneven terrain.
- Methods: The experiment is laid out in a split-plot arrangement. The main plot consists of three cover crop species and subplots are three rolling/crimping patterns and one control treatment with four replications (40 plots x2 crops = 80 plots/site). The size of each plot is 20 ft x 40 ft. Two cash crops (hemp and corn) cover about 3 acres at each location.
In the spring, cover crops, after reaching their maturity, were terminated using a 10 ft wide roller/crimper and then followed no-till planting with cash crops: yellow sweetcorn and fiber-hemp at 30” and 7.5” row spacings, respectively. Tractor operations followed cover crop rows at parallel treatment, where perpendicular and angled patterns were achieved by rolling/crimping at 90◦ and 30◦ of the cover crop rows, respectively. For no-cover treatment, weeds were mowed, and plots were shallow tilled several times with Treffler Harrow before planting. Note that cover crop rolling was in proposed directions, however, cash crops planting was in one direction only due to large size of planter.
For the 2023-2024 growing season, both field sites were tilled in August 2023 and cover crops were planted in September 2023. Seed rates for cover crops were 180, 45 and 25 lb ac-1 for cereal rye, hairy vetch, and crimson clover, respectively. Baseline soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected after crop emergence in November 2023. Soil analysis revealed the following results:
Kutztown site: pH 7.2, organic matter (OM) 4.84%, N 0.17%, P 111.68 mg kg-1, and K 108.46 mg kg-1
Long Pond site: pH 5.8, OM 4.49%, N 0.15%, P 28.46 mg kg-1, and K 54.53 mg kg-1.
In spring 2024, cover crops were terminated using a 10 ft wide roller/crimper in three directions: vertical, horizontal and angled. Later yellow sweetcorn (variety: Allure) and fiber hemp (variety: Santhica 70) were planted at rate of 12 and 60 lb ac-1, at 30” and 7.5” row spacings, respectively in Kutztown, PA on June 14, 2024 (Figure 1). Due to unavailability of a corn planter in Long Pond, PA, soybean (variety: Org Soy at rate of 55.2 lbs ac-1) was planted using an Esc no-till drill on June 26, 2024. Lysimeters were installed for water sample collection in each plot. Since no crop was previously planted at the Long Pond site, blood meal fertilizer was applied at rate of 500 lbs ac-1 to all hemp plots using a cone spreader on July 02, 2024.
Fiber hemp was harvested in August 2024 whereas sweet corn in September 2024 at Kutztown site. However, no harvest was conducted at the Long Pond site due to crop failure. A new field was selected at each site for the trial to repeat in 2025. The fields were tilled and planted to cover crops in September 2024.
- Data CollectionFigure 1
Cover crop: The number of tillers m-2 for cereal rye and crimson clover, as well as number of upright flower buds m-2, were determined using a 0.25 m2 quadrat in late May 2024. Aboveground biomass samples were collected using quadrats from each plot and dried at a constant temperature of 55◦C for 72 hours to determine dry mass.. In early June 2024, cover crops were terminated using roller/crimper, and bounced-back tillers (or buds) were post-rolling to assess termination efficacy. Soil moisture reading was taken within a week of cover crops rolling down.
Allelochemicals: Water samples were collected for allelochemical testing from cover crop field. Since all plots had not received sufficient rainfall, water was added to simulate rainfall events for sampling. As a backup, soil samples were collected at the same time and stored properly in the lab. These samples were later sent to a commercial lab for analysis, and the results are pending.
Soil: Soil samples from 0-15 cm depth were collected in summer 2024 from both sites (80 samples in each site) for allelochemical test and were analyzed using the HPLC method.
Weeds: Weed samples were collected from 0.56 m2 quadrats per plot, centered on crop rows, 5-6 weeks after planting. An overhead photo of 1 m2 quadrat was taken for species and green cover. At the end-of-season, weed density was assessed before crop reached physiological maturity. Weeds were categorized into broadleaf, sedge, and grass, then dried to a constant weight at 55°C to determine dry matter, and ground to pass a 1 mm screen for total N analysis. Species richness was estimated as the number of species kg-1 soil and diversity as the weighted average of species proportional abundances. All activities will be repeated in the 2025 growing season, with the addition of a soil seedbank germination assay as described in the project proposal.
Crops: In 2023-2024, hemp and sweetcorn and hemp were harvested in August and September, respectively at Kutztown site. During the growing season, crop stands were assessed by counting seedlings/m row length from 10 spots/plot. Hemp biomass was determined before harvest from two 0.56 m2 quadrat areas. Sweet corn cob yield was determined by harvesting two– 1 m transects. Cob weight, length, cobs per plant, kernel rows per cob, and seed index were determined for each treatment. Grain quality was analyzed for total N and C.
- Preliminary Results
We will provide comprehensive results and discussion upon the completion of the two-year field study at both sites. Since this report focuses on the first-year field trial, with most parameters assessed at the Kutztown site, we are presenting selective results only. Additional updates will be included in the next annual report.
Soil moisture: After cover crop termination, soil moisture levels were as follows: 23.4% (ranging from 18.4% to 27.4%) in cereal rye, 21.4% (ranging from 14.1% to 27.6%) in hairy vetch, and 24.4% (ranging from 22.5% to 37.6%) in crimson clover. Soil moisture was consistently higher in all plots at the Long Pond, PA site compared to the Kutztown site.
Cover crops bounce-back: Bounce-back counts were conducted twice in a 0.25 m² quadrat at the Kutztown site. No bounce-back was observed in crimson clover plots. Hairy vetch exhibited up to two plants bouncing back, with the lowest counts in plots terminated in a perpendicular direction. Cereal rye showed up to four plants bouncing back, with the lowest counts in angled terminated plots.
Weed pressure: Broadleaf and grass weeds were more dominant than sedge at both experimental field sites. Weeds within each 0.56 m² quadrat were categorized into three groups, oven-dried, and their total dry weight was measured. Results indicated that broadleaf weeds had higher dry weights under the control treatment, while grass weeds showed higher dry weights in crimson clover-terminated plots in the sweet corn field. No significant differences were observed based on cover crop termination patterns. Additional parameters are still being evaluated, and laboratory results for allelochemical analysis are pending. These findings will be shared in a future report.
Cash crops stand count: Crop stand counts in a 0.25 m² quadrat revealed that corn stand counts were higher in hairy vetch and crimson clover-terminated plots compared to cereal rye-terminated plots. Similar trends were observed for fiber hemp. Interestingly, control plots without cover crop termination had the highest crop stand counts for both corn and hemp. Soybean at Long Pond site had a higher crop stand count in cereal rye compared to crimson clover and hairy vetch.
Hemp biomass yield: Hemp dry biomass yield ranged from 380 to 12,863 lb ac⁻¹, with an average of 6,621 lb ac⁻¹. Among cover crops, the highest yield was recorded in crimson clover (average 8,047 lb ac⁻¹), followed by hairy vetch (average 7,622 lb ac⁻¹) and cereal rye (average 4,769 lb ac⁻¹). Regarding cover crop termination patterns, the perpendicular direction produced the highest yield (average 8,206 lb ac⁻¹), followed by angled (average 6,214 lb ac⁻¹) and parallel (average 5,417 lb ac⁻¹) patterns. Control plots yielded 7,240 lb ac⁻¹. The combination of crimson clover with the perpendicular termination method achieved the highest yield (average 8,764 lb ac⁻¹) at the Kutztown site.
Sweet corn yield: Despite favorable crop growth, the yield of fresh ears was suboptimal, with some data collection rows yielding no cobs. Fresh ear yields ranged from zero to 11,366 lb ac⁻¹, averaging 3,307 lb ac⁻¹. Grain quality samples for total nitrogen and carbon analysis have been sent to a commercial laboratory, and the results are pending.
It is too early to provide formal research conclusions; however, our preliminary results show that cover crop type and termination direction has influenced soil moisture, weed dynamics, and main crop performance. Crimson clover maintained the highest soil moisture and achieved the highest hemp biomass yield, especially with perpendicular termination. Hairy vetch enhanced crop stand counts for corn and hemp. Termination direction impacted bounce-back, with angled patterns reducing cereal rye regrowth. Overall, integrating crimson clover with perpendicular termination upheld most beneficial for hemp yield, emphasizing the importance of tailored cover crop management strategies.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Educational activities:
Participation Summary:
The project advisory committee has two farmers and three professionals:
Mr. Drew Oberholtzer – Coexist, co-founder and partner, Blandon, PA
Rodale Institute provided consulting services to COEXIST Inc. to transition their farms to certified organic. Our novel research will provide essential data to inform farmers, like those at COEXIST, who are farming industrial hemp organically. Mr. Oberholtzer will also establish a demonstration trial near Reading, PA. He has suggested interseeding fiber hemp into different cover crops. He will also collect crop emergence, weed pressure, and yield data and provide feedback to the PIs for improvement.
Ms. Ashley Walsh – President of Pocono Organics, Pocono, PA
Mrs. Walsh is the president/founder of Pocono Organics, which was established in 2015. Pocono Organics is one of North America’s largest regenerative organic certified farms with 350 acres of greenhouse spaces. Her in-depth knowledge of cover crops and experience in controlling weeds in hemp and sweetcorn production helped us to prepare this proposal. She will conduct a demonstration trial and collect yield data to support PIs.
Mr. Sam Malriat, Director, Rodale Institute consulting team
Mr. Malriat is working for a unique consulting system of Rodale Institute. Mr. Malriat is a Certified Crop Adviser and is IOIA Certified in Crops and Livestock. Mr. Malriat will provide on-site technical assistance to farmers, that are interested in using rolling/crimping for no-till cropping.
Mr. Chris Belluzzi, Operation Manager, Pocono Organics, Pocono, PA
Chris has more than 20 years of experience in agriculture and has extensive knowledge about specialty crops and weed and pest management in organic ecosystems. He has collaborated with the research team at RI-POC to conduct rolling/crimping projects since 2020. Chris will help connect with the growers and help in developing demonstration plans and field events.
Dr. Wade P Heller, Scientist, USDA-ARS, Wyndmoor, PA
Dr. Heller is a lead scientist at ARS in molecular characterization of foodborne pathogen research projects. He has been involved in root-dwelling mycorrhizae projects with Rodale Institute and is familiar with organic crop production systems. Dr. Heller will help researchers by giving advice on research protocols, farmer engagement programs, and educational materials.
Learning Outcomes
Learning from Running Trial: Hindered Growth
No data were collected from the main crops—fiber hemp and soybean at the Long Pond, PA site in 2024, aside from weed samples. Several factors contributed to the poor performance of the main crops. First, the absence of fencing led to heavy grazing by deer and other wild animals (Figure 2). For instance, the top portions of hemp plants were repeatedly chewed by animals, further hindering their development. Additionally, the growing area was bordered by permanent forest on three sides, which negatively impacted crop growth. The field had not supported established crops in recent years, making it difficult to cultivate anything beyond wild species. Baseline soil tests revealed low fertility levels, and while blood meal fertilizer was applied at a rate of 500 lb ac⁻¹ in early July, it had minimal impact, primarily promoting weed growth within the plots.
This experience highlighted the critical importance of cultivating fiber hemp within a fenced area, selecting fields with a history of continuous farming, and ensuring proper soil fertility through targeted amendments. Looking ahead to 2025, a fenced field near the Pocono Organics main office (in Long Pond, PA) has been selected for the trial. Field preparation was completed in early September 2024, and cover crops (cereal rye, hairy vetch, and crimson clover) were seeded in mid-September. As of early 2025, the cover crops are actively growing in the designated fields.Figure 2