Organic vegetable production weed control strategies: Integrating precision cultivation,weed biology and OMRI herbicides

Organic vegetable production weed control strategies: Integrating precision cultivation,weed biology and OMRI herbicides

Summary

Small-scale vegetable growers producing crops with organic methodologies require essential knowledge and skills related to a systems approach for maintaining adequate weed control to provide profitable returns for their endeavors. Many small-scale farmers growing vegetables are new and beginning farmers assembling skills for profitable farming.

This training program included in the project involved an introduction to six different methodologies to address weed control in organic vegetable production. Initial focus group meetings which included farmers and professional educators indicated farmers wanted to focus on the most cost-effective methodologies with the least capital intensive requirements. There was significant interest in low capital input such as hand operated weed control tools. This information provided the project with the foundation for focusing attention on low capital input organic weed control methodologies. Training on other more capital intensive methodologies was also included but to a lesser extent than were originally projected.

In the past year the project focused on two specific goals. The first goal was to follow up with the individuals attending the training programs in both New Jersey and Delaware to survey them on the effectiveness of the training program and impact. A questionnaire survey was developed and sent to program participants in an effort to determine program impact.

The second goal was to develop a concept to enhance the effectiveness of the training program among the participants as well as other interested individuals and organizations. The original proposal included multiple follow-up surveys along with program development and presentations at agricultural conferences. Based upon previous and continuing experience with follow-up surveys along with outreach potential of attending conferences and making presentations a new concept was developed during the year. The approach that will be utilized includes the development of a website consisting of three basic components:

1] training modules covering six components of the field training program from 2010, additionally there will be “farmer oriented” problem-solving questions requiring information from the training modules ;

2] a resource area making available direct links to the resource materials developed in the training manual along with other pertinent resource links directly involved in organic vegetable crop weed control;

3] a blog area where communication between participants allow for the exchange of pertinent ideas and information along with recruiting survey impact information. A draft sample of the opening page of the website including the training modules listed at the top of the page is included in the file below.

• Web Site Training Draft

Objectives/Performance Targets

40 agricultural service providers will be trained, with 25 attending training at Rutgers University-Snyder Research Farm and 15 at the University of Delaware Research and Education Center. 140 farmers trained by 25 agricultural educators will be surveyed obtaining farm-level impact (including economics) of educational program.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The main thrust of the project is to train agricultural educators and farmers to address and improve organic vegetable weed control methodologies. The attached program below provides an example of the methodologies incorporated to achieve the milestones outlined in the project. Outreach educational programs for farmers addressing specific weed control methodologies such a detailed description and demonstration of hand hoeing techniques are well received by the target farming audience. Included below is a sample file of a scuffle hoe listing its attributes as well as a short video clip to be included the of this particular design hoe in action. The education modules discussed in the summary above will include in excess of 50 different examples of vegetable organic weed control techniques similar to the scuffle hoe example below. The video footage included will demonstrate these tools in action.

• SAMPLE HAND HOE

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

A follow-up survey in 2011 of the 44 participants of the hands-on training program conducted at Rutgers University generated information as noted below. Highlights from the 8 responses received include: A reported total of 142 farmers representing 709 acres of production were trained in the year following the hands-on training program. These same individuals also trained an additional 55 agricultural professionals. Additionally the participants reported a $97 per acre “enhancement” to farmers vegetable production activities. Of the 9 training modules included in the 2010 program the most effective components included; precision cultivation with tractor mounted implements, mulching techniques, precision cultivation with hand implements, and basic weed biology. The complete results from the survey responses are reported below. Overall the survey indicated the program provided cost-effective training for agricultural professionals.

Survey questions and response results:
1] Please estimate the number of farmers you have interacted with sharing information gained in the hands-on training program. Total: 142

2] Please estimate the number of agricultural professionals you have interacted with sharing information gained in the hands-on training program. Total: 55

3] Please rate the educational impact each of the areas covered in the training program: Ranking Number: 1 = the Greatest Impact 5 = the Least Impact Number reported is the Average of respondents answers a. Utilization of Stale Seedbed Techniques to Reduce Weed Competition: 2.3 b. Precision Cultivation with Tractor Mounted Implements: 1.7 c. Precision Cultivation with Hand-Operated Implements Such As Wheel Hoes and Hand Hoes: 1.8 d. Basic Weed Biology Including Weed Seed Dormancy and Emergence and Perennial Weed Population Dynamics: 1.8 e. Influence of Cover Cropping Practices on Weed Control: 1.8 f. Influence of Continuous Tillage on Reducing Weed Seed Populations: 2.0 g. Effectiveness and Application Techniques [Backpack Sprayers] of OMRI/NOP Approved Herbicides: 1.8 h. Mulching Techniques Including Plastic, Straw and Other Materials to Suppress Weed Competition: 1.7 i. Utilization of Flaming for Weed Control: 2.2

4] Please estimate the average dollar value per acre “enhancement” realized by farmers you interacted with utilizing the training program content. Total: $97.5 5] Please estimate the total acres represented by the farmers you have interacted with utilizing the training . Total: 709.2 Some examples of other training activities conducted include farmer workshops such as the one noted in the document below. The winter meeting workshops are usually accomplished with some hands-on experiences by the attending farmers. Items such as backpack sprayers and hand hoes are demonstrated.

• Farmer workshop – organic production

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