Project Overview
FNC07-695
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2007: $5,750.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2010
Region: North Central
State: Ohio
Project Coordinator:
Barry Adler
RainFresh Harvests
Annual Reports
Information Products
(Multimedia)
Commodities
- Fruits: apples, berries (brambles), pears
- Vegetables: cucurbits, greens (leafy), peppers, tomatoes
- Additional Plants: herbs
- Animals: fish
Practices
- Crop Production: continuous cropping, cover crops, irrigation, nutrient cycling, organic fertilizers
- Education and Training: demonstration, networking, on-farm/ranch research
- Energy: energy conservation/efficiency, energy use, solar energy, wind power
- Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, agricultural finance, value added
- Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity
- Pest Management: biological control, cultural control, physical control, prevention, row covers (for pests)
- Production Systems: agroecosystems, organic agriculture
- Soil Management: earthworms, organic matter
- Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems, new business opportunities
Proposal summary:
RainFresh Harvests uses three kinds of intensive production systems for growing herbs and specialty vegetables for fresh local markets - a renewable energy greenhouse with aquaponics, an unheated passive solar greenhouse, and outdoor raised beds. This project will compare these practices and evaluate resource inputs including energy, labor, fertilizers and biocontrols with regard to yield and dollar return to determine the most cost effective production practices; and also evaluate methods to extend the market season for selected crops that often provide a surplus during the active growing season.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.