Vertical Oblong Wheel Planter System: Scale Up Yield, Increase Production, Increase Profits, Feed More in the Community, and Improve Worker Ergonomics

Vertical Oblong Wheel Planter System: Scale Up Yield, Increase Production, Increase Profits, Feed More in the Community, and Improve Worker Ergonomics

Summary

Interim Report – During the summer, fall and winter of 2012 the VOW (Vertical Oblong Wheel) was constructed and set up in the high tunnel at Y Knot Farm, located in Edwards, MO. The VOW pipe planters were constructed and planted with strawberry plants, placed outside the high tunnel and covered in straw in the hope to gain a jump on the 2013 strawberry season.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The 2012 interim objectives for the Farmer/Rancher Grant FNC12-858 were to design, construct, and evaluate the costs and any improvements of the VOW Planter System. The costs of the frame and planters are listed below but since the VOW system has not been tested as of yet, any improvements have not been noted, evaluated or reported.

The VOW was constructed of metal, pillow blocks, sprockets, chains we all assembled and attached. Planter pipes were constructed, soil and amendments were mixed and placed in the planters. Strawberries were planted and the pipes were placed in the field and covered with straw for wintering.

One original soil amendment was to be loose rockwool but it proved too expensive so cotton burr was substituted. The combination of peat moss, cotton burr, sand and garden dirt was used in the planters.

The framework of the VOW Planting System, including the metal frame, sprockets, pillow blocks, chains, shaft, bolts and nuts and were estimated to cost $1,355. Actual costs at this time are approximately $1,000.00.

Planters for the VOW system was estimated to cost $751.00 and actual costs so far are approximately $600.00.

The waterline to the high tunnel was also constructed in the fall of 2012.

Accomplishments/Milestones

• The website is currently in the works and will be live in the Spring of 2013.
  Solar Panels will be purchased and set up, along with all wiring, solar pump, and hammer mill device that will be constructed and tested.
  Once strawberries are producing, invitations will go out for workshops.
  On-going research, evaluations, improvements will be made throughout the spring summer and fall.

Collaborators: