Project Overview
The project start date is delayed until January 1, 2021 due to COVID-19.
Information Products
Commodities
- Vegetables: beans, garlic, onions, peppers, Kusa squash, tomatillo criollo
Practices
- Crop Production: crop rotation, foliar feeding, varieties and cultivars
- Education and Training: farmer to farmer
- Farm Business Management: business planning, farmers' markets/farm stands
- Natural Resources/Environment: No use chemical fertilizer since there is a small lake in the farm and he avoids water pollution and damage the water species with chemicals residuals..
- Pest Management: cultural control
- Production Systems: transitioning to organic
- Soil Management: composting
- Sustainable Communities: ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, new business opportunities, social capital
Proposal summary:
The farmer for this project is Severiano Felipe Antonino García.
Mr. Antonino García has vast experience in the production of traditional agricultural products using organic practices, which he gained working at his family farm in Mexico. After working for many years as a migrant farm worker, a few years ago he bought a small farm in Van Buren County, Michigan where he is using his experience in the production of organic agricultural products. Due to the increased demand of tomatillo criollo, Kusa squash, garlic, beans (yellow, green, and purple), and hot peppers, Mr. Antonino Garcia is planning to expand his current production of traditional agricultural products to sell at local markets and to expand the marketing of his products to new markets. This project is Ecologically Sound since it does not use any type of chemicals in the production process, is economically viable since it will increase his farm revenues and profits in the end. Finally, the project is Socially Responsible because it will improve his quality of life, as well as that of other underserved farmers. In addition, he plans to share his experience and knowledge with other farmers in the community.
Project objectives from proposal:
- To expand from 3 to 5 acres my current production of traditional agricultural products to satisfy the current demand in local markets.
- Implement agricultural practices without the use of pesticides in order to avoid water pollution and improve the soil life and take care of the environment.
- Learn about new and improved technologies for the production of naturally growth products.
- Share my experience gained in the production of naturally growth agricultural products through demonstration plots, trainings, conference presentations, and social media.