Project Overview
FNE01-368
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2001: $1,605.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2002
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $1,101.00
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Commodities
- Agronomic: oats, rye
- Fruits: melons
- Vegetables: peppers, tomatoes
Practices
- Crop Production: conservation tillage
- Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research
- Farm Business Management: marketing management
- Pest Management: field monitoring/scouting, mulches - living, mulching - plastic, row covers (for pests)
- Production Systems: general crop production
- Soil Management: earthworms, organic matter, soil analysis
- Sustainable Communities: community services, employment opportunities, sustainability measures
Proposal summary:
Using no-till, ground cloths, cover crops, and a garden tractor, the farmer will explore whether a small-scale organic vegetable farm can be run efficiently without heavy farm equipment, which can erode and compact the soil. She will compare her labor and effort against conventional methods as carried out on an adjacent farm, and will track plant health, ripening times, production, and water use.
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.