Project Overview
FNE02-434
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2002: $3,679.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2002
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Brian Rahm
Three Sisters Farm
Commodities
- Agronomic: corn, sunflower, grass (misc. perennial), hay
- Vegetables: sweet potatoes, beans
Practices
- Animal Production: feed/forage
- Crop Production: conservation tillage
- Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, focus group
- Farm Business Management: new enterprise development, value added
- Pest Management: competition, field monitoring/scouting, mulches - living, physical control, smother crops
- Production Systems: holistic management
- Soil Management: green manures, organic matter, soil analysis, composting, soil quality/health
- Sustainable Communities: public participation, analysis of personal/family life, sustainability measures
Proposal summary:
“Three sisters” refers to indigenous corn, beans, and squash, which will be grown in traditional mounds, but with spacing that will accommodate mechanical cultivation. The farmer will establish companion plantings of corn, beans, and squash, and market his crops in a way that explains the significance of the “sisters” to the history of native and regional agriculture. The overall goal is to see if these traditional crops can be produced on a larger scale using new techniques. Outreach will be through farmers’ markets, field days, and the selling of shares.
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.