Project Overview
Commodities
- Vegetables: sweet corn
Practices
- Pest Management: physical control
Proposal summary:
This project will evaluate the Green Scarecrow 3.0 laser bird deterrent system, a highly cost-effective and eco-friendly solution tailored for small farms facing significant bird damage. Green Scarecrow 3.0 introduces several improvements over prior versions, including solar-powered wireless laser units, adjustable height for optimal coverage, an additional laser for enhanced protection, and faster laser movement to create a more effective and alarming deterrent. These enhancements provide an affordable alternative to traditional and costly laser deterrents, supporting sustainable farming by reducing reliance on environmentally harmful methods like propane cannons and netting.
The trial will take place over three growing seasons at two Massachusetts farms—Elliot Farm in Lakeville, which manages 35 acres of sweet corn with a 50% annual loss to birds, and Volante Farm in Needham, cultivating 15 acres with a 20% loss. This multi-season study will gather comprehensive data on Green Scarecrow’s long-term viability and scalability. Elliot Farm’s participation offers valuable historical data on bird habituation, while Volante Farm introduces variability, increasing the trial’s generalizability.
A significant barrier to widespread adoption is the lack of efficacy data and awareness among farmers. By engaging Elliot Farm and Volante Farm in a free trial, this project will generate essential data on bird damage reduction that can be used to build farmer confidence across the region. Findings will be shared through seasonal farm demonstrations, social media, digital outreach, trade shows, and conferences, fostering adoption and supporting sustainable farming practices throughout the Northeast.
Project objectives from proposal:
This project’s primary objective is to evaluate the Green Scarecrow 3.0 system’s effectiveness in reducing bird damage to sweet corn through a multi-season trial at two Massachusetts farms: Elliot Farm and Volante Farm. The trial will assess impacts on bird damage, crop yields, and profitability, offering insights to support sustainable practices for small farms across the Northeast.
Objective 1: Measure Reduction in Bird Damage Bird damage is a costly issue for Northeast sweet corn farms. Elliot Farm loses about 50% of its 35-acre crop to birds, while Volante Farm, managing 15 acres, faces a 20% loss. This trial aims to reduce these losses with Green Scarecrow 3.0, collecting data over three seasons to quantify reductions in bird-damaged crops against each farm's historical data. To support broader validation, Ken will continue polling 16 additional farms from a prior survey to gather control data on crop losses using traditional deterrents, allowing comparison with trial results to reinforce the system's effectiveness for broader adoption.
Objective 2: Evaluate System Performance via Farmer Feedback Farmers will provide monthly feedback on system performance, including ease of use, adaptability, and challenges. This real-world input will assess Green Scarecrow 3.0’s viability, compare it with traditional methods like propane cannons, and gauge its potential as a sustainable alternative.
Objective 3: Track Economic Impact through Rescued Crop Revenue The project will assess Green Scarecrow 3.0’s financial impact by calculating revenue from sweet corn saved from bird damage. By tracking crop savings and ROI, this objective will demonstrate the system’s profitability potential and its contribution to economic and environmental sustainability.
Key Data Collection To meet project goals, data will include:
- Bird Damage Reduction: Percentage of bird-damaged ears in both edge and interior stalks, providing a detailed view of Green Scarecrow’s impact.
- Crop Loss Reduction vs. Historical Data: Comparison with historical damage records to measure effectiveness.
- Farmer Feedback: Monthly surveys on usability, adaptability, and comparisons to other deterrents.
- Revenue from Rescued Crops: Economic impact via additional revenue from saved crops.
Although only Elliot Farm and Volante Farm will participate directly, the 16 previously surveyed farms will help share results and may become early adopters of Green Scarecrow technology. By reducing bird damage, improving yields, and boosting profitability, this project aligns with Northeast SARE’s mission to advance sustainable agriculture, reduce environmental risks, and improve farmers' quality of life across the region.