Project Overview
Commodities
- Vegetables: greens (lettuces), peppers, tomatoes
Practices
- Crop Production: greenhouses, high tunnels or hoop houses
- Education and Training: demonstration, display, farmer to farmer, focus group, on-farm/ranch research, workshop, youth education
- Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture, land access
- Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization
- Pest Management: mulches - general
- Production Systems: holistic management
- Soil Management: soil analysis, soil quality/health
- Sustainable Communities: community development, community planning, community services, local and regional food systems, public participation
Proposal summary:
This is a standalone summary of the project. It should briefly describe 1) the project focus, 2) the objective(s), 3) the key components of your study’s plan of work, and 4) the outreach strategy. Since the summary is the first thing reviewers will see, take some time to make it clear and compelling. You may want to compose the summary after you have written the rest of your proposal.
At Ridge Way Farm, operated by the nonprofit Human-Animal Bond, I am leading a project to investigate cost-effective, sustainable water-sourcing solutions for small-scale agriculture in drought-prone Appalachia. This project will compare three water sources—city water, well water powered by solar, and rainwater harvesting—across various crop production settings, with a focus on soil health, crop quality, cost efficiency, and the potential for mixed-source use.
This study will generate data and guidelines to help other small farms locally adopt flexible water management practices for resilience against our challenges with drought. Our results will be shared with local farmers through community workshops and events at both Ridge Way Farm and the Cheat Lake Farmers Market. This project has the potential to strengthen small farms in the region and promote sustainable water use practices in Appalachian agriculture.
Project objectives from proposal:
The primary objective of this project is to determine the most cost-effective and sustainable water sourcing strategy for small-scale agricultural production, particularly within a community garden setting. The project will achieve this through the following specific, measurable objectives:
- Evaluate Cost Efficiency
- Compare the setup, maintenance, and operational costs of three water sources: municipal (city) water, well water with solar-powered pumping, and rainwater harvesting. We will quantify costs over a three-year period and analyze each system's economic impact on farm profitability.
- Assess Soil and Crop Quality Impacts
- Monitor and record changes in soil health and crop yield quality for each water source, collecting data on key soil parameters (e.g., pH, salinity, nutrient content) and crop production metrics. This assessment will allow us to understand the long-term impacts of each water source on soil and plant health.
- Test Mixed-Source Feasibility
- Implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a mixed-source approach, utilizing city water, well water, and rainwater to determine if combining sources improves resilience, reduces reliance on single sources, and optimizes cost efficiency. This objective includes data collection on operational efficiency, soil impacts, and cost savings when mixing sources seasonally.
- Evaluate Market Perceptions and Consumer Preferences
- Conduct surveys and collect feedback from local market consumers to assess how different water sources impact their purchasing preferences and perceived produce quality. This will provide insights into the marketability of crops grown with each water source and inform small-scale farmers of potential consumer-driven advantages in choosing sustainable water sources.
- Develop Practical Guidelines for Small-Scale Farms
- Compile findings into a practical, accessible guide for small-scale farmers, including cost comparisons, soil and crop quality impacts, consumer perceptions, and recommendations for water management. The guide will be shared through our local farmers market and the Human-Animal Bond’s community workshops.
By meeting these objectives, this project aims to deliver actionable insights and sustainable water management strategies that support resilience and profitability for small-scale farms facing increasing drought conditions in West Virginia.