Project Overview
Commodities
- Agronomic: mustard
- Fruits: apples, pears, quinces
- Vegetables: broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, greens (leafy), greens (lettuces), okra, onions, peppers, tomatoes, turnips, other
- Additional Plants: herbs, native plants, ornamentals, trees
Practices
- Animal Production: herbal medicines, homeopathy, therapeutics, watering systems
- Crop Production: continuous cropping, crop improvement and selection, cropping systems, crop rotation, drainage systems, drought tolerance, food processing, food processing facilities/community kitchens, intercropping, irrigation, multiple cropping, pollination, pollinator habitat, pollinator health, postharvest treatment, seed saving, shade cloth, water management, water storage
- Education and Training: decision support system, demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, focus group, mentoring, networking, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research, study circle, technical assistance, workshop, youth education
- Farm Business Management: agritourism, community-supported agriculture, cooperatives, farm-to-institution, farm-to-restaurant, farmers' markets/farm stands, feasibility study, grant making, labor/employment, land access, marketing management, value added
- Natural Resources/Environment: habitat enhancement
- Pest Management: cultivation, sanitation, weather monitoring
- Production Systems: permaculture, transitioning to organic
- Soil Management: composting, nutrient mineralization, organic matter, soil analysis, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil physics, soil quality/health, toxic status mitigation
- Sustainable Communities: analysis of personal/family life, community development, community planning, community services, employment opportunities, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, food access and security, food hubs, food loss and waste recovery/reduction, food sovereignty, infrastructure analysis, leadership development, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, partnerships, public participation, public policy, quality of life, social capital, social networks, social psychological indicators, sustainability measures, urban agriculture, urban/rural integration, values-based supply chains
Proposal summary:
Al-Munir LLC manages two urban farms totaling over 6,500 square feet in Newark, NJ, through the City’s Adopt-a-Lot Program. One of these farms, Eden’s Farm, is operated by the Eden’s Farm Cooperative (EFC), a group of Rutgers Master Gardeners and community health practitioners collaborating to advance sustainable urban agriculture.
This proposal seeks support for on-farm research that will enhance crop productivity, improve soil health, optimize irrigation, and promote pollinator biodiversity. Our work aims to create a sustainable urban farm model, with documentation focused on generating economic, environmental, and community health benefits.
Project Components:
- Crop Production Reporting: Measure total crop yield, comparing it with projected outputs, and evaluate crop rotation effectiveness.
- Soil Health Monitoring: Conduct soil tests to assess pH, nutrients, and organic matter, evaluating the impact of soil amendments on health and productivity.
- Irrigation Management: Track water usage under EQIP-funded drip irrigation, assessing efficiency in water conservation and optimal moisture levels.
- Pest and Pollinator Management: Document pest activity, integrated pest management (IPM) outcomes, and pollinator health to support biodiversity.
Outcome and Impact Documentation:
The results of this research will culminate in a comprehensive report showcasing the dollar value invested in hyperlocal urban agriculture jobs, the market value of produce grown, and the ecological benefits achieved. This report will serve as a resource for other urban farms, illustrating the economic and environmental returns on sustainable agriculture investments in urban settings.
Project objectives from proposal:
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Improve Soil Health on Urban Farms:
- Conduct baseline soil health assessments at Eden’s Farm and implement targeted soil amendments (e.g., compost, organic matter) based on the results.
- Monitor changes in soil pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter content over a 12-month period to determine the effectiveness of soil amendments in improving soil fertility.
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Enhance Water Conservation through Efficient Irrigation Systems:
- Install EQIP-funded drip irrigation systems at Eden’s Farm.
- Track water usage and crop yield data over the growing season to assess the effectiveness of drip irrigation in reducing water waste and increasing crop productivity.
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Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies:
- Apply IPM practices to control pests at Eden’s Farm, with a focus on reducing pesticide use.
- Document pest outbreaks, the efficacy of IPM strategies, and crop yield improvements over one growing season.
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Support Pollinator Health:
- Create an additional 5 pollinator habitats, totaling 6, at Eden’s Farm, including planting native flowering species and reducing pesticide usage.
- Monitor pollinator activity and crop pollination rates to assess the impact of pollinator support on farm productivity and biodiversity.
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Develop a Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Report:
- Collect and analyze data on crop production, soil health, water usage, pest management, and pollinator activity to produce a comprehensive annual report.
- Share the report with local farmers and stakeholders to promote best practices and further urban agriculture development in Newark.