Project Overview
Commodities
- Additional Plants: hawthorn
Practices
- Crop Production: crop improvement and selection, forestry, varieties and cultivars
Proposal summary:
To address the problem, the proposed solution entails a systematic, data-driven approach to select the most suitable
hawthorn species for cultivation. By meticulously documenting and analyzing the characteristics of each hawthorn
plant on Mr. Gilbert’s property, the project seeks to determine which species exhibit superior qualities in terms of berry yield, quality, and resilience to environmental stresses. This will involve evaluating soil conditions,, plants vigor, resistance to pests and diseases, and interrelations with surrounding flora. The chosen species will undergo breeding to establish cultivars that are well-adapted to local conditions, thereby offering a viable new crop for Southern agriculture.
The project’s solution will leverage Mr. Gilbert’s extensive experience in horticulture and his commitment to
sustainable practices on his farm. The partnership with Good Agriculture will ensure a robust design for the collection and analysis of data. The intended result is not only the development of a new sustainable agricultural product but also a model that can empower other farmers, particularly those in underserved communities, to explore and optimize native species for commercial agriculture.
Project objectives from proposal:
The methodology for Ted Gilbert’s project involves a detailed phenological and environmental assessment of hawthorn species across his farm. Each specimen will be evaluated quarterly for characteristics such as plant size, soil composition, canopy coverage, pests and disease prevalence, surrounding vegetation types, and berry production metrics including count, size, and quality.
A grid based mapping system will be established to monitor and record the specific location of each hawthorn, which will aid in tracking the plants’ growth and health over time and ensure repeatability of data collection. Soil samples will be collected and analyzed to assess the nutrient profile and determine the suitability for hawthorn cultivation. Good Agriculture will assist in developing a standardized data collection format and provide training to hired specialists to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Data analysis will be conducted after each quarterly collection, with an extensive final review at the end of the two-year period to identify the top-performing hawthorns. The criteria for selection will include not only individual plant performance but also how well each plant’s characteristics align with the ideals of sustainable farming practices, such as low input requirements and resilience to environmental stresses.