Agricultural Soil Amendment Project

2011 Annual Report for FW11-017

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2011: $14,870.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Region: Western
State: Arizona
Principal Investigator:
Bill Edwards
North Leupp Family Farms
Co-Investigators:

Agricultural Soil Amendment Project

Summary

Funding for the project was received in June. Fields were already planted in crops. At the end of the growing season, the test plots were prepared per the project plan. A mixture of annual rye, Dutch clover and hairy vetch was planted as a cover crop. Mycorrhizae fungi and manure were added to the soil. Soil testing was done and a weed count was recorded.

As soon as the weather warms up, tiller radish (daikon radish) followed by field pea will be planted as green manure.

Planting will be done in the plowed strips. In between the plowed strips the cover crops will be cut close to the ground, and alternate strips will be rolled so as to cause the cover crop to lay down, provide ground cover, choke weeds and hold moisture in the ground. Both plots will be planted with corn, Tepary beans, pinto beans and Navajo squash. During the season the weed population will be noted and compared in both plots and in the strips where the cover crop is cut and where the cover crop is rolled.

Through the coming growing season, workshops will be held around the test plots, and the plots will be used as a teaching tool. Results will be recorded and reported.

Collaborators:

Stacy Jensen

sej26@nau.edu
technical adviser
North Leupp Family Farms
CPO Box 5178
Leupp, AZ 86035
Office Phone: 9284017287