Evaluate the impact of no-till practices on soil health in high tunnels and low tunnels

View the project report

Commodities

• Vegetables: greens (lettuces)

Practices

• Crop Production: high tunnels or hoop houses, low tunnels, no-till

There is an increasing trend of small-scale farmers utilizing season extension methods to prolong their growing season and protect their crops from unpredictable weather patterns, especially with the impacts of climate change. However, farmers and researchers have found that using season extension methods can have negative consequences for soil health. Frequent tillage is a method used in conjunction with crop production in high tunnels and low tunnels. Experts and farmers are calling for further research and sustainable management practices when utilizing season extension methods.

Can using no-till practices in conjunction with season extension methods be an alternative management strategy for small farmers?

We will:

• Determine if using no-till practices in high tunnels or low tunnels has a measurable impact on soil health by performing soil tests.
• Determine if plastic mulch in conjunction with no-till practices has a measurable impact on soil health.
• Compare crop production and correlation of soil health in high tunnels and low tunnels using no-till methods against outdoor control.
• Produce an educational video series and host a farm demonstration day to share project findings and facilitate practical knowledge exchange on the outcomes of season extension methods and plastic mulch in conjunction with no-till on soil health.

1. Determine if no-till practices have a measurable impact on soil health in high tunnels or low tunnels by:
   1. Measuring diversity and quantity of soil biology using soil tests. Tests will be performed at beginning of the season, middle of the season, and end of the season.
      (Beth Portesi, Casey Ameil)
      (Year 1-1.5)
2. Determine if plastic mulch has a measurable impact on soil health in high tunnels and low tunnels using no-till practices by:
   1. Measuring diversity and quantity of soil biology using soil tests. Tests will be performed at beginning of the season, middle of the season, and end of the season.
      (Beth Portesi, Casey Ameil)
      (Year 1-1.5)
3. Compare crop production and correlation of soil health in high tunnels and low tunnels using no-till methods against outdoor control by
   1. Measuring yield by weight
      (Beth Portesi, Casey Ameil)
      (Year 1-1.5)
4. Produce an educational video series and host a farm demonstration to share project findings and facilitate practical knowledge exchange on the outcomes of season extension methods and plastic mulch on soil health. 
   (Beth Portesi, Casey Ameil, Maud Powell)
   (Year 1-1.5)