Evaluating feasibility of solarization for organic small-scale farmers in coastal California

Project Overview

FW23-435
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2023: $14,400.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2024
Host Institution Award ID: G317-23-W9982
Grant Recipient: La Buena Tierra
Region: Western
State: California
Principal Investigator:
Maria de los Angeles Carrillo
Email
La Buena Tierra

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
  • Farm Business Management: feasibility study
  • Pest Management: soil solarization

    Proposal summary:

    Solarization is a non-chemical method that captures radiant energy from the sun and uses the heat to manage soilborne pests. This approach has been proven to be effective for managing a range of soilborne pests including weeds, plant pathogens, nematodes, and insects. Given the limited use of synthetic pesticides in organic agriculture, this practice holds particular promise for organic farmers; however, there is limited research on the feasibility of solarization for small-scale organic farmers in California’s Central Coast region. Our project seeks to fill this gap using a combination of on-farm research and results dissemination to small-scale organic farmers in our area, most of whom are diversified vegetable and berry farmers. Stakeholders for this project are principally the community of small-scale Spanish-speaking (mostly Mexican origin) organic farmers in California’s Central Coast region and the technical assistance providers who support them.

    The main objective of our research will be to conduct an on-farm trial at La Buena Tierra, a 1-acre farm in Salinas, CA, to determine the feasibility of using solarization as a pest control for small-scale organic farmers in our region. Our concept of feasibility is ultimately concerned with the financial difference between farm areas managed with and without solarization. Accordingly, findings will provide context-specific information about a chemical-free method of pest management to support farmers’ decision-making practices, enhance technical assistance providers’ ability to serve small-scale organic farmers in our region, and improve the environmental health of agricultural workers and surrounding communities. We will disseminate findings by (1) planning and hosting a field day with small-scale organic farmers from our area, and (2) presenting findings to regional farmers and technical assistance providers at the Ecological Farming Association’s (EcoFarm) annual conference in Pacific Grove, CA.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The main objective of our research will be to conduct an on-farm trial at La Buena Tierra, a 1-acre farm in Salinas, CA, to determine the feasibility of using solarization as a pest control for small-scale organic farmers in our region. Our concept of feasibility is ultimately concerned with the financial difference between farm areas managed with and without solarization. Educational objectives include the following: (1) plan and host a field day with small-scale organic farmers from our area; (2) present findings to regional farmers and technical assistance providers at the Ecological Farming Association’s (EcoFarm) annual conference in Pacific Grove, CA.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.