Continued no-till research with locally sourced biological and mineral inputs for greenhouse tomato production

Commodities

• Vegetables: tomatoes

Practices

• Crop Production: biological inoculants, high tunnels or hoop houses, no-till
• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
• Soil Management: soil microbiology, soil quality/health

In 2021, Sweet Hollow Farm was
awarded a WSARE Farmer/Rancher Grant #FW22-393, “Cardboard
layering deep compost mulch for weed suppression, soil health,
and profitability”. Driven by weed pressure on our own farm, our
research focused on weed suppression, improving soil health,
profitability, and education. We asked, can a cardboard layering
and deep compost system (CLDCM) be used to reduce bindweed
pressure while encouraging productive soil health and crop yield?
We determined that a CLDCM system is an effective practice in
suppressing weeds, improving harvest yields, and lessening
involved labor, but the question of how the implementation of a
CLDCM system impacts the microbial content of the soil, and
subsequently the health of the soil, was not answered.

Continuing our research this
project will study the use of Jadam Microbial Solution (JMS), a
homemade biological input, and JADAM Liquid Fertilizer, a
homemade mineral amendment, from the alternative farming method
within JADAM’s practice, to determine how natural inputs impact
soil microbial health, harvest yields, and farm profitability.
Working with Michigan State University, we will answer; Can
homemade amendments be used to increase soil health,
profitability, and sustainability for commercial growers? This
project will help validate and share alternative farming methods
such as JADAM, allowing growers to limit use of external inputs
while growing more nutrient dense food. This has the potential to
be a triple line net positive, showing benefits for people,
profit, and the planet for growers. As part of the project, Sweet
Hollow will host workshops on creating and using JMS/JLF along
with project collaborator and author Nigel Palmer. Jonah Sloven
will travel to Central Wyoming College to instruct their
Beginning Farmer and Farm Incubator programs on the use and
potential benefits to this system. Results will be shared
with Growing for Market
Magazine and “No-Till
Growers Podcast”.

1. Increasing crop productivity
   and efficiency leading to increase profitability and economic
   sustainability for farmers.
2. Improving soil health by
   developing more readily available and resilient systems that
   are accessible for all.
3. Reducing soil inputs cutting
   costs for farmers while increasing their bottom line and
   quality of life.