Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
To Dig or Not to Dig? Exploring the No Dig Method for Urban Farmers
Urban farms and community gardens often suffer from poor soil health, as well as a lack of funding and labor. In this project, we seek to quantify the advantages and disadvantages of using a No Dig system on an urban farm, to determine if this model can reduce maintenance costs, maintain and/or improve production, maintain and/or improve soil health, decrease labor, and be an effective weed/pest management system.
Project outcomes would include 1.) Providing urban farmers with quantifiable data on the efficacy of the No Dig method; 2.) Modeling sustainable farming methods for others in our community; 3.) Teaching urban farmers and gardeners the very best practices in achieving maximum soil health; 4.) Increasing the volume and quality of fresh produce provided to our community, which is located in a "fresh food desert."
This project will assist small-to-medium-sized urban farmers in learning about a new method of growing that we believe can save time, money, labor, and improve soil health.
Project objectives from proposal:
Learning Outcomes:
- Urban farmers and gardeners gain knowledge about No Dig methodology.
- Positive attitude shift towards sustainable agriculture practices.
Action Outcomes:
- Adoption of No Dig practices by urban farmers and gardeners, reducing labor and costs.
- Measurable improvement in soil health in urban farm plots.
- Increase in local fresh produce yield, particularly in food desert areas.
- Create a model farm and comprehensive guide to No Dig methods for farmer and community education.
System-Wide Outcomes:
- Enhanced sustainability/efficiency in urban food systems.
- Increased community engagement in urban agriculture.
- Long-term improvement in local food security and environmental health.