Achieving High Quality Brassica Crops on Diversified Vegetable Farms

Achieving High Quality Brassica Crops on Diversified Vegetable Farms

Summary

The core of the project is a group of nine vegetable farmers who set goals for how they would like to improve brassica quality in their unique production system. They are working with project staff, consultants and each other to achieve this by changing their cultural and pest management practices over two growing seasons. They are being supported by consultants in areas of variety selection, nutrient and water management, business planning and record keeping, pest management, and marketing as well as by technical staff who visit their farms to assist them implementing and evaluating changes. Applied research of particular interest to this group, specifically heat tolerant broccoli varieties and cabbage root maggot monitoring and management, are being addressed in several replicated field experiments in CT and MA. Outreach to a wider circle of farmers is being accomplished through multiple channels, including farm tours, winter educational programs, newsletters, and publications (both electronic and printed).

The core group came together with consultants and staff in the first winter for a meeting which provided intensive information exchange. Here they set their goals for the project, planed what they would like to try the first season, and determined what resources they need to do it. We also established goals for applied research projects for that season. This was followed up by contacts and farm visits with consultants and project staff, coordinated by technicians in MA and CT. Growers receive a stipend of $400 per year to use as they wish in support of their goals. They will assess their new practices in side-by-side comparison where that is practical or in relation to past outcomes where it is not. Farm tours at various times of the season will enable the core group to see firsthand the unique approach of other farms and discuss issues face to face, as well as engaging a wider circle of farmers.

A second meeting will take place on February 28, 2006 to review progress, share information, assess resource needs and make plans for the second season. Season two will operate much like the first, with technical support for changes in practices. The final wrap-up meeting will take place in fall/winter 2006-2007.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Performance Target #1: Of nine farmers who participate in the project for three years, and 300 farmers who learn about sustainable crop and pest management practices for brassicas, 29 will adopt one or more practices which result in higher crop quality during more of their target production season.

With field days, farm tours, presentation, meetings, and workshops we have presented information about sustainable crop and pest management practices for brassicas directly to 510 growers and ag. professionals. Through newsletter articles and fact sheets, we have indirectly provided information to at least another 593 growers. The issues raised by the project were brought to a much wider audience by the Boston Globe, who ran a front page article on our work (“Researchers see cabbages and kings – Boost eyed for N.E. farmers” 11/29/2004). This article brought the work we are doing in this project to an estimated 474,845 people throughout the greater New England area.

Throughout this winter and spring we will be meeting with the wider audience of growers at various conferences, presentations, and meetings. This is the time when growers are generally planning their next season, and we will work with them to encourage adoption of some of the practices promoted by this project.

Performance Target #2. These 29 farmers will achieve at least one of the following, based upon their own self-determined goals: higher yield per acre of marketable crop, reduced losses from pest damage or other causes, extended season for successful production, reduced use of high-risk pesticides, effective use of low-risk pesticides, access to new markets or better sales to existing markets, more efficient integration of all practices in their unique production system, or higher net return per unit of area.

Most of our nine core growers feel have already achieved at least one of the goals listed above. More specific data will be gathered at the winter meeting. Information will be obtained from the wider circle of growers adopting new practices throughout the coming growing season.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Core Group Milestones:

Milestone #1: 9 farmers join the project & assess baseline conditions

Nine growers were selected for the project and filled out an extensive survey to determine their baseline conditions. The nine farmers were selected from a pool of thirty applicants. They were chosen to reflect diverse production methods and project goals, so that their experiences will be applicable to the widest possible audience in the agricultural community.

Milestone #2: Core group, staff & consultants meet. Growers set goals & plan changes in practices, follow up with staff and consultants on implementation.

The core group met with staff and consultants on January 10, 2005 to set goals, discuss strategies for achieving those goals, and create an action plan for the upcoming growing season. Before the beginning of the growing season each grower was visited individually by staff and/or consultants for follow up and further consultation.

INDIVIDUAL GOALS:
Amy Klippenstien – Wants to adjust broccoli production methods to reduce peaks and valleys in harvest; season extension for mixed brassica greens.

Nou Yang – Improving brassica production methods in order to increase yields and reduce hand labor; special emphasis on learning better weed and fertility management.

Jenny Hausman – Better root maggot control in fall rutabaga; improved production methods in broccoli (particularly variety selection and spacing for different times of the year); and for Brussels sprouts to determine the best technique for producing consistent sized sprouts on the stalk for a one time harvest.

Sam Hammer – Primarily interested in season extension, learning about root maggot scouting and control, and flea beetle management.

Edwin Matuszko – Really wants to find a way to make growing cabbage more profitable so he can continue to grow it.

Kathy Caruso – Increasing broccoli yield, and improving brassica production methods in general.

Walter Griest – Interested in developing a system for bed production of brassicas that will make using row cover for flea beetle control easier and more practical.

Ricky Baruc – Wants to learn better organic methods for controlling lepidopteron pests in leafy brassicas; testing Chinese broccoli varieties for the restaraunt market; and starting to produce a micro mix crop.

Dave Dumaresq – Wants to be able to produce a decent crop of broccoli by Labor Day while incurring minimal risk from heat damage, and to accomplish better post harvest quality through icing.

Milestone #3: One farmer hosts on-farm meeting. Core group tries changes in crop & pest mgt practices & marketing w/ support from technical staff & consultants.

David Zemelsky (Durham, CT) hosted an on-farm meeting on February 17th to demonstrate effective methods for winter production of high quality Brassica greens, a topic of interest to many in the core group. A CRAFT meeting focusing on Brassica production was held at Nou Yang’s farm in Bolton, MA. All of the core members implemented changes in their production strategies in accordance with their goals, and were visited by staff during the growing season.

Milestone #4: One core farmer hosts on-farm meeting. Nine farmers attend two-day meeting, review results from farms & research trials with each other and advisors, plan for 2006 season. Three give talks at winter grower meetings.

Jennie Hausmann and Bruce Wooster hosted a twilight meeting at Appleton Farms in Ipswitch, MA on October 19th 2005 to showcase the results of the Brassica projects on their farm. Core-group growers Sam Hammer, Dave Dumaresq, and Walter Griest attended. Other growers at the meeting completed a short baseline survey on their brassica production. We are currently scheduling the winter meeting for the core group, and grower talks at winter meetings are being scheduled as well.

Wider Circle Milestones:

Milestone #1: 150 Vegetable growers hear about the project & sustainable Brassica production (meetings, publications).

With field days, farm tours, presentation, meetings, and workshops we have brought information about this project and sustainable Brassica production directly to 510 growers and ag. professionals. Through newsletter articles and fact sheets, we have indirectly provided information to at least another 593 growers. A front page article in the Boston Globe detailing the work we are doing in this project reached an audience of ~474,845, some of whom were undoubtedly growers and all of whom were potential customers for our growers.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Out of our core growers,

Amy Kilppenstien has experimented with the use of different cultivars and production schedules in her broccoli crop, and is trying some season extension techniques this winter.

Nou Yang has learned about and experimented with flame-weeding; and has also learned a great deal about fertility and pest management.

Jennie Hausmann designed and implemented experiments to understand various aspects of Brussels sprout, rutabaga, and broccoli production.

Sam Hammer and Jenny Hausmann learned to refine cabbage maggot control through proper scouting and ID.

Edwin Matuszko is expanding his cabbage market through the introduction of new varieties and marketing schemes, focusing on single-serving ‘mini’ cabbages.

Kathy Caruso received a detailed planting schedule for her broccoli crops, as well as information about better nutrient management.

Walter Griest has secured the materials he needed to build his better row cover system, which should be in place for testing next season.

Ricky Baruc has already achieved better kale and collard production through improved scouting practices and use of organic controls.

Dave Dumaresq has successful added a late summer broccoli crop through variety selection.

Our growers will continue to refine their goals and techniques throughout the next season, and their successes are already being shared with a wide audience of potential beneficiaries through newsletter articles and on-farm meetings.

Collaborators: