Evaluating new paper-mulch alternatives to plastic mulch on Northeastern vegetable farms.

Commodities

• Vegetables: cucurbits, onions

Practices

• Crop Production: cropping systems
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, workshop
• Pest Management: cultural control, integrated pest management, weed ecology
• Production Systems: agroecosystems, organic agriculture
• Soil Management: soil physics

Project Focus:

This project looks to engage small-to-medium-sized vegetable growers across the Northeastern United States, many of whom are looking to address the the excessive use of plastic mulch in their farming systems. A significant number of organic farmers rely on single-use black plastic for soil warming and weed suppression. However, recent participatory-action research (PAR) meetings with our research team identified growing concerns about the environmental impact of plastics, including potential contamination risks and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. This reliance not only raises sustainability issues but also leaves farmers vulnerable to potential soil contamination (e.g. PFAS). As such, there is an urgent need to identify new alternatives to plastic mulches and evaluate their performance.

Solution and Approach:

To address these challenges, our project will conduct an agronomic and economic comparison of new commercially available paper mulches against commonly used plastic options, including biodegradable mulches. This evaluation will provide insights into the feasibility of "second-generation" paper mulches for diversified vegetable farms in the Northeast. Our approach combines replicated controlled trials with on-farm trials within a participatory framework, allowing farmers to iteratively contribute to research questions and hypotheses. We will also test a prototype manure-based upcycled paper mulch based on the popular Cowpots™ formulation.

Directly engaging approximately 20-30 farmers within our educational program and upwards of 500 growers with our web-based outreach, we will facilitate workshops, field days, and ongoing consultations. These activities will demonstrate the application and performance of paper mulches, helping to address concerns about implementation, soil temperature effects, and pest management. The information generated will equip growers with valuable knowledge about the benefits and limitations of paper mulches in Northeastern agroecosystems.

This proposal not only looks to provide farmers with the skills needed to transition to paper mulches but will also foster a community-oriented approach to sustainable agriculture. By emphasizing local participation and feedback, we will build trust that will facilitate the adoption of innovative strategies.

Ultimately, this project serves a dual purpose: supporting farmers' economic viability while generating valuable information for reducing plastic usage on farms. By exploring alternatives to plastic, we aim to contribute to a growing movement to reduce waste and improve efficiency on Northeastern farms.

This research looks to conduct an agronomic and economic comparison of new commercially available paper mulches with popularly used plastic mulches (including biodegradable formulations). The evaluation will provide valuable insights into the feasibility of these "second generation" paper mulches for use on Northeastern diversified vegetable farms. Information and data generated from this project will provide growers with new knowledge regarding the benefits and limitations of using paper mulches in Northeastern agroecosystems, to help to reduce waste while maintaining yields and economic viability.