Participatory Implementation of Sustainable Vegetable Systems for Small and Limited Resource Farmers

Participatory Implementation of Sustainable Vegetable Systems for Small and Limited Resource Farmers

Summary

Auburn University’s tomato trials began in May of 2004 at both experiment station sites, North Alabama Horticulture Research Station (Cullman) and Sand Mountain Research Center (Crossville), and at on-farm sites of grower participants. We split the cover crop areas. In the first plot we rolled down and killed cover crops of crimson clover, rye, and hairy vetch. The second areas contained summer cover crops of velvetbean and sudan grass. No tomato were planted in the second area. At Cullman we added a sub-soil shank to no-till transplants. We continued to compare tomato grown in cover crop areas, no-till areas with conventional practices of no cover crops, raised beds and plastic cover. At Cullman, yields were higher with all treatments in cover crop areas compared with conventional methods. There was a clear triend for yield increase in cover crop area when sub-soil shank was used. At Sand mountain the cumulative yields in cover crops were approximately 20% less than conventional control. However, yields of the 1st and 2nd pickings were significantly higher in cover crop treatment than in conventional plots. Both groups of grower collaborators continue to use cover crops and biologicals on small plots of their farm even though yield may be lower. The combined use of cover crops and biologicals was cited as lowering input costs.

Tuskegee University:

The production of tomatoes, following cover crop treatments of clover, blackoats, mixture of black oats and clover and control at the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station small model farm, showed that yield in tilled plots were consistently higher than no-till. Crimson clover out-yielded all other treatments. Pest incidence when monitored using yellow sticky traps showed that insect pressure was highest in black oat + clover no-till.

Three sets of farmers are participating. They are from Bullock, Barber, Macon and Autauga Counties. One grower is part of a cooperative. Other cooperatives are being used throughout the Black Belt region.

In December, Tuskegee University sponsored an Agriculture Workers Conference at which results from this research was presented.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objectives for this project are as follows. 1) Maintain the viability and profitability of the grower participant farms by implementing an integrated sustainable production system. 2) Improve grower communication by facilitating networks of vegetable growers. 3) Remove marketing barriers by developing strategies to help growers gain the best price for their crop. 4) Secure the continuance of a systems approach in Alabama agriculture by developing classroom modules for increasing student knowledge of implementing sustainable agriculture.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1) Maintain the viability and profitability of the grower participant farms by implementing an integrated sustainable production system.
Auburn University’s tomato trials began in May of 2004 at both experiment station sites, North Alabama Horticulture Research Station (Cullman) and Sand Mountain Research Center (Crossville), and at on-farm sites of grower participants. We split the cover crop areas. In the first plot we rolled down and killed cover crops of crimson clover, rye, and hairy vetch. The second areas contained summer cover crops of velvetbean and sudan grass. No tomato were planted in the second area. At Cullman we added a sub-soil shank to no-till transplants. We continued to compare tomato grown in cover crop areas with no-till areas with conventional practices of no cover crops, raised beds and plastic cover. At Cullman, yields were higher with all treatments in cover crop areas compared with conventional methods. There was a clear trend for yield increase in cover crop area when sub-soil shank was used. At Sand Mountain, the cumulative yields in cover crops were approximately 20% less than conventional control. However, yields of the 1st and 2nd pickings were significantly higher in cover crop treatment than in conventional plots. Both groups of grower collaborators continue to use cover crops and biologicals on small plots of their farm even though yield may be lower. The combined use of cover crops and biologicals was cited as lowering input costs.

Other observations from the PI’s and growers indicated that few weeds were in the cover crop trial areas and there were few visible root diseases. At the end of the season, one grower participant found an infestation of bacterial spot. The number of severely diseased plants after the last harvest was significantly lower at P = 0.10 in the no till/cover crop area compared to the conventional plastic control. Plants treated with biologicals showed a significantly lower mean number of diseased plants compared to the control (P = 0.05), which received no biological treatment.

Tuskegee University continued research at their campus site. Their research focus was the productivity of tomatoes after incorporation of cover crops in tilled plots and the integration of tomato using strip tillage in no-till areas. Results showed that yields in tilled plots were consistently higher than no-till. Tomato planted after crimson clover had a higher yield than other treatments. The mean yield of fresh mature tomatoes (t/ha) were as follows: Control = 1; Black oat = 7.69; Crimson clover = 9.23; and oat + clover = 2.1.

Three sets of farmers are participating. They are from Bullock, Barber, Macon and Autauga Counties. One grower is part of a cooperative. Other cooperatives are being used throughout the Black Belt region.

In December, Tuskegee University sponsored an Agriculture Workers Conference at which results from this research were presented.

2) Improve grower communication by facilitating networks of vegetable growers.

Cooperatives in central and southern Alabama grew stronger through the help of a farmer to farmer training program (supported by a grant to Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network and Heifer International). Tuskegee University and staff from Auburn have been supportive and involved in this effort.

Auburn University held its second annual Organic Vegetable Production conference and established a position of Organic Vegetable Production Coordinator. Both events grew directly from this grant and meetings with growers interested in sustainable production. Auburn has establishd a web site on Organic Vegetable Production at http://frontpage.auburn.edu/auorganicveg/. In addition, we publish a monthly e-bulletin in which research updates from the SARE project and from organic plots in transition for certification are published. We include information such as a Grower’s Tip and reminders of upcoming sustainable conferences in the area.

3) Remove marketing barriers by developing strategies to help growers gain the best price for their crop. As described above, Cooperatives in central to southern Alabama grew stronger with the support of a SARE grant to Alabama Sustainable Agriculture and Heifer International Alabama. Members of this project team have been involved in planning these activities and supporting Farmer to Farmer training through ASAN. The network is allowing farmers to combine resources to market as a group and utilize urban markets. Growers in northern Alabama are still resistant to cooperative arrangements. However, they are exploring opportunities to market locally. They are also interested in alternative labeling for specialty crops such as grape tomatoes. One grower expressed an on-going interest in pursuing organic certification on newly purchased land.

4) Secure the continuance of a systems approach in Alabama agriculture by developing classroom modules for increasing student knowledge of implementing sustainable agriculture.

At Auburn, students of two plant pathology classes, Plant Disease Management and Field Survey of Plant Pathology, were given case studies of diseases facing growers in Alabama. Students were required to prepare written and oral reports on how they would solve a particular crop problem using a systems approach. Presentations and reports included economic and social factors affecting the problem. We have had one graduate student apply for a SARE graduate study grant. We will also prepare coursework for extension employees that focuses on organic vegetable production. These courses are also planned to be presented at our annual Organic Vegetable Production Conference in November 2005.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Sustainable Agriculture is being promoted throughout the state as it relates to vegetable production. Our website on using organic practices has received approximately 550 visits since its inception in September 2004. The Organic Vegetable Production Conference, sponsored by Auburn University, had approximately 70 participants. Tuskegee and Auburn PIs presented research findings at Tuskegee’s Agriculture Workers Conference in December of 2004. Approximately 95 individuals, the majority of whom are growers, receive our monthly e-buletin.

Collaborators: