Integrated Approaches to Crop Rotation for Organic Production in the Salinas Valley

Commodities

• Fruits: berries (strawberries)
• Vegetables: broccoli, other

Practices

• Crop Production: crop rotation
• Education and Training: demonstration, technical assistance

The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) proposes a two-year WSARE LED project entitled, Integrated Approaches to Crop Rotation for Organic Production in the Salinas Valley (CROP-SV). The project is rooted in research and education performed under a previous WSARE R&E grant award carried out by the University of California,Santa Cruz (project end date: 2016). Subsequent research by the same investigators will also be incorporated into CROP-SV.

The project team comprises ALBA staff, the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC), and experts from the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the CA Strawberry Commission (CASC). Together, the team will provide education, direct technical assistance, and outreach to improve farmers' capacity to manage soil-borne diseases (SBDs) in organic vegetable and strawberry production.

The focus of the project will be an integrated approach to SBD management that includes sampling for SBDs in agricultural fields; specific crop rotations for SBD management; the use of disease-resistant cultivars; a technique called anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) that, essentially, entails a pre-plant acid fermentation in anaerobic soil; and other innovative research-based solutions.

The project will reach 150 farmers and agricultural professionals. Activities include 8 workshops/field days, 2 field trials, and an provide an estimated 500 hours of direct technical assistance. The outreach and promotion for the project will include developing new reference tools for SBD management and widespread sharing of information through text, social media, e-mail newsletters, multimedia, and printed materials.

As a result of the CROP-SV, 120+ participants will increase their knowledge of SBD management; 35 farmers will generate crop plans that include specific rotations for SBD management and disease-resistant cultivars; 12 farmers will implement soil testing for SBDs; and two farmers will implement ASD prior to planting strawberries.

The goal of CROP-SV is to improve farmers' ability to manage soilborne diseases (SBDs) in organic vegetable and strawberry systems. The project will address key barriers to adoption of prior SARE research-such as limited technical capacity, lack of accessible bilingual materials, uncertainty about economic feasibility, and limited understanding of environmental benefits-through the following measurable objectives:

1) Increase the knowledge of 120 participants on integrated SBD management strategies.
This includes improving understanding of environmentally beneficial practices (e.g., rotations, cover crops), economically viable approaches (e.g., use of disease-resistant cultivars), and socially accessible tools (e.g., bilingual materials, hands-on demonstrations). Knowledge gains will be measured through pre/post evaluations at educational events. The target audience includes ALBA farmers, other regional farmers, Hartnell College Agricultural Science students, and agricultural professionals such as PCAs.

2) Strengthen the technical capacity of 60 farmers to implement SBD management practices supported by SARE research.
Farmers will apply strategies such as SBD sampling and testing, designing rotations, selecting disease-resistant varieties, and preparing for ASD implementation. Capacity gains will be measured through documented technical assistance interactions, adoption tracking, and follow-up interviews. This objective addresses economic and environmental barriers by helping farmers evaluate costs, plan rotations, and understand long-term soil health impacts.

3) Increase SBD management awareness among 2,000 individuals through targeted outreach.
This includes raising awareness of proven SARE strategies and reducing social barriers by providing bilingual resources (Resource Directory and SBD fact sheets) and accessible online communications. Metrics include digital engagement, distribution counts, and participant feedback.