Exploration of Micro-Economics on the Modern Small Farm. Community Outreach through Advanced Gardening in Protected Culture.

View the project report

Commodities

Practices

• Crop Production: alley cropping, cover crops, crop improvement and selection, cropping systems, drought tolerance, grafting, greenhouses, irrigation, no-till, season extension, shade cloth, water management, water storage
• Education and Training: study circle, youth education
• Farm Business Management: farm-to-institution, farm-to-restaurant
• Soil Management: composting, soil analysis

The primary piece of this project is a summer internship at our school that will demonstrate intensive high-tunnel vegetable production. One of our research components is tracking water input of the production in order to assess the need and potential viability of installing some catchment on nearby buildings. While we plan on donating the produce from these efforts, we will be tracking the monetary value in order to demonstrate the potential economic independence of the project. The end goal is to set up the framework for existing infrastructure to be maintained and utilized during the summer break at the school.

1. Offer urban based learners the opportunity to see a working farm with its possibility for ongoing professional opportunities and proximity to their current lifestyle.
2. Support ongoing interest with an advanced summer vegetable production program.
3. Provide examples of greater community connections by partnering with an established food security outreach program.
4. Provide an opportunity to volunteer in the marketplace where they can share what they have learned and see first hand the impact of their efforts. 
5. Increase the impact of our existing program with supplementary funding for sustainability initiatives. ( Farm to table cafe support, pollinator garden materials, and beneficial insects.)