Progress 01/01/09 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience began with small holder farmers. They were an African American male, Caucasian female, and Southeast Asian male. Researchers began this in 2010 and conducted hands on high tunnel installation workshops in their respective farms, with attendance from farmers in the area. Researchers then conducted experiments to find out vegetable yields with and without high tunnels, and near and far from trees. In this year researchers completed the vegetable agroforestry inside and outside high tunnel study and we began moving towards studies in applying conservation agriculture (CA) on vegetable production inside and outside high tunnels. Due to an upsurge of interest in local urban community food production, researchers synergized this research with other national and international studies researchers have been doing and expanded our audience to local urban communities especially targeting K-12 campuses in North Carolina. Researchers provided a variety of outreach services from formal classroom instruction and laboratory instruction, development of exercises that integrates agriculture in science courses; internships; workshops; and experiential learning. Faculty, undergraduate, graduate, and high school students partnered and have been conducting CA vegetable studies. A majority of these K-12 schools have large African American and Hispanic populations. Changes/Problems: Researchers used year 4 as a transition from agroecological engineering approach of agroforestry to CA. Hence, researchers began experimentation in high tunnel vegetable production with or without CA, and with or without high tunnels. The experiment is being conducted just in Farmer Charles using four high tunnels installed by NCA&T in his farm. In addition, researchers are doing CA studies in several high school campuses. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Farmer Charles attended several training in high tunnel vegetable technology. In addition, graduate, undergraduate and high school students attended training on monitoring soil health and soil quality conducted by an NRCS scientist. We also provided training in the fundamentals of conservation agriculture. Graduate and undergraduates presented agroforestry and CA findings in international, national, State, and NCA&T University research conferences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The agriculture community has been benefitting from this research because the farms, especially Farmer Charles, have become a demonstration farm on agroforestry and high tunnel technology in their counties. In addition, urban communities interest in growing and buying local food have accelerated, hence we have been actively disseminating agroforestry and CA technologies through lectures, seminars, training, person to person interaction, and hands-on experimentation to urban farmers. Experiments on conservation agriculture have been established at NCA&T, in seven high school campuses, a middle school campus, an elementary school campus, and a community garden. Communities, especially youth, are therefore being exposed to growing vegetables the CA way. K-12 students are encouraged to pursue agriculture, the science, technology, engineering and math of human survival as a profession. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The project has terminated. A new project on CA and high tunnel technology has been funded for three years. Researchers will continue to combine CA and agroforestry technology in our outreach efforts with small rural farms and growing urban home based farmers.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The objectives of this research were to compare vegetable production with or without high tunnels, and to determine the effect of trees on vegetable production with or without high tunnels. We installed high tunnels in three farms owned by Charles, Emily and Touger located in Jackson Spring, Pittsboro, and Troy City, NC. Each farm was one replication with four treatments: High tunnel (HT) near trees, HT far from trees, No high tunnel (NHT) near trees, NHT far from trees. The soil type, farmer management, and tree thickness and its shade effects are different among the three farms, which cause significant differences in the yield results of the three farms. In 2010 when the HT was not set up yet, three tomatoes varieties: celebrity, pony express and green zebra were planted. The yield at Charles was zero due to pest damage and water stress. Emily had higher yield than Touger with the yield differences in near and far trees not statistically significant. However, there were some trends: in Emily, all the yields near trees were lower than those far from trees; by contrast, in Touger, all yields near trees were higher than those far from trees. In 2011, the HTs were built. Regal and celebrity tomatoes were planted. Touger had the highest yield, followed by Emily and Charles. No significant differences observed in the near versus far from tree, and HT versus NHT treatments. However, again there were some trends in the average yield of all three farms shown: near trees plots had lower yields than far from trees, HT has higher yield than NHT. In 2012, cucumber, honey dew melon, eggplant and peppers were tested and we found the average yields of three farms also followed the same trends as in 2011. The only significant difference was the honey dew HT produced statistically significant higher yields than those with NHT. We were able to witness changes in African American farmer Charles. He is the only African American farmer we know off in Montgomery country. Now he has become a vegetable entrepreneur because of the high tunnels, rainwater harvesters, training, research and extension support NCA&T have been providing to him. His farm became a part of a NC cooperative extension farm tour. He also got appointed and then elected as the Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor of Montgomery county, as far as we know the first African American to hold that position. Several graduate and undergraduate students who worked at farmer Charles are succeeding in their careers as well. Because of this research, NCA&T is gaining a niche in agroecological engineering. Agroforestry is an agroecological engineering technology. We combined agroforestry with another agroecological engineering technology which is conservation agriculture (CA). NCA&T has international projects in both of these technologies. We conducted several trainings and started studies at NCA&T and several high school campuses on CA and vegetable production. This project with farmer Charles transitioned into a CA project in its last year. We are spreading CA knowledge with undergraduates and high school students, with many research projects coming out from these students comparing CA grown with conventional grown vegetables.
Publications
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Mulvaney, M.J., M.R. Reyes, C. Chan-Halbrendt, S. Boulakia, K. Jumpa, C. Sukvibool, and S. Sombatpanit (eds). 2012. Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia and Beyond, Special Publication No. 7, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), Beijing, China. 126 pp.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Mercado, A.M., M.R. Reyes, V. Ella, and S. Boulakia. 2012. Conservation agriculture research in the Philippines. In: Mulvaney, M.J., Reyes, M.R., Chan-Halbrendt, C., Boulakia, S., Jumpa, K., Sukvibool, C. and Sombatpanit, S. (eds). 2012. Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia and Beyond, Special Publication No. 7, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), Beijing, China, pp. 53-72.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Reyes, M.R. 2013. Lets Natuculture. Invited blog by the EPA and available at: http://blog.epa.gov/science/2013/03/let%E2%80%99s-natuculture/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Edralin, D.I.A., Hok, L., Le, K.N., Williams, M., Reyes, M.R.. Natuculture: Conservation Agriculture in Urban Landscapes. Oral presentation presented during the 17th Biennial Research Symposium, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Jacksonville, FL. April 6-9, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Edralin, D.I.A., Hok, L., Williams, M., Reyes, M.R. 2012. The Oasis Sofa: Application of Conservation Agriculture in Urban Vegetable Production. Oral Presentation presented at the Third International Conservation Agriculture Conference. Hanoi, Vietnam. December 10-14, 2012.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Edralin, D.I.A., Hok, L., Le, K.N., Williams, M., Gayle, G., Raczkowski, C., and Reyes, M.R. (2012) Conservation Agriculture in Urban Deserts. Poster presented during the 2012 International Annual Meetings of ASA, CSA, and SSSA, Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH. October 21-24, 2012.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Edralin, D. J. and M. R. Reyes. 2013. Conservation Agriculture with Drip Irrigation in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Poster presentation at the 2013 Water Education Summit: Making a Difference in Your Community. Chattanooga, TN, September 24-26, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Edralin, D.J., M.R. Reyes, L.N. Kieu, L. Izhar and S. Creason. 2013. Growing Food while Mimicking the Forests. Poster presentation at the 2013 Water Education Summit: Making a Difference in Your Community. Chattanooga, TN, September 24-26, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ella, V.B., M.R. Reyes, A. Mercado. 2012. Soil quality studies under conventional plow-based and conservation agriculture production systems in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. Abstract. In Mulvaney, M.J., Reyes, M.R., Chan-Halbrendt, C., Boulakia, S., Jumpa, K., Sukvibool, C. and Sombatpanit, S. (eds). 2012. Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia and Beyond, Special Publication No. 7, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), Beijing, China, p. 117.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hok, L., Sparks, A., Ojoamoo, A., Reyes, M. Natuculture: Growth of Sedum and Grasses and Nutrient Losses from an Ecoroof. Poster presentation presented during the 17th Biennial Research Symposium, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Jacksonville, FL. April 6-9, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Kieu, L.N., M. R. Reyes, L. Hok, D.I. Edralin, M. Williams. 2013. Natuculture: Experimental Learning System. Presented at Association of 1890 Research Directors: Sowing Seeds of Change for the Global Community, April 7 10, 2013, Jacksonville, Florida.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Kieu, L.N. and M.R. Reyes. 2013. Conceptual Modification Carbon Sequestration Component in the EPIC Model for Long-term Simulation of Conservation Agriculture. Poster presentation at the 2013 Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Kansas City, Missouri, July 21-24, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
McDaniel, R., M.R. Reyes, and L.N. Kieu. 2013. Integrating Urban Food Production in Biology Lessons. District Wide Guilford County Science Professional Development Session, Southwest Guilford High School, August 21, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Mercado, A.R., Arcinal, G., Edralin, D.I.A., Ella, V. and Reyes, M.R., (2012) Developing Conservation Agriculture Production Systems in the Philippines. Poster presented during the 2012 International Annual Meetings of ASA, CSA, and SSSA. Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH. October 21-24, 2012.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Mercado, AR. Jr., and M.R. Reyes. 2013. Developing Conservation Agriculture with Trees for Integrated Sloping Land Management in the Philippines. Presented at ASA, CSSA, & SSSA International Annual Meetings, November 3-6, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Reyes, M.R., D.J. Edralin, A. Aebeyo, R. McDaniel and many more. 2013. Oasissofas: A paradigm for high school students to experientially learn soil and water quality concepts. Oral presentation at the 2013 Water Education Summit: Making a Difference in Your Community. Chattanooga, TN, September 24-26, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Reyes, M.R., M. Armstrong, M. Keefer, D.J. Edralin, L.N. Kieu, L. Hok. 2013. Conservation Agriculture in Urban Landscapes. Oral presentation at the 2013 Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Kansas City, Missouri, July 21-24, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Reyes, M.R., M. Woodward and G.B. Reddy. 2013. N.C. A&T Rainwater Harvesters in High Schools. Oral presentation at the 2013 Water Education Summit: Making a Difference in Your Community. Chattanooga, TN, September 24-26, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Creason, S. 2013. Sustainability and Carbon Measurement in Tropical Environments. SAES 2013 Student Excellence showcase NC A&T Webb Hall (September 4 2013). Natuculture: For Community Food and Health. Also presented in EPA 2013 Southeast Regional Environmental Youth Symposium Atlanta, GA. Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center (September 13, 2013) as NCA&T representative and student presenter.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Creason, S. 2013. Board of Governors educational policies planning and programs committee meeting Chapel Hill, NC Spangler Center (October 10, 2013) as A&T Representative and student presenter: Natuculture for Community Food, Health, and Education.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Williams M., T.Q. Dat, D.I.A. Edralin, L.N. Kieu, Dr. M.R. Reyes, Dr. O. Yeboah, L. Hok. Natuculture: The Benefits of Practicing Conservation Agriculture in Urban Landscapes. 17th Biennial Research Symposium, Florida, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Tran Q Dat, Lyubov A Kurkalova, Manuel R. Reyes, Dan Line, Greg Hoyt, Deanna Osmond, Le N Kieu, Josh Edgell. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Agricultural Pollution Reduction at the Farm Scale Using APEX. Poster presentation at the 2013 Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Kansas City, Missouri, July 21-24, 2013.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Previous year 1 and 2 results were reported to three participating farmers and presented in scientific meetings. During year 3 in 2012, we monitored yields of beets and carrots in the spring, and, during the summer, we monitored cucumber, honey dew, pepper, and eggplant with and without high tunnels, and near and far from trees. Since this experiment is on-farm and for farmers, farmers share their experiences to farmers who visit them and also neighbors. Year 3 results are still being analyzed. The following are the preliminary findings: For carrots and beets there was no evidence that distance from trees affected yield. This is to be expected, expected since there are no leaves from trees yet. There were no treatments outside of high tunnels because it was still too cold. We showed, however, that we can produce beets and carrots inside the tunnels, despite cold temperatures. Since there were problems in replications (only 3) and very high experimental errors (farmer managed) the team expects no significant differences in yield when analyzed statistically. However: (i) graphs of cucumber yield show higher yields far from trees than near trees for all farms. In addition, it appears cucumber yield is higher with high tunnel than without high tunnel; (ii) graphs of honey dew yield showed yields were higher farther from trees than near trees, also 'with high tunnel' yields of honey dew are higher than 'without high tunnel'; (iii) graphs of pepper yields showed the same trend: far from trees have a higher yield than near trees. However peppers with high tunnel have lower yields than without high tunnel; and (iv) graphs of eggplant yield showed no evidence that yield was affected by distance from trees, or with or without high tunnels. PARTICIPANTS: A research scientist, one extension scientist, five graduate students, four undergraduates, and three farmers had been involved in this project. Four Ph.D. graduate students were partially supported by this project and at least six undergraduates supported through this project as well. All learned field and instrumentation work and interacted with the farmers. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is North Carolina's 'underserved' or small farmers, extension agents, agricultural specialist, students, researchers, and educators. Although there are evidences that farmers apply agroforestry in farms like: using trees as hedgerows or trees as shade for farm animals, agroforestry technology is not knowingly practiced in North Carolina. Hence, extension agents, agricultural scientists, students, and farmers are being exposed to the possible applications of agroforestry, especially on the prospect of trees supplementing the growth of many vegetables. The same audience is also being exposed to high tunnel technology to promote locally grown vegetable production even during late fall, winter and early spring. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: In Year 4, project will concentrate on one farm, Farmer Lucas. The team found it was very difficult to work in three farms. Farmer Lucas has three high tunnels and the treatments will concentrate on with and without high tunnels. The near and far from tree treatments will not be researched in year 4 instead with and without conservation agriculture treatments will replace the 'with and without high tunnel' treatments. This is transitioning to the new project that PI will propose to be conducted in Lucas farm.
Impacts
These preliminary results show an interesting interaction of type of vegetables and how each vegetable responded differently to near and far from trees, and with and without high tunnel treatments. When combined with results from years 1 and 2, we can make some agroecological recommendations and extension materials about the effects of trees and high tunnels on different vegetables which will be incorporated in the final report. Since the research was on-farm, farmers will continue to share their experiences with vegetable production under these conditions and were willing to be training venues. Another impact will be the growth of African American farmer, Charles Lucas. Because of N.C. A&T working with him (he is a former truck driver), Lucas was elected as the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. Another farmer, is a very prolific organic grower in Chatham County and has been selling her produce in farmers markets.
Publications
- Catacutan, D.C., Mercado, A.R., Chiong-Javier, M., Espaldon, M.,Ella, V., Palada,M., Duque-PiNon, C., Saludadez, J., Penaso, A., Nguyen, MR, Pailagao, CT, Bagares, IB, Alibuyog, NR, Midmore, D, Reyes, R., Cajilig, R., Suthumchai, W., Kunta, K., and Sombatpanit, S (eds) 2012. Vegetable Agroforestry Systems in the Philippines. Special Publication No. 6b, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), Beijing, China and the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN 978-974-350-655-0.
- Susila, Purwoko, Roshetko, Budidarsono, Dahlia, Kartika, Luther, Midmore, Pambuyan, Palada, Puspitawati. Rahmanulloh, Raimadoya, Rauf, M. Reyes, Trikoesoemaningtyas, Cajilig, Kunta and Sombatpanit (eds.) 2012. Vegetable Agroforestry Systems in Indonesia. Special Publication 6c. World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), Beijing, China and the World Agroforestry Center (WAC-ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN 978-974-350-655-0.
- Reyes, M.; L. Kieu, D. Edralin, J. Idassi & G. Gayle. 2012. Combining High Tunnel and Agroforestry Technologies for Vegetable Production in Small Farms in North Carolina. Presented at 2012 International Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biological and Agricultural Engineers, Dallas, TX. July 29 to August 1, 2012.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Installations of high tunnels were completed for each farm. Plant height and yield data were measured and statistical analysis of the results are still being completed. The following were the preliminary observations: i) yield of tomatoes were higher in the 'far from trees' treatments compared with the 'near trees' treatments; (ii) yield of tomatoes were higher with high tunnel than with no high tunnel; (iii) differences in yield between high tunnel and no high tunnel treatments was higher with the organic farmer than with non-organic farmer; (iv) yield of Celebrity was higher than Regal; and (v) one farm showed some evidence that an optimum yield of tomato is reached as a function of tree distance. PARTICIPANTS: Three research scientists, one extension scientists, four graduate students, four undergraduates, and three farmers had been involved in this project. Three graduate students completed M.S. degrees. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is North Carolina's 'underserved' or small farmers, extension agents, agricultural specialist, students, researchers, and educators. Although there are evidences that farmers apply agroforestry in farms like: using trees as hedgerows or trees as shade for farm animals, agroforestry technology is not knowingly practiced in North Carolina. Hence, extension agents, agricultural scientists, students, and farmers are being exposed to the possible applications of agroforestry, especially on the prospect of trees supplementing the growth of many vegetables. The same audience is also being exposed to high tunnel technology to promote locally grown vegetable production even during late fall, winter and early spring. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The major impact of this project was that the income of the organic farmer was 1.8 times higher from tomatoes grown in high tunnels, compared with the one's grown without high tunnels. The quality of fruits was also better. The pathways to reach outcomes and impacts are being done. First, farmers are being made aware of agroforestry as a possible technology that may enhance vegetable production, sequester carbon, and provide additional income and habitat for fauna and flora. Second, farmers were introduced to the prospects of high tunnel vegetable production as a means for early spring and late fall and even winter vegetable harvests. These are periods of high vegetable prices. Third, each experiment is farmer managed, and located in an area where other farmers can see high tunnel and agroforestry technologies. Fourth, a partnership between research scientists, Extension agents, farmers, and graduate and undergraduate students was established. The question of whether or not these technologies will provide profitable vegetable yields and increase the incomes of underserved farmers will be the focus of research in 2012.
Publications
- Dang Thanh Ha, Le Van Du, Le Thanh Loan, Nguyen Loi Kim, Nguyen Duc Thanh, Pham Hong Duc Phouc, David Midmore, Delia Catacutan, Manuel Palada, Manuel Reyes, Rebecca Cajilig, Karika Kunta, and Samran Sombatpanit. 2011. Vegetable Agroforestry and Cashew-Cacao Systems in Vietnam. World Association of Soil and Water Conservation and the World Agroforestry Center.
- Reyes, M. 2011. Vegetable Agroforestry in Southeast Asia and North Carolina. Presented at the 2011 International American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky. August 7-10, 2011. Abstract.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of this research are to compare vegetable production with or without high tunnels and to determine the effect of trees on vegetable production with or without high tunnels. This is a farmer managed research project. The first task was to identify three small 'underserved' farmers who were willing to partner in installing a high tunnel and agroforestry study in their farms. Several farmers were visited which have an existing row of trees. They were briefed about the project. The extension agents in their counties were also contacted and participated and/or recommended prospective farmer partners. An African American male, an Asian male and a Caucasian female farmer were selected. They voluntarily agreed to partner and make their farms available for the study. The team composed of researchers, extension agents and farmers agreed to plant tomatoes in the summer of 2010. Due to the delay in the procurement of high tunnels, the experiment was limited to the impact of trees on tomatoes. Unfortunately, the tomatoes were attacked by diseases in two of the farms, so no conclusive data were collected. Visual observations showed that there was no evident benefit of trees to the tomatoes, with tomatoes near trees exhibiting some stunted growth due to competition from the tree. By fall, the high tunnels were purchased and construction began. In partnership with scientists and extension agents of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, high tunnels were built using a hands-on training approach. Farmers in the counties were invited, and several farmers, scientists, extension agents and a student learned the fundamentals of high tunnel installation. The training was conducted by a high tunnel construction expert from the company where the high tunnels were purchased. The team agreed to plant by late fall, but the tunnel plastic enclosures could not be installed due to high winds, rain or snow. Without the enclosures, winter vegetables will die or have very low yield. Hence, the vegetable study for fall and winter were not implemented. Automated wireless instruments to measure temperatures in and out of the high tunnels and near and far from trees were purchased and tested and will be installed in the three farms late winter 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Four research scientists, three extension scientists, three extension technicians, two county extension agents, two graduate students, four undergraduates, private high tunnel builder, and three farmers had been involved in this project. One day hands-on high tunnel trainings were conducted in each of the three participating farms. Fifteen participated in the first training, 8 in the second training and 8 in the third training. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is North Carolina's 'underserved' or small farmers, extension agents, agricultural specialist, students, researchers, and educators. Although there are evidences that farmers apply agroforestry in farms like: using trees as hedgerows or trees as shade for farm animals, agroforestry technology is not knowingly practiced in North Carolina. Hence, extension agents, agricultural scientists, students, and farmers are being exposed to the possible applications of agroforestry, especially on the prospect of trees supplementing the growth of many vegetables. The same audience is also being exposed to high tunnel technology to promote locally grown vegetable production even during late fall, winter and early spring. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: In the original proposal, the study will be only conducted by one farmer. However, this was changed to three with each replication handled by one farmer. It had the benefit of distributing the technology to more strategically located farms, hence tripling its reach out capacity but had the disadvantage of difficulty in management and also increased experimental error.
Impacts
The project is just a year old and experienced some delays, hence measurable impact is not evident. However, pathways to reach outcomes and impacts are being done. First, farmers are being made aware of agroforestry as a possible technology that may enhance vegetable production, sequester carbon, and provide additional income and habitat for fauna and flora. Second, farmers were introduced to the prospects of high tunnel vegetable production as a means for early spring and late fall and even winter vegetable harvests. These are periods of high vegetable prices. Third, each experiment is farmer managed, and located in and area where other farmers can see high tunnel and agroforestry technologies. Fourth, a partnership between research scientists, extension agents, farmers, and graduate and undergraduate students were established. The question of whether or not these technologies will provide profitable vegetable yields and increase the incomes of underserved farmers will be the focus of research in the next two years.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This is an on-farm research study. Trials will be conducted at the 50-acre farm of Charles Lucas in Jackson Springs, Montgomery County, NC about 70 miles from NC A&T State University. The vegetable cropping system is tomato (March, April, May, June and July); collard greens (August, September, and October); and Lettuce (November and December). The cropping system will be replicated for three years. The tomato variety to be grown is 'Big Beef.' Big Beef is a vigorous, indeterminate plant which produces 4-6 inch crack resistant tomatoes with sweet, slightly acidic flavor. The collard green variety that will be grown is 'Champion', - a very adaptable, hardy, and vigorous plant that grows to 34 inches tall with high yields of edible leaves. The lettuce variety that will be grown is 'Green Forest,' which has increased resistance to lettuce drop and tip burn. The design of the experiment is a strip-split-plot with three replications, with main-plot 'near trees and far from trees,' and stripped to 'with high tunnel and with no high tunnel,' and split to 'transplant dates.' Each replication will have three transplant dates. There will be 12 experimental units, 50 ft. long and 20 ft. wide, six with high tunnels and six without high tunnels. The first set of six plots will be ten feet away from the trees and the next set of six will be eighty feet away from the trees. Results in a study conducted in the Philippines showed that at about 10 ft. to 40 ft. away from the trees, several vegetable yields increased when compared with no tree or open field treatments. A tomato-collard greens-lettuce (TCL) cropping system will be tested. The high tunnels will be 20 ft. wide and 50 ft long and they will be covered with plastic and the sides will be screened. To prevent weed growth, increase soil temperature, and minimize evaporation, the soil will be covered with fabric. Rows will be 3 ft. apart to give a TCL plant spacing of about 3 ft. by 3 ft. The soil will be analyzed for macro and micronutrients, pH, organic matter, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity. Commercial fertilizer based on soil test recommendation will be applied. Air temperature and relative humidity will be automatically recorded for each high tunnel and for the comparison with no tunnel plots. Soil moisture will be measured every two days using a soil moisture meter. Weather data will also be taken from the automated weather station about 2 miles from the Lucas' farm. Each week from transplanting to maturity, TCL heights will be measured and photographs of each subplot taken. Total TCL and marketable TCL yields will be counted and weighed. Microclimate differences in temperature and relative humidity between high-tunnel and no-high-tunnel plots will be analyzed and correlated with plant height and yield. Furthermore, TCL yields as a function of distance from trees, and planting dates will be plotted, and regression analysis will be conducted for each relationship. Benefit cost ratios for each treatment will be estimated to allow for easier comparison of the relative profitability of each vegetable. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Through high tunnels, farmers can extend the season for vegetable production into late fall, produce winter vegetables, and have an early season harvest. Furthermore, vegetables can be organically grown using high tunnels. These provide a niche 'specialty crop' to small farmers which can be sold at higher prices. Also this project encourages community grown vegetables. Lastly, vegetable agroforestry can provide an environmentally friendly way of producing vegetables, since trees can sequester carbon, provide animal habitat, and take up the deeply percolated fertilizers that are applied to vegetable crops.
Publications
- Reyes M.R., H. Suda, M. Brooks and R. Boyle. 2010. Proposed Standard for Automatic Calculation of Rainfall Erosivity. Applied Engineering in Agriculture (In press).
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