Progress 05/02/14 to 12/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included home gardeners and regional small scale farming operations interested in growing rice and other grains for sustenance /calorie and as a specialty crop.We were able to successfully increase our outreach over the past growing season. Last February, we presented a workshop on growing rice at the PASA winter conference and at Rooting DC. A field day at the farm was held in junction with Future Harvest CASA about growing dryland rice. There were 25 people in attendance, including 7 beginner farmers. More than one attendee has confirmed that they are going to experiment with growing rice this upcoming season. Presentations were also given at CFSA conference in North Carolina, NOFA-NY, and VABF. The workshops have been well received and many have voiced interest in moving into small scale grain production. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project included one employee of the farm the contract production person. The production of this crop was held at one of the UDC Urban Food Hubs. Urban residents were able to be acquainted with the A' B' and C's of urban rice production. Also the crop was introduced into urban community gardening systems for teach gardeners about the efficacy of crops which reduce carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and also produce a high calorie crop for increased urban food and nutritional security. We did not successfully meet our goal of having a student each year of the grant working on the project. The second year of the project we had one student that worked on the project. The student learned about the different phases of rice development and practices for successfully growing rice. They also were gained experience through soil sampling and data collection. By the second and third year of the project, more people were hearing about us growing rice. Through this, we had volunteers come out to help with transplanting. We discussed growing practices and challenges with the volunteers. In addition, we held a field day at the farm in conjunction with Future Harvest CASA, a local group that provides education and training for local farmers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have been able to present our research and findings at local and regional urban farming and small scale farming events including PASA (Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture), CASA (Chesapeake Association of Sustainable Agriculture), NOFA-NY New England Organic Farming Association), CFSA (Carolina Farm Stewardship Association), VABF Virginia Association of Biological Farming) , Rooting DC, and DC Parks and Recreation. We also sponsored a farm field day in cooperation with CASA. We were able to successfully increase our outreach over the past growing season. Last February, we presented a workshop on growing rice at the PASA winter conference and at Rooting DC. A field day at the farm was held in junction with Future Harvest CASA about growing dryland rice. There were 25 people in attendance, including 7 beginner farmers. More than one attendee has confirmed that they are going to experiment with growing rice this upcoming season. Presentations were also given at CFSA conference in North Carolina, NOFA-NY, and VABF. The workshops have been well received and many have voiced interest in moving into small scale grain production. We were able to effectively share what we learned about successfully growing dryland rice by giving a number of workshops, both locally and regionally. We gave workshops at various regional farm conferences, including PASA, NOFA-NY, CFSA, and VABF. In addition, we have given workshops locally at Rooting DC and Future Harvest CASA. These workshops have had high attendance and have stimulated interest in regional small-scale grain production. We have confirmation of at least three local farms that have started experimenting with their own rice production as a result of these workshops. In addition, we documented the activities of the season on Facebook to share the process, spark interest in locally grown rice, and help develop the market for locally grown rice. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The primary goals of this research were achieved.The amendments were incorporated into the top 10 inches of soil using an Imants spader. A Rain-Flo 2600 plastic layer with drip layer was used to create 5" high, 30" wide beds on a 60" center. The area was divided into 4 plots of (6) 180' rows. Plots 1 and 3 had 6" drip and 2 and 4 had 1" drip tape with 12" drip spacing with .45gpm/ 100' output. In row plant spacing was reduced from 10" to 5" to observe effects of spacing and tillering on yield potential. A Rain-Flo water wheel transplanter was used for transplanting 21 - 28 day old rice plugs at the 4 leaf stage. Earlier plant dates were achieved this year. Abundant rainfall in June allowed for a vigorous growth stage. Low soil nitrogen and heavy rains The Duborskian variety reached ripening stage with minimal watering through drip irrigation. And in general, water used was greatly reduced with a more abundant rainfall season. Koshihikari variety was grown this year with .95 acre/ft of water which is 25% of average water use in paddy rice systems. Pests this year included the rice stink bug, Japanese beetles, cucumber beetle, and starling birds. A different approach was used effectively on the rice stink bug and Japanese beetles. Diatemacous earth was observed to be a very effective mechanical control of stink bug. With the starlings, various types of audible bird deterrents failed and only row cover was effective in controlling bird damage. It is estimated a 10% loss on the Duborskian and 10 - 20% loss to bird damage on the Koshihikari. Disease encountered this year was minimal. Sheath blight was observed in a section of the 1" plot of Koshihikari. University of MD confirmed sheath blight due to Rhizoctonia. Average yields in paddy systems are approximately 8000 lbs/acre. Aerobic systems such as upland and dryland systems are expected to produce half that amount. Paddy systems are anaerobic and produce reduction reactions which increase nutrient availability. Those same aneorobic conditions also contribte to heavy metal uptake plaguing paddy rice production. Koshihikari harvest was 4333 lbs/acre. Duborskian harvest was 3452 lbs/acre. While Koshihikari has a higher yield, it appears more susceptible to disease such as sheath blight. And while Duborskian produces lower yields, its early harvest date provides many advantages. Both varieties have excellent flavor. While labor intensive, growing rice with these methods as a specialty crop has great potential in the local sustainable artisanal grain movement. The second year of rice production proceeded without incident. The crop was rotated to a different .8 acre plot according to the farms crop rotation plan. Rice can have allelopathic qualities which may affect yield potential. The plot is on a newly felled area with heavy clay Russett-Christiana Complex soil and poor nutrient availability. Two tons per acre of high calcium limestone was applied to the plot based on previous year's soil analysis. The field was amended with leaf compost and dry fertilizer before planting based on the results of soil analysis. Foliar nutrients were applied and later adjusted based on plant sap analysis and plant growth stage. We applied the methodology of SRI to a standard row cropping system of raised beds with biodegradable mulch and drip tape as the footprint. With a modern water wheel transplanter, greenhouse starter plants were transplanted into the field. By experimenting with green manure, plastic mulching, and hand weeding systems to provide weed suppression, weed-free fields were achieved without flooding.Keeping the beds moist, especially during sensitive growth stages such as reproduction and grain filling, ensured the water needs of the rice plant were met. Single seedling plants were transplanted early (days 18 - 21) at 10 inch spacing in order to maximize the tillering or stooling capacity of the plants for greater yield potential. Using this methodology, we successfully grew heavy metal free brown rice. With dryland production expectations at 50% of paddy systems, average yield projected at 4000 lbs/acre were met. In studying rice production, small-scale grain processing equipment exploration has led to increased knowledge of and access to appropriate scale technology for all small grains. In addition to helping a few local farmers find appropriate grain harvesting and processing equipment, the University purchased a thresher, seed processor, and huller as steps towards building a communal grain processing site. Through this project, a dialogue about regional grain processing infrastructure has been opened. In addition to providing a foundation methodology for dryland rice production to local farmers, we reached out to local restaurants committed to Farm to Table sustainability and helped cultivate great interest in local sustainably produced brown rice. With a price of $10/lb based on increased labor and processing equipment investments, local supply has not met demand. Ultimately, through this project, we were able to successfully grow dryland rice and create a local market for a nutrient dense crop, adding to local food sufficiency, diversity and sustainability.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience includes home gardeners and regional small scale farming operations interested in growing rice and other grains for sustenance and as a specialty crop. Changes/Problems:The major change going in to this year was adjusting plant spacing form 10" to 5 ". This may be an effective to way to increase yield potential in lower tillering varieties such as Duborskian. Higher tillering varieties such as the Koshihikari may be sufficiently spaced at 10" which is consistent with the System of Rice Intensification recommendation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Working on the project this past season provided the student with the opportunity to learn about the different phases of growth for rice plants and the special needs of rice. The student was responsible for collecting data, including soil sampling, tillering, and plant measurements. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We were able to successfully increase our outreach over the past growing season. Last February, we presented a workshop on growing rice at the PASA winter conference and at Rooting DC. A field day at the farm was held in junction with Future Harvest CASA about growing dryland rice. There were 25 people in attendance, including 7 beginner farmers. More than one attendee has confirmed that they are going to experiment with growing rice this upcoming season. Presentations were also given at CFSA conference in North Carolina, NOFA-NY, and VABF. The workshops have been well received and many have voiced interest in moving into small scale grain production. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The primary goals of this research was achieved.The second year of rice production proceeded without incident. The crop was rotated to a different .8 acre plot according to the farms crop rotation plan.Rice can have allelopathic qualities which may affect yield potential. The plot is on a newly felled area with heavy clay Russett-Christiana Complex soil and poor nutrient availability. Two tons per acre of high calcium limestone was applied to the plot based on previous years soil analysis.The field was amended with leaf compost and dry fertilizer before planting based on the results of soil analysis.Foliar nutrients were applied and later adjusted based on plant sap analysis and plant growth stage. Nic Ellis, crop consultant, advised on a nutrient program. The amendments were incorporated into the top 10 inches of soil using an Imants spader. A Rain-Flo 2600 plastic layer with drip layer was used to create 5" high, 30" wide beds on a 60" center. The area was divided into 4 plots of (6) 180' rows. Plots 1 and 3 had 6" drip and 2 and 4 had 1" drip tape with 12" drip spacing with .45gpm/ 100' output. In row plant spacing was reduced from 10" to 5" to observe effects of spacing and tillering on yield potential. A Rain-Flo water wheel transplanter was used for transplanting 21 - 28 day old rice plugs at the 4 leaf stage. Earlier plant dates were achieved this year. Abundant rainfall in June allowed for a vigorous growth stage. Low soil nitrogen and heavy rains The Duborskian variety reached ripening stage with minimal watering through drip irrigation. And in general, water used was greatly reduced with a more abundant rainfall season. Koshihikari variety was grown this year with .95 acre/ft of water which is 25% of average water use in paddy rice systems. Pests this year included the rice stink bug, Japanese beetles, cucumber beetle, and starling birds.A different approach was used effectively on the rice stink bug and Japanese beetles. Diatemacous earth was observed to be a very effective mechanical control of stink bug. With the starlings, various types of audible bird deterrents failed and only row cover was effective in controlling bird damage.It is estimated a 10% loss on the Duborskian and 10 - 20% loss to bird damage on the Koshihikari. Disease encountered this year was minimal.Sheath blight was observed in a section of the 1" plot of Koshihikari.University of MD confirmed sheath blight due to Rhizoctonia. Average yields in paddy systems are approximately 8000 lbs/acre. Aerobic systems such as upland and dryland systems are expected to produce half that amount. Paddy systems are anaerobic and produce reduction reactions which increase nutrient availability. Those same aneorobic conditions also contribte to heavy metal uptake plaguing paddy rice production. Koshihikari harvest was 4333 lbs/acre. Dsusceptible to disease such as sheath blight. And while Duborskian produces lower yields, its early harvest date provides many advantages. Both varieties have excellent flavor. While labor intensive, growing rice with these methods as a specialty crop has great potential in the local sustainable artisanal grain movement.uborskian harvest was 3452 lbs/acre. While Koshihikari has a higher yield, it appears more susceptible to disease such as sheath blight. And while Duborskian produces lower yields, its early harvest date provides many advantages. Both varieties have excellent flavor. While labor intensive, growing rice with these methods as a specialty crop has great potential in the local sustainable artisanal grain movement.
Publications
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Progress 05/02/14 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: There were many visitors to the Muirkirk Research Farm in Beltsville, MD where the research plots were established; however, these visitors, though interested in the project were not our target audience. We are focused on the small farmers and food producers in the Washington Metropolitan area interested in rice production in urban agriculture. We intend to present preliminary findings to local small farm conferences and workshops. Changes/Problems: After seeing the two different varieties, we plan to increase the planting density in order to increase our yield. Both the Duborskian and Koshihikari were more narrow and upright and could have afforded much closer spacing. We plan to shift from an 11" in row spacing down to a 5" spacing, which will also accommodate the 3-row RainFlo water wheel transplanter we plan to use this year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We were not able to meet our goals for training in the first year. We are proactively working now to line up a committed student for the second growing season in order to assure that we have reliable help. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have had numerous tour groups at the farm come through and see the rice over the growing season. In this second year, we already are scheduled to give presentations at two regional farming conferences and plan to add to that list. Once we have two growing seasons completed, we feel that we will be able to present more valid information to those interested in growing rice as we will be able to compare data from multiple years. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? This year we are looking to secure a committed student to help in order to meet our data collection goals better as well as to provide a training opportunity. As we get a couple of years of growing under our belt, it's important to have supporting data to share with other farmers who are interested in starting to grow rice. In addition to having assistance collecting data, the university lab is now up and running and will allow us to have more tests run on both the soil and the plants. We look forward to sharing our findings with farmers throughout the region at various farm conferences as well as through visits to the farm itself.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Overall, the primary goals of our experimental process went as planned. In this 1st year, we encountered some problems setting up monitoring systems that were outlined. The university lab has since become operable which will allow for consistent soil testing as outlined in the proposal. A student worker did not manifest during this cycle, which has decreased the monitoring capability of the project. In spite of this, we were able to collect a good amount of data on our first year of growing rice. The farm is on Russett-Christiana Complex soil and the plot chosen for this project was recently felled (2012) with heavy clay and has poor nutrient availability. The total area for the plots is approximately .8 acres. It was amended with: 50 lbs Allganic 16-0-0 50 200 lbs Fertrell 3-4-7 100 lbs Fertrell 5-1-1 250 lbs Aragonite 20 yds of leaf compost The amendments were incorporated into the top 10 inches of soil using an Imants spader. A Rain-Flo 2600 plastic layer with drip layer was used to create 5" high, 30" wide beds on a 60" center. The area was divided into 4 plots of (8) 100' rows. Plots 1 and 3 had 6" drip and 2 and 4 had 1" drip tape with 12" drip spacing with .45gpm/ 100' output. We ended up using a Mechanical Transplanter water wheel transplanter that the university already had to plant 28 day old starts. This transplanter only is able to do two rows unlike the RainFlo model we had planned for, so we planted the middle row by hand. The majority of the starts were at the four leaf stage. Using well water from UDC's solar well, water was applied two hours per day three days per week except for during the milk phase (approximately a 4 week period), when the schedule increased to two hours per day for five days per week. This equates to 50,976 gallons per plot over the 17 week irrigation program which equates to 1.70 acre feet of water per acre using this method of growing. With the US average for rice plots at 3.35 acre feet of water, that's almost a 50% decrease in water usage. Liquid fertilizers including Biolink 3-3-3 and a mix of Neptune's Harvest with BaiCor Calcium was applied through drip fertigation on a weekly alternating schedule. UDC aquaponics waste water system produced 450 gallons every 14 days . It was applied by hose to half of plots 2 and 4.The average ECU reading on the aquaponics solution was 0.4 mS/cm. There was no apparent differences between sections that received the additional aquaponics feeding versus the half that didn't. In 2015, closer monitoring of root growth, plant height, tillering, and shoot dry weight may help determine the efficacy of the waste water on this growth model. During the milk stage, we found rice stink bugs, Japanese beetles, and cucumber beetles throughout the rice. We did heavy hand picking and also sprayed to help control the pests. Over the course of the growing season, we did notice some evidence of disease. As mentioned before, the university lab was not up and running. In the fall, we submitted a sample of the Koshihikari to the Univerisity of Maryland Extension services. They did not see evidence of blast, but could not rule it out because of the large colonization of dark fungi. Overall, our crops were overall in good health and we had a good harvest in the fall. One inch drip irrigation produced a consistently higher yield as compared to the 6 inch depth. Overall yields were low as compared to the 6500 lb/acre average in the US for paddy production, but consistent with upland production yields being about half that of paddy production. Increased planting density along with better soil fertility may help increase yield significantly.
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