Farmer Stories

Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Salad Days Farm

Written by Mary Hathaway, OFRF’s Research & Education Program Manager

A female farmer in a purple coat smiles as the camera in front of rows of lettuce growing in a high tunnel.

Maggie Dungan, farmer at Salad Days Farm

Salad Days farm is a diverse vegetable operation situated on 30 acres in Versailles, Kentucky. Certified organic since 2015, farmer Maggie Dungan’s interest in growing food started with an education in nutrition and the long dream for her family to be self-sustaining. The farm grows year-round in the field and in hoop houses to supply their on-farm store, restaurants, schools, and four weekly farmers’ markets.

Maggie works hard to keep mechanization on her farm minimal, focusing on cover cropping, minimal tillage, and other soil health conservation practices. She keeps only 2-4 acres of the farm in production, allowing her to focus on the quality of her systems to grow high-value and sustainable food for her community.

Impact of Solarization on Soil Microbiology

The inside of a high tunnel, showing alternating rows of uncovered soil and soil covered with clear plastic for solarization research.

Solarization plots in the high tunnel.

Maggie was first exposed to the practice of solarization using clear plastic in 2022 when the farm participated in a research project with the University of Kentucky. The project studied the effect of solarization in high tunnels on root-knot nematode populations. She was impressed by the results of the trial and saw first-hand how this technique impacted a persistent soil pathogen. 

Organic farmers like Maggie, who focus on minimizing tillage, must still manage pathogens, weeds, and other common challenges, and solarization offers potential benefits. However, Maggie was concerned about the impact of the treatment on her soil health, and had some questions – if solarization kills pathogens, won’t it kill the good microbiology, too? How does heat smothering with a plastic tarp impact soil microbial activity? What is the impact on fungal-to-bacterial ratios?

Before beginning to incorporate soil solarization into her field plans, Maggie wanted some answers, and applied for OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trial program to help her build out a solid research plan and find reliable results that would have a positive impact on her operation.

Farm Trial Plan

With technical support from OFRF, the Salad Days trial on soil solarization took shape. By refining her research question to: “What is the temporal and population effect of solarization on the beneficial microbes in the high tunnel?” the research team was able to build an approachable and testable project on the farm.  

Maggie and OFRF built out a block design with two treatments: No soil solarization in the hoop house, used as her control, or regular practice compared to soil solarization in the hoop house. Using her 30’x100’ hoop house as the location for the trial and mapping areas for the treatments, Maggie used a microbiometer to take three different soil samples: first a baseline reading, then one 2 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively, after the tarp had been removed from the treatment plots.

What is solarization?

Solarization is the process of placing a clear plastic tarp over a field or garden bed to heat up the soil underneath. The intention of solarization is to kill weeds or grass, but is also known to reduce pathogen populations in the soil.

On-Farm Trial Updates

Maggie took her final soil reading in early August, four weeks after she removed the tarps from their beds. While she originally hypothesized that the soil microbes would bounce back, she guessed that their populations would need some time to recover after the tarp treatment. 

8 bags of soil sit on a metal counter next to a soil testing kit.

Soil testing for the on-farm trial.

The OFRF team has begun to work with the data collected to get an understanding of any significant differences. In Maggie’s experiment, we see that microbial biomass over time differed depending on whether or not the area had been tarped. Under solarization, microbial biomass increased over time, while biomass decreased over time in areas that had not been tarped. Also, the fungal-to-bacterial ratio was higher under solarization than in bare soil. The ratio was not affected by time after tarp removal.

The data is compelling, and OFRF will be looking into similar research to better understand the why of these results and give Maggie the assurance she is looking for to deploy a practice that continues to foster the health of her soil and improve her farming system.

“Being able to tailor a research project specific to my farm but useful to all growers has been a great opportunity and having the technical assistance from OFRF has been integral.”

– Maggie Dungan, Salad Days Farm

A graph showing the microbial biomass in solarized and non solarized plots over time, with solarized plots higher than the control.

Research Results

Maggie Dungan’s farmer-led trial examined the impact of soil solarization on microbial communities in high tunnels. Using a MicroBIOMETER, she measured soil microbial biomass and fungal-to-bacterial ratios before and after solarization to assess how the treatment affected soil life.

Key Findings:

  • Microbial Biomass Increased Over Time: Contrary to expectations, soil microbial biomass was higher in solarized plots compared to non-solarized plots, suggesting that the practice does not harm beneficial microbes.
  • Fungal-to-Bacterial Ratio Shifted: Solarized plots had a higher fungal-to-bacterial ratio, indicating a potential shift in soil microbiology post-treatment.
  • Potential for Weed & Pathogen Management: While originally concerned about negative effects, Maggie’s findings suggest that soil solarization can be an effective weed and pathogen control method without long-term damage to soil biology.

Encouraged by these results, Maggie plans to continue using soil solarization as part of her organic weed and pathogen management strategy. Future research could explore how different durations of solarization impact microbial communities and soil health over multiple growing seasons.

For full details on the study’s methodology and results, read the final report.

screenshot of Salad Days Farm's OFRF FLT final reports of results

This story is part of a series profiling farmers who are taking part in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) program. Farmers receive technical support from OFRF to address their challenges through structured on-farm trials. To learn more about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

To learn more about soil solarization, check out these helpful resources on the web: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation 

To learn more about Salad Days Farm, visit https://www.saladdaysfarm.com

By |2025-06-11T22:33:44-04:00September 5th, 2024|Farmer Stories, FLT Highlight, News|
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A Commitment to Community and the Land

The Story of Diane Green and Greentree Naturals

Written by Elizabeth Tobey

Diane Green is a farmer, researcher, and educator, who has been tending the land at Greentree Naturals Farm in northern Idaho for over 30 years.

Nestled between the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountain ranges outside of Northern Idaho, just 60 miles south of the Canadian border, lies Greentree Naturals Farm. Diane Green and her husband, Thom Sadoski, have been tending this certified organic farm for over three decades. At its peak, this small farm had 2.5 acres in production. In recent years, as Diane and Thom have entered their 70s, they’ve downsized and are now actively farming one acre. They produce 130 varieties of certified organic vegetables, herbs, gourmet garlic, flowers, hops, and seeds—many of which are open-pollinated and saved annually. Their mission has always been clear: to build community through education, to model exemplary land stewardship, and to provide fresh, nutritious organic produce to their local community.

Over the years, Greentree Naturals has hosted numerous research projects in collaboration with local universities in Washington, Idaho, and Montana, and the Organic Seed Alliance. They’ve also received funding from OFRF and several of the major USDA research grant programs, including NIFA’s Organic Transition Program (ORG) and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)—both programs OFRF works to bolster and protect through our advocacy work.

We spoke with Diane in the spring of 2024 about her experience as a farmer and the importance of research, collaboration, and community education.

Why Organic?

For Greentree Naturals, organic farming is more than a method—it’s a commitment to conservation and land stewardship. Reflecting on the broader impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, she emphasizes that everyone can contribute, regardless of their scale of operation. 

“When I look at all the things happening with climate change and the desecration of the earth, it’s overwhelming,” Diane shares. “Growing organically is about making a commitment to practicing conservation and land stewardship, and it’s something that everyone can commit to, whether they have a few grow boxes or a one-acre market garden, or hundreds of acres of food production.” 

This commitment is reflected in every aspect of Greentree Naturals, from their diverse crop offerings to their sustainable farming practices and their continuous participation in organic agriculture research and education activities on their farm.

Challenges and Adaptation

Organic crops growing in the fields at Greentree Naturals.

Farming in Northern Idaho presents unique challenges, particularly with the increasingly unpredictable weather. Over the years, Diane and Thom have kept detailed notes and observed significant changes in weather patterns, including more extreme conditions, such as 90-degree days in May dropping to freezing temperatures overnight. These conditions necessitate season extension techniques and constant adaptation. “Everything I thought was normal has changed,” Diane notes. Planning for these extremes and embracing flexibility is key to success. “I tell my gardening students that as long as you plan for the hottest, coldest, wettest, driest growing season in recorded history, you’ll be ready to grow in North Idaho. But I suppose that’s probably the same for growing everywhere anymore.”

Diane underscores the importance of on-farm research in observing these changes and developing adaptive strategies. “On-farm research [is] a way to help people focus on documenting those changes, and working together through partnerships to find solutions to adapt to those challenges,” she says. 

As the growing seasons become hotter, Diane and Thom have noticed new pests showing up. “We’ve had new beneficials too,” Diane notes. “Last year, we saw praying mantises showing up, which we’ve never had before.” But the new types of pests can be alarming and present a challenge. The farm now has three types of wireworms which were not present before. “The grad student that was specializing in wireworms was thrilled about it, we’re not so much,” Diane says with a laugh. As these variables come into play, Diane highlights the importance of clear observations and documentation. “As farmers, we’re always watching,” she says, adding that participating in research can make a difference in how you see things. “It makes you focus,” she says. “I like that.” 

Conservation Practices

Greentree Naturals produces 130 varieties of certified organic vegetables, herbs, gourmet garlic, flowers, hops, and seeds.

At Greentree Naturals, healthy soil is the cornerstone of their farming philosophy. Diane emphasizes the importance of thinking about soil as a living entity. “The more we learn, the more we know we have to learn about growing healthy soil,” she says. The farm employs a variety of practices to enhance soil health, including reduced tillage and cover cropping, utilizing mustard as a main cover crop because it germinates and grows well in a variety of conditions. They also utilize worm composting and make their own compost, supplemented with OMRI-approved chicken manure-based compost when necessary.

Intimately related to soil health, water quality and biodiversity are critical to their conservation efforts. Greentree Naturals is bordered by wild lands, leading to frequent encounters with local wildlife such as black bears, grizzlies, deer, and elk. Diane incorporates these animals into the pest management workshops she teaches, discussing how to coexist collaboratively with nature.

Research and Education

Greentree Naturals has been a hub for numerous research projects and Diane’s passion for education is evident in her extensive involvement in on-farm research and community education. She contracts with the Oregon State University and the University of Idaho as a consultant, advisor, and farmer-educator. She is also one of the founders of the Cultivating Success Small Farms Education Program and a mentor with the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) with Oregon Tilth.

Thom and Diane both have backgrounds collecting field data for the USFS, and were taught early on the importance of recording accurate field information. Their fields are mapped with numbered rows and easy-to-identify locations of plots, specific crops, and field applications. And, because they are a certified organic farm, they are required to maintain clear records of everything they do in the fields. 

The farm has been a host site for a variety of research projects, including:

  • Efficacy Evaluation of Biological Control Agents Against Wireworms in Organic Production
  • Soil Health and Fertility Testing to Optimize Organic Carrot and Beet Production in Northern Idaho
  • Biodiversity and Natural Pest Suppression
  • Extension of Local Food Production in Idaho Using High Tunnel Technology
  • Combining Trap Cropping with Companion Planting to Maximize Control of the Crucifer Flea Beetle in Organic Mixed Vegetable Farms
  • On-Farm Variety Seed Trials for Organic Systems

Detailed information about the research projects is available on the farm’s website. 

Hosting field days is an important part of community engagement and education at Greentree Naturals farm.

Diane believes strongly in the necessity of these research collaborations. “It’s really important with agriculture research that it’s duplicated on a farm and doesn’t only happen in a controlled university site,” she asserts. “The more we cultivate partnerships between universities and on-farm research, the better.” 

Hosting field days has also become a substantial part of how Greentree Naturals promotes farmer education and networking. They’ve had to cap attendance for these events, which often sell out. 

“Field days are a wonderful opportunity to network with other farmers, community members, and researchers,” Diane says. “We’ve so enjoyed hosting those at our farm.” They’ve found that the format of a Sunday afternoon event that includes lunch works well for them and their farming community. “Farmers want to learn from farmers,” Diane states, noting that they are always sure to pair a farmer with an extension educator or researcher so that the two perspectives can be shared side-by-side. 

Engaging Farmers in Grant Funded Research

Diane believes on-farm research is a critical component of successful organic research and innovation. 

Grant-funded research has played a significant role in the farm’s ability to conduct meaningful research. Diane was quick to note that the money is not the only reason they have participated in research projects; they have donated hundreds of hours and production space to research projects. But as Diane says, it’s much more sustainable for farmers to participate in research when their contributions are honored. “It’s much easier to let go of a production area for research if you’re compensated,” she explains. She notes that too often grantees come to the farmers after a grant is already written. She strongly encourages researchers and extension staff to engage farmers in the grant-writing process from the beginning to ensure that adequate compensation that respects the farmers is written into the proposal. 

Diane encourages other farmers to engage in on-farm research and to utilize existing resources and partnerships, noting that “as farmers, we are constantly experimenting and testing our ideas.” But, she says, “it’s important to remind ourselves we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.” There are lots of resources available from sources like OFRF, SARE, and others. Diane also recommends forming partnerships with local extension educators. “Don’t try to do these things alone,” she advises.

University students assist with an on-farm research trial.

“Applied research and partnerships are crucial,” Diane continues, emphasizing the broader importance of collaboration and community in agricultural research. “As farmers, we tend to be pretty isolated, and we tend to want to put our heads down and do what we’re doing,” Diane admits. “But I think ideally one of the best things we can be doing for ourselves and for the planet is working together and building partnerships through the agricultural community.” 

By forming partnerships and engaging in applied research, farmers can achieve more significant and impactful results, benefiting both their operations and the broader agricultural community. “It’s going to take all of us working side by side,” Diane states.

Looking Forward

As Diane and her husband begin to downsize their operations, she has concern for the future of agriculture, particularly the loss of farmland to development and the challenges new farmers face. 

“There needs to be a new model for farmland succession, especially in organic farming,” she urges. Diane envisions a future where farmland is preserved for new generations of farmers, ensuring that the biodiversity and sustainability practices they have cultivated at Greentree Naturals continue to thrive, while also supporting aging farmers in their retirement.

Conclusion

Diane Green’s story is one of hope, resilience, and unwavering commitment to organic farming and community education. Through her work at Greentree Naturals, she demonstrates that sustainable farming is not only possible but essential for the health of our planet and our communities. Her message is clear: by working together, farmers, researchers, and educators can create a more sustainable and equitable agricultural system for future generations. 

Make sure you never miss a Farmer Story like Diane’s from OFRF by signing up for our newsletter here. Do you know a farmer whose story should be featured? Fill out this short form to let us know about them.

By |2024-08-27T17:33:14-04:00August 27th, 2024|Farmer Stories, News|
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Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Jorge Reyes

Written by Jose Perez, OFRF’s Research & Education Engagement Coordinator

Image: Jorge Reyes in the vineyard.

Jorge proudly comes from a Mexican migrant farmworker family who had a dream of owning a farm one day. After retiring from the Navy, he was able to purchase a 3-acre vineyard located in Potrero, California. Jorge’s young vineyard produces organic grapes, and it is in the process of obtaining organic certification. Jorge plans to produce organic wine.

Finding the Right On-Farm Challenge to Focus On

Jorge was initially interested in conducting a farm trial to find solutions for suppressing gophers. These little creatures are a constant challenge at the vineyard because they burrow in the soil and chew on the roots, severely damaging or killing the vines. He was also interested in testing different practices to manage wasps during grape maturation and harvest. OFRF staff discussed with Jorge the difficulty of designing a farm trial based on these two challenges, given practical limitations, such as the size of the farm and the length of time needed.

The challenges on a young vineyard are not in short supply, so Jorge pivoted to focus on the use of mulch for soil moisture retention, weed management and grape quality. Improving soil moisture is critical to Jorge’s operation, as the irrigation depends on a solar-powered pump. The local climate conditions are generally very dry, with 9 to 11 inches of rain during the winter season. Wildfires are a frequent risk during the dry season, making soil moisture a critical factor and cost to Jorge’s operation.

On-Farm Trial Updates

With OFRF technical support, Jorge is now conducting a paired comparison where 10 grapevines with mulch will be compared with 10 vines with no mulch. Jorge applied 3 inches high of mulch around the vine (about a 4-foot area for each vine) in late May. He marked the trial area with stakes to identify each plant. 

To compare the moisture levels of the two treatments, Jorge purchased a soil moisture sensor. To date, he has conducted two measurements, one in late June and one in mid-July. Based on those readings, Jorge already sees a clear winner: The soil around the mulched grapevines has consistently been showing good moisture levels, while the readings around the un-mulched plants show dry conditions. Jorge’s own observations confirm this: “The mulch is like a double win, the mulch holds the moisture for longer and it suppresses the weeds as well… There are also a lot of creatures and biological activity in the mulched areas, while just putting the soil probe into the un-mulched areas was a challenge, as the soil was hard,” Jorge said.

Image: Side-by-side trials of mulched and un-mulched grape vines.

Jorge has not cut back on irrigation, but after seeing the immediate effects of mulch, he is considering doing so, which would represent some energy and cost savings. In terms of weed suppression, the pictures Jorge took of the plants in late June are striking (see attached pictures). The mulch successfully suppressed weed growth and can represent some labor savings in the long term. Finally, Jorge is curious to know if the mulch will affect the grapes’ sugar content levels. He is planning to conduct these measurements at harvest through a Brix meter.

Below images: un-mulched grape vines on left and mulched grape vines on right. 

“The mulch provides a beneficial ecosystem that is thriving with beneficial organisms like rollie-pollies and pinchers which help increase the soil health. I plan to double my effort to increase the mulch application. This will lead to water conservation, increase soil health, increase my crop yield and reduce my labor requirement. This is a win-win for the environment and myself.” – Jorge Reyes

Research Results

Jorge Reyes’ farmer-led trial examined the effects of mulching on soil moisture retention, weed suppression, and labor reduction in his organic vineyard. Over the course of the growing season, Jorge applied a 3-5” layer of organic mulch around selected grapevines and monitored soil moisture levels, weed presence, and grape sugar content (Brix levels).

Key Findings:

  • Increased Soil Moisture: In both Syrah and Viognier grape varieties, mulched plots consistently retained higher moisture levels compared to unmulched plots. This effect was statistically significant in Syrah at all sampling dates and in Viognier at two out of three sampling dates.
  • Reduced Weed Pressure & Labor Needs: Jorge observed fewer weeds in the mulched plots, leading to reduced labor for trimming and vineyard maintenance.
  • Potential Impact on Grape Quality: While not formally evaluated, preliminary Brix readings suggest mulched vines had slightly higher sugar content (22 vs. 20) than unmulched vines, indicating potential effects on fruit ripening.

Encouraged by these results, Jorge plans to integrate mulching as a long-term vineyard management strategy. He is particularly interested in further exploring its impact on grape yield, soil biodiversity, and irrigation efficiency in future seasons.

For full details on the study’s methodology and results, read the final report.

screenshot of Reyes Vineyard's OFRF FLT final reports of results

At OFRF we are excited to partner with Jorge in his quest to produce a high quality organic wine, while sharing with other small scale grapevine producers the effects of mulching.

“I am 100% sold on organic, protecting our environment and learning to cohabitate with nature. Organic should be the only option, we need to consume healthy food that is not going to poison us.” – Jorge Reyes 

This story is part of a series profiling farmers who are taking part in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) program. Farmers receive technical support from OFRF to address their challenges through structured on-farm trials. To learn more about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

By |2025-06-11T22:30:54-04:00August 2nd, 2024|Farmer Stories, FLT Highlight, News|
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Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Verdant Phoenix Farm

Written by Jose Perez, OFRF’s Research & Education Engagement Coordinator

Rhianna Simes, M.S.Ed. owns and operates Verdant Phoenix Farm, a 10-acre urban farm and education center located in Jackson County, Oregon. The farm is managed as a no-till production system and is certified organic. Rhianna operates the farm as a research and education hub, hosting educational workshops, hands-on demonstrations and farm tours. She sells nursery stock, seeds, basketry willow, plant starts, and other products through the farm stand and on their website. Additionally, Rhianna has been breeding fava bean and popcorn (working towards a ‘Phoenix Blackberry’) for years. Rhianna’s farm vision is inspired by the work of Masanobu Fukuoka, Rowen White, and Dr. Elaine Ingham to create thriving agroecosystems.

Image at right: A close-up of the soil after tarps were removed.

Occultation tarping

Rhianna has been using occultation tarping to terminate cover crops and manage weeds while protecting soil health for years. In two different locations, she converted 10-acre hay fields into no-till, row-cropping systems using only occultation tarping. To do this, in 4-6 week increments, she places a vinyl tarp on top of the soil to act as a ‘smother,’ which encourages the biological activity of the soil to eat the organic matter on the soil (and under the tarp). In the past, farmers employed solarization, but this method allows sunlight to heat the soil but does not encourage biological activity, which happens only in the darkness (occult = dark). By not allowing any light through, occultation tarping supports the soil food web and can help suppress weeds, terminate cover crops, and protect the soil from erosion. This practice has a lot of potential to help small-scale organic farms, especially in no-till systems. Occultation removes the need for tilling to terminate weeds and crops. Rhianna is passionate about sharing the multiple benefits of using occultation tarping in small farms, but she has often found a lack of trusted information and research demonstrating the usefulness of this practice. 

The Farm Trial

With technical support from OFRF, Rhianna decided to create a farm trial that would compare the use of occultation tarping in no-till and tilled conditions. This means that she is investigating two different practices in the same trial: tarping and tilling. Soil sampling will be the primary way to measure differences in these practices and will evaluate soil parameters such as soil organic matter, carbon mineralization potential, and aggregate stability. The yield of planted crops will also be compared among treatments. 

Rhianna began the farm trial in a non-cultivated field in mid-April. Before placing the tarps, she took a baseline soil sample and sent it to Oregon State University Soil Lab for analysis. As planned in her research design, she laid tarps on the no-till fields for 6 weeks, and in late June, she removed the tarps and direct seeded the field with a reliable polyculture that includes popcorn, bush beans, radish, basil, beets, and fava beans. Rhianna and the OFRF team are excited for the yield and soil sample data that will be taken after harvest this fall. 

Rhianna is invested in this farm trial in the long term, as she has been awarded additional funds from Western SARE Farmer / Rancher grant to continue this research for 3 years. At OFRF, we are excited to be part of Rhianna’s effort to investigate the potential of these practices for small-scale organic farmers in the region and beyond.

Below images: On the left – A view of the tarping and tilling trial. On the right  – another view of the farm trial showing tarping and non tarping areas.

“The OFRF Farmer-Led Trial program offers an incredible opportunity for farmers to explore innovations we have developed. OFRF provides financial assistance to offset expenses of the project, and access to technical assistance from their trained professionals. This program has given me the courage and support I needed to pursue my research in no-till farming through occultation tarping, and to share the impacts so that others benefit. I feel honored to be part of this effort.” – Rhianna Simes, M.S.Ed., Verdant Phoenix Farm, owner/ farmer/ organic soil nerd

Research Results

Rhianna Simes’ farmer-led trial investigated the effectiveness of occultation tarping as a no-till strategy for weed suppression and soil health management. By comparing tarped and tilled plots, she measured soil moisture, weed termination, and biological activity to evaluate the practice’s impact.

Key Findings:

  • Effective Weed Suppression: Tarped plots had significantly fewer weeds, demonstrating that occultation tarping is a viable alternative to tillage for weed control.
  • Increased Soil Moisture Retention: Soil moisture levels were higher in tarped plots compared to non-tarped areas, highlighting the potential of this method to improve drought resilience.
  • Short-Term Reduction in Soil Respiration: While tarping suppressed weeds effectively, it also temporarily reduced soil respiration and nitrogen levels, suggesting lower microbial activity in the short term.
  • Long-Term Soil Health Benefits: Despite initial reductions in biological activity, visual observations showed improved soil structure and aggregation in tarped plots, indicating potential long-term benefits for soil health.

Based on these findings, Rhianna plans to continue using occultation tarping as a tool for weed management and soil conservation. Future research could explore how repeated tarping affects soil biology over multiple seasons and its impact on crop yields.

For full details on the study’s methodology and results, read the final report.

screenshot of Verdant Phoenix Farm's OFRF FLT final reports of results

“The OFRF Farmer-Led Trial program removes barriers for organic farmers to conduct research on strategies that can and will revolutionize farming. We are innovators in our fields, and the solutions we create today are the answers to tomorrow’s challenges. This program helps to legitimize the research, and trial and error experimenting that, as farmers, we do everyday.” – Rhianna Simes 

To learn more about the work Rhianna does, check out the Verdant Phoenix Farm website https://verdantphoenix.com/about/

This story is part of a series profiling farmers who are taking part in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) program. Farmers receive technical support from OFRF to address their challenges through structured on-farm trials. To learn more about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

By |2025-06-11T22:34:59-04:00July 15th, 2024|Farmer Stories, FLT Highlight, News|
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The Song of One Thrush: Why We Need Each Other to Build a Healthier Food System

Written by April Jones Thatcher, founder and farmer of April Joy Farm and president of OFRF’s Board of Directors

view from below several mushrooms with trees in the background

Photo by Lauren Ruhe

I faintly heard a single Russet-backed thrush in the ravine behind the farmhouse this week. Late at dusk and then again this morning. In June, her melodious spiraling melody is one more sign of hope and promise for the growing season before us.

This is my sixteenth year of farming. I have always seen my role as less of a ‘producer’ and more about removing barriers to ensure energy—life—could flow and nourish these 24 acres I’ve loved since I was four years old. Early in my journey, my perseverance was rooted in the belief that things would get easier. Over time, I thought as I developed processes, scraped together increasingly more robust infrastructure, fence post by fence post, seed by seed, experience by experience, “things”—i.e., farming—would get easier.  

I believed my work as a farmer would eventually be to get out of the way. But I quickly learned, as Frank Edwin Egler so aptly wrote, “Nature is not more complicated than you think, it is more complicated than you can think.” 

I look back now and feel grateful for all that heady naivety that fueled my days and made me dig deep and keep going. So much has transpired between those early days and now, things I could have never imagined…

A multi-day 116-degree (F) heat dome.

Wild weather swings, including a late-May hard frost

Forest fires with smoke so thick I couldn’t see to the end of my crop fields

Oh yeah, and that little thing called a global pandemic.  

Reality check: It’s not getting easier.

Recounting the difficult times is an easy recipe for discouragement, but that’s not where I want to dwell. One thing that hasn’t changed in the last sixteen years is my belief that the only way we’ll make things work is together. You don’t have to be a farmer to help. In fact, there is so much you can do to make our food system more resilient and healthier that we farmers can’t do. 

I am one of the 17,445 organic farmers in the United States making change happen in and for my community. From an economic standpoint, every dollar spent on local food generates twice as much economic activity within the community compared to dollars spent at national grocery chains. The economic multiplier effect for local food systems has been estimated to be between 1.4 and 2.6, meaning that for every dollar earned by local organic farmers, an additional $0.40 to $1.60 is generated in the local economy. From an environmental perspective, by avoiding synthetic pesticides, organic farming protects the health of farmworkers and nearby communities. Additionally, organic farms are often more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events due to their diverse cropping systems and soil health practices, supporting community food security in the face of climate challenges. Organic farming practices use 45% less energy than conventional farming practices. This translates to significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more sustainable food system.

How many of those 17,445 organic farmers do you know?

Years ago, there was a thick flock of Russet-backed thrushes that spent their summers at my farm. Now I close my eyes and listen to hear as hard as I can the distance song of just a single one. I feel this loss deeply, but that beautiful song reminds me why I continue to persevere despite the challenges. It’s why I continue to plant pollinator hedgerows, tend my field borders of Nootka Rose, Pacific Ninebark, Red Twig Dogwood, and Mock Orange, and spend each winter planting hundreds of conifer trees in the forest behind the farmhouse each year. Organic farmers like me across the country are re-wilding low swales with native willows that filter water, planting cover crops to feed their soil, and working hard to keep growing nutrient-dense food and meaningful direct relationships with the families that eat it.

The value of organic farms and the farmers who tend them are not rooted solely in the crops that go to market. It’s in the care, the love, and the tending—often without reward in this lifetime—of the hedgerows, the habitat, the soil, and the integrity of the communities they serve and to which they dedicate their lives to enriching.  

Organic farmers cross between the world of humans and the world of humus. We are ambassadors working to grow agricultural literacy, understanding, and, at the very heart of things, compassion and care.  The value of organic farmers is in the systems they nurture and the ways they pay attention, deep attention, to what matters.  

What is your song of determination? Who are you listening for?  

What we pay attention to matters. 

Your Role in The Food System

The average American family spends just over 11% of their income on food—a significant portion of our budget. But, just because you do not farm does not mean you are not part of a food system. All of us have a role to play. In fact, all of us are already playing a role in the food system. The question is, do you know what role you are playing? Is it the role you want to play?

I’m sometimes asked how I started farming. I was privileged to have a place to farm and a community eager to support me. You can be part of a community to make sure an organic farmer in your area—just like me—survives the daunting challenges of climate change.

Farmers are notorious for saying, ”Well, there’s always next year,” to cope with losses and disappointment. I am not sure I believe this. All we have is now. All we are and all we represent is rooted in this very breath, in action or inaction. There is no hope for next year, next week, or tomorrow unless we care for this day together.  

Cultivating A Shared Future 

Of all the things that have changed over the last decade and a half of my farming life, one thing hasn’t—the joy of being present to the miracle of food. These weeks, we’re harvesting heirloom lettuces, scallions, Annie’s old-fashioned rhubarb, radishes, epazote, bok choi, sugar snap peas, cilantro, parsley, broccoli, and more. We’re mulching tomatoes, cutting hay, rotationally grazing our livestock, collecting eggs, and thinning table grapes. We’re washing, bunching, and carrying a bounty of good food—grown with love—to families in our community who are as hungry as we are for a healthier, more just food system.  

When I hear the song of the thrush, I remember there’s no other choice. I let go of the idea that it will get easier—easier to engage, to make the right choice, to forge relationships across chasms of difference. The farm has taught me that success is in the bravery of honesty, diligent intention, and work. It’s the result of showing up, day after day, to do the small things.  I hold fast to the idea that I am not responsible for fixing the problems of our times, but just as surely, it is my responsibility not to turn away.

It takes a community to nurture systemic change. Nurturing our individual relationships one by one is where we start. That’s how this works. Connection is the foundation of resilience.   

Sixteen years later, growing food has not gotten easier, but thanks to the deep roots and wide-outstretched arms of my plant, soil, animal, and human community, this work and my farming life are getting richer.   

So, with determination to keep showing up regardless of the outcome, let’s take a collective deep breath, exhale all the gratitude we can muster, and get curious about the food stewards working all across the country to nourish our world. 

Let’s start paying attention to the most minor details and the tiniest moments embedded in our food system. 

Let’s strive to make our connections as rich, beautiful, and full of love as possible.

Let’s lean in and listen hard so we can hear the faint song of others who are doing the same.

There is immense satisfaction in taking direct, intentional action to build a community on a foundation of compassionate connection. That’s why every day, I put on my boots and go out into our world to sow new possibilities and nurture resilience. Regardless of how green your thumb is, you can too.  

Won’t you join us?

Ways to Support Your Local Organic Farm System

Ready to take action and support the health of your community, your environment, and yourself? Don’t wait! Here’s how to get started:

  • Find your local organic farms. Use online resources like Local Harvest or visit your nearest farmer’s market to connect with organic farmers near you.
  • Join a CSA or farm share program. This is a great way to get a regular supply of fresh, organic produce while directly supporting a local farm.
  • Volunteer your time. Many organic farms welcome volunteers. This is a rewarding way to learn more about organic agriculture and connect with the farmers who grow your food while using your expertise to support the viability of their work.
  • Research organic farmers and/or organic farm advocacy groups in your community. Knowledge is power! Learn more about the organic farming scene in your area and the challenges they face.
  • Check out OFRF’s NORA (National Organic Research Agenda) report. Dive deeper! Focus on non-production challenges for farmers in your region. Understanding these issues can help you identify areas where you can be most helpful. What do you feel most compelled and interested in?
  • Intentionally choose how you will support organic farming broadly and deeply. There are two sides to it: local action and national advocacy. Consider how you want to contribute on both levels.
    • Go broad by donating to organizations positioned to make systemic change on a national scale, such as OFRF.
    • Go deep by building just one single relationship with an organic farmer or organic agriculture advocate in your community (like your local and state representatives) and see where that leads.

Remember, every action—big or small—makes a difference. By taking these steps, you’ll be a champion for organic farming in your community!

By |2024-06-28T18:16:45-04:00June 28th, 2024|Farmer Stories, News|
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Organic Farmers Lead the Way Toward Climate-Smart Agriculture

A new network in Kentucky will support organic practices and verify they are meeting definitions of climate-smart agriculture

Sam Miller, center, District Conservationist at NRCS London, KY, hands the mic to Jansen Koeberlein, Soil Conservationist at NRCS Richmond, KY, while farmer Bryce Baumann looks on during the “Reduced Tillage, Cover Crops, and Crop Rotations on an Organic Vegetable Farm” field day at Lazy Eight Stock Farm.

Written by Brian Geier

The first time Kentucky NRCS agent Sam Miller was approached by a farmer about support for organic practices was over 12 years ago. Bryce Baumann of Lazy Eight Stock Farm, who had been farming since middle school, was on a non-stop search for how to farm full-time. It was 2012, and Bryce was transitioning his family’s farm to organic and starting the farm’s first CSA season, two moves that eventually allowed him to take the plunge. It was this young farmer who first introduced Sam, a seasoned NRCS agent, to the world of organic production. “Bryce made me learn organic, really quick,” Sam said at a field day hosted at Lazy Eight and organized by the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK). 

Since then, Lazy Eight has implemented several contracts with NRCS to support practices like cover cropping and pollinator plantings, expanding and enhancing irrigation systems, and constructing high tunnels. They now operate a thriving CSA with 250-300 members each season and recently added a flower share to diversify income and the farm. And now, under a new partnership with OAK and NRCS, some of Bryce’s organic conservation practices will get advanced levels of support.

Improving efficiency, protecting soil, and reducing plastic

One goal at Lazy Eight has been to move away from using plastic to control weeds. “I can’t tell you how awful it was to drive to the county dump with 1,000 lb of organic plastic mulch,” admits Bryce. To manage weeds without plastic but still protect soil structure, Bryce focuses on frequent, shallow cultivation, sometimes doing 3-4 passes before a crop is a few inches tall, but never going more than an inch or two deep into the soil. “The key (with shallow cultivation) is frequency. Frequency and timing,” he said slowly and matter-of-factly at the field day, pointing out that weeds in their early stages are much easier to kill. The farm utilizes a fleet of used cultivation tractors, purchased for “scrap metal prices” and outfitted with new weeding tools stacked in custom arrangements. Check out the photos from the field day below to see some of the specific arrangements of cultivators. For even more details, see the field day summary and resource document from OAK.

(Article continues below image gallery.)

Two of several old tractors outfitted with new cultivation tools at Lazy Eight Stock Farm. Each toolbar setup can be switched from one tractor to another if needed.

Bryce Baumann explains how the basket weeders in the back are driven by those in the front, and go faster, disturbing more soil/weeds at the surface.

A view of a shop-welded toolbar stacked with three sets of cultivation tools. This set up is for 5 rows of crop on a 6' bed.

A view from the front of the three sets of cultivating tools, from front: 1/2 inch knives (black), followed by rod harrows (silver) from Hak, with torsion weeders (black) also from Hak.

The cultivating tractors are used on standardized, 6-ft wide beds so the tires always use the same paths and the beds are only shallowly disturbed by cultivation tools.

Several high tunnels, some installed with funds through NRCS, are connected together, decreasing edge effects and increasing overall temperatures. The front walls of 6 houses can be lowered or raised by the same mechanism, reducing workload. Farmer Bryce's hand is on an anchoring system for the front walls, which helps stabilize the structure during wind events.

Where one tunnel meets the next, shop-made gutters capture and divert rainwater collected between the high-tunnels.

A cover crop of buckwheat grows at the edges of a field of potatoes at Lazy Eight Farm. The buckwheat flowers attract green lacewings, a beneficial insect that attacks aphids on the potatoes. Organic practices like this may be supported through OAK's Climate-Smart Project.

Moving ahead with new support networks for organic, climate-smart production

Through OAK’s Climate-Smart Project, Bryce and Lazy Eight Stock Farm will get a fresh level of support for organic practices that will be NRCS-supported, tailored specifically to their farm needs and goals, and proven to be ‘climate-smart’ via farm assessments and metric tools. 

OAK, a statewide organization started by farmers in 2009, supports organic agriculture through education (field days and conferences) and consultation on organic production. OAK also serves as the Kentucky lead for the Midwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), helping farmers pair up as mentors and mentees and transition land to certified organic production. OFRF is engaged in a variety of TOPP projects as well, both as a regional partner in the west/southwest as well as nationally with our Farmer-Led Trials, Seeds of Success, and an upcoming comprehensive organic research hub that will be searchable by region or crop. 

The OAK-led Climate-Smart Project, a novel partnership connecting farmers, USDA agencies, non-profits, and food businesses, offers direct technical assistance, educational programming, financial incentives, and market development for Kentucky farmers using climate-smart practices. Farmers are offered $500 to conduct an initial baseline assessment with OAK, then awarded $3,000 annually for implementing climate-smart practices.

Based on the initial assessment conducted in early 2024, which measured factors like soil structure, biological diversity, and water-stable soil aggregates among many other indicators, Bryce and OAK will now identify and implement NRCS-defined practices like reduced tillage, cover crops, strip-cropping, or mulching, and continue to measure the indicators. The hope is that Bryce will enhance his organic operation, NRCS conservation standards will be met, and there will be documentation for organic practices being “climate-smart.” At OFRF, we know that organic has been and will continue to be the original climate-smart agriculture, and we applaud farmers like Bryce and networks like this one leading the way.

To read more about how organic farming practices are climate-smart and access tools to be an advocate with us, check out OFRF’s Organic is Regenerative project.

Are you an farmer or researcher? We’d love to hear from you! You can share your story here. 

By |2024-07-01T16:57:19-04:00June 26th, 2024|Farmer Stories, News|
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Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Bob Quinn

Written by Jose Perez, OFRF’s Research & Education Engagement Coordinator

Bob Quinn is a well-known fourth-generation organic farmer growing grains in the plains of Montana. His farm grows winter wheat, alfalfa, and other grains. Bob is a long time organic farmer and advocate and is recognized as the pioneer of Kamut, a type of wheat that is now produced by more than 250 organic producers. His latest venture is the Quinn Institute, a recently launched nonprofit farm dedicated to conducting organic farming research. This year, he is also a participating farmer in the first cohort of OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program.

Image at right: A view of the research plot crop lines growing in May.

A Quest for a Hardy White Winter Wheat

Growing spring wheat in this region has become increasingly risky for farmers due to climate change challenges that include shorter rainy seasons and earlier than usual summer heat onset. Years ago, Bob felt that growing a hardy and resilient white winter wheat was a good solution, but he found no locally adapted varieties available. Winter wheat varieties are planted in the fall, go dormant in the winter, and are harvested in the summer. These varieties have more time to get established and could reduce the risk of crop loss due to the climate change patterns mentioned above. Bob looked for options that would show promise in the genetic diversity stored in the USDA National Small Grain Seed Collection. When Bob heard about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials Program, he thought it would be a good opportunity for research collaboration.

The Farm Trial

Starting with 100 selections from the USDA small grains collection, Bob has now winnowed down possible wheat lines to 15 types that show promise in the field. From the baker and consumer perspectives, Bob hopes to select a nutrient-dense wheat that produces bread loaves that are not as dark as those produced with hard red winter wheat.

Harvest from each line will be tested through a bake test for loaf size, texture, taste, and aroma by our bakery partner, Grist Mills, in Missoula, Montana, and compared to a complete baking test by the bread lab at Montana State University. The goal for this year’s farm trial is to select the top 5 or 6 lines to be grown again next year. The final goal of this research project is to produce a free, open mixed population of white winter wheat that can be used by organic farmers in the region that can be used by bakers to produce a highly nutritious tasty bread for their customers.

Below images: Bob, and Research Coordinator Josh, inspecting winter wheat survival in mid-April.

“Many farmers do not know where to start, how to proceed and what to do when problems arise and therefore are reluctant to convert to organic systems.  Programs such as those sponsored by OFRF help farmers overcome transition barriers and also overcome challenges along the way.  When I saw an opportunity to participate in farmer-led trials sponsored by OFRF, I was immediately interested. These are the kinds of opportunities that help farmers answer questions specific to their operation which in the end could have significant positive impacts for many others across the country and even the world.  They fill a gap between no help and the giant multiyear grants and projects, which also play an important roll, but most of which are beyond the reach or means of most farmers to apply for and to execute.  I am very thankful for the resources offered by OFRF to insure the experiments can be designed and carried out in a manner that can produce significant results.” – Bob Quinn

Trial Updates

The current crop was planted in October last year, survived the winter, and is currently growing vigorously, thanks to the better-than-expected rainy season. Harvest is fast approaching and scheduled for late July. OFRF is excited about Bob’s trial and hopes it leads to resilient variety alternatives for organic farmers.

To learn more about USDA germplasm resources, visit the USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/search  

To learn more about the Quinn Institute, visit https://quinninstitute.org/ or take a peek at this recent article about their work: https://www.prweb.com/releases/agricultures-new-frontier-the-quinn-institute-unveiled-302134818.html

Research Results

Bob Quinn’s farmer-led trial focused on developing a hardy white winter wheat variety for organic production in the Northern Great Plains. By evaluating 15 wheat lines for yield, lodging resistance, purity, kernel color, and baking quality, the study aimed to identify the best-performing selections for organic farmers and whole grain bakers.

Key Findings:

  • Promising Wheat Lines Identified: Six lines exhibited strong agronomic performance, with Line 19 standing out for its high yield, superior bread quality, and potential nutritional benefits.
  • Excellent Baking Potential: Grist Milling and Bakery’s tests revealed that several lines produced high-quality whole grain bread, with ideal texture, aroma, and taste.
  • Lodging and Purity Considerations: While most lines performed well, three exhibited significant lodging issues, and a few had purity or kernel color inconsistencies requiring further evaluation.
  • Potential Nutritional Advantages: Line 19’s yellowish hue suggests it may offer increased nutritional value, prompting further lab analysis to confirm its nutrient profile.

Based on these results, Quinn plans to advance the top-performing wheat lines into further trials in 2025. Future research will involve expanded baking tests with additional bakeries and continued seed selection, with the goal of releasing a resilient organic wheat variety by 2027.

For full details on the study’s methodology and results, read the final report.

screenshot of Quinn Institute's OFRF FLT final reports of results

This story is part of a series profiling farmers who are taking part in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) program. Farmers receive technical support from OFRF to address their challenges through structured on-farm trials. To learn more about OFRF’S Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

By |2025-06-11T22:40:26-04:00June 7th, 2024|Farmer Stories, FLT Highlight, News|
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Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Green Things Farm Collective

Written by Jose Perez, OFRF’s Research & Education Engagement Coordinator

Nathan Lada is one of the four co-owners of Green Things Farm Collective, a diversified vegetable farm located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The farmers produce an array of fresh market vegetables and cut flowers for CSA memberships, farmers’ markets, small grocery and small wholesale markets. The bulk of the production takes place in five acres of permanent no till/low till, deep mulch bed system from early April to October. The farmers also raise beef cattle and manage 40 acres of woods.

Nathan and his wife Jill started farming in this farm location in 2011, but the farm became what it is now when a longtime employee and two other independent farmers joined them in 2020. Since then, they have managed the farm as a single-unit LLC. The farm has been certified organic under the USDA since 2015, and has been Real Organic Project certified since 2020.

At right: Collective Farmers in 2020: Eric Kampe (left the farm in 2022), Hannah Weber, Jill Lada, Nate Lada, Michelle Brosius.

Figuring out plant spacing and densities

“Our primary focus is producing high-yielding species and varieties with lots of hand labor,” said Nathan. The farm operation employs between 15 to 20 people in the main season with the goal of maximizing production. “It’s hard to find information from other growers about their trials on spacing and plant densities, especially for high organic matter, high fertility, and fast turnover bed systems,” continued Nathan. When he heard about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trial program from one of his employees, it immediately piqued his interest. 

While the farm has done some limited experiments, they do not have comprehensive data to help them determine which row spacings are best for their production practices. Nathan and his colleagues hope that maximizing yield per bed will help the farm increase production without needing to develop new growing spaces. Nathan is excited to see the results and share the outcome of this trial with other growers looking for similar information.

harvested vegetables at Green Things Farm Collective in Ann Arbor, Michigan

“I think it is important that farms can conduct their own trials and research in a practical way to figure out what will work best under their cultivation systems.  Our opportunity to work with OFRF will not only inform us about specific densities to improve production on our farm, but will also hopefully inform a repeatable pathway for us and others to make small improvements to our production based on practical farm-based trials that are simple and bring value to the farm.” – Nathan Lada

Farm trial plan

Beets and radishes are the focus of the farm trial because they are among the most produced crops at the farm, being planted in succession every week or every other week during the season. Although the farm already collects yield and some crop quality data per bed, conducting the on-farm trial with OFRF will provide the direct technical support to be more methodical and comprehensive in designing the farm trial, conducting data collection, and drawing trustworthy results. 

Preliminary farm trial plans include comparing two crop configurations for one beet variety and two crop configurations for two varieties of radishes for yield and crop marketability. Potential measurements identified include overall yield (bunches per bed, pounds per bed), losses due to undersized or oversized crops, losses to disease, days to maturity, and crop quality.

The farmers have participated in on-farm research in the past, but felt that those trials did not reflect farm working conditions. One goal Nathan expressed was to integrate the trial into their existing production plan, so OFRF is working with Nathan and his team to design an on-farm trial that is both useful and practical for the farm without disrupting their seasonal production. At OFRF, we are excited to be a part of Green Things Farm Collective’s journey, and hope that their work will inspire more farmers to conduct research trials on their farms.

Research Results

Green Things’ farmer-led trial examined the impact that row spacing of direct-seeded crops had on marketable crop yields.

Key Findings:

  • For beets, the number of rows per bed (3 vs. 4) did not have an effect on marketable beet yield, percent loss, or number of bunches harvested.
  • Yields were slightly higher in the plots where beets were grown at a density of 4 rows per bed, but more investigation is needed to confirm this as there were only two replications of beets planted. Also, because beets were harvested multiple times in a treatment area, unharvested beets were given some extra time to size up which was likely a factor in the increased yield.
  • For radishes planted at 5 and 6 rows per bed, data for each variety were analyzed using paired t-test comparisons. Average marketable yield was slightly lower in the 6 rows per bed plots, but number of rows per bed did not have a significant effect on yield. While the 6 row treatment was easier to seed (2 passes with a 3 row seeder vs 5 passes with a single row seeder), harvesters were taking more time to sort through more radish rows for roughly the same number of bunches as the 5 row treatment. 

In the future Nate and his colleagues would like to explore a similar process of adjusting planting population in crops on the farm to increase overall marketable yields in direct seeded crops. This would not only adjust row counts, but also adjust in-row seeding density to compare different populations.  The farmers’ suspicion is that in-row density is just as important as overall row density for marketable yields, and without adjusting both it will be hard to determine the best configuration for growing these crops in a permanent bed system.  In future trials, they would also focus on fewer plantings and more replications to create a better data set.

For full details on the study’s methodology and results, read the final report.

This story is part of a series profiling farmers who are taking part in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) program. Farmers receive technical support from OFRF to address their challenges through structured on-farm trials. To learn more about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

By |2025-06-11T22:39:18-04:00May 10th, 2024|Farmer Stories, FLT Highlight, News|
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Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Colby Farms

Written by Jose Perez, OFRF’s Research & Education Engagement Coordinator

Tim and Becky Colby own Colby Farms, a 14-acre farm in Papillion, Nebraska, where they produce vegetables, fruits, and some livestock products for their community. As beginner and veteran farmers, they are in their second year of transitioning a historically conventional farm to organic production. Having previously farmed in Arizona for three years, they came back to Nebraska to tend the land where Becky’s grandfather once farmed.

Tim and Becky have exciting plans for their farm. They hope, in time, to create a farm-to-school program, offer value-added food classes, and build a commercial kitchen. They hope to establish a fruit orchard with apples, peaches, and other stone fruits to offer u-pick, as well as raise chickens, goats, bees, and perhaps cows. 

Dealing with soil compaction

The farm is located in a floodplain with clay-heavy soil vulnerable to compaction. Decades of conventional corn and soybean rotations have contributed to this problem. Tim and Becky knew from the beginning that they needed to improve soil structure to produce quality crops. A USDA representative also noticed soil compaction and recommended using deep taproot cover crops to address this challenge. 

In their first year at their Nebraska farm, they planted a sorghum sudangrass cover crop, which resulted in a lot of organic matter being produced. However, they quickly noticed that the cover crop roots had failed to penetrate the soil beyond the hardpan. 

Tim and Becky had a lot of questions to address regarding the use of cover crops to reduce soil compaction: What cover crop species should they use? How many cover crop cycles are needed? And, would there be any potential weed or pest concerns? Weed pressure is very high due to continuous use of the same crop rotation in the land for over 30 years. Sorghum sudan appeared to provide very good weed suppression but only after mowing three times. On the other hand, they are concerned about possible infestations of Japanese beetles, which have occurred in the past on soybeans. How would the cover crop respond to such an infestation?  This is where their interest in OFRF’s Farmer Led Trials (FLT) Program came in.

Q: What motivated you to apply for the FLT program?

“Being part of the FLT program was a no-brainer for us on our farm. The land on our farm is in desperate need of rejuvenation and planting cover crops is the obvious solution. By partnering with OFRF, not only do we get some funding but we get to create a project that will help us determine the very best cover crops to solve some of our soil health issues. We get expert advice and feedback through all stages of the project from planning, implementing, data collection, and interpreting results. Then, at the end, not only does our Farm get answers to legitimate questions that will improve our soil, but we get to share this data with others that might be asking the same question. FLT’s are a win-win-win scenario for the farmer, the research group, and future farmers that will be able to learn from the data.”  – Tim Colby

Farm trial plan

OFRF staff is currently working with Tim and Becky to figure out the best way to establish a cover crop comparison trial that can point towards the best cover crop options for reducing soil compaction at the farm. Using a 2-acre area, preliminary plans are to plant a mix of peas, oats, and vetch during spring and make the comparison for the fall season using daikon radish, tillage radish, rye, and canola cover crops. Preliminary measures include soil compaction, weed suppression, and soil nutrient levels through lab analysis.

Tim and Becky know that dealing with soil compaction goes beyond just planting deep-rooted cover crops. They have plans to use reduced tillage practices, and create permanent beds and living walkways in order to minimize soil compaction. All these measures will contribute to a healthier soil structure. At OFRF, we are excited to be a part of the Colby’s learning journey, and hope that their work will inspire more farmers to conduct research trials on their farms. 

Research Results

The Colby’s conducted a farm trial to assess the effectiveness of various cover crops in reducing soil compaction. They tested four cover crop types: rye, canola (rapeseed), ‘Groundbreaker’ Daikon radish, and ‘Jackhammer’ radish against a control of mowed peas, oats, and vetch, and measured differences in soil penetration from fall to spring.

Key Findings:

  • Cover crop species had no statistically significant impact on soil penetration depth, possibly indicating that having the soil covered with a crop is more important than the actual cover crop selected.
  • While the data did not reflect differences in soil penetrability among cover crop treatments, the Colbys observed soil structure improvements. Notably, daikon radish and rye treatments were the most weed suppressive, and both daikon radish varieties contributed to greater visual improvements to the soil structure and penetrability.

Another added benefit of conducting the trial was that Tim became much more familiar with the land through frequent field walks, and he made different choices for subsequent crop placement based on his new knowledge.

For full details on the study’s methodology and results, read the final report.

This story is part of a series profiling farmers who are taking part in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program. Farmers receive technical support from OFRF to address their challenges through structured on-farm trials. To learn more about OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

By |2025-10-06T10:49:09-04:00April 8th, 2024|Farmer Stories, FLT Highlight, News|
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NRCS Programs on an Organic Farm

How Animal Integration and Crop Rotations Help Sustain Generations of Farmers at Elmwood Stock Farm

Written by Brian Geier

Elmwood Stock Farm is a diversified organic farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, producing mixed vegetables, fruits, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork and value-added products. As a sixth-generation farm, Elmwood has learned to adapt to changing times, shifts in market opportunities, and modifications in state and Federal support programs over the generations. For farmer John Bell, a key to Elmwood’s success has been an ongoing fertility program based on crop-livestock integration and long crop rotations. For the Bell family, the presence of livestock and the practice of crop rotations are part of a family-farm heritage, one that has long been supported by programs like those offered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

At Elmwood, land remains in perennial pasture with multi-species grazing for 4-5 years before being opened up for intensive vegetable or grain production for 3 years. This type of fertility program, with a focus on long rest periods and grazing, is not new to the farm. Even before organic certification, John Bell’s parents and grandparents farmed tobacco with a similar rotation, raising hay and cattle on lands for four or more years before switching to tobacco for a few seasons. Utilizing programs like those offered by NRCS is not new to the farm, either. Decades ago the Bell family used programs of the Soil Conservation Service, the precursor to the NRCS, to develop a spring on the farm into a system of gravity-fed tanks for livestock water, a system that is still in use today.

“Long-term, it’s the fertility program that usually determines whether somebody is successful with organic.”
 -John Bell

Early and late-season tomatoes are being produced in 300′ high tunnels at Elmwood Stock Farm.

More recently, Elmwood has utilized the NRCS High Tunnel Initiative three separate times for season extension of high-value, high-demand crops like tomatoes. For years, Elmwood had three, 300’ Haygrove high tunnels, but they wanted to increase production. They also recognized a need for rest periods for their existing tunnels, to mitigate problems with continuous production like salt buildup and nematodes. The first time they used the NRCS initiative to install a 100’ tunnel (the maximum length for that initiative) next to the existing tunnels. Their second year using the initiative, they added another 100’ to that new tunnel, plus they installed another 100’ themselves to bring it to 300’ to match the Haygroves.

Now, at least one tunnel is rested each year, with the plastic off so that rain and weather interact with the soil, which helps mitigate the buildup of salt and nematodes. The third year using the initiative they installed 100’ of what will become the fifth tunnel, so that two tunnels are rested each year.

John has also utilized incentives like NRCS-EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) to plant overwintering cover crops and to help establish diverse pastures when rotating fields out of their 3 years of vegetable and grain production. In the future, Elmwood may look toward using the CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) or related programs for support with pasture and forage diversification. In order to maintain organic certification, all requirements of any program must be allowable under the National Organic Program. The NRCS, along with organizations like OFRF, are working to ensure that programs and support are suitable for organic systems.

Click below to listen to a short audio clip where John speaks about the importance of a fertility program to the success of an organic farm. This clip is from a farm visit conducted by OFRF in August, 2023. 

To learn more about NRCS programs and resources for organic farmers, visit the Organic Agriculture page. For more information on Elmwood Stock Farm, visit their website and stay tuned to OFRF for our upcoming release of Tillage Tools and Practices in Organic Farming Systems in cooperation with the NRCS, a resource full of farmer features, including Elmwood Stock Farm.

At right: Farmer John Bell discusses pasture diversification at a production field that was recently planted with multi-species pasture mixes. August, 2023.

By |2025-09-18T11:21:54-04:00September 11th, 2023|Farmer Stories, News|
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