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

Up on a ridge in rural Maine is Kennebec Valley Farm, a 22-acre historic farm. Owner Jennifer Barrientos was able to purchase the farm three years ago to become steward of the property, which is a mix of woodland and pastureland. Jennifer grows on just about one acre, including greenhouses. She is certified organic and uses no-till and biodynamic methods to grow her produce. You’ll also find chickens and alpacas on her pastureland, and she makes good use of their manure in her soil fertility regimen. 

Jennifer had a long journey to get to her current farm. She grew up in Hawaii, where she helped grow food and care for chickens, goats, and rabbits on her family’s farm. Many years later, after moving back to the mainland and working as a teacher for more than 25 years, Jennifer began working on organic and biodynamic farms on both the West and East Coasts. Now, settled in at Kennebec Valley Farm, Jennifer grows food for her community, offering seasonal produce at their farm store, through a CSA and local farmers markets. 

Rebecca Champagne, OFRF’s Conservation Scientist, visited Kennebec Valley Farm in October to see Jennifer’s operation and chat about her involvement in the FLT program. They chatted about why Jennifer decided to apply for the program, why she chose the specific research question, and discussed how the trial was going. Jennifer is in the beginning phases of being in no-till production, and after visiting some long-term no-till farms in Maine, she knew she wanted to investigate what would create the healthiest soil at her farm. She is interested in finding the right balance in practices financially, labor-wise, and what will build soil health and microbial activity.

Comparing farm-made compost and commercial fertilizer

In her transition to a no-till system, Jennifer has begun to incorporate Dutch white clover as a cover crop to add fertility to her beds and suppress other weeds. As she’s developing and stabilizing her permanent bed system, Jennifer wanted to make use of more cover crops and farm-generated inputs to feed her soil. However, as a market farmer, Jennifer did not want her change in amendments to decrease her yields. Jennifer decided it was a good idea to compare her farm-made compost with the commercially available fertilizer that she had used in previous seasons. 

Farm trial plan

plot map for field trial at Kennebec Valley Farm, part of the Farmer Led Trials Program at OFRFWith technical support from OFRF, Jennifer built out her trial, asking, “Will purchased soil amendments result in higher yield and soil health when compared to farm-made compost in brassica crops?”

OFRF staff helped Jennifer set up a randomized block design to compare the yields of Brussel sprouts growing with her farm-made compost and a commercial fertilizer that consists of blood meal and potassium sulfate. Jennifer is also taking soil tests of plots before and after harvest to see what impact the treatments are having on the soil, as well as the current crop.

Trial updates

The Brussel sprout harvest will be complete in December, with just over half the crop harvested so far. Jennifer continues to track the yield data as the plants are ready for harvest. To capture a full picture of the impact that the cover crop and amendment treatments have on the soil, she will take soil samples after the ground thaws in spring.

rows of organic veggies in a high tunnel at Kennebec Valley Farm, part of the Farmer Led Trial Program with OFRF

“By embracing a holistic approach to farming, I not only contribute to sustainable agricultural practices but also inspire others to recognize the health benefits of consuming locally grown, nutrient-rich produce. As stewards of the land, this research can cultivate a culture that honors the environment, nourishes communities, and builds a better future.”

– Jennifer Barrientos, Kennebec Valley Farm

the farm store at Kennebec Valley Farm, selling local organic fruits and veggies

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 Farmer-Led Trials Program, visit our website page at https://ofrf.org/research/farmer-led-research-trials/

To learn more about soil fertility rates and various amendments, check out these links:

To learn more about Kennebec Valley Farm visit https://www.kennebecvalleyfarm.com/