www.sare.org resources best-practices-for-the-sustainable-urban-farm Best Practices for the Sustainable Urban Farm For decades, urban farms and community gardens have helped meet the demand for fresh, local produce. Urban farms are diverse and adaptable, ranging from small farms on repurposed vacant lots to multilevel vertical farms and rooftop gardens. Often, they combine ecological farming practices with some form of infrastructure. Urban growers make clever use of their […]
southern.sare.org resources pest-exclusion-systems-for-pest-management-in-vegetable-production-across-the-southeast Pest Exclusion Systems for Pest Management in Vegetable Production Across the Southeast Introduction In the Southeast, pests are a significant limiting factor in successful vegetable production, both in open fields and in high tunnels. Heat and humidity, close crop planting, and the combination of host crops in a planting rotation are all factors in favorable pest buildup and crop damage. Common pests across the Southeast include moth […]
southern.sare.org resources organic-control-of-white-mold-in-high-tunnels Organic Control of White Mold in High Tunnels The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infects many of the cool-season crops produced in Kentucky. This SARE-funded video presents information on the high tunnel production system most commonly used in Kentucky; the disease cycle of S. sclerotiorum; and two control tactics compatible with national organic standards, solarization and biofumigation.
www.sare.org resources sustainable-production-and-use-of-on-farm-energy Sustainable Production and Use of On-Farm Energy High and fluctuating energy costs have caused economic challenges for many of the country’s farmers and ranchers. For this reason, more producers are seeking alternative energy sources to improve their energy independence and revenue. Vermont farmer Roger Rainville, for example, learned to produce biodiesel for under $2 per gallon. His savings and profit margin will […]
southern.sare.org resources high-tunnel-pest-exclusion-system-part-ii High Tunnel Pest Exclusion System Part II With the increasing demand for local foods across the Southeast, an increasing number of beginning, as well as experienced producers are producing vegetable crops for direct and whole sale markets. For example, in Alabama, there are a large number of producers with single or double high tunnels who sell locally at the farmers markets and […]
southern.sare.org resources soil-management-using-cover-crops-in-organically-managed-high-tunnels Soil Management Using Cover Crops in Organically Managed High Tunnels Soil Management in Using Cover Crops in High Tunnels.pdf 1.01 MB Introduction Cover cropping involves growing, but not harvesting, an annual grass, legume or a mixture of grass and legume species. Cover crops can be used to satisfy National Organic Program requirements falling under the soil fertility and crop nutrient management and crop rotation practice […]
southern.sare.org resources high-tunnel-pest-exclusion-system High Tunnel Pest Exclusion System Introduction Insect pests are one of the major problems in organic production systems. Crop damage from insect pests can occur via direct feeding or egg-laying, contamination with feces, or disease transmission; loss in yield or marketability of vegetables in the absence of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can be nearly 100 percent. Organic IPM practice consists […]
www.sare.org resources high-tunnels-and-other-season-extension-techniques High Tunnels and Other Season Extension Techniques A condensed version of the content on this page is available as a PDF download, High Tunnels and other Season Extension Techniques. Or use the Order button on this page to order free hard copies. This page was created to provide information for producers and educators interested in generating more income by extending the growing season. […]
southern.sare.org resources high-tunnel-crop-production-handbook High Tunnel Crop Production Handbook High tunnel crop production allows farmers to extend the growing season and create a more controlled growing environment that can exclude pests. But because of their unique environment, high tunnels will often require different cultural practices than are required for the same crops grown in the field. In this book, High Tunnel Crop Production Handbook, […]
southern.sare.org resources sustainable-blackberries-and-raspberries Sustainable Blackberries and Raspberries Sustainability is a process of continual decision-making and effort to become more sustainable, creating a farm enterprise that will exist year-to-year and will continue to exist in the future. Characteristics of a sustainable farm include: a farm that considers annual and future profits and has a business plan for future success; a farm that treats […]
www.sare.org resources using-low-tunnels-to-extend-the-growing-season-for-organic-strawberries-in-alabama Using Low Tunnels to Extend the Growing Season for Organic Strawberries in Alabama This project was designed as a demonstration project to determine if the strawberry harvest season could be extended, potentially allowing farmers to get their strawberries to the market early for premium prices. Low-tunnel production can provide an opportunity for local organic growers to economically produce early berries, particularly if they do not have the resources […]
northeast.sare.org resources backpack-sprayers-for-small-scale-farms Backpack Sprayers for Small-Scale Farms Modified backpack sprayers offer simple design, inexpensive pricing, professional nozzle technology, accuracy, and easy, safe filling and cleaning. This makes them an efficient, ideal choice for small, organic, or urban farms, small jobs on larger farms, and for short-season crops, spot problems, work around field impediments (fences, slopes), and work inside high tunnels and greenhouses. […]
www.sare.org resources grafting-for-disease-management-in-organic-tomato-production Grafting for Disease Management in Organic Tomato Production Come learn about tomato grafting and how it can be utilized to manage diseases in organic open-field and high tunnel systems. Frank Louws of North Carolina State University and Cary Rivard of Kansas State University will provide information regarding rootstock selection as well as the grafting procedure itself. The webinar will be recorded and will […]
www.sare.org resources how-to-graft-greenhouse-tomatoes How to Graft Greenhouse Tomatoes This 20-minute video, produced by the University of Vermont Extension, features farmer Mike Collins taking viewers through each step of the grafting process. Grafting with the rootstock of varieties that have strong resistance to soil-borne disease can improve yields.
www.sare.org resources moving-nursery-producers-toward-sustainable-practices-fact-sheets Moving Nursery Producers Toward Sustainable Practices Fact Sheets In recent years, there has been increased interest in sustainable production practices among nursery producers, primarily for economic reasons. Conventional nursery production relies heavily on the use of plastic containers, chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and imported substrate (“potting soil”) components. These fact sheets and handouts were developed by a team lead by University of Florida […]
www.sare.org resources kansas-state-high-tunnel-video-series Kansas State High Tunnel Video Series A high tunnel is a freestanding or gutter-connected covered structure used for crop production. This high tunnel video series features Cary Rivard, Kansas State Research and Extension fruit and vegetable specialist, and was produced by Kansas SARE coordinator Kerri Ebert. This high tunnel series includes videos on the following topics: High Tunnel Overview | Designing a High Tunnel […]
www.sare.org resources rainwater-catchment-from-a-high-tunnel-for-irrigation-use Rainwater Catchment from a High Tunnel for Irrigation Use This Iowa State University Extension video describes how to build a system to catch, store and reuse the rainwater for irrigation in a high tunnel. The cost of installing rain gutters, rainwater storage tanks, and an electric pump is estimated at $1,200. A solar-powered pumping system will add approximately $700 to that cost. An associated […]
www.sare.org resources tomato-grafting-for-disease-resistance-and-increased-productivity Tomato Grafting for Disease Resistance and Increased Productivity Researchers around the world have demonstrated that grafting can protect plants against a variety of soil-borne diseases in various climates and conditions. Grafting has been successfully implemented in many countries to battle diseases such as Verticillium and Fusarium wilt, corky root rot and bacterial wilt, among others. Along with maintaining high fruit quality, tomato grafting […]
www.sare.org resources organic-broccoli-production-manual Organic Broccoli Production Manual Each summer, the Twin Cities experiences a shortage of locally grown, organic broccoli. So a team of local, organically-certified farmers worked to scale up organic broccoli production to meet the needs of wholesale accounts in the region. This guide provides steps that the Twin Cities farmers took in an attempt to scale up organic broccoli […]
www.sare.org resources constructing-a-high-tunnel Constructing a High Tunnel This Rutgers University website features detailed information on high tunnel construction and use, including site selection, design, cost, crop rotation and a list of additional resources.