Southern SAWG-Start-up Organic Vegetable Production

Organic Vegetable Production and MarketingCathy Jones Daniel ParsonPerry-winkle Farm Parson ProduceChapel Hill, NC Clinton, SC

Morning Agenda•  Introduction•  Marketing Decisions and Organic Certification•  Soil Health and Fertility•  Crop Rotations and Crop Planning•  Questions and Discussion

Arbor Day Foundation Hardiness Zone Map

Start Small !!!making mistakes on a small scale lays the ground work for Success on a larger scale

Parson Produce•  The Farmhouse B & B is 40 acres•  3.25 acres vegetable and cut flower•  Small Apiary•  300 shiitake logs•  Applying for organic certification

Parson Produce Marketing•  75 member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)•  Stella s Southern Bistro•  High Cotton Greenville•  Live Oak Farm Store•  Greenville TD Saturday Market

Marketing Decisions Organic Certification- Is it the right choice for you? How do you get certified?

Survey your marketing opportunitiesWhat opportunities exist? farmers markets, restaurants, food coopsWhat can you create? community supported agriculture (CSA), buying clubs, mobile marketWhat is your comfort zone / preference? do you like people? solitude?

What are you wanting to sell/market?Farm-grown vegetables?“Value added” products?Farm-raised meats?Your farm as a “destination” farm?

Organic Certification as a marketing toolHelps you develop your “brand”Helps to open doors to certain marketsTells customers about your valuesHelps you differentiate yourself from others

USDA and Organic•  1990 -- Congress passes Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA)•  1992 -- USDA establishes the National Organic Program –  USDA appoints National Organic Standards Board•  2000 -- USDA publishes approved standards•  2002 -- NOP rules fully enforced

National Organic Standards Board definitionA production system that is managed…to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Cultural Practices•  Crop Rotation•  Variety selection for resistance•  Water management•  Fertility management•  Farm-scaping•  Mulching/Organic matter management

Biological Practices•  Encouraging natural enemies•  Releasing beneficial insects•  Using compost•  Cover crops and farmscaping•  Using biopesticides•  Field sanitation

Mechanical Practices•  Tillage•  Cultivation for weed control•  Row covers•  Removal of pests•  Trellising•  Plastic mulch

National Organic Standards Board definitionA production system that is managed…to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

What is Certified Organic?A production system that is managed…to respond to site-specific conditions by Keeping records and integrating cultural, biological, and registering with an mechanical practices that foster cycling agency to prove it. of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Steps to Certification•  No application of prohibited substance for 3 years•  Implement organic farm plan•  Contact certifier for details•  Send application and supporting documents•  Respond to any questions•  Complete inspection/interview•  Decision from certification committee

Organic Farm Plan Worksheet•  Section 1: General Information•  Section 2: Farm Plan Information•  Section 3: Seeds and Seed Treatments•  Section 4: Source of Seedlings and Perennial Stock•  Section 5: Soil and Crop Fertility Management

Organic Farm Plan Worksheet•  Section 6: Crop Management•  Section 7: Maintenance of Organic Integrity•  Section 8: Record Keeping System•  Section 9: AffirmationFound on web or from certification agency

Resources•  OMRI listings at www.omri.org•  National Organic Program at www.ams.usda.gov/nop/•  Appropriate Technology Transfer to Rural Areas www.attra.org

What is Soil?•  Minerals--Sand, silt, clay, nutrients•  Organic matter--dead organisms•  Living organisms•  Water•  Air•  50% solid material

Soil Texture•  Relative size: Sand>Silt>Clay•  Ideal soil: <52% sand, 28-50% silt, 7-27% clay•  Sand: gritty, drains quickly•  Silt: velvety, holds water, not nutrients•  Clay: sticky, holds water, nutrients well

Soil Texture Take a small amount of moist soil•  Sands and loamy sands –  Won t hold a ball•  Loams –  Will hold ball when bounced in hand•  Clays –  Ribbon when pressed between thumb and finger

Soil Profile•  O--organic layer –  Doesn t exist in ag soils•  A--alluvial layer –  Top soil: very thin here•  B--layer –  Sub-soil: plant roots penetrate this layer•  C--layer –  Weathered rock and parent material

http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/images/A-3.jpg

Active Organic Matter Crop/cover crop residue•  Plant material you can see•  Consumed by microbes –  Increase microbial biomass –  CO2 released –  Plant nutrients released•  10-20% becomes Soil Organic Matter (SOM)

Soil Organic Matter (SOM) Nonliving organic fraction of soil--you can t see it•  Humic substances•  Nonhumic substances--unaltered remains•  Humic Acid Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology, Sylvia,•  Fulvic Acid Fuhrmann, Hartel, Zuberer, ed.•  Humin

SOM Benefits•  Microbial biodiversity•  Plant growth promoting•  Increased CEC (20-80% of CEC)•  Buffers pH changes•  Slow nutrient release (2-5% per year)•  Trace elements Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology, Sylvia, Fuhrmann, Hartel, Zuberer, ed.

How to Increase SOM•  Reduce tillage•  Use cover crops•  Do crop rotations•  Compost•  Mulch•  Reduce tillage

What is a Cover Crop?A cover crop is grown to support the production of other crops; not forharvest. Cover crop residue is left on the surface in a no-till system or incorporated into the soil in a tillage system.

What is a Good Cover Crop?•  Legumes –  Nitrogen fixation (70-200 lb/acre N)•  Grasses –  Add biomass (1-5 ton/acre dry) –  Conserve nutrients•  Other vigorous growers

Why Grow a Cover Crop?•  Soil conservation•  Fertility management•  Soil organic matter improvement•  Weed suppression•  Natural enemies/beneficial insects•  Essential to organic farm management

National Organic StandardsThe producer must manage crop nutrients and soil fertility through rotations, cover crops, and the application of plant and animal materials

How to Plant Cover Crops•  Minimal tillage to clean field and cover –  Fine seed on surface –  Larger seed sow before final cultivation•  Achieve full coverage•  Encourage vigorous germination•  Consider following crop

How to Plow in Cover Crops•  Early bloom stage before seed sets•  Mow and shred•  Allow to dry and shrink•  Shallow tillage to incorporate•  Wait 4 weeks before direct seeding

Equipment: Soil Working

Fertility Management

Weed Management

Buckwheat Blooming

Syrphid Flies

Natural Enemy Habitat

Beneficial InsectsAssassin Bug Lacewing EggsPredatory Syrphid FlyStink Bug Photos by Debbie Roos http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/index.html

Beneficial Insects Big-Eyed Bug Minute Pirate BugNewport News Master Gardeners From University of Nebraska- Lincoln/Photo by Jack Dykinga, image from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Disease Management

Warm Season Legumes•  Soybean –  Upright easy to grow•  Velvet bean (up to 200#N/acre) –  Climbing vines love heat –  Requires cultivation or companion planting•  Cowpea (100-150#N/acre) –  Vigorous vines love heat

Velvet Bean

Warm Season Grasses•  Sudan/Sorghum (4-5 tons/acre dry) –  Great biomass –  Requires mowing•  Pearl millet –  Shorter stature•  Browntop millet –  Short season

Sudan/Sorghum

Warm Season Broadleaves•  Buckwheat (1-1.5 ton/acre dry) –  Short season –  Prolific blooms attract beneficial insects –  Cycles Calcium•  Sunflower –  Great scaffold for climbers –  Possible harvest with non-climbers

Primary Mixes--Summer•  Buckwheat, Soybean, and Sudan –  Early bloom of buckwheat –  Mow when soybeans bloom•  Buckwheat alone in sequence –  Short season cover –  Constant bloom for insects

Buckwheat, Soybean, Sudan

Cool Season Legumes•  Crimson Clover (70-130#N/acre) –  Rich in N and blooms•  Fava bean –  banner for N and biomass•  Hairy Vetch (90-200#N/acre)•  Austrian Winter Pea

Crimson Clover, Fava Bean and Rye

Hairy Vetch

Austrian Winter Peas

Cool Season Grasses•  Cereal or Grain Rye –  Great height –  Winter hardiness•  Oats –  Early biomass and semi winter-hardy•  Wheat –  Smaller stature, hardy

Primary Mixes--Winter•  Rye and hairy vetch –  More biomass formed –  Precedes later season crops•  Oats and Crimson Clover –  Precedes spring crops –  Better N source for short crops

Resources•  Appropriate Technology Transfer to Rural Areas (ATTRA) –  www.attra.org•  Using Cover Crops Profitably –  www.sare.org•  Adams-Briscoe Seed•  Johnny s Selected Seeds

Fava Beans

Forage Radish

mix of Radish and Rape

Yield and Fertilizer Addition Soil Fertility and Fertilizers Havlin, Beaton, Tisdale, and Nelson

Take a Good Soil SampleRemove 6 1 wide slicedeep shovel V

What is our fertility goal?

100 pounds per acrePotassium

What are we going toapply?

What do we need to getthe right units?

Cancel units and do themath

My beds are 236 squarefeet, how much do Iapply?

Start with what you knowand get the units right.

Cancel the units and dothe math.

What did we get out ofthat application?

What else do we need tomeet our fertility goals?

Determining square footage of fieldStep it off- learning what’s your “step” length is a valuable toolMeasure the length and width- convert to feet- multiple length by the widthexample- 100’ by 200’ = 20,000 sq ft an acre is 43,000 sq ftto keep it simple – using 40,000- a 20,000 sq ft field is ½ acreConsult chart and determine how much seed to plant

Crop Rotations 3 examples of strategies: Nutrient based Cash crop based Cover crop based

Why develop a crop rotation? Organic certification requires it Allows for better use of soil resources Helps preserve and even enhance soil structure Can help improve efficiency on the farm Breaks weed and disease cycles and … an essential part of soil health and soil fertility

Basic strategies can include-Successive plantings: that are in different family groups that make different nutrient demands- heavy vs. light feeders that are susceptible to different pestsRotating cultivation practices- shallow vs. aggressiveRotating the time the soil is occupied by a cash crop vs cover cropUtilize a 3 year cycle, or rotation- 5 year is better, 7 year is best!

Which rotation is right for you?

Started with this bookList of the crops we grewDetermined our spacerequirements/limitationsStack of index cards

Field Rotations - Perry-winkle Farm Field linear ft 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Omega taters CVR VR E Spring Taters 1000 Greens S-Frost L Spring deer safe Fall S-Frost Cover greens VR Gar/Fall Taters E Spring OWF CVR TatersIn 2005 our rotation G 1000 Beans Clover/ sunflwrs fallow Falllooked like this… Rape E Spring Oats CVR OWF VR CVR OWF A1 Millet S-Frost L Spring fallow 1000 S-Frost Cover fallow CVR VR Oats CVR E Spring L Spring Taters E Spring A2 Millet cover Beans L Spring 2500 cover Clover/ fallow CVR Fall Oats CVR…but before the year D Taters Beans E Spring S-Frost CVR L Spring CVR Sum-Sept E Spring soy/cowp Taters coverwas over we were 2500 Oats Clover/ Oats Fall CVR cowpeas CVR wint-kill soy/cowp Rape cover CVRalready changing things B 1-25 E Spring OWF/Rape CVR Taters 2500 Millet rape CVR OWF Taters CVR B 26-51 L Spring Millet 2500 Fall sunflwrs Gar/OWF rape CVR OWF CVR Taters E Sum-Sept 2000 S- Frost OWF CVR Rape Gar/OWF Taters-4 CVR Taters-10 C Sum-Sept 2800 S-Frost S- Frost CVR Rape Taters CVR CVR CVR Taters F Sum-Sept L Spring

Field linear ft 2005 2006 Omega VR E Spring 1000 L Spring deer safe Cover greens Gar/Fall10 fields- E Spring OWF G fallow 1000 sunflwrs Fall OWF CVR VR OWF 1/8, 1/4, ½ acre A1 1000 L Spring Cover Oats fallow fallow CVR Taters E Spring A2 Beans L Spring 2500 Clover/ fallow Oats CVR E Spring CVR4 seasons- D S-Frost L Spring 2500 Fall cowpeas CVR CVR early spring OWF/Rape B 1-25 E Spring Taters 2500 Millet rape OWF mid- summer OWF Taters B 26-51 L Spring Millet 2500 sunflwrs rape CVR fall OWF CVR E Sum-Sept 2000 S- Frost CVR Rape Taters-4 CVR overwinter C 2800 S-Frost CVR Sum-Sept S- Frost Rape CVR CVR F Sum-Sept 2340 S-Frost Cover CVR CVR

Field linear ft 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Omega Taters owf/onions Taters CVR/owf E Spring CVR Espring/ 1000 S-Frost chickens salad mix owf millet summer owf VR basil millet buckwheat summer pigs CVR/owf fall CVR CVRNow we are looking at A1 E Spring millet garlic millet CVR basil CVR summer taters taters CVR buckwheatsomething that looks 1000 garlic CVR S- Frost CVR summer millet fall rape/radish buckwheat owf/garlicmore like this… Asparag us chickens pigs CVR CVR OWF taters CVR CVR owf/garlic Sudangras A2 Sum-Sept s taters summer pigs millet 2500 millet non-solna fall buckwheatWhat has remained constant- OWF CVR/chicks rape CVR CVR OWF CVR taters owf/garlic rape/radish CVR owf B 1-25 1-10 taters S- Frost sunfl/cowp taters summer sunfl/cowp 2500 millet/ Sum sunfl/cowp millet non-solna sunfl/cowp CVR fall/owf rape/radish CVR fall/owf CVR OWF CVR OWF taters CVR owfWe not only rotate the cash B 26-51 2500 millet chickens CVR E Spring S- Frost sunfl/cowp taters millet summer sunfl/cowp non-solna sunfl/cowpcrops we plant, but we also CVR E Spring fall/owf rape/radish CVR L Spring taters 6-12 garlic/owf fall/owf CVR CVR CVRrotate the cover crops we use C sunfl/ Millet 1-5 spring buckwheat summer E Spring 2800 cowpeas sunfl/cowp S- Frost summer millet CVR/rape fall/garlic CVR CVR rape/radish OWF Taters CVR CVR E Spring taters D soy/cowp millet E Spring L spring sunfl/cowp tatersWe avoid planting the same 2500 soy/cowp Rape millet CVR millet CVR millet fall sunfl/cowp rape/radish millet CVRplant families the following year E CVR chickens chickens CVR summer CVR pigs taters taters CVR summer 2000 millet chickens summer millet non-solna CVR CVR CVR rape/radish CVR owf Taters CVR CVR CVR CVR taters F Taters chickens summer L Spring pigs tatersWe are not afraid to change it! 2340 millet CVR Sum-Sept summer sunfl/cowp CVR CVR CVR rape/radish millet CVR owf CVR CVR taters CVR G S-Frost millet S- Frost sunfl/cowp taters summer 1000 S- Frost sunfl/cowp millet non-solna owf CVR CVR rape/radish CVR owf Taters CVR E Spring CVR taters PIGS pigs Taters CVR millet L Spring taters sunfl/ 1600 cowpeas late summ sunfl/cowp millet millet CVR Fall CVR rape CVR

two of the best!!!

3 examples fromCrop Rotation onOrganic Farms-a planning manual

Cover Crops- driveour crop rotation planCash crops or covercrops- which comes first???

Planning for success

Reality check before you start(first you need to ask yourself these 3 questions-) Who - do you want to sell to? What - are your potential markets and their requirements? What - are you going to sell?…then you can start asking How - are you going to grow it?

To whom are you going to sell?Where is your farm’s located?What opportunities exist in your area?What options could you create?

What are you going to grow???When is the best time to plant?How much are you going to grow?How often can it be planted?What varieties are best to grow?and then…Where are you going to plant it?

When is the best time to plant?What are the crop’s cold vs. hot weather tolerances?Will the crop be planted as a transplant or will it be directly seeded?How many successive plantings to do?

What are the best varieties to grow?Regional favorites?What’s available?Is it available in organic seed?Which variety is recommended for outdoor plantings, for hoop houses?Open-pollinated vs hybrid?

Where are you going to plant it?Thank goodness for a rotational plan!!Prepare the area ahead of time- don’t rush a field! Do your field work in a timely fashion…but always be prepared to “punt”

Scheduling your cropsWork backwards from your intended harvest datesDetermine how many plantings you will needDetermine how many beds, fields, acres you will need to grow the cropDevelop a system that keeps you on track

BRASSICAS - 2009Variety source amt Target Actual Germ. Trans. HarvestBroccoli Arcadia JSS- 1000 1-Jan 1-Feb Premium Crop Hlms- 1000 15-Jun 15-JulB. Raab Sess. Grossa JSS- 1/4# 15-Mar 7-Apr 21-Jul 15-Aug Spring Raab JSS- 1/4#Cabbage Alcosa savoy JSS mini 1-Feb 15-Jul Capricorn Territorial 1-Feb 15-Jul Charmant Territorial 1-Feb 15-Jul Early Jersey Hlms oz 1-Feb 15-Jul Primax JSS- 2mini 1-Feb 15-Jul Red Jewel Stokes-1000 1-Feb 15-Jul Ruby Ball Territoial 1-Feb 15-JulChineseCab Blues Stokes 04 1-AugCollards Top Bunch 1-Jul Flash JSS mini 15-Jan 1-JulKale Lacinato SoC-pkt 29-Dec 1-Jul Red Russian JSS- oz 29-Dec 1-Jul Winterbor JSS- mini 29-Dec

The difference a day makes …on a southern slope

…on a northern facing slope

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Field Rotation Plan 2010Field Crop Season Rye/Clover Winter 1 Cucumbers/Squash Spring Summer Rye/Hairy Vetch Fall Winter 2 Tomatoes Spring Summer Oats/Clover Fall Winter 3 Mix Spring Veg Spring Soybean/Buckwheat Summer Mix Fall Veg and Rye Aisles Fall Winter 4 Potatoes and Fava Beans Spring Soybean/Buckwheat/Sudan Summer Onions and Garlic Fall Winter 5 Spring Soybean/Buckwheat/Sudan Summer Rye/Clover Fall Winter 6 Spring Winter Squash/Sweet Potato Summer Rye/Peas Fall Winter 7 Spring Peppers/Eggplant Summer Oats/Clover Fall Winter 8 Mix Spring Veg Spring Soybean/Buckwheat Summer Mix Fall Veg Fall

Afternoon Agenda•  Irrigation•  Direct Seeding vs. Transplanting•  Transplant Production•  Disease Management•  Pest Management•  Alternative Crops•  Equipment

Is It EVER Going to Rain Again?

Understanding Irrigation•  Source: Surface or Underground•  Pumping: Electric or Gas•  Distribution to fields•  Overhead/traveling sprinkler•  Drip Systems –  Filtration –  Pressure reducer

Irrigation: Drip Systems

Irrigation•  What are your needs?•  What do you have available?•  Understand flow vs. pressure –  Overhead = med flow + high pressure –  Drip = low-high flow + low pressure

Irrigation: Drip Systemslength of drip line/100 ft x gpm per 100 ft = flow rate requirement 1000 ft/100 ft * 0.67 gpm = 6.7 gpm Water flow, size of filter, pressure valve, and header must be adequate

Irrigation•  Surface pumping starts $1K-$8K•  Wells can start at $10K•  Drip irrigation for $750 per acre –  Filters, headers, fittings: one time –  Annual drip tape expense

Direct Seeding vs.Transplanting a crop How do you decide? How do we decide?

Greenhouse vs. Field SeedingTransplant Direct Seeding•  Earlier seeding date •  Shorter time to harvest•  Control over planting date •  Better root development•  No need for thinning •  Faster planting•  Optimal spacing •  Reduce planting costs•  Better early weed •  Essential for root crops management•  Reduce seed costs

When transplanting makes more sense…1.  When the seed is expensive, finicky, slow to emerge, not competitive w/ weeds2.  When you are trying to “push” the season3. If you want to give cover crops more time4. Allows more flexibility in crop planning

Sources for Transplants garden centers / hardware stores nurseries – local or mail order from other organic growers or you can - Grow Your Own….

Basic needs of transplants Warmth Light Moisture Air Flow

What are you going to need?Good quality potting soilFlats, traysNutrients- fertilizersSeed covering- vermiculiteSeedsHeat matsSeeding toolsClipboard/ record keeping

BRASSICAS - 2009Variety source amt Target Actual Germ. Trans. HarvestBroccoli Arcadia JSS- 1000 1-Jan 1-Feb Premium Crop Hlms- 1000 15-Jun 15-JulB. Raab Sess. Grossa JSS- 1/4# 15-Mar 7-Apr 21-Jul 15-Aug Spring Raab JSS- 1/4#Cabbage Alcosa savoy JSS mini 1-Feb 15-Jul Capricorn Territorial 1-Feb 15-Jul Charmant Territorial 1-Feb 15-Jul Early Jersey Hlms oz 1-Feb 15-Jul Primax JSS- 2mini 1-Feb 15-Jul Red Jewel Stokes-1000 1-Feb 15-Jul Ruby Ball Territoial 1-Feb 15-JulChineseCab Blues Stokes 04 1-AugCollards Top Bunch 1-Jul Flash JSS mini 15-Jan 1-JulKale Lacinato SoC-pkt 29-Dec 1-Jul Red Russian JSS- oz 29-Dec 1-Jul Winterbor JSS- mini 29-Dec

Daniel s Soil Mix•  2 @ 3.8 cu ft peat moss•  2 cups lime mixed into peat•  4 cu ft vermiculite•  4 cu ft perlite•  4 cu ft quality compost or vermicompost•  2 cups kelp and/or Azomite•  4 cups Fertrell 4-2-4

Photo of seeder

Organic farmer’s goal (dream)….Raise healthy plants that will outgrow any insect pressure, develop resistance to any disease, and thrive in less than perfect conditions. “Cathy in Wonderland”

Toolbox for combating diseaseCrop Rotation plan – include brassicas cropsUse healthy transplants, resistant varietiesCorrect watering practicesMaintain adequate air flowAvoid excessive nitrogen fertilizersSuitable soil pHField sanitationSolarization of the soilCompost and compost tea

but the reality is– there’s disease out there4 types of pathogens- fungal bacterial virus nematodescan be spread-seed borne, soil dwelling, air-borne, water splashed, vectored by insects, humans

Toolbox for combating diseaseCrop Rotation plan – include brassicas cropsUse healthy transplants, resistant varietiesCorrect watering practicesMaintain adequate air flowAvoid excessive nitrogen fertilizersSuitable soil pHField sanitationSolarization of the soilCompost and compost tea

Steps for combating diseasePay attention- do field walksIdentify problemsBrainstorm- disease or fertility or location?Isolate- remove dying/diseased plants from fieldDeal with it- apply a remedy or bury it under/ note and rotate your way out

Favorite book/sitesPests of the Garden and Small Farm- a Grower’s Guide to Using Less Pesticide by Mary Louise Flinthttp://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/plant_index.aspx?title=imagehttp://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/http://web.pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/resourceguide/index.phphttp://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.htmlhttp://www.neon.cornell.edu/training/ppts/McGrathproducts.pdfhttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/diseaselinks.html

Rapeseed (Canola) -broadcast 8 to 14 lb./A.Mustard: broadcast 10 to 15 lb./A.Radish: broadcast 12 to 20 lb./A. Plant in late summer or early fall after the daytime average temperature is below 80°F.Turnip: broadcast 10 to 12 lb./A. Plant in the fall after the daytime average temperature is below 80°F.

Weeds: Plant Pests Vigorous growers Copious reproduction Competitive with crop Perennial vs. annual Grass vs. broadleaf

Problem Weeds•  Nutsedge •  Hen Bit•  Bermuda Grass •  Wild Radish•  Pigweed •  Yellow Dock•  Sida•  Summer Grasses

Weed Management•  Cultivation •  Smother cropping•  Hand pulling •  Crop cycles/rotation•  Crop spacing •  Crop timing•  Mulching

Equipment: Weeding Tools

Insect Pests•  Leaf chewers: CO potato beetle•  Sap suckers: stink bug, aphid•  Root feeders: wire worms•  Fruit eaters: tomato fruit worm•  Seed eaters: seed weevil

Insect Pests•  Colorado Potato •  Tomato Hornworm Beetle •  Cabbage White•  Mexican Bean Moth Beetle •  Tomato Fruitworm•  Stink Bugs •  Vine Borers•  Leaf Beetles •  Squash Bugs

Insect Management•  Beneficial attraction •  Bt/Safer soap•  Winter cover crops •  Rotations•  Hand picking •  Tilling in residues•  Crop timing •  Transplanting

Buckwheat Blooming

Syrphid Flies

Beneficial InsectsAssassin Bug Lacewing EggsPredatory Syrphid FlyStink Bug Photos by Debbie Roos http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/index.html

Beneficial Insects Big-Eyed Bug Minute Pirate BugNewport News Master Gardeners From University of Nebraska- Lincoln/Photo by Jack Dykinga, image from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Resources•  Rodale s Pest and Disease Problem Solver•  Garden Insects of North America by Whitney Cranshaw•  Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies by Miguel Altieri, Clara Nicholls, with Marlene Fritz•  SARE Books available online

Alternatives to Vegetables actually… in addition to your vegetables

… at Perry-winkle Farm“Variety is the spice of life”… diversification is our mantra“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”… you might need to eat some of those chickens“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get” … I wish we could grow chocolate in NC

How Does Your Garden Mow?•  Finish mower: Lawn mower on steroids•  Bush hog: Rotary mower cuts saplings•  Sickle bar: Low power, large pieces•  Scythe: Silent sickle bar•  Flail mower: Shredder•  String trimmer: Small jobs

Equipment: Soil Working

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3U2bEXISHk&feature=player_embedded

Greenhouse

Irrigation: Drip Systems

Equipment: Planting

Equipment: Weeding Tools

Equipment: Harvest

Used -------------- New•  Lower initial cost •  Years trouble-free•  Higher repair costs •  Warranty•  Your time is •  Maintenance counts! valuable •  Local dealer/repair•  Greater breakdown •  Options tailored to potential your operation•  Best if you can •  Best if you can repair it afford it

Realistic Maintenance•  Winter Overhaul –  Change oil –  Change filters –  Adjust settings, clean anything you can•  Check oil every time•  Change oil at least once during season•  Adjust and tighten often•  Fix problems ASAP

Equipment Safety•  Read your operator s/owner s manual-- seriously•  Properly maintain equipment•  Don t disable safety features--really, don t•  Wear well-fitting long pants, shirt•  Use ear protection, safety glasses

Equipment Sources•  Bother your local tractor dealer•  www.earthtoolsbcs.com•  www.marketfarm.com•  www.ferrari-tractors.com•  Johnny s Selected Seeds•  Peaceful Valley Farm Supply

Morning Agenda•  Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling•  Marketing•  Business Management•  Labor, Record Keeping, and Taxes•  Questions/Discussion•  Evaluation

Harvest / Post Harvest…now that you have grown it, howdo you maintain it’s quality andfreshness?

Adapt the equipment you already haveSub-soiler with ashovel purchased atfarm supply storeNote the angle of theshaft- pushes thepotatoes up and out

This is the ultimate goal … lots of varieties to draw in customers

Field Bunching Greens

Sweet Potatoes•  Dig and leave on ‘hills’ 1-4 hours•  Collect ‘seed’ for next year•  Collect remaining in perforated containers•  Cure 4-7 days –  85-90 degrees Fahrenheit –  85-90 percent humidity

Food Safety… GAP certification(Good Agricultural Practices)Is this in your future?Will it be required by your customers?Will it be required by your future customers?

TRACEABILITY (G-1 to G-2, andTraceability Policy•  Each production area is •  If product from multiple identified or coded to enable production areas is traceability in the event of a commingled during harvest, all recall (include these codes on growers, production areas and dates regarding the comingled your farm maps) product is recorded•  Tanks/bins etc. can be traced •  Your records should include to to individual production areas whom you delivered the•  Records of crops held in produce storage before packing are •  All deliveries of produce to kept processor will be accompanied by a Delivery Form that•  Crop records include grower, includes the following production area, and the date information: of harvest

Water Testing Policy and Log Sheet (G-3)•  Water used for drinking, hand washing, and on harvested crops is potable. Potable water is available to all employees. Water used for chemical applications and irrigation is known to be adequate for its intended use.

Field Visitor Policy and Log Sheet (G-4)•  person(s) who frequents the farm on a regular basis, is instructed at the beginning of the season on proper health and hygiene practices and is required to sign a visitor log once (this includes auditors). Visitors who are on the farm longer than 30 minutes will be instructed to follow proper health and hygiene practices (see appendix for description) and will be required to sign the Visitor Log sheet.

Preharvest/Postharvest Material Applicators Policy (G15)•  Personnel will have a working knowledge of, and comply with proper use of pre-harvest (pesticides, growth regulators, and fertilizers) and/or postharvest application material (waxes, fumigants, and pesticides). Working knowledge will include the appropriate concentration and what to do if there is a spill.•  When the use of materials is being completed by licensed or trained contractors, knowledge is demonstrated as applicators are covered by Federal, State, or Local laws. All applicable State, Federal, and Local training and licensing requirements will be met by persons applying regulated or restricted use materials. If no restricted use materials are being used the applicator will hold training documents that prove they have received training on proper use.

Marketing…Has as much to do with success as growingLearning to market is as important as learning to growMarkets are determined by farm locationKnow where you will sell before you plantKeep it diversified

Direct marketing vs. WholesalingWhat opportunities exist? farmers markets, restaurants, food coopsWhat can you create? community supported agriculture (CSA), buying clubs, mobile marketWhat is your comfort zone / preference? do you like people? solitude?

Types of MarketsRetail- on farm stands farmers markets CSA (community supported agriculture)Wholesale- to distributors (including co-ops) direct to stores to restaurants

Farmers market tipsBe consistent! Be there week after weekBring a diversity of product or varietiesBuild a great looking display – colorful, abundant, and clean!!Offer great customer service – be friendly, be knowledgeable, be helpful

Direct marketing vs. WholesalingWhat opportunities exist? farmers markets, restaurants, food coopsWhat can you create? community supported agriculture (CSA), buying clubs, mobile marketWhat is your comfort zone / preference? do you like people? solitude?

Could a wholesaling coop be right for you?

CSA•  Financing the season up front•  Planning of customer numbers/budget•  Don’t try this your first year•  Lower costs/possible to avoid transportation•  At or close to retail

Restaurant Sales

Budget Crop PlanningAnnual Profit Production and Loss Marketing

Budget Crop Planning Good Record Keeping is Essential at Every StationAnnual Profit Production and Loss Marketing

Be Prepared•  Capital Needs –  Land –  Equipment –  Structures•  Income Needs•  Appropriate Operation Size

Getting Started--Create a Budget•  Separate capital needs from expenses –  Financing –  Timeline: 5, 10, 15 years –  Consider renting instead of buying•  Capital spending must lead to income

Renting vs. Buying•  Land: –  Permanence of location –  Relative costs over time –  Current vs. future value of land•  Equipment: –  How often will it be used –  Relative cost of rental vs. maintenance

Marketing Dictates•  Farmers Markets•  On-Farm Sales•  Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)•  Restaurants•  Wholesale to grocery•  Coop/Buying club

Land Needs•  Small operations: less than 5 acres –  At least 150% of production space –  As close to the market as possible –  Consider expansion and surrounding area –  Irrigation potential is essential!•  Get you hands on cleared land!

Expenses•  Automobile •  Dues and•  Insurance subscriptions•  Repair and •  Fuel maintenance •  Tools•  Beekeeping •  Land•  Travel •  Marketing•  Continuing •  Office/office education equipment

Expenses-Production•  Seeds •  Mulch•  Fertilizer •  Cover crop seeds•  Greenhouse •  Mushroom supplies•  Irrigation •  Seedlings•  Potting soil

Expenses-Labor•  Pay yourself monthly!•  Full time help•  Interns--follow minimum wage laws•  Seasonal help –  Hourly –  Summer interns•  May be 50%-67% of total budget

Record Keeping•  Incorporate as LLC or Corporation•  Open a business checking account•  Pay with checks or card•  Don t use for personal expenses•  Keep the business at arm s length

Record Keeping•  Follow your plan•  Keep business records –  Receipts: inputs and expenses –  Customers: invoices, checks•  Keep a journal•  Update your planning sheets

Record Keeping•  Excel is fine•  Quickbooks is the best! –  Categorize expenses/incomes –  Input receipts/deposits weekly –  Reconcile with banking monthly –  Evaluate as needed

Record Keeping•  Planting: –  Number of beds, Location•  Harvest: –  Field, Variety, Quantity•  Sales: –  CSA News, Invoices, Market

Planting Record Sheet #_______ Variety/Plant Date Beds Planted Field/section NotesRomaine Lettuce 1/11/10 5 1B 11 Flats planted

Harvest Record Date: ________--________--_________Product Order Customer √ Field #

Evaluating Success•  Collect feedback all year•  Market sales/take home –  Know what sells –  What do others not grow•  CSA Surveys –  mid-year and end of year

Gaia Gardens CSA - SurveyPlease let me know how I did over the course of the season. For each item, circlethe most appropriate answer. Thanks for your opinions! The pro d u c e E x c e l l e n t Fair PoorQuality of produce 5 4 3 2 1Amount of produce 5 4 3 2 1Variety of produce 5 4 3 2 1Value of produce received 5 4 3 2 1The newsletter Excellent Fair PoorInterest of articles 5 4 3 2 1Helpfulness of recipes 5 4 3 2 1Email format 5 4 3 2 1Communication of events and ideas 5 4 3 2 1 The pickup E x c e l l e n t Fair PoorWas the area clean/organized 5 4 3 2 1How was the weekly trip for you 5 4 3 2 1How did the CSA meet your expectations 5 4 3 2 1How can pickup be improved? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What varieties or vegetables would you like to see grown? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Comments/Suggestions:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seed/Variety/Brand # pickups in 2005 Less of Crop Keep it the Same More of Crop Beets 5 Broccoli 4 Cabbage 6 Carrots 3 Georgia Collards 5 Endive 1 Herbs 2 Cilantro 3 Mizuna Mustard 2 Other Greens 4 Braizing Mix 8 Lettuce Mix 1 Arugula 8 Siberian Kale 5 Lettuce Heads 14 Sugar Snap Peas Pick your own Potatoes 6 Sorrel 5 Swiss Chard 3 Radish 8 Genovese Basil 8 Yellow or Purple Bean 6 Cucumber 2 Eggplant 5 Figs 1 Flowers 2 Muscadines 3 Okra 7 Garlic 12 Onions 5 Green Onions 2 Hot Pepper On demand Shiitake Mushrooms 1 Sweet Pepper 16 Edamame Soybean 1 Winter Squash 1Summer (yellow) Squash 4 Sweet Potato 6 Tomatoes 8 Turnips 3

Percent Response G Ye en l lo ov w es e 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 or Ba Pu si rp l le Be C an uc um be Eg r gp la nt Fi gs Fl ow M er us s c ad in es O kr a G ar lic O G ni re on en s O% of Less responses ni Sh H on s Crop iit ot ak Pe e pp M er us hr Sw oo Ed ee m am tP s am ep e pe So r% of More responses Su W yb m in m te ea n er rS (y qu el lo as w h )S qu Sw as ee h tP ot at To o m at oe s Tu rn ip s

Labor IssuesDo You Need Help?Do You Want Help?Is Help Available?How Can You Best Utilize Additional Labor?

Economics of employeesThey will help you earn moneyThey are going to cost you $$$ ______Average of 33% of sales spent on labor

Tax implications of employeesSchedule F- they are a Labor Hired expensethe $250 or $2,500 test- withhold Social Security and MedicareUseful Publications from IRS Pub 51 – Ag employers tax guide Pub 225 – Farmers Tax Guide

Schedule F for the 1040QuickBooks canhelp you decidewhat classes ofexpenses are taxdeductible orSchedule F canhelp developcategories ofexpenses

useful tax “registrations”EIN- Employer Identification NumberState Sales Tax exemption numberProperty tax- farm use status

Business Management (or minding your farm as a business)Record keeping- helpful in not only knowing where you are and where you are going… but also where you have beenIt is as important as most other jobs on the farm, perhaps even more so…

There are many types, degrees of, recordkeepingDaily work lists- including pick listField mapsPlanting calendars, schedulesIrrigation logsSoil amendments recordsMarket sales recordsSales receipt books>>>actual accounting ledgers- Quicken, QuickBooks, spreadsheets

CARRBORO FARMERS MARKET - 2009 Wed / SatDate Weather Bunch size Quantity S/O Amt Crop bushel/ # Taken Time Sold Price $$$ Total

Southern SAWG-Start-up Organic Vegetable Production

by parsonproduce on Jan 18, 2012

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Southern SAWG-Start-up Organic Vegetable Production — Presentation Transcript