southern sawg - start-up organic vegetable production

Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing

Cathy Jones Perry-winkle Farm Chapel Hill, NC

Daniel Parson Parson Produce

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

Morning Agenda



Marketing Decisions

Organic Certification- Is it the right choice for you?

How do you get certified?

Survey your marketing opportunities

What opportunities exist? farmers markets, restaurants, food coops What can you create? community supported agriculture (CSA), buying clubs, mobile market What 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 tool

Helps you develop your “brand” Helps to open doors to certain markets Tells customers about your values Helps 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 definition

A 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 definition


What is Certified Organic?


Keeping records and registering with an agency to prove it.

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: Affirmation Found 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

Morning Agenda



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 •  Fulvic Acid •  Humin

Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology, Sylvia, Fuhrmann, Hartel, Zuberer, ed.

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 for

harvest. 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 Standards

The 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 Insects Assassin Bug

Photos by Debbie Roos http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/index.html

Lacewing Eggs

Syrphid Fly Predatory Stink Bug

Beneficial Insects Big-Eyed Bug Minute Pirate Bug

Newport 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 Sample 1� wide slice Remove 6�

deep shovel �V�

What is our fertility goal?

100 pounds per acre Potassium

What are we going to apply?

What do we need to get the right units?

Cancel units and do the math

My beds are 236 square feet, how much do I apply?

Start with what you know and get the units right.

Cancel the units and do the math.

What did we get out of that application?

What else do we need to meet our fertility goals?

Morning Agenda



Determining square footage of field Step it off- learning what’s your “step” length is

a valuable tool Measure the length and width- convert to feet-

multiple length by the width example- 100’ by 200’ = 20,000 sq ft an acre is

43,000 sq ft to keep it simple – using 40,000- a 20,000 sq ft

field is ½ acre Consult 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 pests Rotating cultivation practices- shallow vs. aggressive Rotating the time the soil is occupied by a

cash crop vs cover crop Utilize a 3 year cycle, or rotation- 5 year is

better, 7 year is best!

Which rotation is right for you?

Started with this book

List of the crops we grew Determined our space requirements/limitations Stack of index cards

In 2005 our rotation looked like this…

Field Rotations - Perry-winkle Farm

Fieldlinear ft 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Omega taters CVR VR E Spring Taters

1000 Greens S-Frost L Spring deer safeFall S-Frost Cover greens

VR Gar/FallTaters E Spring OWF CVR Taters

G Beans fallow1000 Clover/ sunflwrs Fall

Rape Oats OWF CVRE Spring CVR VR OWF

A1 Millet S-Frost L Spring fallow1000 S-Frost Cover fallow

CVR VR Oats CVRE Spring L Spring Taters E Spring

A2 Millet cover Beans L Spring2500 cover Clover/ fallow

CVR Fall Oats CVRTaters E Spring CVR CVR E Spring Taters

D Beans S-Frost L Spring Sum-Sept soy/cowp cover2500 Clover/ Fall cowpeas wint-kill soy/cowp cover

Oats Oats CVR CVR Rape CVROWF/Rape CVR

B 1-25 E Spring Taters2500 Millet

rape CVROWF Taters CVR

B 26-51 L Spring Millet2500 Fall sunflwrs

Gar/OWF rape CVROWF CVR Taters

E Sum-Sept2000 S- Frost

OWF CVR RapeGar/OWF Taters-4 CVR Taters-10

C Sum-Sept2800 S-Frost S- Frost

CVR RapeTaters CVR CVR CVR Taters

F Sum-Sept L Spring

…but before the year was over we were already changing things

Field linear ft 2005 2006 Omega VR E Spring

1000 L Spring deer safe Cover greens

Gar/Fall E Spring OWF G fallow

1000 sunflwrs Fall

OWF CVR VR OWF

A1 L Spring fallow 1000 Cover fallow

Oats CVR Taters E Spring

A2 Beans L Spring 2500 Clover/ fallow

Oats CVR E Spring CVR D S-Frost L Spring

2500 Fall cowpeas

CVR CVR

OWF/Rape B 1-25 E Spring Taters 2500 Millet

rape OWF OWF Taters

B 26-51 L Spring Millet 2500 sunflwrs

rape CVR OWF CVR E Sum-Sept

2000 S- Frost

CVR Rape Taters-4 CVR C Sum-Sept

2800 S-Frost S- Frost

CVR Rape CVR CVR F Sum-Sept

2340 S-Frost Cover

CVR CVR

10 fields- 1/8, 1/4, ½ acre 4 seasons- early spring mid- summer fall overwinter

Now we are looking at something that looks more like this…

Field linear ft 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Omega Taters owf/onions Taters CVR/owf E Spring CVR

1000 S-Frost chickens salad mix Espring/

owf millet summer owf VR basil millet buckwheat summer

pigs CVR/owf fall CVR CVR E Spring garlic CVR CVR taters CVR

A1 millet millet basil summer taters buckwheat 1000 S- Frost summer millet fall

garlic CVR CVR rape/radish buckwheat owf/garlic Asparag

us chickens CVR pigs

CVR OWF taters CVR CVR owf/garlic

A2 Sum-Sept Sudangras

s taters summer pigs millet 2500 millet non-solna fall buckwheat

OWF rape CVR CVR owf/garlic rape/radish CVR/chicks CVR OWF taters 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 owf

B 26-51 millet CVR E Spring taters summer sunfl/cowp 2500 chickens S- Frost sunfl/cowp millet non-solna sunfl/cowp

CVR fall/owf rape/radish CVR fall/owf CVR E Spring L Spring taters 6-12 garlic/owf CVR CVR

C Millet 1-5 spring buckwheat summer E Spring

2800 sunfl/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 taters

2500 soy/cowp millet millet millet sunfl/cowp millet Rape CVR CVR fall rape/radish CVR CVR chickens CVR CVR taters CVR

E chickens summer pigs taters 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 taters 2340 millet Sum-Sept summer sunfl/cowp millet

CVR CVR CVR CVR rape/radish 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

1600 sunfl/cowpeas late summ sunfl/cowp millet millet

CVR Fall CVR rape CVR

What has remained constant- We not only rotate the cash crops we plant, but we also rotate the cover crops we use We avoid planting the same plant families the following year We are not afraid to change it!

two of the best!!!

3 examples from Crop Rotation on Organic Farms- a planning manual

Cover Crops- drive our crop rotation plan

Cash crops or cover crops- 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 crops

Work backwards from your intended harvest dates

Determine how many plantings you will need Determine how many beds, fields, acres you

will need to grow the crop Develop a system that keeps you on track

BRASSICAS - 2009 Variety source am't Target Actual Germ. Trans. Harvest Broccoli Arcadia JSS- 1000 1-Jan 1-Feb Premium Crop Hlms- 1000 15-Jun 15-Jul B. 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-Jul Chinese Cab Blues Stokes '04 1-Aug Collards Top Bunch 1-Jul Flash JSS mini 15-Jan 1-Jul Kale 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

12345678

Field 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

Field Rotation Plan 2010

Morning Agenda






Clinton, SC

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


length 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

Afternoon Agenda


Direct Seeding vs. Transplanting a crop

How do you decide? How do we decide?

Greenhouse vs. Field Seeding

Transplant •  Earlier seeding date •  Control over planting date •  No need for thinning •  Optimal spacing •  Better early weed

management •  Reduce seed costs

Direct Seeding •  Shorter time to harvest •  Better root development •  Faster planting •  Reduce planting costs •  Essential for root crops

Afternoon Agenda


When transplanting makes more sense…

1.  When the seed is expensive, finicky, slow

to emerge, not competitive w/ weeds

2.  When you are trying to “push” the season 3. If you want to give cover crops more time

4. 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 soil Flats, trays Nutrients- fertilizers Seed covering- vermiculite Seeds Heat mats Seeding tools Clipboard/ record keeping

BRASSICAS - 2009 Variety source am't Target Actual Germ. Trans. Harvest Broccoli Arcadia JSS- 1000 1-Jan 1-Feb Premium Crop Hlms- 1000 15-Jun 15-Jul B. 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-Jul Chinese Cab Blues Stokes '04 1-Aug Collards Top Bunch 1-Jul Flash JSS mini 15-Jan 1-Jul Kale 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

Afternoon Agenda


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 disease Crop Rotation plan – include brassicas crops Use healthy transplants, resistant varieties Correct watering practices Maintain adequate air flow Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers Suitable soil pH Field sanitation Solarization of the soil Compost and compost tea

but the reality is–

there’s disease out there

4 types of pathogens- fungal bacterial

virus nematodes

can be spread- seed borne, soil dwelling, air-borne, water

splashed, vectored by insects, humans

Toolbox for combating disease

Crop Rotation plan – include brassicas crops Use healthy transplants, resistant varieties Correct watering practices Maintain adequate air flow Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers Suitable soil pH Field sanitation Solarization of the soil Compost and compost tea

Steps for combating disease

Pay attention- do field walks Identify problems Brainstorm- disease or fertility or

location? Isolate- remove dying/diseased plants

from field Deal with it- apply a remedy or bury it

under/ note and rotate your way out

Favorite book/sites Pests of the Garden and Small Farm- a Grower’s

Guide to Using Less Pesticide by Mary Louise Flint http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/plant_index.aspx?title=image http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/ http://web.pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/resourceguide/index.php http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.html http://www.neon.cornell.edu/training/ppts/McGrathproducts.pdf http://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.

Afternoon Agenda


Weeds: Plant Pests

Vigorous growers Copious reproduction Competitive with crop

Perennial vs. annual Grass vs. broadleaf

Problem Weeds

•  Nutsedge •  Bermuda Grass •  Pigweed •  Sida •  Summer Grasses

•  Hen Bit •  Wild Radish •  Yellow Dock

Weed Management

•  Cultivation •  Hand pulling •  Crop spacing •  Mulching

•  Smother cropping •  Crop cycles/rotation •  Crop timing

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 Beetle

•  Mexican Bean Beetle

•  Stink Bugs •  Leaf Beetles

•  Tomato Hornworm •  Cabbage White

Moth •  Tomato Fruitworm •  Vine Borers •  Squash Bugs

Insect Management

•  Beneficial attraction •  Winter cover crops •  Hand picking •  Crop timing

•  Bt/Safer soap •  Rotations •  Tilling in residues •  Transplanting

Buckwheat Blooming

Syrphid Flies

Beneficial Insects Assassin Bug

Photos by Debbie Roos http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/index.html

Lacewing Eggs

Syrphid Fly Predatory Stink Bug

Beneficial Insects Big-Eyed Bug Minute Pirate Bug

Newport 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

Afternoon Agenda


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

Afternoon Agenda


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

Equipment: Planting

Equipment: Weeding Tools

Equipment: Harvest

Used -------------- New

•  Lower initial cost •  Higher repair costs •  Your time is

valuable •  Greater breakdown

potential •  Best if you can

repair it

•  Years trouble-free •  Warranty •  Maintenance counts! •  Local dealer/repair •  Options tailored to

your operation •  Best if you can

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

Afternoon Agenda





Clinton, SC

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, how do you maintain it’s quality and freshness?

Adapt the equipment you already have

Sub-soiler with a shovel purchased at farm supply store Note the angle of the shaft- pushes the potatoes 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, and

Traceability Policy •  Each production area is

identified or coded to enable traceability in the event of a recall (include these codes on your farm maps)

•  Tanks/bins etc. can be traced to individual production areas

•  Records of crops held in storage before packing are kept

•  Crop records include grower, production area, and the date of harvest

•  If product from multiple

production areas is commingled during harvest, all growers, production areas and dates regarding the comingled product is recorded

•  Your records should include to whom you delivered the produce

•  All deliveries of produce to processor will be accompanied by a Delivery Form that includes the following information:

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.

Morning Agenda


Marketing… Has as much to do with success as

growing Learning to market is as important as

learning to grow Markets are determined by farm

location Know where you will sell before you

plant Keep it diversified

Direct marketing vs. Wholesaling


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

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

Direct marketing vs. Wholesaling


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

Morning Agenda


Crop Planning Budget

Production Annual Profit and Loss

Marketing

Crop Planning Budget

Production Annual Profit and Loss

Marketing

Good Record Keeping is Essential at Every Station

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 •  Insurance •  Repair and

maintenance •  Beekeeping •  Travel •  Continuing

education

•  Dues and subscriptions

•  Fuel •  Tools •  Land •  Marketing •  Office/office

equipment

Expenses-Production

•  Seeds •  Fertilizer •  Greenhouse •  Irrigation •  Potting soil

•  Mulch •  Cover crop seeds •  Mushroom supplies •  Seedlings

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

Sheet #_______

Variety/Plant Date Beds Planted Field/section Notes

Romaine Lettuce 1/11/10 5 1 B 11 Flats planted

Planting Record

Product Order Customer √ Field #

Date: ________--________--_________Harvest Record

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 - Survey

Please let me know how I did over the course of the season. For each item, circle

the most appropriate answer. Thanks for your opinions!

The pro d u c e E x c e l l e n t Fair Poor

Quality of produce 5 4 3 2 1

Amount of produce 5 4 3 2 1

Variety of produce 5 4 3 2 1

Value of produce received 5 4 3 2 1

The newsletter E x c e l l e n t Fair Poor

Interest of articles 5 4 3 2 1

Helpfulness of recipes 5 4 3 2 1

Email format 5 4 3 2 1

Communication of events and ideas 5 4 3 2 1

T h e p i c k u p E x c e l l e n t Fair Poor

Was the area clean/organized 5 4 3 2 1

How was the weekly trip for you 5 4 3 2 1

How did the CSA meet your expectations 5 4 3 2 1

How 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 1

Summer (yellow) Squash 4

Sweet Potato 6

Tomatoes 8

Turnips 3

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Morning Agenda


Labor Issues Do You Need Help?

Do You Want Help?

Is Help Available?

How Can You Best Utilize Additional Labor?

Economics of employees

They will help you earn money They are going to cost you $$$ ______ Average of 33% of sales spent on

labor

Tax implications of employees Schedule F- they are a Labor Hired expense the $250 or $2,500 test- withhold Social Security and Medicare Useful Publications from IRS Pub 51 – Ag employers tax guide Pub 225 – Farmers Tax Guide

Schedule F for the 1040

QuickBooks can help you decide what classes of expenses are tax deductible or Schedule F can help develop categories of expenses

useful tax “registrations”

EIN- Employer Identification Number State Sales Tax exemption number Property 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 been

It is as important as most other jobs on the farm,

perhaps even more so…

There are many types, degrees of, recordkeeping

Daily work lists- including pick list Field maps Planting calendars, schedules Irrigation logs Soil amendments records Market sales records Sales receipt books >>>actual accounting ledgers- Quicken, QuickBooks, spreadsheets

CARRBORO FARMERS' MARKET - 2009

Wed / Sat

Date Weather

Bunch size Quantity S/O Am't

Crop bushel/ # Taken Time Sold Price $$$

Total

Morning Agenda





Clinton, SC

southern sawg - start-up organic vegetable production

Documents