Cover crops and organic no-till find fans beyond the farm gate

 
   
RODALE INSTITUTE, KUTZTOWN, PA -- Farmers frequently cite weeds as their greatest production challenge and organic farmers in particular identify a lack of time as the largest obstacle to implementing successful weed management. Because the environmental impacts of crop production are strongly affected by the methods farmers use to control weeds and insect pests, a donor from the Orange County Community Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to Rodale Institute to encourage farmers to increase their use of cover crops and rotational no-till practices, and decrease their use of herbicides.

The information and activities developed through this project will have a positive effect on the environment by reducing both tillage and chemical herbicides. Analysis of the economics, energy usage and environmental impacts of organic no-till systems, when compared to both tilled organic systems and conventional synthetic chemical-based systems, will be valuable and adaptable to both organic and conventional farmers. The end goal is helping all farmers save money and time, and reducing the amount of harmful chemicals in our environment.

"The fact that more than 1400 people have registered to download free do-it-yourself blueprint plans for the no-till cover crop roller in the past five years shows that farmers all over the country are very interested in these technologies," says Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute's Director of Farm Operations.

Specifically, part of this grant will fund the development of a technical bulletin to provide farmers and extension agents with the support they need to implement an organic no-till system on the ground. The technical bulletin will be developed based on past project research findings and an interactive extension personnel and farmer workshop. Farmers who participate in the project will also be given training in sampling soil and interpreting soil health reports.

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