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In the fall of 2019, we planted 10 acres of a meadow seed mix comprised largely of species native to the northeast. This meadow seed mix was created based on information learned in the Native Meadow Trial. The larger acreage compliments ongoing monitoring in the trial and provides an opportunity to learn more about establishment and management of a seeded meadow on a larger scale. In addition, the meadow allows for further study of the insect biodiversity and beneficial insects found in a seeded meadow.
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We grow two varieties of blueberries – Reka and Chandler. Blueberry gleaning begins in early July when patches are in full fruit. Under a partnership with UlsterCorps they are gleaned by volunteers and donated to community feeding programs, food pantries, and other emergency feeding centers.
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Since 2017 we have had a partnership with The Land Institute, a Kansas-based non-profit dedicated to researching sustainable agriculture, where we grow Kernza for the Institute for their research purposes. We grow a total of 40 acres of Kernza (a perennial crop known for its extensive root system and increasing soil health) that is sent back to The Land Institute. The Land Institute’s development of Kernza, a distant cousin to agricultural wheat, could have a significant ecological impact.
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As part of our commitment to soil health, we are developing innovative no-till systems that we hope can be adopted by regional growers. In the summer of 2021, for example, we grew no-till cantoloupe and watermelons. The process involved transplanting melons in June into a rolled and crimped cover crop of oats and peas. The oats and peas were no-till planted in April into a winter killed cover crop of sorghum, cow pea, sunflower, and sunnhemp.
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This area of the farm is seeded in a hay mix selected by ecology and production staff with the conservation of grassland birds in mind. The field is a mix of grasses and clovers that, paired with habitat management, have the potential to support declining grassland breeding birds such as Bobolinks and meadowlarks. This area was chosen for permanent cover due to its proximity to the creek which makes it prone to flooding and erosion.
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We have been taking 36” deep soil core samples around the farm to find out how much carbon is stored in our soils. By sampling many different locations including production fields, forested areas, and field/forest edges, we hope to see how agriculture impacts soil carbon and if we can manage our production fields to store more of it.
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In 2016 the Native Meadow Trial was established at the Farm Hub, in partnership with the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The purpose of the trial is to document the establishment and maintenance of the meadows without the use of herbicides, test the performance of different meadow seed mixes native to northeastern North America on farmland in the Mid-Hudson Region, monitor the development of the plant composition of the seed mixes and fallow fields, and assess the value of the seed mixes for supporting insect biodiversity and beneficial insects. In the meadows, one can see species such as Blackeyed Susan, Lance-leaved Coreopsis and Wild Bergamot.
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We grow about 100 acres of grain corn, some of which is used in organic livestock feed. We also grow several varieties that are used to make cornmeal, tortillas, and tortilla chips.
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Since 2020 we have been growing a variety of white corn as part of our partnership with seed keepers from the Mohawk community in Akwesasne. Each year the grow-out can be increased as we save seeds. Both seed and food are harvested and return home to the Canary - a community-wide educational and food sharing center in Akwesanse connected to the Akwesasne Freedom School. To learn more click here.
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Black Beans Interrow Mower Trial, Cornell Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab
Goal: To evaluate the effectiveness of the inter-row mower on no-till dry beans. Cultivation in organic no-till dry bean systems is challenging; the inter-row mower can add an effective tool to a growers weed suppression toolbox.
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This year's seed garden includes a variety of activity and initiatives. Beans, popcorn, and squash are being grown for seed with the Mohawk community in Akwesasne, and beans and tobacco are being grown for seed with the Lenape Center. Finally a new seed space, known as the Seed Teaching Garden, will focus on research and education focused on regional seed saving and community seed literacy and seed saving skills.
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Spring wheat is no-tilled into the winter-killed warm season summer cover crops.
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Cornell Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab
Goal: To evaluate the effects of seeding rates on weed populations in organic Kernza production. Weeds can significantly reduce yields in the first year of this perennial crop that already yields much lower than annual small grains.
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We use the term “permanent cover” to refer to flood prone parts of the farm that have been planted with a perennial crop such as a flowering meadow mix or a hay mix. In extremely flood-prone areas on the farm it is important to limit tillage as much as possible, so these areas are either never tilled or only tilled every few years. Permanent cover can help prevent runoff, increase soil infiltration, and help hold the soil in place to prevent erosion.
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We grow rye and several other field crops that are made into round bales and used as organic mulch on our farm and on neighboring vegetable farms.
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This research trial is a collaboration with researchers from Cornell Cooperative Extension. It tracks the amount of greenhouse gases released from a field of winter squash over the course of a season in both tilled and un-tilled ground and using several different fertility teatments. The goal is to collect data that will help growers find ways to promote carbon sequestration without unintentionally increasing the release of more potent greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide.
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In collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension, this research trial examines the viability of producing sweet potato slips locally from certified rootstocks. It attempts to address the challenges of relying on out-of-state sourcing by asking whether it Is economically viable to produce slips in our region where heating requirements are much higher, and what effect do locally produced slips have on yield, having the ability to be planted fresh, without enduring potentially long and detrimental shipping journeys.
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High Tunnel Leafy Green Calcium Deficiency Prevention, CCE Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program
Goal: To improve the quality and yield of leafy greens that are susceptible to calcium deficiency and grown in winter high tunnels. Calcium deficiency has been a problem in our spinach and is common in winter greenhouse production – it can cause tip burn on the leaves.
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High Tunnel Tomato Potassium Fertility Study, CCE Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program
Goal: To maximize potassium uptake by the tomato plant, thus reducing fertilizer inputs and improving fruit quality. Potassium uptake has been a problem in our greenhouse tomatoes and is generally a problem organic growers struggle with. It can result in tomatoes that will not fully ripen.
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We grow a diversified mix of organic vegetables that includes over 200 varieties of everything from leafy greens to root vegetables. The majority of our produce is donated to food pantries and community meal programs in the Hudson Valley region.
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Cornell Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab
Goal: To compare the effect of several fall planted cover crop mixes on no-till spring wheat quality. Spring wheat is more challenging to grow because of temperamental weather at planting and weed competition, with no-till planting potentially alleviating both challenges.
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Rolling and crimping is a method of no-till production by which cash crops are planted into a flattened and killed cover crop. The flattened cover crop protects the soil, suppresses weeds, and eliminates the need for tillage in a cropping cycle. Over time, soil structure is improved, biology is stimulated, and the land is able to shield itself from extreme weather events such as floods or droughts.
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All of the food scrap waste from our vegetable packing line is composted on site, and eventually returned back to the fields as an amendment rich in organic matter and beneficial microorganisms.
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