scholarly journals OASIS: An Experiential Learning Class in Organic Production

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 974E-975
Author(s):  
Erin Silva ◽  
Connie Falk
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops

New Mexico State University has designed a course in Organic Vegetable Production centered on a working CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm. This project, named “OASIS” (Organic Agriculture Students Inspiring Sustainability), was funded by a 3-year USDA Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) grant from 2002–05. The project has multiple objectives, including: to provide students with a multi-disciplinary experiential educational opportunity; to investigate the feasibility of small-scale organic drip-irrigated farming in the Chihuahuan desert; to demonstrate the CSA model to the local community; and to trial vegetable varieties. The class is co-listed in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business. Recently, the class was adopted in the Honors College and also became part of the General Education (G) program at NMSU. The course meets twice a week during two 2-h class periods. In-class time is divided between lectures, active learning projects, and work at the 0.26-ha field plot. The class content covered by the instructors includes organic regulations, history of CSAs and organic agriculture, evaluating the profitability of CSAs, the production of specific vegetable crops, planting and harvesting procedures, and postharvest requirements. Guest speakers are also part of the regular class structure and have discussed various topics such as beneficial insects, tillage, cover cropping, and weed management. The “living classroom” allows for these lectures to draw upon the experiences of students working on the farm. Although the course presents several challenges, the hands-on experience gained by the students is considered to be invaluable.

scholarly journals OASIS: Organic Vegetable Production Teaching Endeavor and Community Supported Agriculture Venture

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 808E-809
Author(s):  
Constance L. Falk ◽  
Pauline Pao ◽  
Christopher S. Cramer*
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Educational Opportunity ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Main Campus ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production

In January 2002, an organic vegetable garden on the New Mexico State Univ. (NMSU) main campus was initiated to expose students to organic production practices and agricultural business management. The project named, OASIS (Organic Agriculture Students Inspiring Sustainability), is funded by a USDA Hispanic Serving Institution Grant and operated as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture. Students enroll in an organic vegetable production class during spring and fall semesters to help manage and work on the project. The CSA model of farming involves the sale of shares to members who receive weekly allotments of the farm's output. The objectives of the project are to provide students with a multi-disciplinary experiential educational opportunity, to investigate the feasibility of small scale organic drip irrigated farming in the Chihuahuan desert, to demonstrate the CSA model to the local community, to trial vegetable varieties, and to provide a site where faculty can conduct research or student laboratory exercises. This is the first organic vegetable garden on the NMSU main campus, the first organic vegetable production class, and the first CSA venture in southern New Mexico. The project has grown about 230 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers in the first two years of production, and has grossed at total of $32,000 in revenues from both years on 2/3 of an acre of land. In the first year, 32 members purchased 18.5 full share equivalents, and in 2003, 69 members purchased 39.5 full share equivalents.

scholarly journals Profitability of Organic Vegetable Production via Sod Based Rotation and Conventional Versus Strip Tillage in the Southern Coastal Plain

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Ahmadiani ◽  
Chun Li ◽  
Yaqin Liu ◽  
Esendugue Greg Fonsah ◽  
Christine Bliss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
The North ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production ◽  
Strip Tillage ◽  
Rotation Sequence

<p class="sar-body"><span lang="EN-US">There are little economic data concerning the profitability of organic vegetable crops in the Southern Coastal Plain, especially in reference to sod-based rotation and tillage alternatives.  A three-year experiment was conducted at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Quincy involving a crop rotation sequence of oats and rye (winter), bush beans (spring), soybean (summer) and broccoli (fall). Bush beans and broccoli were the cash crops. This paper presents analyses of the riskiness of organic production utilizing years in bahiagrass prior to initiating the crop rotation sequence and conventional tillage (CT) versus strip tillage (ST). Methods of “Risk-rated enterprise budget” and “Analyses of Variance-Covariance Matrix (ANOVA)” were utilized for determining relative profitability, and coefficient of variation was applied for measuring riskiness of each treatment. Three years of bahiagrass prior to initiating the crop rotation sequence, in combination with conventional tillage, had the highest profitability and ranked as the least risky scenario.  The second most profitable treatment was conventional tillage with four years of bahiagrass. Focusing on strip tillage, four years of bahiagrass with strip-tillage ranked third in term of profitability.</span></p>

scholarly journals Non-Chemical Weed Management in Vegetables by Using Cover Crops: A Review

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husrev Mennan ◽  
Khawar Jabran ◽  
Bernard H. Zandstra ◽  
Firat Pala
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Negative Effects

Vegetables are a substantial part of our lives and possess great commercial and nutritional value. Weeds not only decrease vegetable yield but also reduce their quality. Non-chemical weed control is important both for the organic production of vegetables and achieving ecologically sustainable weed management. Estimates have shown that the yield of vegetables may be decreased by 45%–95% in the case of weed–vegetable competition. Non-chemical weed control in vegetables is desired for several reasons. For example, there are greater chances of contamination of vegetables by herbicide residue compared to cereals or pulse crops. Non-chemical weed control in vegetables is also needed due to environmental pollution, the evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds and a strong desire for organic vegetable cultivation. Although there are several ways to control weeds without the use of herbicides, cover crops are an attractive choice because these have a number of additional benefits (such as soil and water conservation) along with the provision of satisfactory and sustainable weed control. Several cover crops are available that may provide excellent weed control in vegetable production systems. Cover crops such as rye, vetch, or Brassicaceae plants can suppress weeds in rotations, including vegetables crops such as tomato, cabbage, or pumpkin. Growers should also consider the negative effects of using cover crops for weed control, such as the negative allelopathic effects of some cover crop residues on the main vegetable crop.

Burning Nettle, Common Purslane, and Rye Response to a Clove Oil Herbicide

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 646-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan S. Boyd ◽  
Eric B. Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Clove Oil ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Common Purslane

Weed management is often difficult and expensive in organic production systems. Clove oil is an essential oil that functions as a contact herbicide and may provide an additional weed management tool for use on organic farms. Burning nettle, purslane, and rye responses to 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80% v/v clove oil mixture applied in spray volumes of 281 and 468 L/ha were examined. Log-logistic curves were fitted to the nettle and purslane data to determine the herbicide dose required to reduce plant dry weight 50% (GR50) and 90% (GR90). A three-parameter Gaussian curve was fitted to the rye data. The GR50 and GR90 were largely unaffected by spray volume. Nettle dry weight was reduced by 90% with 12 to 61 L clove oil/ha, whereas 21 to 38 L clove oil/ha were required to reduce purslane biomass to the same level. Rye was not effectively controlled by clove oil. Clove oil controls broadleaf weeds at high concentrations, but its cost makes broadcast applications prohibitive, even in high-value vegetable production systems.

scholarly journals Evaluating Vegetable Production for Market Windows as an Alternative for Limited Resource Farmers

1978 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Arden Colette ◽  
G. Brian Wall
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Small Farm ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
The North ◽  
The University

Increased vegetable production for the fresh market often has been suggested as an agricultural alternative that will improve the income situation of small-scale farmers. Because vegetable production is an intensive activity and high incomes per acre are possible, it has political appeal as a quick solution to the low income levels generally associated with small farm operations. This study was developed from the small farm program of the University of Florida, which has concentrated on the northern and panhandle areas of Florida. Trials conducted by the Vegetable Crops Department of the University of Florida in 1974 and 1975 indicate that by variation of the planting season and control of insects and diseases, vegetables can be produced during periods of the year when the north Florida area has not historically competed in the fresh vegetable market.

scholarly journals Состояние и перспективы развития овощеводства в странах Евразийского экономического союза

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F. Razin ◽  
R.A. Meshcheryakova ◽  
M.V. Shatilov ◽  
O.A. Razin ◽  
T.N. Surikhina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Kyrgyz Republic ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Member States ◽  
Mutual Trade ◽  
Eurasian Economic Union ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Economic Union

Целями основания Евразийского экономического союза (ЕАЭС) было создание условий для стабильного развития экономик государств членов союза в интересах повышения жизненного уровня их населения, стремление к формированию единого рынка товаров, услуг, капитала и трудовых ресурсов, всесторонняя модернизация, кооперация и повышение конкурентоспособности национальных экономик государств членов союза в условиях глобальной экономики. Цель исследования проанализировать состояние овощеводства и обеспеченность овощами населения стран членов Евразийского экономического союза в составе Республик Армения, Беларусь, Казахстан, Кыргызской Республики и Российской Федерации. По итогам проведенного анализа установлено, что в период 20132017 годов посевные площади овощных культур в ЕАЭС выросли на 7,7 и превысили 1 млн га. В 2018 году валовой сбор овощей увеличился на 13 до 24,1 млн т. При этом более 62 овощей производится в хозяйствах населения и 22 в КФХ, что говорит о мелкотоварном характере производства и низкой товарности продукции в ЕАЭС. Лидер по производству овощей на душу населения Армения (324 кг/чел.), наименьшее значение в России 111 кг/чел., среднее по ЕАЭС 131 кг/чел. Урожай овощных культур увеличился во всех государствах членах союза, за исключением Армении, где этот показатель максимальный в рамках союза 286 кг/га. Объем импорта свежих овощей из третьих стран в период 20142017 годах снизился на 16,8 в натуральном выражении и на 33,4 до 1,8 млрд в денежном исчислении, что обусловлено введением продуктового эмбарго и снижением объема импорта в Россию практически в два раза. Взаимная торговля (по экспорту) свежими овощами увеличилась на 36,4 до 241 млн . Около 77 объема взаимной торговли приходится на поставки из Беларуси, при этом более 90 объема взаимной торговли овощами направлены на рынок России. Одной из мер по поддержке и развитию отрасли овощеводства могут стать: снижение доли посредников в потребительской цене на овощи, строительство тепличных комплексов для производства отечественных овощей в несезонный период и овощехранилищ и др.The objectives of founding the Eurasian economic Union (EAEU) was the creation of conditions for stable development of the economies of the member States of the Union to improve the living standards of their populations, the desire to create a common market of goods, services, capital and labor resources, comprehensive modernization, cooperation and competitiveness of national economies of member States of the Union in the global economy. The purpose of the study is to analyze the state of vegetable production and the availability of vegetables for the population of the member States of the Eurasian economic Union in the Republics of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation. According to the results of the analysis, it was found that in the period 20132017, the acreage of vegetable crops in the EAEU increased by 7.7 and exceeded 1 million hectares. In 2018, the gross harvest of vegetables increased by 13 to 24.1 million tons. at the same time, more than 62 of vegetables are produced in households and 22 in farms, which indicates the small-scale nature of production and low marketability of products in the EAEU. The leader in the production of vegetables per capita is Armenia (324 kg/person), the lowest value in Russia is 111 kg/person, the average for the EEU is 131 kg/person. The yield of vegetable crops increased in all member States of the Union, with the exception of Armenia, where this figure is the maximum within the Union 286 kg/ha. The volume of imports of fresh vegetables from third countries in the period 20142017 decreased by 16.8 in physical terms and by 33.4 to 1.8 billion in monetary terms, due to the introduction of the food embargo and a decrease in the volume of imports to Russia almost twice. Mutual trade (by export) in fresh vegetables increased by 36.4 to 241 million. About 77 of the volume of mutual trade comes from Belarus, while more than 90 of the volume of mutual trade in vegetables is directed to the Russian market. One of the measures to support and develop the vegetable industry can be: reducing the share of intermediaries in the consumer price of vegetables, construction of greenhouse complexes for the production of domestic vegetables in the off-season period and vegetable stores, etc.

scholarly journals No-till Vegetable Production—Its Time is Now

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald D. Morse
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Integrated Weed Management ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
No Till ◽  
Minimum Disturbance

Advantages of no-till (NT) production systems are acknowledged throughout the world. During the 1990s, production of NT vegetable crops has increased for both direct seeded and transplanted crops. Increased interest in reduced-tillage systems among research workers and vegetable growers is attributed to: 1) development and commercialization of NT transplanters and seeders, 2) advancements in the technology and practice of producing and managing high-residue cover crop mulches, and 3) improvements and acceptance of integrated weed management techniques. Results from research experiments and grower's fields over the years has shown that success with NT transplanted crops is highly dependent on achieving key production objectives, including: 1) production of dense, uniformly distributed cover crops; 2) skillful management of cover crops before transplanting, leaving a heavy, uniformly distributed killed mulch cover over the soil surface; 3) establishment of transplants into cover crops with minimum disturbance of surface residues and surface soil; and 4) adoption of year-round weed control strategies.

scholarly journals Analysis of Determinants Affecting Organic Production: State Evidence from the United States

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Yongrui Hou ◽  
Tianyuan Luo ◽  
Jing Hao
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Large Population ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The U.S

As the demand for organic products quickly grows in the U.S., the domestic supply of organic commodities has stagnated and failed to meet the increasing needs. To expand the organic supply capacity in the country, it is crucial to identify the key factors that could effectively promote the scale of organic farming in the U.S. Using a multivariate analytic model and state level data from multiple sources and years, this study examines a wide range of determinants that could affect organic agriculture. The results show that research funding would significantly increase organic vegetable production and the number of organic farms. The development of organic farming could be greatly encouraged by the support of research institutions. In addition, the evidence shows that abundant farm workers are essential for the organic farming sector, which is labor-intensive. Finally, a large population base could create a more stable consumer group that would promote the development of organic agriculture. These results suggest the importance of exploring and expanding consumer groups for organic commodities. These findings provide insightful implications that research support, labor availability, and a solid consumer base are crucial to boost the organic sector in the U.S. and other countries.

Living mulch cover crops for weed control in small-scale applications

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Pfeiffer ◽  
Erin Silva ◽  
Jed Colquhoun
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Living Mulch ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Mulch Cover

AbstractA primary challenge of managing vegetable production on a small land base is the maintenance and building of soil quality. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of cover crops for improved soil quality; however, small growers struggle to fit cover crops into rotations. Small-scale growers with limited available land are under significant pressure to maximize their saleable yield and often work to maximize output by using intensive cropping practices that may include both early and late season crops, thus limiting the typical shoulder season windows in which cover crops can be grown. In-season living mulches may be an effective strategy to provide small-scale growers the benefits of cover crops with less land commitment than cover crops used in typical rotations. However, research on living mulches is generally not suited to small-scale organic production systems due to the typical reliance on chemical herbicide to suppress mulches. An experiment was designed with the goal of evaluating living mulch systems for space-limited organic vegetable production. In a 2-year study, four living mulch crops (buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), field pea (Pisum sativum), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and medium red clover (Trifolium pratense)) and a cultivated control with no mulch cover were planted in early spring each year. Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgarisvar. Tavera), transplanted bell peppers (Capsicum annuumvar. Revolution), and transplanted fall broccoli (Brassica oleraceavar. Imperial) were then planted directly into living mulches. During each summer growing season, living mulches and weeds were mown between-rows and hand-weeded in-row approximately every 10–14 days as needed for management. Labor times for mowing and cultivation were found to be higher in all treatments relative to the cultivated control. An inverse relationship between living mulch biomass and weed biomass was observed, demonstrating that living mulches may contribute to weed suppression. However, lower vegetable yields were seen in the living mulch treatments, most likely due to resource competition among vegetables, living mulches and weeds. High pre-existing weed seedbank and drought conditions likely increased competition and contributed to reduced vegetable yield.

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