By Eric Winter, Rodale Institute Seasonal Research Technician This is year two of the three-year Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant that is investigating alternatives to black plastic. Since the end of year one (see the article Black Plastic … Continued
Dig Deeper
farming
Growing vegetables with cover crop mulch
By Alison Grantham At Meadow View Farm, in Kutztown, PA James Weaver and son Harold Weaver dread cleaning up the more than 20 linear miles of black plastic they use every year. When they do finish cleaning up all of … Continued
Bringing back the honeybee: Meme Thomas
Baltimore Honey’s mission is to maximize local honeybee pollination for local food security, but how the organization goes about fulfilling that mission is anything but standard. Meme Thomas started Baltimore Honey in 2008, establishing the organization officially as a nonprofit … Continued
Assessing soil health: Test, observe and talk
Area farmers came out to the Rodale Institute late last year for a chance to both learn and share techniques and innovations related to soil health, soil life, cover crops and organic no-till. Bob Schindelbeck, Extension Associate from Cornell University, … Continued
Technical Bulletin: No-till management for sustainable and organic systems
No-till practices were first introduced as a soil conservation tool, and to decrease labor requirements and fuel use. Numerous studies have also shown that soil is more protected from erosion and run-off in no-till systems and that no-till yields … Continued
Honeybee Crisis Update
Honey, that sweet, pure and unique nectar of the honeybee, has experienced a perfect storm of negativity over the last decade—from product contaminated with lead, antibiotics and other heavy metals, to any number of colored syrups masquerading as honey, to … Continued
Applied no-till for carbon-positive farming
By Christine Ziegler-Ulsh and Rita Seidel In the fall of 2008 the Rodale Institute partnered with Iowa State University, Michigan State University, North Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota and select farmers on a project to develop … Continued
Black plastic alternatives: Year 1
By Sandra Wayman The challenge Is it possible to grow vegetables organically without black plastic, while controlling weeds and producing a decent yield? Can this system also benefit the soil and reduced costs? These were the questions that the Rodale Institute … Continued
Managing weeds, ditching the chemicals
By Jen Tillman, seasonal research technician Aesthetic appeal is not the only reason farmers fight weeds. A weed-free field can lead to higher yields and a cleaner product. Without pesky weeds, crops can take advantage of additional space, light, water, and … Continued
Natural Agriculture at the Rodale Institute
By Eileen Weinsteiger If you’ve ever wandered any of the Rodale Institute’s 333 acres, chances are one of the first places you discovered was the area in which we nurture our demonstration gardens. There is the organic garden, which was … Continued