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
Dig Deeper
research
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
Cutting-edge compost
By Troy Hinke National Organic Program (NOP) regulations require certified organic compost to be turned five times in 15 days. The assumption is that temperatures will remain above 130-degrees F long enough to kill pathogens and weed seeds and give … Continued
Cover crops go round three with black plastic
By Lindsey Brielle This is the third year of our three-year Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant that is exploring alternatives to black plastic. Rodale Institute is collaborating with four other farms for this study: John and Aimee Good … Continued
Challenging yields, challenging weather
By Christine Ziegler-Ulsh The 2011 growing season was not a kind one for many farmers in southeastern Pennsylvania and other parts of the east coast, primarily due to rainfall patterns. Rodale Institute received significantly more rain than normal for the … Continued
Water Purification Eco-Center: Water sampling
Research studies on small constructed wetland systems are few and far between. Our Water Purification Eco-Center (WPEC) here at Rodale Institute affords us the opportunity to increase the amount of research on this kind of revolutionary system. The WPEC is … Continued
Final year of field research on alternatives to black plastic
By Lindsey Brielle The SARE Vegetable Trial is a field study designed to identify the impacts of black plastic and cover crop mulches on weeds, soil quality, yields and season length for a variety of crops at Rodale Institute (RI) … Continued
Small is beautiful…and profitable
By Dan Sullivan Originally posted on June 8, 2006 In the shadows of towering twin 5-million-gallon checkerboard-painted water tanks supplying the modest northeast Philadelphia neighborhood of Somerton, a miracle is taking place. Here lies Somerton Tanks Farm, an experiment in … Continued