Agroecosystem Management

Class and Farm Log

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Another windstorm has damaged the tunnel; this time rebar was lifted out of the ground and swinging around. This is an obvious safety hazard and with no end in sight to the rough weather, we have decided to tear down the tunnel.

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I made a sign for the terraces, at Dr. Bomford's request, that lets passersby know a little about what is happening on the terraces over the winter.

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Cover crops on the terraces are coming along nicely and quickly. They are already looking better than they did after months last year, suggesting that we were successful in building the organic matter in the soil through Spring compost and Fall manure applications. I have transplanted lettuce, chard, and endive into one half of the hoop house in order to monitor its efficacy in season extension compared to crops left exposed to winter conditions outside. I will be conducting a winter planting experiment eith carrots on the othet side of the tunnel.

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October 21st: In-Class Lecture

Points of Discussion

Agriculture threatens the biodiversity of surrounding ecosystems, particularly agriculture of high input or industrial nature, however, there are examples of cropping systems that mimic the natural ecosystem, resulting in less detriment to the ecosystem on behalf of agriculture

The sustainability of intensive systems in comparison to low-input systems is still largely debated, however, as intensive systems require less space per volume of commodity produced, despite the higher diversity associated with low-input agriculture systems

Use of both N and P based fertilizers has been steadily increasing in developing countries over the past several decades, while use of both has dropped off in the developed world. While P use continues to climb globally, it has dropped in the US, suggesting a possible “peak” in available phosphate. These differences are likely reflected in the fact that the majority of accessible phosphate mines currently in operation are located in Africa (mostly in Morocco).

There are problems associated with N pollution: 

Groundwater contamination can lead to high levels of nitrate in drinking water with can cause health problems,

Surface water contamination can lead to algal blooms and eutrophication

Increased smog and greenhouse gasses

Threat of extinction for certain species within the affected ecosystem; particularly marine animals

Plants at higher risk for pathogenic disease

Phosphate is a major contributor to eutrophication and the creation of seasonal dead zones

Phosphate is a building block of ATP. We need ATP! It is required for life by all living things as it functions as the main unit of energy. 

To conserve phosphate, measures can be taken to reduce mining; recycling manures and using composts and green manures instead of synthetic fertilizers

The Nitrogen Cycle, from http://www.webprodoctors.com/2012/11/nitrogen-cycle.html

The Phosphorus Cycle, from http://www.environmental-research.ox.ac.uk/lets-talk-phosphorus-depletion/

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How To Build Soil by Composting Horse Manure

This episode is about composting horse manure. I show you how to tell if your manure is done composting and how to make it into the best compost you have eve...

How To Build Soil by Composting Horse Manure

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Terrace plots have been cleared of most crops, horse manure has been spread, and cover crops have been seeded

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Spreading manure to prep for cover crop seeding at the orchard site

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Autumn bounty from the final harvest of the season at the orchard site; tons of squash, potatoes, and apples (carrots were also pulled this day)

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The final harvest of the season at the orchard site; harvesting corn, squash, and apples

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State of the terraces following the break: # 3

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Stink bug art on corn canvas

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State of the Terraces, #2! Sad plants

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The state of the terrace crops after the Summer’s end break between semesters. Some upkeep and harvesting was done during these two weeks, but they did not receive the consistency that they did throughout the summer. Much of these crops were removed shortly after the photos were taken, provided that they were no longer yielding (tomatoes were still fruiting and were left in).

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Orchard squash is maturing; corn has both pollen and tassels; potatoes are giving a surprising yield considering that they went most of the season without irrigation

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Terrace: Chard harvest; lettuce harvest shaded by sunflowers; runner beans and sunflowers; spraying cucurbits with a baking soda solution to treat powdery mildew; weighing today’s harvest; tomato harvest; lettuce and chard rows looking healthy

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My larger varieties of container tomatoes at home appear to be suffering from blossom end rot.

Likely causes: inconsistent water availability due to small soil volume combined with high temperatures, drought, and respect for municipal water shortages; a cycle of soaking and rapidly drying out can cause this condition. Both this and an overabundance of nitrogen fertilization can contribute to blossom end rot in tomatoes, as calcium deficiency can result from both.